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Hebrew Roots
Contents
Articles
Hebrew Roots 1
The Eternal Plan of God 3
King Priest 3
Firstborn Nation 8
Two Houses 11
Promises 13
Provision 17
Fulfilment 21
Restoration 24
New Covenant 28
Status 32
Decrees 36
Restoring the Foundations 39
The original foundation 40
The army of invaders 41
The restoration process 43
The Restoration of Truth 44
The Law 45
Law & Grace 46
Faith & Works 46
Grace & Law 47
Godhead 47
Knowing God 48
Trinity 48
Eternal Word 49
Eternal Son 52
Torah observance 55
The Law and the Covenants 57
Honouring Almighty God 58
Idolatry 58
Honouring His Name 61
Sabbath 62
Holy Priesthood 62
Separation unto the Lord 63
Unclean foods 64
Weekly Sabbath 65
New Moon 66
Holy Days 71
Torah Lifestyle 72
References
Article Sources and Contributors 73
Article Licenses
License 74
Hebrew Roots
1
Hebrew Roots
Hebraic Roots is a term used to define the original foundations of the Christian faith. It is a historical fact that the
present-day church is far removed from the original beliefs and practices of that which was formed on the Day of
Pentecost by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the expectant Jewish believers in Yeshua the Messiah (Acts 2:4).
Jesus/Yeshua was a fully observant Jew as were all the apostles and those who gathered in the upper room to await
the promise of the Holy Spirit, as Yeshua instructed them.
Even Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, declared again and again that he had not taught or practised anything contrary
to the Jewish faith, excepting a belief in the resurrection of the dead by means of Yeshua the Messiah (Acts 21:20;
23:1; 24:10-13; Acts 25:8, 10-11; 26:21-23; 28:17).
The changes began to come in after the destruction of the Temple and the Roman take-over of the leadership of the
Church when the Jews were expelled from the land of Israel.
Two of the early leaders who began to introduce a different gospel to the one all the apostles had preached, was
Marcion and Ignatius. The 7th day Sabbath and the Feasts were the main things which were changed and the Gentile
believers who were eventually divorced from the Hebraic roots of the original apostolic oversight, were a prey to
strange doctrines and the incorporation of pagan practices.
With the advent of Constantine who made Christianity the state religion, the errors which had crept into the Church
were legalised, and contact with Jewish believers was forbidden and a great persecution ensued of anyone who
fellowshipped with, or practised Jewish customs. Even so, Many believers continued to be faithful to the original
faith which was delivered to the saints via the apostles, up into the 4th century and beyond, particularly outside the
Roman Empire.
With the extinguishing of the light of His people, the Church went into the Dark Ages, the scriptures were withheld
from the people, and only the Ecclessia of the Church dispensed truth, there was no accountability to the written
Word.
The restoration of truth began with Martin Luther and was followed by successive revelations to the Church by
prominent men whom God used in a progressive initiative, to bring his people back to the ancient paths. One of the
last moves of God was to restore the Holy Spirit in power to His people as was experienced on the day of Pentecost
(Acts 2). This was initiated originally by a Welsh man by the name of Evan Roberts and eventually moved
mainstream in USA in what became known as the Azuza Street revival. With the restoration of the Holy Spirit and
His role of teaching and guiding the Church, many other truths have been restored to His Body.
The final restoration, to date, has been in a return to the Hebraic customs which the early Church/Assembly
continued to practice in keeping the traditions which were given through Moses as part of the everlasting covenant
with His people.
The path of the just is as a shining light that shines more and more unto the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18)
May we ever move forward in gaining a more prefect knowledge so that we may walk in the full counsel of God.
A The Eternal Plan of God
1. 1. The Original Order
2. 2. The Chosen Nation
3. 3. The Two Witnesses
4. 4. The Covenant Promises
5. 5. The Immutable Plan
6. 6. Restoration of Two Houses
7. 7. Restoration of Israel
8. 8. The New Covenant
Hebrew Roots
2
9. 9. The Status of Returning Israel
10. 10. Decrees for Returning Israel
B. Restoring the Foundations
1. 1. The Original Foundation
2. 2. The Army of Invaders and the Overcomers
3. The Dispersion & the Restoration Process
Israel & the Firstfruits of Zion
The Restoration of Truth
Understanding The Law of God
Law & Grace
Faith & Works
Grace & Law
C. The Godhead
Knowing God
The Trinity & The Godhead
The Inter-relationships within the Godhead
Eternal Word
The Eternal Son
D. Torah observance
The Law and The Covenants
Neglected Commandments
1. 1. Honouring Almighty God
2. 2. Idolatry
3. 3. Honouring His Name
4. 4. The Sabbath Days
E. The Holy Priesthood
1. 1. Separation unto the Lord
2. 2. Unclean foods
3. 3. The Weekly Sabbath
4. 4. The New Moon
5. 5. Holy Days
F. Torah Lifestyle
Obedience, Righteousness and Sanctification
The Eternal Plan of God
3
The Eternal Plan of God
The scriptures refer to the "everlasting" gospel (Rev.14:6) which takes us back to the beginning, as having been
something in the original counsels of Yahweh God. He foresaw the fall of man and took into account the fulfillment
of His plan through a process which would bring many sons into the glorious liberty of sons -- mature sons, with
whom He could share His purposes for creation which will have its outworking in the ages to come. Something
which is so awesome, that it is beyond the scope of the natural mind of man to envisage what Yahweh God has
prepared for those who love Him and who are prepared to be conformed to His image.
This series is to gain an understanding of the gospel and what form it will take in the endtime as the "gospel of the
kingdom" which is to be preached in all the world before the end of this age comes, which will herald in His
kingdom upon earth.
May He be glorified!!!
King Priest
THE KING PRIEST LINEAGE
In the beginning the plan was in place!
YHWH's plan of redemption was there!
We see in the Garden that the Tree of Life was in the midst of it from the beginning as well as the Tree of Good and
Evil upon which there was a prohibition, but there was no such prohibition placed upon the Tree of Life. So in a
sense we can say that Eternal Life was presented to Adam by the Tree of Life. Eternal life was offered to Adam but
he had no motivation to partake of that tree (that we are made aware of) the Tree of Life was presented, but not
partaken of.
So why did Adam not value the Tree of Life as something to be desired?
Adam was created as a living soul (Genesis 2:9). Yahweh breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and he becomes
a living SOUL. In the Hebrew it actually says that YHWH breathed into him the breath of LIVES (plural lives) i.e.
physical and soulish life. Adam was a natural man (soulish), perfect and whole, nut a natural (not spiritual) man.
Adam was perfect in the sense that he was whole and unmarred by any defect. Note that he was a living SOUL, not a
spiritual man. He did not have eternal life but he could have lived forever in that state if he had not sinned. His body
would have continually perpetuated itself and have been continually renewed. So, in that state, he had no conscious
need of eternal life. He could have lived forever as he was, just as a natural man. It was only after he sinned that he
became aware of his temporal nature when the death sentence was upon him and had a need both for salvation and
for eternal life. He needed redemption from the effects of sin in his soulish nature which had become corrupted by
his disobedience. This created a deep spiritual need and the broken relationship with Yahweh caused a deficit which
required Yahweh to place him outside of the garden so he could not partake of the Tree of Life in that fallen
condition and remain in it forever.
The essence of the gospel is Yahweh God's eternal plan of elevating man from a natural being of flesh, to a spiritual
man as a mature son after His own nature and likeness. Adam was a son of God - He was created a natural man with
the potential of inheriting eternal life but failed the test that was placed upon him.
Adam had been commissioned to do two things - to have dominion over all creation and to bring it into subjection
and to tend and keep the garden and care for it on behalf of YHWH. That was a calling to be a King/Priest.
The dominion and control was the element of kingship and tending and caring for it, was overseeing it as a
servant/priest.
Kingship to have dominion and to bring it into subjection
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Priesthood to tend and care for it as a servant unto YHWH
To be able to exercise that role, he had to know the functioning and the needs of all that had been placed under his
control, in order to serve and administer it properly. And so we see Adam being called to categorise and name all the
animals. There was a time-spam between creation and the fall. Jewish sources say it was seven years and there had to
be enough time to identify and observe all the creatures and name them according to their habits etc.. The knowledge
of astronomy is also credited to Adam and as possible evidence of that we see a fully advanced knowledge of
astronomy and a chart of the constellations appeared immediately after the flood which gives credence to the belief
of Jewish sources which say it was handed down from Adam.
So Adam appears to have had a full-time occupation in gaining knowledge of the creation that was committed into
his hands and gaining dominion over it. At the end of each day's activities he had a fulfilling and satisfying
relationship with Yahweh.
In Adam's fallen state, he had surrendered his dominion over creation to the serpent, but his calling to be a
King/Priest over the earth was not revoked by YHWH, but he now lacked the authority and the ability to execute it
properly..
THE PROMISE
Yahweh said, in Genesis 3:15 "I will put enmity between you (Serpent) and the woman (Chavah)"
Yahweh was speaking to those present, but beyond the natural into the spiritual realm here of those represented ...
The "woman" ... represented not only Chavah (Eve) but also the corporate woman who would bear the Manchild
(who is initially Messiah/Christ, ultimately, the sons of God in Christ's image) "and between your seed and her
Seed" (i.e. Satan's seed and Messiah/Christ's) The enmity (spiritual conflict would go down the generations until the
serpent/Satan is defeated)
This was the "good news" (the Gospel) of deliverance from the fall and from Satan's power, the plan which YHWH
set in place through the "Seed" (Messiah) and the ultimate fulfilment of YHWH's purposes of elevating man to
become a spiritual son - i.e. a partaker of eternal life
The Patriarchal commission to act as a King/Priest on earth as the representative of Yahweh God was handed down
each generation from father to the first-born son. Sometimes the Firstborn did not qualify to inherit the blessing
(such as Cain) and it was then passed down to the next in line, or even skipped a generation.. And so, the
commission was passed down from Sewth on down through Noah and after the Flood, the mantle of priesthood came
upon Noah's son Shem. Shem walked as a patriarchal head of the human race after the Flood during its birth-pangs,
officiating as a king/priest in the cleansed but changed earth.
MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD
Shem's lived 600 years and his life spanned 498 years after the Flood. Shem walked as a patriarchal head of the
human race after the Flood over 9 generations and was entrusted with bridging the gap from before the Flood into
the new era, during which he officiated as a King/Priest over the renewed earth. His great-grandson Eber is
mentioned as walking with him also in that ministry. Shem was a mighty man of God who attained the status of a
High Priest over the human race and set a TYPE for the Melchizedek order of priesthood which Messiah would
eventually fulfil in His High Priestly ministry. This typology was played out in the scriptures in Genesis 18:18-19 by
presenting him as a figure without a specific identity and without any genealogy, "Made like unto the Son of God"
(Hebrews 7:2), so as to present him in the image of the Son of God who was to come. Note the wording that the
figure seen in Genesis was made like unto, - i.e. it was not actually the Son of God.
Shem acted as a custodian of the counsels and oracles of Yahweh God that were originally given to Adam and which
were handed down the godly family line through Noah from the pre-flood era. and he carried the plan of redemption
forward until the godly line was established again which would bear the responsibility of bringing forth the promised
Seed. His ministry formed a bridge from the pre-flood era unto the establishment of the chosen vessel that was to
bring forth the promise and bear the responsibility of bringing forth the promised "Seed" (Gen.3:15) He actually
King Priest
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acted as a Guardian and Overseer of what would be the birthing of the nation of Israel through Abraham, Yitzak and
Ya'acov's lives.
Abram, Yitzak and Ya'acov all sat in Shem's tent and were instructed by him and his son Eber in the ways of God
and guided in the execution of the divine plan. It was through his priesthood that the patriarchs sought counsel and
wisdom to come into their inheritance. It was Shem who is attributed with giving Rikvah the prophecy about two
nations being in her womb.
Abram qualified to inherit the promises (Genesis 18:17-19) because Yahweh knew He could trust him to order his
household after him in righteousness and justice, which he did (Genesis 26:5), as evidenced by the fact that both
Isaac and Jacob (Ya'acov) qualified and were chosen to continue to bear the promises (Genesis 26:3-3; 28:13-15)
THE DIVINE MANDATE
Beginning in chapter 12 of Genesis, Abraham is taken on a spiritual journey out of his country and his people and
eventually away from all his kindred for the purpose of proving him worthy of and faithful to the calling. As he
progressed and matured, the divine plan was progressively revealed and the promises extended according to the
measure of his spiritual attainment.
The akeida, the offering of Yitzak, was his final test of complete surrender of that which he loved most, even that
upon which all the promises were dependent - and so, everything which he had hoped for, worked toward and lived
for, as it were, his own soul was laid upon the altar in his compliance with the sacrifice of his son, Yitzak. As the
father-figure of the human race, Abraham was called to offer up his only son, Yitzak. Although he had Yishmael by
a concubine, when YHWH calls him, He says to him, Take your son, your only son ....... and offer him as a burnt
offering on one of the mountains I will show you Genesis 22:2
That was Mount Moriah which is what we know as the Mount of Olives where also Yeshua was crucified, in the
same place. That was the tenth and final test of Abraham in his submission and obedience to YHWH to qualify him
to inherit the promises. It was also the pinnacle in his faith in the power of God to raise him (as the promised
Messiah) from the dead, if need be, to fulfill the promises that Had been made to him by YHWH. Abraham had such
confidence in the covenant relationship that he had with YHWH, that he knew if he sacrificed his son, then YHWH
would also provide an equivalent sacrifice and commitment to him. He believed YHWH's promises and so he acted,
in good faith in Him. And, so it was!
On the basis of Abraham's faith in offering his son, YHWH inaugurated the covenant by offering His Son, on the
same mountain, although there was a time delay in the operation of it to fulfil all of His divine purposes.
In this act of surrender and faith on Abraham's part, he was given for the first time the promise of a spiritual Seed
that would come forth from him, as the stars of heaven ; as well as the other promise he had been given of his seed
(natural seed) being as the sand upon the seashore; and with that promise he also was told that his seed would have
the authority to possess the gate of their enemies (i.e. spiritual authority).
And in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because you have obeyed My voice. Genesis
22:16-18
It had all rested upon his obedience!
Now to Abraham and to his seed were the promises made, He said not of seeds, as of many, but as one, 'And to
your seed, which is Messiah Galatians 3:16
The promise of his seed being as the stars if heaven, was relative to Messiah, the Seed, and all who would be in Him.
As Paul also says in 1 Cor.15:41 of the saints in their resurrected state, that one 'star' will differ from another in the
glory given to it. Daniel also says that the saints shall shine as the stars in their brightness forever in their glorified
state Daniel 12:3.
THE TRIBAL HEADS OF ISRAEL
King Priest
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The Firstborn blessing contained a responsibility of exercising the role of king/priest over the family of which it
officiated as the head. This mantle was handed down father to son. In Ya'acov's family, the actual firstborn was to
his wife Leah, to whom she had Reuven, Shimeon, Levi and Yehudah.
To his second wife, Rachel, he had Yosef and Binyamin.
Reuven as the First-born son did not qualify for the promises and the blessing due to the unbridled passions of his
fleshly nature which disqualified him (Gen.49:3)
Shimeon and Levi were likewise disqualified for their treachery and violence in the judgment they executed on the
Shechemites, and the Firstborn status came upon the next in line of Leah's children, which was Yehudah (Judah).
Ya'acov, by divine direction, gives the mantle of kingship (the scepter) to Yehudah (Genesis 49:3).
Yosef (Joseph - from Rachel's children) was also given First-bornstatus, indicated by the robe of many colours. By
divine inspiration, in the next generation, Ya'acov bestowed the Firstborn status upon Ephraim, Joseph's second-born
son, to carry the birthright blessing (Genesis 48:18).
Both Yehudah and Ephraim were chosen. So the King/Priest ministry was divided between the two families and
there were two heads, two First-born son who jointly carried the mantle, one fulfilling the kingship (Yehudah), and
the other the priesthood (Ephraim).
This constituted the 2 witnesses of Yahweh
Yehudah = Kingship/Sceptre = Lawgiver/Word
Ephraim = Priesthood = Prophetic/Spirit
These two 'heads' were to be a composite ministry with shared responsibilities and functions that served as two
facets of the Melchizedek type priesthood, evidenced in the fruitfulness of the Vine in the spiritual giftings of
Ephraim and the kingship of Yehudah who would execute authority through maintaining the divine standards, laws
and precepts of YHWH. Between these two tribal heads, the Law (Yehudah) and the Prophets (Ephraim)/Israel)
were divided and in unison they provided and the balance between the Word and the Spirit which was to be
manifested to the world. His two witnesses in the earth of His counsels, His truth and His love!
THE BIRTH OF THE NATION
Israel was birthed as a nation at the Exodus.
Yahweh named him as His FIRST-BORN son (Y'shua was His only BEGOTTEN Son) Exodus 4:22-23
At the Exodus, they were circumcised and had the blood placed over their houses which was their experience of
redemption/salvation. They were baptised in the Red Sea and in the Cloud (Water & Spirit Baptism) 1 Cor.10:3;
Exodus 15 He sanctified them at Marah Exodus 16
He then also re-instated them in the Sabbath Exodus 16, and fed them with Manna from Himself (spiritual food -
John 6). Then they were taken to Sinai for their divine appointment and betrothal covenant with Yahweh as His
Bride - Exodus 19. There He gave them His code of living for them as a redeemed people. The covenant was based
upon: Exodus 19:3-5
1. "Obey My voice
2. "Keep My covenant"
They were to be His 'special treasure" (Heb.SEGULAH prized possession = like a precious gem, the "apple" of His
eye. In Hebrew the word 'apple' means the pupil of the eye. In other words, Israel His Firstborn son is His focus
point for everything else. His focus on everything else is determined by His relationship to Israel. They are the first
issue of His strength - His glory is to be reflected through them by the many facets represented in the gems of of His
breastplate (12 tribes - 12 precious gemstones . As His special son, He desired relationship with them and so, like a
mother eagle, He lifted them up spiritually and carried them by His power to bring them to Himself in order to speak
to them from His heart - heart to heart.
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He spoke personally to them from Sinai and the manifestation of His voice was as thunder and lightning, like
tongues of fire divided from one initial bolt of 'lightning' off the mountain into 70 forks as tongues of fire
(representing the 70 nations of the world) over them and thereafter distributed to each of them.
He spoke His Word (10 commands) and they each heard Him speak to them personally in their own tongue in which
they were born. This was the first "Pentecost" - exactly 50 days after the Passover.
The Exodus contained many people groups who were slaves in Egypt and who joined themselves to Israel as a result
of the mighty demonstration of the power of Yahweh. The Word penetrated their hearts but was not mixed with
faith, and in dread they drew back from the encounter and asked that Moses be a Mediator for them.
Yahweh engraved the 10 commands on the sapphire tablets and the covenant was enacted with the added
instructions which Moses received in Exodus 20-23. The covenant was then confirmed in Exodus 24:1-8
The people said, "All that Yahweh has said we will do and be obedient"
Moses said, "This is the blood of the covenant which Yahweh has made with you according to these words.". And so
the covenant was sealed based upon their agreement to hear and obey.
As we know they broke the covenant when Moses went up the mountain by worshipping the Golden Calf. Moses
interceded for them and another covenant was made, but this time with the Levitical priesthood because they failed
to walk in the first covenant through of the weakness of their flesh. Their calling as a kingdom of priest who would
take the
Gospel message to the world was delayed and an interim measure set in place until they came of age to receive their
inheritance.
The Melchizedek priesthood was again established through Messiah, Yeshua the Son of God and the initial covenant
made with Israel (to be a kingdom of priests) was renewed to them as prophesied by the prophets - Ezekiel 36 &
Jeremiah 31
Firstborn Nation
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Firstborn Nation
THE FIRSTBORN NATION
Our quest in this series is to gain an understanding of the enditme message - the good news of eternal life. In our
previous study we covered the establishment of a godly lineage who were to officiate on YHWH's beahlf on the
earth as kings and priests. Adam was the first to be given dominion and priesthood over the earth and from him it
was handed down, father to son through eventually to Noach who then passed it on to Shem. He ministered in the
fullness of that role qualifying to the stature of the High priesthood of the Melchizedek order.
Abram was chosen through Shem's ministry and he qualified to inherit the promises, and from him the mantle was
passed onto Isaac and Isaac to Ya'acov and then to the 12 Patriarchs, the heads of the 12 tribes.
We looked at the appointment of Ephraim and Yehudah as being appointed by Ya'acov to carry the Firstborn
king/priest between the two of them. To Yehudah was given the Kingship To Ephraim was given the Priesthood
As was prophesied to Abraham in Gensesis 15:18-21; the family of the twelve tribes, went down to Egypt to sojourn
there for the four generations allotted to them in the prophetic plan, until the time came that YHWH raised up a
deliverer for them in Moshe to bring them back to the land He promised to them as a possession.
During their sojourn in Egypt, many of the children of Israel had fallen away in their faith in YHWH. For them to be
part of the Exodus, it was necessary for them to renew their covenant relationship with YHWH by circumcision and
to demonstrate their faith in their promised Messiah by the token sacrifice of the representative Passover lamb.
YHWH had clearly demonstrated His power to them as greater than the gods of Egypt and many others joined
themselves to the Israelites and they all marched out as one redeemed people (Exodus 12:51- in their divisions).
THE FIRSTBORN SON
Israel was born as a nation at the Exodus as Yahweh's Firstborn son. In Exodus 4:22-33, YHWH says, Israel is My
son, even My Bachor (Firstborn).
The Firstborn always carries the full strength of the father, and therefore, he has the prime inherent qualities of the
father's genes. In him is placed the expectation to carry the family forward and bear the responsibility for it both
spiritually and naturally. He is the first to come to maturity of the father's offspring and therefore the mantle rests
upon him to forge a way ahead as a pioneer or advance guard for those of the family who follow. And so, in saying
that Israel is His Firstborn son, he was to receive the special grooming and nurturing for the future role he was to
assume. The Father's expectations would be upon him in a special way for the fulfillment of all His plans and
purposes through this specially chosen son. He is the one in whom He will invest all His resources, so that he will
attain the role and the inheritance which the Father has planned for him.
Israel is said to be the apple of His eye. In Hebrew, the word 'apple' means pupil i.e. the pupil of His eye. So the
Father is saying that He looks upon everything else from His focus upon Israel. He is the center of the Father's
purposes, the focal point from which He views all else and upon which everything else hinges.
After being birthed at the Exodus, YHWH places His mantle of protection over His son's life, His Spirit as a Cloud
by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:20-22). He is baptised in the Sea and delivered from all the power of
the enemy. He then carries him on eagles wings through the desert, by His power. Then the application of the
healing waters of Marah and the promise of keeping him from sickness and disease as long as he is obedient and
stays under His protection. His clothes did not wear out,r did he lack any good thing. He gave them Manna from
heaven to eat and water supernaturally from the Rock; and He defeated all their enemies.
The Father tended this young babe and met its every need, fed it and changed its diapers washed and dressed it in a
never-ending cycle of His loving fatherly care for His special son. He gave them His code of living as His redeemed
people. YHWH spoke His Word to them to inaugurate them as a kingdom of priests unto Himself. He spoke to them
"face to face" by ten words (devarim) It was not ten commands', but ten words of expressions from the heart of THE
Firstborn Nation
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WORD (John 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:3) to serve as instruction to His people for them to walk in communion with Him.
As His special son, He desired intimate communion with him, and so, when they came to Sinai, He presented to
them His special covenant for them (Exodus 19:3-5) whereby they would enter into being His special, treasured
people which was based upon them 'hearing' and obeying' His Word.
Yeshua said, "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word (devarim) that proceeds from the mouth of
God."(Matt.4:4)
The only time 'words' were spoken from the mouth of Yahweh were at Mount Sinai. At other times He spoke by the
prophets. These are the words His people are to live by and fulfil the summary Yeshua gave; to love Him with all our
heart, mind, soul and strength and our neighbour as ourselves.
They failed to walk in that covenant through the idolatry of the Golden Calf and the Levitical priesthood was
established instead of the Melchizedek king/priest type of priesthood which they had previously. One tribe now
acted in a priestly function for the whole nation instead of each family head functioning in the king/priesthood of the
Melchizedek order. Instead of them each hearing and obeying YHWH, their relationship was through the mediation
of Moshe and the Levitical priests who taught them and offered sacrifices on their behalf.
The Melchizedek priesthood would again be established through a renewal of the covenant in the sacrifice of Yeshua
as the Messiah and bring them back into the fulfillment of YHWH's plans for the nation (Jer.31:31). IN THE
WILDERNESS
In the wilderness we see Yahweh attempting to parent His Firstborn son. In their best interests He gives them His
instructions for living, and like self-willed children, they rebel and disobey the terrible two stage of childhood!
