Saturday, July 22, 2017

Gifts of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 12
Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Y'shua be cursed,” and no one can say, “Y'shua is Lord,” except by the Ruach haKodesh. 
There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Elohim. There are different ways of working, but the same Elohim works all things in all men. 
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various languages, and to still another the interpretation of languages. 
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.
The body is a unit, though it is comprised of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Y'shua. For in one Spirit we were all immersed into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

The body does not consist of one part, but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
But in fact, MarYah has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts we consider less honorable, we treat with greater honor. And our (private) parts are treated with special modesty, whereas our presentable parts have no such need.

But Yah has composed the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Y'shua, and each of you is a member of it. And in the assemblies Yahweh has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? (NO) But (we still) eagerly desire the greater gifts.
Chapter 13
If I could speak every language of men and that of Messengers (angels), yet there be no love in me, I should be like a brass that resounds, or the cymbal that makes a noise. And if I had the gift of prophecy and I understood all the mysteries and every science; and if there should be in me all Faith so that I could move mountains yet love was not in me, I should be nothing.  And if I should give to the poverty stricken all I possess, and give my body that I may boast, and there is no love in me I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind; it is not envious; love does not shout loudly and is not boastful; Love does nothing that causes shame and seeks not her own; is not passionate; and thinks no evil; it does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the Truth; it bears all things, believes all things, hopes for all and endures all. Love will never cease but prophesying will end; and tongues will be stopped; and knowledge will disappear.

We know things, but partially and we prophesy, but partially. But when completeness (perfection) comes, that which is partial shall disappear.  When I was a child I talked, reasoned and thought as a child; but when a man- protector and responsible leader- I laid aside the things of childhood. And now we see, as by a mirror, in dark reflection; but then face to face; now I know partially but then will I know completely, just as I am known. For these three things are abiding: Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest is Love.

Follow after Love and be searching for the gifts of the Spirit.

Acts Chapters One and Two

In regards to whom was "speaking in tongues during Pentecost" I have learned from reading Scriptures that Acts Chapters 1 and 2 are two separate events: 
  • Chapter 1 relates to the 40th day after the resurrection of Yahshua and the remaining nine days until Shavuot
  • Chapter 2 relates to the 50th day, Shavuot (Pentecost) after the resurrection of  Yahshua and the events of that day

Y'shua and his followers did live according to Yah's Instructions (Torah) and would have observed the celebration of Shavuot per His Instructions:
Exodus 34:22- "Feast of Weeks" is one of the three set times Yahweh commanded His people to observe, coming from their homes to Jerusalem. This is the time of the counting of days (49 days = 7 weeks) from the barley harvest. Day 50 is Shavuot.
Exodus 34:23- He specifies that those three times a year only all the men gather in Jerusalem bringing the appropriate first fruit offerings from the wheat harvest to the priest at the temple.

Leviticus 23:15- gives more detail on procedures, pointing out that on day 50 was when the new grain offering was made.
Deuteronomy 16:9- offers a recap.
This clears up a misconception and shows that only the men gathered at the temple on this day- there were no women in or around the temple during Shavuot, in obedience to the Instructions of Yahweh.  Maryam, the mother of Y'shua, was not there and did not speak a foreign language.  She was, however, gathered with the Apostles and other women in an upper room, according to Acts Chapter 1 a few days before Shavuot.

Chapter 1 is the account of Y'shua giving his final instructions to his Apostles. He tells them not to leave Jerusalem, to wait there for the promise of the Father.  He lets them know that in a few days they would be immersed by the Ruach haKodesh, and when it does they would receive power and be witnesses for Y'shua in Jerusalem, and in all of Judah, also among the Samaritans and to the ends of the earth.  It was after these things he spoke of that they, the Apostles - the men from Galilee - watched him as he was taken up and concealed in a cloud. They were standing there, looking up, when 2 men (angels?) asked, "Galilean men, why are you standing and staring into heaven? This Y'shua who was taken up from you to heaven, likewise he will come just as you have seen him who ascended into heaven."

