Questions Concerning Noah's Salvation

By Al Maxey: http://www.zianet.com/maxey/reflx737.htm

The other day, while scrolling through the posts on Facebook, I came across a picture of Noah's ark with these words attached: "Grace did not save Noah, ... obedience did" (you can see this graphic at the left of this paragraph). Needless to say, this got my immediate attention. I do not know the person who designed this graphic, nor do I know the nature of his/her theological convictions, but the words attached to the graphic seem to suggest rather strongly that salvation is more about what man does than about what God does. It is a diminishing of God's grace, and an elevation of man's own effort. Grace is set aside, faith is not even mentioned, and obedience to some system of laws, rules, regulations and commands becomes the very means of one's salvation. It was because Noah obeyed that Noah was saved. He was not saved by grace, and faith is nowhere in view. Thus, for Noah, according to this view, salvation was based on his own effort; it was "wages due" for human obedience, rather than a gift of grace from a loving, merciful God. Such teaching is not only false, it borders on blasphemy!

Frankly, I find this picture (more specifically: the message embedded) offensive, for it suggests a theological perspective that is, in my view, utterly opposed to biblical truth regarding salvation. "By grace you have been saved," declares the apostle Paul (Ephesians 2:5) ... except in the case of Noah, I suppose! In Noah's case, God's grace has no bearing ... or so the message on this graphic seems to teach. If that was indeed the intent of the designer of this graphic, then he/she has failed to perceive the divine intent with regard to the matter of salvation. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not as a result of works" (Ephesians 2:8-9). There are those within Christendom who teach that salvation may only be acquired by obedience to commands. It is imperative, they say, that we search the Scriptures for these commands and obey them faithfully. If we do, God will save us. From the very beginning, man has sought to appease God by his own efforts, hoping that by doing so well enough he could merit God's favor. Such a theology shows a woeful lack of understanding not only of God's grace, but also of the salvation process itself: a process predetermined by our God. We see something similar from the pen of St. Thomas Aquinas (1227-1274), who wrote, "Three things are necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe; to know what he ought to desire; to know what he ought to do" [Two precepts of Charity]. Notice that the focus is entirely on what mandoes (works-based) and knows (knowledge-based); nothing is even said about God: no mention of grace, love, mercy. When salvation is viewed as the result of something we do, rather than something He has already done, we have a false, twisted view of the true nature of salvation. Meister Eckhart (1260-1327), a contemporary of Aquinas, and perhaps with the above teaching of Aquinas partially in mind, offers a much better and far more biblical perspective: "One must not always think so much about what one should do, but rather what one should be. Our works do not ennoble us; we must ennoble our works" [Work and Being].

God's call to Noah (and to us as well) was to BE something, far more than it was to DO something. In actuality, the latter tends to fall into place when the former is embraced. When we are loving, we do loving things; when we are kind, we do acts of kindness; when we are merciful, we show mercy in our interactions with others. Our acts of obedience are simply the grateful overflow of hearts filled with faith and love for the One who has graciously accepted us as His beloved children. We don't obey to BE His children, we obey because we ARE His children. Paul affirms this in a beautiful way: we are saved by grace through faith, not as a result of anything we have done, or ever could do; then, as a result of that divine acceptance, we gladly embrace the good works God desires for us to engage in to His glory and to the benefit of others (Ephesians 2:10). By grace we are saved for good works, not by good works. Obedience is a response to His gracious acceptance and salvation, not a means whereby we acquire it. Long before Noah ever began his building project, "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord" (Genesis 6:8, KJV). While the rest of the world was devoted to walking every wicked path they could find, "Noah walked with God" (vs. 9), and "by faith" and with "reverence" in his heart for his Lord, he built the ark (Hebrews 11:7). Noah was a righteous man (Genesis 6:9), an example unto all who would thereafter be "an heir of righteousness which is according to faith" (Hebrews 11:7). With regard to the building of the ark, Noah had answered God's call "to BE" long before he answered His call "to DO." Noah was not a man living under rigid regulation in the hope of being saved; Noah was a man living in relationship with His God, walking with His God, loving and being loved; already assured of his acceptance and salvation. Obedience was simply a natural by-product of this saving relationship, not the means for acquiring it. Noah was saved long before he was called by God to build the ark, a vehicle that would spare him and his family from the deadly impact of the flood. Thus, God's grace preceded Noah's obedience, with the latter being a manifestation of the love and faith of Noah for such a gracious God. Indeed, the command to build the ark was an act of grace, just as Noah's compliance was an act of faith. We are saved by grace through faith, with our works merely reflecting this great reality. To shift the focus from grace/faith to works/obedience, with respect to salvation, is to undermine the very nature of God's redemptive purpose and plan.

We are told simply, but powerfully, that "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord" (Genesis 6:8). Most translations use the word "favor" here, although in both the Greek and the Hebrew, the word employed in the text is the common word for "grace," which is often characterized as "unmerited favor." In other words, by the use of this word it is being made clear that Noah had in no way earned this favor by the perfect performance of certain works. Rather, when God looked into Noah's heart, He perceived a genuine desire to know God and a true devotion to serve Him to the best of his understanding, opportunity and ability. Noah was not perfect; no man is. But, God is not looking for religious perfection, He is looking for hearts looking for Him, and when He finds them He reaches out to them with a call to a deep personal relationship. Noah accepted that call of grace by faith, and he "walked with God." This is the first occurrence of the word "grace" in Scripture, by the way. "Now for the first time 'grace' finds a tongue to express its name" [The Pulpit Commentary, vol. 1, p. 104]. "It is salutary to note that the most godly and important man in the entire world at that time ... was merely a sinner saved by grace!" [Dr. Henry M. Morris, The Genesis Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings, p. 177]. Dr. Morris continues: "Note the consistent biblical order here: First, Noah 'found grace.' Then Noah was 'a just man' (that is: 'justified' or 'declared to be righteous'). Thus he was 'perfect in his generations' (or 'complete,' in so far as God's records are concerned), and therefore he was able to 'walk with God.' Salvation in any era is exactly in this way. By sovereign grace, received through faith, the believer is justified before God and declared to be complete in Him. Only as a result of, and on the basis of, this glorious gift of grace, can one then 'walk' in fellowship with God, showing the genuineness of his faith by his works. Four times it is said later, for example, that Noah 'did all that God commanded him' (Genesis 6:22; 7:5; 7:9; 7:16)" [ibid].

Yes, Noah was obedient to God's will; yes, Noah lived his life performing good deeds. BUT, he was obedient and he was active because he was saved, NOT in order to be saved. Noah lived his life by faith, a faith that did not remain hidden, but one which manifested itself in all areas of his life. Of all the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11, Noah is the only one whose testimony both begins and ends with an emphasis on his FAITH (Hebrews 11:7). For someone to declare, "Grace did not save Noah, ... obedience did" is appalling, and it shows the author of such a statement needs to be taken aside and shown the way of the Lord God more accurately!

What is God’s REAL Name?

Almighty God thunders, “How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? Yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; which think to cause My people to forget My name . . . as their fathers have forgotten My name for Baal “Lord”]” (Jeremiah 23:26-27).

God declares in His word, “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” (Romans 10:13). In Acts 2:21, Peter quotes Joel 2:32, “In the last days everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

But what IS that Name? What is God’s name, in the original
Hebrew language?

Exodus 20:7 says, “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”

Many Scriptures tell us we should magnify and praise God’s Name. But how can we do it, if we don’t even know it? The name of God appears 6,828 times in the Bible. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has a name by which he wished/wishes to be known. This most holy name of GOD is written in Hebrew by the letters yod hey vav hey.

This four letters name is called the Tetragramaton. But just how is that name to really be pronounced? Does it matter? How important is it that we say God’s Name correctly?

God’s Name Revealed!

Does God reveal His actual name to us? The answer is YES! The evidence has been overlooked, ignored, and is understood by scholars and, theologians and the whole world! We will rediscover the TRUE name of the Almighty God, Creator of the heavens and the earth!

In Acts 2:21, Peter quotes Joel 2:32, “In the last days everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” What is His name, in the original Hebrew language? Exodus 20:7 says, “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not old anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Many Scriptures tell us we should magnify and praise God’s Name. But how can we do it, if we don’t even know it?

Remember that the name also means essential nature, character, reputation, and authority. The name of our GOD and the titles by which he is known are extremely important and a casual use fails to communicate adequately the greatness, majesty, holiness, and grace of the one to whom we refer.

Moses (Moshe) asked God what he was to say when the people asked, “What is his name?” (Exodus 3:13). “God said to Moshe, Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh [ I am/will be what I am/will be],” and added, “Here is what you are to say to the people of Isra'el: ‘Ehyeh [I am or I will be] has sent me to you’” God said further to Moshe, “Say this to the people of Isra'el: ‘Yud Heh Vav Heh (YEHOVAH), the God of your fathers, the God of Avraham the God of Yitz'chak, and the God of Ya'akov, has sent me to you.’”

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has a name by which he wished/wishes to be known. This most holy name of GOD is written in Hebrew by the letters yod hey vav hey. This is known as the “Tetragrammaton.” These four letters are the me of the Most High God - YEHOVAH!

