by Rod Thomas | May 31, 2016 | Podcasts
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Pope Francis and the Spirit of Anti-Christ/Anti-Messiah
This is Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections–Episode 58
Certainly of late, the news has been aflutter with reports of Islamic Extremism and horrifying-violent acts of Jihadi assertiveness spreading throughout the European theater; and the members of these European nations seemingly incapable, and more and more apparently, seemingly unwilling to do anything to take control and contain this growing threat to each nation’s sovereignty and security. And if this situation were not disturbing and unsettling enough, we come upon stories in the non-conforming media of Pope Francis—Jorge Mario Bergoglio, indirectly equating these violent, aggressive acts against the citizens of many European countries with the Great Commission that our Master Yahoshua put before us as he concluded His time here on earth with us. (Matthew 28:18-20) And when I first came across these articles, I had a difficult time believing what I was reading and we’ll get more into the crux of these articles in just a second. But I want you first to bear in mind who the Pope—or better, the Papacy—is supposed to be and represent to the world and to the Catholic Church that he is suppose to oversee. According to Wikipedia, Pope is defined and described as follows:
“The Pope (Latin: papa from Greek: πάππας pappas,[1] a child’s word for “father”)[2] is the Bishop of Rome and the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church.[3] The primacy of the Roman bishop is largely derived from his role as the traditional successor to Saint Peter, to whom Jesus is supposed to have given the keys of Heaven and the powers of “binding and loosing”, naming him as the “rock” upon which the church would be built.”
Pope Francis–The Bishop of Rome–The Vicar of Christ
Furthermore, the Catholic Church has placed an additional title upon the man holding the office of pope as the so-called “Vicar of Christ,” that according to Wikipedia: “a vicar is an “earthly representative of God or Christ” and the title is now used in Catholicism to refer to the bishops[2] and more specifically to the Bishop of Rome (the pope).”
Keeping in mind that the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church have virtually nothing in common with Hebrew Roots and the true Faith once delivered to the first century saints, it still boggles the mind that a man who is revered throughout the world as the “end all to be all”—the absolute leader and teacher of the Roman Catholic Church, would make such an outrageous analogy. His very title—the Vicar of Christ, allegedly places him in Jesus Christ’s stead here on earth. In other words, He is Christ here on earth while Christ Himself resides in heaven. What comes with that is the infallibility of the pope and his office in terms of creating and pushing down to the masses Catholic doctrines, teachings and traditions. It’s quite a narcissistic thing when you think about it. Here you have a man who places himself on an equal plane with the Savior and in so doing, he is able to rewrite and even replace the primacy of the bible as it relates to the lives of the 1.2 billion Catholics in the world today. (BBC census) Thus one would naturally think that the Vicar of Christ would get things like the Great Commission of Matthew 28 right, or at least place the concept of the Great Commission within a perspective of spreading the message of Yeshua around the world. Certainly, the Great Commission—the true commission, could not be even remotely compared to the Islamic movement that is currently happening in our world today.
And let me just say before we go any further: as it relates to the Great Commission, the true purpose of the so-called Great Commission was and continues to be for the true followers of Messiah to go to the nations of the world and make disciples and teach those new disciples what Yeshua taught us—His faithful followers. The Catholic Church sees the Great Commission, which they’ve termed “ad gentes” or literally “to the nations,” from a standpoint of missionary work—be that what they call stationary or foreign missionaries. In either case, it is that missionary’s duty (applying to the Church as a whole) to “continue the mission of Jesus.” (Catechetical Sunday, 9/22/09, “The Great Commission: Ad Gentes”) Is the Catholic Church’s understanding of the Great Commission consistent with the Bible’s explanation of the Great Commission? I’d say, ideally yes. But from a practical standpoint and looking back at history, the Catholic Church’s handling or practice of the Great Commission—or in the Church’s parlance, ad gentes—has swayed greatly from the true Biblical standard. We all are aware of the Catholic Church’s bloody history and the way she carried out the ad gentes—which was to conform or die. In a broad sense, it was all about conquest, which is exactly what Pope Francis referred to when he contrasted Islam and the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. So I’m led to believe, off the cuff, that Francis was referring to the Catholic Church’s version of the Great Commission and not the true, biblical concept of the Great Commission.
So what exactly did Francis say regarding the Great Commission and the spreading of Christianity throughout the world? Francis’ comments are recorded in an article written by Kit Daniels, dated 05/19/2016, entitled: “Pope Francis Likens Jesus to ISIS: Says Muslims Must Breed with Europeans—Francis claims ISIS similar to Jesus sending His disciples to all nations.” Mr. Daniel’s article is actually a reiteration of an article in La Croix, a French newspaper. Francis is quoted as saying: “Today, I don’t think that there is a fear of Islam as such but of ISIS and its war of conquest, which is partly drawn from Islam. It is true that the idea of conquest is inherent in the soul of Islam, however, it is also possible to interpret the objective in Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus sends His disciples to all nations, in terms of the same idea of conquest.”
Did you get that? “…it is also possible to interpret the objective in Matthew’s Gospel (I’m thinking he’s referring to the Great Commission passage found in Matthew 28:19) where Jesus sends His disciples to all nations in terms of the same idea of conquest.” So here it seems that Pope Francis is saying that the Great Commission of our Master is synonymous to the Islamists’ purpose and goal of total conquest through forced—violent usurpation and assiimilation that has and continues to be exercised without the slightest bit of remorse or hesitation by Muslim Extremists throughout the world. If this analogous examination of the Great Commission by Francis doesn’t make you fume with disgust, I don’t know what will. Nowhere in all of the Brit HaDashah did our Master instruct us to launch a “turn or burn” movement in order to force the citizens of this world over to Christianity. Father, who instituted the Great Commission from the beginning of time, through His Son, has and will always maintain that man has the right to choose which path he or she will go. He would never have us treat the Great Commission as some kind of conquering crusade, the way that Francis’ predecessors have done over the centuries. And given the influence that this man has on the religious world stage, I fear that he stands to lead many astray by his remarks. It is clear that Pope Francis is not speaking from a position of ignorance. That would be an impossibility in my opinion. What I believe, however, is that Francis is speaking from a position—or more accurately, a spirit of “Anti-Christ,” or more accurately, “Anti-Messiah.” And there’s more to this story that further solidifies my claim here.
Pope Francis recently outlined a few other troubling contrasts between Islam and Christianity: (1) He doesn’t like to hear anything about Europe’s Christian roots because they loudly trumpet the call of “colonialism” that has overshadowed much of the world over the centuries. (2) He believes and strongly advocates that the Muslims who have migrated into all parts of the European Union “integrate” with the European citizenry. This would seem an innocent and altruistic comment if it were not for a recent sermon that was delivered by a high-ranking Islamic Imam by the name of Sheikh Muhammed Ayed. The Sheikh is quoted as saying: “Europe has become old and decrepit and needs human reinforcement…they are not motivated by compassion for the Levant (that is, a large swath of land in the eastern Mediterranean), its people and its refugees…soon, we will trample them underfoot, Allah willing. Throughout Europe, all the hearts are enthused with hatred toward Muslims. They wish that we were dead, but they have lost their fertility, so they look for fertility in our midst. We will give them fertility! We will breed children with them, because we shall conquer their countries!” Sure sounds like a call for total conquest to me. But wait, there’s more.
In an article written by Eric Snyder entitled “The One World religion Cometh: Pope Francis Warmly Welcomes Top Islamic Cleric to the Vatican—So precisely what kind of “message” was Pope Francis attempting to convey?,” this in the “End of the American Dream” dated 05/24/2016, Pope Francis is reported to have met with a Grand Imam of Cairo’s Al-Azhar Mosque, who is described as “the highest figure in Sunni Islam.” Francis is quoted as saying that this meeting represents dialogue between the two churches of Islam and Christianity.
If Francis is a believer in Jesus Christ (the key word here is “if” and let’s just be open and transparent, Pope Francis is not a true believer of Messiah since he and the members of the Catholic Church do not keep the commandments of Yahovah nor have they the testimony of Yeshua Messiah—the proof positives of true believers in Messiah—Revelation 12:17)—but let’s just assume for the sake of discussion here that he is a true believer in Christ; then it would stand to reason that the tenets of his Faith would prevent him from hooking up with Islam in anyway. Right?
Rav Shaul, aka the Apostle Paul, taught:
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14, KJV)
Shaul furthermore tells the Ephesian Assembly of Believers in Yeshua Messiah:
“Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light…And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (Ephesians 5:7-13, KJV)
Sadly, I don’t see no reproving going on here, do you?
