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1 Peter 5:8 (HCSB) ⁸ Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

1Pe 5:8  (TS2009) Be sober, watch, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 

Revelation 12:9 (HCSB) ⁹ So the great dragon was thrown out—the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil^[f] and Satan,^[g] the one who deceives the whole world. He was thrown to earth, and his angels with him.

Rev 12:9 (TS2009) And the great dragon was thrown out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who leads all the world astray. He was thrown to the earth, and his messengers were thrown out with him. 

As we read The Scriptures of 1 Peter 5:8 & Revelation 12:9, we see that we, the believers of YHWH and followers of His Lamb who live according to The Lamb’s testimony, have a spirit that is hot on our trail. That spirit is not alone as he has his own set of messengers who are disobedient to the Perfect & Loving Will of The Father. That spirit and his messengers not only want us physically but they want to take up residency inside of us – to own our hearts and minds. That spirit and his messengers are here to aide your flesh in living in disobedience to The Father. That spirit and his messengers are here to aide your flesh in NOT living by the testimony of The Lamb. That spirit roars and his messengers roar after him to get you to become afraid; then your fear will diminish your faith in YHWH and your obedience to YHWH’s Lamb. Fear of, from and for the enemy and faith in YHWH are in total opposition to one another and do NOT DWELL WITHIN THE SAME TEMPLE! Simply put, you cannot fear the enemy and be faithful to YHWH at the same time. You and I must be courageous like Joshua as we fight for our lives and the lives of our people.

People of The Father must learn that we have been instructed, commanded, mandated, and directed; from which we are expected to be sober, be on guard, be watchful, be faithful to YHWH, be strong, be courageous, be immovable from YHWH, be convinced by The Scriptures, and be obedient to The Scriptures. People of The Father must always be observant of their surroundings – spiritual observance and natural observance. People of The Father must understand that we are in a spiritual war that is seen AS A physical war. Many are able to see the natural war BUT ARE NOT able to see the spiritual war that started long before the natural war ever appeared. People of The Father must live as citizens of The heavenly Father’s Kingdom who are traveling through this barren land – a land under the control and deception of the enemy – focused on pleasing their King at all times and in all things while they are in this barren land. People of The Father are known by how faithful they are to His Word, by the fruit that falls from them, by their ability to stand firm in the middle of trials, by the TRUTHful words that come from their mouths, by their continuing repentance, by their ability to resist the lying lion’s roar, and by their action of seperating themselves from this world’s deceptions.

People of The Father – return to the word, will, way and worship of The Father, just as The Lamb did while He walked on this earth. The liar – devil, deceiver, enemy & adversary – roared at him but He roared back and roared in The Father’s Power, authority, dominion and everlasting Truth. People of The Father – get your guard up! People of The Father, when your guard is up, you cannot be defeated by the enemy or any of his messengers – no matter how many of them there are. People of The Father – The Father is expecting you to always Guard Up! Guard Up means that you are prepared, you are aware, you are watching, you are alert (sober in mind, heart & body), you are not moved by a liar’s roar, you are courageous to resist fleeing from fear, you are strong in YHWH, you are empowered thru The Word of YHWH, and you execute The Father’s plan to HIS perfection. People of The Father – Guard Up to the esteem of The Father and for The Father’s Name!

Salama, Shalom & Peace to the followers of The Lamb!

Scriptural References & Note:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%205&version=HCSB

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2012&version=HCSB

e-Sword: Free Bible Study for the PC

Note: TS2009 is the 2009 version of The Scriptures developed by Institute For Scripture Research (https://www.isr-messianic.org/). The Scriptures is a literal bible translation that utilizes the Masoretic letters and symbols for the true name of The Father and The Son (Messiah) without utilizing replacement titl

Zechariah 14:9 (HCSB) ⁹ On that day Yahweh will become King over all the earth—Yahweh alone, and His name alone. 

Zechariah 14:9 (TS2009) 9  And יהוה shall be Sovereign over all the earth.^c In that day there shall be one יהוה, and His Name one. ^{Footnote: c See footnote Isa_24:23, also Dan_2:44, Rev_11:15.} 

Revelation 11:15-18 (HCSB) ¹⁵ The seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying: The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever! ¹⁶ The 24 elders, who were seated before God on their thrones, fell facedown and worshiped God, ¹⁷ saying: We thank You, Lord God, the Almighty, who is and who was,^[o] because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. ¹⁸ The nations were angry, but Your wrath has come. The time has come for the dead to be judged and to give the reward to Your servants the prophets, to the saints, and to those who fear Your name, both small and great, and the time has come to destroy those who destroy the earth.

