Is the Church Scriptural? (Part 1)

“And the Pharisees and some of the scribes assembled to Him, having come from Yerushalayim. And seeing some of His taught ones eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Yehuḏim, do not eat unless they wash their hands thoroughly, holding fast the tradition of the elders,

And coming from the market-place, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions which they have received and hold fast – the washing of cups and utensils and copper vessels and couches.

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do your taught ones not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”

And He answering, said to them, “Well did Yeshayahu prophesy concerning you hypocrites, as it has been written, ‘This people respect Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.

And in vain do they worship Me, teaching as teachings the commands of men.’

Forsaking the command of Elohim, you hold fast the tradition of men.” (Mar 7:1-8)

Clearly we can see here that the “traditions of the Elders” are the traditions of men, and the traditions of men are in direct opposition to the Commandments of Elohim! Many Christians cannot make the distinction between these two statements. They are always quick to accuse someone of being a Pharisee when that person teaches Torah.

The Orthodox Jews of today are the Pharisees from the days of Y’shua. They have a second Law called the “Talmud” or “Oral Law,” which was created by Rabbi’s to control the Jews and make money off them amongst other reasons. Many times when Shaul (Paul) talks about the “law” in his letters, he is referring to the Talmud and not Torah, and as I have explained, Many Christians can’t make the distinction between the two and get confused and follow after lies. I am however not going to get in to this subject in this blog.

Now in the passage above, Y’shua rebuked the Pharisees concerning their “Oral Law” or “Traditions of the Elders.” Y’shua would be the biggest hypocrite under the sun if he rebuked anyone for guarding and keeping the Torah, as Y’shua himself guarded and kept the Torah of YHWH his Father.

Clearly it is an abomination to the Almighty to follow after the traditions of men. The Pharisees were rebuked by the Son of the Almighty YHWH for following after their Talmud (traditions of men) and not the Instruction of YHWH. It is totally logical to also say that following after the traditions of men other than the Talmud or Rabbinical order is also an abomination to YHWH.  With this in mind, it is very clear that if we follow after anything or anyone other than the Commandments (Instruction) of YHWH, we are following after the “Traditions of the Elders” and will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven!

Now to come to the point of this blog, is the Church teaching and leading you in the Commands of the Almighty, or is the Church teaching and leading you in the “traditions of the Elders?”

Let us take a more in-depth look at where the traditions and practices of the Church originate from!

Firstly, let us define “the Church.” The Catholic Church is usually referred to as the Church as it is the “Mother Church” where all the other denominations (daughter churches) get their doctrines, traditions and practices from. One could argue that their Christian denomination has nothing to do with the Catholic Church, but the fact of the matter is that it does. There are thousands upon thousands of Christian denominations, and all of them originate from the Catholic Church. So when I refer to the Christian Church, I am referring to all the Christian churches which you will see are all connected!

Let us now look at certain practices of the church and how it is supposed to be done according to the Scriptures (Word of the Almighty)

Sabbath

What Scripture says:

“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 made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore יהוה blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart” (Exodus 20:10-11)

 “And you, speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, saying, ‘My Sabbaths you are to guard, by all means, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, to know that I, יהוה, am setting you apart

And you shall guard the Sabbath, for it is set-apart to you. Everyone who profanes it shall certainly be put to death, for anyone who does work on it, that being shall be cut off from among his people. Six days work is done, and on the seventh is a Sabbath of rest, set-apart to יהוה. Everyone doing work on the Sabbath day shall certainly be put to death. And the children of Yisra’ĕl shall guard the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as an everlasting covenant” (Exodus 31:13-16)

“Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who lays hold on it, guarding the Sabbath lest he profane it, and guarding his hand from doing any evil” (Isaiah 56:2)

“If you do turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My set-apart day, and shall call the Sabbath ‘a delight,’ the set-apart day of יהוה  ‘esteemed,’ and shall esteem it, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words,

then you shall delight yourself in יהוה. And I shall cause you to ride on the heights of the earth, and feed you with the inheritance of Yaʽaqoḇ your father. For the mouth of יהוה  has spoken!” (Isa 58:13-14)

“For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make stand before Me,” declares יהוה, so your seed and your name shall stand.

