Following Messiah

There are those who claim to be Christian that are involved in fornication, pornography, divination, are alcoholics and drug addicts, are idolaters, and their are even those who claim to be Christian that are homosexuals, etc.  These people are deceived.  They are on their way to hell and are comforted by the false prophets that tell them they can continue in their sin or that they have time to get right with Yahweh because Messiah Yeshua will not return for awhile.  They do not believe Yeshua can return at any moment - they are deceived into believing a false "rapture date" prophecy by those who are involved in kabbalah and other forms of divination forbidden by Yahweh or they are deceived into thinking Yeshua's return is not near enough for them to be concerned about.

Messiah Yeshua gave the parable of the ten virgins:  five who were faithful and kept their lamps full of oil by abiding in Yeshua, the Root, and partaking of His goodness bearing good fruit for Him (olive branches / olives / olive oil for lamps) and the five foolish who may have abided in Yeshua for awhile and fell away only believing they were still abiding in Yeshua.  They ran out of oil because they no longer bore good fruit to keep their lamps full of oil (olives / olive oil)

Romans 11
16  For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
17  And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18  Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19  Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
20  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22  Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23  And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
24  For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

You "buy" your olive oil (Holy Spirit) by giving your life to Messiah Yeshua.  You cannot purchase it with money or by good works.  You must give your life to Him and accept Him as Messiah (Lord AND Savior) of your life.

Matthew 10:38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Matthew 25
1  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Accepting Yeshua as your Lord, Master, and Savior means you submit and obey Him.  If you do not obey, then you are not following Him regardless of what you claim with your lips.

Matthew 15
8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

The apostle Paul said we were to judge those who claim to be brothers who are involved in sin  and leave the judging of unbelievers to Yahweh - the exact OPPOSITE of what most professing Christians do:

1 Corinthians 5
9  I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10  Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11  But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13  But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

There are false "christians" who slander and manipulate others and lie about those who follow Messiah.  Yeshua said they would.  Before you judge someone, you need to check out the facts and judge righteously otherwise you will be judged by Yahweh according to your own unrighteous standards. These evildoers are greedy dogs who want a following for their selves and their false beliefs.

Matthew 5
10  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Many people are deceived by these wolves because the wolves tell them what they want to hear - including false rapture dates and false prophecies.  Anyone who accepts the malicious manipulation and slander from their "pastors" or "fellowship leaders" are following a wolf and they are in danger of hell fire.  They are in rebellion against Yahweh and are not Messiah Yeshua's sheep.

Isaiah 30
9  That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
10  Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

2 Timothy 4
3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Most Christians believe they belong to Messiah Yeshua because they "said a prayer and asked Jesus into their heart" at one time or another.  Many of these people are deceived and will be told by Yeshua to "get lost, I never knew you" because they did not obey what Yahweh said.  Obedience is better than sacrifice to Yahweh yet many claim that obedience is "works".  Yeshua clearly distinguished the difference of obeying Yahweh (which is expected) and doing things (works) "for Him" and He also made it clear that obedience is better (and is expected by Yeshua) than "works"

1 Samuel 15
22  And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, ^obedience= to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
23  For ^{disobedience=} rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Matthew 7
21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that ^{obedience =}  doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, ^works= have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: ^{punishment for disobedience=} depart from me, ye that work iniquity. ^G458

Strong's number G458 iniquity (transliterated as anomia)  :
anomia
1) the condition of without law
     a) because ignorant of it
     b) because of violating it
2) contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness

Messiah Yeshua clearly said if we are His, we will OBEY what Yahweh said.  If you twist the words of the apostle Paul to make the claim we do not have to obey Yahweh then you are rejecting what MESSIAH (the one you claim to follow) said and have made what you claim the apostle Paul said your idol and using the words of Paul you twisted into something he never said, you have made the apostle Paul your "god" of your own imagination.

2 Peter 3
15  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

Peter clearly showed that many would twist the words of Paul so they could fall from being steadfast in their faith and led away into error.  Here is what Messiah clearly said and if anything Paul said seems to contradict it, you need to be like the Berean's and search out the scripture (they only had the old testament to search) and see what Paul said was true or if you misinterpreted what he said.

