Who Is the Bride.... Really

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 Elohim; in which was the glory of Elohim, as a brilliant light, and resembling a very precious gem; like a jasper stone, resembling crystal. 

Y'shua 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 Elohim is with men and He dwells with them; they will be His people; and He will be their Elohim.'  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! It now seems all symbolic of returning to and becoming one with the Creator.  He takes us back.

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We have been invited to the Wedding Feast which is akin to those who had the chance to enter into the ark before the door was shut, after which it became too late to 'be saved'. The symbolism is also revealed in the parable of the 10 Virgins (invited to the banquet as guests) of which 5 ran out of oil and went to buy more.  While they were gone, the doors to the banquet hall were shut and no one else could enter.  It was too late.

Matthew 25:10- And while they (those 5 foolish virgins) went to buy more pure olive oil for their lamps, the Bridegroom came, those who were ready entered with him into the banquet hall. And the door was locked.

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

We have been called 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 Ruach haKodesh = The Spirit of Truth = prior to the return of Y'shua.  If we are full of His 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.

Revelation 19:7- Let us rejoice and exult and give glory to Yahweh Elohim for the marriage supper of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready. And it was granted her to be clothed in fine linen, bright and clean; for fine linen is the righteousness of the Set Apart believers.
Revelation 19:9- Blessed are they who are called to the supper of the marriage feast of the Lamb.

John 6:39-40: (Y'shua is speaking) “This is the will of the Father who sent me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

That last day is when those alive will see the resurrection of those believers who have died since the beginning of time, and then be caught up with them being changed from corruptible to incorruptible bodies- given robes of fine linen?

1 Thessalonians 4:16- Because our Master Y'shua will himself descend from heaven with a mandate and with the voice of the chief Messenger (angel) and with the trumpet of Elohim; 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...

We enter together with him.  We are gathered together with him. After which no one else can enter. Those left behind on the earth suffer the Wrath of Elohim as the Seven Cups are poured out upon the earth.  It is too late for them to be saved.

In Revelation 19-
Verse 7 says the marriage supper of the Lamb has come*
Verse 11- the heavens open and Y'shua rides in
Verse 14- the army of heaven follows him
verse 17- the invitation is given to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven to assemble to this 'great supper of Elohim'*. This is after the armies are defeated at Megiddo and these birds feed on carrion. Continue reading and learn this is the time frame when the false prophet and 'the beast' are cast into Fire Lake; Satan is bound for a thousand years. The 12 Apostles are seated prepared to judge the tribes of Israel.... all part of the First Resurrection.  Blessed and Set Apart is he that has part in this first resurrection. 

* are these referring to the same supper? is this the symbolic wedding feast?

Ezekiel 39:17- ....say to every winged bird and to all the wild beasts: Thus says Yahweh Elohim; Assemble, come and gather from all around for the sacrificial feast that I am preparing for you upon the mountains of Israel
Verse 25- .... I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob and take the whole House of Israel back in love...
Verse 29- I will never again hide My face from them for I will pour out My spirit upon the House of Israel

Through our continued study and reading of Scriptures we shall become spiritually prepared to recognize the Good Shepherd when he calls and ready to accept this invitation to his wedding feast, a most glorious occasion. 

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, till 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 Elohim.
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 Elohim takes delight in you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your Elohim rejoice over you.

What better symbolism 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.

Yah delights in Jerusalem and she shall never be called "Forsaken" again, and her land no longer desolate but "Espoused'.  That land is the land of Canaan, the promised land in the covenant He made with Abraham.  Jerusalem is the last place Yahweh attached His Name.

As a side note: The word "Jerusalem" can be traced to its roots as something akin to 'Foundation in Shalom' (Shalom means Peace). The first mention of this town is in Genesis 14:18, after Chedorlaomer and the other kings with him were defeated by Abram and the 'army' he had mustered. King Melchizedek of Salem, who was also the priest of Yahweh Elohim, blessed Abram.  Another connection to Jerusalem is that Y'shua is said to be a priest after the order of Melchizedek. (Psalm 110:4 depending on which translation you read from; Hebrews 7:1; Hebrews 6:20) Which means Y'shua will be our King and Priest in the world to come, with its foundation in peace.  We are instructed to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem (good) has been a focal point of Yahweh our Creator and is referred to as 'her'.  Satan counterfeited with Babylon (evil) who is referred to as Mystery Babylon, Mother of Harlots, in Revelation. From the beginning -when Satan influenced Eve and Adam to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil- we see Yah's timeline ending with that same Good and Evil scenario. Good represented by Jerusalem with all her ups and downs; and Evil represented by Babylon and all its abominations.

Genesis 2:15- Then Yahweh took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. And He commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.”

This New Jerusalem is beyond our immediate understanding just as the temple of Ezekiel's vision represents something of such grandeur it becomes more than we can comprehend. Consider them 'unsearchable riches' for the time being.  All we are told outright is that the New Jerusalem is the bride.

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.

Yahweh's love is such that He promised not to wipe us out with a flood, that when His anger with us reached such a level He would relent.  We are still a stiff necked breed in His Eyes, I'm sure, but His patience wins out, yet time as we know it will come to an end.

Yahshua Mashiyach is well known for his teaching technique of using parables in an attempt to get folks to 'see' what he was getting at. He used many variables to get the same one point across. Where did he learn this from? Since the Son came to do the will of the Father, it makes sense that his Father had the same manner of speaking- like Father like Son.  Yahweh spoke through His servants the prophets and used metaphors and symbolism back then.  Maybe we should keep that in mind.

Yahweh's love for His Creation is expressed in parables that include examples of joy, marriage, divorce, steadfast love and taking us back. Scripture is full of these same examples. It is all about Him- Yahweh Elohim. He is the Master and we are His servants. He made us; we rebelled; He offered His Plan of Redemption which we can choose to accept and obey or not. He renewed the Covenant with the shed blood of His Son. Yah has gone to great lengths for our sake, yet only a remnant will respond.

Matthew 13:10- Then the disciples came to Y'shua and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven has been given to you, but not to them."

