United We Stand Divided We Fall

Scripture declares that believers in Messiah are the House of God (1 Timothy 3:15-16; Hebrews 3:1-6; 1 Peter 2:4-5; Ephesians 2:11-22; 1 Corinthians 3:9-16). The desire of the Messiah is that His people/house would be unified (John 17:11, 21-23) in Him. Unification of His body is a major part of the preparation unto perfection of the bride to meet the Bridegroom (Matthew 5:48; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 13:9-13; Ephesians 4:11-13; Philippians 3:14-15; Colossians 1:28; 3:14; 4:12; Romans 10:4; Psalm 119:1).

This unification is accomplished through love (Colossians 3:14; 1 Corinthians 13:9-13; Romans 13:10; 1 John 4:10, 12, 16; 5:3).

The desire of the adversary is to keep the body of Messiah divided because a house divided cannot stand (Matthew 12:25; Mark 3:25; Luke 11:17).  YHWH God hates this discord amongst His people (Proverbs 6:19) as He desires us to stand, not fall (Ephesians 6:11-18).  There a number of methods the adversary/devil uses to keep the body of Messiah divided.  Let us look at some of this "methodology".


Ephesians 6:11 speaks of the 'wiles' of the devil, this word in Greek is μεθοδεία 'methodeia,' the source of the word method.  In Ephesians 4:14, this word is translated as 'lie in wait' speaking of the deception of the wicked.  How is this deception overcome?  Through the edifying love of Messiah which unites His people (Ephesians 4:1-32).


The Hebrew word satan {סטן} literally means the accuser or adversary.  The one who stands as an accuser of mankind, pointing the finger in condemnation (Revelation 12:10-11; Zechariah 3:1-2).  Messiah Yahshua/Jesus on the other hand, is the Defender of mankind (Luke 22:31-32; Romans 8:31-34; Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:15-16; 1 John 2:2-2) in whom we have overcome the accusations of the devil (Revelation 12:11).

Psa 109:6  Set a wicked man over him; and let an adversary (סטן 'satan') stand at his right hand;
Psa 109:31  For He (Messiah Yahshua/Jesus) shall stand at the right hand of the needy; to save from those judging his soul.

The Hebrew word for ‘discord’ is מדן ‘medan’ which has the meaning of an accuser in a court of law pointing the finger at the accused.  The divisions we see in the natural realm amongst men of ‘race,’ class, and religion is a consequence of man’s carnal nature which came forth when he partook of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  A mixture of good and evil, a divided house. The serpent brought forth a false accusation against YHWH God which divided man from His God.  He divided the house so that he might take dominion.

In Aramaic, the word for devil is אכלקרצא 'akelqartsa' which means an accuser or slanderer from the root אכל 'akel' which means to consume, to devour.  Scripture likens the devil to a lion who seeks to devour mankind.

1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
We are warned not to walk bite and devour one another lest we be consumed.
Gal 5:14  For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Gal 5:15  But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you are not consumed by one another.

Those who accuse others and slander others are walking in the footsteps of the adversary.  In the New Testament, the word for devils is διάβολος 'diabolos' which is translated as false accusers (2 Timothy 3:3) and slanderers (1 Timothy 3:11).

Believers are called to walk in the footsteps of Messiah (1 John 2:6; Ephesians 5:1-2).  Putting on the breastplate of righteousness that we might stand together against the devil.  Defending one another, loving one another as love covers all sins (Proverbs 10:12; 17:9; 1 Corinthians 13:4; 1 Peter 4:8).


A breastplate is a tool of defense.  The breastplate of God is righteousness, faith and love (Ephesians 6:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:18).  We are children of light (1 Thessalonians 5:5), called to stand in His love, wearing His breastplate of love (1 Thessalonians 5:8).  We are not appointed to wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9) for Messiah took our sins upon us that we might live together with Him (1 Thessalonians 5:10).  The accusations of the devil are powerless against us (Romans 8:1, 33-39).  As a result, we are to edify one another in love (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Romans 14:19), not tear down each other in condemnation (Ephesians 4:1-32).  We are called to forgive one another in love, that the adversary not get an advantage on us.

2Co 2:10  To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
2Co 2:11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

The breastplate of the High Priest contained 12 stones, representing the 12 tribes of Israel, the body of Messiah.  It was called the breastplate of judgment (Exodus 28:15) which the High Priest wore that he might bear the judgment of Israel before YHWH (Exodus 28:30).  Messiah  Yahshua/Jesus is THE High Priest who bears the judgment of His people before the Father (Hebrews 2:17; 4:14-15; 7:26-28; 8:1-13).  Through Him, His people are justified and cleared of any guilt (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:33).  In the heavenly courtroom, the accuser cannot make a sound (Isaiah 54:17).  Interestingly, the Hebrew word for breastplate is חושן 'choshen' which literally means something bound to the chest.  חושן 'choshen' comes from the root word חש 'chush' which means silence, as in a mouth that is bound.  The English word 'hush' comes from this Hebrew word.  If we feel the desire to condemn our fellow brothers, let us put our hand/finger to our mouth (Job 40:4; 29:9; Micah 7:16-20) and "hush" ourselves as there is no condemnation that we can rightfully bring against those who are justified in Messiah.


Another attribute of the devil is temptation or examination.  In Matthew 4:3, he is called the "tempter".  This word in Greek is πειράζω 'peirazō' which means to test or examine.  The equivalent Hebrew word is נסא 'nasa' which means to lift up a burden.  This word was perfectly portrayed by the Messiah who was lifted up on the cross, carrying the burden of mankind's sins (John 3:14).  A cognate of נסא 'nasa' is מסה 'massah' which means temptation or trial.  Again, the theme of the accuser vs. the Defender is seen. 


Messiah took upon Himself our debts on the cross and commanded us to take up the cross as well and follow Him (Matthew 10:21; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23-25; 14:27).  We are now to be dead to sin and the debt it holds to walk in the freedom of His Righteousness (Galatians 2:20; 5:5:22-25; Romans 6:6-18; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:22-23).  As there is no longer any condemnation to those who have been forgiven their debt, we should no longer focus on condemning others (Romans 8:1-39).  Our focus should be on the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:14-21) and forgiveness (Matthew 18:23-35).


The accuser of the brethren is always on the lookout for the sins/weaknesses of believers (Psalm 10:8-10).  The Defender is there for us, giving us grace and love to cover our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15-16).  We are not called to be on the constant lookout for the sins and weaknesses of our brethren (Romans 14:4; James 4:11-12), we are called to defend and love our brethren as Messiah does (Romans 15:1-3; 14:1; 1 Corinthians 12:22-27; Galatians 6:1-3).  Being on the watch for the sins of others is the job of the wicked (Psalm 17:8-15; 64:1-10).  Defending against these accusations is the role of the Lord (Psalm 5:5-12; 7:10; 62:1-8; 89:18) and His people (1 Peter 4:8).



We are to be vigilant against the devil, the roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8).  The Greek word for vigilant is γρηγορεύω 'gregoreo' which means to watch, to take heed.  This word is used to translate two Hebrew words in the Septuagint.  This first is is עמד 'amad' which means to stand.  The second is שקד 'shaqad' which means to watch and be alert.  שקד 'shaqad' is also translated as almond, as an almond looks like an open eye.  The menorah, which pictures the unified body of Messiah, was made with bowls which looked like almonds (Exodus 25:34).  The root word of שקד 'shaqad' is שע 'sha' which is the root of the word ישועה 'Yehshuah' which means salvation, the source of the Messiah's name.

שע 'sha'  literally pictures a shepherd watching over his flock, defending them by destroying any enemy that comes against them.  We are children of light, called to defend one another and love one another as the Good Shepherd defends and loves us (John 10:11-18; 1 Peter 5:1-11; John 13:34-35; 15:12-17).


