Weekend Meditation--The Mystery of His Will

Ephesians 1

We are walking in today:  Weekend Meditation--The Mystery of His Will

Witness appoint throughout the Bible:   H5414 nathan--to put, set, put on, put upon, appoint, assign, designate, to make, constitute

The Torah testifies...............

Exodus 30:16 And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint H5414 it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.

The prophets proclaim..................    

 Jeremiah 5:24 Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth H5414 rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.

The writings bear witness....................

1 Chronicles 16:4 And he appointed H5414 certain of the Levites to minister before the

ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:

Ezekiel 45:6 And ye shall appoint H5414 the possession of the city five thousand broad, and five and twenty thousand long, over against the oblation of the holy portion: it shall be for the whole house of Israel.

We see in the book of Hebrews, chapters 3 and 4, that The Most High desired the Israelites in the wilderness to obey His Word. We are told the reason they did not obey Him, was because the Word proclaimed unto them was not mixed with faith.

The account of the Israelites in the wilderness is given in the book of Hebrews, and ends with a stern warning for Born-Again Believers today: We are warned to avoid falling under the same example of unbelief as did the Israelites!

The various accounts given in Scripture tell us in great detail exactly what caused the Israelites to fall in the wilderness. For example, we see in Ezekiel 20:21, that it was due to failure to keep The Most High's Commandments, and for polluting His Sabbaths. Fiveamprayer, the Book of Hebrews is warning us today not to fall under the same example as they did!

This truth should be a shock to many Born-Again, Blood-redeemed, followers of Yahushua Messiah. Have we mis-understood Father's will? If we are to follow Messiah closely, we must first know His will for us. To make matters more difficult, He tells us His will is a mystery. Let us seek to find His will in Scripture.

The Mystery of His Will

We will first try to catch a small glimpse of the Mystery of His Will. Notice the following:

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: (Ephesians 1:9)

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:17)

As we see above in John 7:17, one part of the Mystery of His Will is that if any man will do, he shall know, he shall gain understanding of what it is. Father's will must first be done, and only then will it be known or understood.

Fiveamprayer, if we are first trying to understand His will before we do it, we will never arrive at that understanding! That is a major part of the mystery of His Will!

Another aspect of understanding the Mystery of His will is in the above Ephesians passage, where we are told:

"Having made known unto us the mystery of his will...."

Did you see that? He has already made known to us what His will is! He has spoken His will throughout the Scriptures, but He has also demonstrated for us, by His example, what His will is for us! His example is seen in the four Gospel accounts. We need only ask, "WWYD? What did Yahushua do?" and "What did Yahushua say?" Let us then believe His words, and emulate His actions, as He is for our example in all things (1 Peter 2:21).

Yet another piece of the puzzle of the Mystery of His will is in finding out in Scripture those things in which He delights, and those things that are abomination to Him, things He hates. For example, notice the connection between His will, and delight, or lack of delight, in the following passages:

Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. (Psalms 119:136)

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. (Psalms 40:8)

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (Romans 7:22)

In Psalms 119:136 (see also Isaiah 44:22), is the cry of the heart of Yahushua, and speaks of today, prior to His return. Here He speaks prophetically of Believers, those that have been redeemed by His precious Blood, and set free from the bondage of sin; Yet as Believers, they have been trained by their Leaders to disobey His Law — His Torah — the Torah He desires to write upon our hearts as part of His New Covenant.

In Psalms 40:8 reveals the mystery of His will, in capsule form. This shows an important cause and effect relationship regarding the mystery of His will.

In Romans 7:22 was spoken by the Apostle Paul, as he reveals the distinction between the external letter of the Law [that kills, convicts or pronounces death], and the internal spirit of the Law [that brings resurrection Life], which is Yahushua Himself, written on the heart of man. Paul delighted in practicing, in obeying the Law of The Most High [the Torah], not out of compulsion, but out of his own choice.

The apostle Paul did not like being under condemnation of the Law through disobedience, and the temporary separation it brings (Isaiah 59:2; 1 John 1:9). Paul learned to walk in obedience to the Law, simply because of his love for Yahushua (John 14:15). This sounds quite different from what we have been taught regarding Paul, and his imagined disdain for the Law, as some who wrest Paul's words (2 Peter 3:15-16) would describe him.

How well we remember Paul's admonishment of the Galatian church, and that church's attendant problems, but this is a different matter altogether. The Galatians were desiring to require the external sign of circumcision of the new converts, but the Galatians did not understand that the New Covenant is a covenant of internals, and not of externals; and certainly not a covenant of compulsion, but of love, of making a personal choice. It is well to note that the Galatians were known of The Most High, but they did not know Him! Let us look at a few details, and more clues as to Father's delight:

The Mystery of His Delight

The Scriptures are full of passages regarding the delight or pleasure of The Most High. Our heavenly Father desires that we seek out in Scripture, those things He delights in, and that we would make them our delight. In this way He will multiply our delight in Him! Notice the following passages, where we can find some clues:

"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel..." (Jeremiah 31:31a; Hebrews 8:8a)

Fiveamprayer, the New Covenant is with Israel. It is not to be made with the Gentiles, but only with Israel — and this includes all those grafted in to Israel by faith in Messiah (Romans 11:17-22). Are you grafted in? If so, you are a part of Israel, and have a part in the inheritance! Notice however, that the fine print [the T&C — Terms and Conditions] of the New Covenant, and the inheritance, are what we call the 'Old' Testament!

But how is the New Covenant different from the Old Covenant?

"...Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers..." (Jer 31:32; Hebrews 8:9)

The main difference is that the New Covenant is internal, not external; and will be accomplished by the internal Grace provided by Messiah-in-you, and not by man's own effort. The minor differences are fully detailed in the Book of Hebrews, and are related to changes in the sacrifices, and in the priesthood.