And it shall be that from New Moon to New Moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,” declares יהוה.

And they shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm shall not die, and their fire not be quenched. And they shall be repulsive to all flesh!” (Isaiah 66:22-24)

 “And I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, to know that I am יהוה  who sets them apart. But the house of Yisra’ĕl rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not walk in My laws, and they rejected My right-rulings, which, if a man does, he shall live by them. And they greatly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out My wrath on them in the wilderness, to consume them” (Ezekiel 20:12-13)

 “And pray that your flight does not take place in winter or on the Sabbath” (Matthew 24:20)

“And He came to Natsareth, where He had been brought up. And according to His practice, He went into the congregation on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read” (Luke 4:16)

“And when the Yehuḏim went out of the congregation, the gentiles begged to have these words spoken to them the next Sabbath” (Acts 13:42)

“And he was reasoning in the congregation every Sabbath, and won over both Yehuḏim and Greeks” (Acts 18:4)

“So there remains a Sabbath-keeping for the people of Elohim” (Hebrews 4:9)

What the Church teaches:

St. Paul enumerates the Sabbath among the Jewish observances which are not obligatory on Christians (Col., ii, 16; Gal., iv, 9-10; Rom., xiv, 5). The gentile converts held their religious meetings on Sunday (Acts, xx, 7; 1 Cor., xvi, 2) and with the disappearance of the Jewish Christian churches this day was exclusively observed as the Lord's Day. (See SUNDAY.)

Sunday (Day of the Sun), as the name of the first day of the week, is derived from Egyptian astrology. The seven planets, known to us as Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury, and the Moon, each had an hour of the day assigned to them, and the planet which was regent during the first hour of any day of the week gave its name to that day (see CALENDAR). During the first and second century the week of seven days was introduced into Rome from Egypt, and the Roman names of the planets were given to each successive day. The Teutonic nations seem to have adopted the week as a division of time from the Romans, but they changed the Roman names into those of corresponding Teutonic deities. Hence the dies Solis became Sunday (German, Sonntag). Sunday was the first day of the week according to the Jewish method of reckoning, but for Christians it began to take the place of the Jewish Sabbath in Apostolic times as the day set apart for the public and solemn worship of God. St. Ignatius (Ep. ad Magnes. ix) speaks of Christians as "no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lord's Day, on which also Our Life rose again". In the Epistle of Barnabas (xv) we read: "Wherefore, also, we keep the eight day (i. e. the first of the week) with joyfulness, the day also on which Jesus rose again from the dead".

St. Justin is the first Christian writer to call the day Sunday (I Apol., lxvii) in the celebrated passage in which he describes the worship offered by the early Christians on that day to God. The fact that they met together and offered public worship on Sunday necessitated a certain rest from work on that day. However, Tertullian (202) is the first writer who expressly mentions the Sunday rest: "We, however (just as tradition has taught us), on the day of the Lord's Resurrection ought to guard not only against kneeling, but every posture and office of solicitude, deferring even our businesses lest we give any place to the devil" ("De orat.", xxiii; cf. "Ad nation.", I, xiii; "Apolog.", xvi).

The express teaching of Christ and St. Paul prevented the early Christians from falling into the excesses of Jewish Sabbatarianism in the observance of the Sunday, and yet we find St. Cæsarius of Arles in the sixth century teaching that the holy Doctors of the Church had decreed that the whole glory of the Jewish Sabbath had been transferred to the Sunday, and that Christians must keep the Sunday holy in the same way as the Jews had been commanded to keep holy the Sabbath Day.

At the beginning of the sixth century St. Caesarius, as we have seen, and others showed an inclination to apply the law of the Jewish Sabbath to the observance of the Christian Sunday. TRADITIONS OF THE ELDERS

Conclusion:

Clearly the Seventh Day Sabbath must be guarded and kept by anyone who desires to have a relationship with the Almighty. The observance of Sunday worship, which is dedicated to the Sun-Deity, is a man made tradition originating from pagan men who formed the Church and not from Scripture! Therefore, Sunday worship is an abomination to the Almighty! YHWH clearly says that we are to observe the Seventh Day Sabbath forever!