When they get into the land they are growing up, but there are times when their heavenly Father has to withdraw
their liberties and blessings to teach them a lesson by allowing their enemies to be the means of disciplining them.
Finally Israel seems to come of age and have its Bar Mitzvah when David takes the throne and unites them all as one
nation (they had been like a lot of factious siblings prior to that). They take possession of all the land and conquer
their enemies. They have a real golden age of prosperity and advancement of the kingdom on earth.
Then after some time as they are developing their independence, they decide to go their own way and eventually
Yahweh has to put them out of His House (the land of Israel) and cut the ties until they have had enough of the
pig-pens of the world and want to come back to Father's House.
The judgment of rebellion and idolatry was to be put out of the land and if not repented of, for seven 'times' to go
over them. Leviticus 26:14-39. There were cycles of judgment and the final punishment would be in being exiled
from the land (v.39) and their restoration would be in being returned again to the land (vs. 40-42).
THE KINGDOM DIVIDED
The two headships in Ephraim and Yehudah were united under King David's leadership and the nation prospered.
However, a decline came in toward the end of King Solomon's reign through his mistakes that caused the ten
northern tribes under Ephraim to be torn from the southern kingdom of Yehudah. 2 Chronicles 10
Jeroboam was given headship over the ten tribes which included; (1 Kings 11:26-39) Issachar, Zebulon, Asher,
Naphtali, Gad, Dan, Reuven, Mannasseh and the tribe of Ephraim
Yehudah retained Benyamin in his territory. The Shimeonites were scattered through out Yehudah's territory and the
Levites throughout the whole land for the administration of their priesthood. Jerusalem the centre of worship was in
Yehudah's territory. So now the jointly-shared headship was divided into two kingdoms, the northern kingdom of
Ephraim and the southern kingdom of Yehudah. The northern kingdom of Ephraim, having the ten tribes, became
known as the "House of Israel" and the southern kingdom of Yehudah, containing two tribes, became known as the
"House of Judah/Yehudah" - i.e. in time the southern kingdom who became the only ones in the land, were called
the "Jews"
EPHRAIM = (northern kingdom) HOUSE OF ISRAEL
Firstborn Nation
10
YEHUDAH = (southern kingdom) HOUSE OF JUDAH/YEHUDAH
To maintain his authority over the ten tribes and keep them from transferring their allegiance to the House of
Yehudah, Jeroboam made the cities of Dan and Bethel centres of worship instead of Jerusalem, and instituted golden
calves as symbols of worship there. He also changed the divinely appointed feast times. This led the northern tribes
into apostasy. (1 Kings 12:25-33) This was an abomination to Yahweh!
Because of their gross sins, Yahweh executed His promised judgment upon them and caused them to be carried
away captive by Assyria in 722BC. This was done in three stages. The first to be taken were the tribes of Gad,
Reuven and Manassheh on the eastern side of the Jordan river. This was a real wake-up call and many who had
heeded the prophets and saw the threat coming fled Israel from the west through the Mediterranean to Israelite
colonies in Egypt and up into Europe and to the British Isles. The others were taken captive and placed in Assyria.
In time, the House of Yehudah also came under judgment for her sins (which were not as grievous as the House of
Israel) and she too was taken captive by Babylon for a prescribed period of 70 years on account of the neglected
Sabbaths, after which she was given liberty to return to the land. These became the inhabitants there in Yeshua's
time.
Those taken captive by Assyria never returned and only a small remnant of the House of Yehudah came back from
the Babylonian captivity to the land when Persia gave them the liberty to do so. They had become comfortable and
affluent in the land of their dispersion. But those who did return of the House of Yehudah to the land under Ezra and
Nehemiah, received the visitation of their Messiah. The leadership of the nation rejected Him but thousands upon
thousands in the nation came into the new covenant before the nation was judged for their sin of rejecting Him. The
judgment for their sin was to be again ejected from the land. They were then dispersed into all the nations of the
world. This period of judgment ended on 14th May, 1948 and they were then returned to the land.
The House of Israel incurred the full seven 'times' judgment which was 7 x 360 Biblical years of 360 days.
Calculated as 722BC + 2,494.56669 Hebrew years. Converted to the Gregorian calendar, it calculates at 14th May,
1948 Both Houses of Israel received punishments which terminated on 14thMay, 1948, the divinely appointed time
for the nation of Israel to be birthed for the revelation of the kingdom of God. "Shall a nation be born in a day?....
(Is.66:8) Yes, it was!!!
The door was open for both the House of Yehudah (the present-day Jews) and the House of Israel to return home,
but few have. Those under the present-day identification tag of Jews actually contain a mixture of other tribes. All
genealogical records were lost in the destruction of the second Temple and so, no one know for sure their tribal
origin. Some priests have handed down orally, father to son, their lineage, but otherwise, it is not known.
The House of Israel, the ten tribes are largely unidentified and very few of those who have retained their identity
have ventured to return to the land. An awakening of their spiritual identity is impending and a call to go back to the
land is awaiting its fulfillment. It is prophesied that all Israel will be united for the Millennium reign of Yeshua. The
Jewish people pray three times a day for the return of the lost ten tribes as they understand that they mist return for
the nation to be whole and complete for Israel to function as a kingdom of priests in the earth and fulfill its destiny.
Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone and will gather them from
every side and bring them into their own land on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all;
they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again. Ezekiel 37:22-23
Those identified as Jews have returned but the ten tribes as a whole are yet scattered in among the nations of the
world
Two Houses
11
Two Houses
THE TWO HOUSES OF ISRAEL
We considered how Israel as a nation was born at the exodus and then at Sinai how they were called to become His
holy priesthood nation, in which they defaulted and became a nation with the Levitical system of priesthood that
served the nation spiritually and judicially to enable them to walk in Yahweh's ways.
Their transit through the wilderness was a time under Yahweh's personal direction and provisions for their every
need, supervising and discipling their child-like fleshly nature.
At the entrance to the promised land His hand of special protection in the Cloud by day and the Pillar of fire by night
was lifted and they were allowed to enter the promised land with yet again signs and wonders as Yahweh opened up
the Jordan river to allow their passage and demolished the stronghold of Jericho before their eyes, as it were.
Now the nurturing and instruction of the wilderness years was called upon as they began to implement the
instruction He had given them for living in the land.
They prospered under Joshua's (Yehoshua) leadership as a man they knew and trusted, and they went forward to
conquer the land and empty it of its inhabitants as He had told them to do. However they failed to purge the land of
its iniquity and in time they began to imbibe the practices of the heathen who they allowed to remain among them. It
wasn't till the time of David that they overcame their enemies and totally took possession of the land which had been
give to them. In the intervening period of time, they had various leaders who called them to account in their spiritual
walk and brought the nation back to repentance; to be followed by a time of complacency and spiritual decline into
sin and idolatry once again.
During these slack times, Yahweh allowed their enemies to oppress them and harass them and to spoil their goods in
order to discipline them and cause them to turn their eyes toward Him once again and cry out for deliverance. He
withdrew their liberties in this way to teach them the consequences of disobeying and going their own way. This was
like a childhood stage of of learning that the rules are for their benefit and prosperity and not for needless restrictions
of their liberties.
Many years and many different applications of discipline went into the forming of the character of His Firstborn son,
Israel, to bring him to mature manhood. The Levitical priesthood served as an interim arrangement for the nation to
learn the basis of serving Him in an acceptable manner.
When David came to the throne, he united the two main tribal heads of Ephraim (10 tribes) and Yehudah (2 tribes),
into one united kingdom.
It was almost like they were coming of age and had their Bar Mitzvah in their unity under David. Jerusalem became
the centre of worship and David functioned as both a king and a priest after the order of Melchizedek, to the nation.
David's revelation of the Lord (Adonai) seated at the right hand of Yahweh, as a priest forever after the order of
Melchizedek is recorded in Psalm 110. It was based upon the revelations he had and the liberty given to him to
function in this order to the nation that he set up a Tabernacle in which they Ark of His Presence was placed and
before which worship, praise, thanksgiving with choral and singing and soloists and musical instruments performed
24/7 in a continuous flow of ministry by special divisions of the Levitical priests, before Him.
Israel had a taste of the glory for which she was destined!
THE DIVISION OF THE HOUSES
However, due to Solomon's sins in his latter years, the northern tribes became discontent and Yahweh's judgment
was provoked against the Solomon for the idolatry he introduced to the nation. For David's sake, the judgment was
delayed till the reign of Rehoboam, Solomon's son. The northern tribes under Ephraim were then severed from the
southern kingdom of Yehudah and they became a separate kingdom in their own right with their own government
and kings to rule over them. Their first king was Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:11-13; 31-39).
Two Houses
12
The northern kingdom became known as the House of Israel under the leadership of the tribe of Ephraim and
Jeroboam in particular. The southern kingdom became known as the House of Yehudah and the tribe of Benyamin
remained loyal to them. That gave ten tribes to Ephraim and tow to Yehudah with the Levites being interspersed
between the two of them.
The centre of worship was intended to remain at Jerusalem in the territory of the House of Yehudah, but Jeroboam
appointed tow places of worship on his own initiative at Dan and Bethel to avoid the need of the people to go down
to Jerusalem for the festivals three times a year which Yahweh had appointed for them to do.
As a substitute, he set up images of golden calves for them and the people fell into idol worship. As a result, the
northern kingdom went into serious spiritual decline and the two kingdoms were alienated and often hostile to one
another. The apostasy became so bad that in the end, Yahweh had to divorce the northern kingdom and serve His
judgment upon it by allowing them to be taken captive out of the land by the nation of Assyria in 734-722BC, never
to return as a nation up to this present time.
When He put them out of His land, He declared they were "LO-AMMI" - "not My people".
The southern kingdom also came under judgment, firstly for 70 years in Babylon and then for their rejection of
Messiah in 70AD; until 1948 when they were restored to the land.
His rebellious children had both been put out of His House to correct them and allow them to eat the fruit of their
own ways, out from under His loving care.
He had said that He would punish them for their sins by allowing their enemies to overpower them, take them away
captive and that they would serve their enemies in foreign lands as an oppressed people and scattered to the ends of
the earth.
But according to the prophesies in Lev.26 and Deut 28:63-64, Yahweh would have mercy upon them if they
repented. And the voice of repentance goes forth, ....
"Come let us return (make repentance) to Yahweh, for He has torn and He will heal us, He has smitten and He will
bind us up.
After two days will He revive us: and on the third day He will raise us up, and we will live in His sight." Hosea 6:1-2
The division and alienation of the two kingdoms is prophesied to be healed in the latter times in Ezekiel 37:21-22.
The House of Israel will again be brought to life and covered with flesh and His Spirit imparted to them.
THE DIVINE MANDATE
The First-born blessing was divided between the two tribal heads, Ephraim and Yehudah. Ephraim became known as
the House of Israel, Yehudah became known as the House of Yehudah.
The House of Israel contained 10 tribes
The House of Yehudah contained 2 tribes
The Melchizedek order, which is that of a King/Priest i.e. a priesthood which rules and has dominion over the
earth was divided between the two of them. Both kingdoms were given a divine mandate to share in that divine order
that has not been realised in its fullness in their present history.
To Ephraim was given t he role of Priesthood. They were to be a fruitful Vine that manifested the giftings of the
Spirit in order to minister to the people.
To Yehudah was given the role of Kingship. To them was given the sceptre as a Lawgiver, to instruct the people in
His laws and precepts so that they might walk according to His ways.
Israel did not enter into and fulfil the terms of the covenant and so the divine plan was executed through and in their
rebellion. He who knows the end from the beginning purposed the fulfilment of His plan, hidden from the eyes of
man but revealed in prophecy. When Yaacov blessed Ephraim as the first-born to carry on the inheritance, he
prophesied, let them grow into a multitude of fish in the midst of the earth (Gen 48:16 RNV). The execution of this
prophecy was in them being exiled from the promised land, Israel (through breaking His covenant), and being
Two Houses
13
dispersed into the nations of the world. In their dispersion they either eventually assimilated into the nations where
they went, or they lost their Israelite identity. Some were more identifiable than others because they retained some of
their Biblical customs, but their covenant relationship with Yahweh was completely broken and their betrothal to
Him that was made at Sinai, annulled.
It was primarily (although not entirely) for the lost sheep of the House of Israel who had lost all covenant
relationship, that Yeshua came in order to establish a new covenant with them. The commission of the Gospel was to
go to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. (Matt.10:56)
His disciples were to be fishers of men" who would go out to these lost sheep" that were as fish in the midst of the
nations and draw them back in through the net of the Gospel. As fish to be caught by the net of the Gospel, it would
not exclusively be Israelites that would end up in the net. The net was cast wide to gather fish of every kind, even
some who would be actually bad fish and would need to be thrown away in the end (Matt.13:47-48).
Yehudah has functioned in their role in a measure, under the identity as "Jews' and have been a faithful witness in
transmitting the scriptures to the world and recording the teachings of His Word.
Ephraimites who have responded to the salvation of the gospel message, have mostly been an unidentified remnant,
that have in a measure, functioned in their role of priesthood under Messiah in the identity known as the "Church"
(since Constantine's time) in varying measures, according to the measure of light available to them. Before
Constantine's time and since, many have returned to their roots and embraced the new covenant.
Both Houses have been partially blinded and need to be united in the whole counsel of God, functioning in the
Melchizedek order. Each without the other is somewhat unbalanced. The Spirit and the Word need to be in harmony
- joined as one, so that each can counter-balance the other and be His witnesses upon the earth - one in the Master's
Hand.
Promises
THE PROMISED FULLNESS OF ISRAEL
THE PROMISES Abraham appears on the scene of the Biblical narrative as a man who is prepared to forsake all and
follow the Master. He was called to be the progenitor of Yahwehs purposes in establishing the kingdom on earth.
Now YHWH had said to Avram, get out of your country, and from your family, and from your father's house, to a
land that I will show you. And I will make you a great nation (Israel), and I will bless you, and make your name
great; and you shall be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless you and curse them that curse you: and in you
shall all the families of the earth be blessed Genesis 12:1-2
That was the calling and the conditions of the calling, and in accordance with that, he was given many promises:
I have made you a father of many nations
I will make you exceedingly fruitful
I will make nations of you
Kings shall come from you ..... as well as being given the promise of the land of Canaan. Genesis 17:4-6
Note that it is to be nations (plural) that are to come forth from him and those nations will be ruled by kings.
This was repeated again and expanded when he passed the final test of commitment and faith: Because you have
done this thing .... (offering up his only son, Yitzak (Issac) ..... ... that in blessing I will bless you and in
multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand upon the sea shore Genesis 22:17
Genesis 35 11, a part of the unconditional Abrahamic Covenant. Here God says that Israel will become "nations and
gatherings of nations." The Greek word translated "gatherings" is "sunagogai," from which we get the word,
"Synagogue." A Synagogue is a place where Hebrews gather, and Israel was to become a cluster, or a gathering of
Hebrew nations.
Promises
14
Here is the essence of the prophetic plan of YHWH that Abraham's seed would be mixed in amongst the nations of
the world and thereby become a blessing to them. Abraham's faith was in the promise of his seed being as the stars
of heaven when there was no evidence or basis in the natural order of things for him to even have one child, let alone
a multitude. As Abraham goes on deeper in his spiritual walk, he is called to walk before Me and be perfect. He is
called into complete holiness with the revelation that YHWH is El Shaddai (the Strong-Breasted One) upon whose
bosom he could rest in complete trust in the surrender of his life. It was on that basis that the covenant of
circumcision was made. It was a sacrifice of his own life as a blood covenant in his own flesh.
And again it was passed down to Yaacov to inherit the same promise, quoting YHWH, surely I will do you good,
and make your seed as the sand of the sea which cannot be numbered for multitude. Genesis 32:12
THE BLESSING OF GREAT INCREASE
In the next generation, Yaacov passed it down bypassing his son Yoseph and conferring it upon Yosephs
second-born son Ephraim. The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; Let my name (Israel) be
named upon them, and the name of my fathers, Avraham and Yitzak. And let them grow like a multitude in the
midst of the earth"
The Interlinear of the Hebrew text says, And the Angel that redeemed me from all evil, He may bless the youths
and may be called on them my name and the name of my fathers, Avraham, and Isaac, and as fishes, grow into a
host in the midst of the earth" Genesis 48:17
The Jewish Artscoll Stone edition of the Chumash renders the last phrase, May they proliferate abundantly like fish
... Ephraim to grow like a multitude of fish in the midst of the earth???
Yeshua said to His disciples, I will make you fishers of men (Matthew 4:19); and He was sending them to the lost
sheep of the House of Israel - i.e to Ephraim (Matthew 10:5-6)
I will send for many fishers .... says YHWH, and they shall fish for them; Jeremiah 16:16
The fishers were to go out with the gospel to catch fish. The twelve went out to the circumcised who had retained
their identity, Paul was specially commissioned to go to the uncircumcised who had broken covenant and lost their
identity completely. He only went to those places. The net was cast to draw in fishes; of all kinds into the kingdom
and then remove the wicked. Matt.13:47-50
The Christians have used the symbol of the fish since early times. They have been found etched in the catacombs of
Rome and are still used today as an identifying mark.
Of Ephraim, Yaacov said, his descendants shall become a multitude of nations. Genesis 39:19 The Interlinear
gives it as: and his seed shall be as the fullness of the nations (Heb. mlo ha goyim) The Septuagint gives it as: let
them be increased to a great multitude in the earth (Gr. plethos ethnon)
Paul quotes this prophecy of Ephraim (Gen.39:19) becoming the fullness of the nations, or a multitude in the midst
of the nations (Romans 11:25-26), that needs to come in for all of Israel (both Houses) to be saved. He calls it a
mystery (Matt.11:25-27), i.e. something that has not been openly disclosed
The Greek of Romans 11:25 matches that of the Septuagint in Gen.49:19, using - (Gr. pleroma ton ethnon)
Blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the nations has come in Romans 11:25 The
multitude, the fullness of the nations, are identified as the descendants of Ephraim/Israel.
And so all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:27) Both Houses, all Israel will be saved when those that have been
filling the nations come into the flock again. Yeshua will come to reign over the united Houses of Israel Ezekiel
37:15; Luke 1:32-33
RESTORATION TO SONSHIP
The House of Israel broke their covenant relationship with Yahweh through idolatry and He divorced them and they
were put out of the land of Israel. Hosea prophesied, Then said Elohim, call his name Lo- Ami; for you are not My
people, and I will not be your Elohim. yet the full number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea that
Promises
15
cannot be measured nor numbered; (Gen.22:17) and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said to them,
'You are not My people - Lo Ami; there it shall be said to them, 'you are the sons of the living God. Hosea 1:9-10
Then shall the children of Yehudah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint for themselves one
head (Ez.37:22, 24) and they shall come up out of the land (earth): for great shall be the Day of Jezreel (Yisrael) i.e.
the day of the regathering of the two Houses of Israel.; Hosea 1:11
Peter quotes this prophecy when speaking to the pilgrims of the dispersion (1 Peter 1:1)- i.e. the sojourners who
were dispersed into foreign lands by Assyria and Babylon. Who in times past were not a people, but now are the
people of God: who were Lo Ruhama (no mercy), but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:10 - a quote of Hosea
1:10
They were not a people of God, but now have obtained mercy and are called sons of the living God. (Gal.4:6) They
had lost their identity in the ocean of humanity, according to the prophecy of Hosea. Now, through the net of the
gospel that had been cast out into the world, they were brought back into relationship with their God.
And that He might make known the riches of His mercy flow forth on the vessels prepared by Elohim for glory ;
namely upon us who are called, not the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles. As He also said in Hosea I will call them
My people who were not My people Romans 9:23-25 (a quote from Hosea 1:10)
and proclaimed concerning the children of Israel, though the number of them be as the sand of the sea, a remnant
of them will live (i.e. gain eternal life in this age) Romans 9:27-28 This is a quote from Isaiah 1:9
Paul is quoting two scriptures related to the dispersed Israelites in relation to the Gentiles who were coming into
the faith of Messiah and the new covenant relationship. In other words he is identifying the Gentiles as being
dispersed Israelites.
RESTORATION TO COVENANT RELATIONSHIP
So at the present time a remnant is preserved by the election of grace Romans 11:5 If the rejection of them was a
reconciliation of the world, what will the conversion of them be but life from the dead Romans 11:15
And if some of the branches were plucked off, and you, an olive from the desert (wilderness) were grafted in their
place and have become an heir of the fatness of the olive tree, do not boast over the branches. Rom.11:17
For if you were plucked from the wild olive tree which was natural to you, and were grafted, contrary to your
nature, into a good olive tree; how much more shall they be grafted into their natural olive tree? Rom.11:24
The symbology Paul uses for these Gentiles is that of an olive tree, even though of a wild one from the desert. He
does not refer to them as a different type of tree. When Yeshua speaks of other nations He uses the same type of
symbology of referring to other nations as trees i.e. in, all the trees of the field (Luke 21:24)
When Yaacov prophesied over Ephraim for him to have the Firstborn blessing as well as Yehudah, that made two
heads which carried the king/priest anointing for the House of God. By so doing, Yahweh established two witnesses
for Himself. As He said, You are My witnesses whom I have chosen, says YHWH, and My servant whom I have
chosen Isaiah 43:10 These two Heads became two Houses which were represented by two olive trees.
Zechariah asks the question; What are these two olive trees .... Zechariah 4:12 And he is told; These are the two
anointed ones who stand before the God of the whole earth. Zechariah 4:14
And we see the prophetic fulfillment is Revelation: And I will give power to My two witnesses, and they will
prophesy ......... These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands (menorahs - anointed ones) standing before
the God of the earth Rev.11:3-4
TWO WITNESSES > TWO NATIONS (Yehudah & Ephraim)- > TWO OLIVE TREES
Two anointed ones who complement each other as His witnesses in the earth. Behold the days are coming, says
YHWH, that I will sow the House of Israel and the House of Yehudah with the seed of man and the seed of beast.
And it shall come to pass that as I have watched over them to pluck up, to break down, to throw down, to destroy,
and to afflict, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says YHWH. Jeremiah 31:27-28
Promises
16
Behold the days are coming, says YHWH, when I will make a new covenant with the House of Israel and with the
House of Yehudah ...... Jeremiah 31:31a I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts, and I will be
their God, and they shall be My people. Jeremiah 31:33b
Paul quotes this in Hebrews 8:8-12, again repeating that it is to the House of Yehudah and to the House of Israel
Ezekiel, the prophet to the House of Israel, says: I will take you out from among the nations, and gather you out of
the countries and I will bring you back into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall
be clean: A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put inside you, and I will take away the stony heart out
of your flesh, and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Holy Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My
statutes and you shall guard My laws to do them, and you shall dwell in the land. Ezekiel 36:26-29 Note the
difference in what is specifically said to the House of Israel;
1. a new heart and a new spirit
2. put My Holy Spirit within you
3. cause you to walk in My statutes/principles and guard My laws to do them,
4. and lastly, a return to the land. It is a process in restoration back into covenant relationship. The land is holy - it is
His land. So it is a people who have been sanctified that are returned to the land to live in it.
The promised new covenant that He says He will make with them is not entirely new in the sense that it is of an
entirely different kind, but is actually a renewing of His first attempt to covenant with them according to the
king/priest model at Sinai, which covenant they broke due to the hardness of their hearts. The new covenant is
according to the priesthood under which Abraham functioned, of the Melchizedek, and not the Levitical order.
In Hebrews 8:8, the word used for new in Greek is KAINOS (Strongs 2537) and means new in freshness Vines
Expository dictionary says: denotes new, of that which is unaccustomed or unused, not new in the time or recent,
but new as to its form or quality, of a different nature from what is contrasted as old This is the same word which
is used in the Septuagint Greek version of the old covenant scriptures showing that what was intended was a
refreshing, renewing of that first covenant which was presented at Sinai of them being a kingdom of priests and
Peters reference to this in 1 Peter 2:5-9 confirms this. [The word in Greek which means something entirely new in
respect to time, i.e. that which is recent, is NEOS, and this word for example, was used for new tongues, in Mark
16:17]
So it is not an entirely new covenant but the same one presented at Sinai with the statutes and laws as given on the
Mount and recorded in Exodus 20-24:8. Yahweh is once again presenting the same covenant to them but established
on better promises, with a better Sacrifice and therefore, a better priesthood.
And so, Yahweh has purposed to bring both Houses into the new covenant. For The House of Israel there has to be a
change of heart (conversion to faith), infilling with the Spirit and a return to walking in His Ways, His torah.
