Maybe I’m the only person this happens to, but have you ever read a verse that you’ve read a 100 times, but suddenly you ‘see’ it totally differently? Like a bolt of lightning, or a V-8 moment, you suddenly understand it in a whole new light?
An optical example is at the left… Do you see a young woman, or an old woman?
Sometimes seeing one can become an impediment to seeing the other, yet both are cleverly there.
Theologically, we can be told a certain paradigm or traditional understanding so many times that we can’t ‘see’ something else that is obviously there. Yet, taking time to ponder and refocus, can suddenly open whole new worlds of understanding that utterly shift our paradigm.
Here are ten such verses that are paradigm shifters. I pray you are as challenged as I was the first time these verses ‘hit’ me. They open doors to big blessings.
Paradigm Shifters
1. Jesus/Yeshua said,
Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19
Right here, Yeshua tells us exactly how to be LEAST in the kingdom. Ever notice that? He says, “Here’s how to be Least in the Kingdom, annul one of the least of the commandments and teach others to do the same.”
Who wants to be LEAST in the kingdom? Any takers? No hands?
Believe it or not, 99% of all Christian denominations, from Rome to the uttermost parts of the earth, teach not that ‘least commandments’ are ‘done away with’ but whole chapters no longer apply… Most Reformed Presbyterian denominations abide by the Westminster Confession of Faith. Chapter XIX, iii says, “All which ceremonial laws are now abrogated, under the New Testament.” The dictionary says that ‘abrogated’ means ‘annulled,’ therefore this document, drafted by men directly contradicts the words of Yeshua.
Who do we believe? The Westminster divines? Or, the Divine Messiah?
Do we want to be LEAST in the kingdom? Or, GREAT? Hmmm… seems like a no-brainer, but then verses like this one demand that we use our brain and swim against the tide of theological tradition. This requires a paradigm shift!
2. In Acts chapters 6 and 7 we read the story of the first martyr, Stephen. Have you ever payed attention to why he was martyred? Exactly how did he wind up before the Sanhedrin? This verse will shake up some theology.
They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” Acts 6:13-14
Stephen was stoned to death for ‘teaching against the Temple and against the Torah!’ HOWEVER, the Sanhedrin had to use false witnesses to bring the charges. False witnesses!! Let that sink in.
Do you know what that means? Yep, it means Stephen, a man filled with the Holy Spirit, in the months or year immediately following the resurrection of Messiah was NOT teaching against the Law. In fact, he was zealous for Moses as we’ll see in a minute.
Ironically, 99% of Christendom today could be charged with ‘teaching against the Temple and the Torah’ and the charges would be TRUE! Hmmm…
By implication of the testimony of these false witnesses, Yeshua did NOT “alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” Paradigm shifter!
3. The Apostle Paul, in coming up to Jerusalem to give a report, tells of the wonders being worked in Asia Minor among the Gentiles. Acts 21:20 relates to us the excited response about those who believed in Jerusalem,
And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law Acts 21:20
Belief in Messiah does not negate or nullify the Torah. Rather, it should increase our zeal for obedience out of love!
Here’s a question: Do theologians, 1000 to 2000 years removed from Jerusalem and the Apostles know more than James and Paul and all the elders who are standing here witnessing this meeting? … I didn’t think so. This verse is paradigm-shifting.
4. Just a couple verses later may be the single most shocking verse in the New Testament for most Christians. As a pastor, when I read and fully understood this verse, it totally rocked my world.
Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself along with them, went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them. Acts 21:26
Yep, you just read that Paul, the Apostle and possible author of Hebrews, was ‘in the temple’ offering ‘sacrifices’ some 20+ years after the Damascus road experience. He was seized, not for offering sacrifices, but for ‘allegedly’ bringing Gentiles into the Temple courts. (False witnesses again…)
Paul was offering sacrifices in the Temple. Ponder the significance to most theology that says ‘the sacrificial system has been done away with’…. Yes, this is really heavy, but it is a reality in Scripture that MUST be dealt with. Zechariah 14:21 speaks of future sacrifices. So does Ezekiel 43 and 44. Parts of Isaiah allude to the same… Here is one post digging deeper into this paradigm-shifting topic.
5. Having read and wrestled with the previous question, many come to the conclusion that Paul was just acting according to custom and meant no theological harm. While this would make him out to be a liar, let’s just go to one of four of his legal testimonies,
After Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him which they could not prove, 8 while Paul said in his own defense, “I have committed no offense either against the Law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.” Acts 25:7-8
Ahhh, the presence of false witnesses. Paul, by his own testimony clearly states that he has not committed offense against the Torah or the Temple.
Either, he is lying, or he is telling the truth.
If Paul is lying, can we trust anything else he has written?
If he is telling the truth, how can we claim he taught against the Law?
Teaching against the Torah is an offense against the Torah that is punishable by death!! Cue Deuteronomy 12:32-13:11!
