The End from the Beginning

Many of us have heard this said:

"He has told us the end from the beginning..."

Can that statement be found in Scripture? 

Yes indeed:

Isaiah 46:9 ~ Bear in mind what happened of old; for I am YHWH Elohim and there is none else, I am divine and there is none like Me. I foretell the end from the beginning, and from the start, things that had not occurred. I say My plan shall be fulfilled; I will do all I have purposed.

This got me to wondering if I could find clues pertaining to what might be the 'strong delusion' that comes our way as part of the end times scenario. A delusion is defined as:

• something that is falsely believed or propagated
• a persistent false psychotic belief regarding the self or persons or objects outside the self that is maintained despite indisputable evidence to the contrary; also : the abnormal state marked by such beliefs

This delusion will be such that even folks like you and me might fall for it. That's pretty serious, to think that our faith could be challenged in such a way. So lets go back to the beginning to see a glimpse of the end, shall we?

In Genesis chapters one and two we read that Yah sees that everything about His creation is good. Specific mention is made in Chapter 2 verse 9 of the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of knowledge of good and bad. Yah tells Adam that he may eat from every tree in the garden except for the tree of knowledge of good and bad because as soon as he would eat of it he will die.  

We know the story well. That shrewd serpent said to the woman: Did God really say you shall not eat of any tree of the garden?  She explains to the serpent that they may eat of the other trees of the garden, but it is only the tree in the middle of the garden that God said not eat of or touch it, lest we die.  (Notice here that she added to the Word of God saying 'or touch it').  The serpent caused her to doubt the command of YHWH Elohim when it further influenced her by offering assurance that she wouldn't die but even God knew that if they ate of this tree their eyes would be opened and they would be like the divine beings who know good and bad. Well, their eyes were opened and they saw their own nakedness and tried to hide themselves from the Creator.

After Yahweh learned of their disobedience, He cursed the serpent, made child bearing for the woman a painful experience and cursed the ground so the man has to work for a living.  He said, "Now that man has become like one of us, knowing good and bad, what if he should also eat from the tree of life and live forever!" So he banished them from the Garden and stationed cherubim along with the fiery ever-turning sword to guard the way to the tree of life.

• Shrewd: mischievous; abusive; dangerous; marked by clever awareness
• Dupe: to misguide or mislead; delude; string along
• Doubt: to call into question the truth of; to be uncertain; lack confidence in
• Deception: the act of causing someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid

The example in The Garden is of one doubting the command given by the Creator and causing another to do the same, so would it be fair to apply that tactic to us? I would say Yes because that exact thing has been going on for years: Christians believe The Law has been nailed to the cross in effect making Torah, Yah's Instructions in Righteousness, null and void and teaching others this same false doctrine. They have called into question the truth of our Father and caused people to be uncertain of what is written in Scriptures.  Many Christians teach that the New Testament is for new believers.

Do we read Scriptures and take them to heart or do we ignore the truth, treat some of it as story-telling and teach our ideas to others? Are we truly trying to abide by His Commandments or making excuses, teaching others it's alright because we're all on different parts of the path.  When the serpent steps up and asks us 'Did God really say...' we better know the answer. Our Faith should be so that no doubt would be able to enter. For example, remember when Y'shua was seen walking on the water and called Peter to come out of the boat to him. Peter did but once he realized what was happening he began to sink.  Y'shua says "Oh you of little faith! Why did you doubt me?" (Matthew 14:30)

If the Pope asked the world Did God really say those things recorded in our Bibles, and then offered an alternative ear-tickling version, how many people do you think would believe him? I can see it already happening in today's world with various religious leaders and politicians joining together with the Pope, calling all beliefs the same under the New World Religion (World Council of Churches). He believes it doesn't matter which 'god' one believes in because they are all just different names for the same God and all roads lead to heaven...  This Is A Lie and could be The Lie.

Folks who do not love the truth will fall for this lie, and perish.

Doubting YHWH Elohim and His Son will be the chink in our armor which will give way, letting that strong delusion cause us to falter - if it is possible. We might want to consider the book of Job as well. It was YHWH who removed His hedge of protection from Job so that Satan could test him, trying to make a liar out of Yah. Job had everything a good life could consist of and lost it all but never once blamed YHWH or doubted His Word. He was later restored to a better life than what he had lost. We, too, will inherit a better life if we endure these days trusting our Creator to do as He said He would.

We have some trying times ahead, my friends, and our faith, our commitment to YHWH Elohim will see us through.

Never doubt the Commandments given us by our Creator as they were given for our benefit; abide by them best you can, have the testimony of His Son and continue to love and search out the truth.