Moving on: (3) Pope Francis is quoted as saying: “Christians and Muslims are brothers and sisters.” Again, how can this man make such an outrageous statement unless there is a spirit of Anti-Christ or Anti-Messiah at work here.
(4) Early on in his papacy, Pope Francis authorized “Islamic prayers and readings from the Quran’ at the Vatican for the first time ever.” Hey, since the Jihadists are our brothers and sisters, why not.
(5) Pope Francis is quoted as saying that Christians and Muslims worship the same God. Many of us have heard such foolishness before by the more liberal and rogue members of the Christian Faith. But we Rooters know that the one true God; the Creator of the Universe; the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—who gave us Torah and His Son Yahoshua HaMashiyach, is nothing like—whatsoever—Allah. The Pope is quoted as follows: “I would like to express 2-sentiments for my Muslim brothers and sisters: firstly, my greetings as they celebrate the feast of sacrifice. I would have wished my greeting to be warmer. My sentiments of closeness, my sentiments of closeness in the face of tragedy. The tragedy that they suffered in Mecca. In this moment, I give assurances of my prayers. I unite myself with you all. A prayer to Almighty God, all merciful.“
Friends, do you see the spirit of Anti-Messiah at work here? When you stand and pose as a child of light as this Pope pretends to do, but you blaspheme some of the most fundamental aspects of the Christian Faith, you can be nothing more than a child of the devil. Now I’m not saying that Pope Francis is THE Anti-Christ that so many people believe will bring about a one-world religion in the end times. Well, let me restate: I don’t know if Pope Francis is THE Anti-Christ of the end times; I seriously doubt it. But Pope Francis seems to be a good example of a precursor of what we’d imagine to be THE anti-Christ or anti-Messiah; in that he clearly seems to show forth for all the world to see, the spirit of Anti-Christ.
Along that same line of Francis saying that Muslims and Christians worship the same God, he is quoted yet again spouting a similar message: “I then greet and cordially thank you all, dear friends belonging to other religious traditions: first of all the Muslim, who worship the one God, living and merciful, and call upon Him in prayer, and all of you. I really appreciate your presence: in it I see a tangible sign of the will to grow in mutual esteem and cooperation for the common good of humanity. The Catholic Church is aware of the importance of promoting friendship and respect between men and women of different religious traditions. I wish repeat this: promoting friendship and respect between men and women of different religious traditions.—it also attests the valuable work that the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue performs.”
Besides the obvious folks, there’s something just not right about this Pope. He’s up to something and he’s up to something big. We need to be on our best behavior and guard. As Natsarim of Yahovah, we are commanded to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahovah (Deuteronomy 8:3). Since Yeshua HaMaschiach is the one and only mediator between Yah and men, we must likewise live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of our Master. Matthew records a key admonishment and commandment of our Master in response to questions posed to Him by His Talmudim (aka disciples) regarding the prophecies He’d made to them about the end times. Master responded:
“Take heed that no man deceives you! Many will come in my name (e.g., the Vicar of Christ; the Bishop of Rome; Pope Francis)—many will come in my name, acknowledging that I am Messiah, yet they will deceive many…Many false teachers shall rise up among the believers and they will mislead many. Because those who are without Torah will multiply, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:4-12; cf. Mark 13:3-13; Luke 21:7-19, Rood’s CKJV)
It’s not just Islam that this Pope has made unifying gestures towards during his relatively short tenure: he’s also reached across one of the greatest schisms known in the history of religion: the schism between the Catholic Church and Protestantism. It was on January 21, 2014, that Pope Francis employed the services of one of his Evangelical Episcopal friends, a bishop by the name of Anthony Joseph “Tony” Palmer, to stretch forth an olive branch to fundamental Christianity, urging them to return to their Mother, the Roman Catholic Church. (You can pull up the YouTube video on this amazing event by clicking this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtXiOzp43Yw). Bishop Palmer believed himself to be some type of reincarnation (my words mind you) of Elijah, who was sent to unite Christian evangelicals with the Roman Catholic
Kenneth Copeland and Tony Palmer
Church. It was at a well-attended event hosted by a number of well known charismatic preachers, the most notable being Kenneth Copeland, that Palmer dropped the bomb regarding the Vatican’s call to Protestant-Catholic reconciliation. Palmer stood before the crowd of hundreds and in the most polished, articulate and charismatic of orations that I’ve heard in quite some time, urging Christians to place themselves under the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Francis made a video appearance at this conference where he urged the Christian evangelicals to unite with the Catholic Church. Palmer declared to the over joyous crowd: “the “Martin Luther protest to be over”” and “it was time for “Christians to come home to Rome.””
Bishop Tony Palmer addressing an evangelical assembly
But this story does not end here saints. Palmer was further used by Pope Francis to prime the skids for a future reunion of Catholics and Protestants. Palmer was ordained a bishop in a sect of the Episcopal Church that sees itself, according to Austen Ivereigh of the Boston Globe—in an article he wrote entitled “Pope’s Protestant friend dies, but push for unity lives” dated 08/07/2014, as “part of a “convergence” movement, seeking to combine evangelical Christianity with the liturgy and sacraments typical of Catholicism.” Palmer told Ivereigh that this “is a precursor to full unity between the Protestant and Catholic Churches.” It was back in 2006 when Palmer journeyed to Buenos Ares and met with then Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, and collaborated on a joint Catholic—Protestant gathering of 6,000. At that time, Cardinal Bergoglio had thoughts favorable to a potential reuniting of the two faiths. According to Ivereigh, Palmer confided to Cardinal Bergoglio that he was tired of living outside of Catholicism and wanted to fully convert to Catholicism. However, Cardinal Bergoglio counseled Palmer to stay the course in his self-imposed mission to unite the two faiths. Bergoglio believed Palmer would be more effective in his mission if he remained as he was in his religion and that this was all about “bridge building.”
Pope Francis and Tony Palmer
Interestingly enough, on June 24, 2014, Palmer led a delegation of evangelical Christians—the delegation composed of the likes of Kenneth Copeland, James Robison and Geoff Tunnicliffe—on a meet and greet luncheon at the Vatican with Pope Francis. Now, if you aren’t familiar with these three evangelical church leaders, simply Google them at your next opportunity and you’ll see that just these three gentleman alone possess eye-popping influence in the Evangelical Christian realm; some estimates place their influence at 600 million followers. So there was a lot of horsepower going into this meeting that I would guess most of the Christian world has likely never heard about. It appears that these evangelical leaders were in principled agreement that some form of unity be sought between the two great world faiths. Crazy huh? And here’s another shocker: Palmer at some point after that luncheon turned over to Pope Francis a proposed “Declaration of Faith in Unity for Mission” that these three “jack-legged preachers” drafted up, with the intention of having not just the Pope sign off on a reunion of the centuries old, two warring faiths, but also to be signed off by the leaders of the major Protestant Churches of the world in Rome in 2017, at the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation and the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Oh how lovely! Can it get any worse?
The Attendees of the Luncheon at the Vatican
A month after this historic meeting, Bishop Tony Palmer died in a tragic motorcycle accident—I’m not entirely certain the location—but he was interred in fine fashion in a full-Catholic Mass in Bath, UK.
Now, some would say that all that I’ve just reflected upon should have absolutely no bearing upon us Natsarim—we have no relationship with the Catholic Church and we are all about Torah keeping and the like. And in a broad sense, I would say those folks would be right. But then, weren’t we admonished by our Master to take heed and not allow any man deceive us? How many of us in our fold are ill-prepared to understand all that is currently going on around us and all that will take place in the future and the end times? Master taught that “…there shall arise false Christs (i.e., false Messiahs) and false prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matthew 24:24, KJV) I can’t help but think that if this Pope is able to pull off such a reunion with the Protestants and then some form of union with the Islamists, the world will herald him as some type of Messiah. And given what we know about and what we’ve seen of this pope, he ain’t no messiah; for that matter, he ain’t even no believer in Yahoshua Messiah. In fact, it is my conviction that this man is operating in a spirit of Anti-Messiah (aka, anti-Christ) and either him or his successor(s) will fulfill the position of THE Anti-Christ (aka, the anti-Messiah)—assuming there will be such an individual.
Yochanan (aka John), Shaul (aka Paul) and Peter address this issue of anti-Messiah in their various epistles:
- In 1 John 2:18, Yochanan speaks of there being many anti-Messiahs through the ages, somewhat alluding to more of a spirit of anti-Messiah than a single individual. Clearly, human history has produced world leaders who would fit the bill for an anti-Messiah: Nimrod, Alexander the Great, Antiochus Epiphanies, Nero, Charlemagne, Napoleon Bonaparte, Adolf Hitler, and certain segments of fundamental Christianity have always had suspicions that the Papacy would harbor THE anti-Christ at the end times. Bear in mind that this thoughts and reflections is more about the spirit of anti-Messiah than about identifying who the anti-Messiah(s) were and will be.
