₦airaland Forum

The LORD is healing the following circumstances:

-Pedro Alexandro is a 5-year-old boy in Brasil. Struggles with severe food allergies. His parents are exhausted for this young boy's challenge in finding hypoallergenic foods for him. Malnourishment is a problem. Frequent visits to all kinds of specialists, but to no avail. The LORD has seen your tears and your sleepless nights; and has heard; and is answering right now. HaleluYah.

-A young woman named Renee. Prior history of occult involvement. You want out, yet the ties that bound you to the covenant still drags you in. You cannot seem to make a complete clean break from your past. You do not know why. Here's why. There's a person in your life called Augustina. This person is that tie that binds; and your lingering link to the occultic past. You must cut that ties that bind. Severe the cord. Tear the deed. If you involve throwing away or breaking down physical objects, shredding documents etc., DO IT. It seems trivial, but when it comes to the occult, what the natural eyes can behold, and feel is not important. It's what that object represents in the spiritual realm that matter more. Yet, objects can be accursed and having it in your space and person keeps the spiritual link (curses attached to it) ever present and active. Take/ bring no accursed thing into your tent, lest you be accursed like it (Deut 7.26, Josh 6.18)

-Bianca. I see you recently underwent life crisis. I hear from the LORD: this is not a closing chapter; no, your story is not ended. There is more for you. You think you have nothing to offer; to give; to salvage. But what is that in your hand? Give me what's left in your hand. Throw down that staff. Give me those 2 fishes and 3 loaves left: that small curse of oil and handful of barley. Give it; and I will multiply it saith the LORD. Amen.

-There is a young woman suffering from a skin condition called Pemphigus vulgaris; causes you to break out into skin boils or blisters and quite painful. You have dealt with relatively new; it's a recent diagnosis. The LORD is healing you.

-Another I see experiencing difficulty swallowing. Also recently diagnosed with a neurological condition called Guillan Barre. Your name is Andrea. It seems you are consumed with thoughts of progressive case, and your thoughts hold you captive. You can speak words of healing and hope and of faith; and see the LORD move on your behalf.

May Holy One, Blessed be HE grant healing, hope and peace to any and everyone who is calling out. HE hears, HE sees and HE knows; and HE is working. Amen. Amen.

-

Conditional security of a believers’ eternal salvation. Part 2 of 5.

You cannot preach grace without the law. Without the law, the gospel of grace makes no sense and has no context. Without the law, there’s no sin. Sin is deviation from the standard of the law of the LORD.

Without the law, there's no sin. IF there's no law to show sin, grace becomes an irrelevant, nonsensical concept.

# No saved sinner will make heaven.

Gal 5.19-23 “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God…..”

Gal 6.7: Do not be deceived: YHVH cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Sow in flesh, reap corruption (condemnation), sow in the spirit, reap life.

Eph 5.5-7: For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of YHVH. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the LORD’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

James 1.21-22: Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word and deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Rev 22.14-15 “14 Blessed are those who [g]do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexual immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

# You must show your salvation BY your works.

Matt 3.8 "Therefore bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance (salvation)."

Matt 7.19-21 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

Matt 24.48-51 ''But IF that evil slave says in his heart, 'My master is not coming for a long time,' and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

James 2. 18 "You have faith, I have actions; prove to me your faith without actions and I will prove mine to you by my actions."

Acts 26.20 "...they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds."

2 Cor 9.8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”.

2 Cor 13.5 “Test yourselves to see if you are in faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test”?

# It’s not the hearers of words that a justified, but doers of the word.

Matt 23.3b "…. for they say things and do not do them." Luke 11.28. "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."

John 1.22 “but be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Romans 2.13 “For it is not the hearers of the law who are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.”

1 John 2.3 “By this we know that we have come to know Him, IF we keep His commandments.” 1 Jn 3.9: No one who is born of YHVH will continue to sin, because the LORD’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of YHVH.

Proverbs 6.23: For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light.

2 John 1.6 “This is love that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.”

1 Cor 4.20: “For the kingdom of YHVH does not consist in words, but in power.”

Jas 1.26 “IF anyone thinks himself to be religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.”

Conditional security of a believers’ eternal salvation: Scripture speaks. Part 3 of 5.

Shadows of the Messiah in the Torah. Genesis chapters 28.10 – 32.3. Part 2 of 2

Today’s Parshah (Torah reading): Bereshit 28.10-32.3 is called “Vayetze”; which means ‘and he went out’ found in Genesis 28.10.

# The children of Yaakov in exile: 12 sons and 1 daughter. Their individual and collective names utter prophetic message giving a summary of the Hebrews history and of the Messiah.

-Chapter 29 & 30 supplies us with the children born to Yaakov via 4 women: Leah & Rachel his wives, Zilpah & Bilhah, the wives’ maidservants/concubines respectively. So, Leah, though is unloved, has no problem conceiving. She gives birth to total of 6 sons and 1 daughter. Rachel remains barren thru all that. However, she and Leah end up giving their handmaids Bilhah and Zilpah respectively to Yaakov to conceive. Both handmaids conceive 4 total sons, 2 each. According to the Testament of Patriarch in Deuterocanon, Bilhah and Zilpah are sisters as they share same father. Also interesting to note, they are also distant relatives of Yaakov and Rachel; so, these 2 women were not totally foreign, in case you wondered about their origin. How are they all related then? Deuterocanon states that Bilhah and Zilpah’s father was a cousin of Avraham; and their mothers were maidservants to Rivkah. In those days, they really preferred to keep it within the family to preserve spiritual legacy. This practice of preserving spiritual legacy was not kept by proceeding generations, beginning with king Solomon's dalliance with foreign women who led him and the nation into idolatry, which really began the downfall of Isreal as a nation and as a people

# The children of Yaakov by Leah in order of birth: Reuven & Shimeon. (1st & 2nd sons).

-The names of the children of Isreal are prophetic declaration of their destines and messianic in nature. Reuven is the eldest son of both Yaakov and Leah (29.32). His name means ‘behold a son’. In this Leah is declaring the LORD has seen her afflictions and rewarded her with a son. The son speaks of Yeshua. What were Leah’s afflictions? Recall, Yaakov’s love interest was really Rachel, but Leah is pawned off to Yaakov deceptively. So, there’s no doubt that because of this, there was some friction and tension among the trio. It is similar to Hagar’s struggle with Sarah; except in this instance, Leah and Rachel are sisters and Leah is properly married to Yaakov unlike Hagar. Hagar when she was banished to the wilderness also said YHVH ‘El Roi’: the one who sees my afflictions in the wilderness. Shimeon is the second son named ‘because the LORD has heard’. HE is not Elohim who just sees, but Elohim who hears. Amen. Prophetic message in their two names: Behold the SON (Reuven), HEARS or will hear (Shimeon)..

# The children of Yaakov by Leah in order of birth: Levi & Judah (3rd & 4th).

-Leah conceives 3rd son and names him ‘Levi’ because ‘now my husband shall unite/join to me’. The name Levi means ‘unite’, or ‘join’ and speaks of YHVH joining HIMSELF to us via HIS Son, Yeshua. The atoning work of Christ is what unites us to the Father. Interestingly, the descendants of Levi receive the priesthood and along with tribe of Judah becomes the leadership of Isreal. The Levi tasked with the spiritual leadership of Isreal; in teaching the Torah along with temple services. And the tribe of Judah of the kingship rule of Isreal. In the case of absence of the kingship of Isreal, the leadership of Isreal defaulted to the Levitical priesthood. Note that the Levites played the role of the leadership of Isreal when they were still a total theocratic society before the kingship of Judah began. The monarch of Isreal began when Isreal requested for a king; the prophet Shmuel oversaw the transition from priesthood to kingship. The monarchy ended when Isreal was exiled during Assyrian and Babylonian rule. Even after return from Babylonian captivity, Isreal remained under the ruling empires from Persia to Greek to Roman rule as vasal state and never truly regained total independence and never reinstated their Davidic kingship. In those days, a sect of priests assumed the rulership of Isreal and maintained sovereignty of Isreal as semi-autonomous entity for over 100 years before the Roman destruction of the 2nd temple.

-Leah continues her childbearing streak, she gives birth to a fourth and calls him Yehudah because ‘this time, I will praise the LORD’. Yehudah (Judah) is from Hebrew root word ‘yada’ and means praise. Judah becomes the tribe that takes on the kingship of Isreal. But why did YHVH skip the first three sons to give the kingship of Isreal to Yehuda instead of Reuven the first born? As we will learn later, Reuven defiled his father’s bed, and firstborn right was stripped from him. And Levi and Shimeon also forfeited their rights because of their murderous act that put their lives in jeopardy behind their fathers’ back. Together, both of their names utter a prophetic message: Unite/Join with me (Levi), and we will Praise the LORD (Judah). .

-Later, we learn that Joseph of the son of Rachel was given the honor to share the firstborn inheritance with Yehudah too because of his afflictions in Egypt and having saved Isreal from starvation. Of note, the tribe of Levi did redeem themselves when they avenged the instigators of idolatry in the matter of Peor in their time in the wilderness. For this the tribe of Levi was rewarded with the role of priesthood forever and their inheritance scattered across Isreal. Thus, all three tribes: Levi, Judah and Joseph (Efrayim) share shared the leadership of the nation of Isreal.

# The children of Yaakov by Rachel’s maid servant Bilhah: Dan (5th) & Napthali (6th).

-In 30.6, Rachel angry at Yaakov for not bearing children; Yaakov replies ‘am I Elohim that I should withhold from you fruit of the womb?’ And so, Rachel gives Bilhah to Yaakov to bear children on her behalf. Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid, conceives 2 sons. Rachel names one ‘Dan’ meaning Judgement and alludes to the judgement and justice of YHVH. Of course, prophetically, it ultimately speaks of Yeshua as the judge. Samson was also a Danite who judged Isreal, which might be how he obtained his name. In Yaakov’s last blessings, Dan is spoken of as the judge of Isreal. Bilhah has another son and calls Napthali because she says, ‘I have wrestled with my sister and prevailed’ {30.8}. His name reminds of Yaakov’s wrestling with an angel who renames him to Isreal because he prevailed with Elohim. Yeshua wrestled in prayer in HIS mission while on earth on our behalf and secured an ultimate victory for us. Their names prophetically speak ‘EL has judged or will judge (Dan) my struggles/ wrestle (Naphtali)’. .

# The children of Yaakov with Zilpah: Gad (7th) & Zevulun (8th).

-When Leah thinks, she has come to the end of her childbearing days, she gives Zilpah to Yaakov to continue to bear children. And so, Zilpah conceives a boy, and Leah calls him Gad for she said ‘how fortunate’ am I she said (30.11). His name is metaphor for good fortunes bestowed upon Isreal, the blessings of the covenant with YHVH. Indeed, the Messiah in HIS first coming was a blessing to all who received HIM and who received HIM today. And the other son, she calls Asher, and she says, ‘happy am I’. Asher can also mean blessed. Indeed, Isreal was blessed and the Messiah a blessing to the nations. Prophetically the names declare: How fortunate (Gad) & blessed/happy I am (Asher).



# The children of Yaakov with Zilpah: Issachar (9th), Zevulun (10th) & a daughter Dinah (11th).

-Leah too decides to do the same as Rachel. One day, Reuven comes back from fields with mandrake. Rachel asks for some, but Leah resists saying, ‘is it small matter that you have my husband’s love, must you also take away from son’?” And so, she and Rachel make a deal, and it involves pawning Leah sleeping with Yaakov. So, she conceives again a son Issachar and says ‘YHVH has given me my wages’ (17). In other words, the LORD has paid her back fully for all her sorrows being the unloved. Issachar means reward as well. The LORD shall reward all those who take refuge in HIM. HE is returning with HIS rewards for those who believe, trust and keep to HIS ways (Rev. 22.12). Leah conceives again and names his 6th son Zevulun meaning ‘EL has endowed me with good gift’. The Spirit of YHVH is a giver of good gifts. For HE ascended to heaven and gave gifts to man. The gift of eternal life is in Christ. Leah finishes her reproductive years with a girl as the very last born, whom she names Dinah; also means to judge. Take note their 3 names prophetically declare: HIS reward (Yissachar), and the prince (lord) shall come (Zevulun); the righteous Judge (Dinah).

-Note at this point, Rachel the beloved is still yet barren and has not conceived. Also notice one thing common in Leah’s naming of her children: it often had to do with her situation with Yaakov as the unloved. Reuven & Simeon were because the LORD had given her ‘son’ (Reuven) as the LORD heard (Simeon) her; and will be ‘united’ (Levi) with her for this she will praise (Judah) the LORD; who has ‘judged and vindicated her’ (Dan, Dinah) because of her wrestling (Napthali) with her sister for the affections of her husband. How fortunate (Gad) and happy (Asher) she is among all women for the LORD has paid her back wages (Issachar) & good gifts (Zevulun) for her troubles with her husband. Note: though Leah in her mind, is naming her children based on her sentimentality, yet (unbeknownst to her) she was uttering prophetic declaration of/for Isreal’s history & redemption in the Messiah to come.

# The children of Yaakov with Rachel: Yusuf (& later Benoni or BinYamin).

-And after some time, the LORD remembers Rachel and opens her womb (30.22). So, Rachel conceives Yosef (Joseph), whom she names saying ‘may the LORD add to me another’. But was it that the LORD shut her womb or was it that her conceiving was according to divine timing? The matriarchs of scripture who had trouble conceiving were said to be ‘barren’. But truly, it was just that these women were carrying greatness; something special reserved for specific divine appointment and timing. So, when it was time, Rachel’s womb was opened, and she conceived. And joseph was indeed according to divine timing for Yaakov knew as soon as Joseph was born that it was time to leave Haran and return to the land of Canaan; the land YHVH promised his seed. Note though that at this time, the only son Rachel has with Yaakov is Yosef; [/b]her last born Benoni (Bin Yamin) would be born on their way back to land of Canaan as we shall later in chapter 35. [b]The two of their names speak prophetically: the LORD has added/will add or increase and made me fruitful in my latter days by the son of my right hand. In other words, HaShem adds to make fruitful (Yusuf) in my latter days and by my favored son (BinYamin).

# The collective prophetic declaration and messianic message of the names of 12 sons of Yaakov (Isreal).

This message can be in present as prophesy or in past as statement. Behold the Son has heard and has joined/united with us in the praises (of HIS people). EL will judge my struggles & wrestling. HIS reward will come. He is the prince or Lord (of peace) who brings good fortune. Blessed am I that I am justified, and HE will add to me (fruitful & to forget my afflictions) at the latter end of my days and by son of my right hand (BinYamin). Note: Contained in their names, is the story of Israel as a people, but also, foreshadowed Yeshua; who is to be praised, and who is the reward, in that HE is good news of HIS salvation, who will both judge and bless; and who makes us forget the sorrows of our struggles and afflictions; and who will judge and give rewards and fruitful; whom is sitting at the right hand of the Father.

# Summary of the names of Isreal's 13 children & its prophetic message.

Reuven (Son). Shimeon (hear). Levi (Join/unite). Judah (praise). Dan/Dinah (judge). Napthali (wrestle/struggle). Gad (good fortune). Asher (happy/ blessed). Issachar (reward). Zevulun (prince/lord. Yusuf (add/increase/fruitful). BinYamin (my right hand/day). Yaakov’s children’s names bear prophetic significance. Their names individually and collectively are profoundly a prophetic message Isreal’s, their destiny and their ultimate salvation and redemption. In short, their names collectively were a Messianic prophecy. What a message. The brilliance of Hashem.

# So, after 20 years in Padna-Aram in the house of Lavan, Yaakov prepares to leave Charan to the land of Canaan with his whole family.

30:35: 20 years later of working for Lavan in Charan, Yaakov now has 2 wives, 2 concubines and 12 children (10 sons, 1 daughter), Yaakov grows weary of Lavan’s treachery for having changed his wages so many times. Hashem also tells Yaakov that it’s time to return to the land of his forefathers for HE has seen the ways Lavan deals treacherously with him. Yaakov asks Laban that he may return to Canaan. They make a deal for Yaakov to leave with certain spotted and streaked flocks for his payments for services rendered to Laban. But Laban tricks him again by removing spotted and streaked flocks such that Yaakov had nothing to take with him. Yaakov then does this thing with striped rod placed in front when the flocks mate; and this supernaturally works, so that the flocks give birth to strong stripped and spotted flocks. One day, when Lavan is out and about, Yaakov picks up his entire clan, and belongings and flees from Lavan. Rachel steals the household gods of his father Lavan on their departure. When Lavan finds out that Yaakov and his family are gone, Hashem appears to him in a dream and tells him not to harm and to say nothing good nor bad to Yaakov.

-31.22-23: And so, on the route back to Canaan, Lavan catches up with Yaakov and complains to Yaakov for leaving without him saying goodbye to his daughters and children (*scripture does not recognize ‘grand’ children so here they are just his children). Yaakov lays his own complaint to Lavan for having taken advantage of him for these many years. Lavan also accuses Yaakov of stealing his gods. Laban searches their luggage to see who took the household gods. Yaakov says let whoever took it not live (31.32). Yikes. Those are strong declaration from Yaakov not knowing his beloved Rachel took the household gods (teraphim). Both make peace and part ways amicably. Yaakov and his family left; and came upon a place where they encounter company of angels. Yaakov calls the place Machanayim (32.2-3); meaning 'host of angels'.

-Later we learn, that on the way back to Canaan, Rachel conceives yet another son, but she dies giving birth. And Yaakov call him ‘Benoni’ (Bejamin), son of my right hand (or son of my days) . Why was it Yaakov who names him? Because Rachel dies while giving birth to his last son. And so, the LORD did add unto her another son whom Yaakov calls ‘son of my days’ because he is conceived in his later years. Both sons are of the beloved and thus both are loved most by Yaakov, with Joseph as Yaakov’s favorite. Just as Yeshua was the Son that sits at the right hand of the Father, the beloved begotten Son of the Father.

# Rachel’s steals father’s teraphim (idol gods). Yaakov’s curses & the power of spoken words. Be mindful of your spoken and written words.

-Few questions arise: why did Rachel take his father’s idols? What was Yaakov thinking when he proclaimed such curses? How was he sure that it wasn’t one of his children (or wives) that took the household gods? What made him so certain and so bold and so reckless in making such deadly statement? As we shall see later, Rachel dies giving birth to BinYamin or Benoni (Yaakov’s last son). Did Rachel die because of Yaakov’s curse upon whoever stole Lavan’s teraphim? Some say Rachel took the gods because she was a prior worshipper of his father’s gods. Some say she wanted a piece of her heritage (albeit his fathers’ gods). Others say, she wanted to take away the gods her father worshipped to spare her father from worshipping false gods since she had converted to the EL of Yaakov.

-My own take is that Rachel took the household gods as a souvenir to remember of her past life, a part of her fathers’ (home) heritage, but not necessarily with the intent to worship the idol, though it well could have led to it. Why didn’t Rachel give up the teraphim to her father when he came to search? Perhaps she would have spared herself from the curse pronounced by Yaakov. She died prematurely for her actions. Though scripture does not illustrate that her untimely death was due to Yaakov’s curses, however, we are within reason to infer. We know this because idolatry in Isreal according to the law of YHVH is punishable by death. The lesson in this being that YHVH sees idols as an act worthy of death. It's possible that Rachel brought the curses upon herself by taking the idols that belonged to her father. Later, we see in Devarim, that YHVH warns Isreal not to take or bring idols of other nations into their tents because idols are accursed things. Be careful what you bring into your space and your life. If you bring an accursed thing, you too become accursed. . Is it possible that many Christians are suffering one thing or another because they have accursed items in their houses? Or a spoken word curses by either themselves or another?

Next: Shadows of the Messiah in the Torah. Genesis chapters 32.4-36.43.

Shabbat Shalom Chevarim (peaceful sabbath friends). Baruch HaShem. Let us begin....

Firstly, let's establish, Yeshua was not born in December. Secondly, Let's reinforce, Christmas festivities and all its associated paraphernalia were all pagan derived. Today, that pagan stench exists, Christmas and all its celebratory festivities are all still very infested with pagan imprints.

Yet!, we know YHVH specializes in redeeming fallen state of humanity. Read on to see how YHVH took back the pagan nature of Christmas even BEFORE Satan invented it. Ah...player played.

# Ok, ok, get on with it then, what’s the link within the 3 events?

-As we will delve deeper in a coming segment, the biblical/historical/logical support that Yeshua was born in the fall feasts of Tabernacles in the Hebrew month of Tishrei (September/Oct). So, then if you perform a simple arithmetic, a September birthday places Yeshua’s conception in the month of Kislev (mid to late December) of previous year. . No, conception and birth date isn't the same. Conception is fertilization of egg and sperm to give embryo. Perhaps there’s hope and redemption yet for believers who dabble in pagan festivities of Christmas.

-Is it not a divine coincidence then or divinely orchestrated that in the same month that the Jews would conquer their enemies and rededicate the temple after the miracle of 8-day light is the same month that Yeshua, the true miracle and light would come into the world? And even more so, even though Christians’ Christmas celebrations are tainted with a paganism, yet YHVH specializes in redeeming imperfect stories of hearts with pure intentions/motives. In that, look how YHVH had redeemed pagan derived Christmas superseding it in the antecedent events of Maccabean revolt and rededication of the temple which came first and foreshadowed the reason for the season.

Who could forge this but Hashem. The Divine comes into the world the same month that Jews celebrate Chanukkah and Christians "would" celebrate Christmas despite its pagan roots etc; but let’s not go into that right now- will climb that soap box another day. For now, let’s talk boring history stuff…. the historical background on how/why Chanukah came to be.

# About Chanukkah, also known as “Festival of Lights”.

Chanukkah (pronounced guttural Kh—nu-kah) is Hebrew for “dedication” and is an 8-day celebration commemorating the rededication of the 2nd temple of Jerusalem. It is celebrated in the winter season, beginning generally late in the month of Kislev for 8 days. This year, Chanukkah will be celebrated from eve of Kislev 24 and will go on for 8 days to the month of Tevet 1; in Julian calendar, this will be December 14 to 22. It is important to note, while this festival (along with Purim) is not one of the 8 Moedims of the YHVH instituted in Leviticus 23, it appears the Jews celebrated it even up to the time of Yeshua (see John 10.22); and more so, some argue it was even prophesied in the book of Daniel {8} when he described the events that lead to the establishment of the commemoration of Chanukkah.

# Alexander the Great: his conquest, his death & the split empire of Macedon (Grecia).

-Twas long ago in 2nd century BCE, in the time of Alexander the Great, circa 300 BCE, when he had successfully conquered some former Persian empire territories including Babylon, Egypt, Persia, Syria and Isreal to become the next dominating empire of the time to become the Macedonia empire (or more biblically ‘Grecia’). And so, Isreal, the Holy Land, Jerusalem was majorly under the rule of the Grecian empire; and as such the Greek Hellenistic culture took over the entire conquest regions and extended all of Grecian empire influencing every area from culture, language, and customs. Over several decades later, the entire world including the remnant Jews would be Hellenized which was sustained even after Alexander the Great’s reign.

# Antiochus and forced assimilation thru Hellenization of the Jews.

-While there were some inevitable Hellenization, Alexander the Great did not seek to enforce Greek culture upon nations and regions of his conquest. However, when Alexander the Great suddenly died, his Grecian empire split into 4 independent kingdoms under the leadership of 4 of his top generals. The southern portion (Egypt and beyond) was headed by the Ptolemies and the northern portion (Seleucid; Syria and thereabouts) by Antiochus IV. Circa 167 BCE, Antiochus IV (aka: Epiphanes (Gk “god made manifest”), decided on forced Hellenization with the brunt of his political forced assimilation towards the remnant Jews residing in Jerusalem. Antiochus was not satisfied until he would ultimately vanquish all trace of Jewish life, culture and religion. He found some resistance in destroying the religion of the Jews.

-Antiochus went on a radical rampage to halt worship in temple and its sacrificial services, prohibited all visible ways that Jews observe the law of YHVH. One day, Antiochus gathered enough of his troop and entered the temple in Jerusalem whereby he set up altar upon which he sacrificed a pig to Zeus. This was that abomination that causes desecration spoken of by Daniel, the prophet. For this very heinous act, historians promptly called Antiochus by the epithet Epimanes (the mad man). Antiochus succeeded for a time being except that in 165 BCE, 2 years later, certain remnant of Jews began an active rebellion. It was his act of the desecration of temple that caused certain Jews of high priestly family called the Hasmoneans of the family of Mattathias to lead a revolt against Antiochus and a resistance again all forms of Hellenization of Jewish faith and culture.

