Symbolism - Real and Perceived

Over the years I have come across many ideas attached to the Lamp Stand, also known as the Menorah, and, although none of them seem derogatory most come from man's imagination without backing it up with the reality of YHWH's Word. Most illustrations that go with these ideas do not even use the proper representation of said lamp stand. In all this decorative talk, The Lamp Stand has been risen to idol status. We have been warned not to worship the created thing: Romans 1:25.  There are folks who desire a 'deeper meaning' searching for that mystical experience that will empower and feed their own self esteem. This sort of self serving attitude is what Y'shua taught against when he called the scribes and Pharisees 'hypocrites' more than once.

So, what does this lampstand look like? 

Turn now to Exodus 25 beginning with verse 31.

You shall make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be made of hammered work; its base and its shaft, its cups, its calyx and petals shall be of one piece. Six branches shall come out of its sides: three branches from of one side of the lampstand, and three branches from the other side of the lampstand. On one branch there shall be three cups shaped like almond blossoms,  each with calyx and petals, and on the next branch there shall be three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with calyx and petals; so for all six branches coming out of the lampstand.
And on the lampstand itself are four cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with calyx and petals: a calyx  of one piece with it under a pair of branches, and a calyx of one piece with it, under the second pair of branches, and a calyx of one piece with it,  under the last pair of branches, so for all six branches coming out of the lampstand. Their calyxes and their stems shall be of one piece with it, the whole of it a single hammered piece of pure gold.
Make its seven lamps, they shall be mounted so that they give light on its front side, and its tongs and firepans of pure gold. It shall be made, with all these furnishings, out of a talent of pure gold. Note well, and follow the pattern for them that are being shown you on the mountain.

Note: “And you shall make seven lamps for it, and they shall mount its lamps so that they give light in front of it".

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Many moons ago, when I began this journey and was becoming familiar with Scriptures, this is the image that came to mind from reading the description of the Lamp Stand in Exodus:

I got it wrong more than once

~ I've never seen the pattern shown Moses ~

I looked up the definition of calyx and looked at various pictures of almond blossoms.  In years gone by I was an assistant to a jeweler and have experience in hammering gold, albeit in a decorative manner. Hammered gold reflects light in every direction.  It makes perfect sense that YHWH would want the lamps placed in front of this piece of work so as to reflect and give light inside the tabernacle and not be near the wall of the tent. I missed that point in my design as you see I put fire in each of the almond blossoms totally overlooking the instruction for mounting seven lamps in front of this stand. My design might have caused the tent to go up in flames! These lamps were not made of one piece with it but separate lamps that are mounted onto or in front of this stand. 

Exodus 40:37 ~ the pure lampstand, its lamps- lamps in due order (in a row) -and all its fittings, and the oil for lighting...

The instructions read: on the lampstand itself are Four Cups shaped like almond blossoms. These are to be under each set of branches where they meet at the shaft, but there are only three sets of branches, so the fourth blossom shaped cup could be either at the top of the main shaft or at the base. I chose to place it at the top. I also chose to place the three blossoms upright and next to each other on the six branches because I thought they were to hold the olive oil and wicks for burning. Only Moses was shown the pattern while he was on the mountain and the people made the menorah accordingly.  I am just giving the best representation I can to compare with what is commonly accepted. As mentioned earlier, this is a design from several years ago.  When I get around to reworking the image (removing the flames and adding lamps) I will include it in this study.

Here is another design I came up with using the popular version of the menorah, shining light on a scroll representing the written Word of YHWH Elohim:

I was starting to understand the concept of 

Light and the Word of Elohim

yet I was still under the influence of  man's imaginations.

This lampstand was not made according to Yah's pattern - 

the tops of each branch are lit 

and cannot give light to the front in this manner

The detailed pattern sets it apart from any ordinary household lampstand. It's main purpose was to give light inside the tabernacle. Lets look at the main details again and see if we can discern the intended symbolism of this piece of work:

1. A talent of Pure Gold is around 60-70 pounds and was the amount used to shape the lampstand and make its utensils including the seven lamps. Pure gold has been described in appearance as 'glass', shiny and reflective.

2. Hammered and Shaped: results in a dented surface allowing light to reflect in many directions when lamps are mounted in front of it.

