Definition of Marriage and Adultery

There is a huge argument going on about what is considered adultery or not, within the community of believers. The reason for this argument is that some, ‘so-called’ believers cannot control their fleshly lustful desires and need to justify their adultery by twisting Scripture to seem as though it is acceptable what they are doing. The Scriptures are very clear in defining what marriage and adultery are and cannot be debated.

Let us define what marriage is according to Scripture

“For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Gen 2:24). Notice here that the Scripture talks about flesh. Marriage is a physical action that binds one person to another and makes them one flesh. Even though marriage is also a spiritual bond, sex is the mechanism of marriage. “Do not deprive one another except with agreement for a time, to give yourselves to fasting and prayer. And come together again so that Satan does not try you because of your lack of self-control” (1 Cor 7:5). One is not considered to be married, according to the Scripture, without sealing, or consummating, the contract by having sex for the first time, where there was proof of a woman’s maidenhood through her blood revealed on the sheet.

Marriage is then clearly defined as a physical and spiritual binding of a man and a woman to become one flesh, and to be faithful to one another, until the event of death.

“And I say to the unmarried (not divorced) and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am (unmarried), but if they do not have self-control, let them marry, for it is better to marry than to burn” (1 Cor 7:8-9). So it is better to stay unmarried, but if you cannot control your physical need for sex, then it is better to get married before you commit adultery and burn. Once again we see that marriage is a sexual bond created between a man and a woman.

Let us now define what adultery is according to Scripture

Adultery is when a third person (whether it be a man or a woman) comes in between the bond created between a man and his wife, by laying with them (sexually). This is Hebrew thought and is so recognized in the Torah. “And a man who commits adultery with the wife of another man, who commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor: the adulterer and the adulteress shall certainly be put to death” (Lev 20:10). Adultery is clearly shown to be a death sentence. It is not a forgivable sin, this is because it is an evil act and all evil must be banished from the midst of the true believers. Most churches do not teach this and even allow it to continue in their congregations.

Let us have a look at what the Messiah defines as adultery:
“And it has been said, ‘Whoever puts away his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’
But I say to you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the matter of whoring, makes her commit adultery. And whoever marries a woman who has been put away commits adultery” (Mat 5:31-32)

“And I say to you, whoever puts away his wife, except on the ground of whoring, and marries another, commits adultery. And whoever marries her who has been put away commits adultery.” (Mat 19:9)

So what He is saying is that any woman, and not only those who have already whored, who is divorced, MAY NOT re-marry. In fact, the Messiah teaches us that if ANY divorced woman remarries, then she is committing adultery, and so is the man who marries her. “He who commits adultery with a woman lacks heart; He who does it destroys his own life” (Proverbs 6:32).

You see, once a man and a woman are joined in marriage, they are bound for life. Not even a paper or letter of divorce can break the bond that was created in the physical and spiritual act of marriage. All that happens when a woman is issued with a letter of divorce, is that her husband is putting her away because they are not able to live together anymore. This does not give her the right to re-marry again, except if she re-marries her husband again.

The divorce letter was allowed because of the hardness of the hearts of the people. It is not a letter of a ‘reversal of marriage’, but rather that they cease from living together in order to prevent strife and even sin within the household. A wife is joined to her husband until the day of her husband’s death, even though a letter of divorce has been given to her in her hand and they are no longer living together.
“And Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it right for a man to put away his wife?” – trying Him. And He answering, said to them, “What did Mosheh command you?” And they said, “Mosheh allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to put her away.” And יהושע (Yehoshua) said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this command.  “However, from the beginning of the creation, Elohim ‘made them male and female.’  ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh,’ so that they are no longer two, but one flesh  “Therefore what Elohim has joined together, let man not separate.” (Mar 10:2-9).

“Or do you not know, brothers – for I speak to those knowing the Torah – that the Torah rules over a man as long as he lives? For the married woman has been bound by Torah to the living husband, but if the husband dies, she is released from the Torah concerning her husband. So then, while her husband lives, she shall be called an adulteress if she becomes another man’s. But if her husband dies, she is free from that part of the Torah, so that she is not an adulteress, having become another man’s” (Rom 7:1-3). In this marriage covenant, the woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives (1 Cor. 7:39). The marriage "bond" is a lifetime covenant commitment, and Elohim holds people to the commitment they made, even if later they try to break it.

A woman may be "bound" to one man, but "married" to another man! The "bond" refers to the marriage covenant that Elohim holds you to. "Marriage" refers to the relationship you are living in as recognized by civil law and society. The two may be the same, but not necessarily. In the case of adultery, the woman is "bound" to one man but "married" to a completely different man!

That is why a woman is guilty of adultery if she is married to another man. Adultery, by definition, refers to sexual intercourse between two people, one of whom is bound by a marriage covenant to somebody else.

This woman is an "adulteress" because she has been joined in a marriage covenant with one man, and Elohim holds her to that covenant for life. But she is having sexual relations with another man, and that, by definition, is adultery.

Note that anytime she has sexual relations with a man other than her scriptural mate it is adultery - as long as her first companion is living, the passage says. Whether she has just a single act of intercourse, or has an "affair" involving a number of adulterous acts over a period of time, or whether it is a second marriage to another man - in any case every time she has sexual union with another man the passage says she is guilty of adultery.

This is "adultery" because the woman is Scripturally committed to have the sexual union only with one man as long as he lives, but instead she is having it with another man. This is why it is proper to refer to the second marriage as "adulterous" or "living in adultery," just as it would be if she were living with him but not married to him (Col. 3:5-7). “And to the married I command, not I, but the Master: A wife should not separate from a husband. But if she is indeed separated, let her remain unmarried or be restored to favour with her husband, and let a husband not send away a wife” (1 Cor 7:10-11)

Now what happens when a married couple, who are in their second marriage, comes into the faith? Well, the Torah teaches that we are only guilty of sin once we know that we have sinned. Also, we cannot be held liable for things that were done before entering into the faith, but once in the faith, then it is absolutely forbidden and considered to be an unforgivable sin. Anyone who does come into the faith, repents of all previous sins, by turning away from doing them again.

But didn’t the Messiah forgive a woman caught in adultery and said to the people, “he who is without sin, cast the first stone”? Well in fact, NO, the Messiah did not forgive a woman caught in adultery. In fact, the story being referred to here is John in John 8:1-11. The fact of the matter is that John did not write it as that story never happened. It was added into John’s writings by an anti-Torah scribe who wanted to justify adultery and to coin the evil phrase “he who is without sin, cast the first stone.” It is used by millions of Christians to justify their sins and not be judged. It is pure evil. You can read more about it here: http://scripturaltruth101.blogspot.com/2011/03/woman-of-john-8.html

May we all strive to stay pure and clean in the eyes of the Almighty so that we may have the hope of everlasting life. 

Romans 4 - Belief and Works

“What, then, shall we say Avraham our father, to have found, according to the flesh? For if Avraham was declared right by works, he has ground for boasting, but not before Elohim. For what does the Scripture say? “Avraham believed Elohim, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness.”  (Rom 4:1-3)

Now these three verses seem to contradict what Ya’akov (James) taught when he said “You see, then, that a man is declared right by works, and not by belief alone” (James 2:24). But the fact of the matter is that they do not in any way contradict each other. Ya’akov wrote much clearer and to the point than Shaul’s writings. You see, Shaul is teaching against the religious system that demands that you keep to all their laws and traditions that are followed by the flesh and not by belief. Avraham first believed and therefore his actions or works revealed his belief. This is exactly what Ya’akov also teaches, “So also belief, if it does not have works, is in itself dead. But someone might say, “You have belief, and I have works.” Show me your belief without your works, and I shall show you my belief by my works” (James 2:17-18). You cannot have belief without works, nor can you have works without belief.

For us to be declared righteous is a gift, but we need to follow the instruction of YHWH (His Torah) in order to receive this wonderful gift. It is ludicrous to think that we are declared righteous and still live our lives continuing in the abominations of this world. Throughout the entire Scriptures, there is a common theme, if you transgress the Torah of YHWH, it is an abomination and YHWH turns away from you, but if you guard to keep His Torah, then He is with you always. Nothing has changed, even until now, and that is exactly what the Messiah and His followers teach.

“And to him who is working, the reward is not reckoned as a favour but as a debt. And to him who is not working but believes on Him who is declaring right the wicked, his belief is reckoned for righteousness, even as Dawiḏ also says of the blessedness of the man to whom Elohim reckons righteousness without works: “Blessed are those whose lawlessnesses are forgiven, and whose sins are covered, blessed is the man to whom יהוה (YHWH) shall by no means reckon sin.”” (Rom 4:4-8). Once again, Shaul is explaining the difference between being ‘under the Law’ and being ‘subject to the law,’ he is also teaching repentance and the engrafting of the Goyim (Gentile, wild olive) into the good olive tree here.

