Saturday, November 26, 2011

Observations From Sulam Yaakov

Sulam Yaakov is known to us as Jacob's Ladder. It is a inter-dimensional ladder and the only means of traveling from this reality into G-d's. It can be seen in Genesis 28:10–19.

"Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.And behold, the Lord stood above it [or "beside him"] and said, "I am the Lord (Yahweh), the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; "

We also see in John 1:51 that it is the Word of G-d, Y'shua, who is this ladder.

"And he said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter you shall see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Also, when John ascended into Heaven, in Revelation 4, he was in the presence of Sulam Yaakov, Y'shua.

Observation #1

Since angels can only ascend and descend into heaven on Jacob’s ladder, then does Satan use Jacob’s ladder to gain access to the throne of God in order to accuse us before G-d?

Observation #2

Does the souls of G-d's Elect also gain access that way? Therefore, when we die and we are in the presence of the Lord(II Corinthians 5:8), does this mean we are at the foot of Sulam Yaakov, Jacob's Ladder?

Observation #3

After Jacob had his dream, he named the place Beth-El, the House of G-d. Is this a physical portal into the House of G-d or is symbolic of something else or both?

As we delve into these and other questtions or observations within the Word of G-d, we gain a more intimate knowledge of our Lord and G-d thereby growing closer to him.

Shabbat Shalom my Friends

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Simchat Torah

Recently, within the Jewish and Messianic Jewish communities, we celebrated Simchat Torah. It occurs on the 22nd of Tishrei right after Sukkot. This year it was on October 20th.

Simchat Torah marks the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle. In Hebrew, it literally means "Rejoicing in the Law" . It's is a joyous holiday celebrating having completed the study of God's word and looking forward to hearing those words again during the coming year.

My question to you is... When is your Simchat Torah?

Do you joyously look forward to completing the reading and studying of G-ds Word and starting it over again? Your answer gives you a self evaluation of your position in the Messiah.

Shalom

Saturday, April 2, 2011

How Will We Respond To The Coming Of The Messiah?

As I watched a couple of videos my son in law sent me, I couldn't help draw a correlation to how we as true believers will respond to the coming of our Messiah in order to take us home.

These videos are of dogs owned by soldiers who were deployed recently as they returned home. As I watched how they whimpered and rubbed up against their master, I noticed that they couldn't get enough of their master's presence.

I honestly believe that these videos gives us a glimpse into our possible reaction when the Lord comes. Tell me what you think.

Don't forget to turn up the volume.

http://www.break.com/index/dog-greets-mom-coming-home-from-war-2035934

http://www.break.com/index/dogs-happy-to-see-soldier-return-home-2023319

Thanks Brandon for the videos. You never know how G-d will use us. Keep up the fight.

Shalom

Monday, March 28, 2011

Are You Washed In The Blood or Just In The Water?


Are you washed in the blood or just in the water?

Was the water dirty after the baptism?

Do you worship him, to him or about him?

If you have to ask, we need to talk

Do you serve him or serve because of him?

Are you open to the Spirit or just spirited?


These are just a few humorous sayings begging the question,

Are you coming over or just straddling the fence?

Many of us have one foot in the church and one foot in the world. Where do you stand? When you go before the throne, what side will you be standing?

We need to ask these questions on a daily basis.

ME INCLUDED.

Wash Me Clean In the Muddy Water

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Do We Justify The Sin in Our Lives?

During a recent one on one with G-d, the subject of the sin in my life came up. And like he does so many times, he asked me point blank, with love, "Why do you attempt to justify the sin in your life?"

My first response, like so many others, was to deny the accusation or act ignorant of what he's is talking about. But, this is G-d. Who is more righteous and just and all knowing than he? Who loves me more and has my well being in mind than he does? NOBODY!!!!!!

Once I came down off my high horse, I had to admit that I do attempt to cover over or make light of the sin in my life.

What do I mean? Well, it's when I do things in my life that I know is not according to G-d's will and I do them anyway. I attempt to sugarcoat them or somehow try to raltionalize in a way that it appears, to me, that it is according to God's will. My biggest excuse is to say, "It's all about what's in the heart." or "It's ok if I mean well."

Obviously, I couldn't see G-d's face at that time but I could sense him hanging and shaking his head in major disapointment. Of course, I realized my shame, confessed my sins and asked for his forgiveness which he promptly gave.

