Who is…. The Alpha and the Omega?

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Pete Rambo

While studying for the series, Who is…?, I came across another connection between the revelation of Yahweh and Yeshua with which I was familiar, but had not considered in this light.

Who is the Alpha and the Omega? [Alpha and omega are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet.]

At least twice in the Book of the Revelation of John, Yeshua claims that He is the ‘Alpha and the Omega’

Then He said to me, “^[a]It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. Revelation 21:6

¹²And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. ¹³I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, Continue reading →

Posted in Who is... | Tagged alef-tav, alpha omega, beginning and end, covenant sign, first and last, New Covenant Theology, reformed theology | 2 Comments

Who is… The Redeemer?

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Pete Rambo

A couple days ago we considered Who is… The Holy One of Israel? What we found is that the title, applied by both Peter and Stephen to Yeshua, is also a title used multiple times in the Tanak for Yahweh Tzevaot (the Lord of Hosts). Today we want to consider another title, used to refer to Yeshua, and consider how often it is ascribed to Yahweh, thus again showing the connectedness, the ‘echad’ nature, of Yahweh!

Knowing that Yeshua will return in the same way He left, and knowing that prophecy declares He will stand on the Mount of Olives and they will split from East to West, and knowing the Good Shepherd will rule/reign over His people from Jerusalem, it is not hard to understand how Christendom often goes to Job 19:25 in reference to Yeshua as the Redeemer.

As for me, I know that my ^[a]Redeemer lives,
And ^[b]at the last He will take His stand on the ^[c]earth. Continue reading →

Posted in Who is... | Tagged echad, Hebrew Roots, redeemer, reformed theology, roman catholic, trinity, trinity heresy | 4 Comments

Who is… The Holy One of Israel?

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Pete Rambo

Who is the Holy One of Israel?

That is a question I was pondering recently as I saw the title pop up multiple time in some Tanak readings, but was previously familiar with the idea from the Book of Acts. Seemed like an interesting topic to dig into a bit and glean a full understanding from the ‘whole Book.’

While the title, ‘Holy One’ or ‘Holy One of Israel’ is not commonly used in Christendom, it is recognized as a title for Yeshua. Supporting texts would include John 6:69,

We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.

Acts 3:14 says,

But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,

both spoken by Peter, and Stephen’s testimony before the Sanhedrin with the slight twist Continue reading →

Posted in Who is... | Tagged Hebrew Roots, Holy One, Israel, redeemer, reformation, reformed theology, savior, Yeshua | 6 Comments

How to inherit eternal life, according to Yeshua…

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Pete Rambo

A man once asked Yeshua what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. That is a question asked today by those who recognize the longing in their souls. Yeshua’s answer was a little different than what you will hear in most churches… Should give us something to chew on!

Here is how Luke records the exchange,

²⁵And a ^[a]lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” ²⁶And He said to him, Continue reading →

Posted in A Thought... | Tagged eternal life, heaven, inherit, lawyer | 8 Comments

Excellent article on HRM in Jewish Magazine: Tablet **Update!

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Pete Rambo

Here is a VERY interesting and well done article Courtney forwarded to me. If you are familiar with the growing Hebrew Roots movement (HRM), you will be blessed. If you are not familiar, this is a terrific introduction through the eyes of a Jewish magazine. The comments are interesting, as well!

For Some Believers Trying To Connect With Jesus, the Answer Is To Live Like a Jew

The Torah-observant gentiles of the Hebrew Roots movement get circumcised, lay tefillin, and grow peyos

rico_cortes_012814_620px You will be blessed by this terrific article. Following is a link to an article by Judah Gabriel Himango about this article. Also, very good!! Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Post | Tagged connecting, Dallas, Hebrew Roots, HRM heresy, Israel, Jew, rico cortes, tefillin | 9 Comments

An interesting question to ponder…. (Your help needed.)

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Pete Rambo

While hanging with my good friend, Nick, a couple weeks ago, we were batting thoughts around and I asked, ‘Is it ever justifiable in Scripture to lead people away from God’s commandments?’

Or, to put it another way; ‘Is there ever an example in Scripture of Yahweh condoning, or even blessing someone who teaches against His Word?’

I have thought long and hard about this and can’t think of any examples. Maybe I’ve missed something, and am therefore asking for your help. Can you think of any instance in Scripture where Yahweh compliments or affirms anyone who leads people away from the Torah?

There are innumerable instances where He is angered and judges those who lead people away from His ways and His voice, but I can think of none wherein He affirms leading people away. Continue reading →

Posted in Debate/Discussion | Tagged Apostle Paul, change law, millstone, moses, Torah, yeshua in the Tanak, yoke | 5 Comments

Considering ‘abomination.’

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Pete Rambo

Scripture defines a number of things as ‘an abomination’ or ‘abominable.’ Several Hebrew words are defined as such, so I thought it would be interesting to compare and consider the uses of the word and the implications it may have in our lives.

Five different Hebrew words, as well as one Greek word, are translated as ‘abomination,’ or some variant thereof.

abom·i·na·tion

noun \ə-ˌbä-mə-ˈnā-shən\

: something that causes disgust or hatred

1: something abominable

2: extreme disgust and hatred : loathing

Of those four, the predominant one is H8441 תּעבה / תּועבה, tô‛êbah.
BDB Definition:
1) a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable
1a) in ritual sense Continue reading →

Posted in Deeper Study | Tagged abomination of desolation, cake, Daniel, fire, food, judgment, prophecy, skunk | 3 Comments

Messianic Pharisees. Paradigm breakers!

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Pete Rambo

As we discussed yesterday, Christendom is generally not taught to have a high regard for the Pharisees. Yet, ironically, we hold several Pharisees up as models of faith!! How can that be?

