This issue of YAHSHUA'S
WITNESS MAGAZINE
was published for JULY-AUGUST 2007
Inside this issue:
Consider the
Salmon by Jerry Healan
Astrology's Deception by Johnny McCarthy
Yahweh of the Israelites by Dave Ganton
Dumb, Greedy Dogs by Brick Parrish
The Witness of the Number Seven by Jerry Healan
Seeing They See Not by David Douglas
The
Worst tragedy byRobert Gregory
EDITOR:
Jerry Healan
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: John McCarty
PROOFREADERS:
Frances Healan, Jerry Healan, John
McCarty
OUR COVER: Salmon are depicted concerning their arduous
journey from the sea back to their spawning grounds. The determined quest of the
salmon is so important to look to for vital lessons that we can learn from them.
We also have a quest, a goal to accomplish and reach. If we look to the
determination of the salmon, it may give us an insight into our own struggles
that we face in our trek to the Kingdom of Heaven.
For
comments or inquiries please write to YEA, P. O. Box 31, Atlanta, TX 75551.
THOUGHTS ON EVOLUTION
Our feature article is about the struggles of the salmon to survive. I
recently viewed a news article on the pupfish that only exists in Devil’s Hole
at Death Valley National Park in Nevada. The news article is entitled “Miracle
of Evolution Fights for Survival in Death Valley.” As the headline reports,
they write about the miraculous
evolutionary survival of this little fish. Supposedly, it has
survived for 60,000 years facing the bone-chilling extremes of the Ice Age, the blistering temperatures of
the desert and an ever-shrinking habitat. They live in a
pool that is only 150 meters deep and only a few meters wide.
Falling water tables, due to
agricultural irrigation, caused alarm among the environmentalists who went to
the Supreme Court and received a ruling against the farmers in 1976. Yet, in
1990 there were only 500 of the little fellows left and today the count is only
an alarming 38! Great efforts have been made to preserve these tiny fish. After
the court ruling, an eight foot high fence was built around the little water
hole in order to protect the fish from man and animals. Diving teams descend
into the pool twice annually checking to make sure that the water is properly
balanced chemically.
One man is quoted as saying,
“We don't have the right to play God, it's arrogant
of us to think that as humans we can come in, and take away something that's not
convenient.”
Just
think about this evolutionists, the fish has supposedly survived for 60,000
years without man’s help. Is it possible that in the EVOLUTIONARY SCHEME OF
THINGS, the little fish knows that it is time to bow out of existence because it
has failed to evolve into something more adaptable? Isn’t that what has
happened to many other species that you find in the geological tables, yet are
no longer around? You know, it’s either put up or shut up. Evolve or devolve.
The
next question is this; I thought that in the evolutionary scheme of things there
is no God. The creation just created itself and has evolved into what we find
today. So who is really playing God here? If a creature can’t exhibit the
ability to evolve out of its abysmal situation in order to better survive, then
doesn’t it deserve to go extinct? Shouldn’t species that can’t evolve into
a superior situation, like man, let’s say, then do they deserve the special
care and treatment to keep them around just so we can feel good about ourselves?
You may be impeding evolution, don’t you know?
And
think also about the term that was utilized to describe this little organism’s
ability to survive for somewhere in the neighborhood of 60,000 years. I’m
talking about the word “miracle!” According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, a miracle is an event or action that apparently
contradicts known scientific laws and is hence thought to be due to supernatural
causes, especially to an act of God.
So now
the question is, if this little fish performed this miracle by surviving such
extreme conditions for so long a time, then is it God? And if it is God, then
why are you trying to preserve it? Don’t you hate God and want anything that
appears to make it look like God exists to be purged from the records? (Sorry
for these term to the Yahwists, but sometimes we have to fight fire with fire.)
Evolutionists
can ascribe events and struggles to survive as miracles. The creation therefore,
is a miracle worker. But there simply isn’t room for there to be a God Who
miraculously created everything. The wondrous intricacies that are involved in
the creation just simply can’t be attributed to a miracle working Creator. But
the creation can work miracles. So the evolutionists are deifying creation
itself when they impute that everything just miraculously appeared and then
evolved. The Apostle Paul had evolutionists perfectly pegged far, far before
their time when he wrote, “Who (unbelieving man) changed the truth of Elohim
into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature (creation)
more than the Creator, Who is blessed for ever. Amen,” Ro. 1:23.
How is
it that we just read everything they say and write, and let these people get
away with their doublespeak without any protest or challenge? I challenge their
words that they have utilized here! If you don’t believe in a Creator, then
don’t imply miracles, it’s as simple at that. And don’t play God by
accusing us of being evil for bringing about extinction of a species when the
facts are that if evolution is true, then extinction is a fact of evolution. The
fact of evolution is evolve to a higher species or go extinct. You want to
proclaim evolution and then when the reality comes you resist it’s natural
consequences. You try to play God yourself, by interfering with the natural
consequences. Shame on you.
And
another thing I would like to mildly touch on. You know how the insurance
companies generally know how to fight and appeal to the legislators to get what
they want when they want it. That’s why we have to wear seat belts, put air
bags in cars, develop superior framework in case of collision, etc., etc., at
public expense. Many of the insurance companies get out of paying off by
declaring an event to be an “Act of God.”