Kingdom Good News after the Watchtower

by Antwan Warren, Georgia

All my life, I was under the impression I was a part of God’s “one true organization.” Raised with this mentality by my loving mother, I never doubted or saw the need to question or test my faith. I desperately wanted to put the Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). Working for the Kingdom meant for me doing the works of the organization. I gave it my all and then some. I believed the teaching that Christ became invisibly present in 1914, and is ruling from heaven. I believed the two-hope teaching that some Christians go to heaven while the majority will be on earth. I believed Jesus was the arch-angel Michael. I believed their teaching that their governing body was truly God’s one mouthpiece. I fell for it all; hook, line and sinker. But by the grace of God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob of old, I am no longer held captive by these teachings. My Heavenly Father has graciously revealed Himself and His Son to me. I am truly humbled. So I must now proclaim this. It’s like a burning in my bones! There is a simple message of hope contained in the Holy Scriptures. The enemy Satan has desperately been trying to subvert it.

We must follow the true message and believe it in order to see its clarity. This is the framework to work from. Our foundation must be rooted in what the faithful patriarchs and prophets of old were looking forward to. I will start with Abraham. Notice what YHWH - Yehovah said to Abram in Genesis 12:1-3: “All families of the earth will be blessed.” Further in Genesis 13:13-18, and again in 17:3-9, God makes this promise of the land to Abraham and his offspring, and He sealed this by the circumcision covenant. The question is, Who is this offspring of Abraham?

Please read Galatians 3:16. The offspring is the Messiah Jesus! Now we can read verses 26-29 of Galatians chapter 3. All those in Messiah have a share in the inheritance given to Abraham. Paul said in Romans 4:13 that our forefather Abraham would be “heir of the world”! It was all about the land promise of Canaan throughout the Old Testament. The book of Joshua described our forefathers conquering this promised land and living in peace. God cannot lie. It was Israel who kept rejecting their God. But all the prophets spoke about the restoration of the land with a promised Messiah and King. (Please read Psalm 2:6-12; Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:1; 16:5; Jeremiah 3:17; 23:5; 30:3; Micah 4:1-5; Obadiah 21.)

Again, it was all about the promised land with God’s Kingdom established in Jerusalem with an anointed king. An example of this in advance is Solomon sitting on God’s throne in Jerusalem (1 Chron. 29:23). So in the future age to come, Jerusalem is where God’s throne will be (Isaiah 24:23). All the Hebrew prophets and patriarchs of old were looking forward to inheriting the land - Israel/Kingdom, with a future Messiah being God’s appointed king. Everyone will be able to enjoy life and peace and happiness the way God had intended it from the beginning. All nations of the earth will learn from them.

Let’s take this promise a step further now to King David. David was a righteous man and he too was given a promise in 2 Samuel 7:12-14. An offspring would actually inherit the throne of David in the Kingdom of God. This is why Scripture always makes reference to the throne of David. We find the land and the Kingdom on that land, and in addition a promised king. This promised Messiah is Jesus of Nazareth; he is the true descendant of David! (Acts 2:30; Matthew 1:1; 12:23; Luke 1:32-35; John 7:42; Romans 1:1-4). We must think like these faithful Hebrews of old. They anticipated the coming Messiah, the son of David to restore Israel, establishing the Kingdom of God on earth! (Acts 1:6-7).

A recap of what I just wrote is found in a speech Stephen gave in the entire chapter of Acts 7. Also in verse 37 of the same chapter is a reference to Deuteronomy 18:15 about the Messiah Jesus as the promised final prophet.

The Messiah’s Identity As mentioned, Jesus is the true descendant of David. Unfortunately, throughout history Geek pagan philosophical thinking has clouded our minds with a different Jesus. The Devil behind the scenes has veiled the true identity of Jesus! We must come to understand who the Hebrews understood the Messiah to be. They never thought he was God becoming a man and they never thought he was the transferred life of Michael the arch-angel. To see the identity of the Messiah we simply follow the promises of the coming son of David, who would be God’s Son (Luke 1:32-35; Matthew 1:20: “begotten in her”). This is the thread running all the way through Scripture (Revelation 5:5; 22:16). This ties in with all the promises! Our lord Messiah (Luke 2:11; Psalm 110:1), the holy exalted one of the most high God is none other than the man Jesus of Nazareth, the descendant of David from the tribe of Judah! The Bible is about God and mankind and how God is restoring things through this unique man who is now our mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). The Messiah was not a literal pre-existent being in heaven. This is a falsehood that infiltrated the faith. Jesus was foreknown by promise to these faithful ones as God's plan of reconciling all things (1 Peter 1:20).

Jesus is the way (John 14:6). He is the second Adam (Romans 5:12-21). Immortality in the coming Kingdom of God is now possible in Messiah (2 Timothy 1:8-10; 1 Corinthians 15:53-54). This is what God intended long ago in speaking to these faithful men of old. This life promised to us was manifested in the Messiah (1 John 1:1-4). The world/age to come in the Kingdom is about the rule of Messiah, the exalted, glorified, first immortal, spiritual man (Hebrews 2:5-10). Not a god-man or angel man, but a glorified, immortalized human man. The Messiah is the first of many brothers (Romans 8:29). The Apostle Peter speaks of Jesus being foreknown in God’s plan (1 Peter 1:20; Acts 2:23). Paul also warned the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 11:4 of a different Jesus and a different gospel. So, as Berean's we must earnestly investigate these things and always be willing to test. The foundation of truth must be strong. This foundation should be built on the apostles and prophets with Jesus being the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).

What Did Jesus Teach? Jesus came proclaiming the Kingdom of God on earth, as later his apostles did (Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:43; 9:2, 11; Acts 8:12; 28:30; 19:8-9; Matthew 6:33). It was all about the Kingdom of God or Kingdom of heaven on earth. That teaching was built around ancient promises (Psalm 37:11; 115:16; Matthew 5:5). The earth is our home. There are heavenly rewards because the source is from our Heavenly Father, a divine source (James 1:17). Also, Jesus has not yet sat on the throne of his forefather David, but he will at his return to Jerusalem (Matthew 25:31; Luke 1:33). This will be a restored glorious heavenly Jerusalem. We are now awaiting this magnificent future return (certainly not 1914 or 1878).

How will we take part in this Kingdom? We must be born again (born from above) as said in John 3:3 and 1 Peter 1:23. This rebirth happens when we believe in the Kingdom message and in Jesus Messiah (Acts 8:12; Matthew 13:19). The free gift of life is for all people who believe in the message and in the name of Jesus Messiah (Galatians 6:15-16; Colossians 1:26-28). This message must now be proclaimed, for it is truly Good News! The faithful people of old are asleep in death awaiting the resurrection to receive the promises of eternal life, the life of the age to come in the Kingdom of God on earth (Daniel 12:2; Isaiah 26:19-20). The Gospel of the Kingdom is what we need! It will refresh us and change our lives for the better, giving us true freedom. If there are any Jehovah’s Witnesses or former Jehovah’s Witnesses reading this and looking for answers, prayerfully consider these things, for it is God who makes the seed grow. Grace and peace to you all in Messiah.

The Good News About Coming Kingdom Of God

Jesus the Messiah and the apostles preached the gospel! Jesus commanded in Mark 1:15, Repent you, and believe the gospel.” But exactly what is it that we supposed to believe? Just what is the true gospel? Do you know? Are you certain?

Here is more of Mark’s account: “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (1:14). This is the gospel Jesus preached. It was in this very same context that He said, “Repent you and believe the gospel” (vs. 15). Which gospel? Of the “Kingdom of God.” Verse 1 in Mark 1 refers to this

message when it states, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus God's anointed one.” The gospel of Jesus the Messiah is about the Kingdom of God; not something else! One must believe the gospel about the coming Kingdom of God as your future depends on believing the good news about the coming Kingdom of God.

Notice: Luke 8:11-12: Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are they that hear; then comes the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

Did you catch that one must believe the word of God in order to believe and be saved!

Notice that Matthew defines what "the word of God" and "the word" mentioned in Luke 8:11-12 is:

Matthew 12:19: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the wayside.

So the "word of God" and "the word" in Luke 8:12-12 is "the word of the kingdom" which is the only message that Jesus proclaimed. Everything that he preached was to prepare people to believe and enter into the coming kingdom of God.

This subject is so important that God inspired the apostle Paul to warn the Galatians then and us now: “I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace
of God's anointed one unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of God's anointed one. [Understand. The gospel - God's anointed one's message - can be perverted!] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed” (1:6-9).

This is a blunt statement and strong warning to all who will heed! Tragically, almost all have not heeded. A little later, in chapter 2, verse 5, Paul stressed his hope that the “truth of the gospel might continue with you.” So there is one true gospel - all others are false! I did not
say that - God did, through Jesus and Paul.

Although some assert that Paul taught a different or additional gospel, it is plain that he never did. Ironically, God used Paul to warn against ever allowing such false teaching by pronouncing a curse on any man or angel who violates this command. Remember, “But though we [apostles]… preach any other gospel… let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).

What a powerful scripture and warning!

Paul explained that the apostles were entrusted by God to preserve the true gospel about the coming Kingdom of God. Notice I Thessalonians 2:4: “But as we [apostles] were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts.”

This is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. True ministers must always teach what God commands not what pleases men (including Bible “scholars”). Any claim that Paul taught a different or second gospel (usually thought to be about Christ or some separate idea about “peace” or “grace”) is impossible. Had he done this, he would literally have been pronouncing a curse on himself!