Reading the prophecy quoted by Paul of Gen.48: 19 from the Aramaic Peshitta text: For I want you to know this
mystery, that blindness in part has in some measure befallen Israel until the fullness of Gentiles will come in. And
then ALL Israel will live; As it is written, a deliverer will come from Zion and will turn away iniquity from
Yaacov (The terminology, Yaacov/Jacob is used for unsanctified Israel)
And then they will have the covenant that proceeds from me when I will have forgiven their sins." Romans
11:25-27
It is a mystery that Paul is revealing here that ALL Israel, that is both Houses, will come into eternal life when the
fullness of the Gentiles, comes in out of their apostasy. It is not just a matter of getting saved, but coming out of
iniquity and out of their unsanctified state.
What Paul is saying here is also prophesied in Ezekiel 37:15-28. Yeshua will come to reign over the whole house of
Israel (Luke 1:32-33)- i.e. both houses restored, reconciled and empowered in resurrection life, back in the land to
fulfill their role as a kingdom of priests.
Provision
17
Provision
THE RESTORATION OF THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL
Father put His rebellious son out of His House to discipline him through the experience of what life was like out in
the world. He had lusted after the gods of the world and their ways. Only by being out under them, dependant upon
them, would he learn their true nature and reap the consequence of serving them.
Good parents often have to put their rebellious children out of their house for the world to teach them what they
won't learn by loving parental instruction and admonition.
This is what YHWH had warned them He would do if they went into complete rebellion. "And it shall be that, just as
Yahweh rejoiced over you to do you good and multiply you, so YHWH will rejoice over you to bring you to destroy
you and to bring you to nothing; and you will be plucked from off the land which you go to possess. Then YHWH
will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other gods ......."
(Deut 28:63-64
"I will scatter them in corners. I will make the remembrance of them to cease from among men." Deut. 32:26
"Israel is swallowed up; now are they among the Gentiles ..." Hosea 8:8
But as the Father sent him away, yet His heart yearned after him, for His purpose in judgement is for correction and
not for condemnation. And so he says, "Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For though I spoke against
him, how I earnestly remember him still; therefore My heart yearns for him, I will surely have mercy upon him, says
YHWH" Jeremiah 31:20
"My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray; They have turned them away on the
mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill; They have forgotten their resting place." Jeremiah 50:6
Yahweh takes up the reproach against the shepherds who have not brought back His sheep. Ezekiel who is a prophet
to the House of Israel almost exclusively, gives this prophetic word at a time when they are in captivity without hope
of returning.
"And the word of YHWH came to me saying, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and
say to them, Thus says YHWH God to the shepherds: ...... "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves ......
V.4 "The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor
brought back that which was DRIVEN AWAY, not sought that which was LOST; ...... V.5 "So they were scattered
because there was no shepherd; and they became food for the beast of the field because when they were scattered."
v.6 "My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; (nations and kingdoms of the world) Yes,
My flock was scattered over the face of the whole earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them." Ezekiel
34:1-6
(This is addressed to the shepherds of Israel who were responsible for their own House, the shepherds of Yehudah
did go searching for them afterward and also later again as they were commissioned to do so with the Gospel
message)
"For thus says YHWH God, Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out
his flock on the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the
places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day" "And I will bring them back from the nations .... Ezekiel
34:11.13
So, in the fullness of time, the Father sends His His Beloved Son to shepherd His sheep and to go and to seek that
which was lost and which was driven away.
He came saying, "I am the Good Shepherd, the Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep .." "And other sheep I
have which are not of this fold (of the House of Judah) them also I must bring (House of Israel), and they will hear
My voice; and there will be one flock and one Shepherd" John 10:14-16
Provision
18
"Surely, I will take the stick (branch) of Joseph which is in the hand of Ephraim, and all the tribes of Israel, his
companions; and I will join them with the stick (branch) of Yehudah, and make them one stick, and THEY WILL
BECOME ONE in My hand." Ezekiel 37:19 "Therefore, I will save My flock and I will set up one Shepherd over
them, ..... even My servant David ... (yet to be fulfilled) Ezekiel 34:22, 23
The promise to Ya'acov in Genesis 28:13-15 was; And your seed shall be as the dust of the earth and you shall
break forth abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north and to the south.: And in you shall all the families of
the earth be blessed And we see the fulfilment of that in the manner in which all the tribes of Israel have been
dispersed throughout all the earth Yahweh put them out in judgment but His judgment was intended to be
corrective, in order to teach them what it was like to be out in the world, under the other nations, to reap the fruit of
their own ways without His protective covering and outside of covenant relationship with Him. It was not a complete
rejection that had no hope of restoration. But their restoration depended on their repentance. Like some parents,
Yahweh had to put them out of His House to teach them and discipline them until they came to their senses.
As Paul said in Romans 11:2, Yahweh had not cast away His people that He knew beforehand. For if the temporal
setting aside of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them back be but life from the
dead. Romans 11:15
For the gifts and callings of God are without repentance Romans 11:29 Just as Yahweh purposes to fulfil His plan
through Adam's fall, so He purposes to fulfil it also through the dispersion and exile of the House of Israel and the
House of Yehudah. He remembers that we are but dust, and He can shape and form us into His image and breathe
His life into us in order to restore us. Notwithstanding that there are conditions which apply on our part to enter into
His plan. As the Master Potter, He often has to remould the clay pot until He has the vessel that is suitable for His
intended purpose.
Israel is swallowed up among the nations: now shall they be among all the nations as a vessel in which there is no
pleasure Hosea 8:8
And so, the House of Israel, as a spiritual entity, was swallowed up among the nations and ceased to exist in its own
identity. The House of Israel had become as a dead man whose only remains were dead, lifeless bones, and as
Ezekiel prophesies, Can these bones live? (Ezekiel 37:1) - Can these virtually lifeless remains of the House of
Israel come back to life and be restored as His House His Tabernacle on the earth again? Yes, it was prophesied
that they would!
Once the marred vessel had to be reduced to formless clay once again because of their sin, and the judgment which
He had pronounced upon them had been fulfilled in Deut.28:63-64 and in Leviticus 26, He could fulfill His promises
to the patriarchs. Through the sacrifice of Yeshua as the Messiah, their sin was atoned for and mercy could be
extended through the gospel. The gospel message was to bring back into the kingdom the lost sheep of the House of
Israel that had been swallowed up among the nations.
THE RESTORATION OF THE HOUSE Yeshua's commission as the Good Shepherd, to the apostles was: "Do not
go in the way of the Gentiles (nations) nor into as city of the Samaritans, but go to the LOST SHEEP of the House of
Israel" Matthew 10:5-6
"For assuredly I say unto you, you shall not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes"
Matthew 10:23 All the cities in which the Jews (House of Yehudah) live in at that time in the land of Judea would
have easily have been covered in a short space of time - has an endtime application.
The gospel was primarily for Israel. "Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Saviour, to give
repentance to ISRAEL and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:31
The they, as a holy nation and a kingdom of priests were to take it to the world. This is yet to be properly fulfilled in
the kingdom age. Israel has to be restored to its calling first and raised up in the power of His Spirit.
There was no expectation among the Jewish scholars of the scriptures that the "Gentiles" could receive eternal life
apart from conversion to Judaism. As Yeshua Himself said, "for salvation is of the Jews" John 4:22
Provision
19
When the Syrophenician woman came to Him, He said, "I am not sent but to the LOST SHEEP of the House of
Israel" Matthew 15:24 This could not be concerning the House of Yehudah - the Jews, for they were never "lost". It
was well known where those who had not returned with the remnant that came back with Ezra and Nehemiah, were
at that time. They were never "lost" in a spiritual sense either. And, easily passed over by those who do not recognise
the difference in terminology, but He said specifically, "the lost sheep of the HOUSE OF ISRAEL". It was virtually
only the House of Yehudah in the land at that time.
The Messianic expectation was for the salvation of Israel - for its restoration as a complete and united kingdom
according to prophecy, out from under the servitude of foreign rulers.
The hope of Israel was to fulfil their divine mission as a holy nation under the kingship of their Messiah, and their
expectation for Yeshua to fulfil these promises at that time as had been prophesied of Him.
"Blessed be YHWH God of Israel. For He has visited and redeemed His people. And raised up for us a horn of
salvation in the House of David, His Servant as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets .... that we should be
saved from our enemies .... to perform the mercy promised to our fathers ... and to remember His holy covenant. .....
that we ...... might serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives ..." Luke
1:68-77
"For My eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepare before the face of all people, a light to bring
revelation to the Gentiles, and the GLORY of the people Israel." Luke 2:29-32
Israel's glory could only be fulfilled in and by the restoration of the two houses in reconciliation back in the land.
The prophecy was given in fulfilment of Simeon's expectation for the "consolation" of Israel. "This man was just and
devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel" - i.e. its restoration and redemption! v.25 of Luke 2
"He shall redeem Israel (all 10 tribes) from all their iniquity" Psalm 130:8
It was what Caiaphas the High Priest prophesied regarding the death of Yeshua: "It is expedient for one man to die
for the gospel, and not that the whole nation should perish (i.e the nation of Judah) and NOT FOR THAT NATION
ONLY, but that He would gather in one the children of God who are SCATTERED ABROAD" John 11:50. 52 i.e.
the lost sheep of the House of Israel - the other nations which were Israelites
This was the one question which concerned the disciples, "Will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel" Acts
1:6 And His answer was, "It is not for you to know the times and the season .." Acts 1"7
There was to be a specific time and season for the restoration of Israel. The subject f their discussion had been the
kingdom of God - Acts 1:3 The commission was for them to preach the "Gospel of the Kingdom", which was
salvation, healing, deliverance and the final restoration of the nation of Israel.
The restoration is held over until the fulfilment of the prophetic word. Yeshua returns the second time to take the
kingdom after the fulfilment of prophecy!
"Whom the heavens must receive until the times of restoration of all things which God has spoken by the mouth of
ALL His holy prophets SINCE the world began" Acts 3:19-21
"To you Yehudah) FIRST, God having raised up His Servant Yeshua, sent Him to bless you, in turning every one of
you from your iniquities Acts 3:26 Relates to Psalm 130:8
The promises outlined in verse 25, include the restoration of the land promised to Abraham and the restoration of the
kingdom to Israel.
Yeshua's return is AFTER the restoration of ALL things. It is after the restoration of the two Houses back together
and into the land, united as one people. The saints have to take the kingdom (Daniel 7:27)
The House of Yehudah has returned in part to the land.
The House of Israel is yet to return to the land.
The House of Israel is the Prodigal Son! Luke 15:22-24
Provision
20
The prodigal son took the Father's inheritance and squandered it in an immoral, torah-less lifestyle. When he became
spiritually destitute in unholy and unclean living, he realised his state and made changes in the company he kept, but
it still meant living in bondage among the pig-pens of the world and feeding upon refuse that which was of no value
spiritually until he came to his senses, repented and remembered his Father's House.
A change of heart was necessary first and then a return, a journey back along the route he had travelled from his
Father's House.. Repentance then Restoration!
"I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself: You have chastised me and I was chastised, like an untrained bull.
(Ephraim's emblem) Restore me, and I will return, You are YHWH my God. Surely after my turning, I repented:
After I was instructed (Torah), I struck myself on the thigh (Jacob's breaking of his own will) I was ashamed, yes,
even humiliated, because I bore the reproach of my youth." Jeremiah 31:18-19 "Set your heart toward the highway
(the way back) Turn back, O virgin of Israel ..." (restoration means going back) Jeremiah 31:21
" ... and they shall come back from the land of the enemy ... Jeremiah 31:16
What does the Father do when he returns?
He clothes him in a special robe - a garment of salvation/ a robe of righteousness - firstborn status! Exodus
31:12-13, 17
And he places a ring upon his finger, the seal of his covenant relationship - the identifying sign is Shabbat He also
places sandals upon his feet - no longer a slave, but a son restored to His divine commission to preach the gospel
Note that the vestments for spiritual warfare are those of the Melchizedek priesthood in Eph.6:10-17.
See the typology in Genesis 41:41-42 of Joseph/Ephraim's instatement in authority over the world. Joseph is a type
of the endtime role of his descendants where in His separation from his father's house, he is given the highest place
of authority in the kingdom, next to Pharaoh. He is clothed with special garments of distinction and given the signet
ring of Pharaoh, his actual seal of authority in the land.
The call is to go back to Father's House Leave the world and serving in its pig-pens and return for the Feast - the
Marriage Supper
Fulfilment
21
Fulfilment
THE TWO HOUSES IN THE NEW COVENANT
THE TERMINOLOGY
In his writings to the various congregations, Paul often makes a comparison between two people-groups, "Jews and
Gentiles' (according the King James Version). The word Gentile" comes from a Latin word which conveys the idea
of a group other than Jews and by implication, 'unbelievers' or heathens.
The word from which this word Gentile is translated mostly (but not always), in the Greek text, is ETHNOS which
means no more or less than a different ethnic group. So in many cases where it is used, it is designating ethnic
groups other than Jews. However, there are quite a few passages where Paul makes this comparison where the word
'ethnos' is not used in the Greek text at all. The translators have supplied the word 'Gentiles' in these instances to give
what they presumed was the intended meaning. But, it is not what was intended!
Due to the breaking away of the believers from their Hebraic Roots, the understanding and meaning of many things
was lost, and when the original translators, such as Origen began to translate from the original writings in Aramaic
and Hebrew into the commonly used language of the time (which was Greek) the correct meaning of many words
and concepts was lost and no longer understood.
The Greek text itself bears many loan words from Aramaic/Hebrew which are foreign to the Greek language of that
era and the grammatical expressions were foreign to normal Greek sentence structure, because the translators were
trying to convey Hebrew concepts. They also had to form Hebraic concepts in Greek where there was no words in
that language to express the necessary ideas.
Then again, much of the same problem occurred when the Greek text was translated to Latin and finally to English.
Much has been lost in translation and in misinterpretation of the original scriptures. In the earliest copies of the
Greek text which we have from the 4-5th century, the words in these passages which we are considering, was "Jews
and Greeks", or "Jews and Scythians", and in a couple of instances, "Jews and Gentiles".
Also there are many variations between the manuscripts available to us, and not all of them agree. The Aramaic
Peshitta text avoided this problem as it was retained in its original Aramaic form until translation into English in
recent times. This Aramaic text defines more clearly Paul's intent here in these verses to be a comparison of two
specific people groups, Jews and Arameans, and not of that with Jews against unbelievers or heathens.
Contrary to the Greek texts, all Peshitta text manuscripts are in agreement throughout the texts, except for very
minor differences which go to prove the accuracy of the copies we have that have been made from the original
manuscripts.
The verses referred to are Rom.2:9; 1 Cor.12;13; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:9-11
IDENTIFYING THE NATIONS
Now before looking at the actual passages, the question is, "Why does Paul choose Arameans in contrast to Jews?
What is the point of this?
The term Arameans would imply a people-group or nationality.
ARAM, the son of Shem, the son of Noah had moved down from the place where the Ark landed to the lower
foothills of Turkey. In Genesis 10:22-23 and 1 Chron.1:17, the genealology of Aram is listed from Shem and he is
known to have dwelt in the hill country of present-day Syria to the north and east, and covered the area called
Damascus and Haran. This is the area where Abraham and his family settled and named after them when they left Ur
of the Chaldees, calling the locality in the area of Aram, Haran. Jewish history records that Abraham had spent time
with Noah, Shem and Eber prior to his call to leave Ur of the Chaldees (Gen.12). It is to this area that they go and
settle after leaving Ur, in the overall territory of Aram, calling their locality Haran.
Fulfilment
22
Abraham and his family had abandoned their nationality in Ur of the Chaldees and settling in the area of Aram, this
became their home and therefore the place of their origin from which they went down to Ca'anan. In Deuteronomy
26:5, Ya'acov is called an "Aramean" (some versions may record it as "Syrian" - the more modern term for the same
area). It appears that Shem also was living there at that time as Abraham was met by him on his return from rescuing
Lot. (Gen.14:19-20)
It was back to Haran, the area of Aram, that Abraham sent his servant to procure a wife for his son Isaac and where
also Jacob was told to go to take a wife of that same genealogical stock. Abraham, Yitsaac (Isaac) and Ya'acov
(Jacob) were Aramean in origin. That made the first three founding generations of the nation of Israel, all Aramean.
The term "Aramean" also denoted those who, like Aram, Shem's son who took possession of the area originally,
were worshipers of the one true God and God-fearing in their lifestyle and observance of His laws and precepts.
ABRAHAM THE FATHER OF ISRAEL
Prior to Abraham's circumcision, he remained, an Aramean. After his circumcision, that terminology was invalid as
he then became the "father" and progenitor of a new ethnic group, that of the promised nation which would come
from his loins, the Israelite nation.
Abraham became that spiritual head and father of the Israelite nation when he received the promised inheritance in
Genesis 17, through the covenant of circumcision. Circumcision in the flesh was to be the sign which all his
descendants were to carry as an an outward sign (sealed in their own blood), of the sacrificial commitment of their
lives to Yahweh. It was a blood covenant that sealed them into the bond of sonship to YHWH God as His Firstborn
nation. To become uncircumcised was to break the bond of the covenant. Therefore when the dispersed
Israelites ceased to circumcise their sons, their covenant relationship with Him was severed and all evidence of their
Israelite heritage was removed.
All Yahweh's promises to Abraham prior to Genesis 15, required his spiritual growth and separation unto Yahweh
from all else in his life. The first covenant he received then was for the land and his descendants (Gen.15:13-21).
The promised inheritance of the land remained for a future time, when, four generations later, the nation itself would
possess it, but in the intervening time, Abraham, Yitzak and Ya'acov remained as strangers and pilgrims in a foreign
land in which they were merely sojourners, so in regard to nationality, they were Aramaens.
ABRAHAM THE FATHER OF FAITH
So, the intent is that Paul is differentiating between "Jews" and "Aramaens" as two people groups and not between
Jews and the unsaved nations of the world. The Jews represented the House of Yehudah (Judah, Benjamin and some
of Levi) which was the only group which had an identity at the time of Paul's writing. Therefore those that were
referred to as Aramaens must refer to the descendants of Abraham who did not have Jewish identity - that were not
of the tribes of Yehudah, Benjamin and Levi. In other words, individuals who were descendants of the other
unidentified 10 tribes.
In Romans 2:9 Paul says, that there will be "tribulation and anguish upon every man who does evil and who does not
obey the truth, to the Jew first and also to the Aramean" (Peshitta text) . This is consistent with all scripture. Yahweh
said that He would judge both Houses for their iniquity - in proportion to their sin. The House of Yehudah (known
as "Jews" were at that time back in the land after 70 years of captivity in Babylon. The House of Israel had been
taken into captivity because of their idolatry and Yahweh had judged and divorced them. He had called the nation to
repent and return to Him but she had rebelled and he had given her a bill of divorce (Jer.3, 1, 6, 8).
RESTORATION OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL
Yahweh speaks about how He will take away the spiritual blessings and endowments which he had given her and
cause her to know that he had made her what she was and that she was destitute without Him (Hosea 2:2-13). He
said that He would take her into the wilderness and there he would extend grace to her and eventually take her on a
spiritual exodus back into relationship with Himself (Hosea 2:14-20).
Fulfilment
23
"And He prophetically says, "I will heal their backslidings, I will love them freely: for My anger is turned away from
him. I will be as the dew to Israel; he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall
spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall
return; they shall revive as the corn and grow as the vine: their fragrance shall be as the wine of Lebanon." Hosea
14:4-7
Yahweh had put them away - divorced them but the purposed to restore them by His grace and mercy and extend His
love unconditional toward them. As the dew upon the mown grass He would refresh Ephraim and cause her beauty
to come forth and for her to grow again as an Olive tree which signified that she would again put down her roots and
grow up into Him spiritually and she would once again be a spiritual House in her own right. Yahweh prophesied
that he would cause the Olive tree of Ephraim (10 tribes) to put down roots again put down her roots and grow into a
flourishing tree again that would be fruitful in every way.
Yahweh had put them away by a bill of divorce but He purposed to restore them. Their exile spanned 800 years (20
generations) from the time of their dispersion until the coming of Paul to preach the gospel to them. They had not
only walked in idolatry but also left off their circumcision through the oppression of the successive kingdoms of
Assyria, Babylon, Persia and Greece, and finally that of Rome.
The area to which Paul mostly went was in this central area where all of these successive kingdoms had control. It
was here that Paul's letters to Ephesus, Colossae and Galatia were addressed. This was the area also where the
Israelites who were known as Scythians had established their territory after the fall of Assyria.
Some of the Greek texts use the identification of Scythians in some of these verses (who were Israelites), but mostly
they use the term "Greeks". Although Greek was the spoken language by the educated in these areas, these people
were not Greeks.
Paul also went to Greece where there were descendant of Israelites and to Rome. But to all of these groups, Paul uses
the same terminology and addresses them all as Arameans, so he is referring to their original ethnic stock and their
spiritual status. So in this identification, Paul is referring to them as the lost ten tribes. Used in this way, the term
Aramean covers that of an uncircumcised worshippers of God, like Abraham was before his circumcision.
They were not coming back under the covenant of circumcision which Yehudah in their faithfulness had maintained.
They were being grafted back in as uncircumcised Arameans, into the original status of Abraham, to allow them to
grow and become established in their own spiritual identity, and finally as their own House again, rather than in
under Yehudah's identity.
All who had been converted up to that time, had become part of Yehudah, as that was the only identity of the nation,
the only House left standing in Yahweh's name, so any convert became a Jew. In the return of the ten tribes through
Paul's preaching of the gospel, Yahweh purposed that they were to return in their own identity as a separate "House",
although at that stage it was still unformed, rather than coming under the spiritual identity of Yehudah. It was the
wisdom of God that they were grafted back into the rootstock of the Olive tree, which was through Abraham
"O Israel, make teshuvah (repentance) to YHWH your elohim; for you have fallen by your iniquity. Take with you
words of torah, and make teshuvah to YHWH and say to Him, Take away all our iniquity, and receive us graciously:
so will we render the bulls (sacrifices) the fruit of our lips." Hosea 14:1
He calls her to repentance and obedience to His Word and to make sacrifices unto Him - the fruit of their lips giving
praise to His name -Hebrews 11:13; and to return again to Zion, to come back into the kingdom of God.
The prodigal son needed to come to his senses and come back to Father's House.
In returning she would be restored and fulfil her priestly calling of offering sacrifices that would be acceptable on
His altar, the fruit of their lips giving praise to His Name for His goodness and mercy upon them!
They would return to Zion with everlasting joy upon their heads!
Restoration
24
Restoration
PROVISIONS FOR RESTORATION
THE BASIS OF SALVATION For returning Ephraimites, coming into the new covenant was both salvation and
redemption.
For the Jew, the issue was only redemption as they were already saved by faith in Yahweh and it only needed an
acknowledgment that Yeshua was the Messiah who provided that salvation and for whom they had waited.
Salvation by faith was not an issue to the Jews, but redemption (righteousness) by faith was an issue as it was new to
them and something which they did not understand. They were used to the redemption process of the soul, or
sanctification, being by works of righteousness and the change effected by the new covenant was more subtle for
them. Therefore they presumed that the old order was still legitimate and they sought to impose upon the new
"Aramean" converts (from the nations) the laws of torah, as mandatory for their immediate instruction in
righteousness.
The "Jews" had no problem with any Gentiles coming to salvation by faith, they readily accepted any who did so as
"righteous Gentiles", or "God-fearers". There were no special requirements or expectations placed upon any who did
so, but it was understood that they did not inherit or share the same blessings and privileges as those of the
congregation of Israel and they were not part of or included in the congregation of Israel. There was a special place
outside of the main temple area for such persons to worship, separate from the Jews.
But these returning Israelites were being accepted by Paul into the full inheritance as members of the congregation of
Yahweh in the new covenant, without going through the accepted, scriptural process for conversion at that time and
that was the contentious issue for the "Jews".
The accepted procedure in which any proselytes that wished to be included in the nation of Israel went through had
to be completed before they could be accepted into full fellowship. Once this period of instruction ending in
circumcision was complete, they were given the right-hand of fellowship, but not before.
This was also the issue behind the necessity for Yahweh to give Peter a special vision in His commission to him to
go to the Gentile household of Cornelius. Although Cornelius was a God-fearer and was considered a righteous
Gentile, he had not gone through the conversion process whereby he could be accepted into fellowship, although
'saved', he was an unclean "Gentile". Apart from the conversion process with its final steps of immersion in water
and circumcision, such Gentiles were regarded as ritually impure and therefore, going into fellowship with such a
one would render any observant Jew "unclean" and would require them to go through a separation process until
'cleansed'. They could worship in the Temple in a separate place but not be included in full fellowship with other
members of the household of faith.