# The Maccabean Revolt.

-Matthias was said to be a High Priest of those days together with his youngest son, Yehuda (also known as Maccabee (Hb: the hammer) who led the rebellion. Though many Jews fought and perished, and though the stench of Hellenization remained, yet the rebellion was successful because the most critical part of Jewish culture at the time, the temple worship and its rituals were preserved- for the time being. The temple in Jerusalem was freed from Antiochus occupation, cleansed and rededicated for worship of YHVH and return of all temple services. It was clearly of miraculous turnout for the Jewish men with non-military background and unequipped with sophisticated army and weapon to defeat the legion bastion of Greek/Syrian army of Antiochus. *Note prophetically the son Yehuda (Judah) leading revolt/redemption, a sign of the coming of Messiah of Judah.

-According to historical account, the entire rebellion lasted for roughly 3.0 years; and from the time of the defilement of temple by Antiochus to the end of the battle and cleansing of the temple came to be roughly 3.5 years (1260 days or 42 months). Daniel the prophet narrated this account in his prophecies, which clearly had been fulfilled partially in the events that occurred in the time of Antiochus. Yet, the complete fulfilment is yet for a future ahead towards the end of day. A future antichrist figure will replicate Antiochus in characteristics and in function and in the events except this time will include the new covenant church.

# The rededication of the temple & the miracle of the light of 8 days.

-At the time of rededication of the temple circa Kislev 25 (December 25), according to customs of the law of the law, the Menorah is to be lit with purified oil. . But there was scarcity of (purified) oil to light the lamp because the desecration of the temple by Antiochus and his men had caused defilement of the oil storage in the temple. According to Torah, the oil for Menorah (1 center candlestick with 6 branched candles in the temple) had to go thru ritual purification before being used in lighting the Menorah. This ritual purification is one of many temple priestly function. And so, there was not enough ritually purified oil to light the 7 branched Menorah in the temple, there was only enough oil for one day of light.

-It would apparently take a few days (8 days some say) for the process of acquiring and sanctifying oil suitable to light the Menorah. . And so, the Jews light the Menorah expecting it to last just for one day. However, the lamp remained lit for 8 whole days before giving out: just in time for the sanctified fresh batch of oil for the Menorah. Thus, the 8-day miracle became aptly both as ‘festival of light’ and ‘festival of dedication’ (of the temple). It is critical to appreciate that not only was miracle of light, but also to recognize the defeat of Antiochus and his army by a handful of military unequipped and inexperienced Jews was entirely of a miraculous supernatural intervention.

# Traditions and Customs of Chanukah celebration.

Chanukah is celebrated in 4th month of Kislev in Hebrew Calendar; and generally, falls in middle of the month of Kislev. The 8 branched candelabrum (1 centre candle stick + 4 branches) is called the Chanukkiah and is displayed in households, doors, windows and in the synagogues typically where it is visible from the outside and in order to give light. On the first erev (night), one candle is lit and on the second night, another lit up until the very last one kindled on day 8. Special blessings such as Hallel, Al Hamissim, Hoda’ah of Amidah, Birkat Hamazon are recited each night to mark the occasions. Traditionally also are customary foods (typically fried or baked flour goods, cakes); and games are played called spin the dreidel. Chanukah gelt (gifts) are exchanged between and among peoples.

Next: The miracle of Chanukkah (festival of light) foreshadowed Yeshua, the light of the world.

Shadows of the Messiah in the Torah. Genesis chapters 28.10 – 32.3. Part 1 of 2

Today’s Parshah (Torah reading): Bereshit 28.10-32.3 is named “Vayetze”; which means ‘and he went out’ found in Genesis 28.10.

# Ya’akov flees from Esev = foreshadows exile of Isreal from the land of Isreal (28.10-22); dreams of ladder from heaven with angels ascending and descending.

-In 28.10-22, Yaakov after having deceived their father Yitzhak received the firstborn blessings that pertained to Esev. He flees from Beersheva in Canaan towards Charan because of the wrath of his brother Esev for having taken his primogeniture (right of firstborn). Beersheva (hb: well of the 7 oaths) represents a fruitful, peaceful and secure place. Charan means ‘wrath’ and represents a place of hardship, struggle, and deceit. En route to Charan (Haran), Yaakov stops at a certain ‘place’ (Mt. Moriah), he lays down and has a dream. In this dream, he sees a ladder between earth and heaven (v12). And upon the ladder are angels ascending and descending. The LORD appears and tells him this ‘place’ will be given to him and descendants (v15). Yaakov wakes up and is inspired by the dream and proclaims the place to be special, a gateway of heaven. Yaakov uses the stone that he laid his head as monument and builds an altar in the Name of HaShem. He pours oil on it calls the spot ‘Beit-EL’ (hb: house of God). And he vows to that if YHVH should grant him safety, he would tithe of all his belongings. In this, Yaakov sets the stage for a future house/altar built unto the LORD, the temple of YHVH.

# Yaakov’s in exile: the dream of ladder; the stone pillow/ monument and the oil. Yeshua, the staircase to heaven.

- Yaakov’s exile and dream was portending what would befall his descendants, the Hebrews. Yaakov’s fleeing from Esev foreshadows the exilic history of the children of Isreal brought upon by the various empires throughout history beginning with the Assyrians. Yaakov’s dream was more of a complete prophetic revelation of Isreal’s history: the covenant promises of the Canaan, their exile from Canaan and their ultimate salvation in Messiah, and restoration into the land in the last days. In Yaakov’s dream, the ladder, the angels, the stone monument and the oil were also foreshadows. The ladder in the dream was a bridge, a point of contact, a conduit, a portal of communication between heaven and earth; between YHVH and man. The ladder was a type of ‘thinning of veil’ between the spiritual realm and the natural. Yeshua was that bridge, a point of contact, and the conduit between man and YHVH. Yeshua is the only ladder (way) to heaven (John 6.38, John 14.6, John 20.17). Since dawn of time, man has always sought their own ‘ladder’ to the heavens beginning with Nimrod and the tower of babel. We see these various ‘ladders’ in the forms of various religions (gods) and belief system that exist. We see that in various Christian denominations, unbiblical theologies & church beliefs, practices and system.

-Another interesting connection is that the Hebrew word for Ladder, sulam סֻלָּם has same numerical value (gematria) of Sinai סִינַי which is 130, thus linking the two together. It was at Mt. Sinai that Moshe received the entire law from YHVH. Mt. Sinai was known as ‘the Mount of YHVH’; which then was as a conduit, and a channel of communication & connection between the Divine and man. While Moshe received the letter of the law on Mt. Sinai. In the new covenant, Yeshua who is the law gave HIS Ruach who writes the same law in the hearts of flesh (=spirit of the law). The stone raised to an altar in a spot called Beit-EL and anointed with oil seem to foreshadow of the temple of the LORD that would be built at Jerusalem; that is an altar raised unto the LORD, an anointed place of worship indeed. The place of his dream becomes Mt. Moriah where Solomon ends up building a temple (with altar) to YHVH. The stone could also be Yeshua, who is said to be the corner stone of the church; and the place where an altar is built is church today.

-So, what is the moral of the story for us today? Yaakov went into exile for his treachery & deceit. Yaakov was a goodly sort, but he wasn’t perfect. He had his flaws. We today, even as believers, will err from time to time. And we too may find ourselves fleeing to exile from our mistakes. But most importantly is that living in persistent sin and disobedience creates a type of spiritual exile from YHVH even though you are a believer. Yet, one can quickly make T’shuva (repent) and return to the right path of righteousness. Notice though that Yaakov though exiled, it was a spiritual journey of sorts. That exile was another stage in his spiritual ascent; and because he ‘wrestled with YHVH in his exiled state and prevailed’, he came out of the test successful and was blessed rather in his exiled state. It means today, finding oneself in a state of exile can be a spiritual test of sorts. And if the LORD is with you (and you abide in HIM), you too can be blessed in a ‘state of exile’ and you too can prevail. Amen.

# Angels ascending and descending: angels & essential missions on behalf of heaven (YHVH) and earth (man).

-Angels (hb: Malakhim) are first messengers of HaShem sent on HIS behalf as agents upon earth. Angels operate in the invisible spiritual realm to bring about events in the natural (physical) world. Scripture is replete with examples of their activities. Often, they are even used interchangeable or in place of the LORD. Angels are representatives of the LORD that at times, their words and actions might as well be thought of as the LORD’s. However, they are not autonomous; they respond and work at the behest of the Father. Not only are the messengers of EL, but they are also ministering spirits sent to believers. In fact, in Hebrews, Shaul the apostle tells that angels are ministering angels sent on behalf of those being saved. It’s no doubt angels played a critical role in the old covenant. But they were not scarce in new covenant either. It was an angel (Gavriel specifically) that appeared to Zecharyahu in the temple to announce the birth of Yochanan; and to Miryam to announce the conception of Yeshua. Yeshua in HIS preparation time in the wilderness was ministered to by angels. There was ample angelic ministration during apostolic missions of Shaul and Kefa in scripture.

-Yes, then, this implies that true believers can have angels sent and working on their behalf. Yet we are also admonished to eschew the worship of angels for they are only created beings just as we are; they are servants of YHVH. Many have deviated into the occultic and ascetism focusing on angels (and this includes excessive and undue attention to demons and demonic activities. Demons are fallen angels and are also real, and their activities are reals. Just as YHVH’s angels, demons Satan’s messengers sent too on behalf of the demonic realm. Thus, both angelic and demonic forces work and battle in the spiritual realm bringing about events in the natural. Shaul said it clearly, our battle is not flesh and blood but with principalities and powers in high places. Just as angels work at behest of YHVH and need human cooperation, Demons too need obtain permission from YHVH in conjunction with cooperation of human agents and vessels to execute and of their activities one earth.

# Yaakov in Charan meets Rachel tending flock near the well of water. He rolls away rock covering well of water (29.1-14).

-Yaakov en route to Haran, encounters Rachel, the youngest of Lavan’s 2 daughters tending flocks in an open field. Yaakov lifts a stone covering a well of water and waters gushes up and overflows watering the flocks of Laban. Laban offers him a welcome to his home and paid work tending the flocks. Rachel runs home to tell his father Laban of Yaakov and the miracle at the well. Apparently, it is said that this water flowed continuously for at least 20 years. One cannot but see Yeshua in the stone and the well of water that never ceased. Yeshua is said to be the chief corner stone upon which the church is built, the rock of our salvation. HE also is the endless source of living water that whomever drinks shall not thirst again but shall have water welling up to eternal life (John 4.121-14).

-In 29.11, Yaakov when he sees Rachel lifts his voice, kisses Rachel and weeps. He is overcome with gratitude and joy. But is there more to Yaakov’s weeping when he saw Rachel? The sages tie Yaakov weeping with what he foresaw: his descendants via Rachel, their exile, & travail that awaits them (Yaakov’s trouble- Jer 30.7). But also tears of joy for he also saw their ultimate redemption in Christ. Jeremiah speaks of Rachel weeping for her children in what befell Jerusalem in the Babylonian destruction and dispersion (Jer 31.15-16); and in what befell Judah the time of Christ when Herod commanded that all 2-year-olds be slaughtered (Matt 2.17). Today, in a way, Rachel still weeps for her children for many are still dispersed from their land and many do not even know who they are and still reject the Messiah today.

-It was said that Leah, the oldest of Lavan’s daughters, also must have wept (or weeps) which is shown in her eyes being weak (v 17). Why was it important to tell us that Leah’s eyes were weak? Jewish tradition holds that Leah’s eyes being weak were due to her persistent crying and tearful prayers- as the unloved. It was as if she foreknew the rejection she would experience in her deceptive marriage with Yaakov. But, you know, the LORD is a great equalizer because for this, the LORD had mercy on Leah and blessed her with many children with Yaakov (v 31). Even so that the unloved and the rejected became the matriarch of Yeshua (via Judah, the 4th son). Praise the LORD who redeems and turns our ashes into beauty. Amen. May the LORD wipe every tears of the unloved and turn your ragged mess into a woven beautiful tapestry.

# Yaakov pledges to work for Lavan for 7 years in order to marry Rachel; ends up tricked into marrying Leah (29.15-30).

-Yaakov agrees to work tending flock for Lavan his uncle for 7 years as dowry for Rachel’s hand in marriage. However, after 7 years, Lavan deceives him and gives him Leah, the eldest unbeknownst to Yaakov. Yaakov finds out but marries Rachel as well in exchange for another 7 years of work. Yaakov, being a deceiver himself, had been recompensed for his past treachery upon his brother Esev. Repentance does not erase nor void consequences. Yaakov though more righteous man than Esev, was not perfect. He had his flaws, and his deceptive treachery found him out. He too was tricked and deceived. This is divine justice at work. You see, the LORD may forgive and redeem stories, but it doesn’t necessarily negate consequences of one’s choices and actions; nor does it erase divine justice. Lesson? Be sure your sins will find you out.

# Leah & Rachel’s sister rivalry represent two competing kingdoms of Isreal: of ethnic Isreal & the spiritual Isreal (the church).

- So, Yaakov ends up with 2 wives: one beloved (Rachel), and the other not so much (Leah). These 2 sisters represent the 2 kingdoms of Isreal in the old covenant. The kingdom of David split into two in the reign of Rechvam, son of Solomon: the southern kingdom Judah (tribes of Judah, Benjamin and some Levites); and the northern kingdom of Ephraim (or Isreal; the rest of the tribes). Leah became the matriarch for the kingdom of Judah from which the Messianic line came; and which remained loyal mostly to the Davidic line; Rachel the matriarch for the other half of the kingdom of Israel (the house of Yosef and the other 10 or 11 tribes)

-In the new covenant, Leah represent the gentile church (spiritual Isreal) and Rachel represent ethnic Isreal. In that, though Rachel was the beloved just as Isreal was the beloved, Leah was shown favour and mercy by her producing many children more so than Rachel. Just as haShem blessed Leah with children, in Christ the gentile church has produced more spiritual children far more than the initially beloved ethnic Isreal. Paul spoke about this when he said in the book of Hebrew that it was for the unbelief of Isreal that gentiles were grafted into the olive tree. However, a remnant of Rachel’s children (ethnic Isreal) shall be saved. The spiritual destines of both the gentile church, and the remnant of ethnic Isreal are reconciled in Christ.

- As we will learn later, Leah, the unloved, is blessed with many children and ultimately becomes the matriarch of the Messiah (Judah). But as her first born (Reuven) lost the firstborn right for his transgressions by Bilhah, his father’s concubine, this firstborn right was passed from him to one of Rachel’s two children: Joseph. Joseph as we will learn later, after his ordeal in Egypt becomes a type of Messiah and his descendants become the leadership of the northern kingdom of split Isreal. This is HaShem fingerprint: he weaves stories in and out yet all interlinked. Truly, all things work together according to HIS sovereign will and purpose.

Shadows of the Messiah in the Torah. Genesis chapters 28.10 – 32.3. Part 2 of 2.

@ elated177

Go and serve that your homosexual neighbor down the street. Feed him, quench his thirst, give him clothing, shelter him and nurse his wound, so saith the LORD. This is what you will answer to when Yeshua calls you home, and his homosexual behavior will not make a good excuse for why you did not provide succor.


THIS Is the Torah, the prophets, Yeshua and the apostles.

The END. Consider this my last response on this topic. I have sufficiently made my point. Please go back and re-read my posts if you truly care for what my POV is/was.

My posts is also led by the Spirit. I am not sure what your point is at all. You are repeating yourself to an avail.

What exactly did you understand from my original post and my response to you? Because I don't think you actually read them at all.

Again, nowhere in scripture are we told that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed explicitly for homosexuality. Now Jude 7 speaks of sexual immorality, but it does not say 'homosexual'. Jude 7 can be speaking of adultery, fornication and other forms of sexual debauchery.

Why then do you assume Jude 7 speaks of homosexual behavior.

You are yet to show me where it specifically states S & G were destroyed for specifically Homosexual behavior.

Yet,

Yeshua in the gospel account linked Inhospitality of his disciples in their apostolic mission with the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah.
See Matt 10 & Luke 10.

Answer me this, why are the words of Yeshua concerning S & G not cause for you to reconsider?

Humans... will never accept truth if it kills them.

elated177:
Seraphel, true saints, servants, followers and messengers of YHVH Almighty, of Yahushua the Messiah, do not seek their own glory but the glory of our Father in heaven. It is because I don't seek my own glory that I will vehemently refuse to respond to certain things.

My comments here, as led by the Spirit, are clear and explicitly stated for the genuine readers and seekers to understand. Your posts are not hidden. Let the reader choose whichever he/she is led to.

However, know that the action of the men of Sodom and Gomorrah, as stated below sealed their fate.

Genesis 19: 4 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. 5 They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”

Make of the following Scripture what you wish.

Jude 7  In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.


It is so obvious that my preceding post/comment is so complete and straight to the point. I have to repost it here.

A book discussion. A historical account concerning how Babylonian Paganism survived and thrives in Christianity of today.

Selected excerpts from Book “Paganism in Christianity” by Herbert Abraham Lewis, DD (Doctor of Divinity).

Chapter 2. Pagan methods of interpreting scripture. Part 1 of 2.

*This section is a bit more difficult to distill out the key lessons. This section summarizes the influence of early church fathers by paganistic gnosticism (esoteric) & how it promptly affected their interpretation (& teachings) of scripture particularly mingled with Greek mythology and Roman paganism; some of which still linger on today in various Christian beliefs, doctrines and practices.

*Note well: this is not to dismiss the critical role of 'sod', that is revelatory knowledge of scripture by the Ruach HaKodesh
.

# Gnosticism & Paganism in Biblical Interpretations.

-Long before the time of Christ the Eastern religions had developed a system of philosophy in which were the seeds of that which in later times was known as Gnosticism. This claimed to hold within itself ‘the knowledge of Yahweh and of man, of the being and providence of the former, and of creation and destiny of the latter’. In its journey westward this system had mingled with Jewish thought and given rise to the kabbalists or Jewish Gnostics. In the Eastern religions all external phenomena expressed a hidden meaning. Applying this doctrine to the scripture, the Jewish Gnostics taught that a hidden meaning was to be found in all laws, ceremonies, rituals. They invented the theory that a secret tradition had been handed down from the time of Moses; the interpretation of the Jewish scriptures had been greatly perverted in this way. Gnostics said ‘nothing is what it seems; everything tangible is the symbol of something invisible.

-By this means the history of Old Testament was sublimated into a history of emancipation of reason from senses. This application of the allegorical method of interpretation to Old Testament enabled pagan philosophers to draw from it whatever fancies they chose. This method also favored a tendency among early Christians to interpret Old Testament so as to find upon every leaf of the book some reference to Christ and the Christian religion. Thus, Gnosticism had prepared the way for the obliteration of the concrete positiveness of the old testament, and destroyed its authority in great degree. The entire Grecian world was permeated by the spirit of gnosticism; it formed the bridge between Judaism on the intellectual side, and the Grecian and Egyptian cults. By the time the young christianity came in contact with Greek thought, gnostic influences and tendencies assailed it on every side. Through the gnostic thought within Judaism, along with the gnostic influences within the pagan world, the nascent Christianity was like the traveler from Jerusalem to Jericho who fell among thieves.

# Gnosticism and Biblical exegesis.

-Whatever touches the bible and its interpretation touches Christianity at vital point. The fundamental difference between pagan gnosticism and Christianity lay in the fact that Christianity was revealed religion, finding its beginning and end in the divine love and life unfolded in Christ the Messiah. On the contrary, gnosticism found its source in human reasoning, philosophy and speculations. This rapid survey of the field shows us that gnostic influences represent ‘acute vulgarization of Christianity or Hellenization’. We are therefore prepared to accept his testimony relative to influence of Gnostics as formulators of Christian doctrine. It exaggerates the Pauline view of the distinction of Christianity from Judaism, sunders Christianity from its historical basis, resolves the real humanity of the savior into a doketistic illusion, and perverts the freedom of the Gospel into Antinomian licentiousness.

-Gnostics should be given their place in the history of dogmas; they were the theologians of the first century. They were the first to transform Christianity into a system of doctrines. They were first to elaborate on tradition systematically. They undertook the prove Christianity to be absolute religion, and by it, to hunt down all other religions including Judaism. To them, the absolute religion so far as its content was concerned was identical with results of philosophy, for which revelation was to be sought as foundation. Thus, they became Christians who tried by quick measure to win Christianity for the Hellenic culture, and the Hellenic culture for Christianity. To this end they would surrender the Old Testament that they might make it easier to establish the union between the two religions, and to gain the possibility of proclaiming the absoluteness of Christianity.

-We may also consider the majority of the gnostic efforts to transform Christianity into a theosophy; a system of revealed metaphysics with complete disregard for the Jewish Old Testament foundation, on which it originated and by the use of Pauline ideas. We also compare writers such as Barnabas and Ignatius with the so called Gnostics. A careful student of gnosticism gives a description of its mission and methods which shows how it was prepared to exert such a controlling influence on the history of early Christianity, and how destructive that influence was in the matter of biblical interpretation.

-Gnosis and allegory are essentially allied concepts; and this affords us a very marked indication of the path which will really lead us to the origin of gnosticism; for we shall find that allegory plays an important part in most of its systems. It is well known that allegory is the soul of Alexandrian religious philosophy. Some of the philosophical schools which hung upon the skirts of Christianity mingled such interpretations of Greek mythology with similar interpretations of Old Testament. For example, Simon Magus was said to have interpreted in whatever way he wished both the writings of Moses and those of Greek poets. Ophite writer, Justin evolves an elaborate cosmogony from the story of Herodotus combined with the story of the garden of Eden.

#The church fathers as allegorists.

Beginning with Justin, the leaders of thought in the church from middle of 2nd century were men who had been brought up as pagan philosophers, educated under pagan influence. It was therefore unavoidable that this corrupting system of exegesis should be applied to the books of New Testament. This was done by the Gnostics according to their theory that the true meaning of all writings were hidden. Christ’s life presented many difficulties to the philosophers. Some of the early fathers, those who were least tinctured with greek thought especially Tertullian, opposed this method at first. He declared that it was one of the arts of satan, against which christians must wrestly. But the system was too deep seated in all the prevailing currents of influence to be displaced.

-Even while Tertullian was opposing it, it was tightening its graps upon the christian communities; a grasp which is by no means yet removed. Starting first at Alexandria and strenghtened by the union of greek philosophy and hebrew theology, it gathered force like an increasing tide, overwhelmed all other forms of exegesis. Christianity according to new testament, could not be developed under such exegesis. These Pagano Christian leaders still had greater love for allegorical method because it enabled them to explain away the difficulties which they found in considering Christianity- as they conceived of it, to be the product of Old Testament.

-Justin martyr is eminent example of one who perverted scriptures while claiming to explain them. Other fruitage of their system will be found in another chpater, in the antinomian and anti sabbath doctrines by which the authority of Yahweh and His word were still futher undermined. A careful examination of the entire group of christian writings of the first 5 centuries shows that the age was uncritical and utterly wanting in the learning and habits of thought which prepare men to interpret the bible. It was brought down to the level of the pagan books with which these men were familiar, both as to tis authority and as to the methods by which its meaning was sought. Indeed its real meaning secured and perverted its meaning, so that men were not governed by what it really taught. Men who did not have clear and correct views of the bible could not impart them to other. The masses did not possess copies of the bible, and could not have intepreted it critically had it been in their hands. The church fathers were untrustworthy and incompetent interpreters of the bible.

Chapter 2. Pagan methods of interpreting scripture. Part 2 of 2.

On the series, Shadows of the Messiah in the Torah. Genesis chapters 25.19-28.9. Part 2 of 2.

Today’s Parshah (Torah reading): Genesis 25.19-28.9 is named “Toldot” (Generations) found in Genesis 25.19.

# Yitzhak in Philistine meets Avimelech the king, who fancies Rivkah. Struggle ensues over well of water. Yeshua is the Mayim Chayyim (living water).

-Gen 26 opens with a famine that ensues in the land, and Yitzhak relocates to Gerar. He ventures to Egypt, but HaShem stops him from going to Egypt assuring him that HE is with him and will continue the promise of land of Canaan made to his father Avraham (26.3). He ends up in Philistine where he meets up with Avimelech, king of Philistine. This king fancies Rivkah, whom Yitzhak out of fear claims to be his sister just as his patriarch Avraham did with wife Sarah in their time in Egypt. Ah, family stuff; it runs in the blood. But it isn’t a lie though; they are indeed siblings from patriarch Terach. The LORD favors Yitzhak and he is prosperous in his dealings in the land of philistine. He sows seeds and it produces bountifully more than expected. He digs series of wells before having success which he names Esek (strive), Sitnah (hostility) and the third he names Rehoboth (the LORD has made me fruitful, broad place). Notice at the third trial, he is successful, and water wells up (the well of salvation). This story represents Yeshua as the well springing to eternal Chayyim Mayim (living water) that rose up in the 3rd day. HalleluYah.

