The Natural Congregation of Yahweh is what the secular world, modern traditional 'Christians',

and the modern 'Jews', would phrase as, "The Natural Church of God"

Agape Feast

 The Agape Feast was the Love Feast in apostolic times and was often celebrated daily. This simple meal was observed in connection with what many call the Eucharist, often being collectively and more commonly referred to as Yah'shua's Supper [the Lord's Supper by traditional Christians]. It was a simple meal and a public banquet like thanksgiving every day except the poor were invited and not just family. By ignoring all distinctions of economic and social status everyone met as members of one family. This act of unity and brotherly love was common to all Israelites who chose to come, whether rich or poor. The rich brought food for the poor who brought nothing. Portions were also sent to the sick and absent members and intended as an example of mutual Israelite love for each other. 

The food was prepared from home or at the place of meeting, usually in private residences. The preacher or presiding elder would offer prayers of thanksgiving and the Scriptures were read. After everyone had their fill, a collection was taken for the widows and orphans, a holy kiss of charity was given, and correspondence from other congregations were read and answered. The Agape Feast was never mandated by divine authority and gradually lost its popularity. 

The Corinthian congregation was the first to lose the first love by destroying the unity between rich and poor and depreciating this event. Paul wrote that he could not praise them for it. "When you come together in the congregation, I hear that there be divisions among you and I partly believe it. For there must also be heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When you come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat Yah'shua's Supper. For in eating every one takes before the other his own supper, and one is hungry and another is drunken." Jude writes of ungodly men among them: "These are spots in your feasts of charity when they feast with you..." 

Instead of correcting the abuses, the congregation gradually abandoned the Love Feast. Many times throughout history various congregation have tried to pick up this feast where it was left off in the early congregations, but the true agape love of the brethren has been found lacking in unity.  TOP ^

Ancient of Days

The Ancient of Days is the vision that Daniel saw of Yahweh depicted as a venerable old man and sitting on His judgment throne. This occurs following the appearance of the four-headed beast. "I beheld till the thrones were cast down and the Ancient of Days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool. His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him, millions ministered unto Him, and a hundred million stood before Him, the judgment was set and the books were opened."  

The war will be won, but there is a battle for the saints to endure before we are delivered. "I beheld and the same horn made war with the saints and prevailed against them until the Ancient of Days came. Judgment was given to the saints of the most high and the time came that the saints possessed the Kingdom." TOP ^

Angels 

 Through the many Biblical references to angels, we can piece together descriptions of them. There seems to be two orders of angels, the Seraphim and Cherubim, and an archangel which is of the higher order. They have some of the divine characteristics, such as spiritual forms and some human characteristics such as limited knowledge. They have similar emotions as we, and like us have free will. They worship Yahweh, can love and hate and have thrones, dominions, powers, virtues and principalities. Capable of immense power and influence on the earth, they can bless or execute Yahweh's judgment. Unseen by man, they can be an ever-present help and comfort to us personally.

David describes the guardian angels of those that dwell in the secret place of the most High: "He shall give His angels charge over you to keep you in all His ways. They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone."

A Cherubim was stationed at the entrance of the Garden of Eden. Angels appeared to Abraham and intervened in the sacrifice of Isaac. Two angels came to Lot 's home and were seen by the people of Sodom . Angels have appeared and spoken to many people in the Old and New Covenants.

Angels may come in the form of “ministering” spirits, providing subtle guidance to Yahweh’s people or to assist with healing issues. Angels almost always were used by Yahweh to deliver His spoken messages to His people, as the Messiah confirmed: “no-one has seen His face nor heard His voice at any time . . .”   TOP ^

Anti-Messiahs

 Those that deny the father and the son are deemed anti-Messiah. "Who is a liar but he that denies that Yah’shua is the Messiah? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the father. And every spirit that confesses not that Yah’shua the Messiah is come in the flesh is not of Yahweh: and this is that spirit of anti-Messiah whereof you have heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confesses not that Yah’shua the Messiah is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and anti-Messiah. Little children, it is the last time: and as you have heard that anti-Messiah shall come, even now are there many anti-Messiahs; whereby we know that it is the last time." [I John, II John] 

Called the prince by Daniel, the appeal of "THE" Anti-Messiah will center on his promise to restore peace and economic prosperity. His peace will come at a tremendous price and many will be destroyed. If we can see Pink Floyd in a prophetic light with the Anti-Messiah as leading the dogs of war, dealing in death is the nature of the beast. Killing people under a penalty of death will mean nothing to him and he causes fire from heaven to rain upon the innocent and guilty alike for god and country. He will attempt to put restraints on freedom and civil rights with a law and order campaign. 