They, the 11 Apostles, return to Jerusalem and went up into an upper room where they were in steadfast prayer. There were also the women who were with Maryam the mother of Y'shua, and his brothers.  In those days (the 10 day span from when they saw Y'shua taken up and not yet Shavuot, the 50th day) about 120 men had gathered and Simon Peter stands up to speak. He realizes that Scriptures were fulfilled in regards to Judas and also Matthias is chosen as the 12th Apostle.  This ends Chapter 1 of Acts.
  • Matthew 13:55 (the brothers of Yahshua: James, Joseph, Simon and Jude)
Note: It makes sense that during this time that there would be a gathering of Set Apart believers seeking out the Apostles, as men were making the trip to Jerusalem from throughout the territories to bring offerings to the priest at the temple. They were hearing about the death and resurrection of Yahshua.
Chapter 2 Verse 1 begins with the fifty days of Shavuot fulfilled (it is now the 50th day), all were assembled as one in the Father's House = the temple in Jerusalem. A sound from heaven like a roaring wind was heard and the entire House was filled. And it appeared to them like tongues divided and fire sat upon everyone of them, the Apostles, who were then filled with the Ruach haKodesh and were compelled to speak in different languages - just as the Spirit had given them to speak.
This was the promised fulfilled, the one Yahshua had told the Apostles to wait for, written in Chapter 1.
How do we know at this time is was just the 12 Apostles that were being filled with the Set Apart Spirit from Yahweh?  Because those who were hearing them speak in different languages referred to them as Galileans.  (They were also referred to as Galileans in Chapt. 1.) Act 2 verse 7- "... these, all of them who are speaking, are Galileans." It was an astonishing event! Although there were those who were mocking them, and once again Simon Peter stands up to speak and gives testimony. (Verse 14 through 36). Some readily received his word and believed and were immersed - about 3,000 souls that day.  We do not read of anyone else speaking in tongues that day.

From that day onward they were all steadfast in their teaching of the Apostles and were in fellowship in prayer and breaking of bread.  Signs and mighty deeds were performed by the Apostles in Jerusalem.  And all those who had believed shared everything they owned with one another. Those who had a possession would sell it and divide evenly to each according to their needs. Every day they were steadfast in the temple as one soul.  While they received food and rejoiced in the simplicity of their hearts, they were praising Elohim and finding favor with the people. Everyday Master Yahshua would add to those who lived among the congregation.  That ends Acts Chapter 2.


What is Wormwood?

Here is a sampling of the Scripture verses that were mentioned in a print-out sent to me recently in regards to Planet X (aka Nibiru) claiming this planet is bible prophecy and headed towards earth. If we really want to understand Scriptures we can learn the context and definition of wormwood by reading more than one word or one sentence from a paragraph or two and then trying to force a prophetic revelation out of it.  The same thing happened with the Blood Moon interpretation not long ago - nobody is talking about it now.... what happened?

Reference is also made to events recorded in Revelation. I note that The Seven Shofar events are in numerical order, so when we see hail with fire mixed with water raining down, we know we are in for something much worse - which will happen before the star called Wormwood falls to earth.

Deuteronomy 29:15
You are well aware that we once dwelt in the land of Egypt and that we passed though the midst of various other nations (those 40 years); and you have seen the detestable things and the fetishes of wood and stone, silver and gold, that they keep. Perchance there are some of you now whose heart is turning away from Yahweh Elohim to go and worship the gods of those people - perchance there is among you a stock sprouting poison weed and wormwood.
Wormwood is an intoxicant and poisonous. Long and intensive use can lead to addiction, corporal and psychical decline and it can lead to nervousness, restlessness and cramps. High doses can cause headaches and dizziness. Higher doses are psycho-activating and have a paralyzing effect. Overdose results in unconsciousness, coma and death.
Proverbs 5:1
My son, listen to my wisdom; incline your ear to my insight, that you may have foresight,  while your lips hold fast to knowledge. For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, her mouth is smoother than oil; but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

Jeremiah 9:12
Because they forsook the Teaching I had set before them; they did not obey Me and they did not follow My Teaching, but followed their own willful heart and followed the Baalim, as their fathers had taught them. Assuredly (said Yahweh Elohim) I am going to feed that people wormwood and make them drink a bitter draft.  I will scatter them among nations which they and their fathers never knew and I will dispatch the sword after them until I have consumed them.

