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The Tomb Texts

TOMB
Photograph courtesy of A. Miller. Used by permission.

Preface

Events at Yeshua’s tomb are described in Matthew’s, Mark’s, Luke’s and John’s prophetic texts. Several seemed to conflict. I had found other such sets of texts (for example, the three sets of texts describing Saul’s meeting with Yeshua when Saul was blinded) that seemed to conflict, and I had found that reconciling them not only solved the mystery, but gave information that one cannot find in the separate texts. I determined to do the same thing with these ‘Tomb’ texts. I used all the texts. When I even cut a single word, it was like a conjunction (and, therefore, then, etc.); I didn’t desire to exclude any information. You certainly can be the judge.

Making such a combination requires thought, and I could not infallibly do it. Your responsibility is to be skeptical. I had to sew pieces of texts into other texts, since some texts jumped over so many details. This will at least give you an idea and format for your own construction of the texts to discern what happened according to all the testimony of the Bible. I do modernize some of the grammar, and I change the order of sentences to correspond to the way we presently word sentences. I also employ the more Hebrew names. I remove many commas and add a few.

THE TEXT

The Great Earthquake

And, behold, there was a great earthquake. For the angel of Yehovah descended from the heavens, and came and rolled the stone from the door. And he sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And the keepers did shake for fear of him. And they became as dead.

Now when the centurion and they who were watching Yeshua with him saw the earthquake and those things that were done, they greatly feared, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Women at a Distance at the Cross

And many women who followed Yeshua from Galilee ministering unto Him were there beholding these things afar off, among whom was Miriam of the Tower and Miriam the mother of Jacob the less and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children, and Salome (who also followed Him and ministered unto him when He was in Galilee), and many other women who came up with Him unto Jerusalem, and all his acquaintance.

Joseph of Arimathaea to Pilate

When the evening was come, because it was the preparation—that is, the day before the Sabbath, there came a rich man of Arimathaea—a city of the Jews—an honourable counselor named Joseph. He was a good and a righteous man who also waited for the kingdom of God, who also himself was Yeshua's disciple, but secretly for fear of the Yehudeem. The same had not consented to their counsel and deed. He came and went in boldly unto Pilate, and begged to take away the body of Yeshua. And Pilate marveled if He were already dead. And calling the centurion, he asked him whether He had been any while dead. And when he knew by the centurion, Pilate then commanded the body to be delivered; he gave the body to Joseph.

And he bought fine linen. And he took Him down. And Nicodemus who came to Yeshua by night at the first also came there, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes—about a hundred pounds. And when they had taken the body, Joseph wrapped it in a clean linen cloth with the spices as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

Now there was a garden in the place where He was crucified, and a new sepulchre in the garden in which never man was yet laid. And he laid Him in his own new tomb that he had hewn out in the rock. They therefore laid Yeshua there because of the Jews’ Preparation, for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. And that day was the Preparation. And the Sabbath drew on.

And the women also who came with him from Galilee followed after and beheld the sepulchre. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. And there was Miriam of the Tower and the other Miriam sitting over against the sepulchre. And Miriam of the Tower and Miriam of Joses beheld where He was laid and how His body was laid. And they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And they rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.

Chief Priests and Pharisees Sealing the Tomb

Now the next day that followed the day of the Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate saying, “Sir, we remember that that deceiver while he was yet alive said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day lest his disciples come by night and steal him away, and say unto the people, ‘He is risen from the dead!’ So the last error shall be worse than the first.” Pilate said unto them, “Ye have a watch. Go your way. Make as sure as ye can.” So they went and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone and setting a watch.

Rolling Away the Stone

In the end of the Sabbath very early in the morning as it began to dawn toward the first of the week, Miriam of the Tower and the other Miriam of Jacob and Salome came to see the sepulchre. They had bought sweet spices so that they might come and anoint Him. They came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices that they and certain [others] with them had prepared.

And they said among themselves, “Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?” And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away from the sepulchre! For it was very great.

