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"

The New Covenant Priesthood Part I

"Israelite Tithes and Offerings"

Yah'shua the Messiah said, "I will build my Congregation" (Matt. 16:18). And in the book of Hebrews, the Messiah's Congregation is referred to as: "the GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CONGREGATION OF THE FIRSTBORN WHO ARE REGISTERED IN HEAVEN" (12:23).

The Bible also has a lot to say about tithes and offerings, most of which may come as quite a surprise to today's traditional Christian.

"Behold, I Myself have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel; they are a gift to you, given by Yahweh, to do the work of the tabernacle of meeting"...and Yahweh spoke to Aaron: "Here, I Myself have also given you charge of My heave offerings, all the Holy gifts of the children of Israel; I have given them as a portion to you and your sons, as an ordinance forever. This shall be yours of the most Holy things reserved from the fire; every offering of theirs, every grain offering and every sin offering and every trespass offering which they render to me,..."(Numbers 18:6,8,9).

"All the heave offerings of the Holy things...I have given to you...as an ordinance forever; it is a covenant of salt forever before Yahweh with you and your descendants with you...behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting" (Numbers 18:19,21).

In these verses from the book of Numbers, Yahweh is instructing physical Israel that He has given the Levites to them as priests forever, and that they shall perform the work of the tabernacle of meeting. Yahweh also instructs Aaron, the high priest, that he and the Levites shall be entitled to eat (live from) certain portions of the "offerings" that the Israelites are commanded to make.

Yahweh makes it clear to all Israel that the covenant is forever, respecting the PHYSICAL descendants of Levi and the PHYSICAL TABERNACLE OF MEETING. The physical tabernacle was constructed by the Israelites from special "free-will" offerings Yahweh commanded specifically for that purpose.

The physical, man-made tabernacle was commanded to be constructed in order that the people had a means of "spiritually meeting" or communicating with Yahweh, through a series of rituals. (see Ex.25 and 36.)

"Then Yahweh said to Aaron: `You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel'" (Numbers 18:20). Yahweh repeated these commands in verses 23,24,26, and several other places in the Old Covenant. Yahweh is here making it clear that because of their spiritual work as priests, the Levites would receive a spiritual inheritance, rather than a physical inheritance as promised to the remaining Israelites. This is a TYPE of what would be promised to modern spiritual Israel under the New Covenant Priesthood, as prophesied in many Old Covenant verses, and as set out throughout the New Covenant.

"You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces YEAR BY YEAR. And you shall eat before Yahweh your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil...that you may learn to fear Yahweh your God always. But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry your tithe,...then you shall exchange it for money,...and you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink,...you shall eat (the tithe) there before Yahweh your God, and YOU SHALL REJOICE, YOU AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD...at the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates. And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied,..." (Deuteronomy 14:22-29).

Here is the SINGLE PLACE in the Bible where Yahweh is setting forth His precise PURPOSE FOR TITHING! Unlike the sacrificial offerings, presented as physical sacrifices for sins, or the various thanksgiving offerings, presented to honour Yahweh for abundant harvests and flocks, or the free-will offerings used to build the physical tabernacle of meeting, TITHING WAS A VERY SPECIAL ORDINANCE, PURPOSED TO INSTIL FAITH IN Yahweh, AS WELL AS STRONG FAMILY AND COMMUNITY VALUES.

Yahweh's plan for humans is that we grow into "children of Yahweh", and the concept of "family", is extremely important to Him. Yahweh gave a PERPETUAL COMMAND to His people to keep several annual festivals in His honour. These festivals were/are to be kept by "families". Yahweh instructed the head of EVERY HOUSEHOLD to save a FESTIVAL TITHE (one tenth of his increase) to ensure that the "FAMILIES", THE "LEVITES" AND THE "POOR" would be able to keep these festivals as ordained.

"So YOU SHALL REJOICE in every good thing which Yahweh your God has given to YOU AND YOUR HOUSE, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you. When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the THIRD year, which is the year of tithing, and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your gates and be filled, then you shall say before Yahweh your God: `I have removed the Holy tithe from my house, and also have given them to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless and the widow, according to all your commandments...'"(Deuteronomy 26:11-14).

Yahweh instructed His people (ALL OF US - that wish to be "His people") to tithe annually, in order that our families might afford to participate in the annual festivals, in honour of Yahweh with genuine feelings of thanksgiving. Yahweh further instructed the people to set good examples in the community by helping the poor. He ordained that every third year, an ADDITIONAL annual tithe amount should be given ENTIRELY to the Levites, the strangers, the fatherless and the widows, so that they may "eat within your gates and be filled".

NOWHERE IN THE ENTIRE BIBLE does Yahweh ever say, or imply, that anyone is to tithe to support the NEW COVENANT ministry or that tithes are designated for the work of preaching the Gospel.  TITHES ARE ABSOLUTELY NOT FOR "supporting the ministry" or "preaching the Gospel"! TITHES ARE FOR THE "FAMILIES" OF Yahweh, AND THE POOR!

In physical Israel, tithes, and offerings, primarily sacrificial, were used IN PART to support the priests, while the primary purpose for the annual tithes were to ensure families were able to partake of the annual Holy Festivals of Yahweh. The ADDITIONAL THIRD YEAR TITHE was for helping to look after the poor and needy in the community every third year. Special free-will offerings were used only to build the tabernacle of meeting.

Both Old and New Covenants, are replete with prophetic warnings of false ministers, teaching false doctrines, and STEALING Yahweh's HOLY TITHE FROM ITS INTENDED PURPOSE in these New Covenant times!

For example, when prophesying for OUR TIME, (the latter days), Isaiah was inspired to write of these false ministers: "For behold, Yahweh...takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah...the judge and the prophet and the diviner...For...the plunder of the poor is in your houses [the false prophets]...Yes they are greedy dogs which never have enough. They are shepherds who CANNOT UNDERSTAND, they all look to their own way, EVERY ONE FOR HIS OWN GAIN"! (3:1-3,14;56: 11,12).

Again, in prophecy for our time, Micah warned: "Now hear this, you heads...and rulers of Israel, who abhor justice and pervert all equity...her heads judge for a bribe, her PRIESTS TEACH FOR PAY, and her PROPHETS DIVINE FOR MONEY. Yet they lean on Yahweh, and say, `Is not Yahweh among us?'...therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins" (3:8-12). When will this happen? The very next verse: "Now it shall come to pass in the LATTER DAYS" (4:1). In other words, it is in the process of happening RIGHT NOW!

"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, `thus says Yahweh your God to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock'"(Ezekiel 34:2,3). This is prophesy for end-time spiritual Israel - FOR US, RIGHT NOW!. Here Yahweh is warning through the prophet Ezekiel of shepherds - meaning ministers or priests, that would abuse their authority in these end times.

Ezekiel is speaking in prophetic symbolic language but his message is all too clear. As in a great many other Old Covenant prophecies, Ezekiel is pointing out that in these end times, ministers and priests would take advantage of the people's material possessions in order to suit their own selfish and/or egotistic ambitions, by twisting the intent of Yahweh's tithing principles.

Throughout the New Covenant, we are warned of these same events occurring. Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, declared how he dealt with the matter, and gave advice to his readers - US: "Give no offence, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the Congregation of Yahweh [where membership is "registered in heaven"], just as I also please all men in all things, NOT SEEKING MY OWN PROFIT, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Imitate me, just as I also imitate the Messiah" (1 Cor. 10:32-33).

