Yisraelite Marriage

The Old Testament is an Eastern Book written for Eastern people, so in order for us to comprehend its prophetic shadows and types by divine revelation we must familiarize ourselves with the oriental customs on which they were established.

This-evening I am going to ask you to read many Scriptures with me—not to be tedious, but with such a small congregation, we can afford the luxury of taking our time and experiencing the consistency of YAHUAH’s Word. Please turn to Genesis 24 and read all sixty-seven verses.

Abraham sent his servant, Eliezer, to choose a wife for his promised son Isaac. He was instructed to go to the land of Mesopotamia, which is Babylon whence YAHUAH called him, and to seek a wife from among Abraham’s kinfolk. Likewise “YAHUSHA sent forth the twelve, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter into any city of the Samaritans: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Yisrael” (Matthew 10:5-6). 

He specifically told him not to seek in unbelieving heathendom but from among his misguided kinsmen in “Mystery, Babylon the Great, mother of harlots and abominations of the earth”: a universal assemblage of Catholics at the core; grouped with them Protestant denominations, sects and churches; grouped around them believing Jews, believing Muslims, believing Hindus, believing Buddhists. And that would be a universal religious assembly that could have a powerful dynamic kick in civilization and in solving the problems of men and women today (Uri Dowbenko, Bushwhacked: Inside Stories of True Conspiracy, ISBN 0971004218, p. 213; Revelation 18:4). 

The family is the social unit. The Judaeo-Catholic church is called the “mother” church and her priests are called “father” and “brother.” Of the three great events in family life: birth, marriage and death—the ancient Hebrews regarded marriage as the most important. Eliezer arranged a contract with Rebekah’s brother Laban, and with her mother Milcah (Genesis 24:55). And YAHUAH sent His Messenger (angel) before Eliezer.

When marriage was being arranged in Yisrael, the parents generally took all decisions. If the bride should prove unsatisfactory to her husband or with her mother-in-law she would likely be returned discredited, engendering a feeling of injustice on one side affecting the whole circle of relatives and possibly the whole community. 

Therefore the selection of a wife and the arrangement of all contractual and financial matters connected with it were decided upon by the parents or guardians. Neither the girl nor, often, the youth was consulted. Two men, say you and I, may be close friends, and when we marry, we might agree that my first son and your first daughter, or the other way around should marry. That settled the young children were married then but would not consummate their union until they were of age. 

In the old days, the yardstick was character, NOT outward looks. The esteem with which the families held each other and the preservation of common Natsariym principles was paramount: were we noble or wealthy we would want to see the dynasty prosper and be preserved, not squandered on a beautiful female of indifferent station.

Those were the days when family meant something, the days when men and women respected dignity, understood shame and standards. When age did not indicate one was superseded or past his use-by date because “knowledge had increased” bringing technological advancements; moreover it entitled them to respect for their standards and accomplishments in life, and for the wisdom of their experience. 

Those were the days before self-importance and instant gratification. The old ways seem to me far wiser, more civilized, and more certain to produce and maintain a superior culture than the anarchy to which Western culture has degenerated in today’s jungle-mating game.

If we are Messiah’s Bride, we were foreknown from the foundation of the world, and chosen by the Father Who is drawing us back to Himself. John 6:44, “No man can come to Me, except the Father which has sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day”.

An unmarried woman was under her father’s authority. Rebekah’s brother Laban had authority over her and spoke as Bethuel her deceased father (Genesis 24:50).

Rebekah’s consent was asked only afterwards, and then only because her father was dead.

If a youth’s father had not already contracted marriage, the father might guide his son’s choice, as for example, when Isaac sent Jacob to marry one of his cousins. You’ll recall that Jacob actually married the two daughters of Laban, his mother’s brother (Genesis 28:1-5).

Once the proposal of marriage had been put to the girl’s father and her price agreed, the groom and his bride would then seal the covenant by drinking a CUP OF WINE.

Luke 22:42, “Father, if You are willing, remove this CUP from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done.” YAHUSHA had already drunk from the CUP with His espoused Bride at the Last Supper, sealing the betrothal or marriage COVENANT, earlier in the evening. Judas had already betrayed his Master, and was leading the soldiers to arrest Him. YAHUSHA was a man like you and I, only virgin born and without sin. He was subject to the same emotions as us, and to physical pain. I should think His anguish and physical sensibilities might have been more acute than our own because He was absolutely sinless. And He was YAHUAH manifest. In asking that the cup be removed He was not seeking to avoid the marriage contract. He could have written a letter of divorcement. But in terror of the ordeal He was pleading, “Is there some other way to meet sin’s price?” But He overcame His own self and resolved to do His Father’s will and purchase the unworthy woman His Father had chosen from the foundation of the world. Such precious love!

Matthew 26:26-29, “And as they were eating, YAHUSHA took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And He took the CUP and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink all of it; for this is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many [nations of Adam’s race] for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s Kingdom”.

This follows the type where Eliezer declined to eat until he had explained his errand, told how YAHUAH had answered his prayer, then CONTRACTED the marriage bond (Genesis 24:33-58).

This CUP signified the potential oneness or agreement of YAHUSHA with His betrothed, and a PRICE paid [or agreed to be paid]. It sealed a BINDING CONTRACT called the New Testament signifying that, like a natural bride, the future Assembly was His purchased possession. One should not drink the cup of YAHUAH’s Supper [typing the (sexual) consummation of marriage] until he has the Token or EVIDENCE of the Contract.

The YAHUAH’s Supper consists of unleavened bread and wine prepared by CLEAN Set-Apart (holy) hands. Grape juice sours. Wine has a spirit, it stimulates the human spirit as the RUCH HA’QODESH or revelation of the Word stimulates our soul. Wine, like true love, improves with the passage of time. And time was to pass while the Bridegroom went away to prepare a place for us, so YAHUSHA said, “I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you at the Wedding Supper in the AIR”.

The CONTRACT agreed, the suitor on becoming the husband assumed definite legal obligations towards his wife. You will recall we discovered that YAHUAH expects us to honour our word. He requires us to be careful how we speak because we are bound to honour our commitments. 

Natsariym’s should not speak of an engagement to marry as the world speaks of the custom, because when a man proposes marriage and the girl says, “Yes” they are married from that moment. And if either party breaks the engagement and marries another (without a Scriptural reason) they are committing adultery (Deuteronomy 22:23; Matthew 5:32; We Have Seen His Star, 11:66; COD 1037:197; Q342).

There was a law known as “breach of promise” whereby a man or a woman promised in marriage who broke their pledge without good cause could be gaoled and fined in the courts. This was called “jilting.” The law doubtless remains but is inactive because (as in the days of Noah and Lot), fornication, adultery, sexual promiscuity and no-fault divorce have become the social norm, along with same-sex marriage, homosexuality, drug and alcohol abuse. The Prophet said, civilization as we know it is of the Devil. But although our laws have become diluted it is still possible to see how English Common Law was originally in the Scriptures. YAHUAH does not forget His Word; He has bound Himself under CONTRACT and requires us to honour our word.

Isaiah 55:1-3, “Ho, every one that thirsts, come to the waters, and he who has no money come, buy, and eat. Come, buy wine and milk WITHOUT money and WITHOUT price.” [What price eternal Life? Or what price a kinsman redeemer? Salvation is FREE, but it is not cheap].

“Why do you spend money for that which is not bread? and labour for that which satisfies not? [YAHUSHA is that bread from heaven]. He told the prostitute at the well, “whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst—sell what you have, and build treasure in the heavens that fails not, where no thief approaches, neither moth corrupts”]. Hearken diligently unto Me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me: hear, and your soul will live; and I will make an EVERLASTING COVENANT with you, even the sure mercies of David.” This prophecy speaks of eternal Life and new birth through the new CONTRACT in Messiah’s Blood.

YAHUAH was replacing the old system of laws with a new system quoting Jeremiah 31:31-32. This New Covenant has to do with Messiah’s coming and had to be signed in Blood as Abraham divided the animals when he received the Covenant from YAHUAH. Moses too sealed his Covenant in blood.

Messiah came like a sacrificial animal and gave His Blood to seal the New Covenant. Isaiah said the Messiah would come as a lamb to the slaughter. John the Baptist called Him; “the Lamb of YAHUAH which takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).

Under the Old Testament Yisrael was the bride of YAHUAH (Hosea 1 – 2). But that Covenant or contract under the Law was CONDITIONAL upon obedience. Hence YAHUAH put Yisrael away.

Jeremiah 31:31-34, “The day will come when I will make a New Covenant with the House of Yisrael and with the House of Yahudah (Judah): not according to the Covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; My Covenant which they BROKE, although I was a HUSBAND to them, says YAHUAH: But this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the House of Yisrael; AFTER those days, says YAHUAH, I will put My Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their ELOHIYM, and they shall be My people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, “Know YAHUAH”: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest, says YAHUAH: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more”.

Yisrael REJECTED that Covenant and YAHUAH turned from them to take out of the Gentiles a people for His Name, a Bride for His Son. Soon He will turn the hearts of 144,000 Yisraelites back to Him and they will come under this New Covenant—not as bride but as servants attending on His Bride.

The New Testament, our Covenant or MARRIAGE CONTRACT, is UN-conditional:

Mark 14:23-24, “YAHUSHA took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them: and they all drank from it. And He said unto them, This is My BLOOD of the New Testament, which is shed for many”.