Peter says that in order to be vigilant against the devil we must be sober (1 Peter 5:8).  Paul associates being sober with the breastplate of love.


1Th 5:8  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

1Th 5:14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.



As mentioned before, the adversary used false accusations against YHWH God in the beginning causing discord between God and man.  He accompanied these false accusations against the Most High with the promise of giving man knowledge.  Ever since this time there has been two types of wisdom. Wisdom from above versus wisdom from below.


Jas 3:13  Who is wise and knowing among you? Let him show his works by his good behavior, in meekness of wisdom.
Jas 3:14  But if you have bitter jealousy and contention in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.
Jas 3:15  This is not the wisdom coming down from above, but is earthly, beastly, devilish.
Jas 3:16  For where jealousy and contention are, there is confusion and every foul deed.
Jas 3:17  But the wisdom from above is firstly truly pure, then peaceable, forbearing, yielding, full of mercy and of good fruits, not partial and not pretended.
Jas 3:18  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for the ones making peace.



If knowledge causes contention and strife and leads us to point the finger of accusation and condemnation at our fellow man, we better examine ourselves because this is more than likely devilish knowledge.  Knowledge or doctrine should not cause us to divide from our brethren, this is carnal (1 Corinthians 3:3-4; Jude 1:19; Philippians 2:3; Galatians 5:19-20).  Those who walk in this manner cannot please God (Romans 8:6-8).  Messiah is not divided (1 Corinthians 1:12-13), His body is to be unified (John 17:11, 21-22; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 6:15-17; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 4:5; Philippians 1:27; 2:2).


Unity comes only through Messiah and the New Covenant in Him (Psalm 50:5; Isaiah 49:3-9; Hebrews 13:20-21; Jeremiah 50:5; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 1:20; 2:1-11) and walking with Him (1John 1:3-7).  Unity does not mean we have to agree on every doctrine.  Messiah will correct any of our incorrect doctrine when He returns (Isaiah 52:8; Jeremiah 3:17-18; 31:8-13; 50:3-7; Micah 2:12)  when we will be resurrected into His Image (1 Corinthians 15:49; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Psalm 17:15; Romans 8:28-30; Galatians 3:26-29; Hebrews 13:21).  This is when believers will see ‘eye to eye’ (Isaiah 52:8).


“Unity in the body of Christ does not rest on uniformity, but on our common ‘blood,’ which is the blood of Christ.  We are now members of one family, and that identity cannot be taken from us, no matter how much we disagree or quarrel”. (The Gospel in Human Contexts – Paul Hiebert pg 193)


Division comes as a result of man’s carnal nature inherited from the first Adam when he partook of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  Adam was given dominion over the earth, or headship (Genesis 1:26) but when he allowed the serpent to creep into the garden and partook of the fruit of which he was commanded not to, he forfeited this dominion (Luke 4:6).  Messiah Yahshua/Jesus overcame the dominion of the enemy (Colossians 2:15; Acts 2:23-36) and is now the only Head on this earth (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23; Psalm 18:43).  Today we see division amongst men because they put other men as their heads.   We must not submit to other men as Yahshua/Jesus alone is our head and we are all brethren (Matthew 23:8) called to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13).



We must stop appointing men as our heads and dividing into little cliques based upon the knowledge and doctrine of men.  We must stop accusing one another over doctrine and cutting off other members of the body of Messiah because they don't agree with us in every doctrine.



1Co 1:12  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
1Co 1:13  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?


The word for "envying" in 1 Corinthians 3:3 is ζῆλος 'zēlos' which also means zealousness.  Zealousness for God's truth is great (Revelation 3:19; Titus 2:14), but we must be careful that this zealousness does not turn into carnal envy.  Although we have been given God's Spirit, we still have sin dwelling in our carnal flesh (Romans 7:11, 17-18).  Carnality is carnality whether or not it is disguised as religion or not.  Sadly, many times our zealousness for God can be used by satan to lead us into persecution of one another in the guise of religious zeal (Acts 22:3-4; Philippians 3:6; Romans 10:2-4).



Jas 3:13  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Jas 3:14  But if ye have bitter envying {ζῆλος 'zēlos'} and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
Jas 3:15  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
Jas 3:16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Jas 3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Jas 3:18  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Love envies not
1Co 13:4  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,



When we walk in God's love we realize that we do not have the corner market on truth.  As a result we must be patient with one another focusing on faith, hope and love.  Recall that these three things constitute the armor of God, in specific His breastplate of righteousness (1 Thessalonians 5:8-9).  It is in this love that we can stand (Ephesians 6:11-18; Romans 5:1-2).


Knowledge puffs us up and leads to division.  Love does not puff us up, love edifies (1 Corinthians 4:4-7; 13:4; Colossians 2:18-19)


1Co 8:1  Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
1Co 8:2  And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
1Co 8:3  But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

Eph 6:23  Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph 6:24  Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

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Biblical Calendar

 

2013 is yet another year in which disagreements over the calendar will arise amongst believers who wish to "keep" the feasts of the Lord.  Many will begin the new year in March while others, such as myself, believe the year will begin in April.  As a result, believers will be divided according to their convictions on when to celebrate the Biblical festivals and fingers will be pointed with the claim that the other side is causing disunity.  This is a sad fact which undermines the actual purpose of the feasts.  The feasts (מודים 'moedim') were designed by the Lord to be "wedding rehearsals" for the bride to prepare her to meet her bridegroom.  The shadow pictures which the feasts bring forth are to lead believers to the Messiah who came to gather us together in one (Colossians 2:17).  The last "speech" Yahshua/Jesus gave focused on this desire of unity amongst His body (John 17:11, 20-23).  

Unity comes only through Messiah, the New Covenant in Him (Psalm 50:5; Isaiah 49:3-9; Hebrews 13:20-21; Jeremiah 50:5; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 1:20; 2:1-11) and walking with Him (1John 1:3-7).


“Unity in the body of Christ does not rest on uniformity, but on our common ‘blood,’ which is the blood of Christ.  We are now members of one family, and that identity cannot be taken from us, no matter how much we disagree or quarrel.” (The Gospel in Human Contexts – Paul Hiebert pg 193)

So while we may have disagreements about doctrine such as the calendar, this ought not to be a source of division amongst His people (Philippians 2:3; James 3:16).  Whether you start the year in March or April or are under the conviction that the feasts don't apply today we can all be in agreement that we are still in unity through Him, not our agreements on doctrine.  Let each person be convinced in his or her own mind and follow the Lord wholeheartedly in that conviction (Romans 14:5-6).  We all have to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling so we ought not to point the finger of condemnation at others as each one of us falls or stands according to the Lord, not man (Romans 14:4).


I have spent a lot of time studying theories about the Biblical calendar and the numerous interpretations thereof.  In studying this subject there is one overwhelming conclusion that these theories lead to...confusion.  As God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), I decided that after spending scores of hours studying men's interpretations that perhaps the wise thing to do would be to go to the Bible alone, as the Lord is the author of this Book (2 Timothy 3:15-17) and as a result the confusion in regards to the calendar should dissipate with a reliance therein.  This I have found to be true as the calendar which one finds in the pages of the Scriptures is very simple and is only confusing when one begins to compare it with other interpretations out there which contradict.  It is man who has brought confusion to the calendar issue, not the Almighty.




In order to get to the purest interpretation of the Biblical calendar possible, I decided to imagine myself as waking up on a deserted island with no previous knowledge of the calendar.  Then I imagined an angel showing up with the Bible and proclaiming that everything I needed to walk according to God's will would be found in these pages.  No sermons or teachings of others, no 500 page calendar studies, no calendars to reference, only the Bible.  Through the Bible alone can one be able to know when the day starts?  Or the week, month or year?  I believe the answer to that is yes. 