For more information on the importance of the Sabbath, see also: http://scripturaltruth101.blogspot.com/2011/03/shabbat.html and

http://scripturaltruth101.blogspot.com/2011/01/importance-of-sabbath.html

The Cross

What Scripture says:

“You do not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of that which is in the heavens above, or which is in the earth beneath, or which is in the waters under the earth, you do not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, יהוה  your Elohim am a jealous Ěl, visiting the crookedness of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and guard My commands” (Exodus 20:4-6)

“But this is what you do to them: Break down their altars, and smash their pillars, and cut down their Ashĕrim, and burn their carved images with fire” (Deut 7:5)

“The carved images of their mighty ones you are to burn with fire. Do not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it, for it is an abomination to יהוה  your Elohim” (Deut 7:25)

“but you have done more evil than all who were before you, for you have gone and made for yourself other mighty ones and moulded images to provoke Me, and have cast Me behind your back” (1 Kings 14:9)

“For they enraged Him with their high places, And moved Him to jealousy with their carved images” (Psa 78:58)

“See, all of them are useless, their works are naught, their moulded images are wind and confusion” (Isa 41:29)

We are not to make any carved or moulded images as it is evil. The Messiah did not die on a cross! Even the early Greek manuscripts say “Stouros” which means pole or upright stake, not cross! So where did the cross come from? Well, let us see what the church says about this.

What the Church teaches:

A tradition of the Church which our fathers have inherited, was the adoption of the words "cross" and "crucify." These words are nowhere to be found in the Greek of the New Testament. These words are mistranslations, a "later rendering," of the Greek words stauros and stauroo. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says, "STAUROS denotes, primarily, an upright pole or stake...Both the noun and the verb stauroo, to fasten to a stake or pole, are originally to be distinguished from the ecclesiastical form of a two-beamed cross. The shape of the latter had its origin in ancient Chaldea (Babylon), and was used as the symbol of the god Tammuz (being in the shape of the mystic Tau, the initial of his name)...By the middle of the 3rd century A.D. the churches had either departed from, certain doctrines of the Christian faith. In order to increase the pretige of the apostate ecclesiastical system pagans were received into the churches apart from regeneration by faith, and were permitted largely to retain their pagan signs and symbols. Hence the Tau or T, in its most frequent form, with the cross piece lowered, was adopted..." [1]

Dr. Bullinger, The Companion Bible, appx. 162 states, "crosses were used as symbols of the Babylonian Sun-god...It should be stated that Constantine was a Sun-god worshipper...The evidence is thus complete, that the Lord was put to death upon and upright stake, and not on two pieces of timber placed at any angle." [2]

Rev. Alexander Hislop, The Two Babylons, pp. 197-205, frankly calls the cross "this Pagan symbol...the Tau, the sign of the cross, the indisputable sign of Tammuz, the false Messiah...the mystic Tau of the Chaldeans (Babylonians) and Egyptians--the true original form of the letter T--the initial of the name of Tammus...the Babylonian cross was the recognized emblem of Tammuz." [3]

In the Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th edition, vol. 14, p. 273, we read, "In the Egyptian churches the cross was a pagan symbol of life borrowed by the Christians and interpreted in the pagan manner." Jacob Grimm, in his Deutsche Mythologie, says that the Teutonic (Germanic) tribes had their idol Thor, symbolised by a hammer, while the Roman Christians had their crux (cross). It was thus somewhat easier for the Teutons to accept the Roman cross. [4]

Greek dictionaries, lexicons and other study books also declare the primary meaning of stauros to be an upright pale, pole or stake. The secondary meaning of "cross" is admitted by them to be a "later" rendering. At least two of them do not even mention "cross," and only render the meaning as "pole or stake." In spite of this strong evidence and proof that the word stauos should have been translated "stake," and the verb stauroo to have been translated "impale," almost all the common versions of the Scriptures persist with the Latin Vulgate's crux (cross), a "later" rendering of the Greek stauros. [5]

The cross also indicated the Equinox, when the Earth’s orbit “crossed” the celestial equator.

