The Kingdom is at Hand

We know what the Kingdom of Heaven is like, but what does Yahshua mean when he says it is near - at hand?  Is this the spiritual realm of our Creator? 

Luke 17:20

Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of Elohim would come, Yahshua replied, "The coming of the kingdom of Elohim is not something that can be observed."

Romans 14:17

For The Kingdom of Elohim is not eating and drinking (physical), but the righteousness and the peace and the joy in Yah's Set Apart Spirit (spiritual).

The Ruach haKodesh is the Spirit of Yahweh who spoke creation into existence. It is this same Spirit that caused His Son to be born. It is the same Spirit Yahshua gave to his Apostles ten days after he ascended to heaven. It is this same Spirit that becomes apparent within us as we continue to read and study the Word of Yahweh our Creator. His Kingdom is the righteousness, the peace and the joy in the Ruach haKodesh.  When we become aware of those spiritual emotions, then we experience the nearness of His Kingdom. It is His Spirit that connects us.  

We won't find The Kingdom of Heaven by performing traditional rituals, eating and drinking and partaking of pagan holidays.  It is not a physical manifestation that can be seen in this world. Yet the Ruach haKodesh, who comforts us revealing the Truth of all things, teaches us just how close we truly are to the Kingdom of Heaven. By faith we shall find our reward- the righteousness, peace and joy -in our hope of the Good News in the Kingdom to Come.

Halleluyah!

Everlasting Consolation

Seals Opened First> Shofars Sound Next> Cups o'Wrath Poured

Seal #1 

White horse being ridden by one who goes out to conquer 

(Wars and rumors of war)

Seal #2

Rider of the red horse carrying a great sword, takes peace from the earth causing people kill one another 

(Nations and kingdoms will rise up against each other, fight each other.)

Seal #3

The rider of the black horse carries a balance, the price of food goes up and the oil wine (luxury items) are protected. 

(There will be famine, food shortages,)

Seal #4

Pale horse whose rider is Death and is followed by the grave. He has authority over a quarter of the world's population to kill by wars, famine, death and wild beasts. 

(plagues, diseases and earthquakes in various places.)

Seal #5

Under the altar are seen the souls of them who were slain on account of the Word of Elohim and on account of the testimony to the Lamb which was with them. They cry out asking YHWH how much longer will it take before He judges and avenges their blood. He tells them to be quiet yet a little while until the consummation of their fellow servants and Brothers who were to be killed as they had been.
(We will be hated because of His Name)

Seal #6

The opening of this seal causes a great earthquake and the sun became black like sackcloth and the whole moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell on the earth as a fig tree casts its unripe figs. The heavens separate as a scroll is rolled up and all mountains and islands were moved out of their places. All the kings, nobles and captains, rich men, men of valor and every servant and free man hide for they know the day of their wrath is come and who is able to stand? 

It is still during this 6th Seal time frame that the four angels/Messengers held the four winds and another Messenger had the seal of Elohim to seal the servant of Elohim upon their foreheads - 144,000 = 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel = the first fruits of the harvest of the earth. There are a lot of preparations made before Seal 7 is opened, which trigger the 7 Shofars Event.

Seal #7

When this seal is opened there will be silence in heaven for about a half hour... the 7 Messengers will each be given a shofar. Fire from the altar will be cast upon the earth which causes thunders, flashes of lightning and voices and an earthquake. The 7 Messengers prepare to sound their shofars.

Shofar #1

Hail and fire mixed with water were thrown upon the earth - a third part of the earth was burned, a third part of trees and all green grass was burned. 

Shofar #2

What looked as if it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea causing a third part of the sea to become blood; a third of all the creatures in the sea died and a third of all ships were destroyed. 

Shofar #3

There fell from heaven a star burning like a lamp which fell upon a third part of all (fresh water sources). This star was called "Wormwood" and a third part of the waters became bitter, poisoned and many persons died from the waters. (Note: It, this star called 'wormwood', doesn't destroy the whole earth - it just affects a third part of fresh water sources, drinking water)....

Shofar #4

A third of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon and stars became dark and so the daylight is a third less bright as well as the night. 

Shofar #5

A star fell from heaven to earth and he was given the key to the abyss, which he opened and now the long haired demon locust with scorpion stingers are loosed to torment those who do not have the seal of Elohim upon their foreheads - for 5 months this goes on! More happens before the next Shofar is sounded.

