What On Earth Is Going On With Israel?

At the present time, it seems, as though all the world's eyes are upon Israel. Especially if you are of the world's Jewish Community, a Bible Believing Christian, or a Bible Believing Messianic/Hebrew Roots Believer. There is even a lot of interest from among the unbelieving population, who may have a sense that something is going on, that is different from former times. I must confess, that I have been a student of  Bible prophecy for the better part of my life. I have seen and heard many false prophetic claims, to times and dates, as to when Armageddon would begin, or when Yeshua (Jesus) would return. I assure you, that is not the purpose of this article. It is however, a wakeup call, for people to get their heads out of the sand and get yourselves into the center of Adonai's will for your life.

 I believe with all of my being that we are living in the final days. Am I predicting Armageddon, or  Messiah's return? Absolutely not!  Do I believe it is at hand? I most certainly do. How close? I don't know, and I make no claims to knowing, but I can say it is close. It is closer than most will want to believe. All I can do, is give God's children the warnings, I believe, are present in these times.

 As of this writing, another cease fire has been declared and the rockets have temporarily ceased falling upon Israel. Will this cease fire last? Judging from history, I can emphatically say, "No way!"  It just gives Hamas (which is translated violence) time to re-arm and re-group themselves, for their next round of violence and propaganda, at a later time. I believe, this has all been a smokescreen to take attention away from Iran, and their nuclear program, which is nearly complete.

 So, then why am I writing this? Am I trying to scare people? Absolutely not. I am trying to prepare God's people for what is on the horizon. I can only sound the alarm, but I cannot bring you out of your sleep. I am only one watchman on the wall among many others, blowing the shofar as loudly as we possibly can, but if the people hearing the blast refuse to respond to it, their blood is on their own hands. We have done what our Lord has commissioned us to do. Our hands are clean.

I call my blogs,  "The Ominous Cloud" for a specific reason. I am warning God's people of the approaching storm. Not a storm tied to the weather, but a spiritual storm that is about to come upon the whole earth. When there is a hurricane, or tornado  approaching, you would be wise to heed the warnings of the National Weather Service, and prepare for the worse. When there is a tornado approaching, there is always an ominous cloud before the actual tornado hits, and one would be wise to find shelter immediately. Many times, people in the direct path of a storm decide to sit it out, and even have hurricane parties. I can remember in my lifetime, where this foolishness proved a fatal mistake for many people. Hurricane Camille in the year 1969 comes to mind. A total of 259 people lost their lives during that storm, and a great number of the dead, not only failed to heed the warnings, but stayed in beach hotels and town houses to party.

God has been telling us through His written word that there is a storm coming, and He has been telling us, what we are to be watching for? How can we know the times and the seasons? Is there an accurate timetable given in Scripture? I believe there is. Can we know the day and the hour in which these things will occur? Not really. So, why bother? Because, Yeshua told us to be watching and praying. In Luke 21: 34–36, Yeshua says;

"But watch out so your hearts are not weighed down by carousing, strong drink, and the worries of life. Do not let that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come rushing upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. But stay alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things about to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man."  (Tree of Life NT)

Yeshua's warning is clear. We are to be alert at all times. For the most part, from what I can see, is that people called by the name of Yeshua are anything but alert. They are not praying (The actual word in the Greek "δεομενοι" translated as praying shows a condition of begging.), and sadly, most are not even watching. I recently saw a survey that said, less than 6% of all who call themselves Christians have read the whole Bible. Less than 40% go to services every week and less than 48% pray every day. Would you call that being ready? It is quite obvious, that many, who call themselves believers, are so wrapped up in their everyday lives, that they are not paying attention, to the very thing, for which Yeshua told us to be watching. 

We are living in dangerous times. Can we really trust prophesy to be an accurate indication of what is to come. I believe history itself confirms the accuracy of prophesy. Consider these prophecies in Scripture and compare them to what actually happened concerning Israel. In the 26th chapter of Leviticus, verses 1–13, God is telling the Hebrew people how He will bless them, if they will keep His commandments, and set their hearts after His ways. Then, from verse 14 on, He warns them what He will do if they do not heed His commandments. Leviticus 26: 31–33 gives this prophesy;

"I will lay waste your cities and make your sanctuaries desolate, so as not to smell your fragrant aromas. I will desolate the land, so that your enemies living in it will be astounded by it. You I will disperse among the nations, and I will draw out the sword in pursuit after you; your land will be a desolation and your cities a wasteland."  (CJB)

