Ark of the Covenant

There are people today who believe they will find the ark of the covenant somewhere on this earth. Members of the Temple Mount claim to know where it is.   If these people were to read Scriptures and believe in God they would learn the Ark of the Covenant was seen in God's Temple in the heavenlies.  Therefore, it is not on this earth.

Hebrews 9:1-4 describes the physical House of God - 

Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Revelation 11:19 refers to the spiritual House of God - 

Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder, and an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

When was the last time it was written of?

1 Chronicles 15:28

.... all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh with shouting, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and with cymbals and the music of harps and lyres.

King David prepared a place for the ark in Jerusalem as the House of God had not been built yet. When Solomon became king, he had his palace and the temple built. When it was finished:

1 Kings 8

Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of God to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim. For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles. 9-There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where Yahweh had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt.

The jar of manna and Aaron's staff were no longer present inside the ark. This temple was destroyed during the Siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II of the Babylonian Empire in 587 BC. What I have learned so far is that no remains of the destroyed temple have ever been found.

2 Kings 24:10 -

At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched up to Jerusalem, and the city came under siege. And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it. Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his commanders, and his officials all surrendered to the king of Babylon.

So, in the eighth year of his reign, the king of Babylon took him captive. As Yahweh had declared, Nebuchadnezzar also carried off all the treasures from the house of God and the royal palace, and he cut into pieces all the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple .... He carried into exile all Jerusalem—all the commanders and mighty men of valor, all the craftsmen and metalsmiths—ten thousand captives in all. Only the poorest people of the land remained.

Somewhere from the time there is no longer any mention of the ark in Scriptures to this verse in Revelation Yahweh must have removed the ark of the covenant from this earth. A lot of gold treasures are mentioned as being taken to Babylon (Iraq) but there is no specific mention of the ark. No matter who took it or tried to hide it, the Ark of Covenant was seen in His heavenly temple.

Jacob's Trouble

 Jeremiah 30

Yahweh is speaking to Jeremiah about the days to come when He will restore the fortunes of His people and Judah.  He will bring them back to the land of their inheritance.  This happens when His Son returns and sets up his kingdom on earth in the promised land - the land of Canaan.  This has nothing to do with the tiny nation-state of modern-day Israel and this did not happen in 1948.

We have learned from previous studies that the House of Israel (Jacob's descendants) is made up of all true believers.  

"That day will be awesome, there is none like it!   It is a time of trouble for Jacob, but he shall be delivered from it."  

Yahshua His Son is the king God will raise up for them.  This is what is meant by God telling us the end from the beginning.  This is also why we read Scriptures from the beginning - Genesis - through to the end - Revelation - and let His Spirit reveal the truth.

Verse 11: I will make an end of all the nations among which I have dispersed you; but I will not make an end of you! I will not leave you unpunished but will chastise you in measure.

This verse brings to mind Seals 1 through 4 as opened and Seal 5 in the process of opening when true believers are persecuted.

Verse 14: All your lovers have forsaken you, they do not seek you out, for I have struck you as an enemy strikes .... because your iniquity was so great and your sins so many.  I did these things to you because your iniquity was so great and your sins so many.

In this study I can see this foretold event the same as what Yahshua foretold in Matthew 24 which is called the Beginning of Sorrows.  From my studies I say we are more than halfway through the Beginning of Sorrows aka the time of Jacob's Trouble.  And this ties in with the Seals we read of in Revelation.  I see this as Three Witnesses to the same timeline.

Verse 22: "You shall be My people and I will be your God."

Continue reading into chapter 31 and in Verse 8 we recognize the gathering of the remnant.  This happens at the return of His Son on the last day at the sounding of the 7th trumpet.

31:10 - Hear the word of Yahweh .... Say: He who scattered Israel will gather them and will guard them as a shepherd guards his flock.

Yahshua refers to us as his flock which includes another flock he will gather at his return.  The flock is from the House of Israel, descendants of Jacob who remained faithful to the one living God and the other flock is all who turned from their old pagan ways to our God Yahweh, accepted Him and live accordingly.  

Here are the links to other studies I shared in this blog relative to this study:

https://truthinscriptures.blogspot.com/2019/02/keep-searching-for-truth.html

https://truthinscriptures.blogspot.com/2017/04/abraham-isaac-and-jacob.html

https://truthinscriptures.blogspot.com/2016/02/who-is-israel.html

Upper Rooms

I recently found out that there seems to have been the discovery (years ago) of the 'upper room' mentioned in Scriptures in regards to where Yahshua ate with his Apostles the evening before he was executed.  I do not know how anyone knows the location because it was not given in Scriptures.... it's all guess work and probably a money making tourist attraction.  This makes me think of Yahshua overturning the tables at the temple where folks had been selling oxen, sheep and doves alongside with the money changers.  "Do not make the House of my Father a house of bartering".    

In modern day Jerusalem folks shouldn't pick any old place and give it a 'holy' name, then include the place with tour guides.

There is more than one mention of an 'upper room' in Scriptures but the 2nd most famous one is where the Apostles gathered.  

It is not so much where these rooms were located but what's important is the events that occurred in them.  Folks have glazed over the lesson in order to adore the physical things.

Quote from Israel Advantage Tours: This structure has been regarded as the traditional site of the Last Supper since the fourth century AD.

According to scripture, the Upper Room is where the Last Supper took place and where Jesus washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:1–20). It is where the disciples gathered in fear after the death of Jesus. Jesus appeared in this room on two occasions after the Resurrection. It is here He showed Thomas the wounds in His body. It is where the 120 believers prayed on the Day of Pentecost. The Bible tells us that tongues of fire appeared to them and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages (Acts 2:1-4). At this place the church of Jesus Christ was born.

I can barely read this without clenching my teeth together 😖  Let me tell you why.

No where in Scripture is the location of the 'upper room' where the passover meal was eaten ever revealed.  Yahshua's instructions for his disciples to make preparations for this meal are found recorded here, which I have lightly paraphrased. Please read from your bible when you have time:

•Matthew 26:18 - Go to the city to a certain man and say to him, "Our master says his time has arrived.  With you and his disciples he will observe the Passover"

•Mark 14:13 - he sent two of his disciples telling them, "Go into the city and there you will meet up with a man who is carrying a vessel of water.  Follow him. Where he enters say to the master of the house, Our master told us to ask where is your guest house so we may eat the passover meal..... he will show you a large upper room that is furnished.  Make that room ready and prepare our meal there....

•Luke 22:8 - Yahshua sent Peter and John to go prepare the passover meal.  Verse 10 - When you enter the city you will meet up with a man carrying a skin of water.  Follow him, and where he enters say to the master of the house, Our master says 'Where is the lodging house where we may eat the passover meal'.  He will show you a certain large upper room that is furnished.  Prepare there.

All God has told us is this is an upper room where His Son observed the Passover meal with his Apostles.  We do not know the location of this place other than it was in the city of Jerusalem; nor do we know who owned it, but it was a house and not the tomb of David.  Back in the day, an upper room was "a roof chamber built above the main house, usually for the purpose of leisure."

