Spiritual Darkness in the Desert–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 45

by | Feb 6, 2016 | Podcasts

 

Spiritual Darkness in the Desert–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 45

Territorial Spirits in Las Vegas?

Biblical Calendar

The writer of Psalms got this principle and I believe it is only by the Ruach–the Spirit–of the Most High that he was led to write this brilliant piece of prose. He wrote:
KJV  Psalm 146:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.1
 2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
 3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. 1
 4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
 5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
 6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
 7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:
 8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:
 9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
 10 The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD. (Psa 146:1-10 KJV)
Spiritual Darkness in the Desert or Territorial Spirits in Las Vegas?
demons
ESV  Ephesians 6:12 For awe do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against bthe rulers, against the authorities, against cthe cosmic powers over dthis present darkness, against ethe spiritual forces of evil fin the heavenly places. (Eph 6:12 ESV)
References:

A Postmortem Examination on David Jesse’s Defense of Christmas and the Top 7-Issues Most Affecting Hebrew Rooters in 2016–STAR 42

by | Jan 12, 2016 | Podcasts

A Postmortem Examination on David Jesse’s Defense of Christmas and the Top 7-Issues Most Affecting Hebrew Rooters in 2016

Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections Episode 42

  1. Shalom and Welcome
  2. Calendar
    1. 27th day of the 10th Biblical Month which is the 9th of January, 2016
    2. 1-1/2-months from Purim
  3. News Relevant to Rooters
    1. Stand-off between Feds and armed militia group in Burns, Oregon–~20-armed protesters seized control of a building at the Malheur National Refuge in Burns, Oregon–a wildlife sanctuary which began last Saturday, January 2nd 2016
      1. Ammon Bundy–leader of armed protesters
        1. son of Clive Bundy–NV rancher, who’s father found himself in a similar 2014 armed stand-off with the feds in 2014 over unpaid grazing fees
      2. Group responded to the re-sentencing of rancher’s Dwight Hammond (73) and son Steven (46) who were sent back to federal prison for setting fires that damaged federal land. The father and son were sentenced to 5-years in federal prison for setting brush-clearing fires that spread to public land in 2001 and 2006
        1. total damaged assessed at less than $2,000
        2. there were no injuries
        3. BLM (Bureau of Land Management) concluded the 2001 fire actually improved the federal land it affected
        4. prosecutors argue the Hammonds did not get permission from BLM for lighting the fires
        5. The Hammonds were originally sentenced to 3-monts and 1-year respectively–far below the mandatory minimum federal punishment of 5-years if convicted of violating 18USC844–damaging federal property
        6. the feds went to US Court of Appeals for 9th Circuit who overturned the court’s original sentence, sending both men back to federal prison and sparking this current protest
        7. The group contends that landowners and supporters are battling the fed’s over issues of access and control of lands and they see the case of the Hammonds as the latest example of government overreach that is running Americans off federal lands and into poverty. Furthermore, the group contends the feds are exercising “Blatant violations of the Constitution.”
      3. Ammon Bundy says that his group doesn’t want any confrontation, but they intend to stay indefinitely as they protest what they see as government’s overreach
        1. The group indicated that it would defend itself if necessary
          1. the protesters are giving little indication of leaving despite increased calls from the surrounding rural community for them to leave
          2. the protesters claim they will leave if the feds release the Hammonds from prison
      4. FBI, Harney County Sheriff Office, Oregon State Police and other local and state law enforcement agencies
      5. Bundy and other members of his group believes, after praying, that he is doing what the Lord would have him do regarding this situation. Bundy is a Mormon
      6. References: Infowars.com; Jacob Sullum of Forbes–1/7/2016; Tamara Audi of WSJ–1/4/16; Jim Carlton of WSJ–1/6/16
      7. Lessons to be learned
        1. Live peaceably with all people (if at all possible)–Rom. 12:18
        2. Unless it violates your practice and obedience to the Faith, obey the laws of the land--Rom. 13 (Read)–
          KJV  Romans 13:1 ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.1 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

           4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

           5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

           6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

           7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

           8 ¶ Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

           9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

           10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

           11 ¶ And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

           12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

           13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.1

           14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (Rom 13:1-14 KJV)