The Anti-Messiah is the head of the New World Order and corresponds to the beast and the king of Babylon. Satan will set up his kingdom of Anti-Messiah in the political world, in the religious world and in the commercial world. Free from the restraints of His Holy Spirit and driven by a nationalistic mandate, the anti-Messiah will reign supreme for a short period until he is crushed by the coming of the Lord Yah’shua the Messiah and the armies of heaven. The Anti-Messiah is called the Beast because that's exactly what he is. The Anti-Messiah will pose as a righteous Christian but will bring a false peace through war.  TOP ^

Apostasy

 The classical use of apostasy is defection, whether political or religious. The word "apostasy" comes directly from the Greek apostasia, which originally meant insurrection or secession. The apostate often abandons one religion for another, but may renounce religion altogether or at least the true faith. Christians and Jews are fond of pointing to non-Christians or non-Jews as the apostasy but judgment begins at the house of Yahweh. "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins. But a certain fearful looking fear of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."

Abandoning the faith once believed in, is apostasy and will be the identifying mark of the end-times. Morality and character are things of the past for most people. It used to be that if you were square, that was a good thing describing your honesty. Now being square is a bad thing. Bad is good, good is bad, that is apostasy. "That day shall not come before a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. For the mystery of iniquity does already work, only he that now lets will let, until he be taken out of the way." Knowing these things are not enough, the Bride of the Messiah will be holy, without blemish, we must "earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints. Men have crept in, turning grace into lasciviousness." Yah'shua told us of the last days "And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved".

The apostasy has been progressive over time throughout history. It started in the first century and just got worse. The iniquity of today however, is without precedent. "This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, unthankful, unholy. Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those who are good. Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of Yahweh. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts. Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth". TOP ^

Arabs

 The Arabs are a Semitic people originating in Arabia. These were the sons of Ishmael. The earliest account of Arabs are in the 10th chapter of Genesis. There are, according to native historians, two races of Arabs; those who derive their descent from the primitive inhabitants of the land, Joktan, etc., and those who claim Ishmael as their ancestor. 

Arabs had come to grips with Greek learning long before the high middle ages. Arabs worshipped Allah long before Mohammed, but they were tribal and unorganized. The promise of Yahweh that was given to Ishmael that they would be many nations has had its complete fulfillment in Mohammed and the Arab states. TOP ^

Aramaic

 Aramaic was the language erroneously purported by many early Roman, Latin and Greek Bible translators, as the language spoken by Yah’shua the Messiah and used for several centuries by the Palestinian Jews. Aramaic was the official language of the Persian Empire and had never replaced Hebrew as the language of the Hebrew people. TOP ^

Armageddon

 Armageddon is the Greek word for "Hill of Megiddo." This is the ancient hill of the Valley of Megiddo in the Plain of Jezreel in central Palestine. It extends from the Mediterranean to the west of Jordan, separating the mountain ranges of Carmel and Samaria from those of Galilee and across the plain of Esdraelon from Nazareth. It has been the great battlefield of Palestine and the military key of Syria. Napoleon appraised it as an ideal battleground, saying "all the armies of the world could maneuver their forces on this vast plain." 

In the prophetic scriptures written by John in the Revelations, the people of the earth, the worldly wise and disobedient will gather together at this place in preparation for last great battle, "the battle of that great day of Yahweh Almighty" (Rev. 16:14). But it is important to note that NO BATTLE IS FOUGHT HERE! It is only the gathering place. The battle spoken of is actually fought at the "beloved city", which is symbolic of Jerusalem. (Rev. 20:9). 

And in the days of these kings shall our God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. TOP ^

Assyrians

 The Assyrians were a race of people belonging to the great Semitic race. They were of Babylonian descent and dominated the ancient Biblical world from the 9th to the 7th centuries BC. The Assyrians occupied Palestine from time to time. Yahweh used them in part, to scatter the ten tribes of Israel, now wrongly supposed by traditional Christians and modern Jews alike, to be lost. 

After falling to the Medes, the Assyrian monarchy was divided between the Babylonians and others, and can to a large degree, be found to exist in the modern nation of Germany.  TOP ^

Baal

 Baal was a spurious god of the Old Covenant and an idol of the Phoenicians. He was believed to be the son of the pagan god Dagon and introduced to the Hebrews by the Tyrians. The children of Israel were inclined to forsake the commandments of Yahweh and worship Baal, make idols of him and kiss his image. The name Baal means Lord and is used for the master of the house or the owner of the property, like a landlord. He would be the god of the house or of the local land and neighbouring vicinity. Baal was worshiped as the god of vineyards and groves, the god of nature and fertility bringing thunder and winter rains. He was the warrior god who champions divine order and opposes chaos. One would imagine him coming in the clouds, holding a thunderbolt in his hand and bringing refreshing rain. 

The word Baalim is plural of Baal. Baalim are worshipped under many names as the Sun god and god of fertility and by Beelzebub as the lord of flies. The people would build houses, shrines and altars to Baalim and make images of them and burn incense to them. Sacrificing to Baal was thought to bless the produce of the land and increase of the cattle. Baal is often associated with the goddess Ashtaroth. As early as the third millennium BC, the ancient priest Berosus served lord "Belus" or "Bel", as he was called then and it was Berosus that partially erected the Tower of Babel in his honour on the plain of Shinar. These early writings of Berosus also are among the historical documents that relate the story of the great flood. 

