News Letter 5848-012
27th day of the 2nd month 5848 years after the creation of Adam
The 2nd Month in the Third year of the third Sabbatical Cycle
The Third Sabbatical Cycle of the 119th Jubilee Cycle
The Sabbatical Cycle of Earthquakes Famines, and Pestilences
This is also the end of the Eighth week of this the Third Tithe Year for the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow Deuteronomy 26:12
The 42nd day of Counting the Omer

May 19, 2012

Shabbat Shalom Brethren,

It is with great excitement that I am pleased to announce the plans for this year’s Sukkoth celebrations.
I first went to Israel in 2005 to learn about those things written in the bible. I kept the Feast of Tabernacles, Sukkoth that year with Don Esposito. It was an awesome time and I learned so much.

I returned in 2006 again with Don Esposito to prove those things I had learned the year before. I began to write about them in the News letter’s which had just begun that July.

I was not allowed to join with Don’s group in 2007 and so a friend from New Zealand and I toured the land our selves. This was possibly the best trip ever as our Father showed us things that we still can’t explain.

In 2008 I was again not allowed to join with Don or other groups and again I spent the Feast alone with three people from the USA.

In 2009 many brethren were staying at the Petra Hostel for Sukkoth who had no group they could attend with and we learned this by chance just three weeks before the Feast. Myself and a few others organised this feast to be one for all those who were outcast from other groups. We were able to line up speakers for each night and we ended up having 175 come to join us. It was unbelievable and it was the talk of Jerusalem that year. I met my friend Stephen Spykerman here. We even had a self appointed prophet who lives in the park come and talk. It was the first time he had been allowed to join a group and even to speak. It made him feel so special for this Sukkoth.

Those of us organizing agreed to make this site acceptable to all outcasts.

In 2010 we did it again and had tours and again we had a huge crowd show up and we did this at cost. It was such a blessing to be able to share this time with others and not to have to be alone in the park. Again we had a variety of speakers from Karaite to Orthodox to Messianic and others. Once again it was an awesome Feast site.

But cracks developed over the winter and rumors were strong at Passover in 2011. A letter was issued to deny Nehemiah Gordon from speaking. I became very upset about this and argued how this was wrong. It became obvious that I was not going to win this argument and I began to look for another group or place to keep the Feast. I met Avi Ben Mordechai who had befriended me the year before when I was in need of some counseling. I asked him if he had anything going. He had not really planned for a Feast tour. In the mean time Stephen Spykerman was asked to take over the Feast at the Petra.

This split was not able to be rectified by the time of the Feast and it was just at the last minute that Avi was able to put a tour group together and I agreed to work with him to help bring it about. It was an awesome tour. Some were torn as to which group to attend with but they did have an awesome time with Avi. We saw things and went places that were just awesome. Those who went know how awesome that was. I do not want to wear out that word but it was an awesome tour.

During this time we kept bumping into Stephen and all of these chance meetings were not planned; they were Divine appointments. We would have short talks as time permitted. And I urged him to think about next year.

Avi and Stephen later met and those things I had objected to about Nehemiah not being allowed to speak have been resolved. So it is with great excitement and joy that I am able to announce that Stephen and I will be joining together along with Avi ben Mordechai to give you a tour of Israel unlike any you have been on.

If you’re thinking that you would like to see the land then this is the tour to do it on. Please at least go to this URL and read the itinerary and then sign up.

We look forward to meeting you in Israel for Sukkoth this year. Stop saying maybe next year in Jerusalem Do it this year. http://www.cominghome.co.il/tours/Sukkot%202012%20Pre-Promo.pdf

Those of you who have read and understand the Prophecies of Abraham and watched the DVD The Chronological Order of Prophecy in the Jubilee know how little time is left and how we have so few years left that we will be able to go up to Jerusalem in peace. So do it now if you can. Space is going to be limited.

We also have an announcement for Shavuot here in Ontario Canada.

Please join the Maranatha fellowship for the Feast of Weeks/Pentecost
May 26th and May 27th
At the Dornoch Retreat Centre Hwy #6 North of Durham http://www.dornochretreatcentre.com
Celebrations begins 10:30 am each day
Each day will be filled with worship, fellowship, teachings, bible studies and lots of food! Contact the retreat centre for accommodations 519-794-2180.
Topics for the weekend:
The giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai and what that means for us today
What is the connection between the giving of the Torah and the giving of the Holy Spirit?
Purposefulness, Preparation, Presence, Power and the Product of Pentecost
The Church in the Book of Acts
Plus Much Much More !
Come for the day, or spend the weekend, everyone welcome
For more information contact John at 519-665-7433 or Contact Lorie for contributions to pot blessings at 519-794-3434

It is that time of year, Pentecost in just one week’s time.

One of the things I hate doing is wasting a News Letter to address erroneous teachings that have joined themselves to the Torah. Over and Over we are warned not to add to the WORD!!! Yet everyone and their brother-in-law have no problem bringing the false church teachings they once were a part of and adding them to the Torah.

Deu 4:2 “Do not add to the Word which I command you, and do not take away from it, so as to guard the commands of ???? your Elohim which I am commanding you.

Deu 12:32 “All the words I am commanding you, guard to do it – do not add to it nor take away from it.

Pro 30:6 Do not add to His Words1, Lest He reprove you, and you be found a liar.

This command not to add to the word can even be found as a warning in the New Testament.

Rev 22:18 For I witness to everyone hearing the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, Elohim shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, Elohim shall take away his part from the Book of Life, and out of the set-apart city, which are written in this Book.

Gal 1:6 I marvel that you are so readily turning away from Him who called you in the favour of Messiah, to a different ‘Good News,’1 Footnote: 12 Cor. 11:4. 7 which is not another, only there are some who are troubling you and wishing to pervert the Good News of Messiah. 8 However, even if we, or a messenger out of heaven, bring a ‘Good News’ to you beside what we announced to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone brings a ‘Good News’ to you beside what you have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or Elohim? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I should not be a servant of Messiah. 11 And I make known to you, brothers, that the Good News announced by me is not according to man. 12 For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but through a revelation of ????? Messiah.

Do not add to the Word things that are not there lest He prove you a liar. Do people actually listen to this?

Do you realize what the Tree of Good and Evil actually is? It is some truth mixed in with a small lie. Just a little off the mark. We are told not to eat from this tree. Not even to touch it. Yet just like Eve many feel they can handle the false truths of this tree from Satan.

They do not realize that when they do they become filthy and then begin to teach others about this small lie and filth that they now consider to be the truth; the same way that Eve did to Adam.

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, watch, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in the belief, knowing that the same hardships are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

The word Subtle means this;
subtle

ADJECTIVE:
subtler, subtlest

So slight as to be difficult to detect or describe; elusive: a subtle smile.
Difficult to understand; abstruse: an argument whose subtle point was lost on her opponent.
Able to make fine distinctions: a subtle mind.

Characterized by skill or ingenuity; clever.
Crafty or sly; devious.
Operating in a hidden, usually injurious way; insidious: a subtle poison.

I find this definition to be very enlightening…..So slight as to be difficult to detect

(The Scriptures 1998+) And the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which ???? Elohim had made, and he said to the woman, “Is it true that Elohim has said, ‘Do not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

(YLT) And the serpent hath been subtile above every beast of the field which Jehovah God hath made, and he saith unto the woman, `Is it true that God hath said, Ye do not eat of every tree of the garden?’

As all of us have been mislead in the former groups that we once belonged to. Each of the groups or Churches had some sort of truth in it and then it had a lot of lies mixed in with that truth. We all are coming out of those false teachings. But far too many come to this Messianic or Hebrew Roots movement and want to bring with you the things you previously learned in the church you had attended.

We must drop it all. All of it and begin to start over, reading the Torah and it alone until we get it right. We, those of us of the Lost Ten Tribes are so easily given to false and misleading teachings. It is the way we have been since the time of Rachel who took the idols from Laban. We want to have something to look at or hold to represent our god. This is what we did when we made the golden calves. This is what we do whenever we make something else our god and not Yehovah.

Joh 14:15 “If you love Me, you shall guard My commands.1 Footnote: 1See Ex. 20:6, vv. 21&23, 1 John 5:2-3, 2 John v. 6. 16 “And I shall ask the Father, and He shall give you another Helper, to stay with you forever – 17 the Spirit of the Truth, whom the world is unable to receive, because it does not see Him or know Him. But you know Him, for He stays with you and shall be in you.

Did you understand this passage? It says that if you obey the commandments, you will receive the Holy Spirit. The world and all of those who do not keep the commandments are not able to receive and do not receive the Holy Spirit.

“If you love Me, you shall guard My commands.

