Harmonius Cycle

I have begun to see a harmonious cycle formed by our Faith in the One who created us as we abide by His plan to save us from death and adversity. He had to do all of this because Satan became a thorn in His Side which will eventually be removed. And Doubt is a thorn Satan tries to stick into our thoughts continually.

As you know, Satan caused Eve to Doubt the Instructions of Yahweh way back when, and paradise was placed just out of reach. If we want to get back to the Garden we must choose Life and all the rules and regulations that go with it according to the Creator who had it all recorded in His Owner's Manual = Scriptures.

He has told us the end from the very beginning.

 

 

 

Suicide - the Murder of Oneself

As we continue on His Path we gain understanding and learn how to apply His Instructions to modern day affairs. Many questions arise over time in regards to various topics concerning daily life.  One of the commandments from His Book of Instructions in particular is not to commit murder which has raised the question: "What about suicide?"  How does this affect one's salvation, or was one truly saved at all if they entertain the idea of ending their own life?  Please read my study Always Saved and also take this into consideration as we read Jude 1:5 - Let me remind you that Elohim, after once rescuing the people from Egypt, again destroyed them who did not believe.  Every one who left Egypt that day did so because of 'the blood of the lamb' which saved them from death yet not everyone kept the faith and some stopped believing in Yahweh.

James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who endures temptations so that when he is proved he may receive a crown of life which Elohim has promised to them that love Him. 

Is it temptation that leads one to murder oneself? We are told to resist temptation so that the devil will flee from us. Giving in to suicide is giving in to temptation and in doing so we give up that crown of life. Remember how horrible life became for Job who once was living so comfortably yet never gave up and never blamed Yah for his miseries. By staying committed - faithful - and steadfast Job was rewarded with more than he had before.  So shall it be for us as we endure 'life' and whatever comes our way.  If we stand strong in our faith and remain committed to our Creator and abide by the terms of His contract we shall be rewarded with much more than what we once had.

Revelation 2:10 - Be not terrified at any of the things you are to suffer. The Accuser/Satan will throw some of you into custody (prison) that you may be tried and there will be trouble for you ten days (tortured). Be faithful (right up until the day they kill you) and I will give you the crown of life.  

If we keep our faith in YHWH then death loses its sting; we will not even think about killing ourselves regardless of the state we find ourselves in.  If we are not full of the Word of our heavenly Father then Satan will find ways to fill those empty places allowing demons to do his dirty work.

Scriptures is full of stories that involve killings, murders, accidental deaths, wars etc.... although only a few people are noted as suicides, depending on which version of Scriptures you read from. And in reading Scriptures we find these weren't all suicides. Lets take a look:

Saul

1 Samuel 15:35 = YHWH regretted making Saul king over Israel.

1 Samuel 28:6 = Yah stopped talking with Saul and Saul goes as far to break his own law and inquires of 'spirits' by visiting the witch of En-dor.

1 Samuel 31:4 = Saul has been severely wounded in battle and tells his arms-bearer to draw his sword and run him through so that the 'uncircumcised' Philistines wouldn't have the chance to finish him off and make sport of him.  His arms-bearer, in his great awe, refused so Saul grasped the sword and fell upon it.  When his arms-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him.

The next day the Philistines came to strip  the slain and they found Saul and his three sons lying on Mount Gilboa. They cut off his head and stripped him of his armor and sent them throughout the land of the Philistines to spread the news in the temples of their idols and among the peoples. They placed his armor in the temple of Ashtaroth and impaled his (head) on the wall of Beth-shan.*

The Amalekite  (Note: this young man's account is a bit different than what is recorded in 1 Samuel 31:4).

2 Samuel 1:1-16 = After the death of Saul, David was in Ziklag when a man, an Amalekite, came from Saul's camp and told David what had happened. He was at Mount Gilboa and saw Saul leaning on his spear. Saul called to him and told him to finish him off, and he did.  He took Saul's crown and armlet to bring back to David.  Later in the evening David says to the Amalekite, "How did you dare lift your hand and kill Yah's anointed?" and he ordered one of his attendants to strike him, which he did, and the Amalekite died. 

I noticed that the Amalekite said he knew Saul would never rise from where he was lying, so maybe he used that as an excuse to 'say' that he finish him off even though Saul was already dead. Because his story is different than what is first recorded in 1 Samuel 31:4 I can imagine this young man watching the battle from afar.  He saw Saul become severely wounded, kill himself and saw his arms-bearer commit suicide soon after.  He saw an opportunity and maybe thought he could win favor with David and save himself from the Philistines so he grabbed Saul's identification (crown and armlet) and headed to Ziklag where David had been hiding out from Saul, and told his version of story. Either way he ended up being killed because of it.

*1 Chronicles 10:8 ~ The next day the Philistines came to strip the slain and they found Saul and his sons lying on Mount Gilboa.  They stripped Saul and carried off his head and his armor and sent them throughout the land of the Philistines to spread the news to their idols and among the people. They placed his armor in the temple of their god (Ashtaroth) and impaled his head in the temple of Dagon (at Beth-shan).

Ahithophel

In 2 Samuel 15:31 David was told that Ahithophel was among the conspirators with Absalom.

In 2 Samuel 16:22-23 Ahithophel had advised Absalom to have sex with his father's concubines in full knowledge of all Israel.  In those days Ahithophel's advice was accepted like an oracle sought from YHWH, and Absalom did have intercourse with David's concubines on the roof of the palace. (This also fulfilled one of the things Yah said he would cause to happen).  And we read in 2 Samuel 17:23 that Absalom got a second opinion this time and does not take Ahithophel's advice.  When Ahithophel saw his advice had not been followed he packed up and went to his native town, settled his affairs and then hanged himself.

Abimelech
Judges 9:24

He did not kill himself but his pride and arrogance held true to his end.  During an attack on the tower in Thebez a woman dropped an upper millstone which fell and cracked Abimelech's skull.  He didn't want the world to know he was killed by a woman so he cried out to his attendant to finish him off with his dagger, and he did.  Abimelech knew he was dying and asked his attendant to finish the job.  

Samson 
Judges 16:25

I don't read his story ending as a suicide as I don't think Samson planned to kill himself.  He had been in captivity long enough for his hair to grow out and he was regaining strength. The event that brought him out of the dungeons to be made fun of gave him the opportunity to seek the revenge he so desired. The collapse of the building did kill him, but this wasn't a planned suicide.  He was consumed with revenge and didn't care if he died along with them or not.

