The Way, the Truth and the Life

Here is a great example that if you do not study and know the Torah, then you are not going to understand what the Mashiyach Y’hoshua is saying when he said: “יהושע (Y’hoshua) said to him, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). How many times have you read over this verse or even quoted it? Did you really know what the Mashiyach was saying? The fact of the matter is that the majority of the time that this verse is quoted, it is way out of context and is being quoted to say something that is not true to this statement. To truly understand this statement, one has to go to the Torah and understand what is written there first.

Let us break the sentence up and have a look at some of these statements individually to get the full understanding of what our Savior was saying.

The Life

What was the Mashiyach saying when he said that he is the life? Let us look at a few Scriptures that reveal to us what the life is. “But do not eat flesh with its life, its blood” (Gen 9:4). “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make a covering for your lives, for it is the blood that makes a covering for the life” (Lev 17:11). “for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood is for its life. And I said to the children of Yisra’ĕl, ‘Do not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Anyone eating it is cut off” (Lev 17:14). “Only, be firm not to eat the blood, for the blood is the life, do not eat the life with the meat” (Deut 12:23). So as you can clearly see, the life that Y’shua was talking about is his blood. “He redeems their life from oppression and from violence; And their blood is precious in His eyes” (Psalm 72:14). Is it the blood that is precious in the eyes of the Almighty, or is it their life? The life of a person is in his blood. “יהושע (Y’hoshua) therefore said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Aḏam and drink His blood, you possess no life in yourselves.

“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood possesses everlasting life, and I shall raise him up in the last day” (John 6:53-54). What Y’hoshua was saying to his disciples was not to physically eat his flesh and drink his blood as that is against what the Torah teaches. What he was saying was that they should “eat his flesh” do as he did, and “drink his blood” that his blood was for the covering of their sins.

Clearly you should now see that the blood of Y’hoshua that was spilled on the torture stake was for the covering of our sins.

This is what Y’hoshua meant by “I am the life”

The Truth

When the Scriptures speak of truth, it is referring to the Torah of YHWH. Here are some Scriptures again that show you this to be true. “He who walks blamelessly, And does righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart” (Psalm 15:2). “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the Elohim of my deliverance; On You I wait all the day” (Psalm 25:5). Is Dawid wanting to be taught in Truth or in the Instruction of YHWH (Torah)? Or is it not maybe the same thing? Let us see what he has to say about this. “You are near, O יהוה (YHWH), And all Your commands are truth” (Psalmlm 119:151). “The sum of Your word is truth, And all Your righteous right-rulings are forever” (Psalm 119:160). Here you can see that Dawid is referring directly to the Torah as the Truth. So if someone speaks truth, they are speaking the Torah of YHWH, on the other side of the coin, if they do not have or speak the Torah of YHWH, then there is no truth in them. This is what John was saying when he wrote: “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” (1 John 2:3). John had a very good understanding of the Torah and of Y’hoshua. With this knowledge, he showed us that we are still to obey the Instruction of YHWH.

“But you shall say to them, ‘This is a nation that did not obey the voice of יהוה (YHWH) their Elohim, nor did they accept instruction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth” (Jeremiah 7:28). Here Jeremiah was prophesying and revealing that Israel did not accepted the Torah (Truth) of YHWH. That is why Israel looks like it does today.

Daniel was also a great prophet and was righteous as he lived in truth. He understood that the Torah of YHWH was truth. “Now I, Neḇuḵaḏnetstsar, am praising and exalting and esteeming the Sovereign of the heavens, for all His works are truth, and His ways right. And those who walk in pride He is able to humble” (Dan 4:37), “As it is written in the Torah of Mosheh, all this evil has come upon us, and we have not entreated the face of יהוה (YHWH) our Elohim, to turn back from our crookednesses, and to study Your truth” (Dan 9:13), “But let me declare to you what is written in the Scripture of Truth, and there is no one supporting me against these, except Miḵa’ĕl your head” (Dan 10:21). Is Daniel saying that we must turn from crookedness and study the Almighty’s truth? What is his truth? The truth is the Words of YHWH which is His Torah!

Here is another example: “These are the words you should do: speak the truth (Torah) to one another, judge with truth (Torah) and right-ruling for peace in your gates” (Zech 8:16)

“I rejoiced greatly because I found some of your children walking in truth (Torah), as we received a command from the Father” (2 John 1:4). Here John is telling us that the Almighty rejoiced greatly when he found some of the children walking in Torah as was commanded by Him. Is this not after the death and resurrection of the Mashiyach? “I have no greater joy than to hear of my children walking in truth (Torah)” (3 John 1:4). YHWH is clearly happy when we turn to His Truth and follow His Torah, He rejoices when we do. He becomes sad when we turn from doing the Torah and even becomes angry too.