This mid-week evening was highly regarded as a night of majik ~ the Druids met to hold hands in a circle, chant, enchant, cast spells, and do it while surrounding a burning cross, the symbol of Woden (Odin).

Woden’s emblem was the Celtic Crux, a cross with the circle (the sun). No wonder we see so many pictures of crosses with the sun nimbus behind it, and sunsets in Christian

Art. TRADITIONS OF THE ELDERS

Conclusion:

See even the church admits to the cross being of pagan origin. Why then is it so used in the Christian faith? This is because the church is based on Sun-Worship and not on Scripture as you have seen in the above topic and as you will see in the topics to follow.

For more info one the cross, see also:

http://scripturaltruth101.blogspot.com/2011/02/cross-or-pole.html

Priests and Pastors (Teacher or Father)

What Scripture says:

“But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi,’ for One is your Teacher, the Messiah, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your father, for One is your Father, He who is in the heavens. Neither be called leaders, for One is your Leader, the Messiah” (Mat 23:8-10)

What the Church teaches:

This is an obvious one, if you have ever been to church, you will notice that there are Fathers, Priests, Teachers, Reverends, Pastors, Teachers, Deacons etc. Did the Messiah not teach against this?

The church is based on the writings of the post-apostolic church fathers rather than on Scripture. You can read more about it here: http://scripturaltruth101.blogspot.com/2011/03/founders-of-all-gentile-church.html

This should be one of the most obvious signs that the church is not correct according to Scripture. If you read what is written in Scripture and see that the church does what is forbidden by the Almighty, and a flag does not go up, then you must seriously start questioning yourself to see if you are seeking the Truth or if you just go to church as a flavor of the day or to fit in with the crowd. TRADITIONS OF THE ELDER

So as you can see, the church is basing their doctrines on the teachings of men (traditions of the Elders). We should all live according to what the Scriptures teach us and not what men teach us! You can no see that the church has no regard for the Scriptures, and the believers in the Messiah should not in any way follow the teachings of any church!

(to be continued…)

The Love of “Jesus”

The reason that I am writing this article is to correct a very big misconception used by so many Christians to justify their own sin. It all started when I posted an article on this blog about John 8:1-11. It all goes about the woman caught in adultery that was brought to Y’shua who said “that he who is without sin, cast the first stone.” After he said this every departed and left her alone, then Y’shua forgave her and sent her on her way. The problem with this story is that John never wrote this and it was later added into the Bible by some Greek scribe to give the church evidence to teach a doctrine that is anti-Torah to condone adultery and other sins, teaching that we can do what we want and are all forgiven. (For a more detailed description, read the article here http://scripturaltruth101.blogspot.com/2011/03/woman-of-john-8.html.)

The response I got from people was that it doesn’t matter if John wrote it or if it was added into the Bible later by someone else as it still describes the character of Y’shua. They claim that “By the love of ‘Jesus’” was she saved and that we should stop judging one another and rather love one another with the “love of Jesus.”

So let us see what the Bible really says what the “love of Jesus” really is and if we should help (judge) one another.

“And the Passover of the Yehuḏim was near, and  יהושע  went up to Yerushalayim.

And He found in the Set-apart Place those selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers sitting.

And having made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the Set-apart Place, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the moneychangers’ coins and overturned the tables.

And He said to those selling doves, “Take these away! Do not make the house of My Father a house of merchandise!” (John 2:13-16)

Is the love of “Jesus” to just forgive the wrongs of others? Y’shua actually made a whip and drove the people out of the temple grounds and overthrew their tables and stalls. When one of us believers would do something like that, we would be accused of not having the “love of Jesus” in us.

“And one of them, one learned in the Torah, did question, trying Him, and saying,

Teacher, which is the great command in the Torah?

And יהושע (Y’shua) said to him, “‘You shall love יהוה (YHWH) your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your mind.’