Did you know that Jesus was foretold to bring the gospel? In the Old Testament, Jesus was prophesied to come as a messenger. Notice Malachi 3:1: “Behold, I will send My messenger

[typed by John the Baptist in the first century], and he shall prepare the way before Me [God's anointed one the Messiah]: and the lord, whom you seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom you delight in…”

God's anointed one, the Messiah is the “Messenger” of the gospel about the coming Kingdom of God, he is not the message itself. Now compare the passage in Malachi with another: “The law and the prophets were until John [the Baptist - only Old Testament

scriptures had been preached previously]: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man [who chooses] presses into it” (Luke 16:16).

Remember that in Mark, Jesus preached the Kingdom of God and called it the gospel.

The word gospel comes from the Old English term “god-spell” or good news. The word kingdom also derives from an Old English term that simply means “government.” Therefore, it is accurate to say God's anointed one, the Messiah preached “the good news of the government of God.”

You can know the who, what, where, when, why and how of this good news, and how it relates to the Bible’s very greatest prophecy. The Kingdom of God is the dominant theme of not only the New Testament but also of the whole Bible. Incredibly, most know little or nothing of it. This world’s ministers seem to be oblivious to this gospel and seldom if ever preach about it. Therefore, virtually the whole world stands in complete ignorance of the single greatest truth in God’s Revelation!

All God’s Prophets Preached the Kingdom The book of Acts contains an extraordinary

statement from the apostle Peter. Let’s read it: “Repent you therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence
of the Lord. And He shall send Jesus His anointed one, which before was preached unto you: whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution [or restoring] of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:19-21).

Notice that Peter refers to the coming of God's anointed one (vs. 19) as “the presence of the Lord,” meaning He will be back on Earth. Verse 20 states that God “shall send Jesus the Messiah.” Verse 21 describes God’s Kingdom as the “restitution of all things.” Peter stated that this “restitution” (the Messiah establishing His Kingdom) is something “God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” (vs. 21).

Did not God actually use all of His prophets to announce His Kingdom? Indeed His did! Bible scholars and religionists ignore this knowledge and even reject it without examination.

Let’s review just a few examples:

In fact, let’s start with the period before the Flood. The apostle Jude, Jesus’ brother, stated, “Enoch [Noah’s great-grandfather]…prophesied… saying, Behold, the lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all…” (vs. 14-15). These verses clearly refer to God's anointed one, the Messiah establishing a world-ruling government.

The Bible calls Enoch a “preacher of righteousness” (w Peter 2:5). Including Abel, there were six other men who previously held this role, with their lives spanning the entire period between Adam and the Flood.

All of them spoke the same message. Remember, Peter said, “since the world began” (Acts 3:21). Is there evidence the gospel was preached in the period following the Flood? In Genesis 12:3, God said to Abraham, “…in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.” this verse is also referenced in Galatians 3:8, but is phrased a little differently: “… In you shall all nations be blessed.” This verse also states that the gospel was “preached…unto Abraham.”

This is fascinating understanding! Not only did Abraham have the gospel preached to him (probably by Melchizedek), but it is also preached in Genesis through the writings of Moses! Ask: how could all nations be blessed unless God's anointed one, the Messiah establishes his government on Earth where the nations are?

Moses was the first man God raised up to lead ancient Israel. As both a prophet and judge, he preached the gospel to Israel in the wilderness. Acts 3:24 references Samuel, also a prophet, as having preached the gospel. Notice: “All the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken have likewise foretold of these days.”

These are powerful statements that cannot be glossed over. This verse says, “All God’s prophets…as many as have spoken…foretold of these days”! King David preached the Kingdom of God! He recorded, “…for You [God] shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth” (Psalm 67:4). This obviously refers to God’s coming supergovernment. Nations are on Earth, not in heaven!

Notice what the prophet Isaiah wrote: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty Hero, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever” (9:6-7). This prophecy is so obvious it needs no explanation!

Now the prophet Jeremiah: “Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that I will raise unto David a Righteous Branch and that King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely [neither of these taking place now]: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, the lord our righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:5-6). These verses also need no explanation.

Ezekiel wrote this of Israel’s descendants alive today: “For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land” (36:24).

The next 10 verses describe a period of rebuilding and national prosperity that can only happen after the Messiah's Return. They are unmistakably clear.

Did the prophet Daniel preach the Kingdom of God? The Bible answers: “In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and
the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms [of men], and it shall stand forever” (2:44).

All the so-called minor prophets also recorded the gospel of the Kingdom of God in one way or another. God’s Servants Preached the Same Message. Remember, the phrase “the gospel of the kingdom of God” is not the only proper way of describing this coming government! Peter wrote: “God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” until the “restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21).

An important point from this verse. It says, “God has spoken…” The gospel of the Kingdom of God is a message from God. It should be clear that God speaks through whatever kind of servant He is using—prophet, patriarch, judge, deacon, preacher of righteousness, king, apostle or pastor!

His servants always spoke the same message! The word gospel is found over 100 times in the Bible. Sometimes it is found alone, and sometimes “of the kingdom” follows it. Other times, it includes “of the kingdom of God,” or the equivalent phrase “of the kingdom of heaven.” Note that it says “of heaven,” not in heaven.” It is heaven’s Kingdom, and there is a big difference between the two. Grasp this crucial point!

Throughout the New Testament, the word “kingdom” is found 27 times, “kingdom of God” 75 times, and “kingdom of heaven” 34 times. All are clearly one and the same. Paul preached the Kingdom of God to the Gentiles, yet some believe he preached to them a “different” gospel again, unaware that it was Paul who pronounced a curse on anyone who did this. However, he did not neglect the subject of Jesus roll in the salvation process.

First, Acts 19:8 establishes which gospel he preached: “And he went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.” In many of his epistles, Paul taught the Kingdom to Gentile congregations. His message was always the same. He continually preached, taught and referred to the Kingdom of God. He wrote, “I have gone preaching the kingdom of God…repentance toward God, and faith toward our lord Jesus Messiah” (Acts 20:25, 21). He preached the same gospel to both Jew and gentile. Finally, let’s read this last recorded picture of Paul’s life: “Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, AND teaching those things which concern the lord Jesus the Messiah…” (28:30-31).

Luke, who was the writer of Acts, differentiates between preaching about the Kingdom of God and preaching about Jesus God's anointed one! While both are vitally important, they are clearly two separate subjects!

The deacon Philip also preached both in Acts: “But when they believed Philip…concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus God's anointed one, they were baptized, both men and women” (8:12). Philip differentiated between the Kingdom of God and God's anointed one Jesus. Remember, the messenger is not the message.

Notice that those in Samaria were baptized only after “they believed” the right message. Also, Jesus’ name was taught as all-important as to it's meaning, but as additional understanding. Jesus is not the gospel. However, He does stand directly alongside the true
gospel and, as head of God’s Kingdom on Earth under the Father, will rule the entire Earth with the saints co-ruling with him! after he returns to establish it. Do not lose sight of this!

The apostle Paul further distinguishes between the gospel and the person of Jesus God's anointed one in this powerful warning: “For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached…or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might well bear with him” (2 Corinthians11:4). Paul wanted the Corinthians to reject false teachers and hold to what he had taught them. The point here is Paul distinguishes between the teaching of a false Jesus and that of a false gospel. These are and always have been separate errors.

Some get confused when reading I Corinthians 15:1-4, thinking Paul contradicts himself by stating that “the gospel…[is] how that God's anointed one Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day.” Careful reading will make clear “the gospel” reference in verse 1 is not connected to Jesus’ death for our sins and his burial, referenced in verses 3 and 4. When correctly understood, rather than saying Jesus is the gospel which would contradict all other passages on the subject this passage confirms the opposite, and supports all the scriptures we have covered.

Since Jesus preached “repent and believe the gospel,” it should now be clear why. His role must always be preached alongside the Kingdom of God and the part he will play in it. One cannot enter the Kingdom unless he understands and accepts that “God's anointed one Jesus died for our sins” and that person has repented of his sins.

What evidence is there that other New Testament writers preached the same message? A great deal! All the Apostles Preached This Same Gospel. The apostle Peter also preached the Kingdom of God: “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our lord and savior Jesus the Messiah” (2 Peter 1:11). So did the apostle James: “Hearken, my beloved brethren, has not God chosen the poor of this world

rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He has promised to them that love Him?” (2:5).

Matthew’s account mentions the phrase “gospel of the kingdom” three times. Notice one: “Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people” (9:35). In most of His parables, Jesus taught the basics of the Kingdom of God. Matthew alone makes over 50 references to it. Luke records what Jesus the Messiah

commissioned his disciples to preach: “Then He called His twelve disciples together…And He sent them to preach the kingdom of God…” (9:1-2). Soon after, He sent 70 others to preach, and they also carried the message of the “kingdom of God” (10:1, 9).

Being Preached Today In the Matthew 24 and 25 Olivet Prophecy, Jesus was asked about the events that would be the signs of His return and of “the end of the world [age]” (24:3). He foretold certain trends and conditions that would occur first. In verse 14, He also stated, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

Make no mistake! Jesus God's anointed one will soon return to Earth and establish his Kingdom. It will ultimately reign over the entire Earth - all nations - and the resurrected saints those who have qualified to rule with God's anointed one and shall co-rule with Him.

