28^th of the 12^th month 2021/2022

Shalom all

As part of this week’s Torah readings, from Berěshith/Genesis 18:1-22:24, we will also be reading the passage from Kěpha Bět/2 Peter 2:4-11 and it is with that in mind that I am sharing this teaching on the entire chapter of Kěpha Bět/2 Peter 2:4-11, taking a closer look at some key notes on the words that he is giving us, in order that we be equipped to keep standing firm in our Master, shining the Light of His Truth, in these days where the darkness over the people is getting thicker by the day.

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This chapter highlights for us the clear warning of the false prophets and messages of falsehood that are very destructive, along with the encouragement that our Master’s protection over His set-apart reverent ones is a clear assurance to those who remain steadfast in Him and guard His righteousness and walking in His Torah, amidst the increasing depravity of lawlessness!

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In verse 1, Kěpha makes it clear that just as there came to be false prophets before, so too will there be false prophets in our days – false prophets that are denying our Master and Elohim.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘false prophets’ comes from the word ψευδοπροφήτης pseudoprophētēs – Strong’s G5578 which simply means, ‘false prophet’, and is understood as one who falsely assumes the work of a prophet or messenger of Elohim, when they are pretending to foretell of things to come, or teach false doctrines, in the Name of Elohim.

This word is constructed from two root words:

1) ψευδής pseudēs – Strong’s G5571 which means, ‘lying, false, liars, deceitful’, which comes from the word ψεύδομαι pseudomai – Strong’s G5574 which means, ‘to lie, speak deliberate falsehoods’, and

2) προφήτης prophētēs – Strong’s G4396 which means, ‘interpreter of oracles or hidden things, spokesmen for Elohim, one who calls people back to Elohim’.

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The Hebrew word for ‘prophet’ is נָבִיא naḇiy – Strong’s H5030 which means, ‘prophet, spokesman, speaker, prophesy’ and comes from the root verb נָבָא naḇa – Strong’s H5012 which simply means ‘to speak or sing (by inspiration) or communicate a message from a deity – either of proper behavior to a standard, or of future events’.

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A prophet’s role is to call people back to the Torah of Elohim and give a severe warning of what will happen if they do not listen!

False prophets are not calling people back to The Torah of Elohim, nor are they giving warnings of what is coming upon the disobedient, as they are simply tickling the ears of many while seeking to make a name for themselves and profit off of their false messages.

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Mattithyahu/Matthew 7:15-23 “But beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are savage wolves. 16 “By their fruits you shall know them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 “So every good tree yields good fruit, but a rotten tree yields wicked fruit. 18 “A good tree is unable to yield wicked fruit, and a rotten tree to yield good fruit. 19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 “So then, by their fruits you shall know them – 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall enter into the reign of the heavens, but he who is doing the desire of My Father in the heavens. 22 “Many shall say to Me in that day, ‘Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and done many mighty works in Your Name?’ 23 “And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work lawlessness!’”

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These words of our Master יהושע Messiah, here in Mattithyahu/Matthew 7:15-23, are words that need to be heard and understood very clearly, as the craftiness of falsehood, that comes in the appearance of truth, is what we are to be on guard against and recognise how urgent we must be, in being sober, alert and watchful, so that we do not find ourselves being falsely malnourished by the junk of lawlessness.

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Our Master clearly warns us to take heed against being led astray by false prophets, as He tells us to beware of such.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘beware’ comes from the root word προσέχω prosechō – Strong’s G4337 which means, ‘be alert for, watch out, be on guard, consider carefully, beware, attend to, pay attention, give attention’.

Messiah warns us that there are many who profess to know Him and follow Him, yet by their lawlessness they clearly reveal that they are not known by Him, and here we are to take heed of the clear warning that He is giving here!

And that is: we must be on guard against the prophets and teachers of lawlessness, that may actually come with an appearance that looks, and even sounds, authentic to most, while their fruits will reveal the wolves that they really are.

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The basic principle that is being outlined here, by our Master, is simply that we must be on guard against prophets and teachers of falsehood!

Be careful who you give your ear to!

You may think that their words are sound and soothing, yet they could lead you away by the delusion of lawlessness and cause you to be identified as being unknown and rejected!

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We are to beware of the false prophets – that is: those who are masquerading as servants of Elohim, yet are not calling you back to the Torah, but are rather leading you away from it!

In a rebuke that was given to Yisra’ěl, and their following of the falsehood, we see how the priests and prophets were speaking words of peace when there was no peace, as seen in:

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 6:13-14 “For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, they are all greedy for gain. And from the prophet even to the priest, all act falsely. 14 “And they heal the breach of My people slightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘falsely’ comes from the root word שֶׁקֶר sheqer – Strong’s H8267 which means, ‘deception, disappointment, falsehood, lies’, which comes from the root verb שָׁקַר shaqar – Strong’s H8266 which means, ‘to do or deal falsely, lie’.

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Ěḵah/Lamentations 2:14 “Your prophets have seen falsehood and folly for you, and have not shown you your crookedness, to turn back your captivity. But their visions for you are false and misleading messages.”

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Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 9:3-6 “And they bend their tongue like a bow. Falsehood, and not truth, prevails on the earth. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they have not known Me,” declares יהוה. 4 “Let everyone beware of his neighbour and not trust any brother. For every brother catches by the heel, and every neighbour walks with slanderers. 5 “And everyone deceives his neighbour, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongue to speak falsehood, and have wearied themselves to crook. 6 “You live in the midst of deceit; through deceit they have refused to know Me,” declares יהוה.”

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Through the false and misleading messages, we see how so many people have actually begun to “teach themselves to speak falsehood”; a falsehood that has been so ingrained in them, as we are able to see through the mirror of the example that is given to us in Yirmeyahu, being a clear reflection of the state of falsehood that prevails on the earth today!

Ear-tickling falsehood does not show the true mirror of the Word and it misleads people into thinking that they are ok, when in fact their lawlessness and sin has not been properly dealt with and stopped, as they reject the need to submit to, and walk in, the Torah of Elohim, due to being misled by false prophets and teachers.

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Teaching oneself to speak falsehood, comes as a result if not properly submitting to Our Master and Good Teacher, יהושע Messiah.

So how do we recognise or know if a prophet or teacher is a true messenger and ambassador of “Elohim and His coming reign” or not?

Scripture certainly equips us in being able to discern and know how to separate the set-apart from the profane, and if one is being misled by false teachers and prophets then they may be unable to discern this while being under the delusion of the lawless.

The Torah clearly warns us against false prophets or dreamers of dreams, as we see in:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 13:1-4 “ When there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he shall give you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder shall come true, of which he has spoken to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other mighty ones – which you have not known – and serve them,’ 3 do not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for יהוה your Elohim is trying you to know whether you love יהוה your Elohim with all your heart and with all your being. 4 “Walk after יהוה your Elohim and fear Him, and guard His commands and obey His voice, and serve Him and cling to Him.”

So many people today do not know these verses and/or do not understand what is clearly being written here.

The warning against listening to a false prophet, or teacher, is clear.

What is also very striking, when you see these words, is that the warning that is given here, is that if that which a false prophet says or does, comes true, we must not just follow because of the sign or wonder that came true!

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How we can know if they are true or false, is in the way in which they tell us to walk or go.

If the one who performs signs and wonders, tells you to go and follow other mighty ones, then know that it is יהוה who has sent that false prophet to test you, in order to know whether you love יהוה with all your heart and being, or not!

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How do I know he is false? … you may ask!

Well, if a prophet leads you away from a proper hearing, guarding and obeying of the Torah, then, by definition of these verses, he is a false prophet – no matter what kind of amazing signs and wonders he performs!!!

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When we see this clear command to not listen to the words of the false prophet or dreamer of dreams that speaks falsehood, we must recognise that it is still in reference to the previous ending of Chapter 12, which states:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 12:32 “All the words I am commanding you, guard to do it – do not add to it nor take away from it.”

Those who add to, or take away from, the Torah, and teach others to follow their adding and taking away, are false teachers!!!

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Yoḥanan makes it very clear to us what ‘love for Elohim’ is:

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 5:3 “For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands, and His commands are not heavy”

These words that are given to us here in Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 13 are strong words that are needed to be heard loud and clear today!

A prophet is one who speaks, and a dreamer of dreams, speaks of one who claims to have visions.

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What we must always do, is test the words that are being spoken or dreams and visions that are being declared, through the plumb line of the Torah; and if it does not line up, then we are to ‘put to death’ that prophet or dreamer of dreams!

In today’s terms, we must understand that this certainly does not give us license to go and kill false teachers and prophets; but rather, what we can understand from this, is that we are to ‘put to death’ their false and misleading instructions and attempts at their leading astray our hearts and minds, from following יהוה completely.

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We are to prove all spirits!

This does not mean that we must give everything a test, as some may be inclined to think, but rather, that we are to prove the spirit behind that which is being spoken, or done, in trying to lead us:

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 4:1-3 “Beloved ones, do not believe every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of Elohim, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of Elohim: Every spirit that confesses that יהושע Messiah has come in the flesh is of Elohim, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that יהושע Messiah has come in the flesh is not of Elohim. And this is the spirit of the anti-messiah which you heard is coming, and now is already in the world.”

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DO NOT BELIEVE EVERY SPIRIT!

Prove the spirits, to see whether they are of Elohim of not! How?

Well, we are given a very clear answer here:

Every spirit that confesses that יהושע Messiah has come in the flesh is of Elohim!!!

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Kěpha highlights the example of Lot for us, as an encouragement for us to hold firm to the sure hope we have, in the deliverance that our Master and Elohim is coming to complete in us.

We know how Seḏom and Amorah was destroyed and was reduced to ashes and the example of Lot being rescued by Elohim, is one that is used to encourage us in the knowledge that our Master and Elohim will deliver us from the coming destruction that is about to be poured out on the unrighteous, when the fire of the wrath of Elohim is poured out on the sons of disobedience, in The Day of יהוה.

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Kěpha reminds us that the destruction of Seḏom and Amorah was made an example to all who afterward would live wickedly (verse 6) and therefore, the warning of this example still applies to those who are living wickedly today!

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The Greek word that is translated a ‘wickedly’ in Kěpha Bět/2 Peter 2:6 is ἀσεβής asebēs – Strong’s G765 which means, ‘impious, destitute of reverential awe towards Elohim, living without regard for the belief and practice of set-apartness, without fear or reverence for Elohim’.

This word ἀσεβής asebēs – Strong’s G765 does not necessarily mean irreligious, but rather, it speaks of one who actively practices the opposite of what the fear of Elohim demands!

When I stop to consider what this word describes, I am gripped with a severe sadness by what I see happening at large today.

So many people who claim to be believers yet they practice the very opposite of what true fear of Elohim demands!

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While the subject of the ‘fear of Elohim’ is a topic for a separate teaching, we are able to take note of a couple of verses that ought to highlight, or expose, how many are living ‘wickedly’ today!

In the words given to the generation that was about to enter into the Promised Land we take note of the following:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 6:1-2 “And this is the command, the laws and right-rulings which יהוה your Elohim has commanded, to teach you to do in the land which you are passing over to possess, 2 so that you fear יהוה your Elohim, to guard all His laws and His commands which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days be prolonged.”

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The Torah teaches us to fear יהוה and it teaches us therefore to guard ALL His laws and commands – and so we are to be a continual hearing, guarding and doing people.

Proper fear of Elohim can only be lived out when a proper guarding and doing of His commands are being lived out.

In other words, when we guard righteousness we can begin to walk in the fear of Elohim and we know that Scripture gives us a clear definition of what righteousness is for us, as we see in:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 6:25 “And it is righteousness for us when we guard to do all this command before יהוה our Elohim, as He has commanded us.”

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Doing His commands and walking in the True Fear of יהוה, will keep us alive in Him!

Those who do not, are warned about the coming destruction that is coming upon the disobedient – that is: those who do not guard righteousness and do not walk in the fear of Elohim, no matter how self-righteous they may deem to be, as they may claim to be righteous yet their actions of lawlessness simply reveal that they are practicing the opposite of what the fear of Elohim demands!

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Shelomoh tells us very clearly, in the parables of Mishlĕ/Proverbs 2, that when we accept the Word of Elohim and treasure up His commands, give our ears to wisdom and our hearts to understanding and seek Elohim with our all, then we would understand the fear of יהוה and find the knowledge of Elohim.

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So many are perishing for lack of knowledge and they clearly do not understand the fear of Elohim, as they have cast aside the Torah of Elohim and reckon that it is no longer applicable, as they follow the delusion of the lawless; and the example of Seḏom and Amorah was as an example to such, who do not fear Elohim and actively practice that which opposes His clear standards of righteousness.

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Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the entire matter: Fear Elohim and guard His commands, for this applies to all mankind!”

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What becomes abundantly clear, as one searches, studies and meditates on The Word of Elohim, is that fearing Elohim can only be done when His commands are being properly guarded; and as we can see from the above text – this applies to ALL MANKIND!

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There is One Torah for ALL!

Those who wickedly oppose the need to submit to walking according to The Word and oppose the clear standards of set-apartness, that ought to be pursued by all, shall be destroyed, while the righteous shall be delivered and rescued from destruction!

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I cannot emphasise enough on how so many are living wickedly today and my hope is that those who hear the clear warning that Kěpha (Peter) is giving, will turn away from all forms of unrighteousness and pursue apartness and be set-apart as יהוה is set-apart!!!

Sadly, we see how many are hearing but not understanding and are seeing but not perceiving!

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In speaking of the wicked and adulteress we take note of the words of our Master in:

Marqos/Mark 13:14-15 “And in them the prophecy of Yeshayahu is completely filled, which says, ‘Hearing you shall hear and by no means understand, and seeing you shall see and by no means perceive, 15 for the heart of this people has become thickened, and their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their heart, and turn back, and I heal them.”

Thickened hearts, hardened ears and closed eyes, is the state of those who live wickedly and actively practice the opposite of what the fear of Elohim demands!

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The reason for me emphasising on the state of how so many are living wickedly at this time, is to highlight how this includes many people who claim to be believers and due to their thickened hearts, hardened ears and closed eyes, they are oblivious to the coming destruction, as they assume that their ‘lawless’ lives (living without the law) to be somehow acceptable in the eyes of Elohim and as called out set-apart believers who guard righteousness, we are called to warn these wicked ones and call them to COME OUT AND BE SEPARATE, for it is the Spirit and the Bride that says ‘Come!’