Zimri
1 Kings 16:18

When Zimri saw that the town of Tizrah was taken, he went into the citadel of the royal palace and set it afire.  He remained inside and the place burnt down upon him.  And so he died because of the sins which he committed and caused Israel to commit, doing what was displeasing to Yah and following the way of Jeroboam.

Judas Iscariot 
Matthew 27:3-5

He regretted betraying Y'shua but wasn't able to handle his remorse.  He did confess that he had shed innocent blood but the same religious leaders who paid him to betray Messiah turned him away, and in his despair he hung himself. 

2 Peter 2:20 - For if, when they have escaped the pollutions of the world by the knowledge of our Master and Redeemer Y'shua (aka saved), they again become involved in the same (old ways) and are vanquished, their latter state is worse then the former. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after having known it, to turn back from the Set Apart Commandment that was delivered to them.

Having read the examples found in Scriptures I see that these are some of the thoughts and feelings one may have prior to killing themselves (and the reasons affecting people today):
Deep regret, lasting guilt, feeling defeated, wanting the easy-way out, one's perceived self-importance becomes shattered, emptiness, loneliness, repeated failures, alcohol and drug use, lack of faith and doubting Yah as the Creator.

If we allow any one of these mental states to creep in and linger in our thoughts they could eventually tempt one to end their life. If life is a gift from YHWH how could we think it's alright and without consequence if we take our own lives.

It seems that we have a moral obligation to live
and to promote life in others,
as in 'do unto others as you would have them to do unto you'.

Luke 6:31 ~ 

And as you desire how others should treat you, 

you also do likewise to them. 

┋━┋━┋

I agree, in part, with what I read in Answers in Genesis.  Yahweh wants all people to love, obey and hold fast to Him and thereby find life.

“They cry out and He hears and saves them from all their troubles. He is close to the brokenhearted; those crushed in spirit He delivers. Though the misfortunes of the righteous be many, He will save him from them all" (Psalm 34:18-20).  

BUT in order for our Creator to do these things we must take the first step and come into covenant with Him.  In obedience to His Instructions we gain life which is eternal. Choosing death is rebellion against Yahweh. 

Yahweh saw His work of creating Life on this earth as good. Death came into the world as a result of Adam and Eve's disobedience when they both ate from the tree of knowledge of good and bad (Genesis 2:16-17).  And by that act of disobedience sin entered the world and by means of sin death entered (Romans 5:12).  The wages of sin is death; but the gift of Elohim is life eternal through our Master Y'shua the Anointed One (Romans 6:23). 

Deuteronomy 6:24 ~ We are to observe all the laws, to revere YHWH our Elohim, for our lasting good and for our Survival, as is now the case. It will be therefore to our merit before YHWH to observe faithfully this Whole Instruction (found in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) as He has commanded us. 

As far as my research has gone, so far, I have not found one faithful steadfast Set Apart believer in Yahweh who has committed suicide, which is the illegal or immoral taking of one's own life aka: murder. My husband mentioned Judas, but even Judas was not filled with the Spirit of YHWH at that time. We read that murder is sin. Sin is rebelling against our Creator by not living according to His Instructions. If we are rebellious children we shall not inherit the promised land. From what I have read in Scriptures it seems to me that to commit suicide is an rebellious act defying YHWH's gift of life which makes us part of His Creation.

To wrap up this study I think the introduction into the book of Job is appropriate.

Yahweh said to Satan, 
"Have you noticed My servant Job? There is no one like him on earth, a blameless and upright man who fears Me and shuns evil!"

Satan voices his opinion on the subject, and then challenges Yahweh: 

"But lay Your hand upon all that he has and he will surely blaspheme You to Your face." 

Yah takes Satan up on this challenge and allows him do what he will to test Job, but forbids that he lay a hand on him and not to kill him.

Every bad thing that follows is from Satan. Satan is told by Yahweh not to kill Job and as we read, Job did not end up killing himself. No matter how bad things seems in your life it will be worse if you decided to end it all instead of enduring those temptations = lures that Satan uses against our Creator by trying to corrupt His children. Our fear and awesome respect for Yahweh helps us to shun evil and carry on. Be in His Word daily; resist temptation and the devil will flee from you. Do not trade your inheritance for the lies of Satan.

As a side note:
I feel this study isn't 100% complete because of the variables one could come up with, but I am 100% certain that committing suicide goes against our Creator's set of Instructions and affects one's state of perceived salvation.  (I will do a spin-off study later on in regards to one's station in the Kingdom to Come as we read some will be greater and some lesser, which may or may not tie in with this current study). If we are without God it is easy to go the way of the world: abortion, assisted suicide, drugs and alcohol, life support systems, false religions, icons and idolatry etc.....  These are things He warned His people about way back when and there is nothing new in today's world.
 

That Old Dragon

I think it is safe to say that in this day and age most people associate the term/name "Satan" with the Devil, the serpent that showed up in the Garden who has played a role throughout Scriptures and is known as our Adversary, that old Dragon.  We also know that if we resist temptation the devil will flee from us.

Genesis 3

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild beasts that YHWH made. The serpent speaks to Eve asking, "Did God really say you shall not eat of any tree of the garden?"  With that he causes her to doubt the Word of the Creator.  The serpent reassures her that she won't die if she eats of the tree in the middle of the Garden but that her eyes will be opened and she will be like the 'divine beings' who know good and bad. He tempted her and she took the bait.  Later, when Yah approaches and asks, "What is this that you have done!" she blames the serpent.  Yah curses the serpent, separating it from all the wild beasts and cattle. "On your belly you shawl crawl" seems to indicate it walked either upright or on all fours, but no more. And now there is enmity between it and the woman and their offspring; hers shall strike at its head and its shall strike at their heel. (A deadly head wound comes to mind). Adam and Eve were banned from the Garden where they had been cared for by YHWH and now had to work to provide for themselves.

Definition of enmity:

: positive, active, and typically mutual hatred or ill will

This everlasting hatred is between Jacob and Esau and their descendants. Our Creator blessed both sons of Abraham, but He only kept His Covenant through Jacob.

In these writings no one is designated as 'Satan' and it isn't until Genesis 6 that we read about the divine beings who had sex with human women who bore those genetic half breeds; and eventually man's wickedness and his continuous evil ways cause our Creator to become so saddened that He regrets that He had made man. 

Was Satan the boss of those divine beings? We're they part of his plan against YHWH and that perpetual mutual hatred between the children of Cain and the children of Elohim? What about that bright shining morning star that some translations read as 'Lucifer' ... was this referring to the King of Babylon or to the fallen state of Satan?