- In 1 John 4:3 and 2 John 1:7, Yochanan writes to the identifying character of an anti-Messiah and that is one that does not confess the Master as being of the Father would qualify one being considered as coming in the spirit of anti-Christ/Messiah. Does Pope Francis fall within this realm? I would say yes, for in all his unity talks, he never brings up or puts forth the significance of the Master as being the One individual through whom everyone must go in order to receive the gift of life and to be counted as one of the Father’s chosen ones. Allah is certainly not an option for true spiritual restoration with the One True God—the Creator of the Universe, who’s name is Yahovah.
- The former publican Matthew, also known as Levi, in Matthew 24:5 and 24, writes about Yeshua warning us that false teachers and leaders will lead many of us astray with their false teachings. Does the Pope meet this criteria for an anti-Christ—I’d have to say absolutely. When you, as the so-called “Vicar of Christ,” the leader and teacher of 1.2 billion adherents around the globe, put forth an infallible edict (which the Catholic Church has certified that the Pope is infallible)—when you put forth an edict that says that Allah and the One whom we call Yahovah are one in the same; when you put out an edict that says that Muslims and Christians are brothers and sisters; when you allow Islamic prayers and teachings to take place on Vatican property, you are full-on anti-Christ if you ask me.
- Shaul wrote to the young evangelist Timothy, in 2 Timothy 4:3, that there would come a time or come times when men would not endure sound doctrine. When the true Faith once delivered has not penetrated the thick skulls and dead hearts of the fundamental Christian Church and the fundamental Christian Church is not satisfied with the direction that it’s going, to such a degree that they would entertain uniting with Rome, this prophecy of Shaul seems to have come to fruition right before our very eyes. I reported to you that in 2017, world Protestant Christian Leaders are planning to meet in Rome and sign a “Declaration of Faith in Unity for Mission” with the Vatican. Now why would the mission of the Christian Church take such a detour and support such a heretical idea as reuniting with Rome, apart from the fact that Christianity is not interested in hearing; not interested in learning; not interested in turning from their pagan-based traditions and doctrines for the true Faith once delivered? These are not interested in obeying the commandments of our Father and of our Master and holding fast the testimony of Yeshua HaMaschiach. Why is that? Because they are not interested in fully giving their lives over to Yahovah. They are only interested in giving themselves over to men—giving themselves over to a religion that men have made and that men staff and run. Furthermore, these individuals, when they speak, as we’ve clearly seen in these articles, deliver destructive heresies that lead many astray and down the broad path to annihilation, as we find mentioned in 2 Peter 2:1.
- Going back to Yochanan, we are encouraged to test the spirits at work in our world in order to determine if those spirits are of Yahovah or not. Yochanan writes: “My beloved, do not believe all spirits; but discriminate among spirits whether they are of Elohim: for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this the Spirit of Elohim is known: every spirit that confesses that Y’shua the Mashiyach has come in the flesh is of Elohim. And every spirit which does not confess that Y’shua the Mashiyach has come in the flesh is not of Elohim, but he is of false Messiah of whom you have heard that he comes and now is he already in the world.” (I John 4:1-3, Roth’s Aramaic) And I tend to agree with Roth’s commentary on this passage whereby he downplays the common understanding that all one has to do is confess that our Master once existed here on earth in a human, physical form and that person is validated as a true believer. We know there is more to simply having a cognitive and confessing knowledge that the Master once existed. What is it? Anyone does well by understanding that Yahovah is one as the demons also believe this doctrine and shudder. (James 2:19) No, what John seems to be trying to get across here is that we who are Natsarim have a firm foundation of who our Master is and what He stands for in the light of Torah. It is the Spirit (that is the Ruach) of the Creator in us that will aid us in discerning which teachers and preachers and scholars His. And certainly, all of the spiritual bells, whistles and lights in our being should be going off within being over this Pope and his position on Islam and Christianity. It would clearly seem that this man is a false teacher and leader. But as I said earlier, by virtue of this man simply being the Pope and given all that he and his religion stands for, he can be nothing other than a false teacher.
Lastly, and I’ve just barely scratched the surface on this issue in this “thoughts and reflections”: the reason why this sort of thing must matter to us is that it serves as a wake-up call to each of us in this Faith community. In fact, I would suggest that this is the focal point of this “Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections”—that being our time is running short.
Shaul wrote about this to the Assembly of Believers in Rome. He wrote:
“And this also know you, that it is the time and the hour that we should therefore awaken from our sleep. For now our life has come nearer to us than when we believed.” (In most English translations, it is our salvation that is nearer to us than when we first came to trust Yahoshua.) Shaul continues: “The night now passes away and the day draws near. Let us therefore cast from us the works of darkness; and let us put on the armor of light. And let us walk decorously (that is, “honestly” in most English translations), as in daylight; not in merriment nor in drunkenness, nor in impurity of the bed, nor in envy and strife. But clothe yourselves with our Master Y’shua the Mashiyach: and pay no concern about your flesh for the indulgence of appetites.” (Roth’s Aramaic, Romans 13:11-14)
In other words, the antics of this Pope should serve as a wake-up call to each us; that we take our Natsarim calling beyond seriously; that we get studied up, fasted up, prayed up and ready for the battle ahead us.
Saints, it’s time to stop playing religion. It’s time to stop playing church. It’s time to stop compromising our Faith and start once again to earnestly contend for the true Faith once delivered.
It is my sincerest hope and trust that your thoughts and reflections, regardless which day of the week they may fall on, lead you to a deeper appreciation and understanding of and a deeper and more meaningful relationship with the Creator of the Universe. Let us not squander the time that we have been given as the night rapidly approaches and we no longer may work. (John 9:4)
Be most blessed fellow Saints in Training. Shalom. Shavuatov.
by Rod Thomas | May 8, 2016 | Podcasts
The World Loves Baal (aka Nimrod)
Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections–Episode 56
In this episode of Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections, I reflect upon the realization that the world loves Baal (aka Nimrod). This comes to mind in light of a couple YouTube videos that I watched by Zachary Bauer and Rob Skiba addressing the recent construction and dedication of an imitation archway from the Temple of Baal in Trafalgar Square, London.
Last week I stumbled upon several articles and YouTube videos addressing a new phenomenon that is taking place in many of the world’s western metropolitan cities and that is the erecting of dozens of Baal Temple entrance-ways or archways. These are imitations of the original Temple of Baal gate or archway that once stood in Palmyra Syria, but that ancient temple was destroyed by ISIS late last year. That destruction, along with a few other ancient archaeological structures over the last couple years, has outraged the Western World, and the world at large has demanded that an end be put to ISIS’ indiscriminate murdering and destruction. Unfortunately, ISIS continues to terrorize much of the world. Now, the West has decided to erect an imitation or model of the famous archway in dozens of their metropolitan cities. The latest ones to be erected and officially dedicated as monuments of some sort was in Trafalgar Square in London England and New York City. There is a viral YouTube video of the ceremony marking the dedication of the archway in Trafalgar Square that suggests these archways are actual portals into a spirit realm that we as a race have no business tapping into.
Imitation Archway Temple of Baal in Trafalgar London
The Faith-based conspiracy theorists believe that the construction of these archways is not an innocent venture to honor ancient history and the human spirit. There is a general belief among many (with me included) that maybe this is a contrived endeavor designed to bring Baal worship right-smack into the center of major Western cities as well as point a proverbial finger upwards towards Father, signaling that we humans can choose whom we will worship and our choice is Baal, Moloch, Osiris, Zeus, what have you. These Faith-based conspiracy theorists contend that these archways may be portals into the forbidden demon world which could serve to open the door to evil spirit entities entering into our Western cities. This sounds all well and good, but don’t we already have evil spirit beings dwelling in virtually every segment of our world today?
I believe the construction of these archways is more to offend the Creator and to remind the world at large of the preferred worship of Baal.
Zachary Bauer
Zachary Bauer and Rob Skiba recently did fantastic YouTube videos on this very subject that I would encourage you to take a look at. If you are so inclined, simply click on their names and it will take you to their postings.
Rob Skiba
Skiba focuses more on the return of Nimrod in the last days while Bauer does more of a focus on the Mark of the Beast. Both videos address ancient Babylon and the world religions that have emerged from that ancient culture and peoples. Both tie in the construction of these archways to Baal worship. Rob Skiba believes that the anti-Christ will be some type of Nimrod incarnation.