3. Six Branches issue from the main shaft and represent an Almond Tree. Jeremiah 1:11 ~ Yah asks Jeremiah "What do you see?" He replies, "I see a branch of an almond tree." Yahweh says he saw correctly, for "I am watchful to bring My word to pass."

4. The cups were shaped as almond blossoms, detailed with Calyx and Petals: A calyx is the sepals of a flower, typically forming a whorl that encloses the petals and forms a protective layer around a flower in bud. There was a total of 22 almond blossoms shaped into the design of the lampstand. Three cups on each branch plus four on the shaft.

5. Seven Lamps: Most of us know that the number seven is one of Yah's favorite. The description of these lamps are not given, but they are separate from the stand on which they are mounted and they give light.

6. Pure Olive Oil: In Exodus 27:20 we read that 'clear oil of beaten olives' was used for lighting and kindling the lamps regularly. Pure olive oil was also used in the making of anointing oils and was part of various offerings. This pure oil can also represents the Ruach haKodesh: The Spirit Wind of Elohim.

Lampstand - Lamps - Pure Olive Oil

Three parts that function together as a whole

YHWH - Y'shua - Ruach haKodesh:

The Father- The Son - His Set Apart Spirit

The symbolism of the almond tree, revealed to Jeremiah (1:11), is that YHWH watched a sinful nation walk away from Him and declares there will be consequences. This carries through to today's world. He will fulfill His promise of either the curse or the blessing. When immorality engulfs nations, we should remember: Yah is watching. His time to avenge His people has yet to come, but we have not been forgotten.

The Menorah, described by The Creator and shown to Moses as part of the pattern for the Tabernacle, represents the Light of the World = The Word made Flesh = Y'shua haMashiyach (the Anointed One). There are six branches that should not be confused with a mystic "life force" within a person who seeks to release his kundalini... (yep, that's one I heard about a while back). The gold is pure, the oil is pure, the priesthood was set apart by YHWH to care for these duties. Y'shua is pure, without blemish, no sin was found in him. Through him we receive the Spirit, who comforts us with the truth of all things, effectively shining that Light into the darkness. We are being refined as gold, to remove our impurities. 

We are to rejoice and be glad because our reward in heaven is great. Just as folks persecuted the prophets of old for speaking the Word of Elohim, we too, shall be persecuted for our faith and following the perfect example set by His Son. We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Because we follow the Instructions of the Father our behavior- our light -shines in view of all people. We become the 'light of the world' by example. That example is evidenced by our lifestyle, which is according to the Instructions given us by our Creator and not by some mystic light show happening within our bodies. 

John 8:12 - Once again, Y'shua spoke to the people and said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.

A thought to ponder: Six branches come out from the main shaft, so I wonder why or when it became seven branches? Yah did not describe the 'shaft' as a 'branch'. The menorah does have seven lamps mounted so their light shines on the front of the lampstand... got a little head scratching going on here. Can you now see the distortion caused by man's imagination in regards to the menorah? 

Colossians 2:8 - Beware lest any man rob you by philosophy, or by empty deception, according to the teaching of men and according to the principles of the world and not according to Yahshua the Mashiyach.
Psalm 49:13 - This is the destiny of fools, and of those who approve of their philosophy.

Definition of "Philosophy":

• pursuit of wisdom 
• a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means 
• an analysis of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs 

(it's a Greek kind of thing....)

Yahweh tells us not to be taken in by those who teach by speculation, who hand out empty deceptions concocted by men according to worldly desires; those who ignore the teachings of Y'shua, the Son of Elohim. In our day I believe if we are not using Scripture to interpret Scriptures we can be taken in by those who speculate and ignore the teachings of Y'shua, recorded in the Renewed Covenant. We survive by every Word that comes from YHWH Elohim. That means we read Scriptures, from Genesis through to Revelation - more than once. It is a learning process and some points take longer than others to sink in. Some of us may no longer be stiff necked, but still hard headed.

With that being said, I will not speculate on any further symbolism of the seven lamps. We know that the number seven is a recurring number and that we find 'types and shadows' throughout the Old Testament. We know His Son is the Light of the world, and it is the Ruach haKodesh that shines within us as we become Set Apart to YHWH.