This is the first and great command.

And the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’

On these two commands hang all the Torah and the Prophets.” (Mat 22:35-40)

To love YHWH with everything you have is to guard and keep His Instruction (Torah)

“But a certain man named Ḥananyah, with Shappirah his wife, sold a possession.

And he kept back from the price, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the feet of the emissaries.

But Kĕpha said, “Ḥananyah, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Set-apart Spirit and keep back from the price of the land for yourself?

While it remained, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your authority? Why have you conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to Elohim.”

Then Ḥananyah, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all those who heard of this.

But the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out and buried him.

And it came to be, about three hours later, that his wife came in, not knowing what had taken place.

And Kĕpha responded to her, “Say to me whether you sold the land for so much?” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”

So Kĕpha said to her, “Why have you agreed to try the Spirit of יהוה (YHWH)? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they shall carry you out.”

And immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, they buried her beside her husband.

And great fear came upon all the assembly and upon all who heard of this” (Act 5:1-11)

As you can see with the above verses, that the two people who told a small lie in the presence of the Ruach haKodesh (Set Apart Spirit) fell down dead. Would you say this is the “love of Jesus”? There cannot be lawlessness in the presence of the Almighty!

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall enter into the reign of the heavens, but he who is doing the desire of My Father in the heavens.

Many shall say to Me in that day, ‘Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and done many mighty works in Your Name?’

And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work lawlessness!” (Mat 7:21-23)

This “lovey dovey” love that the church teaches is nothing but man made infatuation. The true love of Y’shua is for those who do the will of His Father in heaven. When all of us stand in front of Him on judgment day, he is going to separate those unrighteous people who did not guard and keep the Torah of YHWH from those righteous ones who did all the Commands of YHWH

“For You are not an Ěl taking delight in wrong, Nor does evil dwell with You.

The boasters do not stand before Your eyes; You hate all workers of iniquity” (Psalm 5:4-5)

This clearly says that all those who sin are hated by YHWH and His Mashiyach. The church teaches that the sin is hated but not the sinner, clearly they do not read Scripture. The difference between those the sinners and the righteous are that the righteous repent of their sins and turn back to YHWH and His Torah. The workers of iniquity are those who continually sin as a habitual practice and do not repent of their sins.

“By this we know that we love the children of Elohim, when we love Elohim and guard His commands.

For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands, and His commands are not heavy” (1 John 5:2-3)

If we love Y’shua, then we are to keep all the Commands of YHWH, otherwise the love of Y’shua is not in us.

“And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his immersion, he said to them, “Brood of adders! Who has warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” (Mat 3:7)

“Brood of adders! How are you able to speak what is good – being wicked? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.

The good man brings forth what is good from the good treasures of his heart, and the wicked man brings forth what is wicked from the wicked treasure” (Mat 12:34-35)

 “Serpents, brood of adders! How would you escape the judgment of Gehenna?” (Mat 23:33)

Is this the way someone with the “love of Jesus” talks to someone else? Clearly YES as these words were spoken by Y’shua himself! He hated the people who deceive the rest of the people with the doctrines of demons, just as the church is doing as we can see in this next piece of Scripture:

“For there are many unruly men, senseless talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths have to be stopped, who upset entire households, teaching what they should not teach, for the sake of filthy gain.

One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This witness is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, in order for them to be sound in the belief, not paying attention to Yehuḏite fables, and commands of men who turn from the truth” (Tit 1:10-14)

Clearly we are to rebuke those who are teaching lies. These unrighteous people are to be shut up as they are leading the people who listen to them to the darkest pits of hell. Everyone is responsible for their own salvation. Don’t you think that you should then find out for yourself what salvation is, instead of listening to someone else tell you a lie and take your money! The church has mastered fooling people out of their hard earned money by preaching what is pleasant to hear by the congregation.

