Category Archives: Current Events

Current Events Feasts of Israel

Light of the World – Revelations from Hanukah

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Light of the world — the whole world.  Gentiles, women, and what it all means for today.

The story of the Macabeean revolt, the miracle of the oil in the “candlestick” in the holy place, freedom and continuation of civilization! Then Jesus proclaiming Himself the Light of the World. What it all means today: God meeting us in our dedication, fueling from Holy Spirit, and hope in dark times.

Rabbi Smith: What a non-Jew Can Do for Chanukah?

Current Events

Hitler Takes Power, Lied to the Church, Diminished Freedoms

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Continuing in our review of Erwin Lutzer’s Hitler’s Cross, we cover how Hitler lied to the church, made deals promising religious freedom for political support, but private said he intended to completely shut down churches. The state could dedicate babies and make holidays! He appeared to be a Roman Catholic but was really practicing occultism. Most churchmen went along.

Here what Lutzer says, and a little by James Dobson and R. Rushdoony.

I think you will make many connections with what is going on today. Don’t be a church leader who makes similar mistakes.

Current Events Feasts of Israel Holidays Moedim

Lessons from Hanukah and the Maccabees

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You probably have heard about Hanukah, the winter festival of the Jews in which they light the menorah. However, you probably don’t know the story of the Maccabees behind it. There is lots to learn.

First, I tell you the basic history, and then a little about how the rabbis interpret it, and how the Jews celebrate today. Then, I offer some thought questions.

The wildest thing is how it parallels today! Stick with it to the end. Then, really think. What were the issues then? Now? So, what does it mean to be faithful to YHWH?

Notice, that the Macabees were lauded for serving the good of the whole even at cost to themselves. But wouldn’t have the Antiochus officials said that they should have Hellenized and gone along, and given them more money? Sometimes you judge how much someone has contributed by how much they lost and not how much they gained.

Teaser: I didn’t find the miracle of the oil in I Maccabees.  Not in II Maccabees. Hmmm. But I did read about the Battle of Emmaus! Wow!

More resources.

  1. Get the text.

2. Rabbi Sobel gives you amazing number study  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVjpUHT_slE  

My A&P and messianic friends will like this.

3. Here is the consensus rabbinical explanation. (So very funny: I asked a respected rabbi here this question and he referred me to Rabbi Google. I figured I had so little knowledge that such would not be a reliable source. Was he perhaps unwilling to face public pressure because the people like Hanukah? I may never know.)

That being the case, why do the Rabbis decide to focus entirely on this miracle of the oil? The 16th-century Maharal of Prague, Rabbi Judah Loew, offers a concise answer to this puzzling rabbinical emphasis on the miracle of the oil: The main reason that the days of Hanukkah were instituted was to celebrate the victory over the Greeks.
4. Here is the Lubavitcher word on the holiday. They are very conservative, millenial, and evangelistic.
13 Facts About the Maccabees Every Jew Should Know By Menachem Posner 1. The Maccabees Are the Heroes of Chanukah The Maccabees were Jewish fighters who led the revolt against the Syrian Greek ruling class, who had suppressed Jewish religion in an effort to spread their Hellenistic customs and idolatrous beliefs.
Current Events Leadership Replication

HOW TO PRAY IN PUBLIC *** How to Lead in Prayer

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I was asked to be the lead for prayer in a Christian political group recently.  Surprisingly to me, people were surprised and appreciative. Then, someone was angry — whether from jealousy or from insecurity or more likely from demonic control. No matter. This became the impetus to share what I know. We need prayer leadership. Other ministers teach how to pray, but no one teaches how to pray in public, or how to lead in prayer. Prayer is not for applause. Prayer is not for arguing. Prayer is for acknowledging God in our meetings; prayer is for aligning with the purposes of God; and prayer is for receiving miracles.

It is time to offer prayers for all these reasons! Let’s have no more mumbled meaningless ditties! Let us pray God for intervention in our situation! Let us pray to thank the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Further, let’s lend some leadership in this space that is so very much needed. We need leadership in prayer.

So, for those who don’t yet know, or don’t yet feel comfortable, here is how.

Clarification: short advice is:  pray according to the Bible and according to the Spirit. I am guessing that you already knows that, but felt now I needed to say this clearly. This course is to get someone over the hump of being shy, intimidated, or bewildered. Once you have begun, always throw out your notes and go where the Spirit leads — which always will be exactly aligned with the Bible.

How to Pray in Public, Introduction

Mistakes People Make

Structure of Prayer

Content of Prayer

Delivery Tips

Praying in Mixed Groups

How to Pray in Public Conclusion

Examples

These files will be posted here temporarily, probably only until the coming mid-term elections. After that, when I have time, they will be available on some platform as a course.