I will continue this study and let His Spirit reveal the truth as Scriptures ties it all together for us.

Please leave your comments in the section below as we continue to study this out.

Shalom 

Follow Up to a FB Discussion

My question was:

If Y'shua and his Apostles ate the passover meal together on the 14th day at twilight, was he arrested and killed the next day ...the first day of Unleavened Bread.... ?

What caused me to do an earlier study on this very topic is that we find reference in Scriptures that Y'shua Messiah was/is called the Passover Lamb, along with the common belief  he was 'sacrificed' on the day of Passover, which is the 14th day of the first month according to our Creator's calendar.  I know that our Creator does not approve human sacrifices which helped me to view the death of Y'shua in a slightly different light: His death metaphorically relates to the blood of the lamb saving folks from death.  He wasn't sacrificed but was sentenced to death, hung on a Roman death device. He knew these things would befall him, and to fulfill this prophecy would bring glory to the Father.

I do not deny that Y'shua Son of YHWH is the Lamb of Elohim and has been referred to in Scriptures as the passover lamb.  I completely understand the origins of the passover meal and the days of Unleavened Bread.  In Exodus it is written that the blood of the lamb was painted onto the lintels and doorposts of the houses by those who spent the night inside as a sign to YHWH to protect them from the Angel of Death: the last plague before His people were set free.  This pattern clearly carries through to the shed blood of Y'shua Messiah. If we believe he laid down his life for our sake, that he obeyed the Father in all things and we choose to do likewise, we spiritually paint his blood on our minds and hearts as a sign to YHWH to save us from those eternal flames. We are set free from our past sinful nature and begin our journey on His Path of Righteous Living.

Yah's People have obeyed His Instructions for many, many years before His Son came on the scene.  We know that His Son came to do the will of the Father, and he and his followers obeyed Torah = Instructions; which include keeping the moedim, Yah's Set Apart times to be remembered and observed each year through all generations to come.  

Here are the Instructions given by YHWH for those believers in Egypt to prepare for the final plague which results in them being set free from Pharaoh (lightly paraphrased by me, please read Scriptures for the full details):

Exodus 12:3 ~ ... on the tenth of this month each family shall take a lamb into their household... a lamb without blemish, a yearling male from either the sheep or the goats. Keep watch over it until the 14th day; and then all the assembled congregation of the Israelites shall slaughter them at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they are to eat it. They shall eat it the same night, roasted over the fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs. Do not leave anything left over until morning, but if there are leftovers, burn them. Be fully dressed and ready to leave before you eat and eat quickly: it is a passover offering to YHWH as protection, because that night He will go through the land of Egypt and strike down every first born, both man and beast; and He will mete out punishments to all the 'gods' of Egypt because He alone is Elohim.  The blood on the houses shall be a sign for you: when Yah sees it He will pass over you so that no plague will destroy you when He strikes the land of Egypt.

After this takes place, Yah tells them how to remember this momentous event in the years to come. He tells them the day will be one to remember and to celebrate it for all time.

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. 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 for 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 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 daylight dwindled into twilight of the 14th day, which became the 15th day after the sun went down.  Let me also point out the 14th day was the regular day of rest and this 15th day is a Shabbat, the first day of Unleavened Bread. Seven days later is High Shabbat because the last day of Unleavened Bread falls on the 7 day count for the regular day of rest.

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.

But first a word about the Word:

I have learned in the course of this study that it was customary back in the day when folks spoke of this set apart time to interchange the words 'passover' and 'feast of Unleavened Bread' because the passover offering kicked off the feast of Unleavened Bread. All Set Apart believers knew what was being said and what was meant.  There was only one offering on the 14th day followed by the 7 days of Unleavened Bread. It seems that 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 the 'first day of Unleavened Bread was when the lambs were slaughtered'. Yet, according to what we read earlier, Yah's Instructions are that the passover offering lambs were slaughtered on the 14th day, eaten at sunset, and the first day of Unleavened Bread began on the 15th day.  Mark knew that and was using the common language of the day in his report. 

