by Rod Thomas | Jul 11, 2014 | Podcasts
Having observed (to some slight degree) the U.S. holiday of Independance Day this past 4th of July, the concept of “freedom” came to my mind. Indeed, the U.S. celebrates its freedom from British rule every 4th of July and has done so since the year 1776. We all know historically about the hardships the American forefathers endured as a result of being under direct subjection to British rule during the early years of this nation. Many early Americans lost their lives in pursuit of life that was free from British subjugation. In fact, the earliest forefathers came to this country to be free to worship God as they had been so led and thus freedom from the Church of England and the Holy Roman Catholic Church. Since earning her freedom, this nation has been the destination of countless millions of souls, longing and searching for freedom in one form or another. In the last 5-10-years I’ve heard repeated by some that Torah Observance is not a requirement because Christians have freedom in Christ. Typically, the context in which this doctrine of “freedom in Christ” is used is centered around believers not being bound to anything, and that includes men, sin and of course Torah. Indeed, the Bible clearly describes the freedom that believers enjoy in the context of being free from sin and being free from our old sinful nature and life. But is this all to this conceptually amazing spiritual truth? By now you should know that nothing that comes from this website and this ministry settles for just the subtle gloss over that is common to denominational churchianity. This is Torah Living–What’s the Full Meaning of Being Free in Messiah? The one key piece of reality that we all learn very early on in our walk with Messiah is that human beings are not free agents. As much as we’d like to think that we are, and indeed, many people throughout the world will beat their chests and atest that they are free agents and that they are not bound to any individual or entity. But those of us who are spiritually in the know, realize that humans by nature are bound to something or someone. On a micro-level, men are bound to multiple things: habits (some good, some bad); governments (some good, some bad); jobs (some good, some bad); relationships (some good, some bad); the cares of life; health; and religion. On a macro-level, everything that binds men can be summed up as being in 2-realms or camps: one is either bound to sin or one is bound to the Yehovah. In other words: in this world, there are 2-masters: satan and Yeshua. Now this two-sided model (for lack of better descriptor) can be further broken down in to the physical and the spiritual. In other words, whether one is bound to sin or one is bound to the Master, he or she experiences the ramifications of this in their day-to-day physical living or they realize this reality in their spirit life. If we are bound to sin, it is reflected in our day-to-day experiences–in how we think, talk, and carry ourselves. Equally so, if we are bound to sin, it is reflected in our relationship, or better, the lack thereof, with the Father. You see, Yehovah will not foster or maintain any relationship with us if we are not in an acceptable spiritual state. Now I realize that this flies in opposition to the teachings of denominational churchianity that contends that one simply needs to “come” to Jesus “just as they are.” Well, the plain and simple truth of the matter is that our Father has established standards whereby man must meet and maintain if any substantive relationship is to be had between God and man. This concept that one can live according to the way he or she prefers to live and at the same time maintain a substantive relationship with Father is utterly rediculous and quite frankly a lie from the pit of hell. Here’s a news flash dear Christian: we are the created beings. We are His children. We have been purchased with a price (reference 1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23). Thus we are not our own (reference 1 Cor. 6:19). We have absolutely no right to call the shots here, especially as it relates to our relationship with the Father. We are so fortunate to have received such truths and promises. Thus it is with a humble, willing heart, we are required to submit to the ways of Yehovah. But going back to this issue of being bound to one master or another: denominational chuchianity has done a brilliant job of minimalizing the significance of this crucial concept. Essentially, a simple formula emerged from the depths of Calvanism that has led millions of believers in the Jesus of popular Christianity over the centuries to secure their perceived salvations and relationships with the Almighty through a response to a calling made by a preacher or someone who introduces them to Christianity and then a recitation of the “sinners’ prayer.” Note that I did in fact say perceived salvations and relationships. I said perceived because there is no Biblical support for such a formula nor does Yehovah in anyway suggest that one can have a true relationship with Him going through this formula. In fact Yeshua made it pretty clear that our concepts of salvation and relationships with the Father do not jive with that of the Father: 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Mat 7:21-23 KJV) Everything must come down to the central question at hand: who do we serve? Yes, there is that servant aspect that is tied to this question and there is no getting around it, many people are adamantly opposed to being considered a servant or slave to anyone and that includes Messiah. Why? Because being a servant–a true servant–requires one to be obedient to their master. In the case of believers, being a servant requires that we obey Yeshua HaMaschioch– 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. (Joh 14:15 KJV) The irony of the matter is that the vast majority of people on this earth do not want to be servants or slaves to anyone and many will fight to the death to be freed from any oversight by other men. Yet, each of these are unwittenly servants to satan and they are easily loyal and obedient to satan. Some even obey and are loyal to satan with gusto and pride. Why? Because our flesh agrees with the ways of the enemy. Yet it is that same flesh that is in vehement opposition to the ways of Yehovah.