Running to Peter (and John)

But Miriam stood outside, weeping at the sepulchre. Then she runs and comes to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Yeshua loved. And she says unto them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we don’t know where they laid Him.”

Miriam and the Angels in the Sepulchre

(Now when He was risen early the first of the week, He appeared first to Miriam of the Tower out of whom He had cast seven devils.) And as she wept, she stooped down into the sepulchre. And she sees two angels in white sitting, the one at the head and the other at the feet where the body of Yeshua had lain. And they say unto her, “Woman, why weepest thou?” She says unto them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid Him.” And when she had thus said, she turned herself back and saw Yeshua standing. And she didn’t know that he was Yeshua. Yeshua says unto her, “Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she says unto Him, “Sir, if thou have borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Yeshua says unto her, “Miriam!” She turned herself and says unto Him, “Rabboni!”—which is to say, “My Multiplied-[one]!”

Yeshua says unto her, “Don’t Grasp me. For I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brethren and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God!”

Yeshua is Risen

And entering into the sepulchre, they didn’t find the body of the Lord Yeshua. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. And they saw a young man sitting on the right side clothed in a long white garment. And they were affrighted. And as they were afraid and bowed down faces to the earth, they said unto them, “Why seek ye the living among the dead?”  And the angel answered and said unto the women, “Fear ye not. For I know that ye seek Yeshua of Nazareth Who was crucified. He is not here, for He is risen as He said. Remember how He spoke unto you when He was yet in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again’?” And they remembered His words. “Come! See the place where the Lord lay, where they laid Him! And go quickly your way! And tell His disciples and Peter that He is risen from the dead! And behold, He goes before you into Galilee! Ye shall see Him there as He said unto you! Behold, I have told you!” And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, for they trembled and were amazed. Neither did they say anything to anyone, for they were afraid. And they ran to bring His disciples word.

And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Yeshua met them saying, “Shalom!” And they came and held Him by the feet and worshipped Him. Then Yeshua said unto them, “Be not afraid. Go tell my brethren so that they go into Galilee. And they shall see me there.”

Telling the Eleven

And they returned from the sepulchre and told all these things unto the eleven and to all the rest. It was Miriam of the Tower and Joanna and Miriam of Jacob and others with them who told these things unto the apostles. Miriam of the Tower told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and He had spoken these things unto her. She went and told them that had been with Him as they mourned and wept. And they didn’t believe when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her. And their words seemed to them as idle tales. And they didn’t believe them.

Peter’s Sepulchre Run with John

Then Peter arose (and that other disciple), went forth, and ran unto the sepulchre. So they ran both together. And the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And stooping down, he saw the linen clothes lying; yet he didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter comes following him. And stooping down, he went into the sepulchre and sees the linen clothes lie, laid by themselves, and the bandana that was about His head not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then that other disciple who came first to the sepulchre also went in. And he saw and believed. For they didn’t as yet know the Scripture that He must rise again from the dead. And he departed, wondering in himself what was come to pass. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

Emmaus Appearance

He appeared after that in another form unto two of them as they walked and went into the country. And they went and told unto the residue. Neither did they believe them.

Emmaus Walk with Yeshua

And behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus that is sixty furlongs from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things that had happened. And it came to pass that Yeshua Himself drew near and went with them while they communed and reasoned. But their eyes were held so that they would not know Him.

And He said unto them, “What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another as ye walk, and are sad?” And one of them whose name was Cleopas said unto Him answering, “Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem? And thou hast not known the things that are come to pass there in these days?” And He said unto them, “What things?” And they said unto Him, “Concerning Yeshua of Nazareth Who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death. And they have crucified Him. But we trusted that it had been He Who should have redeemed Israel! And besides all this, today is the third day since these things were done. Indeed, and also certain women of our company who were early at the sepulchre made us astonished! And when they didn’t find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive! And certain of them who were with us went to the sepulchre. And they found even so as the women had said. But they didn’t see Him.”