If you say, ‘because they stopped being a Pharisees,’ you would be wrong!!

Walk with me as we consider a couple Messianic Pharisees!

John 3:1-21 recounts the story of a Pharisees, Nicodemus, who sought out Yeshua by night to ask a few questions. Nicodemus obviously understood something worthy of investigation was going on, he just did not understand it. It didn’t quite fit his box. Instead of discounting it, he investigated! The result is that he became a follower. Continue reading →

Posted in A Thought... | Tagged Apostle Paul, Easter, Lutheran, pagan, paganism, pharisee, reformed theology, sola scriptura, Valentine's Day | 3 Comments

“Bless this food!” Excellent short video!

Posted on February 2, 2014 by Pete Rambo

Excellent short video! A number of neat thoughts/nuggets!

Posted in Guest Post | Tagged clean, food, Leviticus 11, Lex Meyer, pork, swine, unclean | 4 Comments

Modern-day Pharisees? In our pulpits!

Posted on February 2, 2014 by Pete Rambo

If you were taught as I was, your opinion of the Pharisees may not be a good one. While Christendom loves to focus on the passages of Scripture wherein Yeshua is dressing down the religious leaders, this is not a very balanced understanding of who they were and what they professed. Nor is it a good understanding of why Yeshua occasionally addressed them the way He did

A study of First Century Judaism reveals a very divided religious system not unlike modern Christianity. There were dozens of sects, or divisions, much like modern denominations. Major dividing lines were based on the teachings of recognized authorities such as Gamaliel, Hillel, and Shamai. These groups, typically called ‘houses,’ were the major influencers of the day. Each had many beliefs that were right and some that were wrong… not unlike Reformed/Arminian, or Presbyterian/Baptist groupings with many subdivisions and peripheral denominations such as Wesleyan, Lutheran, Nazarene, etc! Of course, if you speak to any of those denominations today, you would find pulpits full of pastors utterly convinced they have it all right, or at least the closest system of scriptural understanding known to man. Continue reading →

Posted in Debate/Discussion | Tagged grace, hypocrisy, pharisees, preacher, pulpit, Torah observant | 5 Comments

Shabbat 2.1.14, Terumah, Exodus 26:31-33 The Veil!

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Pete Rambo

Shabbat 2.1.14, Terumah, Exodus 26:31-33 The Veil!.

Here is an excellent teaching from this week’s Shabbat service. We focused on the Veil in the Tabernacle! WOW!! What an awesome study! You will be blessed… or your money back! 😉

Posted in Deeper Study | Tagged cherubim, Exodus 26, Messiah, Messianic worship service, shabbat message, Tabwernacle, Veil, Yehsua in the Tanak | 2 Comments

‘First day of the week’… Acts 20:7

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Pete Rambo

Several days ago, I wrote concerning the nine times we are commanded, in one form or another, to ‘remember the Sabbath.’ Christendom’s defense for SUNday worship varies, however, the primary text is usually Acts 20:7 and the phrase, ‘on the first day of the week.’

⁷On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his ^[a]message until midnight.

There are no places in Scripture that directly say anything whatsoever about Sunday worship or a change of the day from Sabbath to Sunday. Zero. None. Nada.

This verse is as close as we get and it has numerous challenges to surmount before even being regarded as potential evidence. Let’s consider multiple reasons Continue reading →

Posted in Deeper Study, Sabbath | Tagged Acts 20:7, Apostle Paul, first day of the week, mia ton sabbaton, reformation, Roman Catholic heresy, Sunday | 13 Comments

A conversation with a Pastor about the Sabbath – UNLEARN

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Pete Rambo

Had a similar conversation not long ago… Unscriptural paradigms are hard to break. As Jolie (a certified counselor who specialized in deprogramming) once said to me, “Makes you wonder who is in the cult.”

Posted in Guest Post, Sabbath | Tagged Baptist, former pastor, Lex Meyer, Nazarene, Presbyterian, reformation, reformed theology, UNLEARN | 9 Comments

Just Scales = One Law for All!!

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Pete Rambo

Yesterday we talked about unjust scales.

Following is a terrific short article from a different angle, but dealing with the same issue: One Law.

________________

Messianic Gentile Manifesto

A new friend of mine recently asked me to provide the basis for One Law. So without further ado…

THE ONE-LAW PROPOSITION

All covenantal members of Israel are bound by “One Law” (Exodus 12:48,49; Lev. 24:22; Numbers 9:14; Numbers 15:15-16). This is binding precedent. Since the Apostolic Writings confirm that non-Jewish Believers are covenantal members of Israel, precedent dictates that non-Jewish are bound to this One-Law. Furthermore, the Apostolic Writings, in agreement with the Prophets, hold that non-Jews are covenantal members of Israel compelled by the Ruach haKodesh to keep the “One-Law”.

OVERVIEW OF EVIDENCE FOR THE ONE-LAW PROPOSITION Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Post | Tagged abrahamic covenant, bilateral ecclesiology, Gentile, one law, Orthodox Messianic, righteousness, Torah, Yeshua | 4 Comments

Unjust Scales, Israel and the Church

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Pete Rambo

On more than a few encounters with people discussing ‘the Church’ and ‘Israel of old,’ I have heard the idea that God dealt with them differently before the cross than He does now. The idea gets presented in various forms that all smack of dispensationalism, even when coming from Reformed circles.

Generally, the idea is that Yahweh gave Israel laws at Mt. Sinai in order to prove their inability to keep them (despite Deu. 30:11) and to prove our need for a Messiah. Then, once the point was made, He no longer needed those laws and gave a significantly less ‘burdensome’ set of instructions to those saved by grace.

Recently, this fallacy in Christian understanding has stuck all the more in my craw. It smacks of a God who violates His own Torah.

Proverbs 16:11 says,