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Perhaps I need to be even more to the point, by making it clear that those who refuse to guard righteousness, by not doing what the Word commands, are not righteous at all, but are rather wicked!

Let me say it even more plainly: those who follow falsified man-made teachings, that set aside the need to guard the Word of Elohim, are living wickedly!

Please hear what I am saying!

Those who wilfully refuse to walk according to the Word and reject the need to keep the Sabbaths and Feasts of יהוה are living wickedly and the example of Seḏom and Amorah should be a severe wake up call to come out of darkness and walk in the light!

Wilfully breaking the Sabbath in order to appease others or for doing one’s own desires, is a form of living wickedly – and this many people need to hear, even if they refuse to hear!

Yeshayahu was told to speak to a rebellious people until destruction comes and so too, do we recognise that this call for the righteous to speak, has not ended!

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Our need to guard righteousness is critical, lest we find ourselves drifting away and living wickedly through compromised standards of unrighteousness that is being widely taught as acceptable teachings that are being given through the twisted commands of men while the Torah of Elohim is being forsaken!

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As we consider what it must have been like for Lot, we are clearly told that he, being righteous, was oppressed with the indecent behaviour of the lawless!

Today, we are able to see Kěpha’s words being very true, in describing how there shall be false teachers who will bring in destructive heresies and deny Messiah, causing many to follow their destructive ways as the way of truth shall be evilly spoken of as they will, with fabricated words, use people for gain! (Kěpha Bět/2 Peter 2:1-3)

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False and evil teachings that are masqueraded as messages of light, are being widely spread to a people who are marching aimlessly on a broad path that leads to destruction, and they are singing to the wicked tune of lawlessness, due to hardened ears, closed eyes and thickened hearts!

Heretic teachings that deny Messiah, deny His authority and the need to submit thereto and the denial of Messiah, is to deny that He is Elohim and deny that He is the same yesterday today and forever and deny that He does not change!

To deny Messiah, is to deny the fact that He is יהוה our Saviour!

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Sadly, many have been led astray through destructive heresies that have set aside the need to guard the commands of Elohim and in the process, they have accepted the lawless teachings of men, who have attempted to change the times and laws of Elohim, causing them to live wickedly, despite their false assumption of righteousness and those who continue on this destructive path, will be exposed as having the wrong garments on and be thrown out to where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth!

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To be very plain, I say it as such:

If you are not walking in the fear of Elohim and are not guarding His commands, then you are living wickedly!

What many people need to hear today, even though they do not wish to hear it, is the following:

If you do not keep the Sabbath, you are living wickedly – it is as plain as that!

Now please her me, when I say that, it is not only in the keeping of Sabbath that one is enabled or identified as guarding righteousness, but we do take note that the Sabbath, and the keeping thereof, is a sign between Elohim and us – forever! (Yeḥezq’ěl/Ezekiel 20:20)

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Having been called out of darkness into His Marvellous Light, our Master calls and commissions us to be faithful and trustworthy ambassadors of His Reign by making taught ones who will guard righteousness amidst a wicked world!

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Righteous living amidst a wicked world can and is a torturing one indeed, yet we must take encouragement in the hop we have as Kěpha reminds us of how Elohim rescued righteous Lot!!!

Lot was a righteous man!

The Greek word that is translated as ‘righteous’ is δίκαιος dikaios – Strong’s G1342 which means, ‘righteous, innocent, just, upright, keeping the commands of Elohim’.

Lot was a man who lived an upright and obedient life in a city that was wicked and corrupt. He would have certainly learned a great deal when sojourning with Aḇraham and with his being mentioned in Scripture as being righteous we can certainly see that he guarded the belief in Elohim.

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Our righteousness is not in our own working, but that which is of Messiah, for He took our sin upon Himself in order that we may become the righteousness of Elohim:

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of Elohim.”

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The righteousness of Elohim, is through belief in יהושע Messiah, for we have all sinned and fallen short of His esteem and through His obedience, many have been made righteous – those who believe in Him!

Belief in Him, entails a working belief – that is: a belief/faith with works of obedience – obedience to His commands as I have already mentioned what righteousness is for us (Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 6:25)!

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Sha’ul reminds us, in his second letter to Timotiyos, that those wishing to live reverently in Messiah shall be persecuted!

Lot was a man that would have certainly been persecuted for righteousness sake, yet was rescued from destruction!

While he lived a righteous life that was persecuted, he was continually oppressed with the indecent behaviour of the lawless!

The Greek word that is translated as ‘oppressed’ in Kěpha Bet/2 Peter 2:7 is καταπονέω kataponeō – Strong’s G2669 which means, ‘to wear down, tire down with toil, exhaust with labour, to treat roughly, afflict or oppress with evils’ and this word comes from the two root words:

1) κατά kata – Strong’s G2596 which is a preposition which carries the meaning, ‘down, against, according to’ and

2) πόνος ponos – Strong’s G4192 which means, ‘toil, labour, pain, great trouble’, which is only used 3 times in the renewed Writings, all of which are found in the Book of Ḥazon/Revelation.

Ḥazon/Revelation 16:9-11 “And men were burned with great heat, and they blasphemed the Name of Elohim who possesses authority over these plagues. And they did not repent, to give Him esteem. 10 And the fifth messenger poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his reign became darkened. And they gnawed their tongues from pain. 11 And they blasphemed the Elohim of the heaven for their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their works.”

In the verses quoted above, we take note of how the evil refuse to repent and blaspheme Elohim as they ‘gnawed their tongues in pain’, which shows us how the lips of the wrong talk intently of their trouble and pain, so much so that they blaspheme Elohim and are unwilling to repent!

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When sin has finally been dealt with and the wrong are no more and the former things have gone, we take note that there will be no more ‘pain’:

Ḥazon/Revelation 21:4 “And Elohim shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor mourning, nor crying. And there shall be no more pain, for the former matters have passed away.”

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With Lot being ‘oppressed’, we may be able to identify a little with what he suffered, as it was an exhausting thing to see the indecent behaviour of the lawless and it pained him greatly!

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How pain stricken are you, at times, when you see the indecent behaviour of the lawless? Does it bother you as it did Lot?

The promise that we have been given, in Ḥazon/Revelation, is that the pain of seeing the indecent behaviour of the lawless will be ended when our Master and Elohim comes and wipes every tear away and restores righteousness, when effects of the former matters of wicked and sin have passed away!

The Greek two words that are translated here as ‘indecent’ are

1 – ἐν en – Strong’s G1722 which is a primary preposition denoting a fixed position (in place, time or state) meaning, ‘in or on, with, by’; and

2 –   ἀσέλγεια aselgeia – Strong’s G766 which means, ‘licentiousness, sensuality’. Licentiousness means, ‘lacking legal or moral restraint, disregard sexual restraint, disregard for strict rules of correctness’.

Sensuality means, ‘gratification of the senses or indulgences of the appetite, devoted to or preoccupied with the senses or appetites, deficient in moral, spiritual, or intellectual interests’.

Those who are deficient in spiritual or intellectual interests, have no regard for the order and instructions of Elohim and they therefore are against the appointed and established order of Elohim and can be easily led astray, to doing whatever ‘feels’ right in their own eyes!

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Many people are being led astray, because they do not know, or properly understand, the Scriptures and, as a result, they are being led astray by crafty doctrines of man that do not follow the clear order, pattern and witness of the Word of Elohim.

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The Greek word that is translated a ‘lawless’, here in Kěpha Bět/2 Peter 3:7, is ἄθεσμος athesmos – Strong’s G113 which means, ‘lawless, unprincipled men, wicked’, and is understood as ‘one who breaks through the restraint of law and gratifies his lusts’. This word comes from the two root words:

1) α alpha – Strong’s G1 which is the first letter in the Greek alphabet that is used as a negative prefix, and

2) θεσμός thesmos which means, ‘law, custom’ and is a derivative of the word τίθημι tithēmi – Strong’s G5087 which means, ‘to lay up, lay aside, appoint, establish’.

Therefore, the ‘lawless’ is being described here as one who is against that which has been established and appointed!

This word ἄθεσμος athesmos – Strong’s G113 is used twice in Kěpha’s second letter, with the other verse being:

Kěpha Bět/2 Peter 3:17-18 “You, then, beloved ones, being forewarned, watch, lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the delusion of the lawless, 18 but grow in the favour and knowledge of our Master and Saviour יהושע Messiah. To Him be the esteem both now and to a day that abides. Aměn.”

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Sha’ul warns us of the coming of lawlessness and those who do not receive a love for the truth, are handed over the delusion in order for them to believe the lies!

Tas’loniqim Bět/2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood, 10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness in those perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth, in order for them to be saved. 11 And for this reason Elohim sends them a working of delusion, for them to believe the falsehood, 12 in order that all should be judged who did not believe the truth, but have delighted in the unrighteousness.”

This is a sober warning against not loving the Truth, as it is Elohim who will send the working of a delusion to those who will not love His Torah and love the guarding of His commands!

Delusion is a very powerful thing indeed, for the one who is handed over a working of delusion does not know that they are being led astray!

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Lawlessness is promoted by the deceit of unrighteousness!

What I mean by that, is that many are falling prey to the deceit of unrighteousness that promotes that observance of the Torah and commands of Elohim is no longer valid.

We know that Scripture clearly defines for us what righteousness is:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 6:25 “And it is righteousness for us when we guard to do all this command before יהוה our Elohim, as He has commanded us.”

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With righteousness being clearly defined for us as “the guarding of the commands”, we are then able to clearly understand that unrighteousness involves a willful defiance toward the guarding of the commands and therefore, promotes lawlessness, which is sin!

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Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 5:17-19 “All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not unto death. 18 We know that everyone having been born of Elohim does not sin, but the one having been born of Elohim guards himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of Elohim, and all the world lies in the wicked one.”

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Sha’ul warns us, in his letter to the believers in Thessalonica, about the deceit of unrighteousness, as already quoted from Tas’loniqim Bět/2 Thessalonians 2:10!

In this verse, the Greek word that is translated as ‘deceit’ comes from the root word ἀπάτη apatē – Strong’s G539 which means, ‘deceit, delusion, deception’ and is used 7 times in the Renewed Writings (N.T.).

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Let us take a look at the other 6 verses:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 13:22 “And that sown among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the worry of this age and the deceit of riches choke the word, and it becomes fruitless.”

These words form part of the parable of the Sower and the seed and warn us against the deceit of riches that choke out the life of the Word.

We are also told in:

Luqas/Luke 8:15 “And that which fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with worries, and riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”

Bringing fruit to perfection can only happen when we do not allow the worries, riches and pleasure of life to get in the way of our set-apartness in the Master.

The worries, riches and pleasures of life can cause many to shrink back, as the Truth is choked out; and this can only happen when the soil of our hearts are not being continually tilled and kept free from these deceitful wicked thorns and weeds of doubt that render one fruitless.

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Marqos/Mark 4:18-19 “And others are those sown among thorns, these are they who hear the word, 19 and the worries of this age, and the deceit of riches, and the desires for other matters, entering in, choke the word, and it becomes fruitless.”

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘riches’ is πλοῦτος ploutos – Strong’s G4149 which means, ‘to flow or abound in wealth and riches’, and comes from the root word πλέω pleō – Strong’s G4126 which means, ‘to sail, sailing, passenger’!

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I find this an interesting picture here, for if your dreams and hopes are set on ‘sailing off into the sunset’ with all your worries taken care of, think again.

This mind-set of being so wealthy that you can live the dream life and have no cares or worries is a lie and a fantasy that is not a Scriptural concept for the true set-apart believer, and having this mind-set can be very dangerous in choking out the very Truth that ought to sustain you.

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The world today is riddled with the luring attraction of finding wealth and happiness; and movies and media play a big role in shaping many minds into thinking what their dream fantasy must look like – this is dangerous and choking, to say the least.

With this word πλέω pleō – Strong’s G4126 also meaning ‘passenger’ we need to take heed that we are not just ‘passengers’ here but are rather being trustworthy ‘sojourners’.

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The difference between a passenger and a sojourner is that the passenger thinks that they are the ones to be served and simply seeking to be on a cruise of success, whereas a sojourner realises that he is a foreigner and stranger, and his need to guard the commands of the reign to which he belongs is vital, as his need to serve as an ambassador of that coming kingdom will cost him everything!

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Eph’siyim/Ephesians 4:22 “that you put off – with regard to your former way of life – the old man, being corrupted according to the desires of the deceit”

Put off the former way of life!

Put of the desires of the deceit!

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These words of Sha’ul emphasise for me the clear power that deceit has, especially as we consider the deceit of riches and the desires that many have in chasing riches that cannot satisfy!

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The Greek word that is translated as ‘desires’, in Eph’siyim/Ephesians 4:22, comes from the root word ἐπιθυμία epithumia – Strong’s G1939 which means, ‘desire, passionate longing, lust, coveting, desires’ and this comes from the word ἐπιθυμέω epithumeō – Strong’s G1937 which means, ‘desire, covet, lust, seek that which is forbidden’ and is translated as ‘lusts’ in:

Galatiyim/Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. And these are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you desire to do.”

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How many of you have found yourself looking at or seeking things that you know you should not!

This can cause sin, and bring a breach in the wall which can affect the entire assembly!!!

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No matter how pretty the worldly ways of worship may appear – be on guard against being drawn into desiring what is not fitting for the House of Elohim!

Do not get captivated by what the ‘evil woman’ (whore) does.

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Qolasim/Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one makes a prey of you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary matters of the world, and not according to Messiah.”

Here, Sha’ul clearly warns us against being led astray by empty deceit, which is according to the tradition of men that so easily and quickly cast the Torah of Elohim behind their backs! When traditions of men run contrary to the Word of Messiah then be on guard and be sober in making sure that you are not made a prey of such empty deceit!

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So many vainly claim that they know Messiah yet are walking contrary to His ways as they do not walk, even as He walked and they do not guard the Sabbaths and commands of Elohim, the very things He came to teach and lead us in!

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Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 3:13 “but encourage one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened by the deceivableness of sin.”