Since
they love to utilize this clause in order to cover their rears, why aren’t
they pushing the legislators, the Supreme Court, etc. into legislating that God
really does exist? Why not force that on everyone? Don’t they know that if the
evolutionists have their way, then any reference to there being a God will
eventually be forbidden? What will they do about their “Act of God Clause”
then? I encourage the insurance
companies to get into action now before it’s too late! Make sure that the
whole world knows that God exists so when a catastrophe happens you can blame
everything on Him and save your burgeoning bank accounts. LET’S ROLL!!!
JH
I recently spoke with
a lady who is distressed concerning her son. He was born in the faith knowing
the true names, the Sabbaths, the laws of Yahweh, etc. He commented that he was
so tired of being in the minority. While he did appreciate the truths wherein he
was born and simply can’t turn his back on now, he wishes that he had been
born into a large family, preferably Catholic, so that he would be ignorant of
the truths that he has and go on to live life like everyone else, hoping that
his chance for salvation and the kingdom and eternal life would come in the
second resurrection.
By Jerry Healan
Any of us who are in the faith who have
children, can understand this situation. Our children have been born into
families who have the truth of the Scriptures to lead them. It does place
pressures and situations on our children that others don’t seem to face. Some
do resent the family’s calling into the truth and refuse to walk in it when
they become adults. But let’s face it, no matter where we have been born and
in what condition, there are always problems to face.
Does being born in ignorance
help? While large families may seem to be ideal and going along with the
majority may seem to be like the way to go, the simple truth of the matter is
that large families have their problems also. Pecking orders can be established.
Jealousies can also come into play. Such was the case with Jacob and his twelve
sons, is it not? Weren’t they all so jealous of their younger brother Joseph
that the older sons wanted to kill him?
Look at the jealousies that
came into play between Ishmael and Isaac, Esau and Jacob, the sons of Israel,
etc. What about Cain and Abel? It would be better for us all to come to realize
that we are born in a very imperfect world; that wherever we look, there are
good things and bad things, righteousness and evil. We have a struggle on our
hands no matter who we are.
Yes, it is difficult for
minorities. Yes, it is difficult for children who are born into families of
those practicing and embracing Biblical truths. Yahshua did say that many are
called, few are chosen. The few must continue to realize who they are and live
accordingly. Those who are called to the truths of Yahweh need to keep in mind
that they are so tremendously blessed. They don’t have to wander about in this
world, being tossed to and fro on every whim. They don’t have to wander around
in the darkness living life in hopelessness.
I remember at a very early
age wondering how I got here; where I came from; why I am here. I remember, as a
young man, just wanting a job to work at to make money for sustenance and, of
course, to become wealthy. I remember working on several jobs, and getting
frustrated because it seemed that I was getting nowhere. I remember thinking, is
this all life is about? We are born in this world, mature to adulthood, go to
work, work until retirement (if we live long enough), retire for a few short
years and then die. Surely there is more to this existence than that! If
evolution is true, that’s all there is. Woe unto us!
But there is a Creator! He
has, for some reason, blessed us by singling us out to come to know Him, to live
differently than the average world citizen, to have faith in Him, and to
eventually inherit His glorious kingdom! HalleluYah!!!!!
As the song goes, Count Your
Blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings, see what Yah has
done! For those who don’t appreciate our calling, they simply don’t
understand what we are called to. We are called to be a part of Yahweh’s
Kingdom. We are being called to nobility. We must understand that we are in
training. We must understand that this life is hopeless and useless because no
matter how great or wealthy or happy we may be in this life, it all perishes! As
King Solomon proclaimed, “All is vanity.”
No matter how rich we become;
no matter how powerful we become; no matter how famous we become it will never
be enough. Are the rich ever satisfied with what they have? Absolutely not! They
always want to accumulate more and more riches. Are the powerful ever satisfied
with what power the possess? Absolutely not! They always want more power. Are
the famous ever satisfied with their fame? Absolutely not! You see, no matter
how rich, how powerful, how famous you become, there is always someone else that
is richer, more powerful and/or more famous than you. Besides, even if you reach
the top, in this world, you must struggle to stay there because there are many,
many challengers who will come up against you.
There are challenges to life.
Nothing is really easy. Whether we are in the majority or in the minority, there
are problems and troubles that we have to face. What we need to realize is that
this life is for a purpose and if we don’t fulfill that purpose that our
Creator has called us to, then we are failures. He doesn’t leave us helpless.
He is there to help in every time of need.
THE SALMON
There are many excellent
examples for us to look to in Yahweh’s great creation; examples of life,
struggles, failure, success. One of those examples for us to learn valuable
lessons from is that of the salmon. The salmon, of course, are hatched from eggs
laid in a certain stream, creek, river, etc. The first stage in a salmon’s
life is that of a fry. A fry is a newly hatched salmon, just like we are a
newborn baby when we first come into this world. The fry quickly develop into
the next stage which is called “parr” just like our second stage is
childhood.