To those who are trying to earn the reward by doing ultra religious works and traditions believe that the reward is owed to them as they do these works without faith. This is not, in any way, having a relationship with the Almighty. Does this mean that Shaul is teaching that we do not have to keep the Torah of YHWH? Not at all, as we can see that when the wicked repent, they will be declared righteous and their past sins are covered. This does not mean that they can continue to transgress the Torah of YHWH as that would deem that person wicked again and not righteous.

“Is this blessing then upon the circumcised only, or also upon the uncircumcised? For we affirm: Belief was reckoned unto Avraham for righteousness. How then was it reckoned? Being in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.” (Rom 4:9-10) Avraham confirmed his understanding righteousness-credit by obeying YHWH and getting physically circumcised! Shaul never teaches that it is not necessary to be circumcised in the flesh, but rather that you first build your belief and faith (circumcision of the heart), then by learning the Torah of Mosheh and having the desire to do the will of YHWH, then a person will, out of his own, choose to become circumcised in the flesh out of obedience to the will of the Almighty.

Shaul is also teaching to the Jews and the Gentiles here when he refers to the circumcised (Jews) and the uncircumcised (Gentiles, even though some of the Gentiles could be circumcised in the flesh too). The thought that Gentiles do not have to subject themselves to the Torah of YHWH is not ever taught throughout the Torah, in fact, the person who is accused of doing so (Shaul), is teaching the total opposite here by saying that everyone, Gentiles included, who convert to the Faith OF Yehoshua the Messiah, has to subject themselves to the Torah of YHWH just as the Messiah Himself did.

“And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the belief while in uncircumcision, for him to be a father of all those believing through uncircumcision, for righteousness to be reckoned to them also,” (Rom 4:11). Avraham is the Father of many nations. For example, he is the Father of the Arabs, who are mostly Islamic, through Yishmael his son from Sarah’s servant Hagar. Does that mean that Avraham would endorse Islam today? I don’t think so as he stood only for the One true Elohim . Avraham was uncircumcised when Yishmael was conceived, but was circumcised at the conception of Yitschak, through whom the covenant would be. Once again, notice that Avraham circumcised himself and all his household through obedience to the Almighty, should we not do the same?

"and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the belief which our father Avraham had in uncircumcision." (Rom 4:12) Shaul is teaching that Avraham’s physical circumcision came after he believed, after he had faith, after his heart was circumcised, in opposition to a contemporary false teaching that circumcision should come first before belief or faith. At no time does Shaul ever discount physical circumcision; he simply rejects false religious traditions that turned circumcision into device to control new converts. This principle also applies to those who would hurriedly baptize new converts in an effort to show strong numbers, or practicing “forced conversions.”

“For the promise that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Aḇraham or to his seed through the Torah, but through a righteousness of belief. For if those who are of the Torah are heirs, belief has been made useless, and the promise has been nullified,” (Rom 4:13-14). Once again, Shaul is rejecting the ultra religious traditions that teach their followers to do all they say in order to be saved. This idea nullifies the promise of the Almighty. Like Shaul has taught before, you cannot have belief without the Torah. Once you come into the faith, then your knowledge will gradually increase as you study the Almighty’s Word, and then you will conform your life to His Instruction. This is all because of belief.

Avraham is heir of the world, just like he is the father of the Hebrews and the Arabs, as we saw above. He is also the father of Rome (Christianity) through Esau, who is Yitschak’s (Isaac) son. Whenever we read of Esau in the Scriptures and in prophecy, we know that he represents the Church (Rome), just as Yishmael represents Islam in prophecy. Once we know this truth, passages in Scripture start revealing things we did not realize. Consider the following verse, “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated” (Rom 9:13). Jacob’s name changed to Israel whom the Almighty loves. Esau is Rome, whom the Almighty hates.

"for the Torah works out wrath, for where there is no Torah there is no transgression." (Rom 4:15). Like the Hebrew word “Torah”, the Aramaic namusa can refer to the entire corpus of work or to an individual instruction for a person or group (“torah” with a small “t”). This verse literally reads, “where there is no Torah provision against an action, there is no transgression.” The KJV reads, “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.” Mainstream Christianity translates this to mean that Torah is done away with, but Shaul is teaching the very opposite. Wherever Torah is NOT being taught, people will do what is right in their own eyes, thus bringing the wrath of YHWH upon themselves. You can think for yourself, if the Torah was done away with, then how can we know what sin is? Then we are able to do whatever we want without any consequence. It is just a preposterous idea.

"On account of this it is of belief, that it be according to favour, for the promise to be made certain to all the seed, not only to those who are of the Torah, but also to those who are of the belief of Aḇraham, who is father of us all – " (Rom 4:16)
Having Avraham as a father brings the responsibility of being honorable children, worthy of legacy! Contrary to Christian theology; faith, while credited to Avraham as righteousness, was not the only component of his total righteousness. It is what Avraham did with his faith that brings him near to YHWH. As YHWH Himself declares: “I swore to your father Avraham. I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because Avraham obeyed Me and kept My requirements, My commands, My decrees and My laws” (Genesis 26:4-5).

“as it has been written, “I have made you a father of many nations” – in the presence of Him whom he believed, even Elohim, who gives life to the dead and calls that which does not exist as existing, who against all expectation did believe, in expectation, so that he should become father of many nations, according to what was said, “So shall your seed be.” And not having grown weak in belief, he did not consider his own body, already dead, being about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb, he did not hesitate about the promise of Elohim through unbelief, but was strengthened in belief, giving esteem to Elohim, and being completely persuaded that what He had promised He was also able to do.” (Rom 4:17-21). Do you think that Avraham would have had a son if he did not believe? It was unnatural for Sarah to have a child as she was far past the point of being able to conceive. It was only through belief and obedience to the Almighty that this wonderful miracle could take place. Israel is the Almighty’s beloved nation, and they all came into being through miracle after miracle showing us that it is a miraculous nation. We as goy (Gentiles) are now also able to partake in the promise of the beloved nation of Israel, but only if we join ourselves to the ‘good olive tree’ and fulfilling the requirements to do so.

“Therefore also “it was reckoned to him for righteousness.” (Rom 4:22). Avraham believed and obeyed, therefore he was declared righteous. Has that concept changed since Avraham? Do we need to only believe without obedience to the Torah (Instruction of YHWH in righteousness) to be declared righteous? Certainly not, as that is never taught in the Scriptures. In fact, you can see a common theme in the Scriptures that when ever someone or a nation turned from doing the Torah of YHWH, then YHWH departed from them and gave them over to their enemies. Does the Almighty, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, change?

“And not because of him alone was it written that it was reckoned to him, but also because of us, to whom it shall be reckoned, to us who believe in Him who raised up  יהושע (Yehoshua) our Master from the dead, who was delivered up because of our trespasses, and was raised for us to be declared right.” (Rom 4:23-25). The Messiah came to show us how to live. He was an example for us to follow. He also came as the sacrifice for us when He hung on the torture stake. The sacrificial laws of the Torah have not changed and have not been done away with. Only the blood of the Messiah (Lamb) is sufficient to replace all other blood. Every single sacrifice done before the Messiah, was only a symbol of the Messiah. It was not the blood of the goats and lambs etc. that could make a covering for sin, but only the blood of the Messiah. Those who made sacrifices in the past, did so because they believed in the Messiah and that His blood would make a covering (kippur) for their transgressions.

No one can ever know the Messiah or His role if we do not study the Torah of His Father as it describes His Character and duties and everything else about Him. In order to believe in Him, you need to know Him first.

Do you desire to know the Messiah?

Lunar-Sabbath doctrine is stupid!

When someone says ‘keep an open mind about it’ to an avid Torah student, then you can almost be sure that what he is talking about, or trying to reveal, is probably man-made rubbish. This seems to be the case when I was told to keep an open mind about the stupid lunar Sabbath doctrine (Yes I said it is stupid because that is exactly what it is!). Are we not to follow truth and fact rather than opinions?

These people claim that there is 1900 different documents proving the lunar sabbath and zero proving the 7 day weekly cycle where the 7^th day is the Sabbath (by the way, this statement is utter rubbish!). Well , if these people make this claim, then they certainly have never ever read the Word of YHWH before!  Another thing is that they make claims about 1900 documents proving that the Sabbath is determined by the moon cycle, but these people have not been able to produce even one of these so called documents!