Shofar #6

The four Messengers bound at the Euphrates are set free and they gather up the 200 million man army to go out and slay a third part of humanity. Much, much more happens.

Shofar #7

The kingdom of the world becomes the Kingdom of Y'shua.... 

Now comes the completion of the wrath of Elohim:

Cup #1

Malignant and painful sores upon those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. 

Cup #2

The remaining 2/3 of the sea and all sea life dies. 

Cup #3

The remaining rivers and fresh water supplies become blood. 

Cup #4

The sun scorches men with great heat but they do not repent 

Cup #5

The existing world kingdom turns to darkness and those who belong to it suffer pain and ulcers 

Cup #6

The Euphrates dries up so that kings from the east may cross. Demons that look like frogs leap from the mouths of the false prophet and the beast of prey and the mouth of the dragon. These spirits of demons go forth to all the kings of all the habitable world to gather them to the battle in a place called Armageddon. 

Cup #7

It Is Done. There are flashes of lightning, and thunders, and voices and a great earthquake like nothing before. The great city becomes three parts, and the city of nations fall; Babylon the great was remembered. Every island fled away and the mountains disappeared. A great hail falls from heaven upon men and the men blaspheme Elohim.

These events are listed in numeric order because it is the order of things.  Just as Yahweh numbered the days and months and years, He saw fit to number these end times happenings so we could read and understand what is to come.

What Y'shua tells us in Matthew 24 in answering the question "What will be the sign of your return and the end of the world?" lines up pretty darn good with Seals 1 through 5, as I noted in parenthesis (above in the Seals and below):

Let no man deceive you. Many will claim to be the savior and many will they deceive. You will hear of revolutions, wars and rumors of war. Do not worry, these things must happen but it is not the end yet. (Seal #1)
Nations and kingdoms will rise up against each other, fight each other. There will be famine, food shortages, plagues, diseases and earthquakes in various places. These are the beginning of sorrows. (Seals #2, 3 and 4)
Then we will be hated, delivered to afflictions and killed because we believe in Y'shua, Son of Elohim. Many stumble, hate each other and will report 'believers' to the authorities to save their own lives (Seal #5). 

Many false prophets arise and deceive many. Because of the spread of wickedness, lawlessness, the love of many grows cold. BUT whoever has patience until the end, he will have life. And this Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all the nations* - then the end will come. (Sometime after the 7th Shofar is sounded this happens: Revelation 14:6- A Messenger was seen flying in heaven. *He had the everlasting Good News to proclaim to dwellers on the earth: "Worship Elohim, and give glory to Him because the hour of His judgment is come and adore Him who made heaven and earth and the sea and the fountains of water.")

And when you see the sign of uncleanness (abomination) and desolation which will stand in the Set Apart place - those in Judea should flee to the mountains, do not hesitate or try to go back. There's no time to pack a bag or a lunch! Time's up. THEN there will be great suffering (tribulation) such as has not been before or will be again... And if those days were not shortened, not any flesh would live, but because of the chosen, those days will be shortened. (This begins the final 3-1/2 years before Y'shua returns). Time is shortened for His Set Apart believers else they would not be able to witness the heart breaking happenings when His Wrath is poured out on those left behind.  At the 7th Shofar they are gathered together in the clouds and prepared to inherit the promised land.

Do not believe those who say they saw Y'shua (or Jesus) 'here or there', for false teachers/preachers/messiahs/prophets will produce signs and wonders in order to help with the deception, if possible even the chosen. We are told beforehand so that we may recognize the times we are living in. Y'shua will be seen just as everyone sees the sun rise out of the east and it is seen even in the west, so shall the Son of Elohim be seen. There will be no mistaking it.

Immediately after the suffering of those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not shine its light, and the stars will fall from heaven and the powers of heaven will be shaken (Seal #6 will be opened). Then will be seen the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and all the tribes of the land mourn when they see him who comes upon the clouds of heaven with great power and glory. He sends his Messengers with a large trumpet (shofar) and they will gather his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other, the entire earth.

And so, my friends, as of this date, we await the opening of Seal #6....  

Day of Wrath

Exodus 32:34

"But go now, lead the people where I told you. 

Behold, My angel shall go before you; nevertheless 

in the day when I punish, I will punish them for their sin."