"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10)

The Old Covenant was the Law, the Torah, written on external tables of stone; the New Covenant is the sameLaw, the Torah, written internally on the fleshly tables of the inward heart of man, and consists of the living person of Messiah writing himself, as a seal on our hearts, and will be accomplished by His Grace, His enablement.

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. (Psalms 40:8)

This is both the definition, and the source, of our delight for Father, and of His delight for His people.

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (Romans 7:22)

This is the Apostle's description of the inward New Covenant description, and revelation of, the Psalmist's prophetic picture given in Psalms 40:8.

And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. John 8:29

We do not grieve the Spirit of Messiah living within us today, when we are doing what Father delights in, just as Yahushua did what Father delights in when He lived on the earth, in His own body 2 thousand years ago.

Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. (Exodus 31:13)

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father:

For the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. (Isaiah 58:13-14)

Again, the above passages reveal, as an association of clues, one of Father's great delights!

Conclusion

Only the Citizens of The Most High that seek Him diligently — with a heart of obedience — are going to be able to break free of the lies and deception that has snared the entire professing church. If we do not have a fervent love for the Truth, then The Most High will surely send deception, that we should believe a lie.

The Flaming Sword of The Most High is sharp toward His enemies. This Flaming Sword is the Word of The Most High that has been wrested and twisted, and used by wicked men crept in unawares, and has become a lie in their mouths, as they preach and teach, and minister. With His Flaming Sword Father continues to guard the Tree of Life, preventing His enemies from drawing near, because of their lack of obedience to His Word.

The Most High looks at the signs and the signals, and our flag, or banner that we display, to determine who knows Him, and who does not. It is only when we seek The Most High with all our heart, and find out who Yahushua really is, and then begin to obey these sayings of Yahushua, that we can become free of the trap of man's false teachings.

Likewise it is only when we begin to obey that we acquire the sign or token of our consent, of our betrothal to Him, and which sign reveals to Yahushua, that we are one of His own.

Today, as then, Yahushua is asking us, "Whom do you say that I am?"

Shema Selah when we study the scriptures to hear from our Abba we find the mystery of His will in full view!!!

Let No Man Steal Your Crown!!!!! Part 3

2 Peter chapter 3


We are walking in today:  Let No Man Steal Your Crown!!!!! Part 3

Witness idol throughout the Bible:   H457 'eliyl --of nought, good for nothing, worthless; of false gods


Leviticus 19:4Turn ye not unto idols, H457 nor make to yourselvesmolten gods: I am the LORD your God.


The Torah testifies...............
 Leviticus  26:1 Ye shall make you no idols H457 nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.

The prophets proclaim..................  
  Isaiah 31:7For in that day every man shall cast away his idols H457 of silver,and his idols H457 of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.

The writings bear witness.......................

Psalm 96:5For all the gods of the nations are idols: H457 but the LORD made the heavens.

Isaiah 31:7For in that day every man shall cast away his idols H457 of silver,and his idols H457 of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.

 

Idolatry: Another Crown-Stealer

In the early days of the First Century, the following warnings were given to the Believers:

"...our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest [twist; pervert], as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction" (2 Peter 3:15-16).

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness [wanton; lacking restraint], and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:3-4).

In the early days of the apostles, as the above passages tell us, there were some who had crept in unawares, perverting the words of Paul, and thus teaching a perverted doctrine of Grace to the people. This twisting or perverting of Paul's words continues to this day. A modern, twisted or perverted form of the Bible doctrine of Grace has turned the lives of multitudes of Born-Again, Spirit-filled Believers into wantonness, into lives that are unrestrained and unaffected by the eternal Law [Torah] of The Most High.


Not only has the doctrine of Grace been perverted today from its Biblical meaning, but many other Biblical Doctrines have been wrested, or twisted away from their original meaning. This twisting occurs when man's own ideas or opinions are added, giving the Scripture passages a different spin or paradigm, causing men to think these passages mean something different from what Scripture intends. Just as the keeping of The Most High's Sabbaths has been hidden from the people, likewise the teaching of the importance of the Second Commandment has been obscured from the people.


The Second Commandment deals with removal of idols and idolatry from the lives of The Most High's children. Today, most Believers have been taught by their Pastors and spiritual Leaders a twisted version of the apostle Paul's words, to say that idols 'are nothing.' Thus in the thinking of the majority of Believers today, the Second Commandment has no relevance. Fiveamprayer, if the Second Commandment has no relevance today, what is the purpose of the following passages? Let us look carefully at these:

Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. (1 Corinthians 10:14)

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (1 John 5:21)

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. (Revelation 2:14)

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. (Revelation 2:20)

Fiveamprayer, if the Second commandment were not very important for us today, the above passages would not be there. In fact, most Believers today have their lives filled with idolatry, and they think they are simply Believers in good standing with The Most High, because of what their Pastors and leaders have told them. They think that idols are not relevant, and idolatry is not relevant, because of the non-Biblical notion of 'Grace' that most evangelical Pastors and teachers have embraced.


Most Pastors today are not teaching their people about the importance of avoiding idolatry. "If we commit idolatry," as they go on to explain, "We are forgiven!" Then they go on to say, "When The Most High looks at us, He does not see our sin, He sees the Blood of Yahushua." What does The Most High say about such un-Scriptural ideas? We must warn every child of The Most High that has heard such teaching, to repent, and obey the Gospel of Yahushua, which was preached unto both the New Testament Disciples, and also to the Israelites in the Wilderness.


If idols are nothing, then why are we warned to flee idolatry? Yahushua has also warned us that two of the seven churches in Revelation had one fault: they taught the people to eat things sacrificed to idols. Now, if idols are nothing, why did Yahushua mention it? It is evident that Yahushua thinks as highly of the liars that teach such teachings to His people, as He does of idolaters, as they will both be excluded from the City of The Most High! Fiveamprayer, Yahushua describes many of the modern-day Pastors and Teachers and their followers. Notice the following warning given to us by the apostle John:

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1 John 2:4)

The Bible tells us the Liars are those who say they know Him, but do not keep The Most High's Commandments! This should be a strong enough warning to send every sincere little one to the prayer closet, to cry out for mercy and understanding, that the Light of The Most High’s precious Word would be revealed and understood.