Now, if I was confronted with even a million documents speaking of a certain teaching, but the Torah of YHWH says otherwise, who am I going to believe or follow? The million other documents, or the Word of YHWH? I think that this is a no-brainer, I will always choose the Word of the Creator who’s wisdom is greater than everyone and everything! That means that any document that contradicts the Word of YHWH is a false document and the source, or writer, is a liar. Even if a million other people agree with that false document, it still stays false.

Also notice that we are to test everything according to the Torah of YHWH to see if it is right or wrong, just as the Berean’s did when Shaul taught them. They did not just accept the teachings of Shaul, but tested it according to the Torah and the prophets before they accepted his word. Notice that they were noble for doing so.

So let us examine the Torah of YHWH to see if the lunar-sabbath is sound doctrine, or if the 7’th day weekly Sabbath is the Sabbath of YHWH.

Let us start from the beginning:

“Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their array (If you read, chapter 1, you will see that His work was done in six days). And on the seventh day Elohim completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And Elohim blessed the seventh day and set it apart, because on it He rested from all His work which Elohim in creating had made” (Gen 2:1-3).
Now does this section of Scripture ever say anything about the moon phase concerning the Sabbath? Certainly not! In fact, there is no mention of the moon determining the Sabbath throughout the entire Scriptures, as we will see further.

What about when the Israelites had to gather manah for food?

“And it came to be, on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Mosheh. And he said to them, “This is what יהוה (YHWH) has said, ‘Tomorrow is a rest, a Sabbath set-apart to יהוה (YHWH). That which you bake, bake; and that which you cook, cook. And lay up for yourselves all that is left over, to keep it until morning.’ ” And they laid it up till morning, as Mosheh commanded. And it did not stink, and no worm was in it. And Mosheh said, “Eat it today, for today is a Sabbath to יהוה (YHWH), today you do not find it in the field. “Gather it six days, but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, there is none.” (Exodus 16:22-26). Ask yourself again… Is there any mention of the moon here? Or are they to gather the bread for six days, where on the sixth day (preparation day) they gather a double portion, and rest on the Sabbath? Then the cycle begins again!!! I am sure that even the very young children could count to 6 and 7, don’t you?

Now what do the Ten Commandments say about the Sabbath?

“Remember the Sabbath day, to set it apart. “Six days you labour, and shall do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of יהוה (YHWH) your Elohim. You do not do any work – you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. “For in six days יהוה (YHWH) made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore יהוה (YHWH) blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart” (Exodus 20:8-11). Where is the mention of the moon here? If it was so important, I am sure YHWH would have given the instruction to follow the Sabbath according to the moon phase. BUT HE DIDN’T!!! What then did YHWH say? Count six days, which will be the days that you work, and the seventh day you will rest (cease)!

Where does the New Moon day come into all of this, as the lunar-sabbatarians teach? They say that the New Moon day is not counted as a week day! WHAT… that is the most nonsensical thing I have ever heard! If it were true (which it is not), were the Israelites to gather their daily bread on that day too? Then it would not be six days gathering, but rather seven days of gathering (which is NOT what YHWH said and told Mosheh to tell the people!!!). And if they were to rest on that day, would it not have been, rest on the seventh day and the first day too? This is just utter rubbish and not supported by the Word of YHWH!

The more I study the Torah of YHWH, the more absurd the lunar-sabbath doctrine looks!

Shavuot disproves the lunar-sabbath without a doubt!

YHWH probably anticipated (well, He is all knowing) that there were going to be people, in the last days, that would try and deceive the weak into believing the totally false doctrine of the lunar-sabbath. That is why YHWH created the counting of the omer, which completely destroys the false lunar-sabbath doctrine. Let us have a look.

“And from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you shall count for yourselves: seven completed Sabbaths.  Until the morrow after the seventh Sabbath you count fifty days, then you shall bring a new grain offering to יהוה (YHWH)” (Lev 23:15-16).
Now as you can see, that from the day after the weekly Sabbath that falls within chag Matzot (feast of unleavened bread), that you count 7 complete Sabbaths, and then the day after the 7^th Sabbath will be chag Shavuot (feast of weeks). Notice that this count MUST add up to fifty days. Now with the Scriptural 7 day weekly cycle, there are no issues and the count ALWAYS adds up to fifty as required by Torah.

But using the absurd lunar-sabbath, too many issues arise. Now I consider myself to be quite a maths boffin and love doing problem solving. I have spent a lot of time and tried, in many ways, to get the count to Shavuot to be fifty days, using the false lunar-sabbath doctrine. It is just impossible as it has extra days that they claim to not count as week days, but they are days that have to be counted. You see… the lunar-sabbath is utter rubbish and does not fit the requirements of the Torah in any way!

Using the Gregorian calendar to prove when the Sabbath of YHWH is to be kept

Let us now use the pagan Gregorian calendar as a historic witness to when the Sabbath is to be kept. Please note that we do not in any way follow the Gregorian calendar, but are merely using it as a witness to historic events!

Now one thing to remember is that in the days of Yehoshua the Messiah (who kept the correct Sabbath of His Father), the Julian calendar was a 7 day weekly cycle just like we have today.

Now the calendar has not been changed so as to confuse the days of the week. We can be positive that our seventh day is the same day Yehoshua observed when He was here on Earth. Pope Gregory XIII did make a calendar change in 1582, but it did not interfere with the weekly cycle. Our present Gregorian calendar was named after him when he made that small change in 1582.

What did Pope Gregory do to the calendar? Before 1582 the Julian calendar had been in effect, instituted by Julius Ceasar about 46 B.C. and named after him. But the Julian calendar had calculated the length of the year as 365 1/4 days, and the year is actually eleven minutes less than 365 1/4 days. Those eleven minutes accumulated, and by 1582 the numbering of the calendar was ten days out of harmony with the solar system. Gregory simply dropped those ten days out of the numbering of the calendar. It was Thursday, October 4, 1582, and the next day, Friday, should have been October 5. But Gregory made it October 15 instead, dropping exactly ten days to bring the calendar back into harmony with the heavenly bodies.

Were the days of the week confused? No. Friday still followed Thursday, and Saturday still followed Friday. The same seventh day remained, and the weekly cycle was not disturbed in the least. When we keep the seventh day from Friday at sunset to Saturday at sunset, we are observing the same day Yehoshua kept, and He did it every week according to Luke 4:16.

Now we know that Yehoshua the Messiah kept the Sabbath on the same day as the Pharisees and the rest of the Jewish people. Now does history show that all the Jewish sects and communities, from the time of the Messiah until now, that they changed the day that they keep the Sabbath? Well, history proves to us that the Jews of today keep the exact same 7^th day Sabbath as the Messiah 2000 years ago. To think otherwise is evil and is ignoring these proofs.

You see, all Jewish people, even many who did not learn of other calendars, who were scattered all around the world, ALL agreed on when the Sabbath was when they eventually were able to make contact with other Jews because of the advance of technology, there were non that dissagreed on when the Sabbath was.

Another source that we can use is that of the Muslim calendar, which is about 3,000 years old, where thay faithfull kept the day before the Sabbath as their "holy day", and look, what day do they keep today? It is still the same today as it was 3,000 years ago.

Another argument from the lunar sabbatarians that arises is that because we keep the seventh day (where the Gregorian Saturday just happens to fall upon) as the Sabbath, that we are worshipping Saturn who is a pagan idol. If this were true, then the argument could be the same for them, only worse!!! As their erroneous lunar-sabbath falls on Saturn-day, Sun-day, Moon-day, Tyr’s-day, Woden’s-day, Thor’s-day and Frigga-day. All of which are pagan days. It is a pathetic attempt to discredit YHWH’s Sabbath. YHWH’s seven day week (1^st day, 2^nd day, 3^rd day, 4^th day, 5^th day, preparation day and Shabbat) was there long before Julius Caesar and Pope Gregory XIII and their pagan calendars.

Anyone who follows the lunar-sabbath and teaches it to others, is calling the Messiah and His Father liars. These people teach that the Messiah kept the Sabbath on the wrong day. This is an evil teaching and should be thrown in the rubbish bin where it belongs.

Now the moon does have a part in determining time, the sighting of the New Moon indicates the start of a new month (moon), NOT the start of a new week, as we have seen from the above texts.

You can read more about what the lunar-sabbath is all about and where it originates from here.

I hope this evidence opens the eyes of people who are following the lunar-sabbath to repent and turn back to the Scriptural calendar, and for those who are confused by people teaching the evil doctrine of the lunar-sabbath.