Jeremiah 23:15
(Yah is speaking concerning the prophets) I am going to make them eat wormwood and drink a bitter draft; for from the prophets of Jerusalem Lawlessness has gone forth to the whole land.  Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are deluding you, what they speak is from their own minds, not from the mouth of Yahweh.

Lamentations 3:13
He (Yahweh) has shot into my vitals the shafts of His quiver. I have become a laughingstock to all people, the butt of their gibes all day long. He has filled me with bitterness, sated me with wormwood.

Amos 5:7
Ah! You who turn justice into wormwood (bitterness, injustice) and hurl righteousness to the ground! Seek Yahweh Elohim, who make the Pleiades and Orion, who turns deep darkness into dawn and darkens the day into night, who summons the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the earth-- His Name is YHWH!  It is He who hurls destruction upon strongholds so that ruin comes upon fortresses.

Revelation Chapter 8
The Seventh Seal has been opened and there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. The Seven Messengers (angels) are given each a shofar (trumpet)... The first one sounded: Hail and fire mixed with water were thrown upon the earth - a third part of the earth was burned, a third part of trees and all green grass was burned.  The 2nd one sounded: what looked as if it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea causing a third part of the sea to become blood; a third of all the creatures in the sea died and a third of all ships were destroyed (tsunami?). The 3rd one sounded: there fell from heaven a star burning like a lamp which fell upon a third part of all (fresh water sources).  This star was called "Wormwood" and a third part of the waters became bitter, poisoned and many persons died from the waters.  (Note: It, this star called 'wormwood', doesn't destroy the whole earth - it just affects a third part of fresh water sources, drinking water).... The 4th one sounded: A third of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon and stars became dark and so the daylight is a third less bright as well as the night.  The 5th one sounded: A star fell from heaven to earth and he was given the key to the abyss, which he opened and now the demon locust with scorpion stingers are loosed to torment those who do not have the seal of Elohim upon their foreheads - for 5 months this goes on! More happens and then the 6th one sounds: the four Messengers bound at the Euphrates are set free and they gather up the 200 million man army to go out and slay a third part of humanity. Much, much more happens, then the 7th one sounds and that is when the kingdom of the world becomes the Kingdom of Y'shua....
Regular use of wormwood can become addicting. The plant contains glycoside, known to be poisonous, and the volatile oil is a central nervous system depressant. Longer-term use (over four weeks) or intake of amounts higher than those recommended can cause nausea, vomiting, insomnia, restlessness, vertigo, tremors, and seizures. Overuse of wormwood can initiate nervousness, stupor, convulsions, and death. (Many drugs and poisons derived from plants are glycosides.)
The star is called Wormwood because it has the same properties as the plant called wormwood.  Not only does it cause bitterness but also causes death, in the long run, to those who drink the waters. 

Now, the trumpets won’t begin their series until after the last seal is opened.  In my studies I relate the opening of the seals with the signs Y’shua says will happen before the end will come.

The Seals of Revelation 6 relate to what Messiah has told his disciples as to the 'signs' of his return and the end of the world. It seems that the 'beginning of sorrows' is the opening of Seals 1 through 4 and these events seem pretty apparent in our day.  Seal 5 represents the 'persecution' of believers, those who are hated because of faith in Y'shua and YHWH. This is nothing new, but with the rise of Islam and increasing unrest in the Mideast, we hear/see reports of hatred towards believers in YHWH more often, to the point of killing/beheading 'Christians' -- it seem as if Seal #5 is broken and in the stages of opening.  Seals 6 and 7 are yet to be broken.