So when Y’hoshua said “I am the truth” he was saying that he was the Torah of YHWH and we are to follow in his footsteps.

The Way

Now if you go read the Torah, especially Leviticus, you will notice very quickly that the people of Israel did not go directly to the Almighty for the forgiveness of their sins. They went to the priests with their offerings and the priests performed the sacrifices and presented it to YHWH. The High Priest also made a covering of the sins of the nation once a year on Yom Kippur. The High Priest had to set himself apart from the nation and from sin in order that he does not die when he enters into the Most Set Apart of the Set Apart place. This is because the presence of YHWH was there and if the High Priest did not cleans himself from ALL sin, he would have fallen dead immediately. Aharon the High Priest was also referred to as Mashiyach (Anointed One). So basically, the priests where the way to the father for the forgiveness of sins.

Let us look at a few Scriptures: “And you, speak to all the wise of heart, whom I have filled with a spirit of wisdom, and they shall make the garments of Aharon, to set him apart, for him to serve as priest to Me” (Exodus 28:3), “And you shall put them on Aharon your brother and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them, and shall ordain them, and shall set them apart, and they shall serve as priests to Me” (Exodus 28:41)

“and shall gird them with girdles – Aharon and his sons – and put the turbans on them. And the priesthood shall be theirs for an everlasting law. So you shall ordain Aharon and his sons” (Exodus 29:9). Here you can see that the priesthood is an everlasting law. If it is everlasting, does that mean that it is still a law today? Is today part of everlasting?

“And Aharon shall make a covering upon its horns once a year with the blood of the sin offering of a covering – once a year he makes a covering upon it throughout your generations. It is most set-apart to יהוה (YHWH)” (Exodus 30:10). Here is where it describes some of the duties of the High Priest (Aharon at that time) that was done on Yom Kippur every year.

“And he shall do with the bull as he did with the bull as a sin offering – so shall he do it. And the priest shall make a covering for them, and it shall be forgiven them” (Lev 4:20), “and shall bring his guilt offering to יהוה (YHWH) for his sin which he has sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a female goat as a sin offering. And the priest shall make a covering for him, for his sin” (Lev 5:6), “And he shall prepare the second as a burnt offering according to the right-ruling, and the priest shall make a covering for him, for his sin which he has sinned, and it shall be forgiven him” (Lev 5:10), “The guilt offering is like the sin offering, there is one Torah for them both: the priest who makes a covering with it, it is his” (Lev 7:7). In these verses, who is it that actually forgives sin? It is not the priests that forgive the sins of the people; it is YHWH who forgives the sin. It is however the duty of the priests to present the sin of the people with the covering of blood to YHWH so that their sins may be forgiven. Without the priests, no sin could be forgiven as there is no one to present the sin and it’s covering to YHWH in order to be forgiven.

With the death and resurrection of the Mashiyach changed this law? Certainly not, it is an everlasting law. Does Y’hoshua haMashiyach have the ability to change any of the Commands and Laws of his Father? DEFINITELY NOT! So what happened after the death on the torture stake and the resurrection of our Mashiyach? Y’hoshua became the High Priest who presents our sins with the covering to his Father so that our sins may be forgiven. So as you can see, nothing has changed.

So when Y’hoshua haMashiyach said: “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”, he was saying that he was:

• The Way – the High Priest who presents our sin with his own blood as the covering to YHWH his Father so that our sins may be forgiven.
• The Truth – He is the Torah of his Father and requires us to walk in the Torah just as he did.
• The Life – It is his blood that is the covering for our sins that took the place of the blood of the slaughtering of lambs.

Without these three, no one can come unto the Father. Y’hoshua has become all three so that we can come unto the Father through him.

Nothing has changed from the Instruction of YHWH given to us through Mosheh. We just have a perfect lamb that laid down his own life so that we do not have to bring our own livestock to the priests to be slaughtered. We are to walk as he walked by guarding to DO the Torah of YHWH. However, if we fall short of doing any of the instruction of YHWH, we can go to our High Priest and have him present the sin with the covering of his blood to the Almighty so that our sin may be forgiven so that we too may have eternal life.

The Voice of YHWH

This past weekend that just past was a double rest day, the weekly Sabbath and then Shavuot (Feast of Weeks) the next day. It was so lovely to gather with fellow believers and to learn out of the Torah of what YHWH has given us. I would like to share with you something that really shook me. Let us read some of the Scripture to see what I am talking about (I have highlighted the parts that are relevant to this article):

“And now, if you diligently obey My voice, and shall guard My covenant, then you shall be My treasured possession above all the peoples – for all the earth is Mine

and you shall be to Me a reign of priests and a set-apart nation.’ Those are the words which you are to speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl.”