Church, the origin of the word

This is the word used in most English versions as a rendering of the “New Testament’s” Greek word ekklesia. This word really means “a calling out,” a meeting or a gathering. Ekklesia is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew qahal, which means an assembly or a congregation. Neither ekklesia nor qahal means a building. Tyndale, in his translation, uniformly translated ekklesia as “congregation” and only used the word “churches” to translate Acts 19:37 for heathen temples!

Where does the word “church,” come from then? Ecclesiastical sources give the origin as kuriakon or kyriakon in Greek. However, to accept this, one has to stretch your imagination in an attempt to see any resemblance.

Also, because kuriakon means a building (the house of Kurios = Lord), and not a gathering or meeting of people, as the words ekklesia and qahal imply, therefore this explanation can only be regarded as distorted, even if it is true. Our common dictionaries, however, are honest in revealing to us the true origin. They all trace the word back to its Old English or Anglo-Saxon root, namely circe.

And the origin of circe? Any encyclopedia, or dictionary of mythology, will reveal who Circe was. She was the goddess-daughter of Helios, the Sun-deity! Again, another form of Sun-worship, this time the name of the daughter of the Sun-deity, had become mixed with the Messianic Belief.

Some interesting facts emerge from the study of the word circe. The word is related to “circus,” “circle,” “circuit,” “Circean,” “circulate,” and the various words starting with “circum-.” Latin rules of grammar demands a pronunciation of “sirke.” The Old English word circe could have been pronounced similarly to “kirke,” or even “sirse.”

However, Circe was in fact originally a Greek goddess where her name was written as: Kirke, and pronounced as such – just as in numerous similar cases of words of Greek origin, e.g. cyst and kustis, cycle and kuklos, cylinder and kulindros. The word “church” is known in Scotland as kirk, and in German as kirche and in Netherlands as kerk. These words show their direct derivation from the Greek Kirke even better than the English “church.” However, even the Old English circe for “church,” reveals its origin.

Let us rather use the Scriptural “assembly” or “congregation,” and renounce the word that is derived from Circe, the daughter of the Sun-deity!

(Article from a book called: "Come Out of Her My People" by Chris Koster)

Man is declared right by works, and not by belief alone

The Torah portion for this last Shabbat was very interesting in the sense that it showed us that righteousness can only be reckoned to a person by the obedience to the Commands of YHWH. Avraham believed in the Words of YHWH and it was reckoned to him as righteousness but only because he did the Commands.

Now what Christianity teaches is that all we need to do is believe in “Jesus” and that we do not have to obey the Commands of YHWH anymore as “Jesus” did away with the Torah. Now imagine if this was really true. Would the Messiah have said, “Do not think that I came to do away with the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come to do away with but to fulfill. For truly, I say to you, till the heaven and the earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall by no means pass from the Torah till all be done” (Mat 5:17-18).  Also if the Torah was done away with, then it would give us free reign to do as we please as there is no more a measure by which we can measure ourselves. For the Torah is also the knowledge of sin. If we do not know the Torah, how can we know what sin is, and yet, the Messiah Himself said many times, ‘… go and sin no more…’

Imagine that Noah believed the word of YHWH but did not obey it, he would not have built the boat that saved him and his family and all of mankind would have been destroyed. Imagine Avraham believed but did not obey the Commands of YHWH, he would not have hosted the Messengers of YHWH, nor would he have become the father of many, and he certainly would not have been righteous, nor would he have had a son through whom the people of YHWH would be descendants and the Messiah would not have come. Also Imagine that Mosheh believed but did not obey the Commandments of YHWH, he would not have brought the chosen people out of the bondage of Mitsrayim. Neither would we have the Word of YHWH written down for us today.  

Belief and obedience to the Torah go hand in hand, you cannot truly obey the Torah without belief, and you certainly cannot believe without the observance of the Torah of YHWH. The entire Scriptures testify to this. In fact, the Messiah Yehoshua Himself taught that in the end of days, He will not know those who did not obey the Torah of His Father, “And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work lawlessness!’” (Mat 7:23). Would you like to be forced to depart from the Son of the Almighty, also meaning that you will not inherit the kingdom of YHWH?

Ya’akov (James), the brother of Yehoshua the Messiah, understood this concept very well as he wrote in his letter, “My brothers, what use is it for anyone to say he has belief but does not have works? This belief is unable to save him. And if a brother or sister is naked and in need of daily food, but one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” but you do not give them the bodily needs, what use is it? So also belief, if it does not have works, is in itself dead. But someone might say, “You have belief, and I have works.” Show me your belief without your works, and I shall show you my belief by my works. You believe that Elohim is one. You do well. The demons also believe – and shudder! But do you wish to know, O foolish man, that the belief without the works is dead? Was not Avraham our father declared right by works when he offered Yitschaq (Isaac) his son on the altar? Do you see that the belief was working with his works, and by the works the belief was perfected? And the Scripture was filled which says, “Avraham believed Elohim, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness.”  And he was called, “Elohim’s friend.” You see, then, that a man is declared right by works, and not by belief alone” (James 2:14-24).

Wow, so what Ya’akov is saying here is that in order to be declared righteous, we need to DO the Instruction (Torah) of YHWH and not just believe in it! We see this exact same concept coming from the mouth of the Messiah Himself too, “If you love Me, you shall guard My commands” (John 14:15). He goes on further to say, “He who possesses My commands and guards them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I shall love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21)

Do you love the Son of the Creator, who is the Messiah Yehoshua? If you say yes, do you guard to do all the Torah of YHWH His Father? “And by this we know that we know Him, if we guard His commands. The one who says, “I know Him,” and does not guard His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever guards His Word, truly the love of Elohim has been perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. The one who says he stays in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked” (1 John 2:3-6). Now with this verse in mind, do you really know the Almighty, or do you lie and continue to say that you do not need to obey the Torah anymore but still know the Almighty anyway?

Also notice that it is made very clear that if you profess to follow the Messiah, that you also have to walk as He walked, obeying every Command that is written in the Torah of YHWH.

Let us look at this in a slightly different viewpoint. If I had to walk up to the gates of the White House and say to the guards, “let me in for I know the President!” Do you think the guards will let me enter? Certainly not. Now, if I was standing in front of the gates of the White House, and the President walked out of the White House and saw me, and said to the guards, “Let him in, for I know him well!” I am sure you will agree with me that that would have a different result to the first instance.

The idea of the story is that it does not matter if you know the President, but rather, does he know you? This is exactly the same principle concerning, do I know the Messiah, or does the Messiah know me? In Matthew 7, He makes it clear that if you do not DO all that is written in the Torah of YHWH, then he will profess that He never knew you.

I do not know about you, but me and my house, choose to live according to the Instruction of YHWH and to do all that is written in the Torah of YHWH so that we may find favor in His eyes and inherit eternal life. “Blessed are those doing His commands, so that the authority shall be theirs unto the tree of life, and to enter through the gates into the city” (Rev 22:14).

Faith and Belief comes from the Torah

“So then belief (faith) comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Elohim” (Romans 10:17)

The Church has taught us our entire lives long that all we need to do to be saved is to believe, or have faith, in “Jesus”, and that the Law has been done away with. They also teach that the “New Testament”  is the “new covenant” that replaced the old one. This, however, could not be further from the truth as we can see in Shaul’s writings, who by the way wrote the majority of the “New Testament” and by all the other authors of the Renewed Covenant (this is the correct translation of Brit Chaddasha, NOT new testament) too.

In Romans 10:17, Shaul is teaching that the only way that we can acquire belief is through hearing and we acquire that by the Word of YHWH our Elohim. This is a very simple and easy concept to understand, and yet there are millions of people all around the world that have been brainwashed by the Church to such a point that they cannot understand this simple concept.

What do I mean by this? Well, the great majority of all church goers do not even know what the Word of Elohim is. The Church teaches that the “New Testament” is the “New Covenant” which is the “word of God”. This idea, too, cannot be further from the truth.

Now how can I say this? Well, let us think for ourselves… whenever any of the authors of the Renewed Covenant refers to the “Word of Elohim” or “the Scriptures” For example, “But He answering, said, “It has been written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of יהוה (YHWH)” (Mat 4:4), what do you think the Messiah and the rest of them are referring to? Did the “New Testament” exist at the time of the writing? Did Shaul or any of the other authors ever refer to their own writings or letters as Scripture or the Word of Elohim? If not, what then did they refer to as the Word of Elohim?

