The Power of Obedience

When we consider the extraordinary ways YHWH worked through men such as Moses and Paul, we may think, "I can't measure up to people like them. I don't have what they had."

But you must realize that these "heroes" of the faith were just common, ordinary people. It was their obedience, their complete yieldedness to YHWH, that gave them uncommon strength, perseverance, and faith. They submitted their lives whole-heartedly to YHWH, which moved YHWH to work through them.

Their examples should inspire each of us to re-evaluate our own obedience. Are we reluctant to listen to YHWH because we think He is asking the impossible?  

Yoḥanan Aleph (1 John) 5:3 TS2009 "For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands, and His commands are not heavy, because everyone having been born of Elohim overcomes the world."

Are we failing to make ourselves available to Him because we are doubtful or afraid? 

When we doubt, we are not putting our trust in YHWH. James 1:6 states that for the one that doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Yoḥanan Aleph (1 John) 4:18 TS2009 "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear holds punishment, and he who fears has not been made perfect in love."

Our part is to simply obey, and YHWH will do His part.

YHWH can do anything through the believer who has a yielding heart towards Him and a strong devotion to walk in His ways. The power of obedience bears much fruit, which in turn, brings great blessings. HalleluYAH!

Faith Without Works is Dead

Not everyone who hears the Word of יהוה Elohim believes it, and not everyone who says they believe it obeys it. To not obey the Word is to not believe the Word.      

“But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving yourselves.” 

James 1:22

Messiah יהושע says, “Why do you call me Master and do not obey the things I say.” To keep his commandments or to do His Word is to demonstrate our obedience. 

”Loved ones, though very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I felt it necessary to write to you urging you to continue to contend for the faith that was once for all handed down to the kedoshim [set-apart ones]. 

For certain people have secretly slipped in—those who from long ago have been marked out for this judgment. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our Elohim into indecency and deny our only Master יהושע, the Messiah.“

‭‭Judah (Jude)‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ 

”But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.“

‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

”My brothers, what use is it for anyone to say he has belief but does not have works? This belief is unable to save him.“

‭‭Ya‛aqoḇ (James)‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ ‭TS2009‬‬

”But someone might say, “You have belief, and I have works.” Show me your belief without your works, and I shall show you my belief by my works. You believe that Elohim is one. You do well. The demons also believe – and shudder! But do you wish to know, O foolish man, that the belief without the works is dead?“

‭‭Ya‛aqoḇ (James)‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭TS2009‬‬

”And the Scripture was filled which says, “Aḇraham believed Elohim, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness.” And He called him, “he who loves Elohim.” You see, then, that a man is declared right by works, and not by belief alone.“

‭‭Ya‛aqoḇ (James)‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭TS2009‬‬

”For as the body without the spirit is dead, so also the belief is dead without the works.“

‭‭Ya‛aqoḇ (James)‬ ‭2‬:‭26‬ ‭TS2009‬‬

”And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before the throne, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged from what was written in the books, according to their works. 

And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and She’ol gave up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. And Death and She’ol were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 

And if anyone was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.“

‭‭Ḥazon (Revelation)‬ ‭20‬:‭12‬-‭15‬ ‭TS2009‬‬

There is only one real faith--the one that conforms to the Father’s will. Anything else is a counterfeit lie from the enemy.

Is YHWH Calling You Now?

IS YHWH CALLING YOU NOW?

We can read from Scripture that Yahshua preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of YHWH Elohim and taught obedience to the Commandments. You may already be aware of, or beginning to see, the importance of also observing the Sabbath - which is the 4th Commandment – in true worship of Him. Some of you no longer partake in pagan-rooted traditions of men.  But why are these things not clear to the vast majority of those who consider themselves “Christians”? Why do so many people reject the truth? Scripture tells us that YHWH is not calling everyone in this life.

The majority of the world rejects the truth.

By some estimates, there are over 40,000 Christian denominations and organizations worldwide, with approximately 2.4 billion people who claim Christianity as their faith. Of those who claim “Jesus” as their Savior, how many obey Him according to Scripture, rather than according to the traditions of men? The reality is that only a relatively small number of people, both today and throughout history, comprise the group Yahshua described as His “little flock” of true followers. (Luke 12:32)

Why is it that so many are blinded and refuse to receive the love of the truth when it seems so apparent in Scripture that we are to walk as Yahshua walked, in Torah?

One of the reasons is given in Revelation 12:9, which states that Satan, the Devil, “deceives the whole world.” This fact is reiterated throughout Scripture. The Apostle Paul explained that “the gospel is veiled” by “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:3–4). In his letter to the Ephesians, he called Satan, “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the SONS of DISOBEDIENCE” (Ephesians 2:2).

Satan not only deceives people into worshiping other gods or no god at all, we see from Scripture that he also deceives people into believing and worshiping a false gospel and even a false “Jesus.”

Paul warned the believers at Corinth that “if he who comes preaches another ‘Yahshua’ whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” (2 Corinthians 11:4). He was admonishing them to be careful not to follow or listen to a Gospel message that was different from what Yahshua Messiah truly preached.

Paul went on to warn about false religious teachers, saying that, “such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Messiah. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (vv. 13–15). In other words, he was telling them to beware of preachers who may sound good and seem righteous, even coming across as ministers of Yahshua Messiah and the Gospel, but who preach a message different from what Scripture teaches.