Seriously, if Paul was teaching against the Torah, why didn’t his accusers simply go get a copy of the letter to the Galatians? According to Christendom it was his defining work against the Torah… D’uh! There’s all the proof his accusers needed… And, just for the record, that was a letter he likely wrote before Acts 15, therefore, it was widely available to his accusers in the nearly ten years prior to his arrest..
Long story short, Galatians is NOT about ‘doing away with the Law.’ It is about the misuse of the Law for salvation. [I do not think it means what you think it means!]
Paul says, ‘I have committed no offense against either the Law of the Jews or against the Temple….’ Ponder deeply. …. no offense against the Law…. Paradigm-shifter.
6. Paul wrote many of the epistles and often verses are taken out of context to prove an antinomian, or ‘anti-Torah,’ bias. Here is something the Apostle Paul said that theologians love to ignore or completely tap dance around,
Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law. Romans 3:31
Busted! In one verse, Paul declares, ‘through faith we establish the Law, we do not nullify it!‘
Most Pauline theology (mis)uses proof texts to demonstrate that he ‘did away with the Law.’ Yet, Paul affirms the Torah over and over. If in some passages he overturns the Law and in others he affirms the Law, then we have a schizophrenic Apostle on the loose!!
Maybe, just maybe, we have misunderstood or willfully misused some of his writing to be stiff-necked and rebellious just like our fathers!!
Meditate on this: Paul said, ‘By faith we establish the Law.‘ Paradigm-shifter.
7. So how did Paul ever get so misunderstood and ‘whacked out?’ The Apostle Peter tells us and issues a warning,
Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 2 Peter 3:15-17
Peter tells us plainly,
- Paul’s letters can be hard to understand
- the ignorant and unstable distort him
- the result is lawLESSness
We would easily agree that Paul can be hard to understand, but what does this verse mean by ‘ignorant and unstable?’
The ignorant and the unstable are those who do not have a firm foundation in the Torah. Other translations call them ‘unlearned’ or ‘untaught.’
We have already seen that Paul upheld the Torah and we see here that the error these ‘unlearned’ teach leads to lawlessness! Paul was steeped in the Torah and was zealous for the Torah. He would not dare, or even dream of teaching against the ‘perfect Torah.’
The error of twisting Paul is lawlessness. Does modern theology teach lawfulness, or lawlessness? Does your understanding of Paul lead to lawfulness or lawlessness?
Peter warns, ‘be on your guard that you not be carried away by the error of the lawless!’ Paradigm-shift ahead!
8. In fact, what is the error of lawlessness?
Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. I John 3:4
The Law, the Torah, defines sin. Breaking the Law is sin. Therefore, lawlessness IS sin.
‘Doing away with the Law’ is doing away with the definition of sin, and indeed, the act is sin itself!
- Annul a commandment? Sin.
- Teach against the commandments? Sin.
- Avoid/ignore the commandments? Sin.
See? This is why Yeshua could NOT have changed the Law or abolished anything, before or after His atoning sacrifice. Doing so would be sin!
Paradigm-shifting.
9. Yeshua did not change the Law! How do we know besides His own declaration that ‘I did not come to abolish the Law?’ The author of Hebrews declares,
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
The Apostle John tells us that Yeshua is the Word and He was in the beginning. A study of the Rabbinic understanding of the Messiah being the Word, or Memra, reveals the clear connection that not only was Yeshua present at creation, but He was present at Mount Sinai and likely was the One who met Moshe on the Mountain. Thus, He gave the Torah!!
He is ‘the same yesterday and today and forever!’ When we truly understand His eternality and involvement at every level of Scripture, then we realize, the Memra, the Word doesn’t change. The Law doesn’t change.
Isn’t that what Yeshua said? ‘Until heaven and earth pass away not one jot or tittle will pass from the Law and the prophets?’
Not one jot!! Not a single consonant! Not ONE!! Paradigm-shift!
10. What we absolutely have to come to grips with is that Yeshua and the Father are One (echad/united). They are not in opposition. Yeshua ONLY taught what the Father gave Him and nowhere is the Law ever prophesied to be done away with or in any way reduced. Never!
Yeshua said,
My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. John 7:16
Yeshua ONLY taught the Word of His Father.
Time for a paradigm shift!
There are many, many more verses that support what we have seen here in this post… These are not isolated, cherry-picked verses, but they reveal the need to re-evaluate the errant doctrines and traditions of men that teach against the Torah.
“Be on guard that you not be carried away by the error of lawless men!!”
Shalom!
natsab 
Jesus did not come to do away with but to fulfill: Matthew 5:17 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205&version=NIV;NASB [Link goes to Matthew 5 NIV and NASB parallels] CS Lewis thought there must be some parts of the law that were written before Creation but not necessarily expressed to man. See what Aslan says to the children about the witch and the law in “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”.
