CHRISTENDOM'S STRANGE GOSPEL

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION

Opening Text: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Matt. 24:14).

The word "gospel" in the general sense, means something accepted or promoted as infallible truth or as a guiding principle or doctrine. See Merriam Webster Dictionary.

In Christian parlance, the word "gospel" means the message concerning Christ, the kingdom of GOD, and salvation. It means the message concerning the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Gospel of the kingdom is gospel of righteousness. The text says: "All unrighteousness is sin ...." (1 Jn. 5:17). Since that is so, sin is unrighteousness. Sin is defined in the following terms: "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law" (1 Jn. 3:4). It follows that every transgression of the Law of GOD is an act of unrighteousness. And so it is written in the Torah: "And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our GOD, as He hath commanded us" (Deut. 6:25).

Gospel of the kingdom is also called the everlasting gospel, for the text says: "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear GOD, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of GOD, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of GOD, and the faith of Jesus" (Rev. 14:6-12).

Chapter 2: YHVH -- GOD OF COVENANT

A covenant is a usually formal, solemn and binding agreement usually under seal between two or more parties for the performance of some action. The covenant made between GOD and Israel was sealed by blood, for it is written: "And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do. And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oven unto the LORD. And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basins; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words" (Ex. 24:3-8). See also Heb. 9:18-20. And it is written: "Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with My by sacrifice" (Ps. 50:5).

GOD is in a covenant relationship with all of His creation in heaven, earth and sea. Every one of His creation obey Him and fulfill their purpose in creation. It is written: "He has given meat unto them that fear Him: He will ever be mindful of His covenant" (Ps. 111:5). Whether as concerns His covenant laws or His covenant promises, GOD is ever mindful of His covenant. Thus He said, concerning Israel and her covenant unfaithfulness: "You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. Can two walk together except they be agreed" (Amos 3:2-3). As with Israel, so also with the Gentiles, as will be made clear presently.

Concerning David \[as a metaphor for Yahshua\], He said: "If his children forsake My law, and walk not in My judgments; if they break My statutes, and keep not My commandments; Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless, My lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer My faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips. Once have I sworn by My holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before Me. It shall be established forever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven" (Ps. 89:30-37).

And concerning King David He said: "...And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be His Father, and he shall be My son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But My mercy shall not depart away from him...." (2 Sam. 7:12-15).

GOD does not forget His covenant. Since the He set the bow in the sky, thousands of years ago, as a token of His covenant with Noah and all creation, however hard it rains with the attendant flood, the appearance of the bow in the sky always provides a silver lining that the world is not going to be overthrown by flood waters.

GOD does not speak lightly. He means whatever He says. Therefore, He said to His faithful servant, Moses : "Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words have I made a covenant with thee and with Israel" (Ex. 34:27).

The Psalmist said: "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle. And herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strenghteneth man's heart. The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon which He hath planted; where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from GOD. the sun ariseth they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. O LORD, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches" (Ps. 104:14-24).

In another place the Psalmist said: "Forever, O LORD, Thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to Thine ordinances: for all are Thy servants" (Ps. 119:89-91). That is so.

And it is written: "Thus saith the LORD; If My covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth; Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob and David My servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them" (Jer. 33:25-26). See also Jer. 31:35-26; Ps. 74:16-17; Ps. 89:8-12; Ps. 24:1-2.

A covenant-keeping GOD He is. He said in His heart to Noah after He smelled a sweet savour from Noah's burnt offering on the altar: "I will not again curse the ground anymore for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite anymore everything living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease" (Gen. 8:21-22).

GOD said to Noah and to his sons with him, among other things: "And I, behold, I establish My covenant with you, and with your seed after you; And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. And I will establish My covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off anymore by the waters of a flood; neither shall there anymore be a flood to destroy the earth... This is the token of the covenant which I make between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between GOD and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth... This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between Me and all flesh that is upon the earth" (Gen. 9:9-17). The terms and reality of that covenant has remains to date.

And to Abraham, after he had sacrificed to GOD a heifer of three years old, a she-goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtle dove, and a young pigeon, which GOD had requested from him, GOD said to Abraham: "Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full" (Gen. 15:13-16).

On the same day, GOD made a covenant with Abraham, and said unto him: "Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites" (Verses 18-21).

GOD also made a covenant of circumcision with father Abraham and his seed after him. GOD said unto him: "I am the Almighty GOD; walk before Me, and be thou perfect. And I will make My covenant between Me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly... As for Me, behold My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name anymore be called Abram, but thy name shall be called Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a GOD unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their GOD... Thou shalt keep My covenant therefore, thou and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is My covenant, which ye shall keep, between Me and you, and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt Me and you. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken My covenant" (Gen. 17:1-2, 4-14).

GOD went further and said: "Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year" (Gen. 17:19-21).

To Isaac, GOD said: "Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of. Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws" (Gen. 26:2-5).

And unto Jacob, GOD said: "I am the LORD GOD of Abraham thy father, and the GOD of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of" (Gen. 28:13-15).

Moreover, GOD also said to Jacob: "Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name... I am GOD Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land" (Gen. 35:10-12).

Therefore, it is said by the Psalmist: "He hath remembered His covenant forever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations. Which covenant He made with Abraham, and His oath unto Isaac; And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance" (Ps. 105:8-11).

A covenant-keeping GOD He is. When Moses met Him at Horeb at the burning bush, He called him out of the midst of the bush and said to him, among other things: "...I am the GOD of thy father, the GOD of Abraham, the GOD of Isaac, and the GOD of Jacob... I have surely seen the affliction of My people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto Me: and I have seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharoah, that thou mayest bring forth My people the children of Israel out of Egypt...I AM THAT I AM. Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you... Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the LORD GOD of your fathers, the GOD of Abraham, the GOD of Isaac, and the GOD of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is My name forever, and this is My memorial unto all generations" (Ex. 3:6-10, 14-15).

GOD's relationship with man is always covenant-based. The covenant between GOD and His people is a suzerain covenant. GOD is the superior party. It is an agreement between a Master and His servant.

As all things that He created are His servants, GOD called all of Israel His servants, for it is written: "For they are My servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen...For unto Me the children of Israel are servants; they are My servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your GOD" (Lev. 25:42, 55).

The foregoing makes it clear that GOD's dealings with man is always covenant- based.

It is not all about placing obligations on man. It must be understood that GOD's covenant with man also has its promises. And because there are reciprocal obligations in a covenant, it is a two-way traffic. Either party has obligations to fulfill in every covenant relationship. To receive or obtain GOD's covenant promises, man necessarily has to fulfill His covenant obligations.

In the time of Noah (the antediluvian world), it is said that there were seven Noahide laws, which were GOD's standard of righteousness required of man. Those were covenant obligations. These are outlined in Jewish tradition from the Hebrew Bible and Talmud as follows:

• Do not worship idols: Acknowledge that there is a single GOD who cares about what we are doing and desires that we take care of His world. Do not practice idolatory or honour false gods.

• Do not curse GOD: Do not use profane language or Curse the Creator. No matter how angry you may be, do not take it out verbally against your Creator.

3. Do not murder: Do not take a human life. the value of human life cannot be measured. To destroy a single human life is to destroy the entire world -- because, for that person, the world has ceased to exist. It follows that by sustaining a single human life, you are sustaining an entire universe.

4. Do not commit forbidden sexual acts: Harness and channel the human libido. This prohibits incest, adultery, and other illicit relationships. The family unit is the foundation of human society. Sexuality is the fountain of life and so nothing is more holy than the sexual act. So, too, when abused, nothing can be more debasing and destructive to the human being.

• Do not steal: Do not take what belongs to others. Whatever benefits you receive in this world, make sure that none of them are at the unfair expense of someone else.

• Do not eat a limb from a living animal: Avoid cruelty to animals. As intelligent beings, we have a duty not to cause undue pain to other creatures. Do not consume meat torn from a live creature.

7. Establish courts of law and ensure justice in our world: Set up legal systems and enforce fair judgment to uphold the other laws. With every small act of justice, we are restoring harmony to our world, synchronizing it with a supernal order. That is why we must keep the laws established by our government for the country's stability and harmony. See generally Chabad.ORG

Noah fulfilled these covenant obligations. Noah therefore, found grace in the sight of GOD, for it is written: "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD... Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with GOD" (Gen. 6:8-9). Elsewhere, Noah was said to be a preacher of righteousness. (2 Pet. 2:5).

The Scriptures say: "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3). It was GOD who posed the question. He posed it because Israel ran foul of its covenant obligations. In fact, all of GOD's controversies with Israel were as a result of Israel's inability to live up to the responsibility of their covenant obligations. GOD then sends His prophets to warn the people against their failings and call them back to their covenant obligations so as to forestall the wrath of GOD.

Prophets of GOD are usually the enforcers of GOD's covenant. They are inspired to cry aloud and warn the people of a lurching doom whenever the people begin to abandon their covenant obligations. Thus GOD spoke through the Prophet Amos saying, "Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 3:1-3). That harks back to the covenant made with GOD at Sinai. See again Ex. 19:4-8.

It had to be a covenant relationship between GOD and Noah's generation that defined Noah's walk with GOD. When one obeys his covenant obligations with GOD, he is said to walk with GOD. To put it plainly and without obfuscation, Noah obeyed the laws of GOD.

Concerning father Abraham, GOD said: "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him" (Gen. 18:19). There is no question that this is an allusion to Abraham's covenant obligations.

To put it beyond surmise or conjecture, then GOD said: "Because that Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws" (Gen. 26:5).

There are covenant promises. These are covenant blessings. We shall talk about them in some detail presently.

Be not deceived! There can be no covenant blessings without the fulfillment of covenant obligations. The benefits and the burden run together. And those obligations are spelt out by GOD in His laws.

Chapter 3: THE COVENANT OF GOD WITH ISRAEL AND GENTILES

When Israel became a nation, following their redemption from Egyptian bondage, Israel entered into a covenant relationship with GOD. Here is the narrative:

"In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same they came they into the wilderness of Sinai. For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. And Moses went up unto GOD, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying: "Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles\' wings, and brought you unto Myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD" (Ex. 19:1-8). A covenant was then forged between GOD and Israel.

The covenant was not forged with Israel only. It was forged with the Gentiles also. Israel only appeared to be the dominant party, eclipsing the Gentiles, much akin to the way the tribe Judah eclipsed the tribe of Benjamin and the Priests and Levites who remained with the southern kingdom when the ten Northern tribes (Israel) separated from the south. This is because, present at Sinai at the time of the covenant was made, were a mix of people of other nations, Gentiles, who left Egypt with Israel during the exodus. They had accepted the GOD of Israel, apparently as a result of the manifestation of His great power in signs and wonders in Egypt during the plagues over which the gods of Egypt were powerless to save Egypt and others who worshipped their gods, for so it is recorded: "And a mixed multitude went up also with them...." (Ex. 12:38). They had made up their minds to join Israel and serve Israel's GOD. The nation of Egypt, it is said, was quite cosmopolitan at the time. These people were referred to as strangers.

To buttress the point, when GOD gave the covenant laws to Israel, He emphatically commanded that the same laws applied to the strangers with them in their generations. Here are the instances:

The Law regarding keeping of the LORD's Feast of Passover (Pesach) was binding on all, for it is written: "All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you" (Ex. 12:47-49).

The same for the Law regarding the keeping of the second Passover (Pesach Sheni). It is written: "And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the Passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the Passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land" (Num. 9:14).

As concerns the Law on observance of the Day of Atonement (Yom ha Kippurim) fast and the perpetuity of the Fast day, it is written: "And this shall be a statute forever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you" (Lev. 16:29).

On the Law prohibiting the eating of blood, it is written: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood" (Lev. 17:11-12).

On the Law regarding the place to present or offer burnt sacrifice to GOD, it is written: "And thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering or sacrifice, And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the LORD; even that man shall be cut off from among his people" (Lev. 17:8-9).

On the Law prohibiting eating of that which died of itself or torn by beast, it is written: "And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean. But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity" (Lev. 17:15-16).

On the Law prohibiting incest and sexual immorality generally, it is written: "Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you" (Lev. 18:26).

On the Law prohibiting human sacrifice to molech, god of the Amonites, it is written: "Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones" (Lev. 20:2).

On the Law of bringing animal offerings to GOD, it is written: "And if a stranger sojourn with you, or whosoever be among you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; as ye do, so he shall do. One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance forever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD. One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you" (Num. 15:14-16).

On the Law regarding ignorant sins, it is written: "Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them" (Num. 15:29).

On the Law of purification for sin with water of separation wherein is the ashes of the heifer regarding defilement by the dead, it is written: "And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: and it shall be unto the children of Israel, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among them, for a statute forever" (Num. 19:10).

In further proof of the Almighty GOD's design and purpose of inclusivity, the Law of GOD says: "And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your GOD" (Lev. 19:33-34).

Shabbat observance is the cornerstone of the worship of the GOD of Israel. Even on the most important institution of the Shabbat, GOD did not exclude non-Israelites from its observance. The Shabbat is the very sign or mark that distinguishes one as worshipping the true GOD. It is written: "And hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your GOD" (Ezek. 20:20).

Shabbat is the sign that one belongs to the GOD of Israel and married to Him. It is written in the Law of GOD: "Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.... Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed" (Ex. 31:13, 16-17). See also Ezek. 20:12.

A non-Israelite who believes in the GOD of Israel is, by Law, obligated to observe the Shabbat. It is written in the Law of GOD: "But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy GOD: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates" (Ex. 20:10).

And speaking by the mouth of the Prophet Isaiah, the Almighty GOD said: "Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my Covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. The LORD GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him" (Isa. 56:2-8).

