Israel - The Olive Tree

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. " (Psalm 1:3)

The olive tree was an essential crop for Israel down through the ages, providing oil for cooking and for light, as well as for eating.

The olive tree does not drop its leaves each fall, as do other deciduous trees, remaining green always.

"But as for me, I am like a green olive tree
in the house of Elohim: I trust in the lovingkindness of Elohim for ever and ever."
(Psalm 52:8)

The olive tree does not begin to produce until it is about 40 years old, and remains bearing good fruit for 1,000 years or more. We want to emulate the olive tree-bearing fruit into old age.

The Sabbath Psalm, Psalm 92, speaks to our desire to be a productive member of True
Worship - like the patriarchs and prophets of old - still bearing fruits of righteousness for decades.

"They are planted in the house of Yahweh; they
shall flourish in the courts of our Elohim. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age;
they shall be full of sap and green:
To show that Yahweh is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness
in Him." (Psalm 92:13-15)

[Transcript credit: Assemblies of Yahweh]

True Love VS Obssessive Love

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love endures over time. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in Truth. It involves affection, respect, trust, and commitment to the other person's well-being. It acts in a way that benefits others, mirroring YHWH's love for us. 

On the other hand, having a strong and immediate attraction and idealization for someone are "feelings" of infatuation, not love. When you love someone, you put their needs before your own, even if it offers you no satisfaction whatsoever. And whatever overcomes you, to that, you are enslaved.

Colossians 3:5

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

When you prioritize yourself or another over YHWH, you are glorifying yourself, which in turn, becomes idolatry.

The Bible speaks against "obsessive love," where one person's desires consume them to the point of unhealthy behavior, like in Proverbs 6:25:

Mishlei (Pro) 6:23-26 CJB

[23] For the commandment is a lamp, TORAH is light, and reproofs that discipline are the way to LIFE. 

[24] They keep you from an evil woman, from a loose woman’s seductive tongue. 

[25] Don’t let your heart lust after her beauty or allow her glance to captivate you. 

[26] The price of a whore is a loaf of bread, but the adulteress is hunting for a precious life.

The Torah is a light to our feet in the way we should go. It keeps us from being deceived and lacking sense. It points out our sin and leads us in the right direction unto the narrow path. 

Psalm 119:36-37

Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me LIFE in your ways.

So rather than letting your obssessive thoughts and impulsive actions consume you, focus on YHWH - He is your strength - and glorify Him only because the end result is an overwhelming satisfaction of peace within, joy, and eternal life.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your Elohim; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Shalom ❤️

Escaping the Sword

“Woe to you who are longing for the day of יהוה! What does the day of יהוה mean to you? It is darkness, and not light…”

Amos 5:20 TS2009

When referring to the Great Tribulation and the Day of YHWH, each event is described as a time of intense suffering:

• The Great Tribulation is associated with the coming persecution of believers where the Anti-Messiah [Anti-Christ] will be working on the scene to put their faith to the test. These believers are those who claim to know the Father and His Son but the Truth is not in them. They are neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. They reject the Word that Messiah Yahshua came to bring – Torah. They reject and transgress the Father’s Laws and Commandments and have believed the lie rather than the Creator. Yahshua said of these people that He is going to spew them out of His mouth (Revelation 3:15-16)!

• The Day of YHWH will be a time of divine judgment and culmination of YHWH’s wrath upon the earth where He will execute His judgment on the unrepentant sinners. It will be a time of destruction for the wicked and restoration for the righteous. 

Will you be delivered?

“Seek good and not evil, so that you live. And let יהוה Elohim of hosts be with you, as you have spoken. Hate evil and love good, and set up right-ruling in the gate. It might be that יהוה Elohim of hosts shows favour to the remnant of Yosĕph.”

Amos‬ 5:14-15‬ TS2009‬‬‬‬‬‬

If we seek good and hate that which is evil (transgression of YHWH’s Laws) then justice and righteousness will be a part of our lives. But many choose to do what is evil and will not repent.