 

After this passover meal was eaten, Yahshua and his disciples took a walk to the Mount of Olives. The sun has already gone down, so according to Yahweh's perfect timing, it is now the 15th day of this month (still dark), this also being the 1st day of Unleavened Bread.

The other famous upper room is where the Apostles gathered after the resurrection of Yahshua.   Again, we read it is in the city of Jerusalem where they were staying but not a specific address.  We do know it was seven furlongs from the Mount of Olives which is about 7/8 of a mile. (Acts 1:12)

The New Jerusalem - The Bride of the Lamb Metaphor

•Revelation 19:7 ~ Let us rejoice and give glory to him for the marriage supper of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready .... Blessed are those Who Are Invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

 

It's not the church or the saints or the 'believers'

showing up as the Bride -- we have all 

been invited to the wedding feast.

 

•Revelation 21:9,10

One of the Messengers said:

Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb....

and he showed me the Set Apart city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God; in which was the glory of Glory, as a brilliant light, and resembling a very precious gem; like a jasper stone, resembling crystal.

Matthew 22:2- The Kingdom of Heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.

We have been called, invited to this banquet, the one prepared by the Father for His Son. We are invited guests, not the bride, and we've been given plenty of time to get ready to attend.

Let us be properly prepared to Meet the Bridegroom- to be full of The Spirit of Truth prior to the return of Yahshua.  If we are full of Yah's Spirit (pure olive oil) we will not wander off in search of who-knows-what. We shall enter into the banquet hall with him before the door is shut and locked. After that it will be too late.

One of the Messengers said:

Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.... and he showed me the Set Apart city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from Yahweh; in which was the glory of Yahweh, as a brilliant light, and resembling a very precious gem; like a jasper stone, resembling crystal. 

Yahshua is the light of the world, in him is seen the glory of the Father 

(This New Jerusalem has) a wall, lofty and great. This wall has twelve gates, and the names of the twelve tribes, descendants of Jacob/Israel, are inscribed on the gates. (three gates on each side, north south, east and west). The wall has twelve foundations on which were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

When this New Jerusalem descends from heaven a great voice is heard which said: 'Behold, the tabernacle of Yahweh is with men and He dwells with them; they will be His people; and He will be their God.'  

  

This reminds me of how it was with Moses and the mixed multitude that came out of Egypt. Yah gave instructions for building the tabernacle so that He could be in the midst of His people.  Look how far we have strayed from our Creator since then. Yah has told us the end from the very beginning.

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If the wife of the Lamb is the New Jerusalem, who is this Jerusalem?

Isaiah 62- For the sake of Zion I will not be silent, for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still, until her victory emerge resplendent and her triumph like a flaming torch. Nations shall see your victory, and every king your majesty; and you shall be called by a new name which Yahweh Himself shall bestow.  You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of Yahweh and a royal diadem in the palm of your God.  Nevermore shall you be called "Forsaken" nor shall your land be called "Desolate" but you shall be called "I delight in her", and your land "Espoused." For Yahweh takes delight in you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

What a perfect metaphor used to express the type of love one has than to compare it to marriage, a wedding feast and the joy as two become one. New beginnings. When Yahweh restores all things it may be more glorious than we can imagine.

Jerusalem is the last place Yahweh placed His Name.  When He restores all things there will be a new earth, new heavens and a New Jerusalem. Yahshua and Jerusalem become One via the Spirit of God. Do we, the rest of those who were part of the first resurrection, become One in Spirit as well, at this time?  The entirety of Creation all the way up til this day happened because of the Spirit of Yahweh.

Perhaps the word heaven describes the spiritual realm of Yahweh and His host of heaven.  We are not told in Scriptures what happens after the restoration but I for one will love it when that time comes.

Damascus Syria

I have lightly paraphrased this prophecy so please read from your own copy of Scriptures to verify the point being made and be a witness to the truth.

Isaiah 17: The Damascus Pronouncement

Damascus shall cease to be a city; it shall become a heap of ruins.  The towns of Aroer shall be deserted and become a place for flocks to lie down without being disturbed. 

Fortresses shall cease from Ephraim (Aram) and the sovereignty of Damascus; the remnant shall become like the mass of Israelites, says our Creator Yahweh.

In that day the mass of Jacob shall dwindle, the fatness become lean after being like standing grain harvested by the reaper (who reaps ears by the armful); he shall be like the ears that are gleaned in the Valley of Rephaim.  Only gleanings shall be left of him, as when one beats an olive tree, two berries or three on the topmost branch, four or five on the boughs of the many branched one, declares Yahweh God of the Hebrews house of Israel.

In that day men shall turn to their Maker, looking to the Set Apart One of Israel, turning their backs on their homemade altars, sacred posts and incense stands.  Their fortress cities shall be like the deserted sites which the Horesh and the Amir (Amorites and Hivites) abandoned because of the Israelites and there shall be desolation.

Truly you have forgotten The One who save you and have not remembered the Rock who shelters you.  That is why, though you plant a delightful sapling, what you sow proves a disappointing slip.  On the day that you plant you will see it grow; the morning you sow you see it bud, but the branches wither away on a day of sickness and mortal agony.

The roar of many people sounds as a roaring sea, the rage of nations that rage like massive waters!  He shouts at them and they flee far away, driven like chaff by the winds in the hills.  At evening shall be terror and by morning it is no more.  Such is the lot of our despoilers, the portion of them that plunder us.

 

 

The Nativity Scene

We read in Luke Chapter 2 that the reason Joseph and Mary, who was pregnant, traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem in the first place was because Augustus Caesar decided to have a census taken of all the people in his dominion.  Each man went to the city of his clan to be registered. Joseph was of the house of Ephrath (Bethlehem), least among the clans of Judah.  During their time in Bethlehem is when Mary gave birth.  Because of the census underway there were many people in town and all the usual lodging places were booked up, so she ended up laying her newborn son in a manger.  A Messenger of Yahweh appeared to the shepherds who were out that night watching over their flocks and told them about the birth of the Savior and where to find him.  The sign they were told to look for was that they would find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.  The Messenger went back up to heaven and the shepherds made haste to get to town to see this thing they were told about.  About two years go by before the 'wise men' from the east show up.

 

By reading Matthew Chapter 2 we learn of the Magi who came from the east to Jerusalem.  They ask: 

"Where is he who has been born the king of the Yehudeans? For we saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

The Magi were astrologers/astronomers from Babylon. This class of men were originally taught by Daniel during the time of the exile and that knowledge had been passed down.  These Magi were believers in Yahweh and were aware of the prophecies telling of the birth of His Son, so when they saw 'the star' they recognized 'the sign' and traveled following this sign, bringing gifts worthy of a king, and to bring the good news back to their homeland.  Scripture does not tell us how many of these magi made the journey.

 

There are many prophecies in the Old Testament in regards to the Son of the Creator, and here are a couple that the Magi recognized: The Star and the territory of Judah.

The prophecy of Balaam, Numbers 24:

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.

A star will come forth from Jacob (Israel),

and a scepter (king) will arise from Israel.

