37 Comments
  1. In the beginning YHWH had a plan. He invented time. He set certain days aside for meeting with His creation. These special times, he called moedim (appointments). They are His appointments, not Jewish appointments. He gave us signs in the sky so that we could know when the appointments with Him are. So there is no need for another man to tell us when to keep them. He tells us with beautiful signs in the night sky.

    He started His day at evening after the sun had set. This is a beautiful and peaceful idea…starting the day at rest instead of in the middle of the night or by hopping out of bed to go to work. He gave the weekly appointment day so that we would not be overworked. He called it shabbat (the 7th day not Sunday). “The Sabbath was made for man.’ not just for the Jewish people.

    He gave the newly visible moon so that we would know when a new month started instead using some rabbinical mathematical calculation (usually off by one or two days) or pagan calendar with idolatrous names on it.

    His spring appointments symbolize things like Messiah’s first coming and our personal redemption and sanctification. They speak of our betrothal and covenant with Y’Shua. His fall appointments speak to us of Messiah’s second coming and our redemption and sanctification as a body culminating in our marriage to the Lamb.

    Y’Shua fulfilled the spring feasts on the exact appointment day. The scripture seems to indicate that the fall feasts will be fulfilled on the exact appointment day also. We will all be changed at the last trumpet blast and will be gathered to Y’Shua at the shout of the archangel. This is what the appointment called Yom Teruah (falsely called Rosh Hosshana) is about as it is literally “the day of shouting/blowing.” (This appointed time probably starts on 10/10/2010, Fri. night shortly after sunset…watch for the new moon in the western sky!)

    Can this be said of us:

    1Thessalonians 5
    1 But of the times and the seasons (appointments), brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

    Or…has 1900 years of neglect caused us to forget to…”remember the sabbath to keep it holy” and when “the feasts of YHWH” are.

    I think it is not a question of preference but of obedience. YHWH does not want obedient children that are just following the rules for the rule’s sake, though. He wants us to want to keep His appointments with Him because we love Him and want to meet with Him on His special occasions.

    1John 5
    3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

    Jereboam made up his own religious times…so did the church. Why would we want to choose our own way/times of worship when we have loving direction from Him as to what He desires?

    Deuteronomy 12
    30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
    31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
    32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

    YHWH does not want us to serve Him by adopting the “appointed times” of the pagans. “Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God.” It is a “snare.” Our Father hates what the pagans do on those dates.

    Galatians 4
    8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
    9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
    10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
    11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

    Will we continue to chose the holidays that commemorate these “abominations” or will we choose YHWH’s true holy days that point to Messiah and His body/bride? Who do we think we are?

    We are grafted in…no longer gentiles…adopted into YHWH’s family. We are His bride…bought with an immense price. Isn’t it obvious that we should keep His appointments with us. He is returning for those that are watching for His return. How much better way is there of watching than by keeping his appointment that He will likely return on?

    Shalom

  2. Correction:

    Jereboam made up his own religious times…so did the church. Why would we want to choose our own way/times of worship when we have loving direction from YHWH as to what He desires?

  3. The new moon will be able to be seen for about 30 minutes from about 20 minutes after sunset on 10/10/2010 in the US if you are not in the northern states. It will look like a small, thin fingernail clipping just below the bright stars (Venus and Mars…are there better non-pagan names?) on the western horizon about 20 degrees to the southwest and 10 degrees in elevation.

    Look for it and blow your shofars. YHWH’s appointed time of Yom Teruah/day of blowing and shouting (feast of trumpets) is upon us.

    Psalm 81
    1 A Psalm of Asaph. Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
    2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
    3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.
    4 For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.
    5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.
    6 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.
    7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

    It is not the new year (Rosh Hossanah)…but it is time for celebration. Y’Shua will return for His spotless bride one of these times. Let’s make ourselves ready and celebrate our soon catching away. It is like celebrating our anniversary in advance. Of course the wedding feast will be on the feast of tabernacles but this appointed time is proclaiming that the Bridegroom cometh. Get ready!

    Matthew 25
    6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

    Revelation 1
    7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

    Matthew 24
    42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
    43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
    44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
    45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
    46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
    47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

    Shalom

  4. I’m about as non Jewish as a Christian can be it seems to me. I wasn’t raised Jewish. It’s not been my history in life.

    But I read a book about the birth of Christ, about the star the wise men saw and what it might have been. Men of that era did not have telescopes but they could observe the movement of planets through the constellations.

    What I am leading up to is the Feast of Trumpets.

    Those who worked on the writing of the book looked at both history and the Bible. They looked for both what wise men could see with their eyes concerning “his star” which they saw “in the east”, and astronomical data.

    They looked at historical writings by Josepheus (spelling?) a historian who wrote of a lunar eclipse near the time of king Herod’s death.