When the covenant was renewed in the land of Moab, the Gentiles and their future generations were part of the renewal of the Covenant of GOD with Israel, for it is written: "Keep therefore the words of this Covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do. Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your GOD; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel, Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water: That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy GOD, and into His oath, which the LORD thy GOD maketh with thee this day: That He may establish thee today for a people unto Himself, and that He may be unto thee a GOD, as He hath said unto thee, and as He hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath; But with him that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our GOD, and also with him that is not here with us this day" (Deut. 29:9-15).

It follows that the covenant was not only as between GOD and Israel in all their generations, but also with the Gentiles in all their generations.

The covenant bound Israel then present, and their unborn or future generations. Likewise the covenant bound the Gentiles then present, and unborn or future generations of Gentiles who will worship and serve the GOD of Israel.

GOD adopted the Gentiles the same way Israel was adopted, although it was not very obvious before the manifestation of the Messiah and his death on the cross of Calvary. This follows from the fact that the blood was shed in the realm of the spirit from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8) and had been active ever since before its physical manifestation in the first century AD. It is obvious from the admittance of Gentiles into the worship and service of the GOD of Israel long before the manifestation and death of the Messiah in the flesh.

GOD's desire to preserve a people with a distinct identity as people of the true Creator-GOD gave rise to the feeling in Israelites of a false sense of Jewish superciliousness or hubris, if not exclusivism. It is desire by GOD to preserve a people with a distinct identity and espoused to the one true GOD that gave rise to the laws which seemed contrary to the Gentiles- such laws as made it unlawful for a Jew to keep company or come unto one of another nation, alluded to by the Apostle Peter while he preached the Christ and the message of salvation to the Gentile Cornelius and members of his household, following his vision in which he was shown animals forbidden in the dietary laws of GOD (laws of kashruth) to be eaten, and a voice bidding him to rise, kill and eat. The defiled animals being symbolic only of the Gentiles. The details are in the tenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, particularly Acts 10:28, where the Apostle Peter said: "Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but GOD hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean."

GOD is the Almighty Creator. He created Israel. He created the Gentiles. Both are His workmanship created in Yahshua (Jesus) the Messiah unto good works, as it is said: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which GOD hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10). That was the Apostle Paul writing to the Ephesians. He also wrote: "Blessed be the GOD and Father of our Lord Jesus, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will" (Eph. 1:3-5). They are Gentiles.

To reiterate, in adopting Israel, GOD's singular desire was to raise a people of the true GOD for a special identity, a people preserved for His name as distinct from the nations of the world who do not have the true GOD.

GOD's salvation plan was and is not exclusive to Israel. Put another way, Israel was first adopted by GOD with a view to establishing a nation that would bring knowledge of the true GOD to the nations of the world (Gentiles or heathens as they are called). It was a world that had no notion of the existence of the Creator GOD or true GOD. It was a world that was content with worship of the creature rather than the Creator, as it is said: "who changed the truth of GOD into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever, Amen" (Rom. 1:25).

The place of Israel is captured thus: "Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of GOD, and knowest His will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; and art confident that thou thyself are a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law" (Rom. 2:17-20).

GOD said to Zion: "For thy Maker is thine Husband; the LORD of hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer the Holy one of Israel; The GOD of the whole earth shall He be called" (Isa. 54:5). If He is GOD only to literal Israel, He cannot be GOD of the whole earth.

All are equal before Him. What applies to the Israelite applies with equal force to the Gentile as well. As the Apostle Paul asked the Romans (Gentiles): "Is He GOD of the Jews only? Is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one GOD, which shall justify the circumcision \[Jews\] by faith, and uncircumcision \[Gentiles\] through faith" (Rom. 3:29-30).

In Yahshua (Jesus) the Messiah it is said: "For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek \[Gentile\]: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10: 11-13).

It is also said: "For ye are all children of GOD by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek \[Gentile\], there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:26-29). The Gentile is expected to put on Christ as much as the Jew is required to do the same, as it is said by the Apostle Peter: "But we believe that through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we \[Jews\] shall be saved, even as they \[Gentiles\]" (Acts 15:11). To put on Christ is simply to obey GOD in the example of Christ.

It is therefore, said to the Gentiles: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of GOD, they are the sons of GOD. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of GOD" (Rom. 8:14-16).

ONE LAW, ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL

YHVH the GOD of Israel always intended that there be no difference between Jews and Gentiles who accept Him, obey Him and maintain fidelity to His covenant, because the basis of the adoption of Israel is obedience to Him and fidelity to His covenant. It is a covenant of obedience, as a servant should obey his master in all things, for it is written: "Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the GOD of Israel; put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh. For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey My voice, and I will be your GOD, and ye shall be My people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you" (Jer. 7:21-23).

It is said: "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh: not with eye service, as menpleasers: but in singleness of heart, fearing GOD: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the LORD, and not unto men: knowing that of the LORD ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons" (Col. 3:22-25).

Any Gentile who obeys GOD on the basis of His covenant is considered an Israelite, for it is written: "And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Lev. 19:33-34). Israel here connotes not just literal Israel, but anyone who believes in the GOD of Israel and believes in His Christ (the Messiah) -- one who obeys GOD in the example of Christ. He is the true Israelite.

And it is said, by the Apostle Peter: "Of a truth I perceive that GOD is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him" (Acts 10:34-35).

It is a covenant of priesthood. It is the place of the priest to be a shining example of holy living, and to teach people the covenant laws of GOD, among other things, for it is written: "...They shall teach Jacob Thy judgments, and Israel Thy law...." (Deut. 33:10). And it is written: "For the Priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts" (Mal. 2:7). This questions the place of Christendom's many "priests" who teach Church traditions and religious dogma rather than GOD's covenant laws.

In any event, GOD's priests are Levitical priests as far as earthly priesthood is concerned. Other so-called priests are strangers and impostors. GOD's covenant does not recognize priests other than Levitical priests who minister according to GOD's covenant laws. Their priesthood continues until the earthly is superceded by the heavenly at the appearance of the Messiah in his second advent, for it is written: "And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto Me in the priest's office. And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats: And thou shalt anoint them as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto Me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations" (Ex. 40:12-15). See also Ex. 29:9.

To Phinehas the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron, GOD said: "Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turns My wrath away for the children of Israel, while he was zealous for My sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in My jealousy. Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him My covenant of peace: And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his GOD, and made an atonement for the children of Israel" (Num. 25:11-13).

It is said: "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: we have such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the LORD pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of GOD when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, Saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount" (Heb. 8:1-5).

It is a covenant with spiritual and physical promises. It is a covenant with earthly and heavenly promises, in other words. It is a covenant to be separated from the world and her ways of iniquity, transgression and sin. It is a covenant to be in the world and not of the world. It is a covenant to serve and obey the only GOD -- YHVH the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, for He only is the Creator and Sovereign of the universe. He alone is the true GOD.

The covenant has the same implications for Gentiles who join themselves to Israel to worship and serve their GOD. The Apostle Peter was right when he wrote to Gentile believers scattered throughout Pontus, Galacia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia (1 Pet. 1:1), saying, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him that hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of GOD: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy" (1 Pet. 2:9-10).

That is because what applies to the Israelite also applies to the Gentile who believes in the GOD of Israel. They both are bound by the same covenant reality. They both are bound by the same covenant laws and standards. The covenant is one. GOD is one, as said by the Apostle Paul: "For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth (as there be gods many, and lords many, But to us there is but one GOD, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him" (1 Cor. 8:5-6). See also Mk. 12:29. It had been written: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our GOD is one LORD" (Deut. 6:4). That is the Shema.

Said the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians (Gentiles): "According as He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Eph. 1:4-11).

He said: "That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel" (Eph. 3:6). And he said: "There is one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one GOD and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Eph. 4:4-6).

It is said: "For the grace of GOD that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearance of the great GOD and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:11-14).

It is a covenant to be a special people, a peculiar treasure. It is a covenant of holy living, for it is written: "For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose Name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones" (Isa. 57:15).

It is written: "For I am the LORD your GOD: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am Holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your GOD: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am Holy" (Lev. 11:44-45).

It is written: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your GOD am Holy" (Lev. 19:2).

It is written: "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your GOD... And ye shall be holy unto Me: for I the LORD am Holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be Mine" (Lev. 20:7, 26).

To reiterate, it is a covenant of holiness. The Jew and the Gentile alike are to be holy, because GOD is holy. The Apostle Peter had this to say to the Gentiles proselytes scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia: "Elect according to the foreknowledge of GOD the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ... As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance. But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" (! Pet. 1:1-2, 14-16).

The Apostle Paul said to the Corinthians: "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of GOD" (2 Cor. 7:1). See also 2 Cor. 6:17-18.

The Apostle Paul said to the Thessalonians: "For GOD hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness" (1 Thess. 4:7).

It is a covenant of righteousness of faith and not of righteousness of the law. Because everything in the covenant law is about being like Yahshua who is the express image of the unseen GOD, both the Jew and the Gentile proselyte are bound to obey the laws in the faith or example of Yahshua, in being spiritual, whose obedience must produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit, of love, kindness, lowliness, meekness, gentility, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, graciousness, patience, endurance, faith, self-control, truthfulness, and judging righteously etc.

The covenant laws are spiritual and only the spiritual can keep them and fulfill their righteous demands, as it is said: "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, and sold under sin" (Rom. 7:14). And it is said: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit... Because the carnal mind is enmity against GOD: for it is not subject to the law of GOD, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please GOD" (Rom. 8:1, 7-8). And it is further said: "...There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam \[Yahshua\] was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit, that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord \[Yahshua\] from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of GOD; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption" (1 Cor. 15:44-50).

To be like Christ is the spirit of the law. Thus, it is said: "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Cor. 3:17).

So then the example or faith of the Messiah of spiritual and righteous obedience to the covenant laws of GOD is paradigmatic for all believers.

Chapter 4: THE ETERNAL COVENANT LAWS OF GOD

The covenant of GOD has its obligations or burden. The obligations are in plain language, His covenant laws. He spoke the laws to Moses and to Israel. Ten of them He wrote with His own fingers. He engraved them on tablets of stone to speak to their immutability and perpetual tenability. They are the ones famously known as the TEN COMMANDMENTS or THE TEN WORD. They are but a synopsis of a broader body of laws which He spoke and taught Moses, His faithful servant.

It is written: "And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to Me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written: that thou mayest teach them" (Ex. 24:12).

It is written: "And He gave unto Moses, when He had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of Testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of GOD" (Ex. 31:18).

It is written: "And the tables were the work of GOD, and the writing was the writing of GOD, graven upon the tables" (Ex. 32:16). See also Ex. 34:1; Deut. 9:10.

The covenant Laws are categorized as Commandments or Testimonies, Statutes and Judgments or Ordinances, for it is written: "And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel: These are the Testimonies, and the Statutes, and the Judgments, which Moses spake unto the children of Israel, after they came forth out of Egypt" (Deut. 4:44-45).

The Ten Commandments are otherwise known as Testimonies (Ex. 31:18). The laws described as statutes relate to the body of laws on ceremonial holiness, dietary laws and GOD's appointed times. Laws described as judgments are also called ordinances. They are laws which regulate and govern interpersonal relationships. All of these laws are commandments from GOD. He spoke all of them.

For the sake of emphasis, and to be clear, before the Almighty GOD spoke the Laws, here is what He said: "Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles\' wings, and brought you unto Myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel" (Ex. 19:4-6).

It was GOD Himself and not Moses, who spoke all the words of the Law, for it is written: "And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee forever...." (Ex. 19:9). Laws proceeded out of the mouth of GOD Himself. To obey them means abundant life on earth and everlasting life. That I what the Messiah meant when, responding to the tempter, he said: "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of GOD" (Matt. 4:4). See also Deut. 8:3; 1 Jn. 2:17.

As recorded in the Scriptures: "And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not GOD speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: For GOD is come to prove you, and that His fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where GOD was" (Ex. 19:18-21).

It is written: "And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the Statutes and Judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them. The LORD our GOD made a covenant with us in Horeb. The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day. The LORD talked with you face to face in the Mount out of the midst of the fire, (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the Mount)...." (Deut. 5:1-5).

It is written: "And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders; And ye said, Behold, the LORD our GOD hath shewed us His glory and his greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that GOD doth talk with man, and he liveth. Now therefore why should we die? For this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our GOD any more, then we shall die. For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living GOD speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our GOD shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our GOD shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it. And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken. O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever! Go say to them, Get you into your tents again. But as for thee, stand thou here by Me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it" (Deut. 5:23-31).

It is also written: "Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your GOD commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the LORD thy GOD, to keep all His statutes and His commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son\'s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD GOD of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our GOD is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy GOD with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might" (Deut. 6:1-5). See also Deut. 7:11; 8:11; 26:17.

And it is written: "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy GOD, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy GOD shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it" (Deut. 30:15-16).

Again, I say, it is obedience to these Covenant laws of the Almighty GOD that assures abundant life on earth and life everlasting, and so it is written: "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do" (Deut. 29:9). It is also written: ""Ye shall therefore keep My statutes, and My judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD" (Lev. 18:5).

It is written: "And I gave them My statutes, and shewed them My judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them... But the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness: they walked not in My statutes, and they despised My judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and My Sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out My fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them...Notwithstanding the children rebelled against Me: they walked not in My statutes, neither kept My judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted My Sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out My fury upon them, to accomplish My anger against them in the wilderness" (Ezek. 20:11, 13, 21). See also Neh. 9:29.

