Become Like A Kid Again

What did Messiah mean by saying we must become as little children in order to enter The Kingdom?

Matthew 18
At that moment, the disciples drew near to Y'shua and said,
"Who indeed is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?"
And Y'shua called a child and made him stand in their midst, and said,
"Truly I say to you, that unless you change and become like children, you will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. He therefore who humbles himself like this child, he will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven. And he who receives one like this child in my name receives me.
Anyone who harms one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him that the millstone of a donkey would be hung of his neck and he be sunk into the depths of the sea.
Woe to the world because of offenses. (Although) It is necessary for offenses that should come, but woe to the man by whose hand the offenses come."

It is up to us to change, our attitudes, for one thing; to humble ourselves as suggested by Y'shua. We are not to be proud or haughty, nor be arrogant or assertive. Most children have not learned these attributes of adulthood. These attributes get in the way of trusting the Creator and having faith in His Son. In becoming as a child again, we willingly submit to the Father and obey His Instructions because we realize how small we are in comparison....

As we have been learning the Truth of His Word and march along His Path of Righteousness we begin to fill up with self esteem and pride in the fact that 'we see the truth' and are coming out of Babylon. We speak out and share these facts with family and friends, most times mowing them over with stuff they just don't understand. We begin to get an attitude of superiority and lose patience with those still struggling to come to terms with Yahweh. Some become overbearing and lose sight of the simplicity of Scriptures while they arm themselves with Strong's Concordance, Greek interpretations and Jewish traditions along with mysticism. I understand the excitement and zeal that bursts forth at the first taste of freedom, but we must not lose site of who we are, who our Creator is and the small part we play in the Big Picture.

It's all about Love: Love Yahweh first and foremost, then we are able to love one another as we love our selves.  In this mindset of love we can easily follow His Instructions in righteous living.

Seeing His Word in Today's World

I am strongly aware of a continued awakening that has been spurred on in part by the Hebrew Roots phase of our journey. We are seeing the words we've been reading in Scriptures coming to light in our day and age. By faith, Abraham the Hebrew obeyed Yahweh and today, we who consider ourselves Set Apart believers, by that same faith, obey the Instructions of our Creator, although appropriately adapted to the current world system. And every step of the way Satan tosses out his counterfeits which are those stumbling blocks we desire to turn into stepping stones before they become a permanent comfort zone for others. 

Through our continued studies we have gained a better understanding of every word spoken by Y'shua the Son who speaks for Yah the Father. And in gaining that understanding we exercise the wisdom in how to abide by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of Elohim. This would not be happening unless the Ruach haKodesh was dwelling within His chosen - those sheep who recognize the Good Shepherd's voice.

We have learned to recognize and sidestep traditions so as not to be snared and delayed upon yet another rabbit trail.  All religions are snares.  All denominations cause division. Our Creator was never about religions. His Instructions for all mankind are for our health and well being no matter what situation we find ourselves in, from governments to family and affairs of the community.  Religion is something to be wary of and it is even used in the end times scenario to fool people into believing the final world leader is a man to be trusted with our lives. Being aware of this tactic helps us to discern the times we are living in. 

Just because someone claims to be a 'christian' does not make them a 'believer' and this is the same example we read of in Revelation, that there are Jews who call themselves "Jew" but they are not, they are of the synagogue of Satan. Yahweh wants us to be Set Apart because He is Set Apart. When we choose to follow the Way, the Teachings, the Rules and Laws of our Creator we find ourselves on His Path of Righteousness. We get strange looks from friends and family. We get accused of 'going Jew' when in truth we are simply obeying the Instructions of Yahweh Elohim, something even today's "Jews" don't do. Our Creator was never about religions, church, denominations and other traditions that cause division. Once we start reading Scriptures for ourselves we realize His plan is for all creation and that includes all humanity.

For as long as we can remember, there has always been war somewhere on this planet, revolutions and rumors of war. There has always been sickness, disease, food shortages and famines. And there have always been earthquakes along the fault lines and elsewhere. In this modern age we are more aware of their occurrences. There has always been the rich and the poor. Believers have always been persecuted, especially since Yahshua came on the scene, although, the number of Set Apart believers to be killed has yet to be fulfilled. When that number is reached then Seal Six will be opened.  I'm saying that, to the best of my understanding, Seals One through Five have been opened and we are currently experiencing the onset of Seal Five. 

Yes, we are in the time Yahshua called The Beginning of Sorrows. As each year passes these 'labor pains' increase. All the things that The Son spoke of must happen and are happening, but it's not the end, yet.