2 Thessalonians 2:9

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

2 Thessalonians 2:7

For the mystery of the Evil One already begins to be operative and only if that which now hinders will be taken from the midst, then at length will that Evil One be revealed who Master Y'shua will consume by the breath of his mouth and will bring to nothing by the visibility of his coming.

Matthew 24:24 ~ False Messiahs and lying prophets will arise and they will produce signs and great wonders in order to deceive if possible even the chosen... I have told you beforehand.... 

Mark 13:21 ~ If at that time a man should say to you Look! Here is the Messiah! or Look! There he is! do not believe him for false Messiahs and lying prophets will give signs and wonders and will deceive even the elect if it is possible. But you take heed - I have told you everything beforehand.

We have been told the end from the beginning so we would know what to expect and be able to discern the truth from the lies.  Those of us alive during the final years of the end times scenario will see things that will blow our minds and pierce our hearts. Remember to stand strong in the Faith once delivered to the Set Apart believers. By this we shall know that YHWH Elohim most certainly Did Say.... 

Click Here to go to my study Love Truth

Click Here to go to my study Patience of Job

Click Here to go to my study Name Above All

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.

Love the Truth or Be Deceived

In this study I have lightly paraphrased some of the Scripture quotes in order to keep on point; and, as always, I remind you to read them (now or later) from your own copy of Scriptures for the full impact ~ Candus

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What is Love? 

Second John Verse 6 ~ And this is love, that we walk according to the Commandments.

Why should we follow the Commandments?

.... you have heard from the beginning, that we should walk in it because many seducers have gone forth into the world who do not confess that Y'shua the Anointed One has come in the flesh.

What is Truth?

John 8:20-21* (31-32) ~ And Y'shua said to those Yehudeans who believed in him, "If you should abide by my words, truly you are my disciples. And you will know the Truth and that Truth will set you free."

John 17:17 ~ Father sanctify them by your Truth, for Your Word is Truth. As You have sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world and I fear for their sake. I sanctify myself so that they may also be sanctified by Truth.

Y'shua says his Father's Word is Truth... what is the Word?

John 1 ~ In the beginning was the Miltha (Word) and that Miltha was with Elohim and He was that Miltha. This was with Elohim in the beginning. Everything existed through His hands and without Him not even one thing existed of the things which have existed. In Him was life and the life was the light of men which shines in the darkness not to be overtaken. 9 ~ The Light  was of Truth which shines on all who come into the world.  He was in the world and it did not know him. He came to his own and they did  not receive him. But those who did receive him to them he gave authority that they might be the sons of Elohim, those who believed in His Name. 14 ~ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we saw his glory as the Only Begotten  who is from the Father who is full of grace and truth. 17 ~ Torah was given through Moses but truth and grace through Y'shua who is the Mashiyach (Anointed One).

The Word is the Manifestation of the Ruach haKodesh (Spirit of Elohim) within Y'shua.

Quote: The writings of Moses (aka Torah) is the Word of Elohim, but grace and truth revealed in Y'shua are the impelling forces that uphold all righteousness and keep the Word of YHWH positioned in our hearts - these are complimentary and not opposites. It is according to the grace of the Father that Y'shua is revealed in a person's heart. (John 17:9, 10)

If we do not love Truth then we won't search it out, we won't study the first five books of the OT in order to understand what Moses was writing about, nor shall we read the writings of the prophets. Without reading the Old Testament (Tanakh) we cannot fully grasp the writings in the New Testament. We won't know what or who the Word of God is and will continue to remain slaves to the system being seduced: deceived by false teachers, preacher, ministers, pastors, Hollywood, main stream media and others who profess to be Bible-smart God-fearing Torah-observant people.

Government under Y'shua, Son of YHWH, as our king and priest, who rules by the Commandments of the Father, is what the writings of Moses foreshadow. 

'Types and Shadows' are not deeper things. They are examples written of (foretold) in the OT and usually revealed (fulfilled) in the NT, or yet to be fulfilled - this would be an example of Scripture interpreting itself and why we read the book as a whole. 

When we show YHWH our intent and abide by His Instructions, best we can in this day and age, He gives us understanding as we are comforted with the Truth revealed to us by His Ruach haKodesh (Set Apart Spirit).  Y'shua is the Word made Flesh by the Spirit of YHWH.  Believing in Y'shua and accepting his life, death, resurrection and why his blood needed to be shed, we become born again of the Spirit by which we enter his kingdom.  In a sense this is part of putting on the armor of YHWH where we find strength and protection... we shall not fall for the strong delusion.  Many have become delusional already.

