Are you going to heaven when you die?

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John 3:13, No one has ascended to heaven. Most Christians believe that when they die, they immediately go to heaven in spite of Yeshua’s clear statement in this verse.

Many believers see this verse as referring to saints who died before his resurrection, but not true of those who died afterwards, even though Yeshua doesn’t say this. Therefore, they reason, this is why, according to Peter, David, who was born before Yeshua, is still resting in his grave awaiting the last days resurrection (Acts 2:29). If what the majority Christians believe on this subject is true, then the saints of old are second class citizens and YHVH is a respecter persons (which he is not, see Acts 10:34; Rom 2:11) in that they have to wait for resurrection day and for their ultimate reward of eternal life, while saints born since Yeshua receive their glorified bodies immediately upon death.

Laying aside all the church traditions and doctrines of men, what does the Bible in the simplest and clearest terms say about the timing of the saints receiving immortality?  Paul states that the resurrection of all the dead saints and their receiving immortality occurs not at the time of their physical death, but at the second coming of Yeshua at the last trumpet (1 Cor 15:51–54; 1 Thess 4:13–18 cp. Rev 11:15, 18).

In reality, men’s eternal inheritance isn’t heaven, but the New Jerusalem, which is coming down from heaven to the new earth (Rev 21:2).

 

The Origins of the Ordination Ritual

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Exodus 28:41, Anoint them.  Ordination is a religious ritual that YHVH instituted in the Torah when he charged Moses to lay hands upon dialisos Aaron and his sons as part of the process of consecrating them to the priesthood (Exod 28:41; 29:7; 30:30). YHVH then instructed the Israelites themselves to lay hands on the Levites as part of the process of consecrating them to the Levitical service (Num 8:10). In addition, the kings of Israel were also anointed with oil (although hands were not imposed on them) to consecrate them for their kingly duties (e.g., 1 Sam 10:1; 16:13; 1 Kgs 1:39).

The laying on of hands or ordination is nothing more than earth’s confirmation of a heavenly calling. The biblical record clearly shows us that when ordinations occurred, Elohim had already chosen someone for a ministry position (e.g., high priest and his sons, the Levites, the king of Israel, or spiritual leaders in the time of the apostles), and men were simply confirming—through the anointing of oil and/or the laying on of hands—a choice that Elohim had already made. The heavenly calling comes first followed by the ordination of men. Heaven chooses who the servants of Elohim will be. Men, organizations, denominations, or churches do not.

In the Testimony of Yeshua, the eleven apostles chose Matthias to replace Judas by lot (Acts 1:15–26). The apostles believed that YHVH would supernaturally direct how the lots fell, and thus the choice would be that of heaven, not of men. In the case of Matthias, there is no mention of laying on of hands or anointing with oil. This may follow the example of Yeshua who simply called and commissioned the original twelve disciples (Matt 10:1; Mark 3:13; Luke 6:13). After all, Yeshua didn’t need a ceremony to confirm his choices, since he was heaven’s voice on earth.

After that, we have the choosing of the seven deacons in Acts 6:1. These were men who were already full of the Set-Apart Spirit and wisdom, so the apostles simply confirmed the work of the Spirit through the laying hands (verse 6).

The same is true in the other examples of ordination in the Testimony of Yeshua. Men would be mentored by a leader or an apostle, and after a period of time (“lay hands on no one suddenly,” 2 Tim 5:22), and after meeting the qualifications of eldership (see 1 Tim 3:1–12 and Tit 1:5–9), they were ordained. This period of training and probation finds its precedence in the Torah, where Levites went through five years of training (from age 25 to 30, Num 8:24) before being allowed to help the priests in the temple service. The biblical example of mentoring for ministry was less of an authoritatively-hierarchical system and more of patriarchal system with the older men lovingly overseeing, teaching and guiding those they had raised up.

 

The Seven Steps to Consecrating a Priest and YOU

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Exodus 28 and Exodus 29 (also Lev 8)

Now let’s note the seven steps of consecrating the priests and compare them with the steps a believer goes through to become a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a set-apart nation, a peculiar people that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Pet 2:9). Notice how the seven steps relate to the steps a new believer takes in his conversion process and how they relate to one’s spiritual journey from outside the mishkan where the altar of the red heifer is located representing the cross of Yeshua, then into the door of the tabernacle (i.e., Yeshua who is the door), to the altar of sacrifice (i.e., a prophetic picture of communion) to the bronze laver (i.e., immersion for the remission of sins and being washed in the water of the Word of YHVH), into the set-apart place where the Ruach (Spirit of Elohim) is and onward and upward spiritually into intimate relationship with the Father. In Exodus chapters 28 and 29 we find the following:

Step One: They were taken from among the children of Israel ( Exod 28:1). This prefigures divine election (see John 15:16). YHVH calls or chooses each person. Yeshua called his disciples. They did not call or choose him, but they had to respond to that call.