-The LORD appears to him again and introduces self as ‘EL of his forefather Avraham and assures him of the promise to bless and multiply him'. The prosperity of Yitzhak draws the ire of Philistine king; and they struggle for space. Both make a covenant of peace, a pact and the king recognizes Yitzhak as ‘blessed one of YHVH’; and both go part ways amicably. Note that here, the covenant of peace symbolizes the covenant of peace (and life) that Yeshua mediated in HIS 1st coming. Yitzhak represented Messianic figure who initiates covenant of peace with gentiles (represented here by the philistine king Gerar).

# Yaakov’s disguise, deception & blessings. Yitzhak’s age induced blindness; blesses Yaakov instead of Esev (27.1-40).

-By reason of age, Yitzhak’s sight is diminished, and he fails to recognize Yaakov disguises as Esev as he dispenses final blessings. So, in turn he bestows the first-born blessings (primogeniture) to Yaakov instead. In Gen 27.15, Rivkah hears of the plan to bless Esev and she plots with his favorite son Yaakov to deceive Yitzhak. Yaakov dons a hairy garment of goat skin to imitate hairy Esev, cooks their father’s favourite meal with the help of his mother. The trick works because Yitzhak blesses Yaakov thinking it was Esev.

# Yitzhak’s (old) age induced blindness foreshadows Isreal’s spiritual blindness and the hiddenness of the Messiah.

-The blindness of Yaakov represented the spiritual blindness of Isreal who did not recognize even the prophets sent to them, nor did they recognize Messiah in HIS 1st coming. This blindness the prophets spoke of plentifully (Isaiah 29.10; 42.19) and Yeshua mentioned their leaders as blind guides (teachers) who lead the blind (Matt 15.14). Yeshua admonished Jewish leaders as blind who claim to see (John 9.41). “Seeing yet do not perceive…” (Matt 13.13). And apostle Paul spoke of this hardening of heart and blindness that had befallen the Jews for the sake of the salvation of gentiles. Romans 11. Even this blindness persist today in the reading of the Torah for the veil is taken away in Christ (2 Cor 3.14-16).

-This veil over Isreal was for the plan of YHVH that gentiles might be saved, redeemed and grafted into the olive tree of Isreal (Romans 11). Consider that if all Isreal had believed in the first century that the kingdom of YHVH could have come in their time. But as Paul the apostle stated, for their unbelief, grace and mercy was extended to gentiles that they may believe (Romans 11.25-26). Today, many people still are blinded to the Messiah and His kingdom. Even if I may be so bold to speak even on those who call themselves believers but are blinded to the true Christ of scripture. Instead, what the Christ they believe in and claim to worship is one of the figment of their imagination or construct of their minds. This sort of blindness can serve as judgement, when people repeatedly refuse the truth, the LORD gives them over to delusion (2 Thes 2.10-11).

# Ya’akov after taking Esev’s firstborn blessings, the supplanter flees to Padan-Aram to his uncle Lavan (27.41-28).

-When Esev return and learns of this treachery, he is enraged and vows to kill his brother Yaakov. Rivkah advises him to flee to Laban his uncle and stay there till Esev’s fury subsides (27.44). So, Yitzhak agrees, blesses and sends off Yaakov to Laban, his uncle and Avraham’s relative; and for him to stay and to find wife there. And so, Yitzchak is separated for long time from his father and his beloved mother. Rivkah suffers for the remainder of her life not seeing her beloved son. Rebellious and furious Esev goes and marries his 3rd wife, this time an Ishmaelite. Before Yaakov leaves, Yitzchak blesses Yaakov with ‘dew of heaven’, fatness of earth (=fat of olive oil), and abundance of grain and new wine (27.28). These were all agricultural blessings; and mirrors the blessings of Devarim given by Moshe in the conclusion of the Torah; and illustrated in many prophetic writings (Joel 2. 19-24). The opposite is also true; in disobedience, curses are reversal is true: famine, lack and drought.

# The blessings upon Yaakov will be ultimately fulfilled in the Messianic Era.

-In 27.29, the blessings of Yaakov continue, ‘many nations shall serve you…you shall be master over your brethren’; ‘blessed are those who bless you, cursed are those who curse you’. ‘May YHVH bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become company of peoples (28.3). Though there were partial fulfilments, much of these prophecies were and will be ultimately fulfilled in Christ in HIS 2nd coming and the Messianic era. How? In Christ, all nations are blessed, and all peoples flow to. In the coming Messianic kingship will be time of abundance of dew/rain, of crops and of new wine; and era of peace and security; where the wicked are under the curse; and all remnant nations and peoples of the earth who are gathered unto Jerusalem, the Torah goes forth and the obedient are blessed and will bless the LORD. Thus, do all the prophetic writings declare.

# Yaakov & Esev: the duality of human nature. Rivah's deceptive method of saving the family’s spiritual legacy. Intention matters.

-Yaakov & Esev in the womb represented two nations and as adults represented conflicting ideologies. Yaakov was a tent dweller, studious and frum in the matters of righteousness of the law. Meanwhile Esev was a hunter, man about the world, rough and chased materialism. Their widely divergent paths symbolize the internal struggle between good inclination (yetzer tov) and evil inclination (yetzer hara) .This story also depicts the length at which Yaakov and his mother go to ensure the family’s spiritual legacy carry on. Even though Yitzhak is not convinced the voice is of Esev, the touch of hairy garment of Yaakov tricks him for hairy Esev. According to Targum (Jewish writings), Yaakov wore goat skin and became a foreshadow of Passover lamb and of Yeshua as the Passover lamb. So, this was all along Hashem’s providential plan. Deceptive human action yet, haShem was the orchestrator. The interplay between human agency and divine providence.

-Never mind the human drama on the surface, the thing is it was HaShem that chose Yaakov before Esev.. It was not really failure of Yitzchak's physical senses, nor was it entirely Esev’s faulty disposition, nor of the treachery of Rivkah and Yaakov. Yaakov was not exactly the perfectly righteous son. It was simply that HaShem knew best whom to choose that will best serve His purposes and plans in the long term. Yitzhak picked Esev after the flesh because he was brave, strong-willed, and wild. Esev was a skilled hunter, and his father loved meat. While Yaakov was timid, shy and a ‘mama’s boy’, yet Rivkah knew or saw something Yitzchak did not. It has been widely observed or known that women are more spiritually discerning than men are. And as it appeared Hashem agreed with Rivkah. HaShem picks after the spirit not according to flesh. And it so happens that while Yitzchak preferred Esev, Rivkah’s choice in Yaakov was of YHVH; that is, according to the spirit. You see, because of Esev’s wild rebellious side, YHVH deemed him less likely to be obedient to commands, and to carry on the spiritual legacy of the Messiahship, which was what YHVH commended their patriarch Avraham for. And for that, Yaakov was the preferred choice.

# The spiritual implications of the story of Yaakov & Esev for new covenant believers today. Crucifying the Esev (flesh) in us is a daily sanctification ongoing process. .

-Hashem favors, choses, blesses those who are diligent in the matters of HIS kingdom, who are observant to HIS words and commands. Those not taken over by the worries, concerns and material gains of this world. As is written, it is not the mighty, the wise and the wealthy that are called to be heirs of the Kingdom, but the weak, the foolish, the poor, it is so no one takes the glory that belongs to the LORD alone. Take note that according to the first born right, Esev should have gotten the blessings, yet it was Yaakov the junior who got the blessings of their father.

-Esev was a man of the world who disregarded the things of the spirit; Yaakov was more attuned to the things of the spirit. We all have Esev in us that are constantly being worked out, if we allow the Ruach via process of sanctification unto holiness. None of the material worldly thing last, they are but temporal. Let us abstain from lusts of the flesh and of the eyes and look towards the things of the spirit and of eternal nature.

-This story reminds of when Yeshua chastised the Pharisees in his parables, those who are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. It means that there are some who have been called into the ministry, who have been in the ministry for many years, and yet, they will end up last and least in the kingdom. On contrast, it is those who are fairly new, those who had been hidden for many years, are just being called to ministry in these last days, these last ones shall indeed be first inheritors of the blessings of kingdom of life eternal.

Shadows of the Messiah in the Torah. Genesis chapters 28.10 – 32.3. Part 1 of 2.

Sir, this was not the point of my post at all. I specifically stated that my objective is not to support sexual perversion of any form BUT to highlight the oft underrated and under preached HUGE social portions of the Torah, the prophets, Yeshua and the apostles. THIS was my entire post.

elated177:
Seraphel, why not read from verse 18 of Romans 1? Although it doesn't mention Sodom and Gomorrah, that portion of the Scriptures captures the fallen state of the human nature --- a kind of step by step degradation of the human morality. It starts with idolatry and witchcraft. Sexual sins go hand in glove with idolatry and witchcraft. It is impossible for sexual sins not to abound in any environment where idolatry and witchcraft abound and vice versa.

You will observe that verses 28-32 of Romans chapter 1 explicitly and unambiguously highlight the fruits of idolatry, witchcraft and homosexuality.

Look at:

Ezekiel 16: 47 You not only followed their ways and copied their detestable practices, but in all your ways you soon became more depraved than they.

Can you see the italicized word, "detestable"?

Now:

Ezekiel 16:49 “‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. 50 They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.

So, Seraphel, what does "detestable" mean?
Is homosexuality a detestable act or not?

Just so we are clear:

Genesis 18: 20 Then YHVH said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous 21 that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.”

Genesis 19: 4 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. 5 They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”

So, again, I ask: is homosexuality a detestable act or not?

1 Kings 22: 45 As for the other events of Jehoshaphat’s reign, the things he achieved and his military exploits, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 46 He rid the land of the rest of the male shrine prostitutes who remained there even after the reign of his father Asa.

2 Kings 23: 4 The king ordered Hilkiah the high priest, the priests next in rank and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the Lord all the articles made for Baal and Asherah and all the starry hosts. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley and took the ashes to Bethel. 5 He did away with the idolatrous priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the towns of Judah and on those around Jerusalem—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations and to all the starry hosts. 6 He took the Asherah pole from the temple of YHVH to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem and burned it there. He ground it to powder and scattered the dust over the graves of the common people. 7 He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes that were in the temple of YHVH, the quarters where women did weaving for Asherah.

I had to add those two last portions of the Scriptures because of your assertions, which bordered on why our Father in heaven, YHVH Almighty, punished Israel and the subsequent exile from the promised land. Can you see idolatry - worship of Baal and Asherah - and sexual perversion?

Sure, the bible calls it abomination. The LORD calls a lot of things abominable so that it could be any number of things here. Homosexuality was NOT singled out here is the point. You should really pay attention to the ones specifically singled out and called by name: pride and arrogance, overabundance, excess and NEGLECT OF THE POOR.

Also, you are not hearing the main point of my writing. Have you actually read the posts at all OR did you just react out of emotion?

Friend, calm down and settle your emotions and see the point here: homosexuality was NOT the primary reason for destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Inhospitality to strangers and the poor were. The entire scripture supports this.

I am sure if the LORD meant to tell us homosexuality is THE only heinous crime for Sodom and Gomorrah, HE would have found a way to tell us that plentifully. Even Yeshua mentions Sodom and Gomorrah, YET HE didn't point out their sexual perversion. THIS should say a lot to us.

I have sufficiently and abundantly made this point clear. Go back and re-read my posts. I cannot be responsible for your lack of comprehension and restricted mindset.


@elated177.

elated177:
Seraphel, why not read from verse 18 of Romans 1? Although it doesn't mention Sodom and Gomorrah, that portion of the Scriptures captures the fallen state of the human nature --- a kind of step by step degradation of the human morality. It starts with idolatry and witchcraft. Sexual sins go hand in glove with idolatry and witchcraft. It is impossible for sexual sins not to abound in any environment where idolatry and witchcraft abound and vice versa.

You will observe that verses 28-32 of Romans chapter 1 explicitly and unambiguously highlight the fruits of idolatry, witchcraft and homosexuality.

Look at:

Ezekiel 16: 47 You not only followed their ways and copied their detestable practices, but in all your ways you soon became more depraved than they.

Can you see the italicized word, "detestable"?

Now:

Ezekiel 16:49 “‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. 50 They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.

So, Seraphel, what does "detestable" mean?
Is homosexuality a detestable act or not?

Just so we are clear:

Genesis 18: 20 Then YHVH said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous 21 that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.”

Genesis 19: 4 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. 5 They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”

So, again, I ask: is homosexuality a detestable act or not?

1 Kings 22: 45 As for the other events of Jehoshaphat’s reign, the things he achieved and his military exploits, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 46 He rid the land of the rest of the male shrine prostitutes who remained there even after the reign of his father Asa.

2 Kings 23: 4 The king ordered Hilkiah the high priest, the priests next in rank and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the Lord all the articles made for Baal and Asherah and all the starry hosts. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley and took the ashes to Bethel. 5 He did away with the idolatrous priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the towns of Judah and on those around Jerusalem—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations and to all the starry hosts. 6 He took the Asherah pole from the temple of YHVH to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem and burned it there. He ground it to powder and scattered the dust over the graves of the common people. 7 He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes that were in the temple of YHVH, the quarters where women did weaving for Asherah.

I had to add those two last portions of the Scriptures because of your assertions, which bordered on why our Father in heaven, YHVH Almighty, punished Israel and the subsequent exile from the promised land. Can you see idolatry - worship of Baal and Asherah - and sexual perversion?

The covenantal love of YHVH. Part 1 of 2

Contrary to popular belief and misconception, according to Hebrew scripture, the concept of love is best illustrated in actions and service NOT in emotional expression. Yet it does not mean that scripture is devoid of display of emotional dimension of love of YHVH. Quite the contrary, even the negative emotions expressed are still part of parcel of the love of YHVH towards the people. In scripture, the love YHVH is best understood in the context of covenant, which is a form of a legal contract between YHVH and HIS people. Therefore, to love YHVH and is to show that love in service and obedience is a direct command.

The love of YHVH is a covenant relationship.

The Love of YHVH play important role in Christian theology, yet it is mostly misunderstood and understudied in Christian doctrines. Biblically and in rabbinic midrash, the love of YHVH is not that of emotion and feeling, but rather a 2-way reciprocal covenant relationship between Israel and YHVH. The love of YHVH is not sentimental, but neither is it dry legalism. Biblically, the love of YHV is firmly rooted in service and in acts of obedience towards YHVH. In the Torah, the love of YHVH with Israel is first covenantal; meaning it is love based on mutual and reciprocal understanding. YHVH pledges HIS promises to bless and keep Israel in the good land, and Israel’s part is to love and obey HIM, and walk in HIS ways and serve HIM only. There’s a pledge to love and be faithful on both sides to the covenant. Unlike our modern-day concept of love steeped in emotions and feelings, in scripture, one would find there’s a command and obligation to love YHVH and that love is expressed by acts of obedience and service. The book of Devarim (Deuteronomy) describes love of YHVH as that which is covenantal, reciprocal, eternal and can be commanded. Loving YHVH is a central theme in the Torah and scattered throughout the books of the prophets and other Hebrew scriptures.

What is a covenant?

-The Hebrew word for covenant is Berit (Brit); in scripture it is mostly a kind of treaty, an alliance or agreement that establishes or formalizes relationship along with obligations. The framework of covenant biblically is that of good relations with mutual benefits, and not that of conquest and subjugation. Though it can be the later in certain situations such as that seen in vasal states vs ruling empire. In ancient near east, covenant is often viewed in relationship with mutual benefits, when the LORD made covenant with Israel on Mt. Sinai that if they keep HIS covenant, HE shall in turn make them a great nation of kings and priests, bless and keep them in the good land (Exodus 19).
Love, according to scripture.

-The love of YHVH is best expressed in a covenant relationship in which both parties pledge to keep their end of obligations. True love is reciprocal in nature. One who truly loves the LORD expresses it in obedience to HIS words and in service to the LORD and to man, in deed and by actions NOT by emotions and mere words. In which act or deed is the covenant love of YHVH fulfilled? According to scripture, the covenantal love of YHVH is shown in the obedience of the commandments of the LORD and in walking in HIS statues. It is in avoiding certain behaviors, actions such as worship or fear of other gods, copying the heathen ways of worship such as the idolatrous Canaanites. Good deeds are acts of loyalty, fidelity and faithfulness to YHVH. Bad deeds are acts of disloyalty, betrayal and akin to adultery. In this sense, bad behavior or deeds go beyond being an abstract. In this sense, bad behavior or deeds go beyond being the abstract, but against the YHVH, the divine covenant partner. Some actions are commanded or deemed unlawful as part of the will of YHVH, and violating the will of the LORD interferes with the relationship between both parties in a covenant. Adhering to the covenant becomes the essence of this relationship, whether one is simply doing right things according to a set of universal moral code, or ethics becomes the secondary effect.

The emotional dimension of the covenantal love.

When we recognize the emotional dimension essential in observance of YHVH’s laws and in awesome fear of HIM, we begin to understand the underlining feature in the Shema in Devarim and in the instruction to ‘take the laws of YHVH and impress them upon your children in all their ways for generations to come’ (Devarim 6.6-9). These instructions were not meant for them to be observed robotically, but to take them to heart, and dutifully but joyfully imbue them to the next generation to be regularly recited. They are to be recited on waking up, on sitting; they are to bind them as sign on hand, on forehead, and write on door posts of house and gates. The love of YHVH is not only in mere words, and robotic obedience, but it also one capable of being expressed in emotional state. The heart comprises of one’s centre of though, and execution of action rather than emotional feeling. YHVH demands internalization and memorialization of HIS words; and continuous expression of the self-will to be obedient, and way to return to the ancient path of righteousness for the one who has backslidden.

The emotions of the Divine: hate, jealousy & wrath.

-The covenantal and exclusively undivided love that Yahweh demands of HIS people is also which defines and categorizes YHVH as the El Qanna, the Jealous Elohim (Exodus 20.5). YHVH’s jealousy is unlike the human attribute or exhibition of jealousy. YHVH is not a victim of HIS own emotions. YHVH jealousy is evoked most especially when HIS people cling, worship, serve, bow other gods other than HIM (20.3); because worship and glory belong to HIM alone who is responsible for their success and prosperity. It can be likened to being victim of identity theft. These other gods are impostors and counterfeit. They are not the true source of Israel’s status as a nation; nor secured their freedom from house of bondage in Egypt.

-Therefore, to give this glory and worship to other gods, is as akin to breaking covenantal vows, the relationship between YHVH and HIS people. It is akin to adultery when another enters the covenant relationship between two people; and the relationship is no longer the same. Somethings cannot and should not be shared; that one thing is worship and glory due to HIM. HaShem cannot share HIS glory with another. Exodus 19.5-6 ‘Now then, if you will obey me Faithfully and keep MY covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all the peoples. Indeed, all the earth is Mine, but you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and holy nation (Exodus 19.5-6). It is precisely because all the earth and the peoples on it are the LORD’s that HIS relationship with Israel appears special and unique.

Next: The Nature of Covenantal Love of YHVH.

Shadows of the Messiah in Torah. Genesis chapters 25.19-28.9. Part 1 of 2.

Today’s Parshah (Torah reading): Genesis 25.19-28.9 is named “Toldot” (Generations), found in 25.19.

# Toldot (genealogy) of Yitzhak = genealogy of the Messiah. The Matriarchs of the Messiah & their imperfect past.

-Gen 25.19: Toledot is Hebrew word that means records or stories of generations. It is derived from the word ‘yalad’ which means to ‘give birth’ or ‘bear offspring’ and thus Toldot can also mean ‘descendants’ or ‘progeny’. The generation of Yitzhak is listed here in his two progenies: Yaakov and Esev. Yaakov’s toldot becomes the record of the genealogy of the Messiah, Yeshua: the son of David, the son of Yitzhak, the son of Avraham, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of YHVH (Matt 1). Thus, In Yeshua, the seed that was promised to Avraham was ultimately fulfilled. The maternal genealogy of the Messiah also matters; and included few gentile women such as Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and possibly Bathsheva. Notice the scandalous history of Yeshua’s matrilineal line. Rahav was a Canaanite prostitute, Ruth was a Moabite who abandoned her own people. And as we will learn later, Leah, who was the least favoured wife was tricked into marrying Yaakov, and yet she ended up being the direct mother of Judah (direct line of Christ).

-Then there’s Tamar who posed as a prostitute to conceive with Judah; and Bathsheva who had an affair with David through whom the direct line of the Messiah came. These were all intentional on YHVH’s sovereign plan and purpose. In these stories, we see the interplay woven between Divine providence and free will of man. Not only were these women in Messiah’s linage, but their imperfect stories were to illustrate the LORD’s plan to graft in gentiles and the outcasts of Isreal into HIS redemptive story. Here, these women represent symbolically the gentile church as the imperfect along with redeemed of the remnant Isreal merging as one bride of Christ.

# Revkah’s twins struggle in the womb = 2 nations fighting in the womb (Israelites = Yaakov; & Edomites = Esev).

-Gen 25.21-24: Yitzchak and Rivkah suffer barrenness for 20 years; and Yitzchak supplicates to YHVH on behalf of Rivkah. And the LORD hears and opens her womb, and she conceives twins. The twins struggle in the womb which makes for a rather difficult pregnancy for Rivkah. When she inquires, the LORD tells her that she is carrying two nations who are fighting in her womb. The two nations were Israelites (Yaakov) and Edomites (Esev). Two things to note here: Yitzchak interceded for Rivkah meanwhile it’s not said of such for Avraham with Sarah. I wonder why? It's because while each patriarch, while they had their own personalities, were each foreshadowing and representing various aspects of YHVH’s character . Yitzchak and Rivkah had learnt from the past and avoided the mistakes of their predecessors; in that Rivkah didn’t attempt to give her handmaid to Yitzchak to have children as Sarah did with Hagar and Avraham. Yet still even the twins Yaakov & Esev who share same mother and father are already two opposing peoples right from the womb.

-Note also, both Sarah and Rivkah share the issue of bareness. It appears to be a pattern that the great matriarchs were often barren. The truth is that it was a case of divine providence and plan. Barrenness in the natural does not imply barrenness in the spiritual. As these women were meant for greatness, the timing of the LORD was of utmost importance in when they conceived. They weren’t really ‘barren’ as it were, they were just awaiting divine timing. It is apparent in scripture, barrenness and wilderness are tools YHVH uses to shape divine destines of greatness.

-The animosity and strife between these two nations (Israelites & Edomites) begin right from the womb. This is similar to the sibling rivalry seen in Yishmael and Yitzchak except that here both Esev and Yaakov share same mother and father. The twins are two distinct nations representing two opposing forces: the kingdom of darkness of this world vs the kingdom of the light of YHVH; the dichotomy between this current worldly system and the future world to come. The twins also represent two dualities of human nature: on one side are those who seek spiritual things; and on the other hand, are those who pursue materialism. Esev represented man’s pursuit of material world, power, conquest and domination. Esev grew up to be a mighty hunter much like Nimrod. He found his passion in chasing after the worldly offers, the pride of life and lust of his eyes.

-Yaakov on the other hand was more of a home body and had softer qualities to him; peaceful (a pacifist) and spent much of his days inside and within his father’s compound and by his mother’s side (25.27). The sages say that Yaakov was a homebody because he sat in the tent learning and studying Torah. Yitzhak, their father, took a particular liking to Esev the eldest, because he was manly, strong, wild and outgoing. However, YHVH picked Yaakov the youngest. This is pattern with haShem as HE generally does not pick as man does. Man picks after the flesh and outer appearance. YHVH looks at the heart and after the spirit. The twins’ personality differences give context to the sentiments later proclaimed by YHVH in Malachi 1 ‘Esev I hate, Yaakov I love’.

# Yaakov the heel grabber, tricks Esev into selling his birthright for pot of stew (25.27-34).

-Gen 25.26-34: interestingly, Yaakov comes out of the womb while grabbing onto Esev’s heels. Yaakov’s name is ‘Akev’ in Hebrew, which means ‘heel’. So, Yaakov means heel grabber, supplanter or deceiver. Esev means grass of the field; and as the father of Edom (hb: red). The backstory for why Esev's descendants become known as Edom (red) is because Esev came out of the womb reddish in skin tone. As the heel represents vulnerability; and so, in grabbing the heel of Esev, Yaakov's penchant for tricking and deceiving which is to explore ones' vulnerability shows up early at birth. Esev comes back one day famished and Yakov tricks him into selling his birthright by bringing him pot of stew. Esev has spent all day in the field and is famished. Yaakov exploits this vulnerability and gets Esev to sell his primogeniture. But what was this birth right then? What was so significant about him selling out for soup? We know this story is more than a bowl of soup or even material inheritance. The birthright would be the spiritual legacy and inheritance of Avraham, the promise of great nation, the land of Canaan, the ultimate seed that is the Messiah and the kingdom to come. THIS is what Esev willfully gave up for soup.