Delusion defined: 

• something that is falsely believed or propagated
• a persistent false psychotic belief regarding the self or persons or objects outside the self that is maintained despite indisputable evidence to the contrary; also : the abnormal state marked by such beliefs

2 Thessalonians 2:9

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

We are to Love YHWH first and foremost and not put ourselves first and then work Him into our schedule as we see fit. 

Mark 12:29 ~ Y'shua said the 1st Commandment is 'Shema (hear and obey) O Israel! Master YHWH is one - Love Him with all your heart, with all your soul, all your mind and strength. The 2nd is like it - Love your neighbor as yourself'. (Leviticus 19:18) 

And while we're at it:

Romans 12:9 ~ Let not your love be full of deceit, but be haters of evil things and adhere to good things. Love one another, honor one another, be active and not slothful. Be fervent in spirit. Work for Y'shua. Be joyful in your hope in the Good News. Be patient under your afflictions and preserving in prayer. Be communicators to the wants of the Set Apart believers. Be kind to strangers. Bless your persecutors, bless and do not curse. Rejoice with them who rejoice and weep with them who weep. Do not indulge in arrogant thoughts, but unite yourselves with the humble minded. Be not wise in your own estimations. Repay no man evil for evil but let it be to your study to do good before all men.

(ps.... As a side note: God YHWH has never been about religious organizations. There is no Scriptural authority for 'believers' to build churches, attend churches, or support churches and their various denominations (divisions). We should be gathering in assemblies with Set Apart believers in our communities, whenever possible, instead of joining churches with their con games, entertainment, rock bands, childishness and worldly nonsense.  This is part what His Truth sets us free from and will help keep us from falling for whatever the delusion is or will become.) 

Click Here to go to my study about The Church

Becoming Set Apart is not about places, buildings, or circles; rather, it is about unique and precious people. The Samaritan woman at the well changed the course of her discussion with Y'shua to places of worship. Y'shua turned that discussion toward people who would worship in spirit and in truth.

John 3- I tell you that unless a person is born again from above he cannot see the Kingdom of Elohim... unless a person is born from water and the Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of Elohim.

Click Here for my study on Faith and Salvation 

*In later Greek translations a story appears in the text of a woman caught in adultery, which was inserted as verses 1-11. The story is nonexistent in the Peshitta and the Khabouris Codex and does not appear in the four earliest Greek manuscripts of John.

Memes Stuck in my Craw

I'm getting perturbed by reading various 'memes' that quote Buddha or Thich Nhat Hanh or the Dalai Lama, C.S. Lewis and others of the spiritual ilk. These are certainly feel-good sayings and quotes that appeal to human decency (nothing wrong with that) but they totally ignore the fact that our God Yahweh said these things First and they are recorded in Scriptures. I know this because back in my youth while searching for truth and meaning and 'God' I read many new age books, which basically revive the old age Eastern Mysticism mindset and make us feel good about ourselves; I read the autobiography of Paramahansa Yogananda as I continued looking for enlightenment yet none of it persuaded me to submit. So you see, I have my old pagan ways to compare with Yah's truth by shining the Light of the World upon these matters - In looking for that supreme being I was putting myself first instead of setting my desires aside. All you morally upright meme posters are subconsciously searching for the one true God, Yahweh our Creator.... don't let Satan snare you with deceptions and ear-tickling quotes from folks who are not true believers. Take the time to read Scriptures because you obviously are reading everything else - I have literally been there and done that.

In today's world we see ‘intelligent’ people who worship false gods, or who deny Elohim’s existence entirely. It is no different from the days gone by and those pagan practices YHWH warned His people about. If you want to get to the heart of the matter, quote our heavenly Father and give credit where credit is due.  All praise belongs to Him.

Long before man invented religion our Creator laid out every thing we need to know and be reminded of; if you don't believe that then the rest of this won't matter; but I shall  continue to point out a few things.

For example, taken from the latest meme I saw that had an image of Buddha in the background: "Truth - Necessity - Kindness" are the suggested 'gates' one should consider before they say something, make a remark or speak out. However, Truth is the keyword most people overlook while accepting Buddha's concept as remarkable.  How is it folks tune into "inspired sayings" but shun Scriptures where we are originally instructed to love the truth, avoid unnecessary earthly desires and treat one another with love and respect?  Sounds like that's where Buddha got his ideas from.

Siddhartha Gautama would one day become known as Buddha ("enlightened one" or "the awakened"). He was born in Nepal in the 6th century B.C. and became a spiritual leader and teacher whose life serves as the foundation of the Buddhist religion. According to the most widely known story of his life, after experimenting with different teachings for years and finding none of them acceptable, Gautama spent a fateful night in deep meditation. During his meditation, all of the answers he had been seeking became clear, and he achieved full awareness, thereby becoming Buddha. 

