Question-Comment:
Baruch HaShem, Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord

Greetings Don full of Agape and speaking out on the TRUTH,

I am moved by your articles on your website. It all boils down to Missing the Mark and lack of Faith for those in the Teaching positions. Even though we are all equal in the sense of Salvation, we still have our position that we are appointed if only we would take it in this world to bring others to the TRUTH.

I really like to find Truth Seekers who aren't afraid to open up and say the Truth as it is Seen, not physically but you can see spiritually how dead a place really is where it seems no one is standing up and Correcting those who claim to be Talmidim of Yeshua HaMashiach and are teaching lies mixed with Truth. I left main line Christianity when I found Messianic Judaism. I can say some what the same for this area of Believers as well. Since many are dragging what they learned in Main Line Christianity into what should be according to Torah and Yeshua's Teachings we have a mix of confusion here and there. That is if you know anything about Messianic Judaism you would agree with what I have said. Many that teach HaShem's Word with what Yeshua taught look to sell this teaching to others to (in their minds, earn a living) fleece what should be given for Free. Give and it shall be Given to you. So we have those who are likened to the Pharisees and Scribes of Yeshua's Time here on earth that are fleecing those of the world for their own
bellies. I can't say every single one of them are doing this on purpose. We are brought up in a way of thinking that is along the line of the World unless we have Parents that are walking a walk with HaShem in the Faith Yeshua taught then we will return to that path we were taught when we were young.

We don't earn our way to Salvation, we are Given that Salvation if We TRUST in HaShem's Salvation, Yeshua HaMashiach, which HaShem has Appointed as HIS Right Hand. Yeshua is our King as Yosef was Pharoah of Egypt. People looked to Yosef as if he was a god and therefore bowed down to him. As we shall bow down before Yeshua HaMashiach when He returns to Take Over physically as well as Spiritually every corner of Earth and all the Universe and Even Heaven above which is Spiritual in my thinking. Something we can't really fathom in our finite minds unless we are shown by HaShem in one fashion or another. Echad is a wonderful way to live if you find the Truth of what has been said by many for many generations.

Glad to see Truth seekers in this world of many who claim they are Teachers of Yeshua HaMashiach.

Baruch HaShem,

Tag

Heb 2:17-18 Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful Kohen Gadol in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. (18) For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. 1Co 15:28 When all things have been subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him who subjected all things to him, that HaShem may be all in all. e-Sword HNV

Hello Tag,

If you've read much of our site, you know that we feel that (1) every Christian organization created by man had some man's reasons for its creation; and (2) that these organizations, in spite of their differing dogmas, have true believers in their ranks if the leaders in the organizations teach enough about the Lord Jesus that those being taught can exercised their faith in His Death, Burial, and Resurrection!.

In your WRAP you used terms that I am not familiar with.  So, I went online and did some research about Messianic Judaism.  I must admit that I am confused as to why you would leave "main line Christianity" and go to Messianic Judaism.  Doctrinally, it seems to me that it's like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.  Not only have the founders of this movement gone back and picked up practices that the Apostle Paul disapproved, but it seems that they have also adopted much of the snobbery of the Jews of his day.  Perhaps they have overlooked the following passages.  (Especially note the underlined words.)

Galatians 3:
¹⁶ Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
¹⁷ And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
¹⁸ For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
¹⁹ Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
²⁰ Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
²¹ Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. ²² But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
²³ But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
²⁴ Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
²⁵ But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
²⁶ For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
²⁷ For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
²⁹ And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 6:
¹⁰ As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
¹¹ Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
¹² As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
¹³ For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
¹⁴ But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
¹⁵ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Another thing that I find confusing about their ways is their spelling of God and Lord which they spell G-d and L-rd.  I assume that they do this because they feel His name is too holy to speak, but how can they teach this in the light of the following Scriptures?

Matthew 6:
⁹ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

John 14:
¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; ¹⁷ Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
^...
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? ²³ Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. ²⁴ He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

Perhaps the Jews of our Lord's time on the earth thought this way, but Jesus said of them:

Mark 7:
⁵ Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? ⁶ He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. ⁷ Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. ⁸ For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men...