The Passover Meal - one event recorded years later by four different Apostles:

1. 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
2. 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.
3. Luke 22:7 - And the day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread arrived... Y'shua sent Peter and John to make preparations.
4. John 13:1 - Now before the feast Y'shua had known 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.

I have come to terms that we in this modern age must be inspired by the Ruach haKodesh to use our common sense to realize when the Apostles say it was the "first day of Unleavened Bread" in the same sentence as "preparing a place to eat" that they are indeed referring to the 14th day when the roasted lamb is eaten before the sun goes down. They would not alter Yah's Instructions or substitute other behavior.  The 14th day is when the lambs would be taken to the temple and sacrificed by the priests on duty who handle offerings. Families would then take the lamb offerings to be roasted and eaten at home. Y'shua and his Apostles did not have a home to go to so therein is the need to prepare a place to eat. 

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 him. 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, taken a walk and had more time in fellowship with those he loved. 

After they had arrived at Gethsemane, 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.

We read in Matthew 27 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.

The 14th day at twilight the meal is eaten. They leave the place they have eaten and walk to the Mount of Olives where Y'shua tells his Apostles many things. They then walk on to Gethsemane where the Apostles eventually fall asleep while Y'shua is in prayer to his Father. Judas betrays him and he is carried off.  It wasn't until morning that he was taken to Pilate. Now it is the 15th day.

Matthew 26:57 ~ And those who seized Y'shua led him to the high priest Caiaphas, where the scribes and elders were gathered. They were seeking witnesses against Y'shua so that they might kill him, but none were found although many false witnesses showed up.
Matthew 27:1 ~ And when it was morning, the chief priests and the elders all took counsel against Y'shua, and bound him and delivered him to Pilate.

Mark 14:53 ~ Then they took Y'shua to Caiaphas the high priest, and the chief priests and scribes and elders were all gathered with him. 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. 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 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' (it was a Shabbat, the 1st day of Unleavened Bread, so of course those religious men couldn't kill him that day.)

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).

After examining the evidence provided in Scriptures, I conclude: 

The passover meal was eaten at twilight, the 14th day. The accounts agree it was morning, as the day dawned, when Y'shua was bound and brought before Pilate. It is now the 15th day. The 9th hour when Y'shua died is during the 15th day.

Moving Beyond Hebrew Roots

After we discover our Hebrew heritage and learn that the Old Testament has not been replaced by the New Testament; as we have come out of the mysterious Babylonian world system and let go of that old time religion, what's next? 
Glad you asked! 
Now we discover the Faith that was once delivered.

Jude 1:3 ~ While I take all pains to write to you of our common life, it is needful for me to write to you, encouraging you to maintain a conflict for the faith which was once delivered to the Set Apart believers.

What does that mean, the faith once delivered, and why do we need to fight for it?  Keep reading:

Jude 1:4 ~ For some have obtained entrance who, from the beginning, were registered beforehand under this condemnation: wicked men who pervert the grace of Elohim to impurity and deny Him who is the only MarYah (Master YHWH), and our Master, Y'shua the Mashiyach.

Long before the days of Y'shua, wicked men had been infiltrating assemblies of YHWH and continue to teach lies to this very day.  It is up to us as Set Apart believers to remind folks of the faith that was delivered long before men began to pervert it. All religions have perverted the Word of our Creator to one degree or another.

1 John 4 ~ Do not believe all spirits, but discriminate among spirits whether they are of Elohim; for many false prophets have gone out into the world... 

These false prophets (wicked men) in their teaching of perverted doctrines, in essence, deny YHWH as our only Elohim and do not recognize Y'shua as the Son of Elohim.

What is 'faith'?
Hebrews 11 ~ Now faith is the persuasion of the things that are in hope as if they were an actual fact, and it is the manifesting of the things not seen. For by faith we understand that the worlds were shaped by the Word of Elohim and that things seen originated from those that are not seen.

In our continued reading and study of Scriptures, it is by faith we come to trust our Creator and believe His Word is the truth about everything. We commit ourselves to YHWH and trust Y'shua, His Son.  Our Hope is in the actual fact of the Good News of the Kingdom to come, yet to be manifest - all of which we have not seen - but it is by growing in faith we obey the will of the Father.  Examples of faith are taught to us through Noah; when he was told of the things not seen (the Flood), he obeyed Yahweh and made an ark, and became righteous which is by faith. By faith, Abraham, when called, obeyed Yah, left home and traveled to the place of his inheritance while he had no idea where he was going. By faith he became a resident in the land that was promised. By this same faith we also inherit the promised land.