Stealing Your Crown: The Doctrine of Balaam

Fiveamprayer, we also see from Yahushua's message to the Seven Churches that some of them held the Doctrine, or teaching, of Balaam. Let us remember what Balaam did. The Most High had told him once not to go with Balak, but with a new and better offer in hand, Balaam decided to ask The Most High once again, just to 'confirm' things in His own mind. After all, this is a lot of money! And, it is a very great honour that Balak is offering!

"Perhaps The Most High has done a New Thing," Balaam might have mused. "Perhaps the old things are passed away, and all things are become new." So then after Balaam sought The Most High again for new confirmation, The Most High told him, "Go ahead, but say only what I tell you." And as he was going, The Most High would have killed him, if it had not been for Balaam’s ass, who saw the Messenger of The Most High in the way, ready to kill Balaam with the Sword of The Most High.

Fiveamprayer, the Believers of this generation today have not understood the Doctrine of Balaam. We have been told by our Pastors and teachers that the Doctrine of Balaam is greed, or avarice, and is a spirit of covetousness. Yes, those are certainly some of the fruits of the Doctrine of Balaam, and they can be the motives for the Doctrine of Balaam. They are not, however, the Doctrine of Balaam itself. The Doctrine of Balaam is actually simple to see in Scripture, and easy to understand, because it can be observed in the actions of Balaam.

As an overview of the Doctrine of Balaam, we can say that it is simply what Balaam did — the rejection of one part of The Most High's Eternal Word, while accepting another part. It includes the notion that, even though The Most High has said something once, we must 'hear it again' to confirm what He has said.

Yes, The Most High spoke His Commandments to us once in the 'Old' Testament, but we have been taught by our spiritual Leaders that we must see them once again in the 'New' Testament, before we obey them. As a brief illustration of its application, let us look at the following passage:

Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 19:3)

Let us first notice that the above passage is in the 'Old' Testament. The apostle Paul tells us that we are not under the Law, but under Grace — so that when we hear teachers wrest, or twist Paul’s words telling us this means that the Law has been abolished, we have simply ignored the above passage in Leviticus 19:3. The notion that the Law has been abolished, is a popular, but twisted meaning of Paul's words.

With that in mind, let us next notice the truth the above passage in Leviticus 19:3 reveals. Yahushua, who is the Word of The Most High, has told us three times [in the 'Old' Testament] that we are to fear, reverence, and honor, our mother and father. But we have been taught to look in only the 'New' Testament to see whether a commandment is repeated by Yahushua, or repeated by the apostles, before we obey it.

Now, notice what Yahushua said [in the 'New' Testament], in the following verses:

For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death" (Matthew 15:4).

For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death" (Mark 7:10).

"Well, Yahushua repeated it, and it's in the New Testament — so it must be for us" we recite. We have not realised that we have been trained by the Doctrine of Balaam. We have been trained to split Leviticus 19:3 apart, — to keep the first half of the verse [fear every man his mother, and his father], and to discard the second half [keep MY sabbaths]. Never mind that there are fifteen occurrences of the phrase "My Sabbaths" in the Old Testament, and only three references to fearing and honouring one's father and mother!

Most would agree that the use of caution is necessary when distinguishing between what is shadow of the Old Covenant, from what is fulfillment of the Old Covenant. However, the requirement that we must hear a New Testament repeating of an Old Testament commandment, before we obey it, is a Classic example of the Doctrine of Balaam, which Yahushua mentions to us as a warning, in the Book of Revelation!

So we see how the Doctrine of Balaam is in operation in our own Congregations, today in our generation!

By embracing and teaching the Doctrine of Balaam today, most Pastors and spiritual Leaders have lost sight of the New Covenant purpose. We could say the same about the subject of idolatry, and of many others. In this writing, however, we will simply restate The Most High’s overall intention for the New Covenant. Ours is not a Covenant of compulsion to keep The Most High's eternal Commandments, but is an eternal Covenant of Love as a motive, whereby Messiah is 'birthed' within His people, and lives within them, to provide His Grace — His enablement to keep the His eternal Commandments!

We must remember, under the 'Old' Covenant, we are commanded to love The Most High, with the penalty of death as our motive for keeping His commandments. Under the 'New' Covenant, also called the Everlasting Covenant, we are not compelled to obey His Commandments. We do obey His Commandments, however, but we do so because of a new motive – one of love. Thus we see that love is stronger than death, as a motive for obedience.

We obey Him, and do what we know pleases our Lord, because we love Him; and we do so because He has given us the understanding, desire, and ability – by His Grace – His enablement, to keep His Commandments. Under the 'New' Covenant, we have been set free from bondage, and now we are to simply choose which 'Master' we will serve, and choose which Husband to whom we will be married (betrothed). We then set out to find out, to learn, and then to do, by His Grace and virtue, what is His will, and to do what pleases and delights Him.

Conclusion

We have seen that by embracing man-made doctrines, Believers today continue to live in disobedience to the eternal Law of The Most High, resulting in the potential loss of their Bridal veil — their future place as being among the Bride-Company. We have also seen that by the same disobedience, Believers face the potential loss of their crown — their future dominion and rulership with Messiah.

We have seen that Believers are exhorted to keep, and hold on to their Bridal veil, and their crown. We have seen that we can prevent any man from taking, or stealing our veil, and our crown, by guarding against embracing man-made doctrines, and by seeking carefully to walk, by Father's Grace, in obedience to the eternal Law of The Most High.

Fiveamprayer, the entire 'Old' Testament is full of details about Father's New Covenant, also called His eternal or Everlasting Covenant. It is in the 'Old' Testament that we find the details of what pleases our Master, and also the details of what He hates. It is in the 'Old' Testament that we find Father's delight, and His pleasure, all of which are tied in with the mystery of His will.

