Author Archives: Natan Lawrence

What Is the Abrahamic Covenant?

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A Closer Look at the Abrahamic Covenant

Let us now take a closer look at the Abrahamic Covenant, which, as we have already noted, is a subdivision of the Torah Covenant itself and forms the basis for the New Covenant revealed in the Testimony of Yeshua. What are the unique aspects and provisions of this covenant?

In the Abrahamic Covenant, YHVH made promises to Abraham and all that YHVH expected of Abraham was faith. How do we know this? First we see that YHVH called Abraham to leave the comfort and wealth of Babylon (Ur of the Chaldees) and by faith to go to Canaan (Gen 12:1). There YHVH made many promises to Abraham about his progeny concerning their wealth, their numbers and their land inheritance. Abraham, though he personally never saw most of these promises fulfilled, nevertheless believed in YHVH and it was counted to him for righteousness’ sake (Gen 15:6, Heb 11:6–19).

Next we see the unconditional nature of the Abrahamic Covenant in how YHVH executed it with Abraham. In all agreements, there are at least two parties who determine the conditions of the agreement and then sign papers or shake hands. Each does something or brings something to the table. It was no different when two ancient near-Eastern parties would make an agreement or covenant. They would go through an elaborate bloody ritual to underscore the seriousness of the blood oath into which they were about to enter. In his book, The Miracle of the Scarlet Thread, Richard Booker describes a nine-step process that was lengthy and involved, like a Hebraic wedding ceremony, where each party was required to perform a number of rituals. One of the steps involved “cutting the covenant.” Booker explains that in this step the parties would take an animal, cut it in half down the middle and split it in two. The two bloody halves would be separated and laid aside after which each party would walk through the two halves. This ceremony represents each party giving up his rights to his own life, dying to self and beginning a new walk with one’s new covenant partner unto death. Each half of the animal represents one of the covenanting parties. And by walking through the middle each party was saying, “Elohim do so to me and more if I ever try to break this covenant. Just split me right down the middle and feed me to the vultures because I tried to break the most sacred of all compacts” (pp. 28–29).

Did YHVH and Abraham go through such a solemn, bloody ritual? Yes. We read about it in Genesis 15:9–18, but with one very interesting change. Instead of both walking through the two animal halves, YHVH put Abraham into a deep sleep and YHVH walked through the middle for both of them. What is the point? Abraham could not enter into a covenantal agreement with YHVH Elohim and thereby be reconciled to YHVH through his own works or efforts. What this clearly shows us is that man can neither earn nor work out his salvation. Salvation occurs only when man totally surrenders to and rests completely in YHVH. Salvation is by grace through faith and not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph 2:8–9). The Abrahamic Covenant is an unconditional covenant. YHVH did all the work for man. His love was unconditional. All man has to do was to believe or have faith in YHVH.

Next we will take a closer look at what Paul had to say about the Abrahamic Covenant and our salvation.

 

Is God Speaking to America?

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Is Elohim trying to get America’s attention?

Here are some recent headlines form July 2012:

Worst drought since 1950s in continental U.S.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/post/worst-drought-since-1950s-in-continental-us/2012/07/16/gJQAbeKApW_blog.html

U.S. drought biggest since 1956, climate agency says

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/16/us/us-drought/index.html?iref=allsearch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intense Storms Called a “Derecho” Slam 700 Miles of the US

Rare ‘Derecho’ Storm Ravaged Washington Area

http://abcnews.go.com/US/derecho-storm-ravaged-washington-area/story?id=16696593#.UAY__Y7Po20

Stacking lightning bolts over Washington, D.C.

For some incredible photos of multiple lightening bolts striking various national monuments around Washington D.C. during the July 2012 storm, go to:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/post/stacking-lightning-bolts-over-washington/2011/10/06/gIQAln7nSL_blog.html

Is the Creator of the Universe speaking to America. If so, what is he saying, and what should we do? Your comments please.

 

What Is the Torah Covenant?

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The Torah Covenant Is the First or Former Covenant;
The Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants Are Subsections of the Torah Covenant

The Torah, the first five books of the Bible, is the chronicle of YHVH giving man instructions to follow, and of his entering into covenantal relationships with men and men either keeping those agreements or breaking them.