-Some extrabiblical sources claim that when Avraham died, Esev somehow concluded that the hope of Avraham, his legacy and his promise of great nation had perished with him. Esev no longer believed and shunned his inheritance and primogeniture. He went out on a manic rampage committing heinous crimes killing and all manner of idolatrous transgressions. It was after his last dalliance that he came back from famished when Yaakov (YHVH) presented him with a choice, an opportunity to hand over the birthright which he had despised. When this physical transaction occurred, a spiritual equivalent followed in which the spiritual legacy and the promise of Avraham along with the Messianic covenant to come transferred from Edom to Isreal. Esev had already displayed disrespect and disregard for continuing the spiritual legacy of his father. However, YHVH in HIS infinite wisdom saw that Yaakov would be great candidate. All things including Yaakov's deception occurred according to YHVH's providence. Lesson being that even apparent deceptive actions with the right heart intention can be deemed 'good' overall.

# The prophetic links for new covenant: Rivkah’s dueling twins, the great tribulation and the 2nd coming of the Messiah.

-Yitzhak was 40 years old when he married, and age 60 years old when he and Rivkah conceived twins. According to some Jewish sages, Yeshua was born in the beginning of the 4th millennium (early 4000 BCE) corresponding to Yitzhak’s 4th decade of life; but it’s been 2000 years since Yeshua’s departure from earth corresponding to the 20 years barrenness of Yitzhak and Rivkah. And now, the world is near 6th millennium (6000 years) which corresponds to Yitzhak’s 6th decade of life, we now approach the return of the Messiah and the birth of the Messianic era which corresponds to Yaakov’s birth in the 6th decade (60 years of age) of Yitzchak’s life. Rivkah’s struggle with barrenness represent spiritual exile and bareness of the Jews, or rather of the church today. The difficult pregnancy with twins struggling in the womb denotes the great tribulation; a tug of war between the children of light brought upon by the kingdom of darkness. Just as Esev is firstborn before Yaakov, which symbolizes the darkness that permeates and rules for a time before the 2nd coming of Yeshua and establishment of HIS kingdom of light and of true peace.

-In the days of Roman hegemony, the Jews cryptically called the Romans ‘Edomites’ because of the link between Edom and destruction of Jerusalem (Tehillim 137.7). The Roman empire represented a counterfeit kingdom known as ‘pax Romana’ (peaceful Rome); and then demanded tribute from all over the world just as in the peaceful millennial reign of Christ all nations will be required to bring offerings to worship the LORD. Just as it were then, so it will be in the last days when the antichrist of the last day will seek to enjoin religions under the guise of ‘peace’ (false peace) and establish one world religious system. And interestingly, the Roman catholic church being the religious scion of that ‘pax Romana’ era will be at the forefront of this one world religious system of the beast of last days.

# Yaakov & Esev = 2 types of believers’ nature: the stark contrast between true spirituality (Yaakov) and materialism (Esev).

-Yaakov and Esev represent two conflicting kingdoms: of light and dark. But on the individual level, it is great metaphor for the duality of the nature of Christian life. Some believers are after the material world; their energy is in the pursuit of fortune and fame. Sure, they cloak themselves (falsely) in religious garb. Most of them even pastors, prophets, evangelists, bishop or whatever ostentatious title they self-impose. But all these are just camouflage; they hide behind pulpit, the bible and claim the Name of the LORD meanwhile deep down, they are unscrupulous businessmen and women out for their own. Even well versed in scripture, all they do is to build up the kingdom of this world. But everything they do is for show; and it’s for to make a name for themselves; to gather followers and to make fortune. They are building their own empires as if they will live forever and/or take the wealth with them at death.

- The nature of Esev is visibly active in the prosperity gospel, the name it and claim it, decree and declare propaganda machine. It’s the undergirding principle in the Christian nationalism, the MAGA movement and the & 7 mountains domain theology. These are all Esev in nature, the materialistic ones who are after worldly comfort and success. These are the ones Yeshua warned in HIS parables of the Sower of the seed that fell on thorny ground. These are the ones who are choked out due to their care and concern for this world. And these are the ones who will say, but ‘LORD I did x, y and z’ in your Name; and they will hear ‘depart from me you workers of lawlessness’. These laugh now, eat now, enjoy the fame now, but in the last days, they will weep, hunger, and be cast out to a place of gnashing of teeth.

-On the other hand, are the Yaakov type believers. These are the ones who work behind the scenes tending, shepherding the flock of Christ. They are building up the kingdom of HaShem without the limelight, without fame and fortune. They are the ones who take the words of Yeshua seriously when HE said, seek first the kingdom, and all the necessities of life will be added to you. These do not seek wealth and comfort of this world. The LORD provides them with the daily bread needed. They need not beg for money to preach the gospel or minister because they know the LORD provides sufficient for them. And it is entirely possible that they might suffer lack, hunger/thirst, homeless, naked, tired and cold, just as Paul the apostle noted in the trials of apostolic missions. YET, the LORD and the work of the kingdom are their food, their strength, their protection, their shelter, and warmth. These are the ones whom the LORD will welcome and gives the highest seat in HIS kingdom, and they shall hear ‘welcome, my good and faithful servant’.

Shadows of the Messiah in the Torah. Genesis chapters 25.19-28.9. Part 2 of 2.

But Romans 1.26 says nothing about S'dom and Amora. How then do you correlate sexual perversion with S'dom and Amora?

Contrary to popular theology, you would NOT find anywhere in scripture where it says S'dom and Amora were destroyed for sexual perversion. . This was all Christianity's spin. The ancient Jewish historians who are closer to scripture do not hold to this idea of sexual perversion being the main cause, nor even play role at all; and I will go with the Jewish historians than Christian theologians any day when it comes to the Torah exegetical studies & commentaries.

However, the closest we find of their sins (and hence why their destruction) in scripture is in the book of Ezekiel 16 where it lists the sin of Sodom. Also, I trust Jewish historical records about what had really happened than 'Christianity's own theologians 'eisegeses' of scriptures.

AND, in light of whole counsel of scripture, you can pretty easily 'surmise' the real reason for the destruction. All you have to do is look at what the prophets denounced Isreal for primarily. And that major issue in the prophetic writings that led to Isreal's utter destruction centered around primarily 1. idolatry and 2. SOCIAL PROBLEMS- NOT SEXUAL.

Yeshua and HIS apostles continued this social theme. Even Yeshua in Matt 25 (separation of sheep and goat) tells you if you do not care for the least of these among you, you earn a spot in hellfire. Easier for camel to enter eye of needle, than the rich make heaven. One who despise the poor, despises his maker. These are all biblical passages from Torah to Revelation.

I will do a series on the social teachings of Christ and the Prophets. It's an underrated topic in evangelical church circus.

elated177:
Romans 1: 26 Because of this, YHVH gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Seraphel, sexual perversion was the main reason YHVH Almighty destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.

Sexual sins - fornication, adultery, homosexuality, etc - open the doors to the other forms of wickedness. Preceding sexual sins, especially homosexuality, are idolatry and witchcraft. Wherever witchcraft is rife, you will find the prevalence of all kinds of sexual sins. Infact, for witchcraft to thrive, there must be abundance of all kinds of sexual sins.

So, the practice of homosexuality, an abominable and wicked act, led to the other forms of wickedness in Sodom and Gomorrah. It is one the acts that the heavens and the earth abhor.

On the series, Shadows of the Messiah in the Torah. Genesis 23.1–25.18.

Today’s Parshah: Genesis 23.1–25.18. Chayai Sarah which means ‘life of Sarah’ (Genesis 23.1). Part 2 of 2

# Yaakov + Revkah’s marriage match made in heaven: importance of maintaining spiritual heritage & legacy NOT ‘biological’ purity.

Remember, Revkah is not entirely a stranger, she & Yitzchak share common patriarch Terach and are cousins. Avraham specifically wanted Yitzchak to marry from his people close to home, not as Esev who married women from foreign peoples (Hittites & Ishmaelites) to the dismay of his parents. Certain people have twisted things as to mean that it was about preserving genetic purity. However, this selectiveness as we glean from whole counsel of scripture is for the purpose of preserving spiritual purity and legacy, not necessarily for ethnic or biological selection. For YHVH, the commandments to not marry foreign peoples has always been about preserving spiritual heritage so that they are not led into idolatry (Deut 7.3-4; 1 Kings 11.1-4; Ezra 9.1-14). It has never been about preserving a bloodline. As Shaul the apostle continues this principle when he admonished the new covenant believers to endeavor not to be yoked with unbelievers for what concord has light with dark? (1 Cor, 7.39; 2 Cor 6.14).

-That said, how is Yitzchak and Rivkah related? Rivkah is daughter of Betuel. Betuel is son of Milcah. Milcah is son of Nahor. Nahor is Avraham’s brother. So, yes that makes Yitzchak and Rivkah cousins. Just as Sarah is Avraham’s niece. So, when Avraham (& later Yitzchak) would say Sarah (or Rivkah) is sister, it’s not a lie. All of them at this point share the same father, Terach. In scripture, there’s no such thing as half-siblings, step siblings, cousins, stepchildren or grandparents. So, it’s either sister, brother, son or daughter, mother or father. According to scripture, for example, your grandparents are still just your father & mother. This is why Yeshua is called the son of David when Yeshua is 28 generations removed from David.

# Avraham bequeaths both his material inheritance & spiritual legacy (of Messiah) to Yitzhak.

- Avraham bequeaths his material inheritance (& spiritual lineage of the Messiah) to Yitzhak rather than Yishmael the eldest. Typically, in those days, family heritage went to the eldest son; and this is later codified in the law of Moses in Devarim 21 (the firstborn right must go to the firstborn). This is not the first time Yahweh would skip the eldest son to choose the 2nd son. The first of things often symbolize works of flesh; and the subsequent (often the 2nd) represent the work of the Spirit. Yahweh does not pick or choose or call as man does. Remember, it’s not the rich, nor the mighty nor the wise that are called to be rich in inheritance of the things of EL, but of the lowly, the meek and the poor’. For the LORD choses the weak things, the foolish and things not to confound the strong, the wise, it’s so that HE gets the glory (1 Cor 1.27). Yeshua came to preach the good news to the poor, the downtrodden, the forgotten, the mourners, the imprisoned, the blind and the lost. And the common people heard HIM gladly (Mark 12.37), but the Pharisees did not but for their own self-righteousness rejected the message of both Yochanan the Baptist and Yeshua (Luke 7.30). For this reason, Yeshua said, the harlots and publicans will enter heaven before the Pharisees religious leaders (Matt 21.31).

# Yitzchak and Revkah: Symbolism of Christ & the Church. Revkah= type of ‘church’ as the bride. Yitzchak= ‘type of Christ’, as groom.

-24.67: Issac marries at 40 years of age. Some writers place his marriage 3-4 years after Sarah’s death. It is thought Sarah died shortly after Isaac’s near sacrifice at Mt. Moriah. Therefore, this is more reason why Issac was not a young lad in his teens or even 20s when he was almost sacrificed. He was in his mid-30s or thereabout. Isaac brought Revkah into the tent of Sarah (their home) ….and he is much comforted in his new wife after his mother’s death; in effect Revkah has become the successor of the great matriarchs. What an honor to ‘dwell in the tent of Sarah’ especially one who endured years of barrenness, just as Revkah would come to endure bareness too. Yeshayahu references this when he prophesied ‘sing o barren woman, you who did not labor, for more shall the children of the desolate…shall HE who causes to conceive, shut the womb or not bring to birth? Of the children wish I shall cause the birth; they shall be blessed and taught of the LORD’ (Isa 54.1; 66.9-11).

-This story of Issac and Rebekkah represents the Christ and the church as the bride, with Eliezer the servant as an Ruach sent on apostolic mission. And the ‘tent of Sarah’ represents the kingdom of EL. Rivkah in betrothing Issac, willingly accepts saying ‘I will go…’ (24.58). And she is given jewelry to seal this union. Wow. What a rich image of Christ who betroths HIS bride, the church, gives us ‘gifts of Spirit’ and has granted us access to heavenly treasures and opened communion with the Father. Rivkah, in marrying Yitzchak is automatically counted as an inheritor of Avraham’s blessings. As we too are richly blessed in every good thing; and all that our heavenly Father offer is ours in Christ. The LORD is returning for a spotless bride, prepared and made ready for the groom, and to participate in the supper of the Lamb (Eph 5.26-27, Rev 19.6-9). Amen. The great tribulation also is for the process of prepare a virgin donned with clean linen, purified and awaiting the bridegroom. Therefore, brethren, as we await the groom, let us not fail like the 5 foolish virgin who sleep and without sufficient oil in the lamp, while the groom returns unawares and they are shut out of the banquet hall. Let us be like the 5 wise virgins who are awakened and oil and lamp burning brightly. Amen. And as Rivkah waited for Issac, we await the coming of our LORD and Savior as we hasten in righteousness and holy living (2 Peter 3.10-18).

# Avraham re-marries & has many more children. Avraham dies at 175. Yishmael and Yitzchak meet at Avraham’s burial.

-25.1: Avraham remarries a woman named Keturah, a non-Hebrew woman. His 6 additional sons with Keturah are recounted. Now, Avraham who remarried to a non-Israelite is quite prophetic foreshadowing of sorts. For one, this is in fulfilling the prophecy of Avraham fathering many nations (physically) and in his seed will gentiles be blessed (spiritually). Not only are the blessings in material or physical nature, but in spiritual blessings. Avraham’s marrying Keturah foreshadows Yeshua’s work in grafting gentiles to commonwealth of Israel. The grand patriarch dies at 147, having lived 37 years past Sarah’s death. Both Yitzchak and Yishmael bury their father in the cave of Machpelah (25.9). Yitzchak though is the sole heir of Avraham’s inheritance (25.5) though he gives portions to his other sons. It is important to note that HaShem blesses the descendants of Yishmael, yet Yitzchak is the chosen one to continue the Name (‘Shem’) of Yahweh; to father the Israelites, for the purpose of bringing light (the Messiah) to the gentiles. Messiah, Yeshua is the spiritual blessings bequeathed by Avraham, not necessarily materially as some would hold today.

-Today, some people think ‘Israel’ as a nation are blessed materially; are smart/intelligent, wealthy and run the financial capita of the world etc. But this is grave mistake and gross misunderstanding. The true blessings of Avraham and of his seed was/is in Christ {Gal 3.7, 29; Rom 4.11; 9.6-8}. It was/is spiritual not physical. Moreover, the true Jews and Israel today as far as HaShem is concerned are those who are of the Spirit; those who are by faith in Christ and are circumcised of hearts; and not of flesh. The true children of Avraham and of YHVH today are those who believe by faith the promise of Avraham and Sarah, fulfilled in Yeshua. Today, these true Jews in the spirit are the rightful heir to the inheritance of the Kingdom. Amen.

-# Descendants of Yishma’el. The tale of 2 brothers: Yishma’el & Yitzchak- metaphor for the duality of life.

-25.18: the genealogy of Ishmael is recounted. Out of Ishmael came 12 princes (12 nations) who were given domain from the southernmost region (Havila-Shur, Egypt) to northernmost (Arabian Peninsula, Syria). According to extra biblical sources, Ishmael fathered the nation of Arabs. Ishmael’s first son is Nebaioth, which some say is from where the word ‘Arab’ is etymologically’ derived. And the 2nd son of Ishmael Kedar is thought to be the antecedent of Muhammed, according to some Muslim oral traditions and writings. The story of Yitzchak and Yishmael presents duality of life: two brothers of the same father but different mothers. Yitzchak, the favored one, inherits all the kingdom of his father. Yishma’el, the banished (rejected) one is sent out into the wilderness.

-But what was the root cause of this sibling rivalry? Was the envy towards Yitzchak by Yishmael due to perceived favorableness by their father. Or was Yishmael innately envious? OR was it designed that way? [/b] Why did Sarah want Hagar and Yishmael to be banished? Was Sarah threatened by Yishmael? Was physical or spiritual life of Yitzchak threatened by Yishmael's influence? Was Sarah envious of Hagar and her son being first of Avraham’s strength and might? Perhaps that the inheritance would pass to Ismael? Or was something much deeper going on that we were not privy of?

# Sarah feared the negative (spiritual) influence of Yishma'el upon Yitzchak.

-According to some extra biblical sources, Sarah was deeply concerned about Ishmael’s negative influence of Issac causing her to take such drastic action. But what were those behavioral characteristics of Yishmael that Sarah was threatened of? These are things scripture does not elaborate on, and with good reason no doubt. This might also explain why YHVH agreed with Sarah’s counsel and encouraged Avraham to send the pair away. So, is it fair then to say that all things occur according to the will of the LORD? All of history is in HIS hands; HE is the writer, director and producer; and we are mere actors who play a part in this story called life? And if all happens according to the providence of YHVH, then how much of man’s free agency plays role in the turnout of events of history? Later, scripture notes that Yishmael married an Egyptian and then a Canaanite woman much to Avraham’s disliking. But notice how these two brothers followed widely different paths in life: resulting in descendants with 2 different cultural and religious belief systems. Extra biblical sources say that the descendants of Ishmael and the descendants of the sons of Keturah with Avraham dwelt together towards the east and the north merging to give rise to the Arab nations.

On the series, Shadows of the Messiah in the Torah. Genesis chapters 25.19-28.9

The rarely preached shocking reason for why S'dom and Amora were destroyed. It wasn't for LGBQT issues. Shockingly, the reason for their destruction was the very same thing certain brand of evangelicals who vote certain way are guilty of.

Think nationalism, supremacy & cruelty to foreigners and the poor (!!!!!).

In mainstream evangelical circus, there’s a pervasive misunderstanding regarding the cause of destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah (S & G); what their actual sins were that precipitated their utter destruction. According to Jewish historians & rabbinic sages, the Talmud and Mishnah, it wasn’t for primarily sexual perversion that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. It was rather for their social perversion. Did you catch that? Sodom and Gomorrah were primarily destroyed because of their social disintegration; that is, the core of the problem was of social issues that caused their demise, not necessarily sexual issues. What were these social issues? Dig in, let’s find out.

Note before: the goal and objective are not to approve sexual perversion but to underscore that biblically in general, a far greater emphasis is placed on social issues as the root cause of man’s degradation and destruction. According to Torah, the prophets, Yeshua’s own teachings and apostolic writings, social issues do take precedence in the matters of spirituality and are synonymously and intricately linked to moral depravity.

# If sexual sins were not the root cause of their destruction, what were? National pride & supremacy which led to legislated cruelty to foreigners and the poor.

Throughout history of church, Sodom and Gomorrah have come to be popularly known for great sexual depravity along with generalized wickedness. However, the Mishnah (Jewish oral record) does not equate S&G principally with sexual impropriety. According to Jewish historical record, S & G were principally notorious for inhospitality towards strangers and maltreatment of the poor of the land arising from their national pride & supremacy. The prophet Yechezkel own description also shed some light. In Ezekiel 16, the ‘sins of Sodom’ are listed as: arrogance (=national pride & supremacy), overabundance of food and tranquility (=excess & self-sufficiency) AND neglect and oblivious to the needs of the poor (Ezekiel 16.49-50). In the ancient times, the lands of Sodom and Gomorrah were economically prosperous city due to its lush vegetative, productive and agricultural landscapes; situated near the waters from which they derived much of their economic prowess. And thus, comparatively and relatively, they enjoyed a high standard of living.

# S’dom & Amora’s economic prosperity led to national pride (=nationalism), supremacy & legislated cruelty to foreigners & the poor.

-This perceived economic success led to their self-sufficiency which translated to national pride and feelings of supremacy. They had decided they had everything they needed; and needed no outsider, or foreigner. A foreigner could not benefit them but deplete their national resources. They didn’t want to share their resources or prosperity, nor wanted strangers to possibly derive nor thrive on their success. S’dom & Amora became isolationists and nationalists even by law. Eventually, this graduated into mistreatment of people especially foreigners be it merchants, the homeless, the downtrodden, the needy and the poor. They went even further to punish the poor for being poor.

-They devolved into plain viciousness, cruelty and inhospitable to anyone deemed not one of their own. In addition to national pride, arrogance, self-sufficiency, and their inhospitality, then came sexual degradation (Gen. 19.5). They were immoral (or amoral) and unethical people by their code of law. Moral depravity and social degradation were direct consequences of their perceived material prosperity, and of national superiority and pride. It’s as the domino effect of stacked up deck of cards; when one falls, the rest follow. Once you commit one heinous crime or sin, the others naturally follow.

# But why was S’dom and Amora destroyed for social injustice, neglect and abuse of the poor and strangers.

-According to historical writings, they also actively contributed to the misery of the poor and downtrodden, which we know by all of scripture that Yahweh truly despises social injustice in all its forms especially towards the disadvantaged: the poor, widow, the fatherless and the foreigner. I suspect there were likely blood sheds of the innocent that made the land stink up to high heavens, which eventually became as noxious stench in HaShem’s nostrils. We know haShem hates shedding innocent blood. Later in the law of Moses (Leviticus 18), haShem states that land is defiled by shedding innocent blood is cleanse the land is by two ways: the blood of the guilty person is shed (life for life); or the land will vomit its inhabitants. The land vomiting its inhabitants is metaphor for 2 things: the land is literally destroyed in some fashion; and the remnant inhabitants are expelled out of the land by captivity or due to the land being uninhabitable (Lev 18.25-29, Psalm 106.38-39, Lamentations 4.15, Romans 8.22).

-This is what happened to S & G and 3 other cities in scripture when haShem utterly destroyed them (Gen 19.25, Deut 29.23). As we know historically, S&G remained desolate as salt pit and uninhabitable ever since (unlike Babylon). Yeshua compares the severity of the judgement of the unrepentant as being worse than the fate of S & G (Mat 10.15) . Yeshua teaches that believers who neglect the needs or maltreat the least of society (the poor, strangers etc.) will be relegated to darkness and gnashing of teeth in eternal flames (Matt 25.31-41).

# And why was Sodom and Gomorrah so strongly opposed to strangers entering their cities? Nationalists and Isolationists.

-It was even in their written code of law which was against the moral and ethical law of the LORD of the universe. Being inhospitable, cruel and hostile to strangers was the law of the land. They would erect barriers at the entrance of the land to keep people out. And the strangers that somehow entered the land would be taxed exorbitant fees to settle and live in their land. Yes, they built walls to keep foreigners away. And the ones who were deemed fit to enter were taxed for it. And when the strangers settle in the land, they would abuse them, refuse them crucial resources such as access to food or water and then allow them to starve to death.

# In the destruction of S’dom & Amora, what the ‘last straw’ that broke the camel’s back? What or when was the ‘turning point’?

So, what finally occurred that tipped the scale of justice and caused HaShem to act that fateful day of their destruction? According to Jewish writings, there was report that one of daughters of Lot was attending to, caring for and giving food and water to some destitute by the wayside contrary to the law of the land. When she was caught, she was deemed guilty of breaking the law of the land. Her punishment? The people of S&G punished her by pouring honey on her and setting her out in the open field for bees to devour. When she cried out to the LORD, it was then her cries (aligning with Avraham’s intercession to spare Lot and his family) that did it. HaShem had made up HIS mind; their fate was sealed; and destruction was determined. Avraham’s intercession spared only the life of Lot and his family. Sodom and Gomorrah by an enforced law, practiced cruelty and wickedness – intentional. By law, they enforced ‘nationalism’ and ‘Isolationism’ by any means necessary, which translated to cruelty, viciousness, and plain pride in their self-sufficiency.

# Oh, of all things, why was Lot’s wife turned into salt? She sinned with salt (inhospitality and cruelty), and she was requited with salt.

According to the Midrash, there was a reason why Lot’s wife was turned specifically into salt. So, the story was that Lot apparently requested salt from his wife for the food he was about to feed their guests. And since Lot’s wife did not particularly approve of Lot’s actions in taking the 2 guests (2 angels), she went door to door asking for salt for husband’s guests, which was basically alerting the entire town of their guests. The people of Sodom gathered as angry mob furiously requesting release of the guests that they may be punished according to the law. This is when the 2 angels proceeded to rescue Lot and his family before setting Sodom & Gomorrah to destruction with sulfuric ashes from heaven. Against warning not to look back, Lot’s wife however looks back and instantly turned into a pillar of salt (19.26). As she betrayed her family for a dash of salt, she was turned into pillar of salt. There’s a lesson for all of us today. Every action comes opposite and equal reaction. Actions have consequences: you reap what you sow. Remember Lot’s wife (Luke 17.32): Social sin = moral sin = spiritual sin = judgement by fire.