In 70 C.E., God did exactly, as He said He would do. The Jewish people turned their back on His mitzvots (commandments), and sought after idols, to cancel His covenant with them. Jerusalem was sacked, their cities were laid waste, their Temple was destroyed, the sacrifices ceased, and God scattered the Jewish people into all the nations of the world. The Jewish people have been persecuted under the sword for almost 2000 years, and Israel has been a desert wasteland, for almost that whole period of time. However, in verses 44 and 45 God has this to say to His people Israel;

"Yet , in spite of all that, I will not reject them when they are in the lands of their enemies, nor will I loathe them to the point of utterly destroying them and thus break my covenant with them, because I am ADONAI their God. Rather, for their sakes, I will remember the covenant of their ancestors whom I brought out of the land of Egypt –– with the nations watching –– so that I might be their God; I am ADONAI."   (CJB)

On May 14, 1948, on the day in which the British Mandate over a Palestine expired, the Jewish People's Council gathered at the Tel Aviv Museum, and approved the following proclamation, declaring the establishment of the State of Israel. The new state was recognized that night by the United States and three days later by the USSR. In other words, a nation was born at once. It happened exactly as God Almighty said it would. Did God only say that he would return them to the land and that's it? Of course not! God also gave other prophesies, as to what He would do when He returned them back into the land. The land would rejoice at their return and no longer be unproductive, as it had been for two thousand years of Arabs inhabiting the land. Joy and singing would once again return to the land. For almost two thousand years, the voices of joy and singing were not heard in Jerusalem as the Jewish people were not permitted to celebrate their God appointed feasts there. However, Isaiah 35: 1 & 2a,  promised this;

"The wilderness and the solitary place will be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing."   (KJV)

It is evident to every person who has visited Israel in the past fifty years, or so, or has ever looked at recent pictures of the land that God has kept this promise. Israel is an agricultural miracle. Not only was it prophesied that the land would blossom as a rose, but roses and lilies are two of Israel's major agricultural exports. What other prophesies has God fulfilled in our lifetimes that confirm  God has His hand in what is happening among His people Israel? What about the Hebrew language?  Zephaniah 3:9 says;

"For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent."   (KJV)

As we all know,  Hebrew (the world's oldest language) is now spoken again in the homes, streets and businesses of Israel. For centuries, it was only spoken in the synagogues, but was not the language of the people on the streets. However, God said he would restore it and He did. Some may say that the Hebrew spoken today is not the same as ancient Hebrew. Where is the evidence? If God restores something, He restores it completely. Can you name any other language that has ever been restored after being a dead language for 2000 years? Then, there is this prophesy concerning the city of  Jerusalem found in Zechariah 12:3;

"And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered against it."

The United Nations has been trying for years to declare Jerusalem an international city. One year to the day that Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released this statement: "The Government of Japan deplores the decisions of the Government of Israel to give permission for the construction of 1,600 housing units in East Jerusalem...Japan demands that the plans should not be implemented." Japan was struck with its worst earthquake and tsunami in history.

This was the first time Japan used such strong language about Israeli settlements. The earthquake should also serve as a warning to president Obama, whose State Department on March 13th, 2010 condemned Israeli plans to build 500 new West Bank homes as "illegitimate." On August 23rd, 2011, Washington D.C. was also hit by an earthquake.

Within 48 hours after President George W Bush substantially pressured Ariel Sharon into forcing Jewish settlers from Gaza in August 2005, the first signs of Katrina were swirling in the ocean.  (Source: Bill Wilson ­– Word of Life Ministry)

It should be plain that when God spoke to Abram in Genesis 12:3 and told him,  He would bless those who bless him (and his descendants) and He would curse those who curse him (and his descendants), God said what He meant and He meant what he said. It is clear that God is speaking to Abram in person, but His purpose is to extend this unto Abraham's seed for all eternity. God's word is eternal. What He says stands for all eternity. History has born this to be truth, far too many times, for it to be mere coincidence. Can you think of any country in history that came against the Hebrew people that was not brought down into irrelevance? You can be certain that prophesy is given by God, who knows the end from the beginning of the matter. Isaiah 46: 9 & 10 declares this truth;

"Remember the former things of old: for I am God and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from the ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure."