THE NEW COVENANT DISPENSATION
The special visitation to Peter was necessary in order for him to break tradition and go to Cornelius house, it alerted
him that Yahweh was setting a new precedent and bypassing the normally accepted practice. Reflecting back on it,
Peter said, "Men, brothers, you know that from prior days, from my mouth Elohim chose that the Gentiles would
hear the words of the Good News and they would believe. And Elohim who knows what is in the hearts, testified
concerning them and gave them the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) as He did to us. And He differentiated nothing
between them and us because He cleansed their hearts by faith" Acts 15:7-9
Peter acknowledged that Yahweh had done a supernatural work of cleansing of their hearts by faith, rather than by a
process of cleansing by the Word (although still an effective work of the Spirit in the new covenant). Notice that
Cornelius was already a believer, this was not a salvation issue. It was a matter of sanctification. Yahweh had done
this to demonstrate that the way was opened up for those of other ethnic groups to enter the covenant community of
Israel. This set a precedent for others, both returning Israelites and those from the nations, to receive the gospel.
Restoration
25
Yahweh bypassed the old order and told Peter not to call common or unclean what He had cleansed and sanctified by
the indewlling of His Spirit. What had been unclean and unholy, had been cleansed and made holy. This enabled the
new believers from the nations to participate in table fellowship with the "Jews" (House of Yehudah). They could
also eat of the sacrificial altar of Bread and Wine in holy communion with the rest of the saints. They did not need to
submit to the previous process of conversion through circumcision before being accepted into fellowship.
When Paul began his missionary journeys, he was harassed by Jews following him and teaching these returning
Israelites, with the intent of discipling them in the conversion process that was standard practice in the old covenant.
This is what Paul referred to as bringing them "under law", rather than bringing them "under Messiah" and what he
extensively dealt with in his letter to the Galatians, particularly in chapter 3.
Paul was not negating torah, as he acknowledged that it was good and useful for instruction or correction in the
principles of righteousness, used in the right way. But what the Judaisers were doing, was virtually taking the
disciples out from under the new covenant and bringing them under the old covenant system. The difference was that
the old covenant required men to live by its principles to have righteousness in their lives, whereas righteousness
was imputed in the new covenant.
It was the wisdom of God in operation to bypass the legitimate scriptural process of conversion that was in place at
that time, to allow Ephraim's descendants to grow spiritually in their own identity as the House of Israel in the new
covenant, separate from Yehudah. (Yehudah's spiritual personality was as the Law-giver -the scepter of Kingship,
Ephraim's was the Priesthood).
THE GRAFTING-IN PROCESS
Paul went up to the central council in Jerusalem, to resolve the issue between himself and those who had been
coming from the Jerusalem assembly, with the elders there. Although Paul had special revelations that were the basis
of his teaching to the incoming Ephraimites, it needed the authentication of the authority which Yahweh had
established upon earth, that of the Jerusalem Council, to be valid.
After much debate, James (Ya'acov) made a decree that they not "oppress" those who were coming in from the
nations based upon the prophecy which Amos gave (Amos 9) pertaining to the lost 10 tribes return from the nations,
and said that they not "trouble them, who from among the nations and who are returning (epistrepho - returning, not
turning) to Yahweh. But that we write to them that they abstain from pollution of idols, and from fornication, and
from things strangled, and from blood. For Moshe has from old time in every city, those that proclaim his teachings
with his law being read in the synagogues every Sabbath" (Acts 15:19-21)
In other words, in every city there are synagogues that preach what Moshe taught, and if they do not already know
the basics, they will learn them as they go each Sabbath to the synagogue to hear the Word preached. This left every
person to grow at their own rate as the Holy Spirit dealt with their heart on issues in their own personal lives and
according to their own ability to understand and incorporate the necessary changes.
It also circumvented the descendants of the 10 tribes from coming under Yehudah in a manner that would make
them part of the House of Yehudah, i.e. "Jews". As the House of Yehudah was the only spiritual entity or "House"
up till this time, all converts had previously been incorporated under them, and become "Jews".
Now, instead of being brought under the covenant of circumcision, they were brought under the covenant
relationship which Abraham had with Yahweh, by faith only, prior to him being circumcised. During the time span
up until the covenant in Genesis 17, Abraham was an uncircumcised man living by faith in the promises of Yahweh
God. (A covenant was given for the land in Gen.13:14-18; and in 15:1-6 while he was uncircumcised).
As a result of this arrangement, they also became "children of faith" through Abraham - part of his spiritual
household of faith as well as being his genealogical descendants, as Aramaens.
THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH
Note that Abraham had a large household of faithful believers who were not his genealogical sons, as well as other
sons other than Isaac and they were not included in the promises to the nation of Israel. Gen.14:14, 15:2, 18:19
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Abraham had Ishmael and Keturah's sons, as well as 318 trusted servants who were converts to Yahweh. So here we
have a whole group of believers that were part of the household of faith, under Abraham, all of whom he instructed
in Yahweh's laws and precepts. These all lived under the Noahic covenant, keeping all Yahweh's laws. Here is the
basis for nations being grafted back in under Abraham, apart from being Israelites. It was only through Isaac
(Yitzak) and his descendants, that the nation of Israel would come forth, for whom the promised inheritance was
made.
Being grafted back into the rootstock through Abraham left it open for the Spirit to lead each individual to go on in
accordance with the call placed upon them, in according to the election of God - leaving it open for returning
Israelites to make the spiritual journey into full consecration of their lives as did Abraham, or to be like Abraham's
household - people of faith from other nations.
Paul designates them all as Aramaens, as was Abraham, and like Abraham they could go on to full consecration of
their life and be part of that company which would inherit the New Jerusalem (Hebrews 11:10,13-16), or else remain
part of the nations of the world who are saved.
This order of things, allowed for the future falling down of the Tabernacle of David once more as it did, in the
spiritual decline that followed the apostolic age.
THE RESTORATION PROCESS
In the following timespan, from the Apostles till the time of Constantine, the truth was trampled to the ground. There
was little oversight and an element of confusion set in with regard to how to interpret the changes from the old
covenant to the new, which opened up the way for Hellenistic influence to bring in pagan customs and traditions into
the ordinances of the assemblies. Marcion was the first to lead the way in this, aborting the Sabbath, bringing in
replacement theology and putting a Gentile face on the "Church" As they ceased to walk in the truth, they lost the
power of the Spirit and the experience of the Baptism in the Spirit which generated the new covenant relationship,
went into decline. A generation of believers eventuated that were not birthed in the power of the new covenant, but
who walked by the letter of the law.
Yahweh has made several types of covenants with mankind and the provisions made under these covenants are still
available. Those who do not, or have not received the Baptism of the Spirit which generates the birthing into the new
covenant relationship with Yahweh are covered under the provisions and promises made under the fore-going
covenant, namely that of Noah.
Yahweh's law is eternal - His ten main precepts for us to live by do not change, but He has made many different
covenants each on different levels whereby man may enter into relationship with Him and be eternally secure.
As we considered, the incoming Israelites were given the necessary requirements at the Jerusalem Council for
fellowship with the Jews (House of Yehudah) who were already walking in the whole counsel of God. The ten basic
precepts given at Sinai, were not included in what was required of them before they could enter into fellowship. That
was because it was an ongoing process to implement that into their lives and would take time to implement. But the
commandments given at Sinai are Yahweh's eternal laws and they apply to all men regardless of their covenant
relationship with Him. They are the basics of the lifestyle which Yahweh expects from anyone who believes in Him
and worships Him. Our worship of Him is evidenced by the fact that we do keep His commandments. So
Sabbath-keeping and abstinence from idolatry is just as important for those under the Noahic covenant as for
Israelites.
His judgment of all mankind will be in accordance with the truth which has been revealed to them and the motives of
their hearts, for which they will be accountable. To whom much is given, much will be required. Truth is being
restored to His people to bring to fruition His eternal purpose for His set-apart nation, Israel, that both Houses may
enter into their full identity and purpose.
THE RESTORATION
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Ezekiel 37 is a prophecy of the rebirth of the House of Israel (note the specific naming of the House of Israel to
whom the prophecy is addressed), with the final outcome of the two Houses being joined together toward the end of
the chapter. The bones, which are the structure of the body are first shaken and brought together, then sinews and
flesh are placed upon them and finally His breath, i.e. His Spirit is breathed into them.
vvS. 1-10 Restoration of Truth
vvs. 11-14 Form to the Body - Body Ministry
vvs. 15-20 New Breath -- Outpouring of the Spirit
vvs 26-28 Restoration of the Two Houses
This rebirth began with the Reformation with Luther and others beginning to restore the te the Body of the House of
Israel structure. The scriptures were restored to the people and progressively truths were restored and the Body
began to get sinews and flesh upon it; until finally through the Penetcostal move, His breath, restored spiritual life
once more to the once 'dead' Body, the House of Israel.
Through His Spirit there were manifestations of His power in healings and deliverance. Move after move came in
refreshing and restoration bringing His Body into resurrection life, with the final stage being the recognition of her
identity as she discovers her Hebraic Roots, as the 10 lost tribes, the House of Israel.
The final scene will be the joining of the two Houses as one in His hand, in perfect unity and function, each
complementing the other as they flow together in the power of His Spirit as His holy, redeemed Bride His
kingdom of priests on the earth according to the Melchizedek order.
With the outpouring of the Spirit in 1900, people again began to enter the new covenant relationship experience
through the Baptism in the Spirit, but there have been many groups who have remained in the other levels of
covenant relationship. He has never withdrawn His previous covenants and they serve as His provision for all
believers who do not receive the promised Holy Spirit and become new covenant believers. As Abraham, they would
be under the Noahic covenant, a God-fearer - one who worshipped and obeyed the one true God, as He did.
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New Covenant
THE NEW COVENANT
BIRTHED AT THE EXODUS
The descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel had fallen under the oppression of the slave masters of Egypt and had
lost the reality of the relationship with Yahweh. The gods of Egypt had been promoted and seemed powerful and
some were in subservience to these gods under who they served.
When Yahweh began the plagues on Egypt, His judgement also came upon the Israelites for the first set of plagues
as they were not separated unto Him. They had joined themselves with Egypt in their lifestyle and so they were
judged along with Egypt. While the magicians of Egypt were able to duplicate the miracles which Yahweh did in
administering the plagues, they remained in unbelief and not until the magicians declared that "this is the finger of
elohim" was there a change (Exodus 8:19) which caused the area of Goshen where they dwelt to be protected from
the following plagues.
They had seen all that Yahweh was the All-Powerful God of creation and turned in faith toward Him and came into
covenant relationship with Him. The test of their faith was in taking a "lamb for a house", and partaking of the
sacrificial Passover meal with Him wherein they placed the blood on their doorposts.
This was a confession of their faith in Him and constituted their redemption. See Romans 10:9-10
Their journey to Sinai took them through Baptism in the Spirit and the Sea (1 Cor.10:); the provision of the Cross to
the bitter waters of Marah; the re-institution of the Sabbath; and the daily Manna - all this before Sinai
The covenant at Sinai was for His already redeemed people to become His holy nation. He was to give them His
laws so they would become a holy people unto Himself. The promise of the covenant was based upon "IF you obey
My voice and keep My covenant" - THEN He says, "you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all
the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" Exodus 19:5-6
In the "New covenant" which is a renewal of this same covenant which they did not enter into it at Sinai, Peter
repeats this promise as being offered to them again.
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people," 1 Peter 2:9
Now, in the new covenant it was to be established on better promises and on a much better sacrifice, that of the
blood of Y'shua the Messiah, the Lamb of God. With the giving of the Holy Spirit of God they would be empowered
to keep the covenant.
Note that the covenant at Sinai did not include the Levitical priesthood. They were to have a plain altar of earth,
based upon every man being a priest unto Yahweh and offering sacrifices on behalf of himself and his family. The
terms of this covenant end in chapter 23 of Exodus.
THE PROMISED NEW COVENANT
Jeremiah 31:31 cites that the new covenant was being extended to both Houses, the House of Yehudah and the
House of Israel. To the House of Yehudah who had continued to keep their covenant relationship with Yahweh, it
was an ongoing spiritual elevation of their walk based upon their acceptance of Yeshua as their Messiah. Now,
instead of offering a literal lamb, they had to recognise that He was the Lamb of God which Yahweh had promised
that takes away their sins (John 1:29), to which all the sacrificial system had pointed.
To the House of Ephraim, it required repentance toward Yahweh for their sins and their apostasy and acceptance of
Yeshua as an atonement for their sins and adoption back into the family of God through Him. The covenant itself
was a renewal of that which had been made at Sinai for Israel as a nation to be a holy priesthood kingdom upon earth
(Exodus 19:3-6). Both Houses (united as one at that time) had failed to "hear and obey" and walk in that initial
covenant.
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In the renewal of the original Sinai covenant, by means of the impartation of the divine nature and the power of the
Holy Spirit, they were now enabled to walk in that holy priesthood calling. They now had a High Priest after the
order of Melchizedek who was able to officiate on their behalf in the spiritual realm before the throne of God on
behalf of their infirmities. It was established on better promises with a better, superior type of priesthood.
The law given at Sinai had not changed, Yahweh's principles for living are eternal - they are based upon His divine
nature and cannot change, but the priesthood had changed and the conditions upon which the new covenant was
established had changed. Yahweh has made many covenants with man but His law never changes.
The sign of the Noahic covenant under which Abraham lived as a king/priest prior to circumcision, was the rainbow
which was a reminder to the conscience of man of His Word and His promises. Man had to walk according to His
God-given conscience which retained the knowledge of Yahweh's laws.
The sign of the Mosaic covenant with the Levitical priesthood was that of physical circumcision which was an
outward sign of the enactment of a blood covenant which required an inner heart condition of complete commitment
to Yahweh God.
The sign of the new covenant based upon the Melchizedek priesthood was the supernatural manifestations in
tongues/prophecy of the indwelling Holy Spirit through the impartation of the divine nature. The new covenant
bypassed the need for circumcision as a sign of the inner covenantal relationship as it was evidenced by their
spiritual renewal in manifestations of the giftings of the Spirit of God. That was the external 'sign' of their covenant
relationship.
BAPTISM IN THE SPIRIT
The Baptism in the Spirit unified both Houses, although they came from different back grounds, they were made one
in Yeshua the Messiah. This Paul states most clearly, identifying the incoming descendants of the House of Israel as
Arameans.
As he says in 1 Cor.12:13, "For all of us likewise of one Spirit have been immersed into one Body whether Jews or
Arameans, slave or free; for all of us have been nourished by one Spirit" (Aramaic Peshitta text)
And again, "All who have been immersed in Messiah have been clothed with Messiah, for there is neither Jew nor
Aramean, slave or free, male or female, but you are all one in Yeshua the Messiah. And if you are of Messiah, then
are you seeds of Abraham and inheritors of the promise" (Gal.3:28)
Paul is not stating that the distinction between these groups which he is comparing, has changed or will cease to exist
in the new covenant, what he is saying is that spiritually they are one, and the cultural differences do not affect their
spiritual status.
Culturally a Jew was circumcised and conversant with all the observances of torah. In comparison an Aramean was
uncircumcised and still in a learning process to incorporate torah into his lifestyle. There were also differences
between slaves and free-men in their opportunities in life as also between men and women, but all were recipients of
the power of the Spirit to operate the spiritual giftings within their circumstances and opportunities in life. In
Messiah they were unified and equal and all had the same opportunities for spiritual growth, as he says in Colossians
3:9b-11: "Put off therefore, the old man (nature) with all its and put on the new man that is renewed in knowledge
after the likeness of his creator; where there is neither Jew nor Aramean, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision,
neither Greek (educated, civilized) not Barbarian, neither slave nor free, but Messiah is all in all."
RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH
When Paul received his commission to go to the "nations" he was led to spend 14 years waiting upon Yahweh to be
given the revelation concerning Yahweh's plan which had previously been veiled, in bringing them back to Himself
(Eph.1:5). As the younger prodigal son, they were welcomed back as the first-born son, which was their original
status. When Yahweh spoke of their return through the new covenant, He said, "I am an Abba to Israel, and Ephraim
is my First-born son"
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Hear the word of Yahweh, you nations, and declare it in the coastlands afar off, and say, he that scattered Israel will
gather him and keep him as Shepherd does his flock." Jeremiah 31:9-10
"Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For since I spoke against him, I do remember him still ..... I will
surely have mercy upon him." Jer.31:20
Yahweh purposed to bring them back under their spiritual father, Abraham - to be generated from the rootstock of
the Olive tree. Yeshua is the actual root of the tree and Abraham is the rootstock or the stump which comes from the
root.
(See Rev.22:16; Isaiah 11:10 to understand this typology)
Their return is based upon coming back into relationship with Yahweh by faith in His Son, Yeshua. The same
applies to the Jews, the House of Yehudah. Both the Jews and Arameans must come into Messiah by faith and
become seeds of Abraham by faith. Each had the physical genealology, they needed the spiritual DNA through a
'rebirthing' by faith into Messiah.
"Now I say, that Yeshua the Messiah ministered to the circumcision (the Jews) on behalf of the truth of God in order
to confirm the promises to the fathers And that the Gentiles (nations) might glorify Elohim for His mercies upon
them" (Rom.15:8-9)
Paul then quotes prophetic scriptures relating to the praises that would issue up to God for His great mercy toward
them. He then quotes Isaiah's prophecy of the regathering of the 'nations' to Messiah: "And again Isaiah says: there
will be a root of Jesse; and he that will arise will be a prince to the Gentiles/nations; and in Him will the
Gentiles/nations hope." Isaiah 11:12
The experience of each of the Houses differed. To the Jew, who understood and walked in the principles of torah,
the renewal of the Holy Spirit brought them into a new realm of spiritual empowerment and confirmed the promises
made to the fathers of them becoming a royal priesthood nation in the kingdom on earth.
To the Aramean, it was new hope (a lost hope restored), a new life and a very personal salvation. The returning
Ephraimites had to make a dramatic change in their lifestyle - putting off all of their previous idolatrous practices
and their sinful lifestyle. It was a situation which was open to the Jews imposing their lifestyle upon the Arameans
and bringing them into it by "works", through legislating how they should live and not as it should be, as the
outworking of a changed heart.
Paul had to teach both Jews and Arameans that redemption was by faith and not by their own efforts of righteousness
- and that, as they lived by faith in Him, He would produce the fruit of righteousness in their lives as a result of a
changed heart.
"But now the righteousness of elohim without torah, is manifested; and torah and the prophets testify of it (i.e. this
was prophesied) Even the righteousness which is by faith in Y'shua the Messiah for everyone and upon everyone that
believes in Him; for there is no distinction; for they have all sinned, and failed of the glory of elohim.
And they are granted the status of being righteous by grace and by the redemption which is in Y'shua the Messiah.
(redemption is the issue here, not salvation)
Whom elohim ordained in advance as atonement by faith in his blood, because of our previous sins."
"Know there fore that those who are of faith are the children of Abraham" Gal.3:7
Paul is explaining that the righteousness which is imparted through faith is independent of the law/torah - it is not
achieved by walking in the principles of God (torah). There is a different principle in operation here!
In the new covenant, Yahweh is imparting righteousness through faith, whereby the believer's heart is cleansed and
they receive a new nature, the nature of Messiah.
Paul had been struggling with the "Judaisers" wanting to bring the ones he identified as Arameans (descendants of
the 10 tribes from the nations) under the old system of righteousness, which as he said, would make Messiah of no
benefit to them (Gal.5:2-4) - they would have fallen from grace. Instead of walking in the provisions of the new
New Covenant
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covenant, they would be placing themselves back under the old covenant of sanctification by the works of the law.
Salvation was always by faith, even in the old covenant, but the process of sanctification was by walking according
to the law. Now the process is inverted!
Sanctification is instantaneous in the new covenant by rebirth, but needs to be maintained by walking according to
the new nature which has been imparted to us. Some teaching is necessary to inform and renew the mind of a
believer so as to have the mind of Messiah and not be conformed to the old nature (Ephesians 4:21-24)
Previously under the old covenant, if a person became convinced in the reality of the God of Israel and wished to be
included in the covenant community of Israel, he had to go through a transitional period of renewal by the Word
being instilled into his life and through the process of appropriating the principles of God into his life, he would
become sanctified or cleansed by the Word. This was the method of sanctification under the old covenant.
Yahweh had given that instruction to Abraham as a provision for the covenant he made with him, "Have your way
before Me and be perfect." (Gen17:1)
Yahweh also called the nation to become holy or sanctified (they were already His people), by hearing and obeying
His voice which was expressed in the ten commandments (Ex.19:4).
David said, "How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Your Word" Psalm 119:9
Y'shua had ministered to His disciples under the old covenant on this principle, He prayed tot he Father, "Sanctify
them by Your truth, Your Word is truth" (John 17:17)
"Now you are clean through the Word I have spoken to you" (John 15:3)
The disciples were 'clean' (sanctified, holy) through the Word washing over their lives through their relationship
with Y'shua (Eph.5:27)
But, up to this point, they had not come into the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit Baptism which was the means
whereby the new covenant was inaugurated.
The new covenant was enacted on the night of His betrayal, but could not come into effect until His resurrection and
ascension to the right hand of the Father, from where He was able to send the promise of the Holy Spirit on the day
of Pentecost (Acts 1:5). That is why Y'shua told them to wait until the outpouring of the Spirit upon them, until they
received that they were still under the old covenant dispensation.
Through the impartation of a new heart and a new spirit (the life of Y'shua) the disciples received the impartation of
the righteousness of God, that is, the divine nature as a free gift - something which they had not merited by anything
which they had done.
But the free gift needed to be maintained by walking in His Spirit and not allowing the old human nature to gain
control and take over their life again. It is a matter of abiding in Him - staying in union with Him and not living
according to one's own will and one's own desires.
The principles of Yahweh's eternal laws are not done away with, but we now possess His nature which is in harmony
with His laws.
It is therefore just a matter of knowing them and doing them!
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Status
THE STATUS OF THE INCOMING HOUSE OF ISRAEL
Before Yahweh had called Israel to be His set-apart nation of priests, salvation had always been available to
mankind. Anyone who was a worshipper of Him was accepted by Him (John 9:31). Yahweh had made a covenant
with Adam after he fell for the redemption of mankind. All who placed their faith in the promised Messiah to come,
was accepted by Him and we have a godly lineage recorded from Seth down to Shem.
After the Flood, Yahweh again made covenant with mankind which did not annul the previous covenant made to
Adam and his descendant, but added to it the necessary conditions to be placed upon mankind for the adjustments for
the changed and renewed earth. Man was allowed to eat meat, presumably because the canopy which was over the
earth had been destroyed and the vegetation would now no longer supply him with the same amount of nutrients as
in the original Edenic diet. This required the prohibition of eating the animals blood, as the life of the animal's soul
was in the blood.
Man hunting animals for food would mean that the animal kingdoms trust in man would be broken and Yahweh
would require an accounting for every life that was taken, whether beast or man and a prohibitation upon eating
blood (Gen.9:2-3, 5-6), and capital punishment was authorised by God. Again Yahweh gives the command to be
fruitful and multiply (9:7). This established the marriage covenant.
What is not written in the scriptural account, but understood by those who orally passed on the traditions from
generation to generation, was that Adam knew Yahwehs laws. He was created in His image and likeness and
therefore he had within him the knowledge of His nature and His character - it was his heritage. How could he not
know what was right and wrong? - it was instinctively within him. In the intimate communion that existed between
him and Yahweh in times they had at the end of each day, whatever else that was necessary for his instruction, was
made known to him. Such as, his commission to guard and care for the garden, the assignment to categorise and
name the animals, which trees were good for food etc., etc. Men were able to live by their conscience and the oral
traditions which were handed down to them. A written code only became necessary for the specific covenant of His
holy priesthood nation. Up till then men lived under the Adamic/Noahic covenant.
Abaraham lived under the terms of the Noahic covenant until the covenant of circumcision was given to him in
Gen.17. The previous promises and the covenant in Gen.15 regarding the land, did not supersede the Noahic
covenant under which he lived from the time he was called out of Ur of the Chaldees. The covenant of circumcision
was the sign that was established for his descendants, the people of Israel.
The scripture records other men who were worshippers of God that lived under the Noahic covenant. We have Job
and Abimelech, king of Gerar (Gen.20-21, 26), as two prominent examples prior to the nation of Israel. These men
attempted to walk with Yahweh and He was able to speak with them.