Then we will be hated, delivered to afflictions and killed because we believe in Y'shua, Son of Elohim. Many stumble, hate each other and will report 'believers' to the authorities to save their own lives (betray one another). Many false prophets arise and deceive many. Because of the spread of wickedness, lawlessness, the love of many grows cold. 

Click Here to go to my study

Seals, Shofars, Cups of Wrath 

Now is the time to separate from those evil ones and associate with those who are truly walking the Path and doing their best to obey the Father.  It starts with love and putting Yah first in all aspects of our lives.

Galatians 5:19
For you know the works of the flesh, which are these:
adultery, impurity and lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, stubbornness, treacheries, heresies, envy, murder, drunkenness, revelry and all like things.

Those who do things like these, they will not inherit the Kingdom of Elohim. 

The fruits then of the Spirit are these:
Love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control.

There are no instructions against fulfilling these fruits of the Spirit, although Yah does instruct against the lusts of the flesh. Flesh desires a thing that is against the Spirit. Yah's Instructions in Righteousness, teach us 'right from wrong' so that we may make an informed decision when choosing how we want to behave, and assume responsibility for our actions. Know the difference, see the difference and know the times we are living in.  Choose to obey the Father by Faith, receive the Blessing: 

The life of your soul.

Choose Between the Blessing and the Curse

Deuteronomy 11:26- See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of Yahweh your Elohim, which I am commanding you today; and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of Yahweh your Elohim, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known.

Deuteronomy 30:15- See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity. For I command you this day to love Yahweh your Elohim, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His laws, and His rules, that you may thrive and increase, and that He may bless you... But if your heart turns away and you give no heed, and are lured into the worship and service of other gods, I declare to you this day that you shall certainly perish... I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Chose life by loving Yahweh Elohim, heeding His commands and holding fast to Him. For thereby you shall have life and shall long endure...

Deuteronomy 30:19-  I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life if you and your offspring would live by loving Yahweh Elohim, heeding His commands, and holding fast to Him. For thereby you shall have life and long endure.

​Exodus 15:26 -  If you will diligently listen to the voice of ​YHWH your Elohim, and do that which is right in ​H​is eyes, and give ear to ​H​is commandments and keep all ​H​is statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am ​Yahweh​, your healer.

Today means today for anyone in any day who reads this and chooses Life, and begins to obey the Instructions given by our Creator. The blessing or the curse is the result of our choice in this lifetime.  People ask why there is so much pain and suffering in the world and why bad things seem to happen to good people. Read those above quoted Scripture verses again. 

Hebrews 13:13- Look deeply into yourselves all the days, during the day which is called today; and let none of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Our decision to follow the Instructions of YHWH begin today! If we think we're waiting for a future fulfillment, we will become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, by the various subtleties artfully dealt by Satan. Just as the apostles dropped what they were doing when Y'shua called to them, so too should we act without hesitation.

Most of us are suffering for one reason or another because, although we may Love YHWH with our entire being, and love our neighbor as our self, we are not keeping all His Commandments or properly applying His rules to our lives in today's world. His promise depends on our obedience.

Here's a couple of examples of how we are 'not following His Instructions':

We call the months and days by names of which some are the names of pagan gods. Not only are we "not to make for yourself a sculptured image or any likeness of what is in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them," we aren't even suppose to utter the names of these no-gods: Exodus 23:13 "Now concerning everything which I have said to you, be on your guard; and do not mention the name of other gods, nor let them be heard from your mouth."

We may have chosen the Blessing but we forgot the conditions of that choice. Then Satan who is so subtle slips in the names of those gods and they end up on the modern day Gregorian calendar, on tennis shoes and automobiles, constellations named after Roman gods, etc....  

Another way we have not obeyed His commands is by scheduling the Seventh Day Rest on every sat-day on the Gregorian calendar. This practice does not line up with Yahweh's method of counting. According to what is written in Exodus 12, for example, Yah tells Moshe that the month they are to be set free from Pharaoh is the first month of the year, and on the 15th day is when they were set free. 

A little later we read in Exodus 16 that the Israelites came to the wilderness of Sin on the 15th day of the 2nd month after they left Egypt (when did the new count of days begin?) This is where I made the connection of the moon with the month => Exodus 19: On the 3rd new moon after the Israelites had gone forth from the land of Egypt... 19:16 On the 3rd day as morning dawned.

This reads as a count of days from the new moon, the 3rd new moon since Yah told Moshe when the first month was. Three Moons = 3 months. (He says the third new moon and then counts the 3rd day from that new moon....) If I have this right then there are many of us keeping the Sabbath on the wrong day. If we've got the beginning of the month wrong, then we have the Sabbath day of rest wrong.