I found this very interesting, the definition of 'Satan' found in the Merriam Webster Dictionary:

• the angel who in Jewish belief is commanded by God to tempt humans to sin, to accuse the sinners, and to carry out God's punishment
• the rebellious angel who in Christian belief is the adversary of God and lord of evil

Commanded by God? I always thought Satan was acting of his own accord, out of pride and arrogance, defying YHWH Elohim.  Rebellious and disobedient to the Creator; lawless, and able to tempt mere humans to sin.

Who we have come to know as Satan was either appearing as a serpent, possessing the serpent, or deceiving Adam and Eve into believing that it was the serpent who was talking to them. This much we can discern by reading Revelation 12:8 ~ But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels. And the great dragon was hurled down — the ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Second Thessalonians 2:9

For the coming of that Evil One is the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all the deceptiveness of iniquity in them that perish; because they did not receive the love of the truth by which they might have life. Therefore Elohim will send upon them the strength of a deception that they may believe a lie and that they all may be condemned who do not believe the truth but have pleasure in their inequity.

Inequity defined:

Injustice = Wrong

Unfairness = Marked by deception

Deceptiveness of inequity = it's all wrong, lies accepted in place of the Truth.  Once we win the battle against being brainwashed all these years, it is amazing how His Truth stands out so obvious against the darkness Satan's wields.

Second Corinthians 2:10

And whom you forgive, I also forgive for that which I forgave to any one for your sakes I forgave it in the presence of the Messiah; or else Satan should overtake us, for we know his devices.

Second Corinthians 11:13

For they are false apostles, crafty workers, and pretend apostles of Y'shua, and in this there is nothing strange, for if Satan pretends to be a Messenger of light it makes sense that his ministers also pretend to be ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

First Peter 5:6

Humble yourselves under the powerful hand of Elohim for He cares for you. Be sober and guarded because Satan, like a lion, roars and goes about and seeks whom he may devour. Therefore resist him, being steadfast in the Faith and know that the same sufferings befall your Brothers that are in the world.

Through our own personal battles with temptations, and in our times of joy, we do have Revelation 20:1 to look forward to: And I saw a Messenger that descended from heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he seized that dragon, the old serpent, who is the Deceiver and Satan, who seduced the whole habitable world, and he bound him a thousand years.

Satan has been referred to as the dragon, a serpent, a deceiver, the father of lies and the adversary.  It is believed he was once Yah's most favorite of the host of heaven who chose to leave his station out of pride and arrogance wanting to be 'god' himself, no longer satisfied to be part of creation. It has been his mission ever since to keep mankind from knowing the one true Living Elohim.

Recognizing Demons in Today's World

Most of the following is gleaned from a web site I came across while researching 'demons'. Much of it does make sense in light of Scriptures as we know demons are written of more than once throughout Scriptures. This study is to help us better understand our enemy so as not to be destroyed for lack of knowledge; nor shall we fall for the strong delusion coming our way. I provided Chapter and Verse references taken from my copy of the Tanakh and the Aramaic English New Testament. Please read from your own copy of Scriptures as you further your studies.

We learn from reading Ephesians 2 that before we knew right from wrong we were unaware of our sins and offenses.  We behaved according to the the worldliness of this world (religions, customs and materialism...) and lived according to the will of the prince and power of the air, that spirit which is active in those who are rebellious and disobedient (shunning the Creator).  We gave into temptations and desires of the flesh and our thoughts... we were just like the rest of the people we hung out with. 

Satan is "the prince of the power of the air". 

John 12:31 tells us when Judgment Day comes, the ruler of this world will be cast outside. It is reasonable to think that he and his demons have some control over the elements of nature such as wind, rain, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Remember that it was Satan who directed a "great wind" to collapse the home of Job's oldest son, resulting in the deaths of all Job's children:

Job 1:19  ... suddenly a mighty wind came from the wilderness. It struck the four corners of the house so that it collapsed upon the young people and they died..." 

Another thing I'd like to point out is the fact that governments of this world use weather as a weapon by means of control through the HAARP program, chemical spraying of the atmosphere, pinging and things we've yet to hear about which are all behaviors connected to demonic influence.

It is not logical to blame every illness on demonic activity nor is it biblical. Many of our illnesses are the result of poor lifestyle choices: too much fast food; lack of physical exercise; addictions to things such as alcohol, nicotine, drugs, TV, social media; hanging onto guilt and not forgiving others; holding onto a grudge and blaming ourselves for things not our fault. Though not all illnesses are caused by Satan and his demons, some of them are. Reading in Mark we see there is a difference between sicknesses that were caused by demons and those that were not.

Mark 1:32 ~ And in the evening at the setting of the sun, they brought to him all those who were severely diseased and possessed ....he healed many who were severely diseased with diverse weaknesses  ....he cast out many demons, and he did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew him.

It seems Mark is making a difference between people who are sick with some sort of disease and those who are possessed. Folks can become physically ill from a weakened immune system and maybe if one is spiritually weak they can become home to a demon.

Just like physical illness, some mental disorders are caused by other factors while some are demonically influenced.  Again I would like to suggest it relates to how spiritually weak a person is. I think it is a mistake to say that all mental illness is directly linked to demons. 

Our thoughts and emotions are directly traceable to a series of electrical and chemical impulses in the brain. When the brain does not function properly, drug therapy can help restore the natural balances. However, our thoughts and emotions are more than a series of electrical and chemical impulses. There's an immeasurable, though very real, spiritual component that influences our thoughts and emotions. Positively, this spiritual component can protect us from anxiety and its attendant consequences:

Philippians 4:4 ~ Rejoice in יהוה always, again I say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Master is near. Do not worry at all, but in every matter, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to Elohim; and the peace of Elohim, which surpasses all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Messiah יהושע. For the rest, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is righteous, whatever is clean, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any uprightness and if there is any praise – think on these.

If a positive spiritual exercise like prayer can influence our thought processes by removing anxiety, then it is reasonable to conclude there are also negative spiritual influences that can seize control of our minds and emotions. While not all mental disorders are caused by external spiritual forces such as demons, some of them are.

Consider the man in Luke 8 who was controlled by numerous demons. A refusal to put on clothes, withdrawal from others, strange voices emanating from his mouth, and deep depression were symptoms that today would immediately land him in a mental hospital. Yet as soon as the demons left him, notice the immediate and radical change in his mental state and behavior: "The people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Y'shua, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Y'shua, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened. Those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well" (Luke 8:35-36).

The restoration of this man's mental health did not require years of psychotherapy or drug treatment, because his root problem was not primarily physical or emotional, but spiritual. Please understand that I'm not condemning psychotherapy or chemical treatment. What I am suggesting is that sometimes there is also a spiritual component to mental disorders we should not ignore.