After the formation of the nation of Israel, His covenant with them did not exclude those of other nations who were
God-fearing and who worshipped Him as the one and only true God. His covenant with Israel did not annul the
provisions made for mankind generally by the Adamic/Noahic covenants - they were still in force. He had called
Israel to be a special people unto Himself, a set-apart nation, above the other nations, or people groups of the world,
with a higher standard of righteousness, a better covenant with special privileges from the other nations. Anyone, of
any other nation, who wished to make a full conversion and be part of the chosen people of Israel, could do so by
circumcision and they were then no longer a 'goy, but accepted as an Israelite.
By the same token, anyone who was a worshipper of God from other nations was accepted as such - i.e. as a
God-fearer (ger), without needing to become circumcised. That was the status of Cornelius in Acts 10 before he
came into the new covenant through hearing the Word through Peter and by the infilling of the Spirit.
A goy (plural - goyim) was a stranger, or a foreigner, a non-Israelite, one outside of the special covenant
relationship of the chosen nation, but still one whose faith included him in the Book of Life as a worshipper of God.
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Circumcision was the criteria to becoming part of the nation of Israel (Exodus 12:44, 48) no foreigner or hired
servant that was not circumcised could partake of the Passover which was the salvation issue. But anyone who kept
the basic statutes and laws of Israel (Lev.18:26 -10 commands); refrained from eating blood (Lev.17:8-10) according
to the Noahic covenant and who took part in the national yearly repentance for sin (Lev.16:29); They were to be
treated with respect (Lev.19:33), provided for (Lev.19:10), allowed access to the cities of refuge (Nu.35:15); But
they would be cut off if they practiced idolatry (Lev.20:2) and they could have no portion with the priests
(Lev.25:10), that is, they could take no part in the priesthood.
Circumcision was the means whereby one could make the transition from being a goy (a stranger, foreigner, alien)
from another nation, to being a citizen of the nation of Israel. Whenever a God-fearer wished to make the
transition, they were taken through a process of instruction that would span at least one year and take in all the
observances of the keeping of the feasts as well as learning torah until the instructor/guardian was satisfied they had
fully embraced all the statutes, laws and commandments with a complete change of heart. Then he was taken
through the process of having a mikvah (ritual baptism) and be circumcised. After that, he was an Israeli.
THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL
This procedure was based upon scripture and was the standard practice for conversion up till that time. Paul went up
to the elders at Jerusalem to get confirmation on the revelation which he had received. What Paul had been relating
of the happenings among the Gentiles, those of the nations being saved, was unprecedented and foreign to them.
Peter stood up and related his experience of being used to open the door to the Gentiles (nations) in Acts 10. Then
James quotes a prophecy to confirm and endorse Peters experience with Cornelius and of Pauls gospel to the
nations.
He quotes from Amos 9:9-12, a prophecy related to the House of Israel being scattered among the nations and them
being rebuilt again according to Davids Tabernacle. The Tabernacle which David had established had fallen down.
For surely I will command. and I will sift the House of Israel among all nations, as grain is sifted in a sieve. Yet not
the smallest grain shall fall to the ground. On that day I will raise up the Tabernacle of David, which has fallen
down, and repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, and rebuild it in days of old: That they may possess the
remnant of Edom and all the Gentiles (Nations) that are called by My name.
The NJB translates the last verse: For them to be master of what is left of Edom and all the nations once called Mine
- Yahweh declares and He will perform it. And some other versions of verse 12: That they may possess the
remnant of mankind, and of all the nations who are called by My name." (RNV) That the remnant of men, and all
the Gentiles (nations) upon whom My Name is called, may earnestly seek Me. says YHWH who does all these
things." (Septuagint)
And I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them I will plant
them in the land and no longer shall they be pulled up from the land that I have given them, says Yahweh your God.
(Amos 9:9-12)
Note the repetition of it being nations upon whom His name was called, those that were His people. The context of
the passage is clear. The subject of the passage is the dispersion of the House of Israel and its regathering, of which
it is said that it shall be as the repairing, rebuilding, raising up and restoration of the Tabernacle of David.
What does this really mean?
First of all, why the Tabernacle of David?
There were three types of Tabernacles constructed in Israels history, the Tabernacle of Moses, that of David and that
of Solomon. The second temple was similar to the first one of Solomon. The Tabernacle of Moses which was used in
the wilderness and in the land up till the time of David was according to the function of the Levitical priesthood
directly under YHWH. The Temple of Solomon was also constructed according to the function of the Levitical
priesthood but under the dominion of Kings appointed to rule in His Name and this type shall be used again in the
kingdom age.
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THE TYPOLOGY OF THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID
The Tabernacle of David was of the Melchizedek order of priesthood, where its priests served before the Ark of His
Presence with spiritual sacrifices of praise and worship, by songs and with instruments, with Psalms and in dancing
in a twenty-four hour schedule before Him to glorify His Name. David established this pattern of worship by divine
revelation (1 Chronicles 28 and verse 19 in particular). This was performed by 24 divisions of Levites who served in
turn in shifts, so that continual worship ascended before His Presence.
This was based upon Davids personal relationship with Adonai (Lord), and in that, the revelation of the
Melchizedek order of priesthood itself, as cited in Psalm 110:1 and 4. YHWH said to my Lord (Adonai) sit at My
right hand ......... You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. This is what has been renewed for
believers in Yeshua our High Priest (Hebrews 8:7-13 - a quote from Jer.31:31).
Abraham came under the Melchizedek order (Gen.16:18-20) as did all the patriarchs which followed and that was
the order under which the first covenant was established at Sinai. The Levitical covenant was established as a result
of the nations failure to maintain their faithfulness to Yahweh and keep covenant relationship with Him. When they
broke the covenant, they forfeited their priesthood unto Him and only the Levites qualified to stand before Him, to
minister for them.
David, entered into that first covenant relationship that was established at Sinai, and he functioned as both a priest
and a king to the nation. The Psalms are replete with the expression of Davids relationship with His Lord and his
obvious experience of having the Ruach HaKodesh in his life in a vital way. In his priesthood, he brought back the
Ark of the Covenant from captivity and set it in the tabernacle which he established for it.
In his kingship he united the two kingdoms (Ephraim and Yehudah) into one, defeating their enemies, taking the
whole immediate territory given to them and even annexed neighboring peoples, thereby extending their borders to
the future messianic age era expectations of being from the Nile to the Euphrates.
THE RESTORATION
The prophets spoke of the restoration of the re-unification of the House of the two Houses of Israel. The disciples
questioned Yeshua as to when this would take place (Acts 1) and with the Israelites from the dispersion coming to
faith, the apostles interpreted this as the season of its fulfillment.
The apostle James understood that the Melchizedek order was reinstated and that the spiritual House which
Yahweh had promised David was being raised up again which bypassed the rituals and regulations of the Levitical
order. The believers as priests under the Melchizedek order were once again to enter in within the veil into the
Holy of Holies before the Ark of His Presence (Hebrews 10:19-22). It was a new and living way made possible by
the sanctification of the heart through the indwellling Spirit of Messiah.
Having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Yeshua, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us,
through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High priest over the House of God, let us draw near with a true heart
in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure
water. (Hebrews 10:19-22)
The Holy Spirit was now the schoolmaster who would teach the new believers as they continued in the faith and
heard the Word preached every Sabbath in the synagogues in whatever city they lived (Acts 15:18-21). Circumcision
in the flesh was no longer a criteria for acceptance into a Jewish community as the Spirit had done the work of
circumcising their hearts already. Rather than go through the prolonged instruction in Torah observance, the Spirit
would teach them. Only the necessary things to avoid were laid upon these ex-Israelites returning from the nations
rather than burden them with all the statutes, ordinances and laws of the Word.
After much discussion on the basis upon which those coming in from the nations could fellowship, James quotes the
prophecy from Amos of the raising up of the Tabernacle of David. Yahweh had promised to build David a "House" -
tabernacle (2 Samuel 7:8-11) This was not only a prophecy of a physically structured "house" for Him to dwell in,
which was fulfilled by his son Solomon (2 Chr.2), but also a spiritual "House" as Isaiah prophesies in Ch.22:20-25
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that would be fulfilled in Messiah.
As Isaiah prophesies, the key of the House of David would be given to Him to open the door of the kingdom or to
close it. He would be the Door of the sheep (John 10:7), to open it to the remnant of the House of Israel to return and
enter into the kingdom.
Under David's Tabernacle, Ephraim and Yehudah were brought together and united in worship and under his reign
they were brought under theMelchizedek priesthood which was a foretaste of the kingdom era to come. So here
again, was the raising up of the Tabernacle of David - the two Houses worshipping together in unity before His
Presence.
So James decrees only the necessary observances be placed upon these returning Israelites from the nations as they
joined their brother Yehudah worshipping together as one in Messiah.
My verdict is, then, that instead of making things more difficult for Gentiles who turn to God (epistrepho) returning,
coming again) we should send them a letter telling them to abstain from anything polluted by idols, from blood, from
the meat of strangled animals and from illicit marriages. For Moses has always had his preachers in every town and
is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath (Acts 15:18-21 NJB)
These necessary things were related to ceremonial laws for bodily purity and it was not the intention to exclude the
moral code of law (10 commands etc.), even though those precepts were not stated in this decree. In effect, the
gospel net was cast wide and allowed whosoever will to come into covenant relationship with Yahweh and grow at
their own pace and depth in their relationship with Him. Neither was it intended to exclude circumcision, or any
other ceremonial laws, like Nazarite vows for instance, but these were listed as the necessary elementary
requirements for fellowship in the holy covenant community. The understanding of, and practice of all other
precepts of His ways, would come as they progressed in their spiritual walk.
In the wisdom of God, this also allowed for souls to come in as children of Abraham, under the Noahic covenant,
and not become grafted into the Olive Tree as Israelites. When the apostolic age closed, truth fell to the ground and
the gospel of personal salvation was preached, rather than the gospel of the Kingdom, which was the restoration
of Israel as a royal priesthood nation once again. Salvation was made available to all, but the endtime focus is the
raising up of His Bride, Israel, to rule and reign with Him in the kingdom on earth.
This requires all 12 tribes to be returned and restored to their covenant relationship with Yahweh as His royal
priesthood nation - His Bride which is composed of Two Houses - 2 entities which feature the two aspects of the
Melchizedek order (King/Priest).
The Priesthood carries the manifestations of the Spirit and the Kingship carries the laws and precepts of the
kingdom. The Two Houses (Ephraim/Israel and Yehudah), the Spirit and the Word must be raised up to their full
potential in order to function as His government upon earth for the Millennial age - His kingdom upon earth.
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Decrees
DECREES FOR THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL
THESE NECESSARY THINGS
The Jerusalem Council made a decree for the returning Israelites of four necessary things (Acts 15:29) based upon
them continuing to hear Moshe preached each Sabbath in their local synagogues. They stipulated only these four
mandatory things on the basis that what they did not already know they would learn as they continued to hear the
Word preached. So these four things had a special purpose on being deemed necessary for them to adhere to right
away.
The Four Things are:
1. To abstain from things strangled
2. To abstain from blood
3. To abstain from things strangled
4. To abstain from fornication
The question arises - why these four things?
And why are they necessary?
None of them are listed specifically in the 10 commands. They are covered in other parts of Yahweh's instructions
for His people and they are the basics of what was required under the Noahic covenant. But is this all that is required
for these returning Israelite?
Not really!!!
But they are left to grow in their understanding and application of the principles of Biblical living. In other words,
what was placed upon them was the mandatory requirements under the Noahic covenant (as children of Abraham),
although these believers were brought into the new covenant experience. Abraham was a Noahide before
circumcision and they were children of Abraham by faith.
Their growth from thereon was left to the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives and their conscience before God. But
it was assumed that they would go on to adopt all the principles of righteous living, in time as they grew in their
faith.
The ten commands and the rest of the Law was not being bypassed here, but as James (Ya'acov) determined, as the
preaching of Moshe was heard week by week, they would progress on to these things, most of which required time
and spiritual growth to appropriated into one's life. These four were chosen as the basics for acceptance as genuine
converts and to establish in their lifestyle the separation from abominable practices which would cause them to
become defiled. Yahweh had cleansed their hearts by faith, but their bodies also had to be holy, sanctified unto Him,
and therefore there was a need for abstinence from all that would defile it.
"For you are the temple of the living God, as YHWH has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be
their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore come out from among them, and be holy, says Master YHWH,
and touch not the unclean things; and I will receive you, and I will be an Abba to you, and you shall be My sons and
daughters, says the Master YHWH the Almighty "Having these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves
from all filthiness of the FLESH AND SPIRIT, perfecting holiness in the fear of Yahweh." 1 Corinthians 6:16- 7:1
Believers are to perfect holiness, not only in their spirit, but also in their bodies - the body is to be kept holy, separate
from all that would defile it. It is to be His dwelling place - His temple.
"Do you not know that your BODY is the temple of the Holy Spirit which you have from God, and you are not your
own ...? 1 Corinthians 6:19
THE FOUR THINGS EXPLAINED
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1. Things sacrificed to idols. In the one verse it says "all things sacrificed to idols" and in the other "meats (foods)
sacrificed to idols". This is all-inclusive and takes in ALL things sacrificed to idols.
Sacrifice requires energy, time and veneration of the thing we deem worthy of our sacrifice - i.e. the idol. The choice
we make is based upon the priority we give it, the cost to our time and energy. Therefore, sacrifice is an act of
worship. Whatever we make a priority in our life and takes our time and energy are our idols, whether family,
possessions or our profession, this is what we worship unless they have been first dedicated to Yahweh.
John said, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." 1 John 5:21
In Biblical times continuing through to Paul's day, the enemy had propagated false worship to many gods, to whom
sacrificial offerings were made and this formed a part of their daily lives. These were often mandatory ritual
offerings and not only formed part of their lifestyle but their work was often dependent upon being part of the
allegiance to these deities. It was directly opposed to the worship of the One true God, and so, their abstinence from
these things was necessary and it often required a complete change of lifestyle and alienation from friends and
family.
The believers were faced with a choice; to partake of the Table of the Lord or that of the idols. Paul says, "are not
they who eat the victims participators of the altar?" 1 Cor.10:18-20 "What the pagans sacrifice, they sacrifice to
demons, and not to God and I would not have you be associates of demons.' You..."cannot partake of the table of
Y'shua and the table of demons." 1 Cor.10:21-22
There is no liberty here for a believer to continue in these practices, it is question of which god do they serve.
Sacrificing to idols is sacrificing to devils - Deut.32:16
Therefore Paul tells them not to eat meat which is known to have been sacrificed to idols, for the conscience of all
concerned. Not that the actual flesh of the meat is contaminated by offering it in worship to a false god, but there is a
spiritual impartation involved (1 Corinthians 10:28 and again in 1 Corinthians 8).
Something to consider: All the traditions associated with Easter and Xmas are part of the sacrificial offerings to
those deities
2. From Blood
"Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But the flesh
with the life in it, which is its blood, shall you not eat" Gen.9:3-4
The commandment given to Noah is not to partake of blood together with the liberty to eat meat. Again and again,
this is repeated in scripture. "And whatever man there be of the House of Israel, or of the gerim (stranger) that
sojourns among you, that eats any manner of blood; I will even set My face against that being that eats blood, and I
will even cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood". Leviticus 17:10-11
"And whatever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the Gerim (strangers) that sojourns among among you,
which hunts and catches any beast or fowl that may be eaten, he shall pour out the blood of it; and shall cover it with
dust." Leviticus 17:13
See also Leviticus 19:26; 7:26 Not only is eating of blood intended in this prohibition, but the taking of life also.
"And surely the blood of your lives I will require: at the hand of every beast I will require it and at the hand of man:
Whosoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God He made him." Genesis 9:5-6
Blood defiles the land Numbers 35:33. He will avenge the blood of His servants Deuteronomy 32:43
3. From things strangled
The Biblical instruction for Israelites is not to eat anything that dies of itself although an alien or a sojourner can eat
it. (Deuteronomy 14:7) The point is that it renders your body unclean. This is akin to being strangled, as the blood is
retained in the flesh and will contaminate the flesh of the animal to some degree. See Leviticus 11:39-40
Because things that are strangled retain the blood in the flesh, any method of slaughter which does not cut the jugular
vein first causes the blood to be retained in the animal's flesh, and is equivalent to strangulation.. "That which dies of
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itself, or is torn with living creatures, he shall not eat to defile himself with it" Leviticus 22:8
What dies of itself retains the blood and what is torn or mauled may have released a quantity of blood, but the
nervous reaction of the animal to the attack would cause it to release adrenalin into the blood stream and that causes
blood to be congealed in the tissues. The same thing happens with modern methods of slaughter when animals are
stunned first. The animal is already in a state of fear and adrenalin is already active in its system through witnessing
the slaughter of others in the line, so there is a high concentration of blood congealed int he flesh of the animal. The
other method of shooting them first before cutting the jugular vein, does not allow all the blood to flow out of the
body either. Meat killed by modern methods may be koshered by salting or by grilling over an open flame, but all
meat that has been lot-fed, is contaminated by additives that are destructive to our bodies, and they are not kosher.
This also applies to chickens. Most chickens on the market are diseased and contaminated by many chemicals, as
well as being improperly killed.
4. From Fornication
Fornication covers all sexual impurity - both spiritual and physical, but in the sense it is used here, the application is
meant to cover all sexual impurity. Paul says, "I wrote to you not to mingle with sexual sinners" 1 Corinthians 5:9
This is meant in the sense of not fellowshiping with them and not eating with them.
"Flee from sexual sin. For every sin which a man commits is external to his body, but he that commits sexual sin,
sins against his own body" 1 Corinthians 6:18 Joining oneself in harlotry defiles the body. The two become one flesh
- the defilement is transferred from one body to the other. 1 Corinthians 6:16
It is included in the list and prominent in the sins which exclude one from the kingdom of God. The commandment
is not to eat with such a person 1 Corinthians 5:11 As Paul says, "fornicators, adulterers, the effeminate and
homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul gives another list in Galatians 5:19-21 of sins which exclude
one from the kingdom.
Now the issue behind the Jerusalem Council decree was that anyone who practiced these things was defiled and
unclean in their bodies. Not only was their spirit defiled but the flesh of their bodies was also rendered unclean.
Therefore others would be defiled by contact with them.
REASONS FOR DEFILEMENT
With sacrifice to idols the participant became a partaker of the spirit of the demon by fellowship at the altar of the
idol, just as one who partakes of the Table of the Lord becomes one spirit with Him. Therefore, one partaking of the
demonic altar has imbibed the spirit of the demon and imparts that to the Body of believers if he sits in fellowship
with them. Idolatry is one of the sins listed by Paul that excludes one from the kingdom of God.
The person who eats blood is taking in the soul-life of the animal, as the life is in the blood, as well as other
impurities and diseases. By eating blood, Yahweh says that He Himself will set His face against that person and cut
him off from his people. If He does it, then it must be a spiritual separation and invoke a curse. Spiritual separation
from the congregation - a blockage in the ability to be a partaker in the fellowship of the Body? With things
strangled, here again it is the physical defilement of the flesh and becoming unclean until evening, with the need to
take a Mikveh.
As fornication is listed as excluding one from the kingdom of God, it also excludes one from Table fellowship with
the saints. As Paul said, do not eat with such a person (1 Cor.5:11) Here again, the physical flesh is defiled by
spiritual contamination.
So the whole issue of the Decree was for believers to become and maintain holiness in their body as well as their
spirit, so that they would not be defiled and unclean and partake unworthily of the Table of the Lord; also that they
would not contaminate others by their defilement.
It was because of the concerns regarding the practices of these former idol worshipers who ate all manner of unclean
food and engaged in temple prostitution, that the righteous living Jews had such a problem. With such a high
standard of physical purity and honoring of the body, as His temple, it was a big issue to accept these unclean
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believers from among the nations coming into their midst, and therefore the necessity of the elementary ordinances
of ritual cleanliness.
There were many other ways in which a person could be rendered unclean, such as by contact with a dead or
diseased body, or by any other types of uncleanness which is defined by torah instructions. In Jewish communities, it
is etiquette to not engage in physical contact, flesh to flesh, so as to avoid touching anyone in a state of uncleanness,
unknowingly. This practice also allows for personal privacy. Anyone who does become unclean for whatever reason,
is instructed to take a Mikvek (a ritual bath).
Agreement was reached in the decision to send out this decree to all the congregations throughout the world as the
standard practice by which all incoming believers were to be accepted into fellowship. This decree by the apostles,
has been cast aside and neglected with nothing more being required than the "sinners prayer", which doesn't amount
to anything scripturally, as faith always has to be proven by our works.
Faith without works is dead! .... .... .... and so, there needs to be evidence of one's change of life and separation from
the old lifestyle to be accepted into a covenant community, according to scripture.
The scriptural standard hasn't changed. The Body of Messiah is meant to be a fellowship of people who commit to
covenant relationship with their Messiah and with one another.
FOOTNOTE This list refers to sins which cause separation from the people of God and His kingdom. While these
things are not a criteria for entering the kingdom, they will exclude anyone who continues in them and so they are
just as important as those four things for entrance into the covenant community.
They are: Sexual impurity, adultery, lasciviousness, homosexual sins, impurity, drunkenness, theft, envy, strife,
avarice, heresies, witchcraft, jealousy, anger, extortion, revelry, witchcraft Taken from 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:9-10;
Galatians 5:19-21
Restoring the Foundations
The Hebrew Roots movement is the latest manifestation of the restoration of truth to the Church that was lost during
the Dark Ages which was initiated with the revelations from the Bible by Martin Luther and his transition out of
the Roman Catholic Church and has had its progression through the many different denominations which have
formed since then, the latest of which was the Charismatic Movement. The Hebraic Roots is a very progressive and
vital movement with a very broad spectrum of adherents across the various denominations and has been growing in
strength and numbers since it's early beginnings in the 1970's. While there is a decline in attendance in the
mainstream churches and many of the faithful are exiting their ranks, the Hebrew Roots Movement is gaining
recognition and acceptance among the churches as a whole and many who have not fully joined the ranks, are
embracing the fresh revelation of truth and enjoying the vitality of spiritual life to the faith that was once delivered to
the saints. This movement was spearheaded by Batya and Angus Wootten of Messianic Israel
(www.messianicisrael.com) and Eddie Chumney of Hebraic Heritage International (www.hebroots.org) and was
empowered by the contributions of the Nazarene churches of the east who had preserved the original Peshitta text
and the apostolic traditions that were given to them intact from the early church.
This is a last day move of God to return to the roots of the original faith and practice of the early assemblies founded
by the apostles of our Lord and Saviour Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ). It continues to be an ongoing process as
diligent search is made is made in seeking God for revelation and understanding in what has been lost for centuries.
it will culminate in a last days outpouring of His Spirit which will bring the Body of Messiah to perfection to meet
Him as His spotless Bride.
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The original foundation
The Foundation of Church doctrine are given in Hebrews 6:2
1. 1. The Principle of Sin
2. 2. Repentance from Dead Works
3. 3. Faith toward God
4. 4. The Grace of God
5. 5. Water Baptism
6. 6. Baptism in the Messianic Covenant
7. 7. Baptism in Yeshua
8. 8. Baptism in the Early Church
9. 9. Baptism in the Spirit
10. 10. Manifestations of the Spirit
11. 11. Gifts of the Spirit
12. 12. Hebraic Basis of Laying on Hands
13. 13. Function of Laying on Hands
14. 14. Resurrection of the Dead
15. 15. First Resurrection
16. 16. Second Resurrection
17. 17. Eternal Judgment
18. 18. The Penalties of Judgment
19. 19. The Rewards of Judgment
20. 20. Going on to Perfection
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The army of invaders
THE ARMY OF INVADERS
THE BEGINNING OF CONFLICT
There has always been spiritual conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness which is ruled by
the adversary of God, Satan.
The conflict began before the world began when Satan who was then a high official in the realm of Yahweh God's
domain became lifted up in pride and presumed to be like the Most High God.
The Bible tells us, "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of
splendor;" (Ezekiel 28:17a) "For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above
the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest side of the north; I will ascend above
the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most high" (Isaiah 14:13-14)
We are given to understand that in his rebellion, he drew away one third of the angelic hosts under his leadership in
accusations he made against the justice and wisdom of Almighty God. The question of the worthiness of Yahweh
God to require complete submission and obedience had to be addressed and so the plan of redemption was formed in
the mind of God to address the issues Satan raised.