And Mosheh came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which יהוה (YHWH) commanded him.

And all the people answered together and said, “All that יהוה (YHWH) has spoken we shall do.” So Mosheh brought back the words of the people to יהוה (YHWH).

And יהוה (YHWH) said to Mosheh, “See, I am coming to you in the thick cloud, so that the people hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.” And Mosheh reported the words of the people to יהוה (YHWH).

And יהוה  said to Mosheh, “Go to the people and set them apart today and tomorrow. And they shall wash their garments,

and shall be prepared by the third day. For on the third day יהוה  shall come down upon Mount Sinai before the eyes of all the people.

 “And you shall make a border for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch the border of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall certainly be put to death.

 ‘Not a hand is to touch it, but he shall certainly be stoned or shot with an arrow, whether man or beast, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, let them come near the mountain.”

And Mosheh came down from the mountain to the people and set the people apart, and they washed their garments.

And he said to the people, “Be prepared by the third day. Do not come near a wife.”

And it came to be, on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain. And the sound of the ram’s horn was very loud, and all the people who were in the camp trembled.

And Mosheh brought the people out of the camp to meet with Elohim, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

And Mount Sinai was in smoke, all of it, because יהוה (YHWH) descended upon it in fire. And its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and all the mountain trembled exceedingly.

And when the blast of the ram’s horn sounded long and became louder and louder, Mosheh spoke, and Elohim answered him by voice.

And יהוה  came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And יהוה  called Mosheh to the top of the mountain, and Mosheh went up.

And יהוה  said to Mosheh, “Go down, and warn the people, lest they break through unto יהוה  to see, and many of them fall.

And let the priests who come near יהוה (YHWH) set themselves apart too, lest יהוה  break out against them.”

And Mosheh said to יהוה (YHWH), “The people are not able to come up to Mount Sinai, for You warned us, saying, ‘Make a border around the mountain and set it apart.’ ”

And יהוה  said to him, “Come, go down and then come up, you and Aharon with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to יהוה, lest He break out against them.”

And Mosheh went down to the people and spoke to them.

And Elohim spoke all these Words, saying,

 “I am יהוה (YHWH) your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Mitsrayim, out of the house of slavery.

 “You have no other mighty ones against My face.

 “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 (YHWH) 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.

 “You do not bring the Name of יהוה (YHWH) your Elohim to naught, for יהוה (YHWH) does not leave the one unpunished who brings His Name to naught.

 “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.

 “Respect your father and your mother, so that your days are prolonged upon the soil which יהוה (YHWH) your Elohim is giving you.

 “You do not murder.

 “You do not commit adultery.

 “You do not steal.

 “You do not bear false witness against your neighbour.

 “You do not covet your neighbour’s house, you do not covet your neighbour’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, or whatever belongs to your neighbour.”

And all the people saw the thunders, the lightning flashes, the sound of the ram’s horn, and the mountain smoking. And the people saw it, and they trembled and stood at a distance,

and said to Mosheh, “You speak with us and we hear, but let not Elohim speak with us, lest we die.”

And Mosheh said to the people, “Do not fear, for Elohim has come to prove you, and in order that His fear be before you, so that you do not sin.”

So the people stood at a distance, but Mosheh drew near the thick darkness where Elohim was.

And יהוה  said to Mosheh, “Say this to the children of Yisra’ĕl: ‘You yourselves have seen that I have spoken to you from the heavens.

You do not make besides Me mighty ones of silver, and you do not make mighty ones of gold for yourselves.

Make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall slaughter on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your cattle. In every place where I cause My Name to be remembered I shall come to you and bless you.

And if you make Me an altar of stone, do not build it of cut stone, for if you use your chisel on it, you have profaned it.

Nor do you go up by steps to My altar, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.” (Exo 19:5-20:26)

This is a very powerful piece of Scripture. The things that really got my attention is that the Almighty Creator YHWH descended from Heaven and came to earth and spoke in an audible voice to the people. These things that YHWH spoke to the people must have been important that He would verbally speak to the entire male population of Israel. These words just happen to be the Ten Commandments.

Another important thing to point out is that the men who were to come within a certain proximity to YHWH had to cleans themselves and set themselves apart, they were not even to be with their wives for these few days. This is because no uncleanness can EVER come near to where YHWH is. That in this time and day we have to do a daily evaluation of ourselves and repentance for any transgression of the Commands of YHWH so that we too can be clean.