If you were to look on a calendar today, you would see one of the days marked as the "new moon". Scientists today regard the new moon as "conjunction", which is the moment the moon is in between the sun and the earth, not yet visible. If we use that 'conjunction' symbol to relate to the beginning of the month and then count off seven days (sunset to sunset) we discover that the weekly Sabbath does not always fall on sat-day, the traditional day of rest. In fact the days vary, month to month.

Click Here for more info about calendar days

It is no wonder there are good people struggling with rough times and many folks suffering much worse. We can change.  It's not always easy to come out of Mystery Babylon but if we truly love YHWH our Elohim, and we do not wish to partake of her plagues, we will make every effort to obey our Father in heaven, now and in this lifetime.

The Thousand Years

Peter writes in his second letter to the people of Galatia, Cappadocia and peoples in Asia:

- be mindful of the words which were formerly spoken by the Set Apart prophets, and of the commandment of our Master and Redeemer by the hands of his disciples: that there will come in the last days scoffers who will scoff, walking according to their own lusts and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? for, since our fathers fell asleep, everything remains just as from the beginning of the creation." 

For this they willingly forget, that the heavens were of old; and the earth rose up from the waters, and by means of water, by the Word of Elohim.  And by the means of these waters, the world which then was being submerged, again perished in the waters.  And the heavens that now are, and the earth, are by His Word stored up being reserved for the fire at the day of judgement and the perdition of wicked men.

And of this one thing, my beloved, be not forgetful: That one day to Master YHWH is as a thousand years; and a thousand years as one day.  He does not delay His promises as some estimate delay; but He is long suffering for your sakes, being not willing that any should perish, but that everyone should come to repentance.

Isaiah 34:2- Yahweh is angry at all nations, furious at all their host; he has doomed them, consigned them to slaughter. Their slain shall be left lying, and the stench of their corpses shall mount; and the hills shall be drenched with their blood, all the host of heaven shall molder (wither). The heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll, and all their host shall wither like a leaf withering on the vine, or shriveled fruit on a fig tree.

The events that happen, after the remnant have been gathered in the clouds, are the results of the Seven Cups/Bowls of Wrath poured out upon those 'left behind' as recorded in Revelation 16:

1. malignant and painful sores break out on those who had 'the mark' and who worshiped its image
2. the rest of the sea becomes unlivable and all sea life die
3. the rivers and fountains of water become blood (because of the shed blood of Set Apart believers and prophets)
4. the sun scorches men with fire, great heat (they still won't repent)
5. the kingdom of the 'beast' becomes darkness and they gnaw their tongues from pains and ulcers
6. The Euphrates dries up to make a way for the kings of the east, demons come out of the 'dragon', the final world leader and the false religious leader to gather to battle at a place called Meggido (Armageddon)
7. the announcement is made "It is done!" Lightning flashes, thunders sound and voices and there is a great earthquake. The great city splits into 3 parts, the city of nations falls, Babylon is remembered and she gets her due, islands disappear, mountains are flattened, great hail falls and men still blaspheme Yahweh. 

In Chapter 18 we read about Babylon, this great city, and its destruction. Then the marriage supper of Y'shua comes, he shows up riding a white horse and an angelic army from heaven rides with him to that battle at Megiddo. The 'beast' is captured along with the false prophet and both were cast into Fire Lake. The rest were slain by the sword of him on the white horse. Satan is chained up and bound in the pit for the next thousand years. Then the first resurrection and judgment occurs via the Twelve Apostles upon their thrones.

In Chapter 20 those who were gathered up in the clouds at the 7th trumpet, just before the 7 plagues were poured out, are now returned, placed in the promised land, fulfilling the covenant Yahweh made with Abraham. The 12 Apostles set up court to give judgement. Now we have a thousand years to look forward to, before Satan is let loose that one last time.

In Revelation 20:7 we learn that Satan is released after the thousand year earthly kingdom. It amazes me that he manages to round up an army for battle from the folks who make up the First Resurrection. Guess they will be just like the mixed multitude who traveled the wilderness those 40 years, mumbling, grumbling and complaining. It appears that this will be the final stage of refinement.

This final army Satan (Gog) inspires will encompass the camp of Set Apart believers and Jerusalem. Verse 9 tells us fire came down from Elohim out of heaven and consumed them, just them, not the whole earth. Now Satan is tossed into Fire Lake. Yahweh comes down to judge the rest. If one is not found enrolled in the Book of life, they will be cast into Fire Lake.

In Revelation 21 we learn that after the thousand years and this final rebellious act of Satan that Yahweh will make things new. There will be a new earth, new heavens and a new Jerusalem. The old order will pass away and we shall have no memory of it.