The word Torah means “instructions, teaching or precepts; specifically in biblical context: the teachings or instructions of YHVH to lead men into a righteous relationship with him through covenantal agreement.” The Torah is a giant b’rit or covenant. The Torah in a number of places even refers to itself by the Hebrew word b’rit or covenant. We see this in the following passages:

Exodus 34:27, And YHVH said unto Moses, Write you these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.

Deuteronomy 29:1, These are the words of the covenant, which YHVH commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb.

The Torah is not unlike an instruction manual one might receive from the manufacturer of an automobile, computer or some such device to help the buyer to operate his new purchase in a manner that allows him to receive years of trouble-free service. The Torah is YHVH’s instruction manual to help man to live in a way that brings life and blessing; it helps man to enter into a loving relationship with his Creator and to have a trouble-free relationship with his fellow man.

Within the first five books of the Torah-covenant are several smaller covenantal subdivisions such as the Abrahamic and the Sinaitic or Mosaic Covenants. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (TWOT) describes this as follows, “Deuteronomy 29:13-14 shows the Sinaitic Covenant was an extension of the Abrahamic ­Covenant…. The Sinai renewal merely stressed man’s responsibility where the Abrahamic Covenant emphasized Elohim’s promise… The Priestly Covenant of Num 25:12-13, the Davidic Covenant of 2 Sam 7 and the New Covenant of Jer 31:31 are all administrative aspects of the same covenant, Elohim’s Covenant of grace. This covenant reaches its climax at the Incarnation where [Messiah] representing his people fulfilled all the stipulations of the covenant and bore the curse they deserved for breaking it” (p. 129).

The Torah is a covenant with various “administrative aspects” or subdivisions. Each succeeding covenant builds upon the previous covenant without canceling out the requirements or provisions of the previous covenant. Such is consistent with the character and nature of YHVH Elohim. He is not a man that he should lie (Num. 23:19). When he gives his word he keeps it, even up to 1000 generations (that is 40-50,000 years!) (Ps 105:6-11). He declares that he does not change (Mal 3:6) and that he is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8). He is not a respecter of persons who makes a covenant with one people-group (e.g. the Jews) and another covenant with another people-group (e.g. the Gentiles) each with its own contradictory set of salvation requirements and standards of righteousness (Acts 10:34). In YHVH’s spiritual economy, there is one law, one set of standards, one covenant for both the Israelite and the Gentile (Exod 12:49; Num 15:16; Eph 2:11-16). Again, his laws and covenants are a reflection of his divine nature and character. He cannot oppose himself. He is not double-minded, like man. He is not the sort of (spiritual) well that spouts forth both salty and fresh water to which the Apostle James makes reference in his epistle. YHVH is perfect, righteous and immutable.

Next, we will briefly discuss the uniqueness of the New Covenant as it relates to the Torah Covenant(s).

 

The Foundation for the New Covenant: The Covenants of Salvation

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The Apostle Paul makes a very interesting, and often overlooked statement in Ephesians 2:12. For ­context we will quote the surrounding verses:

Wherefore remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth [citizenship] of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without Elohim in the world: but now in Messiah Yeshua ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Messiah. (emphasis added)

Paul, talking to the redeemed believers in Ephesus, states that they had been (past tense) Gentiles (comprised of various ethnic or people groups) without Elohim and without hope, but now, through the work of Yeshua at the cross, provision had been made for these alienated people-groups to become citizens of the nation of Israel. Elsewhere Paul refers to these (former) Gentiles as now being Israelites and defines them as heirs to the promises YHVH made to Abraham and calls them “seed” or descendants of Abraham (Rom. 4:15; 9:8,11; Gal. 3:7,14,29).

Paul further says that these same people had been aliens from YHVH’s “covenants of promise” and relates this to the “Gentile” Believers at Ephesus. We know that the principles laid out in this teaching apply to all the redeemed believers down through the ages. So what covenants of promise were these Believers strangers to in times past prior to their conversion? Most in the church have been taught that the New Covenant is the only covenant that pertains to them, yet Paul spoke of covenants (plural) of promise. To what was he referring? The two main covenants of the Tanakh (the Old Testament) affecting the nation of Israel were the Abrahamic Covenant and the Mosaic or Sinaitic Covenant. Additionally, Jeremiah prophetically speaks of a New (Renewed) Covenant that YHVH would make with the two houses of Israel (Jer 31:31-33); that is, a refreshed version of a former (marital) covenantal agreement which Israel broke with YHVH (verse 32). These are the three principal covenants that the Scriptures reveals affect YHVH’s people. Clearly, Paul is referencing these three covenants in Ephesians 2:12 (see the Jewish New Testament Commentary, by David Stern, p. 583).