As it relates to these planned 100-Baal Temple archways being installed around the world, Skiba asks the question: “These are gates, but gates to what? They must be gates to something.” I love what Skiba has to say about such endeavors that aim to unite the “so-called” civilized world with ancient pagan ways which the west seems to be fascinated with of late. There seems to be absolutely no interest in restoring the paths that the Creator of the Universe set before us; of rebuilding the old waste places that Father once anointed; of raising up the foundations of the lost and forgotten generations that He once embraced; of having that breach that was severed, once again repaired (reference Isaiah 58:12).
Rob Skiba says that we in Hebrew Roots are given a list of rules we are to follow–contrary to the beliefs and doctrines of our Christian cousins. I would add to this statement of Skiba, that we in Hebrew Roots signed up for a job–to be disciples of Yahoshua Messiah. That job is a full-time job that doesn’t end at a set time each day or that we are on duty only on the Shabbat. But our ultimate jobs are to be priests to the world and who keep Yah’s laws. And as Skiba rightly says in alignment with Scripture, it is our transformation into that nation of priests that will ultimately cause the world to have the scales drop from their eyes, realize the error of their ways and discern the countless lies that they’ve been told about the Father and His Son and their expectations of us, and to become children of Yahovah (Reference: Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6; 5:10; 20:6). No greater promise nor purpose has ever been given to men–and once we embrace our role in Yah’s grand plan, we then begin to appreciate what we’re up against in this world as hasatan knows that he has but little time remaining before those archways fall on him–figurative speaking.
I also agree with Bauer’s take on this whole Temple of Baal thing and in his assertion that the world is already worshiping the beast. But Bauer in his video also believes that the Mark of the Beast, prophecied in the Book of Revelation a multitude of times, is actually world currency. In his video, Bauer shows the viewers an Iraqi Dinar, which has printed on it Babylonian symbolism. We know also that our national currency–United States currency that is–has Babylonian symbolism imprinted on it. In ancient times, Caesar’s image was engraved on Roman currency and we know that Caesar was considered and worshiped as a god in his day. What better way is there to propagate Baal worship throughout the world than through the world’s currency. That is hasatan genius, unfortunately.
Some feel that the Mark of the Beast could not possibly be currency since many believe that common currency/hard currency will be done away with in the end times. These same folks believe that the Mark of the Beast will, instead, be biometrics-based, such that to buy or sell, one must have chips implanted in one’s head and arms/appendages. I agree with Bauer that this system is still currency, regardless the physicality of the currency. If the world goes towards biometrics as many believe it will, then the world system, which is essentially Babylonian-based, will be behind that biometrically based currency.
Rob Skiba agrees with Bauer in that the whole world worships the beast and has been doing so for centuries, although the world at large is oblivious to their participation in this worship. The Christian Church, especially Catholicism, has through the centuries, sought to “Christianize” paganism as a means of bringing in more and more adherents into the Universal Church. Protestantism believes that she was successful in escaping the paganism of Catholicism, but to her chagrin, Protestantism never left or abandoned paganism, and to this very day, she continues to worship a Greek God and Jesus through her various traditions and doctrines and practices and teachings. Holidays such as Easter and Christmas remain Christianity’s hallmark symbols of her adoration and worship of the Greek/Babylonian-based god and religion. Many in Churchianity have come to learn and realize that maybe we in Hebrew Roots are correct about the pagan origin of some of their practices and holidays. But the vast majority of churched adherents refuse to abandon Church and the trappings of their religion because it makes them comfortable and happy and content.
I love Skiba’s statement that handsomely sums up the predicament facing the world–that single dividing question and mindset: “Will we be divisive in Truth or united in lies?” And that is the million dollar question my friends. The Truth is out there, and don’t be fooled: today, more folks in the Church realize the Truth than we could ever fathom. But those that know the Truth are willing to hedge their bets, that they will be given a pass by Judge Yahoshua in the last days, because “He knows my heart.” Well, indeed, He does know our hearts and He will judge accordingly. For He knows and the Father has revealed to us: “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
I’ve read some of Rob’s materials as well as we’ve attended a couple of Rob’s lectures and I think he has some very important things to say about our world today and where we may be heading as the human race. Check it out. But Rob treats the viewer of his YouTube video to snippets of his book, “Babylon Rising,” and he reveals, in connection to the Baal Temple archway construction in London and New York, that Nimrod is at the heart of it all. Nimrod, according to Skiba, and a host of other experts on the subject, is none other than Baal; none other than Marduch or Moloch; is none other than Apollo, Gilgamesh, Osiris, Dionysius and a host of other such pagan deities throughout the course of human history. Skiba holds that Nimrod founded Babylon and was the first Global Leader and Babylon was the first superpower, new world order of the post flood era. As time has gone by and the spirit of Nimrod has taken on various entities and deities and religions, there has been a never ending line of men who have kept the candle burning for Nimrod and looking forward to Nimrod’s return to earth to re-establish absolute reign and control over this world. Skiba believes that Nimrod (I believe more, a spirit of Nimrod) is going to be the prophecied anti-Christ in the end times. That being the case, by constructing these various Baal Temple archways throughout the world, which are believed to be portals to the spirit realm (bad spirit realm that is), is the world then “putting out a welcome sign to Baal?”
I pulled up before and after images of the Ancient Syrian Temple of Baal (i.e., before and after ISIS destroyed the edifice) and I have to say that it looks frighteningly similar to proposed images of Solomon’s Temple. We know that hasatan is a consummate counterfeiter and spiritual fraud. The coming anti-Christ will claim to be Yahoshua Messiah and the many signs and wonders that he will do will be so sophisticated that it would potentially deceive Yah’s elect.
Temple of Baal in Palmyra Syria
Skiba brings up an interesting point related to the erecting and dedication of the Temple of Baal archway in Trafalgar Square in London last week: that this whole thing comes right smack in the middle of the Feast of Baal–which is, again, a counterfeit of the Feasts of Yahovah–a week-long celebration and worship of Baal that generally falls between 4/19 and 5/1. The culmination of this week-long festival is the celebration of Beltane–5/1, which symbolizes the rebirth of Baal. Is it not suspicious that this archway was dedicated in Trafalgar Square London during one of paganism’s holiest holiday seasons? Yet no one in the secular world has protested or rejected the erection of this archway. No one is sounding out an alarm to the world about the 99 or more of these things that are being installed in cities throughout the world. Churchianity is still asleep at the wheel on this thing. Not only are they oblivious as to the True Faith once delivered, they are oblivious as to this serious of portals being constructed around the globe. For what purpose we can only surmise.
At the very least, assuming I’m wrong and I could very well be wrong; at the very least, we were warned by the Almighty to not inquire into the ways of the heathen nations of the world about us. And by erecting and dedicating these archways, we are violating Yahovah’s Torah and in doing so, man is going to at some point, have to pay and pay dearly. I wholeheartedly agree with Skiba: “We can’t erect monuments of the 10-commandments in this country of ours, but we sure as hell can erect a pagan archway in the heart of New York City. Give me a break.
It is interesting indeed that we in the West and in various parts of the East, were outraged over the destruction of the Temple of Baal by ISIS last year. But we as Natsarim know Father’s position on the subject of pagan worship. Father simply abhors any suggestion His people inquiring after false god.
As Natsarim, Deuteronomy 12 is our reference as it relates to how we are to view and react to false gods:
“And these are the statutes and the ordinances which you shall be careful to carry out in the land which the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you to possess all the days that you live on the earth. You shall surely destroy all the places where the nations that you dispossess have served their gods: on the high mountains, and on the hills, and under every green tree. And you shall break down their altars, and dash their pillars to pieces and burn their Asherim with fire; you shall hew down the graven images of their gods; you shall obliterate their name from that place. You shall not act like this toward the LORD your God.” (vss. 1-5)
Essentially, Father is telling us directly that we should have nothing whatsoever to do with false gods. Thus, by our inquiring about such things as the Temple of Baal and then seeking to erect a similar monument in dozens of Western cities throughout the world, we are in total and utter violation of Torah. We are thus cutting our own throats by doing this. Father will not tolerate an “in your face” gesture such as this and not exact punishment upon these cities and those that are leading millions down a road of eternal destruction. It is imperative that we pray earnestly for our nations; that Father spare the nations from His coming wrath and that any evil that may come from these structures will be staved. I believe that we must intercede on behalf of the world as long as there is a chance that she may turn from her wicked ways:
“If my people who belong to me, humble themselves; pray, seek to please me; and repudiate their sinful practices–turn from their wicked ways; then I will respond from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, ESV)
Thoughts and Reflection on Lew White’s Book–“Nimrod’s Secret Identity–The Greatest Conspiracy on Earth”
Lew White–Author
I came across Mr. Lew White’s Book, “Nimrod’s Secret Identity,” quite by accident. Most of my reads and even bible-based/related resources have become almost entirely electronic–i.e., Kindle books. If you own a Kindle, you know that whenever you scroll through your books on the carousel and your device is connected to the internet, you will receive notice of books you can purchase from Amazon that fall within the same genre as the book you are scrolling to at the time. So this book popped up as a recommended read. The price was reasonable and after reading the book’s limited reviews by former readers and a description/summary of what the book was about, I elected to download the book and read it.