And so GOD charged Joshua, the successor of Moses saying: "Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses My servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" (Josh. 1:7-8).

The king, David, a man after GOD's heart, admonished his son, Solomon in the same terms: "And keep the charge of the LORD thy GOD, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: That the LORD may continue His word which He spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said He) a man on the throne of Israel" (1 Kgs. 2:3-4).

And in the Psalms is recorded: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" (Ps. 1:1-3).

These eternal covenant laws of GOD are also called the "living Oracles of GOD," for the text says: "This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the LORD your GOD raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us" (Acts 7:37-38). The text also says: "What advantage then hath the Jew? Or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of GOD" (Rom. 3:1-2). The text further says: "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of GOD...." (1 Pet. 4:11). In other words, the preacher must preach the oracles of GOD. The oracles are the Divine revelation. They are the message of GOD to man. They constitute the rule of life. They are GOD's manual guide for man's life.

The nations of the world, otherwise called the heathen or Gentiles, worship and serve various gods and goddesses. Other than Israel, nations worship GOD's own creation such as the sun, moon, stars, thunder, etc. They also create their own gods made with wood, stone and iron. They form objects of worship from their own imagination. Some deify fellow humans with superfluous features. Some deify even animals such as cow, monkey and even reptiles like python etc.

The true GOD revealed Himself to Israel and commanded in His law, "I am the LORD thy GOD, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy GOD am a jealous GOD, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments" (Ex. 20:2-6).

GOD's faithful servant, Moses, said to Israel: "And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even Ten commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone. And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it. Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, the likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, the likeness of anything that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: And, and lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy GOD hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto Him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day" (Deut. 4:12-20).

It is written in the prophets: "Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the LORD, 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. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither is it also in them to do good... But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities. Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: ble and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men. But the LORD is the true GOD. He is the living GOD, and an everlasting King: at His wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide His indignation. Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under the heavens... The portion of Jacob is not like them: for He is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of His inheritance: The LORD of Hosts is His name" (Jer. 10:1-5, 9-11, 16). See also Isa. 40:19-25; Isa. 41:7, 23-24; Ps. 135:15-17; 115:4-7.

It is written in the Psalms: "For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens" (Ps. 96:5).

He is called the GOD of Israel for distinction. He is to be distinguished from the gods of the nations.

To accept Him, worship and serve Him is to enter into a covenant relationship Him. He has His own way. A peculiar and unique way. He is the Almighty GOD. Lesser gods, gods of the nations (Gentiles) ape Him, at best. You must worship and serve Him only on the basis of His covenant. It is the covenant laws handed down at Mount Sinai that define, regulate and govern your relationship with Him. The covenant laws are from Him. He formulated them and handed them to Israel. No one is permitted to add or subtract from the covenant laws, for it is written: "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your GOD which I command you" (Deut. 4:2).

It is written: "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it" (Deut. 12:32).

It is written: "Every word of GOD is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar" (Prov. 30:5-6). See also Ps. 12:6.

And it is said: "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this Book, If any man shall add unto these things, GOD shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this Book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the Book of this prophecy, GOD shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this Book" (Rev. 22:18-19).

Pivotal to acceptance, subscription to and alignment with the covenant is the punctilious observance of the Shabbat. The seventh day Shabbat, that is. The Sabbath is the distinguishing mark that one belongs to the GOD of Israel. In other words, if your GOD is the Elohim of Israel, then Keep the Shabbat unto Him. It is as plain as that.

It is fundamental, for it is written: "...Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: everyone that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: Whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed. And He gave unto Moses, when He had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of Testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of GOD" (Ex. 31:12-18). We have shown hitherto that Gentiles are part of the Shabbat covenant. See again Ex. 20:10; Isaiah 56:2-8.

It is also written: "Moreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between Me and them, that they may know that I am the LORD that sanctify them" (Ezek. 20:12).

To observe the Sabbath is to show that the GOD of Israel is your GOD, for there are many gods and many lords, as it is said: "For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth (as there be gods many, and lords many" (1 Cor.8:5). The sun (from whence Sunday worship came), moon, stars, thunder, moon, stone, wood and many other works of GOD's creation are deities to Gentiles.

Therefore it is written: "And hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your GOD" (Ezek. 20:20).

It is written: "Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD Your GOD. Ye shall keep My Sabbaths, and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD.

Chapter 5: THE COVENANT LAWS ARE FOREVER

The covenant laws are not dispensational. They do not change with time. They are unchanging, unchangeable, ever sure and living as GOD the lawgiver Himself. It is a mistake of galactic proportions by so-called preachers to view the laws as "Old Testament" and Mosaic, and therefore passed away or nailed to the cross. The categorization of the Bible as Old and New Testaments is artificial and entirely man-made. The Council of Hippo in A.D. 393 and Council of Carthage in A.D. 397 had something to do with this wrong perception. See the title "The two Jesuses."

When GOD said to Moses, "Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee forever...." (Ex. 19:9), GOD was simply alluding to the perpetuity of the covenant laws.

And when Yahshua said, "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled" (Matt. 5:18), he was speaking to its perpetuity. See also LK. 16:17.

It is written: "Concerning Thy testimonies, I have known of old that Thou hast founded them forever... Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of Thy righteous judgments endureth forever" (Ps. 119:152, 16).

And it is written: "The works of His hands are verity and judgment; all His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto His people: He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and Reverend is His name" (Ps. 111:7-9).

THE COVENANT PROMISES

The covenant has its promises of enormous blessings ranging from abundant life on earth, security, prosperity and ultimately, life eternal. As noted earlier on, GOD is mindful of His covenant laws as much as His covenant promises.

The Covenant child has double portions of GOD's blessings. Abundant life, security and prosperity on earth on the one hand, and life eternal, on the other.

GOD's very idea of a covenant relationship with Israel and the Gentiles has covenant promises with it, in the words, "...Then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" (Ex. 19:5-6). This is a broad statement. The details or minutiae of these promises were made known in subsequent statements.

For instance, GOD said: "Behold, I send an angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place that I have prepared, beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for My name is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. For mine angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off... And ye shall serve the LORD your GOD, and He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfill. I will send My fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee. And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee. I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beasts of the field multiply against thee. By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land. And I will set thy bounds from the red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee" (Ex. 23:20-23, 24-31).

Regarding the Laws of GOD, it is said: "Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is everyone that retaineth her... When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be no afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken" (Prov. 3:16-18, 24-26).

It is written: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path... Those who love your law have great peace, and nothing shall cause them to stumble" (Ps. 119:105, 165).

Said the Apostle Paul to the Romans about Israel: "Who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of GOD, and the promises" (Rom. 9:4, NLT).

And to the Ephesians, he said: "Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh- who are called uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision made in the flesh by hands, that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without GOD in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made both \[Jew and Gentile\] one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in his flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that he might reconcile them both \[Jew and Gentile\] to GOD in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And he came and preached peace to you \[Gentile\] who were far off and to those \[Jew\] who were near. For through him we both \[Jew and Gentile\] have access by one Spirit to the Father. Now, therefore, you \[Gentiles\] are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of GOD, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the Chief Cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the LORD, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of GOD in the Spirit" (Eph. 2:11-22, NLT).

Hereunder are some of the covenant promises:

It is written: "Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the LORD GOD, the GOD of Israel. For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy GOD thrice in the year" (Ex. 34:23-24).

The Most High said, and it is written: "If ye walk in My statutes, and keep My commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you. And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new. And I will set My tabernacle among you: and My soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be Your GOD, and ye shall be My people. I am the LORD your GOD, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright" (Lev. 26:3-13).

He said, and it is written: "Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it. And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey... and it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto My commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your GOD, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thy oil. And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full. Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them... Therefore shall ye lay up these My words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates. That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth. For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your GOD, to walk in all His ways, and to cleave unto Him; then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves. Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be. There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the LORD your GOD shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as He hath said unto you" (Deut. 11:8-9, 13-16, 18-25).

It is also written: "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy GOD, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy GOD will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy GOD. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy GOD giveth thee. The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as He hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy GOD, and walk in His ways. And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee. And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee. The LORD shall open unto thee His good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy GOD, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them" (Deut. 28:1-14).

It is written: "Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your GOD. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins... O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your GOD! Behold, the LORD GOD will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him: Behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young... He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isa. 40:1-2, 9-11, 29-31).

It is written: "But thou Israel, art My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham My friend. Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art My servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy GOD: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them and shalt not find them, even them that contendeth with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I the LORD thy GOD will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff. Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shalt carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel. When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the GOD of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it" (Isa. 41:1-20).

It is written: "Behold My servant, whom I uphold; My elect, in whom My soul delighted; I have put My spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. Thus saith GOD the LORD, He that created the heavens, and stretched them out; He that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; He that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the LORD: that is My name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them" (Isa. 42:1-9).

It is written: "But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy GOD, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west. I will say to the North, Give up; and to the South, keep not back: bring My sons from far, and My daughters from the ends of the earth. Even every one that is called by My name: for I have created him for My glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him... Thus saith the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships. I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King. Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow... I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field shall honour Me, the dragons and the owl: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen. This people have I formed for Myself; they shall show forth My praise" (Isa. 43:1-7, 14-17, 19-21).

It is written: "Yet Now hear, O Jacob My servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, My servant; and thou, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring: And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. One shall say, I am the LORD's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel... Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art My servant: I have formed thee; thou art My servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of Me. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud, thy sins: return unto Me, for I have redeemed thee. Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel. Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretched forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by Myself; that frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wisemen backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; That confirmeth the word of His servant, and performeth the counsel of His messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof: That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up the rivers" (Isa. 44:1-5, 21-27).

It is written: "Verily thou art a GOD that hidest Thyself, O GOD of Israel, the Saviour. They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols. But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end... In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory" (Isa. 45:15-17, 25).

It is written: "Hearken unto Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by Me from the belly, which are carried from the womb. And even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you... 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 ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth My counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. Hearken unto Me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: I bring near My righteousness; it shall not be far off, and My salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel My glory" (Isa. 46:3-4, 8-13).

Even when GOD raises an enemy to whip His erring covenant child, GOD watches to see how the enemy executes His judgment upon His erring covenant child. He turns around and executes judgment upon the enemy used as an instrument to punish His erring covenant child when that enemy was ruthless and did not exercise mercy on GOD's erring covenant child. GOD remembers the enemy's own unrighteous ways and undoing and executes judgment and punishment on that enemy.

Here is what the Almighty GOD said concerning Babylon who He used as a whetstone to punish His people and whip them back into line:

"I was wrath with My people, I have polluted My inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke. And thou sadist, I shall be a lady forever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it. Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children: But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments. For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it had perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me. Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth; and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know. Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast labored from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it. Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast labored, even thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander everyone to his quarter; none shall save thee" (Isa. 47:6-15).

Even in his stubbornness and obstinacy in serving idols, GOD said: "For My name's sake will I defer my anger, and for My praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off. Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For Mine own sake, even for Mine own sake, will I do it: for how should My name be polluted? And I will not give My glory unto another (Isa. 48:9-11).

As a covenant promise, GOD promised to restore Israel, for it is written: "Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; that thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for He that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall He guide them. And I will make all My mountains a way, and My highways shall be exalted. Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim. Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted. But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my LORD hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her suckling child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands; thy walls are continually before Me. Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that make thee waste shall go forth of thee. Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth. For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away. The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell. Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? And who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been? Thus saith the LORD GOD, Behold, I will lift up Mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up My standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for Me. Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One Jacob" (Isa. 49:8-26).

It is written: "Hearken unto Me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is My law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but My righteousness shall be forever, and My salvation from generation to generation... Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. I, even I, am He that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou should be afraid of a man tht shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forgettest the LORD thy Maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? And where is the fury of the oppressor?" (Isa. 51:7-13).

It is written: "Sing O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood anymore. For thy Maker is thy Husband; the LORD of hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The GOD of the whole earth shall He be called. For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy GOD. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid Myself from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. For this is as the waters of Noah unto Me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shall thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by Me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt comdemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the LORD" (Isa. 54:1-17).

It is written: "If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it" (Isa. 58:13-14).

For the avoidance of doubt, the inheritance of Jacob is the Kingdom of heaven. GOD confirmed it to him for a law and for an everlasting covenant. See Gen. 28:13-15; Ps. 105:10-11).

The patriarchs were promised the land of Canaan, a land filled with milk and honey. The land of Canaan was only parabolic and symbolic with futuristic implications. They sojourned in the land but did not receive the promise because it was a spiritual inheritance, and because the full number of the heirs to the promise have yet to come in, as it is said: "And these all, having obtained good report through faith, received not the promise: GOD having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect" (Heb. 11:39-40). Abraham understood it.

Yahshua said: "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it and was glad" (Jn. 8:56).

And so it is thus recorded in the Letter to the Hebrews: "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is GOD. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore GOD is not ashamed to be called their GOD: for He had prepared for them a city" (Heb. 11:8-16).

Gentiles who accept the GOD of Israel, love Him, serve Him and obey the terms of His covenant laws in the example of Yahshua are co-heirs to the covenant promise of the kingdom of heaven, as it is said: "For ye are all the children of GOD by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 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. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:26-29).

To be baptized into Christ is to put on Christ, dead to sin, bury the old carnal man, live in newness of life as a new creature, walk righteously in complete obedience to GOD's covenant laws in the example of Christ and walk as he walked, as it is said: "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of GOD perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked" (1 Jn. 2:3-6).

Yahshua was obedient to all of GOD's covenant laws unto death, leaving us an example that we should follow- a life without sin.