To me, this sounds very similar to the early life of Mohammed and the beginnings of Islam. 

The current Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibetan Buddhism. He was born in 1935 and recognized as the reincarnation of Thubten Gyatso at a young age. Reincarnation is not sound doctrine and has nothing to do with what is written in Scriptures.

Thich Nhat Hanh was born Nguyen Xuan Bao, in Central Vietnam in 1926. At the age of 16, he entered into a Zen Buddhist monastery and took the name Thich Nhat Hanh. In 1960 he moved to the US, where he studied comparative religion at Princeton University. He became fluent in several languages and was well versed in different religious traditions.

So, what is Buddhism?

.... it is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to insight into the true nature of reality. Buddhist practices like meditation are means of changing yourself in order to develop the qualities of awareness, kindness, and wisdom. The experience developed within the Buddhist tradition over thousands of years has created an incomparable resource for all those who wish to follow a path — a path which ultimately culminates in Enlightenment or Buddhahood. An enlightened being sees the nature of reality absolutely clearly, just as it is, and lives fully and naturally in accordance with that vision. This is the goal of the Buddhist spiritual life, representing the end of suffering for anyone who attains it.  Buddhism does not include the idea of worshipping a creator god. The basic tenets of Buddhist teaching are straightforward and practical: nothing is fixed or permanent; actions have consequences; change is possible. Buddhism addresses itself to all people irrespective of race, nationality, caste, sexuality, or gender. It teaches practical methods which enable people to realize and use its teachings in order to transform their experience, to be fully responsible for their lives.

Please note: Buddhism teaches practices like meditation are means of changing yourself in order to develop the qualities of awareness, kindness, and wisdom. According to our Creator these qualities come from putting Him first in love and obedience.  Then it is His Spirit that gives gifts of understanding, awareness, knowledge and wisdom - not of our own doings but by the grace of YHWH.  This has been going on long before Buddha sat cross-legged in meditation. Our Father's Instructions are for all people irrespective of race, nationality, caste, sexuality, or gender.

C.S. Lewis is another favorite quoted by professed Christians. His desire to "combine religious enthusiasm with imagination are present in his works of Christian fiction. What he has done is to present Scriptural truth under a cloak of pagan mythology in order to give it popular appeal. Such an approach to Scripture is really just tampering with the word of Yahweh in an unacceptable fashion." This approach is no different than Emperor Constantine's mixing of pagan customs with church doctrine to get more people into the 'universal' religious system. There is nothing new under the sun, same rebellious house continuing to spurn our Creator. Lewis prayed for the dead, believed in purgatory and mystical experiences.

Quote:

C.S. Lewis’s personal religious beliefs are readily available to anyone who cares to know them. Therefore, it is assumed that anyone quoting him in a positive light is aware of these beliefs and by extension concurs with them. Similarly, fundamental Christians freely quote from the writings of C.H. Spurgeon or Matthew Henry because they agree with their Biblical positions and are not ashamed to identify with them. The simple old adage is still true: you are known by the company you keep. The same applies in the realm of citation. Quoting C.S. Lewis has become a sort of phenomenon in the evangelical world. One wonders if the purpose is to enjoy some sort of academic credibility. On the contrary, it only reveals ignorance: either of the man and what he believed or of the Scriptures of Truth.

"Why is a man who devoted his life not to the study of theology but to ancient pagan mythology revered as the greatest Christian apologist in our century? Simple. Many 'Christians' have rejected their God-given heritage and are trading in the solid rock of the Word for the shifting sands of man’s intellectual conjecture."

Rev. Ivan Foster (The Burning Bush, May 2001) observed of C.S. Lewis: “A greater understanding of the man and his theology showed that he was not an advocate of the teachings of Holy Scripture but his own scholarly notions.

If you have spent time reading, learning or following any of these men and similar teachings, being caught by their gentleness, well meaning and love of humanity, now consider them as stepping stones towards the Truth of Yah's Word. These guys fall short of that Truth by embracing other gods, beliefs, religions and by man's own imagination which ultimately leads folks along the broad way to the wide gate, and many shall enter. (Matthew 7:13)

Yes, Yahweh is our Creator, but who is the Deceiver? Who has a counterfeit for almost everything Elohim put forth? Don't forget that time when Yah regretted He created man and sent a Flood to wash them off the face of the earth. 