    They decided to use this as a reference point at which to look at history and the events of the Bible giving them a time frame with which to observe astronomical data.

    They found massing of planets going on during that time frame they chose to look at. Most noteable was what was happening in the constellation of Leo the lion, which they said is representative of the tribe of Juda.

    They looked at prophesies of the Bible. One that I remember is about how “Judah is a lion’s whelp, from the prey my son thou art gone up.” (Gen 49:9) Is this about Jesus coming from the tribe of Judah being a prey while in this world in the days of his flesh, dying on the cross, being raised up, and ascending back to heaven?

    There is also a prophecy about a lawgiver coming from between his Judah’s feet. (Gen 49:10)

    According to the book I was reading on this, there was visible in Palestine the sun (in Virgo, the virgin) with the moon beneath her feet. (Rev 12:1) This they say was an 81 minute period and they suspected that it was during this time that Jesus was born. According to their calculations, Sep 11th 3 BC.

    This is also connected with the Feast of Trumpets when trumpets are blown all day. Trumpets are also blown at the inauguration of a new king. They also connected by speculation and it seemed some possibility of traditon, that the new years day of the Jewish calendar may have been the first day of creation.

    Does God speak in patterns? I think that he does and it’s his glory to conceal things and the glory of kings to find them out. There’s a verse from Proverbs you may want to look up. (batteries out in my electronic concordance)

    So is there a connection between the waters in Genesis, the womb of Mary, and the light? (Gen 1:1,2, Luke 1:31)

    As I have said, Doesn’t God speak in patterns?

    Did he not promise eternal life before the world began? Was not his first work on the first day of creation a prophetic message?

    I used to remember Sep 11th and consider that it may well be the Lord’s birthday and I have in the past given a special financial offering on that account. (God has so often blessed my birthdays)

    I began to fall away from remembering that date in that manner. Maybe I should return to it, for it seems to me that it could be. It just could be.

    One day I hope to know for sure.

  5. Ray,

    Not to be a wet blanket, but Sept, 11 does not mean anything in the Biblical dating scheme. YHWH’s feast days are kept on a lunar calendar and thus are on a different pagan day every year. (There are only about 354 days in a Biblical 12 month year and about 383 in a 13 month year, so the pagan date is about 10 to 20 days different from year to year on any given Biblical calendar date.) Please continue to be a cheerful giver in spite of the pagan date.

    Shalom

  6. The new moon was sited in Israel so it is now truly the beginning of the Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets/Shouting). It is also the beginning of the 7th Biblical month and the Sabbath. The Biblical new year (Rosh HaShanah) will have to wait till spring.

    Shabbat Shalom!
    Sabbath Peace!
    Rosh Chodesh Sameach!
    Happy New Moon!
    Moadim Le-Simchah!
    Happy Appointed Times!

  7. My birthday is never according to a Biblical dating scheme, yet God has continued to bless me on that day in so many ways. I’m not a Hebrew and don’t know about Biblical calendars. It’s not a part of my history. It seems so complicated to me.
    I wasn’t raised a Jew and don’t think like one unless our thoughts tend to follow some of the same lines of scripture.

  8. Ray,

    It is not about being or thinking like a Jew. It is about keeping time on YHWH’s schedule…at least for the feasts.(The Jewish calendar is not exactly Biblical as it is a calculated calendar instead of a watching and counting procedure.)

    It is actually quite easy if we do not try to correlate the Biblical calendar with the pagan calendar. (Just like converting inches to millimeters is difficult, but using either metric or SAE measurements is simple once you are familiar with either.)

    The Biblical calendar is a matter of watching for the new moon and counting to get to the feast days. The Sabbath is a matter of counting to seven…over and over again. There is no need to calculate or consult a calendar. The feast of trumpets started last night shortly after sunset. The day of atonement is 10 days after. The feast of tabernacles is 5 days after that and lasts for seven days with the last great day following the day after.

    Please do not mistake Judaism for biblical practices. Messiah disapproved of some of the Rabbincal/Pharisaic teachings, as they were traditions of men. The Church has done the same thing with the Gregorian (He was a pope, you know) calendar and its celebrations.

    Be blessed on your birthday and all others.

    Shalom

  9. Thank you Bo for telling us what it is like to be a Jew. Many of us will let you know what it is like to be a believing Christian gentile.

  10. Ray,

    The Jews do not do it the way I explained above. They go by Rabbinic decree. There is no such thing as a believing gentile since once one believes they are grafted into Israel and are no longer strangers, foreigners and gentiles.