        3. Realize, life is not always fair and there will be wrongs committed in this world; injustices
        4. But also, this could be serving as a precursor to potential harm to us in the future as it relates to our practices of our Faith. If the government overracts to what she sees as her citizens threatening public land, one can only wonder what she will do when she perceives a threat from those of us who stand up for our Faith
    2. Talks of Impeachment for President Barak Obama in the aftermath of perceived threats to Americans’ Constitutional Right to possess and bear arms by the president and concerns that the president may be endangering the safety and wellbeing of American citizens
      1. stories floating about the internet that the RNC will consider President Obama impeachment proceedings–a resolution consisting of 48-criminal charges against the president (draft resolution)–aired on infowars.com–1/5/16
        1. Political Scientist and Lawyer Stephen Pidgeon contends
          1. the president has allowed or aided in the unabated and uncontrolled immigration of potential radical Islamics
          2. ObamaCare
          3. usurpation of the office of the president
          4. actionable identification fraud
          5. illegally deploying American troops
          6. Creating and funding terrorist groups such as ISIS–destabilizing Libya and Iraq and trafficking weapons to terrorist groups
          7. Using executive powers to threaten the right to possess and bear arms and belief by some that the president intends to gut the 2nd amendment
          8. illegal spying on members of Congress and other Western world leaders
        2. Lessons to be learned
          1. Our government, believed to have been originally founded upon Judeo-Christian principles, may not be that same government that we once trusted to protect us from all enemies foreign and domestic
          2. Our rights as a free people with certain inalienable rights may not continue and we must be prepared for the future. But I don’t believe it’s our fight–Father is still on the throne and His will shall be done. Our fight is for the Kingdom of Yahovah, the great commission and seeking after righteousness–Matt. 6:33
    3. Muslims engage in sexual terrorism across Europe–Infowars.com
      1. Middle Eastern Muslim men, who have migrated to Europe have been engaging in widespread rapes of European women and have demanded welfare throughout Europe
        1. The world’s attention related to this event has centered this week on the city of Cologne, Germany where the Police Chief was sacked over his handling (or lack thereof) of these assaults
        2. Some leaders have passed blame of these heinous attacks onto the victims of these rapes, sighting that maybe their dress causes the attacks
        3. The various affected law enforcement agencies have indicated that they are ill-equipped to address such widespread attacks
      2. Lessons to be learned
        1. Given stories that 1,000s of Muslim men are being allowed to enter this country with little to no accountability on the part of our government to track and control them, could such attacks happen here in this country?
        2. Are we poised for future terrorist attacks in this country?
        3. We must exercise caution and educate ourselves as to the dangers we may be facing. We must be cognizant to the fact that our government is likely not going to be of much help if and when radical Islamic activity occurs. Stay vigilant; be aware of your surroundings at all times; yet we must trust Yahovah in the end. Not to fear that which could happen. But we are told to be wise as serpents yet harmless as doves (Matt. 10:16). Father has the wherewithal to take care of us, especially when our government may not
  4. Hebrew Roots Ministry News
    1. Arthur Bailey Ministries and House of Israel--Arthur concluded his multi-series teaching on the Book of Galatians and is continuing to encourage support and participation in the Discipleship 101 Course
    2. Michael Rood and A Rood Awakening International--Shabbat Night Live Part 3 of Michael’s interview with Jim and Penny Caldwell on the Real Mount Sinai–highlight of the Mountain of God Conference held in the Aviv Moon Studios in December during Sukkot
      1. Michael still vacationing and working on material for future teachings
    3. Brad Scott and Wildbranch Ministries
      1. Port St. Joe, FL this weekend
      2. Phoenix City, AL–January 10th
      3. Costa Rica–21-31 January
      4. West TX, NM and AL–February
    4. Matthew Vander Els and Founded in Truth Ministries--3-Part Teaching entitled “You Sunk My Battleship”
      1. The number one thing that plagues believers today and prevents us from truly engaging with others about Y’shua is Battleship. In the game of Battleship, we are taught to hide our vulnerabilities and do our best to strike out at others. What is the end result when believers apply this strategy in everyday life?”
  5. Thoughts and Reflections on 7-Issues that will be of Great Importance to Rooters in 2016
I learned last Sabbath from a dear brother in our Faith that David Jesse, a fellow Rooter–he is described as a disciple, Christian Conference Speaker and Men’s Ministry Speaker and Author. He was the former Director of Strategic Relationships for Promise Keepers–may have incited some disturbance in the force–the Hebrew Roots force if you will. At least, that’s my perception. I will explain in just a second. But first a little background.
I first came to know about Mr. Jesse at the International Messianic Convention held in Rochester, N.Y. in 2014. I’ve known about Promise Keepers for many years and I was interested to hear why an executive of a traditional, fundamental Christian organization like Promise Keepers would be highlighted at this conference that featured Hebrew Roots speakers and teachers. David Jesse told us, a crowd of several hundred, his story and how he ultimately came to become a Hebrew Rooter. His story was compelling to me and from the hearing of his story, I accepted him as another brother in the Faith. I saw him also assuming somewhat of a leadership role in the Faith, which I believe is quite a big deal. You see, as I’ve said in a number of postings, our community is fragmented and we are not united. There is a ton of infighting and it would seem that our community seems to be focused upon just a small handful of teachers who hold great influence in our community. Yet, even in the ranks of these teachers there seems to be great disunity and attending this conference, I felt, was a start in the right direction.
Consequently, since hearing him at that conference in the Fall of 2014, I’ve not heard from or about David Jesse. I understood that he was in great demand in terms of speaking engagements throughout the country. Not hearing anything in over a year, I didn’t give much thought of him and his ministry and figured that he was out there doing his thing for the Kingdom and the Hebrew Roots Faith. But as a mentioned at the start of this reflection, I learned some news about Mr. Jesse that caused me great distress in my spirit. I was told that Mr. Jesse came out on the internet in support of believers keeping Christmas while slamming believers who believed that Christmas was of pagan origin. I was shocked and outraged by this news. I wanted to immediately get to the bottom of this allegation.
I did some digging around on the internet and found on his ministry’s website, several articles written by Mr. Jesse, indeed in support of Christmas keeping by believers. Initially I only read the brief summary of each post, too disgusted to subject myself to the entire content of each article addressing various aspects of Christmas. So, foolish me, I immediately responded to this discovery by posting a rant on my Facebook account, expressing my outrage over Mr. Jesse’s support of Christmas, despite him being a self-professing Hebrew Rooter holding significant influence in our community. In support of my position against Mr. Jesse’s contention that Christmas was good and should be kept by believers, I sighted Alexander Hislop’s book, “The Two Babylons,” the seminal piece on the pagan origins of much of Catholicism and the traditions that she has passed on to protestant Christianity. I believed, without reading the articles in their entirety that Mr. Jesse had not be introduced to Alexander’s Hislop’s work. Well, after my post on Facebook, I received replies from individuals who informed me that Mr. Jesse had actually referenced Hislop’s material in his posts and had strongly refuted Hislop’s claims that Christmas was of pagan origin. I also received a reply from a well known Hebrew Roots teacher who stated that Hislop’s work had been debunked by scholars long ago and that Hislop himself was deemed a fraud. Needless to say, I was pretty well banged up the replies to my Facebook rant, not knowing what I should do to satisfy my outrage over this issue now that I had been openly embarrassed by my lack of exercising due diligence to confirm the claims made against the man. I knew better. I know that it is up to us as true believers to be Berean-like in our efforts to defend the Kingdom and not to run off on flights of fancy based on my emotions. Churchianity is heavily influenced by emotions–that is, people making an emotional decision to become a Christian. But as Hebrew Rooters, our decision to follow Y’shua Messiah is based upon the truth of Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit; sound teaching and commonsense. We cannot be found being led by our emotions. It has the potential of getting us in trouble, as I very well experienced.
