Rebuilding - Knowledge of the Adversary - Part 3

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Study notes and Slides

Part 3- Rebuilding Knowledge of the Adversary

Slide 1

Introduction:

We have been studying over the past two teachings a Divine Parable of grand significance. To repeat the things that we have learned is only prudent. We discovered that the Land of Yisrael was a promise of prosperity but when that became a pitfall to the study of Torah & Mitzvot (Commandments) the population of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) were taken into captivity until their hunger for YAHWEH drove them to Torah observance. 

Slide 2

Finally by a decree of the King they returned to their land, only to inhabit a ruined City. NechemYAH (Nehemiah) was then sent to rebuild Yerushalayim & rebuild the lives of its inhabitants. What was so enthralling about this tale is that it has far reaching implications. The King could represent Yahshua seated at the right hand of authority with NechemYAH whose name means YAH comforts representing the RUACH Ha Qodesh (The Holy Spirit). Finally we discovered that Yerushalayim was the place that YAHWEH would place his Divine presence forever and represented in the spiritual every believer while the Temple represents the heart of a believer that had been restored from which worship of YAHWEH was brought forth. Since the city lay in ruins we perceived that this represented the Personality of the believer that needed repair which required the aid of the RUACH Ha Qodesh. 

It was also determined that just as Yerushalayim was meant to radiate the divine presence and was called to be the light of the World so too the believer was called to be the light of the World as Yahshua declared. 

With Yerushalayim lying in Ruin & its inhabitants in despair NechemYAH was greatly grieved since this is the one city of all the Earth that YAHWEH has chosen to place his name or “Shekinah” his presence. Yerushalayim therefore should be very dear to us as well, as it is the promise of his presence in the natural for all time: 

Slide 3

Also every Shabbat we read:

Ki MiTzion- For from Zion will go forth the Torah and the Word of Adonai from Yerushalayim (Jerusalem).

Since Yerushalayim is an allegory or metaphor for the believer so everything that happened there & is happening reflects the life of the believer.  Even today as we see the threats focussed towards Yerushalayim and its inhabitants we can see its correlation with the attacks on believers around the World who are being constantly terrorised. 

To refresh our understanding we discovered that the broken down walls of the City related to the need to rebuild the believer’s thinking since Sha’ul (Paul) making a plea to the Brethren says:

Romans 12: 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you prove what is that good and well pleasing and perfect desire of Elohim.

We also discovered just as the gates were for defence of the city that in times of peace they served to admit, reject or expel things and in each believer, gates serve as places of authority where believers make decisions reflected in the words and actions they make.

To fully bring to the climax the defence of the city from external attack however there was also a need to understand the enemy and his Strategies to protect the city from being overrun. This objective we will fulfil today to help us in our defence of our life based on the lessons we can learn from this great tale of victory that saw Yerushalayim restored to a sense of honour to bring glory to YAHWEH the source of life to the City & its inhabitants as he is to us as well. 

Know your Enemy:

Slide 4

This tale of rebuilding and the knowledge of the devices of the adversaries of the Yahudim (Jews) goes back to the time when Ezra the Scribe who under the edict of Koresh (Cyrus) ascended to Eretz Yisrael (the land of Israel) & especially Yerushalayim.  The Yahudim had returned with no military aid because the King had been told that the returning exiles enjoyed Divine protection as they were fulfilling a major Mitzvah or commandment by going up to the Holy Land. Upon their arrival & their desire to rebuild the Temple we get the truth revealed about the Adversary:

The Identity of the Adversary:

Just as the name NechemYAH (Nehemiah) in this story is identified as meaning the Comfort of YAH and in our life refers the comforter the RUACH Ha Qodesh (The Holy Spirit) the very name of the head conspirator is interesting. 

According to the blue letter Bible his name has a meaning of strength but when broken up the name has a twofold meaning embedded within:

Slide 5

Sanballat- has at its root the meaning of “Satan” meaning Adversary and imbedded in it is the root for Baal without the Aiyin suggesting Master. 

