A few articles and videos from this last week…

Posted on May 15, 2016 by Pete Rambo

I have not had the time to write in the last week, but as usual have thoughts running through my head and subjects I wish to explore… Hopefully, a few will pop out soon. With only two weeks left until summer break, I am ready for a lighter schedule that should allow more time to share things I am pondering.

In the past week, though, I have read or seen a couple things I want to share. Some with comment, some without…

First up are two dynamite, well researched graduate level theological papers by Hope Huerta that expose some flaws in Covenantal and Dispensational presuppositions. If you are not familiar with a solid research paper, I recommend you get a pot of coffee (it will take more than a cup) and wade through one or both of the following. These are well written responses to centuries of Christian dogma.

The Insufficiencies of the Presuppositions of Dispensationalism in Rendering John’s Apocalypse

The Insufficiencies of the Presuppositions of Covenantalism in Rendering John’s Apocalypse

Because her website it titled Two House Chronicles, I would Hope 😉 that she writes a similar scholarly expose revealing the general ignorance in Christendom of the roles of the House of Judah and the House of Israel in the fulfilling of prophecy. If she gets really brave, she might even tackle the respective ignorance in Judaism, though parts of both Christendom and Judaism are awakening to the reality of “two house theology.”

Another article I read this week that is well done, though not quite so in depth Continue reading →

Posted in Debate/Discussion | Tagged covenantal error, dispensationalism error, doctrines of men, false theology, home group, Two House | Leave a comment

Guilt-free Rest!

Posted on May 14, 2016 by Pete Rambo

I am a bit of a workaholic. Some might say, ‘more than a bit.’

If I think I can squeeze something else onto my plate, I will find a way to do it. It is just the way I am wired. Part of the issue is that I love to work, part is that so many others do not. If I see something that needs to be done, I do it. Etc.

Whether this is good or bad is not my point. What being a workaholic does lead to is exhaustion and that is not our Creator’s desire for any of His creation. He desires that we be creative and accomplish much, but He also ~~desires~~ commands that we rest.

Most workaholics have trouble resting. Like me, they feel guilty if they are sitting still. I mean, isn’t there something that needs to be done??

Well, this morning, I woke with the phrase, ‘guilt-free rest’ playing on my mind. I was sleeping late as I do most Saturdays and experiencing the very reason why I LOVE this day, Continue reading →

Posted in A Thought..., Sabbath | Tagged guilt free rest, micr-farm, ox in the ditch, rest, Sabbath, shabbat, workaholic | 5 Comments

His mercies are new…

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Pete Rambo

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3 ESV
http://bible.com/59/lam.3.22-23.ESV

Posted in Visual Scripture | Tagged mercies, morning, new, photography, sunrise, Yehovah | 2 Comments

As in the Days of Noah…. What it may mean.

Posted on May 8, 2016 by Pete Rambo

Lately, Steve Moutria of Torahfamily.org has been releasing a number of fascinating prophecy videos that take a fresh look at hard to understand verses. I do believe that Abba is giving him some insights that reveal things long hidden.

I just finished watching his most recent, As in the Days of Noah, and find some of the ideas and thoughts presented to be very compelling!

He strongly recommends Prophecy, a video I have already posted, as well as Continue reading →

Posted in Deeper Study, Uncategorized | Tagged church of philadelphia, Day of the Lord, days of Noah, prophecy, wise virgins, Yeshua | 1 Comment

FINALLY!! (I think….)

Posted on May 8, 2016 by Pete Rambo

After roughly 18 months, all of Ray Gardner’s Torah Portion Notes are posted!! Many have been updated and reposted since he began this mammoth task. I don’t know how many pages this amounts to, but there are hundreds and hundreds, maybe even a 1000 pages of notes here.

My next goal is to compile each book into a zip file that can be downloaded at one shot and taken to your local Kinko’s or Office Max for printing if you want a hardcopy. (Hard copies are recommended for when the power is out…) In the meantime, you can use a thumb drive and download as many as you want and take them to a printer. Ray’s and my goal is that you be able to have free access for redistribution as well as to print as many copies as you want for personal use or to share/give to others.

A HUGE ‘thank you’ to ay and Brenda for sharing this labor of love with the world. May Abba richly bless them!

Posted in Torah Portion | Tagged Free, portion, Ray Gardner, Study Guide, Torah notes, Torah study | Leave a comment

Nice verse connection!!

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Pete Rambo

In my previous post, I mentioned Exodus 31:16.

Here, friend, Steve King appropriately connects the verse with Romans 11:29!
Well played, Steve!

Posted in A Thought... | Tagged forever, gifts, Israel, Olam, shabbat, Steve King | Leave a comment

The single word that disassembles MUCH Christian doctrine…

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Pete Rambo

One Hebrew word, used 438 times in the ‘old testament,’ completely disassembles a wide swath of Christian doctrine. Simply taking the time to understand a single word will peel the mask off of much man-made tradition and false doctrines derived from contextually ignorant theology. Even a layman with a fifth grade education can study and understand one simple word then use it as a scalpel to dissect truth from tradition.