The Spirit of the Truth, whom the world is unable to receive; stop and think about this. Why is the world not able to receive the Holy Spirit? Because they do not guard the commandments. They do not keep the Commandments and will not obey them even when they know them. The Test Commandment has always been the Sabbath. Are they keeping the Sabbath and the Holy Days.

Do you see this? It is very plain.

In order to receive the Holy Spirit you must be keeping the Torah. You must be keeping the Sabbath and the Holy Days. If not then you have not received the Holy Spirit, but you may have received another spirit that looks like it is Holy but it is subtly unholy.

He says it again:

Joh 14:21 “He who possesses My commands and guards them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I shall love him and manifest Myself to him.”

Do you want Yehshua to manifest Himself to you? What do you have to do?

He repeats it a third time:

Joh 14:23 ????? answered him, “If anyone loves Me, he shall guard My Word. And My Father shall love him, and We shall come to him and make Our stay with him. 24 “He who does not love Me does not guard My Words. And the Word which you hear is not Mine but of the Father Who sent Me. 25 “These Words I have spoken to you while still with you. 26 “But the Helper, the Set-apart Spirit, whom the Father shall send in My Name, He shall teach you all, and remind you of all that I said to you.

If you want the Holy Spirit and if you want them to make their abode with you, then you need to obey!

And then he singled out all others that have made a stand not to obey:

Joh 14:24 “He who does not love Me does not guard My Words.

Yes folks, this is how you show Yehshua that you do not love Him… by not keeping His commandments.

As we come up on Pentecost we will hear and see many people of the Pentecostal church claim they got the spirit of prophecy or the spirit to be able to talk in tongues. And as we have just read none of those of the Pentecostal church keep the Sabbath or the Holy Days. We just read that the Holy Spirit would be sent to those who kept the Commandments. So by what spirit do these people operate under?

A subtle spirit that comes looking like an angel of light but the truth it does not have.

2Co 11:13 For such are false emissaries, deceptive workers, masquerading as emissaries of Messiah. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself masquerades as a messenger of light! 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness,1 whose end shall be according to their works!2 Footnotes: 1Mt. 7:15-23, 2 Peter 2:1-22. 2Mt. 13:41-42.

2Th 2:1 As to the coming of our Master ????? Messiah and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as if the day of ???? has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way, because the falling away is to come first, and the man of lawlessness1 is to be revealed, the son of destruction, Footnote: 1Some texts read sin instead of lawlessness. This man might be the same one we read of in the prophecy in Isa. 14:12 – H?l?l (“Heileil”), meaning “the shining one,” the sovereign of Bab?el. 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called Elohim or that is worshipped, so that he sits as Elohim in the Dwelling Place of Elohim, showing himself that he is Elohim.

2Th 2:9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood, 10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness in those perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth, in order for them to be saved. 11 And for this reason Elohim sends them a working of delusion, for them to believe the falsehood,1 Footnote: 1Eze. 20:25, John 9:39, John 12:40, Acts 7:42, Rom. 1:24-28. 12 in order that all should be judged who did not believe the truth, but have delighted in the unrighteousness.

Many of those who go after this false expression of speaking in tongues and other deceptive teachings do so as we just read because they do not have a love of the truth to start with. Torah is not enough for them. They want to explore all these other things and incorporate them into their version of what Torah should be.

‘all deceit of unrighteousness in those perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth, in order for them to be saved’

Think about this as you delve into these things that these other groups practice and say is from the bible. They are lying to you but if your heart is not in the Torah then you will believe the lie and will swallow this strong delusion taught by Satan’s angels.

We also read about these last days in the following scriptures.

1Ti 4:1 But the Spirit distinctly says that in latter times some shall fall away from the belief, paying attention to misleading spirits, and teachings of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having been branded on their own conscience, 3 forbidding to marry, saying to abstain from foods which Elohim created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

Mat 24:10 “And then many shall stumble, and they shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another. 11 “And many false prophets shall rise up and lead many astray. 12 “And because of the increase in lawlessness, the love of many shall become cold.

When these false spirits come into the group they destroy the group causing fights and leading some to follow them.
Mat 24:23 “If anyone then says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe. 24 “For false messiahs and false prophets shall arise, and they shall show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. 25 “See, I have forewarned you.

2Pe 2:1 But there also came to be false prophets1 among the people, as also among you there shall be false teachers, who shall secretly bring in destructive heresies, and deny the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. Footnote: 1See Mt. 7:15-23 v. 7-8, and again v. 21. 2 And many shall follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of, 3 and in greed, with fabricated words, they shall use you for gain. From of old their judgment does not linger, and their destruction does not slumber.

Once again you are being warned of how subtle these people are bringing in these false teaching to your group.

I have seen many who are strong in the faith for a time be swept away in some teaching and later on they are totally devastated and lost in their own salvation, which comes from them and not from Yehovah.

2Ti 2:15 Do your utmost to present yourself approved to Elohim, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of Truth. 16 But keep away from profane, empty babblings, for they go on to more wickedness, 17 and their word shall eat its way like gangrene. Humenaios and Philetos are of this sort,18 who have missed the goal concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and overthrow the belief of some.

You are here again told to stay away from profane and empty babblings or the speaking in tongues as is done by those of the Pentecostal movement.

But keep away from profane, empty babblings

When the Apostles began to speak after they received the Holy Spirit, first they were keeping the Torah. They kept the Sabbath and the Holy Days, and the tongues they spoke is just another way of saying they spoke in other languages. Look up the word.

Act 2:1 And when the Day of the Festival of Weeks had come, they were all with one mind in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from the heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and settled on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Set-apart Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them to speak.

The word tongues here is G1100 ??????? glo?ssa gloce’-sah
Of uncertain affinity; the tongue; by implication a language (specifically one naturally unacquired): – tongue.

The Apsotles spoke in languages that they had not learned or naturally knew. It would be the exact same thing as me speaking Hebrew or Chinese which I have never learned. I do speak the tongue of French and Spanish although not well.

It is not, let me make this most plain; when the apostles spoke in other languages it was not some angelic gibberish that no one could understand. That is a subtle bold face lie from Satan that these people state. Oh yes they are sincere and pious and all but they are still a part of the Satan’s deception. And those of you doing this will no doubt be all fired up about now with me. Stop the lies, stop deceiving yourselves and misleading others. Just stop it all together.

Look what Acts says.

Act 2:5 Now in Yerushalayim there were dwelling Yehud?im, dedicated men from every nation under the heaven. 6 And when this sound came to be, the crowd came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying to each other, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 “And how do we hear, each one in our own language in which we were born? 9 “Parthians and Medes and ?ylamites, and those dwelling in Aram Naharayim, both Yehud?ah and Kappadokia, Pontos and Asia, 10 both Phrygia and Pamphulia, Mitsrayim and the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Yehud?im and converts, 11 “Cretans and Arab?s, we hear them speaking in our own tongues the great deeds of Elohim.”

Now stop and think and stop being so stupid. Why are all these people there from all these other countries? These men are from the Lost Ten Tribes. It says they were dedicated men. That means they were by definition, circumspect (religiously, pious): – devout men who came from these other countries to celebrate Shavuot. The countries mentioned are the places that the Lost Tribes were at or had migrated to. These devout men who were religious were there from the ten Lost tribes to keep Shavuot and they had over the past 763 years (723 BC + 31 CE = 763) since they went into captivity learned different languages or tongues.

The miracle here was that each man heard in whatever language he naturally spoke; he heard the Apostles speaking Hebrew and at the same time that they spoke Hebrew these men from these other lands heard in their own language what was said without translators. That was the miracle here.

No Peter and the rest of the apostles did not receive the Holy Spirit and then fall backwards on the ground and roll back and forth for an hour or so and have a self inflicted orgasm. This is the exact thing I see when these people today do this. Each one gets up and says that was a good one or that was awesome and I am so tired. It is self inflicted and for selfish self satisfaction.

In the following report you can see this same sort of spirit at work in many of those who will not keep the commandments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBpw2oQrvMM

And Yehovah sends them this strong delusion why?

2Th 2:10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness in those perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth, in order for them to be saved. 11 And for this reason Elohim sends them a working of delusion, for them to believe the falsehood,1 Footnote: 1Eze. 20:25, John 9:39, John 12:40, Acts 7:42, Rom. 1:24-28.

Because they would not except the TRUTH and or love the commandments of Yehovah. Remember we read if you love me keep the commandments. Pretty simple, eh?

Yehshua warned us of this sort of thing coming in Mathew 13.