Then He said unto them, “Fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Messiah to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?”

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. And they drew nigh unto the village to where they went. And He made as though He would have gone further. But they constrained Him saying, “Abide with us. For it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to tarry with them. And they rose up the same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven gathered together, and them who were with them, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” And they told what things in the way, and how He was known by them in breaking of bread. And it came to pass as He sat at food with them, He took bread. And He blessed.  And He broke and gave to them. And their eyes were opened. And they knew Him. And He vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, “Didn’t our heart burn within us while He talked with us by the way and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

Money Paid for Lying about Stealing Yeshua’s Body

Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers saying, “Say ye, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we slept.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and secure you.” So they took the money and did as they were taught. And this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Eleven Disciples See Yeshua

Then the same day at evening, being the first of the week when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Yehudeem, and as they thus spoke, Yeshua Himself appeared unto the eleven as they sat at food. And He stood in the midst of them.

And He says unto them, “Shalom to you!” But they were terrified and affrighted. And they supposed that they had seen a ghost. And He said unto them, “Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet—that it is I myself! Handle me and see! For a ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones as ye see me have.” And when He had thus spoken, He showed them His side, hands and feet. And while they yet didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, He said unto them, “Have ye any food here?” And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and of a honeycomb. And He took and ate before them. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

Then Yeshua said again to them, “Shalom to you!” And He said unto them, “These are the words that I spoke unto you while I was yet with you—that all things that were written in the Torah of Moshe and the prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled concerning me!”

And He upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart because they didn’t believe them who had seen Him after He was risen.

Thomas

But Thomas called Didymus, one of the twelve, was not with them when Yeshua came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said unto them, “Except I shall see the print of the nails in His hands and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe!”

And after eight days His disciples were again within, and Thomas is with them. Yeshua came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst. And He said, “Shalom to you!” Then He says to Thomas, “Reach thy finger hither and behold my hands! And reach thy hand hither and thrust into my side. And don’t be faithless, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said unto Him, “My Lord and my God!” Yeshua says unto him, “Thomas, thou hast believed because thou hast seen me. Blessed are they that have not seen and have believed.”

Going into Galilee

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee into a mountain where Yeshua had appointed them. And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him.

But some doubted.

Many Appearances

Yeshua showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias after these things. And He showed on this wise.

Yeshua’s Third Visit

Simon Peter and Thomas called Didymus and Nathanael of Cana and them of Zebedee and two other disciples of His were there together in Galilee.

Simon Peter says unto them, “I am going fishing.” They say unto him, “We are also going with thee.” They went forth and immediately entered into a ship. And that night they caught nothing.

But when the morning was now come, Yeshua stood on the shore. But the disciples didn’t know that He was Yeshua. Then Yeshua says unto them, “Children, have ye any food?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said unto them, “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.” They therefore cast. And now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes! Therefore that disciple whom Yeshua loved says unto Peter, “It is the Lord!”

Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt a fisher’s coat, for he was naked, and cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship dragging the net with fishes. For they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits.

As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.

Yeshua says unto them, “Bring of the fish that ye have now caught.” Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and three. And there were so many for all, yet the net was not broken. Yeshua says unto them, “Come! Dine!” And none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who art thou?” knowing that it was the Lord. Yeshua then comes and takes bread, and gives them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Yeshua showed Himself to His disciples after He was risen from the dead.

So when they had dined, Yeshua says to Simon Peter, “Simon of Jonah, lovest thou me more than these?” He says unto Him, “Indeed, sir. Thou knowest that I love thee.” He says unto him, “Feed my lambs.”

He says to him again the second time, “Simon of Jonah, lovest thou me?” He says unto him, “Indeed, sir, Thou knowest that I love thee.” He says unto him, “Feed my sheep.”