It is written: "Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, what has GOD wrought!" (Num. 23:23). The witches and wizards may try. The liars and diviners try they will. Men and women of the occult kingdom will try. Yet, they cannot ultimately have their way in the life of a true child of GOD's covenant. A true covenant child being one who is obedient to GOD's covenant laws in the faith or example of Yahshua.

Other examples of GOD's covenant promises include the following:

It is written: "The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? Where is the receiver? Where is he that counted the towers? Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that thou canst understand. Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our Lawgiver, the LORD is our King; He will save us. Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey. And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity" (Isa. 33:14-24).

It is written: "Seek the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our GOD, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thou thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off" (Isa. 55:6-13). See also Isa. 58:1-12; 60:1-22; 61:4-11; 62:1-12; Isa. 64:4; Isa. 65:17-25.

It is written: "Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at His word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for My Name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but He shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to His enemies. Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? Saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? Saith thy GOD. Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: that ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward His servants, and His indignation toward His enemies. For, Behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with His chariots like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many... For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory. And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard My fame, neither have seen My glory; and they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles. And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to My holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD. And I will also take of them for priests and for levites, saith the LORD" (Isa. 66:5-16, 18-21).

It is written: "The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying, what mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? As I live, saith the LORD GOD, ye shall not have occasion anymore to use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are Mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is Mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman, and hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment; He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executeth true judgment between man and man, Hath walked in My statutes, and hath kept My judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the LORD GOD. if he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things, And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour's wife, Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination, Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? He shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him. Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like, That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour's wife, Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment, That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed My judgments, hath walked in My , statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live. As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity... The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all My statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done shall he live. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? Saith the LORD GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?" (Ezek. 18:1-18, 20-23).

It is written: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts. Your words have been stout against Me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve GOD: and what profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that tempt GOD are even delivered. Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth GOD and him that serveth Him not" (Mal. 3:10-18).

Yahshua said: "But seek ye first the kingdom of GOD, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33). It is the same covenant.

Yahshua said: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Matt. 10:28-31). They are part of the covenant promises.

Suffice it to say that all the promises of goodness and blessings in the Scriptures are covenantal blessings. The blessings are embedded in the commandments (Testimonies), Statutes and Judgments (Ordinances). When we obey them in the example of Yahshua we attract them automatically. We do not require any one to pronounce blessings upon us before the blessings are activated in our lives. For the obedient covenant child, such pronouncements are a mere fulfillment of formality.

The covenant blessings are not an end in themselves. They are only a means to an end for the covenant child. A covenant child who knows His GOD understands that GOD's earthly or material blessings are bestowed upon him to help him carry into effect his covenant obligations with his Creator, just as it is written: "When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy GOD for the good land which He hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy GOD, in not keeping His commandments, and His judgments, and His statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thy heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy GOD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that He might humble thee, and that He might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; and thou shalt say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy GOD: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He sware unto thy fathers..." (Deut. 8:10-18).

The covenant promises are for the spiritual Israelites from the literal nation of Israel, and for the spiritual Israelites from among the Gentiles according to the flesh. Literal Israelites who do not maintain fidelity to the terms of the covenant are Gentiles spiritually. The Almighty GOD is no respecter of persons. As noted earlier on, it is the same system, the same covenant and the same standards. The Redeemer shall come only to as many of them as turn from their unfaithfulness, for it is written: "And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. As for Me, this is My covenant with them, saith the LORD; My Spirit that is upon thee, and My words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and forever" (Isa. 59:20-21).

No literal Israelite is to say that he has Abraham as father, and is therefore, exempted from working out his own salvation, for as John the baptizer said: "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance. And think not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that GOD is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire" (Matt. 3:8-10).

Chapter 6: CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE TO THE COVENANT LAWS

Disobedience to the covenant laws has far-reaching implications for the disobedient.

Disobedience to the covenant laws do not attract blessings however much blessings are pronounced by a priest, pastor or General overseer. A man who does not obey GOD's covenant laws is a cursed man, for it is written: "But if ye will not hearken unto Me, and will not do all these commandments; And if ye shall despise My statutes, or if your soul abhor My judgments, so that ye will not do all My commandments, but that ye break My covenant: I will also do this unto you; I will also appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. And I will set My face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: and they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you" (Lev. 26:14-17). Chapter 26 of the book of Leviticus contains many verses on punishment for disobedience spanning about twenty-four altogether.

It is written: "But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy GOD, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: Cursed shall thou be in the city, and cursed shall thou be in the field. Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store. Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Cursed shall thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shall thou be when thou goest out. The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken Me. The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until He has consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it. The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish. And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron. The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed. The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shall be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away. The LORD will smite thee the botch of Egypt, and with emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed. The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart: And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee" (Deut. 28:15-29). Chapter 28 of the book of Deuteronomy contains about ninety-four curses for disobedience spanning fifty-three verses.

Other curses for disobedience may be found in Chapter 27 of the book of Deuteronomy. See Deut. 27:15-25.

It is written: "Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them, and all the people shall say, Amen" (Deut. 27:26).

And it is written: "...Thus saith the LORD GOD of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant, which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey My voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be My people, and I will be your GOD: That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey...." (Jer. 11:3-5).

The earth is cursed because earth dwellers chose to live on their own terms, and not according to the tenets of GOD's covenant laws, wherefore it is written: "The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. The earth is also defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left" (Isa. 24:4-6). Among the desolate ones are the vast majority of Christians, so-called, who are disobedient to GOD's covenant laws. They lack the Holy Spirit to keep the laws. They walk in the flesh. Their alibi is that one Jesus has liberated them for the bondage of the law, thus inverting the Scriptures. People who live their lives outside the covenant laws of GOD are dead spiritually, truth be said. They are subject to the wrath of GOD. The few men left are the people who maintain their covenant relationship with the Holy One of Israel, for Yahshua said: "Enter at the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who are going through it, because small is the gate and narrow is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matt. 7:13-14, MEV).

Yahshua said: "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. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolators, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie" (Rev. 22:14-15).

Those who teach and practice anything outside GOD's covenant laws in the example of Yahshua are false teachers and preachers. They do not teach sound doctrine. They are liars and shall be judged with severity, as it is said: "My brothers, not many of you should become teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater judgment \[condemnation\]" (Jas. 3:1).

The Apostle Peter said of them: "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not... But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you. Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved forever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning" (2 Pet. 2:1-3, 12-19).

There is no way to euphemise it. Those who do not obey the covenant laws have no part in the kingdom of GOD. See again Matt. 7:21-23; Matt: 19:17; Rev. 22:14-15.

When Yahshua said, "Whosoever shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven...." (Matt. 5:19), he was not saying that the lawbreaker and the teacher of lawlessness shall enter the kingdom at all. He was, as usual, characteristically speaking in parable and likening the assembly of GOD's people to the kingdom of GOD. He was simply telling us how those who break GOD's laws and teach no-law salvation are viewed in the eye of heaven. They weigh and measure least in the sight of GOD, however big their congregation. Their General overseers, priests, apostles and pastors weigh next-to-nothing in the sight of GOD. It has nothing to do with all the eloquence, miracles, glamour and razzmatazz which they dish out to their blind followers, for as Yahshua said: "Let them alone: They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch" (Matt. 15:14).

Chapter 7: YAHSHUA (JESUS) -- A MESSENGER OF THE SAME COVENANT

Interestingly, Yahshua (Jesus) came as a Messenger of the same covenant between GOD, Israel and the Gentiles. This is clear from the prophecy of Prophet Malachi thus: "Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts" (Mal. 3:1).

A close and careful study of the Malachi 3:1 prophecy will reveal that the verse talks about two messengers who would be revealed in their time. The first messenger is undoubtedly John the baptizer, who, according to the prophecy of the Prophet Isaiah, would come as a harbinger and forerunner to the Messiah (Christ). It is written: "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our GOD" (Isa. 40:3). See also Matt. 3:3.

Yahshua talked about John in the gospel according to Mathew and made reference to the Malachi prophecy. He said: "For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee" (Matt. 11:10). See also Mk. 1:2; Lk. 7:27.

The other Messenger prophesied in Malachi 3:1 is the Messiah (Christ). It will be noted here that he is described as a Messenger of the covenant. In other words, he was an Ambassador or Emissary of the covenant.

As noted earlier on, the covenant is one. There are no two covenants. It is the covenant made between GOD and Israel at mount Sinai, the Sinaitic covenant. Yahshua left no one in doubt that he came with the same covenant message. He said early in his ministry: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:17-19).

These words are an affirmation of the covenant between GOD, Israel and the Gentiles. He was deliberate and intentional when he made that declaration in order to lay to rest doubts in the mind of the people regarding his mission.

He said further: "And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail" (Lk. 16:17).

As recorded in the gospel according to Mathew, "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may inherit eternal life? And he said unto him, 'Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, GOD: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments'" (Matt. 19:16-17).

Yahshua said further, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. 7:21-23). The will of our Father in heaven is that we obey His covenant laws.

The word "iniquity" is word number 458 in Strong's Greek Concordance. Its etymology (origin) is from the word "anomia." It means "Without law; Lawlessness; the utter disregard for GOD's law." We must be aware that our KJV version of the New Testament Bible was translated in 1611 AD out of the Greek Version. It is thus clear that the Law of GOD is the Will of GOD.

Yahshua said: "My meat (food) is to do the Will of He that sent me, and to finish His work" (Jn. 4:34). He also said: "For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the Will of Him that sent me" (Jn. 6:38).

Again, he said: "My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me. If any man will do His Will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of GOD, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory, but he that seeketh His glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him" (Jn. 7:15-18).

Of Yahshua, the Psalmist (King David) wrote: "It is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my GOD, Yea thy Law is within my heart" (Ps. 40:7-8).

The law is GOD's doctrine, for it is written: "For I give you good doctrine. Forsake ye not My law" (Prov. 4:2). It is also written: "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life" (Prov. 6:23).

In the true worship of the Almighty GOD, there is no alternative to obeying His covenant laws for that is the basis of the covenant relationship between Him and humanity as shown in the preceding paragraphs. The covenant rests on a tripod of the commandments \[testimonies\], statutes and judgments \[ordinances\].

Tempted by the devil who said to him, "If thou be the Son of GOD, command that these stones be made bread," Yahshua answered and said to him: "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of GOD" (Matt. 4:3-4). See also Deut. 8:3. Every word of the covenant laws proceeded directly out of the mouth of GOD.

Other than the Ten commandments written with the finger of GOD, there are also statutes and judgments (ordinances) which proceeded out of the mouth of GOD, for GOD said to Moses: "But as for thee, stand thou here by Me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it" (Deut. 5:31).

Thus it is written: "Ye shall therefore keep My statutes, and My judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD" (Lev. 18:5). See also Ezek. 20:11.

And it is written: "And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel: These are the testimonies \[commandments engraved on stone tablets\], and the statutes, and the judgments, which Moses spake unto the cilidren of Israel, after they came forth out of Egypt" (Deut. 4:44-45).

It is said: "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of GOD abideth forever" (1 Jn. 2:17).

It is also said: "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" (Rev. 22:14).

Everything Yahshua said and did were consistent with and within the confines of the covenant laws of GOD. He did not break even the least of the laws of GOD. had he broken any, he would have been a sinner, a law-breaker, for sin is defined as follows: "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law" (1 Jn. 3:4).

Yahshua said of himself, "Which of you convicts me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? (Jn. 8:46, NLT).

Of Yahshua, the Apostle Peter bore witness saying: "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth" (1 Pet. 2:22).

The Apostle John said of Yahshua: "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin" (1 Jn. 3:5).

On his part, the Apostle Paul said: "For He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in him" (2 Cor. 5:21).

And the author of the book of Hebrews said: "For we have not an high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15).

Scripture is thus correct when Yahshua is fittingly referred to as the Lamb of GOD without blemish. It is sin that causes blemish.

Consistency is the glorious jewel of the Bible. Yahshua said: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand" (Mt. 12:25). Were yahshua to have ridden roughshod over the covenant laws of GOD, he would have been declared a persona non grata by heaven. GOD forbid!

The Gentiles who operate outside the covenant of GOD are said to be involved in vain worship. Samaritans (people of the Ten Northern tribes of Israel) betrayed the covenant from the time of the king Jeroboam through the time of the reign of kings Pekah and Hoshea until the ten tribes (then called Israel) were carried away as captives into Assyria, beginning with Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria (during the reign of King Pekah of Israel) and completed by King Shalmaneser king of Assyria when Hoshea was king of Israel. This happened in the years 721-722 BC. The ten tribes were displaced by Assyrians. Only a remnant of them remained in the land of the Northern tribes, with Samaria as their capital. See 2 kings16:29 -- 2 kings 17:1-41. By reason of the betrayal of the covenant by the ten tribes, the two Southern tribes made up of Judah and Benjamin considered them Gentiles and would have nothing to do with them.

Yahshua met a descendant of a remnant of the ten lost tribes by Jacob's well, and according to John's record, after some exchanges declared to her as follows: "Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews" (Jn. 4:22).

It is written: "O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit" (Jer. 16:19).

Chapter 8: PROSPERITY OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD

For people of GOD, true prosperity comes from obedience to GOD's covenant laws for GOD's promises of prosperity are grounded on such obedience as we have shown earlier on. See Lev. 26:3-13; Deut. 11:8-9, 13-15, 22-25; Deut. 28:1-14.

I dare repeat some of them for the sake of emphasis:

It is written: "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do" (Deut. 29:9).

It is written: "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy GOD, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy GOD shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shall be drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy GOD, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him: for He is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them" (Deut. 30:15-20).