"If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words...and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing...men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, WHO SUPPOSE THAT GODLINESS IS A MEANS OF GAIN"! (1 Timothy 6:3-5).

"therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which His Holy Spirit HAS MADE YOU OVERSEERS, to shepherd the congregation of Yahweh which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). Here Paul is speaking to the Ephesian elders, and to all of us in spiritual Israel, making it clear that the congregation of Yahweh, the congregation Yah'shua the Messiah said He would build, has been established.

Those of us that are led by His Holy Spirit, the elect that cannot be deceived, have been made overseers by His Holy Spirit, to guard the truth and to perform the work of shepherds for end time spiritual Israel. Paul in effect was saying that all of us that have been baptized by His Holy Spirit are responsible for ministering to the needs of the rest of the people - the congregation, the "called out ones", and for maintaining the true doctrine that the Messiah preached, concerning the kingdom of Yahweh.

"For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves" (Acts 20:29,30). Here Paul is saying that false ministers, would come in to teach false doctrine at the expense of the flock in these end times. This false ministry made up of many false apostles would speak a perverted version of the truth; something that would sound and appear like the truth, but would nonetheless be twisted in some manner so as to provide a means for these deceitful workers to "draw", or lure away the believers, to satisfy their own selfish financial gain and/or egotistical ambitions.

"And now brethren, I commend you to Yahweh and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified" (Acts 20:32). Here Paul is giving sound advice to all Spirit-filled Israelites. He is pointing toward our High Priest, Yah'shua the Messiah, who became the "Word". He is telling us where to turn when we need to be built up spiritually. We need to turn to Yahweh and to Yahweh's Word - Yah'shua the Messiah, who was the Word, who being born of the flesh, died to become our High Priest, of the New Covenant congregation He said He would build. When seeking the truth of our salvation; our inheritance, we must look to the Word of Yahweh, not to men's words.

"I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me" (Acts 20:33,34). Paul is pointing out that while he had been teaching in the synagogues each Sabbath and ministering to the needs of the people, he did so at his own expense and even provided for the expense of any of his assistants by the work of his own hands.

"I have shown you in every way, by labouring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Yah’shua the Messiah, that He said, `It is more blessed to give than to receive'" (Acts 20:35).

Paul was reinforcing the Old Covenant examples of being a strong, contributing member of the community. Paul himself, was labouring with his own hands - working to look after his needs and those of his fellow workers, while taking from his own time and expense, to preach the Gospel to those who needed it - the "weak in spirit", every Sabbath as his custom was.

Paul believed that it was more blessed to give spiritual enlightenment to the people than it was to receive material reward for so doing. Paul was one of the New Covenant's best examples of how to be a disciple of the Word of Yahweh. Paul's special calling was indeed to be a disciple to the Gentiles.

"Do you not know that you are the temple of Yahweh and that the Spirit of Yahweh dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of Yahweh, Yahweh will destroy him, for the temple of Yahweh is Holy, which temple you are" (1 Corinthians 3:16,17). Paul is clarifying to the Israelites at Corinth that things have changed. There is no longer need of a physical tabernacle of meeting built with human hands, that in fact, His Holy Spirit now dwells in our very bodies - which have become "temples of Yahweh". Those at Corinth were learning of the new spiritual age WE ARE NOW LIVING IN!

"If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? If others [i.e. landlords, kings, the Roman rulers, etc.] are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless, we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of the Messiah...Even so Yahweh has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. But I have used none of these things...What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of the Messiah without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:11-18).

Paul points out that to the carnal mind it would seem quite reasonable to receive material rewards in exchange for sharing and imparting the much more valuable spiritual understandings. However, he makes it abundantly clear that he and his fellow workers NEVER DID ACCEPT TITHES, OFFERINGS OR PAY OF ANY KIND for preaching the Word of Yahweh.

Paul further points out, that although it was commanded in the law of Moses that the preachers of the Gospel should live from (OBEY) the Gospel, such as the Levites did, that he rather found his reward in the fact that he could preach the Gospel of the Messiah FREE OF CHARGE! He went on to say that it would be an abuse of his authority to do otherwise, and worse yet, that by looking for material recompense, he would actually be hindering the Gospel from reaching those that had no material things to give.

Another of Paul's warnings on this very issue, appears in his letter to Titus. He instructs us to "be blameless, as a steward of Yahweh, NOT SELF-WILLED...but...just, holy, self-controlled...For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and DECEIVERS ...whose mouths...subvert whole households, TEACHING things which they ought not, FOR THE SAKE OF DISHONEST GAIN" (Titus 1:7-11).

"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the congregations [called out ones] of Galatia, so you must do also. On the first day of the week [so as not to be done on the Sabbath, while I teach] let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come [to not interrupt my teaching]. And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift [tithe] to Jerusalem" (1 Corinthians 16:1-3).

Many times in Paul's various writings, he makes it clear that he taught in the synagogues each Sabbath. Here Paul is instructing the Corinthians to ensure that they take time during their regular work week, to set aside their Festival tithe - their collection for the saints. This collection, was to be delivered to the Levites for distribution to the families and to the poor people that would be celebrating the up-coming Festival in Jerusalem. Paul clearly did not want this work to interfere with his teaching in the synagogue, as he said "that there be no collections when I come". These collections were obviously not for Paul and his fellow workers, but for the families and the needy that would be celebrating in Jerusalem.

"For we are not, as so many, PEDDLING THE WORD OF Yahweh; but as of sincerity, but as from Yahweh, we speak in the sight of Yahweh in the Messiah" (2 Corinthians 2:17). Again, Paul is repeating the fact that although he has the most valuable news in all the world, that he and his fellow workers are imparting it free - not as some "peddlers", who Paul says are "so many" sinners.

"Did I commit sin in abasing myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of Yahweh to you FREE OF CHARGE? I robbed other congregations [called out ones], taking wages from them to minister to you. And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one...But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of the Messiah. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. therefore it is no great thing if his ministers transform themselves into ministers of righteousness..." (2 Corinthians 11:7-9,12 thru 15).

Paul is stating firstly, that HE LABORED FOR and TOOK WAGES FROM OTHER congregations (CALLED OUT ONES), that he might teach the Corinthians FREE OF CHARGE (he did not "teach" the others that he "worked" for, hence they did not receive the free gift). He further points out, that only false apostles led by Satan would take a collection of tithes or offerings for preaching the Gospel, due to their SELFISH FINANCIAL AMBITIONS, as well as their EGOTISTICAL NEED TO BE "REGARDED", as one of the "apostles of the Messiah".

"But as we have been approved by Yahweh to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but Yahweh who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness - Yahweh is witness...For you remember brethren, OUR LABOR AND TOIL; for labouring night and day, that we might not be burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of Yahweh" (1 Thessalonians 2:4,5,9).

Again, Paul is simply reconfirming that each Sabbath, he preached the Gospel as it was. He did not "flower" it up to make it more appealing, nor did he lure people to it with flattering words. Nor did he use it as a cover (cloak) for payment or collections (covetousness). And again, he makes it perfectly clear that he supported himself with the work of his own hands - not by taking collections of tithes or offerings from those he preached to.

Yahweh uses the book of Hebrews, primarily chapters 5 through 10, to outline the required changes, or improvements concerning the New Covenant ministry, with Yah’shua the Messiah as our High Priest. The full account should be read to fully appreciate the significance of the New Covenant Priesthood.

"therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood [for under it the people received the law], what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar" (Hebrews 7:11-13).