He says unto him the third time, “Simon of Jonah, lovest thou me?” Peter was grieved because He said unto him the third time, “Lovest thou me?” And he said unto Him, “Sir, Thou knowest all things! Thou knowest that I love thee!” Yeshua says unto him, “Feed my sheep! Faith! Faith! I say unto thee, when thou wast young, thou girded thyself and walked whither thou would. But when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee and carry whither thou wouldest not.” He spoke this, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He says unto him, “Follow me.”

Then Peter, turning around, sees the disciple whom Yeshua loved following, who also leaned on His breast at supper and said, “Sir, who is he that betrays Thee?” Peter seeing him says to Yeshua, “Sir, and what is this man?” Yeshua says unto him, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is to thee? Follow thou me!” This saying then went abroad among the brethren—that that disciple should not die. Yet Yeshua didn’t say unto him, “He shall not die,” but, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is to thee?” This is the disciple who testifies of these things and wrote these things. And we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Yeshua did that I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written if they, every one, should be written. Faith!

Yeshua Opens Their Understanding

And Yeshua came. Then He opened their understanding so that they would understand the Scriptures. And He said unto them saying, “Thus it is written and thus it behooved the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name among all races beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. All power is given unto me in the heavens and in earth. Go ye into all the world, therefore, and preach the gospel to every creature, teach all races, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who doesn’t believe shall be damned. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on and says unto them, “Receive ye the Holy Spirit. Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them. Whosesoever ye retain, they are retained. And these signs shall follow them who believe: they shall cast out devils in my Name. They shall speak with new languages. They shall take up serpents. And if they drink anything deadly, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. And behold, I am with you always unto the end of the age! Faith! And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you. But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high.” And He led them out as far as to Bethany. And He lifted up His hands and blessed them.

Other Signs

And Yeshua truly did many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that ye might believe that Yeshua is the Messiah the Son of God, and that believing, ye might have life through His Name.

Ascension

And so then, it came to pass after the Lord had spoken unto them while He blessed them, He was parted from them and was carried up. And He was received up into the heavens. And they worshipped Him. And they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And He sat on the right hand of God.

Aftermath

And they were continually in the Temple, praising and blessing God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with and confirming the Word with signs following. Faith!

 

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May 2, 2007 SSC Hot Springs

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This paper is Uncopyrighted, no one single
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Would
Israel's Identity
Have Disappeared
If the Jews Had Turned to Yeshua
2000 Years Ago?

- - NOTE - -
See an important notice concerning an earlier
version of this web page below [scroll down to bottom].

________________________________________________

This paper is written for the sake of a man who witnessed the near erasure of Jewish identity during the seventy-year Communist period in Russia. He realized the profound effect seventy years of oppression and suppression of Jewishness had, and related this to two thousand years of Christianity.

The first part of this paper will show distinctions between two forms of 'Christianity', while the second part will address the identity issues.

Christianities
The Distinction Between Christians and Christians

Christianity is applied to many religions. One can become a Christian and be a real enemy to Israel, or be Israel's true friend. Both perspectives can be justified using the Bible, and been used to treat the Jews with the contempt and destructions or to save them from enemies. How can Christianity hold both theologies?

True Christianity does not hold both theologies. Irreconcilable religions are found under the umbrella of 'Christianity'. One form was born from the womb of anti-Jewish fervour, its advocates desiring to control. (I will refer to this form as Power Christianity.) Another was born with the totally Jewish and Messianic mandate to teach all races the righteousness, justice, faith, commandments, and truths of the God of Israel. (I will call this Service Christianity.) Power Christianity quickly solidified ranking its members. Service Christianity suffered, many died, and ranking was not an issue.

Both were identified as coming from the same beliefs and Jewish roots, and outsiders often did not understand the difference. Power Christianity became identified with Rome. Service Christianity was part of and identified with Israel, with non-Jewish participants being likeminded. Jewish folks not part of Service Christianity had greatly varied views on it, some seeing it as a true friend, others seeing it as a threat.

