Why so Particular?

As we post on this blog, and also update our web site, I'm sure you notice that we make every attempt to be extremely accurate when it comes to dates and historical facts.  We purposely draw lines in the sand as it comes to the celebration of Passover and consequently the remainder of Yahuweh's feasts.  We have attempted to explain why this accuracy is important, but since we realize we are 'swimming upstream" I want to try to explain it again.  Our purpose is NOT to simply be divisive.  On the contrary, it is to make sure that our unity as believers is completely in line with the unity of Scripture.  In reference to our Messiah's crucifixion and subsequent 2nd coming lets look at Acts 3:17-26.  “Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But those things which Yahuweh foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Messiah would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Messiah Yeshua, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘Yahuweh your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’  Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days. You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which Yahuweh made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ To you first, Yahuweh, having raised up His Servant Yeshua, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”

One of the primary purposes of this ministry is to be on the cutting edge of what is currently being restored and how it affects the Body of Messiah.  We don't use Hebrew names simply to impress you with knowledge.  We use the Hebrew name of the Almighty because He told us not to forget His name.  We use the Hebrew name of the Messiah to show its close proximity with His Father's, and to be reminded of the myriad of promises to us when we invoke His Name.  We believe that there is not a single Biblical command that was given just to test our obedience.  As we obey, and walk in that obedience, revelation continues to pour in.  What a day to be alive!

 

Shalom

When to Celebrate Passover!

The following excerpt is taken from Karaite Korner.org.  It explains the difference between celebrating Passover according to the Biblical calendar vs. the Hebrew civil calendar.  It answers the question, "When is the month of the Abib?"

Where is Abib Mentioned in the Hebrew Bible?

The story of the Exodus relates "This day you are going out in the the month of the Abib." (Ex 13,4).

To commemorate that we left Egypt in the month of the Abib, we are instructed to bring the Passover sacrifice and celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Hag HaMatzot) at this time of year. In Dt 16,1 we are commanded:

"Keep the month of the Abib and make the Passover (sacrifice) to YHWH your God at night, because in the month of the Abib YHWH your God took you out of Egypt".

Similarly, we are commanded in Ex 23,15:

"You will keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread; seven days you will eat unleavened bread, as I have commanded you, at the time of the month of the Abib, because in it you went out of Egypt."

The same is commanded in Ex 34,18:

"You will keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread; seven days you will eat unleavened bread, as have I commanded you, at the time of the month of the Abib, because in the month of the Abib you went out of Egypt."

What is Abib?

Abib indicates a stage in the development of the barley crops. This is clear from Ex 9,31-32 which describes the devastation caused by the plague of hail:

"And the flax and the barley were smitten, because the barley was Abib and the flax was Giv'ol. And the wheat and the spelt were not smitten because they were dark (Afilot)."

The above passage relates that the barley crops were destroyed by the hail while the wheat and spelt were not damaged. To understand the reason for this we must look at how grain develops. When grains are early in their development they are flexible and have a dark green color. As they become ripe they take on a light yellowish hue and become more brittle. The reason that the barley was destroyed and the wheat was not is that the barley had reached the stage in its development called Abib and as a result had become brittle enough to be damaged by the hail. In contrast, the wheat and spelt were still early enough in their development, at a stage when they were flexible and not susceptible to being damaged by hail. The description of the wheat and spelt as "dark" (Afilot) indicates that they were still in the stage when they were deep green and had not yet begun to lighten into the light yellowish hue which characterizes ripe grains. In contrast, the barley had reached the stage of Abib at which time it was no longer "dark" and at this point it probably had begun to develop golden streaks.

More on this in the days ahead.

Shalom

We're Getting Tthere

We're getting there! Our Ministry site is now up and running. Although much of it is still under construction, at least the door is open. Check it out at www.house2life.org. The weekly TV broadcast will be on the front page. Inside you will find links to this blog as well as to the sister site www.house2life.com. The .com site is used for ministry funding while the .org site is solely for spreading the message of the Gospel. Some things that will be available from the ministry site are correct feast days as well as an explanation as to why there is a difference between corrected days and the Hebrew civil calendar, if any. New moon sightings will also be posted. We will be placing Torah teaching and its relevance to New Covenant Believers. A complete video library will be available from the site as well as an order form to get teachings on DVD. All ministry materials are free of charge.