Yah’shua the Messiah was from the tribe of Judah, of which Moses spoke nothing concerning the priesthood. Yah’shua the Messiah is now our High Priest. As Yah’shua the Messiah is clearly not a Levite, the covenant with the Levites respecting the physical tabernacle, does not apply. Yahweh is here telling us that BECAUSE THE PRIESTHOOD CHANGED it was also NECESSARY to make a COINCIDENTAL CHANGE IN THE LAW!

Yahweh is confirming that the people could not attain perfection through the old covenant, and that a new covenant concerning the priesthood was necessary, in order that the people might attain salvation through the power and strength of His Holy Spirit.

"For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,...for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: `Yahweh has sworn and will not relent, You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek', by so much more the Messiah has become a surety of a better covenant" (Hebrews 7:18,21,22).

Here we find the comparison of the Levites who received their priesthood by being born into it physically, while the Messiah received it by virtue of Yahweh's oath in perpetuity. We are also instructed that it would be a BETTER covenant.

"FOR IF THAT FIRST COVENANT HAD BEEN FAULTLESS, THEN NO PLACE WOULD HAVE BEEN SOUGHT FOR A SECOND" (Hebrews 8:7).

"Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary...It was symbolic for the present time...But the Messiah came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle NOT MADE WITH HANDS, that is, not of this creation...HE TAKES AWAY THE FIRST THAT HE MAY ESTABLISH THE SECOND...through the offering of the body of Yah’shua the Messiah once for all...For by one offering He has PERFECTED FOREVER THOSE WHO ARE BEING SANCTIFIED [by Yahweh; through OBEDIENCE to His laws]" (Hebrews 9:1,9,11; 10:9,10,14).

"And there were [then] many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood" (Hebrews 7:23,24). Because Yah’shua the Messiah will hold His position forever, it will remain unchanged. Obviously, it is designed in such a way as to OFFER EVERYONE (who chooses to be obedient) a means to its purpose.

"For such a High Priest was fitting for us,...who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself" (Hebrews 7:26,27).

The change in the law here is evident. Formerly, according to the law, various sacrificial offerings were offered up as sin offerings to Yahweh in search of His forgiveness. Yah’shua the Messiah, having perfected the perfect sacrifice; His own sinless life, was able to make one last sacrificial offering on behalf of all men's sins; past, present and future.

"Now where there is a remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin" (Hebrews 10:18). Where there is no longer an offering for sin, there is also no longer a need for any of the rituals and temple fixtures required to perform the offering. Where there are no longer ritualistic offerings, there are no longer Levites (priests) required to perform them, hence the change in the law; the "annulling of the former commandment".

Under the New Covenant Priesthood, Yah’shua the Messiah replaced Aaron and the Levites, and made the physical offerings obsolete. (Including that portion of the physical offerings formerly set apart to support the Levitical priesthood.)

We were COMMANDED FOREVER, to keep our annual Festival tithe for our FAMILIES, and our third year tithe for the poor in our communities to celebrate Yahweh's plan of salvation. NOTHING in the New Covenant Priesthood, in any way changes, or implies any change to this PERPETUAL COVENANT!

"therefore brethren,...let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,...and let us CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER in order to stir up good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but EXHORTING ONE ANOTHER, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:19-25). Here the apostles are informing us that although we no longer need to assemble for the sake of offering, we should continue to gather together for spiritual edification.

As it is written, we should consider the spiritual needs and encouragement of ONE ANOTHER, assembling together to SHARE our spiritual understandings and to build each other up in the faith, in order to stir up enthusiasm for good works. No mention of tithing is made when speaking of these assemblies, however it is clear from many of the apostles records, that they ALL kept the various annual festivals, and that the family tithing and third year tithing laws for the poor, were still in force.

"Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which Yahweh erected, and not man" (Hebrews 8: 1-2).

Yah’shua the Messiah did build His congregation. He is now our High Priest, seated at the right hand of Yahweh. This makes the high priesthood of Aaron OBSOLETE. Yah’shua the Messiah sent us His Holy Spirit to be our Spiritual Leader. All those of us  (the elect) that allow His Holy Spirit to be our Leader (our "Helper"), are guided in our understanding of the Bible - of Yahweh's laws and the mysteries of His kingdom.

His Holy Spirit working through Yahweh's elect, makes the Levitical priesthood OBSOLETE. Hebrews 10:19 thru 25 tells us we should still gather together, but that we should TEACH OR EXHORT ONE ANOTHER, AS LED BY His Holy Spirit - NOT AS LED BY MAN-MADE MINISTRIES, WITH FALSE DOCTRINES!

Paul, who was regarded as the greatest New Covenant preacher of the Word of Yahweh, set us a wonderful example of how to teach and share Yahweh's Word, FREE OF CHARGE AND WITHOUT FAVOUR. He likened receiving any type of remuneration for preaching the Gospel, to sin! In other words, it is SINFUL to STEAL Yahweh's Holy tithes from their intended purpose!

He stated categorically that anyone who used the Gospel, with no matter what flattery or twisting of words, as a means to justify collecting money or material things (TITHES OR OFFERINGS), was in fact, a FALSE APOSTLE, a deceitful worker, LED BY SATAN, for his own personal ego and selfish ambition!

In early Israelite times, when Paul and the other apostles taught, they did not need to expend lengthy sermons on the law. Yahweh's laws, which included the annual Holy Days, the festivals and the tithing principles, were familiar to everyone. They were being read every Sabbath in all the synagogues (see Acts 15:21).

Therefore, Paul and the others were persuaded by His Holy Spirit to concentrate on the matters at hand; the significance of the Messiah's message concerning the Kingdom of Yahweh, and about the new Congregation Yah’shua the Messiah said He would build. We, the ones called by His Holy Spirit, are that congregation. The word "church", is translated from the Greek "Ekklesia", or "called out ones". If we submit and allow ourselves to be led by His Holy Spirit and are not deceived, then we are the elect members of the Messiah's Congregation, where membership is "registered in heaven". No man (minister, pastor or priest) can register you in heaven, or do anything that could make you a member of the Messiah's Congregation.

It is our job to share the faith and testimony of Yah'shua, as Paul and the others did. Part of that job is to warn Israelites of false ministers (wolves in sheep's clothing) that steal Yahweh's Holy tithes from their intended purpose.

Tithing is Yahweh's way of ensuring that families of believers are able to gather together to partake of His Festivals, sometimes with many other families, and to thereby fellowship; to share the faith, to build each other up in knowledge and understanding of Yahweh, by celebrating the awesome love and compassion of His plan of salvation. It is Yahweh's way of making sure that His Love forms the central theme of our celebrations; that we would always think of Him with a sense of peace, joy and thanksgiving, while our families are celebrating and being taught His plan of salvation.

We are still under command of Yahweh to gather with others of "like precious faith", for edification; NOT TO BE TAUGHT BY MEN, but rather, to SHARE with one another, individual knowledge and understanding REVEALED TO US BY His Holy Spirit from the Word of Yahweh! And clearly, His Holy Spirit (Yahweh's Will), does not require recompense for being our Helper! Our physical reward, for sharing our revealed understandings, like Paul's, is the joy of SHARING the "implanted word", according to the Commandment of Yahweh; that Word that we KNOW IS TRUE UPON HEARING IT!