Therefore we have a meaning that suggests the Master of Adversity or the Master Adversary. 

Rashi and Metzudos identify Sanballat and Tobiah as the enemies who had previously succeeded in disrupting the reconstruction of the Temple in Ezra 4. These were idolatrous gentiles who had been transplanted by the Assyrian King Sennacherib thus they became known as Samaritans. In Talmudic terminology they are referred to as Cushites a constant enemy of the Yahudim (Jews).  

From the underlying meaning of the name of Sanballat we see that the true fundamental source of all trouble is Ha Satan who uses every opportunity to afflict the people of Elohim through many and varied strategies. Just as the enemy of the rebuilding would use every tactic at their disposal we need to see how these tactics could be viewed today to hinder our lives from being rebuilt.

Tehillim (Psalms) 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But YAHWEH delivers him out of them all.

When considering how YAHWEH desires our lives to prosper and be restored we need to have the principle impressed in our thoughts that no matter what happens he is for us and will deliver us.

The Tactics of the Adversary

1. “If you can’t beat them Join them”: 

Just as happened in the Garden of Eden in which Ha Satan made his play by befriending Chavah (Eve) in order to corrupt man causing him to sin against Elohim & in the book of Ezra we see his subtlety appearing:

Slide 6  

As a result of these words and the evil intent of the Gentiles in the land the Adversaries were able to delay the rebuilding of the Temple for 18 years. In the time of NechemYAH we find a very similar play for joint participation being the way the adversary works to corrupt lives. 

We see this played out over the Centuries after Yahshua with corruption drawing believers away from the original truth as the numerous Gentile influxes began to alter the truth of Torah into a message far removed from its source. Under Rome we saw Emperor Constantine partnering with the Ecclesia (The Assembly) that became known as the Church giving it authority, land and Religious dominance in the empire at the cost of compromise to join Paganism to Christianity with Constantine as the head a real “Coup d’etat” unifying the Roman Empire both politically & religiously under him. 

Slide 7

 Constantine’s Creed literally renounces absolutely everything Hebraic as well as speaking a curse over oneself.

This Slide shows how drastically Constantine compromised the Christian faith to unify the Empire under him so as to totally remove it from its Hebraic roots something most Christians have no knowledge of today or simply wish to ignore:

NechemYAH however was quick to discern the intent of these Gentiles and declared in:

Slide 8

Flavius Josephus a Jewish 1st Century Historian asserts that Sanballat was a gentile whose daughter had married a Yahudi Kohen (Jewish Priest) but after the expulsion of foreign wives under Ezra, Sanballat’s son in-law refused to expel his wife and was disqualified from the Priesthood however Sanballat later enlisted the help of Alexander the Great in setting up a rival Temple for his son in-law on Mount Gerizim. 

These inhabitants were pagans transplanted to the land of Israel who converted to Judaism though a distorted form but continued to worship Idols and were called Samaritans being “goyim” gentiles mixed with the Yahudim that remained in the land after the exile. 

From this information we see the danger of partnership with outsiders who desire to join together but have alternative motives or beliefs. Also from this we can also understand why the Yahudim (Jews) in the time of Yahshua detested Samaritans so much, since their history shows how they opposed the Yahudim (Jews) possessing the land and especially the rebuilding of Yerushalayim something that has not changed.   