Revelation 11:15-18 (TS2009) 15  And the seventh messenger sounded, and there came to be loud voices in the heaven, saying, “The reign of this world has become the reign of our Master, and of His Messiah, and He shall reign forever and ever!”^{a Footnote: aSee Rev_12:10, Psa_2:8, Psa_22:28, Dan_2:44, Dan_7:13-14, Oba_1:15-21, Hag_2:22, Zec_14:9.}  16  And the twenty-four elders sitting before Elohim on their thrones fell on their faces and worshipped Elohim,  17  saying, “We give You thanks, O יהוה Ěl Shaddai, the One who is and who was and who is coming, because You have taken Your great power and reigned.  18  “And the nations were enraged, ^Psa_2:1 and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead to be judged, and to give the reward to Your servants the prophets and to the set-apart ones, and to those who fear Your Name, small and great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.” 

As we live this life, many times we are overwhelmed by the particular day and/or days in which we live. Many times we say ‘All I want to do is get through this day’; many times we say ‘I’m just trying to make it through this day’; many times we say ‘This week has been terrible and I’m looking forward to this weekend’; and many times we say, ‘It’s Monday already, I wonder what else is coming my way this week!’ The day and the days can be stressful, full of test and trials, and seem to be unbearable/unlivable. The day and/or days are really for us to see what it is that The Father has either allowed to come our way or has sent our way to prove us. This word is not for those who refuse to believe that their is a Father (God) in heaven. This word is for those who believe, for those will make themselves available to hear and for those who are His enemies right now but will be on His team in His time.

As we live this life in these days that we are given, some come to know His Title, His Position, His Power, His Authority, His Righteousness, His Wrath, His Fire, His Mercy, His Forgiveness, His Redemption, His Favor, His Everlasting and His Name. What, the Creator & Father has a name? Yes, He DOES has a name! Don’t you have a name? And here me with this on – there is a major difference between a name and a title. His name has been kept away from His Chosen and Set-apart ones by the father of lies and those who are his children. His Name comes with Priesthood, Power, Peace, Prosperity, Providence, Possession & Permission. And you better believe that His Name is important (go read Exodus 20:7 and meditate on the scriptural references from which this message comes).

Whether you have come to know His Name or not, whether you only know Him by one of His Titles or His Position, you must understand that He expects for you to obey His Word – His Messiah/Christ/Lamb/Son – while you are in this boundary called time and come to receive His Spirit. His Word has been sent so that you and I will know how it is that we are to live this day and in these days that we have been given. His Word has been sent so that you will not be left without a witness. His Word has been sent so that you will not be confused during this day or any other day that you are afforded to see. His Word is available to you and sent specifically just for you – so that you will be without an excuse in THAT Day! The sad part is that the large majority of folks will rely more on the commentary of a man or a woman than they will rely on The Father to use His Spirit to open His Word to them so that they will, without a doubt, know the path of preparation for THAT Day.

Family, THAT Day is swiftly approaching when time will be no more. THAT Day will be a day when YAH will be King of the earth. THAT Day will be a day when YAH & His Messiah shall reign and there shall be no more evil on the earth – the renewed earth. THAT Day will be a day when each and every man, boy, woman and girl will be rewarded for how they lived – conducted themselves, changed from their evil ways & cared about their fellow human – in each and every day that their eyes were allowed to open and that breath was in their body. THAT Day will be a day when His servants – those who have feared His Name, those who have set their lives to live for Him (not some organization or any other idol), those who have been persecuted because of their eternal righteousness, those who have been ostracized because they would not compromise His Word, and those who knew that time did not belong to them but it was for His Service – shall receive the reward from the KING before any kings, the SOVEREIGN above all sovereigns, and the Ancient of Days. Family, get ready and be sure that you are prepared for THAT Day. I warn you now that many will be surprised by what they shall receive!!!

Shalom (Peace)!

Scriptural References & Note:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah%2014&version=HCSB

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=REVELATION+11&version=HCSB

e-Sword: Free Bible Study for the PC

Note: TS2009 is the 2009 version of The Scriptures developed by Institute For Scripture Research (https://www.isr-messianic.org/). The Scriptures is a literal bible translation that utilizes the Masoretic letters and symbols for the true name of The Father and The Son (Messiah) without utilizing replacement titles or a position created by men. In order to minimize the debate over proper name enunciation, they have elected to utilize the theologically and historically accepted symbols for Their Names and have left the enunciation to the reader and/or student. They have also approached this translation from a Hebraic perspective in lieu of a Latinized, Greek, Roman, Greco-Roman, or Hellenized perspective. Why would I be led to introduce you (or some of you) to this method of translation?

Well, let’s go to The Scriptures for the answer – ¹John 19:19-20 (HCSB) ¹⁹ Pilate also had a sign lettered and put on the cross. The inscription was: JESUS THE NAZARENE THE KING OF THE JEWS. ²⁰ Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew,^[f] Latin, and Greek; and ²Romans 3:1-2 (HCSB) ¹ So what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?  ² Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted with the spoken words of God.