Isaiah 65:16- For whoever blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the true Elohim; and whoever swears in the land shall swear by the true Elohim. The former troubles shall be forgotten, shall be hidden from My Eyes. For behold! I am creating a new heaven and new earth; the former things shall not be remembered, they shall never come to mind. Be glad, then, and rejoice forever in what I am creating. I shall create Jerusalem as a joy, and her people as a delight. Never again shall be heard there the sounds of weeping and wailing.

Ezekiel 38 and 39 I shall paraphrase for this study, so when you have time, please read these chapters in their entirety. This prophecy points to the end of the thousand year earthly kingdom.

Yahweh says, "I am coming to deal with you, Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal! I will turn you around and put hooks in your jaws and lead you out, and your army: Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer, Beth-Togarmah. After a long time you shall be summoned; in the distant future you shall march against the land of a people restored, gathered from the midst of many peoples- against the mountains of Israel- a people liberated from the nations now dwelling secure.  

On that day a thought will occur to you and you will conceive a wicked design. You will plan to invade this land and these people, in order to take spoil and seize plunder, from the center of the earth (Jerusalem). On this day when My people Israel are living secure, you and your army will advance upon them. I will bring you to My land that the nations may know Me when I manifest My Set Apart ways before their eyes, through you, Gog! The day you set foot on the soil of Israel My raging anger shall flare up. A terrible earthquake shall befall the land. The fish of the sea and birds of the sky, beasts of the field, all creeping things on the ground and every human being on earth shall quake before Me. 

Mountains shall be overthrown, cliffs topple and every wall shall crumble to the ground - Every man's sword shall be turned against his brother. I will punish Gog with pestilence and bloodshed. I will pour down torrential rain, hailstones and sulfurous fire upon him and his hordes and many people with him. Thus will I manifest My greatness and My righteousness and make Myself known in the sight of many nations and they shall know that I am Yahweh.

2 Peter 3:9- But the day of Yahweh will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be dissolved in the fire, and the earth and its works will not be found.

Revelation 6:12- And when I saw the Lamb open the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a great wind. The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.

Isaiah 13:13- Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, And the earth will be shaken from its place At the fury of YHWH Elohim, in the day of His burning anger.

It appears that Yahweh's Burning Anger will be the cause of the destruction of the earth and heavens and occur after the thousand year reign when we who have endured shall not be concerned with the old earth.... all things will be forgotten when Yahweh brings the new earth, heavens and New Jerusalem.

Daniel 2:44 - And in the time of those kings, Elohim of Heaven will establish a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, a kingdom that shall not be transferred to another people. It will crush and wipe out all these kingdoms, but shall itself last forever.

Luke 1:32 - This one will be called great and will be called the Son of the Highest, and Master Yahweh your Elohim will give to him the throne of David... and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever... there will not be an end to his kingdom.

Psalm 90:4 - For in Your sight a thousand years are like yesterday that has past, like a watch of the night.

In the book of Ezekiel we read Yahweh plans to deal with Gog and Magog, puts hooks in his jaw and bring him to Jerusalem.  He will leave their bodies as food for birds of every sort.  Yah will send fire against Magog and those who dwell on the coast lands.

Ezekiel 39:9- Then the inhabitants of the cities of Israel will go out and make fires and feed them with the weapons; they shall use them as fuel for seven years in place of firewood.  They will plunder those who plundered them.  A burial site for Gog shall be east of the Sea in the Valley of Travelers.  Gog and his multitude will be buried there and be called the Valley of Gog's Multitude.  The House of Israel will spend 7 months burying them in order to cleanse the land - all the people shall bury them.  The day I manifest My glory shall bring renown to them and they shall appoint men to serve permanently, to traverse the land and bury any invaders who remain above ground in order to cleanse it. 17- ...say to every bird and wild beasts: Assemble, gather from all around for the sacrificial feast I am preparing upon the the mountains of Israel, and eat flesh and drink blood of warriors and princes, rams lambs he-goat an bulls, fatlings of Bashan, all of them. Eat and drink your fill. Sate yourselves at my table with horses, charioteers and all fighting men. Thus will I manifest My glory among the nations.

From that time on the House of Israel shall know that I Yahweh am their Elohim, and the nations shall know they were exiled for their iniquity because they trespassed against Me. I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob and take the whole House of Israel back in love.

How Religion Distorts the Word of Elohim

All praise belongs to Yahweh Elohim, our Father in heaven, whose Name is Set Apart. His Kingdom is near - let us desire to do His will, as in heaven so shall it be on earth. Father, give us understanding and forgive us our wrongdoings as we have forgiven those who have done us wrong. We know You test us to reveal what is truly in our hearts, but please protect us from the Evil One; for we know that Yours is the power and the glory forever and ever.