GOD said to Joshua, Moses' successor as follows: "Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses My servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" (Josh. 1:7-8).

King David warned his son, King Solomon: "I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the LORD thy GOD, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: That the LORD may continue His word which He spake concerning me, saying, if thy children take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said He) a man on the throne of Israel" (1Kgs. 2:2-4). This charge came from the man after GOD's own heart.

And David said: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" (Ps. 1:1-3).

The prosperity of the covenant child of GOD is dependent on his obedience to the covenant laws because his lot extends beyond the mundane. He has a part in the life of the world to come, GOD's kingdom.

It is written: "But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our GOD, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: He reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among My people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. Shall I not visit for these things? Saith the LORD: shall not My soul be avenged on such a nation as this?" (Jer. 5:23-29).

What is next?

When the basis of the messages of so-called Christian prosperity preachers and teachers is not GOD's covenant laws and obedience to them, one thing stands clear: they are preaching and teaching a lie. They are manipulating the minds of their listeners. Their message is strange to heaven. They themselves do not accept GOD's covenant laws. They do not obey them. At best, they operate on the periphery of those laws.

Their deceived congregants do not obey GOD's covenant laws because they are not taught to do so, and yet they seem to prosper materially. They are made to believe that their prosperity comes from sowing diverse seeds in money or otherwise towards supposed GOD's cause. The focus turns to material possession rather than salvation of their souls. And yet Yahshua who they profess had this to say: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mk. 8:36-37). See also Matt. 16:26.

Yahshua also said: "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Lk. 12:15).

Here is the truth: the Almighty GOD is Father of all. He is the GOD of all flesh. He provides for all. Many are deluded into thinking that material prosperity is sure evidence that one's ways are pleasing to GOD. It is not exactly so. Wealth gotten outside fidelity to the covenant laws is what it is. It gives only earthly satisfaction, if at all. There is no hope of eternal salvation for the possessor of such wealth.

It is written: "These wait all upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their meat in due season" (Ps. 104:27).

It is written: "The LORD s good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works... The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing" (Ps. 145:9, 14-16).

It is written: "Who giveth food to all flesh: for His mercy endureth forever" (Ps. 136:25).

And Yahshua said: "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just an on the unjust" (Matt. 5:45).

In the eyes of heaven an evil or wicked man is that man who does not obey GOD's covenant laws. Little wonder that GOD blesses atheists, idolators, murderers, adulterers, fornicators and free thinkers with wealth.

To enjoy the beneficence and benevolence of GOD without obedience to His covenant laws in the example of Yahshua assures only one thing, and that is, that the beneficiary has received his comfort on earth. He has no part in the kingdom of GOD. Yahshua said: "Woe to you that are rich! For ye have received your consolation" (Lk. 6:24). In the story of the rich man who in his lifetime, did not obey GOD's covenant laws and found himself in hell after death, and Lazarus, Yahshua said: "But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime received thy good things, and likewise, Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented" (Lk. 16:25).

Yahshua said to the rich who do not fulfill the spiritual requirements of GOD's covenant laws: "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of GOD!\... Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of GOD! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of GOD" (Mk. 10:23-25).

It is said: "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers ho have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the LORD of Hosts. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you" (Jas. 5:1-6).

King David the Psalmist said: "But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, how doth GOD know? And is there knowledge in the Most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of GOD; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O LORD, when thou awakes, Thou shalt despise their image. Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolsh was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: Thou has holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory" (Ps. 73:2-24). The above verses say it all! See also Ps. 37:1-2;

It is said: "Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off" (Prov. 23:17-18). See also Job 21:7-26.

It is written: "A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this. When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed forever" (Ps. 92:6-7).

The prophet Jeremiah complained to GOD thus: "Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of Thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? Wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: Thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins. But Thou, O LORD, knowest me: Thou hast seen me, and tried my heart toward Thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter" (Jer. 12:1-3).

A man who says that he worships the GOD of Israel and professes belief in His Christ, but does not keep His covenant laws is involved in vain worship. His heart is far from GOD and His Christ, for it is written: "Wherefore the LORD said, Forasmuch as this people draw near with their mouth, and with their lips they do taught by the precept of men" (Isa. 29:13). See also Matt. 15:8-9; Mk. 7:6-7.

And it is written: "The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness. A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy: for He shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land" (Zeph. 1:14-18).

Blessing without obedience to GOD's covenant laws portends grave danger for the one who receives such blessings. It might mean either that that person is being allowed some time to repent and turn to GOD, or that GOD is indifferent towards him because he is not a member of GOD's family. It is better to serve a GOD that punishes for one's sins than a GOD who is indifferent to one's sins. What it means is that he is not accepted by GOD. He is considered a bastard, as it is said: "...My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: For whom the LORD loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. If ye endure chastening, GOD dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons" (Heb. 12:5-8).

Chapter 9: THE GOSPEL OF REPENTANCE FROM SIN

Gospel of the Kingdom of GOD, the everlasting gospel, is the gospel of repentance from sin in as much as sin is the transgression of the law of GOD (1 Jn. 3:4) and sin is unrighteousness (1 Jn. 5:17).

Without the law of GOD there is neither sin nor knowledge of sin, for the text says: "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? GOD forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet" (Rom. 7:7). See also 4:15.

John the immerser, the forerunner of Yahshua, preached the gospel of the kingdom of GOD, the everlasting gospel, for the text says: "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand ... Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that GOD is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance ...." (Matt. 3:1-2, 8-11). See also Mk. 1:4; Lk. 3:2-3.

Yahshua the Messiah preached the gospel of the Kingdom, the everlasting gospel. The text says: "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 4:17). The text says: "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of GOD, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of GOD is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mk. 1:14-15). The text also says: "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people" (Matt. 4:23). And the text further says: "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people" (Matt. 9:35). "Go, and sin no more" (Jn. 8:11) were the words of Yahshua to the woman who was to be condemned, being caught in adultery.

It is in reference to these eternal covenant laws that, as noted already, Yahshua said: \"Do not think that I have come to do away with the Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets. I have not come to do away with them, but to make their teachings come true. Remember that as long as heaven and earth last, not the least point nor the smallest detail of the Law will be done away with --- not until the end of all things. So then, whoever disobeys even the least important of the commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be least in the Kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, whoever obeys the Law and teaches others to do the same, will be great in the Kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:17-19, GNT). Yahshua also said: "But it is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest detail of the Law to be done away with" (Lk. 16:17, GNT).

Yahshua taught: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep\'s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. 7:15-23).

The word "iniquity" is word number 458 in Strong's Greek Concordance. Its etymology (origin) is from the word "anomia." It means "Without law; Lawlessness; the utter disregard for GOD's law." We must be aware that our KJV version of the New Testament Bible was translated in 1611 AD out of the Greek Version. It is thus clear that the Law of GOD is the Will of GOD.

In the encounter between Yahshua and a lawyer of his day, it is recorded: "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? How readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the LORD thy GOD with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live" (Lk. 10:25-28). See also Matt. 19:16-17; Mk. 12:30; Matt. 22:35.

It is written in the Law in Deut. 6:5: "And thou shalt love the LORD thy GOD with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." And in Lev. 19:18 thus: "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD." Yahshua made reference to these same laws.

When Yahshua sent out his disciples to preach during his ministry on earth, he commanded them to preach the gospel of the kingdom, the everlasting gospel, for the text says: "And they went out, and preached that men should repent" (Mk. 6:12). And as Mathew reported, the text says: "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 10:7). See also Lk. 9:2.

Chapter 10: AFTER YAHSHUA'S RESURRECTION

After his resurrection from the dead, and before his ascension into heaven, Yahshua commanded that the gospel of the kingdom, the everlasting gospel be preached in all the world beginning at Jerusalem, for the text says: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Lk. 24:47).

In the words of Yahshua, signs shall follow them that believe, for the text says: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mk. 16:17-18).

The book of the Acts of the Apostles reports: "And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon\'s porch" (Acts 5:12). See also 2:43; 3:6-8; 14:3; 19:11.

The book also reports that the Apostles of Yahshua preached the gospel of the kingdom of GOD, the everlasting gospel. They were thus observant of the laws of GOD with other Jews. The Apostle Peter preached: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). He also preached: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which GOD hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began" (Acts 3:19-21).

As we noted elsewhere, historians agree that the disciples of Yahshua fled after the impalement of Yahshua and re-assembled following his resurrection. His disciples and followers were called the Nazarean Sect, or heretical Sect or simply, Sect (Acts 24:14) and consisted of Hebrew/Aramaic speaking Jews who understood themselves to be a group within Judaism. The Apostle Paul was described as a ring leader of the Sect of the Nazarenes (Acts 24:5).

Several Judeo-Christian documents persuasively demonstrate that both the ethnic composition and theological orientation of the Sect was profoundly Jewish. They were the first Christian Community. Properly speaking, the Sect was the mother Church of Christendom, contrary to the false claim of the Roman Catholic Church.

The first Christian Sect shared with all Jews the belief in the one GOD of the Fathers (Shema Israel, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad); held fast to the Holy Scriptures (Tanak); Observed the Law (Torah); Observed Circumcision (Acts 15:1; Gal. 5:2); Observed the Shabbat (Matt. 24:20; Luke 23:54-56; Acts 13:13-16, 42-44; 15:21; 16:13; 17:1-2; 18:4; 9:20; 13:5; 14:1; 19:8); Observed GOD's appointed Festivals/Feasts (Acts 12:1-4; 18:21; 20:6, 18; 27:9; 1 cor. 5:6-8; 16:8; Col.2:16); and regulations concerning purity and dietary Laws (Acts 10:14; 15:20; 21:25). They visited the Temple (Luke 24:53; Acts 2:46; 3:1); Sacrificed (Acts 21:26; 24:17); and prayed the same Psalms and Hymns as other Jews. See Hans Kung, "Christianity -- Essence, History and Future," Page 71.

Chapter 11: MEANING OF LOVE OF GOD

Love of GOD means only but one thing: Obedience to His Commandments as they relate directly to Him as are clear from these Commandments: "I am the LORD thy GOD, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy GOD am a jealous GOD, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy GOD in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy GOD: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy GOD giveth thee" (Ex. 20:1-12). See also Deut. 7:9; 10:12-13; Dan. 9:4.

Obedience is always evidence of Love of Father or Mother, and for a stronger reason, love of GOD. Applied to Yahshua, Yahshua said: "If ye love me, keep my commandments ...He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him ...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. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings ...." (Jn. 14:15, 21, 23-24); "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of GOD perfected: hereby know we that we are in him" (1 Jn. 2:5); "For this is the love of GOD, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous" (1 Jn. 5:3); "And this is love, that we walk after His commandments. This is the commandment, that, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it" (2 Jn. 6).

All of the statutes of GOD relate directly to Him and keeping of them show greater love for GOD. These are laws pertaining to His appointed times (Feasts or Festivals) and diverse laws on holiness including dietary laws.

On the other hand, all laws pertaining to social or inter-personal relationships (otherwise called Judgments or Ordinances) relate directly to one's fellow and keeping of them is love of neighbor as oneself. A few examples of such laws are as we find them in the Decalogue thus: "Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour\'s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour\'s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour\'s" (Ex. 20:13-17).

It is in reference to these laws that we find in the apocalypse, the following record: "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" (Rev. 22:14). And also: "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of GOD. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of GOD, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, LORD GOD Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints" (Rev. 15:2-3). And further: "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of GOD, and the faith of Jesus" (Rev. 14:12).

Chapter 12: RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW VS RIGHTEOUSNESS OF FAITH

Latter day Christendom appears confused when the Apostle Paul talked about two types of righteousness namely, righteousness of the law and the righteousness of faith, for the text says: "But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law" (Rom. 9:31-32).

The text says: "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of GOD by faith. That I may know him,and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made comformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead" (Phil. 3:7-11).

The text says: "But now the righteousness of GOD without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of GOD which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference" (Rom. 3:21-22).

The text also says: "For they being ignorant of GOD\'s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of GOD... For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, that the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)" (Rom. 10:3, 5-6).

Righteousness consists of obedience to the Laws of GOD in the example of Christ. The Law of GOD is spiritual (Rom. 7:14) for GOD, the Law-giver, is Spirit. One who is in the flesh cannot meet the spiritual demands of the law, for the text says: "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of GOD: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man" (1 Cor. 2:14-15).

The text says: "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against GOD: for it is not subject to the law of GOD, neither indeed can be" (Rom. 8:5-7).

The text also says: "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" (Gal. 6:8).

The law demands more than mechanical obedience to the letter of the law. A dominant number of the Jews, it would seem, of the time of Moses up until the time of Yahshua served mainly the letter of the Law, just as Moses who had attained spirituality, had to cover his face with a veil in order to transmit the law to them, as it is said: "And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart" (2 Cor. 3:13-15). See Ex. 34:33, 35.

Yahshua took issue with the Jews of his time who rested in the law and were carnal. He was a trouble to the Jewish religious establishment who were mainly of the party of the Pharisees and Scribes, branding them hypocrites. The priesthood of his time were Sadducean and despite their doctrinal differences with the Pharisees, they also lacked spirituality. Yahshua was a redoubtable thorn in their sides. He said, among other things, "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone" (Matt. 23:23). See also Verses 3-5, 15, 24-28.