Elijah protected the true prophets of Yahweh and opposed the false prophets of Baal. The worshippers of Baal in Israel were far more numerous than the prophets of the Lord but existed side by side. The practice of the Baal worshippers included aberrant sexual behaviour and religious rites of sexual union in disobedience to the commandments of Yahweh. They would sacrifice their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto him. This would explain why Elijah was so opposed to the prophets of Baal and hated them so much.  TOP ^

Babylon The Great

 Babylon had first risen to eminence under Hammurabi who instituted one of history's great legal codes. This original Babylon started with the city in the land of Shinar after the flood and built by Nimrod, the great-grandson of Noah through Cush, son of Ham. The name of Nimrod became to mean "let us revolt or rebel," he is called "a mighty one in the earth and a mighty hunter before Yahweh," and the "beginning of his kingdom Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar," along the Euphrates river. The ideal king is one that shepherds Yahweh's people under the authority of Yahweh. Although the Babylonians thought that they were following Yahweh, they allowed Nimrod to lead the people, not Yahweh, and established a man made unity and kingdom by force of rule with the laws of man. 

Babylon was famed as the most important city in Mesopotamia and the capital of Chaldea. Babylon was called the land of the Chaldeans, Land of Shinar, desert of the sea, the golden city, beauty of Chaldees, city of merchants. The prophets called her great and the lady of the kingdoms, yet tender and delicate. 

The word, "Babylon" was used symbolically, and synonymously by Yahweh to represent "sin". Only once in the Bible does Yahweh use the expression "Babylon the Great", and here He was referring to the great false church, the "Holy Roman Empire", or Catholic Church! TOP ^

Baptism of John

 John baptized in the Jordan River. The baptism of John was not Israelite but Jewish tradition. The only faith it had concerning the Messiah was that His coming was close at hand. They who confessed and repented of their sins and were baptized by John were thus obedient to his call to "prepare the way of the Messiah." 

Paul finding certain disciples asked them, "Have ye received His Holy Spirit?" They were unto John's baptism only. After explaining this to them so they beleived, Paul then laid his hands on them and they received Yahweh's Holy Spirit. The only message these people had heard prior to this was "repent and be baptized" to prepare for the way of the Messiah. They repented, but needed to learn of the baptism of His Holy Spirit. There at Ephesus, Paul introduced them to the true baptism by the Spirit of Yahweh. 

Water baptism is not a requirement of New Covenant Israelite faith or of receiving the gift of His Holy Spirit. TOP ^

Calendar

 The Egyptian calendar had 30 day months with 5 days at the end of the year, and was the impetus for the modern Roman Calendar. Many years later (46 BC), the Greek astronomers of Alexandria by direction of Julius Caesar improved this calendar by adding an extra day to each month (called the Julian calendar). The sacred year was reckoned from the moon after the vernal equinox; the civil year began in September (the less productive period of the year). 

The Julian calendar had March at the beginning of the year. The ides of March was the New Year (in like a lion; out like a lamb). The Sept in September is Latin for seven, Nov was nine and Dec (like in decimal) was ten. February was at the end of the year and had 30 days. This is why our leap year is always in February. Julius Caesar felt that the month named for him should be more prominent and took a day from the end of the year and made July have 31 days. Augustus Caesar, not to be outdone, took another day from February and made his month August to have 31 days. 

The Calendar that we have today is based upon the Julian calendar, but reformed in the sixteenth century by Pope Gregory XIII for more accuracy. 

The SACRED HEBREW Calendar, as gifted by Yahweh, the one true God, is the only perpetually accurate Calendar in existence. Unlike the above and any eastern calendars, the Sacred Hebrew Calendar is perfect, needing no annual or other adjustments. For full details, see "The Comprehensive Hebrew Calendar", by "Arthur Spier", ISBN# 0-87306-398-8, published by Feldheim. TOP ^

The Candlestick

 Yahweh instructed Moses: "And thou shall make a candlestick of pure gold, of beaten work shall the candlestick be made.. And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three out of the one side and.. three out of the other.. almonds.. flowers.. of gold.. Of a talent of pure gold." Jewish tradition assigns it a height of about five feet, and a breadth of about three and a half feet. Opinion generally places them on a horizontal line, although the instructions given in Exodus afford no information.

In the tabernacle, the golden candlestick stood on the left hand of one entering the Holy Place, opposite the table of show-bread. It consisted of a pedestal; an upright shaft; six arms, three on each side, and three on the opposite side of the shaft; and seven lamps surmounting the shaft and arms. The arms were adorned with three kinds of carved ornaments, called cups, globes, and blossoms. Its lamps were supplied with pure olive oil and lighted every evening. This was carried to Rome, on the destruction of Jerusalem.  TOP ^

Celibacy

 Celibacy is the state of sexual abstinence. Francis Bacon said that "A single life does well with churchmen; for charity will hardly water the ground where it must first fill a pool." 

The voluntary celibate life is praised as a holy calling and is a gift of grace from Yahweh. 