It was not long after the creation of Adam that Satan entered the scene, to usurp the authority and dominion which
Adam as head of the human race, had been given over the earth. In the Garden, he proposed the same type of
question regarding the credibility of Yahweh God, as he had done before the throne of God. Through the deception
of the woman who enticed her husband Adam, he gained dominion over the human race and thereby over the whole
earth. Now, it was not only the angelic hosts who had come into subjection to him, but he had also gained an earthly
kingdom over which to rule. Genesis 1:26-3:24 And so, began the enactment of the plan of salvation which was
formulated before the foundation of the world.
THE KINGDOM OF SATAN
The first era of man's existence upon earth was so filled with violence and corruption by Satan's infiltration of the
human race, that it had to be destroyed (Genesis 6:1-8). After the flood, men again rebelled under the leadership of
Nimrod who became a "mighty one on the earth" (Genesis 10:8). He established a kingdom with the cities of Babel,
Erech, Accad and Calneh in the land of Shinar. It is said that he was a mighty hunter of men's souls in opposition to
Yahweh God (Genesis 10:9-14).
The rebellion began in earnest at Babel against submission to Yahweh God by the substitution of the true worship
with a subtle counterfeit of man's government. Man in control of his own destiny under the leadership of Nimrod
strengthened himself in his independence with a false messiah-image which was portrayed in Nimrod after he was
killed.
His wife continued the image which he had adopted of being King of the earth's inhabitants, and claimed that from
his 'heavenly' state, he had impregnated her with divine seed of the promised 'messiah' which would save mankind.
And so , mankind in his fallen, rebellious state was provided with a messiah/saviour image through "immaculate"
conception which was a complete counterfeit of the true promised Messiah that was promised to Eve, in the garden
of Eden (Genesis 3:15).
Satan presented mankind with a substitute religious system which was like the "Most High", pre-empting the virgin
birth of the Son of God through his own intermediatory agent. By this means, Satan deceived mankind into
worshiping him through a counterfeit image. When the peoples had their languages confused and were dispersed
throughout the earth after the fall of the tower of Babel, this form of religion was taken with them and it's end result
is in the many different religions we have in the world today. The same Madonna and child images are portrayed in
every religion under different names in the different languages.
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THE KINGDOM OF GOD
When the true Messiah, the Son of God, came as promised through a virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14), He established the
kingdom of God first in the hearts of men (Luke 17:21) who would become citizens of His kingdom before going
away to receive the kingdom from the hands of its present owner (Satan) and to return at a later time with His
faithful servants to establish the kingdom on earth (Luke 19:11-12,15; Rev 11:15).
He commissioned His apostles and disciples to go through all the earth and make disciples of all the nations as
ambassadors for Him during His absence (Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 5:20). But with the passing of the
original apostles, the truth was subverted was within and it was not long before the true faith was also perverted
through the infiltration of these counterfeit religions.
With the advent of Constantine, Christianity became the state "religion" by enmeshing together pagan practices with
Christian ordinances. Eventually, the Roman Catholic Church became the embodiment of this false system of
religious worship that counterfeited the true knowledge of God as given by revelation through Moses and renewed to
the people of God through the advent of Yeshua the Messiah.
However, Yahweh God raised up a standard and a restoration began with Martin Luther who headed a reformation
against the Roman Catholic Church that eventually led to the Bible being placed in the hands of the common people,
so that all could read the scriptures for themselves. The light which began to be shed on the Word of God has
continued to this day, with various groups breaking away from the established churches, as they saw truths in the
Bible which had been forgotten, or lost to their knowledge.
With each truth re-discovered, which was usually only received by a remnant each time, the main body of people
who had come into this further measure of truth have had to leave the mainstream church of their time, to give
expression to their new-found illumination, and each move of God has ended up becoming a denomination which
then resisted the next measure of truth that was revealed. And so, the process has gone on to our present day, with
each group persecuting the next group who comes into more revelation. "The path of the just is like the shining light,
that shines even brighter unto the perfect day" (Proverbs 4:18)
And so, in each generation, in each church, God has had a people who are prepared, whatever the cost, to forsake all
and follow Him - to leave father, mother, sister, brother. friends and loved ones for the love above all others. He who
died to give His life for us, that we might become the sons of God. That we might know what it is to be adopted into
the family of God - sons of the Most High God - to inherit all of our heavenly Father's estate and be transformed into
His image.
Even so, in this day, out of this last day "church", He is calling forth a people who are willing to lay down all to
follow Him, who are prepared to pay the price of discipleship, who are prepared to be all that He has called them to
be, to lay down their own self-life for His sake and forsaking all, to follow where He leads in the passion of their
love for Him - to count it but "dung" that they might be counted worthy of the prize of His high calling in Yeshua the
Messiah, to be His firstfruits that come forth from the earth into His glory.
"If Jesus Christ be God, and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him" (motto of C. T.
Studd missionary to India and South Africa who did leave all to follow the divine call and gave his life on the
mission field and formed the missionary organisation, Worldwide Evangelisation Crusade)
No sacrifice is too great in the light of what He did for us!
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THE OVERCOMERS
THE CALL TO THE KINGDOM
1. 1. Responding to the Call
2. 2. The Process of Testing
3. 3. Entering the Kingdom
4. 4. Requirements of the Kingdom
5. 5. Entering into the Kingdom
DISCIPLESHIP TO THE MASTER
1. 1. Obeying the Call
2. 2. The Nature of Discipleship
3. 3. The Cost of Discipleship
4. 4. The Excuses Against Discipleship
The restoration process
The nation of Israel was to be His royal priesthood nation upon earth (Exodus 19:3-6), a light to the nations of the
world. For this reason they were given His holy precepts to live by so that all the world could see the benefits of
living according to the Holy One's standards for mankind. As His spiritual children, He taught them and trained them
and when necessary He disciplined them.
The Almighty God, Yahweh, entered into covenant relationship with Abraham, Yitzak (Isaac) and Ya'acov (Jacob)
to establish His purposes in the earth. Through Moshe (Moses), He called them to account that (in His faithfulness to
them), He would execute judgment upon them if they rebelled against Him (Leviticus 26); and so He did.
The nation was formed by the twelve sons of Ya'acov (Jacob). Israel became a nation at the Exodus when they came
out of their sojourn in Egypt. In the wilderness they were given a divine placement around the Tabernacle which
served as their order of rank for divine service. This was the blueprint for the endtime function of his priesthood
nation in the earth and is seen in its final image in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21) Each tribe stands there in a
place of authority at the gates, as king/priests, forming the government of the new earth.
Characteristics of the Tribes
Olive Tree
In the process of time, the nation formed two Houses through a division of the tribes into two groups. The northern
tribes separated from the kingship under the tribe of Judah and became autonomous (1 Kings 12). That left two
tribes, plus the tribe of Benjamin to the House of Yehudah (Judah) and 10 tribes to the northern kingdom which
became known as the House of Ephraim/House of Israel.
After the division, some scriptures are addressed to both Houses and many others are addressed to one or the other,
as Yahweh treated them separately. The House of Ephraim came under judgment and was divorced for her spiritual
adultery and apostasy and was carried away captive by Assyria in the years between 722 - 740BC. The House of
Yehudah was judged also, but not divorced and went into captivity for 70 years by Babylon. A remnant returned and
became the people-group identified as the "Jews" at Yeshua's time.
The greater part of the House of Yehudah (now known as Jews) stayed in the dispersion in the kingdom of Babylon
and later moved to other areas.
The ten northern tribes were never returned to the land and remained dispersed among the nations where they were
carried captive, fleeing from place to place, and in time (for the most part) lost their identity as the children of Israel.
Dispersion of the Tribes
The restoration process
44
But there is to come a restoration! The eternal plan of Almighty God will have its fulfilment in spite of the
shortcomings and iniquities of His people. A remnant will return! A remnant will enter in to become His kingdom of
priests upon earth.
Restoration of the Olive Tree
The Restoration of Truth
With the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in 70AD, the apostolic oversight of the followers of
Yeshua was removed from Jerusalem. When Bar Kochba rose to prominence among the Jews as a Messianic leader
in the next century, he gave rise to the Jewish hope of deliverance from the Roman yoke and was encouraged to
incite rebellion against Rome. This created a division between the followers of Yeshua and the rest of the Jewish
nation who were following Bar Kochba as their Messiah.
Rome quelled the uprising and ordered all Jews to leave Jerusalem permanently making it into a Roman city. The
believers in Yeshua as the Messiah, as well as all other Jews, were forbidden to return to Jerusalem and became
scattered among other nations. With this dispersion of the believers into other nations, the central functioning
oversight of the Apostolic Council was taken over by Rome and a process of pagan infiltration began of the original
truths and practices of the believers in Messiah.
This process of corruption became complete in and through Constantine, who implemented more changes which he
enforced by law. The original truths and practices of the apostles were lost to posterity in time and the religion of
Christianity in the form of the Catholic church was the result.
Yahweh began a period of restoration that began with Martin Luther and has continued down through many
apostolic leaders who have been instrumental in recovering truth to the congregation of God to the present day.
Baptism by immersion, Body ministry, Baptism in the holy Spirit with the truths of healing, deliverance, emotional
healing etc. have been restored to the Body of Messiah.
The last of these moves has been the Hebraic Roots movement which has been predominant in restoring the truth
that the commandments of Yahweh God have not been abolished, but rather, in the new covenant we have been
empowered to keep His commandments through the enabling of His Spirit.
Therefore, Grace has not replaced Law, but both Grace and Truth (law) came by Yeshua the Messiah.
The Law
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The Law
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of
man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be
evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Every Christian, will agree that society must have moral standards if we are to avoid anarchy. But who defines moral
standards? Certainly we humans cannot. The answer is: God alone has the authority to define moral standards;
because He created us. In other words, Yahweh's law, as recorded in the Bible, identifies the moral standards He
wants humanity to live by. If His law didn't exist no one would know right from wrong. The Bible says:
" The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the
eyes. " Psalm 19: 7-8
"The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever,
and are done in truth and uprightness." Psalm 111:7-8
Yahweh's laws are necessary.
They identify sin. They convert the soul!
They act like signposts or schoolmasters pointing the way to the Saviour Jesus Christ (Yeshua the Messiah).
Without God's law no one would know right from wrong.
Yahweh's laws are eternal.
The high level principles they embody will be obeyed throughout eternity.
1. 1. Introduction to the Law of God
2. 2. The Law in the Old Covenant
3. 3. The Law at Sinai
4. 4. The Law in the Two Covenants at Sinai
5. 5. The Law in the New Covenant
6. 6. The Royal Law
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Law & Grace
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (as Yeshua the Messiah), and we beheld His glory, the glory as of
the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
He was full of grace and truth, the two pre-dominant qualities of the Father who is love and light. See 1 John 4:16
(Love) & 1 John 1:5 (Light)
God's love is manifested in His undeserved favour and blessing toward us which is made manifest in Yeshua our
Messiah enabling us through faith to walk in His truth.
Walking in His truth is living according to His commandments which is called the Law.
Through the impartation of His life, we also are enabled to walk in that same balance of grace and truth, or as it is
referred to by the apostles, "faith and works", enjoying His love and favour in keeping His commands.
This requires that we live from the source of His life and not from our own soulishly motivated efforts to obey His
commandments. We must live from the Tree of Life and not from the Tree of The Knowledge of Good and Evil.
1. 1. The Two Trees in the Garden
2. 2. The Two Ways
3. 3. The Results of the Two ways
4. 4. Two Ways of Righteousness
5. 5. Righteousness by Faith
6. 6. The Life of Faith Versus the Flesh
Faith & Works
Salvation is by faith alone but our faith is proved by our works.
The Book of Galatians
The Walk of Faith
Faith & The Law
Faith & The Priesthood
Faith & The Covenant
The Function of The Law
The Purpose of The Law
The Law Not Abolished
The Commandments
The Law Fulfilled
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Grace & Law
What is Grace?
Grace Before Christ
Grace in the Mosaic Covenant
Justification by Grace
Living Under Grace
Living by the Spirit
Law and Legalism
Works of the Law
Paul and the Law
Godhead
The Eternal God has revealed Himself firstly in His creation so that what may be known about Him is there for all to
see, even His eternal power and Godhead (Romans 1:19-20). Not only has He established Himself as the Creator, to
mankind in His Word, but He has also determined to reveal Himself personally to His creatures who are prepared to
honour Him and worship Him.
He has revealed that His Name is Yahweh: a personal Name which describes who and what He is. To those who
enter into covenant relationship with Him, He is the ever-present One, the all-sufficient One, who is able to be all
that we need both now and for eternity.
The Nature of God
Knowing God
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Knowing God
Eternal Life is based upon knowing both the Father and the Son - John 17:3 This involves relationship, a maintained,
ongoing relationship which grows in depth and in the extent of its application to one's life. Here are some of the
basics:
Basic Principles
Developing Relationship
Maintaining Relationship
Trinity
Doctrinal Errors
List of Errors
The Oneness of God
The Spirit of God
The Son & the Father
Relationship & Terminology
Relationship & Function
The Humanity of Yeshua
The Pre-Existennce of the Son
The Holy Spirit
Ministry of the Holy Spirit
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Eternal Word
THE PRE-EXISTENCE OF THE SON OF GOD
He whom we know as the Man, Yeshua the Messiah spoke of Himself as having existed and having had a
relationship with the Father God prior to coming to earth. He referred to the glory which He had with the Father
before the world was and that it was the Father who sent Him into the world John 17:5, 18.
He said, I am not of this world (John 8:23; 17:14).
That necessitates pre-existence. His pre-existence before His incarnation has reference to His divine origin. John
testified He was before Me (John 1:15); yet in the natural order of things, John was born before Yeshua.
Prior to the creation of mankind, the Glorious Person whom we know as the Son of God, existed in heaven with the
Father. Yeshua said, Before Abraham was, I AM -i.e. I already existed (John 8:58)
Since the creation of man, He has made appearances on this earth where He manifested Himself as a divine Being. In
the period before His incarnation, these were known as 'theophanies'. This word is taken from the Greek words,
THEOS (God) and PHANEROO (appearance) i.e. an appearance of God. Theophanies are manifestations of the
Son of God prior to His incarnation where He would appear on assignment in His Father's Name, YHWH, to
represent Him, in a form which was visible to man. In scripture He was referred to as the Angel of YHWH.
We have the account that He walked with Adam in the 'cool of the day' (Genesis 2 & 3:8); He appeared to Abraham
as such also (Genesis 12;7; 17:1; 18:1); as well as to the other patriarchs (Genesis 26:2; 32:34; 35:9). He appeared to
Moshe (Exodus 3:2); and led the children of Israel out of Egypt into the promised land (Exodus 13:21-22 ). He
continued to guide the nation in the time of the Judges, prior to the monarchy, with various visitations to key figures
at pivotal times for Yehoshua's endorsement to conquer the land (Joshua 5:13-15); to encourage Gideon (Judges
6-7); for deliverance through Samson (Judges 13).
When spoken of as the Angel of YHWH, He was known as Metatron, to whom was given great reverence as He
who taught them Torah and was the rod of YHWH and the High priest of the supernal, celestial Temple in the New
Jerusalem (Soncino Zohar, Shemoth, Section 2, Page 159a; 169b & Bershith, Section 1, Page 27a) and as the
Memra (Aramaic) or Davar (Hebrew) for the Word. This is the terminology which John gives Him in his gospel.
He was also allegorized as Wisdom by Solomon in his proverbs (Ch.8).
THE SON WAS BROUGHT FORTH FROM THE FATHER
YHWH possessed me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the
beginning, or ever the earth was. (Proverbs 8:22-23) The Hebrew gives an insight into the nature of the
pre-existence of the Son and the relationship which existed in eternity between the Father and the Son through the
root words used in this passage of scripture.
He possessed me - the root here denotes something which is acquired by being purchased or redeemed and
therefore brought forth as one's own possession. So here, before creation, he was brought forth as a Son.
in the beginning - this has the sens of that which is first, chief or foremost; and therefore carries the idea of being
the first, chief or foremost manifestation of God.
of His way - the word 'way' is indicative of a well trodden path, and used here to mean something well established
as a way of going, or as it were, the very precepts and essence of the Father's Being and character.
I was set up - this comes from two root meanings, 'to pour out' and 'to set up' or install. The language here gives the
picture of the Son being poured forth from the Father and being established in his own identity.
So we draw out of this statement that the Father 'possessed' the Son, the beginning of His way, in that, the Son was
the progenitor of all that which was contained within Himself. He became the Son after he had been brought forth,
but previously he was in the Almighty as part of Himself until He spoke him forth as the Word and released Him
into the cosmos and caused the abiding, engrafted Word which was part of Him and within Himself, to go forth from
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His Bosom and emanate externally from Himself. Thus the Son was of the same essence as the Father, poured out
from Himself into another independent personality. Therefore He had within Himself all the inherent qualities of the
Father in His nature and attributes. We might say that all that was in the 'genes' of the Almighty One was brought
forth and projected into His sole offspring, His Son. As such, He had the capacity to be all that the Father was, as the
manifestation of Him, and could say that he and the Father were one in their purpose and in their roles, except that he
was the manifest expression of the Unseen One.
The life of the Father was centered in Him He was the focal point through which the Father manifested Himself in
all His attributes. When Micah prophesies of He who was to be the ruler of Israel, he identifies him as eternal,
having been with the Father from everlasting; Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2)
No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son who is in the bosom of he Father, he has declared Him.
John 1:18 The word 'begotten' means to 'generate' (not just physically) and was often used for teachers reproducing
themselves in their disciples. It was a term used for reproducing after one's own kind. The term I was brought forth
in Proverbs 8:25 is an equivalent term in Hebrew used for 'begotten'. The Son was generated or brought forth from
the Father.
He is the unique reproduction of the Almighty - one of a kind!
THE SON WAS IN THE FATHER'S BOSOM
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the
beginning with God. (John 1:1-2) The only begotten of God who is in the bosom of he Father, he has declared
Him. John 1:18
The Son was in the bosom of the Father and was the Father's first act of personal manifestation of Himself, before all
creation. The Father purposed to project from within Himself, from His bosom, i.e. - His inner Being, the
manifestation of Himself as the Word that which could give expression of Himself i.e. His Person or 'soul'. And
He purposed to bring this extension of Himself forth as an independent 'Person'. He was brought forth from the
Father in eternity, but he did not become the only-begotten Son of the Father until His incarnation into Adam's race.
He existed in the beginning, as One brought forth from Him and yet in the bosom of the Father.
Who is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of all creation Colossians 1:15 He is the 'image', or tangible
form of He who is not visible in this physical realm. EIKON is a likeness which is a representation of character, i.e. a
precise reproduction, a duplicate created by an impression, the copy from an archetype.
He bears the imprint of the Father by being generated from the Father. So also, in every form of manifestation which
He has assumed, He has always borne that same likeness to the Father. As He Himself said, He that has seen Me has
seen the Father. (John 14:9). As well as being the exact representation of the Father, the Greek word image
(eikon), also conveys the meaning that He is the manifestation of that which is not otherwise revealed or seen which
is further emphasized by saying that He is the Firstborn, in the sense that He is the primary revelation of the Father.
PROTOKOS (Strongs 4416 from 4413) means chief, foremost or prime
He is said to be the Firstborn of all creation, but that does not mean that He was a created being (Rev.3:14). He was
the firstborn of the Father implies two things: priority to all creation and sovereignty over all creation. In the
sense of priority, we see the absolute pre-existence of the Son. Since He pre-existed to all creation, He is not created
in the normal sense of the word and therefore He is eternal. He came from the realm of eternity. Seeing He came
forth from the Father as His chief or prime manifestation, He is also divine.
Wuest gives this translation of the verse: Who is the derived reproduction and manifestation of deity, the invisible
One, the One who has priority and sovereignty over all creation. (Col.1:15)
This same concept is cited in Revelation 3:14 where the Son is called the beginning (chief) of the creation of God
ARCHE (Strongs 746) meaning first in the sense of primary, highest or chief manifestation of Himself. But this does
not mean that He was a created being, but that he was the primary generation of life from Himself from whom all
else was brought into existence. In Hebrews 1:3, His eternal state is described as, Who being the brightness of His
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glory and the express image of His Person .....
The word brightness APANGASMA actually means effulgence and reflection, it conveys the idea of a receiving
and transmitting, shining forth or to coin an appropriate word, out-raying. The meaning then, is that He is the
'out-raying' of the divine glory, exhibiting in Himself, the glory and majesty of the divine Being.
Weiss says, God lets His glory issue from Himself, so that there arises thereby a 'light being' like Himself Alford
says, the Son of God is, in this His essential majesty, the sole expression of divine light. Therefore, we could say
that the Son receives receives the reflection from the Father and transmits this effulgence from Himself of divine
light.
The word used for glory is DOXA and refers to the expression of divine attributes collectively, the unfolded
fullness of the divine perfections. It is used of various displays of divine light and splendor e.g. Exodus 33:18-23;
24:5, 7. From being brought forth as the exact image of His Person as is cited in Colossians 1:15, the concept is
taken further here to illustrate that having been brought forth, from the Almighty, He gives expression to all that He
is by an effulgence, or shining forth from himself, of the divine essence.
The word used here for image is different from that in Colossians, it is UPOSTASIS; which means 'substance' or
'foundation' i.e. that which underlies and supports the outward form and properties, and hence, the substantial
nature and essence. The Greek word for person is HARAKTER from which we get our word character. This comes
from the root word to engrave or to inscribe', and is used to signify the impression made by an engraver from a die
or a stamp. Here then, the essential being of God is conceived as setting it's distinctive stamp upon Him, so that He
bears the exact impression of the divine nature.
In Colossians, the scripture is relating to the outward character and attributes being a replica of the unseen God; and
here, that the basic essence of the Almighty is borne out in that outward manifestation of those characteristics and
attributes. Thus the scripture here is saying that He radiates the divine essence and glory of God in His manifested
presence. Not only does he have the same essence and nature as seen in his attributes and character, but he also has
the same glory in His pre-existence with the Father.
Yeshua spoke of the glory which he had with the Father before the world was, in the realm of eternity, of which he
divested himself when he came to earth. The Interlinear of John 17:5 reads, And now, You glorify Me Father with
Yourself, with the glory that I had before the (foundation or beginning) of the world.
Glorify me with Yourself expressed oneness of Being, yet separateness in identity which they possessed in that
eternal state. We might conclude it as fill me with Yourself in light of the following statement in verse 22, the
glory which You gave me i have given them, that they may be one, even as we are one. In verse 24 he refers to a
measure of the future glory which the believers would have in their glorified bodies. The glory which his mortal
frame contained was limited compared to the glory of the eternal state. But that glory which he had known in the
eternal state, he looked forward to having once again.
On the mount of transfiguration, He was seen with Moshe and Elijah enveloped in that glory which was a
foreshadow of that which is to come (Luke 9:32).
In the Book of Revelation we see the Son restored to the glory which he had with the Father before the world was
created, and He is seen as the visible emanation of the Father - One whom John could see, and yet He is portraying
the image of the Father. When John looked to see the voice that talked with him, he saw One like the Son of Man,
whose appearance was like the sun shining in its strength, and He said, Fear not: I am the First and the Last; and
who lives and was dead; and behold I am alive forever and ever, Amen. Revelation 1:17-18
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Eternal Son
RELATIONSHIP WITHIN THE GODHEAD
The Almighty God brought forth from Himself His Son for the purpose of relationship. In relationship with another
is self-expression of that which is otherwise self-contained and resident within, but not demonstrated in a tangible
manifestation. And so, the Self-existent One determined to unveil Himself, firstly in and with His Son, and then to
and through all creation.
THE INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP IN THE GODHEAD
YHWH possessed me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I have been established from
everlasting from the beginning, before there was ever an earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth,
When there were no fountains .... Before the mountains .... Before the hills, ... I was brought forth;
Then I was beside Him, as one brought up with Him: And I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him,
rejoicing in His inhabited world, and my desire was with the sons of men Proverbs 8:22-25; 30-31 KJV
No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten of God, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared
Him. John 1:18 Being in the bosom of the Father, in such a state of existence, expresses the inherent and eternal
relationship which they have together. It conveys the close intimate love they share, and the grammar in this verse
denotes an active ongoing relationship which continues as such, in the present tense. He abides in that place in the
Father, ever going forth and returning to that grace and love. Tenney says that it denotes perfect understanding and
love. The nature of the invisible God is thus interpreted by One who is qualified to do so through kinship and
understanding. (Zondervan Biblical Encyclopedia)
Because of his unique relationship with the Father, he is able to declare Him, or reveal Him. The verb declare
means to exegete or expound to explain, interpret or report. It comes from two Greek words which means to 'lead
out' (EXEGOMAI ) and 'forth' (EGEOMAI) The word was used for expounding dreams or the interpretation of
hidden mysteries, and carries the idea of going before, with words to bring out the meaning. It also means to recount
or narrate, to to give an exegesis in the sense of giving spiritual direction.