Also notice that the men of Israel agreed to do all that YHWH told them before YHWH told them what it is that He Commands. This is because they understood that it was not about them, but rather all for the esteem of YHWH. What ever YHWH said, they would do.

Now this was an awesome sight. The mountain was rumbling, there was a thick cloud over the mountain with thunder and lightning coming from it. YHWH descended onto the mountain like fire and there were rams horns sounding from the heavens. And then YHWH spoke. Now try and picture this and think for yourself if you too would tremble in your boots just like the Israelites did on that day. Now YHWH did this in order to install fear into the peoples so that they do not sin. Do we have this same fear of YHWH as we should so that we do not sin either? Or has this been driven out of us by religious bullying?

Now the Ten Commandments are very important and still just as relevant today as it was when YHWH spoke these words and wrote them down on stone tablets. What then about the rest of Torah? Well, the rest of Torah teaches us how we can keep to the Ten Commandments. Without the rest of the Torah, we would not understand or be able to keep the Ten Commandments. So we are to diligently guard to do all of the Torah which is the Instruction of YHWH.

Now if we are to be part of YHWH’s treasured possession above all other peoples. Then we are to diligently obey his voice and guard His covenant.

You have to decide for yourself if you are going to do what YHWH requires from you so that you may be saved, or to do what you want to do and not guard to do the Commandments of YHWH unto death.

Legalism

Legalism is a theological term that was coined circa 1830 – 1840. The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines legalism as: (a) preference of the Law to the Gospel, (b) doctrine of justification by works, (c) exaltation of law, (d) formula, or (e) red tape. “Legalism” is a Christian term that Christians apply to Christians, Jews, Muslims and others who promote the function of “Law” as it pertains to righteousness and salvation. The Oxford definition postures that some individuals prefer the Law over the Gospel, pitting the two concepts against each other, when in reality the Gospel was given in conjunction with “Law.” The Law specifies what is good and acceptable conduct according to YHWH, and provides guidelines for righteousness and repentance, which are integral components of “the Gospel.”

From the ancient Hebrew letters that spell Torah (mistranslated as “the Law”), a word picture emerges that means, the “Seal or Covenant-Head of Man-Revealed.” Torah is the Covenant and Seal that YHWH progressively revealed to mankind through Adam, Noach, Awraham and all His chosen prophets and people. The word Torah contains the Hebrew sound “owr” which means light. YHWH declared through Isaiah: “to the Torah (Law) and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20). The Psalmist teaches that the Word of YHWH (Torah) is a Light unto our paths.

Torah means instruction in righteousness and is likened to a person aiming and shooting at a target. Unfortunately, sometimes we miss the mark and “sin.” A child is not expected to hit the mark as well as an adult, but when YHWH gave Torah He did not make His instructions impossible to “hit” as many have been led to believe.

The instructions (Torah) of YHWH have been progressively revealed from Adam and Chawwah (Eve) right through to Mashiyach. However, many Christians muse that Torah is “legalism” and something that is supposedly impossible to keep and, consequently, they have replaced Torah principles with the more popular Christian traditions of the post-apostolic Gentile Church founders.

We are introduced to the consequences of breaking “the Law” (Torah) in the beginning of the Bible (Genesis 3) where the very first case of blatant disobedience occurred – an act that impacted the children of Adam and Chawwah and every single generation of man since then! Because of that one act of disobedience, man has been “born into a world full of death and evil” ever since; constantly forced to battle the wiles of the Evil One and facing possible eternal separation from YHWH. Before sin, Adam and Chawwah were clothed in righteousness (the Light of Mashiyach); but haSatan exposed their nakedness through guilt, shame and condemnation. Guilt (which results from wrong-doing is spiritual separation), is a function of the Ruach haKodesh; it is a spiritual force that motivates us to make it right with YHWH and one another. The guilty parties – not knowing whether they will be forgiven their transgression until they confess and present their case – feel sorrow, emptiness, depression and despair for breaking faith and violating the peace and harmony of Mashiyach. The shame that Adam and Chawwah experienced was compounded in the knowledge that their sin had been preventable, and that they had needlessly and willingly exposed themselves to a difficult situation that caused them to risk everything without considering the consequences.

The curses against Adam and Chawwah became part of universal natural law that applies to all inhabitants of the Earth. “Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever…” (Genesis 3:22). Man was formerly a sinless and immortal being who became as the "angelic" hosts to know good and evil; therefore, YHWH provided redemption through death and resurrection. The plan of redemption is the Good News that Mashiyach demonstrated through his resurrection as the “Firstfruits” of all Creation. Mankind has always been sustained according to the Word of YHWH, “For YHWH is our judge, YHWH is our lawgiver, YHWH is our king; he will save us” (Isaiah 33:22).