Even during the early Assemblies in the “Nazarene era” men who were not of the truth entered: 

Slide 9

 If this is the case that at the time of the Talmidim (Disciples) men joined who were corrupting the faith we too need to be aware and not allow compromise or division to take root. We see that NechemYAH was quick to inspire the people to stand together as we read:

Slide 10

1. The Tactic of Ridicule & Insult: 

What we discover in this story is that deprived of joining with the Yahudi (Jewish) inhabitants of Yerushalayim their tactic changed & their evil heart revealed. NechemYAH (Nehemiah) not only discerned their intents but knew how these same people had hindered the construction of the Temple. The truth of their desire is now revealed through the following: 

Slide 11

This is the same trick the enemy will use when you are passionate about your life changing. It is even more painful when people close to you ridicule & laugh at you. Especially when you desire to take this path that we are on today many will laugh or call it legalistic but we need to realize when we are working to allow the RUACH to improve our personality and increase our understanding that the enemy wants to undermine us and he does it through people that you may love & respect but you must not accept it and resist his words believing that YAHWEH is bringing you from glory to Glory by the power of his RUACH (Spirit) in you. 

We are no different than the Yahudim in that we live in a place where our desire is to fulfil the instructions of YAHWEH clearly laid out in the Torah but we so often feel like strangers in a foreign land where those around us have such a different understanding and who so often ridicule us for our strong stance on Torah observance sighting scripture that is so often mistranslated or grossly misunderstood.

NechemYAH however did not take their words lying down rather he turned to the greatest weapon against the enemy and that was prayer. 

Slide 12

 The ridicule was overcome by prayer and a mind to work. Sometimes we work hard but fail to pray or we pray hard but fail to work so the key is to pray hard, keep believing and then act in that resolve. 

Often when we pray for someone for healing or for whatever they need, we will tell them to start acting like they have already received it. 

Yahshua says in:

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

1. The Tactic of Conspiring  

We find with each attempt to break the resolve of the Yahudim in rebuilding Yerushalayim the Adversary escalated his attacks. It is interesting to note that Sanballat knew that a frontal attack would not guarantee a victory so it was a surprise attack that they were planning. NechemYAH knowing the danger, again turned to prayer with an amazing result. 

Rashi or Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki (1040- 1115AD) notes that the forces arrayed against Yerushalayim included Yahudim (Jews) that lived in the surrounding towns. Many Yahudim (Jews) were apparently part of the enemy army yet they risked their lives to warn their brethren. Perhaps since the City lay in Ruins and was unprotected many had moved to the small towns 7 villages but fearing for their lives and that of their families they had joined the Army of the Gentiles the “Goyim”. When the critical moment came they summoned the courage to warn those in Yerushalayim. 

The sudden change of heart surely was attributed to the prayers lifted up to YAHWEH in the time of greatest need.

Slide 13

When times are tough and everything seems to be coming to a disastrous end it is first, time to pray but the good news is that YAHWEH has put the Body of Machiach together not to argue & to dispute over dubious things but rather as a fortification, so we may win over the trials. The walls of your personality will be built and the gates will be hung because with the working of the RUACH and the fellowship of believers your personality will be conformed to that of Yahshua. 

Slide 14

Conclusion:

What we notice from our discussions so far is that all the emphasis has been on the defence from the external influences. The reason for this is that just like progressive Covenants that bring us into more intimacy with YAHWEH the rebuilding of our lives works the same. 

When you wanted a relationship with someone the first thing you did was buy new clothes and clean yourself up to create a good appearance while the next thing you did was to adjust the words that come from your mouth and make decisions that were pleasing to the one you wished to impress. It was only as things went deeper that you then began to reveal your heart. 

Is it therefore any wonder that NechemYAH who came to restore not only the City but also the inhabitants of Yerushalayim that he begins with the Appearance and protection of the City in an attempt to raise the esteem of the inhabitants causing them to begin to dwell in unity as the City would now offer them a place of safety and security.  

This is how we should feel as we come into fellowship with each other in our congregation. We should feel safe against attacks if we have discovered that the beauty of Torah is not only that it teaches us Mitzvot (Commandments) but rather that through it lives are being changed through growth in personality and through a sense of being in “Echad” or unity for when this develops the rest will surely follow. 