Fiveamprayer, The Most High is pleading with His redeemed people to return to Him! He desires that you would be a part of that Company who will receive the veil of Betrothal, and the crown of ruling and reigning with Him.

To accomplish this, you must be vigilant — and let no man steal your crown!
 Shema selah...there is no more time for the doctines of man or Balaam!!  What is true?  What does His pure word say??

Let No Man Steal Your Crown!!!!! Part 2

Jeremiah 23


We are walking in today: Let No Man Steal Your Crown!!!!! Part 2

Witness crown throughout the Bible:  H5145 nezer--consecration, crown, separation, Nazariteship

crown (as sign of consecration), properly, something set apart, i.e. (abstractly) dedication

(of a priet or Nazirite)

Exodus 39:30 And they made the plate of the holy crown H5145 of pure gold,and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet,HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

The Torah testifies...............
Leviticus 8:9 And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; H5145 as the LORD commanded Moses.
    
The prophets proclaim..................  
  Zechariah 9:16 And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, H5145 lifted up as an ensign upon his land

The writings bear witness.......................

 Proverbs 27:24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown H5145 endure to every generation?
 

Psalm 89:39 Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown H5145 by casting it to the ground.

Removing the Crown
Let's look now at a similar reference to our crown. Notice the following passages:
And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. (Daniel 7:27)
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12)

In the above passage in Daniel, we see that the dominion or rule will be given to the saints. But in the Revelation passage, we see who those 'saints' are — they are those who have the Faith of Yahushua, and who [by His Grace], allow Messiah-living-within-them to keep the Commandments of The Most High. Again, notice in these verses that the dominion — the rule or crown — goes to those who are obedient.

Just as in the above example of our veil being taken by men, in the same way our crown can be taken by men.

Let's see what the Scriptures tell us:
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by... Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee..." (Zechariah 3:7-8a)
The above passage is a prophetic, then-future vision of Yahushua Messiah's commission, which He would later fulfill during His earthly lifetime. In this passage, the one condition given for Messiah's future ruling and reigning, is that He must "walk in The Most High's ways." We know Yahushua met this requirement, and was without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

As we see in the same verse, those who 'sit before' Messiah [who abide in His presence], have the same requirement. To rule and reign with Messiah, we must "walk in His Ways." This is the single, defining characteristic of one who is "in Messiah," one who fears The Most High, and is "in the Faith." Today we may depend on His Blood of redemption to provide our forgiveness, and His indwelling Spirit to lead us into [the doing of] all truth, and to give us the Grace [enablement] to walk in His Ways (Hebrews 3:10; 1 John 1:9; John 16:13; Galatians 3:11; James 1:25; Romans 2:13).

But we have a problem! Notice the following:
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, [because they are] giving heed to seducing spirits, and [that is,] doctrines [teachings] of devils speaking lies..." (1 Timothy 4:1-2a)

In the latter times, many shall depart from The Faith, due to doctrines of devils speaking lies. What are these doctrines that are considered lies? These doctrines are not the words of the student, but of the teacher. What is the teacher saying in the latter times, that is considered to be "speaking lies?"

First, we note that the two identifying features of those who are in Messiah, those who are "in" The Faith, are 1) they walk in His Ways, and 2) they fear The Most High (Deut 10:12; Psalms 128:1). Thus it must be, that those who "depart" from The Faith are they who abandon or depart from these two key features. Let's see in Scripture what these are:

Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, [in order] to walk in his ways, and [in order] to fear him. (Deuteronomy 8:6)

In the above passage, we see that to fear The Most High and to walk in His Ways, we keep His Commandments.

So we see that, according to the logic of the above Scripture passages, those who depart from The Faith in the latter times must be students who depart from keeping The Most High's Commandments, as a result of devils speaking lies through their teachers.

We have seen abundant testimony, that those who abide in Messiah, and come to know The Most High, are those who learn His Ways, and walk in His Ways. These allow Messiah to live in them, and allow Messiah to provide His Grace, His enablement, to keep Father's Commandments.

Let's look carefully at a few additional passages that speak prophetically of our day. Notice the passages that describe those teachers [and students] who have been redeemed, but who refuse to walk in His Ways. The result is that they have been robbed of the knowledge of The Most High, through deceit and false teachings, and through a lifestyle and culture that is void of keeping the Commandments of The Most High:
Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:6)
For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. 27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. (Jeremiah 5:26-27)
How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; (Jeremiah 23:26)
Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err [go astray] by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:32)
Why then is this people of Jerusalem [this is prophetic of those who are grafted into Messiah and His people] slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. (Jeremiah 8:5)
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me [notice that The Most High is pleading with His redeemed people to return to Him!]; for I have redeemed thee. (Isaiah 44:22)
Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me. (Hosea 7:13)
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the LORD, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err [wander away; go astray], after the which their fathers have walked: (Amos 2:4)
The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. 22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled [plundered]; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses [their individual doctrines]: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. 23 Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come? 24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law. (Isaiah 42:21-24)
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err [go astray] in their heart, and they have not known my ways: (Psalms 95:10)
When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err [go astray] in their heart; and they have not known my ways. (Hebrews 3:9-10)
Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel [those who are in Messiah] had walked in my ways! (Psalms 81:13)
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake... 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. (Titus 1:10-11; 13-14)

The above are a few of many passages that give us the prophetic view of the greater Body of Messiah in our day, as The Most High see us.

Notice what the last verse above tells us. It is the Commandments of Men that turn men away from the truth. We recall that it was the Traditions and Commandments of Men that Yahushua confronted when He rebuked the Pharisees. The man-made doctrines become substitutes for the true Words of The Most High, and rob the people of knowing The Most High.

From these Scripture passages, we see that our crown can be removed by those prophets and teachers who, by trickery and deceit, teach The Most High's people to be disobedient, even while being un-aware of their own disobedience.