Blessings Controversial Issues Current Events Feasts of Israel Holy Spirit guidance Perfection Sonship Tabernacles

Feast of Tabernacles – NOW! Wow!

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Today we define and explain the original Feast of Tabernacles, also called the Feast of Booths, or Sukkoth.  We talked about how Jesus fulfilled this feast also, in being Emmanuel, God with us. We talk about the not yet of the prophetic meaning of the end-times.  That eschatological means is proleptic: both now and not yet. The real point is the real walking out spiritually now. It is one thing to say that, but what does that look like? How is it done?

Answer: It looks like Jesus. And what was his first foot forward?  And How is it done? The inner work of laying it all on the altar. Oh my goodness … old words with disappointment on them. Check out this episode. I have new revelation — at least it was for me. It is right there in the text: the sacrifices, the rest, the deliverance from slavery.  That is a picture of the FEAST of TABERNACLES.

Please hear; please share.

Conference (that was mentioned) website: https://www.setapartwomen.co/

Controversial Issues Current Events Feasts of Israel Moedim

Do the The Feasts of Israel Have Prophetic Meaning?

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Do the The Feasts of Israel Have Prophetic Meaning? Is it legitimate to try to find prophetic meaning in the “Feasts of Israel”  (or better named the “moedim” the appointed times of God)?  Shouldn’t we just take the Scripture at face value? Who is to say what they mean? And then, if we do take any meaning, isn’t that an open door for people to “find” some future prophetic meaning?

HOW THIS CAME UP

In a messianic group I visit this was the question posed. First time it was posed, rather than asserted. As a question, it is worthy of being answered. Are there “types and shadows” in the Bible. Is it legitimate to find allegorical meaning? Do these scripture speak of a time beyond the basic commandment? Is there possibly future prophetic meaning?

We can answer all of these questions surely and definitely, based on the text of the Bible, especially the New Testament. Yes, the Bible itself witnessed to, in clear language, that the Old Testament, the Torah especially, was written with types and shadows in mind. Yes, the Bible itself gives examples of finding allegorical or typological meaning in Scripture, and in the moedim in particular.

WHAT ABOUT FALSE PROPHETS?

Having said that yes, there are prophetic meanings, does not mean that ANY BODY AND ANY interpretation is correct. There is a pattern, a trajectory, and other Scriptures. Standard hermeneutical rules apply. Nevertheless, yes, there are prophetic meanings in the text. And most especially, yes, the feasts do have prophetic meanings — of course!

CALL TO A DECISION — FOR JESUS

Scripture is deep. Those who want to reduce it to face value want to do so because they want to control it. They want to justify themselves. Those, who look deeply into Scripture will find more. Think Jesus speaking to the pharisees. Think the Bereans. Love the scripture; love to hear the Spirit; focus on Jesus!  It is all about Jesus. It is not about the law. It is not even about the text, as precious as it is. It is about Jesus. (And  it is not so much about us as it is about Jesus, the Pattern Son.)

Controversial Issues Current Events Holidays Moedim Repentance

Day of Atonement : What is Sin?

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There seems to be quite a lot of confusion about what sin is, how sin is best dealt with, and to what extent gentiles should keep the Mosaic Law. All answered here. And a great time to answer them, as we approach the Day of Atonement.

The Day of Atonement is a moed, an appointed time, one of the “7 feasts of Israel”, and appointment of the people with God.  The Day of Atonement a time to repent, to seek forgiveness of God, to reconcile with God and with others.

I will cover the basic scriptures on this topic from Torah, cover briefly the consensus Jewish thinking and the Chabad/Lubavitcher viewpoint. Then, let’s go into the New Testament about what sin is and how sin is best dealt with.

SHOULD WE KEEP THE LAW? IS SIN MERELY FAILURE TO KEEP TORAH?

We should have a great deal of respect and gratitude for Torah and Tanakh, for without them, we could not understand Jesus/Yeshua. On the other hand, we should not trample the greater gift of Jesus/Yeshua.  Nor should we think we, in our unlettered and prideful state are so much smarter than Peter, James, and John, or Paul. Let’s consider what all of these teachers had to say, shall we?

We will find that both in original Hebrew thinking and in New Testament thinking that sin is “missing the mark.”  What mark? For Paul: the glory of God. High mark. So, how would be come up to that bar? Only Jesus Christ/ Yeshua HaMesiach/Son of God could help us that far up.

This is not rabbinic thought. Nor is it sloppy Christian “messianic”  — shall we say messy legalism.My position is we should have more respect for the Jewish traditions today, more learning about the Torah, and a full understanding of our own New Testament. We get into trouble when the unlearned take part of a Scripture and blithely take away others’ faith. They feel very spiritual and righTeous doing so, but…. the results are very regrettable, first for others who are made worried… but later themselves when they find they have disrespected Jesus.