The Making of Man

       If you watch some of those very interesting TV "Nature" documentaries it is possible to be amazed beyond imagination by the wonders of living things, only to be informed by inference or direct statement that the whole thing is the result of an accident. A Big Bang. A Singularity. A time when absolute emptiness suddenly became a universe - all by itself. It must be the only time we ever got something for nothing.

Although much reputable scientific research today has concluded that Darwinistic Evolution is an impossibility and although many notable evolutionists have "confessed" the poverty of the theory that they have so long and lovingly espoused, the media and educational establishment still peddle the evolutionary lie.

Of course there is a reason for this - If you don't want to admit to 'design' and by extension a 'designer', because of the moral implications on your lifestyle - then you 'fudge' the whole issue with scientific jargon - a case of deliberate denial - self deception to avoid facing the issue.

On the other hand, Christians have tried to justify a medieval view of nature or have bought into any one of a number of "compromise" theories that may be made to reconcile the words of Genesis 1 and the misleading claims of science, so called.

Might it not be, that the account of these events as given to us by our Creator is easier to understand than our vanity has allowed. It is seldom, that this issue is not approached, except with a lot of preconceived ideas and theological pre-conditions. It is interesting to take a fresh look at the record without the bias of self replicating scholarship and the traditions of men.

Genesis 1:1 makes a simple statement concerning an infinite matter. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth". No process or time span is indicated. Just a simple, direct statement that tells us, Who did what and when.

Genesis 1:2 gives us another picture unrelated in time from the first. "Now the earth was (became is a fairer translation) unformed and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters." This verse is concerned only with the last word ("earth") of the previous verse and therefore is obviously not spatially related to the whole of the first verse. There appears no need to include events so far either physically or chronologically with the six days of accounts or visions that follow.


The "six days" are complete in themselves and the events related may have happened instantaneously or occupied varying time spans - we are not told and does it really matter? In one sense the answer is "no" but if we are to understand the psalmist and others who declared that God is known through His creation, (Romans 1:19,20) then the answer is a resounding "yes!".

What follows from verse 3 onwards describes the furnishing of this particular planet, Earth and this may have taken a short time, just 6 x 24 hour days as some believe or the "days" may only have been the time and sequence of the revelation of what actually took place at another time, somewhat like an "action playback" of one aspect of a game. The writer tends to prefer this latter view as it is absolutely consistent with the general order of events as we learn from observation and also allows that each "day's" events were actually inter-dependent and ran, either, parallel or concurrently with those on other "days".(1) Obviously, the linear limitations of narrative require the sequential telling as described in Genesis 1:3-31.

What we want to particularly dwell on in this study is, however, the making of Man. What sort of creature was he/she.

We read in Genesis 2:7 that Man was created from the elements already existing, literally "the dust of the ground. "Then Yehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." And, science would show that as to our composition, this is true, we are made of the stuff of the universe.

Now right here we find that Man was not given, as is today commonly believed, a "soul" but when he received breath (nefesh - spirit) he became "a living soul". Animals too were formed from "the dust of the ground", v.19 and are referred to in the Hebrew as "living souls", it's a term for a living, functioning biological mechanism. The fact that animals seem to have been considered for a possible companion for Adam established at least a mechanical similarity. However, no animal had the "likeness and image" characteristic so the psychological and physiological gap was too great. Genesis 2:20 A true “mate” after his kind, must be found (v23) for Adam.

So, next comes the first mention of cloning where God takes some of Adam's cells and creates a modified human, a female complementing the male and providing the mechanisms and technology for reproduction. Something similar must have been done for each of the animals and even many plant species as they too exist as male and female with a dazzling array of variations in function and process.

As we start to consider the kind of creature Adam was, it is best if we forget fanciful stories and stick to the Word - the record given us by the Creator. At this point in time, Adam is mortal as also are the animals and the cessation of existence known as death may well have happened in the animal kingdom, depending on their determined life span. You see, immortality for any created being was only possible through partaking of the Tree of Life and later we learn something of the nature of that "Tree" that may surprise you.

First, there was another "Fruit" that displaced innocence, the Tree itself was, as all things God created, "good" - in fact it is through knowledge of the Torah that we know "good and evil", (see Paul on that) - so one must surmise that the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was a form of the Torah. However, at this time in the affairs of this planet, Yehovah desired Adam and Eve to remain innocent, as part, if you like, of a developmental or maturing process. They were not yet ready for initiation into "the other side" of reality. At the same time, as part of that process, Adam had to be free to choose. It would not be wrong to surmise that in the fulness of time Yehovah would permit access to this presently forbidden Tree. You see Man was being made in "the likeness and image" of his Creator and the Creator knew "good and evil" so it's clear that man's development was not yet complete.

Now earlier I said that immortality was made possible by the partaking of the Tree of Life - whether by one "eating" or by repeated partaking, we can only surmise. The environment in those days permitted great longevity, probably through massive shielding from cosmic radiation by a dense cloud blanket that was only lost at the time of Noah's flood. However, there was some cellular damage and eventually the mechanism of life would break down. Therefore, I suggest that the Tree of Life was a natural remedy that simply reversed the injurious effects of cosmic exposure.

Now before you throw that idea out as "just speculation", hear the words of the Creator Himself when he cast Adam from the garden and set up some technically equipped guardians to this Tree of Life.

Genesis 3:22 And Yehovah Elohim said: "Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever."

Notice that Adam and Eve, through disobedience, had become as the Elohim, "knowing good and evil", contrary to the Creator’s intention at that time and if they now managed to eat of the Tree of Life they could be or would become immortal sinners. I believe this is a very important verse as it gives us an understanding both of the nature of Yehovah and the type of beings we humans are, but it gives us a picture rather different from popular teaching.

It's really a matter of just reading what is there and not "interpreting" the record through some theological lens that attributes meanings (interpretations) not intended by the text.

Another verse that is frequently "interpreted" is just next but one, Genesis 3:24 "So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden the cherubim, and the flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way to the tree of life." How many pictures have you seen of a single angel (inaccurately called a cherubim) holding a flaming sword? Well, notice Yehovah placed "the cherubim", cherubim is Hebrew and it is plural so it could have been any number of beings, a whole company. Then it also says " . . . and the flaming sword which turned every way". This was obviously a device described according to the vocabulary of the writer as a "flaming sword", that was some sort of barrier or warning system that moved around somewhat like a searchlight. Too simple? Well, it may not fit some interpretations but what other account can you give that fits more closely to the actual text.

You see, our faith has become questionable by being made subject to man's imagination, when in fact the record is simpler than we have dared to imagine.

If we can go back for a moment to Genesis 1:26,27 And God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." 27 And God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. Which is a brief overview of what we learn in more detail in the next chapter.

Notice the Elohim said "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness" and it has been debated in scholarly circles for generations what these words "likeness and image" mean and the consensus is usually that they don't mean what they say. Yet what is it that separates man from all other animals? Creative, imaginative and emotional qualities that were to enable us to walk, talk and have fellowship with, the Being who created the universe. Early disobedience and sin severely curtailed those abilities, but the promise was there - we were created more like the Elohim than we have ever dared to imagine.

Those who debate the meaning of the words "likeness and image" seem to fail to notice that some years later, Adam and Eve had a son who was described as being in their "likeness and image" - the exact same Hebrew words as in Genesis 1:26. In fact it is a sort of summary of events to date concerning Adam.

Genesis 5:1-3 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made He him; 2 male and female created He them, and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. 3 And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth.

Notice these three verses repeat that Adam was made in the "likeness of God" and that the son of Adam was in his "likeness, after his image" - the same words as Genesis 1:26.

(1) A careful study of the inter-dependence of plant life with other life forms (insects) and it's environment essential for reproduction strongly support the "paralell" view of the "days" of creation.

SUMMARY: What have we learned?

The whole universe did not necessarily get created in six 24 hour days.

Adam was not created immortal.

Man does not have a soul - he is a soul.

Death is merely the "wearing out" of the biological mechanism.

The real judgement was being deprived of the source of rejuvenation which meant the loss of potential for immortality, the natural consequence of which is death.

That God meant us to be a whole lot more like Himself than we have ever imagined!

Answer to a person on the Trinity Doctine

Jesus says: Luke 6:46: why do you call me, lord, lord, and do not the things which I say?

In Mark 12:28-34: Jesus in speaking with a scribe basically states his creed!

And one of the experts in the law came and heard them disputing together, and recognizing that he had answered them well, asked him, “What commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered:

“The first is, Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone, and so you are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”

And the expert in the law said to him, “Well said, Teacher, you have spoken truth that HE IS ONE, AND THERE IS THERE IS NONE OTHER BUT HE, and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself is more important than all the whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.”

And when Jesus saw that he answered intelligently, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”

Commentary for: Mark 12:29

Jesus answered, “The first is, Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone,

“Hear, O Israel!” The verb “hear” means not only to hear, but to pay attention and heed. Thus, some versions have, “Listen.” The verb “hear” is in the imperative mood, hence the exclamation point at the end of the phrase.

“Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!” This verse is a quotation of Deuteronomy 6:4, and is most often translated something like this: “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord,” or “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” However, in this article we will see that these translations are not the best, and can lead to false conclusions.