So I decided to go back to Mr. Jesse’s site and carefully read each article and see exactly what Mr. Jesse’s position really is. As true believers, we must have open minds and hearts and be willing to hear every brother or sister out. It is then up to us to go back to the books and determine whether or not that which those brothers and sisters bring us is indeed supported by Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Since reading Mr. Jesse’s posts on the subject of believers keeping Christmas, I have found some disturbing things that I am compelled to address, despite the fact that Christmas has now come and gone some 2-weeks now. But I have been called, through this forum, to tell the truth as it relates to our Faith, and that’s what I intend to do. So, beginning next Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections, I will conduct a postmortem examination on Mr. David S. Jesse’s series in support of Believers keeping and celebrating Christmas. I plan to do this in the spirit of what Mr. Jesse contends throughout his posts on this subject–using sound academic and biblical references. So, once again, the Grace and the Law series has been put on temporary hold pending my completing this examination on Mr. Jesse’s posts on Christmas. I’m sorry if you were looking forward to completing this series in the coming weeks. But I am absolutely compelled to deal with this issue. Why? As I stated earlier, Mr. Jesse and others like him have significant influence within and outside our community. I feel that we must be on guard and be willing to defend our Faith against those who would come with doctrines, beliefs and traditions that fly contrary to the teachings of Scripture and Father’s Torah, and attempt to sway the less-grounded of us to follow those wrong and errant doctrines, beliefs and traditions. I cannot let this go. Some may condemn me for taking on this thing and I get that. Some brothers and sisters in community feel that we must be united and accepting of each other’s beliefs and positions on various issues affecting our Faith. I’m in favor of not splitting hairs and debating navels on non-salvation issues such as the name of Yahovah or the use of the Biblical Calendar. However, when individuals in our Faith elect to persuade others in our community to follow their errant belief systems, I take exception to it. You see, I don’t care if you choose to celebrate Christmas–that’s your business. I’ve met many people who are self-professing Hebrew Rooters who continue to celebrate Christmas, eat bacon and shop and work on the Sabbath, and I’ve determined that that’s their business. We are all on respective journeys at varying levels of maturity in the Faith and it’s not my place to judge you or take you to task for those things that you do that are contrary to the tenets of our Faith. I do believe, however, that I must say something when individuals try to get me and others in our community to follow them down into the muck and mire of secular and pagan-based Christian life. Torah clearly tells us NOT to follow the ways of the pagan nor are we to inquire about them. (References: Deut. 5:7: 6:14; 8:19; 13:6-18) Furthermore, we were instructed to NOT tolerate those who would entice or encourage others to follow them into pagan worship and lifestyles. Father was quite adamant about this and because Father cared so much about this, we must also care. Just saying.
Hebrew Roots is not supposed to be that “give me that old time religion,” feel good religion that most of us came out of weeks, months and years ago. It’s hard and it is not an easy walk. We must face this reality before it’s too late. As much as we may want to be united in our Faith, I’m afraid that as long as the fundamentals of our Faith are challenged, there will always be conflict and division. We can not stand for error that serves only to divide our Faith. The Master (not Paul) said:
34 ¶ Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (Mat 10:34-39 KJV)
I’m apologizing in advance for those who may be put off by this examination, but at the same time, I’m not apologetic of doing what I know is right. I’m more sorry that we have to deal with this at this stage of our journeys. So, next week, I’ll begin my postmortem examination of Mr. Jesse’s postings in support of Believers keeping Christmas. I hope you’ll join me. I intend to make it worth your while.
But for this week, and before we get too much more into January and into 2016, I wanted us to look at 7-issues that I believe will be of great importance to us Rooters in 2016. As you may have observed, I have an affinity–a true love for world news, especially news that points to what I see as the End Times and that may have some impact on us as Torah Observant Disciples of Y’shua Messiah. These 7-issues will not be given in any specific order. I would assert that each issue is an issue within itself and has just as much importance as the other six.
  1. If you do a Google search of the most important issues facing Americans in 2016, our very own U.S. Government is near, if not at, the top of the list of issues
    1. The President in particular, the inept Republican and Democratic Congress, coupled with the liberal news media in 2015 seemed to be working in concert to marginalize the threat of Radical Islam while demonizing Christians. It appears that 2016 will be no different. I would even submit to you, that unless the citizens of this country wake up to the injustices being perpetrated by members of our government who are being supported by the liberal news media, and the citizenry demands change, 2016 may turn out to be the worse year on record for Christians
      1. Fairness (Islamists vs Christians)
      2. Faults of Christianity are constantly being thrown in the Christian’s face–such as the Crusades
      3. Race relationships
        1. White men are being demonized throughout
        2. Political correctness is stifling our free speech and ability to function as a free society
        3. Radical groups such as Black Lives Matter are disrupting communities and demanding attention; threatening the safety of many
        4. Peaceful Muslims residing in this country are in danger of being targeted by members of society as fear of terrorism grips the nation
        5. Jews are being kicked to the curb as their safety and well-being is left to chance
      4. Links to home grown terrorists in the name of Christ and U.S. patriotism
      5. The whole gun control and concerns over gutting the 2nd Amendment are often linked to ultra conservative Christian groups who advocate God, Family, Country and the right to own and bear arms
      6. Countless instances of governmental bias against Christians and Christian groups
        1. IRS scandal denying 501c3 status
        2. People in positions of authority fired from their jobs for exercising their right to free speech and living out their Faith as we saw demonstrated in the Gay and Lesbian Union issue this past year
        3. Fines and legal rulings against Christians who reject Gay and Lesbian Unions in their talk and in their acts
      7. Christians targeted for execution by radical Islamists while our government calls these instances of violence workplace violence, which us also used as another reason to ban guns in the U.S. We saw this demonstrated in the San Bernardino California massacre just last month
  2. Radical Islamic Terrorism
    1. Unbridled immigration will ultimately lead to instances of terrorism as we are seeing in Europe
    2. Excessive accommodations being made for Islamists in the name of political correctness and compassion. The President went on record stating that we as a country are afraid of widows and orphans coming in to this country from these war-torn areas of the Middle East, essentially demonizing any who would have concerns over allowing in to this country those who would commit terrorist acts. Yet image after image on the internet and even in mainstream news forums show that military age men are outnumbering the so-called widows and orphans by leaps and bounds
      1. In Europe, these orphans and widows are running rampant in the streets and raping and pillaging the citizens
    3. Our government is unprepared to handle this onslaught of immigrants and have no way to keep track of them once they are released into American society
  3. Gun Control
    1. The Obama Administration appears poised to gut the 2nd Amendment that gives U.S. citizens the right to own and bear arms
      1. First ObamaCare; 2nd Gay and Lesbian Unions; 3rd gutting the 2nd amendment regarding guns; what’s next? Our right to practice our religion and free speech?
    2. If our government will disarm its citizens, they will completely control them
    3. Such an act to remove guns from Americans will make every citizen vulnerable to intruders who possess the guns and the U.S. government who will assert total control over masses.
  4. Political Correctness
    1. Creating tensions between the races that will inevitably lead to race wars if not tempered
    2. Silence is golden when it comes to anything having to do with one’s culture or another culture and race
    3. Form of witchcraft–control of the masses–the enemy must be behind this
  5. Apathy Towards and Within our Faith
    1. As a Faith and Community, we tend to be pretty docile and uncaring about the things of the world
    2. We don’t even care about practicing the tenets of our Faith as we violate Torah at every turn
    3. We avoid fellowships and stay within the confines of our homes
    4. The cares of life overtake us and we move Yahovah down to the bottom of the list of priorities in our lives
    5. We are disobedient and we don’t honor Father–like Israel and Judah of old
  6. Biblical Illiteracy
    1. Ignorance of the Bible remains an epidemic in our Faith as no one takes to time to study their Bibles
      1. We rely on preachers and teachers to tell us what the Bible says
      2. We don’t invest in our eternal calling, but chose to make up our own rules to life because the Bible is too difficult to understand and no one is in agreement as to what we are suppose to do
      3. Preachers and teachers are teaching various forms of the gospel
      4. Sects within Hebrew Roots are growing in number because we refuse to learn what thus saith the Lord for ourselves and thus we seek out the sect that best fits our personal preferences
  7. Conflict Within Our Rooter Community
    1. Infighting between teachers
    2. Infighting between rooters
      1. knit picky squabble over non-salvation issues
      2. excessive focu on the nuances of Torah and teachings of Shaul, but little on the teachings and instructions given to us by our Master Y’shua HaMashiyach
    3. Hebrew Rooter leaders teaching a gospel that is not the true gospel and leading members of the community down a path of destruction
    4. Losing ground to fundamental Churchianity, Catholicism and Islam because we can’t get our collective acts together