Following is a super short and simplified interpretation of the Biblical calendar using only the Bible.  The focus will be on when to start the year as that is going to be one of the primary sources of contention in 2013 in regards to the calendar.  I know that there will be those that disagree about my interpretations of the day, week, month and year but I ask those who disagree to examine their views in light of the imagined scenario of being on a deserted island with only a Bible.   Would the opposing interpretation be plausible in that situation?  I'm open to changing if I'm wrong so please let me know if you think I'm in error but please give Biblical evidence.


The Biblical Calendar is based upon the sun, moon and stars (Genesis 1:14) and is controlled by the Almighty (Daniel 2:21). YHWH God appoints the ordinances of heaven (Jeremiah 31:35-36) not man, man can only THINK to change His calendar (Daniel 7:25). Time is continual cycle that repeats which is seen when tracing back the Hebrew words that deal with time and the movement of the heavenly bodies.



The day begins at evening (Genesis 1:5), the work day starts at morning (Psalm 104:23). Evening and morning were the first day, the second day commenced when evening came a second time (Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31) thus displaying the cycle.  Both periods are based upon the sun's position on the horizon, East in the morning and West in the evening.  The Hebrew word for day is יום 'yom' which comes from the root ים 'yam' which means the sea.  The Mediterrean sea is West (Joshua 15:12; Ezekiel 47:20) and the sun sets in the West (Joshua 1:4; 23:4; Isaiah 45:6).   Further displaying the beginning of the day at evening is seen in regards to Yom Kippur (Leviticus 23:32) and the sabbath (Nehemiah 13:19).


The week begins "Saturday" evening and continues for seven days in a continuous cycle going back to the beginning of creation.  The week is not based upon the movements of the heavenly bodies according to Genesis 1:14.  The word for week comes from the Hebrew word for seven which also means oath (שבע 'sheva').  God's Word is also His oath (Psalm 105:42; Luke 1:72-73).  His Word/Oath went forth on day 1 of creation, thus starting the 7 day cycle.


The month begins at the dark moon (Psalm 81:3; Proverbs 7:20; Psalm 72:7).  The first day of the month starts the evening following the morning that the moon is no longer visible in the Eastern sky.  This is how David could declare tomorrow (מחר 'machar' that evening) is the new moon (1 Samuel 20:5, 18).  The waxing crescent can be used as a "bookend" and is seen 2-3 days later (1 Samuel 20:5, 18-19, 27).


The year begins after the sun makes its complete circuit (תקופה 'tequfah'/תשובה 'teshubah'), rising directly East (Psalm 19:4-6; 75:6; Hosea 6:3; Ecclesiastes 1:5-6; Exodus 34:22; 23:16; 2 Samuel 11:1; 1 Kings 20:22, 26; 2 Chronicles 36:10; 24:23).  The next new moon begins the year upon which the feasts follow (Psalm 104:19).


To find out when to begin the new year one need only go to the Scriptures.  Genesis 1:14 declares that the heavenly bodies are the basis for finding the new year.  The Hebrew word for year (שנה 'shanah') literally means to repeat or do something again.  This means that the year begins when the heavenly bodies repeat their cycle.  Scripture declares Spring as the beginning of the year (Exodus 12:2) with the spring 'equinox' (תקופה 'tequfah'/תשובה 'teshubah') as the point at which the heavenly bodies have completed their cycle.  The 'equinox' is found when the sun rises exactly East, I use the term 'equinox' as this is the familiar English term but in reality the תקופה 'tequfah' doesn't necessarily mean "equal night" as the equinox does, but merely the rising of the sun on the eastern horizon.  This cycle of the sun rising exactly East each year is the circuit or תקופה 'tequfah' (Psalm 19:6) which completes the year.  The moon will then follow which will begin the counting of days of the first month for the feasts (Psalm 104:19).


Exodus 34:22 declares that Sukkot must occur after the autumnal equinox (תקופה 'tequfah').  This can only be guaranteed each year if one waits for the spring equinox/tequfah to occur and then start the year on the next new moon.  If one starts the year with a new moon that occurs in the winter before the equinox there will be some years in which Sukkot will occur during the summer before the Fall equinox, thus departing from the requirements of Scripture.  Exodus 23:16 says that Sukkot occurs at the "end" of the year.  The word for "end" in this verse in Hebrew is יצא 'yatsa' which is used in Psalm 19:5 in reference to the sun rising, or "coming out" of his chamber.  Psalm 19:6 declares the sun's "going forth" (מוצה 'motsa') is from the "end" of heaven and his circuit (תקופה 'tequfah') unto the ends of it.  This connects the "end" yet again to the equinox/tequfah.


מוצה 'motsa' comes forth from the word יצא 'yatsa' and has the same meaning of going out or coming out and is used in various applications, but specifically in reference to the rising of the sun in the East. מוצה 'motsa' is translated as East in Psalm 75:6 and links to the Spring season in Job 38:27 as it is translated as the "bud" of the tender herb springing forth.  On a deeper level, the 'advents' of the Messiah are spoken of as מוצה 'motsa' in Hosea 6:3.  His "going forth" (מוצה 'motsa') is prepared as the morning, again connecting the rising of the sun in the East.  He comes as the latter rain which occurs during the time of the spring equinox and former rain which comes during the time of the fall equinox.


The word for 'equinox' in Hebrew is תקופה 'tequfah' which has the following pictograph meaning.  The cross (ת) reveals (ה) the sun on the horizon (קוף).  The letter ק 'qof' spelled קוף in Hebrew is pictographially displayed as the sun rising on the horizon.  So then the word תקופה 'tequfah' has embedded within itself the point of the equinox.  It is at the cross of the horizon which is exactly East.  As the sun moves through its course in the sky it will rise directly East at the spring and fall equinoxes, making a cross in the sky each year.

Yet another witness to the spring equinox being the starting point of the year is seen in 2 Samuel 11:1; 1 Kings 20:22, 26; 2 Chronicles 36:10; 24:23.  In 2 Samuel 11:1; 1 Kings 20:22, 26; 2 Chronicles 36:10 the Scriptures speak of the year's return/expiration.  This word is תשובה 'teshubah' which means to return to the beginning.  The תשובה 'teshubah' marks the time in which the sun has made its circuit around the earth beginning again at Spring.  It was the time in which nations would go to war in olden days.  This is why the first month of the year came to be called Nisan as this word literally speaks of banners raised for war.  March, which comes from Mars the 'god' of war, comes from this same concept.  In 2 Chronicles 24:23 the Scriptures speak of this same time period as the תקופה 'tequfah.'  So in Scripture, the תקופה 'tequfah' and תשובה 'teshubah' occur at the same time of year, when the sun makes its full revolution through the sky rising due East at the Spring equinox/tequfah. 


The pictograph meaning of תשובה 'teshubah' is yet another witness to the Spring equinox as well.  The letters mean the cross (ת) reveals (ה) the path to the house (שוב).  Job 38:20 speaks of the sun/light in its courses as moving in a path to his house.  This links to Psalm 19 which speaks of the sun as a bridegroom in his chamber (חפה 'chuppah').  This tequfah cross connection is seen further in the Hebrew word תא 'ta' which as the meaning of a mark, point, chamber or boundary.  The Ancient Hebrew Lexicon of the Bible defines this word as:
 
The pictograph ת is a picture of two crossed sticks representing a mark. A mark identifies locations used to mark out a location. Two crossed sticks in the shape of cross were used to hang the family standard or flag.

So again the 'tequfah cross' is seen.  The flag or banner points to Nisan.  The chamber connects to Psalm 19:6 and Job 38:20 with the tequfah being the point of a mark of reference and the boundary as a place separation.