Part of Seeking Elohim is trying to understand the parables. They are not mysteries and can be solved. Parables are like bread crumbs leading us along His Path. He wants us to 'think', use our brains as we seek truth and understanding. I've been told that Scriptures interpret themselves and have found this to be true, which is why we each need to read and study them for ourselves. Not everyone will recognize the Good Shepherd's voice because they lack understanding. We gain understanding by putting Yahweh first in all things, every day. We read His Word every day so that the Spirit within us has something to work with! None of this is by ourselves, but through the will of the Father. We shall not be destroyed for lack of knowledge as we continue our study of His Word and Instructions. Those mysteries are solved if we make a sincere effort to understand our Creator. We cannot know Him completely for the Spiritual Realm has yet to be revealed, but if we continue to seek His Face we will receive the Blessing, which is Life. We shall be made incorruptible, given garments of pure linen that we may be gathered up and enter into the banquet hall, together with him in the clouds.

Yah spoke creation into existence and all was good. Satan rebelled against the Creator and brought evil into this world. Yahweh's love for mankind is such that He wants no one to perish and His Plan of Redemption was enacted. Throughout it all Yah continues to test us with various trials and tribulations to reveal what is truly in our hearts; He refines us and sets apart those who are worthy to receive the promise, be partakers of the covenant He made with Abraham. Just as the Apostles were realizing prophecy had come to life before their eyes, we, too, are living proof that prophecy is being fulfilled. There is still time to prepare, to have plenty of oil and to put on the fine linen garments that we may entered with Y'shua who said 'no one comes to the Father except through me'. No one enters the banquet hall until Y'shua returns.

One thing is for certain... if you don't trust that Yahweh Elohim created the universe, gave us an Instruction Manual (Scriptures) and then provided us an escape plan by following His Son's example of obeying those same Instructions... if you don't have Faith in the Good News of His Kingdom to come and life eternal, it becomes very difficult to see the big picture of what is happening in the world today - and the imaginings of man have become very entertaining and enticing.

We have been told beforehand all these things that will take place somewhere in the future, whether near or far. The rules and regulations apply to each and everyone of us and it is our choice to take heed and act accordingly, for our well being; or we choose not to pay attention and go on living, drinking, eating and letting ourselves be distracted by daily life, until its too late. Just as the door to the ark was closed in the days of Noah, and no one could enter afterward, so shall the door to the banquet hall be closed and locked. It will be too late for those who ignored all the signs and wonders, who did not study and learn His Instructions in Righteousness, who did not recognize the Good Shepherd's voice. We Set Apart believers have been invited as guests to this Wedding Banquet which occurs after the return of His Son. We are not the bride of the Lamb. We are His Chosen people aka the House of Israel, native born and adopted/grafted in. The New Jerusalem is the bride, the wife of the Lamb Yahshua Mashiyach. 

The Religion of Christianity

Contrary to the wickedness of religious men Yahweh declares: "....man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh does man live." 

Our Father in heaven wants people to look to Him rather than "old time religion" or "the new science" which claim to have all the answers for humanity but is progressively destroying the earth and setting forth greater and greater immorality.

-- Andrew G. Roth

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Definition of 'religion' from the Webster Dictionary

• the service and worship of God or the supernatural
• commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
• a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
• archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
• a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

Also defined as:

• the belief in a god or in a group of gods
• an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods
• an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group 

Many of us become aware of the vairous divisions of 'believers' as we journey on His Path of Righteousness. What is causing this division? Could it be Religion - an invention by man supported by Satan whose main goal is to make us 'doubt' the Word of Yahweh Elohim.

Yahweh, our Creator, was never about religions. His Instructions go with His Creation, an Owner's Manual and most people don't read instructions until all else fails.

Matthew 7:22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

What is 'christianity'?

Christianity is a religion created by Emperor Constantine. His  copycat religion was based upon a myth (The Persian savior god Mithra), which was based on other similar myths, all the way back to Chrishna of India (a mythical god) and was a tool for political purposes. The belief in the crucifixion of gods was prevalent in various oriental or heathen countries long prior to the reported crucifixion of Christ. Of the 16 crucifixions, most were born of a virgin and about half of them on December 25th.

Who were the founders of the 'church'?

Many religious customs found in christian churches are based on the counsel of early post-apostolic writers, including Ignatius, Marcion and Tertullian.  These men have shaped Christianity into what it is today. Most church founders appear to have been unable to distinguish between Rabbinical Tradition and what Y'shua and the Apostles taught, which was Torah observance: living by the Instructions given by our Creator.

Ignatius of Antioch (35-107 AD) pioneered the Greek-based Christian religion and was instrumental in mixing paganism with it.  He was packaging Christianity for a Greco-Roman Hellenic culture.  He favored the Ishtar sun-rise Lord's Day (Sunday).  He promoted the infallibility of the church and taught that deacons, presbyters and bishops were infused with Jesus-like authority to be lords over people.  Ignatius appeared to be the quintessential Catholic long before the 4th century (many believe this is when the Catholic Church began).

Marcion (110-160 AD) coined the terms Old and New Testament.  He was a wealthy ship owner and the son of a bishop from Sinope, on the Black Sea.   He propagated his new concepts of Christianity which took root throughout the Roman Empire. Marcionites set up their own churches in defiance of other Christians and they flourished up until the 10 century.  Marcion was inventor and a major contributor to dispensationalism, supercessionism and replacement theology - all of which are still popular today and preached in nearly every church.

Tertullian (155-230 AD) was born into a mainstream Gentile pagan family but became a devout Christo-Pagan.  Like Marcion, he found Christianity intolerable and set out to make a broad sweeping reform. he joined with the Montanist (Cataphrygian Heresy) founded by Montanus, who was formerly following the pagan mother goddess of fertility named Cybele where he learned plenty to adapt into Christianity.  Tertullian claims to also have picked up an anointing of the "Holy Ghost" and through demonic inspiration he compartmentalized the Godhead and coined the word Trinity - one of the most cherished doctrines of the Christian church today.  His theology is akin to the likes of Nimrod, Semiramis and Tammuz who were the original trinity of Babylon - Tertullian simply inserted the persons of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost making him extremely popular among pagan Gentile Christians.

Eusebius was the dishonest Church Father historian of antiquity who made up a lot of Church history: “We shall introduce into this history in general only those events which may be useful first to ourselves and afterwards to posterity”. The research thread (about older Gospels) also leads to the “spurious” writings of Irenaeus. The myth of Mithra, the Persian Savior god, was chosen by Emperor Constantine and Bishop Eusebius as the model to create the new religion, Christianity.