Demons can use other people to discourage, distract, and deceive us. In extreme instances, demons have the ability to use human agents to persecute and murder other Believers. John attributes the slaughter of Elohim's people during the coming Tribulation to demonic activity (see Revelation 18:2,24). We are aware of similar persecution throughout history and in many areas of the world today.

While no true Set Apart believer can be possessed by a demon, we can be influenced by demons - it is an ever present, although spiritual, war. Any area of our lives that is not controlled by the Ruach haKodesh is vulnerable to being controlled by Satan and his forces. You may remember from physics that nature abhors a vacuum. The same truth applies to the spiritual realm. Some spiritual force is going to fill or control your life. Any area of your existence — finances, marriage, work, and morality — that is not being directed by the His Spirit is vulnerable to being controlled by demonic influences.

The key to resisting demonic influences in our lives is to make sure that every area of our lives is filled or controlled by Yahweh Elohim.  Put Him first in all things.

(Adapted from The Divine Defense by Robert Jeffress, Waterbrook Press, 2006)

The Reality of Demons

Ephesians 4:26 ~

Be angry, but do not sin. Do not let the sun go down upon your wrath and give no place to the Accuser...

Anger is one example, but is it the only thing that could allow a demon entry? Anger (or wrath) is mentioned as a “work of the flesh”, and it seems likely that any work of the flesh, in which sin takes place, or is held on to over time, may also give room to a demon.

Galatians 5:19 ~ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, impurity and lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, jealousy, anger, stubbornness, treacheries, heresies, envy, murder, drunkenness, revelry, and all such things. Those who do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of Elohim.

If a person is sinning, whether in anger, or by adultery or idolatry or by holding onto and keeping emotional things inside like anger, bitterness, hatred etc... this is what opens a door up for demons to gain entry, get a room, and oppress someone.

A person under demonic oppression has the authority, in the name of Y'shua the Anointed One, by the power of Yah through the His Set Apart Spirit, to command a demon to get out and stay out, and refuse to let it influence them any longer. It is their choice to kick the demon out, and to repent of whatever sinful work of the flesh opened the door to let the demon get in their house in the first place. Always fill that space the demon left with the Word of Elohim, the Truth of His Spirit and the testimony of His Son so as not to allow reentry of any unclean spirit. And if at all possible, have 2 or 3 fellow believers with you as reinforcements and reassurance.

Our most prominent weapon is the Word of YHWH, which is the sword of the Spirit, and we learn to use it by reading Scriptures. Often the battle with demonic oppression is in the mind, and the best weapon to use against excuses and false reasoning which hold onto sin, is with the Word of Elohim. And we have the authority Y'shua gave believers in him to cast out demons, if we allow the Spirit to do it's job.

First John 4

Do not believe all spirits but discriminate among the spirits whether they are of Elohim; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this the Spirit of Elohim is known: every spirit that confesses that Y'shua the Mashiyach has come in the flesh is of Elohim. Every spirit that does not confess that Y'shua the Mashiyach has come in the flesh is not of Elohim but he is of the false messiah of whom you have heard that he comes and now is already in the world. But you children are of Elohim and you have overcome them because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.

If we are truly Set Apart believers we will be able to discern false prophets by their teachings, what they confess to be 'true', by taking it back to the Word of Elohim and allowing His Ruach haKodesh to reveal the truth. We allow His Spirit to reveal the intentions of those spirits. 

They who are of the world speak worldly things and the world hears them. We who are of Elohim and know Him recognize one another by His Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. By the Ruach haKodesh we recognize the spirit of error: false prophets.

First Timothy 4

But the Spirit says explicitly that, in the latter times, some will depart from the faith and will go after deceptive spirits and after the doctrine of demons. These will seduce by a false appearance and will speak a lie and will be seared in the conscience and will forbid to marry and will require abstinence from meats which Yah has created for use and for thankfulness by them who believe and known the truth. 

Second Corinthians 2:10 ~ And whom you forgive, I also forgive; for that which I forgave to anyone, for your sakes I forgave it in the presence of the Mashiyach; or else Satan should overtake us; for we know his devices.

Second Corinthians 4:4

There are those whose minds have been blinded by the god of this world in order that they will not believe, for if they did believe, the light of the flame of the glory of Y'shua who is in likeness of YHWH, should dawn upon them.

James 2:19 ~ You believe that there is one Elohim; you do well; the demons also believe and tremble.

Who is presently the 'god of this world'? 

Satan.

Ephesians 2

You who were dead in your sins and in your offenses in which you once walk, according to the worldliness of this world and according to the will of the prince and power of the air (Satan), that spirit which is active in the children of disobedience: in which deeds we formerly spoke of in the cravings of our flesh and we found pleasure of our flesh and mind, and we were altogether the children of wrath like the rest of them. But Elohim who is rich in His mercies because of the great love with which He loved us when we were dead in our sins, gave us life with the Mashiyach and rescued us by His grace; and revived us with him and seated us with him in heaven, in Y'shua the Anointed One; that He might show to the coming ages the magnitude of the riches of His grace and His goodness towards us in Y'shua. For it is by His grace we are rescued, through faith; and this is not by our own doings, but it is the gift of Elohim.

Worldliness is sin. Following the world's religions, customs and materialistic values is making void the Instructions from YHWH, making one dead in their sins.

"Be sober and watchful, because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). So we should guard against temptation and opening doors that would give the devil legal access to influence our lives. For many of us, this means there are certain places we should not go. And obviously we should not participate in occult rituals. But greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world (1 John 4:4).  There is a difference between vigilance and paranoia. Vigilance in spiritual warfare is rooted in confidence in our Creator and His Word and the authority we have in Him. Paranoia is rooted in fear. Vigilance is offensive; paranoia is defensive." (end quote)

If you allow yourself to become paranoid about demons, you'll constantly be looking for them. Y'shua didn't worry about demons, and the disciples weren't living in that kind of fear. The apostle Paul allowed a demon-possessed girl to follow him around for several days before finally casting the demon out of her. And when he did cast it out, he took only an instant to do so.

Acts 16:16 ~ On one occasion, as we went to the place of prayer, a servant girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, shouting, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.' She did this for many days. But becoming greatly troubled, Paul turned to the spirit and said, 'I command you in the name of Y'shua haMashiyach to come out of her.' And it came out at that moment.