I have to say at the outset of this review that I’m not entirely a fan of Mr. White’s writing style. Don’t get me wrong, he is a fair writer and his writing is clear and moderately concise. However, what drove me absolutely crazy about Mr. White’s writing is his insipient repeating of a handful of points that he makes throughout the book. And I’m not just talking about restating these handful of points. He actually cuts and pastes these points over and over again throughout the book and that is just annoying to me. But, I can overlook it for the sake of content. So then, what about the content of this book?
Nimrod’s Secret Identity by Lew White
Well, Mr. White makes some excellent points in his work, especially as it relates to the drawing of lines separating true Hebrew Rooters, who I prefer to refer to as Natsarim or Natsari, and nominal Christians and Catholics. Most of what he wrote as it relates to the pagan origins of every other religion and Faith on the planet is pretty well established in the minds of us Rooters, but he does bring a fresh perspective on the issue which is always nice to read from time to time.
I will also note, however, that there are some areas of this work that I do not agree with or that I take issue with. The major area of disagreement that I have with Mr. White concerns the divinity of the Master, Yahoshua, whom He identifies as the Creator of the Universe, Yahuah. I’ve mentioned on this program a few times that I do not believe that Y’shua is the God of the Old Testament and I’ve given a few reasons why I don’t believe this. But I will save my comments regarding this area of his work for another time as I also read his second book entitled “I Am Yahuah,” where he goes into greater death about this issue. When I review that book, I’ll spend a little time discussing my perspective on the divinity of Y’shua in relation to Mr. White’s book on this subject.
The areas of concern I had with this book is mutli-faceted. First and foremost, I know nothing about Lew White. Is he a Torah scholar or a Bible scholar? Is he a professor or is he educated in ancient history? Is he by chance an ancient Hebrew and or Greek scholar? These questions regarding his pedigree and credentials come into play here because Mr. White does not provide any references to many of his claims, whatsoever. He makes tremendous claims regarding the pronunciation of the Creator’s name, delving into the realm of ancient-paleo-Hebrew. But not knowing his background and by him not providing references to his statements and claims, the reader is left to make unsubstantiated assumptions, which at this stage of my life, I’m not happy at all to do. You see, most of us in Hebrew Roots came out of Churchianity where you were told what to believe and what not to believe and most of us simply saluted and said “yes ma’am, yes sir” and went about our business–dumb fat and happy and never questioning what we were just taught. But we’ve come out of that, have we not? We search out a matter and we compare the matter to what is written in the Holy Writ. We seek input from the leading of the Ruach Kodesh and we go back and study the matter more–all before we make a final decision whether to believe and accept what is being given to us or not. But it would seem that Mr. White did not get that memo.
You see Mr. White, when one writes a book that is advocating that the reader give serious consideration to your claims by using a technical, historical-teaching approach (as you did in this book), you either have to be THE expert holding the appropriate experience and pedigree making the claims; or you better provide sound references to back up what you’re saying. You did neither in this book and because of this serious oversight (whether intentional or unintentional), the content of your book must, in most places, be taken with a grain of salt–especially if you are appealing to the Hebrew Roots community. We know better than to simply take some stranger’s word as fact. That approach got most of us tangled up in religion for many years and most of us simply don’t wish to go back to that lifestyle ever again. Just saying.
But allow me to give you a quick overview of the book and hopefully after I’m done this review, you’ll have a better idea as to whether or not you will purchase this book. My aim here is not to sway you one way or the other. My goal is to target aspects of this book’s content and see if there is anything to what the writer is saying that impacts each of us and our community.
To begin with, Mr. White asserts that Nimrod’s identity is hidden from the world today and that his hidden identity is the greatest conspiracy on earth. He continues that “This conspiracy concerns all faith groups, whatever you believe, this information will change everything.” To me, that’s a pretty pompous statement. Mr. White is essentially saying that this book will expose the truth to everyone who picks it up and reads it, regardless what the reader believes. Well, I have to completely disagree with that statement, for I can tell you Mr. White, most people will not take well to your work. Let’s face it, the vast majority of the world is “big-fat–dumb-and happy” in their lives and their religion and they are not interested in hearing or reading anything that may challenge that happiness and contentment. Most people who come across your book will likely kick it to the curb after reading a few pages. Another thing you should consider Mr. White, is that the content you wrote was mostly written using Hebrew names and Hebrew terms which for the vast majority of people in the world, be they secular or be they Christian, will be turned off by the foreign terms and names. This type of book in my opinion, should have been written with the reader in mind–not you in mind Mr. White. And I must include myself in that grouping as I do not know nor do I read ancient–paleo Hebrew nor Greek. So the read for me from that perspective was a tough one. In addition, neither I nor anyone else, has any way of verifying whether that which you wrote in Hebrew is correct since you provide no references, apart from specific Scriptural passages.
Mr. White supports many, if not most of the claims against the Catholic Church, that were made in Alexander Hislop’s seminal work “The Two Babylons.” For me, that scores some big points for Mr. White. I like Mr. White’s statement: “The papacy claims to be the ‘vicar’ (one in place of) Yahusha, when in reality, he is the vicar of Nirmod.” As I alluded to above, we Natsarim came out of received manmade teaching authority and we receive our teachings directly from Yahovah and His Son Yahoshua, not from one who claims to be the ‘vicar of Christ’–that is, one who stands in place of the Messiah. The reality of the matter is, and I do whole heartedly agree with White on this: “In reality, he (the pope) is the vicar of Nimrod.” (White) Unfortunately, this problem is not found just in Catholicism. It is also found in our very own Hebrew Roots. There is a ministry that seeks to create churches from students that are trained and educated in that church’s Hebrew Roots doctrines and beliefs which is administered by one man. To me, that is simply taking a step back into the muck and mire that most of us just emerged out of.
Mr. White does a pretty good job pointing out to the reader how Nimrod, or as I prefer to refer to him, as the spirit of Nimrod, has permeated virtually every aspect of our day-to-day lives, especially as it relates to our common customs. White contends, as to a great extent Hislop in his book, that all “sun” deities are believed to have originated from Nimrod in some form or fashion. White writes: “all share a common birthday, which more times than not is December 25th–the winter solstice of the ancient world.” (White) These sun gods are not individual gods, coming onto the human scene in some type of succession and ascension of power, but are really one and the same being–that being Nimrod. White claims that Nimrod is Zeus, Gilgamesh, Molok (Moloch), Osiris, Ahura Mazda, Woden (or Odin of Norse legend), and even Santa Claus. Well, I don’t know about Santa Claus. Furthermore, White asserts that the names of the week are tied to pagan gods, specifically the names of Norse pagan deities. I’d never heard of the days of the week being tied to Norse pagan legends until I read Mr. White’s book. I did some loose checking on my own and found on Wikipedia some very loose tie-ins with Norse mythology. However, the greatest link to pagan deities seems to be tied to Greek and Roman gods. According to the Wikipedia article on this subject, the names of the days of the 7-day week in many languages are derived from the names of the classical planets in Hellenistic astrology, which were in turn named after contemporary deities, a system introduced by the Roman Empire during Late Antiquity. In some other languages, the days are named for corresponding deities of the regional culture, either beginning with Sunday or with Monday. Greco-Roman Tradition: The days were named after the planets of Hellenistic astrology, in the order Sun (Sunday), Moon (Monday), Mars (Ares–Tuesday), Mercury (Hermes–Wednesday), Jupiter (Zeus–Thursday), Venus (Aphrodite–Friday) and Saturn (Cronos–Saturday). Again, White’s failure to provide sound references to his content makes it difficult for the reader to determine what is accurate and what is not. In this case, White’s explanation is very loose in terms of a true explanation of the days of the week and their pagan name derivations. But close enough not to argue over.