LikeLike
I’ve often found the Truth to be a bitter pill to swallow but there is healing in allowing it to do its work. I love that there is only one Truth and I abhor the grayness of confusion that many try to inject on a page that is written in black and white. Thank you for setting people straight. I appreciate the effort. Shalom
LikeLike
Thank you Hope.
It is challenging to re-evaluate what we’ve been taught from birth. I know I was shaken to the core as I realized in many ways I had denied the very One who died for me! But, as you say, there is healing in the end!!
Shalom to you as well!
LikeLike
Double like
LikeLike
Sorry. WordPress only allows one… LOL!
I’m sure you’ll fb it…
Good seeing you guys today.
LikeLike
This is right-on. Wish I knew how to send this to others.
LikeLike
Connie, at the bottom of the write up there is a little blue f that you can share it on fb with. Or, you can share my fb post bc I put it on there 🙂
LikeLike
…I’m not getting: what was the actual purpose of Jesus’ Death & Resurrection, if NOT to “Fulfill” The Law (if animal sacrifices are suppose to continue then why was Jesus Born to Die, in the 1st place…)…?!
LikeLike
Jenny,
Thanks for dropping by and posting.
Fulfill does NOT mean to ‘do away with’ as is often taught. Consider, “I did not come to abolish the Law but to ‘do away with it?’ That makes no sense.
The word fulfill, from the Greek ‘pleroo’ has other meanings, such as ‘to bring to fruition.’
Here is a good short video that covers this word in more depth.
As far as sacrifice, I cover more of that in places on this blog. The short answer is, ‘I don’t have it all figured out.’ I do know several things…
1. Not all sacrifices are sin offerings. Some are thank offerings, some are bloodless… grain, wine, etc…
2. We have to wait until the King returns to rightly teach the next step. We do know that He fulfilled (proper understanding here is brought to completeness) the atonement sacrifice, while Scripture clearly presents prophecy of other elements of sacrifice being present in the Millennial Kingdom.
Do we accept Scripture as it is written, or do we impose our own presuppositions?
I pray you take the time to dig in and ‘test everything.’ Check our Resources page as well as the rest of this blog for a number of sources that seek/reveal truth where it challenges traditions of men. You may find the RT (Reformation Thought) Series a good place to start.
Shalom in Messiah!
LikeLike
…so, what Jesus “Fulfilled” was the need for “animal-sacrifice”: or are u advocating that there IS still “just-cause”, to continue…?!
LikeLike
There is NO cause for animal sacrifice right now. The Torah clearly teaches that ALL sacrifices are to be at the Temple and conducted by the Levitical Priesthood. Presently we have neither. (Lev. 17:1-10 and other places.)
What I am saying is that in multiple places in Scripture there is clear prophecy of some sort of sacrifice, and Ezekiel 43 and 44 articulates some type of blood sacrifice. I do not fully understand how it will work or exactly why, but it is in Scripture and therefore we can’t rule it out, or declare it ‘over and done.’ We have to leave that door open until Yeshua, at His return, rightly teaches the next step…
We do know that He is clearly the perfect sin sacrifice fulfilling some of the sacrifices, but not all… Paul offers Nazarite blood sacrifice in the Temple in Acts 21:26 at least 20 years after the Resurrection. (Mentioned again in Acts 24:14-17) This was not a ‘custom.’ It was law in Numbers 6. James, the half brother of Yeshua is the one who instructed this course of action…
Consider, too. The Passover sacrifice is a memorial sacrifice, not the atoning blood guilt sacrifice of Yom Kippur. It was an annual sacrifice that pictures Messiah, but also fulfilled the function of reminding of the past… In the right context and with Messiah here, a ‘remembrance’ type of offering may be the way it is handled… I don’t know, but that is a possible solution.
And, with a Priesthood back in place , as multiple places in Scripture say (Is. 66:21ff and Ez. 44:15ff and more), the blood sacrifice was one way that Yahweh established to feed them. With rare exception, the animals were not fully consumed in the flame. Rather, parts were cooked and eaten by the priests, other parts, generally the least healthy, were burned.
Yes. Wrestling with this is a bit mind-bending as it flies in the face of established Christian theology… but most Christian theology operates from a false paradigm that says the Law is done away with… Scripture, in a myriad of places and ways declares otherwise… The verses I presented are a drop in the bucket.
Hoping this helps… if not, ask away! LOL!
Blessings.
LikeLike
…so, u are saying that “animal-sacrifice” will begin again (upon Jesus’ Return) in spite of ALL Scripture that indicates God’s “Peaceable-Kingdom” Will Once Again BE Established: as it was, in The Garden of Eden (His Original-Intent/Plan)…
LikeLike
I’m not saying that. Scripture does.