Without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. YAHUAH signed this contract in His Own Blood, showing that the perfect Life of our Kinsman Redeemer has been substituted for our life, paying sin’s penalty—able to remit our sins. Something the blood of Abel’s sacrifice could not do.

Exodus 24:8, “And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the BLOOD of the COVENANT, which YAHUAH has made with you concerning all these words”.

Ephesians 4:30, “Grieve not the RUACH HA’QODESH of YAHUAH, whereby you are SEALED UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION.” 

That’s the everlasting Covenant Isaiah and Jeremiah sought. The UNCONDITIONAL marriage CONTRACT of grace with NO provision for divorcement (Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 19:6).

The MOHAR or bride price is a compensation given to the father whereby the future husband acquires a right over the woman. As the unmarried woman was under the authority of her father, the married woman she comes under the authority of her husband.

The bride’s father enjoyed the use of the mohar, though not its possession. It reverted to his daughter on succession, or if her husband’s death reduced her to penury. You’ll recall the story of Jacob’s two wives. How he served Laban seven years to meet the bride price for Rachel but was cheated when Leah was substituted so he worked seven more years for Rachel. Although Jacob had worked hard and faithfully for his father-in-law, he continually defrauded him. Then YAHUAH spoke to Jacob and told him it was time to return to the Promised Land and He would prosper him. And YAHUAH caused Laban’s cattle to bring forth speckled and spotted cattle, brown sheep, and spotted goats which would be Jacob’s pay. Jacob told his wives what YAHUAH had said, “And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? Are we not counted of him as strangers? for he has SOLD us, and has quite DEVOURED also OUR money. For all the riches which YAHUAH has taken from our father, that is OURS, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever YAHUAH has said unto thee, do.” 

So you see, the Mohar was not the possession of the father but a trust.

The presents offered to Rebekah and her family were a reward for their accepting the proposal of marriage and NOT the mohar.

“And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother” (Genesis 24:53).

The bride’s FATHER normally executed the marriage deed which was a bill of sale. 

“YAHUAH so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Our Bridegroom paid our Bride Price by His Own Blood. “Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the RUACH HA’QODESH which is IN you, which you have of YAHUAH, AND YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN? For you are BOUGHT WITH A PRICE: therefore glorify YAHUAH in your body, and in your spirit, which are YAHUAH’S” (I Corinthians 6:19-20; Isaiah 55:1).

The CONTRACT, CUP and mohar are the bride’s security, guaranteeing the return of the Bridegroom.

John 14:18-21, 26-27, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world sees Me no more; but you see Me: because I live, you shall live also. At that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He that has My commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves Me: and he that loves Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him . . . But the Comforter, which is the RUACH HA’QODESH, whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”.

Our consolation and the EVIDENCE of the CONTRACT is the eternal security of a new birth and the Token on display. 

“The Token is not the Token unless It is on display.” 

If you claimed to have a wife but nobody ever saw or heard from her, it would be reasonable to suspect you were not really married because there was no evidence of the married life. And if the evidence of Messiah’s Life is not apparent in me then you would be justified in believing I was not truly married to Him, or born-again.

Do you remember the parable of the woman who had ten pieces of silver? I believe those ten pieces of silver represented or were the EVIDENCE of her virtue, worn from a wedding band or chain upon her head, signifying she was betrothed. The women did not wear a wedding ring on their finger in those days.

One piece was missing. She cleaned house and searched with a fine tooth comb until she recovered her token, symbolizing how we must sanctify and seek our own salvation with fear and trembling, until the EVIDENCE of the virtuous Life of YAHUSHA HA’MASHIACH, the Token, is on display in us.

The CUP is to bring the CONTRACT and its PRICE (mohar) to remembrance.

I Corinthians 11:25, “After the same manner also He took the CUP, when He had supped, saying, This CUP is the New Testament or CONTRACT in My Blood: do this as often as you drink it in REMEMBRANCE of Me”.

The MOHAR was Messiah’s Own Blood.

Revelation 1:5, “YAHUSHA HA’MASHIACH, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His OWN Blood”.

The formalities of the transaction being complete, the groom would then make a speech to the bride. I might be something in this order:

“And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some DOUBTED.” This is Messiah’s espoused Bride—the CUP had been drunk, the CONTRACT agreed, and their MOHAR paid—“but some doubted”.

And YAHUSHA came and spoke unto them, saying, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. BECAUSE of this, Go and teach ALL of ADAM’S race, immersing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost [which is Master YAHUSHA HA’MASHIACH]: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: [PREPARE yourselves to be My Wife] and, lo, I am WITH you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen”  (Matthew 28:18-20). The consolation.

This speech is also recorded and is worthy of comparison in Mark 16:14- 20, Luke 24:46-51 and in Acts 1:7-8, “And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the TIMES or the SEASONS, which the Father has put in His Own power.”

“But you shall receive power, after the RUACH HA’QODESH is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”.

He would then return to His Father’s house to build a bridal chamber for the consummation of their union.

“Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in YAHUAH, believe also in Me. IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE ARE MANY MANSIONS: if it were not so, I would have told you. I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU. [A Bridal chamber in which to CONSUMMATE the marriage. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And whither I go you know, and the way you know” (John 14:1-4).

Proposing to the girl’s father, drawing the marriage contract, and paying the mohar constituted merely the betrothal. An ‘option’, preventing the maid from marrying anyone else. An EVIDENCE or token of a price paid, a deposit.

The usual length of a betrothal was one year [we have emphasized as the last year before the end of the Natsariym age].

She may not live with her husband until he had carried her away to his father’s house, thus completing and CONSUMMATING the union. The bridegroom would have to construct and provision the marriage chamber, where he and his bride would remain secluded for the seven days of Daniel’s Seventieth Week. He could not return to claim her until his father approved the chamber and declared the time was right.

“When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Master, will You at THIS TIME restore the kingdom to Yisrael? And He answered, It is not for you to know the TIMES or the SEASONS [of the seven Assemblies], which the FATHER has put in his OWN power” (Acts 1:6-7).

So if anyone asked him when he would be married, he would reply, “Of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36).

Thus assured, the bride knew she was loved and was content to be separated from the world and the things of the world and to wait as long as was necessary. She would be very busy in her responsibility to make herself ready to please him. She used this time to prepare herself for her bridegroom and for the responsibilities of married life. A type of our sanctification.

She was no longer her own but had been bought with a price, set apart, and consecrated. Isaiah 61:10, “I will greatly rejoice in YAHUAH, my soul shall be joyful in my ELOHIYM; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels”.

When she went out in public, in order to discourage others from intimate contact and as a sign she was betrothed, she now veiled her face—even from the bridegroom. As when Rebekah saw Isaac for the first time, “she asked the servant, What man is this that walks in the field to meet us? And the servant said, It is my master: therefore she took a VAIL, and COVERED herself” (Genesis 24:65). 

The bride waited in her father’s house, and stayed home at night—not knowing what time the bridegroom would come. Tradition was that the groom should come at night, at an hour when he was LEAST expected and ‘steal’ her away from her family. “Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore you shall not WATCH, I will come on you as a THIEF, and YOU SHALL NOT KNOW WHAT HOUR I WILL COME UPON YOU” (Revelation 3:3; 16:15).

She was to be waiting with the other virgins—her bridesmaids and companions—who would all have oil in their lamps in case the groom should choose to come late in the night.

Matthew 25:1-13, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” 

“While the Bridegroom tarried [throughout the Gentile age], they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom, come out to meet Him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there is not enough for us and you: you go to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door [to the bridal chamber] was shut.”

Within the Father’s House were the relatives and invited guests—the friends of the groom.

“Afterward the other [foolish] virgins came, saying, Master, Master, open to us. [But the Bride and Bridegroom were consummating their union in the bridal chamber [as Isaac brought Rebekah into his late mother Sarah’s tent, and he knew her and loved her, and she became his wife (Genesis 24:64–67)] so Messiah answered the foolish virgins and said, I do not know you [as my CONSUMMATED wife. In the Living Bible YAHUSHA says, “Go away, it’s too late”]. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of man comes”.

The bridal procession was originally the actual transference of the bride to the bridal apartment or canopy in the house of the bridegroom’s father. The bridegroom, wearing a diadem (Revelation 4:10), and accompanied by his friends, [the Old Testament saints], with tambourines and a band, proceeded to the bride’s house. When they were within earshot they would SHOUT, “Behold, the Bridegroom! Come out to meet him”.

How close are we? We’ve heard the “shout” of Matthew 25:6, I Thessalonians 4:16 and Revelation 18:4, and trimmed our revelation.

You heard your name called and recognized your place in the Word in the “shout” “Behold the Bridegroom! Come out of Babylon and be filled with the RUACH (Spirit).” That was your marriage.

Throughout the Assembly Ages when Messiah was in the Office Son of YAHUAH, it was, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears My Word, and believes on Him that sent Me, has eternal Life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto Life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the spiritually dead shall hear the voice of the Son of YAHUAH [or Mediator]: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father has Life in Himself; so has He given to the Son to have Life in Himself”.