Without understanding Bible Prophesy, there can be no proper understanding of Biblical truth. All of the New Testament points back to what has already been said in the Tanakh (Old Testament). The Tanakh points ahead to Yeshua. The early believers did not even have the New Testament, but they did have the Hebrew Scriptures and the Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit). It was enough for the synagogues and ekklesia (called out congregations) to spread the Gospel into all the known world. They did it through the demonstration and power of the Holy Spirit. Today, we have the New Testament and the doctrines of men, but we have no power. Having a form of godliness, we deny the power thereof. All of the Scriptures, Old and New point to the eminent return of Adonai Yeshua. We would do well to heed them. Watch and Pray. Bo Yeshua Bo. Come Yeshua Come. Even so, Maranatha.

 Shalom,

Barry W. Gaugler

Is Grace Contrary To Keeping Torah?

When Messianic / Hebrew Roots Believers are in conversation with Christians concerning the Torah, or the Tanakh (Old Testament) the common response by Christians is usually;  "I have Jesus, and that's all I need." That, to a certain extent is true. For example: Suppose one goes to church, and gives their life to Jesus, and on the way home from church, they are killed in an automobile accident. This is an example, of where all they need is Jesus. Just as the thief on the cross recognized Yeshua as Messiah, and trusted in Him at the very end of his life, that is all he needed. However, that is not usually the case. Giving your life to Yeshua, always requires you to grow in your faith, and turn from the desires of your sinful, fleshly nature. Since the Ruach ha Kodesh (The Holy Spirit) is constantly writing Torah upon our hearts, there should be a natural desire within a believer to repent of his/her old ways and desire to walk as Messiah walked. Lack of growth is a certain sign that your conversion was not real. When a child is born, do we expect that child to remain in a state of infancy, well into their teens, and into adult life? Of course not. We expect growth and maturity, and if it does not come, we know, beyond any doubt, there is something wrong. A child is always expected to move on from milk, to eating solid food. It is the natural order of things. Salvation by Grace is only the beginning of our walk with Yeshua. Ephesians 2: 8 – 10 gives us the proper theology of salvation through grace. It reads thus:

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves – it is a gift of God. It is not based on deeds, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship – created in Messiah Yeshua  for good deeds, which God prepared beforehand so we might walk in them."  (Tree of Life - New Testament)

Many intentionally miss the last portion of this, in order to declare that we do not need Torah today. But examine it a little closer, and one can clearly see that the first portion says that we are saved by grace. However, the second part, the part many usually shy away from, as though it is not there, is usually read quickly and quietly, as though it is not very important. It is clear, that if we are truly saved, we are His workmanship. Whose workmanship are we? Our heavenly Fathers. We are created in Messiah Yeshua for good deeds, which were prepared beforehand, so we might walk in them. What are these good deeds that were prepared beforehand, that we might walk in them? The Torah. The Torah is given to us beforehand, by the Almighty, that we might know the lifestyle which is pleasing to Him.

Many insist, that as Christians, they are not required to live by Torah. Is this true? Do you really think that the Torah, which was given to the Hebrew people as a standard of righteousness, no longer applies to Christians? Many Christians are quick to point to Acts 15: 19, 20 & 28, 29, as proof that they do not need to observe Torah once they are saved. Is that the proper interpretation, as to what is going on in this text?  Let's read it in  context with the rest this chapter.  Let's look at Acts 15: 19 and 20, Where it says;

"Therefore I judge not to trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God ­­–– but to write to them to abstain from the contamination of idols, and sexual immorality, and from what is strangled, and from blood."  (Tree of Life NT)

The KJV renders the word "turning"  from the Greek επιστρεφοuσιν in the past tense (turned). This is incorrect as the word is a verb showing action in the present tense. The NIV, NEB, NRSV, NKJV and the CJB all render it correctly, as does the Tree of Life quoted above. Notice, that these Gentiles are turning to God. What was their previous condition? What are they turning to God from? They were formerly pagans involved in idol worship? They are turning to God from paganism, which was the common religious practice of the day.