Yah'shua taught that all men cannot receive this saying. Paul was celibate and encouraged his followers to be as he was. If you are not distracted by the responsibilities of a family, you are free to spend more energy on the Kingdom. Paul acknowledged that celibacy was a gift, but not to all. If a man or woman could not control themselves, it would be better to marry, than for the passions to burn, leading to fornication or adultery. 

Forced celibacy by the congregation is condemned in scripture as departing from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Paul wrote that in forbidding to marry, they were speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron. 

The Roman church has always been criticized for departing from the faith by forbidding the clergy to marry. Just as Paul warned, they have their conscience seared and do not yet have the power or collective spiritual maturity to undo a demonic doctrine. They cannot humble themselves to admit to its demonic nature and there is not enough of their churchmen with the courage to stand up against a destructive tradition. Forbidding the priests and nuns to marry did not lead to celibacy, it led to sexual abuse, immorality, fornication, bastard children, pedophilia, abortion, infanticide and it stained the reputation of New Covenant Israelite faith.  TOP ^

Christians

 No sooner had New Covenant Israelite faith become a separate religion than it was looked on with suspicion by the Romans, who now branded the Israelites as subversives and subjected them to relentless persecution. Many were eaten by lions in the amphitheatre which was the Roman cure for New Covenant Israelite faith, instituted by Nero and continued by his successors for many years. 

Other names by which the early Israelite believers were called were "the brethren" and "the believers." The names given to them by the Hebrews were Nazarenes or Galileans. The Israelite is a man or woman who rejects the usages of a dying society, and finds new life for himself in the Natural Congregation of Yahweh. 

The Muslims did not reject Yah'shua or the Christians, they rejected the Christians who had perverted the message of the Messiah. The Christians in the East at the time of Mohammed were Arian and had perverted the nature of the Messiah as to the Son of God. Koran: "From those, too, who call themselves Christians, we did take a covenant, but they forgot a good part of the message that was sent them: so we estranged them, with enmity and hatred between the one and the other. O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. Strongest among men in enmity to the believers will you find the Jews and the pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers will you find those who say 'We are Christians', because among these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world and they are not arrogant." 

We are in a Christian country, or at least that is what people say. That means that saying you are a Christian does not mean too much these days to other people. There has been so much evil in the Christian witness that is has spoiled it for many. All of the judgmental, self-righteous, bible thumping, hypocritical ways of Christians have taken their toll and have been witness to the fact that professing "Christianity" just does not have the impact that it should. 

That means that the true Israelite witness today is not merely in standing up for Yah'shua with your mouth but in being like Him in your actions. If we truly want people to be drawn to the love of Yahweh, we love others as Yahweh would have us. We pray for them and we do not judge their evil ways but accept them just the way they are and let Yahweh do the convicting and correction. TOP ^

Circumcision

 The word circumcision is literally cutting around, and is the Hebrew rite of initiation. The distinguishing mark of membership in the chosen nation of Yahweh, the certificate of spiritual descent from Abraham and of the right to share in the benefits of the Covenant he had made with Yahweh. Everyone not so circumcised was to be cut off from his people, as having broken the covenant. Circumcision was used as a symbol of purity of heart. Circumcision was a rite not restricted to the Hebrews, and practiced for all sorts of reasons, religious and non-religious by many peoples. But to the Hebrews it was and remains entirely religious. It was the consecration to Yahweh of man's greatest power by which he shares with Yahweh in the generation of new life.

The child was circumcised on the 8th day after birth. The operation might be done by any Israelite, if necessary by women, but never a Gentile. Gen. 17. It was done preferably by the father and usually at home. On this occasion the infant was officially given his name. It was to Abraham that the commandment of circumcision was given. Circumcision was not limited to Hebrews but was applied to any Gentile brought into the house of Israel by purchase. Immediately, the covenant blessing promised to the Hebrews was made available to the Gentiles. 

True Israelites are said to be circumcised in Yah’shua the Messiah through the heart. "Circumcise, therefore the foreskins of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked."  TOP ^

Creation

In the beginning, Yahweh. How did we get here? How did Yahweh bring into existence the heaven and earth? Until very recently, almost all theologians were agreed that the creation of the world had been completed. The Christian theologian tended also to believe that the human part of the creation at least had been spoiled by sin, and the purpose of the creation to that extent obstructed or even nullified, so that man stood in need of a redemption which would restore to the creation its original integrity and visible conformity to the divine purpose. This kind of attitude was out of harmony with the eschatological outlook which we find everywhere in the New Covenant. 

This conception of an unfinished or re-worked creation is important. The apparent conflict between religious and scientific explanations of creation has left is a centuries-old legacy of suspicion that in modern times has erupted in the nation's classrooms and courtrooms with extremists on both sides. A bridge between religion and science has gained momentum. Pope John Paul II, in a 1988 message, heartily endorsed such interaction. "Science," said the pontiff, "can purify religion from error and superstition, while religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes." 