In addition to, but completely distinct from our family's Festival Tithes and the third year Tithe for the poor, we can do as we wish with the remainder of our income, including free-will offerings (THE ONLY TYPE OF PHYSICAL OFFERINGS THAT ARE NOT OBSOLETE UNDER THE NEW COVENANT), to conduct worthwhile community and charitable objectives. We must not be deceived into believing that we should build "churches", or that we are even able to build a group of "called out ones", (as we cannot; only Yahweh can call someone into His Congregation), or that we should be learning any part of Yahweh's Word from men. The Bible COMMANDS that we search the Scriptures diligently and "prove all things" with the aid of His Holy Spirit, especially that which we may hear from men! The Bible does not in any way, at any time, even suggest that Israelites should tithe to support any type of ministry. Like it or not, any ministry that asks for tithes or offerings (other than free-will offerings), in support of its work, is being led by the un-holiest of all spirits; the Devil.

Free-will offerings should only be given, AFTER you have SET ASIDE YOUR OWN FESTIVAL TITHE, AND THE THIRD YEAR TITHE FOR THE POOR; and then, ONLY if your family can still afford it! The Devil would truly love to STEAL your family's Tithe, or the third year Tithe, preventing either you or the poor from celebrating the wonderful plan of salvation revealed in Yahweh's Festivals. Especially when he can steal it under the guise of accomplishing "God's" work through one of his many false "Christian" ministries! Do you realize that the 10% of our nations' income (tithe) that the false "churches" STEAL each third year (plus that portion of every annual tithe that is beyond our own family's Festival needs) is more than adequate to FEED AND HOUSE THE POOR AND EVERYONE ON WELFARE!

Yahweh sums up His instructions to His spiritual congregation in Hebrews chapters 12 and 13: "to the general assembly and congregation of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to Yahweh the judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Yah'shua the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel...therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to Yahweh, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices Yahweh is well pleased". These are the only, "sacrifices" of the New Covenant Priesthood!

Yah'shua made a point concerning all of Yahweh's laws (including the laws on tithing) as written throughout the Old Covenant perfectly clear, when He said: "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill [complete, perfect, make whole or finish]. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the Law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:17-19).

This, and only this, is the true Gospel that the Messiah commanded us to preach when He said: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe ALL THINGS that I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:19,20). And in Matthew 23:8, Yah'shua COMMANDS us saying: "But you, DO NOT BE CALLED RABBI [father, priest, pastor, reverend or minister]; for ONE IS YOUR TEACHER, THE MESSIAH, and YOU ARE ALL BRETHREN".

When questioned on the matter of "which is the greatest commandment in the law?" (Matt. 23:36), Yah'shua responded to a lawyer by saying, "You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, all your soul, and with all your mind, this is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: `You shall love your neighbour as yourself! On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets'" (vv.37-40). Yah'shua makes it clear, that these two commandments as He quoted them from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, are in fact the two most important commandments.

These two [of the original Ten] Commandments are eternal, just like the eternal laws concerning tithing and the keeping of the seven annual Holy Days (and others), which together with all of Yahweh’s commandments, serve to "complete", or "fulfill" the law. Clearly, the Ten Commandments are proven to be the "beginning of the law", that Yah'shua said He came to  "fulfill", or "complete". ALL OF THE LAW set forth in the Old Covenant, remains IN FORCE, EXCEPT that which was specifically changed by Yahweh, under the NEW COVENANT PRIESTHOOD! And as this chapter sets forth, the ONLY change in the laws of Yahweh, resulting from the New Covenant, are those laws specifically addressing the priesthood; the laws of the PHYSICAL PRIESTHOOD, including the laws with respect to PHYSICAL SACRIFICES, and the PHYSICAL tabernacle of meeting, all of WHICH ARE NOW OBSOLETE!

As Yah'shua is now our High Priest forever; our ONLY TEACHER, let us willingly submit ourselves to His Holy Spirit; our HELPER, that we may be guided to a revealed (spiritually discerned) understanding of all things pertaining to the mysteries of Yahweh, and to our promised inheritance - our salvation.

Let us keep all of Yahweh's eternal laws, including tithing to ensure our continued annual celebration of Yahweh's great plan of salvation. And as stated in Hebrews 13:15,16, "let us continually offer the SACRIFICE OF PRAISE TO Yahweh, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His Name. But do not forget to DO GOOD AND to SHARE, FOR WITH SUCH SACRIFICES Yahweh IS WELL PLEASED"!

Many Bible verses on tithing are commonly quoted by traditional Christian ministers, in an attempt to legitimize their false motives. Malachi 3:8 through 10 is one such example: "Will a man rob Yahweh? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, `In what way have we robbed you?' In tithes and offerings. For you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house". Yahweh continues by saying that when this commandment is obeyed, His blessings of national wealth, peace and happiness will follow.

Yahweh obviously gave these instructions under the OLD Covenant. But the prophetic meaning behind the instructions is DUAL! They were to tithe one tenth of their increase (not of their income), in the form of foods - grain, oil, wine, flour, livestock, etc., which was to be taken to the national storehouse in Jerusalem.

The Levites would ensure that the national storehouse supplied the families when they celebrated the various annual feasts at Jerusalem in Yahweh's honour, and that the poor, the fatherless, the widows, the strangers, and the Levites themselves, were also able to partake each third year, "the year of tithing" (See Num. 18).

The Levitical priesthood, the physical tabernacle, the physical offerings, the national storehouse, and the physical requirement of travelling to Jerusalem, are all OBSOLETE under the New Covenant. We are now, "spiritual temples", WHEREVER WE RESIDE! This does not mean to do away with the prophetic NEW COVENANT message contained in Malachi 3:8 through 10, as above referenced.

Like most prophecies, Malachi's statement "will a man rob Yahweh", has a dual meaning. It was originally to warn PHYSICAL Israel, while it is also now meant, to warn US IN SPIRITUAL Israel! In other words, if we would NOW be OBEDIENT to Yahweh's command to set aside our own families' annual Festival Tithes and the third year Tithes for the poor, and thereby be able to keep the perpetually ordained Festivals, our nations would also NOW be the recipients of Yahweh's blessings of NATIONAL WEALTH, PEACE AND HAPPINESS!   

There is only ONE CONGREGATION; ONE GROUP OF "CALLED OUT ONES" - "OF THE FIRSTBORN WHO ARE REGISTERED IN HEAVEN"! No human-organized traditional "Christian church" or "minister" (father, pastor, priest, rabbi, reverend) can register anyone in heaven! Nor can they accept Yahweh's Holy Festival Tithes from you. If they do its THEFT!

Yahweh entrusts each of us, as His spiritual temples, to MANAGE OUR OWN FESTIVAL TITHES and the THIRD YEAR TITHES FOR THE POOR, and to be OBEDIENT IN ALL THINGS PERTAINING TO HIS WORD.

In Yahweh's name, don't be deceived into giving your Festival Tithes or your third year Tithes for the poor and needy; you and your communities' "Holy"day expense money, to one of Satan's "wolves in sheep's clothing"! 

You, your family, and the poor, deserve much better! TOP ^

The New Covenant Priesthood Part II - "The Law, Statutes and Judgments"

            Many today do not realize that the Bible is a book about law. Many believe and insist that Yah’shua the Messiah came to do away with the law of His Father, by doing away with the “law”, and establishing only grace and promises! There are many references in the Bible to the commandments, but you can also read a lot about the Statutes and Judgments. Then there are the ceremonial rituals and offerings. Most people assume that the Ten Commandments did not even exist until Yahweh gave them to Moses on tablets of stone. They think they are simply part of the ritualistic law of Moses.