Quote:: There were too many religions in Rome in 325 A.D. A Council was called in an endeavor to amalgamate the many religions of the Roman Empire into one. Christianity plagiarized older myths and legends (and were rewritten) to suit the Roman Catholic Church while combining the numerous religions existing at the time (Krishna, Horus, Mithraism, Osirian, Isis, and many other mystery religions). For unity and (as an effort) to stop all the conflicts between the numerous religions…

Christianity was Invented. Eusebius (Bishop of Caesarea; “Father of Church History“) attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. and was a friend of Emperor Constantine, who also attended and made the keynote speech. Constantine instructed Eusebius to organize the compilation of a uniform collection of new writings developed from primary aspects of the religious texts submitted at the council. 

Eusebius then arranged for scribes to produce fifty copies to be written on parchment in a legible manner, and in a convenient portable form, by professional scribes thoroughly accomplished in their art.

He then ordered earlier presbyterial manuscripts and the records of the council burnt and declared that any man found concealing writings should be stricken off from his shoulders (beheaded). These orders, said Eusebius, were followed by the immediate execution of the work itself we sent him [Constantine] magnificently and elaborately bound volumes of three-fold and four-fold forms (Life of Constantine, vol. iv, p.36). 

They were the New Testimonies, and this is the first mention (c. 331) of the New Testament in the historical record. With his instructions fulfilled, Constantine then decreed that the New Testimonies would thereafter be called the word of the Roman Saviour God (Life of Constantine, vol. iii, p. 29) and official to all presbyters preaching in the Roman Empire.

This newly revised testament was the official book of the new Unified Religion of Constantine. All other books to be burned included the Torah and the writings of the prophets, known today as the Old Testament, and included burning the great library in Alexandria, Egypt in 391 AD.

According to Eusebeius (260-339), Constantine noted that among the presbyterian factions "strife had grown so serious, vigorous action was necessary to establish a more religious state", but he could not bring about a settlement between rival god factions (Life of Constantine, pp. 26-8). His advisers warned him that the presbyters' religions were "destitute of foundation" and needed official stabilization. Constantine saw in this confused system of fragmented dogmas the opportunity to create a new and combined State religion, neutral in concept, and to protect it by law. 

When he conquered the East in 324 he sent his Spanish religious adviser, Osius of Córdoba, to Alexandria with letters to several bishops exhorting them to make peace among themselves. The mission failed and Constantine issued a decree commanding all presbyters and their subordinates "be mounted on asses, mules and horses belonging to the public, and travel to the city of Nicaea" in the Roman province of Bithynia in Asia Minor. They were instructed to bring with them the testimonies they orated to the rabble, "bound in leather" for protection during the long journey, and surrender them to Constantine upon arrival in Nicaea (The Catholic Dictionary, Addis and Arnold, 1917, "Council of Nicaea" entry). 

Their writings totaled "in all, two thousand two hundred and thirty-one scrolls and legendary tales of gods and saviors, together with a record of the doctrines orated by them".

Thus, the first ecclesiastical gathering in history was summoned and is today known as the Council of Nicaea.  It was a bizarre event that provided many details of early clerical thinking and presents a clear picture of the intellectual climate prevailing at the time. It was at this gathering that Christianity was born, and the ramifications of decisions made at the time are difficult to calculate. 

About four years prior to chairing the Council, Constantine had been initiated into the religious order of Sol Invictus, one of the two thriving cults that regarded the Sun as the one and only Supreme God (the other was Mithraism).   Because of his Sun worship, he instructed Eusebius to convene the first of three sittings on the summer solstice, 21 June 325,  and it was "held in a hall in Osius's palace" (Ecclesiastical History, Bishop Louis Dupin, Paris, 1686, vol. i, p. 598).

In an account of the proceedings of the conclave of presbyters gathered at Nicaea, Sabinius, Bishop of Hereclea, who was in attendance, said, "Excepting Constantine himself and Eusebius Pamphilius, they were a set of illiterate, simple creatures who understood nothing" (Secrets of the Christian Fathers, Bishop J. W. Sergerus, 1685, 1897 reprint).  

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Can you trust the leader of the church you attend?  Can you trust the origins of the religion you believe in or belong to? Have you ever even thought about it?  I pray that after you have read this study you will take a closer look at your life and your beliefs. Many have accepted what they have heard from people they trust: parents, friends, ministers, teachers and preachers, for example.  But when you start asking these trusted sources simple questions and get that 'empty' feeling when no real answer is offered, it is time to seek Yahweh Elohim as if looking for treasure.  All answers can be found in Scriptures. There are many good sources online to use in your study time, but always keep your feet firmly rooted in His Word.  Then you will recognize 'answers' as you recognize the Good Shepherd's Voice.

All Religions are man made belief systems using just enough recognizable Scripture to seem legit and get your attention to gain your trust.  Our Creator was never about a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices. His Instructions for us are the standard in righteous living, guiding us that we should do well.  It boils down to Faith.

Faith in Yahweh

Below are links to places from whence I have quoted or gleaned info, provided for your own research and further study. Please note I have no control over the advertisements or other annoying side bars in the links I provide, nor do I suggest you make any purchases from these sites.  I will not share links that are overloaded with ads or other mumbo-jumbo but will provide quotes from them when suitable.  As stated, I provide links for your own study and further research ~~ 

• Early Church Fathers
• On-line Bible Study
• Pagan Christian Holidays
• Tammuz

Three Days and Three Nights

When was the resurrection of Y'shua? 

Since the timing of Y'shua's death coincides with the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which began with a 'passover' offering, this study includes the time-line in regards to what the Creator said about His fixed times, and what is recorded in the Renewed Covenant. 

There is also the general mind-set that he is 'our Passover Lamb' and the 'First Fruits of the Harvest', (these original moedim are considered 'types and shadows' of thing to come).

The original passover did include the sacrifice of a lamb, and its blood, which being painted on the door posts and lintels, was the sign that saved the inhabitants from death.

Y'shua is referred to as the Lamb of Elohim and it is his shed blood that atones for our sins and saves us from eternal death.  Y'shua is referred to as the first fruits of the dead.  ("First-fruits" are the best of the best offered up to YHWH).

John 1:29 - And on the day that followed, John saw Y'shua who was coming towards him, and said, "Behold the Lamb of Elohim"

First Corinthians 15:20 - But now the Mashiyach has risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept.