After reading all of this, you may begin to wonder about the movies and shows you've watched, books you've read etc.... about demon possession and exorcism and how horrified and fearful they taught us to be. They taught us only a priest, if not only a Catholic priest, had the power to save us. As we have come to learn, Hollywood is not set apart to Elohim and their tools of persuasion have been used against us for many, many years. Fear is the biggest factor used to keep us unbalanced. Ignorance of what is written in Scriptures is a weapon used against us. Doubting the Word of YHWH gives Satan the same opportunity that he used against Adam and Eve who were kicked out of the Garden because of it, and keeps us unstable.

By no means are my intentions aimed to belittle demonic encounters for anyone. This is serious business. I myself have experienced the presence of an entity, in my younger years, long ago. Once you start playing around with new age mysticism and various occult practices you open a door for demonic activity in your life, which can affect those sharing your living space. I had been enchanted by new age mysticism in the 70's and 80's. I was able to have 'out of body' experiences; I could hold an object and tell you how it related to it's past; I could influence people with my strong concentration on the desired outcome. Thankfully one OOBE scared me so badly I never attempted them again. Unknowingly I was a plaything of Satan. I had no idea YHWH was fighting for me then, and I never fully realized it until many years later.

Folks who 'channel' are being duped by an unclean spirit, demonic in nature. These spirits are left overs from the Flood as we were told the Nephilim existed then and after the event. The Flood destroyed the flesh but the ungodly spirits survived. There have always been those who innocently enough experiment with this realm (channeling; automatic writing; remote viewing; esp;) and there are those who, after experiencing this 'power' intentionally enter the realm and will become deeper in debt to Satan. Most folks have been led to believe the one they channel is a spiritual leader, a higher up, an alien full of worldly knowledge coming back to save us from ourselves.  YHWH has already made provisions for our salvation through His Son, Y'shua.  If you don't believe that, then nothing else matters.

Demons are real. They are the left over unclean spirits from the soul-less Nephilim whose flesh was destroyed at the time of the Flood. They began to manifest again during the time of Nimrod. They appear in any form which influences the desired outcome. These forms can range from the likeness of people known to be dead (ghosts, familiar spirits), to the popular images of extraterrestrials (grays, reptilian, Annunaki, beings of light etc...)  In Revelation 16 three of them look like frogs. Demons can influence people. Their 'king' is Abaddon, the angel of the abyss.  We shall have nothing to do with these unclean spirits; we shall not speak to them so as not to invite them in ("What do you want from me!? -- don't ever say that). If by some other behavior they enter our personal space, get right on it and by the authority and power given by Y'shua the Anointed One, command said demon to leave, go back to where it came from and never return. Fill the place it just vacated with Scriptures and prayers to YHWH the Most High.  Give Him thanks and ask for Forgiveness and Protection. Ask Him to shine His Light brighter on the straight path that leads to the narrow gate so you may see all stumbling blocks, snares and rabbit trails Satan has cast in our way hoping to snag as many as possible. Stand strong in the Faith and fight the good fight!

Know Your Enemy

Yah's Instructions include governance over various aspects of community life and health care, and teach us to recognize what is good and what is evil. Now, this would not be necessary if all was still good- but Satan changed that back in the days of the Garden. Yahweh saw everything was good- Satan made Eve believe it could be better. Even Adam fell for it. Satan played with Eve's imagination. Adam and Eve's 'needs' were totally provided for by the Creator, but Satan, wanting to be 'god' duped them into believing they had 'wants' to fulfill as well. He caused them to 'doubt' the Word of Elohim.

Doubt:

• fear : suspect
• to call into question the truth of : to be uncertain
• to lack confidence in : distrust 
• to consider unlikely

While reading Scriptures we come across a theme that repeats over and over: Yahweh's people straying from His Path (His Instructions) to the point of turning their backs on Him and even forgetting His Name.  Their faith- trust; confidence; certainty- erodes over time. Only a few cling to His Word, but many go the way of the world which is the way of the pagan: Satan's own path of unrighteousness that leads to destruction: life in Fire Lake.

Definition of Pagan:

• heathen
• a follower of a polytheistic religion
• one who has little or no religion; who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods
• an irreligious or hedonistic person
• neo-pagan: witches, druids, goddess worshippers, new-agers and other groups seen in America today

Ezekiel 28:11 is a dirge intoned over the king of Tyre, who is also a type and shadow of future events.

Yahweh says, "You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and flawless in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of Elohim; every precious stone was your adornment: Carnelian, chrysolite, amethyst, beryl, lapis lazuli, jasper; sapphire, turquoise and emerald; and gold beautifully wrought for you, mined for you, prepared the day you were created.  I created you as a cherub with outstretched shielding wings; and you resided on My holy mountain; you walked among stones of fire. You were blameless in your ways, from the day your were created until wrongdoing was found in you. By your far-flung commerce you were filled with lawlessness and you sinned.  So I have struck you down from the mountain of Elohim and I have destroyed you, O shielding cherub, from among the stones of fire. You grew haughty because of your beauty, you debased your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I have cast you to the ground, I have made you an object for kings to stare at. By the greatness of your guilt, through the dishonesty of your trading, you desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire issue from you, and it has devoured you; I have reduced you to ashes on the ground, in the sight of all who behold you. 

Satan's pride caused him to fall from his estate in the heavenly realm - ego, self-love and envy all played their part. He let 'earthly desires' cloud his decision-making and he used his position with Almighty Yahweh to convince others to follow him. He caused them to 'doubt' Yahweh.

Device:

• something contrived such as a plan, procedure, technique
• a scheme to deceive 
• something fanciful, elaborate, or intricate in design
• something in a literary work designed to achieve a particular artistic effect 
• a conventional means used to achieve a particular dramatic effect
• a piece of equipment or a mechanism designed to serve a special purpose or perform a special function 
• desire or inclination
• an emblematic design used especially as a heraldic bearing: design or image depicted on a shield

The Apostle Paul left us a general description of some of the “devices” that Set Apart believers should be aware of.

2 Timothy 4:3- For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

1 Timothy 4:1- Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.

Ephesians 4:14- That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive

1 Timothy 6:20- O Timothy, keep that which is committed to your trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called

We are to beware of:

PHILOSOPHY (including Psychiatry and Psychology); the TRADITION of men and the RUDIMENTS of the world (i.e. the elements and essentials of a culture); FABLES (i.e. imaginary tales); DOCTRINES of devils and men (i.e. ALL FALSE DOCTRINE contrary to the Holy Scriptures); and SCIENCE – FALSELY SO CALLED (i.e. Humanistic: Biological Evolution; Geological Origins and Cosmology, etc.).

Acts 20:26- Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of Yahweh. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Ruach haKodesh has made you overseers, to feed the assembly of Yahweh, which he has purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Romans 16:17- Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Master Y'shua, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Satan has devised many distractions to keep us from our Creator. Become aware of them all. Resist temptations and the devil will flee from you.