The prophecy in Micah 5:

And you, Bethlehem of Ephrath, least among the clans of Judah, 

from you one shall come forth to rule Israel for Me

Hence they began their journey from their homeland traveling west towards Jerusalem, following 'the star' to their destination: Bethlehem.

 

Herod wasn't too pleased to hear about a king being born since he was the king.  He gathered all the chief priests and scribes in Jerusalem and was asking the people where this Anointed One would be born.  They let him know it would be in Bethlehem, quoting prophecy. Afterwards he secretly met with the Magi and learned when the star first appeared to them. He let them continue to Bethlehem but asked them to carefully inquire about the boy and come back and tell him where he was. Herod lied and told them he, too, would go and worship him. During this time 'the star' was not visible but reappeared and led the Magi to Bethlehem. It stopped and was above the house where the boy was. They entered the house and saw the boy with Maryam, his mother. They rejoiced and worshipped him and offered their gifts of gold, myrrh and incense.

The magi traveled from 'the east', the area of Babylon (in modern day Iraq) and that would be around 1,000 miles east of Jerusalem. They stopped in Jerusalem asking about the 'king', and then they traveled southward, another 7 miles or so, to Bethlehem. The 'star' they had been following showed up again after their time in Jerusalem, and led them south to Bethlehem where it stopped over the house where Mary, Joseph and their boy were staying.

As for Herod finding out when the Magi first saw the 'star' (that time not precisely recorded in Scriptures) we follow the clue when Herod ordered all boys in Bethlehem and its surrounding area be killed who were two years of age and younger; he wasn't taking any chances.  This tells us the Magi first saw this star two years before they arrived in Jerusalem which means Yahshua was near two years old by the time they came to Bethlehem.  After the Magi left Bethlehem, Yahweh told Joseph in a dream to get up and take the boy and his mother to Egypt because of Herod's plan to kill the boy.  Joseph got up and fled with his family that night.

We often read in Scriptures of situations that do not fit what we know of the world (physical realm), so we must be careful not to carry our own imagination and assumptions into what is written. The 'star' seen by the Magi was a sign given by Yah (spiritual realm). What they had learned from Daniel was becoming a reality and they traveled to bear witness to this 'king' and bring the good news back to their homeland. After first seeing 'the star' they made plans and prepared for the journey, to follow the star by faith and see the boy who would become a future king.

Note: None of this describes a planetary conjunction.

 

A little research on 'stars':

•Revelation 1:20 says those particular stars are angels

•Revelation 9:1 says a star falls from heaven and is given a key

•In Matthew 2:2 the magi ask about 'the king' because they saw 'his star' rise

•In Job 38:7 we read the morning stars sing together and the angels shout for joy

 

The star that rose when Yahshua was born was an angel, a Messenger sent by Yahweh. It was the unmistakable sign the magi were waiting for.  It appeared, disappeared and returned again for the magi to see and follow.  The shepherds in the field did not see a star but an angel told them a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes would be found in a manger, that was their sign.

There was no drummer boy, no three kings; there were no three wise men nor any angels hanging around the manger when the shepherds came to witness the event.

FYI: "We Three Kings", also known as "We Three Kings of Orient Are" or "The Quest of the Magi", is a Christmas hymn that was penned by John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857. He was the pastor of a Church in Pennsylvania, and composed the hymn for a pageant in New York City.

The Loss of a Loved One

Death has been part of Life ever since 

Adam and Eve were expelled from The Garden.

 ~~ Grief ~~

Essentially, grief is a deep sadness most times caused by someone's death. For some it is a feeling of deep distress caused by the state of being sad because a family member or friend has recently died. For others it causes depression rising from their broken heart.

No one seems to want to talk about death. If folks had a better understanding of life and death, according to our Creator, maybe it would have been a normal topic of conversation started long ago. This lack of knowledge has made talking about death some sort of taboo leaving many satisfied with speculation and religious doctrines - children grow up not knowing any better just as we did. And then the time comes when we face death and know not how to react; emotions rise and take over. Are we feeling guilty because we blame ourselves for what happened or are we selfish and blame God for taking them away? These are emotional reactions that do not help one adjust, accept, grieve and see clearly to continue living life to its fullest.

I pray that those struggling with grief will know: day by day and piece by piece the hole felt within where the heart used to be can and will be filled with the good life and memories our loved ones leave for us, as we let our family and friends be the light along the way; together helping each other stay grounded. Eventually joy will outweigh sorrow and the pain won't be as devastating, as we allow our Creator's Peace to comfort us.

 

The heart may ache even in laughter

Proverbs 14

 

We read of a 'time of mourning' in Scriptures:

Genesis 38:12 ~ A long time afterward the wife of Judah died. When his period of mourning was over he went up to Timnah to his sheepshearers....

Genesis 27:41 we read that Esau was waiting for the 'days of mourning' for his father to end so he could take revenge on his brother Jacob.

Genesis 50 we read Joseph had the Egyptians embalm his father Jacob and that took 40 days.  Then they mourned 'the wailing period' of 30 days.

Numbers 20:29 ~ the whole community knew that Aaron had breathed his last . All the house of Israel bewailed Aaron thirty days.

Deuteronomy 34 after Moses died the Israelites mourned him for 30 days, also called the 'period of wailing and mourning'.

 

Our Heavenly Father Knows Best

 

It seems in today's world this lack of public mourning is what causes folks to hide their feelings, letting grief fester inside.  No one thinks anyone could possibly know what they are going through so they close off contact with friends and family. Yet, if we were raised according to our Creator's Instructions the period of grief would be a natural process shared by many for the one and not some private nightmare with no end in sight.

 

If we apply God's Word to our lives then we should learn 30 days is a good and right time for weeping and wailing over the death of a loved one.  We spend a healthy amount of time grieving the loss, yet know the time will come when He gathers us once again.  This Good News gives us Hope and strengthens our Faith in the One who loves us so much that He gave us His Son who laid down his life for our sake. 

 

1 Thessalonians 4:13 ... you should not (continue to) mourn over them who have fallen asleep (died), like other people who have no hope... :14 For if we believe that Yahshua died and rose again, even those who sleep will the Father, by His Son, bring with him. :15 and this we say to you by the word of Messiah, that we who may survive and be alive at the coming of Messiah, will not precede them who have slept (died before us) :16 Because our Messiah will descend from heaven with a mandate and with the voice of the chief Messenger and with the trumpet of Yahweh; and the dead who are in Messiah will rise first and then we who survive and are alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet our Messiah. And so comfort yourselves one another with these words

 

Elijah and Jewish Traditions

Mr. N. shared this quote:

"The chair of the prophet of the Lord is vacant."

~ Leonard Ravenhill 

 

And he followed with: In 1 Kings 19:14 Elijah complains to God about how His people had forsaken His covenant. Jewish tradition says that as a result of his zeal, Elijah should have to be present whenever a Jewish boy entered the Covenant of Abraham through the ceremony of circumcision.

 

"The chair of the prophet of the Lord" Leonard Ravenhill is speaking of is a special chair set aside at the circumcision ceremony for Jewish boys. This ornate chair is left unoccupied and is symbolically for the prophet Elijah, or "The Angel of the Covenant." 