The Worship of YAHWEH & study of his Torah is only effective if we allow his RUACH/ Spirit to mould us to a person pleasing to YAHWEH but we know that the truth is that only when the Machiach comes to reign will we see the true restoration of the land of Yisrael and of his people, all who long for his appearance. 

Slide 15

 From this point now we can begin to look inward into the area of developing Torah so the Final discussion is how NechemYAH transformed Yerushalayim into a place that radiated the presence of YAHWEH Elohim of all Creation until the time of the 1st appearance of Machiach (the Messiah):

Slide 16

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Who Is the Messiah? - The Miracles Begin - Part 4

Who Is the Messiah? – The Miracles Begin - Part 4

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Study Notes and Slides

(Slide) Yahshua HaNotzri came in the wake of the bulldozer of sinners with penitent hearts, Yochannan HaMatbil (John the Immerser). Yochannan levelled the ground for a smooth landing and a handing over of the baton of Yahweh’s will to the next accelerant – King Messiah Yahshua. 

Yochannan was the rightful High Priest of the A’aronic priesthood, exiled to the wilderness and crying out for man to grasp the reality of truth. This is why Yahshua went to him. According to Jewish law, he should have gone up to Jerusalem and presented himself to the High Priest and before the Sanhedrin. But the High Priest in Jerusalem in Yahshua’s day was illegally appointed by the Judea’s current occupiers – Rome. Added to this, many of the Sadducees and Pharisees were impostors. They were either wrongfully appointed or on King Herod’s take. 

Yahshua’s mikvah was an anointing, but it was also an act of consecration by him to his new ministry as High Priest. It was by no coincidence that Yochannan soon fell to Herod’s sword, for while there is an A’aronic Priest, the High Priest of the Order of Melchizedek cannot resume his office.  Remember, the A’aronic Priesthood is an interim Priesthood. 

(Slide) Later, when Caiaphas rent his garment (Matthew 26:65), even though his appointment was suspect, this act openly displayed his inadequacy, disqualifying the whole framework of the current priestly service. “And he that is the Kohen HaGadol (High Priest) among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes. (Leviticus 21:10)” This is why the Temple had to be destroyed. If the Temple stands, it has to be adequately manned. Tearing the High Priest robes was akin to profaning Elohim’s character. It’s ironic that Caiaphas made himself guilty of the very law he was appearing to defend. In fact, the penalty for tearing priestly garments was death.

From this point, Yahshua became our High Priest, having being publically consecrated to assume office. When the Ruach fell, much later, this symbolised the Father’s acceptance of his office through the shedding of his blood. 

(Slide) Now when Yahshua underwent Mikvah, the Ruach HaKodesh came upon him. Now though t’shuvah (repentance) was central to Yochannan’s ministry and immersion, t’shuvah is not the only reason one immerses. One who sins infrequently still requires regular immersion for matters of bodily uncleanness. The human body by definition is subject to impurities that have nothing to do with sin. Messiah was without sin, but he himself was not above his own Father’s instruction, which required one to be born of water and of spirit. “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new Ruach HaChadash (renewed spirit) in you; (Ezekiel 36:25-26a)” 

(Slide) This means that this two-fold process is a requirement for eligibility into the Kingdom of Elohim, that of a water and spiritual birth. Water and air are among the most abundant things on earth. Yahweh is not stingy with such a critical requirement. Nor is one denied salvation if they don’t receive Mikvah. Rather it’s a natural course of action in the process of one’s walk after receiving salvation.  

Water into Wine

(Slide) The concept of water and spirit is linked to Yahshua’s very first miracle. Note what Messiah Yahshua said to Rav Nichdimon (Nicodemus) during their secret meeting: “Yahshua answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of Elohim unless they are born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5)’” What was Yahshua’s first miracle? It was turning water into wine! These waters at the wedding feast weren’t just any waters. They were waters of ritual purification. The water Yahshua transformed to wine, was the same waters the Jews used to purify themselves.  