Grace-God’s Sovereignty or Man’s Free Will–Part 11 of the Grace and the Law Series–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 41

by | Jan 1, 2016 | Podcasts

Grace–God’s Sovereignty or Man’s Free Will

Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 41–Part 11 in the Grace and the Law Series

 

  1. Opening Scripture– 12 ¶ And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;  13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.  14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 1  15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.  16 Rejoice evermore.  17 Pray without ceasing.  18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  19 Quench not the Spirit.  20 Despise not prophesyings.  21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.  22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.  23 ¶ And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.  (1Th 5:12-24 KJV)
  2. Greetings and welcome–so much going on in the world that is bringing to this world a sense of uneasiness that has not been known in times past. Yahovah is still on the throne and we are His chosen ones. It’s up to us to adhere to our unique calling to be His representatives in this dark and evil world

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  1. Calendar
    1. 18th day of the 10th Biblical Month
    2. Christmas has passed and New Years day is here
  2. Commentary–Tough Week in 2015
  3. Teachings and DVD Review
    1. “Exploring Arabia’s Sinai”–A Multi-Media Presentation by Jim and Penny Caldwell–http://splitrockresearch.org
      1. Dr. Sung Hak Kim–physician to the Saudi Throne and avid explorer and Christian believer
      2. Dr. Miles Jones–PhD and founder of Jones’ Geniuses–linguist–expert in ancient language writings
      3. Dr. Lennart Moller–Professor of Medical Sciences in Stockholm Sweden and author of the book The Exodus Case
      4. The real Mount Sinai is in modern Saudi Arabia
      5. Thousands of artifacts litter the desert floor (e.g., arrow heads, sling rocks, grinding stones)
      6. The Rock at Rephidim; Mount Sinai, the altar of the Golden Calf, the 12-pillars, evidence of a mass grave site
      7. The Bedouins acknowledge that Mountain and the region was likely inhabited by Hebrews
      8. Must consult ancient maps of the region to get a full understanding and disclosure of the wandering sites
      9. The Bible account of the Exodus and our wanderings in the wilderness appear to be fully supported by the Caldwell’s and other’s findings
      10. Jim Caldwell, worked for a Saudi Oil Company as an engineer and in the 90’s was led by inspiration and a vision to locate the real Mount Sinai. The Caldwell’s story is nothing short of miraculous as time and time again, their journey takes unimagined turns and their findings are nothing short of astounding
      11. They present countless proofs to support their assertions
      12. Split Rock Research Foundation–P.O. Box 6586, Diamondhead, MS (www.splitrockresearch.org)
    2. “When the Brimstone Hits the Fan–a Few Last Minute Instructions”–by Michael Rood
      1. Retells our story at Mount Sinai where Yahovah asked us: “Will you be my people and obey my commandments? Without knowing the fine-print of the contract? Before we know the fine-print will you follow me?”
      2. Y’shua tells us the bottom line–pick up your cross and follow Him. The details of the contract are found, however, in our journey
      3. We were told to purify ourselves and prepare to receive Yahovah for 3-days
      4. The 10-commandments were/are an outline. It is condensed by Y’shua by the 2-commandments of Love Yahovah and Love neighbor
      5. Yom Teruah is the day Yahovah shouted down to us from Mount Sinai His commandments
        1. the rabbis changed Day of Trumpets into Rosh haShanah
      6. Anyone that adds to or takes away from the commandments of Yahovah is a false prophet
      7. Religion is the broad path that leads to destruction
      8. “The Safest Place for us to be is in the will of Yahovah.” Michael Rood
  4. World News
    1. CNN Republican Presidential Debate
      1. confusion as to the correct course this country should take related to Syria, ISIS, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Russia
        1. One wants an isolationist approach
        2. One wants to confront Russia
        3. One wants full out war with ISIS
      2. Constant bickering and backstabbing
      3. No substantive discussion on the issues facing our nation
      4. Yahovah and His way of life for mankind is left out of the discussion–the reason why no one has the true answer to how this country can come out of the darkness and into the light
    2. More information is emerging that our government may have been funding and supporting the radical Islamic Terrorist Group ISIS
    3. Exhausts from aircraft leaving chem-trails may be complicit in destroying our environment
  5. Main Content–Grace–God’s Sovereignty or Man’s Free Will?
  • Pelagius versus St. Augustine of Hippo debate
    • Pelagius (360-418 CE)—a British ascetic moralist—held that men had free will and were able to choose good from evil—man had within him that power to do good—to convert themselves from sin by their own power; and work out their salvation. He held that men have the ability to achieve moral perfection
      • Asceticism has to do with the abstinence from worldly pleasures for purposes of pursuing spiritual goals. Frugality/denial of physical pleasures/fasting are common to ascetics
      • Free will comes into the equation when we debate whether man has the ability to reject evil and live righteous lives
    • St. Augustine (11/13/354-8/28/430 CE—theologian, philosopher, Bishop of Hippo which is modern Algeria) believed the burden suggested by Pelagius of man is a burden too great to bear. He believed that man is incapable of redeeming himself via his/her own efforts. The original sin extinguished God’s grace in men’s souls and no matter how righteous men conduct themselves, their virtue could never make them holy before God. Man is a “massa peccati” or mass of sin and thus are incapable of endowing themselves with grace as a glass is incapable of filling itself with liquid. St. Augustine would not dismiss the concept of men’s free will, but felt man lacked true freedom to avoid sin; for sin is inherit in man. It is God’s sovereign choice to extend His grace to us that salvation is possible
  • Pelagianism was rejected by the Catholic Church after the Council of Carthage (417 CE) condemned it as a result of Augustine’s insistence
  • The debate did not die at the Council of Carthage however. The debate between free will and God’s absolute sovereignty reared its head as a result of the protestant reformation (aka the Reformation). Recall that the Reformation was a schism from the Roman Catholic Church initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin, Huldrych Zwingli and other early Protestant Reformers in the 16th century CE
    • In response to Protestant objections aimed at Roman Catholicism, the Church Triumphant felt compelled to establish orthodoxy in many of her positions. Included in this discussion was establishing a position on grace and justification that would be distinguished from the Protestant view on grace and justification
    • Justification and sanctification are seen as elements of the same process according to the Catholic Church
        • The establishing of orthodoxy as it related to grace and justification took place at the Council of Trent in 1547
      • The council determined that Christ’s Passion bestows upon the Catholic “the grace of justification—this comes without any merits on the part of the person being justified—it is only through the grace of God that man is able to cooperate. But when one commits a mortal sin, that grace of justification is lost. That grace, however, can/may be restored by the sacrament of Penance”
  • What was the Protestant’s position on grace? We now turn towards Calvinism—the foundation of much of the Protestant Reformation
        • The 5-Points of Calvinism stood in stark contrast to the doctrine of Grace and Justification that the Roman Catholic Church developed and made orthodox at the Council of Trent. The 5-points spell out an acrostic and are as follows:
  • Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin)–Total depravity declares that man is dead in sin—that (1) man is cursed because of sin; (2) that he is actuated (controlled) by wrong principles; (3) that he is wholly unable to love God or do anything meriting salvation. Consequently, “there is a moral inability which paralyzes him”
  • Unconditional Election–Unconditional Election holds that God predetermined everything that would ever happen long beforehand. “Without anything commendable in themselves, some people have been chosen by God to come to Christ and be saved—done before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4) and certainly before they were born or had done anything good or bad (Rom. 9:11)—the elect were known to God and were chosen by His free and sovereign grace.” The reformed affirm that God elects some to salvation “unconditionally”—this falls within the realm of God’s sovereignty (Rom. 9:20, 21)  God prepared certain people “for destruction” (Rom. 9:22) Thus God “ordains the condemnation of the reprobate not only to show forth His justice and wrath but also to display His mercy and grace to us who equally deserve hell but receive salvation instead” Those who are elect can not boast when he/she realizes that their salvation is in spite of their utter unworthiness and solely because of God’s sovereign grace? Thus he or she must lay their pride and self-reliance low. Thus we must possess a humble heart. Unconditional election promotes holiness and not license. Holiness is the believer’s ultimate goal and point of our salvation—Eph. 1:4. Holiness is the distinct mark of the elect (1 The. 4:3). Holiness must be our priority
  • Limited Atonement (also known as Particular Atonement)–Limited Atonement holds that Messiah’s atoning sacrifice was intended for the elect only.  “Calvinist believe the atonement is limited in scope but unlimited in effect: it effectually saves the elect.”
  • Irresistible Grace–Irresistible Grace holds that the atoning work of Y’shua is applied to the elect by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Reformists see 2 different distinct kinds of calls: (1) the general call of Messiah offered to the world and all peoples (Mat. 11:28; Joh. 7:37) which because of man’s depraved state, no one answers this call by his or her own volition for no one can (Joh. 6:44; Mat. 19:26); (2) the effectual call is an inward call of regeneration of those who respond in faith and grace enables the individual to answer the call and embrace Messiah. Some would contend that the only way to explain Matthew’s automatic/instant response to the call of Y’shua is Irresistible Grace—thus Matthew was able to respond to the call in faith and underwent a change of heart so that he was compelled to do so.  Act 13:48—as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. Joh 10:27—My sheep hear my voice…and they follow me—”it is by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit in irresistible grace that the elect hear Messiah’s voice and follow”
  • Perseverance of the Saints (also known as Once Saved Always Saved)–Perseverance of the Saints (Phil. 1:6) holds that “Those who are saved by grace must continue in faith until the end. Save once and for all when persevering in the faith and in obedience to Christ. God’s preserving grace ensures the perseverance of His own—God always finishes what He starts, especially the salvation of His people
  • Today, Churchianity owes much of her understanding of Grace to these 5-points of Calvin, although rarely if ever does one actually hear the term Calvinism used to explain Christianity’s view on Grace. The simple fact that a believer in Christ has no skin in the game of “salvation” and “eternal life” and “holiness” and “sanctification” clearly shows a biased towards Calvinism. Thus, there is no need for the believer to adhere to the tenets of Torah because everything is in the hands of Jesus Christ who sends the 3rd Person of the Trinity to form us into the image of Christ. And it is because of our sinful nature and totally depraved state, we are unable to keep the Laws of God. It is for this reason, in great part, that Christ came to redeem us—He kept the Law perfectly so that we don’t have to
  • So the line was set between Catholicism and the Reformed Church or Protestantism—at least it would seem that it had. But for the Catholic Church, the issue had not been fully settled and sectors of the Catholic Church adopted Calvinistic principles as it related to their views on grace and justification and how they lived out their lives.
  • The Jansenists—that Wikipedia defines as a Catholic French theological movement of the 1600’s—focused upon the issue of original sin, human depravity, the necessity of divine grace and predestination. The movement was founded upon the works of a Dutch Theologian by the name of Cornelius Jansen
    • The Catholic Church hierarchy and the Jesuits opposed the Jansenist movement, asserting the group had an affinity towards “Calvinism.” In fact, Pope Innocent X condemned Jansenism as heresy in 1653 CE
      • The Jansenists counterparts were the Puritans
    • The Jansenists believed themselves to be members of a separated or gathered church called out of society and tasked with leading lives of greater spiritual intensity. Jansenism was seen as a style common to ascetic circles. Like their counterparts, the Puritans, the Jansenists saw themselves as the “gathered church called out of worldly society.” They were banded together into institutions such as the Port-Royal convents with the distinct purpose of leading lives of greater spiritual intensity
  • Interestingly enough, the Catholic Church back in the day and even today is not united on the issue of grace and sanctification.
  • The Orthodox Church, also known as the Eastern Orthodox Church or the Orthodox Catholic Church or simply Eastern Orthodoxy—sees grace as the uncreated “Energies of God.” The so-called Holy Mysteries or more commonly referred to as the sacraments of the Church, are viewed as a means of partaking of the divine grace as God works through His Church
  • The Roman Catholic Church came up with 7-sacraments at the Council of Trent. The Eastern Churches in contrast have never defined the sacraments or Mysteries in such precise terms. The Eastern Church defines the sacraments as: “those holy acts through which the Holy Spirit mysteriously and invisibly confers Grace (the saving power of God) upon man.” (Archpriest Serephim Slobodskoy)
  • Instead of listing just 7-sacraments, as does Roman Catholicism, the Eastern Church list 7 sacred mysteries, but asserts that the mysteries are not limited to just these 7. These 7 are:
  • Eucharist (the Lord’s supper)
  • Baptism
  • Confirmation
  • Confession (Penance, reconciliation)
  • Marriage
  • Ordination
  • Unction (anointing the sick)
  • Note: the Eastern Catholic Church is the 2nd largest Christian Church in the world according to Wikipedia
  • It has some 225 to 300 million adherents around the world
  • It is one of the oldest religious institutions in the world
  • She believes it is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church that was established by Jesus Christ, practicing what she believes to be the original faith that was passed down from the Apostles
  • As it relates to grace, Eastern Orthodoxy believes it’s not about following specific legalistic rules; that grace is the working of God Himself; that grace is not a created substance nor a commodity
  • There is no distinction between mortal and venial sins
  • There is no doctrine of purgatory
    • There is a tradition of purification after death and prayers offered for the dead however. This one issue resulted in the so-called Great Schism between that occurred between Orthodox and Rome
  • There is no Treasury of Merit (such that righteousness may be transferred from a sanctified person to a sinful person)
  • There is an emphasis on the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian
  • She maintains ascetic disciplines such as fasting and prayer (2-days weekly minimum and before receiving communion) as a means of spiritual discipline to help reduce one’s susceptibility to temptation and to exercise self-control; to avoid being enslaved to one’s passions and desires