All worked out fine, but that's not the point. During this time of denial, I lost a closeness I could have enjoyed. I missed out on the benefit of the presence of G-d in my life and I'll never get that back. Sure, I quickly got back to G-d's side, but I'll never regain the time I lost because of my disobedience and I'll feel that hole in my spirit as long as I will live.

Most don't know what I'm talking about because Satan has a great way of masking that separation. It is not until we go back to G-d's side that we realize it. This is the same feeling we will have during the 1000 years of tears after G-d comes back for us. This is documented in the book of Revelation.

This brings me to why I'm writing this today. Are you justifying the sin in your life? Are you missing out on a closeness with G-d that completes your spiritual life? Only you can answer that question. However, I can give you some examples where you may attempting to justify your disobedience, sin.

Are you still celebrating the pagan holidays in lieu of the actual festivals ordained by G-d? Good examples are the pagan holidays of Easter and Christmas. Are you still telling your children that Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Y'shua and Christmas is the birthday of the Messiah...when in reality, they are pagan holidays celebrating the fertility goddess and the sun god? The true birth of the Messiah is about the time of the Feast of Tabernacles(September/October)and the death and resurection are during the Passover, Feast of Unleaven Bread and Feast of First Fruits.

Are you trying to please G-d by doing things instead of getting closer to him?

Are you making excuses about being in the Word of G-d?

All these things and more can prevent you from experiencing a close relationship with and completeness in G-d.

Get back to G-d's Word and follow his ways. That is the only way to his heart and being one with G-d. There's no greater experience. Come back home.

Love all of you in the Messiah,
Shalom

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Is Jesus G-d?

Within the Christian community, there are those who believe that Y'shua is not G-d. They point to many verses that state that there is only one G-d, G-d the Father and there is no other. This is proclaimed in the venerated Shma: "Hear O Israel the Lord thy G-d is one." Deuteromony 6:4. Also, in the following verses which are a few among many that state the same thing.

"Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me." Isaiah 43:10

"I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me." Isaiah 44:6

"Is there any God besides Me, Or is there any other Rock? I know of none." Isaiah 44:8

"I am Yahweh, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God." Isaiah 45:5

"Surely, God is with you, and there is none else, No other God." Isaiah 45:14

"I am Yahweh, and there is none else." Isaiah 45:18

"Is it not I, Yahweh? And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me." Isaiah 45:21

"I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me" Isaiah 46:9

"And Yahweh will be king over all the earth; in that day Yahweh will be the only one [echad], and His name the only one[echad]." Zechariah 14:9

On the other side of the argument, we have those who believe Y'shua is G-d. They point to the following verses:

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel(God with us).”Isaiah 7:14

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”Isaiah 9:6

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The Word is Y'shua. John 1:1

“Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’"John 20:27-29

Another side wants to argue whether Y'shua is G-d the Father or a separate G-d the son along with G-d, the Holy Spirit. This is the triune argument that G-d is three separate persons. However, this is no scriptural basis for this belief which arose out of adding things to the Bible, not reading it and allowing the Spirit of G-d to lead you into understanding. Therefore, I will not entertain it. If I am not clear, let me categorically state that there is no such thing IN THE BIBLE as the Trinity.

Is one side correct? If so, which one? If not, can we reconcile these two sides?

Well, the answer is that both sides are looking at it single dimensionally. You need to ask yourself, "Can both sides be correct?" The true answer is yes. Y'shua is 100% man and 100% G-d. What? Are you crazy? That's not possible. First of all, all things are possible especially with a supernatural G-d. That's the problem with most streamline denominations. They fail to take in consideration and sometimes deny the supernatural power of G-d.

I can sit here and argue the point all day long, but I won't. I leave you with the following to either muddy the waters or by the Spirit, clear it all up for you.

The sacrifice for our sins had to be of the line of Adam, therefore a man and had to be perfect.

Y'shua had to be G-d because the sacrifise had to be perfect and G-d is the only perfect being.

Y'shua had to be man to qualify as part of the line of Adam.

Y'shua cannot be just a man because that would disqualify him as the perfect sacrifice required by G-d for our salvation. Why? Because, if Y'shua was just a man then he would be sinful.

"All men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" Romans 2:23

Y'shua (Jesus) is 100% Man and 100% G-d and G-d is one, not many.

Finally, to those who believe in the false teaching of the Trinity, I would gladly entertain the thought that G-d is a multidimensional being which is what the scriptures say. He is not three separate entities as most denominations teach today.

Shalom