Step Two: They were brought into the door of the tabernacle (Exod 29:4). The door of the tabernacle is Messiah Yeshua who is the door to the sheepfold. No man comes to the Father except through Yeshua (John 10:1–5, 7, 9) The door is four colors which speak of the person and work of Yeshua: blue, scarlet, white and purple. It also speaks of the four Gospels, which is the door to understanding the Person and work of Yeshua.

Step Three: They were washed (Exod 29:4). Upon accepting the work and Person of Yeshua one must be immersed for the remission of sins (Acts 2:28) to identify spiritually with the death, burial and resurrection of Yeshua (Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3–14), and the washing of the water of the Word (Eph 5:26).

Step Four: They were clothed in their official garments (Exod 29:4–9). The redeemed believer is to put on the robes of righteousness (note Gal 3:27, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Messiah have put on Messiah”). Paul talks about fruits of righteousness through Yeshua in Philippians 1:1. Righteousness is Torah obedience (Ps 119:172) and is a mark of the end time believers/saints (Rev 12:17 and 14:12) and of the bride of Messiah (Rev 19:8).

Step Five: They laid their hands on the head of the animals which were sacrificed. The blood was shed and sprinkled on Aaron and his sons and matzah (unleavened bread) was waved and burnt and they ate the flesh of the ram and the matzah (Exod 29:10–26, 32–33)

Each born-again believer has to take personal responsibility for his own sins. The sacrifice of Yeshua, the Lamb of Elohim, at the cross must become personal to each person (see Heb 10:19; 13:12; 1 Pet 1:2; 1 John 1:17 and Rev 1:5). Each believer has his own personal relationship with Yeshua. Each must eat the flesh and drink the blood of Yeshua individually (John 6:35–58). Communion is a personal and individual matter.

Step Six: They were anointed with oil (Exod 29:21). Each person must receive the Set-Apart Spirit (Ruach) of Elohim (see Acts 8:17; 19:6).

Step Seven: They are sanctified or set-apart for a special, divine purpose (Exod 29:44). Only after going through these steps is one set-apart unto YHVH as a set-apart priesthood doing the set-apart work of YHVH (see Rom 15:16; 1 Cor 1:2; 6:11; Heb 10:10,14; 1 Pet 2:9).

Only on the basis of following YHVH’s steps, as outlined above, can one have fellowship with the Father. And what was the result of this consecration process? Relationship with the Father! Read Exodus 29:44–46 below,

And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest’s office. And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their Elohim. And they shall know that I am YHVH their Elohim, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am YHVH their Elohim. (emphasis added)

This is all accomplished through Yeshua living in us spiritually. Yeshua is the Chief Cornerstone of our faith (Eph 2:20). He is the end result or goal of the Torah (Rom 10:4). He is the Author and the Finisher of our Faith, the Beginning and the End, the Aleph and Tav (Alpha and Omega) of everything.

To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of Elohim, and precious, you also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a set-apart priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to Elohim by Yeshua the Messiah. Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Tzion a chief corner stone, elect, precious, and he that believes on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious, but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light, which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of Elohim, which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1 Pet 2:4–10)

Our faith in Yeshua stays alive and vibrant because of the sacrifices of devotion and praise we offer up daily, morning and night. We are called to do the same work the priests of old did, but in a spiritual or fuller sense.

 

Blog Scripture Readings for 2/22 through 2/28/15

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THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION:

Parashat Tetzaveh — Exodus 27:20 – 30:10
Haftarah — Ezekiel 43:10 – 27 | 1 Samuel 15:2 – 15:34**
Prophets — 2 Kings 12:1 – 18:37
Writings — Psalms 142:1 – 150:6
Testimony — John 4:1 – 6:71

Most of this week’s blog discussion points will be on these passages. If you have general comments or questions on the weekly Scripture readings not addressed in a blog post, here’s a place for you to post those. Just use the “leave a reply” link below.

The full “Read Through The Scriptures In A Year” schedule, broken down by each day, can be found on the right sidebar under “Helpful Links.” There are 4 sections of scripture to read each day. One each from the Torah, the Prophets, the Writings, and from the Testimony of Yeshua. Each week, the Torah and haftarah readings will follow the traditional one-year reading cycle.