Seal #1
White horse being ridden by one who goes out to conquer (Wars and rumors of war)
Seal #2
Rider of the red horse carrying a great sword, takes peace from the earth causing people kill one another
(Nations and kingdoms will rise up against each other, fight each other.)
Seal #3
The rider of the black horse carries a balance, the price of food goes up and the oil wine (luxury items) are protected.
(There will be famine, food shortages,)
Seal #4
Pale horse whose rider is Death and is followed by the grave.  He has authority over a quarter of the world's population to kill by wars, famine, death and wild beasts.
(plagues, diseases and earthquakes in various places.)
Seal #5
Under the altar are seen the souls of them who were slain on account of the Word of Elohim and on account of the testimony to the Lamb which was with them.  They cry out asking YHWH how much longer will it take before He judges and avenges their blood.  He tells them to be quiet yet a little while until the consummation of their fellow servants and Brothers who were to be killed as they had been.
Seal #6
The opening of this seal causes a great earthquake and the sun became black like sackcloth and the whole moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell on the earth as a fig tree casts its unripe figs.  The heavens separate as a scroll is rolled up and all mountains and islands were moved out of their places. All the kings, nobles and captains, rich men, men of valor and every servant and free man hide for they know the day of their wrath is come and who is able to stand?

It is still during this 6th Seal time frame that the four angels/Messengers held the four winds and another Messenger had the seal of Elohim to seal the servant of Elohim upon their foreheads - 144,000 = 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel = the first fruits of the harvest of the earth. 

There are a lot of preparations made before Seal 7 is opened, which triggers the 7 Shofars Event.

Seal #7
When this seal is opened there will be silence in heaven for about a half hour... the 7 Messengers will each be given a shofar. Fire from the altar will be cast upon the earth which causes thunders, flashes of lightning and voices and an earthquake.  The 7 Messengers prepare to sound their shofars.


Since the wormwood star doesn’t fall until the 3rd trumpet is sounded, can you understand how much prophecy needs to be fulfilled prior to it? Set Apart Believers will still be on this earth during the sounding of the seven shofars. Yes, we go through 3-1/2 years of Satan's insanity but we are gathered up with Y'shua at that 7th Shofar!  

Now that we have Yahweh’s word on it (and that is where I always like to start), let’s take a look at the origins of Project Wormwood.

Project Wormwood originated as part of:
     Space Weather Services (SWS) (formerly IPS) a member of the ICSU World Data System. The World Data Centre (WDC) for Space Weather is a part of and operated by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Space Weather Services. The centre operates in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 
This is from their website: 
Planetary Defense is defined as that activity concerned with protecting the Earth and its inhabitants from destruction due to impact by a large piece of space debris such as an asteroid or a comet.The term "Planetary Defense" is believed to have first been used by Major Lindley N Johnson (1993-1994) in a paper to explore required future space capabilities for the US Air Force.  However, the term received its wide use and promotion by Colonel Simon Worden when he was commander of the US Air Force Space Command 50th Space Wing. The term indicates the realization that we are under bombardment from outer space. Not from an alien aggressor, but from a sporadic bombardment by naturally occurring objects in the solar system: asteroids and comets - fragmentary space debris - which occasionally are perturbed onto a collision course with Earth.  The term furthermore, recognizes that our technology has now advanced to the point where not only can we search for and track such objects, but where we may also be in a position to deflect them from their intended path, and thus avert a disaster or catastrophe.
In the sense of a program, planetary defense then has three phases: 
1. Recognition of the threat or hazard of cosmic impact
2. Surveillance for detection of specific threats
3. Deflection or interception of the threat 
The majority of Project Wormwood activities will be follow-up astrometry (measurements) that are required to obtain precise orbits for asteroids that have previously been discovered by other programs. (end quote)
     I’m not denying that there are things out in space that we most likely are unaware of but what sticks in my craw is when folks try to attach prophecy and other Scripture quotes (using only a common word or two without taking that paragraph into consideration) to these astronomical events. The Four Blood Moons hoopla is a perfect example. I researched that as well and proved the prophecy was for the end times. Folks took a verse from the book of Joel and got all excited about it. They are doing the same thing with the word ‘wormwood’.

There have been underground military bases since at least WWII. Most of N. Korea’s bases are underground. We’ve got Cheyenne Mountain plus whatever is underneath the Denver airport terminal, Area 51 … the list goes on. We know that the logistics of FEMA include stockpiling food, water, emergency shelters, bedding, etc… There is an extremely dirty underbelly of the governments of this world, but they will receive judgment when the day comes. We need to concern ourselves with our Faith and trust in our Creator to keep us on the straight and narrow!

Y’shua told us all these things must happen, not to worry, it’s not the end yet.