(Slide) “On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Yahshua’s mother was there, and Yahshua and his talmidim had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Yahshua’s mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’ ‘Woman, why do you involve me?’ Yahshua replied. ‘My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you. (John 2:1-5)”

“On the third day…” The third day of the week, Tuesday is the preferred day for weddings in Israel because on the third day of the creation week, Elohim pronounced things “good” twice (Genesis 1:10,12); the only time He did so in the seven days of Creation. Therefore the third day is known as a day of double blessing, the best day of the week to begin a new life.

“…a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee.” The mention of this wedding symbolised the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, when Messiah Yahshua marries his bride (Israel), reminding us that the beginning of a matter is wedge in the end and the end of a matter is wedged in the beginning. The town Cana (Chanah) represents creation. The root-verb קנה (qana) means to acquire or create. The name Channah means “gift from Elohim” and Chanukah means “to dedication.” 

“Woman, why do you involve me?’ Yahshua replied. ‘My hour has not yet come.’”  The request from Yahshua’s mother represents an acknowledgment of a waning joy and hope and the crying out for Moshiach to be hastened. So from this we know that Messiah can come before a predesignated time if we continue to tarry with him. 

(Slide) Furthermore, the phrase, “why do you involve me” is actually a Hebrew Idiom used five times throughout the TaNaK, which actually should read, “What to me and to you?” which means, "What has it to do with you and me?" In other words, ‘You have perceived that something is wrong, so you want me to intervene now?’ This eludes to the remedy (Messiah) that has been prepared before the sickness (sin). The use of the title “’woman’ over ‘mother’ denotes the seed of a woman who will overcome the serpent. What will it be overcome by? The blood, represented by the wine, which the guests comment is better than this first wine (the first blood, that of animals), which is not as good as the latter blood – the shedding of Messiah’s blood.  Miriam asks for new wine. Why? “How wonderful and beautiful they will be! The young men will thrive on abundant grain, and the young women will flourish on new wine. (Zechariah 9:17)”

(Slide) “But there were there six water casks of stone, set for the purifying of the Judeans, which held two or three nine-gallon-measures each (twenty or thirty gallons). (John 2:6)” Also note the six stone casks. These correspond to the six tasks that Moshiach has to accomplish. 

These are called the six Messianic Expectations:

1. The correct genealogy.
2. Be anointed King of Israel.
3. Return Israel back to the promised land
4. Restore the Temple in Jerusalem.
5. Bring peace to the world and end all war.
6. Bring knowledge of Elohim to the world.

These six tasks are derived from the six things that Adam lost after the fall!

Yahshua is six things: He is the Word (dvar or memra) (John 1:1), the Light (John 1:4), the Son Elohim (John 1:14), Lamb of Elohim (John 1:29), Messiah (John 1:41), and being the Sovereign (John 1:49).

Each water cask contained 30 gallons of water. There were 6 casks totalling 180 gallons of water corresponding to the 180 years of Yitzhak’s (Isaac’s) life. The Binding Yitzhak, known as the Akedah in Genesis 22 was a type of Moshiach.   

(Slide) Here we get to the true spiritual significance of these large water casks for purification. Messiah is making a statement about purification. Water purifies, but so too does the spirit, represented by transforming the water into alcohol, a product that is symbolic of the Spirit. In this case it is wine. Fermented grapes also represents Messiah’s blood. 

Messiah symbolically drew blood from within stones. Remember the idiom, “It’s like drawing blood from a stone,” which denotes trying to do the impossible. Well, Messiah’s first miracle was on this extreme level. 

(Slide) Just as in an actual birth of a child there is water and blood, so the new birth, must also be by water and blood. 