“But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone called ‘a brother,’ if he is one who whores, or greedy of gain, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler – not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are inside? But Elohim judges those who are outside. And put away the wicked one from among you!”

Qorintiyim Aleph (1 Corinthians)‬ 5:11-13‬ TS2009‬‬‬‬‬‬

Hidden within thousands of denominations are those indoctrinated by religion who are not grounded in sound biblical doctrine because by such teaching, it would require one to walk in complete submission with Almighty YHWH. It would mean that these pastoral leaders – those giving spiritual guidance - would risk losing their congregation, who fill their pockets for greedy gain, but instead, they accept and tolerate all kinds of sin and false teachings, while disguising their abominations behind the façade of what they call, “love.”

““Her priests have done violence to My teaching and they profane My set-apart matters. They have not distinguished between the set-apart and profane, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean. And they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, and I am profaned in their midst.”

 “Her leaders in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy lives, and to get greedy gain.”

Yehezqĕl (Ezekiel)‬ 22:26-27‬ TS2009‬‬‬‬‬

We are to put away the wicked man from among us, even the so-called, “ministers” who are leading the flock astray. These ministers have blasphemed and cast aside YHWH’s Laws as insignificant and have turned their ears from the Father’s Torah. They are leading many on the broad path with falsehood. And those who are not grounded in sound biblical doctrine are the ones who believe that YHWH will wink an eye and pardon them in their sins without any eternal consequences. 

“And for this reason Elohim will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

II Thessalonians‬ 2:11-12‬ ‬‬‬

What is Truth? 

“Your righteousness is righteousness forever, And Your Torah is truth.”

Psalm 119:142

If we are not walking in the Truth, in which the Holy Scriptures define as the Torah, we are then walking in lawlessness which is sin (1 John 3:4). Mend your ways before He judges. Pray that you may be counted worthy to escape what is to come (Luke 21:36), and that Great and Terrible day, lest you fall into the hands of an angry Elohim which awaits us if we fail to obey Him and keep His Commandments. 

“My shield is upon Elohim, Who saves the upright in heart.”

Tehillim (Psalm 7:10

YHWH saves those who are keeping His Commandments. But those who transgress shall not escape the sword!  

“Elohim is a righteous judge. And Ěl is enraged every day, If one does not repent! He sharpens His sword, He bends His bow and makes it ready, And He has prepared for Himself instruments of death; He makes His arrows hot for pursuers.”

Tehillim (Psalms)‬ 7:11-13‬ TS2009‬‬‬‬‬‬

Many of those with high expectations of being whisked away in a Rapture will cower and fall away because they trusted in men instead of seeking YHWH and His Truth (2 Thessalonians 2:3; Proverbs 10:30). 

“Oh! For great is that day, there is none like it. And it is the time of Ya‛aqoḇ’s distress, but he shall be saved out of it.”

Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah)‬ 30:7‬ TS2009‬‬‬‬‬‬

Yahshua said that if the Master would not shorten the days for the sake of His chosen Elect, no flesh would be saved [preserved], for those days shall be tribulation (Mark 13:19), but the nations He will make a complete end. 

The Greek word, “thlipsis” is translated as affliction, from the Hebrew word, “tsar” meaning, great pressure.

“And you, do not fear, O Ya‛aqoḇ My servant,’ declares יהוה, ‘nor be discouraged, O Yisra’ĕl. For look, I am saving you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity. And Ya‛aqoḇ shall return, and have rest and be at ease, with no one to trouble him. For I am with you,’ declares יהוה, ‘to save you. Though I make a complete end of all nations where I have scattered you, yet I do not make a complete end of you. But I shall reprove you in judgment, and by no means leave you unpunished.’”

Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah)‬ 30:10-11‬ TS2009‬‬‬‬‬‬

YHWH’s judgment will be upon the lukewarm for their waywardness and shall give them up to the sword. But if they return to YHWH with all their hearts and cry out to Him in their distress, He will hear their cry and deliver them. 