"In the beginning" brings us immediately into a world of space and time, we are dealing here with history. Albert Einstein once wrote that good science is created only by those who are thoroughly imbued with the aspiration towards truth and understanding. The same must surely be applied to good theology. Science is based upon faith and logic, but not limited to either. Inductively derived hypothesis into deductive reasoning can at most be highly probable. In Genesis, God creates not out of nothing, but out of chaos. In other words, the creation outlined in the Bible, is speaking of a re-creation, or repairing of an earlier creation that failed, and went into chaos.  TOP ^

Crucifixion of The Messiah

 The common way of crucifying was by fastening the criminal to a large wooden stake, not in the form of a cross as many erroneously believe, but simply a large, solid, stake made from a tree usually about six to twelve inches in diameter and at least as tall as twelve feet. This would allow about three feet to be buried for stability, while the alleged criminal could be tied and nailed to the top, leaving him about two or three feet off the ground.

Usually criminals were fastened with crude steel or copper nails, one through both hands, and one through both feet, or through each foot and then they were bound with cords to prevent the nails from pulling through the flesh. A stupefying draught was sometimes administered, in order to render him less sensible to pain, which was a concoction of drugged wine from sisters of mercy, an alleviation which our Saviour did not accept. 

As the weight of his body pulled against the open wounds of the nails, the body would gradually tire from the stress and would not be able to hold itself "up" in order to allow the expansion of the torso required to breathe. Basically, the condemned man would literally suffocate after a prolonged period of hanging there. The reason for the "spear" was not common among crucifixions, however in the Messiah's case, His legs were not broken as was the common manner, He was simply "pierced" in an effort by the soldiers to ascertain whether He was dead or not.

At the time of the piercing, the Messiah's body was in fact already dead. The legs were typically broken in order to speed up the suffocation process. After all, if you could not raise yourself up on your legs, you would definitely suffocate from the weight of your body hanging on your hands. Not a very pretty way to die under any pretence! TOP ^

Core Zealots

 The Zealots were the Hebrew revolutionaries of Yah'shua's day. Now they would be considered urban guerilla fighters, paramilitary religious fanatics and fierce nationalists. Their agenda would entail the liberation of Yahweh's people by force from foreign rule and included violence, assassinations, murder and terrorism. Josephus describes them as being bandits and a crowd of partisans. By the inference of his name, Simon Zelotes, one of the disciples, was of the Zealot party as well as Barabbas. If Judas Iscariot was a Sicarii, we can include him also. 

The Zealots were at first strongest in the Galilean hills engaging in sporadic guerrilla warfare and being a general nuisance. This escalated into an uprising in 6 AD. The people and the religious groups did not generally support them then and their numbers were at first small. The Pharisees looked for liberation in Yahweh's own time but the Zealots wanted to accelerate the process by direct action. As the prophetic vision of the Messiah increased, so did the tension from Roman oppression. More and more of the religious institutions would be profaned and more and more of the Peace Party would join the ranks of the Zealots. 

As the numbers of Zealots increased so did the resistance movement provoke the Roman military even more. The Zealots killed Roman soldiers, ambushed sentries, broke into the military stores, stole horses and sabotaged new roads and water works. Many would be caught and executed. The final destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD and the siege of Masada put an end to the Zealots and to many other parties as well.  TOP ^

Death

 Natural death is described as a yielding up of the breath, or spirit, expiring; as a return to our temporal dust. It is the spirit departing from the body, its shell, or the temple in which it has dwelt. The death of a believer is a spiritual departure; the spirit returning in stasis to Yahweh, and the body simply decomposing. We need to look death straight in the face and think like David, "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me." 

There is the death of the body and of the spirit. The death of the body will happen to all men. The spirit however, only goes "to sleep" at the death of the body. After the Millennium, during the Great White Throne Judgement, many will then receive their first chance to get right with God. If they fail then they will be subject to the second death, the death of the spirit. This may be summed up as eternal death and separation from Yahweh. TOP ^

Divorce

 Paul teaches that the marriage union is to be compared with the relationship of Yah'shua to His congregation. The grace that comes through the marriage union is holy and without sin and it is sin that separates us from Yahweh. Israelite freedom is such that we may enter the HOLY bonds of matrimony and sexual union without shame or guilt. There were only three things that were absolutely forbidden for the Israelites: fornication (sexual union outside of marriage), eating the food of the idols (idolatry in general) and eating blood (occult practices and witchcraft). If the marriage union is to be compared to Yah'shua and the congregation, we know that Yah'shua will be wedded to only one wife (congregation), not to a harlot or a harem of false churches. It would follow that true love and holiness would not intentionally make a harlot out of a lover but would follow life-giving grace and truth. Anything else would be disobedience and unfaithfulness. 

Yahweh forbids divorce, except for the cause of adultery: "It has been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced commits adultery." The law of Moses permitted the possibility of a legal settlement, and calls the permission given to Moses a concession to the hardness of their hearts. The divorce as the dissolution of marriage by the Hebrews was simply giving a writ of divorcement. Divorce was tolerated by Moses for sufficient reasons, but even uncleanness was a cause for bill of divorcement. A Priest was not to take a "widow, or a divorced woman, or a profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife." 