# Sodom & Gomorrah and her destruction: a type of last day events and judgement and key lessons: social degradation = moral/ethical depravity.

-The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (S&G) were to be examples and lessons for all generations (2 Peter 2.6, Jude 7). The state of these two cities represents the present times and typical of the state of nations prior to second coming. The events prior to and the destruction of the cities represent events and the judgement of the last days (Luke 17.28-34). Lot being called out of the city of S&G prior to rain down of fire and brimstone foreshadows the call for true believers to ‘depart from her lest you partake of her iniquities and judgement’ (Gen. 19.15 compared to Babylon in Rev 18.4. And the angels represent messengers with messages of warning to separate from the world and of judgment. As is pattern in all of scripture, the LORD always sends out warning to ‘depart, flee, come out of her’ before pending destructions (Jer. 4.28, Matt 24.30, Luke 21.31). Just as Avraham interceded for these cities and haShem spares Lot and his family on account of Avraham, there are prophets whose intercession will be noted, and many will be spared on account of prophets’ intercession. However, note, the prayers alone cannot avert inevitable judgment of destruction.

-There is the admonition by the angel to ‘not look behind, nor to the plain’ (Gen 19.17) yet Lot’s wife looked back. This is reinforced also by Yeshua when He said, ‘remember Lot’s wife, no man putting hand to plough (His kingdom) and looking back (desiring the world, lukewarmness) is fit for the kingdom’. This here serves as lesson, warning, and admonition for today’s believers too. Do not look back nor love the things of the world. For to seek to save your life here, you will lose life eternal. But the one who loses life here will gain life eternal. There’s such a thing as apostasy from faith. Remember Lot’s wife (Luke 17.32). Anyone who denies the LORD, takes the mark of the beast, pledges allegiance to the rulers of this world, does not endure to the end, will have no recourse.

# As in the days of Lot.......Lot and family were delivered from fire but secured here on earth NOT raptured to heaven.

A solemn note to pre-rapturists, Yeshua says: As in the days of Lot......remember Lot’s wife. Lot and his remaining family were spared and preserved but here on earth, NOT raptured out of earth to heaven. In the same manner, Hashem will spare and preserve the righteous remnant miraculously here on earth in the time of great tribulation, NOT raptured out of it.

On the series, Shadows of the Messiah in the Torah. Genesis 23.1–25.18.

Today’s Parshah is Chayei Sarah (חַיֵּי שָׂרָה‎) (life of Sarah) found in Genesis 23.1. Part 1 of 2

A recap of events: Avraham was 75 years old when first called out of Ur of Kasdim and given promise of Canaan by YHVH. He was 86 years old when Ishmael was born (with Hagar); 99 years old when his name was changed, the covenant of circumcision given and he was circumcised. He was 100 and Sarah 90 when Yitzhak was born. Now Avraham at 137 years old, & Sarah dies at 127 years old.

This portion of Torah is aptly given the name ‘life of Sarah’ despite it about her death; it’s to recognize, give honor to recognize the life she lived as the grand matriarch. Chayah means ‘to be’. Life truly is all about ‘being’ NOT ‘doing’. Amen. In a way, the life of Avraham and Sarah is one of redemption and salvation. Adam & Havah (Eve), the first natural parents after the flesh brought death. Avraham and Sarah, the spiritual parents (for all who believe by faith) brought us the promise of Messiah, the source of eternal life.

# So, Avraham nearly sacrificed his son. Why did he not plead with YHVH for his son’s life as he pleaded for Sodom and Gomorrah?

-In the case of Sodom and Gomorrah, Avraham bargains (or ‘argues’) with HaShem that if certain number of righteous people are found that HE spares Sodom and Gomorrah. However, in the case of his son Yitzchak’s binding and sacrifice, it is not recorded that Avraham raised a single objection to YHVH. HaShem’s firm directive instructions was to ‘please take your son….’ (22.2). Notice the use of the word ‘please’. In this case, Avraham understood that this was not an invitation to bargain, reason, argue or intercede, but to just do it. Think of a father instructing his son to ‘please take out the trash’…. Most people would not see the statement ‘please take out the trash’, as an invitation to argue but a direct instruction to perform a task. Not only in the way it was phrased, but the tone matters. In many cases in scripture, we are not privy to the ‘tone’ of the text and other non-verbal methods, which can communicate quite a lot. We modern readers miss a lot in historical, cultural and social context as well as in non-verbal communication, which is a whole LOT missed out for effective communication.

-Avraham did not bargain or argue in the case of his son because he knew the directive was not meant as such. There are times when prayer, intercession matter; and yet there are other times when we must accept things as they are or as Yahweh has deemed fit. How will one know when to intercede and when to accept situations? This is a case-by-case thing; and one who is in tune with the Ruach, the Spirit of the Living Father, will have a deep knowing- a soul (neshamah) knowing; which is also how one determines the correct course of action. That is: whether to intercede for a thing, when to stop interceding and to just accept the will of the LORD.

# Avram and Yitzchak return from Mt. Moriah discovers Sarah’s departure from this life.

-So, Avraham and Yitzchak return from Mt. Moriah to learn the news that Sarah has died. The Jewish oral traditional Jewish tells us that Sarah’s death was out of both grief and joy when she learned the truth that Avraham has taken Yitzchak to be offered up as sacrifice to YHVH. Her soul leapt out of her for the reason of her deep grief because Yitzchak was her only son; and all the same joy for she found it an honor that YHVH would consider her son worthy; but her son has been spared from sacrifice. It appears the emotions overwhelmed her and her soul leapt out of her (and she died). In 23.2-4, Avraham mourns Sarah’ s death; and acknowledges in his solemnity that that he is a mere stranger in this world, a sojourner on pilgrimage passing thru this world. He moved from tent to tent looking for a place not of this world (Heb. 11.9).

-We too are to emulate Avraham avinu in that we are also strangers in this world, canvasing and passing through. It does not mean we live carelessly, but we endeavor to make life better (tikkum olam). Yet we realize we are spiritual beings encased in a physical body and this physical world is passing and not the finality. If we saw ourselves as strangers in this material ephemeral world passing thru, how would live differently? How would that change how we live, think and act? Would we be more charitable? compassionate? hospitable? Less anxious & stressed? Would we take Yeshua's counsel in Mathew 6 to worry less about issues of this life and seek first the matters of the eternal kingdom first?

# Avraham purchases a burial place for Sarah at a premium price. Becomes burial ground for the patriarchs.

-In 23.16, 19: Abraham purchases the cave of Machpelah for Sarah’s burial. This burial site becomes one of the three places in scripture in which no one can say the Hebrews stole. Along with the cave of Machpelah, the second spot was the threshing floor of Ornan purchased by from the Jevusi; the same became Jerusalem and same exact location where the temple of the LORD was built Solomon (2 Sam 24.18-25, 1 Chronicles 21.20-25). The third site was the tomb of Joseph at Shechem which Yitzchak bought as well (Genesis 33.19). Notice Avraham paid the full premium price; same as David when he purchased the threshing floor of Ornan. But why was Avraham dead set on the Machpelah cave?

-According to Midrash Rabbah tells how Avraham got a glimpse of the cave as the gateway to paradise, garden Eden and was also the tomb of Adam and Eve. As Adam and Eve brought death; Sarah the mother of the promise who gave spiritual life (in Christ) along with Avraham would be buried in this cave too as symbol of redemption of mankind from the sins of Adam and Eve. As Yeshua said, haShem is not the Elohim of the dead, but of the living. As Yahweh is the Elohim of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov, it is a befitting scene to substitute life for death by Avraham and Sarah being buried in the same cave as Adam and Eve. In this same cave, the other patriarchs and matriarch Yitzchak, Yaakov, and Leah were also buried. Since Rachel died en route from Padna-Haran to Canaan, she was buried by the roadside; a site which later bequeathed to one of her children, Ben-oni (Ben-yamin).

# Blessed in every way because of the 'son'. The mission of finding wife for Yitzchak: finding the bride of Christ.

-24.1 says that ‘Avraham is blessed in every way (or in all things)’. According to Rashi (Rabbinic commentator), ‘in every way’ is Hebrew for “haKol”, which has numerical value of 52, which is coincidentally the same as ‘ben’ (son). Therefore, Avraham is blessed in every way possible because of his son Yitzchak. We too are blessed in every way because of Yeshua, the only begotten son of the invisible Father above. We are blessed not necessarily materially but in every spiritual way (Ephesians 1.3) because of the Messiah that came in the blessing of Avraham (Galatians 3.14). The LORD has promised us that in HIM, we have everything we need to live life of godliness and holiness; and that HE will supply all our needs according to HIS riches and glory in Christ. We need only ‘seek first the kingdom and ALL things (the necessities of life) will be ours. We pray ‘give us today our daily bread’ for the LORD is the shepherd, therefore you shall not lack’. Amen.

-In 24.14: Avraham’s servant, Eliezer is tasked with finding wife for Yitzchak from Avraham’s own people in Charan. As Avraham’s servants sets out on this mission laden with gifts, he asks for specific signs and that the one who fulfils these signs shall be taken as confirmation to be wife for Yitzchak. He asks that when he asks for water that the woman who provides water be the wife of Yitzchak. And so, as the company approaches their destination, they meet Revkah as she is tending flocks in the field. She becomes the one who fulfils the exact signs. And the story ends with Avraham’s servant meeting Revkah’s folks. They exchange pleasantries as they express their mission and wishes for the marriage union interest between Rivkah and Yitzchak. Revkah’s parents and Revkah agree, and everyone is on the same page. The story progresses with Revkah leaving her family to go unite with her husband Yitzchak. She and Yitzchak meet in the field and sparks fly. Yitzchak with tears of joy is much comforted in Revkah, especially after her mother, Sarah’s death. What a beautiful image of the Ruach and the mission of Yeshua in searching out, wooing HIS bride, the Church? Amen.

# Asking for a confirmatory sign: Yes, it’s perfectly biblical to ask for confirmatory signs from the LORD. . Be careful, satan can give signs.

-Yes, we can ask Yahweh for signs or confirmation for guidance, instructions etc; this quite biblical and numerous examples abound. Yahweh can indeed honor requests for sign. The key is the motive and the spirit behind asking for signs. Asking in humility, and in genuine need, and not out of doubt, fear, unbelief. In the book of Judges, Gideon asked for a sign. Yahweh asked Ahab, king of Judah to ask for a sign. Many prophets & apostles received signs from heaven confirming their messages: Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Yeshua, Peter, Paul. Yeshua Himself confirmed HIS message with signs, miracles, wonders. It is true that Yeshua tells us a generation who asks for signs that are evil, wicked and will get none save for the signs of Yonah. Yet, that is part of the story. We can ask for signs; it is the heart posture, the intent, the motive that is crucial determinant key. It’s the heart that YHVH responds to.

-For example: Atheists and unbelievers who pray for signs (out of arrogant heart) for God to prove Himself will most likely not get any sign whether positive or negative. These types of cynical unbelief requests for signs are what Yeshua spoke against. However, the ones who out of humbly submitted heart, truly genuinely seeking for HIS will or presence and will respond accordingly, are more likely to receive one. In the illustration of the story of the poor man and rich man, the lessons show that even if the dead were to come alive to warn people, they still won’t believe. This is why Yeshua did not perform many signs, miracles and wonders in HIS own town, because of unbelief.

-The caveat though: be careful of deception for Satan can grant signs as well. And the natural mind can produce or see signs where there are none (confirmatory bias). Therefore, relying on external signs can be equally deceptive and dangerous. How does one go about discerning which or when signs are truly from YHVH? Specificity of the request (and specificity of answer ) may be key to ascertaining true signs from Yahweh or not. Overall, it’s best not to rely on external signs alone in making major life decisions. In the multitude of counsel, there is safety. Seek wise counsel. Lean into the inner prompting of the Spirit, presence or lack of peace and other favorable (or unfavorable) circumstances.

On the series, Shadows of the Messiah in the Torah. Genesis chapters 23.1-25.18. Part 2 of 2.

Series Identifying & dissecting the last empire of the Beast. Section B: The Nature of the beast, the little horn.

The identity of the beast of Daniel & Revelation. Antichrist: The Hebrew, the Israelite and a Jew. Part 3 of 7.

Presented here are several biblical references lending to the theory that THE antichrist of the last days is descendant of the tribe of Dan. The critical take home lesson here is that: underlying most stories, events etc, are underlying spiritual principles and purpose. When a group of people or persons in scripture are constantly being highlighted in many different ways, a theme emerges. THAT means we need to take a step back and look deeply and further into what is hidden and/or is being revealed.

Take a look at Tribe of Dan and their 'uncanny' representations in the following scriptures. Then, take a step back and 'ENGAGE' your spiritual senses for the 'hidden' significance/lessons/principles therein. The following extraction and analysis are my attempt to engage my spiritual perception underneath the stories elucidated concerning the tribe of Dan. Hint: it is more than mere coincidence.

Antichrist the Hebrew, an Israelite from the tribe of Dan.

# Who is Dan? Father of the tribe of Dan, one of the 12 sons of Yaakov.

- Dan is the patriarch of the tribe named after him. Dan is the 5th son born to Yaakov by Rachel’s maid servant, Bilhah {Gen 30.1-8}. You see, Rachel was barren for many years and rather than wait patiently for the timing of Yahweh, she gave her maidservant to Yaakov to bear children. This story sound familiar? Yes, the same thing Sarah did in giving her maid servant Hagar to Avraham, who then conceived Ishmael. Ishmael became the father of the Arabs and adversarial towards the Hebrews. Yishmael, Esau and Dan were the anti-Messiah spirits working alongside their “Messiah” counterparts Yitzchak, Yaakov and Yehudah. Are you seeing the connection? This similarity between how Dan and Ishmael came to be also lend to the theory that Antichrist is also mixed with Arab ethnicity.

# Builders of the tabernacle of YHVH in the wilderness of Egypt were two men of Judah and Dan.

-The 2 men appointed to construct the temporary portable tabernacle (Bezalel and Oholiab) are of tribes of Judah and Dan respectively (Exodus 31.1-6). Now, it’s no coincidence that the 2 men were of Judah and Dan. This is once again highlighting the Messiah and anti-Messiah pattern being established even early on. Why do you reckon the skilled inspired builders were of Tribes of Judah and Dan? Here is the concealed revelation. Here is wisdom. Have you ever considered that Satan is employed by the LORD in building HIS church? Yes. In what way does satan build the church? In the tests, trials, tribulations that believers face in this world. Scripture tells us tests, trials and tribulations and temptations build character, endurance; instills hope, patience. And if the believers allow it, it brings forth fruit of the spirit and works of the spirit (Prov. 3.11-12; Job 5.17; Hebrews 12.5-15). The LORD (Judah) builds HIS church (spiritual temple); and Satan (Dan) also builds the church.

-Think of tests, trials and tribulations one face and overcome as spiritual boot camp. The essence of physical boot camp is to strengthen one’s physical condition. In the same way, spiritual bootcamp strengthens one’s spiritual condition, if one allows it. For ‘what doesn’t break or kill you, makes you stronger, wiser and bolder. What this reveals to us is that Yahweh allows increasing pressures, tests and trials in the world to shape His people, in refining, purifying HIS people. And indeed, satan can be the source of these tests, trials as allowed by YHVH to train and build believers. Christians need to recognize challenges brought upon by evil forces in this world are allowed by YHVH Judah to build up our spiritual temples/houses. HalleluYah. Amen.

# The materials of building the temple of YHVH were gathered from Tyre; and the skilled builders & artisans were both men of Tyre and Israelites together. In Isaiah, Satan is alluded to as 'prince of Tyre'.

-In 1 Kings 7, 2 Chronicles 2 to 4, we are told King of Hiram of Tyre provided the materials for the building the temple of YHV by Solomon in Jerusalem. Not only was one of the skilled men who constructed the temporary portable temple of the LORD, but also the physical temple of Solomon the king was constructed by cooperation of both the Isreal and ‘gentiles. The workers in the construction were gathered from Israelites and along with men of Tyre, a gentile country. And the materials for the construction of the temple came from Tyre. Now, you may think this inconsequential, but the implications and deeper meaning is quite significant; and this is a whole new teaching, but the short of this is that the tabernacle represented in Old Testament “Israel”, and in new covenant the church and believers are this "Isreal". Judah here represented Christ, and Dan the anti-Christ spirit. Thus, here, Yahweh is revealing HIS plan to graft gentiles into HIS kingdom. But, even more so, that converted gentiles ARE part of the temple called church AND the church is being built by spiritual forces both good and evil.

-And consequently, the church and believers as the body of Christ, while in this earthly realm are being shaped and formed by both Christ and anti-Christ forces. Pause and ponder this for a time being. Those tests and trials and temptations sent by the devil (allowed by Yahweh) is for your own spiritual growth, if you allow it to be. Think about Christ’s testing of 40 days in the wilderness by Satan. If Christ, the Master was tested (and passed), you bet you too as servants will surely be tested and for which you are to glean from your Master’s example of how to endure and pass the test. Amen.

# The chief skilled engineer of the temple of YHVH In Jerusalem was by a man of mixed heritage: of tribe of Dan and of Tyre.

-In 1 Kings 7 and 2 Chronicles 2-4, we are told the king Hiram of Tyre not only provided materials for building the temple, but that chief artisan was a man of mixed heritage whose father was from Tyre, a gentile nation, and mother was of the tribe of Dan (& Issachar by first marriage). Again here, YHVH is revealing to us the pattern (or perhaps a hidden message) and the spiritual principle at work: that is, even the forces of evil working in this world are ultimately working for our good, and for the building of our spiritual temple, which is far more eternally weightier than momentary afflictions that we endure in this life. So, scripture pointing out that materials and men needed for building HIS temple were from a gentile nation, and the chief builder was of mixed heritage is significant. It is revealing the plan of HaShem to weave in gentiles into HIS eternal kingdom. It tells us that ultimately, both evil and good work together for good in building up our spiritual temple. In the last days, the great tribulation initiated by THE antichrist will afflict the true believers, but it will be to purify a bride made ready for the bridegroom and prepared to sup with HIM in the eternal kingdom.

# In the story of Joseph’s ordeal with his jealous brothers, Dan was the one who decided to kill Joseph (a type of Messiah).

-Though scripture does not elaborate, according to the Deuterocanon extra-canonical scriptures (The book of the testimony of the patriarchs), among the 12 sons of Yaakov, Dan was the one who decided that they kill Joseph (a type of Christ) at first. But when Judah objected to killing, but rather to sell him, Dan also suggested they then lie to their father Yaakov that a wild beast had gotten him by smearing Jospeh’s coat with blood of goat instead. Here we see the ‘murderous and lying spirit of antichrist’ in action. If Joseph was the Messiah type, it logically follows that the one who suggested they kill Joseph is the anti-Messiah figure. Interestingly, many years later when the brethren come to Egypt for food during the famine, at the time when Joseph was 2nd in command, it was also Judah who pleaded with Joseph to take/keep him captive instead of the youngest Benjamin. Judah redeems himself here by sacrificing his own life in place of his youngest sibling, which is foreshadowing of Yeshua’s sacrificial offering of HIS life as ransom for us. Here both Yehuda and Yosef are Messiah types; and Dan the anti-Messiah type.

# Yaakov’s final blessings upon his 12 sons calls Dan ‘serpent by the way’ who cause fall and invoked salvation from the LORD.

-The blessings of Yaakov their father calls Dan ‘serpent by the way which will bite and cause to fall backward….and Yaakov invoked awaiting the salvation of EL….’ (Genesis 49.16-18). Pay attention to these things here: serpent, bite, fall, and salvation. It’s like Yaakov is prophetically revealing Antichrist arising from Dan to be as serpent (oldest name for Satan from Genesis 3), by the way (a New Testament description for believers) who will cause all to ‘fall’ (apostasy from faith), and in invoking the Messiah, the only salvation from this serpentine figure. Yaakov’s uses animal metaphor for 4 of his sons, but Dan gets the darkest of metaphor, a serpent. Is it ironic that serpent (another name for the adversary) is applied to Dan? I think not. Yaakov saw something much more sinister in the spirit. . He saw THE antichrist arising from Dan.

-The serpentine reference for Dan was a prophecy all in its own. What Dan represented was counterfeit spirituality and religion; of antichrist masquerading as ‘truth’. The message is loud and clear for the church today. Just like Dan, being of Israelite, the family of Yahweh; and Judas being of follower of Christ, the church today must be wary of false religion, false worship systems, false spirituality, apostasy, and deception cloaked as truth. This is the most insidious because it does not come from without, but from within the church. Dan was a believer in Yahweh, and so was Judas an apostle of Christ.

# Comparisons between Yaakov’s final blessings of Judah vs. Dan reveals the Messiah vs anti-Messiah archetypes.

-Now compare the last benediction of Yaakov to Dan vs Judah or Joseph’s blessings. Keep in mind, both Judah and Joseph were shadows and types of Messiahs. Judah is called lion of Judah; Christ is that lion of Judah. Joseph had the most elaborate and glowing blessings because of his sufferings in being betrayed by his brethren, sold into slavery, falsely accused and spent over a decade in Egyptian prison for crime he did not commit. Yet, he was elevated and made 2nd in command in Egypt. Joseph is the embodiment of a Messianic type and figure in the Hebrew scriptures. What of Dan, Dan is a serpent by the way that causes people to fall, and we need salvation from him. What an clear description of satan and his works; and even more so is the invocation of salvation. Salvation from whom? From the Messiah, the Lion of Judah. So, if Judah is called 'lion of Judah' and gave us Christ; likewise, Dan is called 'serpent by the way', does it not make sense Dan will give us the anti-Messiah?

# Adversarial competition between tribe of Judah vs tribe of Dan reveals the Messiah vs. anti-Messiah prototypes.

-The book of Numbers (first census found in 1:1-34) records two different census which spanned 40 years, taken in the Hebrews time in the wilderness after exodus from Egypt. According to this census *Tribe of Judah is largest in population, followed by tribe of Dan as 2nd largest. The tribe of Judah’s camp is set eastward and first rank in formation to lead the camp (2.9; 10.14), whereas the camp of Dan being 2nd largest comes last in rank (2.25-26). Here is where the rivalry heats up: while Judah had largest inheritance land mass that was even too big for them (Joshua 19.9)....compared to tribe of Dan.

- The tribe of Dan, though being 2nd largest, was the last to receive land inheritance, and on top of it, also had smallest allotment of land that was too little for them; and the even more, they could not fight off the Philistines to possess the land (Joshua 19.40-48, Judges 1.34-35). It's like Dan got the leftover land. Ouch. Judah vs. Dan / Messiah vs. Anti-Messiah. The fight is on and will continue till the end of age. We know who won.

# Tribe of Dan had to conquer and steal land from quiet peaceful people, land outside the land allotted by YHVH- an act of rebellion.

And yet still, Dan they could not even possess the land and had to go up North (Laish) to find inheritance outside the allotted land- which shares border with Syria (Judges 18). Take note on how Dan brutally conquered this quiet peaceful unassuming people. Dan didn’t even give them a chance to leave the village peacefully or option to be servants. No, not only did Danites steal their land, but they mercilessly wiped off an entire village of people of Laisch completely off the map as people. Is that not just like Satan who is said to be thief who steals, kills and destroys. How so brutal; how so satanic. Note also, after conquest, the town of Laisch is renamed Dan.

-Note also, this land Laisch shares borders with Syria and some former Assyrian territories. Both Syria and Assyria have been a long-time enemy of Israelites and had several kings of anti-Christ spirits that oppressed, persecuted and later took northern kingdom of Isreal into captivity. So, is it far-fetched then, that if Dan shares border with Syria and Assyria that a later antichrist figure who will be of mixed heritage of Dan and Assyrian (or Arab).

-Later we learn in the book of Judges 18, that the tribe of Dan becomes the first tribe to make a graven image as god to worship, build their own altars, chose their own priests and feasts days, which was a total apostasy. The tribe of Dan succeeded to lead the rest of Isreal into idolatry resulting in their subsequent dispersion and destruction. Is this not satanic in nature?

Next: Antichrist the Hebrew, an Israelite from the tribe of Dan. Part 4 of 7.

On the series, Shadows of the Messiah in the Torah. Genesis chapters 18.1-22.24. Part 2 of 2.

To re-cap: Avraham was 75 years old when he was first called and given promise by EL; 86 years old when Ishmael was born; 99 years old when his name was changed, and the covenant of circumcision was given & circumcision occurred for males of Avraham’s household. He was100 years old when Yitzhak was born. So, 25 years lapsed from the first appearance of Yahweh to Avram, and the covenantal promise of seed given. He was 75 years old (and 65 for Sarah) when given, and 100 years old (Sarah at 90) when promise was fulfilled in the birth of Yitzhak. So, this simple chronology would place the birth of Yitzchak 14 years after Ishmael was born, which then places Ishmael then at roughly 13-14 years old.