The Jews thought themselves righteous because they had the law. This is what the Apostle Paul referred to as the righteousness of the law. Indeed, they heard the law spoken by GOD on Mount Sinai, but their obedience was carnal. Carnality is the very anti-thesis of the law of GOD, because the law is spiritual. There was wickedness in them. They had no love in them for one another. They were hypocrites. The command in the law of GOD, "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD" (Lev. 19:18), was too high an ideal for them because they were carnal. The Apostle Paul pursued the righteousness of Christ after his conversion. That is righteousness of faith. That is why all things that were gain to him, he counted as loss, for the sake of Christ (Phil. 3:7-8).

To be like Christ is the goal or aim or purpose of the covenant laws. Christ is the Spirit of the law (2 Cor. 3:17). See also Jn. 5:45-47. The Jews did not attain righteousness because they served only the letter of the law and their ways were opposed to the purpose for which the law was given by GOD. And so the text says: "But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

The Jews did not seek the law by faith. What faith? The faith of Yahshua. It is written: "...the just shall live by his faith" (Hab. 2:4). (See also Rom. 1:17).

The text says: "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of GOD, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them" (Gal.3:11-12).

The text says: "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? GOD forbid" (Gal. 2:16-17). The text says: "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of GOD was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of GOD doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of GOD. In this the children of GOD are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of GOD ..." (1 Jn. 3:8-10). See also 1 Jn. 2:29; 5:18; 1 Pet. 1:23).

And the text says: "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him" (Heb. 10:38).

This is the reason the Apostle Paul said that the letter kills, for the text says: "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life" (2 Cor. 3:6). Yahshua said: "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (Jn. 6:63).

The Apostle Paul said: "Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of GOD, And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou GOD? For the name of GOD is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision" (Rom. 2:17-25). Righteousness entails going beyond the letter of the law.

The Jews did not fulfill the spiritual requirements of the law, for the text says: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy GOD?" (Mic. 6:8). Yahshua reproved the Jews and said: "But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Matt. 9:13). See also 12:7.

It is written in the Prophets: "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of GOD more than burnt offerings" (Hos. 6:6). It is also written in the Psalms: "Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest" (Ps. 95:10-11).

Israel observed the Shabbat, observed the appointed times (GOD's feasts), laws relating to defilements and purity, the dietary laws , offered animal sacrifices to GOD according to the law of GOD. In other words, Israel observed the Commandments (Testimonies), Statutes and Judgments (Ordinances) of GOD as were delivered to them by the hand of Moses (Deut. 4:44-45). Notwithstanding, Israel they did not know GOD because their obedience fell short of the spiritual requirements of the law. Despite their obedience, they were far from GOD, for He declared: "They know not My ways."

The text says: "He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know Me? Saith the LORD" (Jer. 22:16).

The text says: "To do righteousness and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice" (Prov. 21:3).

While the letter of the law is the guiding light (Ps. 119:105; Prov. 6:23) and principles by which one knows what is approved and disapproved by GOD, Yahshua is the spirit of the law. He is the compass of the law. Yahshua represents what the law seeks to achieve, that is, the purpose, goal or aim of the law. That is the reason for the saying by Yahshua, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (Jn. 9:5). Yahshua had the nature of GOD. He bore the image of the unseen GOD. He obeyed the covenant laws of GOD, and was love, kind, meek, gentle, merciful, gracious, compassionate, forgiving and all. He was everything the law seeks to achieve. His example is the faith expected of every covenant child, of every true believer in GOD and in His Christ. We are to learn from his example of obedience. Yahshua said: "Let not your heart be troubled: Ye believe in GOD, believe also in me" (Jn. 14:1).

Yahshua made it clear that the law must be kept as long as heaven and earth stand. And in the story of Lazarus, the rich man and Abraham, we are clearly taught that we should obey the law of GOD (metaphorically Moses) and as reinforced by GOD's Biblical Prophets whose work was basically to enforce obedience and warn the people against turning away from the laws of GOD and the consequences of doing so, as it is said: "Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them" (Lk. 16:29). It was none other than Yahshua who told the story.

It is clear from all the foregoing that while keeping the letter of the law is good, it does not translate to knowledge of GOD. To know GOD is to keep the law of GOD in the example of Yahshua. This is just as it is written: "Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD" (Jer. 9:23-24).

It is said: "...but the people that do know their GOD shall be strong, and do exploits" (Dan. 11:32).

All of GOD's controversy with Israel is hinged on Israel's lack of knowledge of GOD. They had the law, but because they were carnal, they were unable to meet the goal of the law.

It is written: "Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of GOD in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away. Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest. Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy GOD, I will also forget thy children" (Hos. 4:1-6).

It is written: "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master\'s crib: but Israel doth not know, My people doth not consider" (Isa. 1:3).

It is written: "For My people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge" (Jer. 4:22).

It is written: "Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it. And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely. O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? Thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return. Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their GOD" (Jer. 5:1-4).

It is written: "Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but My people know not the judgment of the LORD" (Jer. 8:7).

It is written: "Oh that My head were waters, and Mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of My people! Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave My people, and go from them! For they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men. And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not Me, saith the LORD. Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders. And they will deceive everyone his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know Me, saith the LORD" (Jer. 9:1-6).

And it is written: "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which My covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their GOD, and they shall be My people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more" (Jer. 31:31-34).

It is written: "Therefore My people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst" (Isa. 5:13).

The text says: "Behold, the LORD\'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your GOD, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. They hatch cockatrice\' eggs, and weave the spider\'s web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace" (Isa. 59:1-8).

The text says: "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their GOD: they ask of Me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to GOD. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and Thou seest not? Wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and Thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward" (Isa. 58:1-8). See also Jer. 22:3, 16; Zech. 7:9; 8:16.

The text says: "...your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow" (Isa. 1:15-17).

Yahshua said to his disciples: "And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true GOD, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent" (Jn. 17:3).

To reiterate, to know GOD is to be like Yahshua. It is to be conformed to his image, as it is said: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:28-29).

Yahshua epitomizes the goodness of GOD. He is the embodiment of the law, as Yahshua himself said: "Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?" (Jn. 5:45-47).

That is the meaning of righteousness of faith.

The just shall live by the faith of Yahshua.

Chapter 13: WHAT IS THE MEANING OF "FAITH OF YAHSHUA?"

The phrase "Faith of Yahshua" is the same as the "Gospel of Yahshua," and "Testimony of Yahshua." It is the same as "doctrine of Yahshua."

It is said in the Apocalypse: "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of GOD, and the faith of Jesus" (Rev. 14:12). It is also said: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of GOD, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev. 12:17). See also Rev. 1:2, 9.

In the Letter of the Apostle Paul to the Romans, it is said: "Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of GOD; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ" (Rom. 15:19).

It is also said by the Apostle John: "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the "doctrine of Christ" hath not GOD. He that abideth in the "doctrine of Christ," hath both the Father and the Son" (2 Jn. 9).

The law of GOD is not abolished as the many confused Christendom's false teachers and prophets would have us believe. It is plain from the statements of Yahshua that the Law stands as long as heaven and earth stand, and they stand to this day. This is just as the Apostle Paul posed the question and answered in the negative: "Do we then make void the law through faith? GOD forbid: yea, we establish the law" (Rom. 3:31).

Said the Apostle Paul: "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? GOD forbid" (Gal. 2:16-17).

Since sin is defined as transgression of the law of GOD, a sinner is one who transgresses those laws. Those who profess belief or faith in Yahshua and reject the covenant laws of GOD are in reality, unbelievers. For the manifest evidence of belief or faith in Yahshua is obedience to the laws of GOD as Yahshua did. It is a contradiction in terms to claim belief or faith in Yahshua on the one hand, and then reject the law on the other hand. It is confusion on display. It is abysmal ignorance of the truth.

Yahshua manifested in the flesh to bring us knowledge of GOD. By his example, he taught us complete obedience to the laws of GOD. He affirmed and lived out the law. He taught us that true obedience to the covenant laws must produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit, of love, kindness, meekness, mercy, grace, compassion, forgiveness, patient endurance, faith, holiness, judging right, gentility and so on. He taught us that we are in the world but not of the world. He taught us how to be spiritual. He taught us purity of the heart and to be peacemakers. He taught us to love our enemies and pray for them. He taught us not to avenge. He taught us that we are the salt and light of the world, for all the ways of the world are darkness because the world does not obey the laws of GOD.

This is the meaning of "Faith of Jesus," "Gospel of Christ," "Doctrine of Christ," and "Testimony of Jesus Christ."

He said: "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under the foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:13-16).

And so Yahshua came to leave us an example of what it means to keep the Law, in order that we might keep the law according to his example, for to be like Yahshua is the purpose, goal or aim of the Law.

The text says: "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth" (Rom. 10:4). Yahshua said of himself: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:29-30).

True believers are required to conform to the image of Yahshua, for the text says: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:28-29). The text also says: "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster" (Gal. 3:24-25).

It is written: "And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem" (Isa. 8:14).

It is also written: "Therefore thus saith the LORD GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste" (Isa. 28:16).

The life and example of Yahshua is GOD's standard of righteousness for all (whether Jew or Gentile) who accept that YHVH is their GOD and King and accept His covenant laws. That is the faith of Yahshua that the just is required to live by.

Yahshua was a stumbling stone to the Jews who had established their own righteousness although they had the covenant laws of GOD. Their established righteousness was strict adherence to the letter of the law and with little or no regard to the spirit of the law. In other words, the Jews served the letter of the law and not the spirit of the law which is the principal thing.

GOD's covenant children are assured that they shall not see shame when they serve GOD in the example of Yahshua, just as it is written: "Therefore thus saith the LORD GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."

The spiritual fruits of righteousness must be in direct relationship to the laws of GOD. Every law of GOD is a spirit law and must be obeyed according to its spiritual demand. Even the Shabbat Commandment is meaningless if it is not kept according to its spiritual demand. For instance, a man who is not careful to observe the weightier matters of the law (mercy, faith and justice/righteousness \[Matt. 23:23\]) during the course of the week who attends Shabbat service has not kept the Shabbat, however scrupulous and punctilious his Shabbat observance may seem.

The Apostle Paul put it this way: "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatory, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 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. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:19-23). See also Eph. 5:9; Col. 3:12; 1 Cor. 3:3; Phil. 1:11; 1 Pet. 2:1.

James the just wrote: "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace" (Jas. 3:14-18).

Chapter 14: REPLACEMENT OF THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM

A misapprehension of the distinction between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law on the one hand, and a misapprehension of the distinction between keeping the law and faith of Yahshua on the other hand, have resulted in a wholesale abandonment of the eternal laws of GOD by today's Christianity which has replaced the gospel of the kingdom, even the everlasting gospel, with a strange gospel. In the place of the gospel of the kingdom of GOD, the everlasting gospel, Christendom has substituted the doctrine of Balaam, the doctrine of the Nicolaitans and the doctrine of Jezebel.

Yahshua saw it coming and warned early: "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many... And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many... For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not" (Matt. 24:5, 11, 24-26). See also Mk. 13:22; Lk. 21:8.

The word "Christ," simply means "Anointed." When Yahshua said that many shall come in his name, saying, "I am Christ," all he was saying is that many shall arise in his name and claim to be anointed. We who live in these times are all too familiar with the numberless so-called men of GOD who parade themselves as anointed men of GOD and go with high clerical appellations and loud ecclesiastical titles such as "Pope," "Cardinal," "Father, ""Reverend," "Priest," "Most Reverend", "His Grace," "His Eminence," Arch Bishop," "Bishop," "Apostle," "Evangelist," "Pastor," "Prophet," Venerable," "General Overseer," GOD's General," and the like. Most of them work miracles, signs and wonders in Jesus' name. Most of them prophesy according to their understanding of the work of a Prophet. They are everywhere, in their hundreds of thousands across the globe.

In Nigeria alone, there are well over twenty-two thousand registered Churches and all who own them are "Anointed." Ironically, ninety-nine percent of them deny the everlasting Covenant laws of the Almighty GOD. We would recall that obedience to the covenant laws is the basis of any relationship with the Holy One of Israel.

When they preach to the people how many years and months they fasted and prayed for open heavens, they were simply praying for power to work miraculous signs and wonders, and perhaps to preach with eloquence. They would end up receiving what they asked for in prayers. Because hardly any of them would ask for the Spirit to know GOD and to obey His covenant laws, their preachments and messages do not revolve around the gospel of the kingdom.

When one reads or takes a listen to the messages from their pulpits via the print and electronic media, they sound impressively motivating. Many are excursions into Psychology, sociology and Economics of how to prosper in this material world. The foundation of their messages is a perverted concept of "Grace." The pith and marrow of their messages is "Grace, no-law salvation." Their messages do not pass even the least test of what constitutes gospel of the kingdom of GOD, the everlasting gospel. Would anybody be exhorted to repent when there is no law?

Sometimes they regale their congregants with stories about how they were transported to heaven and drank tea with GOD, and how GOD said this and said that. In their confused minds, they preface their teachings with the phrase "in this kingdom," and say it repeatedly. They talk about being holy. They talk about spirituality. It is a contradiction. Can one talk about holiness or spirituality without the covenant laws of GOD? It is nothing other than the jangle of spurs.

To contradict themselves further, sometimes you hear them say they preach righteousness. Yet righteousness has no other meaning than obedience to the covenant laws of GOD in the example of Yahshua (Deut. 6:25; Rom. 10:4; Rom. 8:28-29; Gal. 3:24; LK. 1:5-6). They preach righteousness in a vacuum without regard to all the laws of GOD enjoined upon man. According to their whim and fancy, they pick and choose what commandment to obey.

It is written: "And thou shalt love the LORD thy GOD with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might" (Deut. 6:5). It is written: "Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your GOD hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess" (Deut. 5:33). It is also written: "And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy GOD require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy GOD, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the LORD thy GOD with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and His statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?" (Deut. 10:12-13).