    Ephesians 2
    11 Wherefore remember, that ye 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;
    12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
    13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ….
    19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

    Romans 11
    17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
    18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
    19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
    20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
    21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
    22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
    23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
    24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
    25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

    Be careful not to boast against the branches. Do no be highminded but fear. Don’t be ignorant of this mystery. If your are in, you must be in on YHWH’s terms. The new covenant is for Israel. We must be grafted in/adopted in order to partake of the covenants of promise.(Eph. 2:12)

    Here is who the new covenant is promised to:

    Jeremiah 31
    31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
    32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
    33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
    34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
    35 Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
    36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
    37 Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.

    The gentiles get to partake by being grafted in. There is only one body. One bride. The promises are to Israel. They will be grafted back in if they do not continue in unbelief. Judaism makes it own rules contrary to scripture. Christianity does the same.

    I already know how to be a Christian. I am not telling you how to be a Jew. I am simply relating how to live by EVERY word that proceeds from YHWH’s mouth instead of picking and choosing and following doctrines of men from Christianity or Judaism.

    Matthew 4
    4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

    May YHWH open our eyes!

    Shalom

  11. Ray,

    I would tend to disagree with you on your point in stating, “There is no such thing as a believing gentile since once one believes they are grafted into Israel and are no longer strangers, foreigners and gentiles.”

    The term “Gentile”, often points to the identification of non-Jews. There are some cases of which the context may refer to a non-believer, but in most cases it simply refers to those of the “nations” – as being outside of the nation of Israel; hence, the bride of Christ will be made up of both Jews and Gentiles (One new man), and what a glorious gathering it will be.

    Shalom

  12. Brian R.

    In the very passage you quote (Eph. 2:15) that says “one new man” it also straight forwardly says that we are no longer gentiles (Eph. 2:11-12,13,19). No Jew (those who practice Judaism) and no more Gentile (those that practice paganism), but one new man “Israel”. “Israel” and “Jew” are not generally synonymous. We tend to use the terms as equal but there is a scriptural difference. Israel is the name of YHWH’s bride. Y’Shua came for the lost sheep of Israel.

    If you will study the prophets you will notice that Israel will be gathered from all the nations to which they have been scattered. To us they do not look any different than the common gentile before they are saved. If we are truly gentiles with no Israelite blood, then we need to be grafted in to Israel. If we are Israelites that have been scattered then we need to regrafted back into our own olive tree.

    The new covenant is offered to Israel, not to gentiles. (Jer.31:31-37) This could very well be why the “Judaizers” thought that the new believers must be circumcised…they could not fathom someone being grafted into Israel without this sign. Cornelius receiving the Holy Spirit proved otherwise. Was Cornelius of the lost sheep of Israel? No one knows, but he was adopted into YHHW’s family by the Spirit of adoption.

    It will be a glorious gathering when all those that have been saved are called to the wedding feast. This feast will be held on the feast of tabernacles. It is not a Jewish feast, but a feast of YHWH and those that are truly Israel will be His bride.

    Shalom

  13. Right on Bo! I have been reading and studying Scripture and learning about the TRUTH.
    I’m also reading a book: Walk In the Light-Restoration.
    Extremely informative. I highly recommend it.

  14. Brian R.

    Did you notice that Israel will never cease from being a nation before YHWH. Please remember that the gates of the city in Revelation 21 are named for the twelve tribes…symbolic that only Israelites (whether grafted in or natural born) are allowed in perhaps?

    Shalom

  15. Bo,

    You said, ” In the very passage you quote (Eph. 2:15) that says “one new man” it also straight forwardly says that we are no longer gentiles (Eph. 2:11-12,13,19).”

    I would say that if one exegetes these verses in its context you will find that it does not says that “we are no longer Gentiles” at all, neither is this the implication that is being drawn. In point of fact, it is simply saying that those who were without Christ, both Jew and Gentile, have been reconciled though the cross, thus “He came and preached peace to you who were afar off (Gentile) and to those who were near (Jew). This is the concept and blessing of the One New Man as Paul has presented.

    The entire point of this passage in question is speaking to the wonder of Gentiles becoming fellow heirs of the promise. Located in Ephesians 3:6, Paul thus sums up the mystery hidden in the new covenant “That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.”

    I’d point you to Chapter 7 of Dr. Brown’s work, “Our Hands are Stained with Blood,” which is titled, “So Near and Yet So Far.” I’d also recommend a more direct and concise reference which would help to clarify this subject matter. “One New Man,” written by a Messianic Jew, Reuven Doron.

    Shalom

  16. I want to echo in an Amen to the findings of Brian’s post, also my own findings based on hundreds of scholars input. A desire to be an authentic Jew does not replicate an authentic Jew.
    And what would be the point? Gentiles have all they require for righteousness and Godliness established in Christ Jesus.