Are you willing to take the plunge? Will you dare to see what Scripture says v. ivory tower theonastics? (Okay, I made that word up. It comes from theological gymnastics, or contortionism to arrive at a point wholly disconnected from Scripture while seemingly having some validity.)

Buckle your seat belt!

H5769 עלם / עולם ‛ôlâm
BDB Definition:
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
1a) ancient time, long time (of past)
1b) (of future)
1b1) for ever, always
1b2) continuous existence, perpetual
1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity

Let’s consider a few uses that Christendom agrees with:

^{Isaiah 40:8}The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever עולם .

Perpetual, everlasting Word! Right? The everlasting, unchanging, infallible Word of our God that stands forever!! Continue reading →

Posted in A Thought... | Tagged christian doctrine, false teaching, forever, pastors, reformed theology, Torah | 5 Comments

Was ‘Paul’ his real name?

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Pete Rambo

Was Paul His Real Name? by Dr. Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg – http://wp.me/p2qqw6-qr

Short but very interesting little article. Makes perfect sense. I ask myself, ‘D’uh!! Why didn’t I think of that?’

Thank you Dr. Eli for opening another door!

Posted in A Thought... | Tagged Acts 13, Apostle Paul, Hillel, name, Saul | Leave a comment

The Omer, bread making and last Shabbat

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Pete Rambo

This past Shabbat we were blessed to host a couple local fellowships and have 50-60 people here for worship and food. I invited our good friends, Tommy and Dorothy Wilson, to come do the teaching according to whatever the Father placed on their hearts. We were not disappointed. Then, today, a feature writer for Breaking Israel News, Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz, posted an article that perfectly meshed with our lesson, even providing confirmation and pictures!! More in a minute.

Tommy and Dorothy had been digging deeper into the meaning and reason for counting the omer and what might be the spiritual significance. In her research, Dorothy found a terrific lesson on the omer which included a part she titled 10 Steps to Making Bread:

(The abbreviated version follows. For the full notes she found, go here, but understand I have not read anything else on the site and therefore do not necessarily endorse…. yada yada…)

Being part of the people of God, if we desire to be one of those two loaves waved at Shavuot, then we need to consider the process of bread making. Continue reading →

Posted in A Thought... | Tagged Eliyahu Berkowitz, Feast of unleavened bread, Omer, shavuot, Tommy and Dorothy Wilson, yom habikurim | Leave a comment

Speaking of Zion…. A Song of Ascents by Shai Abramson

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Pete Rambo

Beautiful voice and imagery, but more importantly, the lyrics of the Psalm…

Thanksgiving for Return from Captivity.

A Song of Ascents.

126 When the Lord brought back ^[a]the captive ones of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
²Then our mouth was filled with laughter
And our tongue with joyful shouting;
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
³The Lord has done great things for us;
We are glad.

⁴Restore our captivity, O Lord,
As the ^[b]streams in the ^[c]South.
⁵Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.
⁶He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,
Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

May it be soon and in our day!!

Posted in Music | Tagged captivity, Diaspora, joy, Psalm 126, rejoice, return, tears | 2 Comments

Jerusalem, 17s, 67s and the Yovel….

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Pete Rambo

The last few days has seen a number of interesting conversations converge leaving me with a number of thoughts and interesting musings. I’d like to share and see what feedback is out there…

I have gone on record before saying that in my opinion 2017 is a significant year. I have sensed that for more than 35 years and not because I was born in 1967. My birth year is tied to the recapture of Jerusalem and I have long been acutely aware of the history of events on the 17s and 67s, some of which Rabbi Judah ben Samuel allegedly prophesied. He believed the Messiah would come in 2017.

A poor pic snapped during the waning stages of our Seudat Moshiach under the Retreat Dean and Chuck recently helped me complete. Here we have Tommy and Dorothy at the far end of the table, Reynna and Tzefanyah to their left and Chris across from his youngest son, Nathaniel in the hands of off-camera wife, Mary. My two eldest sons are visible on the far left. Gunnar (l) and Jeremiah.

I do not remember which, but either during our Seudat Moshiach or our Shabbat Oneg, we were discussing the many events of recent prophecy and the return of the Moshiach and the restoration of Jerusalem and the Tent of David as the center of the world. During our discussion I shared my thoughts on 2017 and Jerusalem.

Last night I read and re-posted an interesting letter from brother James Block about the significance of Jerusalem in Scripture and what we need to be doing to speed the Messiah! In it he makes a solid case from Scripture about the incredible importance of Zion to God and His Messiah.