We must be very careful when choosing something that sounds good but underneath is destructive to our soul. This is why we are instructed to read Scripture every day, study our Creator's Instructions day in and day out, teach it to our children, remember where we came from and where we want to go. We are called to come out of Mystery Babylon so as not to partake of her sins nor her plagues. Babylon was a hot bed of paganism so it should be no mystery as to why we are being called to come out of today's modern world -  a type and shadow of old world Babylon. It is no different for us now as it was for them. Everything was pretty much under the influence of paganism in the Land of Canaan prior to the Hebrews arrival to this promised land.

Leviticus 18:3 - You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived: and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you; neither shall you walk in their statutes. 

Leviticus 20:23 - You are not to live by the customs of the nations, whom I've cast away right in front of you. Because they did all of these things, I detested them.

Quote: It is easy to talk about idolatry that happened way ‘back then’ and which we don’t (recognize) today. It is harder to examine our own tendency to idolize money and the things which it can buy, celebrity, youth, and health, just to name a few. Just because our idols aren’t statues doesn’t mean it’s less dishonoring to (YHWH) when they receive the devotion we should be giving to Him.

What Would YOU Do?

The Kingdom of Heaven is Near

If you knew the 'end of the world as we know it' would arrive in, oh, say the year 2055, what would you do to prepare? Would you do anything? Do you care? I suppose the answer would depend on your belief system or lack of belief. If you knew you could choose life after this life, would you pursue it? Would you seek out information on how to go about achieving this? Or would you choose to just wing it, go with the flow and wait to see what happens? Would you be concerned about what would happen to your children, parents, family and friends?

I am guessing that the majority of people who read this blog have heard about Scriptures as in Old and New Testaments, and have some knowledge about the events that are to take place at the end of days leading up to Judgment Day, even if some of this awareness has been learned from the movies. Most of us are familiar with the phrase, "Repent for the end is near!" Repent means to turn from sin. When you turn from sin you turn towards our Elohim/God, Yahweh. 'The end is near' has been a warning to people for thousand of years, so it's easy to see why many are indifferent or don't concern themselves with it because they don't think it could happen in their life time.

Lets say it does happen in our life time. Lets say several events that are unfolding in this day and age mimic events foretold by scriptures. People who study Scriptures are lining up current events with prophecy with accuracy. Key elements are being confirmed. Believers are on high alert, waiting for specific signs as told by Y'shua that are yet to be fulfilled. When this happens, the final time line begins and we will know there are seven years left until the end is finally here and the Thousand Year Reign of Y'Shua on earth begins.

If you don't believe in YHWH (Yahweh) Elohim (God) our Creator then none of this really matters. Yet He is giving the Gentiles (pagan, non believers) every opportunity to get on board. If you're not on board you'll find yourself in that lake of fire, for eternity. There will be and is a lot of deception going on. If you haven't prepared for the times to come, how will you know what to do and who to trust?

Just something to think about... and I pray you do.

More than Ten

"The Ten" comprise an all purpose set of instructions and are part of the entire book of rules, laws, instructions and teachings given to us by our Creator, and which we are reminded of by His Son. YHWH's Instructions are called The Law by Christians. You know, those same Laws they were taught were nailed to the cross. What The Law is, in reality, is our Creator's original set of Instructions that go along with His creation and were never done away with.

Here is what is commonly called the Ten Commandments:

Exodus 20:

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.

Remember the sabbath day and keep it set apart. Six days you shall do all your work but the seventh day is a sabbath of Mine. You, your family, your hired hands or your work animals or the stranger who is visiting your town shall do no work. I made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them in six days and on the seventh I rested, therefore I blessed the sabbath day and set it apart.

Honor your mother and father that you may long endure in the Promised Land that I am giving you. You shall not murder, or commit adultery or steal or bare false witness against one another. You shall not covet your neighbor's house or wife or anything that belongs to him.

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

Deuteronomy 4:35 reveals that YHWH has clearly demonstrated that He alone is El and there is none beside Him - He is Elohim in heaven above and on earth below - there is no other. Observe His laws and commandments that it may go well with you and your children. (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.)

Leviticus 26:1 ~ You must not make idols for yourselves or set up a carved image or sacred pillar, or place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down to it, for I am YHWH your Elohim. (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.)

Exodus 23:24 ~ You must not bow down to their gods or serve them or follow their practices. Instead, you are to demolish them and smash their sacred stones to pieces.

Exodus 23:12 ~ For six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you must cease, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and your servants may be refreshed, as well as the foreign resident. (Remember the sabbath day and keep it set apart. Six days you shall do all your work but the seventh day is a sabbath of Mine. You, your family, your hired hands or your work animals or the stranger who is visiting your town shall do no work. I made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them in six days and on the seventh I rested, therefore I blessed the sabbath day and set it apart.)