 

Malachi 3:1 says (NKJV): 

“Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” Says the Lord of hosts.' (Emphasis mine)

Today, when so many churches and self-proclaimed "Christians" have forsaken God's covenant because it is not politically correct or because it is inconvenient, the vacant "chair of the prophet" stands as a challenge for God's people to remember Who we belong to, what we are called to be in these evil times, and shout from the rooftops that Judgment is coming soon!"

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After I did some research and refreshed my memory, I asked for him to consider this:

Take a moment and read from Chapter 18 to get a feel for all that has been going on prior to 1 Kings 19:14. Ahab confronts Elijah and wrongly accuses him for all the troubles they have been experiencing. Verse 18 Elijah points out: "It is not I who have brought trouble on Israel, but you and your father's House, by forsaking the commandments of Yahweh and following (false god) Baalim."

•The 'commandments' are All of God's Instructions (aka Torah)•   

Elijah challenges all the prophets of the false god Baal to a final test (Chapt. 18 verse 23 through 40). Ahab tells Jezebel about what happened, she sends a message to Elijah letting him know he will be dead by the next day.

Elijah wasn't complaining to God. His life had been threatened by Jezebel and he ran from there until a days journey out of Beer-sheba into the wilderness - then he was ready to give up and asked God to take his life. But, instead, one of Yah's messengers/angels lets him know there was still a journey for him to make to Mt. Horeb. As a faithful servant of Yahweh, Elijah carried on.   

When God asked Elijah why he was there, it was because of his unending devotion to God; he acted 'on faith' and continued to Mt. Horeb, even though the Israelites had forsaken Yah's everlasting covenant, torn down His altars, and killed His prophets (which is much more than just failing to circumcise an 8 day old boy or be present when it was done). Elijah was still willing to meet with Yahweh.  

None of this about Elijah has anything to do with circumcision, eight day old baby boys or some ornate chair set aside for him in the future.

"Jewish Tradition" adds a whole lot of man's opinions to the Word of God and that's not a good thing; a stumbling block for some and a snare for others. The 'chair of the prophet' is a fine example of tradition and has nothing to do with Scriptures.  Using this as a teaching platform is misleading as well.  Mr. N told me it was akin to Yahshua teaching with parables.  Do you see how this can lead to misunderstanding? another rabbit trail leading us away from the Truth of Yah's Word?

A parable is usually a short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude. Allegory is the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence and a metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable; a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else. 

Y'shua spoke in parables many times, telling stories to illustrate spiritual lessons; stories that are to be understood in order to reveal the hidden meaning of what he was teaching. There is no real mystery. He was teaching us to use our 'brain', to think and reason and not just follow the most popular preacher of the day or what was fashionable at the time.

Matthew 13:34
All these things Y'shua spoke in parables to the crowd, and he would not speak to them without a parable, so might be fulfilled the things which was spoken through the prophet who said, "I will open my mouth with parables and will bring out secrets that were from before the foundation of the world." (Psalms 78:2)

All that being said, I do get his point about so many people who have forsaken Yah's Instructions, commandments, laws, rules, decrees and teachings.... even though he ties it in with 'Churchianity'.  It is by quoting and teaching ideas, opinions and speculation which do not represent the truth of His Word that folks have been led astray, bit by bit, day by day and year after year.

Women, repectfully, know when to be Silent

1 Corinthians 14:34 ~

Let your women be silent in the assembly for it is not permitted them to speak but to be in subjection as also Torah says. And if they wish to be informed on any subject let them ask their husbands at home for it is unbecoming for women to speak in the assembly.

Genesis 3:16 ~ To the woman He said:
‘I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception;
In pain you shall bring forth children;
Your desire shall be for your husband,
And he shall rule over you'

Paul refers back to this incident in his first letter to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:11-15:

“Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to be assuming over the man, but let her remain in stillness. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not seduced, but the woman was and transgressed the command. Yet she will live by means of her children, if they continue in the faith, and in love, and in being Set Apart and in wisdom."

 

“Let all things be done decently and in order” 

(1 Corinthians 14:40)

It is not forbidden for women to talk about Scriptures but when they are gathered in the assembly where men are teaching, women respectfully remain silent. It is not her place to become a preacher etc... but she is a helper: Genesis 2:18 Yah says "it is not good for man to be alone; I will make a fitting helper for him."

Examples of women in Scriptures are used by some women to support their idea that women can be ordained ministers etc.... but they are just skimming the surface of those verses, trying to justify their own opinions. I am a woman who shares what I have learned from my research and study of Scriptures. I am a suitable helper for my husband and remain respectfully silent when in an assembly of believers. But I am happy to share the good news of the kingdom to come, and any knowledge I have gained by His Spirit with anyone who will listen, in the real world or in cyber space. I am scattering seeds.

 

Here are a few biblical women used to support females in ministries:

2 Kings 22:14 ~ Hulda was a prophetess married to Shallum. She lived in Jerusalem and was consulted by priests, sent by King Josiah, in regards to a scroll recently found. She did not have her own ministry. She spoke for Yahweh in response to the inquiries made.

Judges 4:4 ~ Deborah was married to Lappidoth, and was a prophetess. The Israelites once again did what was offensive to Yahweh and He gave them to King Jabin of Canaan. They were oppressed ruthlessly for 20 years. At this time Deborah led the Israelites. She could be found sitting under the palm tree in the hill country and the Israelites would come to her for decision making. Deborah was trusted and held in high esteem so much so that Barak wanted her to be there when he went to battle, else he wouldn't go. She did not have her own ministry.

Romans 16:1 ~ Phoebe was a servant of the assembly in Cenchrea and an assistant to many, including Paul. She was not a bishop, nor a minister. She was a helper.

Philippians 4:3 ~ Paul is making note of all the women who have worked hard with him sharing the Good News of the Kingdom to come, along with Clement and the rest of his helpers. These people are 'helpers' and not preachers nor do they have their own ministries.

Setting the perceived power trip aside, women who are just as noteworthy are Rahab, for one example. She married Salmon, they had a son named Boaz. Ruth, a Moabite, was adopted into the house of Israel, married Boaz and they had Obed, who fathered Jesse who fathered David, future king of Judah and the royal lineage which qualifies Yahshua to be our future king in the promised land of Canaan.

Many women were important, or served a necessary purpose throughout Scriptures but none of us should use them, thinking we can raise ourselves up beyond what Our Father has Instructed.

Mordecai the Benjaminite

Esther 2:5

In the fortress Shushan lived a Hebrew by the name of Mordecai, son of Jair son of Shimei son of Kish, a Benjaminite. Mordecai was foster father to his uncle's daughter, Hadassah (Esther), after her parents died. Scriptures record she was 'shapely and beautiful'.  She, as well as Mordecai, were descendants of Benjamin and not of the tribe Judah = they were not 'Jews'.