I know that Acts 16 records how Paul had Timotheus circumcised (his mother was a Jewess, but his father was Greek); however, Paul did this so that he and Timotheus could preach to the Jews in the local synagogues--not to put Timotheus under the bondage of the law and the traditions of the Jews, but to deliver those Jews who would receive his words into the liberty that is found in Christ Jesus.  In other words, this seemed to be the only way they would let him in the door, figuratively speaking.

Think about it--Jesus told us that God would have us call Him Father, James told us that if we will draw nigh unto God that He will draw nigh unto us, Paul told us that we don't know how to pray as we ought but that God the Holy Spirit will lead us in our prayers, etc.  If the goal of the leaders of the Messianic Judaism movement is to eventually bring those that they covert into the full liberty of Christ Jesus, then praise God.  But if there intentions are to put their converts under the beggarly elements of the law--shame on them! 

Again, why you or anyone else would leave the basic elements of the mainline churches (even with all of their problems) to go into the darkness Christ came to deliver us from is a mystery to me.  It seems to me that it would make more sense to go earnestly into the Scriptures and seek the unity with God our Father spoken of by Christ Jesus, as well as the precious liberty that our Savior promised! 

Maranatha,

Don

B'ANN ROTE:

Oh that we could find our way back to the simplicity of it all.  The Scriptures do say this:

Acts 11:
²⁵Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
²⁶ And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

What are Christians?  We need diligently to search the teachings of Paul, for his epistles are the roots of our Christian heritage.  From these roots come the Vine of Christ, preordained by God to grow and cover the earth. 

The Scriptures speak often of the "true vine" as opposed to the "false vine."  The true one bears the Fruits of the Spirit.  We need to look at what we believe and it must line up with the Fruits of the Spirit or it is "corruptible seed"  So, we come back to our original challenge to the Christian world.  DOWEKNOW that we are believing as we should. Our test is simple:

TEST FOR THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT:
Galatians 5:
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ²⁴ And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

TEST FOR THE WORKS OF THE FLESH:
Galatians 5:
¹⁴ For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ¹⁵ But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. ¹⁶ This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. ¹⁸ But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ²⁰ Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, ²¹ Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The basic simplicity that we need to grasp is John 3:16. May the Seeds of Truth within us grow and flourish.  May any false one wither and fall from our lives as a dead leaf falls from the "vine."

Question-Comment: my Q IS John the baptist is Elijah in the spirit

DON WROTE:

TO OUR CYBER-VISITORS:

This person is apparently referring to the following Scripture:

Matthew 17:
¹⁰ And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
¹¹ And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
¹² But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
¹³ Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

Booklets one and four of our on-line book CLOCK OF THE AGES have our understanding of this passage. 

Hello Pastor Gideon,

Good to hear from you again.  (To our cyber-visitors: Brother Gideon is one of the national missionaries on our MISSION-MISSIONARIES site found on our home page.)  Thanks so much for your prayers for us--for we believe all the precious, fantastic promises that God has made in His Word concerning prayer.  Here are just a few of those promises!

James 4:
^2b...ye have not, because ye ask not.

Matthew 7:
⁷ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: ⁸ For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. ⁹ Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? ¹¹ If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Romans 8:
²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

I John 5:
¹⁴ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: ¹⁵ And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

John 15:
⁷ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. ⁸ Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

You ask if we have a specific request, and we do.  (I am answering your E-mail on the web because we desire the prayers of all our visitors.)  We ask that you would join with us in praying for those throughout the world who are in the positions of pastor, preacher, or teacher--that they would faithfully present the two-fold thrust of the Bible.  That is, that they would present the Christ of Calvary and the Victorious Christ Who now sets on the right hand of God the Father.  That is, the Christ of Calvary for those who are still in their sins and under the judgment/wrath for those sins, and the Victorious Christ for those believers who are floundering in their confusion instead of walking in the power and peace of God.