Let us now recognize Yah's calendar:

Exodus 12: "This month shall mark for you the beginning of the months; it shall be the first of the months of the year for you."

YHWH's counting of months begin with the sighting of the new moon. The first month of the year coincides with the time of year the barley ripens. 

Exodus 19: "On the third new moon after the Israelites had gone forth from the land of Egypt, on that very day, they entered the wilderness of Sinai." (the first day of the third month)

As a reminder, a day is from sunset to sunset according to the Creator's Calendar. And when He says the '1st month of the year', it is not according to the modern day Gregorian calendar. With that in mind, lets review Yah's instructions for keeping the passover offering which is the start of the days of Unleavened Bread.

Exodus 12:15 - Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread... on the very 1st day (of the 7 days) you shall remove leaven from your houses... The first day and the seventh day are sacred occasions and no work is to be done, only whatever is to be eaten may be prepared. 

Exodus 12:17 - You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread for on this very day (the 15th day of the 1st month) I brought you out of Egypt, to be observed throughout the ages as an institution for all time. 

Exodus 12:18 - In the first month from the 14th day at evening you shall eat unleavened bread until the 21st day of the month at evening. No leaven is to be found in your houses - whether one is a stranger or a citizen of the country you shall eat nothing leavened. 

Exodus 12:24 - You shall observe this as an institution for all time, for you and for your descendants. :25 And when you enter the land that I will give you, as I promised, you shall observe this rite... And when your children ask why and what does it mean, you shall say, 'It is the passover sacrifice to YHWH Elohim because He passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but saved our houses'.

In Leviticus the instructions are repeated:

Leviticus 23:4  - These are the set times of YHWH, the sacred occasions, which you shall celebrate each at its appointed time: In the first month, on the 14th day of the month, at twilight, there shall be a passover offering to YHWH and on the 15th day of that month YHWH's Feast of Unleavened Bread... for seven days.  

And again in Deuteronomy 16 we are given the details for keeping the feast in the years to come.  It reads that a passover offering is made to YHWH and slaughtered in the place Elohim will choose to establish His Name - For 7 days no leaven shall be found among you. You cannot slaughter the sacrifice wherever you choose but at the place YHWH chooses to establish His Name. In the morning you may start back home - on the 7th day of Unleavened Bread hold a solemn gathering, do no work.  

His people are instructed to do this so they remember the day of their departure from the land of Egypt as long as they live.  The blood of the lamb was a sign to YHWH and saved them from death - they were set free from being slaves to Pharaoh. Our acceptance of the shed blood of His Son is also a sign to YHWH, and sets us free from our old sin-nature.

These quotes from Scripture establish the fixed time of when we are to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which begins immediately after the the twilight meal of the roasted lamb- the passover offering.  It was eaten as the daylight dwindled into twilight of the 14th day, which became the 15th day after the sun went down. 

Lets fast forward now to the final days of Y'shua as they are written in Matthew 26:17, Mark 14:12, Luke 22:7 and John 13:1.  The time frame is the beginning of the Seven Days of Unleavened Bread.  The event is Y'shua gathered together with his disciples to eat the passover meal, observing the fixed time of YHWH as previously described. 

In the course of this study, I have learned that it was customary back in the day to interchange the words 'passover' and 'feast of Unleavened Bread' because the passover offering kicked off the feast of Unleavened Bread.  There was only one offering followed by the 7 days of Unleavened Bread. Passover was not really a feast day unto itself but the lead-in, the actions taken just before the Seven days of Unleavened Bread.  It is mentioned in Mark 14:12 as the 'first day of Unleavened Bread was when the lambs were slaughtered'. They were slaughtered on the 14th day, eaten at sunset, according to what YHWH said about this fixed time.

• Matthew 26:17 - Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples asked Y'shua where he wanted them to prepare the meal
• Mark 14:12 - And in the first day of the Unleavened Bread in which the Yehudeans slay the (passover offering lamb) the disciples were asking Y'shua where to go to prepare to eat.
• Luke 22:7 - And the day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread arrived... Y'shua sent Peter and John to make preparations.
• John 13:1 - Now before the feast of the (passover) Y'shua had known that the time that he would depart this world to his Father had arrived.  He loved his own who were in this world and he loved them up until the end. :2 And when supper was done, Satan put in the heart of Judas to betray Y'shua...

Note it is written, 'when supper was done', referring to the passover meal just eaten.  It has been established that they are keeping the set time of YHWH, in the first month of the year and eat the passover meal together, at twilight, on the 14th day of the month, which has been the practice of the Israelites ever since they were set free from Egypt.

The lamb offerings for each household have been slaughtered, roasted and are eaten that evening.  John adds that Y'shua knew his time had come, knew it even before the feast of Unleavened Bread was to take place.

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

While they are at the Mount of Olives, Y'shua tells them things that will happen soon according to what has been prophesied and they can't believe they could ever be offended by their Master Y'shua. He tells them there is sadness in his soul. They continue walking to the place called Gethsemane. The Apostles eventually fall asleep during the hour Y'shua is praying to his Father.

This record of events makes it possible to conclude that Y'shua was not killed during the time that the passover offering lambs were being slaughtered. Otherwise he could not have eaten with his beloved twelve.

It is still that same night, after they had arrived at Gethsemane, when Judas came back and betrayed Y'shua to the chief priests and elders. After a scuffle all the disciples left their Teacher - they ran away. Those who seized Y'shua wanted to take him to Caiaphas (Matthew 26:50-59) but they could not find him. So they take him to Pilate. This event is recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John:

Matthew 27 - And when it was morning the chief priests and elders took Y'shua to Pilate, who tries to argue for his life as he finds no guilt with him. Pilate realizes the accusers of Y'shua do so out of envy.  The angry mob wins.  Y'shua is scourged with whips and delivered to be put to death on a stake. He dies around the 9th hour.

Mark 14:53 - Then they took Y'shua to Caiaphas the high priest (but they could not find him) and the chief priests and scribes and elders were all gathered with him. 55 The chief priests and all their assembly were seeking testimony against Y'shua so that they might kill him.

Mark 15 - And immediately in the morning the chief priests with the elders and with the scribes, all of the assembly took counsel and they bound Y'shua and led him away and delivered him to Pilate.

Mark 15:15 - And Pilate desired to do the will of the crowds and released Bar Abba to them. Then after Y'shua was scourged, he delivered him to be executed on a stake.