Ahasuerus (Xerxus) was king over 127 provinces from India to Nubia/Ethiopia and his throne was in Shushan. It was in his 3rd year of kingship when he gave a banquet which lasted seven days with no restrictions on how much a man could drink.... they got drunk, very drunk. On the 7th day of this party King Ahasuerus wanted to show off his beautiful wife who refused his drunken chauvinistic requests which really pissed him off. He was convinced by his 7 ministers of Persia and Media to pass a royal edict that Queen Vashti would be banned from the king's presence and all her royal belongings he would keep to bestow on another deemed more worthy than she. Included in this edict the king makes it law that every man should wield authority in his own house, meaning wives should do whatever their husband demands of them.

This probably wasn't the first time the king put his beautiful wife on display but it was the last. We don't know much about Vashti but the only thing she did 'wrong' was refuse to be an object dangled in front of a banquet hall full of drunkards, her husband included. I think she had had enough of that.

Some time afterwards when Ahasuerus sobered up and his anger subsided he thought about what he had done against his wife. His servants came up with the idea of collecting 'beautiful young virgins' and bringing them to Shushan to add to his harem and he agreed. Over 12 months these new girls were cleaned up, made up and dressed up so that the king could choose one to replace Queen Vashti. Hadassah was one of them. She changed her name to Esther to hide the fact that she was a Hebrew. Mordecai kept tabs on his cousin even though he wasn't allowed inside the court of the harem.

At the end of the 12 months, the time prescribed on beautifying them (six months treated with myrrh oil and six months with perfumes and cosmetics) each girl would go to the king's chambers and spend the night, leaving in the morning and going to the other harem which was for concubines.  They would not go again to the king unless he sent for them. It was Esther who gained the admiration of all who saw her. The king 'loved her' more than all the other virgins (who were probably no longer virgins) and she won the position of 'queen'.

As the story goes, Mordecai warns about the plan to kill the king by telling Esther who reported it to the king. The two who planned this were found out and impaled on stakes. Mordecai's actions were recorded in the book of annals. Later on Haman, an Agagite, was promoted to a high position where others would kneel and bow to him by order of the king. Everyone except Mordecai complied; he would not bow to him because Haman was a descendant of Agag who was an Amalekite.

Descendants of Agag were Amalekites
•Exodus 17:14-16; Yah says He will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven
•Deuteronomy 25:17-19; Remember what Amalek did to you on your journey after you left Egypt; how undeterred by fear of Yahweh he surprised you on the march when you were famished and weary and cut down all the stragglers who fell behind. Therefore when Yah grants safety from all you enemies around you in the promised land you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven - Do not forget.
•1 Samuel 15; Yah exacts a penalty for what Amalek did to Israel - that assault he made on them on the road on their way up from Egypt. Samuel relates this to Saul to go and attack Amalek and proscribe all that belongs to him. Spare no one but kill both man woman and child, cattle, sheep, camels and asses. Saul did everything except kill the king. He captured King Agag of Amalek. Saul disobeyed Yahweh and he and his troops only killed and proscribed what was cheap and worthless, keeping the best of everything for themselves.

Haman became enraged with Mordecai for being defiant, causing him to think about how to get rid of not only Mordecai but all the Hebrews in all the provinces. Ahasuerus had now been king for 12 years when Haman brought to his attention to certain people scattered about the king's provinces who don't follow the king's laws but follow their own laws (Yah's Instructions aka torah). The king agrees to Haman's suggested edict that all Hebrews young and old, women and children will be destroyed, massacred and exterminated in one day (13th day of the 12th month). The king and Haman sat down to feast but the city of Shushan was dumbfounded.

Note that the plan Haman provides is pretty much the same as the command Yahweh gave Saul: attack Amalek and proscribe all that belongs to him. Spare no one but kill both man, woman and child, cattle, sheep, camels and asses. Saul failed to follow Yah's commands, leaving King Agag alive, and now we have Haman, who held a grudge, planning his revenge.

When Mordecai heard about all of this he was mortified. He went through the city crying out loudly as he came to the palace gate; he could not enter because he was wearing sackcloth. All the Hebrews were weeping and wailing in all the provinces where they lived. Esther was told about Mordecai out there in sackcloth so she sent her servants to him to find out what was going on. He told them that he was begging her to go to the king to plead for the life her people. She replied that she had not been with the king for the past month and could not even approach him unless she was summoned. Mordecai lets Esther know that her own life was being threatened and even if she kept silent in this crisis, "relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another quarter, while you and your father's house will perish. Who knows, maybe you are where you are in order to deal with such a crisis."

How did Mordecai know help would come from somewhere else if Esther failed to convince the king about his crisis? Was Esther Plan A while he had a Plan B up his sleeve?

You know the story. Esther plans to set Haman up, baiting him with food and drink and as the only guest invited to dine with the king and queen. Esther tells the king about Haman's plan. Haman is impaled on the stake that he had previously put up intended for Mordecai's death. The king has letters sent out to all the provinces permitting Jews to fight for their lives if any province or people attack them on the 13th day of the 12th month.

The Hebrews ended up killing 500 men in Shushan that day, killing the ten sons of Haman. Now this is what really gets to me about Esther. Ahasuerus asks her what she wants done with the dead bodies of Haman's sons. She says: let them be impaled on stakes. This is not what any Hebrew God-fearing torah believer would say or ask to have done. It seems that Esther, like Solomon, has been corrupted by the company she kept with their false gods and religions - she had been living in the palace for about 5 years by this time.  The Hebrews fought again on the 14th day killing 300 men in Shushan.

 

The rest of the Hebrews throughout the provinces killed 75,000 of their enemies on the 13th day.  They rested on the 14th day and made it a day of feasting and merrymaking.  Those in Shushan fought on both the 13th and 14th days so rested on the 15th day and made it a day of feasting and merrymaking.  It was Mordecai who sent dispatches to all the Hebrews throughout the provinces charging them to observe the 14th and 15th day of the 12th month, every year, as days of feasting and merrymaking, for sending fits to one another and presents to the poor.  The Hebrews assumed this obligation which Mordecai prescribed for them.  This goes against the commandment to set apart each 7th day as a day of rest, not a day to party.

 

Esther wrote a letter confirming with full authority that which Mordecai prescribed.  All these events were recorded by Mordecai. He was not a priest or a prophet or otherwise noted by Yahweh as being commanded to act in any way. None of this should be included in Scriptures. Nowhere do they credit, praise or give thanks to Yahweh.  The holiday of Purim is a man made tradition and not one of Yahweh's set apart times for us to observe.

 

The scroll of Esther should be filed away somewhere, along with the report about the re-dedication of the temple, for historical reference only.

 

 

 

Eden and the Garden

Where was Eden?

In the beginning Yah spent time doing some separation which was necessary because what He was working with was unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep.  He separated light from darkness; the expanse separated the water which was now above and below this expanse; the lights in the expanse (Sky) separated day from night.  By Day Seven Yah was finished with His work and rested.  He blessed the Seventh Day and set it apart because that is the day He ceased from all the work of creation.  That is why we do all our work in six days and rest on the seventh.  This is a sign between us and our Creator and has nothing to do with the Gregorian calendar the world uses today.