It is widely known and agreed that the Tanakh (Torah and the prophets) is the Word of YHWH. We can see this throughout the Tanakh when it is written, “… and YHWH spoke to Mosheh…” or, “… the word of YHWH came to ____ in a dream…” or many other examples like that. We also know that the Tanakh is the Word of YHWH as when the Messiah said, “it is written” he quotes the Tanakh every time, as did the other authors.

Also consider when Shaul went to Berea, that the Bereans tested everything that Shaul taught with the Scriptures (Acts 17:10-11). What Scriptures is being referred to here? Was the “New Testament” available to them at that stage? Certainly not. This is also proof that Shaul’s teachings fall directly in line with the Tanakh (the Word of YHWH).

Another thing to consider is that all the teachings of the Messiah and His disciples and even Shaul are all based on what is written in the Tanakh and do not in anyway contradict the Tanakh either. The church, however, does not teach this. They teach that “Jesus” brought a “new law”, this is also not true, but you do not have to believe me on this point, let us see what the Messiah Himself taught, “He who does not love Me does not guard My Words. And the Word which you hear is not Mine but of the Father Who sent Me” (John 14:24). So what the Messiah said here is that if you do not guard to do the Torah of YHWH then you not love Him or His Son Yehoshua. He also said that He did not teach His own words but rather the Word of YHWH His Father. When Yehoshua came, the TRADITIONS (oral law, Mishnah, Talmud) of the Pharisees superceded the WORD OF YHWH and that Yehoshua brought back / “gave” them the pure written words of YHWH, He did in no way bring a new law, but renewed the Torah of His Father YHWH.

So as we can see, the Hebrew Tanakh is the Word of YHWH and is called the Scriptures. Why then does the Church throw out the Tanakh (which they call the Old Testament)? This is because they do not follow the Instruction of YHWH (Tanakh) but rather their own instructions (which is the instruction of men which is against the Word of YHWH). The reason they do this is because their teachings are far more profitable, in the worldly sense, than the true Scriptures.

The Church has created a lucrative business that is by far the most profitable business in the entire world, by twisting the Scriptures and the Renewed Covenant and even throwing the Word of YHWH out. The Church is the richest organization in the whole world, but could not have been so if they actually followed the Instructions of YHWH. If all the followers of the church accepted the truth of the Scriptures, they would not even give one cent of their hard earned money to the church. With this in mind, do you really think that the church is going to teach you the truth and lose everything they have, or are they going to continue to teach lies and profit off of you and millions of other people who are blindly following their false teachings?


Remember tithes were to be given to the PRIESTS,  the LEVITES only because they did not have an inheritance like the rest of Yisrael.  Are any of today’s pastors or "priests" of that stock? So, if we give we give our tithes to them, we are actually throwing away the money that should be given to the Almighty and if they, the pastors and priests accept our tithes, they are stealing the Almighty’s money. As a matter of fact, if any of them takes your tithes, then they are taking the place of the Messiah, who is our High Priest now, and making them a anti-Messiah. Do you really think that they use that money to bring TRUTH to the people.  Considering the lies they teach – definitely NOT!  Considering their beautiful houses and fancy cars and travels – definitely NOT!

Now to get back to the point, Shaul teaches us that only by the Word of YHWH our Elohim, can we really have belief and faith. The Messiah Yehoshua taught us that we can only live by every word that comes from the mouth of YHWH (The Tanakh). How can we live if we disobey YHWH’s Word?

Also, if you do not study the Tanakh and really understand what is written there, then it is impossible to understand what is written in the Renewed Covenant. I am in no way saying that the Renewed Covenant should not be read or studied or anything like that, but only to know that the Renewed Covenant does not replace the Tanakh, but rather, magnifies it. If you throw away the Tanakh, you may as well throw the Renewed Covenant away too, as it is worthless without the Word of YHWH.

Something else to note is that Shaul writes that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of YHWH. Now how many times have you heard a Christian say that the “Holy Spirit” spoke to them and told them something secretive that was not told to anyone else. This “tool” is used so much for the justification of their sins. You see, the Ruach haKodesh (Set Apart Spirit) cannot in anyway contradict what is written in the Tanakh, as that would be disobeying the Word of YHWH and making Him a liar as the Ruach haKodesh is part of YHWH. Christianity is a very “new age”, “spiritualistic” religion that does not ever consider what the Word of the Creator says, but rather relies on superstitious signs and teachings. Just think of the “Red Indians” and their Shamanism, where some of the see the “spirits”, etc.  It is very much the same as what happens in the “charismatic” churches.

According to what Shaul reveals to us here in Romans 10:17, that all “hearing” of any kind must come from the Word of YHWH which is the Tanakh! If this is not the case, and what is heard contradicts the Tanakh, then it is a very clear indication that what is being heard is of demons and not the truth.

If anyone claims to have faith or be a believer and does not observe the Torah of YHWH, then you have to wonder, what do they believe in as it is not the belief or faith of the Scriptures.

True faith and belief comes from learning the Torah of YHWH and following His Instruction.
So I choose to study and obey the Word and Instruction of YHWH and turn away from every teaching of the church so that I may receive life eternal, what about you?

Romans 3 with comentary

This chapter of Romans is twisted so much to suite many false doctrines that the Church teaches. So I am revealing the true context for people to see the Truth. we are not to follow what we think or believe the Scriptures are saying but rather follow what the Scriptures really are saying.


“What then is the advantage of the Yehuḏite (Jew)? Or what is the value of the circumcision? Much in every way! Because firstly indeed, that they were entrusted with the Words of Elohim” (Rom 3:1-2). What Shaul wrote here totally disproves what is called the “replacement theology” that is taught by the Church. You see, the Church teaches that the Jews gave up their right to be called “God’s people”, so that the Church can take their place. This is done so that they can blackmail the population into joining the Church (Christian faith) or else they cannot be saved. This is also where anti-Semitic propaganda comes from, teaching the masses that the Jews killed “Jesus”. This is a very dangerous and evil thought. Shaul makes it very clear that the Jews are truly the chosen people, even until today.

“For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief nullify the trustworthiness of Elohim? Let it not be! But let Elohim be true, and every man a liar, as it has been written, “That You should be declared right in Your words, and prevail in Your judging.”” (Rom 3:3-4). Now the majority of Judaism denies that Yehoshua is the Messiah and they are still waiting for “the Messiah” to come for the first time. There are however, many Jews that believe in Yehoshua as the Messiah, and keep their belief in silence. There are also many Jews who are totally “non-religious” but the majority of the Jews follow after religious traditions, namely, the Talmud and Oral Law, which Shaul refers to as ‘under the law’.

Now what Shaul is saying here is that just because some of the Jews do not believe in the truth, does in no way make the truth false. The Word of YHWH is truth which is the Torah and the prophets. Any man that speaks words of his own, is a liar. But if a man speaks the Word of YHWH, then his words are true.

If anyone lives according to the Torah of YHWH, then that person will not be found guilty in the time of judgment.

“But if our unrighteousness establishes the righteousness of Elohim, what shall we say? Is Elohim unrighteous who is inflicting wrath? I speak as a man. Let it not be! Otherwise how shall Elohim judge the world? For if the truth of Elohim has increased through my lie, to His esteem, why am I also still judged as a sinner? And why not say, “Let us do evil so that the good might come”? – as we are wrongly accused and as some claim that we say. Their judgment is in the right” (Rom 3:5-8). Here is a piece of text that the Church twists to justify their false doctrines. It is a common thought among the Christian faith that it is impossible to keep the Ten Commandments. The problem with that statement is that it is not supported by the Scriptures. One can see this as soon as you start reading the Scriptures and noticing that the whole theme of the Scriptures is to obey the Word of YHWH. Even the Messiah made this clear when he quoted the Scriptures and said, “But He answering, said, “It has been written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of יהוה (YHWH).’ ” (Mat 4:4). And what is the Word of YHWH? It is the Tanakh (Torah and the Prophets) of course.

The teachings of the Church are humanistic teachings and not the teachings or Words of YHWH. In the days of Shaul, the Christian Church had not been founded yet and Shaul had never heard the word Christian or the word Church, which are both from pagan origin.

Shaul was saying that righteousness cannot be established on unrighteousness. You see, Elohim afflicted and still does afflict wrath on unrighteousness. So the question was that if we established righteousness by our unrighteousness, how can Elohim be righteous if he afflicts us? The answer to this is that righteousness is established on righteousness, NOT unrighteousness.  We are to live by the spirit and not by our flesh. In other words, we are to die to our unrighteous humanistic flesh so that we can live by the righteous Spirit of Elohim who writes the Torah on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33).