Yahshua warned of the same thing when He said, “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many” (Matthew 24:4–5).

The quote, “I am the Christ” is not in the original Greek. History notes that few literally claimed to be the “Christ” themselves, but many did come in His name and claim to acknowledge Him and bear His backing and authority.

Yahshua explained that, while someone may be calling on His name and claiming to obey Him and represent Him, that does not mean He is working with them. He explained this in other passages as well: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the WILL of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practices LAWLESSNESS!’” (Matthew 7:21–23).

This is very revealing—Yahshua says that He does not claim as His own those who preach in His name, and even perform miracles in His name, if they do NOT OBEY Him.

YHWH Elohim is not calling everyone now.  On the contrary, Yahshua said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” and that, “No one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father” (John 6:44, 65). He made it clear that the Father has to call a person to Messiah Yahshua. He is NOT calling everyone now. (1 Corinthians 1:26)

Yahshua also said, “‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandments of Elohim, you hold the traditions of men.” (Mark 7:6–8)

Yahshua tells us how we should walk. He says, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15), and, “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:17). Additionally, the Apostle John said about 50 years after Yahshua died, “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in Him.” (1 John 2:3–4)

It’s hard to imagine how this could be any more plain, yet the vast majority of humanity still doesn’t understand it or take action on it—in large part, as mentioned already, because Satan has deceived the whole world, including those who profess Christianity. However, YHWH has allowed this deception for a reason.

In addition to accepting the sacrifice of Yahshua Messiah to cover your sins, you must also repent and surrender your life wholeheartedly to YHWH and begin obeying His Commandments.

If you feel moved to observe the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week as YHWH commands and not follow in the pagan traditions of this world, the Almighty El may be calling you. There are certainly essential biblical truths beyond these, but these make for a great starting point.

So what does it mean for you if YHWH is calling you now? First, it is important to know that it is an incredible and wonderful blessing to be called now and have the opportunity to be a part of the work He is doing now through His Ekklesia (Church).  (Matthew 28:18–20; Mark 16:15–20; Matthew 24:14).

Ultimately, YHWH wants those whom He calls to accept the truth their minds have been opened to and repent, be baptized, and live a life the way Yahshua established 2,000 years ago by preparing for His coming Kingdom. HalleluYAH!

The Wicked are Removed

The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.  

(Psalms 37:29)

The Scriptures are clear that the ones taken will be the wicked and not the righteous. Do not be deceived. Those “left behind” will be the righteous who do the will of the Father. They will inherit the earth.

“The words of the blessing of Enoch, wherewith he blessed the elect and righteous, who will be living in the day of tribulation, when all the wicked and godless are to be removed.”  

(Enoch 1:1-2 ; Mat 24:21-22; Rev 7:3)

In the book of Enoch, which foretells the end of days, tells us that at the time of tribulation, the wicked and godless will be removed.

“For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Mat 24:38-39; Luke 17:26-29)

Yahshua is comparing the days of Noah with the days immediately leading up to His return. Here is the key:  Yahshua says, “They did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” The phrase, “took them all away” is a translation of the word “HEREN” in Greek and it literally means to be “lifted up,” “taken up,” “carried away.”

In the days of Noah, who were the ones “carried away” or “raptured”? Obviously, the wicked are the ones taken away by the flood.  It is the wicked who are raptured by the flood unto destruction and the righteous remain in the safe protection of the ark. In the days of Noah, we see the righteous preserved in the midst of the tribulation but the wicked are destroyed.

“Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left” 

(Mat 24:40-41). 

Two women are grinding at the mill; the wicked woman is taken while the redeemed woman is left behind in safety. The believer will be left in safety.

"He answered and said to them:  'He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. 

Therefore, as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather OUT of HIS KINGDOM all things that offend, and those who PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun IN THE KINGDOM of their Father.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!'" 

(Mat 13:37-43) 

A reward awaits those who follow in the ways of YHWH Elohim and keep His commandments. They will inherit the land.

Here are more scripture verses that describe the wicked being removed from the earth…

2 Esdras 13:16

For as I conceive in mine understanding, woe unto them that shall be left in those days and much more woe unto them that are not left behind!

Mishlei (Proverbs) 2:21-22 For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; But the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it.

Mishlei (Proverbs) 10:30 The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land.

Tehillim (Psalms) 37:9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in YHWH will inherit the land.

Tehillim (Psalms) 37:10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.

Tehillim (Psalms) 37:22 Those YHWH blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off.

Tehillim (Psalms) 37:28 For YHWH loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;

Mishlei (Proverbs) 10:25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.

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Blessed are The Meek

Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

The humble and afflicted will occupy the earth and delight in great abundance and prosperity. There will be peace, safety, well-being, and happiness forever for YHWH's covenanted people.

Do not envy the wicked; the wrong will inherit their reward ☠️

Psalms 37:9-11
9] For the wicked will be destroyed,
but those who trust in YHWH will possess the land.
10] Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. 
11] But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity. 

1 Timothy 4:8
For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.

Psalm 25:13
His soul will dwell in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.

Psalm 29:11
YHWH gives His people strength; YHWH blesses His people with peace.

Psalm 72:7
May the righteous flourish in his days and prosperity abound, until the moon is no more.

Psalm 119:165
Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your law; nothing can make them stumble.