The following texts expose distinctions between the two categories:

1 Corinthians 9:18 What is my reward then? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of the Messiah without charge that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For though I be free from all, yet have I made myself servant unto all that I might gain the more.

2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not. But we have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost (in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them who believe not lest the light of the glorious gospel of the Messiah, Who is the image of God, should shine unto them). For we preach not ourselves, but Messiah Yeshua the Lord and ourselves your servants for Yeshua's sake.

Philippians 1:15 Some indeed preach the Messiah even of envy and strife, and some also of good will. The one preach the Messiah of contention--not sincerely--supposing to add affliction to my bonds, but the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, the Messiah is preached. And I therein do rejoice. Indeed and I will rejoice!

Power Christianity quickly outnumbered and outweighed Service Christianity, adding contempt and hatred for Service Christians. Power Christians were nearly all Gentiles. Service Christians were mainly Jews at the beginning, and later were a mixture that always strongly identified with Israel. During a revolt against Roman military occupation of Israel, Service Christians refused to acknowledge that Bar Kochba, the rebellion's leader, as the messiah, and they refused to fight in the battle. They had been prepared to fight, but not under a false messiah. This resulted in a great offense and split between the two Jewish groups that have lasted to our time. Before that time, Jewish Service Christians were accepted as a normal part of Israel, and represented a significant number.

Power Christians persecuted Jewish and non-Jewish Service Christians, and some fervent Israelis who did not believe that Yeshua was the Messiah persecuted Jewish Believers. The number of Service Christians was always small. Power Christians grew in numbers and political strength until the Roman Empire adopted Power Christianity. Roman Catholicism, the new old religion, became the state religion. Catholic means universal. Power Christians declared themselves to be The Universal Church of Jesus Christ established directly from the apostles of Jesus.

Christianity Today

Most of today's Christianity, including Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant (Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist, Charismatic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormon, Church of Christ) are variants of Power Christianity. Some of these groups (not all!) have very few or no Service Christians among them.

Service Christians believe the Jewish Scriptures, fear Yehovah the God of Israel, delight in the plan of Yehovah through Messiah Yeshua and look for Israel's redemption, having a real sense of pain for the sufferings and unbelief of Israel (the Jewish People), and look for Messiah's coming. They delight in righteousness, justice, Grace, selflessness, and in every good work and benefit for Israel. They are rare among Jews and non-Jews.

Some Power Christian groups claim to be for Israel, while teaching doctrines excluding Israel from the center of God's Scripturally described plan. They place themselves as the pupil of God's eye, applying texts written about Israel to them. They see themselves as being the end times generation through which great revival will come. Power Christianity always carries a greatly inflated ego and self-worth.

Jewish Identities
Israel's Identity Preserved

Yehovah miraculously created Israel. Abraham's wife was barren and very old. She had no equipment for having a child. Yehovah miraculously made her fertile and created in her the necessary equipment to have a baby.

Israel in Egypt

Jacob went to Egypt with seventy folks. Jacob's offspring lived in Egypt for 430 years. This is plenty of time for the Israelis to acculturate. How was it that the Israelis maintained a separate identity? Many of the seventy were not from Jacob's blood, but all became part of the People of Israel. These various cultures should have been diluted into oblivion, but Yehovah made sure this didn't happen.

Psalm 105:23 Israel also came into Egypt and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. And He increased His people greatly and made them stronger than their enemies. He turned their heart to hate His people, to deal subtly with His servants. He sent Moses His servant, Aaron whom he had chosen. They showed His signs among them and wonders in the land of Ham. He sent darkness and made it dark. And they rebelled not against his word.

Israel in the Desert

When Yehovah took Israel out of Egypt, He brought him to the land of Promise. The Israelis hearkened to ten spies who told them what they already believed, and Yehovah made them remain in the desert for forty years. Israel was kept segregated from the other races that in turn were terrified of Israel.