The bride’s father and mother would look aside while the bride and her friends were spirited away. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet YAHUAH in the air: and so shall we ever be with YAHUAH. But of the TIMES and the SEASONS, brethren, you have no need that I write. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of YAHUAH comes as a THIEF in the night. For when they shall say, “Peace and safety”; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are NOT in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a THIEF” (I Thessalonians 4:17; 5:1-4; Revelation 3:3; 16:15).

There would be much rejoicing as the noisy party journeyed through the streets. Soon the Seventh Trumpet of YAHUAH will sound “rejoice”!

The bride was richly dressed and adorned with jewels but NOBODY would recognize her because she wore a veil which she took off only in the bridal chamber. This explains why Rebekah veiled herself on seeing Isaac, her betrothed, and how Laban was able to substitute Leah for Rachel at Jacob’s first marriage.

Escorted by her companions [the foolish virgins], the bride was conducted to the home of the bridegroom. This was the bringing home of an ALREADY ACCREDITED Bride to her COVENANTED husband. There was no formal religious ceremony connected with the Hebrew marriage as with us. The marriage was CONSUMMATED by entrance into the nuptial chamber in which stood the bridal bed with a canopy. The bride and groom would go into the bridal chamber [where YAHUSHA takes us] while the wedding party waited outside.

Everyone would wait until the Bridegroom would tell a trusted friend through the CLOSED door (Matthew 25:10), that the marriage has been CONSUMMATED UNDER THE TENT. Two groomsmen were chosen, one from the Brides’ family, another from the husband’s—a type of Elijah and Moses—two witnesses whose duty is to introduce the Bride and Groom to Yirael.

In John 3:29, the Pharisees asked John the Baptist if he were the Messiah. John set them straight: “He that has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice; this my joy therefore is fulfilled”.

The Yisraelites miss the marriage which will be CONSUMMATED and the seven-year wedding feast fulfilled when their elect 144,000 recognize the voice of their long martyred two witnesses—“Every one that is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37).

Revelation 19:7-8, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints”.

The “wedding day” was the day when the Bride was taken home to her husband’s house. The word “marriage” in the New Testament, always means the “festivities” which were sometimes a considerable period after the actual COVENANT or bond of marriage. Here, the “friends of the Groom” (Mark 2:19; John 3:29) rejoice, for the marriage is CONSUMMATED.

When the marriage was publicly celebrated, the bride removed her veil and placed it over the groom’s shoulders, signifying she is under his dominion—that she has transferred her rights to him who is the head and also bears the responsibility and the care and that he and he alone; no other man, no other power, has any rights over, or responsibility for her (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Because the mystery of the Seven Thunders is revealed to us we can recognize the Bride of each generation. Soon there will be a grand Wedding Supper in the sky at the Home of our Bridegroom’s Father. The Marriage will be consummated the seven days of Daniel’s seventieth week. Thereafter “Every eye shall see Him [including the Yisraelites who pierced Him,” and when they see Him they shall see YOU who with Him (Revelation 1:7; 19:11-18). Yisrael will recognize the (Gk.) parousia Coming with His Bride of all Ages in the end of the week when faith lifts her vail from their eyes, then Yisrael joy will anoint the Most Holy Place, which is her king and His Queen, Messiah and His Bride.

YAHUSHA HAS returned as a thief. The world doesn’t recognize Him, because He has come in WORD Form contrary to their creeds.

Through the invisible union we are one with the Bridegroom, and because they cannot recognize the Bridegroom we are veiled from the world.

Soon the seventh Trumpet will sound. 

Sinners will be cast into outer darkness. “And the light of a candle shall shine there no more; and the Voice of the Bridegroom and of the Bride shall be heard there no more: for their merchants were the great men of the earth and by her sorceries all nations were deceived” (Revelation 18:23). 

There’ll be shouting and rejoicing among the saints as they rise to be greeted by their brethren from previous Ages. Can you imagine the joy of our ANTICIPATION as we manifest the Sons of YAHUAH, KNOWING that we shall be CHANGED and rise WITH them to meet YAHUAH in the air?

When that Trumpet sounds to call Yisrael to the Feast of Trumpets, the LAST elect will be sealed into Messiah and the Set-Apart Harvest fulfilled. I Thessalonians 4:16, “For YAHUAH Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the Voice of the Archangel, and with the Trump of YAHUAH: the dead in Messiah will rise first.” He does ALL three things as He descends. The ‘Catching Away’ is the threefold PROCESS of a shout, voice, and trump.

Revelation 19:7-9, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come to pass, and His wife has made herself ready [to CONSUMMATE the marriage by glorification for the Marriage Supper]. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousnesses of saints.

Her adornment is simple pure and beautiful. Linen denotes the most precious plain, unostentatious, yet elegant material representation of righteousness. This is the righteousnesses of saints, not Messiah’s imputed righteousness. The Bride is adorned in the beauty of THUS SAYS YAHUAH manifest in the Token that was displayed in her life. The friends of the Groom will not know her by the flesh but by the reflection of Messiah in her.

This is the wedding garment of the RUCH HA’QODESH that was missing from the guest in Matthew 22:11. It is the robe of glory worn by the Bride at the Judgment Seat of Messiah, when all of her false and presumptuous works will have been consumed by the holy Fire of YAHUAH. In the wedding chamber, the Bride will be naked and exposed to the eyes of her Husband. At the Judgment Seat He will know the thoughts and intents of her heart (Hebrews 4:12-13).

I Corinthians 4:5, “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until YAHUAH come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of YAHUAH”.

Romans 2:16, “In the day when YAHUAH shall judge the secrets of men by YAHUSHA HA’MASHIACH according to Paul’s gospel”.

She entered the nuptial chamber a virgin Bride, she reappears for the Marriage Supper a righteous wife (Revelation 19:9).

At the bema or Judgment seat of Messiah, the veil is removed and the work of every member of the Bride will be made manifest as She is commended by Her Master and introduced to His friends, the Old Testament saints. “Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12).

“We shall be face to face . . . then we shall know as we are known. Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Don’t you know that you are the temple of YAHUAH, and that the Spirit of YAHUAH dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of YAHUAH, him shall YAHUAH destroy; for the temple of YAHUAH is Set-Apart (holy), which temple you are . . . Therefore let no man glory in men. For ALL things are YOURS; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; ALL are yours; and you are Messiah’s; and Messiah is YAHUAH’s” (I Corinthians 3:12-23).

The righteousnesses of the saints are their righteous acts and works that will come out of the “fiery trial” of the Judgment of Reward, and be found to praise and honour and glory at the appearing of messiah. These make up the beautiful wedding garments in which the saints shall be clothed—their own works by the Token on display. Then we’ll really be “written epistles, known and read of all men” (II Corinthians 3:2).

What a contrast the spotless white and hue of the righteousnesses of saints will be to the purple and scarlet clad jewel-bedecked harlot wife of Satan. The Bride reflects the glory of her Husband. That’s why “YAHUSHA is presenting to Himself a glorious Assembly, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing: but Set-Apart (holy) and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27).

The Bride is clothed in the glory of THUS SAITH YAHUAH manifest in her righteous life, by grace through faith. Her glory is of He who loved her and purchased her by His Own blood. It’s a blessed thing for the friends of the Groom to be invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb in the sky and witness the appearing of the Groom with His Wife after the CONSUMMATION of their marriage.

After the midst of the week nothing shall be hid. “Behold, He comes with clouds [the Shekinah]; and every eye shall see Him, and also they who pierced Him [Yisrael’s elect 144,000 will mourn their Atonement when the veil is removed by faith]: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him.” The LOST will NOT repent, but “hide themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains” (Revelation 6:15-17; 9:20-21).

In Revelation 19:7-8, She is no longer a Bride, but a Wife. When Yisrael recognize Messiah, they will also recognize the TRUE Assembly; the marriage is CONSUMMATED and the Bride unveiled—first as the mighty army of YAHUAH.

“Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the Bridegroom go forth from his CHAMBER, and the Bride from her CLOSET. [The Marriage is CONSUMMATED]. Let the priests, the ministers of YAHUAH, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, “Spare thy people, O YAHUAH, and give not Thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, ‘Where is their ELOHIYM’?” THEN will YAHUAH be jealous for His Land, and pity His people” (Joel 2:15-18).

“And I saw heaven opened, [revelation coming to Yisrael] and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness does He judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a Name written, that no man knew, but he who had the revelation. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His Name is called The Word of YAHUAH.”

“And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. [That’s the Bride]. And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty YAHUAH. And He has on His vesture and on His thigh a Name written, KING OF KINGS, AND Adoni OF a”Adoni.

Yisrael sees Him first as the General their forefathers had anticipated, returning with His Wife. The next picture is of “the Bride, the Lamb’s wife . . . the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from YAHUAH out of heaven, prepared as a Bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of YAHUAH is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and YAHUAH Himself shall be with them, and be their ELOHIYM.”

“And YAHUAH shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:2-9).

Source:

http://biblebelievers.org.au/bb950526.htm

Ancient Yisraelite Marriage Customs

by Jim West, ThD

Though there are some cultures in the Ancient Near East which were matriarchal in structure, Yisrael’s was not one of them. Yisrael’s family life was dominated by the husband (Pedersen, p. 61). 

When a marriage occurred the husband took his wife from her home and “ruled” over her, following the pattern of Genesis 3:16: To the woman he said, “I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” (Preuss, p. 103). 