  17. Jabez and Brian, I feel where you’re comming from–the branch doesn’t replace the true root. However, Brian’s reference to main-stream Messianic resources and scriptural exegesis is a bit off, I believe, since Gentiles being grafted into Israel is NOT something that started with Yeshua’s time on earth as a human. Rather, looking at cases such as Kalev, Yeshayahu, and of course, Rut, proves otherwise. How does this point fit into the interpretations above? Bo doesn’t have it all right, but he’s less confused than many organizers would like him to be. @Bo: remember Ester. Shalom:)

  18. Brian R.

    Ephesians 2
    11 Wherefore remember, that ye 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;
    12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
    13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ….
    19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

    Interesting that you could say that this passages does not say we are no longer gentiles, strangers and foreigners. No exegesis needed…it states the fact quite clearly. I doubt that Paul would be declaring things in the details that would contradict the “entire point”, as you put it.

    Paul is saying exactly what Torah says in these regards. The gentile can come into covenant with YHWH by being grafted into Israel. (Isa. 56, Rom 11)

    Shalom

  19. When Paul’s third missionary journey was given to Ephesis, where he knew what it was to be harshly rejected by the synagogue rulers, he then taught scripture to both Gospel receiving Jews and Greeks in the school of Tyrannus, apart from the synagogue. He lingered for almost three years.

    His message was confirmed by miracles. This settled his Message/Messenger divine authority, with the awe of the unseen but present by the actions of the Spirit “beloved” one, Christ, where this reality became a beachhead to extend to the province of Asia the carrying forth of the Gospel.

    A craftsmen riot occurred n the city with the conflict between the unconverted and well entrenched craftsmen’s vocational intentions aggressively taking to task the Messengers as proponents of the unseen Christ acting as opponents of their past livlihood. This reality insigated the Messengers becoming opponents of a livelihood of a bought and sold visible pagan idolatrous economy. The craftsmen were threatened indeed, for the hearts of the city were drawn significantly to the Message of Christ.

    So, both the sustaining Jews of the Synagogue, and the long standing local idolaters became oppositional during Paul’s teaching stint in the city. Reading of this tension is reading of the Kingdoms involved in conflict which Daniel talks about dividing the Age of the Gentiles–this present Age–from the Age to Come, as Biblically promised of the promised Jewish MESSIAH’S KINGDOM rule.

    Ephesians 1:15 and 3:2 seem to carry a message of affimation to receipients of the letter Paul had never met or addressed. What was his connection challenge of assertion for present and future bonds of all readers of faith in Yeshua? He brings up the church as a whole body, not his letters’ usually more specific readers or named local listeners, fellowship, or group. This is crucial to understanding his approach to the connection/affirmation linkage purpose and present and future disposition problem addressed of the letter’s dealing with faith groups both in the present Age and the Age to come. To date, weren’t the connected Biblical promises just given to the Jews of the past covenant? How did the Visitation of Jesus change this?

    All types of believers are united in Christ, in one body was Paul’s thoughtful solution to the inclusion/exclusion problem involved stemming from the Messiah’s atonement and visitation, and the challenge extended from His present heavenly occupation to the future. “One new man,” not of the old distinctions, promotes an agenda similar to his statements elsewhere about there being neither male nor female, slave nor free, etc.

    Such being of “the Commonweath of Israel”, is to be of the commonly shared future intention of the Father, through the Messiah King Son, not as asserted to bring Gentiles to shapeshift or origin shift to become Jews, but to assert unity in the new man, new body joined in a spiritual mystery Kingdom ideal. That ideal is Messianic, and given from Israel to the nations in origin.

    If Romans 11, used above, were saying what Bo seems to be saying, Israel would not have been broken off as branches, but the Gentiles would have replaced them for all future purposes of God by special mention of them by Paul (not so, see Acts 2:38-39, and 3:21 as to there remaining distinctions and future promises for both those of the nations and those of historical Israel)–instead it is the Biblical root people group covenants and its Father connected family tree supporting both those of the New and Living Way, and the Jews of faith in the Visitation of the Messiah King as was made possible by the historical reality stemming of those of the old.

    Messiah came from the Jews. The New and living Way required the old to reject something about what Jesus offered for the Gentiles acceptance into the family tree of God. It certainly was not the Jews own Jewishness for these new converts, but its foundations from the Father being of a commonly sourced faith which was communicated through Israel’s family of origin to the chosen Nation and the peoples of the world.

    A rejection of the Message of the Messiah being a suffering servant Yeshua by the chosen Nation was a rejection of the heart being rightly seated in faith, awe, and acceptance of the Beloved One promised of God, and His extension of a careful inclusion to any who received Him due to his Visitation to His own, and His extension of the Great Commission to others.