“What then? Are we better than they? Not at all, for we have previously accused both Yehuḏim (Jews) and Gentiles that they are all under sin. As it has been written, “There is none righteous, no, not one! “There is no one who is understanding, there is none who is seeking Elohim. “They all have turned aside, they have together become worthless. There is none who does good, no, not one.” (Rom 3:9-12).
Now here is one of the favorite arguments that the Christian Church uses to justify their sinful way of living. But in order to justify that no one can be righteous by this piece of Shaul’s letter, one must either be twisting Shaul’s writings or just be untaught in the Scriptures. Peter himself said that this would happen, “and reckon the patience of our Master as deliverance, as also our beloved brother Sha’ul wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him, as also in all his letters, speaking in them concerning these matters, in which some are hard to understand, which those who are untaught and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do also the other Scriptures. You, then, beloved ones, being forewarned, watch, lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the delusion of the lawless” (2 Peter 3:15-17).

What Shaul is saying is that no man is righteous if he lives according to his own instruction. But as soon as we live according to the Instruction of YHWH (the Torah), then we live righteously as the Torah of YHWH is righteous. It is evil to believe that it is impossible to live according to the Torah of YHWH, or that no one has or can achieve this. As soon as you believe that to be true, then you believe the Scriptures to be untrue.

Let me point out a few examples. Noah was righteous and perfect (Gen 6:9, 7:1), Abraham was righteous (Gen 15:6), Yoseph (Joseph), the step father of Yehoshua was righteous (Mat 1:19), Yehochanan (John the Baptist) was righteous (Mark 6:20), the parents of Yehochanan were both righteous and walking in all the Commands of YHWH (Luke 1:5-6), a man called Shim’on was righteous (Luke 2:25) and there are MANY more places in the Scriptures that tell of righteous people walking in the Torah of YHWH. Yehoshua the Son of YHWH said that He did not come for the righteous, but for the sinners to come to repentance (Luke 5:32). Repentance is turning away from sin and following righteousness.

What does it mean to be righteous? “And it is righteousness for us when we guard to do all this command before יהוה (YHWH) our Elohim, as He has commanded us” (Deut 6:25)

Also another important point that Shaul makes is that those who are righteous are no more important than the unrighteous. This is because everyone was unrighteous before repentance and only by the favor of YHWH have the righteous found the truth of righteousness.

“Their throat is an open tomb, with their tongues they have deceived, The poison of adders is under their lips, Whose mouth is filled with cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood, ruin and wretchedness are in their ways, and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of Elohim before their eyes.” (Rom 3:13-18). Shaul writes of the human nature of men, explaining that no person is good as long as we do not follow the Instruction of YHWH (His Torah). Notice that everything that Shaul mentions here is 100% against the Torah of YHWH. Naturally, man is not good and reverts to all these evil deeds that are written here. As soon as we start seeking the reign of YHWH and His righteousness, then these evil deeds will be disgusting in our eyes, just as they are disgusting in the eyes of YHWH and we will turn away from them.

“And we know that whatever the Torah says, it says to those who are in the Torah (here the Aramaic Peshitta says, “under the Torah”), so that every mouth might be stopped, and all the world come under judgment before Elohim. Therefore by works of Torah no flesh shall be declared right before Him, for by the Torah is the knowledge of sin” (Rom 3:19-20). Now here is a confusing section for those who are untaught or unstable in the Scriptures. This is also one of the favorite sections that the Church use to justify the false doctrine that they do not have to follow the Word of YHWH anymore. They use it to judge the righteous people who are following the Instruction of YHWH, by calling them legalists, as they are ‘under the Law’. This however is a very evil teaching. The term ‘under the Torah’ refers to being under a religious organization like Rabbinical Judaism and even Christianity, etc. (This fact actually proves that the Christians are the ones who are the legalists!)

Only the mouths of the unrighteous have to be shut as they speak evil things. But if a person speaks the words of Torah, then he does not speak his own words, but rather the Words of YHWH by which we live.

‘Works of the Torah’ means exactly the same as ‘under the Torah’, see commentary on verse 28. No one can be saved through works on their own. The Scriptures also teach that those who do not do the Torah of YHWH will be cast into the fire and will not be granted entrance into the kingdom of YHWH (Rev 22:14). The Torah is the Instruction of YHWH for us that leads us to righteousness.

It is crazy how the Church teaches that we should not sin anymore, and then in the same breath, teaches us that we do not have to obey the Torah of YHWH anymore! Is there a contradiction anywhere that is greater than this? The Torah teaches us how to love YHWH and how to love our neighbor too, it teaches us how to care for our animals and how to farm and care for the land too, it also teaches us how to care for the fatherless, the widow and the poor, it teaches us to stay away from evil and idolatry, it teaches us how to look after our bodies and how to stay healthy (all of which the Church totally ignores). The Torah is also the knowledge of sin! Have you ever thought what this means? It means that if you break any of the instructions of YHWH (the Torah), then it is sin.

“But now, apart from the Torah, a righteousness of Elohim has been revealed, being witnessed by the Torah and the Prophets” (Rom 3:21) Yehoshua qualified as Mashiyach because He fulfilled all Torah and Prophetic requirements, and He became Torah. Torah is written upon the heart by the Ruach haKodesh; the Spirit of Mashiyach is Torah which is the Spirit of Mashiyach, or the Manifestation (Word) of YHWH which became flesh and dwelt among us. Therefore, if we live “in” Yehoshua, we will also follow the Torah. It is evil to posture that Shaul brought Torah down, when in fact Yehoshua and Shaul restored and elevated Torah to be the foundation of a spiritual dialogue with Heaven.

If Yehoshua followed the Torah 100%, and we are to follow in His footsteps, does that mean we also have to follow the Torah? (1 Peter 2:21).

“and the righteousness of Elohim is through belief in יהושע (Yehoshua) Messiah to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the esteem of Elohim,” (Rom 3:22-23). Do the demons also believe (James 2:19)? Is believing in the Messiah and continuing in sin acceptable to the Almighty? Are those who believe in “Jesus” but do not keep the Commands of YHWH the true believers? Let us see, “And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to fight with the remnant of her seed, those guarding the commands of Elohim and possessing the witness of יהושע (Yehoshua) Messiah” (Rev 12:17), “Here is the endurance of the set-apart ones, here are those guarding the commands of Elohim and the belief of יהושע (Yehoshua)” (Rev 14:12). One cannot believe in the Messiah and not observe the Torah, it is just impossible.

“being declared right, without paying, by His favour through the redemption which is in Messiah יהושע (Yehoshua), whom Elohim set forth as an atonement (a covering), through belief in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His tolerance Elohim had passed over the sins that had taken place before, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He is righteous and declares righteous the one who has belief in יהושע (Yehoshua)” (Rom 3:24-26). There is a teaching in the Church that because “Jesus’” blood covers sin, we can now ignore the Instruction of YHWH. Notice here that that is the exact opposite to what Shaul is saying. Yes Yehoshua became the Lamb that was sacrificed as a sin offering and that He is the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) who presents His blood to YHWH for the covering of sins. But notice also how it says “for sins that had taken place before”. All the sacrifices that were done from the beginning of time were all representative of the Messiah and that the blood of Yehoshua covered all the sins past, after repentance, from Adam to the death of the Messiah. It in no way means that we are now ‘allowed’ to sin or that anything has changed from the Word of YHWH. Is not the Torah everlasting (Mat 5:18)?

One thing we need to remember is, how can the Almighty declare someone, who continues to disobey His Instruction, to be righteous? That is impossible. The people who have belief in Yehoshua are all Torah observant and are then declared righteous.

“Where, then, is the boasting? It is shut out. By what Torah? Of works? No, but by the Torah of belief” (Rom 3:27). The Pharisees taught that new believers needed to immediately adhere to all the laws of the Torah, then afterward find belief, however, the Good News teaches otherwise, we first need to believe and have faith, then the Torah will be written on our hearts and we will desire to learn and do the whole Torah of YHWH. We see this when James proclaimed that new believers need not be circumcised immediately in Acts 15 as they needed to believe first and find that out as they study the Torah for themselves. New believers did however need to immediately refrain from certain things, “Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the gentiles who are turning to Elohim, but that we write to them to abstain from the defilements of idols, and from whoring, and from what is strangled, and from blood” (Act 15:19-20). Sadly there is no Christian church that teaches or even abstains from any of these things written in Acts 15.