Yet the Yisraelites “never went so far as the Muhammadan poet who says that mothers of mankind are only ‘vessels’ which receive the children without leaving any impress on them” (Pedersen, p. 61).

Because the husband was the dominant member of the family, he was given the title of lib (Ba’al) which meant “lord”, “master of the house”, “leader of the family circle” and not “master” (which would have been ]da “Adon”) Compare 2 Kings 5:13, Judges 18:19, and 2 Kings 2:12.

The fact that some men remained single was an anomaly in ancient Yisrael, as we learn from Jeremiah 16. After all, it “is not good for the man to be alone”, and a good wife is a gift from YAHUAH (Pro. 18:22; Preuss, p. 104). We have, so far as I know, no reports of women who are commanded to remain single in Ancient Yisrael. Marriage was the norm.

The wife was to be taken from within the larger family circle (usually at the outset of puberty or around the age of 13) in order to maintain the purity of the family line; but she could not be too closely related as is shown by Leviticus 18.

You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not follow their statutes. My ordinances you shall observe and my statutes you shall keep, following them: I am YAHUAH your ELOHIYM. You shall keep my statutes and my ordinances; by doing so one shall live: I am YAHUAH.

None of you shall approach anyone near of kin to uncover nakedness: I am YAHUAH.

You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, which is the nakedness of your mother; she is your mother, you shall not uncover her nakedness. You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife; it is the nakedness of your father. You shall not uncover the nakedness of your sister, your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether born at home or born abroad.

You shall not uncover the nakedness of your son’s daughter or of your daughter’s daughter, for their nakedness is your own nakedness. You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife’s daughter, begotten by your father, since she is your sister. You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister; she is your father’s flesh.

You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister, for she is your mother’s flesh. You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s brother, that is, you shall not approach his wife; she is your aunt. You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter- in-law: she is your son’s wife; you shall not uncover her nakedness.

You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife; it is your brother’s nakedness. You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, and you shall not take her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter to uncover her nakedness; they are your flesh; it is depravity.

And you shall not take a woman as a rival to her sister, uncovering her nakedness while her sister is still alive.

You shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness while she is in her menstrual uncleanness.

You shall not have sexual relations with your kinsman’s wife, and defile yourself with her.

You shall not give any of your offspring to sacrifice them to Molech, and so profane the name of your ELOHIYM: I am YAHUAH.

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.

You shall not have sexual relations with any animal and defile yourself with it, nor shall any woman give herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it: it is perversion.

Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, for by all these practices the nations I am casting out before you have defiled themselves. Thus the land became defiled; and I punished it for its iniquity, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. 

But you shall keep my statutes and my ordinances and commit none of these abominations, either the citizen or the alien who resides among you (for the inhabitants of the land, who were before you, committed all of these abominations, and the land became defiled); otherwise the land will vomit you out for defiling it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you. For whoever commits any of these abominations shall be cut off from their people.

So keep my charge not to commit any of these abominations that were done before you, and not to defile yourselves by them: I am YAHUAH your ELOHIYM.

This text clearly shows that certain relationships are out of bounds; because the practices described here were practiced by the Canaanites. 

And since they worshipped foreign gods the Yisraelites were not to imitate them in any respect. Not even their marriage practices.

Thus, in Yisrael the practice was to marry within the tribe — and if that was not possible, then within the larger tribal confederation (Num 36:10ff). That marriages were often arranged is well known. Yet these arrangements were not devoid of love (Gen 21:21, Judg 14:3, I Sam 18:17).

The marriage was official when the betrothal took place. 

“There was no religious rite that was performed with the concluding of the marriage, although there was a feast at the conclusion of the festivities (Gen 29:27, Judg 14:10)”(Preuss, p. 104). 

A betrothed woman was, in the eyes of the people, legally married. When the marriage itself was consumated the husband received the wife and the family of the wife received a “dowry” (Pedersen, p. 68). 

This payment was made because, as the wife’s family had given their flesh and blood the husband’s family was bound to gives order to maintain balance between the families. The payment of the rhm (mohar, or “dowry”) was simply compensation for the loss of the daughter’s labor and should not be considered as a wedding gift (Preuss, p. 104).

Within the family circle the husband was the “master” while the wife was expected to “help” him by providing the family with children (Pedersen, p. 69). 

The will of the husband was binding on the whole family. If the wife wished to express her wishes in contradistinction to the husband, she had to do so slyly (as illustrated in the stories of Rebeccah (with Isaac) and Abigail (with Nabal).

For further reading:

Hanson, K.C. “The Herodians and Mediterranean Kinship. Part 2: Marriage and Divorce.” Biblical Theology Bulletin 19 (1989):142-51.

Hanson, K.C. “BTB Reader’s Guide to Kinship.” Biblical Theology Bulletin 24 (1994):183-94.

Pedersen, Johannes. Israel: Its life and Culture, Vol. 1, p. 60ff.

Preuss, H.D. Old Testament Theology, Vol. 2, p.103f.

Edited by GWT

Source:

http://www.theology.edu/marriage.htm

Lilith: Jewish Folklore of the Babylonian Talmud

The Legend of Lilith: Adam’s First Wife

by Ariela Pelaia

According to Jewish folklore, Lilith was Adam’s first wife. Though she is not mentioned in the Torah, over the centuries she has become associated with Adam in order to reconcile contradictory versions of Creation in the book of Genesis.

Lilith and the Scriptural Story of Creation

The Scriptural book of Genesis contains two contradictory accounts of humanity’s creation. The first account is known as the Priestly version and appears in Genesis 1:26-27. Here, ELOHIYM fashions man and woman simultaneously when the text reads: “So ELOHIYM created mankind in the divine image, male and female ELOHIYM created them.”

The second account of Creation is known as the Yahwistic version and is found in Genesis 2. This is the version of Creation that most people are familiar with. ELOHIYM creates Adam, then places him in the Garden of Eden. Not long afterwards, ELOHIYM decides to make a companion for Adam and creates the animals of the land and sky to see if any of them are suitable partners for the man. ELOHIYM brings each animal to Adam, who names it before ultimately deciding that it is not a “suitable helper.” ELOHIYM then causes a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and while the man is sleeping ELOHIYM fashions Eve from his side. When Adam awakes he recognizes Eve as part of himself and accepts her as his companion.

Not surprisingly, the ancient rabbis noticed that two contradictory versions of Creation appear in the book of Genesis (which is called Bereisheet in Hebrew). They solved the discrepancy in two ways:

The first version of Creation actually referred to Adam’s first wife, a ‘first Eve.’ But Adam was displeased with her, so ELOHIYM replaced her with a ‘second Eve’ that met Adam’s needs.

The Priestly account describes the creation of an androgyne – a creature that was both male and female (Genesis Rabbah 8:1, Leviticus Rabbah 14:1). This creature was then split into a man and a woman in the Yahwistic account. 

Although the tradition of two wives – two Eves – appears early on, this interpretation of Creation’s timeline was not associated with the character of Lilith until the medieval period, as we shall see in the next section.

Lilith as Adam’s First Wife

Scholars are not certain where the character of Lilith comes from, though many believe she was inspired by Sumerian myths about female vampires called “Lillu” or Mesopotamian myths about succubae (female night demons) called “lilin.” Lilith is mentioned four times in the Babylonian Talmud, but it is not until the Alphabet of Ben Sira (c. 800s to 900s) that the character of Lilith is associated with the first version of Creation. In this medieval text, Ben Sira names Lilith as Adam’s first wife and presents a full account of her story.

According to the Alphabet of Ben Sira, Lilith was Adam’s first wife but the couple fought all the time. They didn’t see eye-to-eye on matters of sex because Adam always wanted to be on top while Lilith also wanted a turn in the dominant sexual position. When they could not agree, Lilith decided to leave Adam. She uttered ELOHIYM’s name and flew into the air, leaving Adam alone in the Garden of Eden. ELOHIYM sent three angels after her and commanded them to bring her back to her husband by force if she would not come willingly. But when the angels found her by the Red Sea they were unable to convince her to return and could not force her to obey them. Eventually, a strange deal is struck, wherein Lilith promised not to harm newborn children if they are protected by an amulet with the names of the three angels written on it:

“The three angels caught up with her in the [Red] Sea…They seized her and told her: ‘If you agree to come with us, come, and if not, we shall drown you in the sea.’ She answered: ‘Darlings, I know myself that ELOHIYM created me only to afflict babies with fatal disease when they are eight days old; I shall have permission to harm them from their birth to the eighth day and no longer; when it is a male baby; but when it is a female baby, I shall have permission for twelve days.’ The angels would not leave her alone, until she swore by ELOHIYM’s name that wherever she would see them or their names in an amulet, she would not possess the baby [bearing it]. They then left her immediately. This is [the story of] Lilith who afflicts babies with disease.” (Alphabet of Ben Sira, from “Eve & Adam: Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Readings on Genesis and Gender” pg. 204.)

The Alphabet of Ben Sira appears to combine legends of female demons with the idea of the ‘first Eve.’ What results is a story about Lilith, an assertive wife who rebelled against ELOHIYM and husband, was replaced by another woman, and was demonized in Jewish folklore as a dangerous killer of babies.

Later legends also characterize her as a beautiful woman who seduces men or copulates with them in their sleep (a succubus), then spawns demon children. According to some accounts, Lilith is the Queen of Demons.