I am forced to ask this question, from the context, within which, these verses are written. Where are these Gentiles going to hear the Gospel, and on what day are they going there? Verse 21 gives us the answer. It says;

"For Moses from ancient generations had in every city those who proclaim him, since he is read in the synagogues every Shabbat."  (Tree of Life NT)

Notice that the Gentiles are going into the synagogues to hear Moses proclaimed, and the message of salvation during Shabbat. But wait a minute! Gentiles are not permitted to enter the synagogues. So how are they hearing this message in the synagogues, during Shabbat, if they are not permitted to enter the synagogue in the first place? If one compares this passage with Leviticus Chapters 17 - 20, it becomes evident that these same requirements are placed upon the Foreigners/Strangers/Gentiles, who desire to live  among the commonwealth of Israel. The minimum requirements, for the strangers among the Israelites, to be in fellowship with them, are the same ones mentioned here. No idol worship. No sexual immorality. No eating what dies of itself, or is strangled, and no eating anything with its blood. The object here, is to not place obstacles in front of these formerly pagan people, so that they will be able to hear the Good News, and that they may be in fellowship with the Jewish believers. They will have time later, to learn the moral regulations, given by the Almighty through Moses, as they grow in understanding and faith.

We need to understand salvation from an ancient Hebrew perspective if we are to fully understand it.  We also need to reject the Greco / Roman concept of salvation, which is based in the traditions of men, and the doctrines of devils. After being saved, it should be our heart's desire to please our heavenly Father, and keep his Torah. How can we say that we are truly saved, if His Torah is not written upon our hearts?

 Does our heavenly Father save us because we keep His commandments? No! We are saved by grace, and grace alone through faith in Yeshua the Messiah. Should we keep our Father's commandments, because we are saved? Most certainly. It is only by walking in the Spirit, that we can fulfill Torah in our lives. Some may say that the Torah is the opposite of grace. That is simply misguided. Torah and Grace work together like a muscle and a joint. One without the other is useless. Legalism, not Torah, is the opposite of Grace. Salvation was never earned by keeping Torah. The children of Israel were always saved by grace. Legalism is the concept of earning salvation by being "good enough." Legalism does not work, for the simple reason that no one can be good enough. For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

So are Torah and Grace against, or should I say, contrary to each other?  Perhaps I should ask this question another way. Are Moses and Yeshua against each other? Most certainly not. So where did this idea come from? The King James Version of the Bible (which is the most familiar, most quoted, and most respected English version) renders John 1:17 in the following manner;

 "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

Notice the word "but." in the KJV? It is in italics. The reason it is in italics, is because it does not exist in the original Greek manuscripts. Neither does it exist in the original 1611 version of the King James Bible. It has been added in an attempt, to either clarify the verse, in order to make it more understandable, or it was added in order to forward the already established Protestant doctrines of grace. However, it has actually clouded the meaning. Instead of joining Yeshua to Moses, it separates them. Instead of grace and truth making Torah complete, it masks the importance of Torah, and makes it appear, as though grace and truth can stand alone, without Torah.

 Perhaps, I can explain the difference by describing a wedding cake. If I say for instance: "Sue baked a cake; Alice did the icing and decorating." You would immediately understand from this statement, that Sue and Alice were working together, and both their efforts were of equal importance. However, if I say: "Sue baked a cake, but Alice did the icing and decorating." The emphasis immediately transfers from Sue's baking the cake, to Alice, and the icing and the decorating. Immediately the icing and decorating appears to be more important than the cake, as though the icing and decorations would work without the cake. The cake is the foundation upon which the icing and decorations have their purpose. It completes the desires, of  both parties involved. In the same manner, Torah is the foundation upon which grace and truth are built, to complete the plan of the Almighty. One can never be complete without the other, and both their efforts are considered too have equal value. Yeshua could not work without the foundation built by Moses. Moses, on the other hand, could not build the foundation without having the sure expectation of Messiah Yeshua completing the work.

Our Father in Heaven. Blessed be your name above all others for all eternity. I pray that you would open our eyes to the truths that are right there before us in your  Scriptures, but have been masked, hidden, or distorted by the deceiver over these past centuries. Reveal to us where your words have been added to, subtracted from, changed, or mistranslated. Deliver us from the traditions of men and the doctrines of devils. Quicken us by your Ruach (Spirit). Cause us to search your words, and be taught of you. Cause the scales to fall from our eyes, that we may recognize the Biblical Yeshua, and not fall for false messiahs, or be deceived by false prophets and teachers. Bring to our hearts an urgency to find you in these last days, that many would come to know you through the word of our testimony, and through our daily walking upright before you. Glorify yourself in your people. In the name of Yeshua HaMashiach I pray. Amen.

Shalom Ahlaychem,

Barry W. Gaugler  

When Will We Get Power Back?