Mat 13:3 And He spoke to them much in parables, saying, “See, the sower went out to sow. 4 “And as he sowed, some indeed fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 “And others fell on rocky places, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. 6 “But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered. 7 “And others fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them. 8 “And others fell on good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” 10 And the taught ones came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11 And He answering, said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the secrets of the reign of the heavens, but to them it has not been given. 12 “For whoever possesses, to him more shall be given, and he shall have overflowingly; but whoever does not possess, even what he possesses shall be taken away from him.13 “Because of this I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 “And in them the prophecy of Yeshayahu is completely filled, which says, ‘Hearing you shall hear and by no means understand, and seeing you shall see and by no means perceive, 15 for the heart of this people has become thickened, and their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their heart, and turn back, and I heal them.’ 16 “And blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear, 17 for truly I say to you, that many prophets and righteous ones longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. 18 “You, then, hear the parable of the sower: 19 “When anyone hears the word of the reign, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is that sown by the wayside. 20 “And that sown on rocky places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but is short-lived, and when pressure or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 “And that sown among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the worry of this age and the deceit of riches choke the word, and it becomes fruitless.1 Footnote: 1Lk. 21:34, 2 Tim. 3:4. 23 “And that sown on the good soil is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields – some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

How deep are your roots? How good is your soil? How well is the Spirit doing in you? Is it looking for the next new or big thing? Is it after some thrill or new adventure? Or is it just studying out the Torah and applying it to your everyday walk? Or does it find the study of Torah boring?

Then Yehshua spoke of the mixed seed in the same field.

Mat 13:24 Another parable He put before them, saying, “The reign of the heavens has become like a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel among the wheat and went away. 26 “And when the blade sprouted and bore fruit, then the darnel also appeared. 27 “And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? From where then does it have the darnel?’ 28 “And he said to them, ‘A man, an enemy did this.’ And the servants said to him, ‘Do you wish then, that we go and gather them up?’ 29 “But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the darnel you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 ‘Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I shall say to the reapers, “First gather the darnel and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my granary.” ’ ”

Lev 19:19 ‘Guard My laws. Do not let your livestock mate with another kind. Do not sow your field with mixed seed. And do not put a garment woven of two sorts of thread upon you.

Deu 22:9 “Do not sow your vineyard with different kinds of seed, lest the yield of the seed which you have sown and the fruit of your vineyard be defiled. 10 “Do not plough with an ox and a donkey together. 11 “Do not put on a garment of different kinds, of wool and linen together.

Brethren you cannot take the false religions from where you come from and try to stick them or fit them in with the walk with Yehovah and His Torah. It just does not and cannot work. You must abandon most if not everything you learned at your former false learning church and study and prove what is true and it alone. And you do this by reading your Torah and not by letting someone who does not keep Torah teach these false things to you, that are not found being taught by Yehshua or the Prophets or Apostles.

2 Peter 2:18 For speaking arrogant nonsense, they entice – through the lusts of the flesh, through indecencies – the ones who have indeed escaped from those living in delusion, 19 promising them freedom, though themselves being slaves of corruption – for one is a slave to whatever overcomes him. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Master and Saviour ????? Messiah, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the set-apart command1 delivered unto them. Footnote: 1The singular “command” often means “commands” – see 1 Tim. 6:14, Dt. 17:20, Ps. 19:8. 22 For them the proverb has proved true, “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “A washed sow returns to her rolling in the mud.”

Did you catch what else Peter said. “promising them freedom, though themselves being slaves of corruption” That is the teaching that permeates today all around us; about being free from the law because you are saved by the grace doctrine. Jesus died and paid for your sins, so now you do not have to keep the law, it was nailed to the cross. Those who say this are slaves of the corruption promising you the freedom. Just like Satan said to Eve, surely you will not die; but he lied. And so are they. Some of you think you have this new understanding of these old lies all figured out and as you try to teach your brethren you find sudden resistance. Maybe you should step back and rethink this out. Maybe your brethren are telling you something.

One more thing; many people now have this expression they say. They say they have been talking to the spirit, or the spirit spoke to them and told them this or that. The trouble with this is that we can’t prove if what they were told is true or not. Many people have claimed to hear the Holy Spirit when he didn’t really speak to them. They have made false prophecies and given foolish advice.

People like this say the Holy Spirit told me to go this way and those of us not privy to that conversation must stop arguing because they had the Holy Spirit tell them.

The Holy Spirit speaks to us primarily through the Scriptures that Yehovah inspired to be written and canonized. This is our foundation of faith and life, the word that everyone has access to, the word that can be studied and discussed most objectively. Often the word that we need to hear has already been written, and the Spirit simply needs to bring it to mind. When Yehshua was tempted by the devil, for example, his responses were quoted from Scripture. He had studied and memorized those words, and in each situation the Spirit led him to the appropriate response.

1Jn 4:1 Beloved ones, do not believe every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of Elohim, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of Elohim: Every spirit that confesses that ????? Messiah has come in the flesh is of Elohim, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that ????? Messiah has come in the flesh is not of Elohim. And this is the spirit of the anti-messiah which you heard is coming, and now is already in the world. 4 You are of Elohim, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.1 Footnote: 1See Messiah in you in Explanatory Notes. 5 They are of the world, therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.6 We are of Elohim – the one knowing Elohim hears us. He who is not of Elohim does not hear us. By this we know the Spirit of the Truth and the spirit of the delusion.

Yehshua also tells us to test the spirits to see if they are of Him or of Satan.

Rev 2:2 “I know your works, and your labour, and your endurance, and that you are not able to bear evil ones, and have tried those who say they are emissaries and are not, and have found them false; 3 and you have been bearing up and have endurance, and have laboured for My Name’s sake and have not become weary.

We are also given another way to know who is of Yehovah and who is not.

Mat 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall enter into the reign of the heavens, but he who is doing the desire of My Father in the heavens. 22 “Many shall say to Me in that day, ‘Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and done many mighty works in Your Name?’ 23 “And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work lawlessness!’1 Footnote: 1 See v. 15.

It will be those who keep the Commandments and are doing His will, that are walking this way of life, keeping the Sabbath each week and the Holy Days each year and the Sabbatical years when they come. And those who do not are those who will be told I never knew you. Yes even if you can speak in tongues and fall on the floor backwards you will be told I never knew you because you did not and will not obey Me, Yehshua.

And it is based on this one alone that I do most of my testing of the spirits. Those people who claim to talk to the Holy Spirit and were told this or that; if they do not walk in Torah then the Spirit they follow is of Satan. If they twist the scriptures; then they follow Satan. If their fruit in their lives is rotten, then you know which tree they follow, Satan’s tree of good and evil. If they are breaking the other commandments and have no remorse then they follow their father Satan and work in lawlessness.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustworthiness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no Torah. 24 And those who are of Messiah have impaled the flesh with its passions and the desires.25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

What is love? It is not appeasement!! Love is defined by Yehshua.

Joh 14:15 “If you love Me, you shall guard My commands.1 Footnote: 1See Ex. 20:6, vv. 21&23, 1 John 5:2-3, 2 John v. 6. 16 “And I shall ask the Father, and He shall give you another Helper, to stay with you forever – 17 the Spirit of the Truth, whom the world is unable to receive, because it does not see Him or know Him. But you know Him, for He stays with you and shall be in you.

Only when you keep the commandments do you show Yehshua that you love Him. And only then will He send you the Holy Spirit.

Those who go around speaking in so called tongues and talking to the Spirit of the Lord are not keeping the Torah and do not love Yehshua. They are following Satan and are going to lead you astray.

When you say the Shema Prayer, do you pay attention to what you are saying?

Deu 6:4 “Hear, O Yisra’?l: ???? our Elohim, ???? is one! 5 “And you shall love ???? your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your might. 6 “And these Words which I am commanding you today shall be in your heart, 7 and you shall impress them upon your children, and shall speak of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up, 8 and shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 “And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. 10 “And it shall be, when ???? your Elohim brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Ab?raham, to Yitsh?aq, and to Ya?aqob?, to give you great and good cities which you did not build, 11 and houses filled with all kinds of goods, which you did not fill, and wells dug which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you shall eat and be satisfied – 12 be on guard, lest you forget ???? who brought you out of the land of Mitsrayim, from the house of bondage. 13 “Fear ???? your Elohim and serve Him, and swear by His Name. 14 “Do not go after other mighty ones, the mighty ones of the peoples who are all around you, 15 for ???? your Elohim is a jealous ?l in your midst, lest the displeasure of ???? your Elohim burn against you, then He shall destroy you from the face of the earth. 16 “Do not try ???? your Elohim as you tried Him in Massah. 17 “Diligently guard the commands of ???? your Elohim, and His witnesses, and His laws which He has commanded you.

???? our Elohim, ???? is one!

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim.

Joh 1:14 And the Word became flesh and pitched His tent among us, and we saw His esteem, esteem as of an only brought-forth of a father, complete in favour and truth.

There are not three gods to be praying to. There is no trinity!

???? is one and ???? is also the Word which we can read in the Torah. That Word became flesh and was called Yehshua. ???? is Yehshua.

We are not told to be talking to the spirit. ‘The spirit told me this or that’ comes from Satan. We are not to pray to the spirits.