Then, today, I receive an email about the ‘return of 10-Israel’ and a link to an exceptional compilation of commemorations that occur next year that are all seemingly Jubilee related. Continue reading →

Posted in A Thought... | Tagged Great Tribulation, Jerusalem, Jubilee, Judah ben Samuel, Seudat Moshiach, Yovel | 6 Comments

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE BRETHREN

Posted on May 1, 2016 by Pete Rambo

We’ll be at Sukkot in Yerushalayim this year for the very reasons James says so…. Personally, I want to be there when Mashiach comes!!

Deeply ponder James’ specific action steps…

Posted in A Thought... | Tagged feasts, Jerusalem, Jesus, premil, Second Coming, Zion | 5 Comments

Christian Seders a Growing Phenomenon

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Pete Rambo

Breaking Israel News (BIN) has a terrific article up this morning that delves in the Seder observance of Messianic and Hebrew roots believers. I appreciate Eliyahu, the author, giving us a fair shake and accurately reflecting our position, even if he is not entirely in agreement. I appreciate, too, that he uses a number of individuals to confirm various degrees and types of observances among our larger community.

It is very interesting to track BIN’s fascination with and coverage of Messianic and Hebrew roots believers as they exit the Church in droves as the Spirit leads them back to the ancient paths. BIN recognizes something deeply spiritual and prophetic is occurring and they are bravely willing to openly wrestle with it. We must walk in grace and humility sharing when given opportunity and letting the Ruach do His work!

Enjoy this article and if so led, comment here and there. Share on Facebook, etc…

Christian Seders a Growing Phenomenon

By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz April 28, 2016 , 12:30 pm

“And this day shall be unto you for a memorial, and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.” Exodus 12:14 (The Israel Bible™)

The Passover Seder plate, on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover, April 22, 2016. Passover is celebrated to commemorate the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt some 3,500 years ago. (Photo: Hadas Parush/Flash90)

The unique phenomenon of Christians participating in Passover seders is beginning to catch on, as many non-Jews delve into the Jewish roots of their faith – but it is taking on new forms that are unexpected and may cross some delicate red lines.

Annie Washburn of rural Tennessee, with her hair covered and modestly dressed, can pass for an Orthodox Jew. Her family held a seder for about 20 people. It became clear that this was not a traditional Jewish home when, in true Passover spirit, her Chasidically bearded husband, Tom, slaughtered a lamb. “As a memorial, not a sacrifice,” she stressed.

Susan Conrad Gates from Indiana adopted many Jewish rituals as important aspects of her Christian observance, lighting Shabbat candles every week and observing Hanukkah. She also reads the weekly Torah portion on Saturday, incorporating readings in the Gospel. Thirty years ago, reading the Bible led her to wonder if people still observed the feasts. At that time, she took part in a Passover seder led by the Chosen People Ministries. For her it is significant as, Continue reading at BIN…

Posted in A Thought... | Tagged Breaking Israel News, Eliyahu Berkowitz, Hebrew Roots, Mashiach, Passover, Pesach | 9 Comments

An Explanation to a Jewish Brother [re-blog]

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Pete Rambo

Following begins a good article by friend and brother, Al McCarn. He and I have been having a very special bridge building experience as we have gotten to know and build friendship with a Jewish brother. I count it a rare privilege to be involved in a friendship strong enough to begin exploring and discussing differences rather than simply sticking with points of commonality. As we have discussed, mutual respect and genuine desire to understand the other without expecting them to change to our way of thinking has led to real openness and trust where in we don’t do much tap dancing or hiding in the shadows. Very refreshing.

I can’t wait to sit down face to face with this Jewish brother and get to know him and his family better. Baruch Hashem!!

An Explanation to a Jewish Brother

In Interview between Jesus and Nicodemus, James Tissot depicts one Jew’s honest attempt to understand Yeshua of Nazareth and his followers. Although Nicodemus eventually became one of those followers, the world has overlooked one very important point: neither he nor Yeshua ever ceased being Jewish.

In recent days my friend Pete Rambo and I have enjoyed a lively email exchange with a Jewish brother. By this time we have identified many of the key differences in our beliefs and the ways we perceive the world. I think it is safe to say we are confident enough in our relationship that we can ask some pointed questions without fear of alienating one another. The good thing is that we are all curious about what we believe, and we genuinely want to know how we each perceive the world. This has been eye-opening on all sides. I have learned that some of the things I thought I knew about Jews and Judaism were not quite right, just as our friend has learned that some of the things he thought he knew about Christians and Messianic believers were not quite right. This is the kind of dialogue that is essential if we are to come to an understanding of one another and begin to cooperate in bringing Messiah and building his kingdom.

What I share here is a response provided to our friend in answer to two questions. The first concerned our celebration of Passover (Pesach) – as in, why do non-Jews celebrate the Feast, and how do we do it? The second question involved our description of ourselves as something other than Christian. In other words, how is it that we believe in Yeshua, or Jesus, as Messiah, but do not consider ourselves Christians (or at least traditional Christians). In the interest of building mutual understanding, here are my answers to those questions. Continue reading….