Source

Kvam, Krisen E. et al. “Eve & Adam: Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Readings on Genesis and Gender.” Indiana University Press: Bloomington, 1999.

Edited by GWT

Source:

https://www.learnreligions.com/legend-of-lilith-origins-2076660

Kepha’s (Peter’s) Vision

Clean or Unclean

One of the arguments commonly made for the eating of unclean meats is that Peter was told to eat them in Acts 10. Peter had been staying at the home of Simon the tanner in Joppa. While preparing to eat he had a vision. Cornelius, a Roman centurion also had a vision where he was told that he should send an envoy of men to find Peter. Let’s pick up the story in Acts 10:9-16. 

(Acts 10:9-16) The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. {10} Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance {11} and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. {12} In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. {13} And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” {14} But Peter said, “Not so, Master! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” {15} And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What YAHUAH has cleansed you must not call common.” {16} This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

The first thing to notice is that Peter had never eaten unclean meats, not even after YAHUSHA’s resurrection perhaps ten years before. In fact he went so far as to not eat anything common or ceremonially unclean, i.e. not perfect enough to be sacrificed. The Greek word koinos, koy-nos’ is translated as “common.” See Strongs # 2839.

The sheet was shown to him three times. Peter’s conclusion is shown in verse 28. Notice that he did not interpret it as meaning he could begin eating unclean meats.

(Acts 10:28) Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But YAHUAH has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Jews in the first century were forbidden by traditional law to have social contact with Gentiles for fear of becoming ritually unclean and thereby not being able to participate in Temple worship. Simon Peter said it was unlawful for a Jewish man to keep company with a Gentile or go into his house. But that law was not a part of the Torah. It may have been a part of the Oral tradition established by the rabbis. And in this case, Peter not only went into a Gentile’s house but he even ate with him.

Another scripture that many religious Christians stumble over is found in Mark 7.

(Mark 7:18-19) So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, {19} “because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?”

The key to understanding this scripture is found by reading verses 1 and 2 at the beginning of the chapter. Let’s read them.

(Mark 7:1-2) Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. {2} Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.

The disciples had not gone through the ritual hand washing traditions of the Pharisees before they began to eat. Messiah turned the conversation around to stress what really defiles a man in verses 20-23.

(Mark 7:20-23) And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. {21} “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, {22} “thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. {23} “All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

Paul also addressed the matter of abstaining from foods YAHUAH had created. This is another scripture many religious Christians like to use to justify eating unclean meats.

(1 Tim 4:1-5) Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, {2} speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, {3} forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which YAHUAH created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. {4} For every creature of YAHUAH is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; {5} for it is sanctified by the word of YAHUAH and prayer.

This scripture states that those who command that we abstain from foods which YAHUAH created to be received with thanksgiving are giving heed to doctrines of demons. In as much as the laws concerning clean and unclean meats were given by YAHUAH, to contradict those laws would be close to blasphemy. There are those who believe that if you just pray over food, you can purify whatever you eat. YAHUAH has given us clean meats to be received with thanksgiving. Poisonous fruits and unclean meats were never intended to be received with thanksgiving.

Here is another verse used by people who want to justify eating unclean meats.

(Rom 14:1-2) Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. {2} For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.

These verses are describing people who choose to eat vegetables for religious reasons. They think it is sinful to eat meat, any meat. In the next verses, Paul takes advantage of this situation by admonishing people not to judge such people.

(Rom 14:3-4) Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for YAUAH has received him. {4} Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for YAHUAH is able to make him stand.

At the end of the same chapter Paul describes such judgment as an evil influence which can encourage weak people to sin.

(Rom 14:23) But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Let’s look at one more statement from which some get the idea they can eat whatever is put before them:

(1 Cor 10:25-27) Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; {26} for “the earth is YAHUAH your ELOHIYM’s, and all its fullness.” {27} If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake.

Don’t these verses allow us to eat any kind of meat? It would seem so, but these verses must be understood in the context of the surrounding verses. Let’s read the context:

(1 Cor 10:19-28) What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? {20} Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to YAHUAH, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. {21} You cannot drink the cup of YAHUAH ELOHIYM and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Master’s table and of the table of demons. {22} Or do we provoke ELOHIYM to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? {23} All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. {24} Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. {25} Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; {26} for “the earth is YAHUAH your ELOHIYM’s, and all its fullness.” {27} If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. {28} But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Master’s, and all its fullness.”

The context provides four points:

1. Verses 19 and 28 shows that the subject is about meat offered to idols, not clean versus unclean meat.

2. One would usually not have to ask if the meat were pork. It’s usually fairly obvious. But it would not be known if it were offered to idols. 

3. It would not be physically harmful to a person to eat meat offered to idols, but it might be harmful to the host if he thinks thereby that idol worship is acceptable.

4. The point is that these verses refer to idols, not to clean versus unclean meat.

It is well known that Greeks, to whom this book is written, didn’t eat pork.

Now, a word of caution: Many try to avoid what is unclean by looking on the product label to see what the product contains. If they see that the label is marked with a capital K, usually but not always within a circle, they assume the product to be free of any unclean meat products. The K stands for Kosher.

The Kosher mark indicates that a rabbi has certified the product to be free of unclean meats. In the case of gelatin, some would judge that certification to not be totally reliable. Gelatin is made from the hides and joints of animals such as cattle and pigs. It is claimed that in the process of making gelatin, a chemical and physical change takes place which alters the material so that its original identity as meat is lost. Additionally, there are some more liberal groups of Judaism which do not strictly follow the laws of clean and unclean meats. A rabbi of one of these more liberal groups is less likely to prohibit the consumption of these altered products and is therefore more willing to certify the resulting product as Kosher even though its source may be from pigs. Orthodox rabbis disagree with marking gelatin which may be from pigs as Kosher. Obviously, a food producer who uses gelatin is very willing to have his product marked Kosher.

One final scripture which is commonly used to justify eating unclean meats (and several other “freedoms” regarding keeping the law) is found in Paul’s letter to the Colossians. 

(Col 2:13-17) And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh [gentiles], He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, {14} having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. {15} Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. {16} So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, {17} which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Messiah.

The essence of these verses is that we need not worry about how others judge us in these matters. When looking at the early manuscripts of this verse, one will find that verse 17 states “which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance [body] of Messiah.” The word “is” has been added to verse 17. Earlier references to “the body of Messiah” in this book show that the body of Messiah are the fellow believers, the Congregation. Let our judges be those in the church who are Biblically knowledgeable, not unbelievers who look for ways to avoid the law. Those who quote this scripture usually point out that this scripture somehow proves that the law was nailed to the cross. We have already shown that YAHUAH’s law was observed and kept long after Messiah’s crucifixion. What was nailed to the cross were the traditions of men which were being enforced by religious leaders of His day.

One of Paul’s statements to the Corinthians included the following:

(2 Cor 6:16-18) And what agreement has the temple of YAHUAH with idols? For you are the temple of the living YAHUAH. As YAHUAH has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their ELOHIYM And they shall be My people.” {17} Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Master. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” {18} “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says YAHUAH ELOHIYM Almighty.”

Verse 17 is quoted from Isaiah 52:11. Paul did not question Old Testament law and Old Testament promises. Neither should we.

YAHUAH has provided us with meat which is clean and meat which is unclean. Like Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit, it is another opportunity for us to decide whether we will obey YAHUAH or not. It is not so much a matter of whether we will be physically harmed by eating that which is unclean. Even with the advanced technology of today, we still do not know whether the eating of unclean creatures will hurt us physically. But what we do know is that the eating or even touching of that which is declared to be unclean will harm us spiritually. For as we just read in verses 17 and 18: If we will separate ourselves from the ways of the society around us and not touch that which is unclean, YAHUAH will receive us and be a Father to us, and we shall be His sons and daughters. In these end-time days, when the growing schism between good and evil is becoming ever more apparent, when Satan’s fury to destroy mankind is increasing worldwide in the form of hatred, rebellion, violence and degeneracy, isn’t it time to please YAHUAH and be received as sons and daughters of YAHUAH our ELOHIYM. Isn’t that enough incentive to avoid unclean meats?

Edited by GWT

Source:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/10151504284653930/?pnref=story

Clean and Unclean: Commandments For Today!

In this study, we are going to discuss a subject that has the potential to affect a person’s life in a major way, especially if one was raised in a Gentile home. I realize that this study has the potential to greatly impact a person’s lifestyle. Eating is something we do every day. But what we put into our bodies (YAHUAH’s temple) is very important. If you don’t believe me, just ask Adam and Eve. It was the eating of something that Eve thought was “good for food” that resulted in the fall of man and brought us into the condition we are today. Will we follow their example? 

It has been taught by mainstream Christianity for nearly 2000 years that YAHUAH has abolished or set aside various commandments dealing with the eating of unclean meats. For this reason, most Christians have no problem with consuming pork, rabbits and other rodents, lobsters, shrimp, and various kinds of shellfish.

Based on a thorough reading of all New Testament scriptures regarding the law, it is evident that the law of YAHUAH has not been abolished. This fact alone demonstrates that we should be observing the commandments regarding the avoidance of eating unclean animals. 

The purpose of this study is to further demonstrate the understanding that YAHUAH desires us to eat only the clean animals that He created. It will also address various “new testament” verses that some claim to be evidence for abolishing these commandments.