The Salmon remain in the
“parr” stage for about one to three years. They remain in the stream where
they were hatched until they become large enough to enter into the third stage
of their growth. This is much like our own nursery, kindergarten and elementary
education.
The next stage is called the
“smolt.” This is the stage wherein they travel downstream to gather into
brackish water in order to become accustomed to the salty seawater. They go
through a phenomenon called “osmoregula-tion” which prepares their body for
this change. This stage seems to be like our own teenage and young adult years
wherein we go through high school and even college, which prepares us to enter
into the working world.
Finally, they are adult
enough to enter the salty waters of the great oceans where they feed themselves
to final adulthood. In one to five years the salmon are ready to make their
famous trek back to their place of nativity to reproduce in order to keep their
species alive.
What is amazing about the
salmon is that of the hundreds of thousands and maybe even millions that hatch
out, only about ten percent (10%) make it to the sea. Then an even greater
number surely succumbs to the dangers of the sea itself.
THE CALLING
After about one to five years
in the sea, they suddenly feel the call to return to their home. Even though
there are great numbers of salmon that begin the trek back to their breeding
grounds, just think about what has already happened to the majority that were
originally hatched out! The majority of those hatched out never made it to the
point of being called back to the hatchery, their home. If you were a salmon,
what group would you rather be in? Would you rather be in the majority or the
minority? I think that the answer is pretty clear. What about our own situation
in today’s world? Do you think that being in the minority might begin to have
some benefits?
Just think about what Yahshua
related, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is
the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and
few there be that find it,” Mt. 7:13-14.
Boy! Doesn’t that sound
like the plight of the salmon? Many are hatched into this world, but only ten
percent of those hatched make it down the stream and into the sea. And going
downstream is the broad and easy way, isn’t it?
Yahshua was asked, “Then
said one unto him, Master, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to
enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up,
and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the
door, saying, Master, Master, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto
you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and
drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I
tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of
iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see
Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of Elohim,
and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the
west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom
of Elohim,” Lk. 13:23-29.
This is our destiny. This is
what we are born for. The Kingdom of Elohim is for those of us who have been
called in this day and age and it is also for our children if they will resist
the pulls of this world and resist going along with the majority taking the
seemingly easy way out.
THE JOURNEY
The journey back to their
place of birth is no picnic for the salmon. The journey to the Kingdom of Elohim
is no picnic for the believer. But one thing that the salmon has that can be an
inspiring example to us is their determination.
It is believed that the
salmon can detect their place of origin through the sense of smell. For them and
us, the sense of smell comes through the nose into which also we breath the
breath of life. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for breath is ruach, which is also the word for spirit. The Greek word for breath is pneuma, which is also the same word for spirit.
The salmon receives the
calling and spirit to direct it back home. Yahweh calls us and gives us His
Spirit in order to direct us to His kingdom, “Repent and be baptized every one
of you in the name of Yahshua the Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye
shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you, and to
your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as Yahweh our Elohim
shall call,” Acts 2:38-39.
The salmon searches and finds
the entrance to his stream of nativity. We have a door that is opened to us and
that door is Yahshua the Messiah, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that
entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the
same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the
shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice:
and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth
forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they
know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for
they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Yahshua unto them: but
they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said
Yahshua unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the
sheep,” Jn. 10:1-7.
As the salmon begins its
journey, one of the major things that it must do is travel upstream, going
against the current. We have to do the same thing. Once we are called, we simply
can’t allow ourselves to be carried downstream along with the rest of society.
We must buck the trends and go against the current.
A stream, creek or river
flows downward, but the salmon must swim upstream always against the current.
Sometimes there may be refreshing pools of water along the way that only issue a
gentle pull, which can be a resting place, a respite, similar to the Sabbath and
annual holy days. But there are also churning dangerous rapids and worse than
that, there are waterfalls. The salmon has to find the strength and courage to
not only force its way against the rapids and other areas where the stream flows
hard, but it has to climb the waterfalls. Sometimes they have to make attempt,
after attempt, after attempt before they make it over the top.
What about us? We are not
without our trials, problems, streams to swim, waterfalls to jump over,
mountains to climb. The salmon has a big heart because it is determined to make
it against all of the odds. Do we have the heart to make it? Not without Yahweh
and Yahshua, of course! But when they are for us, what or who can be against us?
Yahshua told us, “If ye
love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you
another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of
truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth
him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not
leave you comfortless: I will come to you,” Jn. 14:15-18.
Everyone knows that if we
keep Yahweh’s commandments, we are setting ourselves up against the world,
which not only doesn’t keep His commandments, but hates, persecutes and
despitefully uses those who do. But Yahshua said that He wouldn’t leave us
comfortless. He promised to send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, which will
enable us to overcome.
Maybe Yahweh ingrained
determination in the salmon just for us to see. Maybe He gave the salmon the
spirit to take comfort each time it fails to make it over the top of a
waterfall. Maybe the salmon just takes a momentary rest after each failure long
enough to be comforted and encouraged to try it again, and again, and again
because they just don’t give up and neither should we.
OTHER
OBSTACLES
If that isn’t enough, there
are other obstacles to overcome and endure. There are fishermen, bears and
eagles who hungrily and eagerly anticipate the salmon run so they can eat their
fill; so many of the salmon fall prey to these dangers.