Mat 6:9 “This, then, is the way you should pray: ‘Our Father who is in the heavens, let Your Name be set-apart,

We are to pray to ???? and to Him Alone. Yehshua told us to pray to the Father ???? and not to the spirits, not to angels, not to Jesus and not to Yehshua. You are told by Yehshua to pray to the Father ???? and to Him alone!!!

When people tell you the spirit told them this or that, be on guard. It is the Father who tells us and this is done through His word in the Torah.

Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the fruitless works of darkness, but rather reprove1 them. Footnote: 1Or confute, or expose.

We have exposed this false teaching of speaking in tongues or speaking to spirits or talking to false gods. I would urge you to listen to the teaching from Walter Veith.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-XNcONPirE

Here is an article I wrote two years ago on Healing in the name of Satan which helps to show you the spirit these groups are working under.

And now we must look at the history of Pentecostalism and where it comes from and what people said about it when it came out then. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecostalism

Pentecostalism or Classical Pentecostalism is a renewal movement[1] within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism in the Holy Spirit.[2] The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, the Greek name for the Jewish Feast of Weeks. For Christians, this event commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus Christ, as described in the second chapter of the Book of Acts.[3] Pentecostals tend to see their movement as reflecting the same kind of spiritual power and teachings that were found in the Apostolic Age of the early church. For this reason, some Pentecostals also use the term Apostolic or full gospel to describe their movement.

Pentecostalism is an umbrella term that includes a wide range of different theologies and cultures.[4] For example, many Pentecostals are Trinitarian and others are Nontrinitarian.[5] As a result, there is no single central organization or church that directs the movement. However some Pentecostal denominations are affiliated with the Pentecostal World Conference.

Pentecostalism’s emphasis on the spiritual gifts places it within Charismatic Christianity, a broad grouping of Christians who have accepted some Pentecostal teachings on Spirit baptism and spiritual gifts. Pentecostalism is theologically and historically close to the Charismatic Movement as it significantly influenced that movement, and sometimes the terms pentecostal and charismatic are used interchangeably.

Estimated to number around 115 million followers worldwide in 2000, Pentecostalism is sometimes referred to as the “third force of Christianity”, the first two being Catholicism and Protestantism.[102] Pentecostal and Charismatic church growth is rapid in many parts of the world.[103][104] The great majority of Pentecostals are to be found in developing countries although much of their international leadership is still in North America. The movement is enjoying its greatest surge today in the global South, which includes Africa, Latin America, and most of Asia.[105][106] One reason for this growth is Pentecostalism’s appeal to the poor.[107] According to a United Nations report, the movement has “been the most successful at recruiting its members from the poorest of the poor.”[108]

In 1998, there were about 11,000 different Pentecostal or charismatic denominations worldwide.[citation needed] The largest Pentecostal denomination in the world, the Assemblies of God, claims approximately 57 million adherents worldwide.[109] It has a significant presence in many countries including Cuba, Egypt, India, Indonesia and Nigeria.[110] The Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) has a membership of over 6 million,[111] the Church of God in Christ has a membership of 5.5 million,[3] the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel has 5 million members, the United Pentecostal Church International has a membership of over 4 million,[112] and the International Pentecostal Holiness Church has over 3 million members.[113]

The largest single Pentecostal church in the world is the Yoido Full Gospel Church in South Korea. Founded and led by David Yonggi Cho since 1958, it has to 1 million members in 2007.[114] Australia’s largest church, Hillsong, is an Assemblies of God in Australia church with a membership exceeding 19,000.[citation needed] The largest Malayalam, an Indian language speaking church in the world with over 10,000 communicant members is headed by Rev Dr. M A Varughese in Bangalore India.

Mat 7:13 “Enter in through the narrow gate! Because the gate is wide – and the way is broad – that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in through it. 14 “Because the gate is narrow and the way is hard pressed1 which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Footnote: 1Or the way is afflicted. 15 “But beware of the false prophets,1 who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are savage wolves. Footnote: 1See v. 23 16 “By their fruits you shall know them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 “So every good tree yields good fruit, but a rotten tree yields wicked fruit. 18 “A good tree is unable to yield wicked fruit, and a rotten tree to yield good fruit. 19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 “So then, by their fruits you shall know them – 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall enter into the reign of the heavens, but he who is doing the desire of My Father in the heavens.
22 “Many shall say to Me in that day, ‘Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and done many mighty works in Your Name?’ 23 “And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work lawlessness!’1 Footnote: 1 See v. 15. 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does them, shall be like a wise man who built his house on the rock, 25 and the rain came down, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not do them,1 shall be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand, Footnote: 1John 3:36. 27 and the rain came down, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat on that house, and it fell, and great was its fall.”

Early revivals: 1900–1929

Parham and Seymour

William Seymour, leader of the Azusa Street Revival
Charles Parham, an independent holiness evangelist who believed strongly in divine healing, was an important figure to the emergence of Pentecostalism as a distinct Christian movement. In 1900, he started a school near Topeka, Kansas, which he named Bethel Bible School. There he taught that speaking in tongues was the scriptural evidence for the reception of the baptism with the Holy Spirit. On January 1, 1901, after a watch night service, the students prayed for and received the baptism with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Parham received this same experience sometime later and began preaching it in all his services. Parham believed this was xenoglossia and that missionaries would no longer need to study foreign languages. After 1901, Parham closed his Topeka school and began a four year revival tour throughout Kansas and Missouri.[122] He taught that the baptism with the Holy Spirit was a third experience, subsequent to conversion and sanctification. Sanctification cleansed the believer, but Spirit baptism empowered for service.[123]

At about the same time that Parham was spreading his doctrine of initial evidence in the Midwestern United States, news of the Welsh Revival of 1904-1905 ignited intense speculation among radical evangelicals around the world and particularly in the United States of a coming move of the Spirit which would renew the entire Christian Church. This revival saw thousands of conversions and also exhibited speaking in tongues.[124]

In 1905, Parham moved to Houston, Texas, where he started a Bible training school. One of his students was William J. Seymour, a one-eyed black preacher. Seymour traveled to Los Angeles where his preaching sparked the three-year-long Azusa Street Revival in 1906.[125] Worship at the racially integrated Azusa Mission featured an absence of any order of service. People preached and testified as moved by the Spirit, spoke and sung in tongues, and fell in the Spirit. The revival attracted both religious and secular media attention, and thousands of visitors flocked to the mission, carrying the “fire” back to their home churches.[126] Despite the work of various Wesleyan groups such as Parham’s and D. L. Moody’s revivals, the beginning of the widespread Pentecostal movement in the United States is generally considered to have begun with Seymour’s Azusa Street Revival.[127]

Criticism and spread

The first generation of Pentecostal believers faced immense criticism and ostracism from other Christians, most vehemently from the holiness movement from which they originated. Alma White, leader of the Pillar of Fire Church, wrote a book against the movement titled Demons and Tongues in 1910. She called Pentecostal tongues “satanic gibberish” and Pentecostal services “the climax of demon worship”.[128] Famous holiness preacher W. B. Godbey characterized those at Azusa Street as “Satan’s preachers, jugglers, necromancers, enchanters, magicians, and all sorts of mendicants”. To Dr. G. Campbell Morgan, Pentecostalism was “the last vomit of Satan”, while Dr. R. A. Torrey thought it was “emphatically not of God, and founded by a Sodomite”.[129] Ironically, the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene, one of the largest holiness groups, was strongly opposed to the new Pentecostal movement. To avoid confusion, the church changed its name in 1919 to the Church of the Nazarene.[130] A. B. Simpson’s Christian and Missionary Alliance negotiated a compromise position unique for the time. Simpson believed that Pentecostal tongues speaking was a legitimate manifestation of the Holy Spirit, but he did not believe it was a necessary evidence of Spirit baptism. This view on speaking in tongues ultimately led to what became known as the “Alliance position” articulated by A. W. Tozer as “seek not—forbid not”.[130]

In 1928, the World’s Christian Fundamentals Association labeled Pentecostalism “fanatical” and “unscriptural”. By the early 1940s, this rejection of Pentecostals was giving way to a new cooperation between them and leaders of the “new evangelicalism, and American Pentecostals were involved in the founding of the 1942 National Association of Evangelicals.[162] Pentecostal denominations also began to interact with each other both on national levels and international levels through the Pentecostal World Conference, which was founded in 1947.

Brethren the Speaking in Tongues that some are now trying to bring into the Torah Studying believers is nothing more than another revival that relies on emotions and whipped up feel good sentimental feelings. It has nothing to do with the truth, nor does it teach obedience to the commandments and the Holy Days. Avoid it and those who teach it like the plague it is. When Jacobs’s trouble comes which is now already begun these emotional types will have no staying power. Get back into the torah and hold on to it with both hands. Do not get wrapped up in some mans invention that was started in the 1900’s.