Deuteronomy 5:16 ~ Honor your father and your mother, as YHWH has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that He is giving you. (Honor your mother and father that you may long endure in the Promised Land that I am giving you.)

These 'ten' instructions apply to all people who choose YHWH as their Elohim: The Hebrews that make up the House of Israel and the mixed multitude that left Egypt with them, and these same Instructions carry through into our lives. When our Creator says 'forever' He means forever. 

There are other instructions that apply to the priesthood and their temple duties in addition to the Ten; there are additional instructions if one is to make a vow or how to handle ritual purity. The same goes for specific instructions in regards to donations to the temple; what is to be done during the Sabbatical year; food regulations; when, where and how Yah's Set Apart times are to be observed; responsibilities of each community; how idolatry is dealt with; war regulations, social instructions as well as family responsibilities. There are additional laws that deal with those involved with the justice system; owning servants and rules governing torts. Taking this into consideration you can understand that the Ten envelope all of us, but depending on our station in life, others may or may not apply.  Most of us keep about 200 of His 'Laws' just by living morally upright lives.

There are clear instructions about dealing with idolatry and related practices; prohibitions that resulted from specific events; blasphemy; more specifics about Temple rules, priests and sacrifices; dietary laws; instructions that pertain to Nazarites. There are instructions for agriculture, making loans and maintaining fair business practices.

Our Creator gave us His Owner's Manual, Torah which means Instructions, for our lasting good and for our survival, as is now the case. It will be to our merit to observe faithfully this Whole Instruction (found in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) as He has commanded us. His way has always been the perfect governing system for our health and well being, and never about religions which divide us. 

False Teachers Once True

The first person I ever heard teaching about Torah was Monte Judah of Lion and Lamb Ministries. I had recently found a radio station on iTunes called Solace Radio and he was one of the 'programs' they supported. It was then that I eventually learned of other Torah Teachers of the Hebrew Roots mindset, such as:

• Mike Clayton 
• Bill Cloud 
• Brad Scott 

This began the new learning process for me and my husband about ten years ago. Later we heard of Mark Biltz, Perry Stone, Rico Cortes, and others that many in 'the group' seemed to know, like and agree with. In my zeal for more about this Torah teaching idea I searched the internet and found a few web sites that rounded out this new world we had entered: 119 Ministries; Jim Staley's Truth or Tradition; Michael Rood's A Rood Awakening, for examples.

Through the various teachings and insights of them all, my husband and I became firmly rooted in the Hebrew origins of Scriptures and continue in study of His Word to this day. We gleaned many a nugget and felt the joy and blessing from the Creator as we carnal Gentiles started leaving the old Babylon worldly system. Yet we were believing in men and not taking what they were saying back to Scriptures at that time. We, like many Christians before us, were following the leader, without question.

We started wondering about those people and what they were teaching and what, exactly, were we learning. Once we understood the Old Testament was just as important as the New Testament, the more we read and studied Scriptures for ourselves the more we realized they were straying from His Path and taking us with them. Most had left Churchianity years ago but were still dragging religious baggage with them, trading the cross symbol for the star of David. Others were trading religions: Christianity for Judaism. We do acknowledge that they served their purpose as Stepping Stones that got my husband and I lined up with our Creator and His Path of righteous living, but I will not recommend any of them so that those new to the Hebrew origins of Scriptures will not be tempted to follow false teachings. Many will sit back and listen without consulting the Creator on all things.

As the years went by and without intentionally doing so, we measured ourselves against people who helped open our eyes to the truth about Yah's Instructions for His Creation, but when those teachers seem to have gone down a rabbit trail or adopted Jewish traditions it was time to leave them and move on, continuing in our studies, reading Scripture and staying on YHWH's Path of Righteousness. Many who were seeing the truth still fell into a religious comfort zone, traps set by Satan.

Mike Clayton was a great teacher and able to put the Word of YHWH into simple stories for those new to reading the Old Testament. He was easy to understand and seemed a trustworthy teacher to have along the Hebrew Roots journey. I copied a few of his teachings and shared them here and there because they were perfect for getting folks interested in Torah. But since then Mr. Clayton has changed his name to Mikell, doesn't use the Name of our Creator, thinks Israel has already been gathered and puts too much emphasis on today's Jews. He's taken many trips to Israel and offers tours. All these things do not make him a bad person, but like many he has been tripped up by Judaism, trading his Christian religion for a Jewish one. This is not someone who should continue teaching the Word of "G-d" because he is no longer teaching the whole Truth. I do not doubt that Mike Clayton loves YHWH and truly believes he is doing the right thing, but he is also mixing and mingling doctrines of man with the pure word of our Creator. If you come across his teachings on your journey I know you will find some nuggets worth gleaning but do not let your guard down else you get sidelined by that same rabbit trail. Always take what you learn back to Scriptures and the Set Apart Spirit of our Creator will show you the truth of all things.