Maybe a difference that I’m not communicating is that the Millennial Kingdom is not the ‘Garden of Eden’ restored. That is not until after the Millennial Kingdom. Notice that Revelation 21 (New Heaven/New Earth) happens after Revelation 20… The Thousand Year bodily reign of Messiah on the earth to fulfill many other prophesies… See Isaiah 2:1-5; Micah 4:1-5; Ezekiel 37:24-28…
Be careful not to impose 8th day (New Heavens/New Earth) prophecy onto the Millennial Kingdom. Sinners will still walk the earth in the Millennial kingdom… that’s why it ends in another rebellion. Rev. 20:7-10.
Again, I’m not the one who is saying this… it is Scripture.
Study to show yourself approved…
Shalom!
LikeLike
…I have & still do “study to show myself approved” over the last nearly 40 yrs of non-denominational Protestantism, after having gone thru Parochial-school & raised Catholic (I never stop seeking & learning) that is why it seems to me that you are describing events to take place during the time of the “Abomination of Desolation” where the antichrist will begin sacrifices once again (certainly NOT, Our Lord)…!
LikeLike
The passages I listed are Millennial. Another is Zechariah 14:16-21. Vss. 16-19 say three times that we will celebrate the Feast of Booths and v. 21 says ‘sacrifice.’
Shalom.
LikeLike
Tov explanation.
LikeLike
I know where Jenny is coming from. That is something I never understood either until I watched Jim Staley’s identity crisis and realized what true kingdom restoration was. How exciting to now see the whole Word!
LikeLike
If I may, since we do not understand fully, why not embrace a life where we do not kill any non-human species for sacrifice or food. I do not think that God requires any sort of sacrifice of animals for any reason or any other type of offering except of ourselves to him since he sent his son, his “unblemished lamb”‘to die for us for his pure love of us. Love is the key here, to show other humans the way to God and to be merciful to all creatures. I personally cannot reconcile the love that the Messiah taught us and not show mercy and compassion to all of Gods creatures. Peace be with you.
LikeLike
Peace to you as well, Wendell.
Here are a couple questions:
-Did the Apostle Paul sin when he went into the Temple and paid for the Nazarite sacrifices for both himself and four other men? (Numbers 6 and Acts 21:17-26)
-In Hebrews 8:4, written 20-30 years after the resurrection, but before the destruction of the Temple, it says, the sacrifice was being offered ‘according to the Law.’ How was it lawful?
It really doesn’t matter how you or I feel about it. (Personally, I do not find it desirable, but I am not the One who breathed the Words of the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures.) This goes back to the purpose of this posting… Do we have the correct paradigm? Are we willing to ask really hard questions?
More importantly, will we recognize the Messiah if we expect Him in some form other than what Scripture tells us… (Sabbath-keeping, feast-observing, clean-eating, tassel-wearing Jew.) He will reign as King from Zion and will enact Torah.
I would recommend reading my confession: https://natsab.com/2013/02/05/rt-antisemitism/
Peace.
LikeLike
…to use your own argument: not all sacrifices are the same
“Some are thank offerings, some are bloodless… grain, wine, etc…” so, what makes u think that these are not the sacrifices being given in the Scripture that u have quoted, why are u so insistent that it must be & has to be “animal-sacrifice” & could not possibly be anything else…?!
LikeLike
Please read the references.
Ezekiel 43 and 44 clearly say ‘the fat and the blood’ when referring to sacrifice. The whole section, chapters 40 to 48, if I recall, is unfulfilled prophecy about the Millennial temple.
Paul’s Acts 21 sacrifice is a blood sacrifice. I gave the reference for the type of sacrifice, Numbers 6. It is a Nazarite vow.
If there is one thing I can say with assurance, it is that Torah has NEVER been rightly followed. In Isaiah 42:21 we see Yahweh’s desire for the Torah to be ‘great and glorious.’ That has never happened… Maybe that is one reason HE will rule with a rod of iron from Mt. Zion in the Millennial Kingdom. His ordinance? Torah. See Is. 2:1-5; Micah 4:1-5; Jer. 31:31-35, etc…
Read the references. Show me how they have been fulfilled if they do not apply. If they do apply, yet future, show me where the prophecy is that the Law would change or be altered.
Blessings.
LikeLike
…besides the points that have been given here: ALL throughout the whole entire Bible, Scripture indicates that the “gentiles” do NOT have the same obligations as the Jews…we are NOT obliged to follow either their same customs, rites, rules, traditions, etc., (i.e., circumcision, or animal-sacrifice)…I am so glad for that, & truly TG that Jesus Saves…
LikeLike
Where is there a covenant with the Gentiles?
Does not Paul say in Ephesians 2 that we are members of the commonwealth of Israel?
Is there not ONE body, one faith, one Lord?
What you are talking about is the false doctrine of ‘dispensationalism,’ the idea that God has two groups of people… Consider watching ‘The Error of Dispensationalism’ by 119 Ministries. http://119ministries.com/videoteachings.aspx?viewcontentpageguid=475d6659-8b62-499a-b0a3-f6754f64286e&parentnavigationid=28668
Shalom.