“For we reckon that a man is declared right by belief without works of Torah” (Rom 3:28) The terms “works of Torah” and “under Torah” predate Shaul by hundreds of years. These terms were discovered in the Dead Sea Scrolls (A Sectarian Manifesto 4QMMT:4Q394-399); while originally referring to the ultra religious halakha of the Essenes, the same principles apply to the Pharisees’ halakha. These two phrases are also mentioned in Romans 6:14, 15, 9:32, 1 Corinthians 9:20, 21, Galatians 2:16, 3:2, 5, 10, 23, 4:4, 5, 21, 5:18. “Under Torah” refers to the orthodox/traditional interpretation and observance of Torah. Religious halakha is clearly NOT what Yehoshua or Shaul followed in their observance of Torah. The Renewed Covenant promise in Jeremiah 31:33 is to write the Torah of YHWH upon the hearts of His people, not the “Torah of men.” The idiomatic expression “works of Torah” provides insight to those of a “traditional” Jewish upbringing. Shaul references Jews at the beginning of this chapter; in verse 19 he states “Now we know” referring to those who understand Torah and halakha.

“Or is He the Elohim of the Yehuḏim (Jews) only, and not also of the gentiles? Yea, of the gentiles also, since it is one Elohim who shall declare right the circumcised by belief and the uncircumcised through belief” (Rom 3:29-30). Once again we see that Shaul is speaking of the Jews and Gentiles when referring to the circumcision and the uncircumcision respectively. Gentile believers (wild olive) can be engrafted into the true belief (good olive) and hence, YHWH is the Elohim of the Jews and the Gentile believers too. Shaul did not in any way teach that Gentile believers need not be circumcised in the flesh as required in the Torah, but rather that they need to believe before blindly doing Commands without belief.

“Do we then nullify the Torah through the belief (faith)? Let it not be! On the contrary, we establish the Torah” (Rom 3:31) As we can see here, faith or belief does not in anyway nullify the Torah, in fact, we cannot have faith or belief without the observance of the Torah. On the other side, the observance of Torah without faith or belief is also not possible.

Sukkot 5772

Sitting on the gorgeous green grass lawns, under the shade of trees, right next to a flowing river which was far away from any kind of civilization, and studying the Word of the Almighty in His own language was such a delight. We got to do so for about a week and a half with a group of believer friends on the annual Scriptural festival (chag) called Sukkot (feast of tabernacles).

That is one of the major reasons why I have not posted here on my blog this month yet. Between Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), we were also getting ready for Sukkot and really did not have much time to write.

Now the reason for this article is to clear up a few discrepancies concerning Sukkot.

The first point I would like to make is that there were many groups that held Sukkot a day later than they were supposed to keep it according to Scripture. The reason that certain groups did so was because they followed the instruction of other people instead of observing the signs for themselves according to what the Scriptures teach us. One of the major Characters leading many people to observe the appointed times on the incorrect days is Nehemiah Gordon, as he has a huge following and loves the attention rather than pointing people to the Scriptures for themselves.

In order to know when the start of Sukkot is, we first need to know when the sighting of the seventh new moon was, which is the first day of the seventh moon (month). All you need to do then is to count the days until the fifteenth, and that is when Sukkot begins. Now the discrepancy comes in here where the new moon in Israel was sighted a day later than most other places in the world. For example, in the USA and South Africa, where I live, the new moon was sighted on the evening of 28 Sept but in Israel it was sighted on 29 Sept,  which makes the beginning of Sukkot fall on 12 Oct in the USA and South Africa, whereas it begins on 13 Oct in Israel.

Now many people follow the calendar according to when the moon is sighted in Israel even though they sighted the new moon in their own location for themselves a day earlier. This is what Nehemiah Gordon has done and led many people to do so too. But this is certainly not Scriptural! You see, we need to look at a bit of logic here, according to Scripture, we need to observe for ourselves when the times are, and also in our current location. Think a hundred years back, were the people living in South Africa able to know when the new moon was sighted in Israel? Certainly not, as technology was not at the point for people to do so yet. Now that it is possible for us to know, have the rules then changed?

The other problem that needs to be addressed is that of where do we keep Sukkot? The Scripture clearly says that we must go to the place that YHWH chooses. Now Jerusalem is the place where YHWH has chosen to put His Name and that is where all of us are supposed to go up to for Sukkot.

Now you are probably thinking that it is impossible for us all to trek up to Jerusalem, never mind everyone gaining entrance into Israel at the same time. Yes, I agree that this is a little bit of an impossibility as there are very few who can afford to do so now. Even for the majority of Jews are not able to go up to Israel for Sukkot. This is due to the dispersion of the Jews and other Believers all around the world.

So what do we then do, or rather, where do we go for Sukkot? Well, we do the best we can with what we have. We can organize a venue to keep Sukkot at etc, but we can in no way really call it Sukkot or say that the venue is the place where YHWH has placed His Name! There are many Messianic and Hebrew Roots groups who do exactly that. It is a heresy to do so. Do you really think that the Almighty will put His Name on a place that is unclean or anywhere else other than Israel?

So we can do what we can with what we have and only hope that the Almighty finds what we do acceptable. We do however have the hope that when the Messiah Yehoshua returns, that he will rule the world with the Torah and it will be possible for those who desire to go up to Jerusalem for Sukkot to do so, as we read here, “And it shall be that all who are left from all the gentiles which came up against Yerushalayim, shall go up from year to year to bow themselves to the Sovereign, יהוה (YHWH) of hosts, and to observe the Festival of Booths” (Zec 14:16).

Romans 2 – Judging, practice what you preach and circumcision

Romans chapter 2 has a couple of teachings that are misquoted so many times and used for so many false doctrines. The one that is the most evident is that of, ‘Don’t judge me, because if you judge me, then you will also be judged.’ Another one is that of, if one subjects themselves to follow the Torah, then that person is under the law. This chapter is also one of the most used verses used to justify that one does not need to be circumcised in the flesh. All of these points are totally false and I will show you why in this article, by using what Shaul wrote here in Romans 2.

One key point that we do not always remember about the letters that Shaul wrote is that they did not originally have chapters or verses, but were written as a continual piece of writing as they were letters sent to the Gentile believers living in Rome.

There are many valuable lessons that can be learnt from Shaul’s letters and even in this chapter in Romans. But in order to learn from these lessons, we need to understand what is being taught in the correct context. If we do not read it in its correct context, we stand the chance of failing to learn what Shaul was teaching, and even worse, we could learn the total opposite of what is being taught, like millions of people around the world because they follow the people who incorrectly interpret Shaul's teachings.

Now let us break this chapter into sections, and I will point out the things that Shaul was really trying to say. 

“Therefore, O man, you are without excuse, everyone who judges, for in which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you who judge practice the same wrongs. And we know that the judgment of Elohim is according to truth against those who practice such wrongs” (Rom 2:1-2). This verse is so wrongly used by millions of people to try and hide or justify their sinful behavior. As soon as someone tries to point out their error(s), the first reaction to this is a very defensive reaction with the phrase, something like this, “don’t judge me, for you will also be judged if you do!”

People only judge when they deviate from the ‘Judgment’ of YHWH. Quoting His Judgment and staying within His Judgment is not being judgmental! Only when one deviates from the Judgment of YHWH, then that person elevates himself above YHWH and will then be judged by YHWH accordingly.

The church has taught us all to be too thin skinned, so that we are incapable of accepting correction for our sinful actions, which is a very dangerous matter, and can lead us into destruction. The fact of the matter is that the majority of the time, when someone points out errors, it is done out of love, in order to help that person become aware of the problem and to fix the problem. Even if the rebuke seems harsh, it is not to be met with a defensive reaction, but rather a personal soul searching on the matter to see if the matter is true. Then we can repent of the error and continue to grow in faith.

“And do you think, O man, you who judge those practicing such wrongs, and doing the same, that you shall escape the judgment of Elohim? Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, and tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the kindness of Elohim leads you to repentance? But according to your hardness and your unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of Elohim, who “shall render to each one according to his works”: everlasting life to those who by persistence in good work seek for esteem, and respect, and incorruptibility; but wrath and displeasure to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness” (Rom 2:3-8). Here Shaul is speaking to those who are hypocrites, who judge other people while, they themselves, do the same evils. He is also clarifying that a person only judges if he judges outside the judgment of YHWH (as stated above).

Notice how Shaul points out that those who practice the same wrongs by which they judge others are hard and unrepentant and that these people will be met with the wrath of YHWH in the day of wrath.  These people will be judged by Elohim through His Torah (righteous judgment of Elohim) according to their works.