    Paul is not then writing about who is a Jew,in the first illustrations of inclusion of those taught of the Ephesisians, but about who has received interactions of the Gospel with faith and the respect extended by God of inclusion throughout the history of reported Covenants given to men of the two groups Paul contended with for his Gospel in and from Ephesis.

    Jesus redemption is a ransom for both groups to be forged in one new man, spiritually speaking. Making that man not only the beloved presently in heaven, but his body on earth increases the identifying bonds. The new notion of one body composing that extension of grace through faith to form some new image of One of faith is for the benefit of both the Jew hearing the Message of the good news, and the Gentile so hearing. Hearing brings a mutual faith and hope. Receiving is receiving One New Man and becoming part of that Man. This is a spiritual reality.

    In the UK today we have a commonwealth of old divided people groups, long ago enemies (Welch, English, some Irish, Anglos and Saxons, etc.). Although for some that division continues, in being part of the UK they do not become of one another indeed in their unique origins other than by what historically, jurisdictionally, and soveregnly was past divided and as to later shared rights and responsibilites as it occurred in time. Even so, the No. Irish did not become Englishmen, nor vice-versa.

    Through his blood, Jesus the Messiah took away the sin and the dividing of hearts from His Kingdom by redemption, pruchased with his blood price, and confirmed by the Spirit sent, as the head of the body. His administration, or dispensation, vs. 10, carries His eternal redemptive purpose, and so wihtout intention of unique favor to one group over the other (any longer).

    All believers have the seal of the Spirit, and a newly purchased inheritance. Historically Jews held the promise of God’s chosen inheritance under Abraham, others did not. Jews still hold the promises of inheritance related to the Land, both Jews and Gentiles hold mutual promises in the One New Man even beyond its natural limits and restrictions.

    These people then have the hope of the newly seen understanding Paul extends in his illustration, the hope of those of both origins of faith’s New linkage to the Commonwealth shared (UK like), not replaced, or newly repopulated by outcomes of any given as differing promises because of the Newly established New Covenant extended and inclusive promises (see Peter on the promises).

    Vs, 21, Jesus, as Messiah, would rule what the Jews regarded of the Messiah’s hope, i.e. “the Age to Come” (after the world’s kingdoms panned out as of incomplete redemptive offering, or as downright idolatrous): being compelled of “the Coming One”.

    2:11 those of Abraham’s circumsision clung to their identity’s past promise, 2:12 & 13, where the pagan Gentiles held no such promise. 2:14 the dividing wall of separation of the Temple was rent when the law ceased being in force, as was already passing away (according to Hebrews 8 & 10), as it was being replaced by the New Covenant, given first to the Jews, then to the Nations [vs. 2:15-20].

    Hereafter we see Paul’s argument clearly, where, Jesus is the cornerstone placed, then offering fitting together these past divided groups for a common hope and from and with a common source for that hope. Gentlile belivers were included in the Commonwealth with Jewish believers–not by circumcision or the requirements of the law’s observation for their inclusion–but by being fit together by the ongoing newly established redemptive action of Christ for both peoples benefit. This was not so as to negate any specific identifying origins of these groups but to offer new grounds for establishing a regardful union with Christ as the head. Each would emerge over time to hold both separate and mutual promises offered of the God of the Bible. Each group would begin to engage the God of the Bible by different covenants, identities, and New Covenant related promises, and requirements–as also by points and placements of what would become their own historical reference over time (see Paul’s Mars Hill discourse on that).

    Gen 12:3 predicts this occurring, as do many other prophecies of old. Equality with Jews in One New Man’s body was now offered Gentile believers, not replacement of historically identifiable distinctions for the purposes of understanding origins, futures, and histories of the two groups, as boundaried, and as permeable to one another’s fellowship, and, as to their continuations as such. [2:21-3:7].

    Typical of Paul’s analogious thinking and teaching is the breaking down of barriers once tightly held in the past in place by social, literal, religious, political, and holy/unholy divisions; such are not advanced in Ephesians as a replacement nor as announcing as accomplished once and for all time the destruction of those unique boundaries over eons of lifespans of peoples. The boundaries however, had become permeable as far as mutual access to the Father, promises of grace, futures of ensured relationship and gathering, acceptance in the beloved, etc.

    This will be clear when the present mystery of the invisible heavenly ruling Christ is revealed to all living (3:9-16). Now, as He is residing in the Temple of a believer’s heart (vs. 17), this is not about redefinition or replacement or a reidentity replication, it is about the love of God, as Father, and we all as being a linked “commonwealth” family (vs. 14,15.16–yet still Welsh, Irish, English, etc.). Our understanding will increase of this mystery when it is more completley accomplished on that Day of the Return. The “Restoration of all Things” promised of old will include distinctions and changes to the whole order of present distinctions, with future distinctions and future realities.