The word “unclean” denotes defilement or dirtiness.  In the same way we would not want to serve a meal to our family or friends that we regard as contaminated with filth, YAHUAH also has a certain standard of clean and unclean. He doesn’t want us eating things that are ‘dirty’ or defiled. Since He created the animals and He also created our bodies, He knows quite well what is fit for us to eat.

Today, some of us are finding out that YAHUAH knew what He was doing when He told us to refrain from unclean animals. Various books have been written which conclusively prove that pork and shellfish are very unhealthy for our bodies. If man had only chose to listen to YAHUAH’s word already written in the scriptures, it would have saved a lot of people from the harmful effects of eating unclean animals long ago.

These animals are the garbage cleaners of the earth, and generally speaking, they don’t have the digestive system to filter out the contaminants from the carcasses and feces they like to eat. Shellfish sit in the bottom of the sea, cleaning up the garbage. Hogs roamed the earth eating carcasses or disgusting thing they could find until man put them in pens and fed them slop. It’s time that we go back to the true “Maker’s diet” and put away these abominations.

What is clean and what is unclean?

In the scriptures, YAHUAH declares certain animals “unclean” and therefore unfit for human consumption. YAHUAH plainly speaks of the kind of animals He wants us to eat and the kinds of animals He does not want us to eat:

Leviticus 11:3-8 ‘Among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud — that you may eat. ⁴ ‘Nevertheless these you shall not eat among those that chew the cud or those that have cloven hooves: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you; ⁵ ‘the rock hyrax, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you; ⁶ ‘the hare, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you; ⁷ ‘and the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. ⁸ ‘Their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch. They are unclean to you.

YAHUAH says “Among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud — that you may eat.” One animal that YAHUAH points out in particular is the swine. Even in those days, swine (pigs/pork) was often eaten just as they are today. He made a special point that we are not to eat the swine. Some might claim that since we have now domesticated the swine and the swine is fed grains and such, that it is a clean food. But since the pig still does not chew the cud, it is still unclean according to the word of YAHUAH. Truly, YAHUAH knows best.  

Leviticus 11:9-12 ‘ These you may eat of all that are in the water: whatever in the water has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers — that you may eat. ¹⁰ ‘But all in the seas or in the rivers that do not have fins and scales, all that move in the water or any living thing which is in the water, they are an abomination to you. ¹¹ ‘They shall be an abomination to you; you shall not eat their flesh, but you shall regard their carcasses as an abomination. ¹² ‘Whatever in the water does not have fins or scales — that shall be an abomination to you.

According to the above verses, we should only be eating fish that has both fins and scales. Because of this, all shellfish are considered unclean. 

Today, shellfish and other unclean fish are very popular in various restaurants. Shrimp, lobster and oysters are commonly served in spite of what the the Creator of those fish says about them. 

This can be likened to a man who decides to drive his car into the ocean because he wants it to be a boat. It wasn’t created to be a boat. It has no propeller and it would only sink to the bottom of the ocean. If the man had listened to the designer and builder of the vehicle, he would have known that his vehicle would not float. In the same way a road vehicle wasn’t created to float and drive across the sea, shellfish and various unclean animals weren’t created to be eaten by man. If man will listen to the Creator of animals and fish, he will learn that YAHUAH did not create pigs and shellfish to be “food” any more than a car was created to be a boat. We need to get the idea that these things are “food” out of our minds. YAHUAH marked them at creation for a good reason. We need to cleave to His will in spite of what the people around us may do.

Here is a list of birds and insects that YAHUAH declares to be unclean:

Leviticus 11:13-23 And these you shall regard as an abomination among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, the vulture, the buzzard, ¹⁴ ‘the kite, and the falcon after its kind; ¹⁵ ‘every raven after its kind, ¹⁶ ‘the ostrich, the short-eared owl, the sea gull, and the hawk after its kind; ¹⁷ ‘the little owl, the fisher owl, and the screech owl; ¹⁸ ‘the white owl, the jackdaw, and the carrion vulture; ¹⁹ ‘the stork, the heron after its kind, the hoopoe, and the bat. ²⁰ ‘ All flying insects that creep on all fours shall be an abomination to you. ²¹ ‘Yet these you may eat of every flying insect that creeps on all fours: those which have jointed legs above their feet with which to leap on the earth. ²² ‘These you may eat: the locust after its kind, the destroying locust after its kind, the cricket after its kind, and the grasshopper after its kind. ²³ ‘But all other flying insects which have four feet shall be an abomination to you.

Our bodies are the temple of the Set-Apart Spirit:

1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the RUACH HAQODESH [who] [is] in you, whom you have from YAHUAH, and you are not your own?

If the body we have is not our own, but rather given to us by YAHUAH, then we must take care of it and not defile it. We must present our bodies as QODESH (Set-Apart) (holy) and acceptable to YAHUAH:

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of YAHUAH, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to YAHUAH, [which] [is] your reasonable service.

Holiness is the reason YAHUAH gave for us to avoid eating unclean animals. He wants us to be a clean people, a QODESH (Set-Apart) (holy) people. When YAHUAH gives the commands regarding clean and unclean He will say that He wants us to be Set-Apart as He is QODESH (Set-Apart). 

Leviticus 11:44 For I am YAHUAH your ELOHIYM. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth.

Knowing this, let’s consider some other scriptures that speak of the importance of not eating unclean animals. 

Futuristic prophecies

Here is a scripture that has yet to be fulfilled:

Isaiah 66:16 – For by fire and by His sword YAHUAH will judge all flesh; And the slain of YAHUAH shall be many. “Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves, [To] [go] to the gardens After an [idol] in the midst, Eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse, Shall be consumed together,” says YAHUAH.

Checking the context, we find that it is very clear that this is yet future:

Isaiah 66:15-24 For behold, YAHUAH will come with fire And with His chariots, like a whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire. ¹⁶ For by fire and by His sword YAHUAH will judge all flesh; And the slain of YAHUAH shall be many. ¹⁷ “Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves, To go to the gardens After an idol in the midst, Eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse, Shall be consumed together,” says YAHUAH. ¹⁸ ” For I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory. ¹⁹ “I will set a sign among them; and those among them who escape I will send to the nations: to Tarshish and Pul and Lud, who draw the bow, and Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off who have not heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles. ²⁰ “Then they shall bring all your brethren for an offering to YAHUAH out of all nations, on horses and in chariots and in litters, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says YAHUAH, “as the children of Yashar’el bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of YAHUAH. ²¹ “And I will also take some of them for priests and Levites,” says YAHUAH. ²² ” For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says YAHUAH, “So shall your descendants and your name remain. ²³ And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says YAHUAH. ²⁴ “And they shall go forth and look Upon the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, And their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.”

So, judging by the context we see that the prophecy of YAHUAH destroying those who eat swine’s flesh is yet future. Why then do so many believe that it is now acceptable to eat unclean animals? 

The main reason is they do not read verses like these because they are taught to avoid the Old Testament or not even bother trying to understand it. Secondly, because they already have this idea that it must be acceptable to eat unclean meats, they read the “New Testament”

Did Messiah abolish YAHUAH’s clean/unclean commands?

Many believe that YAHUSHA declared all foods clean in Mark 7:19. 

Let’s take a look at the context here..

Mark 7:1-3 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. ² Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. ³ For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.

Note that this is a tradition of the elders and not a commandment from YAHUAH. Although it is not wrong to eat with washed hands, it is not a commandment from YAHUAH either. Nevertheless, the Pharisees and scribes said that their hands were “defiled” or unclean. 

YAHUSHA responds by saying their priorities are wrong in whom they choose to obey. They placed the commandments of men over the commandments of YAHUAH. Continuing on…

Mark 7:4-7 When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. ⁵ Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” ⁶ He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. ⁷ And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

It is vain to worship Him with the doctrines and commandments of men.

Mark 7:8-18 “For laying aside the commandment of ELOHIYM, you hold the tradition of men — the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” ⁹ He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of ELOHIYM, that you may keep your tradition. ¹⁰ “For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ ¹¹ “But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban” — ‘ (that is, a gift to ELOHIYM), ¹² “then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, ¹³ “making the word of ELOHIYM of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” ¹⁴ When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: ¹⁵ “There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. ¹⁶ “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” ¹⁷ When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. ¹⁸ So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, ¹⁹ “because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?”

Other translations such as the New International Version will end this verse with the following statement: “(In saying this, YAHUSHA declared all foods clean).” But this statement is not in the majority of Greek manuscripts and is not found in the King James Version or Young’s Literal Translation. 

Even so, all “foods” are clean because shellfish and pork aren’t food to begin with. YAHUSHA was not being criticized for eating pork, He was being criticized for eating without washing his hands according to the “tradition of the elders.” They believed his hands were defiled, so everything he ate was also defiled. But failing to wash your hands did not defile His hands or the food he was eating. So YAHUSHA declared to them that the food was not defiled by eating with unwashed hands. Then He gave a “parable.” We know his statement, “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.” was a parable and not intended to be taken literally because His disciples later “asked him concerning the parable.”