Long before Y’hoshua arrived on Earth, Torah Observant Jews were teaching that “her seed” points to Mashiyach who is the foundation of all “Good News”: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15). Hebrews 4:2 states that “the Gospel was preached unto them” – therefore, those who left Egypt were given the opportunity to respond to the Gospel; therefore, the Gospel originated long before the First Century.

A popular theological spin on “the Gospel” is that “Jesus kept the Law” (Torah) so that Christians wouldn’t have to. The anti-legalist Christian purports “freedom in Christ” which is simply religious justification to break Torah and put the full responsibility and penalty of past, present and future sins upon “Jesus”. However, those branded as legalists are trusting that Y’hoshua empowers them to be renewed in body, mind, and spirit so as to put away their own carnal flesh that desires to break Torah.

There have been many lawgivers but it is YHWH’s Torah and His Mashiyach that sustains the plan of Redemption. His Word is His LAW! Therefore, all theological posturing that pits Torah against the Gospel is deception. Having Torah “written upon the heart” is at the heart of the Renewed Covenant which completes the revelation of “the Good News.”

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, unto Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be” (Genesis 49:10). The Scepter is the imperial rod of divine lawmaking and justice. YHWH holds the Scepter who is Mashiyach. The “lawgiver from between his feet” refers to the lineage of Yehudah (Judah); therefore, successive generations of Yehudah “hold” this Scepter until Shiloh (Mashiyach) takes his seat over all other “lawmakers.” Therefore, the “Way” of righteousness was, is and always will be prophetically connected through the Judaic and Hebraic-based Faith that Mashiyach Y’hoshua revealed to the world. Through belief in him, the Final Sin Sacrifice, we are able to receive YHWH’s Mercy and Favor which assures us eternal life in heaven.

Thanks to His Mercy and Favor – which in no way negates Torah! – we were loved while we were yet sinners. Therefore, how much more do we desire to please our Father? We demonstrate our acceptance of what Y’hoshua did for us by becoming a Torah observant, law abiding people. That is the meaning of the Scripture when Y’hoshua teaches:

“Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. For anyone that asks will receive, and that seeks, will find. And to him that knocks, it will be opened to him. Or whom among you fathers if his son asks of him for bread, why to him would hold out a rock? And if he asks a fish of him, why to him would hold out a snake? And if, therefore, you who are imperfect know to give good gifts to your sons, how so much more your Father who is in heaven will give good to those that ask Him. All that which you desire that the sons of men should do for you, also like this you do to them. This is for Torah and the prophets. Enter by the straight door, for wide is the door and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many are they, those that go in it” (Matthew 7:7-13).

Most people understand how the Gospel works, but here’s a small example: Early in our children’s lives, we explain to them the cause and effect of good and evil. For instance, we teach them that lying is wrong and that, if the behavior continues, it can destroy their lives. After that, we praise them when they try to behave properly, and punish them whenever they misbehave or fail in their efforts to always tell the truth. Obviously, it is inconceivable to punish a child every time they fail, especially if it is evident that they are genuinely sorry and regret what they did. So instead, we continue to reinforce proper behavior and hug our children and love them even when they fail, and explain that we, too, occasionally failed to “be good” when we were children, because we all have to go through a learning process. The end result of this learning process in the lives of our children is that one day they will realize on their own that lying brings destruction, curses and shame, and it puts them in disfavor with YHWH and others because YHWH hates liars.

This is essentially what YHWH did for us through Mashiyach: Although He had every right to punish us for our disobedience, He chose not to. Instead, after the “Fall” He saw our need as His children to be instructed in righteousness and to be loved and taught. Therefore, He sent His only Son, Mashiyach Y’hoshua, to teach us face-to-face, personally demonstrating how to keep Torah and walk according to YHWH’s will. Y’hoshua demonstrated perfect patience and love towards YHWH’s creation before pouring out his own life as the Final Sin Sacrifice – which forever abolished the need for mankind to kill an innocent animal to atone for our sins. Thus, Law and Favor (Grace) have been applied in a functional way so that all YHWH’s children understand the cause and effect of sin and righteousness.

YHWH’s Good News (Gospel) is the Way of Truth which is a continuum of truth revealed of YHWH’s intent to redeem fallen man. This plan of redemption is what provided protection to Cain after he killed Abel, when YHWH showed great Favor to Cain after he murdered his brother. It was haSatan who had put the envy, hatred, evil imaginations and jealousy in Cain’s mind against his brother. The Law at that time was a spiritual consciousness, and Cain knew that he had committed murder by acting out very wicked thoughts about his brother. Fortunately for Cain, the applied Gospel kept YHWH from killing him, and ultimately also kept him from being killed by others.