LikeLike
…just an observation but you appear to be a little “miffed”, you apparently feel tied-down & tethered while I’ve been “Set-Free”: PTL! Halleluia, Amen!
LikeLike
Jenny,
Psalm 119:45 says, “And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.” Yahweh didn’t bring Israel out of bondage in Egypt just to subject them to bondage at Mt. Sinai. That is a lie from the pit.
James 2:12 concurs, “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.”
Hebrews 8:10… “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:” If you belong to God, then you will be obedient to His commandments. (“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Yeshua’s commandments are identical to the Father’s. See previous post titled ‘In the Beginning was the Word…’)
You’ve thrown a lot of catch phrases out there, but I have yet to see a single shred of Scripture either refuting what I have written or supporting your counter assertions.
Time is growing short. Read carefully the words of Yeshua, “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”
Seek not tradition, but seek truth found only in Scripture. When you find real truth, you will find real freedom.
Shalom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When we seek for the Truth with our whole heart we will find,. What are we willing to do/give up to find His Truth? Will it be to count the cost/give up man’s traditions?
LikeLike
…man, the judgment here is so thick you can cut-it-with-a-knife…better I think, a
“…two edged sword…”
~Hebrews 4:12~
LikeLike
This is the first time I ever heard of the antichrist starting sacrifices. He stops them. Is that right Pete?
LikeLike
That has been my understanding of the notoriously hard to interpret/understand 27th verse in Daniel 9.
LikeLike
what if messiah stopped the sacrifices upon his death?
interpreting daniel 9 to be an end-time antichrist has the papacy grinning ear to ear
LikeLike
But He didn’t because Acts tells us Paul was in the Temple offering sacrifices lawfully some 15 years later. Hebrews 8 confirms lawful post-resurrection sacrifice and sacrifice is promised in the Millennial Kingdom..
See today’s post with a fascinating video that deals with Daniel 9 and another possible interpretation.
LikeLike
…(apparently, you have set yourself up as judge & jury here) when personally, I DO Believe-In-Keeping the Commandments of God, as well as the all encompassing “Greatest-Commandment”: “…You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and (I do desperately try to) love (my) your neighbor as (myself) yourself….”~Mark 12:30-31~ NOT b’c I follow some kind of tradition, customs, etc. (as I have previously stated) but b’c I have a “Personal Relationship” with Our Lord Jesus Christ In Which (Whom) I “Continually, Partake & Commune With” By Doing Exactly As He Instructed at “The Last Supper”: “…Take, eat; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.” ~Matthew 26:26-28~ (NOT just as some ritual)…b’c “…(my) body IS The Temple of God’s (Sweet) Holy Spirit” ~1 Corinthians 6:19-20~ & since I “…offer myself up (to Him) as a living-sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” ~Romans 12:1-2~
…”HE” (In-Him) WHO Causes me to LIVE FOREVER!
…Glory To God…!!!
LikeLike
I am not the judge, nor is my standard that which we will be judged by. There is One who judges and His standard is Torah.
You mention the ‘Greatest Commandment.’ Do you know where that comes from? Was Yeshua quoting a new commandment or was He reiterating an old one? …Deuteronomy 6:5. Let’s read in context:
6 “Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgments which the Lord your God has commanded me to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you are going over to possess it, 2 so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 3 O Israel, you should listen and [a]be careful to do it, that it may be well with you and that you may multiply greatly, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.
4 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
See? Loving the Lord IS keeping His commandments. Keeping His commandments IS loving Him with your heart, soul and mind.
How about our neighbor? Yeshua was also quoting Torah: 17 ‘You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.
19 ‘You are to keep My statutes.
As for the ‘Last Supper.’ What was Yeshua eating? Was it a Passover seder meal? Is that a meal we are commanded by Scripture to celebrate annually ‘in all you dwelling places, throughout your generations?’ And, it points to Him? Maybe that is why He said ‘as oft as you eat/drink?’ Maybe that is why Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5:8 “Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
That is neither custom nor tradition… Now, what the church does IS tradition…
And, yes, we are to be living sacrifices, but aren’t we supposed to be spotless and pure? If we bring tradition or pagan practice to the table, are we spotless and pure?
The very things God’s Word says ‘set us apart,’ or ‘sanctify us’ are the very things the Church has done away with. Started with the Roman Bishops before the Roman Catholic Church was formed and was really ritualized by Rome. The Protestants threw some of it off, but kept much of the tradition…. Study it out. See https://natsab.com/2013/09/16/be-ye-holy-as-i-am-holy/ for a little bit! More in the Resources page.
This is love! Truth is love, even if it stings for the moment…
Remember, I am not your judge, Yeshua is according to His commandments. You now know far more than the average person and are accountable for what you have read. I beg of you to take the glasses of tradition off and study!
Shalom.