The Son has led the Father out of the realm of mystery into a visible form for man to be able to understand. He has
expressed the Almighty God into the language of a people who have been estranged from Him and thereby has given
an exposition of divine mysteries in so doing. He has expressed Him in terms we can understand. Tenney says, it
implies that the interpretation of God by the Word is complete and final for all the needs of man. He is the complete
exegesis of the Almighty!
Vincent writes, John's meaning is that the Word revealed or manifested and interpreted the Father to men
Sharing the same essence and glory of the Father, He, as well as the Father, in their shared role, were both Creator
and Sustainer of all, the Ever-present One to succour the needs of His created sons.
In summary, we see the Son, because He is of the same kind of Person as the Father, out of the intense relationship
which they have, being able to reveal and expound Him to the perceptions of mankind. It was because of this
intimacy which He had with the Father that He could represent Him to His creation.
THE SELF-EFFACING SUBJECTION OF THE SON TO THE FATHER
This 'bosom' relationship, as it was in eternity, is referred to in Proverbs 8:30-31 as being that of a Son 'brought up'
by Him, in subjection to Him, pleasing Him in all that he did, so that he was a continual delight to the Father. The
words translated brought up with Him in the KJV have a wealth of meaning in the original Hebrew. The Hebrew
word is OMMAN and means a 'steady-handed' one, as that of an artist. The Interlinear translates it as 'master
workman', and some give 'architect' as the appropriate meaning, but it conveys much more than that.
The Septuagint version renders beside Him as suiting myself to Him, and gives an alternative translation to that
of, 'arranging all things' to Him. This further illustrates the picture of adapting everything to, and in anticipation of
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the Father's approval, existing in such a manner as to have his whole consideration toward the Father's desires, and
living completely for Him. As the Psalmist voiced it, the Sons' heart is always,
I delight to do Your will, O my God Psalm 40:8
It also has the sense of giving certainty and support. The expanded meaning could be given as such: that He, as the
foundation of all, having all invested in His power, implemented all His ability to bring forth to the ultimate
projection, all His capacities to the fullest expression of the Father and for the Father and the result? I was daily
His delight
Self-giving love originated within the Godhead!
The second part of the verse, rejoicing before Him; speaks of the reciprocal pleasure in that relationship which
resulted from the Son selflessly giving of Himself for the Father. The word rejoicing in Hebrew, conveys the idea
of something which so burned within that it erupted and burst out of its own volition. Could it be that the Son was so
consumed with the passionate desire to please the Father, that it flowed out in every way upon the Father? What a
delight to His heart!
The words before Him, do not convey the full sense of what is intended here. It is literally 'before His face', or His
person, as in respect to His personality/nature, and therefore the intent here is that the Son was rejoicing in every
facet of His personality in all that he did for the Father. We could say that the Son was so consumed with the burning
desire to exult in the Father, that the passion of it entered into His whole being; and this was always, or a continual
attitude and experience that He had. The Interlinear translates 'always' as, at every time', which carries the sense of it
being at every season, at every period of time, or on every occasion. The Son always did everything to please the
Father.
All the majesty and power of YHWH is founded on self-effacing love!
THE AUTHORITY ENTRUSTED TO THE SON
Because the Son's will was in complete submission to the Father, and His motivation was fully toward pleasing Him
and in harmony with His purposes, the Father could invest him with all His power, and position him with the
authority to use that power at his own initiative. In essence, His will was the Father's will. And so, the Father poured
Himself in all His fullness into His Son, so that the Son might be the manifestation of the Father His Word, giving
expression to the infinite glory of the Father. As the scripture says in Hebrews 1:3, Who being the brightness of His
glory and the express image of His Person
In Him was invested the fullness of the Godhead in His eternal state. Paul speaks of him as such, and having in Him
all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3, 9). We understand here that Paul is speaking of Him in
His re-instated glorified state, as He was with the Father in eternity, but with the one difference, now He has
inherited a kingdom and a Name which has been proven to be exalted above all else in creation. The inherent glory
of the Father which was/is manifested in the Son, is also borne out in the passage in the allegorical account of Him as
Wisdom, in Proverbs 8 in verses 12-21.
The Son did not arise to the position of sitting at the Father's right hand after His resurrection. This was given to him
before the foundation of the world when He was entrusted with being the Father's instrument in creation and it was
into this state of former glory that He returned, after His ascension. In Hebrews it says, For to which of the angels
did He ever say, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You? (i.e. brought You forth) But to the Son He says,
'Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever' (verses 5 & 8)
This refers back to the position given Him before the foundation of the world where He brought forth the Word as
His Son and positioned Him on His throne, at His own right hand, and called the angels to worship Him. The text
establishes here that His position in the beginning was exalted above the angels and goes on in the next verses to talk
about the incarnation, when He brought His first-born Son into the world, and again, He was above the angels
(verses 6-7). This is a quotation from Psalm 45:2-8 where it speaks of the One at the right-hand of the Father. The
position on the throne was allocated to Him forever. This is the former glory to which He returned after His
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resurrection, after He finished what the Father had given Him to do (John 17:5)
David also quotes YHWH as addressing the One he knew as his Lord (Adon), saying, YHWH said to My Lord, sit
at My right hand until I make your enemies Your footstool. Psalm 110:1 In verse 5, it says that He is at the right
hand of the Father and scripture often speaks of Him as being the 'arm' of YHWH the One who performs His acts.
Because the Father has given all power, authority and wisdom to His Word, He is equal to the Father in power,
wisdom and might and acts on His behalf to perform His will.
Before the foundation of the world, in the consideration that Adam would not prove faithful to the mandate he was
given, the Son subjected Himself to the Father's will by responding to go and divest Himself of all the glory which
he had with Him and be born into Adam's race, as the Redeemer/Saviour of mankind (Philippians 2:5-8). In itself,
that was a great abasement of His Being, to be limited to the capacities of those whom He had created. In that He
acted out a human life in perfect submission to the Father in everything He spoke and did (John 5:36-37; 8:28-29
10:37-38). Then, He offered up that life as a sacrifice for those who rebelled against Him. That was the ultimate
example of His loving subjection to the Father and proof of His worthiness to inherit the kingdom.
When Yeshua spoke to His disciples of them seeing His glory which the Father had given Him, He prayed, for You
loved me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24). He was acknowledging that it was because the Father
loved him, and because He had that relationship with the Father, that He could request the glory. The glory was
given to Him on the basis of love. Perfect love motivated all within the Godhead and upon the basis and principle of
this self-less love, the power of YHWH was entrusted to Him in the beginning.
The full glorification of the Son as the name above all Names, was instituted upon the greatest test of self-effacement
and self-denial given to him (Phil.2:6-11). Yeshua could say, Glorify me (John 17:5), because He had already
determined in His heart, Not my will, but Yours be done (Luke 22:42)
In all the glory given to Him, and the greater honor attributed to Him after His resurrection, the fact remains that the
Father is greater than the Son and when He brings all things into subjection to Himself, having stood as the Father's
representative for mankind, He will then deliver the kingdom back to the Father so that He, the Father, will have the
pre-eminence, and be all things to His creation.
Then comes the end when He will deliver the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all
authority and all power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. (verse 24) Now when all
things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him that put all things under Him, that
God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:24, 28)
In His lifetime upon earth, Yeshua had constantly emphasized the fact that the Father was greater than He. He taught
His disciples to pray to the Father and rebuked those who attempted to elevate Him above the Father. After His
resurrection to glory, the scriptures still refer to Him as being subordinate to the Father.
Yeshua Himself said after His resurrection, when speaking to Mirium, I am ascending to My Father and Your
Father, and to My God and your God. John 20:17
and the apostles re-iterate the divine order in their letters to the assemblies; Blessed be the God and Father of our
Lord, Yeshua the Messiah (Ephesians 1:3) .......through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father
(Ephesians 1:17)
praying that, the God of our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom
and knowledge in the revelation of Him. (Ephesians 1:17)
Yeshua came to reveal the Father and His purposes in and through His life, so that we might 'see' the Father in a
form in which we could understand His nature and character and enter into a relationship with Him as His sons, by
His holy Spirit which is given to us.
Torah observance
55
Torah observance
TORAH OBSERVANCE
With the restoration of Torah observance there is also of course a return to the ancient system of the study of the
Torah which goes back to the second Temple period and was in existence at the time of Yeshua. This was begun by
Ezra after the Jews returned from their Babylonian captivity. A standardised pattern of study meant that all of
Yahweh God's people were studying the same portion at the same time and moving forward as one community in
their understanding of the Word.
This also meant that any person could go into any synagogue anywhere in the world and be prepared for the subject
of study. Thus Yeshua knew the appointed time to proclaim the "acceptable year of Yahweh" (Luke 4:16-19) when
He went into the synagogue at Nazareth. Just as Yeshua and Paul walked into the synagogues and opened to the
portion for that week, so it is also possible to do the same today, among those who are walking the same Way.
This pattern of study has continued to the present day in Jewish communities and is now being incorporated by the
redeemed community of Yeshua.
The Torah readings which follow are compiled from the insights and understanding of Hebrew scholars and Rabbis
who have expounded these portions of scripture in much the same way as has been done now for thousands of years.
When God's people study together, they grow together. One benefit with keeping the Torah pattern of study, is being
in harmony with everyone else who is following the same schedule. This brings unity into the Body of Messiah as
the Holy Spirit moves forward in preparing us to be presented to our Bridegroom as a bride without spot or wrinkle.
The Torah portions go through in a cycle from Genesis to Deuteronomy; ending in the last day of the Feast of
Tabernacles (Simchat Torah -22nd Tishrie) and starting again to renew the cycle on the 23rd Tishrei from the first
chapter of Genesis.
Here is a commentary on each of the torah parasha :
1. 1. Genesis 1
2. 2. Genesis 6
3. 3. Genesis 12
4. 4. Genesis 18
5. 5. Genesis 23
6. 6. Genesis 25
7. 7. Genesis 28
8. 8. Genesis 32
9. 9. Genesis 37
10. 10. Genesis 41
11. 11. Genesis 44
12. 12. Genesis 47
13. 13. Exodus 1
14. 14. Exodus 6
15. 15. Exodus 10
16. 16. Exodus 13
17. 17. Exodus 18
18. 18. Exodus 21
19. 19. Exodus 25
20. 20. Exodus 27
21. 21. Exodus 30
22. 22. Exodus 35
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23. 23. Exodus 38
24. 24. Leviticus 1
25. 25. Leviticus 6
26. 26. Leviticus 9
27. 27. Leviticus 12
28. 28. Leviticus 14
29. 29. Leviticus 16
30. 30. Leviticus 19
31. 31. Leviticus 21
32. 32. Leviticus 25
33. 33. Leviticus 26
34. 34. Numbers 1
35. 35. Numbers 4
36. 36. Numbers 8
37. 37. Numbers 13
38. 38. Numbers 16
39. 39. Numbers 19
40. 40. Numbers 22
41. 41. Numbers 25
42. 42. Numbers 30
43. 43. Numbers 33
44. 44. Deuteronomy 1
45. 45. Deuteronomy 3
46. 46. Deuteronomy 7
47. 47. Deuteronomy 11
48. 48. Deuteronomy 16
49. 49. Deuteronomy 21
50. 50. Deuteronomy 26
51. 51. Deuteronomy 29
52. 52. Deuteronomy 32
53. 53. Deuteronomy 32
54. 54. Deuteronomy 33
The Law and the Covenants
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The Law and the Covenants
A. LAW
The Law of God
The law of Almighty God is eternal and unchanging. It is the essence of His own nature and expresses the ordained
principles in which the man He created is to live and bear the likeness and image of God in which He was created.
1. 1. Purpose of the Law
2. 2. Application of the Law to the New Covenant
3. 3. Priesthood and the New Covenant
B. COVENANTS
The Covenants of God
In His relationship with mankind, He has made various covenants to achieve the end purpose of bringing many sons
to glory
What is a Covenant
1. 1. /Covenants:Introduction
2. 2. /Covenants:Overview of the Covenants
3. 3. /Covenants:The Everlasting Covenant
4. 4. /Covenants:The Universal Covenant
5. 5. /Covenants:The Renewed Universal Covenant
6. 6. /Covenants:The Restored Earth Covenant
7. 7. /Covenants:The Abrahamic Covenant-1
8. /Covenants:The Abrahamic Covenant 2
9. 9. /Covenants:The Abrahamic Covenant Overview-3
10. /Covenants:The Covenant of Israeli Priesthood 1
11. /Covenants:The Covenant of Israeli Priesthood 2
12. /Covenants:The Covenant of Israeli Priesthood 3
13. 13. /Covenants:The Covenant of Israeli Sovereignty
14. 14. /Covenants:The Israeli Restoration Covenant
15. /Covenants:The Messianic Covenant 1
16. /Covenants:The Messianic Covenant 2
17. 17. /Covenants:The Kingdom Covenant
18. 18. /Covenants:Conclusion
Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, forever and ever!
Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!
Revelation 5:13; 15: 3
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Honouring Almighty God
Yeshua said, "If you love me, keep my commandments."
Obedience is Proof of Love - I John 2:3-6
"He that has my commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves me ... " "He that loves me not keeps not my
sayings: and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me." John 14:15, 21, 24
What are Yeshua's Commandments?
"If you keep My commandments you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and
abide in His love." John 15:10
So we see that Yeshua kept His Father's commandments.
"You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants ... ... for all things that I
heard from My Father I have made known to you." John 15:14-15
The Father's Commandments are Transmitted Through the Son
The relationship has changed. Yeshua has taken the commission to bring us into an understanding of, and an
obedience to, the Father's perfect will. He has changed our status from that of servitude to that of intimate
relationship and participation in the affairs of the kingdom.
We honor the Father through honoring the Son and doing what He asks us to do.
The Commandments
The New Commandment
Fulfilling the Commands
Idolatry
Idolatry
The commandments we have been given in regard to idolatry is:
"You shall not make for yourself a carved image - any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in earth
beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, Yahweh your
God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of
those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." Exodus
20:4-6
The command is to not bow down nor serve them. Two different aspects of idolatry.
After the fall of Adam, mankind was provided with a way back to relationship with Almighty God through a
sacrificial atonement.
Many ancient writings reveal that the people clearly understood the principles of the Ten Commandments and were
very conscious of their rebellious condition and knew the way that had been provided for their forgiveness would be
in a Messiah figure who would come and make atonement for them.
To be partakers of this promise they would offer a sacrificial animal as a token of their faith in the promised
Redeemer. The sacrificial animal was a symbol of the atonement to be made for them and it was understood that the
wrath of God which was due them would fall on the sacrificial victim and thus spare the guilty worshiper. By their
participation in the flesh of the sacrificial meal which represented His Word, they received, by faith, the benefits of
the promised atonement.
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In the earliest Egyptian texts there are prophecies of the promised Messiah whose life was to end as a sacrifice to
bring about the regeneration of mankind. It was only later that this deteriorated into sun worship and veneration of
the many other deities associated in the cycle of their livelihood.
The prophesied Messiah, in the earliest times, was associated with the bringing of spiritual light which in time was
transferred to the physical light manifested through the light-bringer - the physical sun.
From the desire for physical images, it was a simple matter to begin worshiping the sun. At dawn services, all
throughout the world, the people began looking toward the east, awaiting the great moment when the first brilliant
rays of the sun would shine above the horizon. They began to offer sacrifices to the sun and the other heavenly
bodies and these came to be regarded as gods.
It was Nimrod who began this as a defined and overt rebellion against God after the flood, defining himself as a
mighty one to be worshiped, and from there it spread throughout the world with the dispersion of the people after the
judgment upon Babel and deteriorated into the worship of the creation itself.
Along with the worship of the sun the symbol of the snake was promoted as the one who had 'enlightened' mankind -
i.e. the giver of 'light'. Through the perversion of the sacrificial offering, all forms of licentious revelry became
associated with idol worship involving immorality, sexual perversions, witchcraft, astrology and a sadistic love of
cruelty.
Going back to it's source at Babel, the Bible identifies all counterfeit worship as Babylon and instruct His people to
come out of it.
Revelation 18:4, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any
of her plagues."
Idolatry is the natural consequences of covenant unfaithfulness and a withdrawal from close relationship with
Yahweh God. In withdrawing from fellowship with Him we fill the vacuum with other things. To remain in
fellowship with God requires constant diligence to remove the things which would separate us from Him so that we
walk in the light as He is in the Light.
At Sinai the children of Israel withdrew from personal exposure to Almighty God and in the next instance they
were practicing idolatry (Exodus 32). They used the symbol of the Apis bull with which they were familiar in
Egypt to represent Yahweh God. They had asked Moses to stand in their place before Yahweh and in his absence
they wanted something tangible to represent the invisible God.
Through this, they broke the covenant that they had made and lost their inheritance as a kingdom of priests. This
covenant was not renewed until Messiah came to fulfill the promise.
If is had not been for Moses' intercession they would have been blotted out of the Book of Life (Ex.32:30-34).
A temporary substitute was made for them in the form of the Levitical priesthood.
Notice the injunction that was given to them afterward that they were to break down the altars of the people in
Canaan and warned against participating in their worship or getting otherwise involved in their idolatry (Exodus
34:10-28).
The Israelites were also warned not to adopt pagan religious practices in their worship of Him as He viewed that as
an abomination. "You shall not worship Yahweh your God in that way" (Deuteronomy 12:29 32; 17:9 13).
Repetitively during their history they began mimicking the ways in which the nations around them worshiped their
gods which led them to eventually worship those same gods. He sent prophets to them again and a gain to warn them
about their idolatry.
Elijah contended with the nation when they had gone fully into Baal worship. He challenged them on Mt. Carmel,
one man against the multitude who felt safe in the number of followers doing the same thing. "And Elijah came to
all the people and said, 'How long will you falter between two opinions? If Yahweh is God, follow Him; but if
Baal, follow him" (1 Kings 18:21)
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God showed that day what a abomination the false religion of sun worship was to him.
Jeremiah said to them, "Do not learn the way of the nations. Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the
nations are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are futile; for one cuts a tree from the forest , they
decorate it with silver and gold; (like /Christmas trees)
They fasten it with nails and hammer it so that it will not topple." (Jeremiah 10:2-4)
Hosea describes how the House of Jehu (the northern 10 tribes) were destroyed for establishing a form of worship
contrary to the pattern which Yahweh God had set out that led to them following the ways of Baal (sun worship)
and Ishtar/Ashtaroth (Easter). This sin was the Sin of Jeroboam for which Yahweh brought Assyria against the ten
northern tribes, which led to their dispersion in 722 BCE.
Ezekiel rebuked the people for practicing forms of sun-worship (Ezekiel 8:5-18), for which reason the Shekinah
eventually glory departed from the temple (Ez.10).
In v.14 we have the women "weeping for Tammuz". This was the observance of a mourning period for the
death of Tammuz, the god of vegetation (Semitic equivalent of the Greek Adonis) who was the consort of
Ishtar the goddess of fertility. It is practiced today in the 40 days of Lent before /Easter which is the
celebration of the fertility goddess Ishtar (eggs and bunnies)
In v.16 the priests are "worshiping the sun" - Baal worship was the worship of the sun, called Mithra in Persia.
Constantine brought Mithraism into the church by establishing /Sunday (Sun-day) as the day of worship.
Through Hellenistic influence and the decrees of Constantine, the Church has been infiltrated with pagan practices
that originate in idolatry. These unholy days have been substituted for the holy days which have been decreed by
Almighty God as appointment times with Him.
These forms of worship are contrary to that which is ordained in scripture and are an abomination to Yahweh God as
He has clearly shown. They originate in Babylon, the Great Harlot. We must make sure that we have nothing to do
with anything that is associated with the counterfeit system of worship. Not only are we robbed of covenant
blessings by so doing, but we will become a partaker of His judgment of the Great Harlot if we are part of her by
identifying with her practices.
We are told to come out of her and to be separate and not to have any part in the unfruitful works of darkness - 2
Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1; Revelation 18:4.
We are to keep ourselves from all forms of idolatry. Only a very simple idolater would have supposed that the idol
he bowed before was actually the god he was worshiping. Instead the idol was a physical representation of the
spiritual power of that god. The pagan deitys power and essence were thought to be captured within the idolatrous
image. The idea was that possessing the representation of a god(dess) would bring him or her to the aid of the
worshiper. We are brought under the power of whatever we serve.
Idolatry has many faces. In our society it is often subtle rather than a literal bowing down before a physical form of
something.
Idolatry may be summed up as worshiping what is made with human hands and ascribing to these objects the glory
or importance that belongs to the Creator. All of us may have worshiped a new car, boat, house, or possibly deified
some sports, fashion, political or preacher personality.
Anything that becomes the focus of our time, affections, and money for the pleasure and satisfaction it gives us, has
a place in our hearts that is becoming an idol.
Idolatry is the delight of the evil one, and his most effective tool and is used to effectively divert our eyes from the
Creator to His creation - the physical, material world.
"Little children, keep yourselves from idols." 1 John 5:21
For more information on Easter, Christmas, Sunday worship and other pagan observances, click on these links:
Easter Observance
Idolatry
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Easter Traditions
Christmas Celebration
Christmas trees
Birth Christ
Satan's Birthday
Sunday Worship
Halloween
Holy Days
Honouring His Name
Do you know God's personal name?
Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? .... .... Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His Name, and what is His Son's Name, if you know? Proverbs 30:4
Both the writer of Proverbs and David knew His Name as the use of the divine Name 'Yahweh' was current in their
time.
David used it in Psalm 110: 1-2
The Son was named for His earthly life by His Father as Yehoshua/Yeshua, translated Jesus (Matthew 1:21)
We know and use the Son's Name, but the Name for the godhead which still applies to the Father has fallen into
disuse. Part of the reason for this has been the mistranslation from the original texts using 'LORD' (in capitals) for
the divine name 'Yahweh', as well as man-made traditions prohibiting it's use. The translators have hidden the divine
Name by using the substitute word 'LORD', which is not a translation of the original text, but a title and a substitute
name.
If we use substitute titles, we are not using His true name. Isaiah 42: 8
Because the name represents the reputation of the one named, a name should be treated with respect. God's Names,
in all of their forms, should be treated with enormous respect and reverence.
You shall not take the Name of Yahweh your God in vain: for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes His
Name in vain. Deuteronomy 5:11 Also Exodus 20: 7
What is it to take His Name 'in vain'?
To ignore, neglect to use the Name, or pass over its importance, in regarding it of no purpose for today, is taking it in
vain. Just as using it so commonly as to be without the appropriate reverence and due honor.
To remove His Name from being used, is to bring it to nothing and make it without value. Yeshua/Jesus prayed,
Hallowed be Your Name, it could be translated Let your Name be sanctified or treated as holy, with respect and
honour. Matt. 6:9
There is a differentiation made from addressing Him as 'God' (elohim) in a generic sense, or in using titles to refer to
Him, from actually using His Name. His Name should be exalted by being used in worship, prayer and praise and in
speaking of His wondrous works.
His people are instructed to call upon His Name - See Psalm 105: 1
Yeshua/Jesus and the apostle John both spoke of knowing the Father and the Son as part of the experience of having
eternal life (John 17: 3; 1 John 1: 1-3)
A personal relationship motivates a progression beyond formality to familiarity in addressing the other person. Using
a title and a generic name for God is that of a non-personal, distant type of relationship.
Knowing His Name
Honouring His Name
62
History of the Name
The Importance of Knowing His Name
Old Testament Usage of the Name
New Testament Usage of the Name
Attributes of His Names
Messianic Fulfillment of the Name
Appendix 1 - Evidence for Yeshua's Name
Appendix 2 - Evidence for Yahweh's name
Sabbath
Introduction
History
Statements of Historians
Church statements
Apologetics
Holy Priesthood
Priesthood
The Dictionary definition of a priest is "one especially consecrated to the service of a divinity and through whom
worship, prayer, sacrifice, or other service is offered to the object of worship - and pardon, blessing, or deliverance is
obtained by the worshipper." (Funk and Wagnall Vol. 21 p.273)
The first priest on earth was Adam and the concept of priesthood has not changed from its first institution with him.
It is only the order of priesthood which has changed. There have been several changes in the form of priesthood
which Yahweh God has ordained for man to approach Him and with each change in priesthood a change came in the
sacrifices that were offered and the type of "tabernacle" in which they were offered. A priesthood is always
established on a covenantal agreement between the worshippers and their God, and that is inaugurated by a
sacrificial offering.