 
In another equinox/tequfah time connection is the Hebrew word for time which is עת 'et.' Pictographically עת 'et' means to see ע the cross ת.



Again, the purpose of the calendar and the feasts is to prepare the bride of Messiah to meet her bridegroom.  Each year these feasts should help us to grow in His grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18), not raise up walls of division (Ephesians 2:14) amongst His people and fingers of condemnation (Isaiah 58:4, 9-14).  If we disagree on the calendar, let our discussions be to the use of edifying, not tearing each other down and apart (Ephesians 4:2-16).


The main goal of unity is the preparation unto perfection of the bride to meet the Bridegroom (Matthew 5:48; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 13:9-13; Ephesians 4:11-13; Philippians 3:14-15; Colossians 1:28; 3:14; 4:12; Romans 10:4; Psalm 119:1).  This is done through love (Colossians 3:14; 1 Corinthians 13:9-13; Romans 13:10; 1 John 4:10, 12, 16; 5:3).  Love is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4), not puffed up (1 Corinthians 8:1) with knowledge.  A believer walking in love understands that we all see through a glass darkly and as a result our foundation is His love, not our knowledge of doctrine (1 Corinthians 13:9-13; 8:2).



True unity will come when Messiah returns and regathers us (Isaiah 52:8; Jeremiah 3:17-18; 31:8-13; 50:3-7; Micah 2:12)  where we will be resurrected into His Image (1 Corinthians 15:49; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Psalm 17:15; Romans 8:28-30; Galatians 3:26-29; Hebrews 13:21).  This is when believers will see ‘eye to eye’ (Isaiah 52:8) and follow the perfect Biblical calendar according to His teaching and not man's interpretations (Isaiah 2:2-5).


Related Studies:
Unity
Biblical Calendar





littleguyintheeye@gmail.com

Seek His Face & The Golden Rule

The Holy Scriptures admonish us to seek the Face of God at all times (1 Chronicles 16:11).  Seeking His Face will cause us to love others as He loves them...

When we look to God, we see what we are.  Evil, despicable, unworthy (Romans 3:10-19,23)...but when we look to Him we see His unending love for us in spite of our sinfulness (Ephesians 2:1-7).  When we look to our fellow man, our carnal flesh which is full of hate immediately wants to focus on their evils and unworthiness (1 Corinthians 3:1-4; Romans 8:7).  However, if we remember that we are just as unworthy of God's love as them, yet God still grants us His unmerited, unending love, will we not be more likely to do the same to them?

He has forgiven us so let us forgive (Matthew 18:23-35; Ephesians 4:32).  He shows us mercy so let us show mercy (2 Samuel 22:36; Luke 6:36).  He overlooks our lack of understanding and ignorance so let us do the same with others.  Even if the other person accepts not our forgiveness, love and understanding we must remember that we have treated God the same in the past, and even still do today as believers.

In seeking His Face, His Light will shine upon us where we can walk in His name (Numbers 6:24-27).  If we seek His face continually (1 Chronicles 16:11), His light will reflect from us to others (2 Corinthians 4:6).  Scripture likens seeking the Face of the Lord as looking into a mirror (2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Corinthians 13:12) in which we now see darkly.  As a result, we should abide in faith, hope and love.  Most importantly, in love.  This love is summed up in the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31).

All religions are based upon the Golden rule of treating others the way you want to be treated.  Almost everyone in the world follows a religion so why is there so much hate?  The problem is that we cannot keep the Golden Rule by our power or understanding.  The Golden Rule can only work if we are following by the principle of seeking His Face.  We can only truly abide by the Golden Rule if we are treating men as we wish God to treat us.  We want forgiveness and mercy and grace from God...this then should be given to others.  We must love as He loves us (John 13:34; 15:12).




Messiah said that the all of the Law and Prophets hang upon the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12; 22:40).  Paul says that the entire law is based upon this principle (Galatians 5:14).  By applying the concept of seeking His Face, this is seen.  A proper fulfillment of the Golden rule depends upon what man is seeking.  God or religion/idols.  Idolatry and religion lead to hate (John 15:21-25; Hosea 9:7-8), this is why there is so much hate in the world.  If we are not walking in love, we are not walking with God (1 John 4:8).  Hatred for our fellow man is indicative that we are not seeking the Face of God as man was created in God's image (1 John 4:20-21; James 3:9).  Hate is indicative that we are walking in the carnal flesh which is at war with God (Romans 8:7; Galatians 5:19-21).  Hate in one's heart reveals a spiritual blindness (1 John 2:9-11) which is caused in many cases by religion (John 9:41; 15:21-25; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Isaiah 44:18; 6:9-10; Matthew 13:13-15; 15:7-14).



When we seek the Face of God at all times we can overcome the hate for others caused by fear and ignorance (1 John 4:18; Romans 8:15, 31-39; Psalm 118:6; Hebrews 13:6).  When we seek the Face of God we can love our enemies and show them mercy as He does (Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-36; Romans 12:14-21; 1 Peter 3:8-15; Ephesians 2:2-22).

2012 Election

Politics is a great subject to study as it reveals human nature.  It is often said that Politics brings out the worst in people and this is very true.  The darkness and evil in mens hearts are revealed come election time.  This should be a time that the love/light of God is shining brighter than any other from believers as the darkness of their fellow man is being brought forth.  Sadly, believers, too many times snuff out the light of God and embrace the darkness of slander and backbiting, hatred and condemnation when we are called rather to bring forth love and truth.

There is nothing wrong with supporting or opposing a person running for political office but as believers we must use equal weights and measures and speak truth in regards to these men (1 Peter 3:10-11; Ephesians 4:25; 1 Peter 1:15).  Not slander, not rumors...verifiable truth.  Every word that comes out of the mouth of a believer should be edifying (1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 4:29).  We are forbidden to speak evil of our fellow man (Titus 3:2), especially of those appointed into positions of leadership (Acts 23:5; Exodus 22:28).  Scripture brings forth heavy warning to believers who speak evil against their fellow man, especially leaders in government (2 Peter 2:10-12; Jude 1:8-9; Romans 13:1-8).  Rebuke can be done without hate (Ephesians 4:15; Leviticus 19:17-18).  Opposing a politician can be done without vilification (2 Timothy 2:25). 

It is an abomination to God to devise evil in your heart against your fellow man, to speak lies and sow discord amongst your fellow countryman (Proverbs 6:16-19; 8:13).  Remember this the next time you feel led to speak evil against a politician and spread rumors and slander without doing the research to see if what you are sharing is true or false.  You may despise a politician and believe that his stance on gay marriage or abortion is an abomination in the eyes of God but when you spread slander and lies about him you are no better!

This election year has brought forth a lot of important Biblical issues and is really exposing the evils within the hearts of believers.  Most believers will admit that neither candidate for President is especially pleasing to them so the ones that vote have decided to choose the lesser of two evils.  Biblically, this can't be justified.  Aligning yourself with evil is still choosing evil (Ephesians 5:1-12).

When one looks at the action of voting from a spiritual viewpoint, voting is related to man speaking his voice and fulfilling the Biblical command to appoint leaders in the gates of his land (Deuteronomy 16:18).  When one votes, he is pledging his support to a candidate and is linking himself to that person as a fruit that clings to the vine.  The elected officials of America are to uphold the Constitution which is based upon the Word.  The duty of those who vote is to make sure they are appointing leaders who do so, otherwise they are aligning with a strange vine (Jeremiah 2:21).  There should be no vote for the ‘lesser of two evils’ for in doing so one is still aligning themselves with evil.