Which of the three covenants forms the bedrock upon which the others are based, and upon which Elohim predicated his glorious plan of redemption for mankind? In Romans four, Paul references the Abrahamic Covenant in discussing the means by which one is saved. In his discussion of the Abrahamic Covenant, Paul gives us no indications that the provisions of the Abrahamic Covenant are passé or invalid as pertaining to believers in Yeshua as relating to the New Covenant. He clearly shows us that this covenant forms the basis for man’s redemption (salvation) and subsequent relationship with his Creator. With this thought in mind, let us proceed into a study of the Abrahamic Covenant and learn how it relates to the New Covenant.

In my next blog post, we will explore this subject further. Please stay tuned!

 

Noah—A Prophetic Picture of the End Times

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Genesis 6–7, Noah’s flood provides allegorical insights relating to end-times prophecy. In Matthew 24:37, Yeshua compares the end times to the days of Noah. The story of Noah has allegorical implications that give hints about end-times prophecy.

In 1 Peter 3:18, we learn that the story of Noah is also a picture of salvation and baptism. Noah is a type of Yeshua.

Noah building the ark is a prophetic picture of the redeemed believer working out his own salvation all the while following the exact plans or specifications of YHVH.

Noah builds an ark of safety from Elohim’s wrath or judgments against sinful man. The ark is a metaphorical picture of the believer’s salvation; Noah is a spiritual picture of Yeshua. The flood is also a picture of water baptism for the remission of sins, which ceremonially pictures the death of the old sinful man, and the birth the new spiritual man (Rom 6:3–6). The unregenerated sinful or carnal men perished in the floodwaters in Noah’s day, while the new, redeemed man (as pictured by Noah and his family) who had found grace in the sight of Elohim found refuge on the ark. While the flood is a judgment against sinful man who has violated the Torah-laws or divine instructions of YHVH, the ark is a picture of the grace that YHVH offers to those who will repent of their sins (i.e. Torahlessness) and turn to him through Yeshua. As Noah found grace in the eyes of YHVH because he was “perfect in his generations” (Gen 6:8, 9), he was spared from the wages of sin which is death, and YHVH offers the same grace to all men to this day (2 Pet 3:9).

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Welcome to the Islamic State of America

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Linked below is an article from World Net Daily (wnd.com) entitled,

MUSLIMS: ‘WIPE CHRISTIANITY FROM FACE OF EARTH’

http://www.wnd.com/2012/07/muslim-group-wipe-christianity-from-face-of-earth/

Have you ever read the Koran? I have—from cover to cover. After reading the book, I wrote what I call…

Startling and Revelatory Insights from the Koran—The True Face of Islam Unmasked 

Below are the facts and nothing but the facts as presented in the Koran itself. Let these facts speak for themselves.

Why is it important that you educate yourself about Islam? The Bible tells us that we are not to be ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Cor 2:11). The spirit of Antichrist is behind the religion of Islam and that same spirit is knocking loudly on America’s door. As hard as it may be for Americans to believe, even our new president, Barak Husein Obama, has Islamic connections, if not sympathies.

The prophets of the Bible speak distinctly about an end-time enemy of Israel (of both Jews and Christians) who will attempt through force to dispossess Israel of its land and heritage. This same aggressor will shed Israelite blood, and will gather other Israelite-hating nations into a confederacy that will attack the Israelites’ nations. The Bible refers to this enemy as Edom, who has a perpetual hatred for the people of Elohim (the God of the Bible).

The biblical prophets describe this time as being a low point in the national life of the people of Israel. This attack by Edom against Israel will be brought on by Israel’s (Jews’ and Christians’) spiritual apostasy from the Word of God—the Torah. But the same prophets declare that out of the depths of spiritual and economic despair, the Israelite people (both Jews and Christians) will repent of their sins, cry out to their God, Yehovah Elohim, spiritual revival will ensue, and Elohim will then magnify his name among his people and deliver them from the hands of their enemies. This event incidentally coincides with the second coming of the Messiah of Israel, Yeshua HaMaschiach (Jesus Christ).

For more details on who end-time Edom is, what his game plan is and how that will affect you whether you live in America, other Christian nations, or in the state of Israel, read my article Is America in End-Time Bible Prophecy, which is available for free download at http://www.hoshanarabbah.org/pdfs/america.pdf.