- 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Rom 8:7 KJV) Being bound and being free have always been primary concerns for men throughout the ages. Slavery and bondage are positions in life that are feared and avoided while freedom is reverred and praised–and this bears true throughout every culture and age. So these two concepts are very powerful in their meanings and ramifications for the individual in question. Indeed, being bound to someone or something has negative conotations associated with it. Often, the life of the one under bondage is miserable and at times even dire. No good comes out of being under bondage. Interestingly, men have over the ages freely bound themselves to others and to things. Additionally, men have over the ages become bonded to a person or a thing unwittenly. Thus the Jews of Yeshua’s day were forcefully subjected to Roman occupation while being freely subjected to their state’s religion: Judaism. Most of the Jews of Yeshua’s day were proud of and loyal to their faith; yet they were unwittenly under bondage to their faith. Additionally, the Jews of Yeshua’s day were mercilessly bound to sin, for Judaism was not a cure for sin as many of their sages and leaders asserted that it was. Yet the Jews persisted in their faith–often living lives of lies as depicted in the following passage: 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (Mat 23:27-28 KJV). And so it is with many of us today who are under bondage to religion. So many have placed their all in denominations and have been told and promised by their religion’s leaders that their eternal destinies are guaranteed and that they are inputted holy. I was in that boat. No one could tell me any different. And so I lived a life of lies, thinking I was in the ark of safety. Was I bonded to anyone or anything? I would have likely told you yes and no–that I wasn’t bonded to sin but I was bonded to Christ. The truth of the matter was that I was bonded to sin and I was not bonded to Messiah. If I was truly bonded to Messiah I would be obedient to Him and thus I would be free from sin and hasatan. This reality came only after I learned that I was bonded to my denominations, churches, preachers, doctrines, my home, my job, my lifestyle, my ambitions, and everything else but the true Master. I had been sold the bill of goods that promised that all of the things that I was bonded to were holy and acceptable to Christ. Yet I was in bondage to the wrong masters and that meant I needed deliverance and an understanding of what it meant to be free in Messiah. I needed to learn what it truly meant to have liberty in Messiah. While I was living under these false pretenses, I figured I had it good. But looking back, I really didn’t. I had no relationship with the Father apart from occasional readings of the Bible and occasional prayers that lacked sincerity and understanding. I still harbored anger and hatred and other sins in my life because I felt it was covered by the blood and thus I didn’t need to worry about it. Besides, God knew my heart. Right? It wasn’t until Yeshua came on the scene and introduced the Jew of His day to the truth that many were able to see the error of their ways. It wasn’t until Yeshua introduced to those who would listen and receive the truth, that those who would follow only Him would be able to discern a need to be free from the teachings of the Jewish leaders and from a life of sin. Torah is the only true guide for understanding what is sin and what is Godly. It was Yeshua who came to bring to the full Torah and thus free us from sin and from religion that to this day continues to grip much of the world. Yeshua said: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin…iIf the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (Joh 8:32-36 KJV) Yeshua’s purpose from coming to this earth the first time was to set men free–consider Yeshua’s own words as He read from the sacred text that described Him: The Spirit of Adonai Yehovah is upon me, because Yehovah has anointed me to preach good tidings unot the meek; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind; to set at liberty those who are bound. (Luke 4:18) Prior to Yeshua’s coming, most Jews saw their lives as burdensome and miserable. Many were and even to this day are resentful. I vividly recall one of my supervisors, upon learning that I celebrated Passover and observed Unleavened Bread, bemoaned the season and having to abstain from certain foods that he loved. He went on to bemoan how God had placed upon him and his people such a hardship, insinuating that wasn’t it enough that they were in bondage in Egypt for so many years and then all of the other misfortunes suffered by his forefathers. I felt bad for Him. I told Him that I treasure the Feasts of Yehovah and I observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread with joy. I can only imagine that there are countless others who hold the same sentiments. Indeed, this man and others like him are enslaved in tradition and religion. What kind of life is that? Yeshua said that He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. (Reference John 10:10) What this gentlemen and all others like him are missing is that the Talmud or Judaism is a law of sin and death. On the contrary, Torah is Spirit Life and it was Messiah that brought Torah to this ultimate reality. (Reference Rom. 8:2) Thus the true follower of Messiah is freed from tradition and religion, even though he/she is forever bonded to Yeshua. The Apostle Shaul taught–Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Gal 5:1 KJV) Man is a created being and thus is subject to one thing or another. Thus, if man is freed from sin, he must become bonded to something other than sin–it is a spiritual rule that can not be broken. If any man desires to be free from sin (or anything else for that matter), then he or she must be bonded to or become a servant of Yeshua. Continuing in this line of reasoning then, upon becoming bound to Yeshua, we are obligated to be obedient to His