White spends a great amount of book space addressing what he entitles as The Magisterium, which he defines as “teaching authority,” of Latin derivation. He attaches the term “Didascalia” with Magisterium, which holds the same “teaching authority” meaning, but from a Greek perspective. White does a pretty good job showing a line of false teachings from the Magisterium and the Didascalia, headquartered in Rome at the seat of the Universal Church (aka the Catholic Church)–centralized power and authority to dictate what the masses are to believe. But the teaching authority does not begin and end there. The teaching authority actually has its origins in Babylon where the Nimrodian, one world order, created a religion and doctrine and teaching that has survived to this very day, manifesting in every religion on the planet in one form or another. That line of false teachings, from Babylon (the single, unified teaching authority in the world) to today’s world multi-religion world of ours, has never abated nor been cut for any length of time. It’s a fascinating study if one has the time to look into it. And despite what most would argue against, I still hold that Alexander Hislop’s book, The Two Babylons, is a great resource whereby one may wet his or her appetite and get a sense as to how far the rabbit hole actually goes in this Magisterium–Didascalia machine. (I should insert here that many have contended that Alexander Hislop was a fraud who made up much of the content of his book, The Two Babylons. Much of the reason for this discounting of Hislop as an authority on the Magisterium–Didascalia–Babylon line of teaching authority that has permeated into Christianity even today, is that most of Hislop’s references no longer exists and more recent archaeological findings shed a questionable light upon some of his assertions. I’m sorry. I cannot discount Hislop anymore than I can discount the teachings of some of today’s Hebrew Roots teachers. We all know the adage, where there’s smoke, you can usually find evidence of a fire. Or in my line of work, when you come into a home that has an overpowering fowl odor, you know you’re not far from finding a dead body. The evidence may not be readily apparent folks. But if one simply hearkens to the still small voice in his or her mind and spirit, one can not ignore the fact that the “Catholic Church’s doctrines of purgatory, eternal suffering in fire, relic kissing (which is the veneration of human remains), transubstantiation (which is the transforming of the bread wafer into the body and the wine into the blood of Yahoshua), statue veneration (which is the kneeling before objects), steeples/sun pillars, bells, worship of the host of heaven, prayers to the dead (which is prohibited in Torah), the employment of monks, nuns, popes, priests, celibacy, indulgences, the trinity doctrine, infant baptism, apostolic succession, sacraments, crosses (which turns out to be symbols of the sun deity), replacement of the name of Yahovah to titles such as LORD, God, etc., the adoption of Easter/Ishtar fertility festival and sunrise worship and egg/bunny/fish symbols, Christmas,” and the list goes on. (White) And I agree with White, throughout history, there has always been those who have rejected all these doctrines and teachings and have kept true to the true Faith once delivered. These are our brethren in the Faith that preceded us; who gave their lives to stand up for the true Faith and not bend to the power and evil of Babylon and the Pope. How many lives have been lost because of this creature who we assign culpibility to–Nimrod. But the reality of the matter is, the fault falls at the feet of hasatan and we as Yahovah’s created beings. Yahovah gave us free will and ability to reason and to choose right from wrong. Indeed, many have been misled and raised in false doctrines from their birth and those who have perpetuated this Magisterium-Didascalia-Babylonish line of teachings, knowing the Truth all along, will have a high price to pay in the coming judgment. Those who were taught lies from their fathers and mothers and who were never given the opportunity to come to know the truth and the true Faith once delivered, they will receive an opportunity to hear and receive the truth and decide once and for all whether they will accept it or not. White seems to disagree with my mindset here as he mentions the reapers coming to separate the true followers from the chaff and the tares that will be burned in unquenchable fire in the end. (I will look at doing a thoughts and reflections on this subject in the future, Father permitting.) But Father is just and He is a God of “justice.” He will see to it that every soul receives fair judgment and receives what is due to them. That is an area that we have no say in, for Father is sovereign, but also just and righteous beyond measure. But as it relates to this Magisterium–Didascalia–Babylonian connection of teaching authority, the only teaching authority today is found in Yahoshua Messiah. Praise Yahovah! There is no other. For Father has given our Master authority and power and His name (Psalm 110). Thus, there is none other who has the teaching authority.
Consider:
A Psalm of David. aThe LORD says to my Lord: b “Sit at my right hand, cuntil I make your enemies your dfootstool.”
2 The LORD sends forth afrom Zion byour mighty scepter. cRule in the midst of your enemies!
3 aYour people will boffer themselves freely on the day of your cpower,1 in dholy garments;2 from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.3
4 aThe LORD has bsworn and will cnot change his mind, d“You are ea priest f forever after the order of gMelchizedek.”
5 The Lord is at your aright hand; he will bshatter kings on cthe day of his wrath.
6 He will aexecute judgment among the nations, bfilling them with corpses; he will cshatter chiefs1 over the wide earth.
7 He will adrink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head.
(Psa 110:1-7 ESV)
Michael Rood does a seminal teaching on true identity of our Master Yeshua Messiah called the
“Messiah Dilemma:” an hour or so long teaching where he fleshes out the true identity of Yeshua based primarily upon this passage of Scripture. If you’ve not seen this teaching, I would absolutely recommend you get your hands on this teaching at your earliest convenience.
Continuing on: White brings up the concept of Natsarim being the “Repairers of the Breach” as famously mentioned in Isaiah 58:12-14. I have to give White his props on hitting this point spot on. Let me quote him as he does a fantastic analysis of the Natsari’s responsibility as it relates to teaching the world: “The 10-Commandments are the ‘eternal’ covenant, and they teach us how to love Yahuah and love our neighbor. They are not difficult; they are our great commission to teach the ‘old paths’ in which to dwell. Natsarim are the repairers of the breach before the reapers come on the Day of Yahuah. The 7th day of each week is also called ‘the set-apart day of Yahuah.'” (White) Indeed, Torah is not difficult. Man has been sold a bill of goods, especially in Churchianity, that says to the world: “Oh, the Law–the Torah–is impossible to keep. Thank God Jesus came and fulfilled (kept) the Law for us so that we don’t have to.” What a bunch of crap. Really? The Law is impossible to keep? Don’t steal land from your neighbor; don’t bear false witness against your neighbor; don’t murder; don’t commit fornication or adultery (don’t cheat on your spouse); keep the Sabbath and Father’s Feasts; don’t eat that which is not considered food; don’t follow after other gods; don’t stray from His Torah? There is nothing difficult or impossible in this prescription that leads to life folks. Churchianity has gone out of its way to distance us from the Hebrew Roots of our Faith. They’ve replaced Yah’s Laws with their own laws that they have determined are more fitting and reasonably easy to keep. Yet we saw quite handily with the Jews of Yeshua’s day where Judaism–that is the religion of Judaism–was and in some respects even today, an absolute impossible religion to keep–man’s laws that is. Yet man is willing to put himself out there and put himself at odds with His Creator by “practicing (obeying, serving, worshiping) tradition, while being told they ‘live by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of Yahuah.’ In fact they observe nothing Yahuah commanded and follow the previous traditions of cultures that worshiped the host of heaven.” (White) Well stated Mr. White. Thank you.
Next, White discusses the origin of the term “Christian” that I sort of disagree with. White asserts that Cretin is derived from Christian or Christianity. But Wikipedia assigns an etymology of the term to describe a person affected by cretinism, but, as with words such as spastic and lunatic, it is now considered derogatory and inappropriate. Cretin became a medical term in the 18th century, and was actually a “tick box” category on Victorian-era census forms in the UK. The term spread more widely in popular English as a markedly derogatory term for a person who behaves stupidly. Because of its pejorative connotations in popular speech, health-care workers have mostly abandoned cretin. The etymology of cretin is uncertain. Several hypotheses exist. The most common derivation provided in English dictionaries is from the Alpine French dialect pronunciation of the word Chretien (a Christian), which was a greeting there. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the translation of the French term into “human creature” implies that the label “Christian” is a reminder of the humanity of the afflicted, in contrast to brute beasts. Other sources suggest that Christian describes the person’s Christ-like” inability to sin, stemming, in such cases, from an incapacity to distinguish right from wrong.” White’s zeal to denigrate Christians, including the moniker Christian, leads to inaccuracies. His statements of Christians being derived from the word Cretin is word reassigning and is a form of manipulation that serves only to offend and show the world that we are not a Messiah-loving lot. We are not afraid to insult our misguided cousins in churchianity with the most obnoxious terms and descriptors. But according to Wikipedia–The Greek word Xpristianos means “follower of Christ.” It comes from the term Christos which means “anointed one,” with an adjectival ending borrowed from Latin that denotes an “adhering to” or even “belonging to,” as in slave ownership. In the Greek Septuagint,christos was used to define the Hebrew Messiah, meaning “one who is anointed.” In other European languages, equivalent words to Christian are likewise derived from the Greek, such as Chretienin in French and Cristianoin in Spanish.”