If the Jews (Israelites) were entrusted with The Word of God and during the time that The Messiah walked in the flesh they spoke Hebrew (some will say they spoke Aramaic), then why would we not read, understand and apply The Scriptures the Hebraic spiritual, familial, cultural, linguistic, etymological, historical and generational context? After all, they were reminded in

Jeremiah 10:1-2 (HCSB) 1 Hear the word that the Lord has spoken to^[a] you, house of Israel. ² This is what the Lord says: Do not learn the way of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens,
although the nations are terrified by them,

Mark 6:6-9 (HCSB) ⁶ He answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
⁷ They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men.^{[c] 8} Disregarding the command of God, you keep the tradition of men.”^[d] 9 He also said to them, “You completely invalidate God’s command in order to maintain^[e] your tradition!

Mark 7:6-9 (TS2009) 6  And He answering, said to them, “Well did Yeshayahu prophesy concerning you hypocrites, as it has been written, ‘This people respect Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. 7  And in vain do they worship Me, teaching as teachings the commands of men.’^{a Isa_29:13. Footnote: aAlso see 2Ki_17:19 and Mat_15:3-9.}  8  “Forsaking the command of Elohim, you hold fast the tradition of men.”  9  And He said to them, “Well do you set aside the command of Elohim, in order to guard your tradition. 

John 8:42-45 (HCSB) ⁴² Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, because I came from God and I am here. For I didn’t come on My own, but He sent Me. ⁴³ Why don’t you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to^[n] My word. ⁴⁴ You are of your father the Devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature,^[o] because he is a liar and the father of liars.^[p] 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.

John 8:42-45 (TS2009) 42  יהושע said to them, “If Elohim were your Father, you would love Me, for I came forth from Elohim, and am here. For I have not come of Myself, but He sent Me.  43  “Why do you not know what I say? Because you are unable to hear My Word.  44  “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you wish to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it.  45  “And because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. 

It seems like it has been months since I have sat to compile and distribute a message. Even in the midst of not sitting, I have been hearing The Spirit speak regarding the times in which we are living. So much chaos is going on, and, to be completely honest and in alignment with The Word – family, it is only going to get worse. I know you want to hear that it is going to get better. I know you want to hear that all of this that you see and hear will get better. You already know that we don’t always get what we want but we do get exactly what we need. If you would just sit down with The Scriptures and begin to read from Genesis to Revelation – better stated – study from Genesis to Revelation, you will see what has been prophesied to occur. If you don’t want to sit down with all of the book, then open Matthew 24 and Luke 21 to see the revelation given by The Master.

When you begin to see what The Master had/has to say, many will tell you that what He has said was going to happen has already occurred – not everything. I am here to tell you that you better be very careful to whom you listen. All that deal with and in prophecy don’t have the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, and many are actually workers for the liar of liars. Others don’t have the needed sight to truly see what is right in front of them. Many want you to be confused about what is going on and not be prepared to deal with what is right in front of you and me. The revelation is a revelation that was and is set to occur over more than one millennium and over many generations. These liars – disguised as ministers of light – are charlatans who have rejected The Word from our Father, chameleons who have the look but don’t have the inner required change, and characters made for destruction who teach you/preach to you/subject you to/lead you into the defiled doctrines of devils.

Family, you must sit still, hear from The Spirit from On High, and begin to un-learn all the lies that are holding you hostage, un-learn all the lies that keep you from being able to see the TRUE situation in which we live, un-learn the traditions that keep you from the freedom that comes from The Father, un-learn the path rejected by The Father and The Master, and begin to learn the only path that He has approved! You must turn away from the heretical traditions that have been created by defiled pits who have been lifted up and continue to be lifted up by those who desire to be them and by those who want you not to possess the Power that has been made available to you. You must stop walking the heritage of hate, the heritage of greed, the heritage of pleasing men, the heritage of twisting The Word from The Father, the heritage of relying on man’s opinions that are clearly contrary what The Father has delivered to us, the heritage of clever and powerless cliches, the heritage of talking that talk without walking that walk, and the heritage of having no desire to spend any serious and humbling time with The Father so that His Spirit can speak to you. Family, my assignment is to tell you that play time is over and The Father is calling you to come away from the lies and liars, calling you to see these traditions have lead you away from The Father, calling you to learn from His Word, and calling you to prepare yourself for these latter days in which we are living. Family, truly digest the referenced passages of Mark & John laid out in The Scriptures. If you are able to hear and if you are able to see, THEN you ripe to un-learn the lies!

Shalom (Peace)!