To see more about what the true meaning of love is, go read the following post:

http://scripturaltruth101.blogspot.com/2011/02/definition-of-love.html

Unity verses Hierarchy

Mashiyach teaches us how to nurture our relationship with YHWH; he came to bring a relationship. Nevertheless, it’s been said that when the “Gospel” went to Rome it became an institution, and when it went west it became a business enterprise. Religion is the biggest business on Earth and practically all modern “priesthoods” have fashioned their enterprises after the model of hierarchical Babylon.

YHWH says, “I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarim with the priests; And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by YHWH, and that swear by Malcham; And them that are turned back from YHWH; and those that have not sought YHWH, nor enquired from him” (Zephaniah 1:4-6). Most religions teach some of the truth but the vast majority also swears by Malcham which is represented by any leadership hierarchy that establishes traditions in opposition to the Word of YHWH. Certainly Christianity and Judaism contain many elements of Truth, but their hierarchies (or denominations) routinely issue credentials and authority to leaders whose qualifications are not valid by Torah and Renewed Covenant standards.

Chemarim, as mentioned before, means “black robe priests” which are priests of Baal (Lord) who function under the authority of man whose underlying humanism is haSatan (the Adversary) who opposes the Government of Mashiyach. Both Christianity and Jewish leaders have adopted black robes (darkness) to reflect their religious authority. Many orthodox Jews and Christians even wear traditional black (or dark) costumes to distinguish their religious sects. Both the autocratic spirit of Roman “superpower” civilization and the hierarchy of Baal play important roles within the modern Greco-Roman church and Judaism.

Y’shua instructs that “where two or three are assembled in my name, there I am also among them” – which is precisely the function of a Beit Din. A Beit Din is a group of men who are qualified according to Scripture, who individually and collectively seek YHWH’s counsel. This principle is derived from B’midbar/Numbers 35:30 and D’varim/Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15 which requires two or more witnesses petition YHWH to obtain His Judgment. This is a legal requirement that ensures YHWH’s authority, rather than man’s, is established. (See also 1 Cor. 14:27-29; 2 Cor 13:1; 1 Tim 5:19; Hebrews 10:28.) the individuals YHWH raises up are well qualified to do His bidding; but there is a vast difference between religious hierarchy and the Government of Mashiyach. (See chart that follows for some examples).

Religion is big business. Religious hierarchies posture that truth is very difficult and complex to understand, but they have credentials and preaching that proves they have entered into “deep spiritual intelligence.” In reality, what religious leaders do is “market” themselves; they run internal “polls” to know what people want to talk about; they are masters of “current events” and ride on macro gossip trends which keep them on top of their game. Some of these hierarchical leaders have even written books about how to posture and market and become “successful” and popular. Others are simply enemy-centered using other religions to spar with, while being utterly unable to come up with anything original on their own.

The majority establishes the authority of hierarchy, which is why there are some 33,800 Christian denominations on Earth. Each organization has leaders who seek the majority vote of their followers. When the doors of the church or synagogues close and everyone is inside, the hierarchical leader simply needs to maintain the majority vote of his followers to stay “in power.” This seems right in the eyes of man, but this is how Babylon operates and how Baal and haSatan began their ministries. The example that Y’shua set is exactly the opposite; he served and wasn’t “lording” authority over people or seeking a majority vote.

YHWH's Leadership	Man's Hierarchies
Qualified by Torah Valient – Fears YHWH - Truthful - Hates Covetousness Wise – Understanding – Knowledgable (Sh'mot/Exodus 18:21; D'varim/Deut 1:13	Qualified by man's Credentials University or Seminary Approved (gains the respect of men by being qualified and approved by man's traditions)
Qualified by Serving	Qualified by "good" Preaching
Teaches Torah	Teaches denominational or religious traditions
Agreement in the Ruach haKodesh	Exercises veto authority over others
All men participate in leadership responsibilities	Leaders hold meetings for other men to attend
Transparent to all	Private life and "public life"
Accessible to all	"Secretary" screens people
Responsible to YHWH and His people	Responsible to "up-line" hierarchy or no one
Disciples and motivates souls in Mashiyach and Torah	Wields power over the souls of others
Humility and meekness	Great in the eyes of man, "Rab" (Great one)
Seeks the Kingdom of YHWH	Seeks support (finances) for big vision
Makes Disciples	Increases size of membership
Makes Disciples	Makes "friends" of the ministry
Elevates Truth	Elevates tradition
Offers freedom from sin	Offers religious solution to cope with sin
Identity is in Y'shua	Identity in the institution or denomination (brand)
Everyone Created for YHWH's purpose	Us good and them bad (or not as good as us)
Esteems in the Kingdom of Elohim	Esteems in large buildings and congregations
Leads by YHWH's Spirit	Follows majority (the democratic or popular vote)