Once again, we are able to recognise just how deceitful sin and lawlessness, which is unrighteousness, can be and here, in this letter to the Hebrews, we are reminded of how important it is for us to encourage one another daily in the Truth, so as to keep each other’s hearts from becoming hardened by the deceit of sin, which is often presented as something attractive!

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So many reveal that their hearts are hardened by deceit, as they stubbornly refuse to hear the voice of elohim and repent of their lawlessness and sin and refuse to turn from unrighteousness as they live according to the deceitful lusts of the flesh!

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Kěpha Bet/2 Peter 2:12-13 “But these, like natural unreasoning beasts, having been born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheme that which they do not know, shall be destroyed in their destruction, 13 being about to receive the wages of unrighteousness, deeming indulgence in the day of pleasure, spots and blemishes, revelling in their own deceptions while they feast with you”

In speaking of the clear fate of the wicked, Kěpha highlights how the unrighteous revel in their own deceptions, even while they feast with you!

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This is a sobering thought indeed, as we take note that there are many who are ‘feasting with the righteous’ yet they themselves are revelling in deceit.

This goes to show how assemblies can be greatly affected by the deceit of many who may be able to put on a ‘religious show’ before others yet their deceptive revelling in compromise will not go unrewarded as they will receive their wages for unrighteousness!

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This is a very sober warning that must cause us to make sure that there is NO DECEIT found in us!!!

So many people are revelling in the deception of lawlessness and have no concept or idea of the severe punishment that is coming upon the unrighteous.

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Deceit is falsehood disguised as truth and is extremely life threatening to those who have no knowledge of Elohim, due to their adherence to teachings of lawlessness.

Therefore, what we are to make sure of, as set-apart treasured ones of the Most-High, is that we put off the false and put on the Truth and make sure that we are being correctly dressed in righteousness, with the full armour of Elohim being the only true dress code that guards against deceit.

Above all we must make sure that no deceit is found on our lips as we are to make sure that we meditate on the Torah, day and night, in order for us to be firmly planted in our Rock, Messiah, who is the Truth!!!

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As we contemplate on the blessing of the deliverance that our Master has worked for us and consider the blessing of the forgiveness and cleansing, He brings through His Word that does not change nor fail, let us make that there is no deceit in us, as we continue to pursue apartness before the face of our Mighty Master and Elohim, Husband and King, יהושע Messiah!!!

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As we consider the dangers of deceit, we can also glean much insight from the wisdom of Shelomoh, where we see the following in regards to deceit:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 26:24-26 “He who hates, pretends with his lips, and lays up deceit within him; 25 though he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 Hatred is covered by deceit. His evil is disclosed in the assembly.”

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Shelomoh continues to give us a clear warning against words of falsehood and deception, for those who hate will pretend to love!

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How then can we watch and be on guard?

By loving the Truth and guarding the commands of Elohim!

Tehillah/Psalm 119:97 “O how I love Your Torah! It is my study all day long.”

Can you echo the same words of the psalmist, or is your love for the Torah drowned out by the delusion of being against that which has been established and appointed by Elohim?

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If one does love the Torah of Elohim, then the necessary daily meditation and study will be a pleasure, yet so many people today. Try to argue that they just cannot find the time to get in to the Word, as their lives are so busy with many things!

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Being oppressed by the indecent behaviour of the lawless, righteous Lot was tortured in his being day after day when seeing and hearing the lawless works of the wicked!

How tortured are you by what you see and hear today?

If the works of the lawless do not torture you, then it may be a warning sign that you have slipped or drifted from steadfastness and have allowed compromise to settle in your life, in order to get by with everyone and have therefore, let your light be hidden due to the fear of man and the conflict that arises when righteousness and lawlessness clash!

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The Greek word that is translated as ‘tortured’ is βασανίζω basanizō – Strong’s G928 which means, ‘tortured, battered, pain, straining, be harassed or distressed, vexed with grievous pains (of body or mind)’.

The Greek word translated as ‘being’ is ψυχή psuchē – Strong’s G5590 which means, ‘breath, soul, heart, mind, life, being’, which is the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew word נֶפֶשׁ nephesh – Strong’s H5315 which is ‘a soul, a living being, the inner being of a man’.

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Sha’ul tells us that though we walk in the flesh we do not battle according to the flesh:

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 10:3-6 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not fight according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons we fight with are not fleshly but mighty in Elohim for overthrowing strongholds, 5 overthrowing reasonings and every high matter that exalts itself against the knowledge of Elohim, taking captive every thought to make it obedient to the Messiah, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience, when your obedience is complete.”

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Can you begin to understand what Lot went through, by being tortured in his being, day and night?

This was not something he could be going through physically, but was rather a continual raging battle within himself, as he, being righteous, was tortured by the depravity of seeing and hearing the lawless works of the wicked!

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The Greek word that is translated as ‘lawless’, here in Kěpha Bet/2 Peter 2:8, is not the same as that which is used in verse 7, but rather it is the word ἄνομος anomos – Strong’s G459 meaning, ‘lawless or without law, transgressors’.

A derivative of this word is the Greek word used for ‘lawlessness’, which is ἀνομία anomia – Strong’s G458 meaning, ‘lawlessness or lawless deeds, unrighteousness’.

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Yoḥanan makes it very clear to us that sin is lawlessness!

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 3:4 “Everyone doing sin also does lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.”

The Greek word for sin is ἁμαρτία hamartia – Strong’s G266 which means, ‘sin, failure, miss the mark, to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, to do or go wrong’, and also carries the meaning of, ‘wandering from the law of Elohim, violate the law of Elohim’.

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While many may claim that they do not need to adhere to, or keep, the Law of Elohim, we take note that Messiah did not redeem us from keeping the law, but He actually redeemed us from all lawlessness!

Titos/Titus 2:11-14 “For the saving Gift of Elohim has appeared to all men, 12 instructing us to renounce wickedness and worldly lusts, and to live sensibly, righteously, and reverently in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed expectation and esteemed appearance of the great Elohim and our Saviour יהושע Messiah, 14 who gave Himself for us, to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people, His own possession, ardent for good works.”

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘redeem’ is λυτρόω lutroō – Strong’s G3084 which literally means, ‘to release by paying a ransom, redeem’.

In other words, Messiah has paid the price for us and released us from lawlessness, by paying the ransom for our lives with His Blood.

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Sha’ul tells us in:

Romiyim/Romans 6:18 “And having been set free from sin, you became servants of righteousness.”

We have been set free from sin, which is lawlessness, in order to become servants of righteousness!

This verse is so clear – we have been set free from being disobedient to the Torah, in order to be obedient to it!!!

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Seeing and hearing lawless works will be something that tortures the righteous day and night, yet we must hold firm our calling and stand steadfast in not falling from our secure position in Messiah, as we hold firm to the truth that יהוה knows how to rescue the reverent ones from trial and keep the unrighteous (lawless sinners) unto a day of judgement for punishment!

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The Greek word that is translated as ‘rescue’ is ῥύομαι rhuomai – Strong’s G4506 which means, ‘deliver, rescue, draw to oneself’ and this word we see being used in the words of our Master when teaching us how we should pray, as seen in:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 6:13 “And do not lead us into trial, but deliver us from the wicked one – because Yours is the reign and the power and the esteem, forever. Aměn.”

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In the constant wrestle that we see being waged between the flesh and the spirit, we see from Sha’ul’s words the following:

Romiyim/Romans 7:24-25 “Wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks to Elohim, through יהושע Messiah our Master! So then, with the mind I myself truly serve the Torah of Elohim, but with the flesh the torah of sin.”

We can give thanks to Elohim for it is our Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah, who is the Only One who is able to deliver and rescue us! He knows how to rescue the reverent ones!

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The Greek word that is translated as ‘reverent ones’ comes from the adjective εὐσεβής eusebēs – Strong’s G2152 which describes a ‘pious, devout, reverent man’.

These words are a construct of two words:

1 – εὖ eu – Strong’s G2095 which is an adverb meaning, ‘good, well done’ and

2 – σέβω sebō – Strong’s G4576 which is a verb that means, ‘to worship, revere, Elohim-fearing’.

A derivative of this word is the Greek word that is translated as ‘reverence’, which is the noun εὐσέβεια eusebeia – Strong’s G2150 and carries the meaning of, ‘well-directed reverence’, and at its root it carries the meaning, ‘to be true and to adore, speaking of one’s devout worship and being dutiful in one’s obedience’.

This word εὐσέβεια eusebeia – Strong’s G2150, applied to a believer, denotes a life that is truly acceptable unto Messiah, indicating a proper attitude toward יהושע Messiah, who saves him.

So, a true reverent one who exercises true reverence, even in the Greek understanding, is one who exhibits a ‘good and well done, Elohim-fearing worship’!!!

This word εὐσέβεια eusebeia – Strong’s G2150, reflects both an attitude and a way of life, that is well pleasing to our Master, through the continued display of complete set-apartness without compromise!

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When we understand what true reverence toward Elohim means, we will find that we will do our utmost to give no room for compromise, and make sure that we forever strive for perfection in the Master, no matter where we find ourselves or in what circumstances we may be in and no matter the torture we go through when seeing and hearing the lawless works of the wicked around us!

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What we can see, from the words in Kěpha’s second letter, is that there shall be a clear separation of the righteous and the unrighteous!

The righteous shall be rescued while the wicked shall be gathered for judgement and destruction!

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While it may certainly be a torturous thing to see and hear the lawless works of the wicked each and every day, let us not lose heart in doing good, for we have the sure expectation in our Master that we must hold firm to until the end.

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These words that we have explored in Kěpha’s second letter, can either be taken as words of encouragement or words of warning, or both!

Encouragement to those who are guarding righteousness and are meditating daily on the Word and seeking to continual please Elohim with the reasonable worship of a set-apart life, while a sobering and stern warning to those who are neglecting the call to come out and be separate.

This is a warning against those who persist in doing lawless works and continue to live wickedly by actively practicing the opposite of what the fear of Elohim demands!

This is an encouragement and call for endurance to those who are making themselves ready and are properly dressed in righteousness as this is a call to keep standing armed in the Truth and after having done all, to keep standing and not let the lawless words and actions of others deter you from your steadfast position in Messiah!

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As you consider these words, how are you standing?

Have you allowed the torture of lawless deeds and the oppression of indecent behaviour to cause you to falter in your need to stand firm in the Truth?

Have you buckled under the pressure of the lawless deeds of the those who are living wickedly and have somehow lost the will to fight the good fight and find that you cave in to the pressures of family or friends, who continue to live wickedly, as they reject the need to walk in the Torah and, as a result, you find that you lack the strength to be bold?

Then take heed of these words from the Scriptures that we have been looking at and renew your mind with the truth that יהוה knows how to rescue the reverent ones from trial – and trust in Him who fights for you, as you take a firm stand in the belief/faith being clothed with the full armour of Elohim and be encouraged to stand!

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As a true reverent one, perhaps the torture of lawless deeds and words and the oppression of indecent behaviour has caused you to back off from speaking up and if this is the case, then let these words ignite in you a renewed zeal for our Master, as you take a firm stand in the Truth, being ready always to give an answer for the hope you have and never be ashamed of the Good News: יהושע Messiah, as you proclaim His Name in both word and deed, having words and deeds that reflect one that has been redeemed from all lawlessness!

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What in worth taking note of, as we learn from the example of Lot is that the Hebrew name Lot – לוֹט – Strong’s H3876 means, ‘covering’ and so we are able to recognise how we, through the Blood of Messiah have been covered and are fully protected in Him, as we stay in Him!

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Our sure hope amidst the torture of seeing and hearing lawlessness is that we have a mighty Elohim who knows how to rescue us from trial and as we hold firm the belief to the end let us encourage one another with this truth!

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 3:12-15 “Look out, brothers, lest there be in any of you a wicked heart of unbelief in falling away from the living Elohim, 13 but encourage one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened by the deceivableness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Messiah if we hold fast the beginning of our trust firm to the end, 15 while it is said, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

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At the end of this Chapter 2, of this second letter of Kěpha, Kěpha quotes a proverb of Shelomoh, in a chapter where he clearly describes the false prophets and false teachers that bring destructive heresies and the many that follow in their ways and walk after the flesh in filthy lust, while despising proper authority.

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 26:11 “As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.”

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It is known that dogs will, after vomiting, return to eat it up.

This sickening image that is done by dogs that will eat anything (even their own vomit) is likened to a fool, for he will keep doing the same sick and twisted things as he did before and therefore, reveals that he does not change his sick ways!

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Kěpha talks about those who had come to the knowledge of the truth and had escaped from those living in delusion and the false promises of freedom, yet sadly they end up getting entangled in the false ways again.

He says it would have been better if they had not known the way of righteousness, than having known it and then turn away from the set-apart command!

He uses this proverb of Shelomoh to describe such people!

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We have seen how some have come out of the corrupted church system and began to walk the set-apart path of obedience, by keeping the Sabbaths and Feasts, yet somehow they get entangled again by confusion and end up returning to the false system that they came out from and go back to a false sun-day worship and deny the True Names of our Saviour!

These people are fools that repeat their folly, as they go back to the lukewarm lifestyle of compromise and go back to false ways!

The idea of vomiting also reminds us of the assembly in Laodikeia which was rebuked for being lukewarm, for they were neither hot not cold, and these the Master will vomit out! (Ḥazon/Revelation 3:14-22)

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The Hebrew root word used here for ‘vomit’ is קֵא qe – Strong’s H6982 which means, ‘what is vomited up’, and comes from the primitive root verb קִיא qi – Strong’s H7006 which means, ‘to vomit up, spew out’.

This root verb is only used once in Scripture:

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 25:27-28 “And you shall say to them, ‘Thus said יהוה of hosts, the Elohim of Yisra’ĕl, “Drink, be drunk, and vomit! Fall and rise no more, because of the sword which I am sending among you.”’ 28 “And it shall be, when they refuse to take the cup from your hand to drink, then you shall say to them, ‘Thus said יהוה of hosts, “You shall drink!”

This is the cup of wrath from the Hand of יהוה, that Yirmeyahu was told to go and make all the nations to whom he would be sent, to drink it.

יהוה will make the drunken drink of the cup of His wrath and vomit and be forced to drink of His wrath in their own vomit!