1 Peter 1:6-9 ... when you are under some pressure by the various trials that pass over you (it is) so that the proof of your faith may appear more precious than refined gold that is tested by fire, to glory and honor and praise at the manifestation of Y'shua: whom having not seen, you love; and in the faith of whom you rejoice with the joy that is glorious and beyond expression, that you may receive the reward of your faith, the life of your souls...

According to Scriptures, faith is not about religion or the doctrines of man. Faith is much more than saying "In God We Trust", going to church and reciting prayers. Faith is our commitment to the Living Elohim who provided an Owner's Manual to go with His Creation which includes all humanity. As we read, study, research, discuss and learn about His ways, the Ruach haKodesh reveals the truth of all things, and it becomes a harmonious relationship in which we gain understanding. It is His Path of Righteousness we continue to move along towards the land of our inheritance. Satan, with his various devices which cause division, tries to stop us from moving along this path, and succeeds in turning many people away from YHWH Elohim our heavenly Father.

John 20:29 - Y'shua said to him, "Now that you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who do not see me and believe."

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Since discovering these Hebrew origins-- beginning with Abraham the Hebrew and continuing through the descendants of Jacob which became the House of Israel --many have be led to align themselves with today's Jews, completely ignoring the other eleven tribes, a serious side-effect of many Hebrew Roots teachers. These people begin to embrace traditions as they adorn themselves with prayer shawls, clip-on tzitzits, collect shofars, menorahs and Israeli flags, wear pins and star of David jewelry, and keep the 7th day rest every sat-day. They follow the herd as they 'stand with Israel' not knowing today's modern day state of Israel is not Biblical Israel and they believe that Jews are God's chosen people who were gathered back to their land in 1948. Some folks even go as far as to submit their DNA for analysis to see if they are blood relatives of the Jews. Sadly, they don't realize how much has been added to the Word of Elohim via Judaism, the writings in the Talmud and the mystical Kabbalah. It's as if Satan is throwing out one last stumbling block for those of us seeking YHWH. We came out of the Babylonian religious systems but many are in danger of being snared by Judaism and all its customs. YHWH's Son refers to this very topic and taught against it.

Click here to go to my study Who Is Israel

Let's come back to the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Recorded in these writings are YHWH's plans for His people and the precise instructions to follow in order to live in a just and righteous fashion. They are known as Torah in the Hebrew language and Instructions in the English language. Christianity likes to call them Laws and put them under the heading of Legalism which makes it easier to promote the belief that Jesus 'nailed them to the cross' and did away with them. This is not the case.  

Does any one even take into consideration where the Ten Commandments came from? There are even folks who think only Two Commands apply today.  The Two and the Ten can be backtracked to the rules and regulations found in the Old Testament and narrowed down to the first five books. For example, Matthew 22 tells us that Yah's Instructions (Torah) and the (writings of the) prophets hold onto these two commandments: 

• Love Master Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart, soul, might and mind 
• Love your neighbor as yourself 

Earlier, we read in Deuteronomy 6:5

• You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and all your soul and with all your might.

and in Leviticus 19:18

• Do not take vengeance or bear a grudge against your countrymen. Love your fellow as yourself.

It is because of our faith 

that we become obedient, through love.

If we have no love nothing else matters.

Faith, not religion, is what Y'shua asked about, wondering if any will be found on this earth when he returns (Luke 18:8). He spoke this parable against men who relied upon themselves thinking they were righteous, while despising everyone else.