RETURNING TO THE FAITH; RECONCILING WITH GOD

Today I am most concerned to help concerned Christians back to settled faith, and comfort in the grace of God, after they have been pummeled and battered by ignorant messy-anic folks who want to make them feel guilty because they are not fully keeping the Mosaic law. Sin is much more than merely transgressing the Mosaic Law. It is pretty hard to keep the Mosaic Law. Always was. particularly, now when there is not Temple and no sacrifice.

Sin is bad and we should acknowledge that sin exists. This failure to acknowledge sin is rampant. Sin is foolish, harmful, but also knowing about sin is an opportunity to return to God. Wonderful Hasidic wisdom.  But the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, our wonderful Messiah who is more than we ever imagined, has come and invited us into His own righteousness. This is the wonder. Let’s not overlook that. This is the awesomeness of the sonship message. It is all of grace; it is all of faith; it is not without works.

https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/2093-atonement-day-of

https://www.reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/yom-kippur/yom-kippur-customs-and-rituals

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/177886/jewish/What-Is-Yom-Kippur.htm

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2830/jewish/What-Is-Sin.htm

https://free.messianicbible.com/tag/kol-nidre/#.YzbaPUzMI5s

https://perrystone.org/the-day-of-atonement-leviticus-chapter-16/

Controversial Issues Current Events Maturity Moedim Snship Soul winning

FEASTS OF TRUMPETS

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Seeing so much hunger and hearing so little good teaching,  I have posted an audio file on the Feast of Trumpets, more commonly known as Rosh HaShannah. I have defined the Feast of Trumpets, relayed the relevant Scriptures, or most of them, and applied it. The trumpet announces the presence of royalty, war, warning, and worship. Brief discussion of various eschatologies. Invites you to learn more of the Word of God. Equips preachers. Encourages you to worship, service, and evangelism.

 

SOURCE ALLUDED TO FOR REFERENCE

When does “the last trump” sound? The Rapture, the Second Coming, or some other time?

Dr. Showers argues that “the last trump” Paul is referring back to I Cor 14 when he mentions a military trumpet. In this case, the last trumpet is the call for men at war to stop fighting, or a watchman to finish his time at post. Either way, “the last trump” means “time of rest.” This makes sense, especially since we have a seen a difference between the last trump and the Great Trumpet.

There is much discussion about the Trumpet of the Rapture being or not being the 7th Trumpet in the book of Revelation. Some people read that the Rapture happens between the letters to the church and what John sees in heaven, making the “come up hither” be the same as the Rapture. At any rate, the idea that the “last trump” is a call to rest works very well with the theme of the Feasts of Trumpets being about preaching in the church age.

RULING

Amir Tsarfati gave a wonderful teaching on the timeline on Sept 24th, but marred it by at the very end of the Q&A time calling out and lumping together that Kingdom now and the 7m teaching and those who think they will make things better and thus bring back the Messiah. These camps are not the same, except that they are more optimistic and therefor more willing to grow and work. They have on their side “the Kingdom is within/among you.”

Since I had enjoyed Amir’s teaching that day, I was momentarily confused. I sought God. Here is the scripture that came to me as an answer ; “The wheat and the tares grow together.”  So, yes the world is dark… but that doesn’t mean we have to be pessimistic and throw down our weapons and just wait for a rescue. No.  Now we are the technon, the teenagers. Then we will be like Him: grown son. For we shall see Him as He is. Division in the camp is a trick of the enemy. We need all that the Body has to be a full Body. Each piece has a revelation and they will fit together like a puzzle.

Sam Fife said, correctly, that preaching against error in other camps makes more error.

Okay, so, Sharon, what are you doing? I am preaching truth in my camp, as respectfully as possible. And erring on the respectful side, too, I think. I get attacked for speaking truth, but when I do, I check to be sure I was as loving and soft as possible,  grieve over those who are inclined to attack others, and then I roll my hurt upon Jesus.

 

IMPORTANT RESOURCEs TO BUY, READ, APPLY

CF DO NOT LEAVE QUIETLY by Mario Murillo  This book is an excellent real time application guide for how to “trumpet” in the current situation. We must speak up, for the Lord, for the church, and for ourselves …. just as Paul did when asked to leave the jail in Phillippi .