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I pray this study helps to bring a deeper understanding to our Faith; what it means to commit ourselves to the one true Living Elohim who created us. 

Quote from the World Atlas:

Different religions can be found all around the world, though the world's largest religions generally fall in one of two major subgroups. These are Abrahamic religions (Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Baha'i, etc.) and Indian religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, etc.).

Just to be clear, there is only One Living Elohim and His Name is Yahweh.  His Instructions are for His Creation which includes all humanity. We choose to either follow His Instructions or not.  Satan has been at war against this plan designed for our health, well being and salvation from the beginning. The first weapon he used against Yahweh was 'doubt', and it spread from there. If we truly trusted our Creator and understood His Instructions in Righteousness, there would be no religions, cults, denominations or 'break-away' churches.

I am YHWH your Elohim who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage: You shall have no other gods besides Me. You shall not make for yourself a sculptured image or any likeness of what is in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them. I YHWH am your Elohim, impassioned, visiting the guilt of the parents upon the children upon the third and the fourth generations of those who reject Me, but showing kindness to the thousandth generation of those who love Me and keep My commandments. You shall not swear falsely by My Name for I will not clear one who does.

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.

"Divide and Conquer" is a tactic well used by the Adversary.

Here's a list of a few of those divisions to help put things into perspective:

Religion - Estimated Followers

Christianity- 2.2 billion +

Islam- 1.6 billion +

Hinduism- 1 billion +

Buddism- 488 million

Shintoism- 104 million

Daoism- 93 million

Sikhism- 28 million

Judaism- 13.9 million

Korean Shamanism- 10 million

Cao Dai- 6.7 million

From the above list, many religions can be broken down even further into denominations, sects, reformed churches etc... 

Click here to go to an interesting page listing 

the largest "christian" denominations in the world

Division upon divisions.  Folks claiming to be 'believers' but do not know what they are believing, which results in a false sense of security.  Let me ask, with all these various religions and denominations, each with their own ideas mixed in, how can they all be 'right' and acceptable to Yahweh our Creator? 

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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Catholicism is the largest 'christian' denomination on this earth.  Part of their creed:

• I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church

(catholic defined: universal; apostolic defined: conforming to the teachings of the New Testament apostles)

Among other falsehoods, they teach "By eating the Body and drinking the Blood of Christ in the Eucharist we become united to the person of Christ through his humanity.  The Church gathers to remember and to re-present the sacrifice of Christ in which we share through the action of the priest and the power of the Holy Spirit." 

In effect they crucify Y'shua again and again, sun-day after sun-day. The Scripture  verses they use to back up the Eucharist tradition is taken way out of context.

Click here to go to the web page, 

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

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Yahweh's Instructions are the perfect governing system for His creation, which includes all humanity.  He never instituted a religious order and His Son came to remind us of that, when he fought against the Pharisees and scribes. It was man who started wielding the power of knowledge over the community, claiming only they could interpret and know what "God" was all about. 

All of His Instructions are recorded in the the first five books of Scriptures: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. This is His Instruction Manual provided for His Creation. Sure, it takes some study time to even begin to understand what was going on back in those days and to learn that it still applies to us today; just as any owner's manual needs to be read a few times before the instructions make sense, and become clear.

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 

"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."

Click here for a list and description of

various Cults and Religions

Satan counterfeits everything included in Yahweh's Instructions for Righteous Living and the first tool he uses against Yahweh is 'doubt' by asking us, "Did God really say....?"  And if we don't search it out for ourselves and allow the Ruach haKodesh to reveal the Truth, we will be tripped up by Satan's subtleties. We have been called out by Yahweh to be One People of One Faith, to live in harmony with one another.

Philippians 2:1 Therefore if you have any encouragement in Messiah, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, then make my joy complete by being of one mind, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.…

2 Corinthians 13:11  Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the Elohim of love and peace will be with you.

Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Elohim, one Faith, one Immersion; one Elohim and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

(that about says it all!)

Click here to go to my study

The Religion of Christianity

Void and without Form

Let me open this study by making it perfectly clear that it does not matter to me if the earth is a sphere, or flat, round, bowl shaped or square. I believe that because of the popularity of this topic it has become a distraction. I can, however, imagine this earth sitting at the center of our solar system regardless of shape, which does not affect my faith or trust in the Creator.

I have ignored flat earth theorists longer than I put off tackling the calendar discrepancies, so now must be the time for me to dive in.

Genesis Chapter One

When MarYah began to create heaven and earth - the earth being unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep and a wind from Yah over the water - He 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.