Click here to go to my study Faith and Salvation

Being made aware of the Hebrew Roots of the Word of Elohim (aka Scriptures) is a valuable stepping stone along His Path.  Do not let it become a stumbling block by trading your old religion for a substitute. Pick up your Bible and start reading from the beginning, Genesis, on through to Deuteronomy.  Just a light surface reading will do the first time... now read it again and one more time. Take notes and write down your questions.  Let His Words sink in and allow His Spirit to teach you.  Y'shua called this Spirit the Comforter, who reveals truth. Find fellow Set Apart believers to share and grow with.  Understand that we are no different from the people we read about in Scriptures. We have the same struggles, joys and sorrows.  Satan is still seeking whom he can devour as we face the same temptations and make decisions.  By obeying the Instructions given by our Creator we are trained up so as to make the right decisions.  Continue reading through the Old Testament noting the results of the decisions made by those people. All this was written for our benefit so that we would not make the same mistakes. Scriptures contain everything we need to know in order to live a good life as we wait for the return of Y'shua our High Priest and future King.

Is it the Adversary or YHWH...

There are those who claim the more they stand up and fight for God, quote Scriptures, and preach repentance because the end it near, the more Satan will attack them.  I'm not seeing that scenario in Scriptures. As a matter of fact, Yahweh tested the mixed multitude of people who left Egypt. He tested them for 40 years to see what was in their hearts, whether or not they would obey Him. It wasn't Satan attacking them. And Satan couldn't even challenge Job without Yah's permission.  So are those folks who claim the Adversary is attacking them simply blind to or not taking responsibility for what's going on in their own personal lives and blaming it on Satan?

"The devil made me do it." 

~ Geraldine

The Flip Wilson Show

We have read that Satan is the prince of this world and the power of the air.  We know there are unclean spirits left over from the Nephilim.  We know giving in to various temptations opens the door for demonic oppression. These are the dark forces that exist, but we are the children of light. If we resist temptation the devil will flee from us. So it should make sense to us that if there are problems arising in our lives right now, maybe it is Yahweh our Father testing us, trying to get our attention again, before that door opens so wide that Satan can lay claim to us. Satan may not be the attacker but he readily waits to devour anyone who strays from the straight path.  

Stop right now and review yourself, your home, family, loved ones and friends. What needs to change?  Are we being 'attacked' or is our Loving Father trying to get us to see something. When we recognize stumbling blocks lets work on removing them instead of covering them up with excuses. I was once guilty of the same tactics.  We are part of Yah's creation and Satan has been trying to get control of it since that day in the Garden; it is their battle and Satan will eventually be cast into the pit. But in the meantime lets live according to our Creator's Instructions so we do not slip and fall into that same pit.

Yah is our Warrior and our Shield - we trust Him to protect us as long as we continue to be part of His Everlasting Covenant.  When we step outside of this agreement we do become available material for Satan and his minions.  Those who claim they are being attacked (demons, evil spirits, Satan etc....) and then try to justify these problems by saying they are 'close to God' is just a cartload of road apples. What is happening is their faith is being challenged, tested, and they are missing the point, covering up the fact by claiming they are being attacked.  I think that mindset will eventually open a door for a demon to take up residence and one will finally know what it is like to be spiritually attacked.

The Reality of Demons

Ephesians 4:26 ~

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

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

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

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

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

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

First John 4

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

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

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

First Timothy 4

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

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

Second Corinthians 4:4

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

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

Who is presently the 'god of this world'? 

Satan.

Ephesians 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Who's Judging Whom?

Some folks think we who make it into the Kingdom to Come will sit as judges and even judge angels.  Well, you know me, I had to look into it, especially the judging angels part.

❖ ✜ ❖ ✜ ❖

What does it mean, to judge?

: to form an opinion about, after careful thought : to regard (someone/thing) as either good or bad : to make an official decision about

Who is a judge?

One who makes judgments, such as

: a public official authorized to decide questions brought before a court: one who gives an authoritative opinion

We have learned about the Messengers/angels being kept in chains until the day of Judgment: Jude 1:6 ~ And the Messengers that did not keep their first estate but left their station, He has reserved in chains unknown under darkness to the judgment of the great day." (These are the ones we read about in Genesis 6:2- the divine beings who took human women that pleased them).  

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

The twelve Apostles judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Does this include the entire generational line of Jacob, the commonwealth of Israel, both native born and adopted in? If the Apostles are given the authority to judge, who are we to judge? And who judges the 200 angels who have been kept in chains?

Click Here to go to my study about Nephilim
and Scroll down to "According to Enoch..."