I ask that you would join us in this prayer because the world is full of people who didn't ask to be born--and, for sure, who didn't ask to be born to become a sinner with the guilt and judgment of sin hanging over their heads.  [In fact, there are none who are without this sin, for sin is universal--the Bible saying that God put all under sin so that in Christ, He might have mercy on all who believe (Gal.3:22).]  The Bible also says that those who are in this state of sin are lost to God; and it is the call of the Church to go into all the world and seek the lost.  HOWEVER, it is not the slanted ramblings of someone trained at a seminary; the opinions of a self-willed, self-serving, vocal individual; the begging for money of someone who is trying to build himself/herself a "ministry"; the social concerns of a "reformer"; the cries for equality of someone who feels slighted; etc. but the "GOOD NEWS" of the Gospel that brings the lost to their Maker!!!  These who are lost to God--that the Bible speaks of as "being dead in their trespasses and sins"--need to know that He who made them fully understands their dilemma, having taken upon Himself their form and having walked on this earth even as they must do.  Above all, those who have yet to make Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior need to hear how that Jesus (Who knew no sin) became sin (taking the whole sin of the world upon Himself) that He might die the death on the Cross of Calvary and pay the sin debt in full for every man, woman, and child--so that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life!!!  It was the love of Christ for His creation that drove Him up Calvary's mountain, not the sting of the Roman whips on His back--and it is the hearing of this Love that strikes a chord in the sinners' heart, moving them to repentance and the acceptance of the Christ of Calvary as Lord and Savior!!!  This is the message that should be at the core of every sermon preached by man for God will honor no other to the saving of a soul!!! JOHN 3:16 WILL MOVE MOUNTAINS OF UNBELIEF.

In addition, I ask you to join us in prayer because the churches are full of people who have never been taught to seek and expect the overcoming, fruitful life that the Lord Jesus wants for every child of God. Instead, they hear that all God expects of them is for them to come to church at the appointed time, be faithful in tithing to their church/denomination, and bring some food to a church supper every now and then.  Oh, they probably hear about the power of God, but when a spiritual problem arises like their offspring leaving their church and going into the world, for example, all they know to do is "pray" and then wring their hands in despair as they watch the devourer wreak havoc in the lives of their loved ones.  They have not been taught how to "pray in the Spirit."  (I'm not talking about speaking in an unknown tongue/language, but of being led by the Spirit in exactly what to pray.)  Nor have they been taught how to study the Bible on their own, trusting in the Holy Spirit to quicken its Truths to their hearts.  I understand that pastors use the pulpits to "tickle the ears" of their flocks in such a manner because they feel they have to keep their congregations subject to themselves--and this for various reasons.  The main reason probably being that they fear they will lose their positions in the churches if they don't keep things under their control.  Because of their lack of faith, they don't understand that it is the church which is full of those with the faith of David, and Peter, and Paul, etc., (i.e., those who are able to stand alone with their God and do His will) that cause a church to grow and to be stable.

I also ask you to pray with us for those who have not been able to hear the Gospel of Christ for political, religious indoctrination, or any other reason. Oh, that all of the saints would pray for those living in spiritual darkness as though the roles were reversed.  May God grant that each believer might be filled and moved to action with our Savior's Compassion for the lost.

Especially, I ask you to pray with us for the children of every nation, race, and creed--that God would move in mercy on their behalf!!!

Again, let me point out from the Scriptures things that are essential if we are to pray the prayer of power.

Romans 8:
²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

I John 5:
¹⁴ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: ¹⁵ And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Again, thanks for praying for us and with us.

Don and B'Ann

P.S.
Although we pastored churches during the 70's and 80's, at present we do not pastor a church.  Since that time, we have been ministering with the music that the Lord has given our family, and doing the work of an evangelist.

In our above response to Tag's WRAP AROUND, we commented on how certain religious organizations spell the names of God by leaving out the vowels: for example, G-d or L-rd--concluding that perhaps they do this because they feel that His names are to Holy to speak or to write.  We noted how that this makes no sense to us since Jesus Himself taught that God wanted to be called Father by the believers.  (This practice also fails to make sense when one considers that the Holy Spirit gave no such command to those who wrote the books of the Bible.)