Luke 22:54 - Then they seized him and brought him to the house of the high priest. 66 When the day dawned, the elders and the chief priests and scribes gathered and took him to their council chambers (and questioned him).

In Luke 23:6 he reports that Pilate sent Y'shua to Herod because Y'shua was from Galilee.  Herod was in Jerusalem in those days.  Herod questions Y'shua but gets no answers, gives him back to Pilate to deal with.

Luke 23:13 - Pilate calls to the chief priests and rulers of the people and says to them: You brought me this man as a deceiver of your people - I have examined him and have not found any fault with him 15 nor has Herod... nothing that is worthy of death has been committed by him.

Pilate desired to let Y'shua go but the people were crying out and saying 'Nail him to the stake!' 

In John 18:28 the account is about the same, although some details are added that are not reported by the other three.  Pilate tells the mob to take Y'shua and judge him according to 'their own' Torah and the Yehudeans reply, 'it is not lawful for us to kill a man'.

In John 19 Y'shua is scourged and mocked. At about the 6th hour Pilate turned him over to be executed.  Matthew says Y'shua died about the 9th hour. (The 6th hour is equivalent to mid-day).

Note: The passover meal was eaten at twilight of of the 14th day. After the sun went down it became the 15th day. The 9th hour is of that 15th day.

If we can agree that the capture, persecution and death of Y'shua occurred during the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (which is the 15th day of the month), then following is the account of what happened before that day ended, after he died. You will see that we run into statements that just don't jive with the above established scenario.  If we could just stick with Matthew, all would be well. Let's carry on...

Matthew 27:57 - Now when it became evening, a rich man from Ramtha whose name was Joseph, who had been taught by Y'shua, asked Pilate for the body of Y'shua.  And he wrapped it in a shroud of fine linen and laid it in his new tomb.

Mark 15:37 - Y'shua cried out in a loud voice, and he died. 42 And when it became evening which is before the annual Shabbat, Joseph from Ramtha requested the body of Y'shua. He wrapped the body in linen cloth and placed him in a grave hewn out of the rock... and he rolled a stone upon the door of the grave.

Luke 23:50 - Joseph the counselor from Ramtha asks Pilate for the body of Y'shua, took it down and wrapped it in a shroud of linen and laid it in a hewn tomb.  And the day was setting and the Shabbat was approaching.

John 19:14 - And it was the eve of the paskha (translated 'passover' in most bibles, others read 'day of preparation') and it was about the sixth hour and he said to the Yehudeans: Behold, your King!"  (Matthew 27 says Y'shua died around the 9th hour.)

How can it be the 'eve of the passover' or even the day of preparation when Matthew, Mark and Luke claim they prepared and ate it already?  They ate, walked to the Mount of Olives, then on to Gethsemane where Y'shua spends time in the garden before he is betrayed by Judas.  He is taken captive and by the following daylight, taken before Pilate.  Pilate takes him before Herod.  Herod turns the matter back to Pilate.  Y'shua is sentenced to death. The 15th Day of the 1st month is a 'sacred occasion' according to YHWH, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a Shabbat. Both the 1st and 7th days of the days of Unleavened Bread are considered Annual Shabbats. 

What on earth am I missing? Could it be 'terminology'? Could it mean I need to learn the ways of the Pharisees of Y'shua's day in order to figure this out and make all pieces fit?  Were they referring to the 15th day as a day of preparation or the 20th day?  My brain in hurting...

Quote from Andrew Gabriel Roth: Technically speaking a "day of preparation" is normally supposed to be the daylight period before a weekly sabbath.  However, when Annual and Weekly Shabbats hit as close together as they do here, this kind of distinction can easily go right out the proverbial window along with any clarity it might have also had. The fact of the matter is, we are not dealing with one preparation day in a week here, but three.

Y'shua ate with his disciples and their fellowship lasted well into the night - which became the 15th day which is when Y'shua was charged and sentenced to death (when day broke) according to Scripture.  This 15th day is the 1st day of Unleavened Bread - a Sabbath, which falls after the regular weekly Sabbath.  So this Sabbath on the 15th is one of the Annual Sabbaths referred to in Mark 15:42 as mentioned by Andrew G. Roth.

Taking all that into consideration, Y'shua was placed in the tomb before sunset- but when?  Can nobody know the day and the hour?

IF he was placed in the tomb before sunset on the 15th day (the day was setting), he was resurrected on the completion of the 18th day, which is 2 days before the next Annual Sabbath, the last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (which also falls on the regular sabbath day of rest). This can account for the tomb being empty when the ladies arrived with spices to tend to his body.

The next Set Apart time is Shavuot.

Acts 1:3 - With numerous signs for 40 days he was seen by them, and he spoke concerning the Kingdom of Elohim... 4 And while he ate with them, he commanded that "You should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, He whom you have heard about from me. 5 John immersed with water, and you will be immersed by the Ruach haKodesh 8 When the Ruach haKodesh comes upon you you will receive power and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem and in all Yehuda and also among the Samaritan and to the ends of the earth."  After these things he was taken up and a cloud received him and he was hidden from their eyes.  

Ten days later was Shavuot (the 50th day) - all were assembled as one and the Twelve did receive power and understanding by the Spirit of Elohim = the Ruach haKodesh.  

Shavuot is the when the grain offering of the wheat harvest is made and also the date when the Ruach haKodesh immersed the disciples, as Y'shua told them he would.  AGAIN, Shavuot depends on the barley being ripe for harvest - which can be a day or two off each year -- and not pre-printed on any calendar.

I feel there is more to be revealed in the study, but I shall publish it for now. Please feel free to add your comments.

The short story is this:

• On the 14th day at twilight, they ate the passover meal together.
• They walked to the Mount of Olives together and then on to Gesthsemane.
• The disciples fell asleep while Y'shua was praying.
• Judas led the crowd to find Y'shua and he is taken captive.
• This is now the 15th day which is the 1st day of Unleavened Bread. Later this day Y'shua is sentenced to death.

If we ignore the supposed discrepancies in the above mentioned accounts, then "Three days and three nights" buried would mean being resurrected by the 4th day, after the completion of the 3rd night.  If we adhere to Yah's calendar, Y'shua is 'buried' before sunset on the 15th day. Resurrection would be after sunset on the 18th day of this first month, the beginning of the 19th day... two days before the last day of the feast of Unleavened Bread, which falls on the weekly sabbath, the 21st day of this month.