LikeLike
…I do not know what it is that you are reading (or reading-into) but it certainly cannot be my postings: I have pointed out in several different ways now that I do not & will NOT adhere to traditions, customs, etc. instead “I Love The LORD…” so I am really not sure why you keep going off on tangents (basically, ranting & raving, spouting off your knowledge of scripture while having this arrogant-attitude, seemingly looking-down-your-nose-at-me) definitely puts me in mind of the “scribes & pharisees”…I began with interest in why you would think that there is still a need for “animal-sacrifice” (which Jesus clearly fulfilled) & now I am simply repulsed by your patronizing & condescending behavior/manner…
LikeLike
Jenny, I appreciate you asking for more information. Dialog is good, especially when it is based on Truth and backed up with Scripture. I have tried to provide Biblical answers directly from Scripture… and this blog is loaded with more posts that identify the traditions of men and compare them with what Scripture actually says.
Jesus/Yeshua spoke of ‘taking My yoke upon you… and you shall find rest for your souls.’ True rest is in Him and walking as He walked. Where did He get that phrase, ‘rest for your souls’ from and is it relevant?
Jeremiah 6:16-19 says,
“Thus says the Lord,
“Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths,
Where the good way is, and walk in it;
And
you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
17 “And I set watchmen over you, saying,
‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’
But they said, ‘We will not listen.’
18 “Therefore hear, O nations,
And know, O congregation, what is among them.
19 “Hear, O earth: behold, I am bringing disaster on this people,
The fruit of their [a]plans,
Because they have not listened to My words,
And as for My law (Torah), they have rejected it also.”
This is a commentary on today’s church, no less than it was in Jeremiah’s time as he recorded the Words of the Living God.
Jesus is not coming back as a lamb. He is returning as a LION and a Warrior. Melek Israel! (King of Israel.) We must, you, me, all of us MUST get right and do it right now. Disaster is coming upon this people precisely because we have not listened to His Words and have rejected His Law.
I beg of you, take a really deep breath, step back and re-read this entire post and comment thread. Ask the Spirit for clarity and open eyes. LISTEN to the trumpet. Not one jot or tittle has passed or will pass from the Law or the Prophets (the entire OT) until heaven and earth pass away. Not a single jot! If we say we are called by His name, then we best be hearing and obeying His voice… If not, we are following a false Messiah, one of man’s invention!
You are in my prayers.
Shalom!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jenny, a while back you accused Pete of being “miffed” yet now it appears that it is you who is “miffed.” Pete has been using Scripture to back up what he wrote and to help answer your questions. He has encouraged you to study it out for yourself, but you apparently have no interest. You’ve thrown out a few catch phrases from Christendom and even seem to mock what Pete is trying to share with you. Spouting the “judging” card when there was no judgment….just Scripture…makes me wonder what’s eating at you? Jenny, for someone who accused Pete of judging, in your last comment, you throw some pretty judgmental sounding assertions around. To this point, you have yet to reply to the verse/passages that Pete has laid out. It’s in the Bible. Study it and read it…learn for yourself instead of using popular Christian phrases from the Church to pass off responsibility as to why you don’t need to obey God’s instructions.
You say that you’ve “been set free.” Interesting, but I’m thinking maybe you don’t understand what that means? The Apostle Paul writes that we are either a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness…so which is it? And if you are indeed a slave to righteousness, then how are you living a righteous life? By who’s standard? God’s or man’s? What we’ve been “set free” from is the curse, the punishment for breaking God’s holy law – His instructions/teaching on righteous living. The punishment that we’ve been set free from? Death. Jesus took that for us. We’ve been set free from sin – which leads to death….now….as Jesus Himself says….go and sin no more. It’s not up to your own idea of what sin is or is not….it’s all in the Bible. Read it. Study it. Obey it. That, truly, is freedom.
No one is trying to judge or attack. Quoting Scripture is neither arrogant nor looking-down-the-nose at anyone. It’s what we should all do. Don’t be miffed at Pete if he hit a sore spot with you…he was merely quoting the Bible. If you’re upset, then take it up with the Author of the Bible Himself. Ask Him to show you the Truth, but then be open to it when He does.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shalom, Nathaniel!!
Good to see you, brother. I read your recent article ‘I’m with Daniel.’ Excellent! Be salt and light!!
I pray you and yours are well!
LikeLike
…everyone in this group is totally accusatory (if anyone has the right to, & should be “miffed” it is me) I have continually been attacked right from the very start when clearly all I was doing was asking your beliefs on “animal-sacrifice” etc., so what EXACTLY have I done wrong?! Again I say, “I Love The Lord…& He Loves me…” I do NOT need any of you to confirm that for me, as stated before: I simply know this for fact (whether you agree with that or not, is of NO concern for/to me)…As previously stated, I do NOT belong to any church-organization or denomination…when “sharing” this page with others the consensus has been, as follows:
i.e., Frank L. Hoffman~ “Dear Jenny: They’re twisting scripture and taking it out of context. The Lord cannot have true and lasting peace with no death or suffering, and participate in killing. And, He is the last sacrifice. If He is, then why would He need any other ones? They, have another agenda…”
LikeLike
Dear Jenny,
I’m not worried about what Mr. Hoffman says. What does Scripture say? Let’s look at one of the references I previously listed. Zechariah 14:16-21. I will post it in italics and insert a few comments.
Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem [This has never happened, therefore, it is future prophecy.] will go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths. [Feasts of the Lord are being practiced by all the peoples of the earth!!] 17 And it will be that whichever of the families of the earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, there will be no rain on them. [Consequences for disobedience during this time! Torah is in place!] 18 If the family of Egypt does not go up or enter, then no rain will fall on them; it will be the plague with which the Lord smites the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths. 19 This will be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths.
20 In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “HOLY TO THE LORD.” And the cooking pots in the Lord’s house will be like the bowls before the altar. 21 Every cooking pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to the Lord of hosts; and all who sacrifice will come and take of them and boil in them. [As far as I know, the only sacrifices in Scripture that require boiling are animal sacrifices. Lev. 8:31 and Ezekiel 46:20 as examples. Boiling is not a requirement for grain or wine sacrifices.] And there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts in that day.
Again, that passage is future prophecy unless someone can demonstrate that it has been fulfilled. As future prophecy, it falls in the category of ‘not one jot or tittle will be removed until it is accomplished. Matt. 5:17-19.
No twisting. No taking out of context. Simply reading the Word of God. 🙂
Remember, as previously stated, the Millennial Kingdom will be ruled by King Yeshua/Jesus, it will be ruled according to Torah (His own rules for governing a nation/nations) and it will not be a time of perfect peace/sinlessness… particularly for the remaining enemies of God.
Also, my only agenda is Truth. What does Scripture say?
Shalom.
LikeLike
Thank you for presenting the Truth in love, Brothers. Jenny, you have but to read ALL the Word, starting from the beginning, to see what they are truly saying. Read Pete’s reference Scriptures in Ezek, Isaiah, Zach, Dan. It is there. If he didn’t give them all to you he will. Be blessed Jenny. There are lots of things we don’t see till someone points them out or receive them until it is time to have our understanding opened. The Truth won’t hurt you, but it may jar you a little. Reread Matt 5:17-19. What is your definition of fulfill? Look up the Hebrew/Greek definitions. They don’t mean what we have been told ie: done away with….Read Ps 119 (all). Let me know what the Psalmist is talking about. Could something that good be cast away. If Jesus/Y’shua is the Living Word, The Way, The Truth, The Life, where did these same ideas and words come from? What do they mean according to Scripture?
LikeLike
Pingback: 10 Paradigm-shifting Old Testament Verses | natsab
The only one stated to get rid of the laws, and appointed times is the anti-christ in Daniel 7:25. We fail to note all too often that according to Amos 3:7, He does nothing without telling His prophets first. So, with there being nowhere in the prophets stating the law was going to be done away with. …we need to re examine if we are on the side of the lawful one ( Messiah) or the lawless one (anti-Messiah).
LikeLike
Very good point, His Loammi.
My head swims when I think of all the Words of YHWH that warn against altering His Commands.
The Lion of Juda is sifting. The sieve is the choosing ” whom you shall serve “, Elohim or man. This is about to culminate in the battle of Har Megiddo. Har=mountain=WORSHIP. Megiddo=site of many ancient battles=battle.
We are about to enter a” worship battle” the severity of which is truly impossible to portray better than Revelation 14:13.
This battle serves multiple functions. Aside the obvious, my personal favorite function that it serves is to DEEPLY unify the true Body.
Look around, the battle lines are forming. The Beast and its “protestant” image have begun to unit. It will be a “quick work”, and VERY violent. The violence is inversely proportional to the degree we faithfully fulfill the commission of Eliyahu. Malachi 4:4-6
LikeLike
VAIN ATTEMPTS TO DISCREDIT GOD’S WORD ABOUT SALVATION
Mark 16:16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (NKJV)
Critics claim that since Jesus did not say he who is not baptized will be condemned; therefore water baptism is not essential to be saved. If a heart surgeon told you that if you have a heart transplant you will live; he would not have to explain to you that if you refuse the heart transplant you will die. Negatives are understood. If the electric power company informs you if you pay your bill the power will be turned back on; you do not have to be informed that if you do not pay your overdue bill the power will not be restored. Negatives are understood.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(NKJV)
The apostle Peter did not have to say unless you repent and are baptized your sins will not be forgiven. Negatives are understood.