I have a question for you to consider. When we read about the giving of the Torah from the very mouth of Yehovah from atop Mount Sinai and over two million people heard it with their own ears, does it say in Scriptures that these people then fell backwards and were seen rolling on the ground having an orgasm? When we read in the book of Acts when the Apostles received the Holy Spirit do we read that each of them fell backwards on the ground and also had an orgasm as they accepted it?

No brethren we do not read any such thing in either case. What you are seeing is from Satan who has always and continues to mislead people in any way he can. The Pentecostal movement began in the early 1900’s not when the Holy Spirit was given to the Apostles.

Again do not get wrapped in such demonic teachings, do not compromise with it as the protestant churches did in the 1940s after condemning it in the 1900’s when it first came on the scene. It was not something that has been done since the days of the Apostles.

Stay strong to the true faith and stay close to the Torah. Period!!!

Counting the Omer

We now continue with the counting of the Omer and now we are in the final week.

During each of these days Jewish tradition has developed around reading the psalms on certain days. I find this very beneficial. It is customary that following the counting of the omer, one recites Psalm 67, for according to tradition that psalm has forty nine words, corresponding to the days of the omer.

And as you do these readings and this counting, keep in mind what this also symbolizes. It is the counting of the Sabbatical and Jubilee years and where we are in that cycle. We are in the 17th year in 2012, which corresponds to the 17th day of counting the Omer.

Day 43 begins on Sunday May 20, 2012.

WEEK SEVEN

Day 43 YHVH’s graciousness 106:1-5

Today is the 1st day of the 7th week of seven weeks. Today is the 43rd day of the counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath.

Psa 67:1 Elohim does favour us and bless us, Cause His face to shine upon us. Selah.
Psa 67:2 For Your way to be known on earth, Your deliverance among all nations.
Psa 67:3 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim, Let all the peoples praise You.
Psa 67:4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You judge the peoples uprightly, And lead the nations on earth. Selah.
Psa 67:5 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim; Let all the peoples praise You.
Psa 67:6 The earth shall give her increase; Elohim, our own Elohim, blesses us!
Psa 67:7 Elohim blesses us! And all the ends of the earth fear Him!

Psa 106:1 Praise Yah! Oh, give thanks to ????, For He is good! For His kindness is everlasting.
Psa 106:2 Who does relate the mighty acts of ????? Or declare all His praise?
Psa 106:3 Blessed are those who guard right-ruling, Who do righteousness at all times!
Psa 106:4 Remember me, O ????, in the acceptance of Your people; Visit me with Your deliverance,
Psa 106:5 To see the good of Your chosen ones, To rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, To make my boast with Your inheritance.

Day 44 In praise of YHVH 111:1-10

Today is the 2nd day of the 7th week of seven weeks. Today is the 44th day of the counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath.

Psa 67:1 Elohim does favour us and bless us, Cause His face to shine upon us. Selah.
Psa 67:2 For Your way to be known on earth, Your deliverance among all nations.
Psa 67:3 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim, Let all the peoples praise You.
Psa 67:4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You judge the peoples uprightly, And lead the nations on earth. Selah.
Psa 67:5 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim; Let all the peoples praise You.
Psa 67:6 The earth shall give her increase; Elohim, our own Elohim, blesses us!
Psa 67:7 Elohim blesses us! And all the ends of the earth fear Him!

Psa 111:1 Praise Yah! I thank ???? with all my heart, In the company of the straight, and of the congregation.
Psa 111:2 Great are the works of ????, Searched for by all who delight in them.
Psa 111:3 Splendour and greatness are His work, And His righteousness stands forever.
Psa 111:4 He has made His wonders to be remembered; ???? shows favour and is compassionate.
Psa 111:5 He has given food to those who fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever.
Psa 111:6 He has shown His people the power of His works, To give to them the inheritance of the gentiles.
Psa 111:7 The works of His hands are truth and right-ruling, All His orders are trustworthy,
Psa 111:8 They are upheld forever and ever, Performed in truth and straightness.
Psa 111:9 He sent redemption to His people, He has commanded His covenant forever. Set-apart and awesome is His Name.
Psa 111:10 The fear of ???? is the beginning of wisdom, All those doing them have a good understanding. His praise is standing forever.

Day 45 The happiness of a good person 112:1-10

Today is the 3rd day of the 7th week of seven weeks. Today is the 45th day of the counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath.

Psa 67:1 Elohim does favour us and bless us, Cause His face to shine upon us. Selah.
Psa 67:2 For Your way to be known on earth, Your deliverance among all nations.
Psa 67:3 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim, Let all the peoples praise You.
Psa 67:4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You judge the peoples uprightly, And lead the nations on earth. Selah.
Psa 67:5 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim; Let all the peoples praise You.
Psa 67:6 The earth shall give her increase; Elohim, our own Elohim, blesses us!
Psa 67:7 Elohim blesses us! And all the ends of the earth fear Him!

Psa 112:1 Praise Yah! Blessed is the man, Who fears ????, Who has greatly delighted in His commands.
Psa 112:2 Mighty in the earth shall be his seed, The generation of the straight ones shall be blessed.
Psa 112:3 Wealth and riches are in his house, And his righteousness is standing forever.
Psa 112:4 Light has risen in the darkness to the straight ones, Those showing favour, The compassionate, And the righteous.
Psa 112:5 Good is a man showing favour and lending, He sustains his matters in right-ruling.
Psa 112:6 For he is never shaken; The righteous is remembered forever.
Psa 112:7 He is not afraid of an evil report. His heart is steadfast, trusting in ????.
Psa 112:8 His heart is upheld, he is not afraid, While he looks on his adversaries.
Psa 112:9 He scattered abroad, He gave to the poor, His righteousness is standing forever. His horn is exalted with esteem.
Psa 112:10 The wrong one sees it and shall be vexed; He gnashes his teeth and shall melt. The desire of the wrong ones does perish.

Day 46 The reward of obedience 128:1-6

Today is the 4th day of the 7th week of seven weeks. Today is the 46th day of the counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath.

Psa 67:1 Elohim does favour us and bless us, Cause His face to shine upon us. Selah.
Psa 67:2 For Your way to be known on earth, Your deliverance among all nations.
Psa 67:3 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim, Let all the peoples praise You.
Psa 67:4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You judge the peoples uprightly, And lead the nations on earth. Selah.
Psa 67:5 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim; Let all the peoples praise You.
Psa 67:6 The earth shall give her increase; Elohim, our own Elohim, blesses us!
Psa 67:7 Elohim blesses us! And all the ends of the earth fear Him!

Psa 128:1 Blessed are all who fear ????, Who walk in His ways.
Psa 128:2 You shall eat the labour of your hands. Be blessed, and let it be well with you.
Psa 128:3 Let your wife be As a fruit-bearing vine within your house, Your sons like olive plants all around your table.
Psa 128:4 Look, so shall the man be blessed Who fears ????.
Psa 128:5 ???? shall bless you out of Tsiyon, And let you see the good of Yerushalayim All the days of your life,
Psa 128:6 And let you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Yisra’?l!

Day 47 A prayer for help 130:1-8

Today is the 5th day of the 7th week of seven weeks. Today is the 47th day of the counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath.

Psa 67:1 Elohim does favour us and bless us, Cause His face to shine upon us. Selah.
Psa 67:2 For Your way to be known on earth, Your deliverance among all nations.
Psa 67:3 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim, Let all the peoples praise You.
Psa 67:4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You judge the peoples uprightly, And lead the nations on earth. Selah.
Psa 67:5 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim; Let all the peoples praise You.
Psa 67:6 The earth shall give her increase; Elohim, our own Elohim, blesses us!
Psa 67:7 Elohim blesses us! And all the ends of the earth fear Him!

Psa 130:1 Out of the depths I have cried to You, O ????.
Psa 130:2 O ????, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my prayers.
Psa 130:3 O Yah, if You should watch crookednesses, O ????, who would stand?
Psa 130:4 But with You there is forgiveness, That You might be feared.
Psa 130:5 I looked to ????, My being has looked, And for His word I have waited.
Psa 130:6 My being looks to ???? More than those watching for morning, watching for morning.
Psa 130:7 O Yisra’?l, wait for ????; For with ???? there is kindness. And with Him is much redemption,
Psa 130:8 For He shall redeem Yisra’?l From all his crookednesses.

Day 48 A call for the universe to praise ???? 148:1-14

Today is the 6th day of the 7th week of seven weeks. Today is the 48th day of the counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath.