Scriptural References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%207&version=HCSB

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+8&version=HCSB

e-Sword: Free Bible Study for the PC

Note: TS2009 is the 2009 version of The Scriptures developed by Institute For Scripture Research (https://www.isr-messianic.org/). The Scriptures is a literal bible translation that utilizes the Masoretic letters and symbols for the true name of The Father and The Son (Messiah) without utilizing replacement titles or a position created by men. In order to minimize the debate over proper name enunciation, they have elected to utilize the theologically and historically accepted symbols for Their Names and have left the enunciation to the reader and/or student. They have also approached this translation from a Hebraic perspective in lieu of a Latinized, Greek, Roman, Greco-Roman, or Hellenized perspective. Why would I be led to introduce you (or some of you) to this method of translation?

Well, let’s go to The Scriptures for the answer – ¹John 19:19-20 (HCSB) ¹⁹ Pilate also had a sign lettered and put on the cross. The inscription was: JESUS THE NAZARENE THE KING OF THE JEWS. ²⁰ Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew,^[f] Latin, and Greek; and ²Romans 3:1-2 (HCSB) ¹ So what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?  ² Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted with the spoken words of God.

If the Jews (Israelites) were entrusted with The Word of God and during the time that The Messiah walked in the flesh they spoke Hebrew (some will say they spoke Aramaic), then why would we not read, understand and apply The Scriptures the Hebraic spiritual, familial, cultural, linguistic, etymological, historical and generational context? After all, they were reminded in

Jeremiah 10:1-2 (HCSB) 1 Hear the word that the Lord has spoken to^[a] you, house of Israel. ² This is what the Lord says: Do not learn the way of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens,
although the nations are terrified by them,

Ezekiel 3:18-21 (HCSB) ¹⁸ If I say to the wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him—you don’t speak out to warn him about his wicked way in order to save his life—that wicked person will die for his iniquity. Yet I will hold you responsible for his blood. ¹⁹ But if you warn a wicked person and he does not turn from his wickedness or his wicked way, he will die for his iniquity, but you will have saved your life. ²⁰ Now if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, and I put a stumbling block in front of him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die because of his sin and the righteous acts he did will not be remembered. Yet I will hold you responsible for his blood. ²¹ But if you warn the righteous person that he should not sin, and he does not sin, he will indeed live because he listened to your warning, and you will have saved your life.”

Ezekiel 3:18-21 (TS2009) 18  “When I say to the wrong,^b ‘You shall certainly die,’ and you have not warned him, nor spoken to warn the wrong from his wrong way, to save his life, that same wrong man shall die in his crookedness, and his blood I require at your hand. Footnote: ^{b This passage is almost the same as in Eze_18:20-32 and Eze_33:8-20.}  19  “But if you have warned the wrong and he does not turn from his wrong, nor from his wrong way, he shall die in his crookedness, and you have delivered your being.  20  “And when a righteous one turns from his righteousness and shall do unrighteousness, when I have put a stumbling-block before him, he shall die. Because you did not warn him, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done is not remembered, and his blood I require at your hand.  21  “But if you have warned the righteous one that the righteous should not sin, and he did not sin, he shall certainly live because he has been warned, and you have delivered your being.”

Matthew 7:23 (HCSB) ²³ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’^[i][j]

Matthew 7:23 (TS2009) 23  “And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work lawlessness!’^{c Psa_6:8. Footnote: c See Mat_7:15, and also Mat_13:41-42.} 

1 John 3:4 (HCSB) ⁴ Everyone who commits sin also breaks the law;^[b] sin is the breaking of law.

1 John 3:4 (TS2009) 4  Everyone doing sin also does lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 

As each of us walks this life that we have been given, we have had, do have and will have issues, adverse situations or unwanted circumstances enter into our lives. Sometimes these issues, adverse situations or unwanted circumstances are allowed to enter our lives so that we can remove ourselves from situations, so that we can learn to change the way we think, so that we are able to see who is or is not truly on our team, so that we will learn when to hush our mouths and when to open our mouths, so that we able to understand that there is better for us to be and do, and so that we can differentiate true life from death. Many do not want to have any issues, adverse situations or unwanted circumstances to exist in our lives. Many want to live “their best life now”, but are aware that many times “their best life now” is really death as “their best life now” keeps them tied to this world and does NOT allow them to live as a citizen of The Father’s Kingdom. Warning!!!

As each of us walks this life that we have been given, we – as individuals who are living our own life – have to learn what is righteousness and what is wickedness, and understand them from the Right Perspective. The Right Perspective is learning how The Father has defined righteousness and how The Father has defined wickedness. Any other perspective – better stated any other opinion – is only a relative, temporary, earthly, and eternally punishable perspective (opinion) that received it’s genesis from the enemy and in how the enemy has changed, attempted to change, and rejected The Father’s Righteous decrees. Many have been hood-winked, tricked, beguiled, confused, and led astray because they have not fully come to understand what it is that The Father has laid down in His Word, how He has NOT changed His Word, how there is NO confusion in Him and of Him, and how they have been sold a bad bill of goods by those who are NOT His. What is that bad bill of goods? It is live any way that you want to live and everything is all good; in other words, follow the disobedient and satanist foundational statement – Do what thy will! Warning!!!