YHWH’s leadership is comprised of His servants who are qualified by His Word. His servants serve Him through each component of life, according to sustain righteous lifestyle. Every human being is fallible; everyone is liable to err and can be deceived at times, but false religious leaders have no shame. Oftentimes, to save face and maintain their pride, they willfully uphold popular false doctrines and the evils of their institutions that are contrary to YHWH and His Mashiyach. These hierarchical leaders are called “fierce wolves” (Acts 20:29).

Hierarchical leaders put authority over men’s souls by making them subject to their churches and institutions. Those who elevate men (or women) with flattering titles are also contributing to the loss of their own sovereignty in Mashiyach. Men who ask to be referred to as “father”, “holy father” or “reverend” are demanding fear or respect unto themselves that belongs to YHWH and His Mashiyach. By lessening the sovereignty of the “sheep” the hierarchies wield greater control over their congregants who are often unable to distinguish between the authority of “the church” and responsibilities that are due unto YHWH. This is one reason why the Harlot Church became so contemptuous against Torah, because Torah upholds the sovereignty of each individual in the “fear of Elohim.” Torah also promotes a spiritual relationship between each individual and YHWH, which empowers each person to refrain from disobedience towards YHWH and His Mashiyach.

Week after week billions sit under some man’s teachings, going to churches, synagogues and mosques. Like children in a school room they learn about life through the opinions of men according to their hierarchy of choice where they feel most comfortable. Precious few people stop to consider why. What makes people think that their hierarchy has all the answers? What makes people think that the hierarchy is going to protect and provide for them? The hierarchies of men are plundering the people they are supposed to love. In reality, the hierarchies and the people go to destruction together hand-in-hand and even now, when haSatan is bringing all his religious hierarchies together under one big umbrella of “one world” perversity, it seems right in the eyes of man; but it is an abomination unto YHWH. The image of Babylon id hierarchy; the really big business of Babylon is government and religion.

Unity is not hierarchy. Unity is equality and servanthood towards each other and each soul in the Community of YHWH is equal. Unity is a product of Righteousness and the thirst for Righteousness is what unites YHWH’s people. Y’shua taught: “Let it not be thus among you, but whoever among you desires to be great, let him be a servant to you.” (Matt 21:26) and; “And you should not be called leaders, because one is your leader, the Mashiyach. But he who is greatest among you, let him be a servant to you” (Matt 23:10-11).

Joel Osteen is a False Teacher.

I was in my dad’s house for a quick visit and his TV was on TBN (Trinity Broadcast Network) where Joel Osteen was preaching in a church filled with thousands of people. Joel was teaching from Acts 10 where Keefa (Peter) had a vision of a sheet filled with unclean creatures (food) “And on the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Kĕpha went up on the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour. And he became hungry and wished to eat. But while they were preparing, he fell into a trance, and he saw the heaven opened and a certain vessel like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth, in which were all kinds of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping creatures, and the birds of the heaven. And a voice came to him, “Rise up, Kĕpha, slay and eat.” But Kĕpha said, “Not at all, Master! Because I have never eaten whatever is common or unclean.” And a voice came to him again the second time, “What Elohim has cleansed you do not consider common.” And this took place three times, and the vessel was taken back to the heaven.”  (Act 10:9-16)

Joel Goes on to say that Peter was confused and did not believe “God.” Joel said that only “God” can change His laws and that “God” did away with the “dietary law.” Joel was teaching this to millions of people who just believe him without testing what he said. Joel is a very likable guy and has that innocent look that makes it easy to deceive so many people.