Psa 67:1 Elohim does favour us and bless us, Cause His face to shine upon us. Selah.
Psa 67:2 For Your way to be known on earth, Your deliverance among all nations.
Psa 67:3 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim, Let all the peoples praise You.
Psa 67:4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You judge the peoples uprightly, And lead the nations on earth. Selah.
Psa 67:5 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim; Let all the peoples praise You.
Psa 67:6 The earth shall give her increase; Elohim, our own Elohim, blesses us!
Psa 67:7 Elohim blesses us! And all the ends of the earth fear Him!

Psa 148:1 Praise Yah! Praise ???? from the heavens, Praise Him in the heights!
Psa 148:2 Praise Him, all His messengers; Praise Him, all His hosts!
Psa 148:3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light!
Psa 148:4 Praise Him, heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens!
Psa 148:5 Let them praise the Name of ????, For He commanded and they were created.
Psa 148:6 And He established them forever and ever, He gave a law and they pass not beyond.
Psa 148:7 Praise ???? from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths,
Psa 148:8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds, Stormy wind that does His word,
Psa 148:9 The mountains and all hills, Fruit tree and all cedars,
Psa 148:10 Wild beasts and all cattle, Creeping creatures and flying birds,
Psa 148:11 Sovereigns of the earth and all peoples, Rulers and all judges of the earth,
Psa 148:12 Both young men and maidens, Old men and children.
Psa 148:13 Let them praise the Name of ????, For His Name alone is exalted, His splendour is above the earth and heavens.
Psa 148:14 He also lifts up the horn of His people, The praise of all His kind ones; Of the children of Yisra’?l, A people near to Him. Praise Yah!

Day 49 A prayer of thanksgiving 138:1-8

Today is the 7th day of the 7th week of seven weeks. Today is the 49th day of the counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath. Today is Sabbath, the 7th Sabbath of seven Sabbaths. Today completes the 7th week of seven weeks.

Psa 67:1 Elohim does favour us and bless us, Cause His face to shine upon us. Selah.
Psa 67:2 For Your way to be known on earth, Your deliverance among all nations.
Psa 67:3 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim, Let all the peoples praise You.
Psa 67:4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You judge the peoples uprightly, And lead the nations on earth. Selah.
Psa 67:5 Let the peoples praise You, O Elohim; Let all the peoples praise You.
Psa 67:6 The earth shall give her increase; Elohim, our own Elohim, blesses us!
Psa 67:7 Elohim blesses us! And all the ends of the earth fear Him!

Psa 138:1 I give You thanks with all my heart; Before the mighty ones I sing praises to You.
Psa 138:2 I bow myself toward Your set-apart H?k?al, And give thanks to Your Name For Your kindness and for Your truth; For You have made great Your Word, Your Name, above all.
Psa 138:3 On the day I called You did answer me, You made me bold with strength in my being.
Psa 138:4 Let all the sovereigns of the earth Give thanks to You, O ????, When they shall hear the words of Your mouth.
Psa 138:5 And let them sing of the ways of ????, For great is the esteem of ????.
Psa 138:6 Though ???? is exalted, He looks on the humble; But the proud He perceives from a distance.
Psa 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of distress, You revive me; You stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand saves me.
Psa 138:8 ???? does perfect for me. O ????, Your kindness is everlasting. Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Triennial Torah Cycle

We continue this weekend with our regular Triennial Torah Reading

Num 2       Ezek 43-46       1 John 5 & 2 John 1

Numbers 2

Organization of the Families (Numbers 1-2)

In chapter 2 we find the organization of the tribes of Israel. God made it clear to Moses that every Israelite was personally responsible for pitching his camp with his tribe. There was a recognizable standard—akin to the national flags of more modern times—that bore the emblem or ensign of each tribe and marked the area of encampment. A leader was chosen for each tribe, the same man who had been charged with taking the tribe’s census.
In the center of all the camps were the Levites, surrounded by the 12 other tribes. The 12 tribes were sorted into four main assemblies. First in the order of procession of this great body of people was Judah on the east with Issachar and Zebulun. On the south side of the camp, Reuben was accompanied by Simeon and Gad. The tribe of Ephraim was in the west with the tribes of Manasseh and Benjamin. Dan took the northernmost camp with Asher and Naphtali. Not only did all Israel camp in this fashion, they traveled in this order, all 603,550 men with their wives and children, in addition to the Levites in the center of the formation with the tabernacle.
The four main standards surrounding the tabernacle, those of Ephraim, Judah, Reuben and Dan, probably carried the emblems of a bull, a lion, a man and an eagle respectively. This is fascinating when we discover that these are the respective faces of the four living creatures surrounding God’s throne in heaven (Revelation 4:7)—and that cherubim have all these faces (Ezekiel 1:10).

Messiah’s Arrival at the Temple; Altar of Burnt Offering (Ezekiel 43)

Returning to the east gate, Ezekiel is now given a glimpse of the awesome and thrilling arrival of Jesus Christ (identified by Ezekiel as the coming of the “glory of the Lord”) to this newly completed temple, a scene that reminded him of the visions he had recorded earlier in his book (verses 1-5; see Ezekiel 1; 10). Ezekiel 10:18-19 had specifically mentioned God leaving the temple, after which it was destroyed. Here we have God returning again.

Verses 6-12 contain one of several sets of warning and instruction from God about what He expects the Israelites’ behavior to be in this future temple, in contrast to their abominable behavior in the one upon which He had recently brought destruction.

The bronze altar of burnt offering in Solomon’s temple was 20 x 20 x 10 cubits (2 Chronicles 4:1), much bigger than the portable one for the tabernacle, which was 5 x 5 x 3 cubits (see Exodus 27:1-2). The altar Ezekiel sees is similar, but it is either more elaborate or simply related in greater detail. Four vertical parts are described: a one-cubit-deep gutter for catching the blood of the sacrifices, a two-cubit-high lower ledge, an upper ledge four cubits above that, and a four-cubit-high structure around the hearth (for a total above ground height of 10 cubits), with horns extending above that at the four corners. Each succeeding level seems to have a one-cubit setback associated with it, the upper-level hearth being 12 x 12 cubits, and increasing by two cubits each level to apparently 16 x 16 cubits at the ground level with a one-cubit-wide gutter below that. Steps for accessing the hearth are located on the east side (verse 17). The altar is massive. It is taller than a two-story building. The base of the hearth is more than 12 feet above the ground, and more than 600 square feet. With the sides of the hearth being eight feet tall, it is likely that doors are built into the sides of the altar for placing meat and tending to the fires and ashes, though none are specifically mentioned.

The chapter concludes with a description of the purification offerings for the altar (verses 18-27). As in the days of the tabernacle, the process will take seven days (see Exodus 29:35-37).

Ordinances of the Temple and Priesthood (Ezekiel 44)

Ezekiel is taken back to the outer east gate and discovers that now it has been shut. Following Christ’s arrival, no man will be allowed to use it (verses 1-2). However, one identified as the “prince”— ruler or leader—will be permitted to enter the eastern gate complex through its porch for eating certain ceremonial meals (verse 3). This person cannot be Jesus Christ, for we later discover that he must make a sin offering for himself (45:22). Indeed, Ezekiel 46:16-17 says the prince has natural children. Some have argued that the prince is the resurrected King David, as he will be prince over Israel in the Millennium (34:23-24; 37:24). Yet that doesn’t fit either because David also would not need to offer a sin offering for himself. Nor would any of the glorified saints who will then no longer sin. So the prince here must be a human being who needs to repent of sin. From all that is written of the prince in chapters 45-46, it is evident that he is a civil leader, the highest human ruler of the day, probably of the house of David.

As the porch on an outer gate is on the inner side of a gate complex, the prince is entering the east gate from inside the temple area, from the outer courtyard. The outer door of the east gate remains shut, and even Ezekiel is no longer taken through the east gate door. We will later learn the rules governing the inner east gate, but for now, Ezekiel is caused to avoid the east gate, by being taken into the inner court again via the north gate (44:4), where he receives more instruction about what is expected of the Israelites in this future temple.

Circumcision will still be in effect, or reinstated, for all who enter the holy sanctuary—the requirement being both physical and spiritual circumcision (verse 9). Sacrifices will also be reestablished, as noted earlier, which is clear throughout these chapters. The Levites will again serve in the temple as non-priestly ministers. Even the priestly descendants of Aaron, except for one branch, could only serve in this non-priestly capacity. The restrictions imposed on the Levites’ assigned work will serve as a reminder of their family’s failure to properly exercise their duties in the past (verses 10-14). However, God said the descendants of Zadok (probably the priest who served during the reigns of David and Solomon, see 1 Kings 2:35) remained faithful during those years of apostasy. And as a reward, they will become the priestly line (Ezekiel 44:15). (This will also fulfill promises given previously to descendants of Aaron and his grandson Phinehas, from whom Zadok descended—see Numbers 18; 25:11-13.)