Ezekiel was chosen to be a watchman of Israel. The watchman had the specific assignment from The Father of warning those of Israel who were living righteously according to The Father’s decrees to continue living in righteousness and the specific assignment from The Father of warning those of Israel who were living wickedly against The Father’s decrees to repent (change) of their ways and follow The Way of righteousness. The watchman was to warn those people who – as a nation – were the apple of The Father’s eye to remain with their first love and to demonstrate their love to The Father in obeying Him with all of their heart, all of their mind, all of their soul, and all of their being. The watchman was to continuously warn The Father’s people – not his people – to remain IN a protected position of blessings and comfort. The watchman was NOT to be distracted, dejected, discomforted and delayed by how the people would and would not receive The Message to them from The Father. Warning!!!

Family, we are in a day when folk don’t want the watchmen – only a few are here today – to tell them that they must change how they think, how they speak, and how they live. Folk have their own opinion (perspective) and don’t want to hear how their opinion (perspective) is out of alignment with The Father’s Word. Folk disregard The Warnings from the few watchmen that are present and receive the words from the ocean of liars who have led and are leading them away from The Father. Some folk live righteously sometimes and righteously before some people but end up having their righteousness forgotten because they willingly enter into iniquity and sin – iniquity and sin are lawlessness – without the consideration that their iniquity and sin – lawlessness – will overshadow what has been. Other folk live wickedly from the fact that their wickedness has been defined as good by the world; so they live out the world’s good which is in total opposition to what The Father has defined as good. Warning!!!

Family, Receive The Warning to obey The Father’s Word – His Righteous Law – which came from His Mouth into His watchmen. Receive The Warning to demonstrate how strong you are in The Father. Receive The Warning to separate yourself from this world’s chaos, corruption, confusion, complacency and the coming wrath from The King. Receive The Warning to keep your righteousness before The Father’s eyes so that He will remember your life of righteous surrender to His Will, His Way, His Word and His Worship! Receive The Warning from The Master recorded in Matthew 7:23, John’s reminder in 1 John 3:4 and The Word’s revelation: Revelation 22:12 (HBSB) ¹² “Look! I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to repay each person according to what he has done.

Scriptural References & Note:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%203&version=HCSB

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=MATTHEW+7&version=HCSB

e-Sword: Free Bible Study for the PC

Note: TS2009 is the 2009 version of The Scriptures developed by Institute For Scripture Research (https://www.isr-messianic.org/). The Scriptures is a literal bible translation that utilizes the Masoretic letters and symbols for the true name of The Father and The Son (Messiah) without utilizing replacement titles or a position created by men. In order to minimize the debate over proper name enunciation, they have elected to utilize the theologically and historically accepted symbols for Their Names and have left the enunciation to the reader and/or student. They have also approached this translation from a Hebraic perspective in lieu of a Latinized, Greek, Roman, Greco-Roman, or Hellenized perspective. Why would I be led to introduce you (or some of you) to this method of translation?

Well, let’s go to The Scriptures for the answer – ¹John 19:19-20 (HCSB) ¹⁹ Pilate also had a sign lettered and put on the cross. The inscription was: JESUS THE NAZARENE THE KING OF THE JEWS. ²⁰ Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew,^[f] Latin, and Greek; and ²Romans 3:1-2 (HCSB) ¹ So what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?  ² Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted with the spoken words of God.

If the Jews (Israelites) were entrusted with The Word of God and during the time that The Messiah walked in the flesh they spoke Hebrew (some will say they spoke Aramaic), then why would we not read, understand and apply The Scriptures the Hebraic spiritual, familial, cultural, linguistic, etymological, historical and generational context? After all, they were reminded in

Jeremiah 10:1-2 (HCSB) 1 Hear the word that the Lord has spoken to^[a] you, house of Israel. ² This is what the Lord says: Do not learn the way of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens,
although the nations are terrified by them,

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation+22&version=HCSB

Revelation 1:9-10 (HCSB) ⁹ I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation, kingdom, and endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of God’s word and the testimony about Jesus.^[q] 10 I was in the Spirit^[r][s] on the Lord’s day,^[t] and I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet

Revelation 1:9-10 (TS2009) 9  I, Yoḥanan, both your brother and co-sharer in pressure, and in the reign and endurance of יהושע Messiah, came to be on the island that is called Patmos for the Word of Elohim and for the witness of יהושע Messiah. 10  I came to be in the Spirit on the Day of יהוה,a and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, ^{Footnote: aSee also Isa_13:6, Isa_13:9, Eze_13:5, Joe_1:15, Joe_2:1, Joe_2:11, Joe_2:31, Joe_3:14, Amo_5:16-20, Oba_1:15, Zep_1:7, Zep_1:14, Mal_4:5, Act_2:20, 1Th_5:2, 2Th_2:2, 2Pe_3:10.} 