Adultery meant relations with a woman who was bought and paid for. Fornication was forbidden to women but a venial offence to men. Divorce was free to the man but extremely difficult for a woman. The question of divorce was entirely at the will of the husband. The wife, not possessing equal privileges with the husband, had no right of divorce. Clearly double standards were originally taught here. 

The words of Paul speak for themselves and need no comment. "And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother has a wife that believes not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which has a husband that believes not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God has called us to peace. For what knows you, O wife, whether you shall save your husband? or how knows you, O man, whether you shall save your wife?"  TOP ^

Egypt

 The ancient Egyptians were Hamitic peoples. Later on an invasion from Babylonia, predominately Semitic, came into the country and left its imprint upon the language and culture. The Egyptian language is closely related to the Coptic, which is its direct descendant.

Egypt had been both a land of refuge and a land of captivity for the Hebrews. Persecuted Hebrews sought and found shelter in Egypt. It was about a 40 hours journey from Bethlehem and because it was a Roman province, offered security to the Hebrews who were living there. 

Nations were distinguished from each other by the shape of their chariots. Great attention was paid to the breeding and training of horses. The bow was the national weapon. At their meals, they used tables and chairs not unlike our own. Women were treated more respectfully than in other countries of the east. Great respect was paid to age and rank. 

Impressed by the example of Alexander, Ptolomy paid great attention to trade and navigation. The land was originally a desert plateau. The waters from the southern mountains, pouring out of rocky glen, forced their way north for 800 miles in the Nile River. The river rose annually and for four months it inundated the entire valley 10 to 30 miles wide renewing the land for crops by the deposit of a fertile soil brought down from the glens. Egypt is of course, still famous for the pyramids. Records indicate that it took as many as 100,000 men up to ten years to build the first pyramid.  TOP ^

End Times

 We are in the end-times. We are fast approaching the time that we will be entering into the kingdom of a thousand years where there will be a new heaven and earth. Here there will be righteousness, peace, justice and mercy, no oppression, no extortion or robbery, all tears shall be wiped away. 

Yah'shua did tell His disciples that it was not for them "to know the times or the seasons". Yah’shua told us in Matthew 24:33, "So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." The sun will be darkened, the moon shall not give her light, the stars shall fall from the sky, the powers of the skies shall be shaken, there will be earthquakes, wars, the Son of man coming in the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. We may not know the hour but we should be able to know when the hour is near. Yahweh reveals things to His prophets before He does them, our generation should be no different. Yahweh told Daniel to "shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days." 

There will be heresy in the last days, it has been with us from the beginning and we are told that many false prophets will arise to deceive many, if possible, even the elect. We are in the age of apostasy now. Paul wrote to Timothy that in "the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils," that has been true throughout  history but Peter tells us "that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts." We should not be surprised when we see these things but we must be alert.  TOP ^

Epicureans

 The Epicureans were those who followed the teaching founded by Epicurus who died in Athens about 300 years before Yah'shuas started his ministry. Epicurus' disciples were enamoured with his doctrine and presented him with a garden at Athens. At the garden of Epicurus began a school, almost a community of sorts, with men and women meeting as equals in discourse. After the death of Epicurus, he left his home and garden to be use as the Head Quarters for the Epicureans, still maintained at the time Paul visited the city. 

The Epicureans were atheists in that they believed the world was an accident. They believed you were here today and gone tomorrow, so why not enjoy life while you can. "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow, we die." For them, the hedonistic idea of seeking pleasure was the main purpose in life. They did not deny the existence of any gods, but maintained they were totally indifferent to the affairs of men who were left to find pleasure as they could. The result of this is to have no respect for Yahweh and consequently they were given over to gross sensualism. Epicurus died in 270 BC.  TOP ^

Essenes

 The Essene Hebrews developed a Messianic religion, giving birth to the ideas which were to play a dominant role in the ideas of John the Baptist and Yah’shua. They believed in the divinity of a Messiah who they called the "Teacher of Righteousness", and who had died a violent death at the hands of the sons of darkness. They called themselves the "elect of Yahweh", and their religious community the "New Covenant". The word Essaioa or Essenoi corresponds to the Aramaic asayya, or "physicians, healers by the practice of healing by laying on of hands".

The Essenes dwelt in homes owned by the community, had their meals in common and in silence. They chose their leaders by a general vote, mingled their goods and earnings in a common treasury, and obeyed the Chasidic motto, "Mine and thine belong to thee." Another, and distinctly exaggerated, form of Pharisaism was Essenism, a new name for the old Pietism. The Essenes lived in villages of their own or dwelt together in large establishments in the cities. After a double novitiate they passed to full membership; children were admitted to be trained early in the ways of the Order. Celibacy was an absolute rule, also community of goods. The members tilled the soil or pursued a craft; commerce was shunned. They performed frequent ablutions and wore white garments. Votive offerings were sent to the Temple, but no animal sacrifices; their own meals eaten in common, partook of the nature of sacraments. 