But do the salmon cringe with
horror at the fisherman’s net or hook, or the bear’s paw or fangs, or the
eagle’s claw? Absolutely not. Why? They have a great goal! The greatest goal
for them is to make it back to their place of origin so they can reproduce. They
don’t turn tail and run. They are afraid of nothing! Their goal must be
accomplished in spite of the consequences to many in their numbers.
What about our goals? What
are your goals? Is your goal just to quit school and enter the job market so you
can make money? I have known many who have done just that and I haven’t found
any of them who was proud or happy with what they did.
Is your goal just to get out
of high school and make it into the job market with that minimal training?
Whether you want to believe this or not, most of us hate knowledge and the work
that it takes to acquire it. We have to read, study and cram our heads with
facts and figures that we just don’t see how those things will help us later
in life. But they do!
Is your goal to go to college
in order to receive advanced education and training for a special field? That is
also well and good. Advanced education does better prepare one to live in this
world.
But what happens when you
have accomplished your goals, found a job, built a family, a house, a career, a
life? Is there anything else that you need? Yes, absolutely! Whether you realize
it or know it or not, you will need spiritual fulfillment and satisfaction.
Yahshua cautioned, “From
that time forth began Yahshua to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go
unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and
scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him,
and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Master: this shall not be
unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou
art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of Elohim, but
those that be of men. Then said Yahshua unto his disciples, If any man will come
after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For
whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for
my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole
world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his
soul?” Mt. 16:21-26.
Look at Yahshua’s example!
He had a set goal in mind. That goal was to do the will of His Father, to call
certain ones out of this world and teach them the good news of the kingdom of
heaven, to suffer for it and for us and to return where He came from victorious!
Yes, what if you abound so
much that you gain the whole world! A very rich, powerful and prosperous man is
so taken with his possessions, his fortune, etc., that he has little time for
anything else! He has no time to focus on the Kingdom of Heaven.
What about us? Are we so
taken with our daily lives, our daily activities that we lose our focus on the
thing that is most vital to us? Our purpose is to follow in Yahshua’s
footsteps proclaiming the Kingdom of Elohim. Our purpose is to make ourselves
ready for the greatest position that any person born of women could ever have or
hold!
Let’s focus on the life and
determination of the salmon. Let’s learn the vital lessons from them and the
suffering that they must go through in order to triumph and get the victory.
Let’s also focus on the life of our Savior, King, and High Priest, Yahshua the
Messiah! He never allowed anything to deter Him from His goals. He suffered and
died for them!
Is
your life important? Is your calling important? Are you willing to suffer and
die for it? Are you willing to be one of the few, or do you want to be of the
many? The many don’t make it in the salmon’s world nor in the world of our
calling. If you have been called or if your parents have been called, don’t
run around with a woe is me attitude. That which you have been called to is far
too precious. It is worth giving your all. May Yahweh bless you to understand!
Profanities, pornography, filthy programs on
TV and on movie screens are occurrences we live with on a daily basis. Most of
us find it vulgar and offensive. Our children are watching. We want Hollywood to
stop polluting our culture.
Johnny R. McCarty
On the other hand, the New Age movement (NAM) with its
Eastern-influenced moral relativistic metaphysical thought systems is a more
subtle corrupting force than the “in your face” garbage we’re exposed to
by the Hollywood elites. One of the more popular practices these New Age
adherents promote is astrology. Many Christians are now “into” this occult
art. Supposed followers of the Messiah can tell you everything there is to know
about the sign of Taurus, but not a thing about Paul from Tarsus. They’d
rather read a book on horoscopes than a book of the Scriptures.
New Age “spirituality” is corrupting not only the so-called
Christians, most of whom have no clue that they’re partaking in sorcery but it
is also exerting an influence even on the Assemblies. Astrology, “Christian
yoga,” meditation to achieve an altered state of consciousness, calling on
angels, and even some of the martial arts, falls under the category of sorcery.
Such practices attract a large number of people, like moths to a flame.
Is it any wonder we’ve got a New Age pandemic in our society?
PROMOTION OF ASTROLOGY
You’d have to be blind not to notice all the ads promoting astrology.
Go online and Google “horoscope” and in minutes you’ll have a
“personalized reading” by a “famous astrologer.” Horoscope.com claims
that it’s “The web's most trusted and known source of astrology, daily
horoscopes, love astrology, Chinese astrology, zodiac signs, compatibility,
etc.” You get the picture.
Astrology is being promoted via email, on computer screens, television
sets, newspapers, magazines; even internet cell phone users are blasted daily
with daily horoscopes. From a True Believer’s perspective almost all of what
the NAM espouses is evil.
Astrology was born in Babylon in the middle of the 2nd millennium BCE.
Most false systems of religion had their roots in the land of pagans that
worshipped a pantheon of phony gods. Astrology was all the rage with the
Babylonians, especially amongst the priests who studied the “godlike
science” of astrology.
In the Old Testament astrology is mocked. Speaking for Yahweh, Jeremiah
said this, “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in
the sky, though the nations are terrified by them” (Jeremiah 10:2).