The noun קֵא qe – Strong’s H6982, which means, ‘vomit’, is used 4 times in Scripture; here in this parable of Shelomoh and the other 3 passages are all clearly linked with the sickening depravity of a drunken state of lawlessness and rebellion:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 19:14 “יהוה has mixed a perverse spirit in her midst. And they have led Mitsrayim astray in all her work, as a drunkard strays in his vomit.”

This was part of the message concerning Mitsrayim!

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Yeshayahu/Isaiah 28:7-8 “And these too have gone astray through wine, and through strong drink wandered about. Priest and prophet have gone astray through strong drink, they are swallowed up by wine, they wander about through strong drink, they go astray in vision, they stumble in right-ruling. 8 For all tables shall be covered with vomit, no place without filth.”

This was part of a severe woe that is given to the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephrayim.

Ephrayim is often used as a metaphor for the House of Yisra’ĕl that had been divorced for whoring and adultery and here we take note how both priest and prophet have strayed through strong drink and because of this the tables shall be covered with vomit!

The reference to tables being covered with vomit is a metaphor for how they have turned the Feasts of Elohim into a drunken mess and how they have defiled the proper observance of set-apartness.

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Today, we take note how sick the table of false worship has become, especially in Christianity, as they have corrupted the Truth and replaced the called for worship and Feasts with defiled tables of idolatry and witchcraft, as the tables of filthy vomit that they continually return to are rooted in pagan celebrations of the wickedness and evil of false fertility worship!

Those who continue to follow in the false ways of Christianity that has defiled the Table of Elohim and established their own tables of filth are like dogs that keep returning to eat up their own vomit!

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Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 48:26 “Make him drunk, because he has made himself great against יהוה. Mo’aḇ shall splash in his vomit, and he shall also be in mockery.”

This was part of the message concerning Mo’aḇ.

The name מוֹאָב Mo’aḇ – Strong’s H4124 means, ‘of the father’.

We know that Mo’aḇ was the offspring of the incestuous relationship between Lot and his daughters. Mo’aḇ was also the name of the 41^st stage of 42 in the Wilderness Journey from Mitsrayim to the Promised Land.

So, this stop can carry both a positive as well as a negative meaning.

Are we of the heavenly Father or from the father of evil?

We must choose whom we serve and so in essence sums up the majority of our Wilderness journey – will we listen and obey our Father in Heaven and be called sons of Elohim?

Romiyim/Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of Elohim, these are sons of Elohim.”

Galatiyim/Galatians 3:26 “For you are all sons of Elohim through belief in Messiah יהושע.”

Galatiyim/Galatians 4:6 “And because you are sons, Elohim has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!”

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 5:6 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these the wrath of Elohim comes upon the sons of disobedience.”

Qolasim/Colossians 3:4-7 “When the Messiah, who is our life, is manifested, then you also shall be manifested with Him in esteem. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: whoring, uncleanness, passion, evil desire and greed of gain, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these the wrath of Elohim is coming upon the sons of disobedience,7 in which you also once walked when you lived in them.”

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There are many who claim to ‘know’ the Father and be of the Father while they deny Messiah and will therefore end up splashing in their own vomit and die!

To claim that one is of the Father one must also confess that יהושע Messiah is יהוה, for the Son and The Father are ONE!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 9:6 “For a Child shall be born unto us, a Son shall be given unto us, and the rule is on His shoulder. And His Name is called Wonder, Counsellor, Strong Ěl, Father of Continuity, Prince of Peace.”

A Son shall be given to and He shall be called ‘Father of Continuity’!

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After the Millennial Reign of our Master has ended and the renewed heavens and earth come down, we take note of the words of יהושע Messiah, in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 21:6-7 “And He said to me, “It is done! I am the ‘Aleph’ and the ‘Taw’, the Beginning and the End. To the one who thirsts I shall give of the fountain of the water of life without payment. 7 “The one who overcomes shall inherit all this, and I shall be his Elohim and he shall be My son.”

The Son who was given to us – יהושע Messiah – who is the Aleph and the Taw, the Beginning and the End, tells us that He is the source of Living Water (as He told the Shomeroni woman at the well) and tells us that the one who overcomes will be His son, which means He is the Father!!!

The reason I am highlighting this, is to show how many are returning to the vomit of denying that יהושע Messiah is Master and Elohim, and those who continues to do so will splash in their vomit and be destroyed!

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This chapter 2 of Kěpha Bět/2 Peter, carries both a severe woe to those who are living wickedly, which includes those that have once tasted the heavenly gift and have returned to sickly ways of lawless, while at the same time, it carries a great encouragement to the reverent righteous ones, who guard the commands amidst the depravity of lawlessness.

As reverent taught ones of Messiah, let us hold firm the calling and make sure that we do not return to the vomit of falsehood and make sure that we do not lose heart, under the torment of lawless living, but rather be like Pineḥas, who stood up and put to death the whoring in the camp.

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Be on guard against the cunning schemes of the lawless, who with fabricated words, try to lead astray many from walking in the clear Torah of Elohim.

Keep your position in the Master firm and be reminded that He is coming to fetch a reverent remnant Bride, that has not fallen to the wickedness and depravity of the widely accepted lawlessness that is being lived out by most, and be steadfast in the covering of His perfect love, as you stand firm, armed in His Torah and always be ready to give the reason for the sure hope you have, in Him who has redeemed us from all lawlessness!

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יהוה bless you and guard you; יהוה make His face shine upon you and show favour to you; יהוה lift up His face upon you and give you Shalom!

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23^rd of the 12^TH Month 2021/2022.

Shalom all,

Berěshith/Genesis 15:1 “After these events the word of יהוה came to Aḇram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Aḇram. I am your shield, your reward is exceedingly great.”

Aḇram had passed a great test and proved that, by the events that had just taken place, he showed where his heart was, as he clearly followed יהוה and forsook the ways of the world, and now THE WORD OF יהוה came to him and encouraged him greatly! .

He, along with his 318 trained servants, had just rescued his nephew Lot and had defeated Keḏorlaʽomer and the sovereigns who were with him and then the sovereign of Seḏom came out to meet him.

It was here he also met with Malkitseḏeq – the sovereign of Shalĕm and priest of the Most–High Ěl, who had brought our bread and wine and blessed him..

You can read about all that in Berěshith/Genesis 14.

The reason I am quoting this verse, from Berěshith/Genesis 15:1, is because it is in this verse that we find something very significant taking place.

This is the first time, in Scripture, that we see the term or title of ‘THE WORD OF יהוה’ being used and it carries great insight for us, as we dig a little deeper into this construct title that is uniquely used for יהוה. .

It is with that in mind that I want to take you through a few passages of Scripture, in order to highlight the clear revelation that Scripture gives us, in making it abundantly clear who THE WORD OF יהוה is, and therefore, this can be a teaching or article that can be used alongside the other 4 articles that I have written, namely: .

1 – MY MASTER AND MY ELOHIM!

2 – יהוה OUR SAVIOUR!!! – יהוה OUR MESSIAH!!!

3 – THE “MESSENGER” OF יהוה!

4 – יהוה IS ONE! Yahushua is יהוה our Saviour!.

All of these articles can be found on our site (https://atfotc.com) under the ‘articles’ menu...

While we may all have a clear understanding that THE WORD OF יהוה is יהוה, and therefore recognise how this clearly reveals who Messiah is, for He is THE WORD, I thought it best to present to you some key passages that help us unlock the revelation of this vital truth, and therefore, equip you with greater boldness in proclaiming the Good News – THE WORD OF יהוה, as we know that this is exactly what Sha’ul and Barnaḇa did:

Ma’asei/Acts 15:35 “And Sha’ul and Barnaḇa continued in Antioch, teaching and bringing, with many others also, the Good News: the Word of יהוה!”.

Therefore, in a message called, “THE WORD OF יהוה” let me further equip you in the revelation of our great Master, Saviour and Elohim. .

What becomes abundantly clear, in Scripture, is that the term/title of THE WORD OF יהוה is a compound Name that is used for Elohim, and it is first used here in the text that we opened with (Berěshith/Genesis 15:1), when THE WORD OF יהוה came to Aḇram. .

I want to break down this verse a little, so that we get a better understanding of what is actually happening here!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘came’ is הָיָה hayah – Strong’s H1961 which means, ‘to be, to happen, to become, to be in existence, to arise, to appear’. .

What is very clear here is that THE WORD OF יהוה ‘happened’ to Aḇram, or rather ‘appeared’ to him; and THE WORD OF יהוה came to him in a ‘vision’, which is the Hebrew word מַחֲזֶה maḥazeh – Strong’s H4236 which is only used 4 times in Scripture and simply means, ‘vision’. .

A ‘vision’, according to the Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, can be described as ‘something seen in a dream or trance; a supernatural appearance that conveys a revelation’ and is also understood as, ‘a direct awareness of the supernatural which is usually in the visible form’, or as, ‘something seen’, as well as, ‘the act or power of imagination or seeing and conceiving’. .

The reason I am mentioning this, is to make something very clear here; and that is that Aḇram saw THE WORD OF יהוה.

In a vision you ‘see’ things and the text is very clear about this fact that THE WORD OF יהוה made Himself visible for Aḇram to see, even though it was in a ‘vision’ – Aḇram still saw THE WORD OF יהוה...

This word מַחֲזֶה maḥazeh – Strong’s H4236 comes from the primitive root verb חָזָה ḥazah – Strong’s H2372 which means, ‘to see, behold, have a vision, prophesy, perceive, to see by experience’.

It is from this root verb that we get the Hebrew word חָזוֹן ḥazon – Strong’s H2377 which means, ‘revelation, vision’, and is the word used for the Book of the Revelation of Messiah – a clear book of prophesy that reveals to us very clearly who our Saviour, Master and Elohim is!.

THE WORD OF יהוה then speaks to Aḇram and engages in a discussion with Aḇram.

When Aḇram speaks back he says, ‘Master יהוה’, showing us that Aḇram knew exactly who he was speaking to and he believed in יהוה and it was reckoned to him for righteousness. .

What Mosheh is writing for us here is very clear: that Aḇram had a unique experience where he saw the physical presence or manifestation of יהוה, who is referred to here as THE WORD OF יהוה. .

THE WORD OF יהוה speaks to Aḇram and says “Do not be afraid, Aḇram. I am your shield, your reward is exceedingly great.”

These words can certainly remind us of the words of Messiah in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 22:12 “And see, I am coming speedily, and My reward is with Me, to give to each according to his work.”

The Greek word that is used here for ‘reward’ is μισθός misthos – Strong’s G3408 which means, ‘wages, hire, pay, reward’, and is the word that is used in the LXX (Septuagint) for the ‘reward’ that THE WORD OF יהוה told Aḇram was exceedingly great! .

The Hebrew word for ‘reward’ is שָׂכָר saḵar – Strong’s H7939 which means, ‘hire, wages, compensation, fare, reward’ and comes from the primitive root word that means ‘to hire, to earn wages’..

יהוה was basically saying to Aḇram, as well as to all of us today, the following:

“I AM what you are fighting for – I AM your great reward – I Am what you will receive if you overcome all that tries to oppress you along the journey – I AM your inheritance!”.

In Ḥazon/Revelation we take note that Messiah is speaking to Yoḥanan and He says the following in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 21:7 “The one who overcomes shall inherit all this, and I shall be his Elohim and he shall be My son.”.

While I am not going to go more in depth into this verse, in this teaching, I encourage you to go through this passage and then check it against the rest of Ḥazon, as it will become abundantly clear that it is יהושע Messiah who is speaking these words.

Words that are spoken in the vision, after the former heaven and earth passed away and a renewed heaven and earth was seen. .

This text ties in perfectly with the prophesy contained in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 9:6 “For a Child shall be born unto us, a Son shall be given unto us, and the rule is on His shoulder. And His Name is called Wonder, Counsellor, Strong Ěl, Father of Continuity, Prince of Peace.”

With the former heavens and earth passed away the role of the Son is complete and so He shall be called ‘Father of continuity’ or ‘Everlasting Father’.

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 6:17-18 “Therefore, “Come out from among them and be separate, says יהוה, and do not touch what is unclean, and I shall receive you. 18 “And I shall be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says יהוה the Almighty.” .

The point that I am highlighting here is that our reward is with our Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah, who is THE WORD OF יהוה who spoke to Aḇram and told him how great his reward is!

Before we get to THE WORD OF יהוה becoming flesh, I first want us to take a look at a few more examples in Scripture where we continue to see THE WORD OF יהוה coming to His servants the prophets!.

The next example that I want us to look at, is in the account of Shemu’ĕl, when he was a little boy that was staying with Ĕli the priest.

Please read Shemu’ĕl Aleph/1 Samuel 3, as we will glance through this text and pick up on some key points that are contained herein, with the clear reference to THE WORD OF יהוה being used as a clear compound title for יהוה.

Shemu’ĕl Aleph/1 Samuel 3:1 “And the young Shemu’ĕl was serving יהוה before Ĕli. And the word of יהוה was rare in those days – no vision breaking forth.”.

What you will notice here, is that we are told that THE WORD OF יהוה was ‘rare’ in those days! What we must understand here, is that this is not a reference to the physical scrolls that were read on the Sabbath and Feasts, but rather, it is a clear reference to the fact that THE WORD OF יהוה was not being made visible to anyone in those days, due to the depravity of the corrupted temple service that the sons of Ĕli had done and that everyone was corrupt and did what was right in their own eyes!

The Hebrew word for ‘rare’ is יָקָר yaqar – Strong’s H3368 which means, ‘precious, rare, splendid, noble, excellent, honourable’, and in its primitive root form means, ‘to be precious, prized, appraised, costly’. .

In Mishlĕ/Proverbs 3:15, we are told that ‘wisdom’ is more precious that rubies!

At this point in time, we take note that the wisdom of יהוה was certainly being scoffed at, through foolish mixing of corrupt practices and, as a result, THE WORD OF יהוה was ‘rare’ – this is to say: that יהוה was not making Himself visibly known to anyone in those days! .

Why do I say that?

Well, the text is pretty clear, as it tells us that there was no vision breaking forth!

No vision breaking forth!

The Hebrew word used here for ‘vision’ is חָזוֹן ḥazon – Strong’s H2377 which means, ‘revelation, vision’ and the Hebrew word that is translated as ‘breaking forth’ is פָּרַץ parats – Strong’s H2377 which means, ‘breaking through’. .