They rejected all manner of oaths. The Sabbath day they observed strictly. They had a secret lore about angels and other mystic matters. They cultivated prophetic clairvoyance and practiced healing in accordance with their studies of the medicinal property of roots. They conceived the spirit as immortal and believed unconditionally in Providence. 

The Essenes were pacifists, refusing even to manufacture munitions of war. They had no taste for politics and withdrew from secular activities to devote their entire lives to religious contemplation. As time went by they formed their own religious communities. According to Josephus and Philo, the Essene life was abstemious, simple and unpretentious.  TOP ^

Exorcist

 Yah'shua would demonstrate His authority in many astounding ways, one of which was in the power of exorcism. In the Capernaum synagogue, a man with an unclean spirit cried out, "Let us alone, what have we to do with you, Yah'shua of Nazareth? Are you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of Yahweh." The demon did not praise Yah'shua but tried to control Him by calling out His name. Yah'shua rebuked him and said, "Hold your peace and come out of him." Well when Yah'shua said come out to the demon(s), the demon(s) obeyed. It amazed those around Yah'shua and showed them the authority that Yah'shua has in the spirit world. 

Yahweh has gifted this same authority to each of us in His Natural Congregation, that have the faith of Yah’shua. The apostles were able to cast out evil spirits in Yah'shua's name, and these gifts were also given to each of us with and through our faith. 

The term "exorcist" is from a Greek word signifying to conjure, to use the name of Yahweh or certain magical ceremonies with design to expel devils from places or bodies which they possess. Many designing men, both before and after the Saviour's death, have pretended to exercise the same power. 

False exorcists were thought to have gained this power by secret studies respecting the nature of demons, and the powers of certain herbs, drugs, and stones and were accustomed to use various forms of adjuration and incantation in their unlawful art. But the whole was delusion and imposture, and strictly forbidden. The practice of using magical words and ceremonies to expel evil spirits or demons is the false counterpart to what Yah'shua has given us. The phenomenon was characteristic of heathenism and incompatible with the religion of Israel. The power of Yahweh available in Yah'shua's name is the real power and it can emanate from any of us with the faith able to do it. TOP ^

False Prophet

 The false prophet is the second beast: "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. And he exercised all the power of the first beast before him, and causes the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he does great wonders, so that he makes fire come down from the sky to earth in the sight of men. And deceives them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

And he had power to give life to the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their, forehead. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." 

Just like the anti-Messiah, the False Prophet will at first look good, even to religious people. Just like Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light, the False Prophet has two horns like a lamb which is a symbol of Yah’shua but this man will speak as a dragon which is a symbol of Satan. The False Prophet will speak with the authority and power of the Anti-Messiah, so we can deduce that they will be working together but the one with two horns will serve the other. It is the false prophet that will make the image of the Beast come alive and demand the worship. A man like this can produce all kinds of miracles such as peace, prosperity, popular legalistic oppression, illiberal political victories, upholding religious oppression with false unity and suppressing spiritual truth.

The congregation of the whore Babylon will love him and consider him their leader. It is the False Prophet that will enforce the mark of the Beast or the number of His name, being 600 and 60 and 6 (not 666). 

"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of Yahweh Almighty. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him, the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone."  TOP ^

Father

 The position and authority of the Hebrew father as head of the house is expressly assumed and sanctioned in Scripture as a likeness of that of the Almighty Yahweh over His creatures. While the father lived, he continued to represent the whole family, with the property held in his name, and all under his control. The children and even the grandchildren continued under the roof of the father and grandfather, labouring on his account as the most submissive of his servants. The property of the soil, the power of judgment, and the civil rights belonged to the father only. His sons were merely his instruments and assistants. 

In patriarchal times, a father was master and judge in his own household, and exercised an authority almost unlimited over his family. The father, as head of the household had the obligation imposed upon him of bringing up his children in the faith in Yahweh, making them well acquainted with the precepts of the law, and generally acting as their instructor and guide. Filial duty and obedience to both parents were strictly enforced by Moses, and any outrage against either parent, or rebellion, was made a capital offence.  TOP ^

Farming

 When will man ever believe that, "there is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Prov. 14:12)! Or as Yahweh inspired in Zech.13:4-5: "And it shall be in that day [the millennium] that every prophet [false priest or minister] will be ashamed...But he will say, `I am no prophet, I AM A FARMER; for a man [Yahweh's "Elect"] taught me to keep cattle from my youth"!

Farming is the oldest and most universal profession. The grains grown in ancient times were wheat, barley, rye, spelt and millet. Orchards produced the vine, olive, and fig. Gardens grew beans, fitches, peas, lettuce, garlic, onions, melons, cucumbers, cabbage, etc. The implements were the plough, harrow, and hoe, and these were crude but effective. Entire communities evolved around the labour requirements of their food production. Varieties of animal husbandry developed to maintain sufficiency of meat, dairy and eggs. A very high percentage of the population was totally self sufficient because of the God-given principles of farming. TOP ^

Flood

 The Great Deluge. Traditions of the flood are widely extant. They are found among the ancient nations in all parts of the world and are part of the most universal of traditions. The stories of the flood have been found among the Chaldeans, Hindus, Chinese, Persians, Greeks and others. 