A priest is required to act as a mediator. He is one who represents the Divine being to His subjects and in return from
them to their God. He acts as an ambassador, a chosen vehicle through whom Yahweh God has chosen to serve the
people and represent Him, on His behalf. He also mediates between the people and their God.
The Melchizedek Priesthood
What is Priesthood
Priesthood in the New Covenant
Defining the Melchizedek Priesthood
Sonship in the Melchizedek Order
The Original Priesthood
The Firstborn Priesthood
The Firstfruits unto God
The Birthright of the New Covenant
The Corporate Priesthood
The Authority of the Priesthood
Holy Priesthood
63
The Kingdom Mandate
Fulfilling the Kingdom Mandate
The Status of the Firstborn Sons
Separation unto the Lord
Separation Unto The Lord
We have been called to be priests unto God , a holy priesthood that is set apart from the world and it's interests,
devoted to our High Priest, Yeshua the Messiah.
As Peter said, "But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be
holy, for I am holy'''"" 1 Peter 1:15-16
"And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has He reconciled in the
body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight - if indeed you
continue in the faith grounded and steadfast, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard .."
Colossians 1:21-23a.
Having been saved reconciled to God through His life but there is a process of sanctification which we need to go
through to redeem our souls from the corruption of this world. As Paul says,
"Therefore my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His
good pleasure''." Philippians 2:12-13
With this promise and prayer if we continue to walk with Him: "Now may the God of peace Himself, sanctify you
completely, and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord, Yeshua the
Messiah. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it'''" 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
We need to give earnest heed to the things we are taught in the Word, taking hold of the precious promises which are
given to us so that we might be partakers of the divine nature.
If we do that we will secure our election and our calling into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour,
Yeshua the Messiah. 2 Peter 1:2-11
Set Apart for Him
Crucifying the Flesh
Renewing the Mind
The Fruit of the Spirit
Being Spirit-Filled
Unclean foods
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Unclean foods
Unclean Foods
God has called us to be a holy, separated people, different from the world.
We who follow the Messiah are redeemed Israel. God desires everything we do to be a testimony to His holiness.
Since God wants His people to be pure and holy in every area of life, He gave them instructions that tell them how to
eat. For God wants His people to live clean, act clean, speak clean, think clean and eat clean.
We are told that we are to regard our bodies as His temple and not to defile it but to keep it pure and holy (1
Corinthians 3:16-17) "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, whom you
have from God and you are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19)
And this does extend to how we care for our bodies in what we eat and drink: "Therefore, whether you eat or drink,
or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31) Even our eating is subject to the will of God,
who gives us everything that is holy and good to enjoy.
Our bodily purity and its health is His concern, as cited by John, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper and be in
health, even as your soul prospers." (3 John 2)
You shall therefore make a difference between clean animals and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean:
and you shall not make your souls abominable by animal, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that moves on
the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. And you shall be holy unto me. for I, Yahweh, am holy,
and have separated you from other people, that you should be mine. (Leviticus 20:25-26)
Now when it comes to how we should eat to maintain our bodies in a state of health, who knows better than God
what is good for us to eat and what is not?
The dietary laws which He has given us are just as much a part of God's word as any other portion and if we are
wise, we will heed them. Remember that obeying God's instructions, like the dietary laws, will be health to our flesh.
(Proverbs 3:1-2, 7-8)
In Proverbs 16:25 it says, "There is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way of death." And this verse
follows verse twenty-four in which we see how God's words/laws and commandments are Sweetness to the Soul and
health to the bones.
"For this is the love of God that you keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." (1
John 5:3)
The "Kosher" or Clean Meats
The lists in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 shows us what Yahweh God considers fit to eat: Of the animals, they
must chew their cud and have a split hoof. Those that qualify are are the ox (bovines, including cows), the sheep, the
goat, the deer, the gazelle, the ibex, the antelope and the mountain sheep.
Animals that are not kosher/clean because although they have one of the two characteristics, they do not have both
are the camel, the rock badger, the rabbit, and the pig. Any animal that walks on paws (such as dogs and cats) are
also not kosher/clean.
"chews the cud" - The Hebrew word that is translated "chews the cud" is "ma'alat", which comes from the root
"alah", "going up". "Ma'alat" literally means "that lifts (the food)".
These animals regurgitate the food from the stomach and chew it thoroughly. Animals that chew the cud have three
or four stomachs. When they eat, they swallow the food into the first stomach. Then the food moves to the second
stomach. From there the food is "lifted" again to the mouth. After this, they swallow it down into the third stomach.
Unclean foods
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An interesting consequence of the ruminant-type digestive process is the fact that ruminants aren't Predatory or
Carnivorous animals. They get all the nutrition they need from plants and this results in less disease and fewer
parasites in their bodies.
There was an article published in 1953 in the bulletin of the history of medicine, published by Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine in a study entitled an experimental pharmacological appreciation of Leviticus 11 and
Deuteronomy 14 by David I. Macht, M.D. Dr. Macht tested extracts from the meats of the various clean and
unclean animals as defined by the dietary law, including 54 kinds of fish, using a standard toxicological test.
The results were that every single animal meat that Yahweh forbade as food in His dietary law came out of the test
as being toxic. And every single animal meat that Yahweh allowed as food in his dietary law was proved to be
non-toxic. There was a 100% correlation between the list of animals in Yahwehs dietary law and the scientific
study.
Overview of Scripture Principles
Unclean Animal Food List
Diseases of Unclean Foods
Other Regulations - Blood & Fat
Weekly Sabbath
Preparation for the Sabbath
Symbolism in the Sabbath
Evening Service
Morning Service
Closing Service
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66
New Moon
The Scriptual Precedent
"God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate day from night; they shall serve as signs for the
set times - the days and the years; and they shall serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth.'
And it was so. God made the two great lights, the greater light to dominate the day and the lesser light to dominate
the night, and the stars." Gen.1:14-16
These two great lights are the sun, and the moon, respectively. The word for 'set times' here is moedim (appointed
times) which is the very word that Yahweh chooses to use to describe His festivals. One more passage that speaks of
these two lights is found in Psalms 104:19: "He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set."
This passage clearly sets the moon apart as the main marker of the seasons, while the sun is to mark the day. The
moon that reflects the light of the Sun confirms throughout the month as it waxes and wanes that the created order is
not chaotic. Its visible rebirth each month is very orderly and precise, but not absolutely predictable. Therefore, each
month has a degree of expectancy about it.
The Ordination of the New Moon
The months in the Sacred calendar are established as lunar months. Therefore the sighting of the new moon was
ordained to establish the beginning of the monthly cycle and therefore the first day of the month. The moon's full
cycle of illumination lasts a little over 29 days. Thus we have our biblical months of either 29 or 30 days.
The New Moon is a precise astronomical event and can occur on different days because of the rotation of the earth.
The determination of the New Moon, therefore, must be determined from the time in which it occurs in Jerusalem to
ensure the uniformity of religious worship throughout the world, given increased communication.
This is based upon scripture which places Jerusalem as the throne of Yahweh (Jeremiah 3:17), the centre-point of the
law which will be given under Messiah (Isaiah 2: 3) through the waters of the Spirit (Zechariah 8:22; 14:8-21). God
has placed His name there for ever (2 Chronicles 33: 4) Before the time of modern calendars, the new moon was
vitally important as it was the official announcement of when the new month had begun. Because Yahweh gave
commandment to observe the feasts and festivals in their given times it was vital to keep accurate count of when the
new month began to celebrate the festivals correctly.
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them: Yahwehs appointed festivals that
you are to designate as holy convocations these are My appointed festivals. (Leviticus 23:1-2) These are the
appointed festivals of Yahweh, the holy convocations, which you shall designate in their appropriate time.
(Leviticus 23:4).
God is very clear that the festivals are to be celebrated not because they are for man but because they are His
appointed times. These festivals are holy not because man makes them so, but because Yahweh Himself declares
them holy. Since Yahweh is the One who instituted them, it is a reasonable act of worship and obedience to observe
them when He designated.
The Sanhedrin, which was the council of elders in Israel, would confirm the sighting of the new moon based upon
reliable witnesses and shofars were blown in accordance with the scripture to announce the beginning of the month.
Today, the rabbinical calendar is based on calculations set up by Rabbi Hillel the second in the mid fourth century.
Around this time, the Sanhedrin (the high court of ancient Israel) ceased to exist. Hillel felt that the New Moon could
not be declared visually without a Sanhedrin to affirm its sighting, so he decided it must be calculated. Rabbis now
know that Hillel's calculations were/are off, sometimes as much as two days, which means the festivals are not
celebrated on the correct day. But they have decided to wait until a Sanhedrin is established again to change it.
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67
The Ordination of the New Year
The annual calendar is set by the alignment of both the monthly lunar cycle and the annual solar cycle. The lunar
cycle sets the seasons based on the solar equinoctal cycle. The moon and sun together are governing signs. Gods
Sacred Year begins with Abib or Nisan (Exodus 12:1-2).
"And Yahweh spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, This month [Abib] shall be unto you the
beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you". (KJV)
This is determined from the New Moon nearest to the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, which begins the
summer season,(Note all scholars within the Hebrew Roots believe this statement is totally correct. Herb Solinski
who has researched this quite indepth says this should be the new moon crescent on or after the vernal equinox ,
www.biblicalcalendar.org . At this website you will find his sources quoted in 300 plus pages of documentation) at
which time the barley crop will be "in the green" ready for harvest at Passover. This month Abib or Nisan was to be
the first of months and, hence, its determination would set the start and finish of the year and, hence, the calendar.
The autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere begins the winter season. These are the two seasons mentioned
by the Bible which are used to determine the beginning of the year to coincide with the festival harvests. (Genesis
8:22; Psalm 74:17) The day of the New Year is to be kept as a solemn feast day. A record of the festival of the New
Moon is found in the Temple Scroll (11Q19-20). In column 14 we see that the sacrifices for the first day of the
month, that is the New Moon, are listed, as are the special instructions for the New Year of the first day of the First
Month. Thus, the Dead Sea Scrolls quite clearly identify the New Moon of the First Month (Nisan) as the New Year
and as a day of solemn assembly and sacrifice. These ordinances are followed by the requirements for the seven day
purification of the annual ordination of the priesthood. This is what column 14 says of the New Year of Nisan: "On
the first day of the [first] mon[th falls the beginning of months; for you it is the beginning of the months] of the year.
[You are to do] no work, [You shall offer .. .. .."
Judaism changed the New Year from Nisan to Tishri, which is the seventh month, based on a man-made system
derived from the rabbinical determinations introduced from Babylon in 344 CE and sanctioned by Rabbi Hillel II in
358 CE.. The Dead Sea Scrolls, the LXX and modern scholarship have exposed this change which was made.
However, even rabbinical scholars such as Rabbi Kohn, the Chief Rabbi of Budapest writing in 1894, states
categorically that the New Year of Rosh haShanah in Tishri is a late third century post Temple period innovation
(Sabbatarians in Transylvania, CCG Publishing, 1998, p. v et. seq). The Bible gives instruction that Israel kept, as we
are to keep, the Feast of Nisan (New Year's Day) as a feast day.
Sighting the New Moon
Various factors such as atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity along the light path, altitude, latitude and
longitude, fog, cloud/dust cover, glare etc. can all affect a first sighting. No one can infallibly predict the moment
when the new moon will become visible to the naked eye. The general consensus of authoritative opinion is that a
first sighting of the new moon could occur any time between about 15 and 48 hours after a conjunction. The
conjunction being when the earth is between the sun and the moon in perfect alignment. The first sighting of the
moon will be after the moon has moved out of this alignment.
In sighting the New Moon, one faces the western sky at sunset, drawing an imaginary line from the zenith overhead
toward the setting sun, seeking the thin scimitar of light on either side of this imaginary line. The sun sets in the west
slightly right of where the new moon will be seen. As the sky darkens the first star is seen which is actually the
planet Venus. Gradually the crescent appears as a sliver just above the horizon. The faint New Moon will bulge out
to the right, with the horns pointing toward the left. However, in early spring (autumn in southern hemisphere) the
Passover moon will appear much like a saucer with both horns pointing upward. Variations of this New Moon may
be seen in springtime. Biblical months are either 29 or 30 alternating days in length; at times two consecutive 30-day
months may occur. Only on the new moon will the moon be invisible until the sun sets. It is as if Yahweh is
New Moon
68
concealing it so we will intentionally have to look for His sign in the sky.
Determining the New Year
The New Year is determined by the New Moon which falls nearest the equinox, which ensures that the Full Moon
falls after the equinox, while the sun stands in the sign of Aries. In the Gregorian system the equinox can fall on
21-23 March. The earliest date for the New Year has to be 14 days before 21 March, so that Passover will be at the
full moon i.e. 8 March. This was the earliest date for 1 Nisan. The latest date is determined by 15 Nisan and the
sun in Aries. The sun leaves Aries on 19 April. Thus, the day 19/20 April is the last day in which Passover can begin.
The 15th Nisan cannot be later than 20/21 April. According to the ancient rules of the Hebrews, 1 Nisan, or the start
of the sacred year, was not earlier than 8 March and not later than the Hebrew day on 8/9 April (Gregorian) in the
case of a thirty day month falling with an equinox on 23 March. It is impossible, therefore, for there to be a Passover
earlier than the vernal equinox (21 March) or one later than 20/21 April.
Philo, the Jewish historian and contemporary of Yeshua the Messiah and the apostles, says that Moses established
the moon of the vernal equinox as the first month of the year (The Works of Philo, On the Life of Moses II, chapter
XLI, Part 222 and 224) Josephus the Jewish historian also confirms this and defines it as "when the sun was in
Aries" (Josephus, Ant. 3.201; III.x.5].
Because harvests are governed by the seasons, which are controlled by the movements of the heavenly bodies, the
maturity of the barley crop in Israel will coincide with these calculations and is the necessary factor for establishing
the new year so that there is the required grain to be offered at Firstfruits.
Historical Observance of the Feast
Psalm 81 tells us that Joseph instituted the Rosh Chodesh during his tenure as the viceroy of Egypt. Joseph had the
power to declare the decree and the people of Egypt, principally the sons of Israel, were delighted to make the
recognition of the new moon as a joyful feast. The testimony was to honor Joseph for what he did as a righteous
deliverer, who in many ways prefigured the coming Messiah of Israel and the redemption that He would ultimately
bring. All of Yahweh's feasts are a role play of eternal truths in His eternal purposes and keep His redemptive plan
before us. What Joseph set in place as a testimony, has been established as a "statute for Israel, a law of the God of
Jacob" (Psalm 81: 3-4)
In numbers 10:10 it is recorded that the trumpet is to be blown to sanctify the new Moon as a feast day. "At the
beginnings of your months you shall offer a burnt offering to Yahweh: .. .. this is the burnt offering of each month
throughout the months of the year .. .. it shall be offered besides the continual burnt offering and its drink offering.
(Numbers 28:11-15 RSV) Moses called the people to assembly on the new moon and spoke to them according to the
commandments he had been given by Yahweh, exhorting them to faith and obedience. (Deuteronomy 1: 3) It is also
recorded that Yahweh chose this sabbatical day to speak to Moses and give him instructions for Israel. Numbers 1:
1-5
Moses commanded the keeping of the new Moons. 2 Chronicles 8:12-13 Solomon said that it, as well as the other
feasts, were "an ordinance forever to Israel" 2 Chronicles 2: 3-4
The kings of Israel kept the feast of the new moon with its stipulated temple procedure. 1 Chron. 23:31; 2 Chron. 31:
3
We find a record that Saul held feasts on the new moon, according to the law. When Saul turned against David and
he fled and hid in the country, David gave instructions to explain his absence from the feast, indicating that this was
a day when David would be missed, if he did not attend the Kings table on the New Moon. (1 Samuel 20:4-18, 24)
It was usual during the Temple period to seek guidance from the prophets on the New Moons. ( 2 Kings 4:23)
In the restoration of the law under Nehemiah the New Moons were re-instituted and kept from that time through to
the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE. Josephus records that they were kept during the entire Temple period and the
New Moon
69
High Priest attended in the Temple on the New Moons and Sabbaths.
The New Testament church also understood them, hence the reference in Colossians chapter 2 when the Gnostics
were criticising them for their festivities, contrary to their ascetic practices. "Therefore let no one pass judgment on
you in questions of food and drink or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath". (Colossians 2:16 RSV)
The Church of God kept it for centuries. We know that at the Reformation the true followers of Messiah were still
keeping the entire sacred calendar intact, as it was in the Temple period.
During the Millennium, the Sabbaths and New Moons will be kept. Isaiah tells us the entire world will be honoring
the New Moons and the Sabbaths as they worship Yahweh in the coming Kingdom. "From new moon to new moon,
and from sabbath to sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, says Yahweh". (Isaiah 66:23 RSV) - see
Zech. 14:16-19
Also in Ezekiel 45:17 - the aspect of temple service for the new moons in the millennium
46: 1,3 - enforcement of the New Moon as a sabbath and for worship
As sincere followers of Yahwehs word, we should be observing them now and preparing ourselves as His Bride,
fully adorned in all righteousness.
The Significance of the New Moon Celebration
The word used for New Moon in Hebrew is 'Rosh Chodesh' literally means beginning, head, or renewal and thus.
the beginning or head of the month. It is a time of spiritual renewal.
All through the scriptural record, the New Moon was a day when the prophets heard from Yahweh, being a day
designated for waiting upon Yahweh, for discerning His purposes and for prophetic revelation. Ezekiel 26:1; 29:17;
Haggai 1:1.
They were days of assembly and God dealt with Israel at these times, speaking through His servants, the Prophets.
We are also told in the New Testament these days are prophetic and foreshadow future events. (Colossians 2:16-17)
The celebration of the new moon has great prophetic significance for Israel as the Bride of Yahweh and it was/is an
appointed time of His choosing to give prophetic revelation to His people of His purposes for them.
The New Moon and the Sabbath were closely linked as both were holy, set-apart days unto Yahweh Himself and the
celebration of the new moon is placed in importance in the scriptures alongside keeping the Sabbath. It is not cited in
the Torah until Numbers chapter 10 because it is a celebration based upon the testimony of Yahweh's corporate
people being established as His luminary in the world. Yahweh called Israel to be a light to the Gentiles, a holy,
set-apart nation which reflected His glorious light (Exodus 19: ; 1 Peter 2: 4-5). At the beginning of each month they
were called to come aside from their normal functions for existence in this world, to reflect upon their ordained
purpose of reflecting His presence in the world and revitalizing their spiritual lives in Him.
Joseph was given a dream of the sun, moon and stars as it related to their initial household of faith (Gen. 37: 9). This
is carried through into its fulfillment in Revelation 12 with the woman (God's corporate people) arrayed with the
glory of the sun (representing the glory of the Father), with her feet standing upon the moon (the reflected light of
the sun), and the deputation of the twelve stars of His government assigned to her. This portrays that the woman
(Yahweh's Bride) in the end days will have come into the glory of the Father in her witness and testimony as the
light-bearer of the Son (sun) in her earthly commission (standing upon the moon - i.e. established in her testimony as
being THE light to this world).
As His Bride keeps this feast of her appointment with Yahweh and comes into alignment with Him, she will reflect
His light in ever increasing degrees of magnitude, until she actually shines with the glory of the Son of
righteousness. "But we all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed
into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of Yahweh." 2 Corinthians 3:18
New Moon
70
Celebrating the New Moon
The beginning of the month is determined by the conjunction of the moon and for it's commencement the shofar is
blown in one long blast. Numbers 10:10 states that the trumpets should be blown at all New Moons to sanctify the
day and the offerings. The new month is announced and brethren commence to fellowship. After the blessing is said,
greetings of peace are given to one another. A traditional greeting of peace is Shalom Alechem! (peace be with you)
The response is Alechem Shalom! (upon you peace)
It is a time of fresh dedication of ourselves to Yahweh and of blessing Him and seeking His direction for the new
month ahead. We also take this time to ask His blessings on the planned endeavors for the coming month.
These days are sanctified or set apart as days of sacrifice, for worship, for assembly and for us to make our spiritual
offerings to Yahweh. (2 Chronicles 2:4; Nehemiah 10:33; Ezekiel 44:24; 45:17)
It is now a spiritual act in a spiritual Temple, which makes it more powerful and just as important, as now we see its
real significance in preparing us for the kingdom to come.
Traditionally there is singing and dancing in celebration of the occasion, and the partaking of a festive meal together
with suggested scripture reading of Deuteronomy 4: 7-9; Psalm 104; and Psalm 81
They were days of festivity, as Psalm 81 portrays -- To the chief Musician upon Gittith, (guitar) A Psalm of Asaph.
"Sing for joy to God our strength! Shout to the God of Ya`akov! Start the music! Beat the drum! Play the sweet lyre
and the lute! Sound the shofar at Rosh-Hodesh and at full moon for the pilgrim feast, because this is a law for Isra'el,
a ruling of the God of Ya`akov." Ps. 81:1-4
They were a "joyous occasion" (Numbers 10:10), so much so that Yahweh threatened to take away these festive
times, in punishment for their disobedience (Hosea 2:13).
The New Moon of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) was also a day of restoration (or reading) of the Law of God. (Nehemiah
8: 2)
A cleansing process began in the physical temple with the commencement of the new year and this points towards
the spiritual cleansing of the spiritual Temple. We are that spiritual Temple and the process of cleansing begins with
us on the First New Moon of each year as a preparation for the coming Passover season. It then is repeated
throughout the year from New Moon to New Moon as we each come before Yahweh and renew our life in Him.
(Ezekiel 45:18; Numbers 28:11) This will continue in the 1000 year reign of Yeshua. (Isaiah 66:22-23)
The New Moons of the other months of the year are similar to Sabbath days in which no trade or unnecessary work
is done. (Amos 8:5; Nehemiah 10:31) [work which has to be done is allowed on the new moon]
Yahweh keeps His appointments with those who choose to meet with Him at His designated times and He enters His
assembly at these times on these holy days of the Sabbaths and the New Moons to fulfill the spiritual reality of these
feasts in the lives of His people. (Ezekiel 46: 1-6)
New Moon Service
Holy Days
71
Holy Days
THE TIMES OF APPOINTMENT WITH YAHWEH GOD THE MOED
There are three main season to the Biblical Feasts which are placed in the year according to the Biblical calendar that
commences in the month of Nisan.
The two main festive seasons of Passover and Trumpets/Tabernacles have been commonly designated as Spring and
Fall feasts but this terminology is only applicable to the northern hemisphere. So as to have a universal terminology
and to avoid any confusion, we will designate them here by the month of the year in which they fall: i.i.the 1st month
for the Passover (Pesakh) season the 7th month for the Trumpet/Tabernacle (Rosh Hashanah/Sukkot) season
'MAIN FEASTS Leviticus 23
A. The Feasts of the First Month are -
Week of Unleavened Bread
1. Passover (Pesakh) on the 14th Nisan
2. Firstfruits (Yom Bikkurum) at 9am on the morning after the Sabbath in the Passover week
3. the 7th Day of Redemption on 20th Nisan
B. The Feast of the Third Month
Counting the Omer
4. The Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot) counted as the 50th day after the feast of Firstfruits (moed No.2)
C. The Feasts of the Seventh Month
5. The Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashanah) 1st Tishrei
6. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) 10th Tishrei
7. The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) 15th Tishrei
8. The 7th Day (Hoshanna Rabbah) 21st Tishrei
9. The Great Last Day (Shemini Atzeret) 22nd Tishrei
'MINOR FEASTS
10. Festival of Lights and Dedication for 8 days (Chanukah) starting 24th Kislev - 10th month Book of
Maccabees & John 10:22
11. Purim 13-14th Adar - 12th month Esther 9:17-19
Torah Lifestyle
72
Torah Lifestyle
The Torah lifestyle is one of obedience. Adam sinned through disobedience and the way back to God is through
submission to His will in obedience.
[THE QUESTION OF OBEDIENCE
1. 1. The Measuring Rod
2. 2. Yeshua's Instructions
3. 3. Yeshua's Empowerment
THE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Obedience will have its fruit in righteousness! We are called to follow the Master and His example:
1. 1. Living by Faith
2. 2. Living by the Word
3. 3. Living by His Life
4. 4. Walking in the Light
5. 5. Walking in Love
6. 6. Faithfulness
SANCTIFICATION
The end purpose is that we become sanctified, set apart unto Him, meet for the Master's use!
1. 1. Sanctification
2. 2. Submission
3. 3. Renewing the Mind
4. 4. Fruit of the Spirit
5. 5. Being Spirit-filled
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