“This is the one who came by water and blood—Yahshua HaMoshiach. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Ruach who testifies, because the Ruach is emet (the truth). (1 John 5:6)”

The guests consume the wine, symbolically partaking of Messiah’s blood, which would be shed for the remission of sin.   "Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the Rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the Rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink... (Exodus 17:6)" Yahshua is our rock of salvation according to Psalm 62:2 and he was smitten and out poured his blood. So it is confirmed that the beginning of a matter is wedge in its end and the end of a matter is wedged in its beginning, because when Yahshua was pierced out came water and blood.  “…one of the soldiers pierced Yahshua’s side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. (John 19:34)” 

(Slide) This incident also connects Messiah to the water libation ceremony that is carried out at the conclusion of Sukkot, where water and wine is poured out togther. 

“And on the great day, which is the last of the feast, Yahshua stood and cried out and said, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scriptures have said, rivers of water of life will flow from his belly. (John 7:37-38)’” The occasion of this event is the last great day of Sukkot (John 7:2) and the setting is the water libation ceremony at the Temple. A priest had a flask of gold filled with water and another has a flask of gold filled with wine. There were two silver bowls perforated with holes like a narrow snout. One was wide for the water the other is narrow for the wine. The priests poured the wine and water into each of their bowls. The wine and water mixed together. The wine flowing slowly through the narrow snout and the water flowing quickly through the wider snout.

(Slide) Who is the Messiah? He is Yahshua, the Rock. The rock that contains the water of rebirth and spirit of redemption that comes in fire. “Yahweh is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my Elohim is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalms 18:2)” 

(Slide) Now, it’s not a popular message, but here goes. You can either take Yahshua up as your shield (Psalm 18:35) by taking up two inverted daletot, two corner stones, rejected by the builders of the Torah, or you can walk away. But in time Yahshua, the rock which was supposed to be your help, will become your end. That’s why capital punishment usually comes in the form of stoning. It represents Yahshua, who should be a person’s magen, his shield of salvation, but instead to a disobedient person who refuses to repent, he becomes a stone that causes injury and even death.

(Slide) “Then (David) took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. He said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his elohim. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give your flesh unto the birds of the heavens, and to the beasts of the field. David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of Yahweh Almighty, the Elohim of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day Yahweh will deliver you into my hands, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is an Elohim in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that Yahweh saves; for the battle is Yahweh’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.’ As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground. (1 Samuel 17:40-49)”

David gathered up five smooth stones. Why? Each stone represented five of the Messianic Expectations, with he, himself, be the fulfilment of the sixth (the genealogy). 

1. The correct genealogy.
2. Be anointed King of Israel.
3. Return Israel back to the Promised Land
4. Restore the Temple in Jerusalem.
5. Bring peace to the world and end all war.
6. Bring knowledge of Elohim to the world.

All five stones and David himself represented Messiah. Notice, he kept them in a shepherd’s pouch. For years we’ve looked at the law of stoning as if it was a rabbinic observance, seeing it mishandled with the incident with the adulterous woman and the stoning of Stephen.  But, if it is executed correctly, the cast stone represents Messiah who vanquishes our enemies. 

(Slide) The Hebrew word for “stone” is even, spelled alef, beit, nun.  This is an acronym for av ben, which means, “father son.” Every stone is the union of father and son. 

(Slide) David slew Goliath with a sling and stone. A sling is made out of natural materials that are readily available in the wilderness and the stone is as plentiful as the dust under one’s feet. 

We’ll take a moment to watch this short video to see the lethality of the simple stone and sling. Watch carefully at the speed and accuracy of the stone as it is launched from the sling. 

(Slide) Where did David hit Goliath? The forehead, the Gulgoleth (Golgotha), the skull! With what? A stone! This alludes to Messiah’s victory at the place of the first skull – Adam’s skull. 

Every attack of the enemy is directed at the mind. It is the enemy’s goal to cause us to make a decision against what we know is right, and to make repeated wrong decisions, become comfortable with these wrong decisions and have us repeat them so often that it feels impossible to take another course of action. 

We see that Yahweh, with great effect, uses the stone to damage and to preserve.  

We must remember that a stone can be used to help or hurt us, wine can be used to relax or inebriate us and water can drown or renew us. It’s all in how we use them. 