For more on voting and the Word see - Daily Tidbits - Voting


All politicians have faults because they are men and no man is without sin (Romans 3:10).  However, having faults does not equate one with being evil (James 3:2; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10).  The only way to judge another person is by looking at their fruits (Matthew 7:16).  This must be done by looking at their words and actions, not by trying to judge the perceived secrets of their hearts (John 7:24).  This is yet another aspect of walking with the Lord that many believers have perverted in this election.  Unequal weights and measures are an abomination to God (Deuteronomy 25:15-16; Proverbs 11:1; 20:23).  Sadly, this abominable type of judgment is what I have seen from many.

YHWH God loves judgment (Psalm 37:28; 11:7; Isaiah 61:8; Jeremiah 9:24).  The Hebrew word for judgment is משפט 'mishpat' which has the sense of standing in a court of law and judging a case.  As in all political campaigns, rumors and mistruths abound.  2012 has been no different.  The problem is that believers will many times repeat lies and mistruths because they support one candidate over another.  This is not righteous judgment.  The lies and rumors about Barack Obama are a good example to display this point.

To begin with, Biblically if one is going to condemn another they had better be telling the truth and have the facts.  If not, the judgment which they are trying to bring against the accused will fall on their heads (Deuteronomy 19:15-20).  So, for those who are claiming that President Obama is a Muslim or traitor etc., are you willing to stand in a court of law and bring forth the facts against him?  More importantly, are you willing to stand in a court of law and if proven wrong take the punishment that he would have received as a traitor?  If not, then why are you spreading slander and rumors?  You are not sharing the light and love of God, you are spreading the darkness and hatred of the accuser/satan (Revelation 12:10).

Many believers are spreading the false rumor that President Obama is a Muslim.  This has no factual basis, only conspiracy theory.  Obama has repeatedly said that he was never a Muslim and he believes in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  Nobody can tell what is in his heart, we can only judge his fruit.  There is no fruit, whether in word or deed which can be used to say he is a Muslim.  I have spent many many hours studying this man's life because of research for a book on the Presidents and found that there is no legitimate evidence that he is a Muslim or a secret 'taqiyya' trying to infiltrate the U.S. government and lead us into sharia law.

"There is one thing that I want to mention that I think is important. Part of what we've been seeing during the course this campaign is some scurrilous e-mails that have been sent out, denying my faith, talking about me being a Muslim, suggesting that I got sworn in the U.S. Senate with a Quran in my hand or that I don't pledge allegiance to the flag. I think it's really important for your readers to know that I have been a member of the same church for almost 20 years, and I have never practiced Islam. I am respectful of the religion, but it's not my own. One of the things that's very important in this day and age is that we don't use religion as a political tool and certainly that we don't lie about religion as a way to score political points. I just thought it was important to get that in there to dispel rumors that have been over the Internet. We've done so repeatedly, but obviously it's a political tactic of somebody to try to provide this misinformation." -- "Q&A: Barack Obama", Interview by Sarah Pulliam and Ted Olsen, Christianity Today, January 2008, Vol. 52

"I'm a Christian by choice. My family didn't – frankly, they weren't folks who went to church every week. And my mother was one of the most spiritual people I knew, but she didn't raise me in the church. So I came to my Christian faith later in life, and it was because the precepts of Jesus Christ spoke to me in terms of the kind of life that I would want to lead – being my brothers' and sisters' keeper, treating others as they would treat me. I think also understanding that Jesus Christ dying for my sins spoke to the humility we all have to have as human beings, that we're sinful and we're flawed and we make mistakes, and that we achieve salvation through the grace of God. But what we can do, as flawed as we are, is still see God in other people and do our best to help them find their own grace. That's what I strive to do. That's what I pray to do every day. I think my public service is part of that effort to express my Christian faith."

— President Barack Obama, September 27, 2010 {Obama 'Christian By Choice': President Responds To Questioner by Charles Babington and Darlene Superville, AP, September 28, 2010} {http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2010/09/president-obama-i-am-a-christian-by-choicethe-precepts-of-jesus-spoke-to-me/}

“My father was from Kenya and a lot of people in his village were Muslim. He didn’t practice Islam. Truth is he wasn’t very religious. He met my mother. My mother was a Christian from Kansas, and they married and then divorced. I was raised by my mother. So, I’ve always been a Christian. The only connection I’ve had to Islam is that my grandfather on my father’s side came from that country. But I’ve never practiced Islam.” {"Obama asked about connection to Islam". First Read - msnbc.com 12/22/07} {http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2007/12/22/4436605-obama-asked-about-connection-to-islam}

"My Christian faith … has been a sustaining force for me … All the more so, when Michelle and I hear our faith questioned from time to time, we are reminded that ultimately what matters is not what other people say about us but whether we're being true to our conscience and true to our God. 'Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.'"

Obama reveals that the director of his Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnership's office, Joshua DuBois, "starts my morning off with meditations from scripture"

The prayer that I tell myself every night is a fairly simple one: I ask in the name of Jesus Christ that my sins are forgiven, that my family is protected and that I am an instrument of God's will. I'm constantly trying to align myself to what I think he calls on me to do. And sometimes you hear it strongly and sometimes that voice is more muted. {Interview with Dan Gilgoff on beliefnet.com}

"When I wake in the morning, I wait on the Lord, and I ask Him to give me the strength to do right by our country and its people. And when I go to bed at night I wait on the Lord, and I ask Him to forgive me my sins, and look after my family and the American people, and make me an instrument of His will." {National Prayer Breakfast 2/3/11}

"I came to see faith as more than just a comfort to the weary or a hedge against death, but rather as an active, palpable agent in the world and in my own life. It was because of these newfound understandings that I was finally able to walk down the aisle of Trinity one day and affirm my Christian faith. It came about as a choice, and not an epiphany. I didn't fall out in church, as folks sometimes do. The questions I had didn't magically disappear. The skeptical bent of my mind didn't suddenly vanish. But kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side, I felt I heard God's spirit beckoning me. I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth and carrying out His works."

The President also said that those who doubt he is a Christian should just look at his life.

“I have a job to do as president, and that does not involve convincing folks that my faith in Jesus is legitimate and real. I do my best to live out my faith, and to stay in the Word, and to make my life look more like His,” he said.

“What I can do is just keep on following Him, and serve others—trying to make folks’ lives a little better using this humbling position that I hold.”

Many of the rumors against Obama are coming from men of dark hearts.  Men who despise government that was set up by God and look for any conspiracy theory they can to justify the hatred in their hearts for their fellow man.  Scripture is clear that those who are in power were put there by the Lord in accordance with His perfect will.  Those who speak lies and rebel against these people in leadership are in reality in rebellion against the Lord Himself. (Exodus 22:28; 2 Peter 2:10-12; Jude 1:8-9; Romans 13:1-8; Titus 3:1; Proverbs 24:21; 1 Peter 2:11-19; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Ephesians 6:5-8).  This is not to say that one can't disagree and stand against the wrongs committed by those in government, but one better have the truth and evidence to back up what they are saying.  Again, the Hebrew word for judgment is speaking of standing in a court of law and bringing forth a case for judgment.

Here are some links for further backup on Barack Obama being a Christian.

Barack Obama on being a Christian


Obama: My Christian Faith Sustains me


Barack Obama Explains His Path To Christianity


JESUS CHRIST... OBAMA'S SAVIOUR!


Obama Speaks at National Prayer Breakfast


President Obama: 'I'm a Christian by choice' - Tuesday, September 28, 2010 


CNN debunks false report about Obama




Is Barack Obama a Muslim?



Was George W. Bush a pro-Shi'ite supporter of Iran? No, and Barack H. Obama isn't Pro-Islamic either.


There are many other rumors and slanderous claims that are being made against Barack Obama.  Some say that Obamacare is going to mandate a microchip...not true.

Obamacare - Microchip?