As we saw above, it is our continued disobedience to the eternal Scriptures that can remove our veil. But it is the teachings given by the Keepers of the Walls — the Traditions and Commandments of Men — that teach their followers to justify their disobedience.

The Traditions and Commandments of Men teach people to justify their disobedience, based on the following false notions, each of which contradicts both 'Old' and 'New' Testament Scripture:

Teachings of the Traditions and Commandments of Men
1) Tradition #1 — the false notion that because our sins are forgiven by His Blood, our continued disobedience is now acceptable to our Heavenly Father (Acts 10:35; Eph 5:6; Col 3:6; Heb 2:2-3);
2) Tradition #2 — the false notion that the eternal Law [Torah] has been cancelled or abolished, so that our disobedience to the Law is 'no longer' considered to be sin (1John 3:4).
3) Tradition #3 — the false notion that the Law [Torah] has been done away with. This idea is the central teaching of the Doctrine of Balaam today, and is discussed below.
So we see that our continued disobedience to the eternal Scriptures — because we have learned from some man, teaching man-made doctrines [or because we have believed some man's paraphrased version of the Bible] — can remove our crown!

We are thus told, "... hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown" (Revelation 3:11). Let us now notice another crown stealer.
SHEMA ISRAEL we are to to ONLY HOLD FAST TO WHAT THE MOST HIGH HAS TAUGHT US, NOT THE TRADITIONS OR DOCTRINES OF MEN!!!

Let No Man Steal Your Crown Part 1

We are walking in today:  Let No Man Steal Your Crown Part 1


Witness steal throughout the Bible:  H1589 ganab---to steal, steal away, carry away, to be stolen, be brought by stealth




Jeremiah 23:30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal H1589 my words every one from neighbour.

The Torah testifies...............
 Genesis 31:27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away H1589 from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?

The prophets proclaim..................
  Jeremiah 7:9 Will ye steal, H1589 murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;

The writings bear witness...........................
  Proverbs 30:9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, H1589 and take the name of my God in vain

Leviticus 19:11 Ye shall not steal, H1589 neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.



The Most High has promised a great inheritance to those who overcome, and to those who hold fast in their obedience to Him. Two of the items promised to The Most High's people are a wedding veil, and a crown.

As we search the Scriptures, we find that the veil speaks of the promise of Betrothal of the Bride to the Heavenly Bridegroom. The crown is the right to rule and reign for eternity with the King's Son, who is the Bridegroom.

Our Heavenly Abba knew, however, that in this last generation, there would be those who would try to take away our wedding veil, and also our crown. In this writing we will look carefully at this warning in Scripture, to see what it says, and then discover how we might prevent these promises from being stolen from us.

Stealing Your Veil, and Your Crown
We gain our first bit of information from the Scriptures, as part of a stern warning in the book of Revelation. Let's look at the following passages:

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:11)

As we saw in, the entire Book of Revelation is a message The Most High gave to Yahushua Messiah, in order that Yahushua might show to His Servants those things which will shortly come to pass. In particular, we saw how the messages within the Book of Revelation are directed to His future Bride, to give her vision, hope, and encouragement, as well as warnings of danger, as she goes about her preparation.

In the above verse in Revelation 3:11, we see that Yahushua warns His Bride to hold fast what we have (of that which is truly of Him), because there will be those men who would take away — or steal — our crown from us. But who would do this? How would this happen? Notice we are told in Song of Songs the answer to this question:

The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me. (Song of Songs 5:7)

Here we see it is the watchmen, the 'keepers of the walls,' who smite the Bride, and attempt to take her veil from her. Who are these watchmen? Fiveamprayer, it is the spiritual watchmen, the keepers of the walls of salvation — the spiritual Leaders of this generation — that are removing the veil, and the crown, of multitudes of Believing ones. If this sounds preposterous, let's look further into the Scriptures, to see what The Most High's Word says.

To begin our search, let us first ask two important questions:

1) How can someone remove our veil, and our crown?
2) How do we prevent someone from removing our veil, and our crown?

To answer these two questions with Scripture, let us begin, by noticing a very important account of an historical event, described in (1 Kings 12:28-33). Here we see that King Jeroboam decided to make two golden calves, and to implement a 'substitute' Feast Day for Israel. This substitute was to be located in Beth-El and in Dan, and would be just like the one ordained by The Most High — except for the day of the Feast, and its location. The addition of the two golden calves at the two locations identified the entire substitution as idolatry.

We are told that Jeroboam devised a day "of his own heart," and called for the Feast to be celebrated on the eighth month instead of the The Most High-ordained seventh month, as described in Leviticus 23:34 and Numbers 29:12. These are such small changes! Yet under King Jeroboam's leadership, idolatry was introduced to Israel, and the entire nation became deceived. The Most High, in His mercy, gave the people much warning through His prophets, and time to repent; yet the people refused to repent, and continued to walk in disobedience. As part of The Most High's judgment, the people were taken captive.

We are in much the same state today. The spiritual kings of the religious world have devised the eighth day of the week in the imagination of their own hearts, as a substitute for the The Most High-ordained seventh day Sabbath Feast Day. Having originated by Roman decree in the early centuries, this substitute feast-day continues to be honoured today, in most evangelical congregations. Most do not realize they are practicing a Roman substitute that contradicts both Old and New Testament Scriptures.

So we see that the modern-day Kings, the spiritual Leaders, have done just as Jeroboam did. They have concocted a 'Doctrine of Men' in the imagination of their own hearts — a man-made teaching about this substitute sabbath day — and by twisting the apostle Paul's teachings (2 Peter 3:16), they have thus caused their followers to walk in disobedience to the will of The Most High! The Scriptures listed below will elaborate in greater detail for us.

Through their doctrines, these modern-day Kings, or spiritual Leaders, have led the people into practicing outright disobedience to The Most High, and even various forms of idolatry, both of which can cause the veil, and the crown, to be removed.