Distraction:

• the act of distracting or the state of being distracted
• mental confusion
• something that distracts
• an object that directs one's attention away from something else
• amusement

Some forms of Distraction:

Sports (pagan origins)

Amusement Parks

Movies (mental conditioning)

Actors (paid professional liars)

Various Games

Cell Phones

Fashion Trends

Commercials (subliminal manipulation)

Religion(s)

Most Music (including Christian Rock)

Most Dancing (click here)

Celebrating Birthdays and other 'holidays'

All forms of Entertainment

Satan is So Subtle

We have been warned against 

speaking the names of pagan deities:

Exodus 23:13

Be on guard concerning all that I have told you.  

Make no mention of the names of other gods; 

they shall not be heard on your lips.

🍇🌿🍇

Quote:

In ancient Mesopotamia, astrologers assigned each day of the week the name of a god. In a culture where days were consumed by religion, it is unsurprising that the days of the week were made in homage to the gods believed to rule the lives of mortals. Many centuries later, the Romans, upon beginning to use the seven day week, adopted the names of the week to fit their own gods. These were then adopted by Germanic people who also adjusted the names according to their gods. It is predominantly these Germanic and Norse gods that have lived on today in the days of the week.

We really need to stop using the names for the days of the week and the names for the months of the year in order to stay on track with the Creator.   Here's another link for a little more history on how those names came about:

The Refiner's Fire

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Here is a quote from aish.com: 

Even though the names of the months are linguistically speaking Babylonian, they were adopted by the Jews with the understanding that they were Divinely inspired names, and are laden with kabbalistic nuances. (end quote)

It appears that while the Israelites were living in Babylon for 70 years, is when they started calling months by names. Explained here, chabad.org, the original system according to YHWH was to count months in numeric order, in effect recalling the exodus from Egypt serving as a constant reminder of the deliverance from Egypt.  After they were delivered from Babylonian captivity, they started using the names that they became used to using in Babylon. They seem to think that these names serve to remind them that YHWH has redeemed then from this second exile.

Note: The first time was not an 'exile' scenario.  The descendants of Abraham, the House of Jacob/Israel, were invited to live in Egypt by Pharaoh who's friend and 2nd in command was Joseph. 

Do you see this as another example of folks trying to please the Creator in their own way? We read in the above examples that naming the months is a man-made invention that goes against what Yahweh set forth. And it originated in Babylon.  Aren't we told to come out of Babylon? Jeremiah 51:36, for one example and Revelation 18 for another.  They had picked up bad habits while in Babylon and brought them back to Judea when they returned.  Then they taught tradition mixed with Scripture to the generations that followed.

The Talmud : Man's opinion over the Word of Yah

Kabbalah : Magic tricks

And from the Jewish Virtual Library:

Kabbalah is the name applied to the whole range of Jewish mystical activity. While codes of Jewish law focus on what it is God wants from man, kabbalah tries to penetrate deeper, to God's essence itself. (end quote)

Yahweh says what is good

Satan tries to convince us it could be better

It has been easier to stop partaking in the tradition holiday celebrations than it has been to stop speaking the names of the the months and the days of the week. This language is so embedded in our daily affairs it is almost impossible to ignore. As of this posting I am still struggling with this command. Even so, both my husband and I have started the counting of days via the seven day count from the new moon/new month and keeping the Sabbath Day Rest on each 7th day. We sincerely try to live by His Instructions and look forward to the day He restores all things.

Keep on keepin' on Y'all! 

Form or Function?

Physical or Spiritual?

Why do the modern day Jews and supporters of the state of Israel think they need to build another temple in Jerusalem? They certainly have overlooked First Corinthians 3:16 "Do you not know that you are the temple of Elohim and that the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you?" 

The Temple Institute's ultimate goal is to "see Israel rebuild the Holy Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem". They have already chosen the priests and have bred red heifers, and have made many of the utensils required for temple service.  If they succeed, don't they realize Satan will stand in it and call himself 'god'? These people believe they are commanded to build this temple according to the vision given to Ezekiel. How can you choose to act on one vision then ignore prophecy?

That may be the key... they are fulfilling prophecy. 

In the second chapter of Revelation we read about Jews who call themselves Jews but are not, they lie, they are of the synagogue of Satan, thus doing the work of Satan, preparing the stage for the final seven years of life as we know it.

The act of building this 'third temple' isn't so much according to the vision Ezekiel had (which the Institute claims is their command to build), but is very much in line with the end times events, especially the final seven years.

Y'shua is aware of this future temple. He tells us in Matthew 24 that the "sign of uncleanness" (abomination) and desolation will eventually stand in the Set Apart place (commonly known as the holy of holies). He also refers us to Daniel 9:27: 

During one week he will make a firm covenant with many. For half a week he will put a stop to the sacrifice and meal offering. At the corner of the altar will be an appalling abomination until the decreed destruction will be poured down upon the appalling thing. Also in Daniel 11:31- Forces will be levied by him, they will desecrate the temple, the fortress, they will abolish the regular offering and set up the appalling abomination. And noted in Daniel 12:11: From the time the regular offering is abolished and an appalling abomination is set up will be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

The sacrifices mentioned are the regular offering and the meal offering.  The regular offering is made along with the meal offering which includes drink. Exodus 29:38 and Numbers 28:3 tell us what these offerings consist of: 2 yearling lambs as burnt offerings, one to be offered in the morning and one at twilight; choice flour mixed with pure olive oil as the meal offering and the drink offering of wine. This should put to rest the argument that Y'shua was the sacrifice to end all sacrifices; his blood was shed as Atonement for Sins, not as a regular every day sacrifice.

Hebrews 10 (lightly paraphrased- Dusty) 

We choose to accept Y'shua as our High Priest who offered a one time sacrifice for sins, who sits forever at the right hand of Elohim where he waits until his foes are placed as a footstool under his feet. For, by one offering (himself), he has perfected forever them who are sanctified (set apart) by him. And the Ruach haKodesh also testifies to us by saying: This is the covenant which I will give them after those days, says Master YHWH: I will put my Torah into their minds and inscribe it on their hearts and their iniquity and their sins I will not remember against them. Now, where there is a forgiveness of sins there is no offering for sin demanded. We have therefore my Brothers assurance of entering into the sanctuary by the blood of Y'shua and by a path of life.

Getting back to that abomination, Y'shua tells us, as it is written in Mark 13:14 - So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

and Matthew 24:15 - So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ described by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand)

Daniel describes this 'abomination' as one who will make a firm covenant with many, who will eventually put a stop to the sacrifice and meal offering. At the corner of the altar will be an appalling abomination until the decreed destruction will be poured down upon the appalling thing.