Hurricane Sandy is gone, but at the time I am writing this, many are still without power. The power was off at our house for several days. When we finally did get power back on, there was the realization, that many were still without it. Because of the lack of power, there was a great feeling of frustration for many. Life just isn't the same without the power you once took for granted. Food in our freezer thaws, and has to be cooked. If we have an electric stove, or if we depend upon a microwave oven, we have to substitute another method of cooking. After the power has been off for awhile, we start asking questions like: What must we do to get our power back? When will we get the power back?

 There is so much that we just cannot do without power. Without power, communication is lost, and relationships can become strained. Many may worry about the safety and welfare of friends and relatives. We may wander in darkness for a time, and that can cause us to feel, very much alone. Tasks that may be required of us can become difficult, or even impossible to perform. Things we may rely upon for everyday life may be lost, and inferior objects will be substituted for the things we normally depend upon.  This is exactly what occurred in the early days of what many may call "the Church age."

Think about it. When Yeshua walked this earth, he demonstrated the power of His Father in everything he did.  He raised the dead, healed the sick, opened blind eyes, cleansed lepers, cast out demons, caused the deaf to hear, and controlled the elements. Before Yeshua went to the cross, he told his disciples that they would also have the power to do these things. John 14:12 says;

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."  (KJV)

In Matt. 8:5-13, when the centurion came before Yeshua asking him to heal his servant of palsy, Yeshua said "I will come and heal him."  The centurion said to Yeshua, that he was not worthy for Yeshua to come under his roof, because he was a Gentile, but if He would only speak the word,  his servant would be healed. Yeshua was amazed at his faith and told him, "Go thy way; as thou hast believed, be it done unto thee."

I constantly hear believers today, asking someone to pray for someone who is sick. Is that what Yeshua told his disciples to do? I cannot find anywhere in Scriptures, where Yeshua said, pray for the sick. He told his disciples, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely give."  (Matt. 10:8)

Yeshua told his disciples in Luke, 10:19, "Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."  Immediately before Yeshua was taken up and a cloud received him in Acts 1:9,  Yeshua commanded his disciples, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, (v.4) but should wait there for the promise of the Father, which they heard him mention in Luke 24:49, and also John 14:15-19, 23-26 also Jn. 15:26-27. Jesus told them in Acts1:8;

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost shall come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth."

There are some who say, Yeshua was only speaking to His disciples when He spoke these words, and the power ceased after the disciples passed away. Could this be true? Think about this. If that is true, then our Father in heaven is a respecter of persons, and His word is not eternal. I hear the same thing said, about when Elohim spoke to Abraham. He said He would bless them who bless him, and He would curse those who curse him. However, history has proven over and over again, that God's words are eternal. Since Yeshua is the Word made flesh, His words are eternal. They are the very words of the Almighty. Elohim is not a respecter of persons.

 If these instructions were only meant for the Apostles, why were they recorded in Scripture? Why bother to record these words, if they were not meant for us. Are they only to tell a nice story, or are they there to encourage those who believe on His words? Those who who do not believe this power is meant for believers today, are approaching the words of Yeshua from a position of unbelief. When Yeshua says, "These works that I do, Ye shall do also." I believe Him. We all know, that these early believers had this power. Who turned the power off? What do we have to do, to restore this power back to the believers in Messiah? The source of the power is still here today.  Just as the power companies still have their sources of power for generating electricity, the Ruach haKodesh (the Holy Spirit) hasn't gone away. He is still here waiting on us to believe.

 Think about this. These early believers did not have the New Testament, because it had not yet been written. But, they had the Tanakh (Old Testament), and they had the Ruach haKodesh (the Holy Spirit). They had the power. Today we have the New Testament, but we are lacking the power. Why is that? Yeshua did not tell his disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait on the Holy Bible in order to receive power. He told them to go to Jerusalem, and wait on the Holy Spirit. The power came through the Spirit. Has our Father in heaven changed His mind? Do we have a different Holy Spirit than the early believers had? Is our heavenly Father a respecter of persons? Of course, the answer to the last three questions, is a resounding NO! Then what happened?