Zephaniah 1:15 - That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, A day of waste and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness

Isaiah 13:9 - Watch out! The Day of Yahweh Elohim is coming- cruel, with wrath and fierce anger -to turn the entire inhabited earth into a desolation and to annihilate sinners from it.

Proverbs 11:14- Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

Ezekiel 7:19 - They will fling their silver into the streets and their gold will become an abhorrent thing; their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of Yahweh. They cannot satisfy their appetite nor can they fill their stomachs, for their iniquity has become an occasion of stumbling.

Ezekiel 6:12 - "He who is far off will die by the plague, and he who is near will fall by the sword, and he who remains and is besieged will die by the famine. Thus will I spend My wrath on them.

Isaiah 13:13 - Therefore I'll make the heavens tremble. The earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, at the time of his burning anger. 

Psalm 110:5 - Yahweh Elohim is at Your right hand; He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath.

Jeremiah 40:3 - ...and Yahweh has brought it on and done just as He promised. Because you people sinned against Him and did not listen to His voice, therefore this thing has happened to you.

Romans 2:5 - But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when Yah's righteous judgment will be revealed.

Revelation 6:16 - And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”

Romans 2:8 - But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger.

John 3:36 - The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who disobeys the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.

Once upon a time I was accused of being a 'gloom and doomer'. I was early in my walk and began learning Scriptures when I first read the book of Revelation. No wonder I was warning those who would listen about the end times!  But knowing that our Creator has become so angry with the unrepentant ones should turn a light on in our brains showing us we should choose to obey the Father and gain His blessing.  His day of wrath is coming.  Lets be part of His chosen so we do not take part of the plagues.

We have been given fair warning of future events and how to prepare for end. Our choice is simple: 

• Follow the Instructions given by Yahweh
• Don't follow the Instructions given by Yahweh

Acts 5:22 - We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Ruach haKodesh, whom Yah has given to those who obey Him."

If we have Faith in our Creator we should trust Him to know what is best for us.  He does, and He provided all the Instructions we'll ever need to live a good life on this old earth - if we choose to obey and live accordingly.

Deuteronomy 30 - lightly paraphrased 

(please read your 'bible' for all the details)

And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you remember them, among all the nations where Yahweh Elohim has driven you, and you turn back to Him, you and your children, and obey His voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, then He will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and He will gather you again from all the peoples where He has scattered you. If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the Yahweh your Elohim will gather you. And He will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. Yahweh will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. And the He will put all these curses on your foes and enemies who persecuted you. And you shall again obey Yahweh and keep all His commandments. Yahweh Elohim will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the He will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, when you obey Yahweh Elohim, to keep His commandments and His statutes that are written in this Book of the Teaching, when you turn to the Yahweh Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul.

For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. 

See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of Yahweh your Elohim that I command you today, by loving Him, by walking in His ways, and by keeping His commandments and His statutes and His rules, then you shall live and multiply, and Yah will bless you in the land that you are entering. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess.  I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving Yahweh, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that Yah swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

The Last Day

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

It is appointed for all of us to die, but when Y'shua returns to the earth at the last day, his followers who have died will be raised from their graves and given eternal life. Those Set Apart believers who are still living at that time will see this and be gathered up with them.

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

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It's been over fifteen years since I began the study Scriptures. I started with the book of Revelation, prompted by a website about fallen angels, aliens and prophecy which piqued my interest enough to see if 'their' conclusions were 'true'. They referenced the Word of God throughout the website, so I used those Scripture quotes as a place to start my own investigation. Little did I know that what I read in Revelation was a beginning which would lead me to the book of Daniel and eventually through the entire 'Bible', backwards and forward, beginning to end and back again!  In the course of these studies I learned about the pagan origins for almost all our traditional holidays one finds printed on calendars. I learned about the various lies we have inherited and how brainwashed we really are. It's not our fault, we were raised that way. But we don't need to remain that way.

One of the most misunderstood topics in regards to the 'end times' is called 'the rapture' and folks like to divide this event into three possible scenarios: Pre-tribulation; Mid-tribulation and Post-tribulation. When I became aware of these divisions I was inspired to study out the truth of the matter.