The Hebrew words Shema Yisrael (שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל), “Hear, [O] Israel!”) are the first two words of Deuteronomy 6:4, and are the title of a prayer that serves as a centerpiece of the morning and evening Jewish prayer services (the title “Shema Yisrael” is often shortened to simply “Shema”). Observant Jews consider the Shema to be the most important part of the prayer service in Judaism. Originally the “Shema” prayer was only Deuteronomy 6:4, but in more modern Judaism it has been expanded to include other sections of the Torah as well. (In this article, we will sometimes refer to Deuteronomy 6:4 as the Shema).

The first thing we should say about the statement, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!” is that, according to Christ, it was a part of the greatest commandment in the Law. Usually when someone asks, “What are the two greatest commandments in the Law?” the answer is “Love God, and love your neighbor.” But Jesus did not answer that way. Jesus included the Shema in his answer, and by doing so made a very important point: before we say that “Love God” is the first and greatest commandment, we should know who “God” is. The Shema shows us that we do not get to choose who “our God” is, Yehovah alone is God.

Most people think that the great commandment is just “Love God,” partly because the record in Matthew22:37, which is the same event, does not include the Shema statement. However, it is common that when two or more Gospels record an event that they include different details. In this case, Mark gives the full account, and Matthew leaves out the Shema, which is understandable because the account in Matthew is much shorter than the account in Mark.

The Shema is widely understood by Christians to be about the nature of God and a confirmation of the Trinity and the compound unity of God, i.e., that God is “one,” and therefore He is one God made up of three persons. However, that is not at all what the verse is saying, as we will see by examining both the Old Testament and New Testament texts on the subject.

One thing should be clear to everyone who studies Mark 12:29: no matter how the Greek text of Mark is worded, it is a translation of the Hebrew, because to answer the Pharisee’s question, Jesus - Yehoshua Messiah would have quoted the Hebrew text of the Old Testament. Jesus - Yehoshua would not have spoken Greek to him. Although we will see as the study develops that the Greek in Mark (and the Septuagint), can mean what the Hebrew OT says, the Hebrew wording is very dense and has a number of secondary meanings built into it, and so the full meaning of the Hebrew is difficult to capture in Greek.

To fully understand the dialogue between the Pharisee and Jesus in Mark 12:28-34, it is helpful to know it is the same record as Matthew 22:34-39, although each Gospel has details that the other Gospel does not include. The Pharisee, who was also a “scribe,” that is, an expert in the Law, asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment in the Law. The conversation that followed gives us a context that helps us properly understand and translate the Shema.

The Old Testament text, like the New Testament, is often used to support the Trinity. But that is not what the verse is saying. For one thing, the Jews do not now, and never have, believed in a Trinity, and yet they have used Deuteronomy 6:4 as the rallying call of the nation of Israel since long before the time of Jesus. Deuteronomy 6:4 can be, and should be, translated close to the way it is translated in a number of modern versions: “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone” (NAB, NLT, NRSV, and the Tanakh; the JPS Bible). The Geneva Bible of 1599, which was the Bible of the Pilgrims and many of our founding Fathers and is a translation generally recognized by scholars as a better translation than the King James Version, has: “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is Lord only.” The Moffatt Bible has: “the Eternal, the Eternal alone, is our God.” Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible correctly uses God’s proper name, “Yehovah,” instead of “LORD,” and has: “Hear, O Israel: Yahweh is our God—Yehovah alone.” We believe that using “Yehovah" instead of “LORD” is the most proper way to render the verse, and Rotherham’s translation is about as close as you can get to an English translation that captures the primary meaning of the verse.

Deuteronomy 6:4 is saying that Israel [and believers today] have only one God—Yehovah. That is why the verse says that Yehovah is “our” God.” Other people may have other gods, but the people of God are to have Yehovah alone as their God. This Old Testament truth is confirmed by God's anointed one in Mark 12:29, and reconfirmed by Paul, who wrote that, “to us there is one God, the Father” (1 Cor:8:6).

Although it is commonly believed that Deuteronomy 6:4 is a statement of “monotheism” and thus the “compound unity” of God, that is not what the verse is saying. Of course it is a statement about monotheism, that there is one God, but that is not its primary emphasis, as we will see below.

Furthermore, it is not a statement about the compound unity of God for a number of reasons. First, because the compound unity of God does not appear in Scripture. 

Second, the Old Testament was given by God to the Jews so they could know and obey Him, and never in the more than 3500 years since the Shema was written have the Jews understood it to refer to a compound unity in God - quite the opposite. They took it to mean that there was only one God, and fiercely fought against polytheism throughout their history. So if the Shema was God’s attempt to reveal a compound unity in God, the attempt was an epic failure. It makes much more sense that God gave the verse to the Jews and intended it to mean what the Jews say it means. 

Furthermore, the Jews did not take the Shema as their primary statement of monotheism because many other verses made that point (we will cover that shortly).

Third, the context of the Shema in both the Old and New Testaments, backed by the Scope of Scripture, shows that the Shema is not saying “God is ‘one,’ but rather is saying that Yehovah “alone” is our God.

The context shows us that Deuteronomy 6:4 is using the Hebrew word ‘echad (#0259 אֶחָד; “one, only, an, alone”) in the primary sense of “only” or “alone,” in contrast to the number “one,” and the context in Mark 12 confirms this. Note how Deuteronomy 6:4-5, flow together and thus make a major—and logical—point: “Yehovah is our God, Yahweh alone! And you must love Yehovah your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” It is because Yehovah “alone” is God that we can worship him with “all” our heart, “all” our soul, and “all” our might. If we had more than one God, our worship would have to be divided between all the gods we served, and each god would get only “part” of our heart, soul, and strength.

In fact, that is what happens with Trinitarians today: they divide their worship of God into the worship of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. But that division of worship is what is expressly forbidden by Deuteronomy 6:4 and Mark12:29.

When Jesus was asked about the first commandment, he quoted both Deuteronomy 6:4 and Deuteronomy 6:5. Interestingly, in both Hebrew and Greek (the Septuagint and Mark 12), these can be one sentence, the second starting with “and,” (or even “and so”). It is traditional to separate the “first commandment” into two sentences, but grammatically it can be one sentence and thus easily seen to be one commandment.

What should be clear is that Deuteronomy 6:4 is a statement about our personal relationship to God. He “alone” is God, so He is to be “our” only God and we must worship Him with “all” that we are and have. Deuteronomy 6:4 is not primarily a statement about monotheism, it is a statement about relationship. Stated another way, Deuteronomy 6:4 is not about the nature of God, it is about our relationship with God. 

Monotheism is important, and God had established that there was only one God earlier in Deuteronomy. Only about 50 verses before the Shema, God had twice stated that He was the only God. Deuteronomy 4:35 says, “Yehovah is God, besides Him there is no other.” Four verses later Deuteronomy 4:39 establishes that truth and says, “Yehovah is God in heaven above and on earth below. There is no other.”

After establishing that there is only one God in chapter 4, Deuteronomy 6:4 then takes that truth and makes it personal: Yahweh who alone is God is to be “our” God, and we are to worship Him with “all” our heart, soul, and strength.

Furthermore, after Deuteronomy 4:35, 39, and Deuteronomy 6:4 have established that there is only one God, and thus Yahweh alone is to be “our God,” Deuteronomy 6:13 then says that we should fear and serve Him, and swear oaths in His name.

The scope of Scripture also shows us that the Shema is about our relationship with God and not the singular nature of God. For example, Zechariah 14:9 uses the word 'echad and speaks of the future, saying that Yahweh will be king over the whole earth. The last part of the verse says in that day, “Yehovah will be one ['echad], and his name one ['echad].”

Here we see the same use of 'echad that we see in the Shema. When Zechariah says that in that day Yahweh will be “one,” it is not making a statement about God’s nature, as if somehow His nature would become “one” in the future but is not “one” now. Rather, it is using “one,” ('echad) as “alone,” just as in Deuteronomy 6:4. Zechariah is saying that in the future Yehovah will be “alone” and His name “alone,” not in competition with the names of other gods.

Unlike today when many “gods” distract us from God, in the future all the competing gods will be cast away and Yahweh “alone” will be everyone’s God. Isaiah says, “On that day people will throw their silver and gold idols, which they made to worship, to the moles and the bats” (Isaiah 2:20 HCSB).

Zechariah says, “‘And on that day,’ says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, ‘I will erase idol worship throughout the land, so that even the names of the idols will be forgotten’” (Zech. 13:2 NLT). Isaiah 2:11 and Isaiah 2:17 say that Yehovah alone will be exalted in that Day.

Also, the very first of the Ten Commandments fits with the Shema, saying that Yahweh alone is to be our God. The First Commandment is: “I am Yahweh your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god but me” (Exod. 20:2-3; NLT with Yahweh in place of “the LORD”). So the first commandment says in effect the same thing that the Shema says: God alone is to be our God, and we are not to have any other god but Him.

Having seen that the Shema is a statement about our relationship with God and that He “alone” is to be our God, we can now turn our attention to the New Testament text and Jesus’ words in Mark 12:29. As has been stated earlier, there is no doubt that Jesus would have quoted the Shema as it appears in the Hebrew text. He would not have been quoting it in Greek, even though the Gospel of Mark is written in Greek. But when we study the Greek word translated “one” in Mark 12:29, heis(#1520 εἷς; pronounced “hace”), we find that just like the Hebrew word 'echad, can mean “one” or “alone,” so can the Greek word heis. In fact, we see heis being used in the sense of “alone” several times in the New Testament. The BDAG Greek English Lexicon lists Mark 2:7; 10:18; 12:29; Matthew 23:10; and Luke 18:19 as clear examples of heis meaning “alone.”