Music by DanO Music

Resources:

Wikipedia

What’s so Great About Grace by Richard D. Phillips

Falling into Idolatry and Paganism–Torah Living Daily Challenge 34

by | Dec 23, 2015 | Blog, Podcasts

Falling into Idolatry and Paganism

Torah Living Daily Challenge 34


Deut. 13:13-19 speaks to the destruction of those people and places that are considered heretical and that follow after pagan gods and practice paganism. We live in a secular society, far different than the theocratic governmental system that we resided under at the time Torah was written and when we inhabited the Land of Canaan. This passage of Torah commands that we utterly destroy those cities and their inhabitants that insist upon following after paganism and that turn away from worship of Yahovah. Many in the secular world and even in Churchianity have rejected Yahovah and assigned descriptors and titles to our Creator that malign His character. The contention of these individuals is that the God of the Old Testament was mean and vicious and lacked even the slightest amount of compassion. I recall having a rather frank conversation with my previous boss who claimed to be a devout Christian and she held some of these same feelings to toward the Christian God. She indicated that she much preferred Jesus as the God of the New Testament over the God of the Old Testament, who better exhibited the desirable traits of compassion, love and hope. She saw the God of the Old Testament as judgmental and an executioner of uncompromising justice, which didn’t quite fit her ideal concept of God. (Funny thing, however, she admired the concept of uncompromising judgment which she sought to practice in our office in terms of keeping the staff in line, but if those who she targeted would submit to her evangelistic efforts towards them, she would show absolute compassion, love and forgiveness.)