Acts 17
10  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Here is what Messiah Yeshua said.  You either believe and follow Him or you twist the words of Paul and follow a false "Jesus" of your own vain imagination:

John14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

John15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

1 John 2
3  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1 John 5
2  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Revelation 14:12  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

The early church

When Yeshua was on the earth, He regularly attened Synagogues and read from the Torah.  As a Rabbi, He gave His interpretation of what was in the Torah and, being the author of it, His interpretation is the correct interpretation.

Luke 13:10  And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.

Nowhere in the New Testament does it indicate that Yeshua changed ANY of the Torah.  Why would He change something He wrote?  He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow and had no errors to correct in it.  If He had changed the Torah, He could not have kept all of it and the Pharisees would have held it against Him at His trial before He was executed yet they had NOTHING to say about Him violating Torah during His trials.  It would If Yeshua had changed the Torah, it would be like changing the rules in the middle of a game of monopoly and then claiming you kept the rules.  Could not have happened.

When Yeshua was addressed by the Pharisees on why His disciples "violated the Sabbath", He never said the Sabbath was wrong - He clarified that the rabbinic fences was wrong and the picking of a handful of grain was not the same as harvesting a field.  Today you have even those who claim to follow Yeshua as Messiah pre-tear their toilet paper so they don't have to "work" by tearing it on the Sabbath (seriously)

After Yeshua was crucified, resurrected, and transfigured, the apostles kept the Sabbath and the rest of the Torah.  Peter in His vision in Acts 17 had obviously never been taught by Yeshua that the dietary laws were not in effect since he stated 'he never ate any unclean thing" and this by some scholars calculations, was some 30 years after the Resurrection.

Acts 10
13  And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14  But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
15  And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
16  This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
17  Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
18  And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19  While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

Acts 10:28  And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

The early church met in the same Synagogues as the unbelieving Jews.  'The Way' as the followers of Yeshua were called (not to be confused with the modern cult called 'the way' / 'the way international') was a sect of Judaism (yes, they were also called 'Christians')

When the gentiles first started believing and accepting Yeshua as Messiah, they were instructed to turn away from their idolatry and eating of blood and then they would learn the rest of Torah in the Synagogues every Sabbath.  This is the same with the new believer today - they are told to turn away from their major sins before attending the fellowships and then let Yahweh work on cleaning the rest of them up as they learn what being a true follower of Yeshua means:

Acts 15
15  And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16  After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17  That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
18  Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
19  Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
20  But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21  For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

It was common for the believers to meet with the unbelieving Jews in the Synogogues on the Sabbath and then meet together after the service to learn about Yeshua and then after the Sabbath to meet together for fellowship, a meal, and further bible studies before getting up the next morning to work.  Remember (and this is where a lot of confusion is) the day in Jewish culture starts at SUNDOWN so when scripture says they met on the first day of the week it was sundown after the Sabbath on saturday night.  Sunday morning worship did not exist until many centuries later.  Note that the gentiles were already meeting with the Jews in the Synagogues in some areas even before they accepted Yeshua as Messiah:

Acts 17
2  And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
3  Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
4  And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

Acts 18
4  And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
5  And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

When the apostle Paul went into gentile cities and told the gentiles about Yeshua, he told the new converts to not let any of their pagan friends and family judge them when they started observing the Sabbath and observing the feast days and obeying Torah.  This, in context is NOT giving consent for them to follow pagan feasts and observances.  Before accepting Yeshua, the Colossians were following pagan customs and traditions as was their friends and family and would not have needed this instruction.  Note verse 17 that says that these observances are a shadow of things to come which Paul would NEVER have said about pagan holidays and traditions! :

Colossians 2
16  Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17  Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

While the unbelieving Jews raised up against the apostles when the apostles were convincing people to accept Yeshua as Messiah, the believing Jews and gentiles were in the Synagogues and worshiping along with the unbelieving Jews up until ~135AD.   During the third Jewish revolt against Rome,  Simon bar Kokhba, which was a leader of the revolt, was thought to be the Messiah by many unbelieving Jews.  After all, they thought the Messiah would come to free them from Rome and take back Jerusalem.  When the unbelieving Jews tried to force those in the Synagogues to accept bar Kokhba as Messiah, the believers (both Jew and gentile) would not because they knew who Messiah was and it was not bar Kokhba.  This is when the church separated from the unbelieving Jews and is what started a distrust between the unbelieving Jews and the Christians that lasts for the most part to this day.