Yah said: "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the water to separate water from water." The expanse He called Sky. Now there is water above the sky and below the sky. (2nd day)

He gathered the waters below the sky into one area (Seas) so that dry land (Earth) could appear.  The earth sprouted vegetation. (3rd day)

Yah said: "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate day from night; they shall serve as signs for the set times - days, years - and to shine upon the earth." He made the sun and the moon and the stars, setting them in the expanse of the sky. (4th day)

The waters brought forth swarms of living creatures and birds that fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky. He created great sea monsters, and all the living creatures that creep, which the waters brought forth in swarms, and all the winged birds of every kind. (5th day)

Now the earth brings forth every kind of living creature: cattle; creeping things; wild beasts of every kind.  Last but not least He creates man, male and female, He created them to master the earth. (6th day)

When Yahweh finished His work, He rested on the 7th day. He blessed the 7th day and declared it Set Apart. (7th day)

• Unformed defined:: not arranged in regular shape, order, or relations; undeveloped
• Void defined:: containing nothing :not occupied :vacant :not inhabited :being without something specified
• Expanse defined by Scripture = Sky 
• Expanse defined from the dictionary:: firmament: great extent of something spread out

Just a reminder that this description is how things were BEFORE the flood. So now we know where all that water came from, in the time of Noah, that covered the earth upwards to several feet above the tallest mountain.

In reading the first chapter in Genesis, I see no indication of shape in regards to the earth. It was without form, not inhabited and without any specifics to start with. Yahweh changed all that! He separated light from darkness; water from water; water from dry land; day from night. Then He set apart the 7th day.  

I accept Yah at His Word and am amazed at His awesome power! He exists in a realm we can only imagine, and I'm afraid it is our imagination that gets in the way from time to time. But who can blame us? Look at the world we've grown up in. 

Reading that He placed the sky between the waters does make one see in a linear way, but could this take place regardless of the shape of the earth? Think of concentric circles rippling outwards when a pebble is dropped into the midst of a puddle of water. A type of separation occurs in a circular pattern.

Flat Earthers believe that a dome covers a circular, flat earth, with its edge resting on the earth beyond the ice wall of Antarctica. The stars are affixed to this dome, while the sun and moon are above the earth but beneath the dome. 

If that is what they believe, how do they explain the reference 'the four corners of the earth', which is also found written in Scriptures... ?

The use of the phrase "four corners of the earth" is another picturesque use of language that usually means from a far distance, not actual corners of the earth.

Heaven is generally understood as being above us. Depending on the context, the word can refer to that which is immediately above us, where flying birds, clouds, and rain are. It also can refer to the realm of astronomical bodies. Finally, it often refers to the Spiritual realm of Yahweh Elohim. “Heaven” has all these meanings, both in modern use and in the Bible. Does the word 'firmament' also have all of these meanings?

Answers in Genesis

Nearly everyone understands that a sphere does not have an edge. Indeed, we can travel indefinitely around a sphere and never reach a boundary or edge. On the other hand, if the earth is flat, it must have an edge somewhere, unless the earth is an infinite plane. (end quote)

If I had a high-tech aircraft that could perform my experiment, and I took off from Phoenix Arizona, headed west and continued flying, would I run into this dome effect? Would I find Antarctica lying in the west? What if I went by boat, would I find this edge?  This brings to mind old world maps with sea monsters threatening sailing ships as they got too close to the edge of the 'known world'.

Let's move on.

Here are a couple of verses referencing the earth sitting upon pillars, which the flat earthers visualize as true structures resembling pillars.  I will keep the verses in context and highlight what has been picked out for their purpose. Taken as a whole, can you see the poetic choice of words to get the point across?

Job 9- Indeed I know that it is so; Man cannot win a suit against Yahweh. If he insisted on a trial with Him, He would not answer one charge in a thousand. Wise of heart and mighty in power-- who ever challenged Him and came out whole? He who moves mountains without them knowing it, Who overturns them in His anger; 9:6 Who shakes the earth from its place, till its pillars quake; Who commands the sun not to shine; Who seals up the stars; Who by Himself spread out the heavens, and trod on the back of the sea; Who made the Bear and Orion, Pleiades, and the chambers of the south wind; Who performs great deeds which cannot be fathomed, and wondrous things without number.

Psalm 75- We praise You O Elohim; we praise You; Your presence is near; men tell of Your wondrous deeds. At the time I choose, I will give judgment equitably. 75:4 Earth and all its inhabitants dissolve; it is I who keep its pillars firm. To wanton men I say, "Do not be wanton!" to the wicked, "Do not lift up your horns!"

Now over to 1 Samuel 2:8. To be fair and in context He was talking about people = the poor, the needy granting them seats of honor - they are the pillars of the earth, He has set His world upon them, guarding the steps of His faithful. (Probably where 'pillars of the community' came from.)