An important aspect of the flood is similar to that of the plagues brought on the Egyptians. When the flood was "on the face of the earth", like the plagues on "the face of the earth", the face of the earth was later described in each instance as being the "sinning nations" (or Egypt in the case of the plagues). TOP ^

Gentiles:

 The Gentiles are the Non-Hebrew, including most modern Jews, a name given by the Hebrews to all those who had not received the law of Moses. Within Palestine itself some areas apparently were so Gentile in population as to be out-of-bounds for stricter Hebrews. When Yah'shua, sending his disciples on their first mission, said "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans," the implication recognized Gentile districts in Palestine-Tiberias and Techeae, for example.

Hebrew Goyim signified the surrounding nations, foreigners, as opposed to Israel. A Goy was a foreign nation; hence a Gentile. The distinction between Israel and other nations, as was shown in the covenant with Abraham, was to be only for a time; and believing Gentiles in no age were excluded. The Hebreews were hedged in by a multitude of special institutions and taught to consider a non-observance of these customs as uncleanness. Blinded by an intense national pride, the Hebrews seemed often to regard the gentile heathen as only existing for the purpose of punishing the apostasy of the Israelite faith. TOP ^

Gnostics

 The Gnostics were an early heretical sect beginning later in the first century. The basis of the Gnostic teaching was the idea of a fundamental antagonism between the world of matter and the world of spirit. Matter was evil, spirit alone was good. The world is bad and the body is bad, being a prison for the spirit. These false teachers, tried to combine this believe with New Covenant Israelite faith and taught that Yah’shua could not have had a human body (since the body is evil) and therefore could have not been crucified. Paul and John both confronted these false teachings by affirming that the Spirit of Yahweh in all its fullness dwelt in the body of Yah'shua. 

They were characterized by a distinctive "spiritual" theology or philosophy that emphasized the perfection and transcendence of the true God and the fallen state of nature and humanity pre-figuring the Calvinists. They viewed the visible creation with its imperfection as the work of a lesser power, in many ways prefiguring the Mormon heresies. The Gnostics tended to reduce revelation to a mere philosophy. They believed that Yah'shua was not truly a God, and that He took only an apparent body.  TOP ^

Gog and Magog

 Gog and Magog are those that invade Israel in the last days along with Islam. Gog signifies Russia, the chief prince of Rosh. "Therefore son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Yahweh, In that day when my people of Israel dwells safely, shalt you not know it? And you shall come from your place out of the north parts, you, and many people with you... Son of man, set your face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Tubal, and prophesy against him." 

Gog and Magog are usually spoken together in scripture. "And when the thousand years are expired, satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: Therefore, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Yahweh; Behold I am against you, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech (Moscow) and Tubal. And I will turn you back, and leave but the sixth part of you, and I will cause you to come up from the north parts, and will bring you upon the mountains of Israel... And I will send fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am Yahweh. So I will make my holy name known in the midst of my people." 

Meshech is the sixth son of Japheth, son of Noah and supposed by many to have been the father of the Muscovites. Meshech traded with Tyre in the persons of men, and in vessels of brass. Magog was also the son of Japheth and grandson of Noah. Josephus noted that the Greeks called them Scythians and that they also settled in Russia. Meshech, brother to Magog is from the Hebrew mashak - to draw out. Their descendants were a barbarous people inhabiting the Moshian Mts. between Iberia, Armenia and Colchis. 

Rosh, as seen in early Greek writings, is a name which was then used for all the nations of the north. Meshech and Tubal, now believed to be Phrygia and Cappadocia were located at that time in the vicinity of Magog, clearly the area of Russia. Thus if Rosh is Russia, Magog would be the land of Russia. The suggestion has been made that Meshech and Tubal constitute the old names for the former western and eastern capitals of Russia, Moscow and Tobolsk. 

There is a prophecy of Mohammed that is very significant considering so many Muslim nations from North Africa and the Middle East will be involved in the conflict. The Koran: "But there is a ban on any population which we have destroyed: that they shall not return, until the Gog and Magog are let through their barrier and they swiftly swarm from every hill." 

These entire prophecies belong to the day of Yahweh, that evidently precede the actual battle of "that great day of Yahweh Almighty". The prophetic perspective concerning Gog, however includes the final revolt of the nations at the close of the Messianic kingdom. This is the same prophecy in Micah 4:1-4: But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of Yahweh shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of Yahweh, the LORD of hosts hath spoken it. TOP ^

The Great Tribulation

 This is the period of unparalleled human suffering, brought on mankind by mankind's own stubborn disobedience, which will precede the establishment of the future kingdom of Yahweh on this earth. "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places. All these are the beginnings of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and hate one another. And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto nations and then shall the end come." 

The great tribulation is generally regarded as the last three and a half years of Daniel's seventieth week prophecy. It is a period of time wherein the two witnesses will finally prophecy the true Gospel of the Kingdom of Yahweh on earth, and when most of humanity will finally