Some say he is giving money to the Muslim brotherhood...not true.
No, The President Is Not Giving $1.5 Billion To The Muslim Brotherhood


A lot of these rumors are portrayed in a film called 2016: Obama's America which is a film full of unproven claims, aka fear mongering, attempting to get people to oppose the President for fear that the country would be destroyed if he is re-elected.  If one does research on this film's claims, few of them can be verified.  Others claim President Obama is secretly married to a man or is the antichrist etc.  Due to the fact that these claims have not  been proven, they would be considered conspiracy theory. 

If one wants to look at Obama based upon conspiracies that is up to them.  However, Biblically one must use equal weights and measures.  If one looks at Mitt Romney in light of conspiracy theory it is seen that a Romney presidency is just as 'scary' as 2016: Obama.  Why are Christian conservatives not telling you about Romney's 'dark side'? 

Romney is from a prominent Mormon family, actually going back to the original 12 Mormon Apostles.  He comes from a Church which conspiracy says has a 'White Horse Prophecy' where a leader from the Mormon church will 'save' America when the constitution is 'hanging by a thread' and set up a Mormon theodemocracy.  Romney even 'died' of a head wound when he was a missionary in France (Revelation 13:3) and is good friends with the President of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.  This is significant for conspiracy theorists because it is said that Joseph Smith believed he would be 'reincarnated' as Messiah ben Joseph in one of his descendants who will unite the tribes of Judah and Israel and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.  Romney by the way has bloodline ties to Joseph Smith.

There is a lot more to the theory, which I personally do not see as being a legitimate worry, but if one wants to do more research here are some links.

http://watch-unto-prayer.org/romney-mormonism.html

“All in the Dragon Family: Mitt Romney”


ROMNEY ANTICHRIST? HEAD INJURY


I share these things not because I believe Romney is the antichrist but to show believers that if they use equal weights and measures, Obama conspiracies are no more frightening than Romney ones. 

If a believer votes, his or her choice should be made based upon the fruit of the politician and not conspiracy.  Noah Webster said it best:
“When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God. The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty.” -- Noah Webster

Both parties have pros and cons in light of the Bible.  The Republican party says they oppose abortion and gay marriage but the Democratic party does a much better job of helping the poor and the weak in accordance with Matthew 25.  Both parties have pros and cons in light of the Constitution. Republicans stand for smaller government but the Democratic party does a better job of standing for civil liberties. 

Believers who vote need to leave the left-right paradigm and judge each politican with righteous judgment in light of the Word.  Not in light of conservativism or liberalism.

The party spirit seen in this country is of the carnal flesh.  In the Scriptures, the word for this 'party spirit' is ἐριθεία 'eritheia.'  It is translated as 'strife' in Galatians 5:19-20; Philippians 2:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20 and James 3:16.  I will let the reader look up these verses and see how the Spirit of God looks upon this party spirit as evil.  I share this because the hatred I see coming from believers in Messiah of Obama or Romney is based more upon this party spirit than based upon the fruit of either man. 


Concluding, let me leave the reader with some Scriptures in relation to slander to look upon and examine in light of this election and future ones.

Exo 23:1  Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
Exo 23:7  Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.
Exo 20:16  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Lev 19:16  Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.

Psa 50:20  Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.
Psa 50:21  These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
Psa 50:22  Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
Psa 101:5  Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

Pro 11:9  An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
Pro 11:12  One despising his friend lacks heart, but an understanding man remains silent.

Pro 12:6  The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

Tit 3:2  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

Jas 4:11  Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

1Pe 3:8  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
1Pe 3:9  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1Pe 3:10  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
1Pe 3:11  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

1Pe 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
1Pe 3:16  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
1Pe 3:17  For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

Pronouncing the Sacred Name

Pronouncing the Sacred Name

Today there are many who argue about how to pronounce the Sacred Name of the Almighty.  What is the true pronunciation of His Name?  Love.  That's right. LOVE. The Hebrew word for name is שם 'shem' which literally means one's breathe or character.  What is the character of the Almighty?  Love (1 John 4:8).

The Hebrew word for love is אהב 'ahav' which is consists of the letters  אב 'av' which means father and the middle letter ה 'heh' which has the meaning of revelation.  The Father revealed.  In ancient Hebrew, the letter ה 'heh' was depicted as a man with outstretched arms, like unto Messiah on the cross. How was the love of the Father revealed?  Through the giving of His only begotten Son on the cross as an atonement for the sins of mankind (John 3:16).

Further connecting the Name of God to His character of love and the revelation of this love at Calvary is seen in the ancient pictograph meanings of the Sacred Name.

The pictographs of יהוה speak of Him being revealed through the nails in His Hands.

It is God's name/character of love that is written in the heads of His redeemed people (Revelation 22:4).  The prophet Ezekiel was shown that His mark is depicted in the letter ת 'tav' which was written in ancient times as the image of the cross (Ezekiel 9:4).

All those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Joel 2:32).  Does this mean that one has to articulate the letters יהוה correctly to be saved?  No.  This means one needs to declare the name/character of love of God revealed in Yahshua/Jesus' sacrifice on the cross (Romans 10:9-13).


The English word 'pronounce' traces back to the Latin word 'pronunciare' which is a combination of the Latin words 'pro' which means something brought forth in public and 'nuntiare' which means to announce.  A public announcement or declaration.  Scripture states that Yahshua/Jesus declared the name of God (John 17:26).  Does it really matter if and how He articulated the letters יהוה 'YHWH' ?  No. He declared His Name by walking in His character which is love.

Joh 17:26  And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.


Yahshua/Jesus' declaration of God's love was manifest on the cross.
Psa 22:22  I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
 
Heb 2:10  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Heb 2:11  For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Heb 2:12  Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

The English word love is related Etymologically to the Hebrew word לב 'lev' which means the heart.  Scripture declares that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34-35).  If one reads this portion of Scripture, it is seen that the subject of blasphemy is directly related to the words which one speaks dependent upon the state of their heart (Matthew 12:24-37).  Messiah declares that the origin of blasphemy comes from the heart (Mark 7:20-23).  What is the remedy to overcome this?  The Love of God (Colossians 3:8-14).  We are to sanctify the name of God in our hearts (1 Peter 3:15) by abiding in His love (Romans 11:16; John 15:1-10).


The Almighty commanded us not to take His name in vain (Exodus 20:7).  The word in Hebrew for vain is שוא 'shav' which literally means to make something empty or bring something to 'nothingness.'  Taking His name in vain is making it empty, stripping the character and meaning of His Name which is love.  When love is taken away, emptiness and nothingness ensues (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

1Co 13:2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.


The Sacred Name יהוה basically means the Eternal One.  The Great I AM.  What also is eternal?  The love of God (John 17:24).

Joh 17:21  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
Joh 17:22  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Joh 17:23  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Joh 17:24  Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Joh 17:25  O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
Joh 17:26  And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Joh 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Yom Kippur - Under the Shadow of His Wings

The Hebrew word for כיפור 'kippur,' as in Yom Kippur, comes from the root word חף 'chaph' which means to cover.

 חף 'chaph' - 'one who enters a tent and is protected by the owner.'  A place of protection.  One who is innocent, as in one whose actions are covered.  These are incredible connections to the theme of Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement.


Messiah is the Door that we enter in order to abide in His ‘House’ (John 10:7) it is through Him that we are covered/hidden.  This is the definition of who the Israel of God is (Galatians 6:16)…His hidden ones (Psalm 83:3).  It is by the covenant cut in Messiah (Daniel 9:26; Isaiah 42:6), by His sacrifice on the cross that we are covered (1 John 1:7).