Joshua was charged by GOD: "Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses My servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest" (Josh. 1:7). See also Deut. 5:32; 28:14. To turn not from the law to the right or to the left is to keep the whole law, and neither adding to nor subtracting from them.

To love GOD with "all thine heart, and with all thine soul, and with all thine might" is to accept His Sovereignty as King of the Universe and the yoke of all His laws and to do them. It is the same as the phrase "to walk in all His ways." Of Elisheba (Elizabeth) and Zechariah, it is reported: "And they were both righteous before GOD, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the LORD blameless" (Lk. 1:6).

You hear them preach repentance. They preach repentance in a vacuum without regard to all the laws of GOD. The question is, "repent from what?" Where there is no law, how can there be sin? (Rom. 3:20; 7:7). Yet they contradict themselves and foolishly declare that they are no longer bound by the Old Testament laws. The sages of Israel distilled all the laws of GOD from the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, and codified them into 613 laws. GOD, the law-giver prohibits any addition to or subtraction from His Laws (Deut. 4:2; 12:32). See also Prov. 30:5-6; Rev. 22:18-19.

Yahshua brought elucidation to the Laws and neither added nor diminished from them. When they preach righteousness and repentance, they do so in a warped and extremely limited sense.

Even the Apostle Paul, after what appears to be a convoluted argument in his Letter to the Romans, said: "Do we then make void the law through faith? GOD forbid: yea, we establish the law" (Rom. 3:31).

How can they rebuke anyone with authority, speaking and exhorting to forsake sin as they are expected to do (Titus 2:15). The text says: "All scripture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of GOD may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Are their congregants learning to hate sin passionately?

The doctrine of Christ is a doctrine of godliness and holiness (1 Tim. 6:3-4). The message of Yahshua is: "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of GOD" (2 Cor. 7:1). The Grace of GOD (Yahshua) teaches us that, "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:11-12). The doctrine of Yahshua will expose every secret sin, convict you deeply so that you will not cling to sin. It will help you conform to his image.

In the absence of the gospel of the Kingdom, the result is that sin is regnant with too many unconverted so-called believers or "born agains" and society is the worse for it. The sheer number of the Churches and their countless membership do not reflect on the society in order to transform it from vanity to sound values.

Again, Yahshua issued a clear warning regarding these false Preachers and false Prophets when he said, as reproduced above: ""Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep\'s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. 7:15-23).

The early Apostles saw this sorry and sad version of today's Christianity. Said the Apostle John: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of GOD: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of GOD: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of GOD: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of GOD: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world" (1 Jn. 4:1-3).

How is one to test the spirit? How does the spirit confess that Yahshua has come in the flesh? The law is the Word of GOD. The Word of GOD is Spirit (Jn. 6:63). The law is Spirit (Rom. 7:14). Yahshua is the Law turned into flesh, for the text says: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (Jn. 1:14). Yahshua is the Word of GOD, just as the text says: "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of GOD" (Rev. 19:13). He dwelt among men, confirmed the immutability of the Laws of GOD (Matt. 5:17-19; Lk. 16:17; Lk. 10:25-28; Matt. 19:16-17; Mk. 12:30; Matt. 22:35; obeyed them (Jn. 8:46); and left us an example that we should walk as he did (1 Jn. 2:6; 1 Pet. 2:21).

Any Christian Preacher or Prophet who does not uphold the Law of GOD and obey them in Yahshua's example is in denial that Yahshua has come in the flesh. He is anti-Christ.

It is said: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him" (Rom. 10:9-12).

Belief in Yahshua in the heart is to follow his example of obedience to the laws of GOD and walk as he did. Merely confessing Yahshua with the mouth without keeping the law of GOD, which is righteousness, is not sufficient, just as the text says: "... Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour Me, but have removed their heart far from Me ...." (Isa. 29:13). The obligation to pursue the righteousness of faith and be like Yahshua is for everyone, Jew and Gentile alike.

Yahshua left us an example in what he preached and in the way he lived. He preached the law and said that even the smallest detail of the law will not be done away with as long as heaven and earth stand (Matt. 5:17; Lk. 16:17). He observed the laws without breaking any of them, thus deserving to be referred to as Lamb without blemish (1 Pet. 1:19). Therefore, Yahshua confidently asked the question: "Which of you convinceth me of sin? (Jn. 8:46). It is said: "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked" (1 Jn. 2:6). It is said: "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously" (1 Pet. 2:21-23). See also 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Jn. 3:5; Heb. 4:15.

Confession of Yahshua is made in what we preach and how we live. When we preach no-law salvation, we deny that Yahshua has come in the flesh. As well, when we do not keep the law in Yahshua's example, we also deny that he has come in the flesh. We automatically become anti-Christ.

For instance, Yahshua observed the Shabbat. It is said that it was his custom to go to the Synagogue on Shabbat day, for the text says: "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read" (Lk. 4:16). Do you observe the Shabbat? He observed GOD's festivals, for the text says: "And the Jews\' Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem" (Jn. 2:13 ); "Now the Jews\' feast of tabernacles was at hand. ... Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught" (7:1, 14). Do you observe GOD's Festivals rather the pagan festivals of Easter, Christmas, and other observances based on Church traditions with pagan roots?

Yahshua said: "He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth" (Lk. 11:23). He also said: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand" (Matt. 12:25). A so-called Christian Preacher or Prophet who does not obey the laws of GOD and teaches others that the law has been nailed to the cross is anti- Christ. He is not gathering with him. He is working against the kingdom of GOD.

Regarding Preachers, James the just said: "My friends, not many of you should become teachers. As you know, we teachers will be judged with greater strictness than others" (Jas. 3:1, GNT).

In any event, the Scriptures say: "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isa. 8:20). It follows that every preachment or prophecy must be in harmony with the word of GOD, His Law. Otherwise, such preachment or prophecy does not have the light of GOD in it.

Said the Apostle Peter: But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not" (2 Pet. 2:1-3).

Continuing, he said: "But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man\'s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage" (2 Pet. 2:10-19).

The Apostle Paul also warned: "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works" (2 Cor. 11:13-15).

He warned: "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way" (2 Thess. 2:7).

He warned: "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to GOD, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified" (Acts 20:29-32).

He warned: "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Rom. 16:17-18).

He warned: "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself" (1 Tim. 6:3-5).

He warned: "For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre\'s sake" (Tit. 1:10-11).

He warned: "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things). For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil.3:17-20).

The Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy thus: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Tim. 4:2-4).

And to Titus, he exhorted: "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine" (Tit. 2:1); "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers" (Tit. 1:9).

The Apostle Paul exhorted: "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:21).

And in the book of Jude it is recorded: For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our GOD into lasciviousness, and denying the only LORD GOD, and our Lord Jesus Christ... But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Keep yourselves in the love of GOD, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 1:4, 17-21).

Jude wrote: "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 1: 3).

Above all, Yahshua had issued a ringing warning earlier on when he said: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matt. 7:13-14).

Unfortunately, the ranks of these false Preachers and false Prophets have continued to grow and their followers swell by the day. They are anti-Christ, for the text says: "...and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists...." (1 Jn. 2:18).

Their foundation is the Romish Church, the mystery Babylon and Great mother of harlots and abominations of the earth (Rev. 17:5) and all her many off-shoots and the so-called Pentecostals. They are the millions and billions who constitute the majority of so-called Christians.

Chapter 15: The Doctrine of Balaam

Christendom's rejection of the gospel of the Kingdom, the everlasting gospel, is the automatic embracing of Babylon mystery religion and the syncretism that has defined Christianity, for there is no such thing as a vacuum in nature. It is either the reign of heaven, or Satan is in charge, for the text says: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" (Rom. 6:16). The text also says: "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin" (Jn. 8:34).

It is either heaven holds sway or Satan is in charge, as it is said: "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as GOD sitteth in the temple of GOD, shewing himself that he is GOD ... For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the LORD shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause GOD shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thess. 2:3-4, 7-12).

It is also said: "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live" (Rev. 13:11-14).

Today's Christianity is a compromise between some aspects of true religion of the Jews and paganism, thus making the religion fertile for the doctrines of Balaam, the Nicolaitans and of Jezebel, which heaven hates.

It would appear that all three dangerous doctrines were invoked by Yahshua only as they concerned the Churches of Ephesus, Pergamos and Thyatira of the book of Revelation. It must be remembered that the message of the angel of GOD went out to seven Churches of which Ephesus, Pergamos and Thyatira were only part. Others were those of Smyrna, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea (Rev. 1:11). All seven Churches were in Asia. Because of what the number seven represents spiritually, it must be understood as a message meant for the whole Christendom, of which the seven were a microcosm. Pergamos and Thyatira where the three evil doctrines took root are but a history of how the evil doctrines crept in and what would later become of the religion.

In the text reproduced above, Balaam's name was invoked, for the text says: "Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man\'s voice forbad the madness of the prophet" (2 Pet. 2:15-16). It was invoked by the Apostle Peter when he warned about the conduct and message of false Preachers and false Prophets.

The name Balaam was also invoked in Jude in the same connection thus: "Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever" (Jude 1:11-13).

In the book of Revelation, the Church of Pergamos was scolded for tolerating those who hold the teaching or doctrine of Balaam, for the text says: "But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication" (Rev. 2:14).

Chapter 16: Who was Balaam?

Balaam was a Prophet from Mesopotamia who was engaged by Balak the king of Moab, an enemy of GOD, to curse Israel. Against GOD's clear command to him not to honor the invitation of Balak to curse Israel, he repeatedly sought for a change of the mind of GOD because Balak promised to do him honor if he honored his invitation and curse Israel. He tried unsuccessfully many times to curse the people of Israel. He eventually advised king Balak to pursue a campaign of seduction against Israel, the most effective way to weaken them, using Moabite and Midianite women to tempt them into sexual relationship and into pagan rituals, for it is written: "Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD" (Num. 31:16).

He succeeded and this drew the wrath of GOD against Israel and twenty-four thousand of them perished in one day, for it is recorded: "And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye everyone his men that were joined unto Baalpeor. And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand" (Num. 25:1-9).

It is written in the law of the Almighty GOD: "Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shalt fear thy GOD: I am the LORD" (Lev. 19:14). It is also written: "Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen" (Deut. 27:18).

A Preacher or Prophet of GOD properly called, is heaven's ambassador. He declares the will of heaven to the children of men. We have shown that the laws of GOD is the will of GOD. The Law is GOD's will in heaven and on earth, hence the prayer "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10).

A replica of the laws in the ark in the Temple of GOD in heaven is what GOD engraved with His fingers upon tablets of stone and handed them to Moses, His faithful servant. He commanded that the Tablets be kept in the ark in the Tabernacle on earth. The text says: "And the temple of GOD was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail" (Rev. 11:19). In the GOOD News rendition, the text says: "GOD\'s temple in heaven was opened, and the Covenant Box was seen there. Then there were flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail" (Rev. 11:19, GNT). See Ex. 25:10; 37:1-9.

It is an unspeakable blasphemy for a Preacher or Prophet to teach that the Laws which is the rule of heaven has been nailed to the cross or abolished. The role of a Preacher or Prophet of GOD is to lead the people to GOD by their words and actions. How he leads people to GOD is speak the oracle of GOD to them and to live by the oracle (1 Pet. 4:11).

The work of a true Prophet of GOD is to call the people to return to the way of the laws of GOD when they wander out of GOD's laws. The Preacher and the Prophet are like watchmen to the people, for the text says: "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me" (Ezek. 3:17). See also 33:7. They are GOD's spokesmen.

A man who has no knowledge of GOD or His way, or an ignoramus, is a blind man, and it is the place of the Preacher and Prophet to lead him to GOD. When he teaches the blind man who look up to him that the Laws of GOD have been nailed to the cross, he is in essence casting a stumbling block in the way of that blind man. He is causing him to wander out of the way of GOD. the same for a man who knows a little and relies on his Preacher or prophet for teaching and interpretation of Scriptures.

Unfortunately, some of these preachers and so-called prophets know the truth but deliberately choose to sell falsehood to the people because of money. Because they are motivated by what they stand to benefit materially from their ignorant and unsuspecting members, they are horror-struck at the thought of losing these members when they tell them the truth. They therefore, choose to tell them what they want to hear in order to keep them. As noted earlier on, these "are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things."

Just as Balaam attempted to change the destiny of Israel, so these false preachers and prophets change the destiny of their blind members who unwittingly walk in sin and have their destinies altered, for the prosperity of GOD's people is dependent on obedience to the covenant laws of GOD, for as has been shown above, it is written: "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do" (Deut. 29:9). Also Josh. 1:7; I kgs. 2:3. A covenant child cannot attain his full potential unless he lives his life in accordance with the terms of GOD's covenant. See Lev. 26:2-12; Deut. 28:1-13; 11:13-15, 22-25; Ps. 1:1-3.

Some of these preachers and so called prophets are not learned in the word of GOD and are just as ignorant as the members of their congregations. They are blind guides. It is simply a case of the blind leading the blind, as reproduced above: "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch" (Matt. 15:14).

Many so-called believers rely mainly on the words of their leaders of various appellations. Even the Pastors rely on their superiors and General Overseers in the ministry. This writer has come across Pastors and lay members alike who after sharing the word of GOD with them and convincing them about the immutability of the Laws of GOD and the meaning of the gospel of the kingdom, would turn around and say that it is important that this writer speak to their superiors in the ministry or their General Overseer. Again, it is a case of the blind leading the blind as Yahshua said. See also Lk. 6:39.