direction and the Father’s way of life. Once again I take a passage from the writings of Shaul–18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 6:18-23 KJV) Here’s where the rubber meets the road dear friends. This whole servant/bondage or doulos thing comes with a price. I’m not talking about the blood that Yeshua shed to purchase our salvation. Indeed, that was the greatest price ever paid for any soul in the history of this world. I’m talking about the price that comes with us abandoning our former lives for a life in Messiah. Churchianity would have her adherents live their lives with the belief that everything good and holy is automatically imputted to the believer. But as nice and warm and beautiful as that line of thinking may seem, it is horrendously misleading and false. Shaul eloquently spells the truth out for us: being free from sin but then servants of righteousness, we are obliged to yield ourselves to the life that the Father has always wanted for His human creation. The servant’s life in Messiah is fruit driven unto righteousness. It is not a life of liesure whereby a believer simply hangs out and awaits the rapture and from there to live out an eternal life in heaven as some type of angel like being. Indeed! The journey begins in the here and now. We hear and obey. We live according to the pattern established for us by Yeshua. The ensuing bondage that Believers have is not as normal men would reason: that life is a life of freedoms that empower us to live the abundant life that Yeshua spoke of in John 10:10. It is an awesome life. Not only is Yehovah served and made happy through the righteous deeds and life of His children, but mankind is served through our many acts of compassion, love, peace, servitude and our being a light to this dark world. (Reference Matt. 5:14) No one can place a price on this freedom apart from the price paid by Yeshua. We’ve come to learn from Eastern traditions of old that when a slave completed his/her mandatory time in his/her master’s home and oversight, they have the legal right to go free and make a life for themselves. They no longer are required to serve their master. However, there are provisions whereby that same released and now freed slave has an option to return to his former master and commit the remainder of his/her life in servitude to his master. There is a ceremony or tradition whereby that slave’s ear is then pierced to the door post of the master’s home and it is there that the slave pledges to freely serve his master. Blood is spilled and pain is inflicted, but both the spilling of blood and the inflicted pain is submitted to willingly. Then that servant or bond slave is forever in service to his master. We in similar fashion have given over our lives to our Master Yeshua and we become His bond servants. Instead of shedding blood and induring pain however, Yeshua took our place in that. Yet, we are obliged to serve and obey without reservation. Does our obedience and service earn us salvation? Absolutely not. However, because we are bond slaves of Messiah, we are obliged to serve accordingly. Failure to obey and serve disqualifies us from the status of being His bond servant. Any bond servant who fails to please and properly serve His master is subject to harsh punishment and in extreme cases, death. So it remains with us: failure to do what we have committed to do can lead to eternal death. I know this goes against everything that churchianity teaches…I get that. However, we made the choice to subject ourselves to Yeshua and to Yehovah’s way of life. We do not have the liberty to call the shots here or go through our lives believing that we can get over on the Father because He knows our hearts. Indeed, the Father knows our hearts and those hearts are filled with sin. It’s just simpler to submit and give our all to the Master. T+he life to be had in the Father’ house is so much better than any life that one could envision anywhere else in the world. It is a life of liberty that is free from the penalty of sin and freedom to worship the Father without a human or institutional intermediary. We have the freedom to go to the throne of grace and state our case. How marvelous is that!? Since coming in to the true Faith, I have a different view of what it means to be free. I understand clearly the concept of freedom as it relates to Americans and their country: we have freedom to worship as we see fit; we have freedom to pursue our dreams and aspirations; we have freedom to carve out a life that is fitting to us. Granted, those freedoms have over the years eroded somewhat. Nevertheless, we still live in the greatest country on the planet. Yet, with all these freedoms, the vast amount of citizens in this country are under bondage. The great thing is, that no one has to remain in that bondage.
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by Rod Thomas | Jul 3, 2014 | Podcasts
So this past Sabbath while listening to some great Messianic teachings from some of the world’s best Messianic teachers, I was taken by the passage in John where the Master described Himself as being the “light of the world.” John records the Master as thus: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12 KJV) Like many of you listening to this posting, I’ve read this passage dozens and dozens of times and never really gave it much thought beyond the thinking that the darkness of this world was replaced by the light of the Savior when He walked this earth and now as He is seated at the right hand of the Father He remains a light to a lost and darkened world. Certainly, there is some truth to this line of thinking as it seems to be the prevailing line of thought throughout denominational churchianity. But after being led by the Spirit to really try to gain a full grasp of its meaning, I embarked upon a brief journey (and boy do I love these journeys) to better understand the concept of being a light to this dark world. What exactly was the Master saying when He referred to himself as the light of the world and then later referred to us as lights to this world? In my spirit mind, I knew there must be much more to this than meets the denominational eye. And indeed, there is.