To begin to understand the truth about Yahweh’s law, we must first accept the established fact that Yahweh’s law existed long before Moses and Mount Sinai! In fact Yahweh’s law existed LONG BEFORE ADAM AND EVE!

The Bible reveals that Yahweh IS love (1 John 4:8), and that love, as defined in Scripture, is actually keeping Yahweh’s law (1 John 5:3). Before the creation of the universe, Yahweh and the Spiritual aspect of Yahweh that became the Word existed in perfect harmony (John 1:1; 8:28-29; 10:30). These lived in agreement with each other (Amos 3:3) - submitting to the ETERNAL LAW of love. But there was also government in existence! Yahweh the Father was in charge! The Spiritual aspect of Yahweh; the Word, that later became Yah’shua the Messiah, was submissive to the Father (John 14:28).

As far as man’s history is concerned, Yahweh’s law existed and was binding from CREATION. This law is only summed up in the Ten Commandments. The first four commandments show us how to love Yahweh and the last six show us how to love each other (Matt. 22:36-40). But these Ten Commandments were not something new or original with Moses. To that point, they simply had not been written out in codified form as Yahweh then did for the Israelites.

Notice the example of Abraham: “Because that Abraham OBEYED MY VOICE, and KEPT MY CHARGE, MY COMMANDMENTS, MY STATUTES, AND MY LAWS” (Gen. 26:5). This was LONG BEFORE Mount Sinai! Yah’shua the Messiah did not do away with His Father’s law - He magnified it (Matt.5)! He also stated when asked how we are to obtain eternal life: “If thou wilt enter into life, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS” (Matt. 19:17).

Do you believe David when he said all of Yahweh’s commandments are SURE and that they LAST FOREVER? Or do you believe Yah’shua the Messiah when He instructed us to keep the commandments? Sad to say, many people do not.

So we see that Abraham was commended for obeying Yahweh’s commandments and keeping the statutes and laws. What was this referring to?

Webster’s dictionary defines “statute” as, “an established rule or law”. Yahweh’s statutes usually command or forbid certain things, in ADDITION to the Ten Commandments. Gesenius’ Lexicon says this about statutes: “An appointed law, a statute, an ordinance...used of the laws of nature [as prescribed by Yahweh]...a custom observed as though it were law”. Yahweh’s statutes are BASED UPON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

But what about the judgments? Judgments are binding DECISIONS made by (Yahweh appointed) judges BASED ON Yahweh’s PREVIOUSLY REVEALED LAW. These decisions are used to settle similar future disputes and to render a sentence or verdict.

Yahweh gave statutes and judgments for the general well-being of the people - for the protection of everyone’s legal rights. They are all based on the principles of love toward Yahweh and love toward each other. Here, summed up, is the applicable difference between all of these terms: In general, the Ten Commandments apply to individual conduct, the statutes apply to national and/or the congregations conduct (collectively, the “called out ones” within the House of Israel), and the judgments apply to decisions rendered according to the principles of the Ten Commandments and the Statutes.

It should be clear that Yahweh’s law of love was very much in effect prior to the establishment of His covenant with Israel. So why did Yahweh reveal His commands and laws to Israel? During their captivity (in bondage to an idol-worshipping nation), Israel had lost much of their knowledge of Yahweh’s ways. In Exodus 16:28, Yahweh said: “How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?” Again, this was said before the nation ever reached Mount Sinai! Yahweh had to reveal His law to them AGAIN, before entering into His covenant with them - because they had lost it!

  “And Yahweh said unto Moses, How long REFUSE YE TO KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS AND MY LAWS? See, for that Yahweh hath given you the Sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. So the people rested on the seventh day” (Exodus 16:28-30). Yahweh reminded them that the Sabbath was holy time. They had lost this knowledge that had been established long ago (Gen. 2:1,3).

Why is this such an important point? Because there are many that believe the commandments and the law were instituted at Mount Sinai and were part of the OLD COVENANT. And, the reasoning goes, once the New Covenant arrived, there no longer was a need to obey Yahweh’s commandments. The fact is, the dissolving of the Old Covenant COULD NOT DESTROY WHAT IT DID NOT BRING INTO EXISTENCE!

The Ten Commandments, which Yahweh gave in written form to Moses on Mount Sinai, were not new. Only the CODIFIED FORM in which Yahweh wrote them was new.

The Old Covenant was a marriage agreement in which Israel promised to obey the Eternal Yahweh (Elohim), in consideration of Yahweh’s promised blessings of health, wealth and spiritual well-being. Yahweh promised to provide and protect those who chose obedience to His ways. “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation” (Exodus 19:5,6).

Centuries later, after Israel had repeatedly broken the covenant, many verses such as Jeremiah 3:14 restate that this was a marriage covenant: “Turn, O backsliding children, saith Yahweh; for I AM MARRIED TO YOU:”

It is most interesting to note here, that Yahweh devoted only twelve chapters of the Bible to the first 2,000 years of human history - that’s all it took for Him to zero in on one man, ABRAHAM! The remainder of the Bible relates to THAT MAN AND HIS DESCENDANTS and to the rest of mankind only as their lives become involved with those who spring from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This does not imply that Yahweh’s plan ignores the majority of mankind; the Bible shows He is working on His plan of salvation FOR ALL MEN (1 Tim. 2:1-5), but through a line of descent - or spiritual adoption - from Abraham, the father of the faithful, through to Yah’shua the Messiah (Gal. 3:16). See chapter 27 for more information on who the modern descendants of Abraham, “a peculiar treasure unto me above all people”, really are!

At Mount Sinai, Israel promised to obey Yahweh: “And all the people answered together, and said, ALL THAT Yahweh HATH SPOKEN WE WILL DO” (Exodus 19:8). Yahweh then revealed what they were to do to obey Him, in Exodus 20:1-17.

Yahweh revealed additional laws and applications of the Ten Commandments in the form of civil statutes and judgments detailed in chapters 20-23 of Exodus, and instructed Moses to write them down in a “book of the covenant” (Exodus 24:4,7). The covenant was sealed and ratified with blood (Exodus 24:6), and Israel agreed formally to obey, and be subject to this covenant.

The Old Covenant was not a set of laws that were to be omitted upon institution of the New Covenant. The Old Covenant was a MARRIAGE AGREEMENT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND Yahweh! The statutes enlarge upon and show us how to apply the Ten Commandments. The statutes regarding the holy days for example, magnify the fourth commandment, which is, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). Those that obey by keeping the Sabbath holy and by keeping the annual festivals by spending this time in physical rest (from employment and conducting commerce) and through spiritual refreshment (by sharing the truth of Yahweh’s Word as revealed by His Holy Spirit), receive the special blessings of spiritual fellowship with the true God and the wonderful knowledge of His overall plan of salvation for all mankind.

Other statutes such as Exodus 22:16,19, specify how to keep the seventh commandment which forbids adultery. All of the statutes, in some way set out how we are to keep Yahweh’s spiritual law as codified in the Ten Commandments. Judgments, on the other hand, are binding decisions BASED on Yahweh’s law.

Time sequence is very important as we proceed through some of these verses. When Moses delivered the statutes and judgments, there was no mention of sacrifices connected with them. There is ONLY ONE SACRIFICE mentioned in the “book of the covenant”, and Yahweh called it, “MY SACRIFICE” (Exodus 23:18)! This was the Passover sacrifice instituted in Exodus 12:1-13, and it was repeated in the covenant made at Sinai.