As has been stated above, the Hebrew text is very compressed and hard to translate. A common translation of the Greek is, “The Lord our God is one Lord.” However, a translation that reflects more of the meaning of the verse is, “Hear, Israel, The Lord our God is the only Lord” (that same basic translation appears in: The Geneva Bible; The New English Bible; Sir Andrews Norton’s, A Translation of the Gospels; The New Testament by William Barclay; and The Source New Testament by A. Nyland). Another good translation is in the New American Bible (NAB), which follows its translation of Deuteronomy and has, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!” Still another good translation is God’s New Covenant by Heinz Cassirer. He has: “Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one and only Lord.” Cassirer’s translation should catch our attention because he was born and raised Jewish and taught philosophy at Glasgow University and Corpus Christi, Oxford, and converted to Christianity due to his reading the Greek New Testament. Thus he brings a unique blend of Jewish heritage and a thorough knowledge of both Hebrew and Greek to his translation. He clearly understands that the Shema is making the point that God is the “one and only” God.

How do we know that when Jesus quoted the Shema that he quoted it with the same meaning it had in the Old Testament; that God “alone” was God? We know it by reading the whole account in Mark. We must pay attention to all the elements of the conversation: the question the Pharisee asked, Jesus’ answer, the Pharisee’s commentary on Jesus’ answer, and Jesus’ statement about what the Pharisee said.

First, the Pharisee’s question: “What commandment is the first of all?” We learn from Matthew 22:34 that the question was initially asked to test Jesus. It was a question that the Jews had asked and hotly debated among themselves for centuries, and was a question all the Jews were interested in. It seems clear the Pharisee legitimately wanted to know where Jesus stood on the issue.

Jesus answered the question by quoting both Deuteronomy 6:4, 5, which shows that Jesus understood that it was not enough to just “love God,” in some generic sense, we must love the “right God,” the true God, the only God, who is Yehovah. Jesus then added the second commandment: love your neighbor as yourself. The Pharisee had not asked for that information, but we can see why Jesus added it: the Pharisees were well known for holding themselves aloof from others, and even the name “Pharisee” means “Separated one,” someone separated from the rest of mankind, who are then relegated by default to a lesser status. Jesus was trying to reach this Pharisee’s heart, and teach him that if he loved God, it would show itself through his love for others.

The Pharisee responded to Jesus’ answer in a way that showed he had grasped what Jesus said and had himself come to a similar conclusion about the central point of the Old Testament Law. The Pharisee started by acknowledging that Jesus’ statement was “well said,” and then he connected the Shema with Deuteronomy 4:35, that Yehovah is God and there is no other God but him. The Pharisee did not have any conception of a “compound unity” in God, but rather spoke back to Jesus the simple message of the Old Testament contained in the Shema: Yehovah alone is God and there is no other God, and that is why we can and must love God with “all” our heart, soul, and might. Furthermore, as the Pharisee acknowledged, loving God and our neighbor was more important than all other religious ceremonies and practices.

Jesus immediately recognized the heart of this Pharisee, and said to him: “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”

If the Shema was teaching the “compound unity” of God, and if Jesus was trying to communicate that to the Pharisee, he would have immediately recognized by the Pharisee’s answer that he did not “get it.” At that point Jesus should have further engaged the Pharisee so he could have a chance to understand the compound unity of God and the doctrine of the Trinity. Why didn’t he?

The simple answer is that Deuteronomy 4:35 and Deuteronomy 6:4 teach a simple truth: there is one God, Yehovah, and He alone is to be our God. That is the simple point that is being made in both the Old and New Testaments.

Having said that the most pertinent truth in the Shema is that Yehovah alone is to be our God, there are nevertheless some other basic truths that the wording of the Shema shows us.

Although the primary meaning is, “Yehovah is our God, Yehovah alone,” the wording of the Hebrew text and the word 'echad also allows for: “Yehovah is our God, Yehovah is unique.” Although not the primary meaning, if we read the verse that way, it is saying that Yehovah, who is “our God,” is unique among the gods, thus superior and worthy of our worship.

The usage of 'echad as “unique” is found in Song of Solomon 6:9, where the king speaks of his 60 queens, 80 concubines, and “young women without number,” but tells his new beloved that she is “unique” (Do you think she believed him?).

Another secondary meaning that can be seen in the very compact wording of Deuteronomy 6:4 is that there is “one” Yehovah. It was common in the cultures of the Middle East that several gods would be known by the same name, or the same god would be assigned different characteristics and worshipped differently in different places. Examples of gods like this include: Astarte, Baal, Cybele, El (a Canaanite god), Isis, Leviathan, Lilith, and Tammuz. In contrast to gods who, in different places had different characteristics and were worshipped differently, Yehovah was only “one” God and was to be known as the same and worshipped the same everywhere.

In the spiritual battle, Satan is always trying to distort God: His nature, His character, His love, and His actions, and God works to prevent that. After the birth of the Messiah, Satan has worked to distort Jesus - Yehoshua too. Thus less than 30 years after Jesus gave his life for mankind, 2 Corinthians 11:4 speaks of those people who preach “another Jesus,” and Galatians 1:6-9 shows that people were perverting the Gospel, saying, “If anyone is proclaiming to you a Good News that is contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

In closing, it is helpful to speak a few more words about why the Shema cannot be referring to a “compound unity” in God. 

If the Shema was making the point that God was a compound unity, then neither verse 4 nor verse 5 would fit with what the Bible actually says. The Old Testament never reveals that “Yehovah” was a compound deity, made up of separate “Persons.” Trinitarian theologians acknowledge that the Old Testament does not reveal the Trinity - a major reason the Jews never believed in one.

In the Old Testament, “Yehovah” and the Son are always represented as two separate entities. “Yehovah” is the equivalent of the “Father” (or “God”) in the New Testament. Just as the Father and Son occur together many times in the New Testament and are clearly presented as two (Cp., “The testimony of two men is true: I bear witness about myself, and the Father bears witness of me” - John 8:17-18), so the Old Testament presents Yehovah and the “Son” (also referred to as the “Lord,” “Servant,” or “anointed”) as two, not “one God” (Cp., Psalm 2:2, 7; 110:1; Isaiah 42:5ff; 49:4-5; 53:6, 10, 11). Furthermore, it is clear in the Old Testament texts, such as those that call the Messiah the servant of Yehovah, and in the New Testament texts as well (Cp., 1 Cor:15:28) that the “Son” is subservient to Yahweh. Given that, for the Shema to say that “Yehovah” is “one,” in contrast to many, does not make sense. If the verse were referring to a compound deity, it would have had to say that “Elohim” is one.

Furthermore, if the Shema were saying that “Yehovah” were “one” in the sense of a compound unity, then verse 5 would be incomplete and confusing, rather than helpful. If God were a compound unity, then what the Israelites would need would be instruction as to how to treat each “Person,” i.e., how to worship and serve each “Person” in this compound deity. But instead of offering instruction as to how to worship each “Person,” verse 5 contradicts the idea of multiple “Persons” in God and says to worship “Yehovah” with “all” your heart, soul, and might, clearly treating Yehovah as the one God whom we worship.

Also, Jesus’ answer to the Pharisee, that he was not far from the kingdom of God, shows us that a person does not have to believe in the Trinity to be saved. We can see from the way the Pharisee spoke to Jesus that he did not believe in the Trinity, but Jesus made no attempt to instruct him and instead said he was not far from the Kingdom. If a person had to believe in the Trinity to be saved, Jesus would have taught the Pharisee about it, and would never had said he was close to the Kingdom.

If Jesus says: "The Lord - Yehovah our God is Lord alone," then how can Christendom say disagree and say, "oh no, God is not one alone, but 3-1?

Jesus says in John 17:1-3: Jesus said these things,a and lifting up his eyes to heaven, said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so that the Son can glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all flesh so that he could give life in the Age to come to all those you have given him. And THIS IS LIFE IN THE AGE TO CME, THAT THEY MAY KNOW YOU, THE ONLY TRUE GOD AND HIM WHOM YOU SENT, Jesus - Yehoshua Christ - Messiah.

Does not Jesus exclude himself from having or being a second person of a triune god in what he says in verse 3?

Notice:

Mark 10:18: And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one: God - Yehovah.

Luke 18:19: And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except God -  Yehovah alone.

Does not Jesus again exclude himself from having any part of a triune god with this statement. Would the god/man as a second person of a triune god make this contradictory statement?

Notice Psalm 110:1: Yahweh says to my lord, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.”

If you will ask a Hebrew scholar what Hebrew word is used in Psalm 110:1 for "my lord" he will tell you it is "adoni" a word that in the Tanakh is never used to refer to Yehovah, but is used to refer to a man only. So here we have "the lord" mentioned that is obviously a Messianic reference to the one we know to be Jesus - Yehoshua a man! Not a god/man, but a man who had a beginning as the beginning of God's New Creation, specially conceived in the womb of Mary by the power of the Spirit of Yehovah. The one who Paul refers to as the second man [1 Corinthians 15:47]. Why does Paul refer to Jesus - Yehoshua as the second man? Because he was the second man specially created of God - Yehovah, Adam being the first man and Jesus - Yehoshua being the second man and the last man - Adam to be specially created of God - Yehovah.