We must understand something about the early believers. They did not have mega churches. They did not have cathedrals and basilicas. They did not even have a little wooden chapel down the lane. They met in the houses of their brothers and sisters in Messiah, and they broke bread together as a family. They had an intimacy with one another, and they had an intimacy with their Messiah, that for the most part, is lacking today. The Ruach was working through them, and the demonstrations of His power, were commonplace. If they were blessed, they would have a synagogue, or a public house of meeting, but the early assemblies, were mostly done from their homes. They kept the commandments, observed Torah, and had the testimony of Yeshua haMashiach. Their numbers grew, and there can be no mistake that the early believers were distinctly Jewish. In spite of heavy persecution, the congregations spread throughout the world. There was a love for Yeshua, a love for Torah, and a love for the brethren that seems to be immensely lacking in modern congregations.

Yeshua said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." What were the commandments Yeshua was referring too?  Those given in the Torah. Yeshua is the same who spoke those words to Moses. They are His words, and He is the Word made flesh. Ask yourself this question. Why would Yeshua make his own words null and void, when His own word says,  " I am YHVH, I change not." (Mal.3:6). Why would Yeshua give his Torah, only to have it made null and void during the so-called Church Age, only to bring the Torah back again during the millennial Kingdom?

  Our modern Bibles have changed words, changed the tense of words, added words, and subtracted words, to support the Modern / Western / Hellenistic / Roman / Protestant doctrines. Something ADONAI  warned against doing (Deut. 4:2 & 12:32). In doing so, the power has been turned off, except for a very few who really believe the words of Yeshua. A couple of examples follow. 

The translators of the Jerusalem Bible, NIV, NEB, RSV, and other modern Bibles, in an attempt to wipe out the kosher laws given in Torah, add the words, [In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean."] to Mark 7:19. Yeshua (Jesus), said nothing of the sort, and these words do not appear in any of the Greek texts. These words also do not appear in the older versions, such as the KJV, ASV, The Geneva Bible, etcetera.  They are simply added to push a Roman / Protestant doctrine, that does not exist in the original text. Furthermore, when you read this passage in it's proper context, from verse one (especially verses 2 - 9), it should become apparent, that the text is referring to the man made tradition of the washing of hands, and not the eating of meats. Yeshua's rebuke is for the traditions of men, and not declaring food as clean, or unclean. All one has to do is read the parallel verses of this passage in Matthew 15: 2,3 & 20 to understand that Yeshua is not talking about food, but the tradition of washing of hands. Don't take my word for it. Check into it yourself. Anyone with access to a Greek Interlinear Bible can easily see this for themselves.

 Another attempt at twisting the Scriptures in Verse 19 is to translate the word  καθαρζων as  purifies instead of purging. Just read the context. This is an absolutely absurd translation. It is talking about purging the body of foods already having gone through the digestive system, and going into the latrine. Would you call this excrement purged, or purified? I don't think it would pass the requirements of the Pure Foods Act of 1906. Do you? I didn't think so. All one has to do is read the New Testament, without denominational bias, and it becomes perfectly clear, that all of Yeshua's disciples remained kosher, until they went on to be with Yeshua.

Another blatant example of Roman / Protestant bias in interpretation, from the NIV, and other modern versions, is found  in Colossians 2:14, by trying to apply a modern (false) Hellenistic understanding of the Greek, which was written from an ancient Hebrew perspective. This bias is perpetuated from earlier English versions though, so the NIV, and other modern versions are not the only culprit. Colossians 2:14 in the King James Version reads thus:

"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross."

In the NIV, the same passage reads thus:

"having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away , nailing it to the cross."

The words I have in bold in both of the texts above are the Greek phrase "χειρογραφον  τοις  δογμασιν." Why is this important? Because, it is translated in such a way, as to make it appear, as though it is the Torah (Law), that is nailed to the cross. Nothing could be further from the truth.  The literal translation of this phrase is, "the handwriting of their dogma"  So, what does that mean to us?  The handwriting of their dogma, was a letter of indebtedness, a bill, a tab, or something owed. It is a handwritten agreement to their dogma, or conversation concerning a debt. When someone in ancient times bought something on credit, or owed someone money, the debtor would give the creditor a handwritten IOU, and it would show the amount due, along with the debtors mark or signature. When the debt was paid, a spike, or punch would be driven through the parchment, or skin upon which the IOU was written, to indicate the debt was paid in full. Many of the senior people among us may remember this custom remaining, even into our time. When you ate out in a restaurant, or diner, you were given your check, or bill for the amount owed by the waitress, or waiter. When you went to the cashier and paid your bill, the cashier would take the bill, and pierce it onto a spike alongside the cash register. It indicated your debt was paid. Most never think about where this custom came from, and believe it was just a way to keep the receipts until the end of their shift.  Now when you read verse 14 in context with verse 13, you can clearly see, that our sin debt was nailed to the stake. Not the Torah.