The Passover then foreshadowed the sacrifice of Yah’shua the Messiah and was a REMINDER OF SIN to teach people the need of the coming Messiah - the true Passover Lamb - to be sacrificed many centuries later (John 1:29; Cor. 5:7). It began BEFORE the covenant was ratified and is the ONLY sacrifice that continued into New Covenant times (only with the newly substituted symbols of unleavened bread and wine). We are commanded to keep it FOREVER!

The ceremonial sacrificial offerings were temporary and not binding today. The “book of the covenant” did not contain the laws of burnt offerings, sacrifices or washings. These were added later, after Mount Sinai. Any sacrificial offerings added BEFORE the ceremonial rituals were all either VOLUNTARY OR CUSTOMARY!

“And he [Moses] sent YOUNG MEN of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto Yahweh” (Exodus 24:5). Notice they were young men, because the priesthood was NOT YET ESTABLISHED! In fact Yahweh did not command any of these sacrifices originally; “For I spake NOT unto your fathers, NOR COMMANDED THEM in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, CONCERNING BURNT OFFERINGS OR SACRIFICES: But this thing commanded I them, saying, OBEY MY VOICE, and I will be your God...that it may be well with you” (Jer. 7:22,23).

Paul explains that these temporary rituals were “added because of transgressions” (Gal. 3:19). The keeping of these ritualistic laws required much work, as we can see from Leviticus 1-7. That is why it became known as the “works of the law”. These temporary sacrifices were to last only until “the seed should come to whom the promise was made” (Gal. 3:19). Paul explains this as, “wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to the Messiah” (Gal. 3:24).

The offering of sacrifices in the Old Covenant demanded the need for the priesthood to act on behalf of men in relation to Yahweh (Heb. 5:1). They were REMINDERS  of sin. For example, in those days certain sins required that you sacrifice a bull. Obviously, if you continually sinned and sacrificed a bull each time, this would, after a while, deeply affect your source of income and livelihood. This was an effective way to drive the point of the message home!

Once the blood of the Messiah had been offered to cleanse us of sin once and for all, it was needless to offer physical sacrifices. “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law” (Heb. 7:12; 6:20; 7:11,21). The fact that Yahweh allowed the physical temple to be destroyed in A.D. 70, reinforces its symbolic destruction at the time of the Messiah’s crucifixion, and shows us that there is no longer a need for it. Today, the Congregation, is made up of Spirit-begotten sons of Yahweh, each of whom are TEMPLES OF Yahweh (1 Cor. 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16).

“Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offerings for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O Yahweh. He taketh away the first that HE MAY ESTABLISH THE SECOND” (Heb. 10:8,9).

On several occasions the Bible discusses the law of Moses, but in such instances it is never referring to the Ten Commandments. Yahweh GAVE the statutes and judgments to Moses in order that he could DELIVER them to the Israelites, whereas Yahweh SPOKE the Ten Commandments and caused them to be “carved in stone” as symbolic of the eternal nature of Yahweh’s law. Yet we read in Luke 2:22,39 that the “law of Moses” is called the “law of Yahweh”. This is because Yahweh is the GIVER OF ALL LAW.

When Yah’shua the Messiah defined the two great commandments in the law in Matthew 22, He quoted out of the “book of the law” (Lev. 19:18; Deut. 6:5), which we are told to REMEMBER. Then why are we told in Acts 15 that the Gentile converts do not have to observe the law, except for four points? The answer is cleared up in Acts 21:21. The law called into question involved circumcision and other customs, which were instituted long before the law of Moses. The spiritual intent is not done away today - just like the Ten Commandments, it is still in force, but like the  Passover, the manner of circumcision has been changed. It is now of the heart (Rom. 2:29).

This controversy did not involve the spiritual intent of the civil law of Moses, but the ceremonial ADDITIONS to it. These scriptures are not suggesting that adultery or murder is okay now! The Ten Commandments are not being questioned or done away with here. The four points mentioned in the controversy were originally part of the civil law; but they were also added to the ceremonial law to prevent certain pagan customs from being practiced by the ancient Israelites.

The Gentiles had until then, eaten their sacrifices with blood. They strangled their animals, presented them to their idols and committed fornication as part of their religious ceremonies. So the four points mentioned in Acts 15 had to be specifically declared (by the Apostles) to be STILL IN FORCE. They remained in effect and were binding AFTER the abolition of the physical sacrifices and washings.

The civil laws regulating tithing, clean and unclean meats, sexual cleanliness, the weekly and annual Sabbaths, for example, are ALL STILL IN EFFECT for the New Covenant Congregation because they define what sin is.

What about the principle of “an eye for an eye” or a “tooth for a tooth”? This was covered in the civil law of Moses which is still in effect. These statutes were set up to regulate one human society, with all of its faults, in a fair and just manner. The whole point of such instructions is concerned with the context of just recompense or payment for the injury caused; an “eye-value” for an eye, and a “tooth-value” for a tooth.

These principles are still very much in force, and we are also meant to keep them in their spiritual intent. Moses delivered these principles in the strictness of the letter because the congregation of Israel did not yet have His Holy Spirit as we do today - our HELPER.

When we fully understand that Yahweh’s spiritual and ETERNAL laws are what brings peace and happiness - that they are the WAY to life that reflects Yahweh’s character, we can then understand why the Messiah said He came to MAGNIFY THE LAW (Matt. 5).

Yahweh’s laws regulate human life, and disobedience to them has produced all unhappiness, disease, war, violence, suffering and death this world has experienced since Adam and Eve.

Yahweh’s spiritual law, the Ten Commandments, including His statutes (instructions on how to carry out the law) were set in motion for the benefit of mankind from creation, whether man acknowledges this or not. They are as much in force (if not more so because they have been declared to be ETERNAL) as all of the known laws (also Yahweh-given) of physics and chemistry.

Yahweh’s law is inexorable and it is an eternal reflection of His character. Yahweh’s character WILL NEVER CHANGE (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8). Yahweh’s spiritual law, including the Ten commandments, will never be done away with.

As Paul wrote: “Wherefore the LAW IS HOLY, AND THE COMMANDMENT HOLY, AND JUST, AND GOOD. For we know that the LAW IS SPIRITUAL...” (Rom. 7:12-14). TOP ^

The Old Covenant Priesthood - "Yahweh's Marriage Agreement"

What was Yahweh’s purpose for the Old Covenant - and what was it?  For many centuries now, the Bible has been divided into two great parts: the Old and New Covenants. Both parts revolve around two covenants, but few understand why. Fewer still, realize that together, the Old and New Covenants reveal ALL of Yahweh’s master plan for humanity!

In Genesis 1:26 we see that man was created in the image and likeness of Yahweh; out of “dust”. But John 4:24 says Yahweh is Spirit. Further Bible study reveals that man was created COMPLETE physically, but INCOMPLETE spiritually. Most people believe we were created complete physically and spiritually - already having an immortal soul - but that incorrect thinking is nowhere supported, or even suggested in the Bible.

The apostle Paul wrote: “Because the CARNAL MIND IS ENMITY AGAINST Yahweh: for it is not subject to the law of Yahweh, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE” (Rom. 8:7). (Chapter 15 of this book explains what man is and chapter 14 discusses the subject of how Satan begins to inject his attitudes into humans at the earliest opportunity.)