As man - Adam was called the son of God because he was specially created of God - Yehovah [Luke 3:38]; so Jesus - Yehoshua is also called the son of God because he was specially created of God in the womb of Mary [Luke 1:3-35].

Notice Paul talking and says in 1 Corinthians 8: Therefore, concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we all understand that “no idol in the world really exists,” and that “THERE IS NO GOD BUT ONE.” For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many gods and many lords), yet TO US THERE IS ONE GOD, THE FATHER, from whom are all things, and we are for Him; and one lord [remember "adoni", Jesus - Yehoshua Christ - Messiah, because of whom are all things, and we are because of him.

Is it not obvious that Paul was a Jew who believed in the Shema probably repeating it 3 times a day and could not in any way be described as being a trinitarian.

Notice: The Catholic Church's Encyclopedia says: "the doctrine of the Trinity cannot be proved from scripture" Amazing statement.

If the Trinity doctrine cannot be proved from scripture then why would anyone want to believe what has been brought about in the imaginations of men who were obviously not speaking for God - Yehovah when they developed the doctrine of the Trinity that is founded not on the scriptures but on Gnostic pagan ideas that infiltrated the called-out Assembly beginning from the death of the apostles.

Satan didn't waste any time to pervert to truth that Jesus taught about his God - Yehovah and his Father which is plainly put for in Mark 12:28!

We as believers have be grafted into the Israel of Yehovah, and are spiritually circumcised sons of the living God Yehovah who is one and there is no other.

Isaiah 44:8: Don’t fear, neither be afraid.
Haven’t I declared it to you long ago, and shown it?

You are my witnesses.
Is there a God besides me?
Indeed, there is not. I don’t know any other Rock.”

Isaiah 45:14: This is what Yehovah says:
“The labor of Egypt and the merchandise of Ethiopia,
and the Sabeans, men of stature,
will come over to you,
and they will be yours.
They will go after you.
They will come over in chains,
and they will bow down to you.
They will make supplication to you:
‘Surely God is in you, and there is none else.
There is no other god.

Isaiah 45:18: For this is what Yehovah says,
who created the heavens,
the God who formed the earth and made it,
who established it
and didn’t create it a waste,
who formed it to be inhabited:
“I am Yehovah,
and there is no other.

Isaiah 45:22: Look to me and be saved,
all the ends of the earth,
for I am God,
and there is no other.

Is Christendom not calling God - Yehovah a liar when the say
He is not the only God, that in fact He is triune?

To worship another god that is not Yehovah is idolatry. To worship a god/man that is not the truly created son of God is to worship another Jesus - Yehoshua. Paul says for worshipping another Jesus you will be cursed.

Read the following online books:

http://www.christiandiscipleschurch.org/sites/default/files/books/totg_english.pdf

http://www.christiandiscipleschurch.org/sites/default/files/books/topm/TOPM_English_Large_Print.pdf

http://www.focusonthekingdom.org/Aims%20and%20Claims.pdf


Pastor Bruce Lyon
Restoration Fellowship Assembly
Ottawa, ON, Canada

Why is following God's Anointed One so difficult?

It's difficult because we do battle against the desires of the flesh, the desire of the eyes and the pride of possessions, the same things that confronted Eve when tempted by the Adversary. We have the law of sin working in our bodies because we are of the federal head of the whole human race, Adam. We also fight against wicked spirits in high places - the heavenly realm. Now if one is in the anointed one of God, His beloved son Jesus who by his death defeated the powers of the Adversary and those under him; then we can walk free from the law of sin that keeps those not in him in bondage; and with the new creation life he has given us we can walk in the spirit overcoming the law of sin in us.

It is a daily, hourly battle that will not be over until we are resurrected; but it is a battle worth winning in the anointed one Jesus. We do not carry out this battle that God has placed us in on our own because He always provide us with the power to carry out whatever He asks us to do, and that power is His indwelling Spirit! Our hope, IF we hold fast to His message and obey His commands, to love Him with all our being and love one another, is to co-inherit with the lord Messiah this world which will be completely renewed by him and us; and to co-rule over all the nations that live over into the coming new age with the lord Messiah Jesus, the King of Israel and King of kings and Lord of lords of all the nations.

Now we need to walk through this wilderness as Israel did of old but instead of the unbelief that impeded them; we need to walk in the faith of Abraham in Messiah Jesus, so that what our God and Father has begun in us, He will cause to bear fruit enabling us by His Spirit to have a glorious life as glorified men/woman immortal in the soon coming new age!

In Messiah Jesus we have truth, light, love, the way, new age life, wisdom, power of the spirit of truth - his spirit working in us, to help us along the way and he as our high priest who always acts as our advocate before the throne of his God and our God, his Father and our Father. Rejoice, the battle is ours. IF we remain in him to the end, we will be victorious.

Put on the whole armor of God and pray unceasingly, rejoicing and praising the name of Yehovah! These are the sacrifices our God and our Father loves to receive. Halil Yah - Praise God all the day long! Rejoice our salvation draws near!

The Priesthood of All Believers

The Priesthood of All Believers
The Who-When-How of Christian Service

When we hear of "priests," we typically bring to mind the image of a religious figure: most often that of a Jewish priest, oft encountered in our biblical studies, or a Catholic priest, with whom most are at least somewhat familiar. Although, in general, these individuals are viewed with a certain amount of respect for their lives of service to God and mankind, they are also quite often viewed with disdain for the many abuses that have arisen among the priesthood (whether in ancient Judaism or over the centuries in Catholicism). William Cowper (1731-1800), one of the most popular English poets of his day, once opined that "a priest is a piece of mere church furniture at best." Not a ringing endorsement, to say the least. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), an American essayist, lecturer and poet, was even more disparaging: "Once we had wooden chalices and golden priests, now we have golden chalices and wooden priests." Let's face it: some of the negative criticisms over the centuries of "the clergy caste" are quite valid, for these religious leaders have not always been paragons of virtue, or living examples of the likeness of GOD'S ANOINTED ONE, or devout ambassadors of God's love, mercy and grace.

I want to direct our thoughts to a concept not often promoted by the established clergy (regardless of religious persuasion): THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS! In this present dispensation of grace, every true believer is regarded by YEHOVAH as a priest engaged in priestly service. And yes, that includes women! There are no exclusions based on gender, race, nationality or social standing. If you are saved by grace through faith, if you are "in GOD'S ANOINTED ONE YEHOSHUA," you are a priest in YEHOVAH'S sight. You are a fully functioning member of His priesthood, and you are called to serve Him and others in that capacity. Isaiah prophesied about "the year of YEHOVAH'S favor" (Isaiah 61:2) which would come upon the people of YEHOVAH (a prophecy with more than a single and/or immediate fulfillment, but one that would be applicable to both present and yet-to-come dispensations), saying, "You will be called priests of YEHOVAH, you will be named ministers of YEHOVAH" (vs. 6a). Although this certainly had meaning and application for the ancient Jews, it also looked to the era of the new covenant. "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to YEHOVAH, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9). "You, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to YEHOVAH through YEHOSHUA THE ANOINTED ONE" (vs. 5). For the lord YEHOSHUA "has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father" (Revelation 1:6, NIV).

As for the all-inclusiveness of these called-ones in the new dispensation, the prophet Joel gave us a glimpse: "I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. On my servants, both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days" (Joel 2:28-29). Peter declares to the crowds on the day of Pentecost that this prophecy was being fulfilled in their presence, saying that what they were witnessing "is what was spoken by the prophet Joel" (Acts 2:16). "The time of the new order" (Hebrews 9:10b) had arrived; it was a time of great change. As Jesus declared to the Samaritan woman, "The time is coming - indeed it's here now - when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way" (John 4:23, NLT). Yes, it is a new day; things have forever changed, and changed dramatically! In this new order we who are in YEHOVAH'S ANOINTED ONE are ALL priests before YEHOVAH, performing priestly service. The rigid religious restrictions and exclusions of the past are gone; the era of a new sanctuary and a new priesthood has arrived (Hebrews 9:1-10)! The way into the very presence of YEHOVAH by ALL believers, entering through the veil as priests serving before YEHOVAH under our great High Priest YEHOSHUA THE ANOINTED ONE, has been opened unto us (Hebrews 10:19f). We are indeed a chosen and blessed people; a royal priesthood; freed from bondage to oppressive law; living in the freedom of YEHOVAH'S grace.

As the people of Israel made their escape from their centuries of bondage in the land of Egypt, they were led to Mount Sinai. It was here that YEHOVAH ELOHIM entered into a gracious covenant with the Israelites. "You shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:5-6). Although the people were initially thrilled with this prospect, their history would be one of repeated detours from this "highway of holiness" laid out before them. By these deviations from God's will for them, the people of Israel would fail to rise to the regal reality to which their God had called them. Although there were a number of bright moments, spiritually speaking, in their long history as a nation, it would not be until the era of the new covenant that YEHOVAH'S redeemed ones would truly become, in the way anticipated by YEHOVAH, "a kingdom of priests." In Revelation 5:9-10 we find the four living creatures and the 24 elders singing a new song, declaring of the Lamb of God, "Worthy are you to take the scroll, and to break its seals; for you were slain, and did purchase for YEHOVAH with your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And you have made them to be a kingdom of priests to YEHOVAH; and they will reign upon the earth." It would be a kingdom "not of this world" (John 18:36), Jesus told Pilate, but a spiritual kingdom in which the Spirit of YEHOVAH would dwell within His subjects: thus, while living in this world, we would nevertheless not be of this world.