Another example of the blatant, and purposeful mistranslation of modern Bibles which attempt to make Torah irrelevant to Christians is found in the NIV rendering of  verses 16 & 17 of the same chapter of Colossians. It reads as follows:

16 "Therefore do not let anyone judge you in what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17  These are a shadow of things that [were] to come; the reality, however is found in Christ." 

  

Now compare verse 17 to the King James and most other older versions. Verse 17 is correctly rendered in the KJV as thus:

"Which [are] a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."

Did you catch the difference? Notice the bold word were, versus the bold word are between the text of the two versions. This is a blatant attempt to put the kosher eating habits of the Jews, which were commanded by the Almighty, their appointed feasts, their observing the New Moons, (thus their given calendar), and their seventh day Sabbaths, which the Creator gave as a perpetual commandment, into the past tense, as though this was all fulfilled in Yeshua. The text however does not support this. There are still portions of Torah yet to be fulfilled at Yeshua's second coming. The Greek word in question in verse 17, is the word εστιν. It is in the present tense according to every Greek dictionary I can find, including Strong's and means is, or are. To translate it as though it were past tense, is deception by the translators, pure and simple. This is a simple word, and is among the first words, one learns when learning Greek. Its first grade stuff. The only way the translators could possibly miss something this simple, is because it was intentional. There are many other attempts to diminish the importance of Torah in your walk with Messiah, but I will go into them at another time. They include circumcision, the question about Acts 15: 19 & 20, plus many other questions concerning Grace and Torah. Be watching for them in the future.

 The main reason people do not see the things that Yeshua said should be commonplace, is because, we have this saying that says; "I'll believe it when I see it." That is the exact opposite of the Scriptural pattern of belief. You see, because you believe, not the other way around. Unbelief among those who call themselves believers, has crippled the power flow more than anything else that can be named. We must understand one important aspect of the ministry of Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus the Messiah), and that of the believers in the first and second centuries. They preached the Gospel, but it was always with signs and wonders following. They believed what they preached. Do you really think the Gospel would have had the effect upon the thousands of people hearing it, if the power of the Almighty was not there demonstrating His agreement? The apostle Paul made this clear statement in 1st Corinthians 2:4 & 5;

"My speech and my preaching were not with the persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit of power - so that your faith would not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."  (Tree of Life Version)

Today we have many preachers with persuasive speech, and people flocking to hear them, with their ears itching to be tickled, but there is no power.  It is common today, for people to flock to mega-churches to be told they are fine because of the grace of God. There is no commitment to living a holy life preached. There is no repentance, no studying to show yourself approved, and no real charity. Most of what you get today is an "I'm OK. You're OK" teaching. Prosperity is the main teaching heard on the radio, and seen on television today. It seems that I can't turn on a so-called Christian channel without seeing these multi-millionaire preachers, (wolves in sheep's clothing), telling you to sow a seed of $1,000 into their ministries, while they fleece the poor, and go home to their multi-million dollar homes, or fly off in their private jets. Do people even read their Bibles? Have they never read 1st Timothy 6: 3-11?  Paul is plain, that we are to flee from these prideful teachers, who understand nothing, and suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

 The time has come, for all who believe the words of Yeshua to start acting upon his words, instead of just giving them lip service. He told us to heal the sick. This can only be done in the power of Ruach haKodesh. It cannot be done in our own strength. The promise of the Father is, that when Yeshua returned to Him, He would send us another Comforter. Have you received Him, or have you not?

When will we get the power back on? When we get reconnected to our Father's power source. We will get the power back on, when, we have so humbled ourselves before our heavenly Father, that when healing does happen at our hands, we will not get puffed up, and think that we did it. Our Father will share His glory with no one.  It's past time to start putting the faith, we claim to have, into action. It must grieve the Spirit, to know that we have this power available to us, and we can't believe enough to use it.

 Heavenly Father, I pray that you would restore your power to the people called by Your name. Bring us back into the truth of Your light, and restore communication between You, and Your people, that we not settle for artificial light sources. Bring us out of darkness. All to the glory of Yeshua, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Shalom Ahlaychem,

Barry W. Gaugler