John makes great use of the “light” analogy to describe the person and mission of the Messiah. Throughout His Gospel record, John uses “light” to describe the Master and conjointly, believers are awarded the same descriptor and title. I’ve always been fascinated by light as well as I’ve always been hesitant of the dark (at times even terrified). Light, in its many facets and textures can be used to highlight a thing or enhance a thing. Light can provide clarity to things that are naturally not very clear in detail. Light often brings one a sense of security as it tends to reveal things that could cause us physical harm. Conversely, light can provide a sense of alarm, especially when dangers are revealed when those very dangers were once hidden by darkness. Light is often warm and soothing and desirable while darkness is often seen as uncertain, cold and frightening (i.e., how would most horror pictures fare at the box-office if the stories didn’t take place during the night or in a dark and dangerous place?). Conversely, light may bring shame and apprehension, especially when evil behavior is revealed by light. Darkness on the otherhand, is not a friend to man, unless man is bent on doing something questionable or outright wrong. Bottom line: as far as the Bible is concerned, light is considered good while darkness is considered bad; Yehovah, Yeshua and their legions of angels are considered light while hasatan and his legions of demons are considered dark; heaven is spoken of in terms of a place of light and beauty while this earth is often considered a place of darkenss because of the sins of man that pervades it existence; the Saints of the Most High are considered as light whereas the hearts and deeds of men throughout the world are considered dark.
The most awe-inspiring allusion to the magnificant Person of Messiah is made using the term light. Listen to the brilliant prose used by the Apostle who was loved by the Master: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. (Joh 1:1-9 KJV)
Darkness hides details and dangers, making one’s life in darkness difficult and challenging–darkness binds men and prevents them from living as they should. Light on the other hand reveals details and dangers, making one’s life in the light manageable-light frees men and allows them to thrive and live as they were meant to live. The very first thing the Father did when He was refashioning this world was to bring about light–Gen. 1:3-5-And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called night. I find it interesting that it wasn’t until Father intervened that the perpetual darkness that existed for an unknown period of time was broken up and light was allowed to peer through to His creation. Yet as undesireable as darkness (night) is, it was allowed to remain and co-exist with light (day) in order to provide a means of marking time and supporting the workings of other mechanisms of the universe.
Although physical light became an integral part of the Father’s creation, there lurked a different kind of darkness somewhere in the midst of HIs creation: in the heart and mind of hasatan. This most excellent creature was the epitome of Yehovah’s creation. This most excellent being was given the title of “son of the morning,” a name that denotes brightness, light and power (reference Isa. 14:12). In order to better understand this powerful creature, the Father in His unfathomable wisdom likened hasatan unto the King of Tyrus in the following beautifully crafted passage:
12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. 18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. (Eze 28:12-18 KJV)
One sabbath worshipping, feast observing pastor I often listen to has surmised that apart from hasatan’s covering cherub duties, he was placed in charged of the Father’s creation, headquartered here on earth somewhere between Genesis 1, verses 1 and 2. When he rebelled against Yehovah and carried with him 1/3 of the angels, that rebellion resulted in the “void” and utter desolation that seems to be described in verse 2 of Genesis 1– 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (Gen 1:2 KJV) Granted, there is no direct Biblical support for this theory. Nevertheless, I have to say that it makes perfect sense to me that something like this may have happened prior to that which is spoken of in verse 2–in other words, a re-creation. For me, it explains somewhat the reason for science claiming the earth to be much older (e.g., thousands and even millions of years old) than the Bible’s general accounting of the earth’s age (coming around at 6014 years old). But the point here is that darkness–spiritual darkness–reigned in the heart of hasatan and it was this darkness that spread and consumed the earth of our day–beginning in him and then working its way to Adam and Eve, and then spread on to their progeny to this very day.
However, the Holy Writ does record a couple of events where light broke through the darkness that settled upon this earth after the fall of Adam. Indeed, light–which is righetousness, truth and goodness–was manifested among men despite the prevailing darkness:
Enoch–“And Enoch walked with Yehovah after he begat Methuselah 369-years…and Enoch walked with Yehovah: and he was not; for Yehovah took him.” (reference Gen. 5:22 & 24)
Methusaleh is believed to have been like his father Enoch, having walked with Yehovah much of his 969-years, as recorded in the Book of Jasher–a non-inspired Book
Noah, who in the midst of a perverted and violent world, “…found grace in the eyes of Yehovah.” (reference Gen. 6:8)
Abraham, whom the Apostle James described as “a Friend of Yehovah.” (reference Jas. 2:23)
Moses, Daniel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah and David–these great patriarchs reflected the light of the One True Light–Yehovah!
Throughout the period of the Original Covenant (i.e., the Old Testament), these men attempted to lead men out of darkness and point them to The Light–that Light was of course Yehovah and His way of life, i.e., Torah–23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: (Pro 6:23 KJV). 105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psa 119:105 KJV) No matter how one spins it, commandments, the law, instructions for life, and the Father’s word is referring to Torah and Torah is in turn referred to as a lamp and a light.