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In everything we discuss and study we must remain
firmly footed in His Word and Truth will be revealed.

YHWH set forth His Instructions for His Creation, which includes us.  We can read all about it in Genesis through Deuteronomy where He establishes Himself as the One True Living God. If we continue reading Scriptures we learn about what happens if we choose to do as He says.  He gives examples of what happens to people who turn their backs on Him.  In reading His Instruction Manual we either choose to have Faith or make excuses not to believe. In choosing Faith and having Trust in our Creator we naturally desire to obey and show our love and gain acceptance.  His Will Be Done - not ours.

Was "Jesus a Jew"?

Let me start off with this:

It has become clear that using the Hebrew word 'Torah' sets off red flags in many people, so from now on I will use the translation to English which is 'Instruction'.  These Instructions were given by the Creator as a type of Owner's Manual, full of Instructions for living on this planet, to set us apart from worldly affairs. We call them 'Scriptures' and they are found, bound within the pages of the Bible. I no longer preach about which version to use. Which ever one you have, pick it up and read, study it, learn it and live by it so that all will go well for you. Y'shua gave us the Ruach haKodesh, the Comforter, who will reveal Truth, and give us understanding, as long as we continue to read Scriptures. 

Time and again while discussing 'religion', when I get to the part about Yahweh never being about 'religion', that His Instructions are the perfect guide for our governance, health and well being, this is the response:

"But - Jesus was a Jew!"

What is meant by this? Was he a Jew by birth? heritage? or a Jew by religious tradition? Is he a Jew because some rabbi on TV says he is? If you read Scriptures you learn that he certainly did not practice Judaism. In fact he taught against it! Judaism is a religion spun off the Word of Elohim, mixed with man's own imagination, as are so many other religious belief systems.

Quote: In the Bible the word "Jew" means a resident of the land of Judea regardless of their tribe, race or religion, just as an Australian or Englishman may in fact be a Chinese, Negro or an Eskimo, or perhaps a member of the tribe of Judah. (end quote)

Remember, the House of Israel began with Abraham the Hebrew. His offspring were Hebrews. His son, Jacob, carried on the Hebrew line. His name was changed to 'Israel' and his offspring were the House of Israel made up of his twelve sons and their offspring, all were descendants of Abraham the Hebrew.

In the days of Y'shua few of the citizens of Judea were 'Yehudeans'. Some belonged to other tribes of Israel, and many were descendants of Esau (Edomites) who had assimilated and become co-religionists with the Judahites and remnants of the other tribes in the hybrid religion of Pharisaism developed during the captivity in Babylon. This religion of the Talmud is called Judaism today.

In Matthew 15, Y'shua is having a discussion with the scribes and Pharisees. He ends up telling them that they nullify the Word of Elohim because of their tradition. He calls them hypocrites, teaching the doctrines of men.

In today's world, most people think of Jews as the people of Israel, but that is not correct. An Israelite was one who had descended from Jacob. In Y'shua's time individual Jews may or may not have descended from Jacob, but they did recognize Pharisaism and not the Instructions Yah had given, recorded in Genesis through Deuteronomy.

The point is that one who is called a "Jew" in the Bible is not necessarily a chosen man of God, or a member of the tribe of Judah, an Israelite, or even a Semite, but one who is a resident of Judea. A Judean. But a well-organized and well-financed international "pressure group" created a so-called "secondary meaning" for the new word "Jew" which is not the understanding intended by the Scripture of truth. Those who call themselves Jews today falsely imply they are somehow descendants of the tribes of Israel and chosen of God. Yet few of them are Jews as they are not "Judeans," or residents of Judea. 

If modern day so-called Jews are not the Jews of the Bible, who are they? When asked, "Who is Israel? - Who is a Jew?" the Israeli Government's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) unhesitatingly answered: 