Some of the gentiles re-assimilated into their former pagan culture and incorporated paganism into their believes.  With the many inquisitions, it was easier to compromise than to continue to follow Yeshua (Yeshua said the road is narrow and His flock is small)  In about 300AD, Constantine combined paganism with this lukewarm compromising "christianity" and that became the roman catholic church - the great harlot.  With the reformation, they changed a FEW things back to how it was before constantine although they allowed much of the paganism to remain.  They only reformed a few things they disagreed with, they did not restore back to 100% truth.

Many today are wakening to the fact that Torah is for today, obedience is not optional for the True follower of Messiah Yeshua, and that the compromising church is not acceptable to Yahweh.

Do your own studies and see for yourself.  This is crystal clear for those who truly want to follow Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) although those who only want an escape from hell ("fire insurance") will continue to be blinded and Yeshua will tell them 'go away, I never knew you'

1 John 3:4  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Matthew 7
21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. ^G458

Strong's number G458 iniquity (transliterated as anomia) is  :
anomia
1) the condition of without law
     a) because ignorant of it
     b) because of violating it
2) contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness

John14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

John15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

1 John 5
2  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Revelation 14:12  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

How will they find out (about Jesus)?

One of the questions brought up by unbelievers is 'How is Christianity true if someone out in the middle of nowhere has never heard of Jesus is condemned to an eternal hell when they die?"  This is a fair question.  Usually the well meaning will answer something like "what does it matter to you, you have heard so what will you do with Jesus".  This is not what they asked.  They asked an honest question on about how a just God can condemn someone that has not had the opportunity to know about Jesus.  This is a question about Yahweh's omnipresence and His concern with the unsaved.  If someone has no opportunity to believe and be saved, it puts into question of who God is in the unbelievers' mind.

We are to send out missionaries and to witness to the lost throughout the world.  There is no question that this is the Great Commission Yeshua gave His followers.  There are still those who have not had the opportunity to hear about Yeshua.  Scripture is clear that the Creation testifies that there is a God.

Romans 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Scripture also shows that those who have more knowledge are responsible for that knowledge.  Those with less knowledge will be held accountable, and punished,  for what they did know :

Luke 12
46  The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47  And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

When someone is truly seeking Truth, they will be shown the truth regardless of whether or not there is anyone around to tell them.  Yeshua said even the rocks will cry out :

Luke 19
39  And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
40  And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

In the bible, there was a eunuch that was seeking truth and he did not understand.  Yahweh provided him someone to show him the truth and the very same thing happens today:  a believer being placed in the life of an unbeliever that is searching for the truth:

Acts 8
26  And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27  And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28  Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29  Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30  And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32  The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33  In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34  And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36  And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38  And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39  And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

The apostle Paul was given a vision of Yeshua and came to faith when Yeshua showed him that He is the Messiah:

Acts 22
3  I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
4  And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
5  As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.
6  And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
7  And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
8  And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
9  And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
10  And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
11  And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
12  And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
13  Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
14  And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15  For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
16  And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Next, their is NUMEROUS testimonies of those, especially former muslims and Jewish people, that are being given dreams and visions of

Yeshua (Jesus) and are coming to faith either by Yeshua showing them the truth directly or they being so bothered by their dreams they seek out the truth from a Christian.

http://morethandreams.org/

“More Than Dreams” tells the compelling, true stories of five Muslims from five countries who share one life-changing experience. Each of

them saw Jesus Christ in a dream or a vision and their lives were forever transformed.

http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/watchwomanonthewall/2013/02/jesus-appears-to-muslims-in-dreams-conversions-and-testimonies-video.html

“Great things are happening in the Muslim world,” Doyle said in an email to WND. “It’s all very unexpected.”

Doyle told WND that he is familiar with Farraj’s program and that Jesus is breaking through where missionaries have not succeeded.

“We’ve been seeing this for 15 years now, where Muslims are no longer Muslims but are Jesus followers,” Doyle said. “It’s someone who is a Christian, someone who is willing to die for Jesus.

“It all started with them with a dream,” Doyle said. “They had a Jesus dream, and some of them had many Jesus dreams. They would seek out Christians after a while because the dreams would get so intense that they wanted an answer.”

http://www.the-new-way.org/testimonies/conv_giud_03_the_man_in_white_robe.html

The dream repeated itself night after night. I became worried and nervous. I finally consulted a doctor out of fear that I might be losing my mind. He prescribed medication to relax me. I also inquired of a Christian friend, "What could this dream mean?" She replied, "You have described Jesus and your dream is showing how Jesus saves those who believe him."