Unfortunately, we as humans, especially in the West, feel compelled to apply Western sensibility and humanistic thinking to how we believe the Creator of the Universe should operate, which is a fatal error on our part. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that we are not like God from the standpoint of character and understanding and sensibility. His ways are higher than ours. His ways are different than ours. We can not always comprehend why He does what He does or see things the way He sees them. So we must stop trying to force Yahovah to fit into our pre-conceived Westernized-humanistic paradigms and ideals. The Prophet Isaiah said it best when he wrote: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” says Yahovah. “As high as the sky is above the earth are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts…” (Isaiah 55:8, 9 CJB)

Paganism #1

This particular commandment, according to Rabbinic tradition, we never followed nor obeyed, and the excuse given was that there might be a mezuzah in that city that had emblazoned upon it the sacred name of our God, and we are commanded to never destroy the Name of God. This was a bastardization of the mitzvah given in Deuteronomy 12:3, 4 which reads: “Break down their altars, smash their standing-stones to pieces, burn up their sacred poles completely and cut down the carved images of their gods. Exterminate their name from that place. But you are not to treat Yahovah your God this way.” (CJB) Consequently and sadly, this commandment was wrongly carried out by the Catholic Church’s Crusaders throughout the Church’s terribly bloody and blasphemous years, with seeming joy and unbridled gusto, as the Church sanctioned the destruction and death of any that they deemed were heretical (e.g., 1097 in Pelagonia in Macedon and in the 1200s when 20,000 Albigenses residing in Southern France were entirely wiped out by these terribly misguided hordes and muscle of the papacy.) (Hertz)

Since we no longer reside under a theocracy, we are compelled to abide by the laws of the land in which we inhabit, in so much that we are not forced to violate the tenets of our Faith. Rav Shaul (aka the Apostle Paul) wrote to that great Messianic Assembly in Rome: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from Yahovah, and those that exist have been instituted by Yahovah.” (Rom. 13:1 ESV) Prior to this chapter, Paul simply wrote: “If it be possible, as far as depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (Rom. 12:18 NAS) This being the case, the commandment to destroy those cities and their inhabitants that would fall into paganism, I believe, must be viewed and obeyed by us today from a spiritual perspective. Those individuals and groups and places that adhere to paganism and that encourage us to follow suit, we must absolutely avoid and reject. As this commandment was given to us when Father was our absolute leader as we stood as one people and as His nation, it should be commonsense that we can not carry out this mitzvah in this day and age, nor should we ever conceive to do so. Yahovah is not the God of this country nor is He the God of any of the other countries and nations of this world. Unfortunately, the world has its god, but He’s not Yahovah. Paul wrote to the Corinthian Assembly: “in whose case the god of this world (hasatan) has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Messiah, who is the image of Yahovah.” (2 Cor. 4:4) Yahovah attempted to accomplish making us a nation that answered directly and solely to Him (that is, He attempted to be the absolute God over our nation back in the day) but we rejected Him at every turn and He finally left us to fend for ourselves amongst the other nations of this world. It is only through His grace, mercy, long-suffering and purpose that He has allowed the nations that we currently reside in to remain intact, but He Himself is not directly over us as a nation. The nations of the World do not follow His Torah nor have they consented and given over their existence to Yahovah. The nations of this world are outside the direct governance of the Most High. It will not be until Y’shua HaMashiyach comes to establish His Millennial Kingdom on this planet and restore that absolute theocracy that should have existed at the beginning, that this and other similar commandments will be restored and reenacted.

The Great Commission #1

There are those, however, in remote areas of Christianity that take this and other similar mitzvot to heart, condemning people, governments and nations that do not follow their concept of the Christian God. These small pockets of extremists are what our government has labeled as “home grown terrorists” and these individuals have waged war against the West in the name of their God. Their God is NOT Yahovah. Be that all the same, however, these individuals plot the demise of sectors of our society citing such passages of Torah. These individuals suffer from a terrible case of Bible illiteracy and they obviously do not possess a true relationship with the Creator of the Universe. If they were properly versed in Scripture and possessed a true relationship with the Most High, they would realize that their focus must be on that which our Master instructed us: to seek the kingdom of Yahovah and His righteousness. Seeking the Kingdom of Yahovah does not in any shape or form involve murder, destruction and hatred, which these sorely misguided individuals clearly encourage, advocate and support. As Hebrew Rooters, we must never identify ourselves with such thinking, and especially we must never identify ourselves with such groups. Our purpose is the Great Commission and the seeking after of the Kingdom of Yahovah and His righteousness. (Matt. 6:33) Such passages of Torah as we’ve just looked at that command that we destroy those in our society that fall into paganism, do not apply to us at this time. We have a new mission which is the Kingdom of God and the Gospel Commission.