““In your distress, when all these words shall come upon you in the latter days, then you shall return to יהוה your Elohim and shall obey His voice. “For יהוה your Elohim is a compassionate Ěl, He does not forsake you, nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.”

Deḇarim (Deuteronomy)‬ 4:30-31‬ TS2009‬‬‬‬‬‬

The faith of many during that time will be sifted like wheat, tried and tested, because they chose their own way, but for the set-apart ones who kept His Word - His chosen Elect - they will be kept from the hour of trial that will come upon the whole world. It will be a time of such great distress like none other since the beginning of the world. It is possible that even unbelievers will come to repentance and believe upon Messiah Yahshua.

Strong's G5083 τηρέω tēréō, tay-reh'-o; from τερός terós To keep: to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon); to attend to carefully; take care of; observe; preserve.

““And I gave her time to repent of her whoring, and she did not repent. “See, I am throwing her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great affliction, unless they repent of their works. “And I shall slay her children with death. And all the assemblies shall know that I am the One searching the kidneys and hearts. And I shall give to each one of you according to your works.”

Ḥazon (Revelation)‬ 2:21-23‬ TS2009‬‬‬‬‬‬

Return to YHWH and walk in Truth while there is still time. Only the Church of Philadelphia, who remain faithful and true – those who keep the Commandments of YHWH and hold the testimony of Yahshua - will be protected during the hour of trial aka Great Tribulation [Jacob’s Trouble]. The rest of the assemblies will be tried in the furnace of affliction.

The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. 

Revelation 12:14 NIV

Believing Israel will have a place prepared by YHWH where she will be protected and nourished in the wilderness away from the presence of the serpent.

“And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to fight with the remnant of her seed, those guarding the commands of Elohim and possessing the witness of יהושע Messiah.”

Ḥazon (Revelation)‬ 12:17‬ TS2009‬‬‬‬‬‬

The dragon, who is also called, “the devil,” wars against the "rest of her offspring," those who keep the Commandments of YHWH and possess the witness of Yahshua.

““Because you have guarded My Word of endurance, I also shall guard you from the hour of trial which shall come upon all the world, to try those who dwell on the earth.”

Ḥazon (Revelation)‬ 3:10‬ TS2009‬‬‬‬‬‬

Those who remain faithful servants that walk according to the Father’s will and obey His Commandments will overcome and reign forever with King Yahshua!

““To him who overcomes I shall give to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.” ’ ””

Ḥazon (Revelation)‬ 3:21-22‬ TS2009‬‬‬‬‬‬ 

Therefore, a remnant shall return, the remnant of Ya’aqob [Jacob], from among the nations who will escape the sword; those who stay faithful and true, who possess both faith and obedience to the Laws and Commandments of YHWH and endure until the very end. It will be them that return to Almighty YHWH, never again to lean upon him who struck them, but lean on the Set-Apart One of Israel in Truth (Isaiah 10:20-22).

““Yet I will leave a remnant, so that you may have some who escape the sword among the nations, when you are scattered through the countries.”

Ezekiel‬ 6:8‬ NKJV‬‬‬‬‬‬

So, brothers and sisters, hold on to what you have and do not let anyone or anything take your crown! King Yahshua is returning soon! HalleluYAH!

(@thegraftedones)

Who is Wisdom

Who is Wisdom?

24 “For Wisdom is more moving than any motion: she passeth and goeth through all things by reason of her pureness.

25 For she is the breath of the power of Elohim, and a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty: therefore can no defiled thing fall into her.” 

Wisdom of Solomon 7:24-25

According to the Wisdom of Solomon and his proverbs, Who is Wisdom?

22 “Yahweh possessed me at the beginning of His way,

Before His deeds of old.

23 I was set up ages ago, at the first, Before the earth ever was.

24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no springs heavy with water.” 

Proverbs 8:22-24

Proverbs 8 is not speaking of a woman. In Hebrew, the word, "Wisdom" is of feminine gender, but we do find an inspired description of Wisdom personified as YHWH's characteristics.