Israel's Entry into the Land

Israel entered the Land of Promise, and began to obey the Commandment to annihilate the occupants, but did not continue. The Israelis intermarried and became neighbours. Yehovah sent these neighbours to trouble and conquer Israel. Israel shouted to Yehovah for rescue, and then went after their enemies' false gods.

Yehovah gave Israel a human king, but no matter how much the Israelis desired to become part of the neighbouring cultures, Yehovah refused to allow this.

The Kingdom of Israel

Yehovah took Israel out of Egypt and made him into a kingdom. He was Israel's king. Israel later desired a human king to be like his neighbours. Yehovah granted this, making Saul king. Many of the kings of Israel were evil, being idolatrous like most Israelis, and Israel suffered. The Kingdom of Israel (the Kingdom of Yehovah) continued until Yehovah finally suspended it because of idolatry and violence against His land. The Babylonian captivity temporarily ended the kingdom.

The Babylonian Captivity

Israel again had every reason to acculturate in captivity, taking the languages, aspects of the cultures, the dress, the means of doing things, etc. The Israelis still remained segregated, however. Some Israelis returned back to the Land of Israel during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. Some returning Levites had pagan wives with pagan religions, and they were commanded to divorce their wives, many complying. The Temple was rebuilt. Many Israelis chose to remain in Babylon until it was finally abandoned (due to a water shortage). Jews moved to many places besides Israel, taking on new languages and cultures. They were still segregated and distinguishable from their neighbours, however, never being able to fully acculturate as a group.

The Time of Hanukkah

The Prophets of Israel continued to prophesy after the Babylonian captivity, but then came a time of silence. Alexander the Great came to greatness, but died young. Four governments formed from his government, one being in Syria. One later leader of Syria was Antiochus Epiphanes who desired to conquer Egypt and everything between. Things went badly, and he began to concentrate on Israel. His goals included to annihilating belief in the Torah, rooting out the God Yehovah from Israel, and making all Israelis Greek in beliefs and lifestyles. He set up gymnasia (where men exercised naked). Many Israelis cooperated, and some radicals refused. Confrontations over sacrifices led to Antiochus' command that a pig be sacrificed on a Jewish altar of Yehovah. This started the Maccabean revolt that continued for years, and the events leading to Hanukkah (the Dedication of the Temple after it was recaptured from the Syrians). The Israelis were pressured to acculturate, and only a few were unwilling. The radicals used guerilla tactics, and the Syrians were finally driven out of the territory. The Israeli leadership made a pact with the Roman Empire, and Rome became a protectorate of Israel.

The Time of Yeshua of Nazareth

The Land of Israel was occupied territory under Roman dominion. Any leader of Israel had to submit to Roman authority and practices. The hope of the Messiah's coming was strong among some in Israel. The Book of Daniel had given the timing of the birth of the Messiah to the year:

Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

Jewish identity and pride were strong. Most Romans saw the Jews as strange with peculiar customs, and some Israelis loved the Roman ways. Others had contempt for Roman occupation and paganism. The Hope in a coming military and spiritual Messiah kept Israel (as a whole) from turning Roman. Political tensions were evident, and death by crucifixion against rebels was frequent.

The Teaching of Yeshua

Yeshua taught that obedience to the Torah was the only way to please Yehovah. He pronounced a curse upon anyone who would teach the Israelis to violate even one Torah command:

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one Yod or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Torah till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments and shall teach men so--he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But whosoever shall do and teach, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Any Israeli identifying with the true Messiah of Israel must identify with the Torah. Yeshua taught against additions to the Torah, publicly disagreeing with some important religious leaders who maintained the importance of certain added regulations.

Deuteronomy 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it. Thou shalt not add to it nor diminish from it.

Perversions of the Teachings of Yeshua
Yeshua's teachings were to and for Israel, the offspring and People of Jacob:

Matthew 15:24 But he [Yeshua] answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

While the writings of the Bible are useful for anyone desiring truth, they were not directed toward every race.