There are several traditions of astrology. The traditions used by most
modern astrologers are Jyotisha (Indian), Chinese, and Western. There are so
many traditions and beliefs that I couldn’t begin to cite them all. Many
esoteric (mystic) movements have links to astrology. Numerology, tarot cards,
palmistry and Kabala are a few that are well known. The current trend in the
West is “psychological astrology.”
For some, exposure to yoga, astrology, fantasy games, séances and other
seemingly innocent practices may lead to greater involvement in a very dangerous
world. There is no way of knowing what the future holds for people who expose
themselves to these so-called “harmless” practices.
YAHWEH’S WARNING
To avoid getting involved in the myriad of inherent dangers our society
offers, you must listen to Yahweh! In Deuteronomy 18:9-13 He says, “When you
enter the land Yahweh your Elohim is giving you, do not learn to imitate the
detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who
sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery,
interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or
spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable
to Yahweh, and because of these detestable practices Yahweh your Elohim will
drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before Yahweh your
Elohim.”
More from Yahweh in Leviticus, “Do not practice divination or
sorcery…Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves.
I am Yahweh your Elohim…Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you
will be defiled by them. I am Yahweh your Elohim.” vv. 26, 28, 31.
Moving on to 2 Chronicles 33:6, “He sacrificed his sons in the fire in
the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and
consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of Yahweh, provoking him to
anger.”
Now to the New Testament, Acts 7:42-43, “But Yahweh turned away and
gave them over to the worship of the heavenly bodies. This agrees with what is
written in the book of the prophets: " 'Did you bring me sacrifices and
offerings forty years in the desert, O house of Israel? You have lifted up the
shrine of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship.
Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.”
Did you notice that Yahweh did not say, “Please?” He said, “Do
not.” In other words, No! Yahweh was provoked to anger over it. When Yahweh is
angry, “the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure His wrath” (Jeremiah
10:10).
Well, now, is what some charlatan tells you your future is going to be so
important that you’re willing to get Yahweh angry with you? Is consulting an
astrologer so important that you’d take the chance that Yahweh will turn away
from you?
Scripture tells us that only pagans practiced astrology. No
self-respecting Believer in The Way would dare involve himself in something
Yahweh opposed for fear of being struck dead. And yes, Yahweh has been known to
strike people dead on the spot for their blatant defiance. Ananias and Sapphira
lied to the Holy Spirit and wham! Yahweh killed them both.
Some argue that the Magi referred to in Matthew’s gospel were
astrologers. Not according to a respected expert on the customs of the early
Believers: “The use of astrology is clearly outside the worldview of Matthew
as he penned his gospel. It seems woefully inconsistent for Yahweh to use
astrology to herald the incarnation and birth of His Son into the world.”
CHRISTIAN ASTROLOGERS
So why do millions of people hand over their lives to fortunetellers,
even knowing that astrology is bogus and not supported by the scientific
community? Moreover, why are self-professed “Christians” immersing
themselves in occultism? One “Christian” website offers a forum for the
“magickal and mystical Christian”:
“Here you will find “Christians” who study esoteric sciences such
as mysticism, Christo-paganism, witchcraft, astrology, occultism, tarot, Western
Mystery, Kabbalah, alchemy, divination and shamanism. The forum is a friendly
place designed by a Christian magician for magickal Christians. “We welcome
anyone who wishes to join but please remember this is a pro-magick Christian
haven. Negativity has no place here.”
This is nothing more than Satan masquerading as an angel of light. Hell-oooooo!
The Scriptures say, “Your word is
a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” It does not say, “Occultism is a
lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
This is just one more example of how completely deceived this modern
world is.
At one time, I knew a group of men who were faithful, practicing
“Christians.” They never missed
a Sunday morning service. They
carried their Bibles around with them and cornered anyone they could and
“preached the Devil out of him and the Gospel in”; as one of them was fond
of saying. Yet every Sunday night,
these same men gathered to play Dungeons and Dragons!
This “game” involves every kind of sorcery, witchcraft, and astrology
there is! Needless to say, they
refused to listen when I tried to explain to them what the Scriptures had to say
about these practices. Not to
mention their total disdain for the Sabbath and Sacred Names.
A pseudo “Christian” I know is into astrology (Christiology?). He was
telling me that he and a friend share the same astrological sign. And,
wouldn’t you know, they’re like two peas in a pod! I mentioned that I went
to school with twins that were born under the sign of Gemini and came into this
world 2 minutes apart, and are peas from an entirely different pod. Then I went
on to explain the Scriptural view of astrology. He listened politely with only a
couple of eye rolls. When I was through, he suddenly remembered he had something
to do and dashed from the room. Incidentally, Isaac and Rebecca’s sons, Jacob
and Esau, were also twins who were born practically in tandem. (Read Genesis
25-35.) The two were nothing alike either, yet they had the same parents and
were born under the same sign of the zodiac. But I digress.
Many will argue that astrology can be scientifically proven. It can’t.
But that’s irrelevant. Yahweh’s Written Word, the Holy Scriptures, clearly
teach that True Believers are to have no part in stargazing or any other occult
practice. No horoscopes, Ouija board games, palm reading, séances or psychics.