Removing the Veil
Here is where we see the removal of the veil. In summary, those who refuse to do the will of the Father, are those who continue to refuse to walk in the Way of The Most High, instead walking in disobedience to The Most High's eternal Law [the Torah, called the Law of Moses]. It is these who are are known throughout the Scriptures as 'workers of iniquity' (Matthew 7:23; 1John 3:4).

Those who are found to be workers of iniquity at the time of the Bridegroom's appearance are specifically named by Yahushua, and are said to be among the Foolish Virgins (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 13:27). These will be disqualified from entering in at the same time with the Wise Virgins (Matt 25:11-13; Psalms 45:14), and some of these will not be among the Bride-Company.

As Virgins, they were Born-Again, Spirit-Filled Believers. Why were they considered workers of iniquity? Fiveamprayer, participation in The Most High's eternal Sabbaths is a vital part of the New Covenant — which is better known as The Most High's Everlasting Covenant, which Covenant describes the Way of The Most High (Hebrews 13:20).

As revealed in the above passage in Song 5:7, it is the watchmen of this generation [along with some of the 'modern' Bible versions based on men's paraphrases of Scripture] that are telling the Born-Again, New Covenant Believers that they need not obey The Most High's Law. Those who are gullible (who believe everything they hear, and do not read for themselves what the Scriptures actually say) have been told that the eternal Law of The Most High [the Torah] has been nailed to the cross, and abolished.

Fiveamprayer, have you heard this claim? Those who continue to believe this claim, and who continue to walk in disobedience to the eternal Law of The Most High, will have their veil [the token of obedience that identifies the Bride] taken away from them. They will be found among the workers of iniquity (Matt 7:23, 13:41; Psalms 125:5), and will be disqualified from being among the Bride-Company!

How do we prevent our veil from being removed by men?

Yahushua has said, "If you love me, keep [obey] MY Commandments" (John 14:15). Those who do not know who He is, think that His commandments are limited to only the 'New' Testament commandments.

Those who do know who Yahushua is, know that it was Yahushua Himself who, as the Word of The Most High, accompanied the Israelites in the wilderness (John 1:1, 14; 1 Corinthians 10:4; Num 3:16), and led them by His presence by night and by day — it was Yahushua Himself who wrote the Commandments onto the tablets with His own finger, and gave them to Moses.

Those who know Him, and who love Him, are those who keep all 'MY' Commandments as Yahushua calls them. And so we see it is the Bride whose actions exhibit love for the Bridegroom-Messiah, by simple obedience to all of Yahushua Messiah's Words [including those He gave to Moses]. Simple obedience to all of Messiah's Words reveals those who will be found among the Wise Virgins, and among the Bride-Company.

So we see that it is when we begin to walk in obedience to all Messiah's Commandments, instead of the doctrines and commandments of men, that we begin to hold fast to our veil. Only in this way, can we prevent our veil from being removed by men.

From this day forward, we must each choose whom we will serve (Joshua 24:15).

Let us choose wisely!

SHEMA ISRAEL!!!   This is our return to what the Most High has spoken and caused to be written for us in scripture!!!  No more doctrines of men!!!

Doctrines And Commandments Are You Following??!!! Part 2

Philippians 3


We are walking in today: Who's Doctrines And Commandments Are You Following??!!! Part 2

Witness follow throughout the Bible: H3212 yalak--manner of life, to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk

1 Kings 21:26 And he did very abominably in following H3212 idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the
children of Israel.

The Torah testifies...............
 Numbers 16:25 And Moses rose up and went H3212 unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed H3212 him.

The prophets proclaim..................
 Amos 7:15 And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, H3212 prophesy unto my people Israel.

The writings bear witness...........................
 Judges 2:19 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following H3212
other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.

1 Kings 18:18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed H3212 Baalim. 

Following The Disciples: An Example

For example, many today teach that the Disciples in Yahushua's day worshipped on Sunday. Fiveamprayer, Is this true? Let's see what the Bible says:

And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (Acts 20:7)

Then the same day at evening, being the first [day] of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (John 20:19)

In your Bible and in mine, we see that on only two occasions were the Disciples gathered together on the "first of the week [lit. sabbatown]" (Acts 20:7; John 20:19).

In both of the above passages, the word 'day' is not there, but has been added by the translators for clarity. The Greek word 'sabbatown,' Strong's number <4521>, is translated "sabbath" 59 times, and "week" 9 times, and can mean either sabbath or week, depending on context. There is also no mention of an identifying 'Lord’s Day' in either passage.

On both occasions mentioned in the above Scripture passages, the disciples came together on the first of the sabbatown. This would be either a Friday night if it was the first of the 'sabbath,' or Saturday night if it was the first of the 'week.'

Let's now look more closely at these passages to see what they say.

And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (Acts 20:7)

In the Acts 20:7 passage above, we see that the Disciples had all come together to hear Paul speak before he left for Ephesus. We know it was a night meeting, since we are told in Acts 20:7 that Paul continue his speech until midnight. We know it was a Saturday night, because if it were a Friday night, Paul would not be travelling the next morning, on a Sabbath day.

We also know it was during the occasion of a fellowship meal, and we also have two confirmations that this meal was not a 'Lord's Supper.' First, we are told in verse 6 that this occasion was after the days of Unleavened, from the 15th through the 21st day of the month of the Abib. It was on the 14th of Abib that they had eaten the once-a-year Passover meal, the true "Lord's Supper," so they would not eat this Feast until the next year. Second, we know from Scripture, that the term "break bread" together means to 'eat a meal together' (Lam 4:4; Acts 2:46).

From the evidence in Scripture, we see that this meeting does not appear to qualify as a modern-day Sunday meeting, but was likely an extension of the Sabbath gathering and oneg meal that continued beyond the close of Sabbath, before Paul's departure.

Now, as we look at the next passage, let us ask this question. When we and other children of The Most High gather to worship The Most High, what is our purpose?

It is very clear that as Believers, our purpose for gathering together is to worship The Most High, perhaps in prayer, singing, teaching, and giving testimony of His Goodness. But what were the disciples doing in the John 20:19 passage?