If someone is sincerely seeking Truth, Yahweh WILL show them truth even if there does not seem to be a way.

The Morning Stars Sang Together

There is a controversy why satan (lucifer) is referred to as the 'morning star' in Isaiah when Yeshua identifies Himself as the Bright and Morning Star.  Some believe it was a mistranslated in Isaiah.

KJV
Isaiah 14:12   How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

JPS
Isaiah 14:12  How art thou fallen from heaven, O day-star, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, that didst cast lots over the nations!

CJB
Isaiah 14:12  "How did you come to fall from the heavens, morning star, son of the dawn? How did you come to be cut to the ground, conqueror of nations? 

* * * * * * *

Revelation 22:16  I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Now we need to see what Yahweh told Job:

Job 38:7  When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

I believe that lucifer, before he fell, was a morning star (as was other good angels) and Yeshua is THE Bright and Morning Star.  The angels do not shine in the morning their selves but shine as a reflection of Yeshua's light just as the moon has no light of its own but reflects the light of the sun.  The good angels, morning stars, shine by the light of Yeshua - who is THE Bright and Morning Star!  The angels are only a reflection of the True Light.  This may not refer to today but before the fall of satan.  How many?  We do not know although if I had to guess, I would guess 12 with one fallen (lucifer / satan) that was replaced.  It could have been two, it could have been hundreds, thousands, or millions - no way for us to know this side of heaven.

This is the same with believers: We are to be the salt and the light to the world although we have no light of our own:  We reflect the light of Yeshua and our light is brighter the more of the Holy Spirit that is in us.  The Holy Spirit is shown in scripture as being oil in our lamps and as we abide in Messiah, the Root, our light shines bright in an increasingly dark world. 

We are olive branches (either grafted in or native) and our fruits is the olives which give oil and is the 'fruit of the Spirit' and keeps our lamps shining.  We abide in Messiah, the Root, for our nourishment.

Romans 11
16  For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
17  And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18  Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19  Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
20  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22  Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23  And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
24  For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

In the parable of the ten virgins, the five wise have oil and the five foolish did not have any. They are false believers.  Either they were never believers or they were and fell into compromise and became lukewarm.

Matthew 25
1  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

The five foolish had no [good] fruit (olives yielding in oil for their lamps) and the five wise told them to 'go and buy oil'.  This is the very same when Yeshua told the lukewarm in the church of Laodicea - to go and buy gold, their white robes (robes of the tribulation saints?) and eye salve:

Revelation 3
14  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Salvation is a free gift and while the door is still open, you may freely enter it.  Once the rapture happens, the door will be closed and you will have to pay with your life as a martyr during the tribulation after accepting Yeshua as your Lord and Savior (Lord means OBEY).  Yeshua is clearly warning the lukewarm church that they need to be ready and living for Him and having their light shining for Him and bearing fruit NOW.  If the lukewarm procrastinate thinking they have time, the door will be shut and once they are saved by Messiah's shed blood in the tribulation, they will die a martyr's death.

Revelation 14:12  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Matthew 7
21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. ^G458

    Strong's number G458 : iniquity (transliterated as anomia)
     anomia
    1) the condition of without law
         a) because ignorant of it
         b) because of violating it
    2) contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness

The five foolish believe they are saved and will be surprised they were left behind.  Yeshua will tell them 'go away, I never knew you' as He says in both Matthew 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  and Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The time to repent (turning away from sin / violating Yahweh's instructions given in the Torah) is TODAY because tomorrow is not promised to anyone.

Cross worship: the same idolatry today that was in Ancient Israel

There is so much in the Old Testament that is a warning to the church that goes ignored.  Yes, it was history of Ancient Israel and their rebellion although it is also a lesson for us today.  History repeats itself and there are those who heed the warnings from history and then there are those who repeat it.

In Ancient Israel there was a time when they rebelled against Yahweh and He was upset with them.  Yahweh sent a fiery serpent to punish the people and many of them died.  When they repented, Yahweh had Moses make a metal serpent (often translated as brass or bronze, sometimes copper) and place it on a pole.  Anyone who was bit who looked on the metal serpent on the pole was healed.