30 “Then I was beside Him, as a master workman;

And I was a daily delight,

Rejoicing always before Him,

31 Rejoicing in the world, His earth,

My delight is in the sons of men.” 

Proverbs 8:30

In verse 30, the expression, “master workman” is used referring to Wisdom being with YHWH. As a master workman, Wisdom actively worked with the Father during the creation of all things. There is no mention of a second elohim or co-creator except that it is simply a poetic personification.

This falls into place with the "in the beginning" Genesis account when YHWH spoke forth His Words of Wisdom into existence.

Strong's 3056 LOGOS: devine utterance; speech; message. It is the Word [LOGOS] spoken by YHWH to denote His decrees or commands.

2 “My purpose is that their hearts joined together in love, may be encouraged. May they have all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, leading to a true knowledge of the mystery of Elohim – that is, Messiah, 

3 In Him, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.” Colossians 2:2-3

Messiah Yahshua is the embodiment of the Father’s Wisdom. 

22 ”And since Yehuḏim ask a sign, and Greeks seek wisdom,

23 yet we proclaim Messiah impaled, to the Yehuḏim a stumbling-block and to the Greeks foolishness,

24 but to those who are called – both Yehuḏim and Greeks – Messiah, the power of Elohim and the wisdom of Elohim.” 

1 Corinthians 1:22-24

Messiah is considered the Wisdom of YHWH in Corinthians because of what He accomplishes through Him.

30 “And of Him you are in Messiah יהושע, who became for us wisdom from Elohim, righteousness also, and set-apartness and redemption,

31 that, as it has been written, “He who boasts, let him boast in יהוה.”    

1 Corinthians 1:30-31

41”The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. 

42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.” Matthew 12:41-42

Yahshua is the power and the Wisdom of YHWH and His name is called, "The Word of YHWH" [Rev 19:13].

Be Set Apart

What does it mean to be “set apart”? To be set apart is to obey the Word of YAH. When we obey His Commandments, including His Set-Apart 7th day Sabbath, which is the 4th Commandment, we are set apart. When we obey our Father's Torah, we show our love for Him and it sets us apart.

Let’s begin in Hebrews 12:14 [Apostolic writings – NT]:

“Pursue peace with all, and pursue apartness without which no one shall see the Master.”

This verse clearly tells us that without set-apartness, we will not see the Master.  Do you want to see the Master? We must be set apart from the rest of the world; we are in the world but we are not of the world for this is not our home and it is only temporary.

Isaiah 45:5 “I am יהוה, and there is none else – there is no Elohim besides Me.”

YAH is Set Apart and there is none else like Him. He is a holy Elohim and we are called to be holy as He is holy.

Isaiah 55:6 “Seek יהוה while He is to be found; call on Him while He is near.”

Isaiah 55:7 “Let the wrong forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to יהוה, who has compassion on him, and to our Elohim, for He pardons much.”

Scriptures say we are to forsake our way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; otherwise, we will run contrary to Almighty YAH. This means we are to forsake religious ways; we are to forsake doctrines of men and TESHUVAH – return to the Father in obedience. He is a loving and merciful Father and pardons much.

Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares יהוה.”

9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

We need to lean not on our own understanding and our own thoughts but lean on His by putting our trust in Him and walk in His ways.

Are we not called to be a peculiar, set-apart, and chosen people? Remember, Messiah is not returning for a foreign bride but for one that is spotless and set-apart. HalleluYAH!

[@thegraftedones]

The Ten Words

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35

YHWH’s laws are pure, eternal, just. (Psalm 19:9)

The Law is everlasting, which means FOREVER.

”These Words יהוה spoke to all your assembly, in the mountain from the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a loud voice, and He added no more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.“

‭‭Deḇarim (Deuteronomy)‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬ ‭TS2009

The Ten Commandments are also called the “Ten Words.” They are the Father's Instructions for us to live a righteous and holy life.