    There are other conceits made by Paul–i.e. conceits=long illustrative and persuasive arguments of his creative and syntesizing Biblically sourced mind and heart in such letters and in this letter–just as in this important section on the One New Man viewing all as equally accepted in the beloved by our heavenly Father. Build these of different pasts together on the Cornerstone is one such illustration. This is illustrative and becomes literal in working it out in Christ through the universal body illustration. Recall that the chapters and verses did not exist when this was written, so, readers would move from one of Paul’s conceits to the next as the emphasis shifted thereafter from topic to topic in the letter.

    The new spiritual multiple component body being “fitted together” then places the Son of God as the head of the body, not empowering one group to be the other at all. Those historically divided were reconciled by Jesus action of atonement and justification, and yet too continued on with their people group’s unique histories. Yoking together was a new spiritual man challenge to form a new vision of mutual linkage in God’s living family tree indeed.

    That Christ was then ascended on high extended His Kingdom regard from heaven through Paul’s visionary words, not through any new revelation for reidentifcation other than into what had always been Paul’s Gospel of reference, redemption, and mutual regard.

    iatk

  20. Adam R.

    With your said comments, I’d appreciate your identifying where my exegesis is off, and the specifics of the sources that you’ve put into question.

    However, I will be more than happy to cite additional, credible, sources that all seem to run in harmony in accordance to my previous exegesis, and that which was given by Jabez.

    1) A.T. Robertson; Word Pictures in the NT, Vol. IV pg. 525-529

    2) Beacon Bible Commentary; Ephesians, Vol. IX, Pg. 177-181

    3) R.C.H. Lenski; Ephesians, Pg. 429-225

    4) F.C. Cook; The Bible Commentary, Vol. IX, Pg. 552-554

    5) Kenneth Wuest; Word Studies in the Greek NT, Vol. I, Ephesians, pg. 72-79; Referring to the one new man, he says: “The result was not that, though, the separation between them was removed, the Jew still remained the Jew and the Gentile, still the Gentile.”

    Shalom

  21. Brian,

    Please explain how the verses I have referenced above do not mean what they say..”in times past gentiles, no more strangers and foreigners.”

    Shalom

  22. Jabez,

    No one said that gentiles should “shape shift” into Jews. It is just that those that were “in times past gentiles” are now grafted into Israel. No one is saying to become a Jew or practice the Jewish religion. Those that grafted in and partake of the covenants of promise should be obedient children. The carnal mind is at odds with this as it is with submitting itself to the other things in the Law. The Law is spiritual and thus only those that are spiritual can agree to being subject to YHWH’s instructions.

    Romans 8
    6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
    7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
    8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

    Romans 7
    12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
    13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
    14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

    We have the choice of keeping the YHWH’s commandments and being righteous or the opposite.

    1 John 3
    3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
    4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
    5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
    6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
    7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
    8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

    It is quite plain those that sin is the transgression of the law. Do not be deceived…those that continue in breaking YHWH’s Law (including keeping Hid feasts) are not righteous. Their carnal mind just cannot subject itself to YHWH’s Torah. The New Covenant is supposed to make us love YHWH’s Law. Let YHWH be true and every man a lair…if we do not love to keep His law we do not love Him.

    Jeremiah 31
    33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

    1 John 5
    3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

    A carnal minded man can not allow YHWH’s Law to be written on it’s heart. It will continue to fight against the Truth and thus not be sanctified.

    John17
    17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

    Nothing here about becoming a Jew…just loving YHWH and thus His word and thus it not being grievous to do. Living by every word that comes from His mouth not just the select verses we pick and choose is the idea.

    Shalom

  23. Bo, I confess I do not follow your thought development as recently posted. Gentiles are accepted into “The Commonwealth of Israel.” They do not become Israel in the process, as is already illustrated by Brian and I, as to what is that Commonwealth, how it is established, and what inclusion means, and by Dr. Brown’s “Our Hands are Stained in Blood.”

    We have developed endless interchange on the law,in the past, which I refuse to reiterate here now. I simply cannot jump on your assumptive ideal simply to reestablish an already moved beyond covenant (Heb. 8 & 10). That the New is not the passing away old, as the Temple is gone, and God has moved on with His redemptive Plan, is clear enough.

    I suggest you prayerfully read “Israel, and the Church, and the Last Days” by Intrater and Juster. There is much you can contribute once the Plan is comprehended in the here and now.

  24. Bo,

    You said, “Please explain how the verses I have referenced above do not mean what they say..”in times past gentiles, no more strangers and foreigners.”

    Thus, our interaction began because you previously said:

    “There is no such thing as a believing gentile since once one believes they are grafted into Israel and are no longer strangers, foreigners and gentiles.”