Tarot cards are prohibited, so is casting Runes, conjuring magic potions and
charms and any other form of witchcraft. Avoid the esoteric New Age movement;
stay away from anyone that advocates spiritual astrology, divination, blessings,
and, finally, those who appeal to angels for intervention.
WHAT TO DO
Keep your guard up! Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re going
to escape all the temptations that besiege you, because you’re not going to.
Don’t get me wrong. If you’re a child of Yahweh, Satan can do you no harm
(unless Yahweh allows it for reasons we mere humans are not privy to). Still,
Satan will do his level best to keep you tangled up in his web of deception.
Sounds grim, doesn’t it? All the same, it’s true. Satan’s one mean
machine, so the Brethren must be armed to the teeth and be prepared to battle
the “Prince of Darkness.” There’s only one way to protect against the
darts and arrows the enemy fires at you. Put on the full armor of Yahweh!
For anyone involved in an occult practice, in obedience to the truth, and
to honor Yahweh, you must give it up now. Repent of your sins. Ask
for forgiveness. Yahweh will forgive you because He loves you.
In this study we
will explore some aspects of following Yahshua our Messiah that will be
disturbing to some. We will use the term common to the people of this world’s
religions, Christian. The vast majority of these people believe that they are
gentiles. They also believe that the promise of grace and forgiveness and the
new covenant was made with them.
By Dave Ganton
In this world there are
gentiles and there are Israelites, or as they are commonly called, Jews. The
Jews are from the tribe of Judah, which is only one of the tribes of Israel.
Because of a separation at the time of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, ten tribes
moved to the north with Jeroboam as their king. Judah and Benjamin remained with
Rehoboam as their king. They were now two kingdoms that the bible calls, Judah
and Israel. You can read about this separation in 1 Kings 11:43 to 1 Kings
12:1-33. Keep this separation in mind as it will be important to help us
understand who the new covenant was made with.
As stated previously,
Christians believe that they are gentiles and that the new covenant was made
with them. They shy away from anything Jewish in their worship. They believe
that there is the Jewish religion, which began at the time of the exodus from
Egypt and the giving of the law at mount Sinai, the old covenant. Then there is
the Christian religion begun at the time of the Messiah’s sojourn on earth,
the cancelling of the law and the coming of grace, the new covenant
incorporating the promise of eternal life.
The common Christian
belief is that for one to come under the new covenant of grace, forgiveness and
eternal life one must give up everything Jewish and basically become a gentile.
This will offend some but keep on reading and we will discover together that
this is exactly the opposite of what the Scriptures say on the subject.
All will readily admit
that the old covenant was made with Israel at Mount Sinai. A point that is
seldom heard is that gentiles could become a part of that covenant by joining
Israel. They could only do this by accepting circumcision, accepting their
Elohim, and by obeying the laws, statutes, and commandments given to Israel.
There were not two different sets of laws; one for the Israelites and one for
the gentiles. (Ex.12:49; Lev. 24:22;
Num. 9:14; Num. 15:15-16; Num. 15:29). All who joined Israel were bound by the
same laws as were the Israelites. Take special note here; this has not changed
under the new covenant, which actually predates the covenant made at the time of
Moses.
THE
NEW COVENANT BEGINS
The covenant of grace
and eternal inheritance did not actually begin at the time of Yahshua’s
sojourn on earth. It began with Abraham. You can read about this beginning in
Gen. 17:1-14. This covenant was to be with Abraham and his descendants forever,
V 7. (Psa. 105:8-10) This covenant was reaffirmed with Isaac and with his son
Jacob (Israel). This was a covenant of eternal inheritance by a promise from
Yahweh to Abraham because he believed Yahweh and it was counted to him as
righteousness. (Ro. 4:3-9 Notice what Paul says about this. (Gal. 3:17-18)
Paul tells us that this covenant of eternal inheritance, eternal life
could not be annulled by the written law that came hundreds of years later.
So the promise of
eternal life was given to Abraham and his descendants forever. This promise
made, one thing remained to make it all happen. The Scriptures tell us that all
have sinned and fallen short of the glory of Elohim. (Ro. 3:23; Ro. 5:12)
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were no exception. The penalty of sin brings death
(Ro. 6:23).
Yahweh
knew, already, when He made the promise, that Yahshua would come to sojourn on
this earth and pay the penalty in our stead by His holy blood making the final
fulfilment possible. Yahshua came to confirm this covenant of promise. This will
all become clearer as we study further. It will also become clear that the
promise of grace and eternal inheritance is still open only to the descendants
of Abraham by Sarah. These descendants would be through his son Isaac and
through his son Jacob,(Israel). The promise of eternal inheritance is to Israel
only. More on this shortly.
Search the scriptures
and you will discover that Yahweh made no covenant with the gentile nations.
(Eph. 2:11-12) Paul confirms this when he says they, the gentiles were strangers
to the covenants and without Elohim in the world. Paul also tells us that the
sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship and the
promises belong to the Israelites. He says the Messiah also belongs to them.
(Ro. 9:4-5) Don’t become discouraged, there is good news for gentiles. (Jn.