LikeLike
Pingback: 8 Paradigm-shifting Concepts Related to the Bible | natsab
Pingback: Happy Anniversary!! We are one year old today! | natsab
Pingback: The (Not So) Quotable Church Fathers: Doctrines and Theologies | natsab
Hi Pete,
After re-reading your post, and reading all the comments, I was inspired to write a post giving a little insight about our own ‘Coming Home’ to the truth of Torah. I thought I would share this as an encouragement, to show that the Holy Spirit is moving on Yah’s people everywhere, to open their eyes to the fullness of His Word – His Torah! Here is the link:
Blessings to you and your family – Deborah
LikeLike
Pingback: Israelis: Who is Jesus to you? | natsab
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. Speaking lies in hypocricy having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” First Timothy chapter four verse one and two.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are warned. We are without excuse.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on hebrewofyhwh and commented:
In light ofmy recent experience and the Non Statutory Abatement I am serving to the Criminals that have arrested me in my line of Duty to God I find this article interesting. SEe the non Statutory abatement
LikeLike
People don’t realize that the NT writings have been tamperated. The Torah, Prophets and Psalms have been better preserved; it is the TPP that give the proper perspective. God’s instruction comes to us through Israel, not ROME. “Do not call anyone ‘Father’; we give authority to the ‘Church Fathers’ . . . . not good. BTW, the word ‘church’ is a REPLACEMENT word for ‘ekklesia’, not a translation. ‘Church’ is from ‘Circe’, the name of the goddess of sorcery described in Revelation . . . chew on that one for awhile.
LikeLike
Welcome, Sarah.
Here’s an article from a while back about ‘ekklesia’ helping to substantiate your assertion: https://natsab.com/2013/08/22/translators-the-lying-pen-of-the-scribes-pt-2/
LikeLike
Yes. Actually, ‘ekkklesia’ is the best Greek word available (so I understand) for the Hebrew word ‘miqra’ – called-out to assemble together for the purpose of ‘qara’ reciting the Torah; ‘miqra’ is also usually found in conjunction with ‘mowed’ – the ‘appointed times’. So, even the term ‘congregation’ or ‘assembly’ is rather inadequate; it misses the point, breaks the connection.
LikeLike
True, but at least most English translations are consistent with ‘assembly’ or ‘congregation’ in the Tanakh, therefore, at least consistency in the LXX term ‘ekklesia’ though out the new Testament would help draw a much closer connection to the One Body that began at Mt. Sinai.
LikeLike
There is so much to this ekklesia understanding. Hebrew ‘Miqra’ is the ‘called-out assembly’ which is ‘called out to recite the Torah at the appointed times’. ‘Ekklesia’ is the best Greek term for translating ‘Miqra’. ‘Church’, on the other hand, is from the name ‘Circe’, the goddess of sorcery, the one described in Revelation . . . (I think I posted this thought previously . . .)
LikeLike
From the Aramaic manuscripts there is no question that Rav Shaul (Paul) wrote Hebrews. And thanks for the top 10:-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shalom and welcome.
I can agree if he wrote it in Hebrew or Aramaic, but he certainly didn’t write it in Greek. It is much too florid and good compared to all the other encyclicals he autographed.
I tend to lean toward another native Greek speaker who knew Temple service inside and out that Paul taught. Bottom-line, it is inspired Scripture, regardless of who the author is.
Chag Sameach.
LikeLike
That is a good point – the Greek would not have been Pauls. Hebrews is the last book (22nd) included in the Eastern Aramaic Canon (Peshitta), delivered with a reliable chain of custody. It is worth looking at the work done by Andrew Grabriel Roth researching and translating from the Aramaic. There are a couple of good videos from this year where he is teaching from the Tabernacle of David, MN, The New Aramaic New Testament Timeline part 1 and 2.
LikeLike
Revelation is progressive, what was revealed to Abraham was the light he and his sons needed for their day, the same for Moses, King David, much is about being aware of the instructions, what is happening around us, to us; but much is still “wait and see” more revelation is to come, for myself if the altar goes up, I will keep silent and wait upon the LORD, if there tamid offering or peasach offering is performed, I will keep silent and wait upon the LORD, in the meantime why worry, wonder or pontificate? each day has difficulties of it’s own, live in the today in HIs presense; one step at a time..what the faithful need to know, they will be shown in it’s season..
LikeLike
Pingback: Thanks!! (and, interesting week on the blog!!) | natsab
Pingback: Imploding America and the exploding ‘revival’ (Responding to Joel Rosenberg) | natsab
Thank you for this article. My wife and I attended your conference in Mesa, Az last year, 2017. Driving home from the conference YHVH led my wife and I to visit the church on our local Native American Reservation. We were received with open arms into this small group. We have been totally open about our belief in following Torah. The group asked us if we would help them to understand their “Christian Roots” starting in B’RESHEET/Genesis. We have been studying the the first book of the Torah weekly for a year now. Articles like this one are a tremendous help in our teaching. We have not seen a spiritual break through yet, but they continue to enjoy the studies and desire to continue. The results are up to the Ruach. The Paradigm-shift of the 4th Commandment is what opened my eyes to Torah six years ago. Thank you for your teachings.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Shalom, Yitzchak.
Thank you for your comment. It is a blessed encouragement.
LikeLike