Then He gave an explanation of the parable:

Mark 7:20-23 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. ²¹ “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ²² “thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. ²³ “All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

To confirm He was not speaking of unclean meats not defiling a man, consider the parallel of YAHUSHA’s saying here in the book of Matthew where the same story is told:

Matthew 15:19-20 “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. ²⁰ “These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

So it was the evil coming out of the heart that defiled a man, not eating with unwashed hands. YAHUSHA spoke nothing of eating pork chops here, nor would He have ever approved of anyone breaking YAHUAH’s commandments. 

Think about it for a minute: YAHUAH clearly commanded them to refrain from eating unclean meats… why on earth would He sharply rebuke the people of His day for keeping the very things that YAHUAH commanded them to keep? The context is clearly speaking of the eating with “unwashed hands.” Therefore, it is clear that YAHUAH’s perfect law was not changed here. 

Kepha/Peter’s vision

Many believe that this commandment was abolished later in Acts chapter 10. Once again, let’s take a close look at the context:

Acts 10:1-14 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, ² a devout man and one who feared ELOHIYM with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to ELOHIYM always. ³ About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of ELOHIYM coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” ⁴ And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, Master?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before ELOHIYM. ⁵ “Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. ⁶ “He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” ⁷ And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. ⁸ So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa. ⁹ The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. ¹⁰ Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance ¹¹ and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. ¹² In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. ¹³ And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” ¹⁴ But Peter said, “Not so, Master! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”

Now consider this, Peter (Kepha) declares that he has never eaten anything common or unclean. Yet this is many years after YAHUSHA’s resurrection and ascension. If YAHUSHA had declared all foods clean in Mark 7:19 or in any other instruction to the disciples, why would He refuse any request to do so? Continuing on…

Acts 10:14-17 But Peter said, “Not so, Master! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” ¹⁵ And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What ELOHIYM has cleansed you must not call common.” ¹⁶ This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again. ¹⁷ Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant…

Now many would like to stop right here and declare that it it is now acceptable to eat unclean animals. But according to the previous verse, Peter/Kepha himself didn’t even know what the vision meant. How then can we interpret the vision? Kepha knew that it was always considered an “abomination” to eat the flesh of unclean animals and that we should not make ourselves “abominable” by eating them (Leviticus 20:25). 

Leviticus 20:25 ‘You shall therefore distinguish between clean animals and unclean, between unclean birds and clean, and you shall not make yourselves abominable by beast or by bird, or by any kind of living thing that creeps on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.

He knew that to eat such things was to make himself “abominable” in YAHUAH’s eyes. He also knew that for YAHUAH to change His mind and say that what was once considered to be an “abomination” to eat is now perfectly QODESH (holy) and acceptable was not possibly what YAHUAH meant. 

We can be sure He also knew that the Day of YAHUAH would one day come and YAHUAH would destroy those who ate swine’s flesh. Therefore, to understand what was meant by the vision we must continue reading:

Acts 10:17-28 Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. ¹⁸ And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there. ¹⁹ While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. ²⁰ “Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” ²¹ Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?” ²² And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears ELOHIYM and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a QODESH (holy) MESSENGER (angel) to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” ²³ Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him. ²⁴ And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵ As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. ²⁶ But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” ²⁷ And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. ²⁸ Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But ELOHIYM has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

So this vision had nothing to do with YAHUAH trying to show Kepha that it is now okay to eat unclean foods, but rather YAHUAH was trying to show Kepha and the rest of the disciples that they needed to go to the Gentiles with the good news of YAHUSHA too! YAHUSHA had commanded the disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations..” in Matthew 28 but up until that point they had not done so. So YAHUAH sent a vision to Kepha to show him that contrary to popular opinion during that time it was not ‘unlawful’ or against the commandment of YAHUAH to go “keep company with or go to one of another nation.” The Jews would not do so because they considered the people too defiled and unclean to even keep company with. This was above and beyond anything YAHUAH had ever commanded. Such enmity was never intended by YAHUAH at all! It wasn’t unlawful according to the Torah/Law of YAHUAH, but the traditions of man. The word “unlawful” in the above verse is translated from the Greek word Athemitos (#111) which carries the following meaning:

“This term refers primarily not to what is forbidden by ordinance but to violation of tradition or common recognition of what is seemly or proper.” Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, Third Edition

In YAHUAH’s law, it never says to separate yourself from the Gentile and treat him with contempt. Rather it says:

Exodus 22:21 ” You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Leviticus 19:34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am YAHUAH your ELOHIYM. 

Therefore, it is clear that YAHUAH never inspired or intended such practices. The mainstream teachers of Judaism were so obsessed with cleanliness that they added hundreds of laws to the Torah which YAHUAH never intended or inspired. Kepha needed to be corrected in this area and this was the purpose of the vision. 

Acts 10:28-35 Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But ELOHIYM has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. ²⁹ “Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?” ³⁰ So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, ³¹ “and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of ELOHIYM. ³² ‘Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ ³³ “So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before ELOHIYM, to hear all the things commanded you by ELOHIYM.” ³⁴ Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that ELOHIYM shows no partiality. ³⁵ “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.

We’ll stop here but later in the chapter, YAHUAH works a miracle when He pours out His QODESH (Set-Apart Spirit) unto the gentiles in the presence of the Jews by having them speak in tongues. So by reading the context of this vision, we gain understanding of what it means. 

What I have shared with you is exactly what it means because Kepha himself declared the meaning of the vision. If anyone speaks of any other meaning behind Kepha’s vision, they are not speaking according to the Scriptures.

So why would YAHUAH liken the Gentiles to unclean animals and tell Kepha to kill and eat them? This was Kepha’s interpretation of YAHUAH’s vision, but He never did explain why he interpreted the vision this way. I believe the Scriptures are able to illustrate clearly why he understood this vision this way, but this may require a deep understanding of what YAHUAH has done for us if any of you are not already familiar with it.  

At one time Kepha was told by YAHUAH:

Mark 1:17-18 Then YAHUSHA said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” ¹⁸ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

Now if you are a fisherman, the thing that you will do is catch fish, clean them and eat them. Thus, we have a similar statement by YAHUSHA in another place. When we become a believer in YAHUSHA, we must die to self so that YAHUSHA can live in us. In fact, we participate in YAHUSHA’s death when we are baptized:

Romans 6:4-6 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Messiah was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, ⁶ knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Messiah; it is no longer I who live, but Messiah lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of ELOHIYM, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Thus, when we receive YAHUSHA and are baptized in His name, we are made dead (spiritually) because it is no longer we who live but Messiah who lives in us. We are cleansed and He lives in us. We are now the “body” of YAHUSHA. 

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Messiah, and members individually.

Romans 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, being many, are one body in Messiah, and individually members of one another.

In light of this, remember that YAHUSHA said:

John 6:54-56 “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. ⁵⁵ “For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. ⁵⁶ “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.

Mark 14:22-24 And as they were eating, YAHUSHA took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” ²³ Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. ²⁴ And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.

Thus, when we partake of the body & blood of Messiah we are actually partaking of one another as well, for we are His body and we have been cleansed by His blood. 

So when it was told Kepha to “Kill and eat,” it was a spiritual way of telling him to go to the Gentiles so that they can also be “crucified with Messiah” and be “buried with Him in baptism” so that they can also be a part of the body of Messiah, of which we all partake. 

This is exactly what happened. Kepha went to the Gentiles who were cleansed by YAHUAH because of their faith and belief in Him, and they were baptized. But the Jews (those “of the circumcision”) who were with Kepha were amazed:

Acts 10:45-48 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the RUACH HAQODESH (Set-Apart Spirit) had been poured out on the Gentiles also. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify ELOHIYM. Then Peter answered, ⁴⁷ “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the RUACH HAQODESH (Set-Apart Spirit) just as we have?” ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Master. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

So the correct interpretation is revealed when we hear the correct interpretation as spoken by Kepha himself and we see what actually took place. It had nothing to do with YAHUAH cleansing abominable animals. It had to do with YAHUAH cleansing men who wanted to receive YAHUSHA. 

Doctrines of demons?

Another scripture that some point to to say that YAHUAH has changed His mind on His commandment not to eat unclean foods is found in the book of 1 Timothy:

1 Timothy 4:1-3 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, ² speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, ³ forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which ELOHIYM created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

Now up to this point we have not been able to find a single scripture which advocates the eating of unclean animals. For those who are already pork eaters it would be fairly easy to look at this scripture through from their own perspective and assume that Paul is calling those who only believe in eating clean animals as those who follow “doctrines of demons” and have their “conscience seared with a hot iron.” But demons aren’t the ones who came up with the idea of eating only clean animals. It was YAHUAH who commanded it. 

The scripture actually says that some will be “commanding to abstain from foods which ELOHIYM created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” Those who believe and know the truth are those who understand that ELOHIYM created certain animals (such as sheep and cattle) to be received with thanksgiving. It is the vegetarianism that is being spouted by the New Age movement and other eastern religions that is false doctrine. 

Those who believe and know the truth will understand that pork and shellfish aren’t even considered to be “food” to begin with and never were intended to be “food.” With this in mind, let’s read the following verse:

4 For every creature of ELOHIYM is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of ELOHIYM and prayer.

After reading the above verses, some have mistakenly thought that as long as they pray before they eat an unclean animal, YAHUAH cleanses it for them. But this is not what is meant. Suppose such a person forgot to pray one time before they had their breakfast sausage? They would guilty of committing an abomination. If it really meant every creature is good to eat then we can have buzzards, bats, lizards, rats and skunks for breakfast too. 