There was no revelation or vision of THE WORD OF יהוה coming through!

Yet here it was about to change!

Here, in this chapter of Shemu’ĕl Aleph/1 Samuel 3 we see a powerful procession of events taking place, from there being no visions of THE WORD OF יהוה to THE WORD OF יהוה appearing again!

In this interaction between יהוה and Shemu’ĕl we see the following:

Shemu’ĕl Aleph/1 Samuel 3:4 “And יהוה called Shemu’ĕl, and he answered, “Here I am!”.

Please take note that it is יהוה who called out to Shemu’ĕl.

Shemu’ĕl heard the voice and responded, but thought that it was Ĕli who had called him and he got up and ran to Ĕli, who told him that he did not call and sent him back to lie down again!

Shemu’ĕl Aleph/1 Samuel 3:6 “And יהוה again called, “Shemu’ĕl!” And Shemu’ĕl arose and went to Ěli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he answered, “My son, I did not call – lie down again.””.

Please take note of the next verse:

Shemu’ĕl Aleph/1 Samuel 3:7 “Now Shemu’ĕl did not yet know יהוה, and the word of יהוה was not yet revealed to him.”

Do you see what is being said here?

Shemu’ĕl did not yet know יהוה and so, the voice that he heard he thought that it must have been Eli that was calling him. .

This verse then tells us why he did not yet know יהוה – because THE WORD OF יהוה was not yet ‘revealed’ to him.

He was growing up with Ĕli and at the end of Chapter 1 we are clearly told that he worshipped before יהוה, which confirms to us that it was not the written words of the scrolls and text of the Torah that he did not know but that he had not yet seen THE WORD OF יהוה..

The Hebrew word that used here for ‘revealed’ comes from the root word גָּלָה galah – Strong’s H1540 and means, ‘to uncover, remove, to be uncovered, to reveal oneself’.

We know that the esteem of יהוה will be revealed to all flesh:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 40:5 “And the esteem of יהוה shall be revealed, and all flesh together shall see it. For the mouth of יהוה has spoken.”.

Back to the story of Shemu’ĕl:

יהוה called Shemu’ĕl for the third time, and after having gone again to Ĕli, he was told that if he hears the call again that he should say, “Speak, יהוה, for Your servant hears.”

Then something interesting happened:

Shemu’ĕl Aleph/1 Samuel 3:10 “And יהוה came and stood and called as at other times, “Shemu’ĕl! Shemu’ĕl!” And Shemu’ĕl answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”.

After having called 3 times already, יהוה now came and ‘stood’ and called as at the other times!

The Hebrew word that is used here for ‘stood’ comes from the primitive root verb יָצַב yatsaḇ – Strong’s H3320 which means, ‘to set, station oneself, take one’s stand, present yourself’, and what is made clear here, is that יהוה had now positioned Himself to be seen by Shemu’ĕl!.

Now standing before Shemuʼěl, יהוה called as at the other times!

Why I am highlighting this, is to show that this visible presence of יהוה was being revealed to this boy, as THE WORD OF יהוה!

Shemu’ĕl grew up and was established as a prophet of יהוה and everyone knew it, and then we see the following, in:

Shemu’ĕl Aleph/1 Samuel 3:21 “And יהוה continued to appear in Shiloh, because יהוה revealed Himself to Shemu’ĕl in Shiloh by the word of יהוה.”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘appear’ comes from the root word רָאָה ra’ah – Strong’s H7200 which means, ‘to see, look, observe, pay close attention, consider, appear, provide’.

This verb is written in the ‘niphal passive’ tense and therefore is understood as rendering, ‘to appear, present oneself, to be seen, to be visible’. .

What is very important for us to understand here is that יהוה literally ‘made himself visible’ in Shiloh, because He had ‘revealed’ Himself to Shemu’ĕl!

How did He reveal Himself?

By… THE WORD OF יהוה!

THE WORD OF יהוה is a term that is frequently used to represent the physical appearance or manifestation of יהוה to His servants the prophets!

There are a number of passages that you can find, where THE WORD OF יהוה comes to His prophets:

THE WORD OF יהוה also came to Yirmeyahu and why I am mentioning this, is to highlight something significant that happened with Yirmeyahu, as seen in Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah Chapter 1.

In the opening chapter of the book of Yirmeyahu, we see this young man engaging in a dialogue with יהוה.

We are told the following, in:

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 1:4 “Now the word of יהוה came to me, saying”

He is told by יהוה that he had been appointed by יהוה and that he was to be a prophet to the nations.

Yirmeyahu expressed his inadequacies and claimed to be too young.

He was told by יהוה to not say that he was too young and was told to go and speak whatever יהוה commands him to and that he was not to be afraid of the people’s faces! .

Then something very interesting happens, as recorded in:

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 1:9 “Then יהוה put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and יהוה said to me, “See, I have put My words in your mouth.”

יהוה put forth His hand and touched the mouth of Yirmeyahu!

Please note that there was not a manifestation of a floating hand that suddenly appeared! THE WORD OF יהוה was speaking to this young man who was being appointed as a prophet!

This is another great text that supports the text of Sha’ul in Eph’siyim/Ephesians 4 which tells us that יהושע Messiah has appointed some to be prophets etc.

THE WORD OF יהוה physically touched the mouth of Yirmeyahu with His hand! .

Another great prophet, to whom THE WORD OF יהוה came, is Ěliyahu:

Melaḵim Aleph/1 Kings 18:1 “And after many days it came to be that the word of יהוה came to Ěliyahu, in the third year, saying, “Go, present yourself to Aḥaḇ, and I give rain on the earth.”

After confronting Aḥaḇ and challenging the Ba’al prophets we see that Ěliyahu built a slaughter-place to יהוה, where we take note of the following wording:

Melaḵim Aleph/1 Kings 18:30-31 “Then Ěliyahu said to all the people, “Come closer to me.” And all the people came closer to him. And he repaired the altar of יהוה that was broken down. 31 And Ěliyahu took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Yaʽaqoḇ, to whom the word of יהוה had come, saying, “Yisra’ĕl is your name.”

In Melaḵim Aleph/1 Kings 18:31, we are clearly given a reference to Ya’aqoḇ who strove with Elohim and had his name changed, as seen in:

Berěshith/Genesis 32:28 “And He said, “Your name is no longer called Yaʽaqoḇ, but Yisra’ĕl, because you have striven with Elohim and with men, and have overcome.”.

The reference, given in the account of Ěliyahu, states that THE WORD OF יהוה came to Ya’aqoḇ, giving us clear proof that THE WORD OF יהוה is Elohim, for Ya’aqoḇ had seen Elohim face to face and did not die!.

What is very clear in the Hebraic text, is that THE WORD OF יהוה is a clear reference to יהוה and His supreme power to create and the term or title of THE WORD OF יהוה represented the personification of יהוה Himself..

It was clearly understood, by the Hebrews of the Tanak, that THE WORD OF יהוה was, and is, the Messiah.

For more on this please see the article called “יהוה OUR SAVIOUR!!! – יהוה OUR MESSIAH!!!”, which is one of the 4 that I mentioned at the beginning of this article..

When Yoḥanan wrote his letter, he knew exactly what he was proclaiming as The Good News, and in his introduction, it was clear that he was referring to יהושע Messiah as being the Messiah and THE WORD OF יהוה.

Yoḥanan/John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim.”

Yoḥanan/John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and pitched His tent among us, and we saw His esteem, esteem as of an only brought-forth of a father, complete in favour and truth.”

For more on this text please see the other articles that I mentioned earlier..

A clear text that we see, in the revelation of Messiah, is that He is called THE WORD OF יהוה:

Ḥazon/Revelation 19:11-13 “And I saw the heaven opened, and there was a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Trustworthy and True, and in righteousness He judges and fights. 12 And His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns, having a Name that had been written, which no one had perceived except Himself 13 and having been dressed in a robe dipped in blood – and His Name is called: The Word of יהוה.”.

The Word of יהוה is Master of Masters!!!

Just take a look at what is said a couple of verses later:

Ḥazon/Revelation 19:16 “And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: SOVEREIGN OF SOVEREIGNS AND MASTER OF MASTERS.”

יהוה is Master of Masters!

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 10:17 “For יהוה your Elohim is Elohim of mighty ones and Master of masters, the great Ěl, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.”

The Lamb is Master of Masters!

Ḥazon/Revelation 17:14 “They shall fight with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for He is Master of masters and Sovereign of sovereigns. And those with Him are called, and chosen, and trustworthy.”.

There is only ONE Master of Masters and the point that I am trying to make here, in this brief article, is that יהושע Messiah is THE WORD OF יהוה, which most people would not argue with, yet what we can clearly see from that which we have looked at, is that יהוה is THE WORD OF יהוה, and while we take note that THE WORD OF יהוה came and appeared to some of His faithful servants and prophets, He came in the form of human flesh to be made visible to all! .

There is only ONE WORD OF יהוה and He remains forever!

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 1:25 “but the Word of Elohim remains forever.” And this is the Word, announced as Good News to you.”

Tehillah/Psalm 102:12 “But You, O יהוה, shall be enthroned forever, and the remembrance of You be to all generations.”

Tehillah/Psalm 102:26 “They shall perish, but You remain; and all of them grow old like a garment; You change them like a coat, and they are changed.”

What becomes clear to us, is that THE WORD OF יהוה was made visible to many, before He came and took on the form of human flesh, for then He was revealed to all, at that time.

Our Master made it clear, after T’oma’s confession that יהושע Messiah is Master and Elohim, that while he had believed because he had seen the Master alive, blessed are those who have not seen and have believed! .

In Ḥazon/Revelation 21:7 we are told that ‘blessed is he who guards the words of the prophecy of this book’.

This book of Ḥazon/Revelation is the clear revelation/vision of who our Master and Saviour is, and is a clear vision and revelation of who THE WORD OF יהוה is and that He is יהוה our Elohim.

This same Master and Elohim, that T’oma saw, is THE WORD OF יהוה, who came to Aḇram, Shemu’ĕl, Yirmeyahu and many others who I have not mentioned in this article!

And this is: THE GOOD NEWS!.

I have shown you that THE WORD OF יהוה was physically made visible to many and the Book of Ma’asei/Acts tells us what The Good News is:

Ma’asei/Acts 5:42 “And daily in the Set-apart Place, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and bringing the Good News: יהושע the Messiah!”

Ma’asei/Acts 8:4 “Then those who had been scattered went everywhere bringing the Good News: the Word!”

Ma’asei/Acts 8:35 “And Philip opening his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, brought to him the Good News: יהושע!”

Ma’asei/Acts 11:20 “But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, bringing the Good News: the Master יהושע!”

Ma’asei/Acts 15:35 “And Sha’ul and Barnaḇa continued in Antioch, teaching and bringing, with many others also, the Good News: the Word of יהוה!”

The Good News is that THE WORD OF יהוה has been revealed!

The question is: do you see, or has the veil of false traditions of man, that deny the deity of Messiah, covered your eyes?

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 3:16 “And when one turns to the Master, the veil is taken away.”.

This is THE GOOD NEWS: THE WORD OF יהוה – and by that, I mean that The Good News is that יהוה has made Himself visible to all, by coming in the form of human flesh!

He has revealed Himself, and this is what the early apostle’s bore witness of!

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 1:1-2 “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life: 2 And the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and announce to you that everlasting life which was with the Father and was manifested to us.”.

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 53:1 “Who has believed our report? And to whom was the arm of יהוה revealed?”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘revealed’ is גָּלָה galah – Strong’s H1540, as already discussed and what we recognise is that He is revealed to us through His Word!

The psalmist who wrote Tehillah/Psalm 119, which is a clear psalm that celebrates the Torah of Elohim, declared the following:

Tehillah/Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes, that I might see Wonders from Your Torah.”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘open’ comes from the primitive root verb גָּלָה galah – Strong’s H1540 which means, ‘uncover, remove, to be uncovered, disclosed, exposed’.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘that I might see’ is וְאַבִּיטָה veabbiytah which comes from the primitive root verb נָבַט naḇat – Strong’s H5027 which means, ‘to look, behold, gaze, observe, pay attention’ and it is written here in the ‘hifil’ verb tense which is the ‘causative’ tense and highlights for us the clear cry of the psalmist here, as he earnestly seeks יהוה to open his eyes so that he may be caused to see the wonders that are contained in the Torah of יהוה.

יהוה is the One who ‘causes us to be’ and it is He who ‘causes us to see’ wonders from His Torah, when we turn to Him and seek Him with our all, by turning away from all that displeases Him!

Those who have turned away from His Torah and have turned away from hearing His Torah, will never be able to see the wonders contained therein and never be able to walk in the blessing of obedience and never be able to know THE WORD OF יהוה!.

The psalmist is asking יהוה to open his eyes, to see that which is beyond his own ability to see and asks to see the surpassing and extraordinary and marvellous matters that contained in His Torah!

What is clearly being expressed here, is that the psalmist knew that there are matters that are beyond our power to understand and not only is it beyond our power, but it is also wondrous, spectacular, marvellous, and beyond comprehension.

And it is this that he wants his eyes to be opened to!

When we grasp the intensity of this earnest plea, it does not make any sense why anyone would want to turn away from the Torah!.

When our eyes are caused to be opened, as we turn to the Master, The Rock of our Deliverance, we are equipped to have eyes to see and ears to hear, in order to properly pursue His Righteousness and Kingdom!

Having called upon His Name and earnestly seeking His Kingdom and Righteousness, through our proper obedience to The Word of יהוה, we have a responsibility to be bringing The Good News to all!

After His resurrection, our Master made it clear to His taught ones that The Torah, the Prophets and The Tehillim are written concerning Him and then He caused them to understand as He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures!

They were caused to know THE WORD OF יהוה, who had now been fully revealed to them, equipping them with THE GOOD NEWS OF PEACE!.

Romiyim/Romans 10:13-17 “For “everyone who calls on the Name of יהוה shall be saved.” 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without one proclaiming? 15 And how shall they proclaim if they are not sent? As it has been written, “How pleasant are the feet of those who bring the Good News of peace, who bring the Good News of the good!” 16 However, not all obeyed the Good News. For Yeshayahu says, “יהוה, who has believed our report?” 17 So then belief comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Elohim.” .