1 Corinthians 6:1 ~ Would any of you, when you have a controversy with a brother, litigate before the sinful, and not before the sanctified? Or don't you know that the sanctified will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you (the sanctified?), are you unfit to decide trivial causes? Don't you know that we (the Apostles?) will judge Messengers? How much more the things that are of the world?" 

Who are the sanctified? Those who are set apart, consecrated, made free from (bondage to) sin, purified, dedicated.

It is only the set apart believers from the beginning of time that will be gathered together just before the Day of Wrath scenario when the plagues are poured out upon those left behind. These who are gathered are they who are sanctified, His Set Apart people. The sanctified judge worldly things. The Apostles judge the 12 tribes. The Messengers being held in chains are judged by whom, come Judgment Day, when worldly things cease to exist.

At this point in the study I don't see that it will be you and me who sit in those seats judging angels, but Y'shua and the twelve Apostles are definitely designated judges, and it is only the 'angels' prior to The Flood who left their station in the spiritual realm that are being kept for judgment day. We know of no others that have fallen or are being kept in chains in darkness. Yet, this raises another question: Is the Day of Wrath the same as Judgment Day, or are these two events separated by the thousand years?

Revelation 20 tells us Satan is locked up in the abyss for the next thousand years which brings us to Ezekiel's prophecy recorded in chapters 38 and 39.

Revelation 20:7 says when the thousand years are completed Satan will be released from his prison and goes forth to seduce the nations, to assemble them for battle. This army, the vast horde, will eventually 'encompass the camp of the Set Apart believers and the beloved city (Jerusalem).
Ezekiel 38:8 notes 'after a long time' YHWH will summon Gog (Satan has been release from the abyss and starts working on summoning/seducing nations/peoples).
Ezekiel 38:10 says Gog gets this idea to attack a people gathered from among nations now living at the center of the earth (Jerusalem, that beloved city). My note here is that those people who are gathered together and living secure whom Gog desires to attack are the camp of Set Apart ones and those living in the city, same ones mentioned in Revelation 20:7.

We are judging now, aren't we?  It's beginning to look like we, as His sanctified people, are judging the things of this world, the here and now. We gain knowledge the further we move along His Path of Righteousness. After careful thought, we form opinions about (something or someone). As we continue to abide by His Instructions, we are able to regard (someone or something) as either good or bad, and through discernment given us by His Spirit, we judge the person or situation and make an official decision about it, according to His rules, laws and commandments. That is how we judge this world, within the bounds of Torah and only those who are part of the body of Y'shua. YHWH takes care of those unbelieving Gentiles.

Second Timothy 4 ~ I charge you before Elohim and our Master Y'shua who is to judge the living and the dead at the manifestation of his Kingdom. I have fought a good fight, I have completed my race, I have preserved my faith; and from now on there is preserved for me a crown of righteousness with which my Master Y'shua, the righteous Judge, will recompense me in that day; and not me only, but them also who love his manifestations.

Y'shua is the judge of the living and the dead.... the first resurrection is of those who chose the Blessing: Set Apart believers from the beginning of time who have died and are seen rising by the Set Apart believers still alive when that time comes. This is the gathering of Yah's people after the 7th shofar is sounded. This is the 'living' time line we want to be part of, as this is eternal life.  The second resurrection, the Curse, is after the thousand years come to an end, and is known as the second death.

Revelation 20:5 ~ This is the first resurrection. Blessed and Set Apart is he that has part in this first resurrection; over them the second death has no dominion, but they will be and are priests of Elohim and of his Mashiyach and they will reign with him the thousand years. 20:14 ~ And death and the grave were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, namely, this lake of fire. And if any one was not found enrolled in the book of life, he was cast into this lake of fire.

Click Here to go to my study To Judge or not to Judge 

Daniel 7:9 ~ As I looked on, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His garment was like white snow, and the hair of His head was like lamb's wool. His throne was tongues of flame; its wheels were blazing fire (Ezekiel's vision). A river of fire streamed forth before Him; myriads upon myriads attended Him; the court sat and the books were opened.

Revelation 20:11 ~ And I saw a great white throne and Him who sits upon it; from whose presence the earth and heaven fled away, and were not found. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged from the things written in the books, according to their deeds.  And the sea gave up the dead in it, and death and Sheol gave up the dead in them. And they were judged, each one according to his deeds.  And death and Sheol were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, this lake of fire. And if any one was not found enrolled in the book of life, he was cast into this lake of fire.