All babies, by the time they are just a few months old, begin to develop a self-centered carnal nature. That carnal nature, as Paul instructs, is AGAINST Yahweh! The last part of the verse not only says that our nature is not subject to the law of Yahweh, but rather it “NEITHER INDEED CAN BE”! In other words, IT’S NOT POSSIBLE! This life we lead in carnal flesh simply CANNOT PLEASE Yahweh.

Jeremiah wrote: “The heart [or mind of man] is DECEITFUL above all things, and DESPERATELY WICKED: who can know it?” (17:9). Physically it is impossible to follow Yahweh and His laws. There is a necessary change in our nature for that to become possible. “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world” (2 Peter 1:4).

We become partakers of the divine nature, or Yahweh’s very nature, when we are born again as SPIRIT beings, as John wrote: “That which is born of the flesh IS flesh; and that which is born of His Holy Spirit IS spirit” (3:6). Yes, it means what it says. When we are finally born of His Holy Spirit (after the beginning of the Millennium), we will BE SPIRIT! At that point, we will be spirit as Yahweh is Spirit. Our final stage of creation will have been completed. 

That makes this physical life we now live vitally important, because everything we do in this life, is to prepare us for when our creation is COMPLETE - when we will actually become the born SPIRIT children of Yahweh. If you are not preparing for that fantastic future now, then you do not understand or appreciate Yahweh’s incredible purpose for man.

That ultimate future begins when Yahweh imparts a portion of His Holy Spirit to us upon our BELIEF and repentance for our sins (Acts 2:38). From that point on, we are to grow and develop spiritually to prepare for the time when we will take on the divine nature of Yahweh. This spiritual growth plays a significant part in the New Covenant, but let us now look at the Old Covenant.

Many people misunderstand the true meanings of both the Old and New Covenants. Webster’s dictionary describes a “covenant” as, “an agreement, usually formal, between two or more parties to do, or not to do something specified”. This is clearly what Yahweh and ancient Israel entered into. They BOTH AGREED - the terms and conditions of the Old Covenant extend from EXODUS 19:1 THROUGH 24:8, which should be read in its entirety.

There Yahweh instructed Moses to tell the people; “Now therefore, IF ye will obey my voice indeed, and KEEP MY COVENANT, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation” (Exod. 19:4-6). Notice Yahweh did NOT promise His Holy Spirit as part of the Old Covenant. Neither did He promise eternal life! EVERY PROMISE of the Old Covenant was MATERIAL!

IF Israel had obeyed, they would have become an exceedingly great nation, dwelling in fruitful abundance. They would be Yahweh’s people and He would be their God. Yahweh would WALK AMONG THEM, but He never promised to DWELL IN THEM by the power of His Holy Spirit, which is a part of the New Covenant!

The Old Covenant was actually referred to by Yahweh as a marriage agreement! In Ezekiel 16:8, Yahweh said: “Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the TIME OF LOVE: and I SPREAD MY SKIRT OVER THEE, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a COVENANT WITH THEE, saith the Lord Yahweh, and THOU BECAMEST MINE”. “Spread His skirt”, is an expression that is a sign of marriage (see Ruth 3:8-11).

Yahweh further said in Jeremiah 31:32: “I was an husband unto them”. By agreeing to the Covenant, Israel was bound to Yahweh as His wife and was forbidden to commit adultery by worshipping the gods of other nations. “Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a COVENANT with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee...For thou shalt worship no other god: for Yahweh, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Exod. 34:12,14).

They were forbidden to enter into a covenant with another god because they were bound to a jealous husband. In Exodus 19:8. Israel answers Yahweh’s Covenant: “And all the people answered together, and said, ALL THAT Yahweh HATH SPOKEN WE WILL DO”. If Israel kept their part of the agreement, we will see that Yahweh, or that aspect of Elohim, would have been a faithful, loving husband, dwelling WITH the people.

After the Israelites agreed, Yahweh instructed Moses to tell the people to prepare for the third day, when He would Himself come down the mountain to be with the people. It was then that Yahweh began to discuss the specific terms of the Covenant.

In Exodus Ch. 20, they were given the Ten Commandments. These were even written on stone by Yahweh Himself. These were a distinct portion of the Old Covenant, being referred to in Deuteronomy 9:9,11 as “the tables of the covenant”. These tables make up Yahweh’s great, eternal, Spiritual Law, which itself, defines sin.

Yahweh then continued to instruct Moses, explaining the CIVIL LAW of STATUTES and JUDGEMENTS. These laws would govern and direct them as a nation. While the Spiritual Law was based on broad principles, the Statutes were very specific. Judgments were added to render a decision or verdict based on Yahweh’s law, prescribing certain punishments for disobedience. Together, the Statutes and Judgments, or Civil Law (the “Word”), AMPLIFIED THE TEN BASIC PRINCIPLES OF Yahweh’S SPIRITUAL LAW.

For example, Exodus 21:12 says, “He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death”. This Civil Law detailed the punishment for breaking the sixth Commandment: “Thou shall not kill”. All of the Civil Laws were based on the spiritual precepts of the Ten Commandments, and were a distinct part of the Marriage Covenant.

The Spiritual Law was written by Yahweh Himself as the Ten Commandments, while the Civil Law was given by Yahweh to Moses who wrote it into what would be referred to as the “Book of the Covenant” (Exod. 24:4,7). So the Israelites had to obey both the Ten Commandments AND the Book of the Covenant; the Civil Law.

This necessitates a reminder that Yahweh’s SPIRITUAL LAW IS ETERNAL! As set forth in the previous chapter, it was in effect LONG BEFORE MOSES REACHED MOUNT SINAI, and it will remain IN EFFECT FOREVER!

There are numerous “no law” preachers today, all of whom are deceived! The false reasoning that when the Messiah died, the Old Covenant, including the Spiritual Laws ended, has led many astray. The Old (“marriage”) Covenant has ended! But Yahweh’s Law HAS NOT AND NEVER WILL END!

Remember, a covenant is an AGREEMENT between two or more parties. True, the Law forms part of the CONTENT of the Old Covenant, but it also forms part of the CONTENT of the New Covenant! It was the Covenant, or agreement between Yahweh and Israel that ended, not the Law!

It did not take long for Israel to break the Old Covenant marriage agreement. Yahweh reminded them of their agreement about nine months later in Leviticus 26:1-3. They were already losing sight of Yahweh’s promises, and Yahweh again explained what would happen if they disobeyed (vv. 4-39). And that is just what they did! Then the God who became the Word, said: “Turn, O backsliding children, saith Yahweh; FOR I AM MARRIED UNTO YOU” (Jer. 3:14). Yahweh pleaded with Israel for over seven hundred years, to turn from their wicked ways, all to no avail!

Finally, look at what happened: “Behold, the days come, saith Yahweh, that I will make A NEW COVENANT with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers...WHICH MY COVENANT THEY BRAKE, although I was an husband to them” (Jer. 31:31,32).

Israel failed! They broke the Covenant and Yahweh divorced them! And because of their disobedience, as He had warned, He withdrew the many promises associated with the first Covenant. Instead of great material prosperity, Israel went into Assyrian captivity (Ezek. 20:23-24), and Judah, which had separated from Israel long before this time, was overthrown and went into the Babylonian captivity from 604-585 B.C. (2 Kings 23:27).

Man, of and by himself, cannot please Yahweh! Remember, it’s impossible! Remember as well, there were no spiritual promises in the Old Covenant. But why not, if Yahweh knew that man could not please Him without His Holy Spirit? Because Yahweh was proving that very fact, with hundreds of years of recorded history about a nation which Yahweh put under the best possible conditions, PHYSICALLY, to obey Him! But because they did not, as a nation, have access to His Holy Spirit, they failed miserably.