Also notice how clear Shaul is making the distinction between the righteous and the unrepentant sinners. He shows us here that only those who persist in good works (the Torah of YHWH) and seek for esteem and respect and incorruptibility, will inherit everlasting life. And those that do not obey the Torah (truth) but rather obey unrighteousness (anti-Torah) will receive the wrath and displeasure of YHWH.

“affliction and distress on every human being working what is evil, of the Yehuḏite first, and also of the Aramean” (Rom 2:9). Aramean, as apposed to “Greek” or “Gentile” who have no ancestral ties to Israel. Almost all our English translations of the Bible have the word “Greek” instead of “Aramean” here, which is again a twisting of Scripture. Shaul is extremely clear throughout his epistle to make proper distinction between these two, although the point of the message is clear that YHWH is no respecter of persons.  

“but esteem, respect, and peace to everyone working what is good, to the Yehuḏite first and also to the Aramean. For there is no partiality with Elohim” (Rom 2:10-11). Now do not think that a Greek or any other nationality cannot be saved because the verse reads “Aramean” instead of “Greek”, that is not what Shaul is teaching. Shaul is teaching that esteem, respect, and Shalom (peace) to everyone that obeys the Torah of YHWH, whether it be Jews or anyone else as Elohim accepts everyone who submits themselves to Him. If a person submits to YHWH, then he has to follow YHWH’s instruction which is His Torah (instruction in righteousness).

“For as many as sinned without Torah shall also perish without Torah, and as many as sinned in the Torah shall be judged by the Torah. For not the hearers of the Torah are righteous in the sight of Elohim, but the doers of Torah (the law) shall be declared right” (Rom 2:12-13)

So those who sin, not knowing the Torah, will perish without the Torah. In order to gain everlasting life, one needs to have the Torah and subject themselves to it. Also notice how those “under Torah” and those “doers of Torah” are put in opposition to one another; therefore, both cannot simultaneously be in error. This is clarified with the phrase “for the doers of Torah will be made righteous.” So, if Torah-doers are made righteous, it stands to reason Torah itself is NOT passing away! The fact that such deep pro-Torah statements are being sent to Gentiles in Rome speak volumes of how mainstream Christianity is perverting Shaul’s teachings. “Under Torah” means to look to its rituals as a form of magic; a power that needs no purity of intent to bring about blessing, but merely fixed repetition. Torah in itself provides no authority of magic. Rather, Torah has authority because it is YHWH’s instruction to man! So “under Torah” is a false teaching that has never been true according to the Tanakh: YHWH blesses man for Torah observance, which is obedience to His Commandments and obedience to Him. Notice in Matthew 15 how Yehoshua rebukes the Pharisees on this very issue, how they set aside YHWH’s Torah (instructions) in favor of their traditions.

“For when gentiles, who do not have the Torah, by nature do what is in the Torah, although not having the Torah, they are a Torah to themselves, who show the work of the Torah written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or even excusing” (Rom 2:14-15)

Shaul does not suggest that Gentiles are spontaneously Mastering Torah. Even common logic will prove this to be true. The point is that they should learn the written Torah without the distraction from Pharisaic or any other man-made traditions which are not rooted in the plain understanding of the Torah.

“in the day when Elohim shall judge the secrets of men through  יהושע (Yehoshua) Messiah, according to my Good News” (Rom 2:16). Here is a scary thought for many people, that in the end on the return of the Messiah, those that have sinned but have not been “caught out”, will be judged for all the sins that they committed in secret. YHWH knows your thoughts and even the intentions of your thoughts too. "According to my Good News" is that of the Messiah who also lifted up and magnified the Torah of His Father. So everyone will be judged according to the Torah of YHWH.

“See, you are called a Yehuḏite, and rest on the Torah, and make your boast in Elohim, and know the desire of Elohim, and approve what is superior, being instructed out of the Torah, and are trusting that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of foolish ones, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and of the truth in the Torah” (Rom 2:17-20). Wow, Shaul makes it VERY clear in this piece that we are all to learn and conduct ourselves according to the Torah! It is very clear through out the entire Scriptures, and stated here again by Shaul, that in order to know the desire of the Almighty, then you must study the Torah. The Torah is a very beautiful Word, however, many false teachers try and claim that it is a curse and that all that subject themselves to it are under a curse.

Is that really what Shaul is teaching? Can that statement or idea be found anywhere in Scripture? Certainly not! The Torah is the Living Word of YHWH, it is the marriage contract between the bride and the bridegroom, it teaches us how to love the Almighty and also to love each other. One can only start reading the Torah and see for themselves that if the world was governed by the Torah (which it will be with the return of the Messiah), then there would not be any hunger or poverty or theft or murders or unrighteousness in any way.

“You, then, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who proclaim that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abominate idols, do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the Torah, through the transgression of the Torah do you disrespect Elohim? For “The Name of Elohim is blasphemed among the gentiles because of you,” as it has been written” (Rom 2:21-24)

Now here Shaul is once again addressing the hypocrites, or is at least warning the readers to not be hypocrites. He shows us that if we claim to be followers of the Almighty and we have any influence on other people, even if it is by being observed by how we live our lives, then we are to live our lives totally according to the Torah of YHWH. If we do not do this, then we are guilty of blaspheming the Name of Elohim.

What Shaul is also saying here is one of the most important keys to deciphering all his letters (which is the majority of the Renewed Covenant). He is saying here that one has to practice what you preach. Now that is a very important statement! Let me explain why, it is taught by all of Christianity that Shaul taught that it is not any more necessary to follow the Torah, because of the death and resurrection of the Messiah. This false doctrine is never supported anywhere in Scripture nor anywhere in Shaul’s letters.

You see, if Shaul taught that we are to practice what we preach, then he himself would also have to practice what he taught, or else he would also be a hypocrite! So if it was not necessary to follow the Torah anymore, then why did Shaul subject himself to following the Torah till the day he died? He did not deviate one bit from the Torah, in fact, he went out of his way to keep the Torah even when he was in captivity.

“For circumcision indeed profits if you practice the Torah, but if you are a transgressor of the Torah, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. So, if an uncircumcised one watches over the righteousness of the Torah, shall not his uncircumcision be reckoned as circumcision? And the uncircumcised by nature, who perfects the Torah, shall judge you who notwithstanding letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the Torah! For he is not a Yehuḏite who is so outwardly, neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But a Yehuḏite is he who is so inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in Spirit, not literally, whose praise is not from men but from Elohim” (Rom 2:25-29)

Once again, here is a small piece of Shaul’s letter that is grossly mistranslated and many false doctrines are based on these few verses. The false teachers use this piece to teach that it is not necessary to be circumcised in the flesh. This of course is a totally false teaching.

Once again, we need a key to understanding what Shaul really meant here. Why do we need a key? Because Shaul wrote with a Hebrew mindset as he himself was a Hebrew and used Hebrew idioms. We, who are English speaking, are not Hebrews and do not read the Scriptures with a Hebrew mindset. In order to understand these Hebrew idioms we have to actually learn them and that is what the key is and not some magic formula that was “revealed in a divine way” to a single person, like many false teachers claim when they try and teach a new false doctrine to the people.

Now the key to this section is that of the circumcised and the uncircumcised. Shaul is not necessarily classifying the physical circumcision here, but is rather speaking of two different groups of people. Whenever he talks of the circumcision, he is referring to the Hebrews or Jews as that is how they were known, and the uncircumcision are the Gentiles or those that are not native to Israel.

Now with this point clear, you can read the section in the correct context. Those who are of the ‘circumcision’ who transgress the Torah, will become ‘uncircumcision’. If you do not use the key in this instance, you can try and imagine what people might believe, that those who are circumcised must be uncircumcised…. ? Who is going to have their foreskin sewn back on? OUCH!

No, what is being taught is that the Jews who transgress the Torah, will be cut off from YHWH’s people as stated in Romans 11.

Also, because a person could be physically circumcised and be a thief, liar, murderer, etc.

On the flip side, those who are of the uncircumcision (Gentiles), who keep the Torah of YHWH, will be reckoned as the circumcision (grafted into the good olive tree) again explained in Romans 11. You see, the true faith of YHWH and His Son the Messiah is to love Him and to watch over the righteousness of the Torah and to become righteous by doing the Torah of YHWH.

So are we to be circumcised in the flesh too? Well…. What does the Torah (the Living Word of YHWH) teach us on this subject? I am sure you can look it up for yourself!

So if you read Shaul’s letters in the correct context, it makes so much more sense and dismisses all the false teachings that stem from them. Shaul NEVER taught that it was not necessary to keep the Torah, but rather that it was absolutely necessary to keep the Torah of YHWH in order to inherit everlasting life.