2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them, 15and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness 17that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Some texts are to individuals, some to Israel as a whole, and others are for other races. A Bible reader must not apply texts to the wrong persons or groups. This rule has been repeatedly violated throughout history. The group I have called Power Christians has repeatedly stolen and misapplied texts given to Israel, rooting Israel out. This is potent and patent antisemitism and perversion of the Scriptures. Many Gentiles who become Power Christians have sought to exclude Jews from texts and society unless the Jews fully join them and their version of the 'body of Christ'. Their faith is as far from Biblical as Buddhism.

Why do so many churches seem to do so well, becoming rich and powerful, while having little to do with the Jews? Why do they preach as if Israel is a footnote in the plan of God? Why do they make Israel subservient to their own plans for expansion and evangelism? Power Christianity is a pagan religion. Yehovah is not stopping pagan religions. All folks do better with religions than without. Religions provide some ethics and morality without which society would become violent, and would self-destruct.

An Impossible Supposition

Suppose Israel had turned to Yeshua 2,000 years ago, and the message the Kingdom of Heaven had been grasped and believed. What would have happened to Israel's identity? Would Israel have become Christian, losing its Jewish identity? The Kingdom would have been restored to Israel, as it will be after the Tribulation. Israel would have fully obeyed the Torah. Messiah would have saved Israel from all enemies. The other races would have seen Messiah's works with fear. All Israel's sufferings would have been averted.

Jewish identity has always been in danger, and has always been preserved. It would not have been stamped out had Israel believed in his Messiah.

Have Messianic Jewish Believers Identified with Power Christians?

The history of Jewish Believers in the real Yeshua has been one of suffering. They refused to conform to Power Christianity church es, irritating Power Christianity church leaders. Jewish Saints chose to identify with the God of Israel, Israel and Service Christians. They were considered rebels. During the Inquisition, Power Christians took and forced Jews to be baptized. They were restricted from celebrating Biblical Holy Days on the pain of death. Power Christians want to have power over the Jews. The same attitudes are present today, with the resolve to make Jews into their kind of Christians. Service Christians desire that Jewish individuals come to Yehovah by faith, and believe in the Biblical Yeshua.

Micah 6:8 He hath showed thee, O man, what is good and what Yehovah requireth of thee--even to do justice, and to love grace, and selflessly to walk with thy God!

Two types of Messianic Assemblies exist: Power Churches with Jewish trappings and the others that are very rare.

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate! For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in at it. Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Power Christianity is the popular western religion that is becoming less popular as Islam increases. Service Christianity has never been popular.

A very few pastors are Service Christians, noted by their love of the Biblically described Yehovah, for His Word and His fear, and for Israel. They speak the truth and only the truth. They do not spurn the Torah, but love all the Word of God. They teach that the Church's goal is to serve Israel. They teach the 'New Testament' only in the light of the 'Old'. They would teach Israel his responsibility to be a light to the Gentiles.

Messianic Jews and the Holy Days

One way for Jews to lose their identity is to not celebrate the Biblical Holy Days. A 'Christian' teaching is that when one becomes a Believer in Messiah Yeshua, the Holy Days and all the Law have been fulfilled making keeping them unnecessary and a burden. Paul's writings are used to 'prove' this:

Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of the Messiah.

Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us]; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace;

None of these texts states that keeping the Torah or the Holy Days is unnecessary or a burden. Most of the Colossians receiving this letter were not Jewish. No non-Jewish person was given Israel's Holy Days or Sabbaths. Why should they be responsible to do these upon believing in Messiah? The Hebrews text shows that the Torah has not disappeared yet, but that a New Covenant made with the House of Israel and the House of Judah is coming that will accomplish more than the first Covenant. The Ephesians text refers to the abolition of the enmity, not to the abolition of the Law of Commandments (unless Yeshua was mistaken). Other texts state that the Law of Moses will be the rule for Israel in the Millennium, and every race will be required to send emissaries to Israel for Succoth with destruction if they do not come:

Zechariah 14:16 And it shall come to pass, every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, Yehovah of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, whoso will not come up of [all] the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, Yehovah of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that [have] no [rain]; there shall be the plague, wherewith Yehovah will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

The Law is not 'done away with' during the Millennium.