10:16) Gentiles are the other sheep that are not of this fold that Yahshua shall
bring to Himself so that all shall have one Elohim. More on this gathering soon.
Modern Christianity
claims to be under the new covenant while also claiming to be gentiles. Thinking
this, they shun away from anything that resembles Judaism. This includes the
Sabbath and the Holy days as commanded by Yahweh in the Old Testament in the
books of the law which they say is done away, nailed to the stake with Yahshua.
Some even claim that the ten commandments are done away and replaced by two new
ones. Love G_D and love your neighbour. They do not realise that these two
commandments are also in the books of the law (which they say is done away) of
the Old Testament and aren’t new at all. (Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18; Mk. 12:30-31)
Modern churchianity
fails to realise that the new covenant was to be made with the house of Israel
and the house of Judah. (Jer. 31:31_34; Jer. 32:40; Heb. 8:6-13) Notice who is
the mediator of the new covenant. It is Yahshua. He was a Jew from the tribe of
Judah. He came to His own people, the Jews. Some did not accept Him, but those
that did, He gave the power to become sons of Elohim. (Jn. 1:11-12)
Note this carefully.
The New Testament assembly was a Jewish assembly. Yahshua was a Jew. The
apostles were Jews. When Yahshua sent out the apostles to preach, He sent them
to the people of Israel and told them not to go to the gentiles. (Mt. 10:5-6)
At this point let’s
take a few minutes to understand the Old Covenant given at mount Sinai and why
it was temporary until the time of Messiah. Remember this covenant did not annul
the covenant of promise made to Abraham. (Gal. 3:17) The people of Israel, after
being in Egypt for so long were sinning and did not realise it. The law was
written down to rectify this situation. This was a temporary thing to remind
people of their sins until the time when the true and perfect sacrifice would be
offered by Yahshua in His own blood. (Heb. 9:8-10) In this old covenant, Yahweh
did not initially require sacrifices. (Jer. 7:21-24; Gal. 3:19) These were added
because of the unfaithfulness of the people. (Heb. 10:1-4) They were a constant
reminder of their sins. Yahweh asked for only obedience and love. (Hos. 6:6) Is
this not what He also asks of us?
The old covenant in it
original form was a good covenant. It was the people who were the problem. (Heb.
8:7-8) They were unfaithful to the agreement they had made. This covenant failed
because of the people. Yahweh asked them to be obedient as their father Abraham
had been. If they had been they would have been under the Abrahamic covenant of
eternal inheritance and grace.
They were called to be
a nation of kings and priests. (Ex. 19:6) They were to be a royal priesthood.
They would evangelize the world. Instead of this they adopted the gods of the
nations around them and were unfaithful to their calling. We now have that same
calling. (Rev. 1:6; Rev. 5:10) Will we be faithful to our calling?
There was something
lacking in the people of Israel, not in the covenant. Yahweh makes no mistakes.
He did not make a bad covenant with Israel. He did not make bad laws. His
commandments are righteous. (Ro .7:12) The
Israelites lacked faith. (Heb.4:2) They lacked spiritual love for Yahweh. That
is why they did not obey the terms of the covenant. Mankind can not naturally do
what is right. What seems logical and right to mankind is usually harmful and
sinful. (Prov. 14:12; Jer. 10:23) They could not obey the terms of the covenant
because they depended on their own logic and reasoning.
NEW COVENANT WRITTEN ON HEARTS AND MINDS
There is something to
take note of here. The old covenant was written on tablets of stone by the
finger of Yahweh. (Ex.31:18) They were clearly visible. The new covenant is
written in our minds and hearts by the Holy Spirit of Yahweh. (Jer.31:31-34; My
wife mentioned one time that the first two broken tablets could symbolize the
breaking of the covenant by the Israelites and the second pair that were
unbroken could symbolize the covenant of forgiveness and grace that has not been
broken. I thought this was a very deep observation.) These laws will be within
Yahweh’s people. We no longer need physical things to remind us to be
obedient. We respond to the urging of the Holy Spirit. Yahweh’s true followers
will be constantly meditating on and studying His word. We have the very mind of
Yahweh and Yahshua to help us. (Ro.8:26-27; 1 Cor.2:7-16) Notice verse 16. He
has also given us the love that we need to serve Him. (Ro.5:1-5) That is the
difference between the old and the new covenant.
Now back to who the new
covenant is made with. (Jer.31:31-34) Notice that the new covenant is to be made
with the house of Judah and the house of Israel. There is no mention of gentiles
here. (Some scriptures will be repeated here but read them again to fully
understand the subject) Yahshua was a Jew from the line of King David. He was
born to a Jewish maiden named Miriam (Mary). He lived in perfect obedience to
the Jewish (actually Yahweh’s) law. Most of churchianity believes that He did
away with that law as part of the new covenant. We have His own words to tell us
this is not true. (Mt. 5:17) He said, “Think not that I have come to destroy
the law or the prophets.” Yet this is exactly what the world’s religions
think and teach. He came to magnify the law as was prophesied by Isaiah (42:21).