Continue reading →

 

Torah Central (this is some deep stuff!)

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The Torah Is the Central Theme of the Bible — A Brief Overview

Torah is the dominant theme at the beginning, middle and end of the Scriptures.

In Genesis one, at the beginning of the Bible:

  • Gen 1:1, The Hebrew grammatical marker word consisting of an aleph and tav (the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet) are found twice in verse one, just before and after the word heaven. They are the fourth and seventh Hebrew words in this sentence. This is a prophetic reference to Yeshua, who is the Beginning and the End (the Alpha and Omega, Rev 1:8,11; 21:6,22:13), and it testifies to the fact that Yeshua would come from heaven in the fourth millennia and would come back to earth from heaven in the seventh millennia.
  • Gen 1:3, Light was the first creative act of Elohim. Light is a biblical metaphor for Torah/the Word of Elohim (Prov 6:23; Ps 119:105). Light pierced the darkness of evil. Darkness is a biblical metaphor for Torahlessness or all that which is of the world, the flesh and the devil and which is contrary to or in rebellion against the will and Word of Elohim (John 1:5; 3:16–21).
  • Gen 1:3–5, Light is mentioned five times here. This is referred to as the five points of light—a reference to the five books of the Torah (Gen through Deut), and to Yeshua, who was the light of the world before the sun was created on the fourth day in Gen 1:14. Yeshua, that same spiritual Torah-light, will replace the sun in the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:23; 22:5).
  • In Gen 1:3, we find the complete spelling of the word light (aleph, vav, resh), as opposed to a defective spelling minus the vav that the physical sun gives (see Gen 1:14, the first reference to light in that verse is spelled defectively). This points to the supreme and supernal Torah-light from heaven, which is Yeshua, the Torah-Word of Elohim that was made flesh and dwelt among men (John 1:1,14), and who was the spiritual Light of the world (John 1:4–5; 8:12).

Psalm 119 is the middle of the Bible. This is the Bible’s longest chapter and the highest praise of Torah to be found in all of the Scriptures

In the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, we find a number of references to the written Torah, and to Yeshua, the Living Torah.

  • Rev 22:14, Blessed are they who keep his [Torah] commandments.
  • Rev 21:23; 22:5 (also 2 Cor 4:6), The Torah-Sun. Yeshua is the Light of the World (John 1:4–5; 8:12) and the Sun of Righteousness (Mal 4:2) whose face shines like the sun (Rev 1:16).
  • Rev 22:3, There will be no more curse because there will be no more sin or Torahlessness (1 John 3:4, sin is the transgression of the Torah) in the world to come, which brings on the curses of the law (Deut 28:15–68), for the wages of sin is death (Ezek 18:4; Rom 6:23), which is the ultimate curse for violating Torah-laws,which are Elohim’s instructions in righteousness.
  • Rev 22:12, Yeshua is bringing spiritual rewards to his servants based on how faithful they were to obeying and teaching the Torah (cp. Matt 5:19).
  • Rev 22:13, The alpha and omega/aleph and tav—the beginning and end of the Torah-Word of Elohim—is another reference to the written Torah and to Yeshua, the Living Torah.
  • Rev 22:15 (also 21:7), Outside of the New Jerusalem are found sinners or the Torahless ones.
  • Rev 22:17, The Spirit and Bride say come. Who gets to come? Those who have prepared themselves for the marriage supper of the Lamb by putting on the robes of the righteous acts of Torah (see Rev 19:7–9, NIV and NAS). The Scriptures defines righteousness as obedience to the Torah (Ps 119:172).
  • Rev 22:18–19, Don’t add or subtract to or from the book. This echoes the warning Moses wrote at the end of the Torah (Deut 4:2; 12:32).
  • Rev 22:20–21, The Hebrew word amein is found twice in the last two verse of the Bible including the very last word of the Scriptures. Amein is a Hebrew word meaning “verily, truly” and derives from the Hebrew word emet/<nt meaning “truth.” Emet is comprised of aleph, mem and tav, which are the first, middle and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Therefore, emet is a word that signifies all that is revealed on the subject from aleph to tav comprising of all that can be written on it and no more can be added to it. This is a one-word picture of Torah which points to the highest head and source of all knowledge (as the paleo-Hebrew word pictures for each individual letter illustrates).