White goes on to then discuss the origins of the Natsarim which he places in Acts 24:5. He states that the original followers of Yahusha were called Natsarim. Most of the translations that are out there today use the term Nazarenes as the name assigned to the true followers of Yahoshua. But the CJB does use the term Natzratim and the Aramaic New Testament, Natsroyee. So I would go along with White on the name of the true followers of Yeshua, especially when we understand that a Netzer is an agricultural term that denotes a branch that sprouts out from the ground, a ways away from the original tree or root. It’s a fascinating concept and naturally occurring phenomenon with tremendous spiritual applications associated with it. The descendants of David settled in Nazareth years after David’s reign and that is how Yeshua became known as Jesus of Nazareth–right in alignment with prophetic Scripture, for Yeshua had to be, according to prophecy, the son of David and Nazareth was where His family had settled. Bethlehem was Yeshua’s ancestral home town, but Nazareth was where the descendants of David eventually and permanently settled years after David’s reign.
White writes about how the Natsarim were viewed by the Didascalia and the Magisterium; that they were viewed as heretics because they did not ascribe to their so-called authorized teachings and give homage to their self-proclaimed teaching authority. Certainly White is spot on here and this statement of his pretty much says it all: “We’re trained to obey tradition and disobey Yahuah, just as Nimrod intended from the beginning.” White then goes into history, citing the outlawing of the Sabbath through edicts that came out of the Council of Laodicea in 365 CE. Certainly, this is established history where one can easily find the documents that support the dissolution of the Sabbath and forbidding Christians or anyone else for that matter, having anything to do with the Jews, which of course would mean, anything having to do with the true teachings of our Master, Y’shua Messiah. And I absolutely love this statement of White’s: “Yahusha was the counter-culture of that time. His Natsarim are now the same counter-culture, rejecting and exposing the teaching authority of our time.”
White again goes into the origin and true name of the Creator which I will not go into in this review, but will hopefully consider in my review of his book, “My Name is Yahuah.” He also touches upon the origin of the name of the Son, which I will also look at in my review of “My Name is Yahuah.”
And lastly, White goes into a weird discussion on the end times and how the elements will go into disarray, signaling the return of Yeshua and the establishment of His millennial kingdom here on earth. He talks about how the sun will become a red-dwarf star and how the moon will in turn appear to us here on earth as blood red. All well and good for a table discussion Mr. White, but I felt this was out of place as it related to your book’s primary focus which is Nimrod’s secret identity. But it’s your work and I believe you are sincere in your efforts, although we know nothing about you whatsoever.
So in summary, I would have to say that Mr. White provides the reader an interesting perspective on the identity of Yahovah’s true people and he exposes the lies that are the world’s religions that were all born out of Nimrod worship that goes back to ancient Babylon. I gave this book a 3-star rating on Amazon for the reasons that I’ve stated throughout this review. I would not recommend this book per se. I don’t reject the book nor do I dismiss Mr. Lew White. Again, I know nothing about him. I think he has some really relevant things to say about religion and about our responsibilities as Yahovah’s elect. But at the same time, he goes into things that he does not support with references and his take on the true Name of our Creator I felt was extremely dogmatic and judgmental. No one absolutely knows the true pronunciation of our Father’s name. We can only approximate it based upon the Hebrew and the tetragrammaton. I wholeheartedly agree with my dear brother in the Faith, whom I will refer to as Mike, who said of this subject: “We can only know the true pronunciation of the Father’s name if we grab a mike, fly over to the middle east and interview Mosheh and have him utter the true name of the Creator for us.” Indeed! So we do the best we can with the knowledge that we’ve been given. We don’t stop searching and delving into the boundless Word of our Father. We continue to be obedient to Torah, Yeshua-style. And we do our part in the Great Commission, hoping that the seeds we plant will fall on good soil and that our efforts, through the guiding of the Ruach Kodesh, will bring many sons and daughters into the Kingdom of Yahovah.
Notes:
by Rod Thomas | Apr 30, 2016 | Podcasts
10-Key Teachings of Yeshua Messiah Leading Up To Passover
Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections–Episode 55
The week leading up to His sacrifice on the execution stake, Yeshua Messiah delivered a number of key teachings to us, contained in the Gospel Record. I selected 10 of those teaching upon which to reflect in this posting.
Divorce and Remarriage
1. Divorce and remarriage—
“The Prushim tempted Him, ‘Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife’…For the hardness of your heart he (Moshe) wrote you this precept, but from the beginning of the creation Yahovah made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh. So then they are no more two, but one flesh. Therefore what Yahovah has joined together let no man put asunder (reference Genesis 2:24)…And I say unto you, whosoever shall put away his woman, except it be for fornication and shall marry another, breaks wedlock: and whoso marries her which is put away breaks wedlock” (Mark 10:2-12)
“When a man has taken a woman and married her and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he has found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a cepher of divorcement and give it in her hand and send her out of his house. And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s woman. And if the latter man hate her, and write her a cepher of divorcement and gives it in her hand and sends her out of his house or if the latter man die, which took her to be his woman; her former man, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his woman after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before Yahovah and you shall not cause the land to sin which Yahovah Elohayka gives you for an inheritance” (Deuteronomy 24:1-4–Cepher)
The Renewed Covenant
2. The Last Supper occurring the evening before Passover/Pesach Day–The Renewed Covenant Revealed
- The breaking of the bread and the drinking of the wine was a illustration of the renewed covenant that had been rehearsed by the people of Yahovah since Melchizedek brought bread and wine out to Avraham. This ceremony of the breaking of bread represented the healing of the nations and the drinking of wine symbolized the renewed covenant that was brought about through the shedding of innocent blood for remission of sin. (Y’shua did not drink of that wine but stated that He would not do so until the marriage supper of the lamb (Luke 22:20))
- This renewed covenant was prophecied in Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah):
“Behold the days come, says Yahovah, that I will make a Renewed Covenant with the house of Yisra’el and with the house of Yahudah. Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Mitsrayim (Egypt); which my covenant they broke, although I was a husband unto them, says Yahovah. But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Yisra’el; After those days, says Yahovah, I will put my Torah in their inward parts and write it in their hearts; and will be their Elohiym and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor and every man his brother, saying, know Yahovah: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, says Yahovah: for I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more” (31:31-37)
- The covenant Father made with us at Sinai was a blood covenant that if broken meant death to us. We broke that covenant and the death penalty cannot be annulled. But the covenant could be renewed with either the death of the guilty party or death of a substitute. Y’shua’s sacrifice would serve to pay the death penalty and re-establish the broken covenant. He was the substitute for us as He was the innocent sacrifice the restored the covenant.
The Weightier Matters of the Law
3. The weightier matters of the Law such as judgment, mercy and faith are more important than the minutia of the Law that we tend to capitalize upon in the Faith
“Woe to you, sages and Prushim, you hypocrites! You pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin but you have omitted the weightier matters of the law: judgment, mercy and faith. These tithes you ought to have done, but you should not have left the other undone. You blind guides (that is, a teacher of the ignorant and inexperienced)!” (Matthew 23:23)
Killing the Prophets of Yahovah
4. The Parable of the vineyard–Y’shua’s indictment against the Jewish religious system–Matthew 21:33-46
“There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard. He hedged it round about, chiseled a winepress in it, built a tower and then leased it out to sharecroppers and went away into a far country. When the time of the harvest drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants that they might receive his share of the harvest. The tenants took his servants and beat one and killed another and stoned another. He again sent even more servants than he did at the first and they did to them likewise. Last of all he sent his son to them, think, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir! Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ They caught him, dragged him out of the vineyard and slew him. When the owner of the vineyard comes, what do you think that he will do to those tenant farmers? They replied to him, ‘He will utterly destroy those miserably wicked men and will lease out his vineyard to other sharecroppers who will deliver the fruits of their seasons.’ Yeshua said to them, ‘Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same has become the head of the corner! This is Yahovah’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes!'”
- The kingdom of Yahovah is taken from the Jew and given to gentiles who will bring forth the fruits of the kingdom:
“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of Yahovah shall be taken from you and given to gentiles who bring forth the fruits of the kingdom”–replacement theology? Not quite
Rejecting the True Messiah
5. The blindness and fear of those who choose not to accept
“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts that they would not see with their eyes nor understand with their hearts, nor be converted, lest I should heal them…Nevertheless there were also many among the rulers who did not believe in him but because of the Prushim they did not openly confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of Yahovah. (John 12:40-43)
“Truth I say to you, tax collectors and whores will enter the kingdom of Yahovah before you do. Yochanan ben Zecharyah came to you preaching the way of righteousness and you would not believe him, but violent men and whores believed him. Even after you saw their response, you still refused to repent and believe him” (Matthew 21:31, 32)
Commandment Keeping
6. The criteria for eternal life–commandment keeping and following Messiah–The Rich Young Pharisee Ruler approaches Y’shua about gaining eternal life (Matthew 19:13-20:16; Mark 10:13-31; Luke 18:15-30)
- A relationship with both the Creator and the Son is absolutely essential to receiving eternal life:
“This is life eternal, that they might know you, the one true Elohim and Y’shua the Messiah, whom you have sent” (John 17:3) In so establishing this unique relationship, we are transformed and we are no longer citizens of this world (John 17:16)
The Economy of the Kingdom of Yahovah
7. Heaven’s economy–first shall be last (Reference Matthew 19:30; Luke 13:30; Mark 10:31)
- A Widow gives 2-mites that Master teaches is more than the wealthy gives (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4)
- The prohibition against referencing a fellow believer as Rabbi or Father as we are all brothers and sisters in the Faith.