The whole of the Father’s creative work was accomplished with Yeshua in mind. Yeshua was and remains the pure manifestation of that Light that is found only in the Person of Yehovah and in His Torah. If we take what the Psalmist says as Truth, and I have no reason to believe otherwise, then Yeshua was indeed, the walking and talking Torah–the eternal lamp of this world…the only means by which man can have a true relationship with the Father and realize eternal life:
We come to a cross-roads: if Yeshua was indeed the Light of the World as recorded in John–Joh 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness–what are we, His true disciples, supposed to do with this reality? I believe, as do many Torah Observing Believers in Messiah, that there there are 2-versions of the Master: Jesus Christ (i.e., the westernized, Paulinized savior who saves all who would simply ask Him into their hearts and lives); and Yeshua HaMashioch (the Hebraic, Torah Master who requires true discipleship in order realize true salvation). Understanding which of these 2-versions of the Master we are to follow is vital to our eternal destination and essential to our living the life abundant that Yeshua spoke of in the Gospel record. The Light of Jesus is for all to gaze upon and adore, drawing all who would be saved to give their hearts and lives to Him (whatever that really means, as there are thousands of different belief systems describing what this actually means) and await His rapturous return. The Light of Yeshua, on the other hand, is the example of The Prophet and Messiah that men must “Shema;” i.e., follow and imitate. The Light of Yeshua requires men to have some skin in the game so to speak–to be invested in their salvation and life abundant. The Light of Jesus on the other hand is there to make men feel good about themselves and aspire to a life in the heavens where one will some day in the future walk the streets of gold and from time to time tug on Gabriel’s robe. Indeed, there can be only One True Master and Light. This is an important decision that all truth seeking believers must come to terms with: will I take the easy way out and follow the light of Jesus Christ; or will I take up my cross and follow the Light of Yeshua HaMashioch? It is a certainty, the vast majority of the 2+ billion Christian adherents of this world take upon themselves the popular version that is Jesus and his light that provides mankind an easy way out of the darkness–or should we boldly say, keeps men in darkness?
If Torah is the Lamp and Yeshua is the full embodiment of Torah and thus the light as described by John, the next question that must be answered by men is: am I required to be Torah Observant? Well, that question is easy enough to answer. Being one who favors deductive reasoning to get to the bottom of most things, especially coming from an law enforcement investigative background, the course of reasoning could be as follows:
Torah was given to the Children of Israel by Yehovah under the leadership of Moshe via a covenant arrangement
The Children of Israel caused a breach in the covenant when they violated Yehovah’s commandments at Sinai; yet Torah remained in force (Isa. 58:12)
Yehovah desires that His people obey His Torah: 29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! (Deu 5:29 KJV)
Yeshua came not to abolish Torah but to bring Torah to its fullest potential: 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Mat 5:16-20 KJV)
Yeshua kept Torah and He kept it perfectly. He railed against the Talmud, the Takanot and Mahasin of the Rabbinic cult of His day, which ultimately led to His crucifixion. Furthermore, Yeshua’s handpicked Apostles and the hundreds of disciples also kept Torah as any well-respecting, obedient, and dedicated disciple would do: 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. (Joh 12:26 KJV)
The Day of Pentecost sealed the breach that occurred at Sinai and the Covenant was renewed. Torah was no longer a series of commandments, rules, precepts and laws written on stone and parchment that man was required to follow without full-inner-heart felt commitment. Torah became living and from that point forward, written on every true believer’s heart–Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people
Not only was Yeshua a light to the Jewish nation, but He was a light to the Gentiles as well–Luk 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel
We being Gentiles have been graffed in with Israel and have effectively become fellow partakers, inheriters of the promise– 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (Rom 11:17-25 KJV)
It stands to reason, deductively, that we are then obliged to keep and obey Torah and do so proudly, gladly and with zeal! Far better souls than we have done so in their brief time on this earth following Yeshua, having then to suffer a martyr’s death. What makes us so special that we insist that our salvation come to us without us having absolutely no skin in the game. Indeed, our salvation was purchased by the blood and sacrifice of the Master; thus our salvation is free. However, Yeshua’s sacrificial work only purchased the ticket for our ride to etermity. It then becomes our responsibility to do whatever is necessary to qualify for that free ticket. I’m certain you’ve heard that talking point that denominational chrisitanity loves to use: Jesus kept Torah perfectly and thus we don’t have to. If this sentiment doesn’t strike a negative cord within us, I don’t know what will. What the denominationalists are saying is that the Torah was such a burden, such a bad thing laid before men to keep by a mean and hateful God, that Messiah had to not only face death on the cross to atone for our sins; He also had to live under the yoke of Torah! Indeed!! Torah is a delight as spoken of by the Psalmist– Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. (Psa 1:1-2:1 KJV) Thus it was Yehovah’s good pleasure to gift Torah to His chosen. I can surely atest to this. I find joy in keeping Torah. I’ve come to learn more about myself through Torah-keeping than I ever knew as a “born again Christian.” Since coming in to the True Faith once delivered, I’ve come to see just how far I’ve missed the mark throughout my Christian life. Since coming in to this Faith I’ve come to see that my relationship with the Almighty was actually non-existent as I foolishly and pompously developed the terms of that relationship. I’ve come to learn that my ideas and my denomination’s ideas of what constitutes a relationship with Yehovah doesn’t cut it with Father. Since coming to the Faith I’ve come to know the sweet joy and peace that comes from keeping His Sabbaths. Since coming to the Faith I’ve come to see where I’m falling short in my daily walk with Messiah and thus each day I’m challenged to take that walk in better form than the day before and so on. Life has become the life abundant spoken of by Yeshua HaMoshioch. Indeed, I can say without hesitation that Yeshua is that light by which the true life is gained–Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12 KJV) As a result of that light and as a result of following that light, we too become a light to the world. Our light is born NOT as a result of affilitation as Churchianity would teach–that is, because we bear the name of Christian, we by affiliation become light to the world. On the contrary dear Christian, our light is born out of the fruit that we bear. That fruit consists of goodness, righteousness and truth. (Reference: Eph. 5: 9) Thus our light is action-based; dynamic; and deliciously beautiful beyond the means of human languages to describe. (Reference: Eph. 5:8) Is living the life abundant and shining our light before men easy–absolutely not. It is challenging and at times it seems impossible. But Yehovah has provided us His Ruach Kodesh to help us navigate through life’s many impediments to living the life abundant and shining our light before men.