John, Paul, Ezra, Daniel and Moses were able to witness something that your greatest – or perceived to be your greatest – 20^th, 19^th, 18^th, 17^th, 16^th & 15^th century preachers, pastors, professors and proclaimers were never able to see – The Messiah (The Word/The Son) and Heaven. These 5 men were isolated and shown Heaven – whether by vision or physically there. These 5 men were so focused on pleasing The Father and His Son that nothing else in this life mattered to them. They refused to bow to the authority figures of their day, they refused to bow to their world’s policies, they refused to disregard their biological and spiritual heritage, and they refused to bow the gods of this world. Their refusal brought them into the presence of this world’s power brokers who had the power to kill them or to allow them to live. Life nor death mattered to them – all that mattered is that they do the work to which they had been called. Isolated so they could hear from Heaven.

The Emissary (Apostle) John lived what he believed and continuously spoke what he believed. What did he believe? He believed every word that came from The Word’s mouth. He believed The Understanding of The Word (what we would call the Old Testament) that was given to them by The Word in the flesh. How did others know what he believed? He believed The Word so much that he had no other choice than do what it was that he had come to believe and suffer the consequences for not keeping quiet about his redeemer and teacher. How did he demonstrated that he believed in The Master? He chose life in the midst of death. He chose life in the midst of temporary discomfort. Isolated so he could hear from Heaven.

The Emissary (Apostle) John did not allow the discomfort of being isolated to the island of Patmos for the truth with which he lived and The Truth in what he spoke. Discomfort in this world means comfort in the new Jerusalem, new heaven, and new earth. Discomfort in this world because you displease this world’s leaders – those who rebel against The Scriptures and who follow this world’s god – will send you to a place of isolation so that you can increase in your assignment for the people to whom you will be sent with The Eternal Truth. Discomfort and isolation makes your heart and mind available to witness something that the majority of the world can not come close to witnessing nor believing. Discomfort and isolation drives you to a place where you must be so that others can hear what it is that The Father is sending to them, what it is that others must hear while they are in time, and why it is that others must hear The Word for their betterment. Isolated so they could hear from Heaven.

Family, isolation is needed in order for us to be all we have been called to be to this world for The Kingdom. Family, don’t get so upset because you are ostracized by the world, don’t get so upset because you are constantly hated by the world, don’t get so upset because you see and hear those of this world talking about you and talking against you, don’t get so upset because you see those of this world plotting your perceived downfall, and don’t get so upset with those who have made themselves your enemy. It all has a purpose within The Father’s plan. Family, isolation is for their good even though some of them will never receive The Good that you have been given especially for them. Family, isolation is not for you but it is for those to whom the message that has been placed in you will be given. Family, you have been and will be Isolated To Hear From Heaven!

Scriptural References & Note:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation+1&version=HCSB

e-Sword: Free Bible Study for the PC

Note: TS2009 is the 2009 version of The Scriptures developed by Institute For Scripture Research (https://www.isr-messianic.org/). The Scriptures is a literal bible translation that utilizes the Masoretic letters and symbols for the true name of The Father and The Son (Messiah) without utilizing replacement titles or a position created by men. In order to minimize the debate over proper name enunciation, they have elected to utilize the theologically and historically accepted symbols for Their Names and have left the enunciation to the reader and/or student. They have also approached this translation from a Hebraic perspective in lieu of a Latinized, Greek, Roman, Greco-Roman, or Hellenized perspective. Why would I be led to introduce you (or some of you) to this method of translation?

Well, let’s go to The Scriptures for the answer – ¹John 19:19-20 (HCSB) ¹⁹ Pilate also had a sign lettered and put on the cross. The inscription was: JESUS THE NAZARENE THE KING OF THE JEWS. ²⁰ Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew,^[f] Latin, and Greek; and ²Romans 3:1-2 (HCSB) ¹ So what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?  ² Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted with the spoken words of God.

If the Jews (Israelites) were entrusted with The Word of God and during the time that The Messiah walked in the flesh they spoke Hebrew (some will say they spoke Aramaic), then why would we not read, understand and apply The Scriptures the Hebraic spiritual, familial, cultural, linguistic, etymological, historical and generational context? After all, they were reminded in

Jeremiah 10:1-2 (HCSB) 1 Hear the word that the Lord has spoken to^[a] you, house of Israel. ² This is what the Lord says: Do not learn the way of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens,
although the nations are terrified by them,

Mark 12:29-34 (HCSB) ²⁹ “This is the most important,”^[n] Jesus answered: Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is One.^[o] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.^{[p][q] 31} “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself.^[r] There is no other command greater than these.” ³² Then the scribe said to Him, “You are right, Teacher! You have correctly said that He is One, and there is no one else except Him. ³³ And to love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding,^[s] and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” ³⁴ When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any longer.