(Both the above quotes from Daniel and Revelation refer to the same event which happens at the end of the thousand year kingdom of Y'shua. The 'dead' are being judged. Anyone not found in the book of life will be thrown into Fire Lake).

John 5:24 ~ I (Y'shua) say to you that whoever hears my word and believes in Him who sent me has life that is eternal, and does not come into judgment but has passed from death into life. 29 ~ And those who have done good things will go forth to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil things to the resurrection of judgment.

Matthew 12:36 ~ I say to you for every vain word that the sons of men speak, they will give an account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be made righteous, and by your words you will be condemned.

First Corinthians 4:4 ~ I am not conscious in myself of anything flagrant; yet I am not made righteous by this; for Master YHWH is my judge. Therefore do not pronounce judgments before their time or until MarYah comes, who will pour light upon the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the thoughts of men's hearts; and then will each one have due praise from Him.

Hebrews 9:27 ~ As it is appointed to men that they must once die, and after their death is the judgment; so also the Mashiyach was once offered and by this, he burned away the sins of many; and a second time (at his return) he will appear for the life of them who expect him.

John 5:21 ~ For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, likewise also the Son will make alive to those whom he desires. For the Father does not judge man, rather all judgment He has given to the Son, so that every man who honors the Son also honors the Father who sent him.  

It all comes back to the beginning when YHWH Elohim gave us a choice between the Blessing and the Curse: Life or Death.

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...

To be continued.... 

Freedom

Exodus 12:12- For that night I will go through the land of Egypt and strike down every first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and I will mete out punishments to all the (false) gods of Egypt... And the blood on the houses where you are staying shall be a Sign for you: when I see the blood I will pass over you, so that no plague will destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

YHWH provided an opportunity for His People to be set free from bondage who had been providing slave labor for Pharaoh back in the day. When the time came those who trusted and had faith in the Creator were saved from the 'angel of death' scene by following Yah's Instruction and by the blood of the lamb*. They had painted their doorposts and lintels with the blood from the lamb as a sign to the angel of death to pass over their houses. The same holds true in this day and age. We have the Blood of the Lamb, His Son, as our covering, painted on our hearts and minds, which sets us free from being slaves to our old sin nature. Once again YHWH frees us from bondage to the Babylon System of the world. TPTB successfully brainwashed us here with the American Dream incantation. We didn't know any better, but now we do. It's time to get off the gravy train before it arrives at one of those camps. Let us continue to learn to downsize and live within our means as well as purge our materialistic needy mindset so when the SHTF we are already trained up to comfortably and spiritually endure to the end. When this happens the rest of the world will look as if it has gone insane with all the panic, chaos and hatred that rises to the surface and we will see that the love of many has grown cold. Many will welcome the final world leader, accept his 'name and number' and his promises of 'peace and safety'. 

With our Faith in the One who created us, we have been given the authority to break both those physical and mental chains. We can endure because of our study and knowledge gained via His Spirit as we stay in His Word, have the testimony of Y'shua, and abide by YHWH's Instructions in Righteousness. By his Faith, in our heavenly Father, Noah prepared for the destruction to come. Joseph prepared for the famine to come.  Yah has told us everything that is to happen, just as He told Noah that the Flood would come. Just as He gave dreams and visions and interpretations to Joseph; and then He had it all written down for our sake, for a time such as this.

We can prepare accordingly by putting our Creator first in everything we think, say and do. In this we commit ourselves to abide by His rules, laws, teachings and commands. By this we show our love for YHWH Elohim, our Father in the heavenly realm. 

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.

John 14:15 ~ Y'shua said if you love me keep my commands. 14:21- He who has and keeps my commandments is he who loves me and will be loved by my Father. 15:10 - If you keep my commandments you will abide in my love just as I have kept the commandments of my Father (Torah) and I abide in His love.

*Revelation 12:11 ~ they overcame the Accuser because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony
Revelation 12:17 ~ the dragon was enraged and made war upon the remnant who keep the Commandments of Elohim and have the testimony of Y'shua.