Today’s parshah is Vayeira ‘and HaShem appeared’ (Genesis 18.1).

#6 Sarah laughs again at the birth of Yitzchak (hb: ‘will laugh’). A word for those in barrenness, you too will laugh. HalleluYah.

- So, finally after the long-awaited promise, Avraham at 100 years of age, and Sarah at age 90 gives birth to a son, who is named Yitzhak (hb: ‘will laugh’). According to the commands of Yahweh, Abraham circumcises Isaac when at eight days old (20.4). At the birth of Yitzchak, Sarah laughs again saying ‘HaShem has made me laugh, for everyone who hears will laugh with me’ (21.6). From cynical laughter a year ago to joyful laughter a year later. As Yeshua said, “Blessed are you who mourn and weep now, you shall be comforted” (Luke 6.21). For those of us who weep now due to travails of life, the tears of sorrow will turn to tears of joy when the Messiah returns.

-Here then Sarah’s laughter after her ordeal of bareness is a great lesson for those in various bareness, wilderness and destitute of life. You too shall have the last laugh. Amen. Lest we forget, Sarah, the great matriarch is the first of several barren women of scripture who were destined for greatness. Bareness and wilderness seem to be a pattern in scripture that indicates that HaShem has purposed an individual for greatness. The miraculous conception of Yitzchak is one comparable to the virgin Miryam in the birth of the Messiah.

- Notice the covenant of circumcision was enacted just before the child of promise came; Avram was 99 when circumcised and 100 at birth of Yitzchak. Often, the time it takes when EL gives an initial promise or covenant to when it happens can be significantly long- a trial and test of faith, endurance and patience. In Avraham and Sarah’s case, it was 24 years. And for his descendants the Hebrews, it took 400+ years for the promise of Canaan to be realized. And another 3,000+ years for the ultimate promise (Yeshua) to come. And now, 2000 years later, we are still awaiting HIS promised 2nd return.

#7 Hagar & Ishmael banished to life in the desert son. YHVH appears, provides & blesses Ishmael as father of many nations (12 princes)

-Yitzhak grows older, and Sarah notices that Ishmael, Isaac's older brother from another mother, was a potentially negative influence on her young child. She demands that Abraham expel Ishmael and his mother Hagar from the household. This request displeases Avraham, but HaShem instructs him to listen to Sarah and yet HE will make Ishmael a great nation (21.18). Hagar and Ishmael languish in the desert for lack of water and food and as they wander the heat of desert sun, eventually run out of water. Ishmael is about to perish from thirst when an angel shows her a well of water. She cries unto the LORD and the LORD ‘opens her eyes and she sees a well of water’ (21.19). Wow. Just like that, the ‘LORD opened her eyes….and she saw…’. Was that well always there and she didn’t see it for heaviness of heart and great sorrow? Or did the well appear miraculously? Both.

- And so, the LORD was with the child Ishmael; he grows up in the desert and becomes a skilled archer and marries an Egyptian wife. Paul the apostle referenced this story here in Gala 4.29 when he spoke about believers being of the children of the free woman (Sarah) and not of bondswoman (Hagar). Clearly this reference was of Yeshua being of the ultimate seed of the free woman, of Sarah; and believers in Christ are the children of Avraham by faith.

-Avraham gets into dispute over wells with Abimelech; but they devise a solution that works, and both part amicably with an oath in which Avraham gifts Avimelech with 7 lambs and as witness that the well was dug by him. And they call the well Beer-sheva (hb: well of 7 oaths). This very well/location later becomes a site of pilgrimage (and consequently seat of idolatry) particularly for the northern kingdom of split Isreal (the house of Ephraim).

#8 Hagar & Ishmael in the desert: a tale of miraculous provision of water from the well? Or a tale of Hagar seeing the well but cannot perceive? The answer is right in front of you, just ask the LORD to open your "spiritual" eyes.

-You see, it is entirely possible that the well was always there, but she did not see because, first, she was so distraught and in great despair that she could not immediately think it possible for a solution out here in the desert. Her mind was consumed on the dismal fate that faces her and her Ishamel. See, if you are not looking for an answer you miss the answer right under your nose. And many times, when people are in a pit of despair, they cannot see the solution, the answer in front of them. This is entirely human. It took another to open her eyes, to draw her attention to the answer in front of her. This is why when one is at despair and hopeless, it is beneficial to seek out counsel of others. And surely, praying to the LORD for assistance will also facilitate that guidance, which may come in the form of another person, perspective outside of your own. But why do you suppose the LORD ‘opened her eyes rather than saying, and the LORD made a well of water appear. Hm. There’s a deeper truth and lesson there for us all. According to the sages, the well was there all the time. Hagar just assumed there would not be any water in the desert and had therefore made no effort to search.

-We would be remiss if we didn’t also point out the first simplest answer, that it was a miraculous intervention and that haShem made the well appear right then and there. This story reminds of that one scene where Elisha and his servants encountered an army of Syrians coming against Israel. And Elisha prays that EL opens the eyes of one of the servants to see that ‘they with us are more than they are with them’; and the LORD opened the servants’ eyes, and he saw ‘chariots on mountains.’ Amazing, isn’t it? The lesson and the question for us today is: what are we missing then that we can perceive with our spiritual eyes only if we look? What is that unseen thing that can only be seen with spiritual eyes that want to perceive. Some of us see, but we do not perceive. Seeing and perceiving are not synonymous. Many of us see with physical eyes, but we to perceive takes tapping into that which transcends the natural senses. Some may call it intuition, discernment or 6th sense. May the LORD open our eyes that we may see the unseen the untapped potential, the solution, that answer…the angelic forces with us, for us and fighting for us. Amen.

#9 Avraham is tested. The binding (akeda) of Yitzchak: he was a grown man who complied NOT a child forced to be sacrificed.

-Chapter 22 begins with HaShem testing Avraham’s faith, loyalty and obedience. In 22.2, Hashem calls Yitzchak the only begotten son of Avraham though he was really the 2nd son; this is because he was the son of the promise. To HaShem, Issac was Avraham’s only begotten son (see also Hebrew 11.17-18); since he was foreshadowing Messiah, the only begotten son of EL (John 1.18; 3.16). The story of Yitzchak’s mirrors that of Yeshua especially in his binding (akedah) and near sacrifice being the only son. Both Yizhack and Yeshua are known as ‘only begotten sons’, both born supernaturally after long awaited fulfilment of prophecy of their conception and birth; and both rescued from death. According to some Jewish sages, the soul of Yitzchak left him for a moment as he saw the knife come down to him. Yahweh objected to his slaying, his soul returned. Though Yitzchak did not physically die, a ram was provided in his place. Yeshua however did die yet was rescued from pits of hell (resurrected).

-Contrary to certain (mis)interpretation, Yitzchak was not a young lad when he was almost sacrificed. Careful studying of related scripture & chronology suggest otherwise. The term used here was ‘na’ar’ in Hebrew, which is equivalent of young man, or an unmarried man of marriageable age. Many Jewish writings hold that Yitzchak was in near his mid-30s. Also, one can deduce his most likely age using Sarah’s death in Genesis 23, which occurred shortly after the sacrifice/Akeda. If Sarah died at 127 years old and she was 90 when Yitzchak was born, assuming no huge time discrepancies between chapters 22 and 23, then Yitzchak’s age is deduced to be 36-37 years of age at the time of his binding for sacrifice offering. This would be most befitting seeing that Yeshua was 30 when HE began His ministry and was crucified a little over 3 years later, which would make HIM 33 or so at the time of HIS own ‘Akeda’ and crucifixion. Yes, this does imply that Yitzchak was not a helpless little boy; he knew what was happening and yet willingly allowed Avraham to bind him on the altar. Surely in mid-30s, Yitzchak would have resisted and fought from being slain successfully. [b]But Yitzchak willingness to undergo akeda was meant to foreshadow Yeshua as fully grown who willingly sacrificially ‘laid down HIS life’ [/b]and would not call ‘legions of angel nor have HIS disciples to prevent HIS death’. (Matt 26.53; John 10.17-18).

#10 On why the LORD tested Avraham & why YHVH tests us today even thou HE is all-knowing; and knows us and the outcome.

-The Hebrew word here for ‘testing’ is ‘nissah’, or ‘nisayon’ meaning to ‘prove quality of something AND avoid wrong course of action’. The test isn’t for the LORD to know you or find out what you are about. The test is for you to find out what you are made of, prove yourself, your faith and sort yourself out if you fall short of the standard. In this case, the standard is the will, the word and the way of YHVH. Nisayon’s (testing of the LORD) objective is with the goal to pass the test. We know haShem cannot tempt people. A test given to set someone up to fail is properly called temptation. The LORD gives tests with the goal, intent and objective for us to pass. The LORD gives test knowing the person has capacity to pass the test. Yet just because the LORD gives test knowing you have ability to pass, it does not eliminate free choice and free will of the person. You must still choose to ‘accept’ the test in obedience AND willfully choose the right course of action to pass the test. This means you will know how to pass the test; but the choice remains yours to decide correctly.

#11 Yitzchak’s near sacrifice on Mount Moriah becomes the site of the future physical temple of the LORD (built by King Solomon).

-Hashem gives Avraham instructions to head to a ‘place’ along with Yitzchak for the sacrifice. Avraham lifted his eyes and saw “the place” (later became Mt. Moriah). What place did he see? Some posit the future city; the temple building and foreshadows the ‘Messianic kingdom’. Amen. Book of Hebrews tell us; Avraham was a tent dweller and moved from place to place in search of a city whose foundation and builder was Yahweh…though he did not get there yet welcomed it from afar. (Hebrews 11.10-13). The place becomes known as Mount Moriah which happens to be the same exact location upon which the physical Temple of YHVH was built upon, which was completed by king Solomon (2 Chronicles 3.1).

-It would also follow that Yitzchak near offering as sacrifice would foreshadow the temple sacrifices which were later enacted in the law of Moses. According to the book of Hebrews, the temple services on earth were pattern for the heavenly temple and services; upon which Yeshua in HIS death, and blood atonement made eternal sacrifices for humanity. All the other types of offerings burnt offering, sin offering, guilt offering, peace offering, bread offering, drink offering all were symbolic representation of Yeshua’s own sacrificial offering. The donkey that Avraham rode (22.3) on foreshadowed Yeshua’s riding on the donkey in the triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Zech. 9.9). Notice also that the binding and near sacrifice of Yitzhak occurred on the 3rd day (22.4), thereby mirroring the resurrection of Yeshua on the third day as both Jonah and Hosea the prophets alluded to (Hosea 6.2).

#11 If you are wandering in the wilderness according to the will of the LORD, you are not lost.

-There’s a somber lesson from Avraham’s story for us. Not all who wander are lost. You have a vision, a promise from the LORD, yet you find yourself wondering about in the wilderness. BUT, if you are in a wilderness, or on barren land, or a sojourner according to will of the LORD, you are NOT lost. Even if it means you do not apprehend this destination, vision or promise from the LORD until death or HIS 2nd coming, YET you will not be found lacking or wanting. Why? Because you were ‘wandering the wilderness’ according to HIS will, and according to HIS purpose. It is those who do the will of the LORD that enter the kingdom according to our eternal Master, the great King and Almighty. Amen. But take heart, you are not wandering aimlessly. And LORD willing, you live and not die to declare the Glory of the LORD. Amen. Amen.

#12 Yitzhack’s binding, near sacrifice = Yeshua’s own crucifixion, sacrifice and resurrection.

-In 22.6 ‘Avraham places the wood of burnt offering upon Yitzchak’s’. This clearly paints a picture similar and symbolic to Yeshua’s carrying HIS cross en route to crucifixion. ‘And the 2 of them walked together…father and son {22.6-8} paints the picture of father and son relationship just like Yeshua and the father Yahweh (John 10.30; Luke 22.42). There’s a picture of both father and son being ‘one’ or ‘united’ as the word ‘yachdav’ suggests the togetherness as ‘being made one and united’ in purpose. We see here the picture of Yeshua and Yahweh united in mission and purpose. In 22.8, Yitzhak asks about the lamb for offering, and Avraham replies ‘Yahweh will provide’. Yet the word used there is ‘Yireh’ and literally means ‘see’ so that the most correct translation is ‘Yahweh will see for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering (Heb 5.5-10). Yeshua was called the seh haElohim, the Lamb of Yahweh (1 Cor 5.7; John 1.23, 29, 36; John 19.17-18; Rev 13.8} Some extrabiblical sources suggest that at point towards end of 3-day journey, Avraham had to finally tell Yitzchak that he was the sacrifice, and Yitzchak accepted that fate of being offered to the LORD. This would fit with Yeshua having accepted willingly HIS sacrifice for the sins of the world.

-Extrabiblical sources also suggest the other 2 people on the journey with them are Ishmael and Eliezar, one of Avraham’s servants. At some point, satan enters Ishmael to tempt both Avraham and Yitzchak to deter them from fulfilling the mission. Again, this would agree with Yeshua’s own temptation in the wilderness before HIS mission began. When they arrive on Mt. Moriah, Avraham builds an altar (22.9) at the same exact place where the Holy Temple would be erected by king Solomon 400 years later. According to some Jewish texts, this Mt. Moriah was also the same site where Abel built the first altar of sacrifice, and Noach also built altar post flood. In 22.13, haShem provides a ram (hb: achar) caught in a thicket by the horns. Here, we substitute the Messiah for the ram. ‘And Avraham lifted up his eyes and behold, the ram caught in a crown of thorns….’; just as Yeshua wore a crown of thorns. Then Avraham calls the place ‘Adonai Yireh’, the LORD will see (& provide). Some suggest Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) is a composite of both Yireh and Shalom meaning ‘Peace will be seen’. Yet, we know there will never be enduring peace in Jerusalem as it were today until the Messiah returns and reigns supreme.

On the series, Shadows of the Messiah in the Torah. Genesis chapters 23.1-25.18. Part 1 of 2.

Beware: witchcraft in the Church: witches, warlocks & diviners posing as Christian ministers. Much of Christianity today is under witchcraft spell of certain prominent leaders and their teachings/doctrines. (Acts 8.9-24).

-Today, there are loads of witches in churches pulpits, in pews; wizards, sorcerers on pulpits claiming to be pastor, prophet, apostle. Diviners and enchanters as worship leaders. The more self-titles they were, the more flamboyant, charismatic and influential they are, the more potent the witchcraft employed over the people (Acts 8.9-24). In this day of the LORD, we shall touch up on this growing but menacing trend: Christian witches and warlocks. It used to be that this topic was a thing found in certain parts of the world considered ‘non-Christianized’; and or where you have syncretism of ancestral worship merging with Christian relics. Today though, it has made its way out in the open in mainstream evangelical movements in the west. Particularly the MAGA trainwreck (=repackaged old world satanism) which is gaining influence round the world even in continent of Africa.

-Did you know that MAGA in Latin languages are a high ranking satanist (warlock or wizard). In light of this, it does make much sense of what is happening in America in this religio-political movement and its grip around the world. IT’s supernatural. But of course, your mainstream Christian channels and influencers will not unveil this as they are all part of it (whether they are aware of it or not). While the acronym may have been formed ‘innocuous’ beginning, but was it though? Or was it for a more disturbing purpose, insidious agenda? All that glitter is not gold. Could we not say the same for the term ‘MAGA’?

What Is Witchcraft?

-Witchcraft is belief in "knowledge from below", and rejection of "knowledge from above". It is the religion of fallen angels. All supernatural power comes either from haShem or Satan. And so, powers behind witchcraft are derived from satanic realms, and for the fulfilling demonic agenda and building Satanic kingdom. In its purest essence, its core is rooted in rebellion. It’s a delusional belief apart from that which is of the Spirit of the LORD, contrary or in opposition to the work of the Christ. Biblically, witchcraft is not mere art of the craft in displaying magical powers but rooted in rebellion (1 Samuel 15:23 (KJV)) "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft...".

-Today, Christendom has been deceived in thinking witchcraft as Hollywood portrays it. Today, satan repackages witchcraft in Christian wrappers, but has hidden the deep occultic backgrounds. Much of Christian folks and churches are practicing modern day witchcraft unbeknownst to them. Too bad ignorance is not excuse when judgement comes. Such practices are an abomination deserving death penalty in scripture. Scripture is neither quiet NOR scanty on this topic of witchcraft among those supposed to be believers. And later, we shall let scripture speak on this topic.

How Witchcraft Works

-It’s not in mere magical incantations to release power. But the core of all witchcraft and its practitioners is rooted in rebellion, wanting to be a spiritual free agent without submission to the Elohim of scriptures nor regard for the truth of HIS word. Witchcraft starts with a heart of rebellion and works by focusing on a technique, a method, and a procedure. These are in the forms of spells, chants, mantras in order to release ‘power’ or achieve some result. Today in Christianity, it is the ‘decree and declare’ prayers; the ‘5 keys to breakthrough success’; the ‘7 ways to get god to bless you’ etc. The teachers of these types of spiritual techniques think they are being biblical but are really practicing a form of witchcraft and tapping powers not of the LORD.

-Satan is the father of lies…and in him is no truth nor light. (John 8.44-45). Primarily via decorated deceptive lies, twisted truth, half-truths, mixtures of truth and lies (the most potent and effective method); and carnal wisdom and so called esoteric (occultic) knowledge derived from demonic plain. To approach Hashem, truth is the cost of entry. You must have love for truth and nothing but pure truth. Satan's method of operation is that if you sacrifice truth on his altar, he will give you power for what you want now. But Satan’s deal is costly and comes with strings attached.

-You must pay for it with sacrifice; and is a form of satanic covenants. . Satanic covenants come with strings attached. Part of the covenant is for the recipient to carry on with the satanic mission (in form of false teachings, false practices etc.) in return for fame, fortune, worldly power and wisdom and success. Then, there’s rebellion, disobedience, total opposite and antithesis of truth and light of Scripture and of the LORD. On the human level, there’s manipulation, domination, control of others; wanting to force with the goal to eliminate the individual will and choice.

Does witchcraft work?

-Yes, in the sense that demons have power, knowledge and have influence in the heavenlies and in this earthly physical plain. And the demonic realm can imbue power to (and work thru) cooperative human agents. HaShem has accorded satan and his angels that much authority and power. However, it is important to know, satan can only exercise authority and power that HaShem allows on a case by case, and on daily basis. Meaning? That though satan has ‘limited’ power at any given time, he has to obtain permission for all and every single thing he is planning to do especially in the lives of true believers. Satan can also only go as far as in his power as haShem permits. Take for instance in the case of Job in scripture, and in the case of the Egyptian (Pharaoh's) magicians who could only replicate signs to the certain degree after which they could no more.

*Note thou: witchcraft will not and cannot work WITHOUT haShem's permission especially on a true believer.


A.W. Tozer: "Christianity is so entangled with the world that millions never guess how radically they have missed the New Testament pattern. Compromise is everywhere. The world is whitewashed just enough to pass inspection by blind men posing as believers..."

On the series, Shadows of the Messiah in the Torah. Genesis chapters 18.1-22.24. Part 1 of 2

Today’s parshah is Vayeira meaning ‘and HE ( HaShem) appeared’ found in Genesis 18.1.

#1 Angelic visitation to announce birth of Issac. Sara hears and laughs (= hb: Yitzhak’). Be careful how you treat strangers, might be angel(s).

-Avinu Avraham was 75 years old when first called and given the promise by EL; 86 years old when Ishmael was born; 99 when name changed, covenant of circumcision given and circumcised. Avraham, at 99 years old, has just finished with circumcision 3 days prior and HaShem appears to him as he sits under an oak tree. Avraham sees 3 strangers coming and excuses himself from his communion with Hashem to welcome the 3 men. These 3 men who were really angels (hb malach= messenger) appear to drop the tidings that in 1 year the promise of son will come (=Yitzhak is conceived). Notice that these angelic creatures came in the visage (form) of human; this is called ‘theophany’. And scripture has many instances of angels appearing in form of men. Sometimes these angels are interchangeably called ‘the LORD’ in scripture. For example, in the case of the call of Gideon in the book of Judges in chapter 6 when the angel of the LORD was also known as LORD, appeared to Gideon to appoint him to deliver Isreal from oppression from their enemies.

-These angelic visits or rather angelic figures in human form are thought to be preincarnate Yeshua. Either way, Avraham credited for his hospitality welcomed these angels whom he thought were just random men passing by. This is what Paul the apostle meant when he admonished to be careful how you treat people, showing hospitality to strangers and treating all men with kindness and respect for you may be entertaining angels unaware (Hebrews 13.2). Avraham feeds the strangers and washes their feet. These are the deeds of Avraham spoken of by Yeshua in the book of John, when HE washed the disciples’ feet. Here Avraham was really foreshadowing the works of Yeshua in washing the feet of his disciples. We too are commanded to go and do likewise in servant leadership modelled by Yeshua.

#2 Sarah hears of the angelic prophecy of bearing a son in a year, she laughs (hb: Yitzhak).

- Sarai overhears and laughs (hence Yitzhak means “he will laugh”). Sarah’s laugh (18.12), was this sarcastic remark on the part of Sarah? Did she mean to laugh? Was it a result of lack of faith and unbelief? I would reckon a little bit of all the above. To Sarah, having a child at old age was ridiculous. The long years of barrenness has dissipated any real hope coupled with the biological impossibility at her post-menopausal age. Sarah’s laughing about the ‘promised child’s coming represents several things, both positively and negatively. First, Avraham and Sarah will laugh at those who mocked them for their barrenness as tears of Joy. In Christ, Hashem laughs at Satan having defeated sin and death. Negatively, Sarah’s laugh in disbelief represents certain people today who laugh and mock at the thought of the promised 2nd coming of Messiah, especially after 2.000 years have gone by (2 Peter 3.3-4).

-Yitzchak is birthed at an appointed time of the LORD (18.14). Never mind that Sarah was barren in the natural, Yitzchak had to come at an appointed time. Appointed time implies at predestined, predetermined timing of the LORD, which is quite different from chronological timing. Notice how the time between when the promise of a seed to the conception of a seed was 25 years. And Yahweh did not tell Avraham it would take 25 years; but then a year before the promise, angels appear to announce the news that ‘about this time in the next year….’. As in the days of Noah, Yahweh didn’t tell him it would take 120 years before the flood, yet a week before flood, Yahweh did announce it was time to enter ark. Let us all take great comfort in knowing that Yahweh will not leave us in the dark about HIS appointed times. Yet, while there are times and hours unknown to us that HE has put in HIS power to allow us to exercise some measure of faith, yet HE will give us hints of hope just in time lest we faint in our waiting. HaShem reminded Avraham of HIS covenant for a seed multiple times such that Avraham had hope though it was long in seeing it come to fruition. We take great comfort in this. Amen. This also assures us that though Yeshua said, ‘in the hour or time of HIS return, no man knows’, that truly HE will give us signs of the nearness of HIS arrival; that we do not let darkness overtake us nor become stupor. Amen.

#3 Avraham intercedes for Sodom & Gomorrah. Lot’s wife turns into salt. Lot’s daughters give birth to 2 nations (Ammon & Moab).

-Hashem decides to annihilate the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for their heinous wickedness, evil and for their iniquity has reached HIS nostrils. But first Hashem asks, ‘should I hide what I am about to do to Avraham…’ (18.17). Amos 3.3-8 tells us Hashem reveals certain ‘sod’ (counsel) to certain of HIS servants. So, haShem picks Avraham as a closest confidant and friend, and later calls him prophet. Oh, that we might be deemed ‘friends of the LORD’ that HE may share HIS secrets with us. Herein the intercessory role of a prophet is shown. Avraham intercedes on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah on account that his nephew Lot and his family reside there. So, Avraham continues his bargaining that if EL should find these many righteous, perhaps HE can spare the people. EL agrees. However, it seems EL didn’t find any righteous people in the city save for Lot and family, Avraham’s relatives. On account of Avraham, haShem decides to save Lot and his family. -

-The angels are sent on a mission to save Lot, his 2 daughters and wife; for them to flee from Sodom and Gomorrah to nearby town because destruction is coming. Lot’s wife turns back and becomes a pillar of salt instantly, and the statue of salt is memorial and a sign through all generations of her disobedience. The 2 surviving daughters get their father drunk, lie with him and bear 2 sons: Ammon and Moab, the antecedents of the people of Ammonites and Moabites (19.36). We will learn much later that Moabites and Ammonites are 2 of the 3 nations (the other being descendants of Esev- the Edomites) that HaShem gave inheritance portion of land surrounding the land of Canaan; and told Israel not to fight against or meddle with them for certain lands are given to them as their own inheritance.