Genesis 2:8 ~ Yah planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and that is where He placed Adam.

2:10 ~ A river issues from Eden to water the Garden and then divides becoming four branches: Pishon which winds through the whole land of Havilah, where the gold is along with bdellium and lapis lazuli. The second river is the Gihon that winds through the whole land of Cush. The third river is the Tigris that flows east of Asshur and the fourth is the Euphrates.

The course of these rivers were affected years later by The Flood yet both the Tigris and Euphrates are on the maps of today's world. The Pishon and the Gihon could have both been washed out during The Flood or renamed as years went by, maybe known only as streams and creeks in comparison to the rivers they once were.  The land associated with the river Pishon was known for its Gold, Bdellium and Lapis lazuli and called the land of Havilah, while the river Gihon went through the land of Cush.

According to modern day geology the Tigris and Euphrates have their sources within 50 miles of each other in eastern Turkey near Armenia and travel southeast through northern Syria and Iraq to the Persian Gulf.  The Pishon and Gihon would have their source near the same area since one river became four after watering The Garden.  In my research I have learned that the Tigris-Euphrates river system runs through the territory of four countries: Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria and that the Tigris has it's beginning in Armenia.

•Land of Havilah, where the Pishon ran, was known for its gold, bdellium and lapis lazuli.  Havilah is a descendant of Cush. Bdellium is a fragrant gum resin obtained from a tree (Commiphora africana) found in NW Africa and Arabia.

•Land of Cush is where the Gihon flowed. We read in Genesis 10 that Cush, a descendant of Ham, is the father of Nimrod who lived in the land of Shinar.  The Land of Shinar was a general geographic term for what is today Iraq, known in ancient times as Mesopotamia. There, two ancient empires, Assyria and Babylon, were centered.

 

•The Tigris flowed east of Asshur.  In Genesis 25:12 we read of Abraham's first born, Ishmael, his 12 sons and their offspring who populated the region from Havilah by Shur which was close to Egypt, all the way to Asshur.  Asshur was a son of Shem and from him came the Assyrian people (Syria).

•The Euphrates was simply called 'the fourth' without a land associated with it.  However its path is much like the Tigris, both flowing through Mesopotamia to what is now called the Persian Gulf.

 

In modern times this area is referred to as the Mideast or Middle East which includes: Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.  

Eden was somewhere in the Mideast, maybe in the area of eastern Turkey near Armenia. I do not have any more details in regards to the original location of Yah's Garden. However, many years later when The Flood began to recede the ark eventually settled on the mountains of Ararat (not thee Mount Ararat) and from Noah's three sons the whole world branched out from that area.  The mountains of Ararat are located within the southern end of the Ararat Plain halfway between Lake Van to the southwest in Turkey and Lake Sevan to the northeast in Armenia.  The mountain range straddles the borders of what are present-day Turkey, Armenia, Iran, and Azerbaijan  

 

Consider this coincident: Days earlier while I was researching data for this study, using Google Maps I had traced the Euphrates River from the Persian Gulf and eventually came near Lake Van in Turkey. Could it be that Yahweh set the ark down in an area where His pre-flood Garden was? The resulting Ararat Plain is a fertile agricultural zone with a temperate climate which would have made it an ideal place to restart humankind.  I also traced the Tigris River but lost track of it when I got to the area of Ormanardi, Turkey.  There are two or three streams feeding into the 'lake' where I lost the Tigris. Were they, once upon a time, the Pishon and Gihon?  Thoughts to ponder but not to be sidelined by.

While this has been a most interesting study, the end result is that I cannot pinpoint where the Garden was but am pretty sure of the general location. I used the evidence provided in Scriptures and used modern day maps along with the Atlas option provided by Bible Hub. The so called Cradle of Civilization is somewhere in the mountains of Ararat, somewhere between Turkey and Armenia. 

 

There are things we don't need to know else the bible would be way to big to carry around. Even in John 21:25 it is written: "Now there is much more that Yahshua did. If every one of them were written down, I think that the world itself would not contain the written books." The basics are recorded and have been preserved throughout the years. Granted, many versions of the 'bible' are fraught with error when compared with the ancient Hebrew texts, but it is by our sincere intentions as we search for Yahweh by reading Scriptures and being in study with other believers that His Spirit reveals the truth to us. By Faith we know Yah created man and man did go forth and multiply.  Yah told Abraham his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Yah told Jacob his offspring would be as the sands of the sea which are too numerous to count.  And here we are.

What Happened?

Genesis 1:3 

Our Creator said "Let there be light."

He separated the light (Day) from the darkness (Night) 

and there was evening and there was morning, a first day.  

 

Yahweh existed in the 'spiritual realm' long before He spoke creation into this physical realm. In the beginning all was good until Satan threw a monkey wrench into the mix.

 

What we know of this earth is that it was reshaped by The Flood, a cleansing long ago which took place because man's thoughts were constantly evil (among other things).  

 

When we look up, what we see as the sky is the whole heavenly host.

 

Astrology is not the same as Astronomy which is why we are given this warning in Deuteronomy 4:19~
​​"And when you look up to the sky and behold the sun and the moon and the stars, the whole heavenly host, you must not be lured into bowing down to them or serving them. These Yahweh your Creator allotted to other peoples everywhere under heaven; but you He took out of Egypt... to be His very own people."

Yahweh included mankind in His creation and provided a Set of Instructions, an Owner's Manual, to be used in daily affairs as well as spiritual matters.  In following these Instructions mankind would do well, live long and eventually inherit the promised land.  Instead, mankind throws out the first half of the Owner's Manual because he thinks he is smart enough and can do it all by himself now and uses the second half of the Owner's Manual to his advantage once he realized he could control other people who haven't studied the Set of Instructions for themselves.  Therein is the basis for all the assorted religions, beliefs, churches and cults.  Throw out the Instructions and folks will believe anyone who looks like the know what they're doing.  Satan is very clever.

 

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Outer Space was big food for my young imagination! There were plenty of TV shows that kept me hooked - The Time Tunnel; Lost in Space; The Jetsons; The Thunderbirds; Superman; My Favorite Martian and many more.  Life on other planets beyond our galaxy was real to me.  I would stare out into the sky trying to see as deep into space as I could, both daylight hours and nighttime, wishing a starship would come and take me away. I used to draw pictures of flying saucers, beaming down a ray of light that would levitate frightened young girls, still in their night gowns, taking them up into their ships. I had come to believe that aliens came to earth, genetically impregnated the apes mixing their DNAs and created man, the man of evolution stature. Of course, at that time, I had no idea I was standing at the doorway and peering into the void - a world without God the Creator; and this is another successful tool of mass distraction used by Satan.

 

Now lets take into consideration the original City of Babylon.  Genesis 11 is a short reference to this city, but sets the ground work:

Everyone on earth had the same language and the same words. And as they migrated from the east they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there. They said, "Let us make hard bricks and build a city and a tower with its top in the sky, to make a name for ourselves..." When Yah came down to take a look, He said, "If these people of one language can come up with an idea like this, then there is nothing that they set their mind to that will be out of reach. Lets go down and confound their speech so they won't be able to understand each other" (thus putting an end to such behavior). Yah scattered them over the face of the earth and they stopped building the city. It is called Babel (Babylon) because it was there Yah confounded their speech and scattered them.