My same sentiment goes for Bill Cloud: If you come across his teachings on your journey I know you will find some nuggets worth gleaning but keep your guard up else you travel down that same rabbit trail. Always take what you learn back to Scriptures and the Set Apart Spirit of our Creator will show you the truth of all things.

Mr. Cloud is another one of those likable down-home fellas who came out of Churchianity after learning that Torah is YHWH's set of Instructions for everyone - not just the Jews. But, like many others, he allowed the religion of Judaism to replace the religion of Christianity as he continued to adopt traditions of man. This may be because he was taught by a rabbi. I began to question his view of Torah years ago when I attended one of his seminars on a Sabbath day and noticed he had an assortment of CDs and Books displayed on a table, all for sale, on the Sabbath. I had learned enough about Yah's instructions to know that this wasn't right. All it takes is one contrary thing to raise an eyebrow of mine and spur me into research mode. These guys were valuable stepping stones in my journey and taught me how to read and study Scriptures for myself as I began to take their teachings back to the Word of our Creator, so they served their purpose in that respect.

If you think you need to learn the Hebrew Language then Brad Scott is the guy for you. I think he pushes the language topic a little too far, however, knowing Hebrew idioms and poetic prose does indeed help us to better understand Scriptures and clear up errors in translations. It is not necessary for us to be speaking and reading the Hebrew language as a whole in today's world, yet I believe it will be the language restored when we enter Y'shua's kingdom. I am content to wait until then. Mr. Scott goes beyond simply teaching the Word of Elohim and makes Scriptures seem as a mystery that needs to be understood by seeking deeper meanings. We are to be seeking YHWH as if looking for treasures and not picking and choosing a Hebrew word to analyze for an hour or two. That is one of those famous rabbit trails readily available in any Hebrew Roots group. I am not accusing Mr. Scott of being a bad guy, but his teaching strays off course when he relies on science to prove a point. If you come across his teachings on your journey I know you will find some nuggets worth gleaning but do not become distracted else you end up down that same rabbit trail. Always take what you learn back to Scriptures and the Set Apart Spirit of our Creator will show you the truth of all things.

I no longer recommend these teachers or websites because I hate it when a 'fellow believer' tells me to "eat the meat and spit out the bones". I shall never offer that advice to anyone. The bones are snares cast by Satan and I would never point someone in that direction. If I find something true and worthy of sharing in a site that is riddled with bones, I will not send someone there looking for it, but will dig out the nuggets and share them as a quote without leading anyone astray.

I post this topic hoping to bring awareness to those of you who are still relatively new to YHWH's Path and learning to live according to His Instructions (aka Torah). You will more than likely hear of these popular teachers in the Hebrew Roots learning curve and watch the videos. I will simply say avoid them and continue reading Scriptures for yourself. These teachers have come to represent, in my view, bait dangling on a hook: it looks good and we're hungry for His Word, but once they get you hooked they will take you to the wide gate along the broad way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. (Matthew 7:14) There is almost no avoiding these 'teachers' when one awakens after hearing and recognizing the Good Shepherd's voice. We are called to come out of Babylon, that pagan religious mindset, which means leaving all religions behind and returning to the Faith once delivered. 

One more mark against good men teaching traditions: They should not be advertising their 'studies' for sale, or providing shofars, tzitzits, shabbat candles or prayer shawls for sale, nor asking for donations, as this is not what was taught by Y'shua. This behavior reminds me of the flea market and money exchange that was set up in God's House in Jerusalem. On one particular Sabbath day Y'shua entered and tossed them all out. 

That Beastly Mark

There is a lot of guesswork in regards to what the 'mark of the beast' will be, but Scriptures tell us exactly what will happen to those who accept this mark:

Revelation 13:13 (The end times False Prophet has been bringing about great signs, even to make it appear that fire comes down from heaven) - And he seduced them that dwell on the earth to erect an image to the beast who had the wound from a sword and recovered from it. And it was given to him to put life into the image of the beast and to cause that all who would not worship the image of the beast should be slain; and to (instruct that) all people should receive a mark on their right hands or upon their foreheads so that no one might be able to buy or to sell, except those who had the mark of the name of the beast or the number of his name. Here is wisdom: let him that has intelligence compute the number of the beast of prey for it is the number of a man and its number is six hundred and sixty and six.