There is a danger, however. That danger is falling for the wrong light. The brilliant Apostle Shaule warned the Corinthian ekklesia that their members, being zealous and well-meaning followers of him as he followed Yeshua, must be always alert to being decieved by counterfeit light. I will let the Apostle explain in his inimitable way about this danger:
I would like you to bear with me in a little foolishness- please do bear with me! 2 For I am jealous for you with God’s kind of jealousy; since I promised to present you as a pure virgin in marriage to your one husband, the Messiah; 3 and I fear that somehow your minds may be seduced away from simple and pure devotion to the Messiah, just as Havah was deceived by the serpent and his craftiness. 4 For if someone comes and tells you about some other Yeshua than the one we told you about, or if you receive a spirit different from the one you received or accept some so-called “good news” different from the Good News you already accepted, you bear with him well enough! 5 For I don’t consider myself in any way inferior to these “super-emissaries.” 6 I may not be a skilled speaker, but I do have the knowledge; anyhow, we have made this clear to you in every way and in every circumstance. 7 Or did I sin in humbling myself so that you could be exalted, in proclaiming God’s Good News to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other congregations by accepting support from them in order to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and had needs, I did not burden anyone: my needs were met by the brothers who came from Macedonia. In nothing have I been a burden to you, nor will I be. 10 The truthfulness of the Messiah is in me, so that this boast concerning me is not going to be silenced anywhere in Achaia. 11 Why won’t I ever accept your support? Is it that I don’t love you? God knows I do! 12 No, I do it- and will go on doing it- in order to cut the ground from under those who want an excuse to boast that they work the same way we do. 13 The fact is that such men are pseudo-emissaries: they tell lies about their work and masquerade as emissaries of the Messiah. 14 There is nothing surprising in that, for the Adversary himself masquerades as an angel of light; 15 so it’s no great thing if his workers masquerade as servants of righteousness. They will meet the end their deeds deserve. (2Co 11:1-15 CJB)
Indeed, I fear that many well-meaning believers are following after a counterfeit light. It is this counterfeit light that is leading millions down a road towards destruction. Conversely, I think that many would see those of us who have elected to follow after the light of Yeshua HaMaschioch to be following the counterfeit light and thus we are doomed for destruction. In my heart of hearts I do not believe the light of our Messiah to be counterfeit, not only because I have faith that the light of our Messiah is true, but also because we have the Bible as our proof-positive. We are not lead to a light based upon the teachings and doctrines of a denomination, but lead to The Light through the auspices and direction of Ruach HaKodesh and the Bible. We can not condemn nor pompously look down upon our brothers and sister who are under bondage to denominational churchianity. We are all on a life’s journey and we are all at different places in our search for truth. The vast majority of those that find themselves under denominational churchianity bondage have no idea that they are blinded to the Truth. It will require the grace of Yehovah and the intervention of Ruach HaKodesh to release them from that bondage and open their eyes to the Truth–to the True Light. In other words, there by the grace of Yehovah go I–just saying.
Call to Action
The take-away in all of this is simple. Light is the name of Messiah as evidenced in Daniel 2:22: 22 He reveals deep and secret things; he knows what lies in the darkness; and light dwells with him. (Dan 2:22 CJB) As our light, Yeshua’s purpose as it relates to us, His disciples, is not as churchianity would suggest and have us believe–that of simply admiring and gazing upon the light of Jesus. On the contrary, the purpose is for us to follow Him–Yeshua HaMoschioch–and submit ourselves to Him. In following and submitting ourselves to Him, we take direction from Him. Every bit of Yeshua’s direction is built on the firm foundation of Torah. Thus when we take our direction from Yeshua, our lives are forever changed; we obey Torah; Torah is written in our hearts as opposed to simply in our minds. In following and submitting to Him, we live that life abundant spoken of in John 10:10. That life abundant is not limited to the world tomorrow, but is for the here and now. And by submitting and following Him, we too become lights to the world and we never have to fear walking in darkness ever again. Halelujah!
by Rod Thomas | Jun 27, 2014 | Blog
Just when the 21st century western world has relegated demons and the topic of demon possession to the primary domain of fictional books and blockbuster movies, comes a story from the “Daily Mail” that reminds the spiritual minded of us that demons and demon possession indeed exist even today. Sophie Jane Evans, a writer for the Daily Mail, in her article entitled “Three American friends hospitalised after becoming ‘possessed’ following Ouija board game in Mexican village,” reports on the acute demon possession of 3-young adults in a Mexican village while playing a Ouija board game. According to Evans, 3-American friends, ranging in age from 18 to 22, were hospitalized with classic possession symptoms after the trio played a game on a Ouija board. The town? San Juan Tlacotenco, located in southwest Mexico.