So what is meant by these words? If we examine them closely, we can find that actual meaning of what is being said. Here are the three characteristics of what is being said in this scripture:

1) Every creature of ELOHIYM is good

2) Nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving (vs. 3) by those who who believe and know the truth (vs.2)

3) The creatures are sanctified by the word of ELOHIYM and prayer. So first of all, verse 5 speaks of “every creature of ELOHIYM.” Could there be a creature which is “of ELOHIYM” and another creature which is not “of ELOHIYM?” We do know that there are some men which we would consider to be men “of ELOHIYM” and other men which are not “of ELOHIYM.” Consider:

2 Peter 1:21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but QODESH (holy) men of ELOHIYM spoke as they were moved by the RUACH HAQODESH (Set-Apart Spirit). 

Men who are “of Elohiym” are QODESHIYM (holy) men, while men who are not “of ELOHIYM” are unholy. Can we not say the same of all YAHUAH’s creatures? Though He created all men, some men and all creatures, some are “of ELOHIYM” and others are not. The same is true of animals. Creatures that are “of ELOHIYM” will be clean and capable of being sanctified/Set-Apart (holy). Creatures which are not “of Elohiym” are animals which are not able to be sanctified/Set-Apart (holy) because they are not clean. 

Being clean and being QODESH (Set-Apart) (holy) are intricately linked all throughout the scriptures. Consider these scriptures:

Leviticus 10:9-11 Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, ¹⁰ “that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean, ¹¹ “and that you may teach the children of Yashar’el all the statutes which YAHUAH has spoken to them by the hand of Moses.”

Ezekiel 22:26 “Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.

1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.

Leviticus 11:44 ‘For I am YAHUAH your ELOHIYM. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth.

So holiness and sanctification are intricately linked with cleanness. 

Becoming unholy is intricately linked with being defiled or unclean. Typically, the animals who are not holy (and thus, not “of ELOHIYM”) are scavengers and garbage cleaners of the earth.  

The second characteristic states that nothing is to be refused if it is “received with thanksgiving.” The previous verse said there were foods which “ELOHIYM created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” Therefore, in context it is obvious that those are receiving it with thanksgiving in verse 4 are those who “believe and know the truth.” Those who believe and know the truth are going to know which creatures of YAHUAH are set apart as food and which ones are not. They will not fall prey to doctrines/words of demons. Why? Because the word of ELOHIYM tells us the truth. His word is truth and those who know His word recognize this truth. 

Thus, no creature “of ELOHIYM” is to be “refused if it is received with thanksgiving (vs. 3) by those who who believe and know the truth (vs.2).” Those who believe and know the truth will know which creatures are sanctified (a word meaning “set apart”) by the word of ELOHIYM. Let’s remember that when Paul wrote Timothy, there was no “new testament” in existence. The QODESH (Set-Apart) Scriptures in the “old testament” were the words of ELOHIYM he would be referring to. Leviticus 11 speaks specifically about which animals YAHUAH are unholy and abominable, and which animals are set apart for holy use. The unclean animals are not sanctified in the word of YAHUAH. The word “sanctified” means “set apart.”

YAHUAH set apart which animals are clean and which animals are unclean prior to the laws in Leviticus. Noah was told to take the unclean animals by pairs but the clean animals in groups of seven: 

Genesis 7:1-5 Then YAHUAH said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. ² “You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; ³ “also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth. ⁴ “For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made.” ⁵ And Noah did according to all that YAHUAH commanded him.

So, long before YAHUAH gave His commandments in the law, He made a difference between the clean and unclean. Noah knew what YAHUAH was talking about and “did according to all that YAHUAH commanded him“. 

Getting back to 1Timothy 4, we see that creatures “of ELOHIYM” are to be “received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” When we pray to YAHUAH in thanksgiving, the food is recognized as coming from YAHUAH and not from any other elohiym. 

Thus, the food is sanctified/set apart for the ones who know and believe the truth. We are called to be QODESH (Set-Apart) (holy) as YAHUAH is QODESH (Set-Apart) and not regard the words/doctrines of demons. 

Like in former times, there is a complete misunderstanding of holiness today. Those who claim holiness while doing unholy acts and eating unclean animals are not pleasing to YAHUAH:

Isaiah 65:3-5 – Apeople who provoke Me to anger continually to My face; Who sacrifice in gardens, And burn incense on altars of brick; ⁴ Who sit among the graves, And spend the night in the tombs; Who eat swine’s flesh, And the broth of abominable things is in their vessels; ⁵ Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, Do not come near me, For I am holier than you!’ These are smoke in My nostrils, A fire that burns all the day.

So Isaiah says in another place:

Isaiah 52:11 – Depart! Depart! Go out from there, Touch no unclean [thing]; Go out from the midst of her, Be clean, You who bear the vessels of YAHUAH.

Paul quotes this verse in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18. 

2 Corinthians 6:17 –7:1 – Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Master. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” ¹⁸ “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says YAHUAH Almighty.”  Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of ELOHIYM.

Notice that in order to really be “perfecting holiness” we must seek to cleanse ourselves from defilement of the flesh AND spirit. It isn’t just a spiritual cleansing that YAHUAH is seeking from us. YAHUAH desires a clean people. People who live clean, think clean and eat clean so that we are a fit temple for YAHUAH’s RUACH HAQODESH (Set-Apart Spirit). To fill His temple with the flesh of abominable things is not cleansing yourself from filthiness of flesh or spirit. 

Therefore, let’s maintain the purity of flesh and spirit that YAHUAH seeks, that we might be among those “perfecting holiness in the fear of ELOHIYM.” Let’s set aside the traditions of men and the whole idea of just assuming that because everyone else does it, it must be right. 

Let’s look straight into the Scriptures and receive what they really say about holiness and sanctification, and seek to walk therein. 

YAHUAH knows best; let’s diligently follow His will for our lives.

Edited by GWT

Source:

http://www.eliyah.com/clean.html

Spy Drones Expose Smithfield Foods Factory Farms

“Spy Drones Expose Smithfield Foods Factory Farms”: SINCE 2012, “Speciesism: The Movie” director Mark Devries has been secretly using spy drones to investigate and expose the environmental devastation caused by factory farms. In this video, the drones capture shocking aerial footage of several massive facilities that supply pigs for Smithfield Foods. 

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The Hidden Dangers Of Shellfish

TruthUnveiled777

Is Shellfish REALLY That Dangerous???

Shellfish, consisting of crustaceans (lobster, shrimp, and crab to name a few), along with mollusks (oysters, snails, clams, squid, and many others) are actually very damaging to your health and body indeed.

Did you know that shellfish has been linked to various diseases, allergens, cancers, and viruses — and can even: 

– Pollute your immune system?

– Infect your body with harmful bacteria? 

– Poison your body with dangerous chemicals and antibiotics, especially if farm-raised? 

– Plague your body with sickness and disease, especially if left untreated and/or undercooked?

– Spread disease and allergies, especially if left raw? 

– Trigger harmful toxins that could be damaging to you and your family’s health?

– Cause even more problems, such as heart disease, obesity, and even high cholesterol? 

Since shellfish are known to clean and filter the waste of the sea, shellfish will absorb and eat just about anything. And, whatever that shellfish eats, you eat as well. 

Even Our Father YAHUAH Commands us not to eat shellfish, or any fish that does not have fins and scales — as spoken of in the Torah: Bayikra/Leviticus 11 and Dabariym/Deuteronomy 14.

But YAHUAH, YAHUSHA, and even Scripture Itself also speaks of the consequences of remaining unclean and lawlessness, both in the Old AND New Testaments.

How Dangerous Is Shellfish REALLY?!?!

THE TRUTH REVEALED!!!

SEE THE CONSEQUENCES OF EATING SHELLFISH — BOTH MEDICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY! 

AND AS ALWAYS, SEEK YAHUAH AND HIS TRUE SON YAHUSHA — THAT WAY YOU CAN BE HEALED MORE EFFECTIVELY!!!!!!!

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The Hidden Dangers Of Pork PART 1 & 2

TruthUnveiled777

Is Pork REALLY That Dangerous???

Not only is it classified as a “toxin” to your body, pork, along with the swine, has been linked with many of today’s worms, parasites, viruses, and modern diseases.

In fact, it has been clinically proven that pork:

– Causes cancer

– Causes inflammation 

– Promotes stress

– Promotes obesity

– Disrupts the immune system

– Has been known to cause worms in the body, most notably in the brain

– Can lead to carcinogens, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and many other diseases

Even Our Father YAHUAH Commands us not to eat pork, or anything from the swine — as spoken of in the Torah: Bayikra/Leviticus 11 and Dabariym/Deuteronomy 14.

But YAHUAH also speaks of swine, and the consequences of eating swine’s flesh in YashaYahu/Isaiah 66.

How Dangerous Is Pork REALLY?!?!

THE TRUTH REVEALED!!!

SEE THE CONSEQUENCES OF EATING PORK — BOTH MEDICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY! 

AND AS ALWAYS, SEEK YAHUAH AND HIS TRUE SON YAHUSHA — THAT WAY YOU CAN BE HEALED MORE EFFECTIVELY!!!

Learn More: Watch Video:

PORK Meat + COCA COLA = WORMS

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PORK!! The consequences of eating it!!

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