- Yahweh commends Avraham as one whom the LORD ‘knows’ as a man of righteousness and justice, and who will instruct his children of right and proper way of the LORD (18.19). It is good that one should be trusted and be regarded ever so highly by the LORD of the universe. Notice that this commendation came before the giving of the decalogue. So, this naturally infers that the LORD knew Avraham would keep HIS ways because Avraham already showed signs of such, hence the reason he was picked. There was something different about him amongst his people. An apocryphal book writes that he was a monotheist or rather had a sense of there being just ONE deity even though he did not have full knowledge of this One Deity. Everyone else worshipped many gods, but Avraham refrained because he knew better. Was it that EL was wooing him or was he just that way by nature? Either way, he resisted being influenced just like Moses resisted Egyptian influence. This indeed reveals so much about what attracts YHVH and the kind or type of people He prefers to employ. Avraham was not perfect, but his heart was in the right place. Neither was Moshe, nor David perfect yet, it is the heart that attracts haShem for man looks outwardly, but haShem looks at the heart.

#4 The redemption of Lot and family, the judgement on Sodom and Gomorra= type of salvation & redemption by Christ and destruction of last days.

-The judgement on Sodom and Gomorrah represents a type of judgement of last days. Yeshua compared HIS coming as the day of Sodom and Gomorrah (Luke 17.29-30). Concerning HIS kingdom and of the last days saying, Yeshua said “those who put their hand to the plow and look back are not fit to enter into His kingdom”, and to “remember Lot’s wife” (Lk 17.32). This also reinforces what the apostles wrote concerning those who apostatize and return to their old ways after having tasted the goodness; that they are without repentance and as dog returning to his vomit; and are re-crucifying Christ (Heb. 6). In this was the reason why Esau too could no longer find forgiveness when he had sold his birthright. King Saul died in his sins after repeated disobedience and rebellion against the LORD. Judas Iscariot never found forgiveness and hung himself after betraying the innocent.

-Lot’s wife was ‘saved’ out of a Sodom and Gomorrah but she “looked back” (=apostasy), that is equivalent to being saved and then revert (apostatize) and to former ways. Lot’s wife longed for her old life, what she left behind. There was a reason they were instructed not to look back. It was symbolic and speaks volume for us today. Their being saved from Sodom and Gomorrah was a type of salvation (much like Isreal’s exodus from Egypt), and her redemption was to look forward to a new destination. She preferred her old life and looked back. This is akin to apostasy after having been ‘saved’ from bondage of sin and the world. Friends, there is such a thing as falling from grace & not finishing well (Gal 5.4).

-Avraham’s intercession did not avert destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, but HaShem did spare Abraham’s nephew, the family of Lot. Was Lot saved for his own righteousness or for Avraham’s righteousness? I believe it is both. Lot most likely erred in choosing to head to materially wealthy Sodom and Gomorrah. However, it seems he redeemed himself by his own righteous act of hospitality towards the 2 angels disguised as men. He had not let Sodom and Gomorrah’s wicked ways influence him. Rather, Lot chose hospitality after the manner of Avraham, his nephew. Demonstrated in this story is the pattern that HaShem always leaves a righteous remnant after destruction. Just as Noach was spared, Lot and his 2 daughters survived to rebuild. The daughters attempt to maintain their gene pool by lying with their father who had passed out drunken. They each give birth to 2 sons: Ammon and Moab from which came the people Ammonites and Moabites.

#5 The LORD redeems imperfect stories and peoples. Avraham is called prophet. Unbelievers too can receive divine dreams and revelation.

- In the story of Lot and his 2 sons (Ammon & Moab) by his 2 daughters, we see how Yahweh redeems unsavory stories; we are given a foreshadow of how Yahweh planned to weave in (graft in) gentiles into commonwealth of Israel even from the beginning. This is that: “I AM the LORD, declaring the end from the beginning” (Isa 46.10). This also reminds me of Ruth (in the book of Ruth) who was a Moabite who later married into the tribe of Judah; from where the Messiah of mankind came from. There is also Tamar, the matriarch of the Messiah, who also begot sons unto Judah by unsavory ways (she tricked and prostituted herself to Judah).

- Abraham relocates to the city of Gerar in Philistine. Abimelech, the king of the Philistines took Sarah thinking her Abraham's sister. This was an agreement Avraham and Sarah had in previous chapters to call her his sister to spare their lives. HaShem afflicts the members of Abimelech's palace with a terrible sore disease. In a dream, HaShem appears to Abimelech warning him to return Sarah to her husband, Abraham for he is a prophet. Abimelech obeys, and gifts Abraham and Sarah with gifts, and he and his household are healed; and their wombs open to bear children. Note, Avraham is first referred to as prophet here (20.7).

-You see, this story teaches us that HaShem can speak to all peoples in a dream. Even unbelievers can receive a true divine message in a dream. It doesn’t take a prophet or super spiritual person or even a believer to hear from YHVH. This gentile king received message from EL and is not the last gentile king to hear from YHVH. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon received a divine message in a dream in which Daniel interpreted for him. Cyrus of Persia did receive divine guidance in which haShem had inspired him to free the Jews from captivity to return to Jerusalem to re-build temple in Jerusalem. You know what this teaches us? YHVH can speak to ANYONE and that unrighteous, wicked, evil and unbelievers can speak truth of YHVH and Yet, it doesn’t mean they are true prophets nor approved by YHVH. This is how and why many Christians fall prey to falsehoods. Because they think anyone who speaks some truth must be a true prophet or even approved by YHVH. This is why we are admonished to ‘test spirits’, ‘hang on to what is good’; focus on the message and not necessarily the person. Judge the message first and foremost, then the messenger.

# HaShem still calls people “OUT” of false religious systems; to be separate from the ‘common’ and the ‘secular/worldly. The Ecclesia = the true church = called out believers.

- The biggest lesson of today’s Parshah is that haShem is in the business of redeeming the imperfect, from tests to testimonies, turning messes into messages. Amen. In the story of Avraham’s being called out of Ur of Kasdims, and later we see the Hebrews being the ‘called out’ people out of Egyptian bondage and the heathens of the lands surrounding them. This pattern runs thick through scripture beginning with Enoch, Noah, then Avraham. The prophets called Isreal to come out of heathen influence. Yochana admonishes ‘come out of Babylon’ to last day peoples. Babylon represents all things anti-Christ and syncretistic. Today, we see still haShem’s pattern of calling out a people to HIMSELF.

-The true church (ecclesia) is the called-out ones who serve the LORD in truth and in spirit, not church buildings and pew warmers but without genuine heart transformation nor real fruits of spirit and good works. Yeshua, before HIS ascension gave us the great commission to ‘go forth’ and make disciples of all nations- as Avraham was called to ‘go forth’; and as Yeshua was called to ‘go forth’ in HIS mission. We too are called to ‘go forth’ in the same spirit of disseminating the good news of the promise of Avraham- that through HIS seed, the Messiah, all nations are blessed and partake in his eternal inheritance; and that in Christ, there is no longer need for Isreal by blood or ethnicity, nor gentiles, but all are children of Avraham by faith.

On the series, Shadows of the Messiah in the Torah. Genesis chapters 18.1-22.24. Part 2 of 2.

# Isreal’s Deuteronomic command to love the LORD

The command to love YHVH is seen beginning in Devarim 6.5; 11.1, 13, 22; 30.16, 20. How can love be possibly commanded? Isn’t love an involuntary emotional thing? The Deuteronomic command to love the LORD does not entail emotional response to the YHVH. Instead, the command to love YHVH entails obeying HIS commandments and laws. It is a legislature that reflects the duty of subjects towards sovereignty. We might even posit this sort of love to be legalistic as it does indeed describe Israel’s oath and allegiance to obey YHVH’s laws. Devarim underscores the actionable character of this love by commanding Israel to take some kind of action to display love to YHVH & people. It is part of the blood covenant that Israel entered with YHVH on Mt. Sinai, which Moses, the mediator, initiated on behalf of the people of Israel.

# Is YHVH’s love, is it emotional or legal?

To understand how love can be legislated, looking at history of the ancient near eastern treaties might shed light. In those days, the greater king enters into a treaty with vasal king (or state) in which a relationship is formed with obligations and responsibilities of mutual benefits between a greater king and the vasal king or states. The language of love is above all one that must be expressed in loyalty, in service and in unqualified obedience to the demands of the law. The vasal king loves his lord by showing loyalty and obeying the obligations of the treaty. And if the greater king dies or is unable to continue, the vasal kings will remain loyal to his sons and/or successors.

- In this, love is not emotional response but is reflected in obedience and action. In the Hebrew bible, treaty or alliance (often political in nature) is termed Berit, and more in scripture is also known as ‘covenant’. Though certain parts of Devarim expresses emotional sentiments that imply passionate affection between YHVH and HIS people. Yet, it is important to recognize that in the context of covenant between the LORD and the people of Israel, the book of Devarim describes Israel’s relationship with YHVH within the framework of covenant (Berit)- which is a legal context not an emotional one.

The command to love is actionable & displayed in obedience.

-In this Deuteronomic (old) covenant is the law to ‘Love YHVH and serve him’ (Devarim 10.12); Love YHVH and observe HIS laws and statues’ (11.1); love YHVH and serve HIM’ (11.13); love YHVH and walk in HIS ways’ (11.22). Thus, as we can gather, the command to love YHVH then is associated with set of behaviors to transmit the covenant’s terms, and not in expression of emotions and affection. The language of love is above all one that must be expressed in loyalty, in service and in unqualified obedience to the demands of the law.
The actionable love of YHVH.

-In Devarim, YHVH’s love for Israel is demonstrated in HIS doing or promising good for the people (7.7-8, 13). In Devarim 4.37, it is written ‘because YHVH loved the people, HE brought them out of Egypt… and because YHVH loved your fathers, HE chose them to be peculiar people…’ According to this scripture then, it was YHVH’s love for the forefathers of the Hebrews, that He chose them over the other nations, which HE conclusively did not love. YHVH tells them that it was not because they were numerous or better than other nations that YHVH had set HIS heart (and affection) on them, and chose them. It was because YHVH loved them and to keep the oath HE swore to their ancestors’. In Devarim 7.13, YHVH says, HE will love, bless and multiply them…bless the fruit of the womb and of their ground’.

-According to the law of Moses, Israel is commanded to love YHVH through actions, loyalty (walking in HIS ways) just as YHVH has loved Israel through HIS actions in redeeming them from bondage of Egypt, from their enemies, and by continuously taking care of them. Isreal is to love YHVH with all their heart, all their soul and with their might. Israel is to love (Ahava) their others as well and to show this ‘ahava’ in acts of service, in good deeds just as YHVH’s love motivates HIM to act.

-A love first and foremost demonstrated by obedience and by acts of servitude. But is there an emotional dimension to covenantal love? are there some element of emotions in Isreal’s covenantal love of the LORD as depicted in scripture? Does covenantal love only entail deeds and not a hint of emotions? Is there anything wrong with the definition of love being a set of behavior and actions?

Next: The Mitzvah of love for YHVH is actionable. The affectionate side of YHVH's love.

Son, bible is clear on this. There is a literal hell just as there is a literal heaven. The end.

MaxInDHouse:
Yeshua teaches in PARABLES {Matthew 13:13} so it's whatever you read in the Old Testament that's direct as written but when talking about Yeshua's teachings he said so many things using idioms!

Saved BY Grace, THRU Faith, UNTO Good Works. (Eph 2.10, Jam 2.20).

The pure undiluted gospel of salvation: faith & grace + repentance THEN salvation is proved in fruit of spirit + good works by grace. (Acts 20.21; Gal 3.16, 22, Matt 3.8, Acts 26.20).

Goal of salvation process = godliness + Christlike + sanctification unto holiness w/o which NO man can see YHVH (Heb 12.14) & enduring to the end = eternal security of salvation.

Scriptures on conditional eternal security of believers. Part 1 of 5

# We do not void the law because of grace; we uphold the law.

Romans 3.31: Do we then void the LAW because of FAITH (grace)? YHVH forbids; yea, we establish the law.

Romans 6.1-15: What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning, so that grace may increase? By no means!

# We uphold the law (of the spirit) by keeping HIS commandments, abiding in HIM in holiness.


Luke 6.46: Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? But IF thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments (Matt 19.16-26). You are My friends IF you do what I command you. (John 15.14). Follow peace, and holiness, without which no man shall see the LORD. (Heb 12.14).

2 Tim 2.12: IF we deny Him, He also will deny us. IF anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned.” (John 15. 6). IF anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” (Joh 14.23).

Hebrews 10.26-38: For IF we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,” . But My righteous one shall live by faith; and IF he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him. (Heb 10.38).

# Produce good works, fruits of the Spirit & Obedient to HIS Word.

Gal 5.22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Gal 5.22-23) . For IF you are living according to the flesh, you must die… “But IF by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Rom 8.13).

James 2.14-17: IF someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? … Even so, faith, IF it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”

John 8.51: IF anyone keeps My word, he will never see death." John 8.31-32: IF you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. IF anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. (Luke 9.23)

# You must endure to the END

Heb 3.6-14: But Christ was faithful as a Son over His house--whose house we are, IF we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end. (Heb 3.6) . For we have become partakers of Christ, IF we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end (Heb 3.14)

Col1.21-23: IF indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard.

2 Peter 2.20-21: For IF, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed to them.” (2Pe 2:20-21)

Next: Let scripture speak: Conditional security of a believer according to scripture. Part 2 of 5.

This is what the scripture states. We may not have all the great details; and I do not want to go into theology at the moment, perhaps later. Briefly though, the new city being brought down is AFTER the 1000-year millennial reign of Christ. So, it appears, there will be a completely new reconstructed universe (heaven, earth, celestial bodies) in general that would be vastly different from what we know and understand today.

In the light of this, perhaps it would be unwise, irrelevant and unimportant to attempt to spend time in conjectures as to what this new universe would embody or the mechanics. We simply do not have capacity to reason nor understand such magnificence, wonder and mystery---at this time.

Truthseeker10:
So are you implying that people would not live in heaven since the new Jerusalem would be brought down from heaven to earth?

The LORD’s Letters of Warning to the 7 Churches in Asia Minor are also relevant for today’s churches.

The letter of Christ to 7 churches in Revelation 2 and 3 was dictated to Yochanan before A.D. 70. Though the letters were written to the early churches in Asia Minor prior to events of A.D 70, the letters represent a prophetic description, and warnings to the 7 different ‘types’ of ecclesia through the church age and represent the types of churches that will exist in the closing age.

Just as the Olivet prophecy were pertinent to events of A.D. 70 and for the last days, the letters represent different types of churches through the age and thus have relevant applications for the churches as a body, and as individuals in the last days. The language used in these letters do indicate that the letters were meant to go beyond the early churches, the events of AD 70. The letters were to be applicable for the churches of the last age prior to Yeshua’s 2nd coming.

“I come quickly to give every man according to his …” He that overcomes and keeps good works to the end…” (Rev 2.5-6, 16; 3.3 vs. Rev 22.12 & Matt 10.22, 16.37 & Dan. 12). Thus, it is clearly shown that Yeshua’s letters and references of HIS coming is to be understood in the context of those living in the latter days prior to HIS 2nd coming.

Attributes and Characteristics of the last day Ecclesia.

# False teachers. False prophets. False doctrines. #Pay attention to the 3 characters listed here by Yeshua. It means these 3 characters represent a type of false teachings, false prophets, false doctrines that will exist in churches of last age.

“But I have a few things against you because of those who hold the *doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. You also hold to the *doctrine of Nicolaitans, which I hate. Repent or I will fight against you. Let him with ear hear what Ruach says. Whoever overcomes eats the hidden manna, gets a white stone with new name. I know your works of charity, faith, patience….. Notwithstanding, you suffer *Jezebel who teaches to commit fornication/adultery and eat food sacrificed to idols (Rev. 2.6; 13-15, 20).

Here, Yochanan links the deeds of Nicolaitans to two sinister Old Testament figures that led Israel astray: Balaam and Jezebel. As it were for ancient Israel, there will be an increase in the spirit of Jezebel (and its manifestations and activities) and various idolatrous teachings, doctrines of Balaam & deeds of Nicolaitans. Just as Israel was led astray by false prophets and false doctrines, the last age will have slew of false teachers which will lead the church astray into idolatry after the pattern of Balaam and Jezebel (Rev. 2:14,20). These 3 characters advocated bowing to idolatrous alliances with other nations for political purposes, while yet paying lip service to YHVH; this was a form of syncretism.

Balaam and Jezebel were two non-Israelites characters known for leading Israelites astray and into wholesale idolatry. The story of Balaam can be found scattered through scripture beginning in the book of Numbers through the apostolic writings and Revelation. Jezebel mentioned in the 1 Kings 16:31-33; 18:4; 19:1-2; 21:25, was wife of king Ahab and exerted much influence in the political and religious affairs of the nation of Israel and ultimately leading the nations astray into Baal worship.

Rev. 2:20 speaks of " that woman Jezebel" being within the latter-day ecclesia, teaching brethren to commit fornication. Later in Revelation, this is the language used concerning Babylon: a prostitute encouraging fornication. This connection suggests that the false teachers within the latter-day ecclesia will be closely associated with political 'Babylon' and the beast. Today, we can see this in the evangelical’s political alliance in mixing faith and politics, and in undue elevation of political figures. This is a picture-perfect definition of Idolatry. In the coming days, we shall see the emergence and blending of faiths especially of the 3 Abrahamic faiths fostered by Roman Catholicism.

Next: Who were the biblical characters of Balaam, Jezebel and Nicolaitans? How does the spirit of these characters and their falsehoods manifest in today's church. Key clues: money, power/control, politics.

It's true the Hebrew word used is Sheol which can be translated as 'grave' or in some instances hades or hell.

The most correct usage in Eccl 9.10 is grave. Consider the entirety of scripture, we cannot assume doctrines on a single isolated passage. Clearly, Yeshua and NT writers spoke of a literal place called hell prepared for Satan, his angels, unbelievers and unrepentant believers.

MaxInDHouse:
All dead people goes to Hell. Ecclesiastes 9:10
Complete the remaining characters.

The conditional security of a believer.


Entering heaven is not automatic because you said the ‘magic words’ of salvation and ‘asked Jesus into your heart and you are saved and strolling to heaven ever so casually. Work is involved. Sorry.

Just as you apply to get a job, then get the job, then hope to do nothing and get paid AND still keep the job. Just as you won’t apply to a university to get a degree, get accepted, then do nothing and except to get high marks and graduate with a degree.

IF common sense and logic tell us such are delusional in matters of the secular and natural world, what makes one think that the spiritual world is any different? Getting saved and BEING or STAYING saved are two separate entities. It is demonic to conflate both; and claim ‘grace’ alone. It takes good work by virtue of grace to prove your salvation. Staying saved is an active ongoing process of sanctification to holiness and looking more like Christ and going from glory to glory till the day you die, or Christ returns. Those who endure to the end in this manner are the saved.

the entirety of Bible from Genesis to Revelation teach that there are specific conditions that one must meet, just as there were also conditions of the Old Covenant. The focus here will be the new covenant scriptures as many of us already know that the old covenant was known by its works of the law.

But for those who think all that ‘works of law’ was done away with in New Testament, the following scriptures will prove you wrong. Many of these conditions come in the form of admonitions and warnings. Pay particular attention to where the word ‘IF’ is used, which is indicative of conditionality. Pay specific attention to the "if", which is indicative of conditionality.

Next: we shall let scripture speak.

Prophets & Prophecy: The Nature of Prophecies.

Unconditional Prophecies – Part 1 of 4.

After years of studying scripture, I’ve concluded that truly unconditional prophecies are rare—contrary to common teaching. The reason can be summarized in three words: man’s free will.

A guiding principle in biblical prophecy is that every word of the LORD should be considered conditional unless clearly proven otherwise. In fact, most prophecies contain both conditional and unconditional elements. Absolute unconditionality means fulfillment occurs regardless of human action, yet such cases are exceptional because humanity remains a free moral agent.

Even prophecies that appear unconditional often include conditional aspects. For example, the Second Coming of Christ is certain, but its timing depends on factors such as the global preaching of the gospel and the spiritual maturity of believers. Thus, while the event itself is guaranteed, its timing is influenced by human obedience.

Why are unconditional prophecies rare?

Because God created man with free will, prophecy fulfillment often depends on human choices. God’s role is unwavering, but complete realization frequently requires human participation. In many cases, unconditionality becomes evident only after the prophecy is fulfilled exactly as foretold.

Examples illustrate this principle:
• Levitical Priesthood – Eternal in principle, yet Eli’s family lost its role due to corruption.
• Davidic Kingship – Promised perpetuity but interrupted when Israel was exiled for disobedience. Ultimately, this promise is fulfilled in
Christ during His millennial reign.

How can we identify unconditional prophecies?

They often concern humanity’s ultimate destiny, divine judgment, eternal rewards, and God’s redemptive plan. Prophecies tied to divine covenants or oaths are typically unconditional on God’s part, as He is faithful to His word. However, human responsibility remains—failure to uphold covenant obligations can delay or alter fulfillment.

Throughout scripture, covenants with Noah, Abraham, Israel, the Levitical priesthood, and David demonstrate this pattern: God’s commitment is absolute, yet human obedience influences timing and circumstances. Ultimately, many prophecies are deemed unconditional only after they come to pass.

Identifying Unconditional Prophecies

Unconditional prophecies often relate to humanity’s ultimate destiny, divine judgment, eternal rewards, and God’s redemptive plan. They frequently involve covenants or oaths, which are binding on God’s part because He is faithful to His word. However, human responsibility remains—failure to uphold covenant obligations can delay or alter fulfillment.

Scripture provides several examples of unconditional prophecies:
• Noah – God’s covenant to never again destroy the earth by flood was absolute.
• Abraham – Promises of blessing and a great nation were certain, yet timing and experience depended on obedience.
• Israel – God’s covenant with His people was unwavering, though exile and dispersion occurred due to disobedience.
• Levitical Priesthood – Eternal in principle, but individual families could lose their role through corruption.
• Davidic Kingship – Guaranteed perpetuity yet interrupted when Israel failed to uphold the Torah. Ultimately fulfilled in Christ during His millennial reign.

In summary, God’s covenants are unconditional on His part, but human choices often influence timing and circumstances. Many prophecies are recognized as unconditional only after they are fulfilled exactly as foretold.

Continued in the next: 2 of 4.

Series Identifying & dissecting the last empire of the Beast. Section B: The Nature of the beast, the little horn.

The identity of the beast of Daniel & Revelation. Antichrist: The Arab Israeli. The Assyrian Jew. Part 2 of 7.

#. Antichrist is first a spirit, not a person, people groups, nationality, ethnicity or gender.

Key things to remember: if Messiah is foreshadowed, then anti-Messiah is also foreshadowed and will copy, counterfeit, and attempt to ‘resemble’ & imitate the Messiah as much and as close as feasible. Antichrist is a spirit firstly, and not a person and/or an ethnicity or people groups. The spirit of antichrist inhabits individuals or peoples and is no respecter of persons nor gender (yes, the antichrist could well be a woman). That said, there is strong biblical evidence to support mixed heritage: of Arab descent and of Hebrew (or today’s Jew).

-However, the heritage of the antichrist is not one to be made a fixed dogma, the antichrist need not be both Jewish and Arab. However, one thing is certain, this Beast will be able to exert some considerable influence on all three Abrahamic faiths of Christianity, Islam and Judaism; as well as be able to coordinate all other faiths jointly together under one religious system of the Beast enterprise. His greatest deception and influence will be within the Christian church since ‘believers’ in Christ are the prime target; and the chief purpose for his 3.5 years of ministry of great tribulation.

#. The mixed ancestry of the Beast.

We have established in previous summaries that the antichrist is likely of mixed ancestry: Arab and Israelite; and specifically of tribe of Dan. When you think about it, it makes biblical sense that the antichrist will be mixed heritage or at least be identified with both ancestry in culture and in religious practice. Keep in mind that mixing with other peoples has been ongoing in Isreal since even before the mixed multitude that left Egypt with Israel. There’s no doubt that intermarriages occurred between Israelites and non-Israelites. Some notable intermarriages and intermingling mentioned in scripture include Caleb, a Kenite who was counted as a tribe of Judah. Moses’ Midianite wife, Joseph’s Egyptian wife. There’s Rachav, a Canaanite who married Salmon, of tribe of Judah. There’s Ruth, a Moabite who married Boaz, of tribe of Judah. King David’s non-Israelite wives, Solomon’s non-Hebrew wives. Not to mention the mixing that occurred when the children of Israel spent 70 years in captivity of Babylonian/Persian empire. Lest we forget, though scripturally, Yeshua was assigned patrilineal line of Judah, the Messiah himself is of mixed heritage through the matrilineal line of Rachav and Ruth, and perhaps even Tamar and Bathsheva.