    I responded with, “The term “Gentile”, often points to the identification of non-Jews. There are some cases of which the context may refer to a non-believer, but in most cases it simply refers to those of the “nations” – as being outside of the nation of Israel”

    In direct reference to your above question, Paul has acknowledged those of the nations as being outside of the covenants of Israel. They were:

    “Gentiles ‘of 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 Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise…Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints…”

    Paul, is acknowledging that, through the blood of Christ, those of the nations – who were foreigners and strangers – are now of the family of G-d. The same body, yet continually distinct in their ethnicity, from which is established the “one new man” in Christ Jesus, made up of both the Jew (Nation) and Gentile (Nations, everybody else).

    Hence, “in times past Gentiles” points to those who were of the Nations and worshipped the gods of the nations, and now as from the Nations, are worshipping the G-d of Israel. Notwithstanding, Paul never says, you are no longer Gentiles, but he does say that you are no longer strangers, and foreigners, thus being grafted into the fold and are now partakers of the promise, having broken down the wall (literally fence) that was between them – Jew and Gentile.

    Moreover, all of the scholarship and references that I have, run in harmony with this exegesis, having considered the complete context from with Paul spoke. Additionally, I would echo Jabez recommendation of “Israel, the Church, and the Last Days,” it’s a wonderful read that will stir the conscience.

    Shalom

  25. Brian, Thank you for your clear and concise response. Are you a student, or a believer active among the nations, or this nation? How would you state your walk with Christ is going?

  26. Jabez,

    Thank you for the encouraging words. I’ve been engaged on front line ministry for the past 20 years. I’ve had the opportunity to travel and preach in several countries, i.e. Mexico, South Africa, Jamacia, Argentina, London, Egypt, to name a few.

    My interest and support for Israel has had a major platform in my ministry, making it a priority to enlighten and encourage churches regarding her importance and place. I am a student of Hebrew and Jewish studies, revival and church history. I’ve followed and supported Dr. Brown back in his ICN days, from when he used to preach at Times Square Church (David Wilkerson, Bob Phillips, Don Wilkerson) back in the 1990’s.

    Shalom

  27. Ro 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
    Ro 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

  28. Isak,

    It seems imossible that Paul would say it doesn,t matter if we keep YHWH’s law (feast days/appointments) in this passage and, just a few pages before, that the carnal mind can,t subject itself to YHWH’s law. Eveidently this passage is not refering to the appointed times of YHWH, but to days of our choosing to fast upon or celebrate. I do not thik that we have the option to disobey YHWH’s commandments wit impunity…this is called sin.

    One may think that it is fine to ignore YHWH’s Sabbath, but the same set of 10 declares that it is wrong to steal. Is there an option in this also? Is it proper to declare, “He who is honest is honest to YHWH, and he who steals, steals to YHWH”?

    It is obvious that Paul is not advocating disobedience to YHWH by ignoring His appointments with us. It is obvious that Paul is not giving license to practice pagan religious days in supposed worship to YHWH.

    Shalom

  29. Well, I let our last conversation on the law die (I’ve been meaning to go back and finish what I was saying, but given how it’s taken new life here, might as well jump in).

    I think there’s a fundamental misunderstanding of God going on here. Obviously, arguing back and forth about proper exegesis of relevant passages is going nowhere. Bo is starting with the presupposition that we are required to obey the laws of Moses as New Covenant believers and reading that paradigm into the scriptures. Meanwhile, the same accusation can be brought against Jabez and Brian (don’t misunderstand, I’m in agreement with you both, but let’s face it, the accusation of eisegesis can go both ways).

    Given that it is so obvious (to me, at least) that this is a debate that is taking place, not based on scripture (because we all obviously have that in common), but on interpretation of the scripture which is, in turn, based on our preconceptions about God.

    So how do we rightly interpret scripture? By allowing God to educate us on what our preconceptions should be about who He is and what our relationship with him is to be. I read the Bible and find the following: God is love. He is relational to the core. He is deeply in love with His creation to the point that He would send His only Son to die for our ransom.

    In short, I find evidence that He wants a personal relationship with us, not a political, social, economical, or scientific relationship.

    This is where the breakdown lies: Bo, you see God as Someone who dictates the way we live in every facet of life and has given us a bullet point list of ways we can show we “love” Him.

    Jabez, Brian, and Myself (speaking especially for myself, but I tend to think they will agree) see God as Someone who has torn up the former bullet-pointed list of dos-and-don’ts, preferring to connect with His people on a personal level via Jesus Christ rather than the old way of the written law.

    Bo, in case you want to disagree with my assessment of how you see God, I refer you to your use of the word “appointments” in post 32. Personal relationships do not involve “appointments”. Doctor visits, professional meetings, therapy sessions, and job interviews involve appointments. Coming home to your wife does not.