This can read as the final world leader who brings peace to the world, gets many to sign an agreement and allows Jews to reinstate their tradition as a gesture of good will. He shall (after 3-1/2 years) bring an end to these rituals, having an image of himself placed in the temple and entering the 'holy of holies' claiming that he is 'god'.  All this being said, it becomes obvious that a temple will exist in the end times scenario, but is not the temple of Ezekiel's vision.

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Ezekiel was shown extraordinary visions.  He was called  by Yahweh to be a watchman for His people, the House of Israel. Could it be he was shown a representation of another reality - the 'what could be' if those who claim to be Yah's People would actually repent and return to Him - accept the covenant and terms of that covenant by actually obeying those Instructions. They had that very opportunity when the exile ended and they were free to return to Jerusalem.

The first House of Elohim was the Tabernacle. Yahweh moved from the mountain to the tent, to be in the midst of His people. Later, Yah approved His House to be built by Solomon. Yahweh moved from the tent into a permanent location, the last place where He attached His Name. Solomon's Temple was destroyed by the siege of Nebuchadnezzar and the armies of Babylon in 586 BC. Some seventy years later the exiles were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, again by the will of Yahweh who used King Cyrus to make it so. Although modest in comparison to the First Temple, the Second Temple was later enlarged and expanded by Herod the Great. This latter temple was the one which existed during the time of Y'shua.

I came across this while reviewing my other studies which gave me one of those 'ah-ha!' moments. The writings of Paul recorded in Ephesians seem to shed some light and possibly confirm this vision Ezekiel was shown as being something so glorious and wonderful - something mere man cannot grasp or imagine in size or magnitude. Let us remember Ezekiel's other visions were also very detailed and powerful although difficult to imagine. It is possible that Ezekiel was being 'shown' the results of Man's Hope in The Good News of the Kingdom to Come and the awesome power and Love of the Father when He restores all things.

Ephesians 1:6 - That the glory of His grace might be glorified which He poured upon us through His Beloved One; by whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins by his blood, according to the riches of his grace which abounds in us, in all wisdom and all spiritual understanding. 12- That we should be the first who hoped in the Mashiyach, to the honor of his glory - in whom you have also heard the Word of Truth which is the Good News of your life 18- And that the eyes of your hearts may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Set Apart believers; and which is the excellence of the majesty of his power in us who believe; according to the efficiency of the strength of his power which He put forth in His Son and raised him from the dead and seated him at His right hand in heaven.  Ephesians 2:7- That He might show to the coming ages the magnitude of the riches of His grace and His goodness towards us in Y'shua the Mashiyach. 18- Because by him there is access for us both, by one Spirit, to the Father. Wherefore you are not strangers nor sojourners but are fellow-citizens with the Set Apart believers and of the household of Elohim. And you are built upon the foundations of the Apostles and the prophets; and Y'shua the Mashiyach has become the head of the corner in the edifice. and in him all the edifice is framed together and grows into a Set Apart temple in Master Yahweh; while you also are built in him for a habitation of Elohim through the Spirit.  Ephesians 3- To me, Paul, who am the least of all the Set Apart believers, has this grace been given that I should announce among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of the Mashiyach, and should show to all men what is the architecture of the mystery which for ages was hid in Elohim the Creator of all things, so that by means of the assembly (of Set Apart believers) the manifold wisdom of Elohim might become known - which He arranged ages before and worked it through Y'shua our Master. Therefore I pray - and I bow my knees to the Father of our Master Y'shua from whom the whole family in heaven and on earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit; that in your inner man the Mashiyach may dwell by faith, an in your hearts by love while your root and foundation increases  greatly in strength; and that you may be able to explore, with all the Set Apart believers, what is the height and depth and length and breadth, and may know the greatness of the Mashiyach's love and that you may be filled with all the fullness of Elohim.

That we may be able to explore with our fellow believers, learning together as one from our study of Scriptures, the greatness of His Love, that we shall know the expanse: the height and depth and length and breadth of that Kingdom to Come and the mystery of the New Heavens, New Earth and the New Jerusalem. We can only be part of it if we become set apart from this world's system and false religions.

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***

In Revelation 21 we read about the restoration of all things: new heaven, new earth and new Jerusalem = the bride of Y'shua.  There was no temple to be seen in it for Master YHWH Amighty is its temple, and the Lamb.

I saw new heavens and a new earth for the former heaven and earth had passed away; the sea was no more. And I saw the Set Apart city, the New Jerusalem, descending from Elohim out of heaven, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice from heaven, which said: Behold, the tabernacle of Elohim is with me; and He dwells with them; they will be His people; and Elohim will be with them - their Elohim. And every tear will be wiped for their eyes; and there will be no more death, nor mourning, nor wailing or pain because the former things are passed away.

He who sat on the throne said: Behold, I make all things new. I am Alef and Tav, the Beginning and the Completion: to him who thirsts I will give of the fountain of living water, freely. He that overcomes will inherit these things; and I will be his Elohim. But to the timid and unbelieving, and to the sinful and polluted, and to manslayers and whoremonger, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and to all false persons, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

There are several similarities when one compares Ezekiel's temple vision with the restoration descriptions recorded in Revelation. This time frame is after the Kingdom of Y'shua, after Satan's last attempt to war against Yahweh; after Satan has been tossed into Fire Lake forever and ever- When our Creator restores all things.

Ezekiel’s Temple compared with John’s Revelation

Both Ezekiel and John views are from a high mountain:

Ezekiel 40:1 - He brought me, in visions of Yahweh, to the Land of Israel and He set me down on a very high mountain

Revelation 21:10 - And he bore me away in the spirit to a mountain great and high and showed me the Set Apart city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from Elohim

They both record the measurements that were taken:

Ezekiel 40:3 - A 'man' who shown like copper had a linen cord and measuring rod.  Revelation 21:15 - A Messenger/angel had a golden reed with which to measure the city, gates and walls 

Ezekiel 40:5 - Along the 'outside' of the temple area ran a wall on every side (one rod deep and one rod high) Square in shape. (Many other measurements are recorded) Ezekiel 48:30 - The city is square, each side measures 4,500 cubits.  

Revelation 21:16 -The city is measured and stood up four square

Ezekiel 43:13 - diminsions of the altar, trench and rim are given and is used for burnt offerings.

Revelation 22:26 - The nations shall bring their glory and honor into it (as offerings?)

Ezekiel 44:4-14 - Instructions for all the laws of the temple are given and Yahweh points out to the House of Israel all the abominations they have committed and allowed in His Sanctuary.