There are a couple of problems with Joel’s doctrine. The first and biggest crime that Joel committed was that he says that YHWH changed His Law. Did Y’hoshua haMashiyach, The Son of YHWH who came in the Name of YHWH say, “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 5:18). “The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but My words shall by no means pass away.” (Mat 24:35) (See also Mark 13:31 and Luke 21:33). So can YHWH go back on His Word or change it? Did Y'hoshua haMashiyach lie to us? That would be the most heinous thing to say.

The second problem with what Joel teaches is that he takes Scripture out of context and teaches a doctrine that is not Scriptural. One should read the whole passage and often the whole book before you take just one piece and build a false doctrine around it like Joel does. Let us then read further into what is really being said in Scripture.

“And while Kĕpha was doubting within himself about what the vision might mean, look, the men who had been sent from Cornelius, having asked for the house of Shimʽon, stood at the gate, and calling out, they enquired whether Shimʽon, also known as Kĕpha, was staying there. And as Kĕpha was thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “See, three men seek you. “But rise up, go down and go with them, not doubting at all, for I have sent them.” So Kĕpha went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Look, I am the one you seek. Why have you come?”

And they said, “Cornelius the captain, a righteous man and one who fears Elohim and well spoken of by the entire nation of the Yehuḏim, was instructed by a set-apart messenger to send for you to his house, and to hear words from you.”

So inviting them in, he housed them. And on the next day Kĕpha went away with them, and some brothers from Yapho went with him.” (Act 10:17-23)

Just as Peter had the vision, there was a Gentile believer’s that came and sought him. Peter accepted them in and went back to Cornelius to teach them. Now why was it so important for Peter to have seen the vision? Let us read on:

“And he said to them, “You know that a Yehuḏite man is not allowed to associate with, or go to one of another race. But Elohim has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.  “That is why I came without hesitation when I was sent for. So I ask, why have you sent for me?”” (Act 10:28-29)

As we can clearly see, the vision of the unclean foods was not about food at all, it was for Peter to accept the Gentile people (Goy) (unclean) into his dwelling. Without the vision, Peter would not have been prepared to do so.

So did YHWH change His Torah concerning the unclean foods? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Neither Peter, Paul, John or any other disciple or apostle ate anything unclean before or after that vision Peter had.

So why then would Joel Osteen teach such nonsense? There can only be one answer to that. Joel makes millions of dollars by teaching what his audience wants to hear. You see, The Gentile Christians of today have been taught their whole lives that the Law of YHWH does not apply to them anymore. They have been taught that “Jesus nailed the Law to the cross” and that “Jesus died for our sins” The problem is that they are taught that all our sins are covered. What they are not taught is that only the past sins have been forgiven, not our future sins. We are taught to “go and sin no more.” Romans 3:20 teaches us that the Torah is the knowledge of sin. So if we are not to sin anymore, we are to guard and keep the Torah just as Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, James, Jude and even Y’hoshua the Mashiyach did.

If the people learn that what they have been taught their whole lives is a lie and are taught what the Scriptures really teach, the great majority of the people would reject it as the change in their own lives would be too great for them. Christianity is a humanistic religion based around “how I feel.” Only the people who are willing to deny themselves and truly seek the Will of YHWH will accept the truth.

Joel Osteen teaches the justification of sin so that He can keep the people happy and coming back for more, and He will be making many more Millions of dollars off these poor people while leading them straight to darkness.

Update:

I have seen many video clips where Joel Osteen believes in universalism, which is that there are many ways to heaven and that each religion has their own way to gain access to heaven.

He also promotes the idea that homosexuality is fine and that homosexuals can also go to heaven. This is purely an evil humanistic teaching and is 100% opposite to what the Scriptures teach.

Watch this video to see for yourself.

(Please note that this video was created by Christians and portray Christian ideology... I posted this video simply to expose the false doctrines that Joel Osteen teaches that not even the Christians accept... Please note that I do not accept the Christian teachings either, but only Scriptural evidence)

Do you really want to follow anyone who promotes these ideologies?