So what does that Commission and Seeking out the Kingdom look like? The Commission simply put is going forth and making disciples for Y’shua Messiah. (Matt. 28:19) We may accomplish this through various means: direct one-on-one and group evangelism as the Spirit provides the leading and opportunities; and working in the background and in support of those Hebrew Roots ministries that are out there in the trenches doing the work of the Gospel. We can provide these ministries our physical labor, correspondence abilities, prayer, use of our personal talents to support the ministry and providing them financial support. Seeking the Kingdom is simply living and walking out this Faith of ours. Our Commission and the seeking out of the Kingdom work hand-in-hand and if we do it properly, with all our hearts, minds, and souls, we always be pretty darn busy. Indeed, the fields are ripe for the harvest, but there are so few of us in this, the true Faith once delivered, to do the work—to get the job done. We must work while it is still day. At the same time, we must not allow ourselves to become distracted by all the crazy talk that surrounds our Faith and calls out to us to devote time, effort and gray matter that we really can’t afford to spend on matters that are not of Yahovah and not that which we’ve been tasked to focus on by our Master. And let us not get caught up in hateful and hairsplitting and pointless conversation that takes up so much valuable time. I’ve come into contact with those who advocate Orthodox Messianic Judaism and have all but separated themselves from the rest of our community. These individuals will spend their days arguing the minutia of Torah and engage in arguments with others on social media and emails and via websites that only cause schisms between the members of our community. Still there are others who are caught up in other culturally based groups (e.g., black Judaism or whatever else it’s actually called) and these groups and people spend inordinate amounts of time fighting and squabbling with one another over issues and topics and subjects that mean absolutely nothing as it relates to the Commission and the mission we were given by Master and that was to seek after the Kingdom of Yahovah and His righteousness and to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19) These rabbit holes of culturalism and religion split and separate us as a community. Unfortunately, I’m afraid we must kick those brothers and sisters off to the curb if they are not willing to listening to Biblical and sound reasoning. It’s not worth engaging them further. Just let them waste their days in arguments with other self-consumed individuals and at the end of the day, these individuals will be just as lost as they were when they first came into knowledge of the Faith once delivered. These individuals are in effect squandering the gift that was given to them by our heavenly Father and eventually their lamp stands will be removed from the midst of the other standing lamp stands.

Let us take this spiritual lesson that is contained in this portion of Torah and reject those people and their godless teachings that serve to lead us away from the true Faith once delivered. Instead of getting caught up in the hype and noise that seems to be taking much of our Hebrew Roots community by storm these days (in one form or another), let us hearken to the voice of Yahovah; let us keep all the commandments of Yahovah that we reasonably can keep today; and let us do that which is right in the eyes of Yahovah our Elohim. (Deut. 13:19) Let us seek to please our Father and become worthy examples to the world of the type of men and women He is seeking and separating out from the 7-billion souls on this planet, to be His chosen ones who will ultimately become His kings and priests to this world.

The Real Hanukkah Story–Torah Living Daily Challenge 33

by | Dec 10, 2015 | Podcasts

The Real Hanukkah Story

Torah Living Daily Challenge 33

The true story and meaning of Hanukkah is encapsulated and recorded for posterity sake—praise Yahovah for that!—in the Maccabean Revolt or movement that occurred between the rise to power of Antiochus IV—surnamed Epiphanes–about the year 175 BCE to the death of Simon Maccabeus (also referred to as Simon Thassi) about the year 135 BCE.

Our Faith’s heritage is rich in so many facets, especially in regards to our Faith’s history. The story of Hanukkah as derived from the Maccabean Revolt is rich, not only in terms of its historical content and inspiration, but also in its spiritual application. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Messianic Assembly in Rome: “For everything written in the past was written to teach us, so that with the encouragement of the Tanakh we might patiently hold on to our hope.” (Rom. 15:4 CJB) And I believe that the record of the Maccabean Revolt in part took place and was subsequently recorded in the Books of 1st and 2nd Maccabees for our learning, just as Rav Shaul wrote, despite these books at some point being tagged as “non-inspired” by our so-called Church Fathers. Unfortunately, Churchianity has rejected pretty much most things that are of Hebrew and Jewish origin, for whatever reasons, much to their own spiritual misfortune.

Hanukkah 1

But thank Yahovah in all His infinite mercies and wisdom and compassion, He has handed down to us a gem—a treasure—in the form of the sacred and historical books of the bible and the so-called non-inspired books, for our learning and reference. The books of the Maccabees are considered “apocryphal”—apocryphal or apocrypha referring to works or writings of unknown authorship or of questionable authenticity. The apocryphal books of the Old Testament period, interestingly enough, are not considered inspired and are not included in the Tanakh’s canon (listing of authorized-inspired books), but were included in the Septuagint—the Greek version of the Tanakh. The term “apocrypha” is derived from the Latin term “apocryphus,” which translates as “secret” or “non-canonical;” the Greek term is “apokryphos,” which translates similarly as “obscure” or to “hide away.” (Wikipedia)

We know that the Books of the Maccabees and the other apocryphal books were at one time considered and included in the Christian or Catholic Bible—primarily deemed canonical by Jerome and subsequently Martin Luther. Although the apocryphal books were contained in a separate section of the Bible, they were nonetheless viewed as Scripture by the Church Fathers of old. According to Kingjamesbibleonline.com, the apocryphal books were part of the King James Bible for some 274-years, until they were removed in 1885 from Protestant Bibles. These apocryphal books, also referred to as deuterocanonical books, are still today found in Catholic Bibles.

Hanukkah 2

The true Hanukkah story is contained in the apocryphal books of 1st and 2nd Maccabees. The main characters of this inspiring story are Simon Maccabeus and his brothers Judas and Jonathan of the same surname. But it was a Jewish Priest (aka Cohen) by the name of Mattathias ben Johanan who sparked the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid/Greek Empire of Antiochus Epiphanes when he took the most aggressive of stands against pagan influences over his people and the Hebrew Faith. It was that aggressive stand by Mattathias and the subsequent battles waged in a war against the Seleucid empire’s armies—the Jewish war waged by the Maccabean brothers and their ragtag army of devoted soldiers in a David-versus-Goliath-like series of events that saved our heritage from extinction and brought glory and honor to Yahovah our God.

References:

Denis Otero

Wikipedia

“Apocrypha” by Matthew A. Misbach

kingjamesbibleonline.com