Most believe that the Tribulation is the final 7 years prior to the return of 'Jesus'.  This final time line begins with the signing of a peace treaty - an agreement with many - which apparently brings 'world peace' thanks to that final world leader and his world government system. This will actually be a false sense of security, yet every one will be at ease and life goes on. But, after 3-1/2 years go by, things take a turn for the worse, like nothing that has ever happened before. Life seems good the first 3-1/2 years and the bad times, the Tribulation time line appears to be the final 3-1/2 years. Realizing this, there is no way for a Pre-trib rapture to take place.  Also, after further study, there is not a Mid-trib rapture either. Yahshua returns at the Last Day.  We can find written in Scriptures the signs and wonders, the events and mindsets that will become very apparent prior to the return of Messiah, the Anointed One.  These things must happen first and then the end will come.

Tribulation is defined as:

distress or suffering resulting from oppression or persecution 

: a trying experience

(This describes the state of things during the final 3-1/2 years.) 

Rapture is defined as: 

an expression or manifestation of ecstasy or passion 

: a state or experience of being carried away by overwhelming emotion

: a mystical experience in which the spirit is exalted to a knowledge of divine things

: the final assumption of Christians into heaven* during the end-time according to Christian theology

*(We don't die and go to heaven.)

The main body of the rapture theory was invented by Ribera, a Catholic Jesuit theologian who published his work shortly after the Massacre of St. Bartholomew in 1572. Protestants were pointing to the Vatican as the harlot beast system of Revelation. The blood of that horrific Catholic inspired massacre of French Protestants was still being washed off the streets of Paris when the Jesuits presented their rapture theory, designed to take pressure off the Catholic Church system.... The Jesuits also peddled that 'the saints' would not be on Earth during the time of tribulation....  (quote - Andrew Gabriel Roth)

The word 'rapture' is not found in Scripture. The word "rapture" comes from the Latin rapere used by the Vulgate to translate the Greek word harpaz, which is rendered by the phrase "caught up" in most English translations.

The Apostle Paul clearly teaches that the first resurrection and the 'catching up' will occur at the return of Mashiyach.  The sounding of a trumpet signals his return.  All eyes will see and understand that the day of wrath has come. Many things will happen before the sounding of that last shofar and the return of Yahshua.  We have been told these things so we will know what to expect, that we Set Apart believers will not be taken by surprise as if by a thief in the night.  Yahshua returns on the Last Day.

Joel 2
Blow a horn in Zion, sound an alarm on My Set Apart mount! Let all dwellers on earth tremble, for the Day of YHWH has come! It is close - a day of darkness and gloom, a day of densest cloud spread like soot over the hills. A vast, enormous horde - nothing like it has ever happened, and it shall never happen again through the years and ages. (The shofar/horn/trumpet is blown before the darkness and gloom*)  

Matthew 24:29
And immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not shine its light. And the stars will fall from heaven and the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then will be seen the sign of the Son of man in heaven... :31 And he will send his Messengers (angels) with a large trumpet (shofar/horn) and they will gather his chosen ones from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other. (*His Set Apart believers are rescued before the darkness and gloom)

...the 7th Shofar is sounded. The earth is ready for harvest. Set Apart believers are removed from the earth temporarily for if their time was not shortened they would not be able to witness, understand and survive the heart breaking destruction to come, the final 7 cups of Wrath, which are:

• Malignant and painful sores upon those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.
• The remaining 2/3 of the sea and all sea life dies. 
• The remaining rivers and fresh water supplies become blood.
• The sun scorches men with great heat but they do not repent
• The existing world kingdom turns to darkness and those who belong to it suffer pain and ulcers
• The Euphrates dries up so that kings from the east may cross. Demons that look like frogs leap from the mouths of the false prophet and the beast of prey and the mouth of the dragon. These spirits of demons go forth to all the kings of all the habitable world to gather them to the battle in a place called Armageddon. 
• It Is Done. There are flashes of lightning, and thunders, and voices and a great earthquake like nothing before. The great city becomes three parts, and the city of nations fall; Babylon the great was remembered. Every island fled away and the mountains disappeared. A great hail falls from heaven upon men and the men blaspheme Elohim. 

Y'shua haMashiyach does return, as written, as prophesied, as promised. Set Apart believers will be protected during this time, when the cups of wrath are poured out upon the earth, as they have been gathered up into the clouds, changed from corruptible to incorruptible beings, prepared to be placed on their soil, the promised land as per Yah's covenant with Abraham.

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 Anointed One; and they will reign with him the thousand years.