Mark 12:29-34 (TS2009) 29  And יהושע answered him, “The first of all the commands is, ‘Hear, O Yisra’ěl, יהוה our Elohim, יהוה is one. ^Deu_6:4. 30  ‘And you shall love יהוה your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ ^Deu_6:5. This is the first command.  31“And the second, like it, is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ ^Lev_19:18. There is no other command greater than these.” 32  And the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one Elohim, and there is no other besides Him. ^Deu_4:35. 33  “And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the being, and with all the strength, ^Deu_6:5 and to love one’s neighbour as oneself, is more than all the ascending offerings and offerings.” 34  And when יהושע saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the reign of Elohim.” And after that no one was bold enough to question Him.

I grew up playing a game called horseshoes. I believe that this is a southern United States created and loved game. Stakes are placed at a specific distance from one another. Participants each have 2 horseshoes and stand beside one stake and then they take turns throwing their horseshoes at the opposite stake hoping to place the U of the horseshoe around the stake in order to gain the maximum points available. If you don’t get it around the stake then you want to get it within a short distance of the stake so that you are able to accumulate some points. With every throw that is made each participant desires to always accumulate some points by getting as close to the stake as possible…if they are not able to place the U around the stake. Some points are always better than no points. Close but not there!

Horseshoes can be a lot of fun and competitive at the same time. It is an easy game to learn and an easy game to set up…..as long as you have land to set up the game. Hours and hours have been consumed by southern families and friends who have pulled out the horseshoes while participating in a gathering of loved ones. There have always been winners and losers, and there always be winners and losers of the game of horseshoes. The winners won the game/match because they accumulated the most points by sometimes getting the U on the stake and by other times getting close enough to accumulate points. The losers lost because they came close enough but were still too far away from the needed point accumulation to win the game/match. Close but not there!

As we look at the conversation that has occurred in Mark 12, we see that our Messiah has been questioned by a supposedly learned one – one educated in The Scriptures. The learned one has studied The Scriptures and is able to quote The Scriptures with some understanding. How do we know that he had some understanding? Well, our Messiah saw the he answered ‘intelligently/wisely’. You cannot answer a question wisely/intelligently without having spent some time reading and gaining an understanding of The Scriptures. Today, we have many that have no clue of what The Scriptures are really saying and how to apply Scriptural understanding to their daily lives. This learned one had some understanding but he had no application of what it is that he had read and come to understand in his daily life. Close but not there!

Family, we must learn that reading and understanding The Scriptures is important to our growth as followers of The Way. In getting our understanding in The Scriptures, putting that learning into daily practice is a sign or are signs of Whose we are and The Life that we live because of Him. If we only read and understand The Scriptures without daily putting that understanding into practice, then we are close to the Kingdom of The Father but we are NOT in The Kingdom. There are many today who are close to The Kingdom but are NOT in The Kingdom. There are many today that are close to following The Messiah but are NOT truly following Him. There are many that are close to eternal life but do NOT have it because they refuse to fully obey HIM. Close but not there!

Family, life is not about playing a game of horseshoes where you are close enough to get some points. Some points do NOT give you the victory. Some points will have you frustrated and angry because you do NOT get to where it is that you say you want to be. Some points will fool you into thinking that are you good enough to win but at the end of the game (during this life and at the end of this life) you have lost because you lived your life close to The Kingdom but you refused to enter The Kingdom. Don’t be that learned one who has all of the information that is needed to enter The Life but refuses to put all of that learning and understanding into effect in your life! Close = NOT in The Kingdom!

Scriptural References & Note:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark+12&version=HCSB

e-Sword: Free Bible Study for the PC

Note: TS2009 is the 2009 version of The Scriptures developed by Institute For Scripture Research (https://www.isr-messianic.org/). The Scriptures is a literal bible translation that utilizes the Masoretic letters and symbols for the true name of The Father and The Son (Messiah) without utilizing replacement titles or a position created by men. In order to minimize the debate over proper name enunciation, they have elected to utilize the theologically and historically accepted symbols for Their Names and have left the enunciation to the reader and/or student. They have also approached this translation from a Hebraic perspective in lieu of a Latinized, Greek, Roman, Greco-Roman, or Hellenized perspective. Why would I be led to introduce you (or some of you) to this method of translation?

Well, let’s go to The Scriptures for the answer – ¹John 19:19-20 (HCSB) ¹⁹ Pilate also had a sign lettered and put on the cross. The inscription was: JESUS THE NAZARENE THE KING OF THE JEWS. ²⁰ Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew,^[f] Latin, and Greek; and ²Romans 3:1-2 (HCSB) ¹ So what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?  ² Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted with the spoken words of God.