Revelation 14:9 ~ And another, a third Messenger (angel) followed the other two, saying with a loud voice: If any man will worship the beast of prey and its image and will receive its mark upon his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of Elohim which is poured undiluted into the cup of his indignation, and will be tormented with fire and sulfur before the Set Apart Messengers and before the throne. The smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever and there is no rest, by day or by night for those that worship the beast of prey and its image.

Revelation 15:1 ~ I saw another sign in heaven, great and wonderful: Seven Messengers having seven plagues, the last in order, because with them the wrath of Elohim is completed. I saw as it were, a sea of glass mixed with fire and they who had been innocent over the beast of prey and over its image and over the number of its name were standing on the sea of glass. They had the harps of Elohim and sang the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb*.

Revelation 16:1 ~ I heard a voice which said to the seven Messengers: Go forth and pour those seven cups of the wrath of Elohim upon the earth; (this caused) a malignant and painful sore upon those who had the mark of the beast and who worshipped its image.

Revelaton 19:20 ~ The beast was captured along with the False Prophet who did those amazing things before him, whereby he seduced those who had received the mark of the beast and who worshipped his image. They were both cast alive into the lake of fire which burns with sulfur. The rest were slain by the sword of him that sat on the horse (at the return of Messiah), by that sword which issues from his mouth and all the fowls were satiated with their flesh.

Revelation 20:4 (It is the beginning of Y'shua kingdom on earth; Satan is bound and cast into the abyss for a thousand years) I saw thrones and persons sat on them and judgment was given to them and to the souls that were beheaded for the testimony of Y'shua and for the Word of Elohim, and these are they who had not worshipped the beast of prey nor its image neither had they received the mark upon their forehead or on their hand; and they lived and reigned with Y'shua the Anointed One those thousand years.

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After reading what happens to those who receive the mark, for whatever reason or whatever the mark will be, why o' why would we choose to accept it? How can anyone justify being marked knowing that decision condemns us to the second resurrection**?  As far as we can tell by Scriptures, anyone who decides to receive the mark of the name of the beast or the number will not be gathered with Messiah at the sounding of the seventh trumpet. These folks will remain with the others who refused to repent and continue to blame God for their problems.

Preparing for the days ahead is not a bad thing to do. Storing emergency supplies is not a bad thing to do. Stocking your pantry with water, assorted canned goods, rice and beans is not a bad thing. Moving out of big cities is a good thing to consider.  Remember, Noah was the first prepper whilst stocking the ark. He had enough supplies to last at least a year. Joseph was a prepper, stashing extra grains for the hard times coming their way, which would last seven years. Both these men knew what was coming and prepared to endure. They knew because Yah told them and by faith they did what needed to be done. The same goes for us now. We read and study Scriptures, the Word of Yahweh Elohim Almighty, and know what is to happen, so we should prepare for it, now. By faith we prepare and rely on our Creator to see us through. 

For us, the event that triggers the final 3-1/2 years is when the world leader steps up and claims to be 'god'.  This is when those living in 'Judea' are told to head for the hills and don't look back.  So it would be best to be prepared before then. Yes, we are still a ways from that timeline but it gets closer every day. If we have enough set aside and stand strong in our faith, we will get by. Start downsizing now so its not that big of a challenge when time runs out and chaos is king. Be prepared and knowledgeable now so as not to think it's going to be alright if you stand in line in order to be marked.

Y'shua tells us it will be like the days of Noah, preceding his return. Folks back then were living life as usual, eating, drinking, getting married, raising families, and ignoring the reason Noah and his family were preparing as they obeyed the instructions given by Elohim. The Nephilim walked the earth, too, back then and evil had permeated the earth. Those other folks kept on keepin' on right up until the Noah Family entered the ark. The others did not know until the flood hit and took them. It was too late to be saved, too late to enter the ark. This is why we are told the signs before the return of Messiah, so we will prepare before it's too late to be saved from the coming flood of Wrath from Elohim, which is contained in the final 7 Bowls of Plagues.

*They sang the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb, saying: Great and marvelous are your deeds, Master YHWH Elohim Almighty, just and true are Your ways, O King of the worlds. Who will not fear You, O Master YHWH, and glorify Your Name? Because You only are Set Apart and just; because all nations will come and worship before You, since your righteousness has been revealed.

**Y'shua is the judge of the living and the dead.... the first resurrection is of those who choose the Blessing: Set Apart believers from the beginning of time who have died and are seen rising by other 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.

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