Month: January 2016

Countering the Mark of the Beast…

The ‘Mark of the Beast’ is a pretty common prophecy topic, but have you ever noticed that holy to the Lordthere are several ‘marks’ God puts on HIS people?  By those ‘marks’ can you KNOW that you are one of His?

The mark of the Beast is supposed to be a sign on the ‘right hand or on the forehead,’ as Revelation 13:16 reveals. The exact same terminology* is used in 14:9, 11; 16:2 (2); 19:20 and 20:4.  “Head and/or hand…”

But, what if you knew what the mark or sign of God’s people is?  Would it be worth researching and studying it out??

In fact, Scripture gives several very clear signs or marks that distinguish God’s people.  Consider these very clear verses: Continue reading “Countering the Mark of the Beast…”

Recognizing the anti-messiah…

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Most think the man of lawLESSness will come in Hitleresque appearance, as some monster.  Scripture indicates he’ll be a smooth talking, well loved individual that few recognize.

Paul gives a hint in 2 Thessalonians as to how we can recognize him….  He will be lawLESS.  In Paul’s day, what did that mean?  (Hint: Torah = law.)

Therefore, the man of lawLESSness could well worship on Sunday, eat ham sandwiches, and celebrate pagan holidays, being absolutely lawLESS and few would even bat an eye.

If you do not know what lawFULL looks like, how will you recognize lawLESS?

Got Torah?  (God’s everlasting instructions for righteous living…)

http://bible.com/100/2th.2.3-4.NASB

‘The Lord’s Supper’ : A tradition of men?

I was raised in Christendom and later attended seminary and was ordained as a pastor in a Presbyterian denomination.  One of the highlights of worship in Christendom is ‘The The Lord's SupperLord’s Supper’ or ‘Communion,’ served quarterly in some churches, more frequently in others.

A recent question concerning my faith was posed asking if our fellowship observed ‘the Lord’s Supper to remember Christ’s sufficient work to pay for our sins.’ While the question is multifaceted in that it has underlying questions about the sufficiency of Messiah and implied questions concerning the place of ‘working out our salvation with fear and trembling,’ I have been pondering the Christian tradition of the ‘Lord’s Supper.’  Is the normal praxis of Christendom with bread and wine defensible or even found in Scripture?  Or, is it a tradition with little basis in Scripture and more a compilation of tradition and ‘feel good’ memories that may seem worshipful, but do not meet the expectations of a Holy God with clear instructions?

Tough, tough questions, but worth exploring!

Having led / performed 60-80 Communion services (our church practice while I was in the pulpit was quarterly observance) I’ll try to shed some light on this touchy subject. Continue reading “‘The Lord’s Supper’ : A tradition of men?”

Jan. 12, 2016: A day of prayer and fasting for the House of Israel

I would like to invite you to join a group of friends and colleagues who will be setting aside January 12, 2016 as a day of prayer and fasting for the House of Israel.  Specific points of prayer:

  • Dry bones to be awakened and restored
  • Blind eyes to see
  • Wisdom and discernment for those seeking avenues of restoration to Judah
  • Bones to come together
  • Unity
  • The move of the Spirit in breathing life into the bones
  • The will of our Father in these days

This particular day is important in that you will be joining the voices of many others to a specific end.  We need your earnest prayers that day and continued prayer in the days that follow.

Thank you for standing in the gap with us.

The ‘New Covenant’ is NOT with Gentiles…

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The provocative title is true and intended to get your attention.  Simply, the New Covenant is NOT with the Gentiles. That is not to say Gentiles can’t enter in, because Ephesians 2 and Romans 9-11 teach that they can, however, they immediately stop being Gentiles and become a part of Israel.

Until one understands this and the attendant implications (Torah to be written on their heart), they simply do not understand Scripture nor can they correctly assemble prophecy.  Hard to swallow, I know. 

Study it out.  How many eternal promises are there to Israel?  To the ‘house of Israel?’  To the ‘house of Judah?’  To ‘Ephraim?’

Christian doctrine ignores these glaring pieces precisely because they do no understand them.  I was a pastor.  Seminary trained.  I nor my professors understood these things, yet in His mercy, Abba is restoring the ancient paths (Jer. 6:16-19) and recovering His flock.

Dare to ask God to open your eyes to ALL of His Word.

http://bible.com/100/jer.31.31-33.NASB

Can’t God make up His mind?

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Many churches inadvertently teach that God is a liar and can’t make up His mind.  Seriously!

They teach the Torah, His instructions in righteousness, only applied to ancient Israel; the church has a different set of standards and keeping the Torah is unrighteousness; the Messiah will reign on the throne of David in the future Kingdom (…and the Torah will go forth from Zion)….

If I’m not mistaken, ‘I, the Lord, do NOT change,’ and ‘the Word of our God stands forever.’

Call me crazy, but it seems the doctrines of men are just FULL of logical fallacies and non-sequiturs.

http://bible.com/100/deu.30.9-10.NASB

He restoreth my soul…. But, How?

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Read the verses between the above quoted two and see that He restores our soul with the Torah…. It identifies sin, teaches us how to love Him, how to love our neighbor and how to walk as Yeshua walked.  Why in the world would we ignore it?

http://bible.com/100/psa.19.7-11.NASB

Does Scripture lie?

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Many times in Scripture we are clearly told that the Torah, even the statutes and ordinances, are FOREVER.  Are all of these verses a lie? Or, is Yeshua speaking truth when He says, ‘not one jot or tittle will pass from the Torah and the Prophets…if you want to be LEAST in the Kingdom, annul and teach to annul the least of the commandments.’   (Matt. 5:17-19, paraphrased)

http://bible.com/100/2ki.17.37.NASB