"The term Israelite is purely Biblical. An Israeli is a citizen of Israel, regardless of religion. A Jew is a person anywhere in the world born to a Jewish mother, or converted to Judaism, who is thus identified as a member of the Jewish people and religion" (Information Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jerusalem; February, 1998).

~~~   ~~~   ~~~ 

I Samuel 16- Yahweh says to Samuel, "I am sending you Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have decided on one of his sons to be king." 16:13- Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers, and the spirit of Yahweh gripped David from that day on.

Jesse was a descendant of Perez, son of Judah. David was descendant of Judah and Joseph descended from this lineage.

Fast forward to the birth of Y'shua.

Maryam was caused to become pregnant by the Ruach haKodesh - the spiritual realm. Y'shua was born from Maryam, by water and blood - the physical realm.  Maryam was cousin to Elizabeth who was descended from Aaron - a Levite (Luke 1:5). Thus, her cousin, Maryam, was also a descendant from the tribe of Levi, which would make her son, Y'shua, a Levite by blood. Joseph married Maryam and adopted her son.  

Y'shua was a "Jew" by location only -a resident- born in Bethehem, Judea.  He was not a Jew by birth nor by religious affiliation. He was a Levite by blood and from the House of Judah by adoption, making it legal for him to become a future king. All of this qualifies Y'shua haMashiyach to be King and High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. What a wonderful revelation!

Genesis 14:18- And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was a priest of Yahweh Elohim. He blessed Abram.
Isaiah 9:6- In token of abundant authority and of peace without limit upon David's throne and kingdom, that it may be firmly established in justice and in equity now and evermore.
Psalm 110:4- Yahweh has sworn and will not relent, "You are a priest forever, a rightful king by My decree after the order of Melchizedek.' 

Hebrews 6:19- which is to us as an anchor that retains our soul so that it stays fixed; and it enters into that within the veil where Y'shua has previously entered for us and has become a priest forever, after the likeness of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:14- For it is manifest that our Master Y'shua arose from Yehuda, from a tribe of which Moses said noting concerning a priesthood. And this is further manifest from his saying that another priest will stand up after the likeness of Melchizedek, who was not according to the Torah of physical requirements, but according to the power of an indestructible life.

Another example to consider is how the apostle Paul describes himself in Philippeans 3:5- "Circumcised when eight days old; of the stock of Israel; of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew, descendant of Hebrews; in regards to Torah, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the assembly of Messianic believers; and as to the righteousness of the oral Torah, I was without fault." (Oral Law is rabbinic tradition, man's commentary and ideas about God's Commandments.)  Paul's attitude about himself and all he had mastered changed after he saw the superior knowledge of Y'shua and learned that his own righteousness came from Faith in the Messiah, that is, the righteousness which is from Elohim, and not of himself.  Paul was not a 'Jew' pretending to be a Greek, but was well aware of his heritage as a descendant of Abraham. His Hebrew name, Saul, was taken from the first king of Israel, who was from the tribe of Benjamin, and Paul's teacher, Gamaliel, was also from the tribe of Benjamin. They were Jews by location, not by birth or religious affiliation, although Paul was under the influence of religion before Y'shua called him out.  What a wonderful example!

To proclaim that 'Jesus is a Jew' is meaningless. To have the testimony of the Son of Elohim, Y'shua the Anointed One and proclaim the Good News of the kingdom is a wonderful act in our obedience to the one who Created us.

Would you be surprised to learn that the Jews are not God's chosen people and that the modern day state of Israel is not prophecy fulfilled, as many claim? Fact is, back in the days after the Hebrews fell into slavery in Egypt, a 'mixed multitude' became united as One People by their Faith and Trust in the One True Living Elohim, aka: The Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Please click here for my complete study: Who Is Israel?

Love Our Enemies

In the beginning was the Word...

We read in Matthew 5 about Y'shua teaching from the mountain. Remember the first time teaching came from the mountain? Moses brought the Word of Elohim down to the people. This time the Son of Yahweh is teaching and defining the same Word.

Y'shua did not come to do away with the Instructions established by our Creator, nor the writings of prophets of old. He did, however, bring to realization and perform his duty by obeying those Instructions of the Father. Not only that, he expanded and clarified the definition of the Commandments.

Matthew 5:21- You have heard 'you shall not kill' (Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17) but I say if you even provoke to anger anyone, without cause, you are condemned to the Gehenna of fire. 5:27- You have heard you should not commit adultery but I say if you even think about it, you have committed adultery in your heart 5:38- You have heard it said "an eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth" (this Hebrew idiom refers to fair restitution = the amount to be restored is equal to the loss, not crime for a crime.) 5:43- You have heard it said to "love your neighbor and hate your enemy" (oral law) But I say to you to love your enemies and bless those that curse you and do that which is pleasing to those who hate you. (loving the enemy would be not to avenge or bear a grudge against them - nor to run out and give 'em a hug - its not that kind of love) Here is the reason=> 5:46- If you love only those who love you, what reward have you? Even the publicans do this. And if you greet in peace only your brothers, what more are you doing? Even the publicans do this. 5:48- You therefore be perfect as your Father in heaven who is perfect. (Yah told us to be Set Apart because He is Set Apart)

Note: When Y'shua says 'you have heard' or 'you have heard it said', he is referring to 'oral Torah' as taught by the Pharisees:

Quote - Among the Pharisaic proto-rabbis, “building fences around the Torah” was a common practice. Unlike their primary opponents, the Sadducees, the Pharisees observed a long tradition of oral interpretation of and commentary on Torah, going back to the early sages. This “oral Torah” (traditions of the elders) was passed down from teacher to student through the generations (and became the predominant expression of Judaism after the Jerusalem Temple’s destruction in 70 CE, when the religion had to be re-formulated without temple worship). An essential component of “oral Torah” was the practice of “building fences” around the commandments – formulating additional observations and practices in order to preserve the commandment itself. (end quote)

It is possible that this Pharisaic tradition originated during the seventy years of 'captivity' in Babylon where many bad habits were picked up (including giving names to days and months).  Y'shua was pointing out this error by teaching the Word of Elohim in its purity. People had forgotten Yah's Instructions to the point of even forgetting His Name. Judaism is the result of tradition, man's imagination and placing his own opinion above Yah's Instructions. Man created religion.

We know that Yahweh will destroy our enemies so it is not necessary to waste our emotions on them. We are not to rejoice in the defeat or downfall of our enemies, nor are we to hold a grudge against them or seek revenge. These are they we are to simply disassociate with. It has nothing to do with hating our enemies nor are we to embrace them. We can forgive them because they just don't know what they are doing and patiently wait for the Day of Yah's Wrath. 

Luke 6:35 - Love your enemies and do good to them and lend a hand and do not cut off the hope of man. Be merciful as your Father is merciful... for the measure with which you measure, it will be measured to you. Take the beam out of your own eye then you will be able to see to take out the straw that is in the eye of your brother.

Clean or Unclean

Definition of unclean:

1: morally or spiritually impure 

2: infected with a harmful contagion 

3: prohibited by ritual law for use or contact

The Book of Leviticus is not an easy read.

Chapter 5 teaches about incurring guilt through sin, either intentionally or unknowingly, according to the Teachings of Yahweh; and provides the appropriate action to be taken to remedy oneself.

In regards to coming in contact with anything 'unclean', when one realizes his guilt, he acknowledges his wrongdoing and provides the required offering to the priest who makes expiation on his behalf, and all is forgiven. (It is the feeling of 'guilt' that creeps in after we have done something wrong. It's as if wearing 'filthy rags' instead of 'fine linen')

Leviticus 5:5 teaches when he realizes his guilt in any of these matters, he shall confess the circumstance of the sin which he is guilty of and bring his penalty (sin offering) to Yahweh (via the priest). If we transgress any of His Laws = His Instructions in Righteousness = this is considered as sin.