In Noah’s days evil was rampant upon the Earth, much like today, and the Gospel went something like this: Get on the boat, or you’ll have to tread water for 150 days without food or fresh water… will you receive “the Gospel” and get on the boat? The Good News applied was that Noah invested 100 years of his life building a big boat. Within that span of time every human being on Earth would have heard of YHWH’s intentions to flood the Earth – but of course, the “riff raff” scorned and mocked the Gospel of Noah…

Abraham and the men of his household agreed to be circumcised and enter into Covenant with YHWH. The Gospel went like this: There is ONE ELOHIM, whose Name is YHWH; either accept the Covenant of Promise or you will not receive YHWH’s blessing. Circumcision symbolizes the separation of good from evil as a part of the flesh is cut away. “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of YHWH, to do justice and judgment; that YHWH may bring upon Abraham that which he has spoken of him” (Genesis 18:19).

Mashiyach’s followers were referred to as those of the WAY! Peter issues a clear warning when he said: “For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after having known it, to turn back from the Set Apart Commandment that was delivered to them” (2 Peter 2:21). The Gospel and “the Way of righteousness” are synonymous with the Kingdom of Elohim which advocates individual personal responsibility to uphold Torah observant, righteous conduct.

Mosheh received “Ten Commandments” written by the Finger of Elohim, but if you went your own way and kindled a fire on Shabbat or ate barbequed pork, you were “cut off” (killed) because YHWH gave us all the choice to either follow or ignore Him. That was the Gospel according to YHWH revealed by Mosheh. As a sovereign individual you can choose life or death by your obedience or disobedience; not by a cerebral theology that makes you “acceptable.” Mosheh preached the Gospel to all the Israelites; however, in the course of time the Levites (leadership) turned away from YHWH: “But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the Torah; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says YHWH of hosts. Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law” (Malachi 2:8-9).

Without “the Law” (Torah) there is no Gospel. Torah reveals and defines good from evil and reveals the elements of Covenant. About 6,000 years of human experience on this planet witnesses that YHWH’s Laws are Set Apart and Just. YHWH’s Law provides the parameters for Freedom, Peace, Justice, Judgment, Equality, protection of personal liberty and property and the protection of the sovereignty of each individual. To pit the Law against the Gospel is a false Gospel as Rav Shaul teaches:

“I am stunned into silence, as if dead, that you have so quickly forgotten Mashiyach who has called you to his favor and gone to another gospel that is non-existent, but there are men who agitated you and desired to pervert the Gospel of Mashiyach. For if us, or even a Messenger from heaven, preach outside from what was preached to you, let them be cursed. As I said before, so I say again: whichever man preaches to you outside of what you have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-10).

Nearly all Christian denominations ply the term “legalism” against others in one form or another. However, the second definition of legalism is the “Doctrine of Justification by Works.” Essentially any Christian who does “good works” could be disgraced as a legalist; the intentions of their hearts being judged by the naysayers as though their “good works” are done for “justification” or salvation. Rav Shaul (Paul) put it this way: “Who are you to judge another man’s servant?” (Romans 14:4).

The religious stance is that you can do nothing to bring about justification or righteousness for yourself, but in reality, Salvation isn’t a mindset as much as it is a lifestyle, and a transformation from a carnal to a spiritual man. Salvation comes about by being conformed into the Image of Elohim. Each soul must co-labor with Mashiyach for salvation which must be evident in this lifetime, in the here and now; the work or service “of the heart” is to guard the heart and mind from degradation or backsliding into a carnal, worldly lifestyle. It is ironic that the individual who Gentile Christians have discredited for bringing an end to Torah was thus spoken of: “you yourself also walk orderly, and keep the Torah” (Acts 21:24). Paul the Apostle emphatically lived and taught the importance of Torah being written upon the heart!

The dilemma many Christians face is what to do when they discover their church hierarchy has been promoting a doctrine of demons by teaching against Torah. What can be done when Christians point their fingers and call you a legalist for desiring to live according to the Word of the Living Elohim? In reality it is the power of Favor that strengthens each soul to cease from breaking Torah and to stand up for what is right. The religious power of the word “legalism” is simply designed to keep souls in bondage to false religion and keep them from leaving the comforts of “the church,” but there is a huge gulf between being imbedded in a church and being embedded in the Kingdom of Elohim! Apostle Paul taught: “As a result, Torah is Set Apart; and the Commandment is Set Apart, and righteous, and good” (Romans 7:12).