If the Jews (Israelites) were entrusted with The Word of God and during the time that The Messiah walked in the flesh they spoke Hebrew (some will say they spoke Aramaic), then why would we not read, understand and apply The Scriptures the Hebraic spiritual, familial, cultural, linguistic, etymological, historical and generational context? After all, they were reminded in

Jeremiah 10:1-2 (HCSB) 1 Hear the word that the Lord has spoken to^[a] you, house of Israel. ² This is what the Lord says: Do not learn the way of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens,
although the nations are terrified by them,

Romans 12:1-2 (HCSB) ¹ Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.^[a] 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Proverbs 20:1 (NKJV) ¹ Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler,
And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Proverbs 20:1 (HCSB) ¹ Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler,
and whoever staggers because of them is not wise.

A few days ago I had to take a trip for work. While on this trip I went to a social with my colleagues. Attending socials is really not my thing but I have learned that you have to socialize with your colleagues and/or people in order to get to know them and them get to know you. Typically, once your colleagues and/or people get to know you and you get to know them a work-related partnership will develop. These partnerships are needed in order for work to be productive. Sometimes after developing these work-related partnerships, friendships and/or brotherhoods/sisterhoods are developed.

While sitting beside a particular colleague, he began to talk about his relationship with God and experiences that he has had with Him over his life. This colleague knows that I am a preacher as we have discussed our faith in the past. The conversation was spawned because everyone at our tables – except me – had ordered an alcoholic beverage or two or three. It was interesting to him that in the midst of an establishment for drinking and eating, I was disciplined enough to not do what all that were in attendance were doing – order a drink or order a few drinks. Many have come to understand that social drinking is a part of getting to know somebody. Social drinking lowers your guard and the ‘real you’ begins to appear and now colleagues and/or people see the ‘who’ that is inside of you.

My colleague tells me a particular experience where God had answered a question that he asked Him. God didn’t answer at the exact time that he asked Him but God did answer his question in time. God answering his question made him feel close to God. Now, he did let me know that there had been other times when he asked questions and never received answers to his questions. Here is where I come in. He said, “It’s impressive that you didn’t order a drink like me and the others. Is that root beer that I heard you order? I said yes.” He then began to talk about us changing for God. He said, “God wants us to change for Him but we don’t want to do change. We don’t want to give up things to show God how we appreciate Him. Look at me, I ordered a drink and you ordered root beer.” The next part of the dialogue is the wow moment…. He said, “If we give up things – drinking – or whatever it is that we like to do or just have to do, then we can hear more from God and really see what is going on.” Wow!!!

If you will notice in the above paragraph, I did NOT do the majority of the talking. The conversation was initiated and led by someone that is not a preacher nor has ever proclaimed to be a preacher. He has expressed a faith in God and acknowledges that there is a way that God would have us to live. My life – actions – in the presence of temptation is what sparked the conversation. I did NOT order an alcoholic beverage and I did NOT attempt to condemn nor convict any of the colleagues that were in attendance and were partaking of alcoholic festivities. Full disclosure – I do not recommend that anyone should drink alcoholic beverages as there are spiritual ramifications that come with frequent partaking in wine or strong drink (beer, hennessy, patrone, jack daniels, jim bean, etc.). The casual christian or maturing (maybe) believer would more than likely call me a wine bibber, beer bibber or strong drink bibber because I was in a place with those who like to drink alcoholic beverages. The casual drinker observing me not drinking alcoholic beverages would call me a ‘holier than though’ person, even though I said nothing derogatory to any of my colleagues or any other patrons in the establishment who were drinking.

Family, the apostle, empowered by The Father’s Spirit, told us to not be conformed to this world but to have a mind that is ever changing – not evolving -to be more and more like our Messiah (Christ). He wants us to understand that our flesh and ‘our desire to fit in’ will always lead us to do the things that The Father would not have us to do. He wants us to understand that we have to desire to change for The Father and then actually live changed lives everyday for the good pleasure of The Father. It does not matter how folk think about you, it does not matter how folk look at you, it does not matter how folk talk about you and it does not matter how folk attempt to hinder your spiritual maturation; all that matters IS that you are obedient to The Father, you are walking in The Way, you understand how to Worship The Father in Spirit & Truth, you actually Worship The Father in Spirit & Truth every day, and you are allowing your light to shine before men in such a manner that they can see your light and glorify our Father in heaven.

Family, Change is important to your righteous longevity. Change is critical in order to see the revelation that The Father wants you to see. Change is critical if others are going to get to know Who The Father IS. Change – within you – can only be accomplished by truly drawing close to The Father through The Son/The Word/The Messiah/The Christ. Change for the glory of The Only Living Ancient of Days!!!

Shalom (Peace)!

Scriptural References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+12&version=HCSB

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+20&version=NKJV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+20&version=HCSB