For more details, click here for my study on Signs

So, if you think things are pretty bad now... they will get worse but we are not to worry ourselves to death.  Yahshua said these things must happen.  In the meantime, stay busy and continue to stand strong in the Faith and trust Him to do what He says he will do.

John 14:6 - Y'shua said, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father except by me. If you would have known me, you would also know my Father."

2 Thessalonians 2:15 - Therefore, my brothers, be established and persevere in the Commandments which you have been taught, whether by word or by our epistle. And by our Master Y'shua the Mashiyach himself, and Elohim our Father who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope through his grace, comfort your hearts and establish in yourselves every good word and in every good work.

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We must be firmly rooted in the Instructions of Yahweh as we have learned from knowing Yahshua so that we do not fall for the coming strong deception. His Spirit teaches us discernment and shows us The Way as he reveals The Truth wherein we receive our reward - the gift of our soul - Life eternal.

Faith and Salvation

Isaiah 12:2- Yahweh Elohim is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid. For Yah is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation (deliverance)."

What is salvation?

Definition from the Webster Dictionary-

• deliverance from the power and effects of sin
• liberation from ignorance or illusion
• preservation from destruction or failure
• deliverance from danger or difficulty 

What has Yahweh told us about being delivered from sin, liberated from ignorance, preserved from destruction and delivered from danger? 

Deuteronomy 4:35- YHWH has clearly demonstrated that He alone is Elohim 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. 

Deuteronomy 6:3- Obey willingly and faithfully 

Deuteronomy 6:21- We obey His instructions because we were once slaves (to the world system, habits, traditions, doctrines of men etc...) and He freed us with a Mighty Hand... and will give us the land He promised to our fathers (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob). 

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 8- Yah tests us by hardships to learn what is in our hearts: whether we will keep His Commandments .... or not.

Here is an example in regards to the behavior of those who seem to choose to remain ignorant of His Word:

Ephesians 4:18- They (Gentiles/non-believers) are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of Yahweh Elohim because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.…

Acts 17:30

Although Yahweh Elohim overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all men everywhere to repent.

What is repentance?

Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible, Herbert Lockyer, Page 908 – “REPENTANCE – a turning away from sin, disobedience or rebellion and a turning back to God (Matt. 9:13; Luke 5:32). In a more general sense, repentance means a change of mind (Gen. 6:6-7) or a feeling of remorse or regret for past conduct (Matt. 27:3). True repentance is a ‘godly sorrow’ for sin, an act of turning around and going in the opposite direction. This type of repentance leads to a fundamental change in a person’s relationship to God.”

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Before Y'shua began his 'ministry' there was John, as prophesied by Isaiah (40:3) in the wilderness immersing folks in the Jordan River, and preaching the immersion of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People came from Jerusalem as well as other areas in the region of Judah. He told about the coming of Y'shua who was more powerful than himself. He said "I immerse you in water, but he will immerse you by the Ruach haKodesh." (Mark 1)

In the book of Luke, chapter 1, we read that John was the son of a Levi Priest, Zechariah, and his wife Elizabeth who was descended from the daughters of Aaron (brother to Moses and Miriam, Levites). Elizabeth, by the way, was cousin to Maryam, mother of Yahshua. Both John the 'baptist' and his cousin, Yahshua, were descendants of the tribe of Levi, making them both qualified to be priests.

So here we have John, son of a Levi Priest, teaching about the "immersion of repentance for the forgiveness of sins" - as he makes people aware of the arrival of Yahshua. Is it safe to say that John has been taught Torah by his father? Immersion was not uncommon among those who followed Yah's Instructions.

John’s 'immersion in the river' was an adaptation of the mikveh, or ritual immersion bath, that had been part of obedience to Torah for generations and symbolized a spiritual cleansing. It was part of the preparation for undertaking a new beginning. Yahshua came to John for a mikveh at the beginning of his ministry.

During the time of Yahshua, did he ever 'baptize' anyone? His teachings about how to have a relationship with the Father are recorded in the Renewed Covenant writings, but in none of those accounts does he tell anyone that they must be baptized. Yahshua never immersed anyone to our knowledge, although he had his disciples perform the ceremony:

Matthew 28:18 (after Yahshua's resurrection he meets with his disciples) "All authority is given to me in heaven and on earth. And as my Father has sent me, I send you. Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations and immerse them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Ruach haKodesh (that one name is Yahweh) and teach them to keep all that I have commanded you."