We know that only the truth can make free, for the text says: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (Jn. 8:32). As was foretold by the Apostle Paul, these are times when people no longer endure sound doctrine and want Preachers and Prophets who tell them what they want to hear (2 Tim. 4:3).

Sound doctrine is the Law of GOD. It is the doctrine of the kingdom of GOD. The text says: ""But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine" (1 Tim. 1:8-10).

Again, it is written: "For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my Father\'s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep My commandments, and live" (Prov. 4:2-4).

It is written: "My son, keep my words, and lay up My commandments with thee. Keep My commandments, and live; and My law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart" (Prov. 7:1-3). See also Lev. 18:5; Ezek. 20:11, 13.

It is written: "And the LORD thy GOD will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as He rejoiced over thy fathers: If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy GOD, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy GOD with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy GOD, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy GOD shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it" (Deut. 30:9-16).

People of GOD are called to be separate from the world. They are called to be holy, for He who called them is Holy. The text says: "Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your GOD am holy" (Lev. 19:2). The text says: "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your GOD ... And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine" (Lev. 20:7, 26). See also Lev. 11:44.45; 1 Pet. 1:16; Tit. 2:14.

The Apostle John taught: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of GOD abideth forever" (1 Jn. 2:15-17). See also Jas. 4:4; Rom. 12:2; Matt. 6:24.

The Apostle Paul wrote: "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers" (Tit. 1:9).

He also wrote: "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine" (Tit. 2:1).

Again, to Timothy, the Apostle Paul wrote: "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content" (1 Tim. 6:3-8).

At the risk of repetition, the text says: "Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness" (2 Pet. 2:15).

The "Way of Balaam" is a choice to promote falsehood for financial reasons. The "Error of Balaam" (Jude 1:11) is to depart from sound doctrine and accommodate the world and pagan beliefs out of greed.

Today's so-called Christian Preachers and Prophets have this attitude that a believer can be fully co-operative with the world and still serve GOD. Their grace, no-law wishy-washy sugar-coated messages is motivated by greed. They tell the people what they want to hear in order to have and keep them in their membership which swell by the day, for the text says: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

The tithes and diverse offerings of the people yield mega businesses, estates and private jets for these reprobates who bask in the reward of unrighteousness and build their own heaven on earth. Heaven's judgment awaits them. That is the doctrine of Balaam. It is a doctrine of compromise with the world. A person following the doctrine of Balaam is willing to compromise his beliefs for the sake of some financial or personal benefit. He tolerates or indulges in sinful behavior for personal gain. The doctrine of Balaam was a problem for the Church of Pergamos. It is the problem of today's Christianity.

Chapter 17: The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans

The angel who spoke to the Churches of Ephesus and Pergamos made reference to the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans, for the text says: "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks ... But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate" (Rev. 2:1, 6). The text also says: "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; ... So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate" (Rev. 2:12, 15).

Chapter 18: Who were the Nicolaitans?

Nicolaus (Nicolas) was a proselyte of Antioch, who was one of the seven full of honest report, the Holy Spirit and wisdom, chosen to serve at the table as a Deacon when there arose a murmuring by the Gentile (Greek) converts against their Jewish brethren in the early church (Acts 6:1-6).

Nicolaus (Nicolas) had a very strong occult pagan background before he became a Jewish proselyte and would later-on become a follower of the way of Yahshua. It is believed (although not all historians agree) that over time, Nicolaus (Nicolas) turned somersault and had challenges separating his occult pagan beliefs from the way of Yahshua. He began to see nothing wrong about intermingling the two belief systems. It is said that they also had gnostic tendencies.

Post-Apostolic history informs us that the Nicolaitans was founded by Nicolaus (Nicolas). See Irenaeus (Adv. Haer., i.26, 3; iii.10, 7); Hippolytus (Philos. Vii.36); Clement of Alexandria (Strom. ii.20). Also Tertullian. According to these writers, Nicolaus (Nicolas) taught a Doctrine of compromise, teaching that there was nothing wrong about eating things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication, in opposition to the Apostolic ruling in Acts 15:19-20, 29, for the text says: "Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God. But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood...That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well." See also Acts 21:25. His teachings became known as the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans.

His doctrine was akin to the Doctrine of Balaam who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication (Rev. 2:14).

It is reported that occultism was a major force that troubled the Church in Ephesus where the goddess "Diana" (Artemis) was worshipped; and that the city of Pergamos was one of the most wicked cities in the ancient world because of paganic occultism.

Nicolaitanism does not advocate a strict separation from the world in order to be a follower of the way of Yahshua. The doctrine encouraged worldly participation, leading people to lower the standard of GOD and indulge in sin, which Yahshua hates. It is now clearly beyond the problem of the Church of Pergamos alone. It is today a problem for the entire Christian religion that has no qualms with the syncretism that has ravaged the religion.

Chapter 19: The Doctrine of Jezebel

The book of Revelation also makes reference to the "Doctrine of Jezebel" in relation to the Church of Thyatira, for the text says: "And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of GOD, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden" (Rev. 2:18-24).

Chapter 20: Who was Jezebel?

Jezebel was the wife of Ahab the king of Israel. Of Ahab, the text says: "And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him" (1 Kgs. 16:31-33).

As Queen, Jezebel killed the Prophets of GOD, for the text says: "And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water" (1 Kgs. 18:3-4). She, it was, who orchestrated the stoning to death, of Naboth the Jezreelite, so that her husband, King Ahab might take possession of his vineyard which Naboth had refused to sell to the King (1 Kgs. 21:5-15). She threatened to kill GOD's Prophet, Elijah who slew four hundred and fifty Prophets of Baal following the contest at Mt. Carmel where the GOD of the Prophet Elijah answered Elijah from heaven by fire and proved to be the true GOD, rather than Baal (1 Kgs. 18:22-40). The text says: "And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time" (1 Kgs. 19:1-2).

Jezebel was the one who led King Ahab to establish Baal worship in Israel. She acquired the reputation of being the most ungodly, most idolatrous, scheming and hateful woman in the Bible.

Chapter 21: What is the "Doctrine of Jezebel?"

Yahshua warned the Christian Church against the doctrine of Jezebel, "because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols" (Rev. 2:20). The name Jezebel is synonymous with false doctrine. Jezebel represents the false doctrine and idolatory (fornication) which has replaced sound doctrine. Too many Christian Preachers (so-called Ministers of GOD) of diverse appellations have come under the seductive spell of the doctrine of Jezebel. They are servants of corruption who teach doctrines that excuse sin. The seduced teachers have brought hundreds of thousands and millions of so-called Christians under the same seduction.

The Doctrine of Jezebel is opposed to the gospel of the Kingdom of GOD, the everlasting gospel. It is the popular doctrine which tell people what they want to hear and not to repent of their sins and live a life of godliness and holiness. It is a doctrine which puts no difference between godliness and worldliness. Christian believers who have been seduced by the doctrine of Jezebel do not want to be reproved for sin, "for they are under the dispensation of grace." Yet we know that the Scripture is for reproof and correction, for the text says: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Doctrine of Jezebel is a doctrine that have preference for falsehood over the truth of GOD. The victims of this dangerous doctrine are deluded to believe the lie because they hate the truth and want to hold on to their sins, for the text says: "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause GOD shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thess. 2:9-12). Its victims are held captive by the Preacher's way of speaking, style of dressing, personalities in the congregation, miracles, friends and music, and do not hunger for the pure word of GOD that revolves around the laws of GOD and obedience of those laws according to the example of Yahshua (doctrine of Yahshua).

The prosperity gospel making waves in the entire Christendom is a product of the doctrine of Jezebel. Prosperity gospel is a gospel of covetousness. It is idolatory in disguise. Prosperity Preachers twist and misuse Bible passages to put a badge of approval on covetousness. GOD commanded that man should not covet, for the text says: "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour\'s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour\'s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour\'s" (Ex. 20:17). Jezebel tells King Ahab, "Does thou not govern the kingdom of Israel? Arise, and eat bread, and let thy heart be merry; I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite" (1 Kgs. 21:7).

GOD commanded that His people will prosper if they obey the words of His Law. See Deut. 29:9; Josh. 1:1-8; Lev. 26:1-13; Deut. 28:1-14; 1 Kgs. 2:3-4; Ps. 1:1-3. Prosperity Preachers seduced by the doctrine of Jezebel preach grace, no-law prosperity.

Prosperity preachers seduced by the doctrine of Jezebel are "men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness" (1 Tim. 6:5). The Apostle Paul warns: "From such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content" (Verses 6-8).

To be covetous is to be idolatrous, for the text says: "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks... For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of GOD" (Eph. 5:3, 5). The text also says: "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Col. 3:5).

Teachers of the doctrine of Jezebel treat GOD's true Ministers and Prophets like outcasts and look upon them with disdain. This they do because they and the seduced members of their congregations constitute the majority of so-called Christians while GOD's true Ministers, Prophets are a negligible minority.

Teachers of the doctrine of Jezebel substitute GOD's biblical Feasts (Festivals) for their own, especially those associated with the chief god of the heathens, the sun (which is, in fact, Baal worship) and others, such as Sunday worship, Easter and Christmas, Epiphany, Ascension day, All Saints day, their own version of Pentecost, Harvest etc. This is the doctrine of Jezebel, a woman who calls herself a Prophetess. They reject GOD's own appointed feasts (festivals) and holy days such as the seventh day Shabbat, Passover/Unleavened Bread, Shavuot (Feast of Weeks), Trumpets, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles).

It is written: "Then GOD commanded, \"Let lights appear in the sky to separate day from night and to show the time when days, years, and religious festivals begin" (Gen. 1:14, GNT).

And in Leviticus, GOD Commanded saying: "You have six days in which to do your work, but remember that the seventh day, the Sabbath, is a day of rest. On that day do not work, but gather for worship. The Sabbath belongs to the Lord, no matter where you live. Proclaim the following festivals at the appointed times" (Lev. 23:3-4, GNT). All of GOD's own Festivals (Feasts) are enumerated, as noted, in Leviticus 23. All of the Festivals are commanded to be celebrated as everlasting covenants. Yahshua and early Christianity celebrated them.

All of these non-biblical feasts (festivals) celebrated in GOD's name are otherwise called King Jeroboam's feasts or festivals. Jeroboam appointed a feast in the month which he devised out of his own heart in GOD's name and commanded Israel to celebrate it, and it became a sin against GOD, for the text says: "And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made. So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense" (1 Kgs. 12:32-33). See Lev. 23:33-34; Num. 29:12; 1 Kgs. 8:2.

Regarding Rome, in the prophecy of Daniel long before the event, the text says: "Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time" (Dan. 7:23-25).

In a sense, Jezebel typifies the Roman Catholic Church for it was the Catholic Church that brought so many pagan teachings and practices into Christianity and mixed them with some biblical teachings (syncretism), resulting in idol worship (spiritual fornication) and fornication in the sense of sexual unchastity. The Roman Catholic Church (Jezebel) becomes mystery Babylon the great, the great mother of harlots and abominations of the earth, for the text says: "And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration" (Rev. 17:1-6).

One hallmark of the seduced Jezebel Prophets is that they do not prophesy to their victims godliness, holiness and repentance from sin, but only deliverance and prosperity, just as the text says: "And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused My people Israel to err. I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto Me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. They say still unto them that despise Me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you" (Jer. 23:13-17).

They also make you believe that everybody is a witch who is after your life and your progress and who must be killed with "holy ghost" fire. See also Ezek. 13:10; 22:25-28; Jer. 6:14; 8:11.

Preachers seduced by Jezebel and her doctrine seal a pact with the queen of the coast to acquire magical powers to prophesy, work miracles, perform wonders and deceive unsuspecting members of their congregation and the public. The terms of such pact often include prohibition from preaching against fornication and sin, to preach breakthrough, prosperity, deliverance and motivation, and not salvation which is gospel of the kingdom, to indulge in sexual sins as by sleeping with virgin girls and married women in order to renew and recharge their demonic anointing. The promise of the pact include wealth, fame, huge membership, double and triple anointing etc. These seduced Preachers belong to a so-called brotherhood.

Like the Church of Thyatira they perform great work of charity as though it is an attempt to bribe GOD, but as it is written, GOD cannot be bribed, for it is written: "For the LORD your GOD is GOD of gods, and LORD of lords, a great GOD, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward" (Deut. 10:17). It is also written: "...for there is no iniquity with the LORD our GOD, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts" (2 Chron. 19:7).

Unfortunately, the vast majority of Preachers of various appellations of the Pentecostal stock acquire their "anointing" from the Queen of the coast. Many travel as far as India to acquire power to perform healing, deliverance and all kinds of wonders. Likewise, Preachers of the so-called old generation Churches are members of one secret cult or the other. Mournfully, likewise, many so called high priests and priests who mouth GOD's covenant laws are today, members of witchcraft and occult societies. These all are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved forever, as it is said by the Apostle Peter (2 Pet. 2:17).

Chapter 22: CONCLUSION

When a religion is consumed by the foregoing evil and dangerous triple doctrines of Balaam, Nicolaitans and Jezebel, its gospel must be strange indeed, and out of harmony and tune with the pure gospel of the kingdom of GOD, the everlasting gospel which leads to salvation of the soul. Heaven's verdict of strangeness of its gospel or doctrine is unassailable.

It is safe then to conclude that in its present version, in message and practice, Christianity is easily an aberrant religion that thrives on the periphery of the Almighty GOD's immarcescible covenant laws that enjoin literal and spiritual adherence and obedience.

-By The Apostle (Justice) Paul Madubochi

Note: This message contains sacred literature. Please do not deface or discard