We are then reminded of some of the regulations regarding the priests, most of which had already been given through Moses. They are to wear special linen garments when on duty within the inner court or inner court buildings (verses 17-19; see Exodus 28:39-43; Leviticus 16:4). Their hair is to be well trimmed (verse 20; see Leviticus 21:5). They are not to drink alcoholic beverages before performing their priestly duties (verse 21; see Leviticus 10:9). There are restrictions as to whom they can marry (verse 22; see Leviticus 21:7, 13-14). They have a responsibility to teach God’s laws (verse 23; see Leviticus 10:10). They are to act as judges (verse 24; see Deuteronomy 17:8-13). They are not to defile themselves by exposure to those who have died (verse 25; see Leviticus 21:1-4). The priests were not to receive an inheritance in the land (verse 28; see Numbers 18:20). They were to eat the appointed offerings and tithes of the people (verses 29-30; see Numbers 18:8-19). But they were not allowed to eat any animal that had not been explicitly killed for eating (verse 31; see Leviticus 22:8).

While we see many parallels between the past and the future, no description of a human high priest among the Zadokite priests is given—presumably because Jesus Christ alone will fulfill that role in perpetuity. It is, of course, possible that there will be a leading human figure among the priests.

The Holy District and Feasts (Ezekiel 45)

In chapter 42, we saw a “holy area” surrounding the temple complex that was a little over one square mile. Ezekiel is now told of a district surrounding this area that is 25,000 x 25,000 cubits (almost exactly 10 x 10 miles). The KJV uses “reeds” here, but the unit of measure is not actually given in the Hebrew. The NKJV says “cubits,” which appears to be the correct rendering because the district would be unreasonably large if these measurements were using the full six-cubit measuring rod. There isn’t that much land in the area, using the larger measure.

This area is also described in chapter 48, where more details are given, and between the two passages we discover that this “capital district” is divided into three main sections. One part is a 10,000-cubit- (4-mile-) wide strip that provides room for the priests’ houses. The temple is contained in this portion (verses 1-4)—apparently with a 50-cubit easement outside the parkland wall to prevent anyone from building right up to it (see 45:2). Another section is also 10,000 cubits wide, and provides “twenty chambers” (probably referring to towns with their surrounding pasturelands, compare Numbers 35) for the Levites (Ezekiel 45:5). The final 5,000-cubit strip is for the city and the “whole house of Israel.”

Stretching east and west from this 100 square mile district is land given to the “prince.” In the same context God says that the Israelite leaders of that time would oppress His people no longer (verses 7-8). The people’s land was not to be appropriated by the “government” (see also 46:18), which will have its own land and be responsible for providing certain representative offerings for the people out of the abundance owned by it (45:17). Included in this are the festival offerings in the first and seventh months. We see in this section that God’s Sabbath and feasts will be observed during

Temple Offerings (Ezekiel 46)

As we saw earlier, the outer east gate will be permanently shut following Christ’s arrival. The inner east gate is to be opened for certain religious observances, such as the Sabbaths and new moons. (During the workweek the inner east gate is closed, perhaps symbolic of the fact that mankind was shut out from God for six millennia as a result of sin.)

The prince is to bring the offerings he was instructed to provide for the people, and to go through the inner east gate to the edge of the inner court while these offerings are prepared. The gate is then to remain open for the remainder of the day, so that others may worship at the entrance of the gate (verses 1-3). If the prince brings an offering on a day when the east gate is normally shut, it will be opened for him, but closed again when he is finished with the offering (verse 12). And, as we saw earlier, if the prince was making a peace offering, he would proceed across the pavement of the outer courtyard to the outer east gate for eating his part of the sacrifice (44:3).

Ezekiel 46:9 describes an interesting traffic pattern for the annual feasts. When entering the temple courts for the feasts, the people will be required to pass through the outer courtyard, and not just go in and back out again the way they came. Some have suggested this as improving the traffic flow, but others see it perhaps as more symbolic of the people not returning to their former ways. The people will not likely just pass through, of course. Part of the reason for entering the temple is to partake of the peace offerings, which is the reason for the abundance of dining chambers, which probably also double as meeting rooms as such facilities often do for us today. But neither will the people come in just to eat of the sacrifices. Rather, everyone will be required to go past the front of the east inner gate before proceeding on his way.

This area (between the inner and outer east gates) is 100 cubits wide, as we have seen (40:19), and provides a place where praise and thanksgiving can be offered to God on the weekly Sabbaths and on the New Moons (46:3). But during the annual feasts, there will be too many people in attendance for all to gather together there for worship. Instead people will visit this place of prayer and singing as they are going out or coming in. And as they do so, they will also be crossing over the river of life that proceeds from God’s temple (which we will read about in chapter 47). Then, in order to get back to where they came from (if they didn’t circle around on their way to the temple), people will have to go around the outer perimeter of the temple complex as well (perhaps along the east side where they may wade in the river of life and, as mentioned in chapter 47, partake of the fruitful trees alongside it—elsewhere shown to parallel the tree of life—and gather of their leaves for their healing).

Inheritance laws are mentioned in verses 16-18 of Ezekiel 46, where we discover that the law of jubilees will be in effect, where land is returned to the family that originally owned it in the 50th year, the year of liberty (see Leviticus 25).

For the remainder of Ezekiel 46, the prophet is shown various cooking places. The bulk of sacrifices, especially at feasts, are peace offerings. Only the blood and fat of such sacrifices are offered to God. The remainder is eaten by the offerer, with a token portion consumed by the priest as well. Also, most sin and trespass offerings are eaten by the priests, and the grain offerings need to be baked. In chapter 42, we were shown the dining chambers for the priests—three-story buildings west of the north and south inner gates. Apparently, the “kitchens” for these chambers are to the west of the dining rooms, in the previously unaccounted-for area at the northwest and southwest corners of the inner court building complex (verses 19-20).

It does not actually say whether the cooking places for the priests will be indoors or out. There are also cooking areas (in this case, outdoor patios with built-in, presumably wood-burning, stoves) for the temple servants (Levites, 44:11) to cook the peoples’ portions of the sacrifices, located in the four corners of the outer court. We are told they are each 30 x 40 cubits (more than 5,000 square feet). Since the people also need places to eat this prepared food, this is most likely the purpose of the chambers that surround the outer court.

1 John Chapter 5

John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Verse 1
[1] Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
The scope and sum of this whole paragraph appears from the conclusion of it, 1 John 5:13: “These things have I written to you who believe, that ye may know that ye who believe have eternal life.” So faith is the first and last point with St. John also.
Every one who loveth — God that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him – Hath a natural affection to all his brethren.

Verse [2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
Hereby we know — This is a plain proof.
That we love the children of God — As his children.
Verse 3

[3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
For this is the love of God — The only sure proof of it.
That we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous — To any that are born of God.
Verse 4

[4] For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
For whatsoever — This expression implies the most unlimited universality.
Is born of God overcometh the world — Conquers whatever it can lay in the way, either to allure or fright the children of God from keeping his commandments.
And this is the victory — The grand means of overcoming.
Even our faith — Seeing all things are possible to him that believeth.

[5] Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Who is he that overcometh the world — That is superior to all worldly care, desire, fear? Every believer, and none else. The seventh verse 1 John 5:7 (usually so reckoned) is a brief recapitulation of all which has been before advanced concerning the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. It is cited, in conjunction with the sixth and eighth, 1 John 5:6,8 by Tertullian, Cyprian, and an uninterrupted train of Fathers. And, indeed, what the sun is in the world, what the heart is in a man, what the needle is in the mariner’s compass, this verse is in the epistle. By this the sixth, eighth, and ninth verses 1 John 5:6,8,9 are indissolubly connected; as will be evident, beyond all contradiction, when they are accurately considered.

Verse 6
[6] This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
This is he — St. John here shows the immovable foundation of that faith that Jesus is the Son of God; not only the testimony of man, but the firm, indubitable testimony of God.
Who came — Jesus is he of whom it was promised that he should come; and who accordingly, is come. And this the Spirit, and the water, and the blood testify.
Even Jesus — Who, coming by water and blood, is by this very thing demonstrated to be the Christ.
Not by the water only — Wherein he was baptized.

But by the water and the blood — Which he shed when he had finished the work his Father had given him to do. He not only undertook at his baptism “to fulfil all righteousness,” but on the cross accomplished what he had undertaken; in token whereof, when all was finished, blood and water came out of his side. And it is the Spirit who likewise testifieth – Of Jesus Christ, namely, by Moses and all the prophets, by John the Baptist, by all the apostles, and in all the writings of the New Testament. And against his testimony there can be no exception, because the Spirit is truth – The very God of truth.

Verse 7[7] For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
What Bengelius has advanced, both concerning the transposition of these two verses, and the authority of the controverted verse, partly in his “Gnomon,” and partly in his “Apparatus Criticus,” will abundantly satisfy any impartial person.