Yahshua often sent people off after being healed without any mention of immersion, and he told His disciples to immerse in "The Name".... Yet, read this:

1 Corinthians 1:14 (Paul is speaking) I thank my Elohim that I immersed none of you except Crispus and Gaius; and therefore that not any one should (accuse me of) immersing in my own name. Moreover I immersed the household of Stephan, but further, I know not that I immersed any other. For Mashiyach did not send me to immerse, but to preach.... 1 Corinthians 2:13- And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 

Did a water baptism become a tradition among religious leaders of his day? Is that what Paul was being careful about? The Gentile church was rising and already perverting The Word and trying to destroy the teachings of Paul. Is being immersed in water necessary when we were told by John, written in Mark 1: "I immerse you in water, but he will immerse you by the Ruach haKodesh."   Did we miss the trade off from water to the Spirit of Yahweh? Yahshua said to immerse people in the Name, he replaced John's immersion in water to the immersion by the Ruach haKodesh.  As John's act was an adaptation to ritual mikvehs, being immersed by the Spirit is an adaptation of that example of ritual cleansing.  Like everything else, Yahshua raised the bar, expanding definition on the Word of Yahweh.

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John 3 in Context

Yahshua answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of Elohim." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" Yahshua answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of Elohim. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, "You must be born again.' (John 3:3-7)

Note: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Being born of water is referring to being born physically (the water referring to the amniotic fluid that breaks as one is born). This is why he said "You must be born again." The first birth is the birth from the flesh. The second is to be born of the Spirit, which is of Yahweh.

In all of his interactions with people, Yahshua was never recorded as commanding anyone to be baptized, although he often commended people for their faith. It would seem that if baptism were required for salvation, Yahshua would have made some mention of it.

I John 1:9- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  John 6:38- For I came down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me...  John 6:40- For this is the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him, will have life that is eternal. And I will raise him up on the last day.

Yahshua talked often about faith:

Matthew 8:10- I say to that not even in Israel have I found faith like this. 

Matthew 8:26- Oh you of little faith! Why are you fearful?

Matthew 9:2- Y'shua saw their faith and said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son, your sins are forgiven."

Matthew 9:22- "Be comforted, my daughter, your faith has made you alive."

Matthew 9:28-29 ...the blind men approached him. Yahshua asks if they 'believed' he could heal them. They said yes. Then he touched their eyes and said, "As you believed let it be to you" and their eyes were opened.

Matthew 14:31- "Oh you of little faith! Why did you 'doubt' me?

Matthew 15:28- "Oh woman! Great is your faith. Let it be as you desire." And her daughter was healed. 

Matthew 21:21- Y'shua said, if you have faith and no doubt you can perform miracles, and move mountains 

Mark 4:40- Why are you fearful and why is there no faith in you? 

Mark 10:52- See! Your faith has made you whole. 

Mark 11:22- Let the faith of Elohim be in you.

Luke 7:50- Your faith has given you life. Go in peace.

Luke 8:25- Where is your faith? 

Luke 17:19- Arise. Go. Your faith has given you life. 

Luke 18:8- Nevertheless, the Son of man will indeed come, and will he find faith on earth?

Luke 22:32- And I have prayed over you that your faith may not weaken.

Could it be that Faith is the key to Salvation and not baptism by water? It appears that being immersed by the Ruach haKodesh would be to be immerse into the Name which is Yahweh, via the Son who told us no one comes to the Father except by him... and he gave us the Spirit of Truth as a Comforter as we wait for his return .... a lovely harmonious interaction as we repent and return to the One who created us.

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. (Hebrews 11)

We read in Matthew 19:16 that a certain man came and drew near to Y'shua asking what he should do to gain eternal life. Y'shua tells him to obey the Commandments (don't commit murder, nor adultery, don't steal and don't give false witness... honor your parents and love your neighbor as yourself). The young man says that he has obeyed these things since he was a boy - what else? Y'shua tells him if he desires to be perfect/complete to sell off his possessions and provide for the poor, then he will have treasure in heaven - "come, follow me!" That young man went away sad because he had many possessions and apparently he wasn't ready for a yard sale. Many of us have material possessions that we deem important because of sentimental value or actual monetary value.... we drag 'em with us each time we move. I say it is time to get rid of the baggage - clean house and make yourself presentable before Elohim. Part of that 'baggage' we carry around consists of false teachings, traditions and behavior unacceptable to our Creator.  Let's stop being ignorant of His Word, lighten that load and continue to move along His Path of Righteousness!