Out of their pride and arrogance they came together for the sake of their own glory - they wanted to make a name for themselves. Not only did Yahweh confound their speech but He scattered them. Years later the House of Israel was scattered, part of which was exiled to Babylon in Nebuchadnezzar's day. During those seventy years living among the Babylonians many bad habits were picked up by those dispersed Israelites which they brought back with them when allowed to return to Judea. During this timeline is when the new religion of Judaism became woven with mysticism and man's own pride and arrogance, the Babylonian Mindset.

Our Faith is our commitment to Yahweh; we trust and abide by His Instructions. We should not let our pride and arrogance get in the way of His Truth.

Some time after The Flood is when Nimrod rose to power and wanted a city built, a place for his palace to be built, and that place was Shinar.  The famed tower was an attempt to reach the sky, the spiritual realm, without the need for Yahweh.  The Creator wasn't happy with their attempt to reach the heavens, so the question on my mind is: why would we think that space travel is acceptable? 

 

What inspired modern man to want to reach the stars in the first place, in effect making a name for themselves? Is it the same Babylonian mindset?

 

Why does modern man think space travel is important?

NASA says:
Humanity's interest in the heavens has been universal and enduring. Humans are driven to explore the unknown, discover new worlds, push the boundaries of our scientific and technical limits, and then push further. The intangible desire to explore and challenge the boundaries of what we know and where we have been has provided benefits to our society for centuries.
Human space exploration helps to address fundamental questions about our place in the Universe and the history of our solar system. Through addressing the challenges related to human space exploration we expand technology, create new industries, and help to foster a peaceful connection with other nations. Curiosity and exploration are vital to the human spirit and accepting the challenge of going deeper into space will invite the citizens of the world today and the generations of tomorrow to join NASA on this exciting journey.

Scientific Communities say:

Space exploration is the future. It satisfies the human urge to explore and to travel, and in the years and decades to come it could even provide our species with new places to call home - especially relevant now, as Earth becomes increasingly crowded.

Scripture Says: 

May you be blessed by Yahweh, Maker of heaven and earth. The heavens belong to Yahweh but the earth He gave over to man. (Psalm 115:15, 16) 

The heavens are the spiritual realm and the earth is the physical realm, which is where man was placed and should remain until the return of Messiah.  Man was made a little lower than the angels (Psalm 8:6) the difference being that angels are of the spiritual realm and man is of the physical realm.  We have no business attempting to leave earth before the appointed time.

Psalm 147:4
He reckoned the number of the stars;
to each He gave its name.
Great is our Father and full of power,
His wisdom is beyond reckoning.

Folks who do not believe in the Word of Yahweh will consider the words of Satan as a basis for truth.  Satan caused Eve to doubt the Word of God and y'all know what happened next - bye bye paradise.  This is the biggest reason I continue to remind you to read Scriptures for yourself.  Study them out and find other truth seeking believers who are not afraid to stand in the faith once delivered as set apart believers in the one true living God.

NASA and scientific communities do not believe in the Word of God but they do believe in the money accrued as funding to further their love of science-fiction.

Apostles called out from the Disciples

 

This map shows the approximate boundaries of the promised land, Canaan, which was divided among the descendants of Jacob (whose name was later changed to 'Israel' by Yahweh).  Here we can see the tribal territories that surround the Sea of Galilee: Napthali, Manasseh to the east, the northern bit of Gad, Issachar and Zebulun to the west.  This area referred to as Galilee is quite a bit north of the territory of Judah.  None of the Apostles were 'Jews' meaning residents of Judah.
 

The men who were called by Yahshua to follow him were from this region called Galilee. In Matthew Chapter 4 we read of Yahshua telling them instead of fishing the Sea of Galilee he would make them fishers of men - men caught up to Life unlike fish which are caught and die.

 

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Prior to his ministry Yahshua was immersed by John his cousin son of Zachariah and Elizabeth who were Levites*. It was then that he became fully filled with the Set Apart Spirit of his Father. Afterwards, he spent 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by Satan the Accuser. Thereafter, Messengers (angels) tended to him. Later he heard that his cousin John had been arrested which is when he went to Galilee. He left Nazareth and stayed in Capernaum on the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee. In his outings he called those who were to become his Apostles: the Shlichim (Sent Ones; Emissaries) who would be taught during the following three years by Master Yahshua, being made ready to go out and proclaim the Kingdom to come, after receiving the Set Apart Spirit of Yahweh (Acts Chapter 2).

 
Acts 2:7 .... These, all of them who are speaking, are Galileans.

 

In conducting this study on the Apostles I have come across the different names relating to the same man which gave me a bit of a struggle in connecting who's who.  I use the Aramaic English New Testament at home which includes Hebrew names for the twelve.  Then I use Bible Hub online to check the various 'Bible' versions for the common names used in our times.  In various versions of Scriptures, which ignore the Hebrew origins, you will find not only Greek names but sainthood given where is does not belong.  With that said, where information seems to be lacking it is because not much was available per The Written Word.

 

*The mother of Yahshua, Maryam, was a cousin to Elizabeth. They were of the tribe of Levi.

 

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It is recorded that Peter and his brother Andrew were the first ones Yahshua called out to follow him. They are sons of Jonah and from Bethsaida. They had knowledge of Scriptures (Torah, the prophets and the writings) having been taught by John son of Zachariah a Levite priest, and aware of the prophecies, they immediately recognized who Yahshua was. Without hesitation they dropped their nets and went after him. Later, Yahshua saw two other brothers, James and John, who were in a boat with their father Zebedee fixing their nets when he called to them. They, being followers of John, were also aware of the prophecies and dropped what they were doing to follow Yahshua. Thus began Yahshua's ministry in all of Galilee. He preached the Hope of the Kingdom and healed every disease and sickness among the people. His fame became know in all Syria. A great many began to follow him, those from Galilee and from the Ten Cites and from Jerusalem and from Judah across the Jordan.

The Ten Cities were in the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire (aka The Decapolis) in the first centuries BC and AD. They formed a group because of their language, culture, location, and political status each functioned as a city-state dependent on Rome. 

The Sea of Galilee was famous for its fishing industry. The town of Magdala had a reputation for the best dried fish in the area. Mary of Magdala came from a family in the fish business which is where her wealth came from. Four of the apostles had been brought up as fishermen on the Sea of Galilee: Peter and his brother Andrew; James and his brother John sons of Zebedee, whom Yahshua called the Sons of Thunder.

 

Yahshua had many disciples and gained crowds of followers.  In Luke Chapter 6 we read he went out to a mountain to pray and spent the night in divine communication with his Father.  When day broke he called his disciples together and from them he chose those he called his Shlichim - Sent Ones - aka the Apostles.