Unintentional sin is forgivable once we realize what we have done and pray for forgiveness. Y'shua is our high priest who intercedes on our behalf and we are forgiven. The Instructions still apply to us today but the remedy has been changed from bringing offerings to the temple and priest, to accepting the death of the Son as our covering and salvation from eternal death.

Hebrews 10 (lightly paraphrased)

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.

Another misunderstanding about clean and unclean shows up when folks point out that God told Peter all food was acceptable to eat, Acts Chapter 10, but they don't read the entire chapter.  Peter's vision is clarified when we read beyond the part about the food vision and take into consideration his standard of not meeting with people who were not of the House of Israel (tribal descendants). Cornelius the Centurion was a believer in Elohim who saw a vision and was told to send some men to go get Simon Peter and bring him to his house. The next day Peter was in prayer and was feeling hungry. He saw a vision of what looked like a linen cloth coming down from heaven full of all creatures and creeping things and birds. He heard a voice say Slaughter and Eat! But he did not because he had never eaten anything defiled or unclean. The second time this happens a voice said "That which Elohim has cleansed, you should not consider defiled." This vision happened a third time.... Peter was standing there marveling at this when the 'three' men from Cornelius showed up at this house. The Spirit tells Peter to go with those three men without being indecisive because it was The Spirit who sent them. Peter goes with them men to Caesarea. Acts 10:28 explains the unclean food vision - "... it is not Lawful for a Yehudean man to associate with a foreign man who is not a son of his tribe, but Elohim showed to me concerning a man not to say that he is unclean or defiled. So I came to you...."  (food was used as a visual metaphor; this vision was about Gentile believers).

Click here to go to my study: Substitutes

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

What is a covenant?
It's an agreement between two or more persons, also known as:

contract - promise - pact - understanding

When Elohim makes a promise it is to bring about a relationship between Himself and His people.  He explains what is expected (the terms) and then we choose whether or not to accept His Terms.  If we agree with His terms then we must uphold our end of the deal.

When we accept and agree to do as He says, we are to abide by the 'Terms of the Contract'.  In order to know the terms we need to read Scriptures, beginning with Genesis, wherein YHWH explains what is expected of His People.

Genesis 2:15 - YHWH Elohim took Adam and placed him in the garden of Eden, to till it and tend it.  And He commanded the man, saying: Of every tree of the garden you are free to eat; but as for the tree of knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat of it; for as soon as you eat of it, you shall die."

This was the understanding between Yah and Adam.

Genesis 3 - Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild beasts... He said to the woman, "Did Elohim really say: You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?"  Eve replied, "We may eat of the fruit of the other trees of the garden. It is only  about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden Elohim said 'You shall not eat of it or touch it, lest you die.'  And the serpent said to her, "You are not going to die, but Elohim knows that as soon as you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like divine beings who know good and bad."

Thus, the serpent caused Eve to doubt the Word of Elohim and also convinced Adam to do likewise.  They betrayed the understanding between them and their Creator. YHWH banished them from the Garden.  Their faith, their trust in the Creator was tested - they did not resist temptation; the devil did not flee from them.

Fast-forward to the time of Noah.

In Genesis 6 YHWH tells Noah He's going to put an end to all flesh because of how corrupt the earth had become, filled with lawlessness.  He instructs Noah in the building of the ark because of the flood to come.

Genesis 6:17 - For My part, I am about to bring the Flood... to destroy all flesh under the sky... everything on earth shall perish. But I will establish My covenant with you, and you shall enter the ark with your sons, your wife and your sons' wives...
Genesis 9:9 - I now establish My covenant with you and your offspring to come, and with every living thing that is with you... all that have come out of the ark, every living thing on earth.  I will maintain My covenant with you: never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.
Genesis 9:12 - This is the sign that I set for the covenant between Me and you... for all ages to come.  I have set My bow in the clouds and it shall serve as a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.  When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow appears in the clouds, I will remember My covenant between Me and you and every living creature among all flesh, so that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.  When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between Me and all living creatures, all flesh on earth.  That shall be the sign of the covenant that I have established between Me and all flesh that is on earth."

The promise here is that Elohim will not flood the world again in order to destroy all flesh.  He calls this an everlasting covenant which means it is still in effect in this day and age.  Think about this next time you see a rainbow.

Moving along, in Genesis 12 YHWH makes a promise to Abram.  He tells Abram to leave 'home' and travel to the land He will show him.

Genesis 12:2 - I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you shall be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you and curse him that curses you; and all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you." (the terms of the contract)

Abram left and took his wife and his nephew Lot and all their belongings with him.  When they arrived in the land of Canaan YHWH appeared to Abram and told him, "I will assign this land to your offspring."

Eventually Abraham and Lot go separate ways.  

In Genesis 13:14 YHWH reminds Abraham that the land he sees belongs to him and his offspring forever - generation after generation. This covenant is still in effect.

Genesis 15:18 - On that day YHWH made a covenant with Abram saying, "To your offspring I assign this land 

Genesis 17 - I am El Shaddai. Walk in My ways and be blameless. I will establish My covenant between me and you and I will make you exceedingly numerous.  This is My covenant with you: You shall be the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fertile, and make nations of you; kings shall come forth from you.  I will maintain My covenant with you and your offspring to come, as an everlasting covenant throughout the ages, to be God to you and to your offspring to come. I assign the land you sojourn in to you and your offspring to come, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting holding.  I will be their Elohim. 

Genesis 17:9 - As for you, you and your offspring to come throughout the ages shall keep My covenant. Such shall be the covenant... every male among you shall be circumcised... that shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.  Throughout the generations every male shall be circumcised at the age of eight days... Thus shall My covenant be marked in your flesh as an everlasting pact. If any male fails to do so he shall be cut off from his kin because he has broken My covenant. 

Genesis 17:19 - Sarah your wife shall bear you a son and you shall name him Isaac and I will maintain My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring to come... Ishmael I will bless... but My covenant I will maintain with Isaac.

Years go by and Abraham stays true to Elohim. Even so, YHWH tests him.  He tells Abraham to take his favorite son, Isaac, and offer him as a burnt offering.  Abraham's faith is as such that He obeys the command and totally trusts Yah to know what He's doing.  He proceeds to the place as instructed.  Of course YHWH stops Abraham from slaying his son and now commits to blessing Abraham.

Genesis 22:17 - I will bestow My blessing upon you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven and the sands on the seashore. All the nations of the earth shall bless themselves by your descendants, because you have obeyed My command.

In Genesis 26, YHWH tells Isaac about fulfilling the oath He swore to his father, Abraham, about the land and his descendants and the blessing -

26:5- Inasmuch as Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge: My commandments, My laws and My teachings (the terms of the covenant = obey the Creator).

In Genesis 28, YHWH meets Jacob and lets him know that He is the Elohim of Abraham and of Isaac. He reaffirms the covenant, points out the land that is his and his offspring and tell  him that He won't leave him until He has done what He has promised.

Genesis 35:10 -  You whose name is Jacob, you shall be called Jacob no more, but Israel shall be your name.  I am El Shaddai. Be fertile and increase; a nation, yes an assembly of nations, shall descend from you.  Kings shall issue from your loins.  The land that I assigned to Abraham and Isaac I assign to you; and to your offspring to come will I assign the land.

We learn that the Creator, our heavenly Father, made a promise long ago, an everlasting covenant with a select group of people:

Any one who obeys His Instructions and

Have the testimony of His Son