THE GOOD NEWS OF PEACE – THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOOD, is the clear report that: THE WORD OF יהוה has been revealed!

As I have already said, most today would not argue the fact that יהושע Messiah is THE WORD OF יהוה, yet some will quickly reject that clear revelation that THE WORD OF יהוה is the physical revelation and appearance of יהוה in human flesh! .

This is clearly The Good News that is to be proclaimed and Sha’ul warns against another good news being brought:

Galatiyim/Galatians 1:6-9 “I marvel that you are so readily turning away from Him who called you in the favour of Messiah, to a different ‘Good News,’ 7 which is not another, only there are some who are troubling you and wishing to pervert the Good News of Messiah. 8 However, even if we, or a messenger out of heaven, bring a ‘Good News’ to you beside what we announced to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone brings a ‘Good News’ to you beside what you have received, let him be accursed.”.

Hear what Sha’ul is saying here:

If anyone brings a different Good News let him be accursed!.

Anyone who does not confess and acknowledge the revelation of יהושע Messiah – The Good News – THE WORD OF יהוה – let him be accursed!

There are many people today, who may declare that יהושע Messiah is THE WORD OF יהוה yet, they somehow fail to recognise that, by saying this, they are declaring that He is יהוה in His revealed form to man!.

דְבַר־יהוה

Deḇar יהוה

THE WORD of יהוה.

Let us take a look at this compound title/name that is used for our Master and Elohim, in the ancient pictographic script:.

The Hebrew word for ‘Word’ is דָּבָר daḇar – Strong’s H1697 which means, ‘speech, word, commandment, chronicles, message’; which looks like this is the ancient pictographic script:.

.

Dalet – דְּ:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as a ‘tent door’. It can also have the meaning of ‘a back–and–forth movement’, as one goes back and forth through a tent door; and so, speaks of an access point.

It can also carry the meaning of ‘dangle’ or hanging, as the tent door would hang from the roof pole of the tent. It speaks a great deal of understanding the door of the tent of appointment as the only means of access, showing us the importance of the Appointed Times/Feasts of יהוה.

Therefore, our need to gather as we are commanded to, is the starting point for us to embrace, learn and understand what His Word teaches and instructs us to do....

Beyt – בָ:

The ancient script has this letter as , which pictures a tent floor plan and means, ‘house’ or ‘tent’. It represents family and the importance of those who are inside the tent as opposed to the tent structure itself.

We also recognise that the House/Dwelling Place of Elohim is the body of Elohim that is built up as living stones in our Master, יהושע Messiah. A house/tent speaks of your family and to whom you belong and under whom you submit and adhere to, as the House of Elohim has clear instructions for those in the House! The Light (that is His Word) is for those in the House!.

Resh – רִ:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘the head of a man’ and has the meaning of the head of a man as well as ‘chief, top, begging or first’; top, as in the top or head of a body, and chief, as in a head of a tribe or people; as well as the one who rules the people. Every House has a head of the home, and all in the House submit to the instructions of the One who is head of the home, listening to and obeying the words that the Head speaks!.

What these pictographic symbols or letters clearly show us here, in reference to these collectively expressing ‘WORD’, is that THE WORD IS:.

THE DOOR

TO THE HOUSE OF THE HEAD!.

יהושע Messiah is The Door and He is the Head and we are His dwelling Place, and our only means of access, is through our Master and Elohim, who is The Door that has been revealed (opened) to us in the flesh, in order that we can be grafted in and enter into the Covenants of promise that we were once far off from and without Elohim in the world!.

The Name of יהוה YAHWEH – Strong’s H3068 is pictured in the ancient script as follows:.

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Yod – י

In the Ancient Script, this is the letter ‘yad or yod’ which is pictured as – – which is the picture of an arm and hand and carries the meaning of ‘work, make, throw’ from the primary functions of the arm and hand and also represents worship or giving thanks in the extending of hands as a gesture of this. This also reveals to us a stretched-out arm and hand..

Hey – ה

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as a man standing with his arms raised up and out as if pointing to something, and in essence carries the meaning of ‘behold’ as in when looking at something very great.

It can also have the meaning to ‘breath’ or ‘sigh’ as when looking at a great sight and having your breath taken away so to speak! It also has the meaning of revelation or to reveal something by pointing it out..

Waw – ו

The ancient pictographic form of this letter is , which is a peg or ‘tent peg’ or nail, which was used for securing or tying the tent or other items.

The possibility of it having a Y-shape is to show that it prevents the rope from slipping off. The root meaning of this letter is ‘to add, secure or hook’..

In the pictographic representation of the Name of Elohim we are able to clearly see how He, the All Existing One, revealed Himself to His Creation through His Outstretched Arm and Hand. .

The two pictures of the man and the peg in between them also gives us insight as to how He would come and reveal Himself in the form of a man and secure the Covenants of promise, and in this we are able to see the two comings of Messiah. .

BEHOLD THE OUTSTRETCHED ARM OF THE ALL EXISTING ONE SHALL COME AND SECURE HIS COVENANT AND REDEEM US IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH HIS HOUSE FOR WHICH HE IS COMING AGAIN!.

The correct grammatical way to pronounce the Name of יהוה is:

YAHWEH.

For more on this, please see the article I wrote called, “Grammatical study from Scripture on confirming the pronunciation of the Name of יהוה” which can be found under the article’s menu on our site (https://atfotc.com) or by simply clicking on the following link:

https://atfotc.com/grammatical-study-from-scripture-on-confirming-the-pronunciation-of-the-name-of/.

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דְבַר־יהוה

Deḇar יהוה

THE WORD of יהוה.

THE WORD OF יהוה has come – and it is clear who He is!

Are you listening? Are you obeying? Are you proclaiming?.

He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says!.

In closing, I would like to highlight that the 5^th book of the Torah of Mosheh, is called דְּבָרִים Deḇarim, which is the plural of the root word דָּבָר daḇar – Strong’s H1697 which means, ‘speech, word, commandment, chronicles, message’ which, in its primitive root form, דָּבַר daḇar – Strong’s H1696 means, ‘to speak, command, counsel, declare, proclaimed, converse, warn, threaten, promise’..

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy is often understood as the ‘powerhouse’ that holds the vision and the mandate that we have, in יהושע Messiah. .

We who choose to ‘walk in and obey’ the ‘Words’ of יהוה, that we ‘hear, guard and do’, find that it becomes a place of anointing, righteousness and empowerment; and it is like the mantle of anointing and responsibility that Ěliyahu passed on to Elisha. .

The Word of Elohim, which includes the complete collection of all His instructions, as contained throughout the Scriptures, is that which washes us, teaches us, and trains us in righteousness!

Timotiyos Bět/2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting straight, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of Elohim might be fitted, equipped for every good work.”.

As we consider this word – דְּבָרִים Deḇarim, which is the plural of the word דָּבָר daḇar – Strong’s H1697, in the ancient pictographic script, we are able to recognise the importance of THE WORD OF ELOHIM, and how it is His Word that equips and prepares us, as His Ready Bride!.

In the ancient pictographic script, the word דְּבָרִים Deḇarim, looks like this:.

        .

Dalet – דְּ:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as a ‘tent door’. It can also have the meaning of a back-and-forth movement, as one goes back and forth through a tent door; and so, speaks of an access point. It can also carry the meaning of ‘dangle’ or hanging, as the tent door would hang from the roof pole of the tent.

It speaks a great deal of understanding the door of the tent of appointment as the only means of access, showing us the importance of the Appointed Times/Feasts of יהוה.

Therefore, our need to gather as we are commanded to, is the starting point for us to embrace, learn and understand what His Word teaches and instructs us to do..

Beyt – בָ:

The ancient script has this letter as , which pictures a tent floor plan and means, ‘house’ or ‘tent’. It represents family and the importance of those who are inside the tent as opposed to the tent structure itself.

We also recognise that the House/Dwelling Place of Elohim is the body of Elohim that is built up as living stones in our Master, יהושע Messiah.

A house/tent speaks of your family and to whom you belong and under whom you submit and adhere to, as the House of Elohim has clear instructions for those in the House!

The Light (that is His Word) is for those in the House!...

Resh – רִ:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘the head of a man’ and has the meaning of the head of a man as well as ‘chief, top, begging or first’. Top, as in the top or head of a body, and chief, as in a head of a tribe or people; as well as the one who rules the people.

Every House has a head of the home, and all in the House submit to the instructions of the One who is head of the home, listening to and obeying the words that the Head speaks!.

Yod – י:

The ancient script has this letter as which is ‘an arm and hand’, and carries the meaning of ‘work, make, throw’, from the primary functions of the arm and hand, and it also represents worship or giving thanks in the extending of hands as a gesture of this.

The work of one’s hands is the basic meaning of this letter!

And this letter also pictures for us the outstretched Arm and working Hand of Elohim, that is not too short to save!.

Mem – ם:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘water’, and also carries the meaning of ‘chaos’ (from the storms of the sea) and can also picture that which is mighty or massive as well as the unknown.

We are also able to understand this letter as representing the nations, for the nations are often likened to the seas in Scripture.

Water is also a very clear picture for us of that which washes or cleanses us, as we understand from the picture of the bronze laver in the Tabernacle that was used to clean the priests and was made from the bronze mirrors that was used by the women who worshipped at the Door of the Tabernacle.

As we look into the mirror of the Word of Elohim, we are to allow it to cleanse us and cause us to remember how we are to look, speak and act, in complete adherence to His clear words of instructions contained therein!.

As we consider the very powerful word – דְּבָרִים Deḇarim – in the ancient pictographic text, we are able to grasp a fuller understanding of the importance of the Words of Elohim, and we are able to see from the collection of these letters the following:.

As we come to the Door (Messiah) and guard His Appointed Times/Feasts that are commanded for The House/Dwelling Place of Elohim, we submit under the Head of the House/Body, for it is by His Outstretched Arm and Hand that we are delivered out of the nations and cleansed to be a set-apart Bride, that submits to the complete Authority of the Words of our Master and King!.

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy is the most quoted book in the Renewed Writings (N.T.).

It is in this book that Mosheh reflects on the Yisra’ĕlites 40-year Wilderness journey, in relation to יהוה’s clear instructions and teaching for them..

As we sojourn here as ambassadors of Messiah, we are ambassadors of The Word of Elohim, which we are to let our words and actions speak loudly of, for when we speak, we are to proclaim our Master and His Truth! For whatever we do, whether in word or deed, we are to do all in the Name of יהושע Messiah.

As we speak the Truth of The Word, we proclaim our Master and Elohim!

How is your walk? How is your speech? Does your walk and your speech shine the revelation of THE WORD OF יהוה? Does your life reflect THE WORD OF יהוה, walking even as He walked?

THE WORD OF יהוה has been revealed – now go out and proclaim our Wondrous and Mighty Master and Elohim, who is coming speedily for His ready Bride!.

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דְבַר־יהוה

Deḇar יהוה

THE WORD of יהוה.

יהוה bless you and guard you; יהוה make His face shine upon you and show you favour; יהוה lift up His face upon you and give you Shalom!.

27^th of the 11^th month 2021/2022

Shalom family!

Give thanks and praise the mighty Name of יהוה.

Tehillah/Psalm 35:18 “I give You thanks in the great assembly; I praise You among a mighty people.”

In Him and through Him and by Him we are a mighty people, treasured and belonging to a Mighty Elohim, aměn!

Life is a succession of moments and success is living each of those moments according to the will of יהוה our Elohim as He has clearly instructed us through His Word.

Yehoshua/Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you guard to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and act wisely.”

This was a charge given to a man who would lead the nation of Yisra’ĕl into the Promised land and was encouraged several times to be strong and courageous and be a mighty servant of the Most High EL! .

In a message called, “Calling Forth the Mighty!”, where we will look a little closer at the characteristics of the mighty men who were gathered to Dawiḏ, I would like you to read:

Diḇre haYamim Aleph/1 Chronicles 12.

Dawiḏ was anointed, by Shemuʼĕl the prophet, to be king, yet he was driven into a fugitive existence, being continually pursued by a jealous king Sha’ul, who was still reigning as king over Yisra’ĕl and had set up an established system to which he wanted to hold so tightly on to and not allow Dawiḏ to become king. .

Dawiḏ had escaped to the cave of Aḏullam and was joined by his family, as well as those who were in distress and those who had debt or who were bitter in being and Dawiḏ became head over them.

In other words, the down and outs came to him!!! .

Dawiḏ then fled to the land of the Philistines and came to Aḵish, sovereign of Gath and was then given Tsiqlaḡ and he dwelt there for just under a year and a half and was joined there by many of his mighty warriors, and it was also at Tsiqlaḡ that he received news of the death of king Sha’ul.

These mighty warriors that were gathered to him at Tsiqlaḡ became what we could call the ‘forerunners’ in being instrumental in the establishment of the king’s reign.

These men, in effect, had ‘prepared the way’ for Dawiḏ’s ultimate establishment as sovereign over all Yisra’ĕl..

These men who came to Dawiḏ at Tsiqlaḡ, were ‘mighty’, in the sense that they went against what we could call the ‘Sha’ul system’ of a man driven fleshly kingdom; and they aligned themselves to Dawiḏ – who was now, in the eyes of Sha’ul, a fugitive outlaw – one who had been rejected, in a sense, by his own.

By these mighty men joining Dawiḏ, they in effect “burned their bridges” and there was no turning back!

They had turned their backs on the ‘established order’, which had promised them security, a future, promotions and a reputation – all of course, matters of the flesh!

But what we can see, from their motivation to go to Dawiḏ in the wilderness, was that they showed their loyalty to the one which יהוה had anointed to rule and have an established reign forever upon the throne of Dawiḏ, that would usher in the Messiah who would forever rule!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 9:6-7 “For a Child shall be born unto us, a Son shall be given unto us, and the rule is on His shoulder. And His Name is called Wonder, Counsellor, Strong Ěl, Father of Continuity, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His rule and peace there is no end, upon the throne of Dawiḏ and over His reign, to establish it and sustain it with right-ruling and with righteousness from now on, even forever. The ardour of יהוה of hosts does this.”.

Dawiḏ symbolises for us the full manifestation of the emerging kingdom of Elohim and he represents for us a picture or type of Messiah and His kingdom reign that will firmly be established here on earth!.