** A different Haftarah is read when it is a special sabbath in Jewish tradition. This week is Shabbat Zachor.

Weekly Blog Scripture Readings for 2/22 through 2/28/15.

 

New Video: What Is the Hebrew Roots Walk?

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In this video, brother Bill explains what the basic steps are for the believer to take who’s returning to the Hebrew roots of the Christian faith. This is a great teaching for those who are new to the Hebrew roots movement or who want to understand what it’s all about.

 

Torah in a Box: Combatting Greasy Grace Torah-Obedience

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Man-Made Torah Packages

The Torah comes in a lot of man-made  packages that tend to obscure the true essence of Torah as presented in the Scriptures. This is what I call toxic Torah. Here are a few examples of toxic Torah-packages being promoted today in the Messianic or Hebrew Roots Movement:

Divine Intervention

Torah Legalism (modern day Pharisees) — The modern day Torah police, like the Pharisees of old, are heresy hunter, nit-picking legalists who place more emphasis on the letter of the law and the dos and don’ts of the Torah then on the spirit of the law and the gospel message as presented by the Torah-obedient apostolic writers. They judge everyone else on the basis of their interpretation of the Torah and demand that everyone else come up to their level of righteousness.

Torah Terrorists — Every other word out of these folks’ mouth is “Torah.” They want everyone to come into perfect Torah obedience immediately. Torah is the answer to everything. The gospel message of Yeshua, who is the Living Torah of Elohim incarnate, and by who’s help we’re able to do the Torah, is often kicked “to the back of the bus” or is almost non-existent.

Humanistic Torah — In this case, traditions and doctrines of men are exalted over the word of Elohim. Sometimes Jewish or rabbinic traditions are more important than obedience to the actual Torah-word of Elohim.

Torah Lite — This is a window dressing Torah-obedience where the light duty stuff of Torah such as observing some of the fun biblical holidays, dancing around the Torah scroll while doing some Jewish liturgy mixed with some other Jewish traditions along with a love for the Jewish people and the land of Israel is done in place of actually living a Torah-submissive lifestyle.

The Torah idol of intellectualism — There are many who learn about Torah through worshipping  at the idol of intellectualism. These folks place a greater emphasis on studying the jots and tittles of the Torah (e.g., Paleo-Hebrew, gematria, the mystical and esoteric aspects of Torah, rabbinic head knowledge, and the minutia of Torah’s details) then they do the weightier matters of the Torah, which involve love, the gospel message and righteous living.

Greasy Grace Torah-Obedience — This is a Torah that often suits Christians who are new to the Torah. They see Torah’s validity and relevance to the born again believer, but they take the punch out of YHVH’s word and view Torah as more of an option, suggestion or blessing to do rather than a command from Elohim that is incumbent upon all believers. This view promotes the underlying idea that YHVH’s grace will cover my inability or lack of willingness to fully obey his commandments thus giving me a pass to be disobedient. This is the Torah box we want to discuss below.

The above listed points are just a few examples of the permutations of Torah being promoted in the present day nascent Hebrew Roots Movement. Other examples could be give as well. What I have described above are like neat little boxes. Few people fit exactly into these boxes. People who promote a skewed version of Torah will have a view that’s an admixture of points from several of these broad categories.

Greasy-Grace Torah

All too often a Christianized version of Torah is being peddled by Messianic or Hebrew Roots teachers. Though they promote Torah obedience, it’s a censored message to fit the appetites of Christians who are accustomed to hearing the traditional hyper-grace message of the mainstream church. These Torah teachers will proffer such concepts as these: Continue reading →

 

Are you an angel?

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John 1:51, Angels of Elohim ascending. This is a clear reference to Jacob’s vision of the latter to heaven. The word angel (Gr. angelos) means “a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from Elohim,” and can refer to human messengers as well as to angels (in the traditional sense of the word).

Jacob's ladder

Angelos is synonymous with the Hebrew word malak, which has the same definition. It was “angels” or messengers ascending and descending the ladder that Jacob saw in his vision. Both malak and angelos can refer to human messengers as well.

For example, Yeshua called John the Baptist a messenger (angelos, see Matt 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 7:27; also see 2 Cor 12:7; Phil 2:25). Therefore, the “angels” Jacob and Yeshua refer to who are climbing the ladder to heaven, which is Yeshua himself, could easily refer to YHVH’s heavenly earthly messengers, which are the saints as they presently or in Yeshua’s millennial kingdom go about their divine task of spreading the gospel of Yeshua who is the way to the Father in heaven.