They wanted to, and should have, kept the letter of Yahweh’s Law. But they could not! They were a failure even judging by the letter of the law. What was Yahweh trying to show mankind? “O that there were such an HEART [or nature] in them, that they would fear [trust] Me, and keep all My Commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children!” (Deut. 5:29). Yahweh knew that the Israelites just did not have the “heart”, or nature to obey Him. We must have Yahweh’s Nature, the Will, or Spirit of Yahweh within us to obey Him.

That is what the Old Covenant proves! Israel’s secular and Biblical history; the proof, was the whole point and purpose of the Old Covenant!  TOP ^

The New Covenant Priesthood - the Marriage Agreement Renewed:

          Israel broke the Old Covenant, but the problem was not Yahweh’s. The problem was with the people. And because of that, Yahweh purposed to make a New Covenant - a NEW MARRIAGE AGREEMENT! The terms and conditions of this New Covenant are again based on Yahweh’s Spiritual Law, but the promises are this time, ALSO spiritual!

This time, Yahweh calls people out of this world, as SPIRITUAL ISRAELITES, and imparts a small portion of His Spirit; His very NATURE in them, so that they might be able to do what ancient Israel could not - PLEASE YAHWEH AND OBEY HIS VOICE!

We have seen, that from Yahweh’s perspective, the Old Covenant was analogous to a marriage agreement. Yahweh actually spoke to Moses and to ALL OF THE PEOPLE  of Israel when He delivered the terms and conditions of the Covenant (Exod, 19:9). Yet Yah'shua says that Yahweh the Father HAS NEVER SPOKEN TO MAN! “And the Father Himself, which hath sent Me, hath borne witness of Me. Ye have neither HEARD HIS VOICE AT ANY TIME, nor seen his shape” (John 5:37).

If the Israelites heard Yahweh’s voice, they had to have heard either Yahweh the Father, or His Angel that He sent to carry His message. Yah'shua’s clear statement proves that it was the Angel of Yahweh, or Yahweh’s “Word” that spoke with the people. It was this through this Word (the Angel of Yahweh referred to in the Hebrew Bible like the one that spoke to Moses in the burning bush) that agreed on behalf of Yahweh to enter into a marriage Covenant with Israel. That marriage Covenant was to allow the people to live by EVERY WORD OF YAHWEH’S LAW!

Because of the weakness of man, and the wickedness of man’s carnal nature, there was a tremendous need for a new and better Covenant to allow the people to obey Yahweh’s Law. Paul clearly defines fault in the Old Covenant: “For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for a second” (Heb. 8:7). 

Then Paul explains WHO WAS AT FAULT: “For finding fault WITH THEM [THE ISRAELITES], he saith, Behold...I will make a New Covenant” (v.8). The fault was clearly with the people. “For this is the Covenant that I will make... after those days, says Yahweh; I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MIND, AND WRITE THEM IN THEIR HEARTS” (Heb. 8:10).

To solve the problem, or fault with the Old Covenant, Yahweh will write His Spiritual Law in our hearts and in our minds, instead of on tablets of stone. This is what makes the New Covenant a “better” Covenant, for it makes it POSSIBLE to obey Yahweh. It (the New Covenant) does not do away with Yahweh’s Law, it merely writes it in a different place!

The New Covenant is also a marriage agreement; not between Yah'shua and ancient Israel, but between Yah'shua and SPIRITUAL ISRAEL; the Congregation. The New Covenant is based on a marriage agreement THAT WILL NOT FAIL! But that marriage has NOT YET OCCURRED! Its terms and conditions however, have been revealed to us through the Messiah.

This future marriage will take place at the return of the Messiah, as John plainly records in Revelation 19:7; “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him; for the MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB is come, and His wife (the Congregation) hath made herself ready”. Further evidence that this marriage HAS NOT YET happened is given in Hebrews 8:10, where Paul refers to it as a Covenant that the Messiah “will make”, AFTER the Messiah had already died, and AFTER the New Covenant Congregation had already been established!

Yah’shua the Messiah was the messenger of the New Covenant (Mal. 3:1). In the book of Hebrews, Paul has much to say about the New Covenant. “But now hath he [Yah’shua the Messiah] obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the MEDIATOR OF A BETTER COVENANT, which was established UPON BETTER PROMISES” (8:6).

Daniel’s prophecies concerning the Messiah make it abundantly clear that the New Covenant has not yet been consummated. Daniel 9:24-27 is referred to as the “70 weeks prophecy”. Bible students know that a day equals a year in prophecy (Num. 14:34). In Daniel 9:27 we see that the Messiah was to “confirm the [New] COVENANT with many for ONE WEEK”. This is referring to the last week of the seventy weeks. Yah’shua the Messiah was to confirm the New Covenant for seven prophetic days, or SEVEN ACTUAL YEARS!

Notice verse 27: “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the MIDST OF THE WEEK he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease”. In the midst of the prophetic seven day week, equals exactly three and one half years; precisely how long the Messiah’s earthly ministry lasted! For three and one half years He confirmed the terms and conditions of His New Covenant. But His ministry was cut short in the midst of the week (see chapter 17 of this book).

Yah’shua the Messiah caused “the sacrifice and the oblation to cease”. Why? Because He became the sacrifice! The sacrificial laws were not originally part of the Old Covenant, but were added because of transgressions (Jer. 7:22, and Gal. 3:19). “...we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Yah’shua the Messiah ONCE FOR ALL” (Heb. 10:10). Once Yah’shua the Messiah was sacrificed, the sacrificial offerings ended, NOT Yahweh’s Spiritual Law!

Yah’shua the Messiah’s ministry was cut short in the midst of the week, meaning that the rest of that week HAS YET TO BE FULFILLED. In other words, He is NOT YET FINISHED CONFIRMING THE COVENANT. The New, like the Old Covenant, will be made with Israelites (Heb. 8:8), but this time it will be with SPIRITUAL ISRAELITES - those who will have Yahweh’s Laws written in their hearts and in their minds! It will be confirmed in the near future with those Spirit-born saints who will not break the Covenant.

Man has traditionally titled the two sections of the Bible as “The Old Testament” and “The New Testament”. We have already seen that a Covenant is an agreement. A Testament, on the other hand, is a WILL in which the possessions and rights of the Testator are passed on AFTER HIS DEATH!

There is no requirement of either party to die in a Covenant, whereas a Testament is not binding UNTIL DEATH OF THE TESTATOR! The first part of our Bibles should more accurately be called the “Old Covenant”, and the second part, the “New Testament containing the New Covenant”!

Yah’shua the Messiah came and began to confirm the New Covenant, and He left behind His Testament or Will, that took effect after He was crucified. Paul confirms this in Hebrews 9:15-17; “therefore He [the Messiah] is the mediator of a New Covenant, so that those who are called may receive the PROMISED ETERNAL INHERITANCE, since a death has occurred which redeems them from the transgressions under the first Covenant. For where a WILL is involved, the death of the One who made it must be established. For a WILL takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the One who made it is alive” (Revised Standard Version).

Through His WILL; the New Testament, the Messiah left us the OPPORTUNITY to be co-heirs, or beneficiaries of His rights and possessions under the New Covenant (Rom. 8:17). But His Will requires that we meet certain conditions before we can inherit His promises. “And IF ye be the Messiah’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29). Notice the big IF! The question is, How do we become the Messiah’s?