Christians who are often quick to condemn others as “legalists” have never learned the most rudimentary principles of Torah. It was the pre-incarnate Mashiyach who said: “If you shall hearken unto the voice of YHWH your Elohim, to keep His Commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the Torah, and if you turn unto YHWH your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your soul. For this commandment which I command you this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto you, in your mouth, and in your heart, that you may do it. See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command you this day to love YHWH you Elohim, to walk in His ways, and to keep His Commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply: and YHWH your Elohim shall bless you in the land where you are going to posses it. But if your heart turn away, so that you will not hear, but shall be drawn away, and worship other elohim, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that you shall surely perish, and that you shall not prolong your days upon the land, wither you pass over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live: That you may love YHWH your Elohim, and that you may obey his voice, and that you may cleave unto Him: for He is your life, and the length of your days: that you may dwell in the land which YHWH swore unto your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them” (D’varim/Deuteronomy 30:12-20).

Torah is freedom. We are either walking in Torah and are free from sin, or breaking Torah and in bondage to sin. All the religious posturing and propaganda in the world will NEVER substitute for truth and righteousness.

The fourth definition to legalism is “a formula” which is defined as: a set form of words, or something definite or authoritative, or a procedure to be followed or something prescribed for a specific occasion. However, this certainly sounds much like a “statement of faith” does it not? This fourth definition simply suggests that one denomination’s (or person’s) formula is better than yours. All preachers have their own “formulas” – the fact that they would preach, hold a “service” or teach others simply means they have their own model of belief, or “formula.” Most theologians have received their credentials from some university so they can “authoritatively teach” denominational formulae. If someone asks, “What must I do to be saved?” any answer could be construed as a “formula.” So, in reality, those who point fingers at your “formula” as “legalism” are simply suggesting that their formula is better than yours.

Finally we come to “red tape” as the fifth definition of “legalism.” Traditionally, official Vatican documents were bound in red cloth tape, and this is also where the 17^th to 18^th Century British Monarchy derived their government tradition. During the Fourth Century, the Roman Empire was “made Christian.” Rome was the “superpower” that controlled all religious and governmental matters and Rome invented her own anti-Torah, anti-Semitic and anti-Mashiyach “Christianity.” Apostle Paul issued a very strict warning: “For the mystery of iniquity does already work: only he who now will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Master shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause Elohim shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12).

The applied thinking of the term “legalism” within Christianity epitomizes the work of the “mystery of iniquity.” There is no better way to define man’s religion than “red tape.” Religion is man’s carnal response to YHWH; it makes rules, traditions, buzz words, status quo trends and puts walls between YHWH and His people. YHWH sent Mashiyach to expose and take down the false traditions of man, but many love the bondage of religious traditions far more than they love the freedom of Truth. What Mashiyach did for us came at a very great price, and it is because of what he did that his followers become empowered to observe Torah by Favor (Grace), not of our own strength lest any man should boast.

All who point their fingers at others and call them legalists are showing solidarity to their own religious tradition. Condemnation of other human beings is, in fact, acting as haShatan’s “little helper.” Where did Christians learn this ministry of condemnation? “For Elohim sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17). “Judge not, and you shall not be judged: condemn not, and you shall not be condemned: forgive, and you shall be forgiven” (Luke 6:37). Those who label people as legalists are simply asking for judgment to fall on their heads! See Romans 14:12; James 4:10-12; 5:8-11; and Isaiah 58:9.

The Woman of John 8

Later Greek manuscripts inserted additional verses into John 7:53 to 8:11 that tell a story of a woman caught in adultery. This story does not appear in either the Peshitta or the four earliest Greek manuscripts. Most Christian scholars are honest enough to acknowledge that John did not write this. Many opine that one of John’s “disciples” must have written it and inserted it later.

The KJV records verse 7:53 as: “And every man went unto his own house.” The narrative is as follows:

“1. Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and he taught them. 3. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4. They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6. This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with [his] finger wrote on the ground, [as though he heard them not]. 7. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9. And they which heard [it], being convicted by [their own] conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, [even] unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11. She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:1-11 KJV).

Why would someone insert this story into the book of John? Firstly, this narrative is a fundamental proof text for Christians to prove that "Jesus" forgives adultery with no consequences to the offender. For Christians, "Jesus" says “go and sin no more.” Therefore, the woman was, in fact, guilty as charged but her sin was without consequence. If she had been falsely accused Y’hoshua would not have said “go and ‘sin’ no more.” Bringing an accused person publicly before Mashiyach for judgement is extremely perverse and shameful. There is no co-accused, no husband, no credible witnesses, and we have no idea whether or not those making the charges were even the ones who caught her in the act! It is written in such a way that the reader automatically feels sorry for the victimized woman. It’s impossible that the woman be judged, because the basic criteria are entirely nonexistent. In reality, Torah requires that both parties involved in adultery be brought up on charges together and in the presence of their accusers, as well as with any witnesses and the elders of the community, none of which was done here (Leviticus 20: 10-21).