    My father is a white-collar professional; he is in high demand and does not see employees or clients without an appointment. YOU MUST MAKE RESERVATIONS TO SEE MY DAD. Not only so, but you’d better be wearing professional attire, be well-groomed, and not be chewing gum! These are the LAWS. Meanwhile I, as his son, can walk into his office at any time of day and be welcomed with open arms – he puts his Iphone down and takes his reading glasses off and interacts with me PERSONALLY. I can (and have) come in with torn jeans, unkempt hair, and a wad of Wrigley’s the size of my fist – he takes me in with no second thought!

    Under the old covenant which you, Bo, seem to be stuck under, we had to approach God on “appointment” (your word, let me remind you; and a very apt one at that, if outdated). Sabbaths, certain holy days, these were the appointments people kept. The relationship one had was professional, not personal (not in the New Covenant sense). It was the high priest’s duty to keep the annual “appointment” of Yom Kippur, and access directly to God was given to him on that day alone. Not only so, but certain laws of cleanliness had to be observed, including rules on dress, hygiene, and food (see the parallels here?). These are the LAWS.

    But now that Christ has made us fellow heirs, SONS of God, we DON’T need appointments! We relate to God PERSONALLY, not through the “professional” code, ie, the law. Why would I make an appointment to see my earthly father when I have access to Him any time of my choosing? Certainly, I could make one… but that would be insane in light of my freedom to walk into his office and pour my heart out at any given moment! How much more can I forego the “appointments” as it relates to my Heavenly Father, who by the grace of Jesus I can go to at any time with prayer!

    It’s clear from scripture, we are sons now, no longer employees (slaves). When Paul says we were as slaves under the law (our pedagogue) but are now fellow heirs he means exactly this: appointments are worthless, the dress code is gone, the rules of hygiene passe, and the regulations on things you can put in your mouth rendered meaningless. We can walk into Dad’s office without being self conscious that we forgot our tzitzis (tie), growing a beard (combing our hair), and have some bacon stuck in our teeth (chewing gum). We’re more important to Him than those employees who are careful to observe the “letter of the law” (be it Torah or professional) anyway.

    Bottom line, this debate about the modern relevance of the law has gone on, in my mind, far too long (how many centuries now?). It’s not about the suit and tie, Bo. It’s not about the Galatians and Jerusalem council, Brian, Jabez, and Tom. It’s about our PERSONAL relationship with our Heavenly Father; and I, for one, refuse to let any employee (or even a brother) tell me that He’s not happy with me in my ripped-up jeans, mop-top hair, and Big Red breath. My Dad tells me otherwise.

  30. Relationship seems foundational prior to focusing on relationships, to set the heart on the holiness asked of believers. Though I concur that understanding the nature of God’s purposes for linking up is important to connections between us as living extensions of his image, and people as made to relate, I wonder about the “bottom line” equation advanced here. At given junctures in lifespans the bottom line seems to shift according to our discipleship and being disciplined by creation and creator. Yes, we are sons, and that often influences what is up and of vital reference at given times in our lives. Loving as he loves perhaps is the bottom line.

  31. Tom,

    I have had a personal relationship with YHWH for about 30 years and can and do walk into his presence without an appointment. The appointments were set up by YHWH not by us. If you love your father you will go the the family meetings that he organizes…won’t you? So, though we can go boldly before the throne of grace in time of need, we are invited to participate in family gatherings that our Father has prearranged. The weekly one is on the seventh day. The others are spelled out in scripture also.

    You see, it is not either having a personal relationship or keeping our Father’s commandments, it is both. Messiah says, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Our Father says the same. Real love does not negate the commandments. I certainly expect my children to obey the rules of the house. If they respect me, they will. If they love me, they will.

    The reason I constantly bring this point out is because it is lacking in the body of Messiah. John certainly said a lot about this topic. Paul and Peter taught on it also.

    A relationship without rules is not a covenant relationship. YHWH offers us a covenant relationship not a one night stand. We are betrothed to Y’Shua and we need to do our part in learning what pleases Him and begin to adapt ourselves to His ideas instead of continuing in our own ways.

    John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

    1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

    Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

    Revelation 22
    14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

    Exodus 20
    6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
    7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

    Will we make ourselves ready? Will we love Him in truth or only in word? Will we continue to take His name in vain by stubbornly refusing to keep His commandments? He is merciful to those that really love Him. The proof of faith and love is obedience.

    Shalom

  32. Bo,

    I’m happy to hear that.

    Even with all that said, though, my disagreement with your position still stands. Having said what I think needed to be said, I’m going to bow out of this conversation for the final time.

    Take care all,
    Tom

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