Revelation 12

Revelation 12, when I read it this is the image that comes to my mind - it is a 'what was and what will be' recap of prophecies found elsewhere throughout Scriptures.  

It is telling about the birth of Messiah, how Satan tries to defeat him, fails and wars against all Set Apart believers through the years, to the point of being cast out of heaven along with his fellow rebellious angels.  The woman flees to the wilderness where she is able to survive the final 3-1/2 years. Now she represents those in Judea who are told to leave when the abomination of desolation enters the 'holy place' and declares himself 'god'.  Satan possessing the final world leader happens at this time and the final 3-1/2 years are hell on earth.  Woe to the earth  - the Deceiver has come down to you, being in great wrath since he knows his time is short.  The Dragon was enraged against the woman and went to make war upon the remnant of her seed who Keep the Commandments of Elohim God and have the testimony of Yahshua.

Now, reading Revelation 12 as a study, these are my notes, yet I still read it as what has happened and what is yet to happen:

The great wonder could be a sky sign just as there was a sky sign announcing the actual birth of the Son of Elohim, or it could be part of the vision. Verse 3 mentions another "wonder" in heaven referring to Satan, the fiery dragon, part of this same vision.  As a side note: In Joseph's dream, the sun and the moon represented his mom and dad; the stars his eleven brothers.  

The pregnant woman represents Mary about to give birth, she is in labor pains. This woman also represents Set Apart believers who endure til the end. Those are they who will withstand the pain, anguish and fears of those days to come.

Satan, that old dragon, that serpent called the Deceiver, did not want our Messiah to be born, and  was poised to devour him. (Remember, after he was born, Joseph and Mary left with Yahshua and stayed in Egypt because of Herod's decree to have all male babies 2 years old and younger killed). This Dragon also represents the future world system/government noted by the 7 heads and 10 horns.  He eventually loses the war in heaven, is cast out and he drags along with him the other angels (stars of heaven) he managed to recruit.  

The woman's child was caught up to Elohim God and to his throne.  Our Messiah was resurrected and now waits until his enemies are made his footstool. 

The woman fled to the wilderness where she survived 1260 days (equals 42 months = 3-1/2 years). As I noted above, those in Judea are told to flee to the wilderness when the abomination of desolation enters the set apart place.

The war in heaven is noted, Satan and his cronies are cast out upon the earth as the vision/wonder depicts the dragon using his tail to draw them along.

Satan the Accuser is cast out of the heavenly realm and those Beings are thankful and joyful, but woe to those inhabiting the earth.....

The same story line is repeated a third time: Dragon goes after to persecute the Woman who is taken to the wilderness hidden from Dragon for three and half years. Enraged Dragon goes after Set Apart believers to make war upon the remnant of her seed who Keep the Commandments of Elohim God and have the testimony of His Son Yahshua.

Folks, it ain't the end, yet....

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My husband and I totally believe in Yahweh as the Creator of this Universe including the sun, the moon, the stars... We totally trust Yah when He says it is He who brings the constellations into their seasons and that He has placed the law of the heavens above the laws of the earth - of which both submit to His authority.

A common misunderstanding stems from this:

Astrology is not the same as Astronomy which is why we are given this warning in

Deuteronomy 4:19--

​​"And when you look up to the sky and behold the sun and the moon and the stars, the whole heavenly host, you must not be lured into bowing down to them or serving them. These Yahweh your God allotted to other peoples everywhere under heaven; but you He took out of Egypt... to be His very own people..."

​Psalm 147:4

He reckoned the number of the stars;

to each He gave its name. 

Great is our Elohim and full of power,

His wisdom is beyond reckoning...

Did you know that those who try to divine destinies from the stars (horoscopes for one example [astrology]) instead of waiting on Yahweh are the 'stargazers' who are condemned:

​​Isaiah 47:13 - You are helpless, despite of all your art (spells and enchantments). Let them stand up and help you now, the scanners of heaven, the star-gazers, who announce, month by month, whatever will come upon you. They have become like straw and fire consumes them; they cannot save themselves.

Indeed, the heavens declare the glory of Elohim, the sky proclaims His handiwork. (Psalm 19)

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