Live at peace...yeah right!

Romans 12:17-20: Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."

As I ponder this passage, I am watching a news report on some of the 'mud-slinging' that goes on everday in American politics. I understand that this type of activity has become so much a part of our political process that we don't give any thought whatsoever to the spirit behind ALL of this activity. More than ever before, our hearts begin to long for the end of it all. Is your heart prepared to usher in the Kingdom of Messiah?

Shalom

The Warnings Continue

As I listen to news reports of continued economic downturn, I must remind myself of the cyclic nature of these events. I honestly don't know if this is the final straw for the "good ole USA." I know that at times it becomes very popular to be the bearers of 'doom and gloom.' That being said, it is also important to heed warnings, especially as they are outlined in Scripture. The news events of the past few days (assassination of a radical Muslim leader in Lebanon) and the threats of all-out war in Israel drive the point home for believers once again.

Isaiah 1:24- 31 says , " Therefore the Lord says,
The LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel,
“Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries,
And take vengeance on My enemies.
I will turn My hand against you,
And thoroughly purge away your dross,
And take away all your alloy.
I will restore your judges as at the first,
And your counselors as at the beginning.
Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.”
Zion shall be redeemed with justice,
And her penitents with righteousness.
The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together,
And those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
For they shall be ashamed of the terebinth trees
Which you have desired;
And you shall be embarrassed because of the gardens
Which you have chosen.
For you shall be as a terebinth whose leaf fades,
And as a garden that has no water.
The strong shall be as tinder,
And the work of it as a spark;
Both will burn together,
And no one shall quench them."

The context of this passage is judgement on a wicked and wayward Israel. There is promise of restoration as well. We are living in the day when these warnings are more appropriate than at any time in history. Those who study Scripture are struck by its stark accuracy and how it pertains to the day in which we live. I want to illustrate how close these events bring us to the return of Messiah.

In Daniel 9, we are told that a command to restore Israel goes forth. That command went out from the United Nations on Nov. 29, 1947. According to the same passage, Daniel gives a 70 year timeline that would end in the year 2017. Because of the reference to a 62 year period, Daniel's timeline puts the start of the final Tribulation in the year 2009-2010. It is no accident that there is international pressure TODAY to establish a Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capitol. We have crossed the threshold...The times of the Gentiles has come to a close...This is the day of the Revelation of our Messiah!! His message is the same as what he declared when He came the first time! Repent, for the Kingdom of Yehuweh is at hand!

Shalom!

Ever Closer...Open Your Eyes

I received an email message from Jerusalem this morning that confirms what I feel Yehuweh is speaking to all who will listen.  Our Creator has given stern warning as to what would happen at the end of this age.  He has told us how to discern the times of the end.  Although the article was written in October of last year, it reminded me once again of how very close we are to the return of our Messiah.  Here is a partial quote from the article written by Robert Berger.

Photo Caption: Mike Evans and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the Jerusalem Prayer Team Summit, 2002

A senior government official says Israel is prepared to relinquish parts of Jerusalem as part of a peace agreement.

Israel's Deputy Prime Minister Haim Ramon says the Israeli government would support a division of Jerusalem as part of a peace deal with the Palestinians.

Ramon told Israel Radio that under the plan, Israel would transfer many of the Arab neighborhoods in East Jerusalem to the Palestinians.

This would be a key component of an Israeli-Palestinian declaration to be made at an international peace conference in the United States this year.

The plan marks a sea change in Israel's position, after it captured East Jerusalem from Jordan during the Six Day War in 1967. Since then it has been an Israeli slogan that Jerusalem would remain the united capital of the State of Israel forever. Ramon said Israel does not need 170,000 Arabs in Jerusalem, about a third of the city's population, to be citizens of the Jewish state.

Palestinian officials say Israel's position is a step in the right direction, but that it still does not resolve the key issue: sovereignty in Jerusalem's Old City. The Palestinians say any peace deal must be based on an Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 borders, which would include a pullout from the Old City.