In Diḇre haYamim aleph/1 Chronicles 11, we are given a few of the accounts of the exploits of some of these mighty warriors and the immensely great victories that they had, which I encourage you to read, as I have spoken on this in the past and I will not go into the details now in this teaching on these very great accounts of outstanding physical bravery. These men not only displayed physical bravery, but also displayed great moral courage in joining themselves to Dawiḏ by forsaking all the seeming comforts of the life in king Sha’ul’s court.

They had selflessly abandoned themselves to Dawiḏ and the very word of יהוה that was spoken over his life, and in one sense it could seem like a gung-ho approach of young, fit and eager men who were very daring.

However, it was more than that: yes, they were very daring, that is for sure!

But it was a considered commitment to prophetically revealed destiny.

They would have been fully aware of Shemuʼĕl’s word over Dawiḏ’s life, as well as the evidence of the Spirit of יהוה that was upon Dawiḏ, who would be crowned king over Yisra’ĕl.

And what this awareness and discernment of the prophetic purpose did, was nothing less that demand their all!!!

The call of the coming kingdom reign, wrenched them from their homes and all that was near and dear to them, and this is the same for us today, who truly and confidently align ourselves with our Coming King, יהושע Messiah, as we abandon ourselves unto Him..

Luqas/Luke 14:26-27 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, and his own life too, he is unable to be My taught one. 27 “And whoever does not bear his stake and come after Me is unable to be My taught one.”.

Every relationship, every security and every personal right they had to have lain down in order to pursue the call of the king and his kingdom and this demanded a forsaking of the prestige and position in the ‘King Sha’ul’ regime and it is no different today!.

They swam against the tide: they stood their ground while others retreated and they certainly did not go with the crowd!

This display of courage and bravery of the mighty, is the mark of a forerunner who in the face of impossible odds move into the ‘kingdom’ animated by a force of spirit that others do not possess:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 11:12 “And from the days of Yoḥanan the Immerser till now the reign of the heavens is violated, and the violent seize it.”.

There is a raging battle going on for worship and the calling forth of the mighty of יהושע, is still being given today: to stand against those who violate the reign of the heavens, by establishing it right here and now, through total obedience to our King!.

These mighty men of Dawiḏ, having responded to the voice of destiny, had truly settled the question of ownership – for they were no longer their own and were therefore able to be willing to lay down their lives in the heat of battle, offering themselves as daily living sacrifices, as displayed in their sacrificial feats of bravery, enabling them to see יהוה work on their behalf, and what we can learn from these men, in our own lives, is the fact that it is true that יהוה plus 1 is always a majority and a sure promised victory, no matter the battle!

With Him being with us, we can walk in the triumphant procession of victory, in Messiah, declaring His praise and reign, aměn!.

For these men, they discovered very quickly, that what may have seemed impossible with the natural eye, became possible, as king Sha’ul and his established system was taken out of the way and the Dawiḏic order was established in its place! .

We can learn a great deal from the very characteristics that are attributed to these mighty warriors who came to Dawiḏ both at Tsiqlaḡ and at Ḥeḇron and I would like for us to briefly look at some of these, in order to reflect on the very attributes and characteristics that ought to be evident in our own lives too, as we abandon ourselves totally unto our Redeemer and King, יהושע Messiah!.

Firstly, if we look at the Gaḏites that were described in verse 8 we see some clear characteristics of a mighty warrior in the king’s army:

1 – SEPARATED TO THE KING

Qorintiyim Bet/2 Corinthians 6:17 “Therefore, “Come out from among them and be separate, says יהוה, and do not touch what is unclean, and I shall receive you.”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘separated themselves’ comes from the root word בָּדַל baḏal – Strong’s H914 which means ‘to divide, separate, sever, to set apart, to make a distinction, come over’..

Luqas/Luke 12:51 “Do you think that I came to give peace on earth? I say to you, no, but rather division.”.

In Mattithyahu/Matthew 10:34, the word ‘sword’ is used, which carries the same meaning – and that is: to cut, divide or separate – and it is His Word that does this!!! .

The call of יהוה separates the mighty, who respond with great humility and faith, from the stiff-necked, who simply harden their hearts in rebellion, in order to appease their satisfaction in the flesh and are unwilling to come out and be separate!.

As we discussed, these mighty men had diligently and bravely counted the cost and risked it all and never looked back – how about you!

What is important to note, is that they separated themselves to Dawiḏ in the wilderness, and as we have all discovered through our Torah portions, that it is in the wilderness where we, who are separated unto Him, learn to hear His voice and obey His commands. .

The Wilderness journey is often pictured as a coming out of known comfort zones of the flesh, as we learn to be comforted by His very Word in Spirit and Truth!.

2 – STRONG – MIGHTY BRAVE MEN

Timotiyos Bet/2 Timothy 2:1 “You then, my son, be strong in the favour that is in Messiah יהושע.”

The two root words that are used here used here for ‘mighty brave men’, are:

1) גִּבּוֹר gibbor – Strong’s H1368 which translates as ‘mighty man, brave man, and valiant warrior, powerful’ which is the intensive form of the word גָּבַר gaḇar – Strong’s H1396, which means, ‘to be strong and mighty, prevail’, and

2) חַיִל ḥayil – Strong’s H2428 which means, ‘strength, efficiency, excellence, and men of valour, powerful’.

This is a double witness of the strength of these men – not only physically, but in their character of their fervent commitment to their king..

These were strong and courageous followers of the king – which is a repetitive call for all followers of Messiah to be: to be strong and courageous.

To ‘be strong’ in Hebrew – חָזַקḥāzaq H2388 – carries the meaning of ‘the ability to seize or to fasten upon, to be strengthened and grasp between the ears and be devoted’ and ‘courageous’ – אָמֵץ amats H553 – means ‘to be alert both physically and mentally, be fully alert – awake and not asleep, be steadfast’.

These mighty brave men were hearers and doers!!!

To be strong and courageous is: to hear, guard and do the Word of Elohim!.

3 – SKILLED

These guys were trained for battle and were not novices – they could handle both shield and spear with great precision and craftsmanship.

The shield and spear represent for us both offensive and defensive weapons and speaks of their ability to handle any situation in standing firm in their belief!.

Timotiyos Bět/2 Timothy 4:2 “Proclaim the Word! Be urgent in season, out of season. Reprove, warn, appeal, with all patience and teaching.”.

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 3:15-16 “But set apart יהוה Elohim in your hearts, and always be ready to give an answer to everyone asking you a reason concerning the expectation that is in you, with meekness and fear, 16 having a good conscience, so that when they speak against you as doers of evil, those who falsely accuse your good behaviour in Messiah, shall be ashamed.”.

Being skilled, in sword and shield, is not simply a physical or bodily function, but is also the ability to show great reverence, through being skilled in one’s belief, through the proper meditation, study and application of doing of the Word. .

Timotiyos Aleph/1 Timothy 4:8 “For bodily exercise is profitable for a little, but reverence is profitable for all, having promise of the present life, and of that which is to come.”.

These might brave men were skilled in their following the commands of their king and making their stand firm in every way.

We know that the shield pictures for us faith or belief and the sword as the Word and the two go hand in hand to be a skilled mighty child of the Living Elohim. It is the hearing of the Word that brings the belief and is lived out in the active doing of the Word. .

Ya’aqoḇ/James tells us that a man is declared right by works and not by belief alone! (2:24)

Skilled for the king is to be a doer of His Word and to do that you have to be trained in His Word and to do that you have to be immersed in His Word, diligently seeking and studying and meditating on His Word, aměn!.

4 – SURE AND SECURE

Their faces were like the faces of lions!

That tells me that they were fierce looking, yet they showed a calm demeanour of men who were very confident in Elohim!

They carried a countenance of fierce yet calm warriors – and they never panicked – and they were very terrifying to their enemies.

Listen, the enemy does not want to stand against a secure and confident warrior and we know that the enemy is not a lion, but is ‘like a lion’, seeking who he can devour!.

When we stand firm in the Word and reflect the very character of Messiah, the True Lion of the tribe of Yehuḏah, then the enemy will flee, when we confidently resist him, as we humbly submit to Elohim and stand firm, as the security and sureness of His Word enables us to be sure-footed.

That is the other characteristic of these men – they swift as gazelles on the mountains.

The gazelle is a clean animal that we are permitted to eat and it has a split hoof that is completely divided into two parts, enabling them to be sure footed, even when the body weight seems to be out of proportion to their skinny legs!

The picture of a sure-footed clean animal with a hoof completely divided, is a reminder to us, of whether we are sure footed in His Word or not and do we rightly divide the Truth. .

In reference to His Appointed Times, where we are required to “go up 3 times a year”, is also expressed as ‘feet’ in Hebrew and is a reminder again to keep His Appointments.

So, to be as swift as a deer on the mountains, speaks of being clean, being sure footed in His Word and adhering to His Appointments and being able to ascend rough terrain with confidence and ease!.

These men were faithful and trustworthy and these were the guys who had passed over the Yardĕn while it was overflowing!

They were not afraid to get their feet wet so to speak and this is what is being called for today as we see the day of our Coming King approaching!.

The progressive nature of this chapter, shows the clear indication of how more and more came to join up with Dawiḏ, and after the death of Sha’ul, Dawiḏ then went to Ḥeḇron and here at Ḥeḇron, we see men from every tribe being gathered to the king..

It is very interesting once again, to see the traits of these mighty men being described and as one looks at each of these tribes, it is clear to see more and more of the qualities and traits of what a mighty child of belief in Messiah ought to carry.

Here are some traits of a true servant of Elohim:

1 – Armed for battle – verse 24 – Yehuḏah ‘bearing shield and spear’.

Eph’siyim/Ephesians we all know speaks of the complete armour of Elohim – the belt of truth; the breastplate of righteousness; feet prepared for the Good News of peace; the shield of belief; the helmet of deliverance and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of Elohim!

Are you armed to fight the good fight of the belief?.

2 – Ready for battle – verse 25 – Shim’on – brave men – it is one thing to be armed but are you ready? Are you brave? As we have discussed!.

3 – Leading through service!.

4 – Brave and courageous – we have discussed much about that!.

5 – Committed and loyal – verse 29 – ‘guarded the charge’ – Guard the good deposit and remain faithful to our King!.

6 – Designated by name! – verse 31 – Men of Menashsheh were designated by name – they well respected and well admired by all.

יהוה has called us each by name and designated to us each our role and He has through His blessing paced His name upon us, aměn!.

7 – Discerning – verse 32 – Sons of Yissasḵar ‘understood the times, to know what Yisra’ĕl should do’! I want to just stress this attribute a little more here.

This speaks of having a deep understanding and keen awareness with sound discernment – and an understanding of the times!

What have most of us come to understand?

יהוה’s times!!!

As we understand His Times and His calendar, we begin to more clearly discern the Scriptures and be able to have a deeper understanding and insight as to what Yisra’ĕl (the Bride of Messiah) should be doing!!!

By understanding the times, we are no longer enslaved by the establishment of false man-made times and seasons and have greater ability to know the Torah and focus upon the will of our Creator, יהוה of Hosts, and enabled to lead others in the truth!.

Hoshěa/Hosea 4:6 “My people have perished for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being priest for Me. Since you have forgotten the Torah of your Elohim, I also forget your children.”.

Dani’ěl/Daniel 12:4 “But you, Dani’ěl, hide the words, and seal the book until the time of the end. Many shall diligently search and knowledge shall increase.”

These days knowledge is indeed increasing… but it doesn’t just fall out of the sky!!! It is as many ‘diligently search’ and reverently fear by walking in and not rejecting His Torah!.

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 9: 10 “The fear of יהוה is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Set-apart One is understanding.”.

It is time for us to diligently seek יהוה:

Tehillah/Psalm 27:8 “To my heart You have said, “Seek My face.” Your face, יהוה, I seek.”

Are you ‘diligently’ seeking and increasing your knowledge of the Set-Apart One being then able to understand ‘the times’?.

8 – Devoted and undivided – verse 33 – Sons of Zeḇulun – had all weapons, gave support with and undivided heart!

Unity is key! 30 people walking in unity, is far more effective and can accomplish more than 500, who are all acting apart and doing their own thing!

Devotion is only strengthened when there is an undivided heart and mind.

A man who is double minded is unstable in all his ways and when this happens there can be no unity. Being devoted and undivided is a trait of a servant of the Most–High!

These men carried sword and spear as well as all kinds of weapons and were always prepared for all. We too need to be always ready and armed for the fight we fight:

Qorintiyim Bet/2 Corinthians 10:3-6 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not fight according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons we fight with are not fleshly but mighty in Elohim for overthrowing strongholds, 5 overthrowing reasonings and every high matter that exalts itself against the knowledge of Elohim, taking captive every thought to make it obedient to the Messiah, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience, when your obedience is complete.”.

Another important aspect we see in this text, is in verse 38 – they all ‘kept rank’.

Each one knew his position and didn’t overstep any lines of authority!

Keeping rank is a sign of unity and respect and great service toward one another, as well as the king who had enlisted them!

And above all they all came with a perfect heart to set Dawiḏ up as king!

The word used for perfect here is שָׁלֵם shalem – Strong’s H8003 which means ‘complete, safe, at peace, blameless, whole, full’.

Undivided hearts that were at peace and safe in the leadership and guidance of their king!!!

This resulted in the rest of Yisra’ĕl to have one heart, in setting up Dawiḏ to reign.

The challenge for us is this – will we be like these mighty men as described in this chapter?

Will we rather go with the flow of the established order or make the break from the ‘Sha’ul man-driven systems’?

For us who are here in the Master today, I believe that I can confidently say that we all have made the break or at least I would hope so!

In other words, know that there is no good in going back to the ‘established order of man’!

We can no longer pursue selfish ambitions but rather, we are to continue to pursue and run with the high calling of kingdom living, as a body together in unity with undivided devotion and a perfect heart before יהושע Messiah our King!.

Will you continue to stand armed to fight the good fight of belief, even as we may find ourselves standing in the face of a system or systems that are hostile toward יהוה?

Will you truly submit to the circumcision of the heart that tears us away from the ‘King Sha’ul value system’, which is clearly headed for destruction?.

There are many people today, who are looking for what is the ‘right way’ and are beginning to ask many questions, as they begin to discover the ‘Sha’ul’ system, as manifested through the church, among others, and are discovering that it is in fact flawed and will ultimately fall, despite their attempts at putting up a fight for survival!