“Don’t allow anyone to call you Rabbi–because you all have just one Great One–Messiah–and you all are brothers. Do not call any man your Father upon the earth. Only one is your Father and He is in heaven. Do not allow anyone to call you ‘the Teacher’ for there is only one who is the Teacher–Messiah. He that is greatest among you shall be your servant. He who exalts himself shall be abased but he who humbles himself in service to others shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:8-12)
- After dinner Y’shua washes His disciples’ feet to teach them the Kingdom servant’s attitude (Luke 22:24-30; John 13:1-22)
“If I then, your Rabbi and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s fee. I have just given you an example that you should do as I have done to you. Truth, I say to you, the servant is not greater than His Master; neither he that is sent greater than He that sent Him. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them. I speak not of you all. I know whom I have chosen but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, He that eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it comes to pass, so that when it does come to pass, you will believe that I am the One” (John 13:14-19)
Sp;iritual Blindness
8. Y’shua inspects the religious leaders and finds them sorely lacking and unworthy–but worthy for destruction for they are unable to identify the true Messiah
- Alludes to Psm 110–proof positive that Y’shua is NOT Yahovah. Yahovah gave Y’shua His name and a title and power and authority.
“While He taught in the Temple, Yeshua asked: “How is it that the sages say that Messiah is the Son of David? David himself said by the Ruach Kodesh, Yahovah said to adoni (meaning Lord), sit though on my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool. But Davidd himself then called Messiah Yahovah? So how is Messiah His son?” (Matthew 12:35-37)
- Rood’s commentary on Matthew 22:45:
“The Aramaic Targumim of the Pharisees actually reads YHVH (by their code yyy) in this very instance. Whether Adonay actually replaced the original reading of the sacred name YHVH or the sages of antiquity collectively understood it, David went from ‘YHVH saying to adoni (my Lord) sit at my right hand’–to–‘YHVH sitting at the right hand of YHVH striking through kings in the day of His wrath’ (speaking of the Master’s advent in the last days and returning to earth to take care of business). This is the enigmatic corner into which the sages found themselves boxed and unable to respond without impugning themselves. In retrospect, we can now see that the YHVH’s anointed (Ps. 2:2)–my king (Ps 2:6)–my Son (Ps. 2:7)–and the Son whose wrath will be kindled but a little’ (Ps. 2:12). It is obvious that the Son is not the Father, but the Father gave the Son his title, his power, and the authority to judge the nations and rule over them with a rod of iron until all is subdued under his reign (I Cor. 15:22028; Zech. 14:16-21; John 20:26-29; Acts 2:29-36). This is not a positive prospect for those who were conspiring to belittle, arrest and quietly dispose of Y’shua.”
- The fact that Master says He does not know the day or hour, but only the Father knows, is clear and definitive proof that Y’shua is NOT Yahovah–this Master made clear throughout His week of teaching at the Temple and the surrounding area
The End Times
9. The End Times will not bode well for us as the True Torah Observant Believers of Y’shua Messiah. Many of us will be ensnared in a great deception. Others of us will be killed by angry and scorned Christians who realize they are not going to be raptured to heaven. Still, others of us will be afforded the opportunity to testify before various peoples of the world and Y’shua will speak through us and deliver us–Matthew 24:3-14; Mark 13:3-13; Luke 21:7-19
- We are warned to not be ensnared by false teachers–thus the importance of learning and understanding this prophecy
- The entire planet will see Y’shua when He returns and has His elect snatched from the 4-corners of this planet by Yahovah’s angels. This will strike the greatest of fear in the hearts of men as well as anger as they are not part of those who are carried away
- The abomination of desolation is the pivotal, key event, when all hell will break lose upon the earth and Israel (the nation) will come within inches of its existence. This is the time when Father fights for Israel and He tribulates against those who tribulated His elect (Roodism)
- The Parable of the Fig Tree is prime fascia that we must stay informed and observe the signs of the times
“Because those who are without Torah will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. But those who endure to the very end <telos> shall indeed be saved”
- He in no way came to destroy the Torah (Matthew 5:17) and His judgment will be based upon compliance to Torah (Matthew 7:13-23). Those found lacking, despite their erroneous perceptions that they were serving Jesus and the Kingdom, these same will be “ejected from the eternal kingdom” (Rood)
- Matthew 24:25-27 describe prophetically that many will seize upon the opportunity to defraud people into going out to remote areas of the world (Petra??) to find Y’shua there waiting. The world will see Y’shua in due time. Therefore, do not fall for that ruse. For many will fall for the ruse, including saints–skandalidzo-such that these will be destroyed by those who are captured therein. Could this portend of a governmental sting to draw Natzariym into a place of capture? This is a teaching and instruction that will save lives if the hearers and readers take heed. The false Messiahs and false prophets will practice signs and wonders that will seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. Indeed, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light; the stars in heaven will fall; the powers of the heaven will be shaken.
- Some believe this portends a massive nuclear war that blackens the skies and prevents the sun’s and moon’s light from shining through the nuclear fallout. Others believe that this will be a natural darkening of the sun and consequently the moon as the sun’s internal engine cools down and the sun begins a process of implosion
- Y’shua will return in the clouds with great power and glory (Mark 13:26) and will dispatch the angels to the 4-corners of the globe to retrieve His elect. Yet everyone on the planet will see Him and His sign in the sky (Mark 13:26). This flies contrary to the secret-rapture teachings of so many in nominal churchianity. Certainly, the world will not be a calm and peaceful place when this happens, as many will likely die simply from fear and overwhelming stress.
- We are thus warned and commanded by Y’shua to be aware, watch and pray for we know not when the time will come (Mark 13:33). This to me is an indictment against those who choose not to stay abreast of world events and to inquire into that which is going on around them. Those who stick their heads in the sands of life and the secular world will be caught unawares when the Master returns.
- The Parable of the Fig Tree is a prime teaching that we must be cognizant of the signs of the times. There is a second abomination of desolation coming that will trigger the telos–the final ending of the time of man. That event some associate with a rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem (Temple 3) and the Ark of the Covenant being found and placed into the Holy of Holies where the enemy will desecrate it. Still others have other sundry and various theories. Bottom line, no one really knows how this is going to play out. For now I’m sticking with Temple 3 and the finding of the Ark of the Covenant until such time Father reveals more of these time ahead which I believe He shall as we get closer to this period of history
- These prophetic events are not fairy tales nor are they fictional concepts that won’t really come to light. Master obviously felt these events are vital for His believers of that time to know. Thus He admonishes us to become soberminded in life and not be taken with “frivolity and intoxicated with the cares and pleasures of this temporal life” (Luke 21:34). If we do, we will be completely oblivious when it overtakes us–the Day of Yah that is. In order to be counted worthy to stand before Master, having escaped all that which will come in the end times, we must watch and pray. Our community must wake up as I fear that we are too caught up in things that will not amount to anything in the end–lunar sabbaths; flat earth; illuminati, the minutia of Torah and falling into the traps of Kabbalah and Messianic Judaism
Discipleship
10. The Essence of True Discipleship–something that nominal churchianity and many in Hebrew Roots fail to understand and practice
- Belief in Y’shua and an understanding of who He is, is essential for entering into true discipleship.
“Truth, I say to you, he who believes on me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to my Father. Whatever you ask the Father in my name, that I will do that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:12-15) “He who has my commandments and keeps them, is one who loves me. He who loves me shall be loved by my Father and I will love him and I will manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21) “If a man loves me, he will keep my Torah and my Father will love him. We will come to him and make our abode in him. He who does not love me does not keep my Torah. The Work which you hear me speaking is not my word, but the Torah of the Father who sent me…But the comforter which is the gift of the Ruach Kodesh, which the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will bring all the things that I have spoken to you back to your remembrance” (John 14:23-26)
Reference:
The Chronological Gospels by Michael Rood
The Chronological Gospels by Michael Rood
The Cepher Bible
The Cepher Bible