Pillar definitons:
:a firm upright support for a superstructure
:a usually ornamental column or shaft
:a supporting, integral, or upstanding member or part
:a fundamental precept

I think folks miss the 'poetic language' used many time throughout Scriptures to make a point. For example: Yahweh said His throne is Heaven and the earth is His footstool = which means He as the Creator has complete power over the spiritual and physical elements. It is not an attempt to confine our Creator in a physical shape or size. The word is used again in Hebrews 1:13- “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” Would you think He was going to wad up a bunch of enemies and form them into a footstool? I don't 'read it' that way, but certainly enemies can be conquered,  and 'put under one's feet' - Yahweh is speaking figuratively.  

Isaiah 40:22- It is He who is enthroned above the vault of the earth, so that its inhabitants seem as grasshoppers; Who spread out the skies like gauze, stretched out like a tent to dwell in. 

Yahweh's throne is in Heaven, above the sky that we see, beyond our atmosphere, into His Spiritual Realm, another dimension. Again, this is not an attempt to place Yahweh into a physical shape or size so that we appear small as grasshoppers to Him.  How foolish does that sound? Yahweh performs great deeds which cannot be fathomed, and wondrous things without number. 

Quote from Mike Clayton:

No other passage of scripture has been picked apart and ridiculed as much as Genesis One. In this chapter we read of the creation of the heavens, the earth and all that is in them. We read the order of creation and the astounding words that it was done in six days. We then count from this time period using subsequent scripture and find all this was accomplished about six thousand years ago! Could that really be so? Could He really mean it as He states it here? Is this not merely code language for six million days or maybe six billion years? Did He really mean what He said?  "Did He really say?" 

Men have done their best through the years using junk science and fuzzy logic to ridicule and prove wrong the words of Genesis One. They have come up with evolution (which makes a monkey out of them), big bang theories and any number of ridiculous thoughts to place doubt in the words of Scripture. This so called teaching has produced a generation of Godless thought and Godless actions in the world around us. (end quote)

This may or may not be the subtle reason behind the Flat Earth Theory - to cause doubt, specifically to call Yahweh into question.  This is not a good thing.

I will leave this study as it is for the time being as there is more to research behind the idea of a flat earth. The Books of Enoch are used in part to support this theory and I do have copies of these books but I always use Scripture first in all things placing the Word of Yahweh above all. Referring to writings quoted in Scriptures (Enoch; Jasher) are worth investigating and can prove to add understanding in certain circumstances.

It is not a matter of importance to know the shape of the earth but it is important to absolutely trust Yahweh and the truth revealed by His Spirit.

(to be continued...)

Abiding by His Instructions Today = Sukkot

This study spun off a discussion in regards to getting time off from work/school in order to keep the feast of Sukkot. Folks seemed to think they need the whole eight days off, when Yah's Instructions state the 1st and 8th days are set part as Sabbaths of complete rest, and we are not to work at our occupations, so those 2 days should be easy enough to plan ahead for.

The discussion led me on to think about this: if we truly desire to follow His Instructions, and take into consideration that the temple nor priesthood exist and Jerusalem is the last known place Yahweh attached His Name... should we be substituting other behaviors to make up the difference? For example, in the case of Sukkot, Yah's states only the males gathered in Jerusalem bringing the appropriate gifts and offerings, but every 7th year, the year of remission, the whole family and household got to attend. Animal sacrifices, burnt offerings and gifts brought to the temple in Jerusalem can no longer be done, but keeping the specified days set apart as Shabbats can be done. Do we know which year count we're in? Most folks don't even know what day it is let alone what year it is, so why 'just do it' when by doing so we could be incurring His anger? Could this be what He meant:

Isaiah 7:11 What need have I of all your sacrifices... I have no delight that you come to appear before Me - trample My courts no more. Bringing your offerings is futile, incense is offensive to Me. New moon and sabbath you proclaim solemnities and assemble with wickedness I cannot tolerate. Your new moons (months) and your fixed seasons (man's traditions and substitutes for Yah's moedim) fill Me with loathing - they have become a burden to Me, no longer a joy. When you lift up your hands in false praise and worship I will turn My Eyes away from you.

Many have been taught that Sukkot points towards the day of Messiah's return when his Set Apart believers will be gathered. I am seeing more as when YHWH is in the midst of His People after the thousand year Kingdom ends. In the meantime we rejoice and remember the awesome power of our Creator. We remember what He has done by reading Torah and see the behavior of the people back then. All of it was written as instructions for us! If we can build a hut (succah) in our backyards and spend time in it, there's no harm done as long as it is to teach others about Yahweh setting folks free from slavery, bondage to sin. If you have members in your community who would like to gather and read from Exodus, that is a good thing and acknowledges our awesome Elohim. Put Him first in all things. But trying to 'celebrate' in our own ways brings to mind Nadab and Abihu, who were sons of Aaron and trained to be priests. They ended up adding to the Instructions given by Yahweh and they died because of it.