Here is a similar place to jump in, and a model to follow, of Christian “speaking up” or “trumpeting forth.”  https://lancewallnau.com/episode-750-the-revival-we-seek-is-breaking-out-in-local-territories-like-this/

Someone else, more from a political angle, or at least a different faith angle, chimes in: get active. https://rumble.com/v1l4vm1-a-letter-to-americas-churches.-eric-metaxas-with-sebastian-gorka-one-on-one.html?mref=7x15j&mc=b4trb

Hear is a prayer confession offered for our nation. Kenneth Copeland was saying back in 2011 or so that we needed to start voting and getting involved. Now, he has the www.govictory online channel with the FlashPoint show bi-weekly, twice daily news, and election watch shows. Copeland’s theology might not be your cup of tea, but you have to admit that the current criticism against him: that he claimed it was the devil trying to …. “squeal” the election and destroy our children…. is sort of illustrative of his being entirely correct on at least these 2 points.

Controversial Issues Current Events News Sonship

If You Believe in 7M, or Being Salt and Light, Please Consider…

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NEWS RESOURCE – INFOGRAPHIC

1. Epoch Times timeline of covid inception
https://www.theepochtimes.com/infographic-covid-19-outbreak-cover-up_4025512.html?utm_source=newsnoe&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=breaking-2021-10-01-3&est=Zd8meIVaDPpbHEw%2BeR93L7Maa3nVp6lqm%2FpcDd2CZ3jimXvFDZnKarA2q%2FT39i4feGI%3D

Please note that Epoch Times is the newspaper in the US with the strongest reporting on China, as founder was a participant in the Tianenamen Square protests as a young person.

CHURCH LEADERS FINALLY SPEAK UP

2. Pastor Joe Sweet summarizes his view of world affairs :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8ymtw12b4M
He calls for a spiritual response: groaning in intercession. Has to be heard in entirety to be appreciated.

3. Chavda Ministries this past Friday “Watch of the Lord” Night Prayer Service and Sunday Morning Service
https://cmi.us.hubb.digital/Groups/1000047680/Chavda_Ministries_International/Media/Media.aspx?redirected=1

Pastors Chavda also mention world affairs and spiritual response, issuing often in practical response. (For instance, Pastor Bonnie mobilized pastors in Charlotte to dialog with gangs in Charlotte and thus averted the planned riots there.)

WANT TO BAND TOGETHER?

If you want a church that addresses local, national and world affairs
is a real community
works on following Word and Spirit,
then, please contact us.

Mature sonship must be servantship, issuing from the Word and Will and mandate of God. Sonship is Spirit and Word led servantship especially in the worst of times. Are you an aspiring Esther, brought to the Kingdom for such a time as this? Are you an Elijah who needs a rest? Are you a Gideon, who has a jawbone? Let us know, if you want some fellowship.

Controversial Issues Current Events Healing Maturity Prayer Sonship Worship

What would it mean to be like Jesus?

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Very surprisingly, I have never heard or seen someone take the life of Jesus, and make a list of what he did and apply that to what maybe we should do. Wow!

What would it mean to be like Jesus? It takes a real step-up of faith to consider that we might be perfected, but we also have to  consider what Jesus was like! …. oooooh and is like! Wow!

Okay, so let’s try that.  Let’s go down the list and find out what would it mean to be like Jesus?

  1. First, he was a obedient, good child, learned the Torah, took care of his family. Check. I think the church knows this.
  2. He got baptized, answered his calling, and went to the wilderness to pray.  Okay. First, Wesley and most people who believe we might be holy believe that would be on the basis of prayer and worship. A few people are following this. One group I know of focused on obedience, submission and going to the wilderness to heighten that. Interesting. That has been done. Maybe everyone needs a wilderness experience to overcome their own personal demons.
  3. Then Jesus began his ministry, proclaiming : “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.”  There are few people willing to lead prayers of repentance. There are a few people willing to preach Kingdom.
  4. Then he went out healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, and raising the dead, doing good, releasing people from the bondage of the devil. Some of the church has a vision of this. We have a lot of work to do.
  5. Jesus went to the cross and raised again. This is not to be repeated in order to earn our salvation. We identify with Him in His death, burial and resurrection. We signify that we we are baptized. However, we should arm ourselves with that mindset. We live for others. We find that is a glorious, fulfilling life. We were meant for this.
  6. One more thing. Jesus said, “greater works than these.”  What would that be?  We are not yet to the “healed them all” yet. Jesus did that; he healed all who came to him.  So far, I don’t think we are having many meetings were everyone gets healed. People are being raised from the dead mostly in Africa, but I have heard of an instance hear.
  7.  But what would greater works be?  Kingdom fulfillment — on a wide scale.  Not just a soul here or there, but systemic salvation, love and peace. Ultimate good. Imagine that. Eden restored — or better, even grown up.
  8. We, like him, come on a colt, a foal. He will come one day as Judge on a White Horse; God will let us know. For now, we still come as suffering servants with healing in our hands, in sheepfolds, in carpenter shops, and in cesear’s household.

It is a great mystery, a great revelation.   I invite you. It makes all of life meaningful, rich, better than anything else.