Yahshua came to the
Jews with a new covenant, or the Abrahamic covenant of forgiveness, grace and
eternal life reaffirmed and sealed in His blood. The word “new “ in the
promise concerning the covenant to be made with Israel and Judah means; to
rebuild, repair or refresh. Where this scripture is repeated in the Greek
Heb.8:8 the word used means basically the same thing. This covenant of
forgiveness and grace was not a new thing made up by Yahweh at the time of
Yahshua. It was the same covenant that was made with Abraham who knew that it
would take the blood of Yahshua to finalize it. (John 8:56)
The main part of the
Jews did not accept Yahshua as the Messiah and the mediator of this New
Covenant. Did Yahweh then annul the covenant with Israel and make a different
one with the gentiles? Absolutely not! The promises and the covenant was first
made with Abraham the forefather of the Israelites. (Gal.3:15-16) Because he was
faithful, the covenant was ratified for all time to come, and to be administered
at the time appointed, by Abraham’s seed or descendant Yahshua. Paul tells us
that the Jews have not been rejected so as to be lost. (Ro.11:1)
Their
condition is temporary. They are and always will be Yahweh’s chosen people. We
will explore this further soon. Because of this unfaithfulness, salvation has
come to the gentiles. Not by a different covenant without the law but the very
same covenant incorporating all that it did at the time it was made with
Abraham, including the laws, statutes and commands which Abraham obeyed.
(Gen.26:5)
This temporary fall
does not mean that Yahweh has rejected His people totally. (Ro.11:1-5) Notice
that the day is coming when they will be fully included again. (Ro.11:12) Why
then this temporary exclusion of the main body of Israelites? This is so the
gentiles could be included. Does this mean that the assembly is suddenly a
gentile assembly? Has everything now changed? Not one thing has changed. Yahshua
is still the Messiah of Israel. The apostles are still Israelites. This being
the case, what then has happened?
GENTILES GRAFTED INTO ISRAEL
Paul explains what has
happened by using an olive tree as an example. (Ro.11:1-36) Yahweh is the root.
Yahshua is the trunk. Israel is the branches. Israel is Yahweh’s beloved
because of the faithfulness of their forefathers. Paul says the gifts and the
call of Elohim are irrevocable. (Verse 28-29) So the promise to Abraham and his
descendants concerning forgiveness, grace, and eternal inheritance(eternal life)
can not be changed.
The branches of the
olive tree are Israel. Some were broken off because of unfaithfulness.
These
branches have not been thrown away or burnt. (Verse 23) If they repent they will
be grafted in again. (Isa.59:20) They were broken off so that others could be
grafted in their place. This was prophesied to take place. (Isa. 49:6) The wild
branches grafted in are gentiles. Paul tells us that these branches do not
support the tree. They are supported by the trunk Yahshua who in turn is
supported by the root, Yahweh. The tree is Israel. They are grafted into Israel.
This grafting remains permanent only through obedience and faith. (Verse 20)
There is no room for boasting.
The gentiles must not
become proud (Verses 18-20) This is what has happened. They believe that Yahweh
has rejected His people in favour of them. They have discarded everything that
is Jewish even down to the Messiah’s true Hebrew name, Yahshua. (Which means
Yahweh is salvation) They have forgotten a very important fact. If they are
followers of the true Messiah, Yahshua, they are Jews. (R0.2:28-29) Being a Jew
is not a matter of nationality, it is a matter of the heart. (Ro.9:6-8)
It
is the seed of Abraham who is considered as Israel. It is those who accept and
live by the covenant made with Abraham and reaffirmed in Yahshua that is true
Israel.
Take special note of
this; Yahweh called Abraham (the father of the Israelites) to walk with Him and
a blessing would come to all of the
people of the earth through him. (Gen.12:1-3) Yahweh reaffirmed this call to the
Israelites (Abraham’s descendants) to be a special people to Him as a nation
of kings and priests. (Ex.19:6) Yahweh sent Yahshua, an Israelite, to His people
Israel as the Messiah to deal with sin and reaffirm the covenant and the call.
When He returns, He will be returning to Israel (Zech.14:4-9) to begin
Yahweh’s kingdom which will be headquartered in Israel’s capital, Jerusalem.
(Isa.9:6-7, 2:3)
There is something also
that I would like you to notice in the book of revelation that a very wise elder
once pointed out to me. It is concerning New Jerusalem and it shows that Yahweh
has not changed His mind about Israel. (Rev.21:9-14) Notice there are twelve
gates. Each gate has the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. One must
enter the city through one of these gates.
You
enter the New Jerusalem the city of Yahweh through Israel. There is no other
way. Notice also that the city has twelve foundations and on each the name of
the twelve apostles. These are also Israelites. The way to Yahweh is through
Israel. There is no other alternate route.
Make no mistake, our
Messiah was a Jew. The Jews have preserved the word of salvation sent from
Yahweh in the Holy Scriptures. Yahshua is returning to the homeland of Israel to
set up a world ruling government and kingdom in Jerusalem. In the very end
Yahweh the Father is coming with the New Jerusalem. (Rev.21:1-4) If we wish to
be a part of all of these beautiful things, we must be Abraham’s seed or
descendant, nationally or spiritually. Either way, we must be as our Saviour
was, an Israelite.
May Yahweh bless your studies. HalleluYah!