A more appropriate example would be the actions of Jeroboam after the tribes split up. When the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) drew near, Jeroboam feared if he let the people go to Jerusalem to celebrate (as per the command of YHWH) that he would lose them and perhaps lose his own life. So he had 2 temples built- one near Bethel and one near Dan -and made Two Golden Heifers, one in each temple and convinced the people that "God was everywhere" and hears and sees those who worship him and that it was O.K. if they didn't go to Jerusalem to worship Elohim according to His rules but could worship him the way they saw fit. Jeroboam succeeded in deluding the people which caused them to go against Elohim and transgress Torah. (Are we part of this delusion today?)

Why are entire families - men, women and children - signing up, paying big bucks to spend a camping trip anywhere USA each year to celebrate Sukkot?

Deuteronomy 12 beginning with verse 20 we read that Yahweh allows an option for taking offerings from the herd and flock (meat) as He knows the population will grow and folks will live farther and farther away from the place He chose. It wouldn't be logical to drive herds such a distance. It's alright to eat at home and take care of the local community.... But (verse 26) "such sacred and votive donations as you may have shall be taken by you to the site the Yahweh will choose..." There is still a place to go that Yahweh has chosen and we aren't there yet.

2 Chronicles 33:4-  ".... Yahweh had said, My name will be in Jerusalem forever."

I realize that when His Instructions for the Set Times were given, the people were not in the Land yet. By the time we get to Deuteronomy 4, He says: "You shall not add anything to what I command you or take anything away from it, but keep the commandments of Yahweh your Elohim..." In Deuteronomy 6 Moses points out the Instruction- laws and rules -are to be observed in the land they were soon to cross into.... and I mention that it was those 40 years they traveled the wilderness as a test (Deuteronomy 8) Yah tested them by hardships to learn what was in their hearts: whether they would keep His commandments or not. - I apply that to us today, and ask, are we being tested to see if we are going to keep His commandments or not? 

Most are aware that when our Creator says things like "forever" He means forever. 

• 2 Chronicles 6:6 "But then I chose Jerusalem for My name to abide there...." 
• 6:9 ".... your son shall build the House for My name." 
• 33:4 ".... Yahweh had said, My name will be in Jerusalem forever." 
• 33:7 ".... In this House and in Jerusalem, which I chose out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish My name forever." 

The House that David wanted to build but Solomon accomplished is the House of Elohim aka 'the temple'. Yes, the physical temple was finally destroyed and yes, Yahshua said our bodies are the temple where in the Spirit of Yahweh dwells.... but where was the last place Yah placed His Name? Jerusalem.

We truly cannot think we are honoring Yahweh by choosing to do things our own way, can we? Who and what are we delighting in - ourselves and our own festivities or Yahweh and His Instructions in Righteous Living?

Genesis through Deuteronomy are Instructions for us... a complete set Yah gave His Creation which includes all mankind. His Set Times (feast days) serve as reminders of His awesome power, how the blood of the lamb saves us from death (Passover); how leaven can affect the whole batch either for good or bad (Unleavened Bread); how to be thankful and rejoice as He provides for our needs and that we share our bounty with those in our communities (First Fruits); that we can allow His Spirit to dwell within, who comforts us with Truth (Shavuot); they teach us to be alert and aware of the times we are living in (Day of Trumpets); to humble ourselves and profess His Son as the Way back to the Father (Day of Atonement) and to look forward to the Promise when He gathers us and calls us His people and we acknowledge Him as our Elohim. He sets us upon our soil- the land of Canaan and fulfills the covenant He made with Abraham so long ago. One thousand years later He restores all things. We are His people and He is our Elohim, in our midst (Sukkot).

⇇ ⇉ ⇇ ⇉

Yah's Instructions for all aspects of life can be found in Genesis through Deuteronomy.  We naturally abide by about 1/3 of them as a result of living decent moral lives. Of the remaining rules, laws, teachings and commandments, not all apply to each of us as individuals.  Some pertain to the Temple, priesthood and all duties required as part of their service. Some pertain to farmers and ranchers in regards to agriculture, animal husbandry and land management. Some pertain to judges and the entire justice system.  Some are intended for women and some are for men. Some are about health, foods, and family; but all of them are for treating one another in fairness, truth and loving kindness.

Commandments

Obedience

Shabbat Shalom