In the new dispensation there would be no need for a literal physical structure (a temple) in which religious, ceremonial acts would be performed, for YEHOVAH would now dwell within the sanctuary of our hearts. There would be no further need for a priesthood (after the pattern of the Levitical priesthood who ministered in the Jewish temple), for every person who was in GOD'S ANOINTED ONE YEHOSHUA would be a priest performing priestly duties. YEHOVAH'S temple is now the called-out Assembly, and the sanctuary (the "naos") is our hearts. "Do you not know that you are a temple (literally: a "naos" = sanctuary) of YEHOVAH, and that the Spirit of YEHOVAH dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16, cf: 1 Corinthians 6:19). The "temple" of this new dispensation of grace is not a building made by human hands, but a spiritual edifice (the called-out Assembly) made up of living stones (i.e., individual believers). We are the household of YEHOVAH our Father, "having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets, GOD'S ANOINTED ONE YEHOSHUA himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple (literally: "naos" = a sanctuary) in the lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of YEHOVAH in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:19-22). "You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to YEHOVAH through YEHOSHUA THE ANOINTED ONE" (1 Peter 2:5), for "you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for YEHOVAH'S own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (vs. 9). Yes, our lord YEHOSHUA THE ANOINTED ONE "has made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father" (Revelation 1:6). "What Israel was to be as witnesses of YEHOVAH, we are as  those who have been grafted into the Israel of YEHOVAH.

No longer is YEHOVAH'S priesthood limited to a specific people (the Jews), and a specific tribe (the Levites), and a specific gender (males only). The priesthood of YEHOVAH under His new covenant is open to all who are indwelt by His Spirit. Men and women, Jews and Gentiles, slave and free, rich and poor -- ALL may serve Him within this priesthood of all believers. "Thus, the called-out Assembly is an unlimited priesthood to offer upon the altar of the consecrated, dedicated heart of the believer spiritual sacrifices, not animal sacrifices as in the case of the Levitical priests, but the activities of the human spirit of man energized by the Holy Spirit" [Dr. Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament, vol. 2, p. 53]. This priesthood of all believers is "one of the basic premises of the New Covenant: YEHOVAH invites all of us to be members of His royal priesthood; all of us have been called to ministry; all of us have both the joy and the responsibility of serving GOD'S ANOINTED ONE and each other" [Dr. Paul Cedar, The Communicator's Commentary: 1 & 2 Peter, p. 143]. He is Messiah - King of a kingdom "that transcends all geographical borders or political differences" [ibid], one in which we reign with Him by virtue of being in Him, "seated with Him in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 2:6; cf: 2 Timothy 2:12). Further, we are a kingdom of priests, a priesthood that transcends both nationality and gender. We are truly, in every sense of the word, a universal called-out Assembly of our Lord YEHOSHUA THE ANOINTED ONE: all are welcome; all may serve in whatever capacity YEHOVAH has called them and equipped them! "The distinction of priests and people, nearer and more remote from YEHOVAH, shall cease" [Drs. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Practical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, p. 1528]. "All believers alike, and not merely ministers, are now the dwelling of God and priests unto YEHOVAH" [ibid, p. 1471]. "Each member of GOD'S ANOINTED ONE shares in His eternal priesthood" [The Pulpit Commentary, vol. 22, p. 4]. "Natural descent and all other differences are obliterated" [Dr. R.C.H. Lenski, The Interpretation of the Epistles of St. Peter, p. 99].

"The whole body of Christians is in fact a priesthood. Everyone is engaged in offering acceptable sacrifice to God. The business is not entrusted to a particular class to be known as priests; there is not a particular portion to whom the name is to be especially given; but every Christian is in fact a priest, and is engaged in offering an acceptable sacrifice to God. ... The term 'priest' is applicable to all Christians alike" [Dr. Albert Barnes, Notes on the Bible, e-Sword]. "Collectively," writes Homer Hailey, "the redeemed are a kingdom; individually, they are priests" [Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary, p. 101]. Within this new covenant kingdom, brought into existence by the Messiah, we find some significant changes from the kingdom of the old covenant, but one of the most prominent, and to some: problematic, is the fact that ALL disciples are priests before YEHOVAH. Indeed, efforts have been made throughout the history of Christendom to exclude certain disciples from realizing this new reality. "This truth of the 'priesthood of all believers,' however, was rediscovered and reintroduced during the Reformation" [The Expositor's Bible Commentary, vol. 12, p. 230]. Offering up sacrifices unto the YEHOVAH was no longer restricted to the Levites, nor even to male "priests" alone (as seen in some "high church" denominations). "Every Christian can offer up spiritual sacrifices" [Dr. B.W. Johnson, The People's New Testament with Explanatory Notes, p. 359]. "Under the law of Moses the priests constituted a special class empowered to officiate in worship; inasmuch as all Christians are authorized to engage in the worship of YEHOVAH all Christians are priests, and thus together constitute a priesthood of believers. ... Such are a priesthood, because empowered to officiate in worship; and the priesthood is a 'royal' one because of its relationship to the Messiah - King" [Guy N. Woods, A Commentary on the NT Epistles of Peter, p. 58, 63].

Burton Coffman, in his Commentary on Revelation, noted that "GOD'S ANOINTED ONE has made us a kingdom, each member of which is a priest unto YEHOVAH. This is not some far-off thing that will happen in some so-called millennium; it is the status of things now in GOD'S ANOINTED ONE'S called-out Assembly" [p. 23]. The kingdom of our YEHOVAH and Father -- His forever Family; His blood-bought Called-out Assembly universal -- is made up of believers who are also commissioned as priests to offer up sacrifices unto Him. And yes, this transcends race, culture, nationality and even gender! "Every stone - son and daughter - being a spiritual sacrificer or priest, all offer up praise and thanksgiving to YEHOVAH through HIS ANOINTED ONE; and such sacrifices, being offered up in the name and through the merit of His Son, are all acceptable in His sight" [Adam Clarke, Clarke's Commentary, vol. 6, p. 851]. Where too many get "hung up" here is in their view that our priestly functions occur primarily within a church building in an official "worship service" during which we perform regulated "acts of worship." And, of course: No Women Allowed!! The phrase "worship service," however, NEVER appears in the Bible ...not even one time!! We have created a monster by taking a beautiful spiritual relationship with our Father and turning it into a rigid, regulated religion. By organizing and institutionalizing this relationship we have lost sight of the Father's universal spiritual Family, and all we are left with is a host of warring religious factions, sects and denominations  Frankly, it is shameful what has happened in Christendom over the centuries, which is why many of us are seeking to awaken our wayward brethren and bring about a much needed spiritual reformation and transformation.

YEHOVAH is little concerned with what happens within our buildings during a "worship service." Those times are for our own edification and encouragement, primarily. Where you and I truly serve as new covenant priests is in our daily lives as we offer up the sacrifice of YEHOSHUA focused, grace-centered, love-motivated lives in service to others (to YEHOVAH'S glory). "I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of YEHOVAH, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to YEHOVAH, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of YEHOVAH is, that which is good and well-pleasing and perfect" (Romans 12:1-2). Did you notice that Paul spoke of our priestly "service of worship," Not of our partisan "worship services"? We, as kingdom priests under the new covenant, no longer offer ceremonial and/or bloody sacrifices in a physical structure (temple), but rather spiritual sacrifices motivated by the Spirit indwelling YEHOVAH'S people: the new "naos" (sanctuary) of YEHOVAH. We are not only the "temple/sanctuary" ... we are not only the "priesthood" ... we are also in a very special way the "sacrifice" being offered. "Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice" (Romans 12:1). John Calvin (1509-1564) wrote, "Among spiritual sacrifices the first place belongs to the general oblation of ourselves, for never can we offer anything to YEHOVAH until we have offered ourselves (2 Corinthians 8:5) in sacrifice to Him. There follow afterwards prayers, giving of thanks, alms-deeds, and all exercises of piety." "Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to YEHOVAH, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to HIS NAME. And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices YEHOVAH is pleased" (Hebrews 13:15-16). Our spiritual sacrifices are "not actual ceremonial observances," but are rather exemplified in our daily "pattern of social conduct" [Dr. J. Ramsey Michaels, Word Biblical Commentary, vol. 49, p. 101].

Little wonder, then, that James, the brother of our lord YEHOSHUA, observed, "This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our YEHOVAH and Father: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world" (James 1:27). This prompted John Wesley (1703-1791), in speaking of our duty as priests of YEHOVAH, to say, "You are to offer up your souls and bodies, with all your thoughts, words, and actions, as spiritual sacrifices to YEHOVAH" [Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, e-Sword]. Brethren, let's cease the endless sectarian strife over what we may or may not do in a church building during a "worship service." We have divided over such nonsense long enough. Let us rather focus on our "spiritual service of worship," and, as priests of YEHOVAH, let us offer up ourselves in daily godly living as ambassadors of His grace and representatives of His love. In this way we fulfill our commission as a kingdom of priests.

Written by Al Maxey and edited by Bruce Lyon