We will now look at the one remaining passage in John 20:19, to see if we can determine the purpose for which the Disciples had gathered:

Then the same day at evening, being the first [day] of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (John 20:19)

In the above passage in John 20:19, as well as from the context of the surrounding passages, it is very clearly stated that on this occasion, the Disciples were assembled together at evening, on the same day as Yahushua's resurrection, but later in the evening. What is not clear is the purpose for their assembling together.

It may be that the fear of the Jews applies to the reason for the assembly, or might apply to the reason the doors were shut. We do not know. In any event, this is the one, single passage of Scripture, that gives no hint either way, of establishing any new 'Doctrine' for assembling on the first of the sabbatown.

Fiveamprayer, what should we conclude from this passage?

As we have already seen, we are NOT to establish any Doctrines on the testimony of only ONE witness. Thus the idea of a first day of the week meeting does not seem to be Scriptural. What is clear is that there are no witnesses of Scripture that have nullified or done away with Messiah's words to His people, but that they are to keep The Most High's Sabbaths (Lev 19:1-3,30; Lev 26:2) — and that the Strangers ['Gentiles'] are included in the promises AND the Blessings of keeping The Most High's Sabbaths (Isaiah 56:3-7).

Conclusion
We have seen that the Doctrines and Commandments of Men are simply man-made, religious Traditions and dogmas, mere decrees of men, that are taught as if they were Biblical Truth.

We have seen that the Doctrines and Commandments of Men turn men away from the Truth, and can prevent people from 'entering in' to the Kingdom of The Most High.


We have seen examples of popular Doctrines and Commandments of Men that are commonly taught today. We have also seen that if we are to be followers and imitators of Messiah and His Disciples, we must look closely in Scripture, to observe what they did, how the they lived their daily lives.

We have seen that there are only two instances in Scripture, in which the disciples are said to gather together on the first day of the week. We have that in one of those two instances, the purpose of their gathering was clearly not as a Sunday gathering as commonly known today.

We have seen that in the one, remaining instance of the Disciples gathering together on the first day of the week, the purpose for their gathering is not made clear, but is in question.

We have seen that we may NOT establish any Doctrines on the testimony of only ONE witness, even if it were clear. Thus we must conclude that the idea of gathering on the first day of the week, as a replacement for gathering on the Biblical Sabbath Day, is not Scriptural, but is a popular, man-made Tradition, a Doctrine of Men.

Shema Selah...what doctirne are you living your life according to?? If it is not scriptural--then it is not sound!!  Return to Ahayah asher Ahayah!!!

Who's Commandments & Doctrines Are You Following???

Mark chapter 7

We are walking in today:  Who's Commandments & Doctrines Are You Following???

Witness commandments throughout the Bible: H4687 mitsvah --commandment (of man), the commandment (of God), commandment (of code of wisdom), (which was) commanded, law, ordinance, precept

Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, H4687 my statutes, and my laws.

The Torah testifies...............
  Exodus 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, H4687 and keep all his statutes,I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

The prophets proclaim..................
  Ezra 9:10 And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments, H4687

The writings bear witness...........................
  1 Kings 2:3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and hiscommandments, H4687 and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

Psalm 78:7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: H4687

What are the Doctrines and Commandments of Men?
When Yahushua was on earth in His own body, He revealed many things to His Disciples, to us today. One of these is in the form of warning, to show us examples of those things that are hindrances to us, that can prevent us from entering in to His Kingdom. Notice the following passages:

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

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. (Mark 7:7-9)

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances <1379>, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? (Colossians 2:20-22)

In the above passages in Matthew and Mark, we are told that laying aside ['departing from, disregarding'] and rejecting the Commandments of The Most High, leads to vain ['empty'] worship, and results in the teaching of the Tradition and Commandments of Men instead of the Commandments of The Most High.


Likewise in the above passage in Colossians 2:20, we see another glimpse of the commandments of Men, in the form of Decrees of Men, or 'Dogma.' Let's look at this Dogma of Men that is such a great hindrance.

Commandments of Men: the Greek Word Dogma
In the above passage in Colossians 2:20, we see the word Dogmatizo, Strong's number <1379> which is a form of the Greek word Dogma, Strong's number <1378>. These two Greek words 'Dogma' and 'Dogmatizo' are interesting words, because they both reveal a startling picture of one of the most popular Doctrines of Men taught today. Let's look at how this Greek word 'Dogma' is used in Scripture:

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree <1378> from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (Luke 2:1)

And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees <1378> for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. (Acts 16:4)

Whom Jason hath received : and these all do contrary to the decrees <1378> of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. (Acts 17:7)

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances <1378>; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; (Ephesians 2:15)

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances <1378> that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (Colossians 2:14)

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances <1379>...(Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after ("according to") the commandments and doctrines of men? (Colossians 2:20-22)

First we notice in the above passages in Luke and in Acts, that the Dogmas were decrees of men, either good or bad.

Next, we recall that it was the Decrees and Commandments of Men that Yahushua came against many times in His ministry. One of the main items of 'Dogma' taught today can be clearly seen in the Ephesians and Colossians verses above. Scripture tells us here plainly that it was the 'Dogma' — the 'Commandments of Men' — that were abolished, and were against us, and contrary to us, and were taken out of the way, and nailed it to his cross.

Men, however, continue to teach that it was the 'Commandments of The Most High' (the 'Law' or 'Torah') that were abolished, etc. in plain opposition to what the Scripture says! This modern-day teaching, that the Law has been abolished, is a prime example of a religious 'Dogma,' a popular 'Doctrine and Commandment of Men' being taught today!

It is the man-made Dogmas — the Commandments and Doctrines of Men — that poison the Good News of the Kingdom, and that infect the people, preventing them from 'entering in' to the Kingdom of The Most High:

"But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." (Matthew 23:13)

"Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." (Matthew 16:6)

"In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." (Luke 12:1)

Throughout the New Testament we see repeatedly the poisoning of the Gospel of the Kingdom by these leavened teachings. For further details on this Dogma and leaven, see Beware The Leaven.