On the cross, Messiah gathered all mankind unto Him under His outstretched Arms as a hen gathers her chicks (John 12:32; Matthew 23:37).  Amazingly, the Hebrew word for this spreading forth of the wings of a hen to gather her chicks or an eagle gathering her chicks under her wings is רחף 'rachaph' which also comes form the root word חף 'chaph.'

It is through His Outstretched Arms (wings) that Messiah is calling us (John 3:14; 12:32) and gathering us together as a Shepherd does His flock (John 10:14-16).  This is how we enter the Door into the House, this is how we are declared innocent and pure in His eyes.  This is how we become His friends and enter into His tents in an intimate relationship.

When one has an intimate relationship with another, they appear as a 'little guy in the eye' or as the 'apple of the eye.'

Deu 32:10  He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.
Deu 32:11  As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:


One of the themes of Yom Kippur is the Wedding Supper (Revelation 3:4-5; 19:7-8).  This is yet another connection to the Hebrew word חף 'chaph' as the word חופה 'chupah,' which means marriage canopy, comes from this root as well.


Abiding under the shadow of His wings and being in ‘marriage covenant’ with Him through Messiah is one and the same thing.  The canopy as a covering is connected with being the ‘little guy in His Eye.'

Zec 2:8  For so says YHWH of Hosts: He has sent Me after glory, to the nations who plundered you; for he who touches you touches the pupil of His eye.

Zec 2:5 And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, and I will be for glory in her midst, declares YHWH.

Isa 4:2  In that day the Branch of YHWH will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth for pride and for glory for the survivors of Israel.
Isa 4:3  And it shall be, he remaining in Zion, and he who is left in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, every one who is written among the living in Jerusalem;
Isa 4:4  when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and the blood of Jerusalem shall have been rinsed away from its midst by a spirit of judgment, and by a spirit of burning.
Isa 4:5  Then YHWH will create a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night, over all the site of Mount Zion, and over her assemblies; for on all the glory will be a canopy (chuppah).
Isa 4:6  And there shall be a booth for a shade from the heat, and for a refuge, and for a hiding place from storm and rain.

Under His wings = under His skirt/kanaph. This is a term of intimacy between a man and His wife (Deuteronomy 22:30; Ruth 3:9; Ezekiel 16:8).

Abiding under the shadow of His wings again goes back to the imagery in the Temple of the Cherubim. Abiding in His Word = abiding under the shadow of His wings = abiding in Messiah (John 15) .


Cherubim overshadowed the ark of the covenant, where the Word was stored, with their wings…abiding under His wings=abiding in His Word/Jesus (Exodus 25:20).  The Cherubim were those who guarded the Tree of Life.  When we are abiding under the shadow of His wings we are entering back spiritually into the Garden.

Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Abiding in the Shadow of His wings means we are protected from adversity.

Psa 91:1  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psa 91:3  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
Psa 91:4  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Psa 91:14  Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
Psa 91:15  He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
Psa 91:16  With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. 


The Hebrew word for salvation in Psalm 91:16 is ישועה 'yeshuah' from whence comes the name Yeshua/Yahshua...or Jesus.

This intimate relationship of appearing as a little guy in the Eye of the Creator, and abiding under the shadow of His Wings is accomplished in the work of Messiah on the cross.

The Bosom, the Family and Gathering at the Cross

The word for father in Hebrew is associated with love, so too is the word mother {For more on this see: Shadows of Messiah  - Etymology}.  One of the Hebrew words for love is דד ‘dud/dad’ which means both love and breasts/bosom.  Interestingly, the English word ‘baby’ comes from the Hebrew בבה ‘baba’ which is related to the word אבוב ‘aboob’ the root of which is אב which means father but also means a pipe, as in the breast of the mother whose milk flows to give sustenance to the baby.  בבה in Hebrew means the pupil, the apple of one’s eyes.  As any parent has held their baby in their arms against their bosom they recognize this is the epitome of love and intimate relationship (apple of the eye/little guy in the eye).

The Hebrew word for family comes from משפחה ‘mispocha’ the same root as שפח ‘shapach’.  שפח 'shaphach' is the source of the English word 'crucifixion' from whence all the family of the earth is gathered.  The bosom, which represents the love of the family also links to the cross.

Messiah came from the bosom of the Father.
Joh 1:18  No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, that One declares Him.

He gathers and then carries in His bosom His people, linking to the crucifixion.  It is through the work of Messiah on the cross that mankind is brought into His family.

Isa 40:10  Behold, the Lord YHWH will come with strength, and His arm rules for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him, and His wage before Him.
Isa 40:11  He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather lambs with His arm; and carry them in His bosom; those with young He will lead;
Psa 89:50  Remember, O Lord, the reproach of Your servants, my bearing in my bosom the insults of the many peoples
Psa 89:51  with which Your enemies have cursed, O YHWH; with which they have cursed the footsteps of Your anointed.
Eph 2:8  For by grace you are saved, through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift (gift = love = bosom) of God;
Eph 2:9  not of works, that not anyone should boast;
Eph 2:10  for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God before prepared that we should walk in them.
Eph 2:11  Because of this, remember that you, the nations, were then in the flesh (those having been called Uncircumcision by those having been called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands)
Eph 2:12  that at that time you were without Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers of the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Eph 2:13  But now, in Christ Jesus you who then were afar off, came to be near by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14  For He is our peace, He making us both one, and breaking down the middle wall of partition,
Eph 2:15  in His flesh causing to cease the enmity, the Law of the commandments in decrees, that He might in Himself create the two into one new man, making peace,
Eph 2:16  and might reconcile both in one body to God through the cross, slaying the enmity in Himself.
Eph 2:17  And coming, He proclaimed “peace to you, the ones afar off, and to the ones near.” Isa. 57:19
Eph 2:18  For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Eph 2:19  So, then, you are no longer strangers and tenants, but you are fellow citizens of the saints and of the family of God,

There are multiple words in Hebrew for love, all linking back to the bosom.  The most common is אהב which has the meaning of a gift and the expressions and actions of one towards the family.  The pictograph meaning displays the gift of the Father to mankind of His only begotten Son.  Again linking the bosom, the family and the crucifixion.

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that everyone believing into Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 15:13  Greater love than this has no one, that anyone should lay down his soul for his friends.


From the root:


The Pictograph meaning of Love


The first and last letters spell out the word for Father (ab) and the middle letter is a picture of a man with outstretched arms.  The Love of the Father is revealed through the Messiah on the tree, gathering all mankind back to their Creator.

Another word for love is חשק which has the meaning of being knit together in love.  ‘Chashaq’ comes from חב which means the bosom.  ‘Chashaq is the word used in reference to the joining together of the Tabernacle, which is a shadow picture of the body of Messiah.  It is no surprise that this joining together involved nails, just as in the nails used in the crucifixion (Exodus 38:17, 28; Deuteronomy 7:7; Colossians 2:2, 19; Ephesians 4:15-16).

  

חשק
  ‘Chashaq’ also can be traced back to the word חק ‘choq’
H2436
חוק  /  חק  /  חיק
chêyq  /  chêq  /  chôq
BDB Definition:
1) bosom, hollow, bottom, midst



חק is the root of חקק and חקה which means to inscribe a decree or custom.  It is used in reference to the Torah.  It is no surprise that the New Covenant, cut at Calvary is associated with the inscribing of the Word on our hearts which is contained in our bosoms (Jeremiah 31:31).

The feasts/appointed times, at which the people of YHWH gathered, are linked to this word ‘choq.’


 It is no surprise then that the English word hug traces back to the Hebrew word חג ‘chag’ which means feast.


The feasts revolved around the gathering together of the people to the Tabernacle or tent.  The Tabernacle itself was called the אהל מועד ‘ohel mo’ed’ which means tent of meeting/gathering or tabernacle of congregation.  ‘Moed’ comes from עד which means to see the door, as in meeting as the door of the Tabernacle.