Apparently, this WRAP struck a nerve because we are now receiving E-mails from others who adhere to this practice.  (Rad, for example, when making reference to Yahweh--one of the names of Jehovah God, wrote: "YHWY - this is His name. Baal Gad (God? Gad?) is a pagan deity. YHWY is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. If He was YHWY in the Tanakh, then He is YHWY now and will be tomorrow.")  We are using this WRAP to answer all those who wrote concerning this topic.  I, personally, find this practice not only to be strange, but to be unfortunate for it only adds to the confusion already fostered by the many differing denominations that claim to be God's representatives on this earth, some even claiming to be the ONLY ones speaking for God. 

To me, it is so sad that the churches have strayed from the simplicity of the commands which Jesus left for His disciples: i.e., (1) to love the Lord our God with all of our hearts, minds, and strength, (2) to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:35-40), and (3) to fulfill the Great Commission which is simply the sharing of John 3:16 ("For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.")!  However, in addition to these commands of our Lord and Savior which need to be taught and practiced in/by the churches, there is also a purpose for what Christ did and is doing: i.e., He is gathering out of this earth a body of believers that He is not ashamed to call brethren and that God is not ashamed to call His children.  The following passage from the book of Hebrews needs to taught and understood by all who know Christ as Lord and Savior.  Please take the time to read this passage in its entirety!

Hebrews 2:
¹ Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
² For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
³ How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
⁴God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
⁵ For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
⁶ But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?
⁷ Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
⁸ Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
⁹ But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
¹⁰ For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. ¹¹ For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
¹² Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
¹³ And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
¹⁴ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
¹⁵ And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
¹⁶ For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
¹⁷ Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
¹⁸ For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Church, think about it.  The joy of our existence is not found in the material things that we have been blessed with, for they soon grow old, and some of them that we embrace with the greatest joy even grow boring!  The thing that makes this life worth living is the love of FAMILY/FRIENDS!  The same will hold true in heaven!  Heaven will be Heaven because we will be sharing it with the FAMILY OF GOD!  Oh, there will be lots of things to enjoy for I am sure that there is no end to what God has made for our pleasure; but it will be LOVE OF FAMILY that will make eternity a thing of joy!  And we should take note that we do not have to wait until we get to heaven to experience this love.  Jesus put it this way:

John 14:
²³If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
²⁴ He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

For any of you who feel that God's holiness should make Him to be feared to the point that you can't even speak or write His name, let me point out that if you have truly received Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you have been born again into the Family of God and God is now your heavenly Father--not some remote, dreadful judge that is to be feared.  It is for this reason that Paul could write:

Galatians 4:6
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Consider the following story taken from our study of the Book of Revelation.

A young lawbreaker stood fearfully in front of the austere, frowning magistrate--knowing that he was guilty as accused and that the judge would give him the maximum sentence of the law--when all of a sudden, a young boy who had slipped from his mother, came bursting into the court room.

"Daddy! Daddy!" He cried as he came running up to the Judge.

A smile split the judge's face. "What are you doing here, son?" he said as he put his arm around the boy.

At that moment, a flustered, embarrassed woman came into the courtroom looking for her son. She muttered her apologies and took him out the back way.

The point of the story?--to the young lawbreaker, this man was a dreaded authority of the law, one to be feared and respected lest his wrath be incurred. To the other youngster, he was a dad who provided all of his needs, who tutored him in those things that are needful, and one who found time to play and fellowship with his pride and joy.

The Apostle Paul dealt with this matter of knowing that you are the Lord's child in the eighth chapter of Romans.

Romans 8:
¹⁶The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

If you do not have this witness within you, then, by all means, it is time to take your sins and a repentant heart to the foot of the Cross.  If you do know that Christ abides in you, yet you are afraid to say or write the names of God, then like so many that have been influenced by one or more of the differing dogmas of the various denominations/cults, you need to get rid of some of the useless baggage that can slow you down in your walk of faith.

Maranatha,

Don

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