Commandments of Men: Turn Men Away From Truth
A Doctrine or Commandment of Men is one that that turns men away from the Truth (Titus 1:14), and if not repented of, will prevent New Testament Believers today from entering in because of their disobedience, in the same way that the Israelites were prevented from entering the Promised Land for their disobedience.

Another popular example today of a Commandment of Men that turns men from practicing the Truth, is the notion or Doctrine of 'The Lord’s Day.' As this phrase does occur in Scripture, we will look at this in detail, to see what the Scriptures tell us.

The idea of The Lord’s Day is a very interesting one. This idea of the Lord's Day is one of the better examples of how one should not determine Biblical Truth. Let us see why this is true.

Of the many truths of the Bible, perhaps none are as important as the Truth that Yahushua tells us regarding the witness of Scripture. We are told that to determine or establish any matter, we must have adequate witnesses. Look at the following verses:

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. (Deuteronomy 19:15)

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (Matthew 18:16)

This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. (2 Corinthians 13:1)

Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. (1 Timothy 5:19)

There are many passages showing this truth of multiple witnesses being required to establish any matter. Indeed, we are reminded often that we may not make a Doctrine out of any idea or concept that appears only once in Scripture. As we look at the New Testament, we find that the phrase 'the Lord’s Day,' the Greek words 'Kuriakos hemera,' appear only once (Revelation 1:10).

Now if a congregation were going to build a Doctrine on some idea, they should be careful to make sure that there is ample witness of Scripture, lest the masses of people catch on that they were being deceived. Surely they would be found out if their Doctrine had only one Scriptural reference! Nevertheless, our hallowed Lord’s Day Doctrine is many centuries old, having originated with the religious leaders in the early centuries.

Having originated as a pagan holy-day of sun-worship, its popularity was borrowed by Rome for use by their Religion. The Lord’s Day teaching then became a Doctrine of Men, taught by Rome, and then handed down to all her harlot-daughter congregations (Rev 17:5) that had come out from Rome during the Reformation. Today the man-made Lord's Day Doctrine continues to be taught and practiced throughout the evangelical community of Believers, with many explanations attempting to justify its observance.

The sad part is that, even though we should all worship The Most High on Sunday, and indeed every day of the week, the Lord’s Day Doctrine has removed the teaching, understanding, and practice of observing the true Biblical Sabbath Day, obscuring and hiding the truth from countless, precious Saints who truly love The Most High! Most have not yet realized that the keeping of The Most High's Sabbaths is one of the tests of their obedience to Messiah's own words, and of their love for the Master!

Observance of the Biblical Sabbath Day is not a simply a matter of worship on a particular day, but of obedience (which becomes worship as it is kept). As we saw in, the phrase, Lord's Day in Revelation was simply John’s identification of something with which he was very familiar: the Old Testament teaching of the 'Day of the LORD' or the Day of 'The Most High.' This is a term used in the Bible to describe the time of the end of the age and the return of Yahushua to earth. Fiveamprayer is encouraged to become familiar with this vast and wonderful subject of the Day of the Lord.

Now, let us see what examples Yahushua and His Disciples gave us to follow.

Yahushua and His Disciples: Our Examples
We will note only this one additional point. Let's notice the words of the apostle Paul, in the following passage:

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (Philippians 3:17)

In the above passage, Paul tells us we are to use him, and the other disciples, as examples for our walk, our daily lives. So we will ask the question, "What did the disciples of Yahushua do, as a matter of daily life and practice, in the first century congregation?" Did they keep the Biblical Feasts of The Most High, or did they worship on some day known as the 'Lord’s Day?' Let’s see.

The Disciples Gathered Together on Pentecost/Shavout
First, the Scriptures tell us that all the Disciples were gathered together in one accord, in one place, on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1). Is there any doubt as to what day it was, and why they were all gathered together in one place? The Scriptures tell us clearly that on the day of Pentecost, all of The Most High's people are to convocate, or gather together in a particular place (Exodus 34:22; Lev 23:15-21; Deut 16:10,16).

So we see that the Disciples, as Believers, had all come together with one mind, and in one place, to celebrate the commanded Feast of Pentecost, the Festival of 'Shavuot.' Known also as the Feast of Weeks, this day is the High Sabbath day that occurs fifty days after the day Messiah was resurrected as the 'Firstfruits' of all mankind, on the Biblical day of the Feast of Early Firstfruits (Lev 23:9-16), which that year occurred three days and three nights after Passover.

The Disciples had previously celebrated Passover with Yahushua, and had eaten the Passover meal, also called the Last Supper, together with Him that night. The following afternoon, still within the legal 24-hour period, between the two evenings — between the beginning and ending evenings of the 14th day of Abib — Yahushua became the Passover Lamb for that year, and for all eternity!

So the Disciples were all together, celebrating the Biblical Feast of Shavuot [Pentecost — one of The Most High's Sabbaths — "These are MY Feasts"]. The Disciples were celebrating the Feast of Shavuot in obedience to Yahushua, for they loved Him. They also knew that this Feast, like Passover, was one of Messiah's commandments that He — as the Word of The Most High — had given to Moses, to be obeyed by those who love Him.

It was then, while all together on Shavuot [Pentecost], that the Holy Spirit fell, and the rest we know very well. The details of the lives of Yahushua and His Disciples, however, have been obscured from us by much modern-day teaching of the Doctrines of Men. We must earnestly contend against the prevailing man-made teachings, the Doctrines of Men, in order to lay hold of The Faith which was at one time delivered unto the saints. We must study the Scriptures, looking closely at Messiah and His Disciples, to see what they did.

Shema Selah we are being emptied in the wilderness to be filled with HIS wisdom!! Make ready for a season of wisdom!!!