Numbers 21
5  And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
6  And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
7  Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
8  And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9  And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

 So there was healing power when looking onto what was on the pole (the metal serpent).  This is the same as when Messiah Yeshua atoning for sin by His shed blood when He was on the execution stake / cross / tree (it was a stake, a cross, as well as a tree which can be easily proven - more on this in a future post)  Yeshua even equated His death on the cross with the brass serpent:

John 3:14  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

The problem was when people began to worship the copper serpent instead of what it represented.  Many years later the people of Judah (thekingdoms were divided then) began to worship the metal serpent and King Hezekiah destroyed it:

2 Kings 18:4  He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent thatMoses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.  (Nehushtan means copperserpent according to Strongs so it could have been copper)

The idolatry of worshiping the brasen serpent instead of just accepting it as something to look on by faith for their healing is the very same thing that is happening today when the cross is made an idol and worshiped instead of worshiping Messiah Yeshua and looking to Him for healing.  Yeshua is no longer on the cross and using it as a worship object is idolatry.

 People need to stop their pagan practices and examine if what they are doing is true worship of Messiah or idolatry.  The cross does not save- Messiah Yeshua saves and He is no longer on the cross.

Following Yeshua (Jesus) the Living Torah

Many people who call them selves "christians" are following what their pastors and others claim to be Christianity without bothering to see for their self what Yahweh (God) says they are to do.  They are in love with the idea of heaven and loath the idea of hell and other than that do not care what it means to follow Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah (LORD and Savior)

Yeshua is the living Torah.   Torah is the Word of God - specifically the first five books of the bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.  Yeshua, and Torah, existed before the foundation of the earth.  Christians are expected to follow Torah - Yeshua (Jesus) is the living Torah.

John 1
1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2  The same was in the beginning with God.

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Messiah said we are to obey God or He will reject us:

Matthew 7
21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. G458

Strong's number G458 iniquity (transliterated as anomia) is  :
anomia
1) the condition of without law
     a) because ignorant of it
     b) because of violating it
2) contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness

We are clearly as Christians to not sin - but what is sin?  It is violation of Torah - "The Law"

1 John 3:4  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

There are still some "christians" when confronted with this that claim "we are to only obey what Jesus said in the New Testament and all the rest of "the law" is "for the Jews" " to justify their rebellion and do as  they want to do when confronted with verses that say we are to obey:

John14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

John15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

The rebellious "christians" get very upset and call you a legalist if you ask them about 1 John 5:2-3

1 John 5
2  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Yahweh gave a description of the rebellious in the end time - those who think they can do their own thing and are "more Holy" than everyone else.  Yahweh says they are an abomination and will suffer His wrath:

Isaiah 65
1  "I made myself accessible to those who didn't ask for me, I let myself be found by those who didn't seek me. I said, 'Here I am! Here I am!' to a nation not called by my name.
2  I spread out my hands all day long to a rebellious people who live in a way that is not good, who follow their own inclinations;
3  a people who provoke me to my face all the time, sacrificing in gardens and burning incense on bricks.
4  They sit among the graves and spend the night in caverns; they eat pig meat and their pots hold soup made from disgusting things.
5  They say, 'Keep your distance, don't come near me, because I am holier than you.' These are smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all day!
6  See, it is written before me; I will not be silent until I repay them; I will repay them to the full,

Interesting in verse 4:  They sit among the graves.  Up until recently I did not know what this could mean although now with the heresy of Bethel-Redding, it is very clear what this verse is about.  Bethel-Redding has "mission trips" where they go to the graves of famous deceased pastors / false prophets and sit or lay down on the graves of those people to "get the deceased's anointing"  They call this grave soaking or grave sucking.  They claim such practices makes them "holy" and when confronted with the heretical satanic practices always (mis)quote the verse "touch not mine anointed".

http://youthapologeticstraining.com/grave-sucking/

Bethel-Redding "grave sucking" mission trip

We as believers must find a way to retrieve the mantle or anointing from the rotting corpse six feet under.  Only then can we get God’s plans back on track.  This is achieved by placing our hands on the gravestone of the deceased or lying on top of the grave.  Sometimes a prayer will be offered to God to aid in this perceived power transfer.

Those who claim we do not have to obey Yahweh (follow Messiah Yeshua by obeying Him) especially those who do not believe in the pre-tribulation rapture have a huge problem with this verse.  Note that the importance is OBEYING the commandments and then having the faith of Jesus:

Revelation 14:12  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

The way you follow Yeshua is to listen to Him and OBEY Him.  The time to repent is NOW.  Repent means turn away from sin (violation of Torah) and follow Messiah Yeshua and do what He says - and He says to OBEY GOD.