Minutes after these young people began playing the game, the only female participant, began “growling and thrashing around in a trance-like state” while the two males suddenly became blind, deaf and began hallucinating. A local Catholic priest was called to perform exorcism on the three by one of the victims’ parents, but the Church refused to provide the service citing that the young people were not members of the church congregation. Conversely, those same parents called for paramedic assistance. The trio were transported to a local hospital. The three young peoples’ possession symptoms were treated with pain and anti-anxiety drugs and eye drops. The possession symptoms seemed to succumb to the hospital’s treatment regimen. A medical professional who witnessed the behavior of the three said of the victims, “They had involuntary movements…they were so erratic. It appeared as if they were in a trance-like state…They spoke of feeling numbness, double vision, blindness, deafness, hallucinations, muscle spasm and difficulty swallowing.”
Indeed, the spirit-realm or spirit-world is real, whether or not we choose to believe this story. Our 21st century, western world, effectively masks this reality from her citizens. Yet, tens of thousands and maybe even hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world experience such connections with the spirit world on a frequent basis. In many parts of the world, the spirit world is as common a reality as waking up and going to sleep each morning, breathing, eating, or talking to one’s spouse or children. Those of us who experience such connections with the spirit-realm are considered crazy, demented, psychotic and the like. One can only imagine how many people behind bars in this country alone (i.e., the United States) are beset and influenced by the spirit-world. The greatest attention and seemingly the most prolific manifestation of the spirit-world has to do with the evil or demon side. It is this dark side of the equation that seems to demand, deprive and take away from its victims their freedom to live peaceful and productive lives. In extreme cases, this dark side brings its victims to a state of harm to others and to themselves.
The Bible contains several stories related to demon possession and in each case, the manifestation is frightening and intimidating to say the least. Man overall appears impotent in the midst of such possession events. Man is carnal and incapable of even the smallest influence on demons. Spiritual beings, which we all know include demons, angels, the Creator and now the Son, Yeshua HaMashiach, operate on an entirely different plain of existence. Brute mortal strength has no effect on demons. Human reasoning can not break through to possessing demons. Demons are opportunistic creatures who seek out opportunities to intervene in the affairs of men—invited and uninvited. As a species, people in general are so oblivious to the dangers of the demon realm, that they will embark upon activities and behaviors that open the door to demon activity. Such things include: drugs, alcohol, Ouija board games, seances, promiscuous relationships, vodoo, satan worship and the like. Once demons find a foot hold in an individual’s life, it is next to impossible to get rid of them. The only sure cure for demon possession is the name and power of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Yeshua HaMashiach (aka: Jesus Christ). Luke 10:17-24 addresses the disciples (the seventy) reporting back to Yeshua, just before the Feast of Dedication in December of the year 27 CE. Luke records, “The seventy returned again with joy saying, “Master, even the demons are subject to us through your name.” Yeshua said to them, “I saw hasatan come down out of the heavens like lightning. I gave to you the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and authority over all the power of the enemy.” As redeemed, believers in Messiah, we should be equipped to effectively deal with demons. When we became disciples of Messiah, we received that whole package. Yet the vast majority of us want nothing to do with the spirit-realm and thus would not be in any position to attend to a demon possession if we were to come across one. Regardless what side of the Faith we find ourselves in, we by virtue of our sacred heritage and calling, are required to not only operate in the spirit-realm, but to also deal with evil spirits when they enter our sphere of influence. We must absolutely begin with our relationship with the Father who stated through the Son, 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (Joh 4:23-24 KJV)
Once we’ve gained a foothold in to the spirit-realm, dealing with demons on their turf should not be a problem and demon fighting should become the duty of every believer and disciple of Messiah. May we all be so ready and fit for the battle ahead. Be Most Blessed.
by Rod Thomas | May 30, 2014 | Blog
Greetings Fellow Saints! Today is the 30th day of the 2nd Biblical Month and the 41st Day of the Counting of the Omer. May this great day of preparation be of most blessing to you and your family.
My Torah studies today took me to a most profound place in the Children of Israel’s history–Numbers 24: 14-25: 9. Encamped just outside the region of Moab, the king of Moab (Balak) had just concluded his failed attempt to have a prophet of Yehovah (Bil’am) curse Israel on Moab’s behalf. Being totally protected by the strong arm of Yehovah, Balak failed in having his future destroyer cursed and put away.