Revelation 21:27 - Nothing shall enter the city that is polluted, impure and false, but only they who are registered in the Lamb's Book of Life

Ezekiel 48 - Twelve exits from the city; gates named after the sons of Israel

Revelation 21:12-13 - And it had a wall great and lofty, which had twelve gates and names inscribed on them - the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.

Ezekiel 47:1 - water was issuing from below the platform of the temple - eastward - but flowing out at the south side of the altar, gushing out from under the south wall. 9 It will be wholesome and everything will live wherever this stream goes.

Revelation 22 - A river of living water, clear as a crystal, ran from the throne of Elohim and the Lamb and in the middle of main street (broad avenue) on both sides was the tree of life.

Ezekiel 47:12 - All kinds of trees for food will grow on both banks of the stream - they will yield new fruit every month - their fruit will serve as food and their leaves for healing.

Revelation 21:2 - In the middle of the broad avenue, near the river, spanning both sides, was the tree of life which bore twelve sorts of fruits yielding one of its fruits each month and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Ezekiel 48:35 - The name of the city from that day on shall be "Yahweh is There. Revelation 21:22 - And I saw no temple in it for Master Yahweh Almighty is its temple, and the Lamb.  And the city has no need of the sun or the moon for the glory of Elohim enlightens it, and the Lamb is the lamp of it

I conclude at this time that Yahweh gave this vision to Ezekiel to illustrate the awesome power and glory of the heavenly realm. Ezekiel was shown the Hope we have in the Good News of the Kingdom to come! He was told to share this 'vision' to those who had grown hopeless. This sharing of the Good News is echoed throughout the Renewed Covenant writings (ie: New Testament). Ezekiel, the Watchman for the House of Israel, shared this Good News with those people. Ezekiel is the type and shadow for Set Apart believers in this day and age, sharing the Good News of the Kingdom to come- a joyous time we can only try to imagine and hope for. How on earth could we describe it?

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Yah's timing once again was very appropriate because this was during the Babylonian exile while the rest of the Israelites had scattered northward and beyond. 

Around 605 B.C. Nineveh and Assyria had fallen. It was just Egypt and Babylon who were seeking world supremacy. The young new king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, went out and defeated the Egyptians at Carchemish. He marched on to Judah, during Jehoiakim's reign, and took thousands of Hebrews back to Babylon (including Daniel, who became one of the greatest prophets). Nebuchadnezzar made two more attacks when he heard of rebellion in Judah. Each time he took captives (including Ezekiel the prophet). Only a remnant of the weakest, poorest, and least threatening Hebrews in Judea remained. King Nebuchadnezzar set up a puppet king (Zedekiah) of David's line to sit on the throne of Judah and made him swear an oath of allegiance (2 Chr 36:10-12). Zedekiah was as faithless as the rest of the evil kings of Judah. He then rebelled and allied with other enemies. When Nebuchadnezzar heard he came back for the last time (586 B.C.) to reduce Jerusalem to rubble and send the Temple up in flames. Zedekiah was forced to witness the slaughter of his sons, then his eyes were put out, and he himself was carried off to Babylon. The Babylonian Captivity lasted exactly 70 years as predicted, from the burning of the Temple to its reconstruction, 586 BC - 
516 BC.

Here is a link to historical background of these events

***The following I gleaned from a study by Steve Gregg:
When Ezekiel was given this vision (573 BC), there was no temple standing in Jerusalem. Solomon’s temple, which had previously stood there, had been destroyed earlier by Nebuchadnezzar, when he conquered Jerusalem and deported the citizens to Babylon. This means that Ezekiel was not seeing Solomon’s temple. Nor was he seeing the rebuilt temple during Zerubbabel's time. That temple ended up being much smaller, and less elaborate, than the one Ezekiel describes. 

In chapter 40 of the book of Ezekiel, "in the 25th year of our exile, the 14th year after Jerusalem had fallen, at the beginning of the year, on the 10th day of that month - on that very day " the prophet is transported in vision by the Hand of Elohim from his home among the exiles in Babylon to the Land of Israel, and Yahweh sat him down on a very high mountain. He saw what seemed to be the outline of a city on the south side. Yah brought Ezekiel over to it and standing at the gate was a a man who shone like copper, holding a cord of linen and a measuring rod. This 'man' tells Ezekiel to pay close attention to everything he was going to be shown so as to report everything to the House of Israel. 

My note: You see, there is no "command" that this temple is to be built, but everything was to be reported to the people of the House of Israel. Was Yah telling them this is what you could have, if only you would obey Me?

The response of the Jews to their opportunity to return and to rebuild their temple was notoriously tepid. Only a small remnant opted even to return to Jerusalem, while the rest were content to remain in Babylon. As a result, the temple they built proved to be inferior to the one that Ezekiel described. 

Though the Jews did not meet the conditions to have such a temple as Ezekiel’s, the pattern preserved in these chapters stands as a description of an intended order, which, had it materialized, would have testified, as the tabernacle once did, as a type and shadow of “heavenly things” (Hebrews 8:5). This, we may assume, was the long-term purpose served by the vision.

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Ezekiel 44:6 - to the rebellious House of Israel, says Yahweh, Too long have you committed all your abominations, admitting aliens, uncircumcised of spirit and flesh, to be in My Sanctuary and profane My very Temple, when you offer up My food - the fat and the blood. You have broken My covenant with all your abominations. You have not discharged the duties concerning My sacred offerings, but have appointed them (uncircumcised strangers of spirit and flesh) to discharge the duties of My Sanctuary for you. The Levites who forsook Me when Israel went astray from Me to follow their fetishes, shall suffer their punishment for making them stumble into guilt (the priesthood lineage now shifts to the descendants of Zadok. II Samuel 8:17 tells us Zadok was one of the priests who maintained the service of Yah's Sanctuary, the temple, when the people of Israel has gone astray.) 

Yahweh specifically mentions the priest descended from Zadok - Take a look at this chart (from bible maps) to follow the order of the priesthood over the years:

We learned from reading the first five books of Scriptures that the plan, the pattern of the Temple is to train His people on how to approach Him.  Ezekiel's vision drives this point home!

Yahweh has always desired to be in the midst of His people

From the Heavenly Realm to The Mountain, then to the

The Tent, where they traveled together 40 years

Then His House was built by Solomon

and that is the last place Yah attached His Name

His Son, Yahshua taught us

The Body is now the Temple

wherein dwells the Ruach haKodesh

Then comes

The Earthly Kingdom

where we shall be perfected until

The Restoration of All Things