Look at Revelation 11:1-3   Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.  And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” (Emphasis mine)

Once again, it comes home to us that Scriptural prophecy is being fulfilled in front of our eyes.  ALL misinterpretations will cease as truth is laid out in our newspapers and broadcast through the media.   I reserve further commentary for future writings.

 

Shalom

Obedience, a Condition of Repentance

“Come now, and let us reason together,”
    Says Yehuweh,
    “Though your sins are like scarlet,
    They shall be as white as snow;
    Though they are red like crimson,
    They shall be as wool.
If you are willing and obedient,
    You shall eat the good of the land;
But if you refuse and rebel,
    You shall be devoured by the sword”;
    For the mouth of Yehuweh has spoken (Isa 1:18-20).

Take a look a the Hebrew word translated "reason together":

yâkach yaw-kakh' A primitive root; to be right (that is, correct); reciprocally to argue; causatively to decide, justify or convict:—appoint, argue, chasten, convince, correct (-ion), daysman, dispute, judge, maintain, plead, reason (together), rebuke, reprove (-r), surely, in any wise.

It seems our Creator is issuing an invitation for us to present our case concerning how He deals with our sin. 

Look at this picture.  I will admit that this is a self-serving, un-abashed promotion for the buildings I sell (see the Master Line Inc. link above) but it illustrates the concept of our discussion.  Yehuweh is saying to us in effect, "Here is what I do with your sin when you are obedient to Me.  I challenge you to leave no stone unturned in your attempt to prove Me wrong."  This is the type of challenge that would cause Perry Mason to tremble in fear.  This challenge is issued by the Creator to His creation and there is no possible rebut.   How can we continue to wallow in sin thereby cheapening the grace and mercy of our Father (See Romans 6:1-4). 

Please notice the condition of obedience.  In order to have our sins removed from us requires repentance AND obedience.  In fact, the Scriptural concept of the word "repentance' cannot be realized without obedience.  If there is no change in direction of the individual, there obviously was no true repentance.    Also notice the promise for obedience.  There is no direct economic tie to this promise.  Although it must be understood that the Creator's blessing rests upon the property of the obedient, there is NOT a condition that the obedient be a property owner!  My point here is this:  We are headed for a time when civil rights and property may well be confiscated.  Obedience to the Word will be required for our very survival!  Spiritual survival is far more important than physical survival.

 

 

Shalom

HELP!!!

From time to time I am given, either via email or through traditional venues, writings of Christian authors that are preposterous, to say the least.  Some are heretical, while others are just opinions based on faulty interpretation principles.  Because these teachers command extensive vocabularies and speak in the languages of Theological Cemeteries (seminaries), the masses follow along (at respectable distances) following their diatribes concerning the truth of Scripture. 

First a Scriptural warning:

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. (James 3:1-5)

There is always room for opinion! My opinion is that the Author of Scripture knows the interpretation.   A lifelong quest, for the believer, is to make sure that our interpretations of Scripture have been passed by the scrutiny of the Author, as well.  Any time that our understanding of Holy Writ requires us to discount or eliminate major passages of the same, means we are in extreme danger of missing our Father's plan for our lives.    I find it somewhat amusing (and sad) that men will deem it necessary to overlook scriptures just to make them fit into the boxes they have created for their religious experiences.  For example, Scriptures concerning the foreigner (Gentiles) are left out of discussions as to the importance modern believers celebrating the Feasts of Yehuweh. (See Lev. 23)  We have designed a myriad of excuses as to why Scriptures that encourage us to do this "forever" and throughout "all your generations" do not apply to us.  I have even heard people try to re-define "forever" and "generations."  What has happened to "obedience is better than sacrifice?"  We have stated, concerning various passages, "That was for the Jews" or "Apostles" or "That Age" or any thing else that helps us feel better about our lack of obedience!  We categorize dispensations and covenants and try to prove how these Scriptures do not apply to us.  By doing that we have discounted some 85% of Scripture as irrelevant to the modern believer.   My friends the time for repentance is NOW!  Yeshua's first sermon carried this theme (Matthew 4:17)!  We must turn from our habit of discounting Scripture.  We must accept His Word as from His heart and for His people.  You are not your own...You were bought with a price.  Our lives must be conducted accordingly!

 

Shalom