-Thus, it is not too far-fetched that the Anti -Messiah could be of mixed origin, though he could be identified to the world (at first) by a single ethnic or religious origin. And the most likely identity that antichrist would first present himself is that of a “Jew” either by religion and/or by ethnicity. Daniel 11.21-32 tells us the antichrist will enter by (false) peace and flattery and win some favour with those who forsake the covenants (both ethnic and spiritual Isreal). Today, those who call themselves ‘Jews’ are still awaiting their Jewish Messiah, as they had rejected the Messiah that appeared 2,000+ years ago. However, what they will encounter is an anti-Christ (or likely the false prophet of antichrist) who will offer them a deadly deal (covenant of death per Isaiah the prophet); and this covenant will be between Israel and her Arab neighbors. The antichrist will then appear on the scene and revoke the deal; he quickly gathers himself the 10 armies of Arab nations; initiating the great tribulation of ALL Israel (ethnic and believers in Christ).

-Alternatively, this covenant of death (false peace and security), the abomination that desolates being set up in ‘temple’ may primarily be within the spiritual Isreal, the church as body and as temple both physically and spiritually. We tend to focus on ethnic Isreal, however, the central focus of last day events most likely will be centered on the spiritual Israel; and the secondary effects happening with the religious Jews in the city of Jerusalem and in the land of Isreal.

-However, since this agreement being made is utterly dependent on one verse in Daniel 9.27, that states that the anti-Messiah will mediate a covenant for 7 years. It is critical to note that historically, this prophecy of Daniel occurred in the 7 year Roman-Jewish war (from AD 66 to 73) with the destruction of 2nd temple occurring midway (3.5 years) into that war in AD 69. For this, there may not be an actual 7-year covenant deal made. Only 3.5 years of great tribulation is clearly stated on several passages in pictures and is certain occur. This great tribulation will be initiated by the antichrist who enters presumably a rebuilt physical temple. Although again, there may not be a rebuilt physical temple. There may only be a spiritual equivalent of this occurring, which would now involve the church as temple. And more than likely the abomination that desolates may take form and shape within church buildings rather than a physically rebuilt Jewish temple in Jersualem. Even if there’s an actual rebuilt temple, the primary focus of the deception and the wrath of anti-Messiah will be on the new covenant church. This topic will be discussed more in depth later.

#. The false prophet of the Anti-Messiah will be strongly imbedded in churchianity.

-Consider the case of Judah Iscariot. Judas Iscariot was an Israelite and a Jew (of Judah) and yet Christ called Judas the ‘son of perdition’ for his role in betraying Christ which was clearly antichrist in nature. Son of perdition is one of the descriptive and functional names of antichrist. (John 17.12, 2 Thes 2.3). Bear in mind also that, the Pharisees, the scribes, and the elders who persecuted and facilitated the crucifixion of Christ were ethnic Israelites, yet their actions were clearly antichrist in nature. It is also quite likely that the antichrist will gain influence or be connected to and be associated with the mainstream Christianity; or even more so, will be found within the church systems (1 John 2.18), yet will reveal self as an apostate just as Judas ( John 17.12). A general spiritual law or principle is that wherever HaShem is at work, satan is not too far wreaking havoc and planting counterfeits. Thus, the antichrist spirit arises from where claims of Christ as Messiah is made; that is within the Christian church. This is why satan’s most effective work isn’t from without (outside) the church, but within the church.

# Why the Beast is likely of Assyrian (or Arab) and a Hebrew of tribe of Dan?

- Does scripture give us clues as to the identity of this anti-messiah? Yes. Though scripture focuses on the Messiah as the protagonist or the main character and the hero of biblical stories and events. Yet, scripture also provides types and shadows of the anti-messiah, seen in various enemies, be it individuals, kings and nations. Additionally, scripture also provide clues to the identity of the antichrist’s Hebrew origin, specifically of tribe of Dan. But, why pick Assyrian, Syrian or of Hebrew of tribe of Dan? The simple answer is that both represent the nation or ethnic group most associated with antichrist spirits and figures in scripture. The Assyrians were the quintessential antichrist spirit working against the Hebrews. Multiple scripture passages reference the Assyrian as enemies of Hebrews and Yahweh who will eventually be destroyed presumably in the end of age. Assyrians repeatedly sought to invade, besiege and destroy the Hebrews. The Northern kingdom of Israel later fell to the Assyrians who took captives of the Hebrews (2 Chronicles 5). In previous posts, Daniel 11 shows us that antichrist is the king of North, that is north of Israel. Partial fulfilment was seen in Antiochus Epiphanes, the Syrian king, who was one of Alexander the great’s captain of the Seleucid kingdom of Grecia. However, the overall context of prophecies of Daniel suggests dual fulfilment and the events are yet to unfold at the latter end of time. This means that the last antichrist figure could indeed hail from North of Isreal, Syria or thereabouts.

- An Interesting observation from scripture indicate that the rebellious, murderous, adversarial and apostate spirit of antichrist was present even in the tribe of Dan as well as other Israelites characters, figures and leaders from early on in Israel’s history. For example, the Tribe of Dan were the first to lead the great national apostasy in Israel (Judges 17 & 18). The city of the tribe of Dan became the capital seat of apostasy in Israel as one of the kings of Israel even erected their own altar, with golden calves as gods, and their own non-Levites priesthood and their own feast days (1 Kings 12.25-33). It was a complete affront to YHVH. And so, the antichrist will likewise be an Israelite, an apostate Jew, just as Judas and the Jewish leaders persecuted Christ and crucified HIM. In the following posts will be provided biblical support for identity and origin of the final antichrist figure. The next post will give clear biblical evidence highlighting the antichrist spirit working through various Israelite and non-Israelite personalities.

# Clues of identity of the Beast in the prophecies of Daniel.

-Beginning with huge pieces of clue in Daniel’s texts as to the mixed ethnic heritage of the antichrist. Daniel’s ‘they will mingle with seed of man’, correspond to Ezra’s mention concerning those who returned from captivity mixing with the seed of heathen (Ezra 9 & 10). Daniel’s description of antichrist that he will ‘forsake God of their fathers’, (Dan 11.37) was a phrase typically used in reference when describing the kings’ of Isreal’s relationship to Yahweh such as ‘forsaking the law of Elohim of their fathers’. This reference can be seen in many passages in the Chronicles of the kings of Isreal. Apart from the Assyrian, other descriptive names for antichrist that suggest anti-messiah’s ‘mixed heritage’ include the Babylonian, the king of North (Syria, the king of Tyre. These nations: Babylon, Syria and Tyre are all north of Israel and share general borders and geo-politically are intertwined and formed the former Pan Arab kingdoms (modern day, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Türkiye, Lebanon).

-Remember though, the holy writ is about the Messiah and so the central theme was on the Messiah rather than the anti-Messiah. And as such, the anti-Messianic types and shadows were not the highlights or the focus of the Torah (the law), the books of the prophets and the rest of scripture. Many anti-Messianic figures in the scripture were evident in the characters of scripture, but mostly portrayed in scripture as opponents of YHVH. There were some less conspicuous anti-Messiah mysteries in scripture that only YHVH enlightens and uncovers these layers of mysteries hidden in scripture for those who are diligent in studying the Word. Mind you, I am not promoting esoteric and occultic Gnosticism for we are forewarned not to ‘go beyond what is written’ (1 Cor 4.6). What is revealed in scripture is for us to master and the obscured secret hidden things are for Hashem only and to those whom HE chooses to reveal such to (Devarim 29.29, Psalm 25.14).

Antichrist: The Hebrew, the Israelite and a Jew. Part 3 of 7.

On the series, Shadows of the Messiah in the Torah. Genesis chapters 12.1 to 17.27. Part 2 of 2

Key points: The promise given to Avraham's and his seed being a blessing to the nations was fulfilled in Christ; it was a spiritual blessing NOT in tangible material wealth. All those who believe in Christ by faith are children of Avraham by Sarah, children of the promise by faith; are the real Jews today. In the new covenant of Messiah's heavenly priesthood, the primary focus is no longer about ethnic or religious Jews, but of spiritual Jews- believers in Christ. It's not about the inhabitants of land of Isreal, but all of Isreal by faith within the global church. Amen. No, it's not dispensationalist. It's thoroughly biblical.

#. The King of Salem, Melchizedek, foreshadows Yeshua’s priesthood, a different order than Levi priesthood.

-Melchizedek king of Salem, a local human king is amongst them that Avraham rescues; offers rewards and provisions and blesses Abraham. Melki-Tzedek means King (Melki) of Righteousness (Tzedek). Salem (also Jevusi), the former name for Jerusalem (Mt. Zion), is shalom and means peace. So, this king is a king of righteousness and peace. Is this not prophetic? Clearly this speaks of Yeshua. Yeshua is known as king of righteousness and peace all through the prophetic scriptures and the psalms of David (Isaiah 32.1; Isaiah 9.6; Jeremiah 23.5, Psalm 110.4, Zech. 6.14; Heb. 4.14; 25). This title Melki-Tzedek was likely not a personal name but more of a functional and honorific title akin to ‘Abimelech’ (Father of a king) or in more modern understanding as ‘Pharaoh’ or ‘Ceasar’ or ‘prime minister’.

-Clearly this mysterious king of Salem in Genesis 14 foreshadowed the Messiah, the ultimate king of righteousness and Shalom. Yeshua is said to have come in a different order of priesthood, of Melki-Tzedek (Hebrews 5.10; 6.20; 7.3). King of Salem, Melki-Tzedek then represents the Messianic reign of the Messiah as King of righteousness and peace. It is imperative to understand the gravity of Yeshua being a priest of a different order. For there are those in Christian circles who teach of Yeshua’s priesthood abolishing and annulling the priesthood of Levites and its functions. This is a hugely mistaken concept. Yeshua functions in a different order of priesthood, and in a temple not made with human hands and not of this earthly realm and by HIS blood not of animal blood. This is why the law of Levitical priesthood, and its blood sacrifices and rituals will be reinstated in the millennial reign of Christ.

-Avraham is blessed by this king of Salem and the king receives tribute (tithe) from Avraham. It was this that Paul the apostle referenced when he spoke of the Levites paying tribute (reverence) to the priesthood of the Messiah, of the order of Melki-Tzedek for Levi was still in the loins of Avraham when he offered tribute to this great king of Salem. Paul also declared this mysterious king of Salem as having no lineage, of mother or father or known genealogy (Hebrews 7.3). So, was this king of Salem in Genesis 14 a real person or he appeared via a phenomenon known as theosophy? That is angelic or spiritual beings appearing in the form of man. Possibly. However, the scripture does not explicitly state that he was not human. We could surmise that this character was much like Enoch, though Enoch clearly had a clearly stated lineage. Perhaps Paul’s statement was a mere comparison between the Levites priesthood and the priesthood of the coming Messiah; and in that, much like this mysterious king of Salem whom no one knows a thing about, Messiah’s priesthood was as such- having no genealogy, no earthly father nor mother.

- Some argue that this mysterious king of Salem in Genesis 14 was preincarnate Yeshua (a theosophy). However, Yeshua is said to be of order of Melki Tzedek NOT that HE was this Melki Tzedek person (Heb 7.15); implying that unlike the priesthood of Levi based on ancestry, Yeshua’s priesthood was of endless life, not based on lineage since Yeshua is of Judah firstly, and by Law only those of Levi lineage are permitted the priesthood. And, from the events in Genesis 14, it appears this mysterious character was ruling a real city of Salem; yet he foreshadowed the Messiah, the ultimate king and priest of Righteousness and peace who will rule Salem, Jerusalem, Mt. Zion in the future kingdom. And just as scripture foreshadows the Messiah in types and patterns and events; logic has it that scripture also foreshadows the anti-Messiah in types and shadows. Here in this story of King of Salem, the other 4 kings of Sodom foreshadow the anti-Messiah. If the king of Salem is a type of Christ, then the kings of Sodom are types of anti-Christ.

#. Hebrews 400 years exile in Egypt foretold. Hagar begets Ishmael. Avraham and Sarah’s name change.

- Once again, YHVH appears to Avraham to remind him of the covenant. “I am YHVH who brought you out,” seems to be how Hashem introduces self. HaShem gives prophesy for Avraham’s seeds (the Hebrews): the captivity in Egypt x400 years, will return to the promised land and dwell in the land of Canaan. When they first fled from Nimrod in Ur, they initially set forth for land of Canaan, however, they settled in Haran first. Ur of Kasdims, became Babylon in ancient Mesopotamia, today’s modern-day Iraq. Perhaps today, we would say Avraham was really an Iraqi Arab before YHVH ‘called him out’ (=Ivirim = Hebrew).

-Sarah becomes impatient and convinces Avraham to bear a child and fulfil the promise via a seed of Hagar. Avraham obliges and Hagar is pregnant with Ishmael. Now, whyever did Avraham agree to this seemingly absurd request from Sarah despite having had a crystal-clear message from EL concerning a progeny of his with Sarah? They got impatient waiting and thinking they could help move things along; this ended up causing animosity, strife and chaos between the two brethren (Ishmael and Israel). Wait on the LORD; I say, wait on the LORD. It is good to wait upon the LORD. HIS own timing is best and perfect. In Galatians 4.21-31, Paul the apostle expounds the deeper significance of this story. In that, Sarai represented the law of grace, and the freedom found in grace which is the covenant Christ brought (John 1.17). Hagar represented the bondage of law, which only brought sin and death (Romans 7.10-25; 8.2). If you are in Christ, you are a son or daughter of the free woman, and not of bondage.

# The 25 years lengthy timeline from prophecy given to promise fulfilled: a test of faith, patience, faith and obedience; a lesson in humility.

- Avraham is at 75 years old when YHVH first appears to him and tells him to leave with his family to go to a land, HE will show him. Now, at the age of 86, Ishmael is born. So, it was 11 years from the first promise of seed via Sarah to birth of Ishmael through Hagar who was not the promised child. Right after the birth of Ishmael is the 2nd time HM appeared to tell Avraham of the prophecy of his future seeds to be blessed but through Sarai and not Hagar. EL instructs what to offer and gives him vision of his future descendant’s sojourn in Egypt. Here HaShem is ‘calling those things that be not as if though they are; and declaring the end from the beginning (Rom 4.17; Isa 46.10).

-At age 99 (13 years later), The 3rd time EL appears to remind Avraham of covenant once again and to ratify that by changing their names. The name Avram means ‘father’, or ‘exalted’ one; and Sarai means ‘my princess’. Hashem changes their names from Avram to Avraham (father of many nations) and Sarai to Sarah (princess of many). Also, the covenant of circumcision is established as a sign of declaration of covenant; of the promise through Sarah though she remains childless. All male of Avraham’s household were required to participate in circumcision. Later, in the law of Moses, circumcision became necessary for any Israelite (or stranger) to enter the temple of Yahweh. Again, HM calling those things that are not as if are, declaring the end from the beginning. So, at this point, it has been 24 years from the age of 75 when he was first called, to age 99 years old when Ishamel was born + covenant of circumcision given.

#. The (old) covenant of circumcision (of foreskin) vs. the new covenant of circumcision of heart.

-The promise with Avraham that through his seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed was signed with circumcision (hb: brit milah). This promise of course was ultimately fulfilled in Christ. In the new covenant, all believers in Christ are children of Avraham by faith; and our uncircumcision in flesh is counted as righteousness by faith. Today, rather, it is circumcision of the heart that Yahweh looks upon as seal and evidence of our righteousness; for this one is a Jew not in flesh, but in the spirit (Romans 2.28-29; Col 2.11; Phil 3.3). But wait, why did Yahweh choose cutting of foreskin of male part as sign of covenant? The answer lies in what that part of male organ represented and the role of foreskin. This part of the male organ is symbol of virility and masculinity.

-Foreskin is an extra fold of skin that covers the and protect that vulnerable tip of that male part. Removing the foreskin leaves the tip exposed and vulnerable, hence the spiritual metaphor of circumcision. Circumcision becomes an act of surrendering, making oneself vulnerable and sensitive to the LORD. The spiritual equivalence is in the admonition to ‘circumcise foreskin of heart’; meaning, to trim the excess layer of barriers around one’s heart (really spirit); to expose the sensitive and vulnerable layer and for the word of the LORD to penetrate deeply and more meaningfully. The Old Testament laws focused on physical rituals yet shrouded within were spiritual implications. So, Hashem picked this male organ to symbolize certain spiritual truths. Today, in the new covenant, Hashem looks for circumcision of heart and of inner spirit.

# Ishmael was circumcised, why then were Ishmaelites (the Arabs) not considered Hebrews or Jews today?

-But wait, since Ishmael was circumcised does that mean that Ishmaelites can claim the Hebrew lineage per this covenant by circumcision? According to the law of Moses, every male who wishes to become an “Israelite” & participate in the feast of Passover and enter the tabernacle of congregation of Israel had to be circumcised (Exodus 12.48-49). The covenant was made specifically via Sarah’s seed; and later certified (or ratified) in the receiving of the Torah on Sinai; which was Israel’s oath to keep the covenant. Therefore, the descendants of Ishamel would not truly be considered ‘Hebrews’ since they did not enter into covenant with HaShem on Mt. Sinai when the law was given and received. Today, the new covenant believers are not those who perform religious rituals (=circumcision of flesh) but are those who abide by the new covenant laws of the spirit in Christ; the Torah written[b] by the Spirit of the living YHVH on human hearts (=circumcision of heart)[/b] Amen.

-The covenant is that through Avraham’s seed with Sarah, the nations of the earth will be blessed. The promised seed was ultimately the messiah. And if the messiah is from the seed of Yitzchak, and so then Yishma’el became somewhat of adversarial as the “rejected” son. This is another reason why the antichrist could hail from Ishmael’s descendant or an Arab, or at least of mixed heritage. Again, we are seeing the types and shadows of the Messiah and the anti-Messiah. And certainly, the adversarial nature of Yitzchak and Yishmael was evident even in their childhood, hence why Sarah wanted Hagar and Ishmael sent away.

-Note how at 99 and 89 years old respectively, Avraham and Sarah are now considered “old”. It’s interesting how much has changed since the pre fall when men lived hundreds of years and still fertile. Some theories state that the change in atmospheric conditions post-flood such as changes in ozone layers which in turn allowed more direct sun rays etc; which in turn facilitated the rapid aging and degeneration process of the earth, man and all living things. While, the scientific theories are plausible, however, I posit also a spiritual side: that this was part of YHVH’s directive ‘man shall only live to 120 years’, and in YHVH withdrawing HIS protective shield upon the earth which then initiated the rapid aging process of all living things.

#8. Avraham’s faith counted as righteousness. Yahweh seek such faithful remnants like Father Avraham.

-Avraham believed, and it was counted unto him as righteousness. The righteous live by faith (Habakkuk 2.4), for without faith it is impossible to please EL; for anyone who comes must believe that HE is and a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM (Heb 11.1). For this reason, Avraham is listed on the wall of heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. He was said to have dwelt tent to tent, a sojourner searching for the land of promise. Though he did not live to see this land of promise, he believed in faith and welcomed it from afar. For he was really looking for a city and a place whose builder was EL (Hebrews 11.10, 13). T[b]he promise to Avraham that in him will all nations be blessed[/b]; to make him a great nation and of his seed as numerous as stars of heaven and dust of earth was fulfilled in the promise of Messiah whom by HIS atonement grafted gentiles into the common wealth of blessings of Avraham and Issac and Yaakov (Israel)- indeed all nations were granted spiritual blessings in Christ by faith, and the gentile believers being the numerous spiritual sons and daughters of Avraham as dust of earth and stars of heaven. Amen. As Avraham was called out of the other side of the flood of the ancient Babylonian world, today, Yahweh still calls out people out of the Babylonian systems of the world (and church), to worship HIM in truth and in spirit and by faith. And all those who believe in the promise of Avraham in Christ by faith, and are circumcised by heart are the true Hebrews, the real Israelites and main Jews of today.

Next on the series: Shadows of the Messiah in the Torah. Genesis chapters 18.1-22.24.

The Deuteronomic covenantal context of the love of YHVH.

In summary: Faith + grace + good works = salvation, love of YHVH & eternal life. THIS is the pure gospel truth according to both Old and New Testament scriptures.

# Covenantal love of YHVH is not in sentimental emotional display but in deeds and actions.

Today, Christianity today is jam packed with emotional contents meant to hype, pump and excite the people up but without much substance or depth. Church songs and sermons that tickle the emotion and tug the heartstrings. Music elevate and excite the emotions; songs sung with teary eyes proclaiming love to your maker. Listen, you can sing your heart out, cry a river, and tell YHVH how you love HIM etc. These words and mere emotions won’t move YHVH. What draws YHVH’s attention, moves HIM and earns you HIS respect is obedience and words put to action. Make the moves, don’t just emotionally sing and speak the moves. To YHVH, it’s not just words and emotional outbursts that pleases HIM. It is to listen to HIS logos (written) words, the kitvei haKodesh (holy write), THEN, act, obey and do. And this is the essence of the recitation of the Shema; a portion Torah found in Deutronomy 6.4-9.

# On Shema: the greatest mitzvah (commandment) of all.

-Shema is one of the top common prayer recitations for Hebrew over centuries and is found in Devarim (Deut) 6. 4-9. It is a command to love the LORD; and to love others. Yeshua stated this as THE greatest commandments of all time. The Shema (Devarim 6.4-9 OJB). The first few portions of Shema go as such: Shema Yisroel Adonoi Eloheinu Adonoi Echad. 5 And thou shalt love Hashem Eloheicha b’chol l’vavcha u’vchol nafshcha uvechol modecha…..” .. It says, hear (listen) O Israel, Adonai our Elohim, Adonai is ONE. You shall love the LORD your Elohei with all your heart (Hb: Levav), with all your soul (Hb: Nefesh) and with all you might (Hb: Me’od). to YHVH, keeping HIS covenant is to hear and obey them. It is to love the Adonai with all your will, your whole being and with your everything in fullest extent and ability possible.

- Shema in Hebrew ‘hear’. But the word ‘Shema’ has two components. Shema is to listen and obey; to hear and to act. There’s only one word in Hebrew used for both listening and doing; and that one word is Shema. Listening and doing are two sides of same ‘Shema’ coin. Thus, to ‘Shema’ is ‘listen’ and ‘do’; Listen and ‘act’; ‘hear’ and obey’. They are both interrelated and connected. One does not work without the other. You cannot hear and not do; and you cannot do without first hearing/listening (with intent to do).

# Shema: Deuteronomic context of love of YHVH.

The love of YHVH is a crucial part of the Torah and is summarized beautifully in the Shema. The Shema in Deuteronomy 6.4-9 encapsulates the covenant relationship between YHV and Israel. Deuteronomic Shema outlines the divine-human covenant which contains mutual obligation based on YHVH’s promise (oath, covenant) to Israel; and in turn Israel’s oath, covenant to adhere to YHVH’s demands, commands, statues and laws. The revelation of YHVH’s laws in the form of Torah was a declaration of covenant ceremony of sorts (Deut. 4.13). Isreal must then observe the terms of the agreements contained in the Torah (the covenant). YHVH will then fulfil HIS covenantal promise to protect, keep and bless the people (Devarim 7.9).

According to Shema, the love of YHVH is a command, an obligation and one that must be expressed in obedience, in acts of service and in loyalty to the demands of the law. To love YHVH is a unique claim (6.4), to be loyal to him (11.1, 22; 30.20), to walk in HIS ways (10.12; 11.22; 19.9; 30.16), to do them (11.22; 19.9), to head them or his voice (11.13; 30.16), to serve HIM (10.12; 11.1; 13). It is in fact, a love defined by pledges in the context of covenant – it is covenantal love. The command to love YHVH is associated with set of behaviors as contained in the terms of the covenant.

The command to love YHVH occurs 6 times in Devarim (6.5; 11.1, 13, 22; 30.16, 20). The Deuteronomic command to love YHVH does is not an emotional response, but rather entails obeying commandments. That is, love is shown in deeds, actions, service and acts of obedience. Some refer to this as ‘actionable’ love, which sounds like a legalistic term as it describes Israel’s oath to obey YHVH’s laws. Devarim then underscores the character of love in that they are commanded to show the love towards YHVH by acting. The actions are to love YHVH and serve HIM (10.12); to observe HIS laws and statues (11.1); to love and serve HIM (11.13); to love and walk in HIS ways (11.22). Why must Israel love the LORD with all their heart in obedience and in service to HIM? Can love be commanded? Is this not legalistic?

Next: The Deuteronomic law to love & the covenantal love of YHVH. Can love be legislated?