While the Temple is not standing, no person alive can keep the Sabbaths. Animal sacrifices for all Israel are required for Sabbath keeping. The most Orthodox Jew cannot keep the Sabbath, since it is given to all Israel as a unit. If all Israel is not keeping the Sabbath, it isn't being kept!

Anyone may rest on Shabbat for personal physical benefit, but the Sabbath is still being violated without all Israel participating. Daniel could not keep the Sabbath in captivity, yet the Prophet Ezekiel spoke of his righteousness. This does not mean that Daniel did not rest on the Sabbath. Daniel loved the Israeli Holy Days (since he loved the Word of God). The Law of Yehovah was part of him, but he had few rights as a slave. While he could not keep Torah, he kept what he could, and Yehovah saw. He never even considered disdaining the Torah of God, but mourned that its violation had caused Israel to be removed from the Land. Anyone with the mind of Yehovah will have the very same views and love for the Torah.

The Law will be restored:

Isaiah 42:21 Yehovah is well pleased for His righteousness' sake. He will magnify the Torah and make [it] honourable.

No truly Messianic Jew will look badly upon the Torah or its Holy Days. Some have been taught that the Law is finished. If they love truth, they will reconsider. The Torah sacrifices have only been suspended. The Israelis still suffer consequences for Torah violations. Had it been abolished, its consequences would have also been.

The Holy Days speak of Messiah's work. Why abolish them? One who loves Messiah will delight in them. It is unreasonable to say "I love Yeshua," or "I love Jesus," while speaking contempt for the Torah that Yeshua gave on Mount Sinai!

The Holy Days have distinguished the Jewish People from other peoples, and were given for this purpose (among others):

Exodus 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that [ye] may know that I am Yehovah that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth [any] work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to Yehovah: whosoever doeth [any] work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, [for] a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for [in] six days Yehovah made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

The Sabbath is a sign. Why eradicate a sign?

Any Jewish person who turns to the real Yeshua in faith will not abandon his Jewishness, but will cling to these God given treasures and responsibilities, gifts to be used to teach Gentiles. Being called from birth to be a servant to the Gentiles is humbling (thus Service Christianity, or better, Service Messianism).

Where Would The Jewish Identity Be If the Jews Had Turned to Yeshua in Faith 2,000 Years Ago?

The Jewish identity would be very much intact. If a Jewish individual turns to Yeshua in faith today, he clings to the Scriptures, including all the Torah. Any Jewish person claiming faith in Yeshua, abandoning the Torah and claiming 'freedom', was just looking for an excuse to abandon Israel and responsibility. Such a person is an unbelieving traitor to Israel. That would be like a person saying "I have freedom in Christ! As a Buddhist, I had to be faithful to my wife. But now that I am a Christian, if I sin, I will be forgiven, so I can commit adultery and be forgiven!" The same is true for anyone showing contempt for the Torah, the Perfect Law of Liberty. The Torah is for liberty from sin and from the judgment of Yehovah, not liberty from righteousness.

The Torah is only a burden for two types of individuals: those who have followed the Torah plus the additions rooted in tradition and the rabbis, and those who have despised Yehovah's way. It is no burden for those who delight in righteousness, but is instead a gift. It defines Yehovah's and Israel's character, and is Truth.

Must a Messianic Jewish Believer Keep the Torah?

NO PERSON can keep the Torah without the Temple or Tabernacle or priesthood. Yehovah has temporarily removed them from Israel because He is angry at Israel. All Israel will gladly keep it in the Millennium. In the meantime, every Jewish fearer of Messiah is obliged to know the Torah and to righteously live before Yehovah. He will reject Power Christianity's paganisms.

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March 12, 1996 SSC Hot Springs

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