Peter; Andrew; James; John; Philip; Nathaniel son of Tulmay (aka Bartholomew); Levi (aka Matthew); Thomas; James son of Alphaeus; Simon the Canaanite; Judas son of James (aka Thaddeus) and Judas Iscariot.

Peter and his brother Andrew were fishermen from Bethsaida on the northeast shore of the Sea of Galilee which puts it in the territory of Naphtali very near the Manasseh border. Capernaum is where Yahshua was staying, which is in the territory of Naphtali, but his outings took him various places in the area.

 

James and his brother John were sons of Zebedee and they were all in the fishing business.  It seems Yahshua found them not long after calling to Peter and Andrew to follow him. 

Philip was also from Bethsaida and when he came upon Bartholomew he was excited to share the news:

".... he whom Moses wrote about in Torah and the prophets, we have found him! He is Yahshua, the son of Joseph of Nazareth!" Bartholomew doubted anything good could come from Nazareth, but after meeting Yahshua he knew for certain that he was the one written about.

 

Levi (aka Matti; Matthew, the son of Khalpai/Alphaeus, Mark 2:14) and was sitting at the house of customs when Yahshua called to him. He, too, simply left everything to follow him.  Matthew ended up making a great feast for Yahshua at his house and there was a large crowd of publicans and others reclining with them.  This irritated the scribes and Pharisees so much that they asked Yahshua why he was eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners.  He told them that he did not come to call the righteous, but to call the sinners to repentance.

The “taxman” was called a “publicanus” meaning “public revenue.” Publicans bid at the Roman Senate open auctions for the right to collect taxes for a certain city or area under Rome’s rule. The publican’s bid was commensurate with what was thought to be the possible income from that place. If he bid on Jerusalem, the income would be high and his bid was high. If he bid on the small fishing village of Portofino, the incoming revenue would be small and his bid would be small. He made his money by making sure the expected revenue exceeded his bid. He paid the government the bid and pocketed the rest.

Thomas, whose name in Hebrew is 'Tooma' and means 'Thyme', was later nicknamed 'the Twin'.  He is also known as 'Doubting Thomas' because he wanted to see the resurrected Son of God for himself instead of taking others word for it.  When he did witness his resurrected friend and teacher Yahshua said to him: "Now that you have seen me you have believed. Blessed are those who do not see me and believe." (John 20:29)

 

James son of Alphaeus (Matthew 10). Although James and Matthew's fathers' names are the same, the boys are never referred to as 'brothers' as Peter and Andrew sons of Jonah or James and John sons of Zebedee are, so it is safe to say they are not related.

 

Simon (the Canaanite - Matthew 10). 'Canaan' means subdue or humble.  It can also mean a merchant who carries a heavy load, and is brought low by it.  In other places he is called Simon the Zealot. A zealot is devoted to a cause, which this Simon was.

 

Judas son of James (aka Yehuda Luke 6:16) aka Levi who is called Taddi (aka Thaddeus, Matthew 10:3).  I just don't have any more information to share about this Apostle at this time.

 

Judas Iscariot, the treasurer.  Money ended up being his downfall. The temptation of 30 pieces of silver caused him to betray Yahshua, which he regretted so badly that he committed suicide.  (Afterwards he was replaced by Matthias, Acts 1:26) 

 

Acts 2:7 .... These, all of them who are speaking, are Galileans.

 

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Some time after Judas (Yehuda) committed suicide the remaining eleven Apostles prayed asking Yah to reveal one of two men, Joseph Bar Shaba and Matthias who was named Yostos, as to who was to replace Judas.  These two men had been disciples with the rest of them from the beginning, when Yahshua was immersed by John until his resurrection.  

Acts 1:24 ~~ You Master Yahweh know that which is in the hearts of all. Reveal one, the one that You have chosen from these, the two of them, that he might receive a portion of the ministry and the office of emissary from which Yehuda departed, that he might take his place.

They cast lots and Matthias was chosen.

 

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In Mark 6 verses 1 and 2 Yahshua has been teaching the assembly. Many were amazed at his knowledge and wisdom and miracles. In verse 3 they ask: "Is this not the carpenter, the son of Maryam and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? and aren't even his sisters here with us?"

 

His half-brothers are not to be confused with the Apostles: neither one of the James - one the son of Zebedee, the other the son of Alphaeus; Judas son of James nor Simon.  Joseph and Mary had children together some time after Yahshua was born.

 

In Acts Chapter 12 we read that James, brother of John, was killed by King Herod who was also known as Agrippa.  When he saw that this pleased the Yehudeans he sent word out to capture Peter.  It was during the days of Unleavened Bread when Peter was kept in prison and a Messenger sent by Yah freed Peter from being chained in prison and led him to safety. The next morning there was quite an uproar among the soldiers who had been guarding Peter.

 

We have read in the book of Matthew that Messiah said the 12 Apostles will be given positions at his return so they may judge. Here we get a peek at our Messiah's government taking shape.  Matthew 19:28 ~ Truly I say to you, that you who have come to follow me in this world, when the Son of man sits new upon the throne of his glory, you will also sit upon twelve seats and you will judge the twelve tribes of Israel."

Acts 1

•Petros (Peter whom Yahshua named The Rock and has nothing to do with a church).

•Yochanan (John, Peter's brother)

•Ya'akov (James)

•Andraus (Andrew, James' brother who Yahshua called Sons of Thunder)

•Peleepos (Philip)

•Tooma (Thomas)

•Mattai (Matthew)

•Bar-Tulmay (Bartholmew)

•Ya'akov Bar-Khalpai (James son of Alphaeus)

•Shimon the zealot (Simon the Canaanite)

•Yehud Bar-Ya'akov (Judas son of James)

•Matya (Matthias) replaces Judas Iscariot 

Later on Saul (Paul) joins the twelve, three years after his meeting with Yahshua on the road to Damascus.

Click Here to go to my study about Paul

There are many lessons for us to learn from what is written in Scriptures including the struggles and challenges the Apostles faced.  We deal with similar scenarios as we continue along Yah's Path of Righteousness. For example, in Luke 22 we read that Peter denied knowing Yahshua three different times after the arrest of Yahshua while being taken to the house of the high priest. Yahshua even told this to Peter beforehand and he couldn't believe he would do such a thing.  But it happened. 

Regardless of the shortcomings the Apostles may have had, even after three years of being taught by the Son of God, once they were filled with the Set Apart Spirit of Yahweh (at Shavuot aka Pentecost) they became truly empowered as emissaries of Yahshua and teachers of The Word. Just as Yahshua was immersed by John and the Spirit of Yahweh came to him, so did he give this same Spirit to his Apostles. 

In Acts Chapter 2 we read, "From that day onward they (the Apostles) were all steadfast in their teaching 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 Yahweh and finding favor with the people."

It is this same Spirit we receive when made ready through the study of His Word, reading Scriptures. It is the Comforter, this Spirit of Truth, that teaches us if we allow it.  It is this same Spirit by which we are born again.

Keep the Apostles in mind whenever you feel you're not worthy or that you have fallen short.  Our Father may know what is in our hearts but He tests us, and it is up to us to show him our intentions are true.