For there are three that testify — Literally, testifying, or bearing witness. The participle is put for the noun witnesses, to intimate that the act of testifying, and the effect of it, are continually present. Properly, persons only can testify; and that three are described testifying on earth, as if they were persons, is elegantly subservient to the three persons testifying in heaven.
The Spirit — In the word, confirmed by miracles.

The water — Of baptism, wherein we are dedicated to the Son, (with the Father and Spirit,) typifying his spotless purity, and the inward purifying of our nature.

And the blood — Represented in the Lord’s supper, and applied to the consciences of believer. And these three harmoniously agree in one – In bearing the same testimony,-that Jesus Christ is the divine, the complete, the only Saviour of the world.

Verse 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
And there are three that testify in heaven — The testimony of the Spirit, the water, and the blood, is by an eminent gradation corroborated by three, who give a still greater testimony.

The Father — Who clearly testified of the Son, both at his baptism and at his transfiguration.
The Word — Who testified of himself on many occasions, while he was on earth; and again, with still greater solemnity, after his ascension into heaven, Revelation 1:5; Revelation 19:13.

And the Spirit — Whose testimony was added chiefly after his glorification, 1 John 2:27; John 15:26; Acts 5:32; Romans 8:16.
And these three are one — Even as those two, the Father and the Son, are one, John 10:30. Nothing can separate the Spirit from the Father and the Son. If he were not one with the Father and the Son, the apostle ought to have said, The Father and the Word, who are one, and the Spirit, are two. But this is contrary to the whole tenor of revelation. It remains that these three are one. They are one in essence, in knowledge, in will, and in their testimony. It is observable, the three in the one verse are opposed, not conjointly, but severally, to the three in the other: as if he had said, Not only the Spirit testifies, but also the Father, John 5:37; not only the water, but also the Word, John 3:11; John 10:41; not only the blood, but also the Holy Ghost, John 15:26, etc. It must now appear, to every reasonable man, how absolutely necessary the eighth verse is 1 John 5:8. St. John could not think of the testimony of the Spirit, and water, and blood, and subjoin, “The testimony of God is greater,” without thinking also of the testimony of the Son and Holy Ghost; yea, and mentioning it in so solemn an enumeration. Nor can any possible reason be devised, why, without three testifying in heaven, he should enumerate three, and no more, who testify on earth. The testimony of all is given on earth, not in heaven; but they who testify are part on earth, part in heaven. The witnesses who are on earth testify chiefly concerning his abode on earth, though not excluding his state of exaltation: the witnesses who are in heaven testify chiefly concerning his glory at God’s right hand, though not excluding his state of humiliation. The seventh verse, therefore, with the sixth, 1 John 5:7,6 contains a recapitulation of the whole economy of Christ, from his baptism to pentecost; the eighth, 1 John 5:8 the sum of the divine economy, from the time of his exaltation. Hence it farther appears, that this position of the seventh 1 John 5:7,8 and eighth verses, which places those who testify on earth before those who testify in heaven, is abundantly preferable to the other, and affords a gradation admirably suited to the subject.

Verse 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
If we receive the testimony of men — As we do continually, and must do in a thousand instances.

The testimony of God is greater — Of higher authority, and much more worthy to be received; namely, this very testimony which God the Father, together with the Word and the Spirit, hath testified of the Son, as the Saviour of the world.

Verse 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

He that believeth on the Son of God hath the testimony — The dear evidence of this, in himself: he that believeth not God, in this, hath made him a liar; because he supposes that to be false which God has expressly testified.

Verse 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
And this is the sum of that testimony, that God hath given us a title to, and the real beginning of, eternal life; and that this is purchased by, and treasured up in, his Son, who has all the springs and the fulness of it in himself, to communicate to his body, the church, first in grace and then in glory.

Verse 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
It plainly follows, he that hath the Son – Living and reigning in him by faith. Hath this life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not this life – Hath no part or lot therein. In the former clause, the apostle says simply, the Son; because believers know him: in the latter, the Son of God; that unbelievers may know how great a blessing they fall short of.

Verse 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

These things have I written — In the introduction, 1 John 1:4, he said, I write: now, in the close, I have written. That ye may know – With a fuller and stronger assurance, that ye have eternal life.

Verse 14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And we — Who believe. Have this farther confidence in him, that he heareth – That is, favourably regards, whatever prayer we offer in faith, according to his revealed will.

Verse 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
We have — Faith anticipates the blessings.
The petitions which we asked of him — Even before the event. And when the event comes, we know it comes in answer to our prayer.

Verse 16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
This extends to things of the greatest importance.
If any one see his brother — That is. any man.
Sin a sin which is not unto death — That is, any sin but total apostasy from both the power and form of godliness.
Let him ask, and God will give him life — Pardon and spiritual life, for that sinner.
There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for that — That is, let him not pray for it. A sin unto death may likewise mean, one which God has determined to punish with death.

Verse 17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
All deviation from perfect holiness is sin; but all sin is not unpardonable.
Verse 18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

Yet this gives us no encouragement to sin: on the contrary, it is an indisputable truth, he that is born of God – That sees and loves God.
Sinneth not — So long as that loving faith abides in him, he neither speaks nor does anything which God hath forbidden.
He keepeth himself — Watching unto prayer. And, while he does this, the wicked one toucheth him not – So as to hurt him.
Verse 19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
We know that we are children of God — By the witness and the fruit of his Spirit, 1 John 3:24.
But the whole world — All who have not his Spirit, not only is “touched” by him, but by idolatry, fraud, violence lasciviousness, impiety, all manner of wickedness.

Lieth in the wicked one — Void of life, void of sense. In this short expression the horrible state of the world is painted in the most lively colours; a comment on which we have in the actions, conversations, contracts, quarrels, and friendships of worldly men.
Verse 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
And we know — By all these infallible proofs.

That the Son of God is come — Into the world. And he hath given us a spiritual understanding, that we may know him, the true one – “The faithful and true witness.” And we are in the true one – As branches in the vine, even in Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God. This Jesus is the only living and true God, together with the father and the Spirit, and the original fountain of eternal life. So the beginning and the end of the epistle agree.

Verse 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Keep yourselves from idols — From all worship of false gods, from all worship of images or of any creature, and from every inward idol; from loving, desiring, fearing anything more than God. Seek all help and defence from evil, all happiness in the true God alone.

2 John 1

Verse 1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

The elder — An appellation suited to a familiar letter, but upon a weighty subject.
To the elect — That is, Christian. Kuria is undoubtedly a proper name, both here and in 2 John 1:5; for it was not then usual to apply the title of lady to any but the Roman empress; neither would such a manner of speaking have been suitable to the simplicity and dignity of the apostle.
Whom — Both her and her children.
I love in the truth — With unfeigned and holy love.
Verse 2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
For the truth’s sake, which abideth in us — As a living principle of faith and holiness.
Verse 3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Grace takes away guilt; mercy, misery: peace implies the abiding in grace and mercy. It includes the testimony of God’s Spirit, both that we are his children, and that all our ways are acceptable to him. This is the very foretaste of heaven itself, where it is perfected.
In truth and love — Or, faith and love, as St. Paul speaks. Faith and truth are here synonymous terms.
Verse 4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
I found of thy children — Probably in their aunt’s house, 2 John 1:13.
Walking in the truth — In faith and love.
Verse 5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
That which we had from the beginning — Of our Lord’s ministry. Indeed it was, in some sense, from the beginning of the world.
That we may love one another — More abundantly.
Verse 6 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.
And this is the proof of true love, universal obedience built on the love of God.
This — Love. Is the great commandment which ye have heard from the beginning – Of our preaching.
Verse 7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Carefully keep what ye have heard from the beginning, for many seducers are entered into the world, who confess not Jesus Christ that came in the flesh – Who disbelieve either his prophetic, or priestly, or kingly office. Whosoever does this is the seducer – From God.
And the antichrist — Fighting against Christ.

Verse 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
That we lose not the things which we have wrought — Which every apostate does.
But receive a full reward — Having fully employed all our talents to the glory of him that gave them. Here again the apostle modestly transfers it to himself.

Verse 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
Receive this as a certain rule: Whosoever transgresseth – Any law of God.
Hath not God — For his Father and his God.
He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ — Believing and obeying it.
He hath both the Father and the Son — For his God.

Verse 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
If any came to you — Either as a teacher or a brother.
And bring not this doctrine — That is, advance anything contrary to it.
Receive him not into your house — As either a teacher or a brother-Neither bid him God speed – Give him no encouragement therein.

Verse 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
For he that biddeth him God speed — That gives him any encouragement, is accessory to his evil deeds.

Verse 12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
Having many things to write, I was not minded to write now — Only of these, which were then peculiarly needful.

Verse 13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
The children of thy elect or Christian sister – Absent, if not dead, when the apostle wrote this.