And may we be aware that when it does fall, there will be some who will come out of the woodwork and be joined to Messiah!

And in the context of this chapter – be joined to Dawiḏ’s camp – that is: the camp of The Beloved!!!.

In this chapter, there were 2 groups of people who had gathered:

1 – those who came to Tsiqlaḡ and

2 – those who came to Ḥeḇron.

There were fewer who came to Tsiqlaḡ than the thousands who came to Dawiḏ at Ḥeḇron. The difference: at Ḥeḇron it was after the death of Sha’ul.

I believe that there will be many more who will come, but we who are in the wilderness at this point, are symbolic of those who came to the king at Tsiqlaḡ.

Now all the men, whether those who joined at Tsiqlaḡ or Ḥeḇron, were all mighty men – who were prepared to forsake reputation, prestige and position. .

This is a:

CALLING FORTH OF THE MIGHTY!.

Will you be one and separate yourself totally to יהושע, becoming strong, skilled, sure and secure in our Commander and King, able to fight and keep standing firm, being sure-footed in Him, knowing that the crowing of our King is coming, when He comes again as the conquering King and His reign be firmly established here!.

Times will get tougher and the Sha’ul based systems of the flesh and enemy, will constantly accuse and revile us!

It is time to get serious and stand mighty in our True King and Saviour, and it is time to make sure that we have stripped away all forms of selfishness and pride and let’s encourage and serve each other with great fervency and joy, in our Maker and Commander of the Heavenly Hosts!.

Calling forth the Mighty – be joined to Him and do not look back – Aměn!.

I thought I would leave you with some very interesting insight, with regard to the names of the men that separated themselves to Dawiḏ; as you will see below, with all the meaning of these names of those mighty warriors that came to him at Tsiqlaḡ, and you will clearly notice that there is not one name that has a ‘negative’ connotation and the most of the names contain The Name of YAHWEH or have El in them!!! .

This is a great lesson for us and wonderful insight for us to embrace: for with His Name upon us, we are mighty, ‘in Him’.

In Him we find our strength, our help, favour and blessing and when we walk in Him and embrace His Torah, we know that he hears us!!! .

It is a calling forth the mighty – and this will require you all!

Will you be counted among the mighty?

It is worth it!

Do not be of those who harden their hearts and forsake the calling of the mighty, for mere flesh and temporary ‘satisfaction’ but rather, be a mighty child of the Most–High Mighty One and be joined to our Mighty King, יהושע Messiah, and be totally separated unto Him, aměn!.

The blessing of having יהוה’s Name upon us is something to embrace and guard with great fervency and joy, through a skilled guarding of His Word, by being strong and courageous and not departing from His Torah in any way.

We are told the following in

Bemiḏbar/Numbers 6:22-27 “And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, 23 “Speak to Aharon and his sons, saying, ‘This is how you bless the children of Yisra’ěl. Say to them: 24 “יהוה bless you and guard you; 25 יהוה make His face shine upon you, and show favour to you; 26  יהוה lift up His face upon you, and give you peace.” ’ 27 “Thus they shall put My Name on the children of Yisra’ěl, and I Myself shall bless them.” .

His Name is upon you! Now, be mighty in Him and be a willing forerunner, in taking up the call and running, with great endurance, the race set before you, in Messiah – and let your life praise Him, in complete unity in the company of the mighty, aměn!

Names of the mighty from Diḇre haYamim Aleph/1 Chronicles 12:3-13:

Aḥiʽezer – אֲחִיעֶזֶר Strong’s H295 means, ‘my brother is help’

Yo’ash – יוֹאָשׁ Strong’s H3101 means, ‘given by Yah/Yah is strong’

Yezaw’ĕl – יְזִוְאֵל Strong’s H3149 means, ‘assembly of Yah’

Peleth –פֶּלֶט Strong’s H6404 means, ‘deliverance’

Beraḵah – בְּרָכָה Strong’s H1294 means, ‘blessing’

Yĕhu – יֵהוּא Strong’s H3058 means, ‘Yah is He’

Yishmayah – יִשְׁמַעְיָה Strong’s H3460 means, ‘Yahweh will hear/Yah hears’

Yirmeyah –יִרְמְיָה Strong’s H3414 means, ‘whom Yahweh has appointed / Yah loosens’

Yaḥazi’ĕl – יַחֲזִיאֵל Strong’s H3166 means, ‘beheld of EL/EL sees’

Yoḥanan – יוֹחָנָן Strong’s H3110 means, ‘Yahweh has favoured/Yahweh has been gracious’

Yozaḇaḏ – יוֹזָבָד Strong’s H3107 means, ‘Yahweh has endowed’

Eluzai – אֶלְעוּזַי Strong’s H498 means, ‘El is my strength’

Yerimoth – יְרִימוֹת Strong’s H3406 means, ‘He is Most High’

Beʽalyah –בַּעַלְיָה Strong’s H1183 means, ‘Yahweh is Master’

Shemaryahu – שְׁמַרְיָהוּ Strong’s H8114 means, ‘kept by Yahweh/Yahweh has kept’

Shephatyahu – שְׁפַטְיָהוּ Strong’s H8203 means, ‘Yahweh has judged’

Elqanah –אֶלְקָנָה Strong’s H511 means, ‘El has taken possession/ El has created’

Yishshiyahu – יִשִּׁיָּהוּ Strong’s H3449 means, ‘Yahweh will lend’

Azar’ĕl – עֲזַרְאֵל Strong’s H5832 means, ‘El has helped’

Yowʽezer – יוֹעֶזֶר Strong’s H3134 means, ‘Yahweh is a help’

Yashoḇʽam – יָשָׁבְעָם Strong’s H3434 means, ‘the people will return’

Yo’ĕlah – יוֹעֵאלָה Strong’s H3132 means, ‘may he avail’

Zeḇaḏyah – זְבַדְיָה Strong’s H2069 means, ‘endowment of Yahweh/Yah has bestowed’

Ězer – עֵזֶר Strong’s H5829 means, ‘treasure/help’

Oḇaḏyah – עֹבַדְיָה Strong’s H6552 means, ‘servant of Yahweh’

Eliyaḇ – אֱלִיאָב Strong’s H446 means, ‘El is Father/my Elohim is Father’

Mishmannah – מַשְׁמַנָּה Strong’s H4925 means, ‘fatness’

Yirmeyah – יִרְמְיָה Strong’s H3414 means, ‘Yahweh has appointed’

Attai – עַתַּי Strong’s H6262 means, ‘opportune’

Eli’ĕl – אֱלִיאֵל Strong’s H447 means, ‘EL is EL/my EL is ELohim’

Yoḥanan – יוֹחָנָן Strong’s H3110 means, ‘Yahweh has favoured/Yahweh has been gracious’

Elzaḇaḏ – אֶלְזָבָד Strong’s H443 means, ‘El has given’

Yirmeyahu – יִרְמְיָהוּ Strong’s H3414 means, ‘Yahweh has appointed/Yah loosens’

Maḵbannai – מַכְבַּנַּי Strong’s H4344 means, ‘bond of My Master’

.

  25^th of the 10^th month 2021/2022.

Shabbat Shalom,

Yoḥanan/John 4:23-24 “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father also does seek such to worship Him. 24 “Elohim is Spirit, and those who worship Him need to worship in spirit and truth.” .

But the hour is coming… and now is…!

What hour?

The hour of the true identification of the true worshippers of Elohim, amidst a dark and depraved world!

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘hour’ is ὥρα hora – Strong’s G5610 which means, ‘a time or period, hour, moment, right time’.

What יהושע Messiah was saying, to the Shomeroni woman that He met at the well, was that the time is now right for true worshippers to be identified!

The harvest is ripe and the time is now – for true worship to be clearly identified, by those who worship in Spirit and Truth! .

The Greek word that is translated as ‘now’ is the adverb νῦν nun – Strong’s G3568 which is a primary participle of ‘present time’, meaning, ‘now, this time, the present’.

As simple and easy at that sounds, the reason for me highlighting this, is to emphasis the ‘NOW’ call that is being given here, as a call to the present time and not some other time to come. In the hearing of these words, we are to be pierced with the urgency of the ‘NOW’ requirement of worshipping in Spirit and in Truth, so as to not ‘put off’ for another time, what should be put on ‘NOW’!.

This word νῦν nun – Strong’s G3568 is translated as ‘present’ in:

Romiyim/Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the esteem that is to be revealed in us.”

While this adverb is used 138 times throughout the Renewed Writings, the reason for me highlighting its use, here in Romiyim/Romans 8:18, is to present the clear lesson of how the sufferings that we face ‘NOW’, at the present time, is not worth comparing to the esteem that is to be revealed in us!

Stop and think for a moment what Sha’ul is declaring to us who are alive today and hearing this ‘NOW’, for it is a lesson on not looking to the ‘NOW’ sufferings as an excuse to not worship in Spirit and in Truth ‘NOW’!!!

It is of vital importance that our worship is not diminished in any way, due to the present sufferings that we are called to endure through!.

How is our life of worship and praise, in Spirit and in Truth, identifiably different against the many false acts and systems of worship that is seen and experienced by many in the world today?

The answer is very simple:

It is through our obedience and loving-commitment to The Word of יהוה our Elohim, and our complete surrender to His instructions, that we lovingly obey, while forsaking all falsehood and compromise, and throwing off all that entangles and hinders! .

While saying that, we are certainly able to recognise that the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes and the pride of life, which is not of Elohim, are constantly battling for our attention and even our worship. .

While recognising that we are to be steadfast in standing firm against the fleshly battles and present-day sufferings that we face, we also recognise that the real threat of persecution, against true worshippers, grows daily and our need to be armed in the Truth is of vital importance, and therefore, in this message, I want us to consider a very critical part of how we are able to stand and face the many battles that we need to endure on a daily basis. .

Our ability to stand and be steadfast, in our Master who fights for us, is strengthened as we arm ourselves with the Truth, and a major part of being armed with the truth, is seen in our ability to be identified as true worshippers of Elohim. .

This message that I am presenting ‘NOW’, at the present time, is called:

“WORSHIP AND PRAISE – IMPLEMENTS OF WAR!”.

With this message, I want us all to be reminded of the critical need for us to be properly armed with a pure worship and praise for our Mighty Master and Elohim! .

In case you did not realise it, let me remind you: we are in a war!

Life and death decisions are at stake, each and every day, or rather, in each and every moment of our lives, and how we live out and express true set-apartness, amidst a wicked and crooked generation, and are properly being led to overcome in Messiah, is by ensuring that our worship and praise of our Great King, is in complete Spirit and Truth! .

In this message, I will be taking a closer look at a great account of a victory that was won, as an account of and active belief, when Yehuḏah was surrounded and outnumbered by their enemies.

Please read:

Diḇre haYamim Bět / 2 Chronicles 20:1-30.

In this passage, we are given some of the accounts that happened under the reign of Yehoshaphat, the 4^th king of the House of Yehuḏah.

Yehoshaphat had done much, as king, to bring reform – as he fortified Yehuḏah against Yisra’ĕl and their notorious leader, king Aḥaḇ, and he set himself the task of ‘cleaning up’ the land from idolatry.

In the third year of his reign, he sent out the priests to instruct the people of Yehuḏah, in the Torah, and as a result of his actions, he enjoyed great peace and prosperity and the blessing of יהוה on the people.

This passage from Diḇre haYamim Bět/2 Chronicles 20:1-30, must be read against the background of Diḇre haYamim Bět/2 Chronicles 17:3 & 10, which distinguishes between the earlier and later years of Yehoshaphat.

Diḇre haYamim Bět/2 Chronicles 17:3-4 “And יהוה was with Yehoshaphat, for he walked in the former ways of his father Dawiḏ, and did not seek the Ba‛als, 4 but sought the Elohim of his father, and walked in His commands and not according to the deeds of Yisra’ěl.”

Diḇre haYamim Bět/2 Chronicles 17:10 “And the fear of יהוה fell on all the reigns of the lands that were around Yehuḏah, and they did not fight against Yehoshaphat.”.

In these passages, we are told that יהוה was with Yehoshaphat and that he walked in the ways of his father Dawiḏ, and that he did not seek the Ba‘al’s; and that the fear of יהוה fell on all the surrounding nations and they never came against Yehoshaphat. .

His obedience brought protection, and then, in Diḇre haYamim Bět/2 Chronicles 18, we are told how he allied himself with Aḥaḇ, in disobedience, and was condemned for this in in Diḇre haYamim Bět/2 Chronicles 19:1-3.

His kingdom had been protected from all attacking enemies, because the fear of יהוה fell on all the surrounding nations and now, through his disobedience, in allying with a wicked king, we see here, in Diḇre haYamim Bět/2 Chronicles 20, that Mo’aḇ and Ammon, enemies of Yehuḏah, came to attack them from 3 sides. .

After the response of belief, as recorded in this chapter, we see how the protection of יהוה was renewed and that they enjoyed the peace, once again, given by יהוה on all sides.

This account is a great encouragement to us, and a wonderful lesson on how to respond to imminent fear or any danger that seems to be encroaching.

I love how this is once again the picture of the Sovereignty and favour of יהוה!

He is a just Elohim and as a result of disobedience, by Yehoshaphat, a door was opened for the enemy to bring an attack against Yehuḏah, and being afraid they responded, in faith, as Yehoshaphat and the nation called upon יהוה, to which He responded and remained faithful to His Word of promise that was given to Shelomoh.

For when Shelomoh had issued a plea to יהוה in Diḇre haYamim Bět/2 Chronicles 6:28-30, יהוה responded and agreed to his request, in Diḇre haYamim Bět/2 Chronicles 7:13-15, saying that if His people, who are called by His Name, would humble themselves and pray and call out and seek His face and turn from their sin, then He would hear them, forgive them and deliver them, which is, in a nutshell, what happened here in this account. .

But what can we learn from this, today?

We can learn how we are to live by belief and not by sight and be actively engaged in bringing the proper worship and praise that is due to our wonderful Creator!

We can learn a great deal, from these accounts, on how we are to respond correctly, in those “dark valley moments” and see Him deliver us from the troubles that we face, as He brings to us great blessing, as we stand firm in belief in Him..