The statement/question that, “Moses commanded us that such should be stoned” is a leading question. It is not supported in Torah or rabbinical halakha under any such circumstances as recorded. Torah is explicit in the matter of casting the first stone: “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So you shall put the evil away from among you” (Deut 17:6-7). Most of the civilized world realizes that a person is to be thought of as innocent until proven guilty, and that a hearing of evidence must precede a conviction and penalties. This inserted story is extremely indecent; the author of this lore makes a serious religio-political statement that juxtaposes his "Jesus" hero against those bad Pharisees…

The story ends with Y’hoshua ducking out of a stoning by the Pharisees. Christians know that Y’hoshua is innocent, but the Pharisees are pictured as picking up stones in a fit of rage to kill him for not condemning the poor, adulterous woman. Christians have been taught to view the Pharisees as hard-hearted, legalistic stone throwers; however, a brief look into Christian history shows the Pharisees are a Sunday picnic compared to the pogroms and massacres of Jews at the hands of Christians. Could it be that such an addition to the Christian Bibles contributed to anti-Semitism?

“If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shall you put away evil from Israel” (Deut 22:22). The value of both marriage and human life has been greatly reduced by modern Christianity, which has hardly progressed beyond the Greco-Roman legal system that spawned it. Even in matters of adultery and remarriage, most Christians accept the authority of governmental legislation for divorce. As Scripture says: “…and the earth wondered after the beast” (Rev 13:3). In reality, Mashiyach calls his followers to a much higher standard than what earthly governments have to offer.

The story of the woman caught in adultery is a very sharp contrast to the account of “Ananias and Sapphira” (Acts 5:1-10) who bore false witness regarding a property they sold. In Acts 5, this couple lied publicly in the name of Y’hoshua and was struck down for making a mockery of the true Faith. The woman caught in adultery suffered no consequences; therefore, Christians theologize that she is saved, which also makes them feel better about the adultery in their own churches. Because of John 8, Christian leaders can now teach that adulterers are forgiven and need not make any restitution. There are no consequences in many Christian circles for adultery, which is why when Pastors, Priests and “Reverends” commit adultery and other evil sex crimes, they can continue right along with their “ministries” as if hardly nothing had happened.

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” is simply theological trickery of Christianity. Every one of us is fallible and has sinned to one degree or another, but Christian theologians spin this to teach that none of us should ever judge sin. This dependency upon church hierarchy to forgive sin popularized Christianity and made the Catholic Church the wealthiest organization on Earth, because everyone knows that it’s tough to go through life without sinning.

This is why it is so important to have Torah written upon the heart. The Word of YHWH offers a deep and beautiful love relationship that is nurtured between the repentant sinner and YHWH, through Mashiyach. The sinner overcomes temptation to sin by recognizing a peer group of equals (Kedoshim) who support righteousness and reject sin. When Torah is written upon the heart the soul becomes servant to Righteousness and recognises dependency upon the spiritual body rather than the institution.

“But I fear, or else, as the serpent beguiled Chawwah (Eve) by his craftiness, so your minds should be corrupted from simplicity towards the Mashiyach. For if he that comes to you, had proclaimed to you another Y’hoshua, whom we have not proclaimed; or if you had received another Spirit, which you have not received; or another gospel, which you have not accepted; you might well have given your permission” (2 Cor 11:3-4). Y’hoshua saves in the Name of YHWH. His Name means the SALVATION of YHWH, which means the sinner must turn to YHWH and change from their sinful ways. Unlike the “Jesus” of the false church system who claims to “save” people in their sins, Y’hoshua taught: “How narrow the door and straight the road that leads to life, and few are they, those that find it” (Matthew 7:14).

Who inserted the story of the woman caught in adultery into the text? Considering the revisions, additions, adulterations and conflicts in the thousands of Greek manuscripts which surfaced since the Fourth Century, we know one thing: the story crept into the text a couple hundred years after Yehochanan (John). Therefore, it’s shameful to suggest that one of “John’s disciples” did it. Many assume that it is reasonable to insert cunningly devised fables into their Bibles that support their religious traditions, yet they continue to refer to their books as “holy.” This simply proves that it is often Christian tradition that has become their “holy” standard, certainly not the love of the Truth.