Deḇarim (Deuteronomy) 5:31 TS2009

But you, stand here by Me, and let Me speak to you all the commands, and the laws, and the right-rulings which you are to teach them. And they shall do them in the land which I am giving them to possess.’

YHWH gave Mosheh the rest of the Torah commands to teach the children of Israel. We are to keep His Laws and Commandments, which also include the dietary laws. We are not to add or take away from His Word.

“What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” Deuteronomy 12:32

”“Do not add to the Word which I command you, and do not take away from it, so as to guard the commands of יהוה your Elohim which I am commanding you.“

‭‭Deḇarim (Deuteronomy)‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬ ‭TS2009‬‬

The Commandments are not impossible to keep and are not burdensome. The Law is holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7:12).

Only those who see that “His commandments are not burdensome” will end up keeping them. 

Your word is a lamp for my feet,

a light on my path.

Psalm 119:105

David here is saying the Word or Law shine light in his life showing him how to walk and live.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James 1:22 

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of Elohim and obey it.”

Luke 11:28 

What does it mean to “obey” the Word?  Obedience to the Father is the only answer, and you can only be obedient if you keep His Commandments.

”Let your light so shine before men, so that they see your good works and praise your Father who is in the heavens. 

Do not think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to complete. For truly, I say to you, till the heaven and the earth pass away, one yod or one tittle shall by no means pass from the Torah till all be done. 

Whoever, then, breaks one of the least of these commands, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the reign of the heavens; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the reign of the heavens.“

‭‭Mattithyahu (Matthew)‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭19‬ ‭TS2009‬

Heaven and earth are still here… YHWH’s Law has not disappeared.

“For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” Psalms 33:9

“My covenant will I not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.” Psalms 89:34

Guard the Commandments of YHWH and receive His blessings and favor. No good thing does YHWH withhold from those who walk uprightly.

“For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O YHWH, You surround him with favor as with a shield.” Psalms 5:12

[@thegraftedones]

Spiritual Adultery

YHWH keeps His covenant and mercy only with those who keep His commandments and they are the ones who love Him. Judgment comes for those who refuse to repent of their pagan witchcraft. And because they will not repent, they will suffer through tribulation.

Deḇarim (Deuteronomy) 7:9-10 TS2009

[9] “And you shall know that יהוה your Elohim, He is Elohim, the trustworthy Ěl guarding covenant and loving-commitment for a thousand generations with those who love Him, and those who guard His commands,

[10] but repaying those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He does not delay to do so with him who hates Him, He repays him to his face.” 

1 John 5:21 says, “Guard yourselves from idols.” YHWH hates idolatry. It is spiritual adultery. If we continue to follow the customs of the nations and not according to the way that YHWH our Elohim, wants to be worshipped then we will be given up to a strong delusion because we love the lie and not the truth.

Jeremiah 10:2-4

“Thus saith YAHWEH, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.” 

Deuteronomy 16:21 LSB

[21] “You shall not plant for yourself an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of Yahweh your God, which you shall make for yourself. 

[22] And you shall not set up for yourself a sacred pillar which Yahweh your God hates.

Unrepentant sin leads to de*th. We must have a humble and contrite heart that trembles at the word of YHWH and only those doing His commandments will enter His kingdom. Those who participate in idolatry of any kind are breaking His commandments and will not enter.

Revelation 22:14-15

[14] “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

[15] For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” 

YHWH’s Word has been perverted and blasphemed. Many think those who rebuke are just prideful and arrogant but it is because they care for their soul that they warn by proclaiming the Truth in love. It is better to sound the alarm than for YHWH’s wrath to be upon them.

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” 

Revelation 18:4

Do not love the world. Anything of the world, like the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is at enmity with YHWH and His love is not in such a person. The world will pass away but he that does the will of YHWH will abide forever (1 John 2:15-17).

Remember that repentance has been given to the Gentiles as well. They must be grafted into the commonwealth of Israel and keep His covenant. 

Proverbs 4:27 NIV

Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

May He open our eyes to the error of our ways. Repent while there's still time! 

~Shalom.