The insult to injury, however, was seen as: while Yehovah pledged His unwavering protection of Israel, the men of Israel began to whore after the women of Moab which ultimately led to the people of Israel assuming the worship of Moab’s principle god, Ba’al. This of course angered Father to no end and this terrible betrayal on behalf of the Israelites against their protector resulted in the death of some 24,000 people; many of them were executed by direction of Moses.
Yehovah has pledged His undying protection of us, His beloved. This of course doesn’t mean that we will never meet doom or harm, as the will of Yehovah and His providence will have its just way. What Yehovah’s protection does afford us, however, is eternal guarantees that we will not see death eternally, but some day arise to life everlasting and a renewed body and a new assignment in the kingdom of Yehovah. This all can come to a screeching halt, of course, when we forsake the protection and disobey Father’s Torah. Father has shown over and over throughout His Torah how much He despises idolatry and how jealous He is. Yet many of us struggle with the urge to violate and compromise His Torah and whore after Ba’al in our land of Moab. Each time we do such things, we offend and anger Yehovah as well as hurt Him.
It’s tough to be the Israel that Yehovah desires of us to be. We can’t always do it alone. But fortunately, we are in a better place than our forefathers, the Israelites at Ba’al-P’or. We have Yehovah’s Holy Spirit to provide us that extra oomph we may need to resist the urge to embrace other gods and violate Father’s Torah. We have been provided the tools to fight competently against this problem. But like everything else in life, it all comes down to how effectively we utilize those spiritual tools that have been provided to us by the Almighty. Prayer, fasting, meditation, Torah, fellowship, reading resources-all of these are lethal weapons against the enemy and remedies against evil. I struggle daily with my natural inclination to complain, worry, engage in idle talk at work, all of which leads to less than kingdom behavior. These and other shortcomings are my Ba’als as I try to live a righteous life in P’or and Moab. I know, however, that my strength comes from Father and His Spirit and I’m ever so conscious to be on guard and to be always questioning within myself: is Yehovah happy with my behavior today? Is my walk today with Messiah a pleasant and good one?
How about you?
by Rod Thomas | May 29, 2014 | Blog
Greetings Fellow Saints in Training! Today was the 28th Day of the 2nd Biblical Month and the 39th day of the counting of the Omer. We trust that you have a blessed day in Messiah.
My Torah studies today took me to Numbers 23: 13-26. Those of you who are Torah buffs may be familiar with this passage of Scripture. This is a continuation of the Balak and Bil’am story whereby Balak, the king of Mo’av feared for the life of his country/nation as the nation of Israel was encamped nearby, too close for his comfort. Thus he attempts to hire a prophet to curse Israel-i.e., Bil’am, and neutralize the perceived threat. Balak takes Bil’am to high country after erecting 7-alters and making a significant sacrifice to Yehovah, to see the immense size of Israel. Bil’am then receives direction from Yehovah regarding what he should tell Balak and the message Bil’am has is not favorable to Balak’s desires to eliminate the perceived threat of Israel. Apart from telling Balak that Israel is protected by the Creator of the Universe, Yehovah also reveals some things about Himself that most believers tend to forget from time to time:
vs. 29-Yehovah is not a human who lies or a mortal who changes his mind. When Yah says something, He will do it; and when He makes a promise, He will fulfill it…(vs. 21) for Yehovah their Elohim (speaking of Israel) is with them and acclaimied as King among them…(vs. 23) thus one can’t put a spell on Ya’akov, no magic will work against Israel.
Imagine Balak’s disappointment upon receiving this news from Bil’am. Yet, I fear that our beloved Faith has over the last 2,000-years forgotten these iron-clad traits/characteristics of Yehovah, attributing to Father a change in Father’s plan for man. So much of what Christianity has adopted as doctrine, beliefs, and teachings is based upon the concept of progressive revelation that says that over time, the spirit of God has revealed greater and greater truths about the Father as well as we better understand our Creator and the person of Jesus Christ more than we ever could have. How presumptive we’ve become as a people, as supposed adherents to the Faith once delivered. The truth of the matter is that no one knew the Savior and the Father better than Yeshua’s handpicked apostles who delivered the true faith to the first century saints of old. The whole grace perversion is a prime example of how men have crept in to the Faith once delivered and over time convinced many that the Father really didn’t mean what He said previously or that the Father actually intends this and that for man and there was no way the apostles could have known the things we know today about the faith.
Hogwash! It is absolutely time that we stop playing church and return to the original ekklesia that was founded by Yeshua HaMaschiyach, become staunch and uncompromising disciples of Messiah, and adhere to the ways and the laws of Yehovah. Father has said without ambiguity, that He is the same today as He was yesterday and He does not change. There is no foundation beyond this truth upon which one can nor should they even try, to build their faith. Any move towards adding to or subtracting from the Word that Father has given is only leading one to religion and religion has no place in our Faith. No place.
Shalom. Be most blessed.