There are two more words in Hebrew which are translated as bosom.  It is חצן which comes from חץ which literally means a tent wal, as in an enclosing.  Finally, the word צלחת which also means a bowl, as in the bowls used in the Tabernacle.  צלחת comes from צלח which traces back further to צל which means a shadow…as under the shadow of His wings, the little guy in His Eye.

Recall that the word in Hebrew for pupil is בבה which is the source of the English word ‘baby.’  Interestingly, the English word ‘shade’ comes from the Hebrew word שד which means the breast/bosom.  שד is the root of the word שדי ‘shaddai’ which is translated as ‘the Almighty.’  שד literally means to return to the door, again linking with the feasts and the Tabernacle mentioned above.

Finally, the word דוד means love.  דד ‘Dod’ literally means the breasts.  The letter ‘dalet’ is the picture of a door, or flap of a tent which opens the way inside.  The tabernacle consisted of two doors/veils which דד displays.  What is the veil of the Tabernacle a picture of?  The body/flesh of Messiah.

Heb 10:20  which He consecrated for us, a new and living way through the veil; that is, His flesh;

The above portion of Scripture is in context of the New Covenant which was cut at Calvary where Messiah gathered mankind into His bosom (Isaiah 40:11; Psalm 89:50).


This is the type of intimate relationship God wants to have with mankind.  As a Father or mother holding their children in their bosoms.  Messiah declares that we must be humble as children to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  One of the commandments associated with Yom Kippur is 'afflicting' one's being(Leviticus 16:29-31, 23:27).  This word for afflict in Hebrew is ענה 'anah' which literally means to humble oneself...

Mat 18:3  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:4  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Ransom From Heaven

Ransom from Heaven




Yahshua/Jesus came to earth to give His life as a ransom for all (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; 1 Timothy 2:6). This word in Greek is λύτρον 'lutron' which is speaking of an exchange given for another for the price of his redemption or ransom. This Greek word is used to translate the Hebrew word פדיון 'pidyon' which means redemption, but more literally the girding on of clothes by one who has been redeemed back to an original state. λύτρον 'lutron' is also used to translate the Hebrew word כפר 'kopher' which means atonement or more literally a protective covering placed over something or someone to cover debt or wrong-doing. This is the essence of Yom Kippur, the covering and redemption of Messiah for the sins of mankind.

In ancient times, the first step of making a blood covenant with another was the exchange of one's robe or coat with their covenant partner.  This is the theme of Yom Kippur.  Messiah took our garments of sinful flesh (Romans 6:6; Isaiah 53:4-5) that we might have His garments of salvation and righteousness (Isaiah 61:8-10; Romans 13:14; Galatians 3:27).  That we might stand before God on judgment day, clean and spotless (Romans 5:2; 14:4; Ephesians 5:27).  It is through His actions and His actions only, that we can escape condemnation (Colossians 1:22, 28).  As a result, we are given the ministry of reconciliation and not of condemnation (2 Corinthians 2:10-11; Ephesians 4:27).  As He died for all, we should no longer judge others after the flesh but look upon them as the Lord sees them (2 Corinthians 5:14-21).

The Biblical Feasts are shadow pictures which are designed to reveal Yahshua/Jesus the Messiah (Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 10:1-17).  He is the Image of God (Hebrews 1:3; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6; Colossians 1:15-16) who is love (1 John 4:8).  Therefore all of the feasts are designed to reveal the love of God.  From the Spring feasts which reveal the sacrifice of the Lord to redeem mankind to the Fall feasts which reveal the future gathering of the redeemed.  They are all about the love of God for mankind and despite our wickedness, He still offers the path of reconciliation.  It doesn't come by our religious works (Ephesians 2:1-10) or our understanding of His will (1 Corinthians 2:16), it comes by our faith in the work of Messiah (Romans 3:25-31; 8:3-3; 10:3-13; Colossians 2:16-17; Matthew 10:32-33; 1 Peter 1:21).

The theme of love is seen in the Feast of Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement in the reconciliation between man and God that comes through Messiah Yahshua/Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:18; Daniel 9:24; Romans 5:1, 10-11; Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20-21; 1 John 2:2; 4:10), the Mediator of the New Covenant between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). 

The reconciliation for iniquity prophesied by the Prophet Daniel (Daniel 9:24) comes forth through the New Covenant that was cut at Calvary (Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 9:26; 10:14).  The word for reconciliation used by Daniel is כפר 'kaphar' or atonement.  In Greek, the word for reconciliation is καταλλαγή 'katallage' which is speaking of an exchange between two parties, very similar in nature to the concept of redemption mentioned earlier.  Again, Messiah took our sins that we might have His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Romans 3:21-26; 8:1-4).  He stands before God Almighty as a continual reminder of that fact, as the people He died for are continually being accused by the adversary, and sadly, by their fellow man (1 John 2:1-2; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:24-25; 9:24).


In that great Heavenly courtroom (Zechariah 3:1) there stands the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10-11), and the Defender (1 John 2:1-2; Romans 8:34; Psalm 109:31).  If believers are no longer condemned because of the work of Messiah, why then do believers continue to condemn other believers?  If He died for all (2 Corinthians 5:14-15), why then do believers condemn non-believers?  Is the Hand of the Lord shortened that He cannot save them as well (Isaiah 50:2; 59:1)?  The Lord desires that all might come to salvation (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:1-6). If we are to have the mind of Messiah, why then do we not seek the salvation of mankind as opposed to their condemnation (Philippians 2:5-8; 1 Peter 4:1-19)?

Messiah humbled Himself, taking up the cross as a service to others that they might not be condemned (Philippians 2:8).  The word for 'humbled' in Greek is ταπεινόω 'tapeinoo' which is used to translate the Hebrew word ענה 'anah' which means to afflict or humble oneself.  This is the word used for the affliction of which believers are called to do on Yom Kippur (Leviticus 16:29-31, 23:27).  Believers are called to humble themselves (James 4:10) and follow in the footsteps of the Messiah by taking up their cross (Mark 8:34-37), not judging others (James 4:10-12; Luke 18:9-15) but seeking to defend them and cover their transgressions (Proverbs 10:12; 17:9; 1 Peter 4:1-2, 8).

Nobody can stand righteous before God with their own works (Romans 3:19, 23; Galatians 3:22).  Our righteousness are garments of filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).  It is only the garments of Messiah that are clean and spotless (1 Peter 1:19; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26; 1 John 3:5).  If then we can't stand before the Lord by our works, why do we judge another because they don't measure up to our standards of righteousness.  It is only God that can make them stand or fall (Romans 5:2; 14:4).  Our judgment of them is in reality a judgment of Him (James 4:11-12). 

As mentioned before, on Yom Kippur/the Day of Atonement, believers are called to 'afflict' their beings (Leviticus 16:29-31, 23:27).  The Hebrew word used here is ענה 'anah' which literally means to humble oneself and be bowed down.  The word is also translated as to give an answer (Daniel 2:20; 5:17).  ענה 'anah' comes from the root word ען 'an' which means to watch or look at something intently.  The picture formed here points strongly to Yom Kippur and the judgment day where all will bow down before the King and give an answer or defense for their lives (Romans 14:10-13; 2 Corinthians 5:10).  None can save their own lives, we can only look towards the Messiah who was given to us as the provision for salvation (Isaiah 45:22-23).  There is no room for boasting (Romans 2:23; 3:19, 27; 1 Corinthians 1:29-31).  There is no place for condemning of others (Matthew 7:1; Luke 6:37; John 12:47; Romans 14:13; James 4:11; 5:9).  There is only place for humbling oneself before the Lord (Philippians 2:10;  Romans 14:10-11; Isaiah 45:23-25).