These are just some of the gleanings found in Yahshua’s miracle of changing water into wine.

Defining Miracles

Before we go any further, let’s look at the concept of miracles. What are miracles? 

(Slide) “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant…There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  There are differences of ministries, but the same Sovereign. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same Elohim who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given…the working of miracles…But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (1 Corinthians 12:1,4-8, 10, 11)”

Miracles are a gift! Working miracles within the body are often like the big gun that everyone in a survival video game wants to carry and use. No one usually fights over who is doing first aid or carrying the radio. Many want to do miracles, healings, deliver prophecy or teach!

The Gift of the Working of Miracles is a manifestation of the Spirit of Yahweh that comes in the form of a supernatural act. In other words, every occurrence which contrasts with the ordinary happenings of life is counted a miracle or wonder. Miracles are not meant to just comfort or convenience humankind. Miracles show Israel how deeply Yahweh cares.“…that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power,  which He worked in Messiah when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places…(Ephesians 1:18-20)”

(Slide) The greatest miracle of all is that Yahweh is working His mighty power in King Messiah YahShua through us as an expression of manifesting His will in Heaven to earth.

The word miracles comes from the Greek word dunamis which means "power and might that multiplies itself." The Gift of the Working of Miracles operates closely with the power gifts of faith and healings to bring authority over the Sitre Ahura (Dark Forces), sickness, sin, and the binding forces of this age.

Miracles come in the wake of ministry not in the front of it. Miracles confirm ministry. “…these signs will follow those who believe: ‘In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’ So then, after the King had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of Yahweh. And they went out and preached everywhere, the King working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amien. (Mark 16:17-20)”

(Slide) The Torah lays down the principle that miracles are no test of the truth of the thing for which their testimony is invoked. “If a prophet arise among you who giveth a sign or wonder, and the sign or wonder comes to pass, but he desires to lead you into idolatry, you shall not hearken to that prophet, for Yahweh your Elohim is trying you to see whether you truly love Yahweh your Elohim (Deuteronomy 13:1-3)” Miracles alone do not prove a religious truth, as they are performed also in the cause of untruth. But truth accompanied by miracles prove truth. We are expected to not put or faith in a truth based on a miracle alone, but put our faith in a truth because it is truth alone and let a miracle confirm it.  

(Slide) The Hebrew word for miracle is nes. It is the same Hebrew word for flag pole. A miracle is an elevated event. Something extraordinary that happens, allowing us to see Elohim’s hand clearly.

(Slide) Turning the water into wine is not the miracle. Anyone of us can turn water into wine, it takes a little time. You have a grape vine, you pour water at the base, you tend it, grow grapes, pick them off, crush them and you make wine. Water turns into wine. But it doesn't happen instantly. The miracle in the water and the wine is the time. King Messiah YahShua transcended the time. Here we have this wedding in Canaan of Galilee and you have six full water pots for the water of purification. That's the first miracle in the story, He was proclaiming himself the Messiah. I have the authority to take charge over the water that makes clean, that is the most holy . I, and I alone, can command you to fill those jars. That's the miracle.

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Who is the Messiah? - Solitary Refinement - Part 3

Who is the Messiah? - Part 3

Solitary Refinement

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Video Teaching

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Study Notes and Slides

(Slide) In part 1 we looked at how Messiah fulfilled the prophecy of the shoot that would rise from the stump of Jessy fulfilling the prophecy in Jeremiah 23. “Behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that I will raise up from David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. (Jeremiah 23:5)” 

We looked at the prophetic meaning of his name, being Yah’s salvation that we have cried out for. In Hebrew thought, the name of something always embodies its character and mission and the Son’s name shouldn’t be that greater mystery, but it is. We saw that his name matters. Even in the Tanach, Solomon (Shlomo HaMelech) challenges us to know the Son’s name. “He said to me: ‘Who went up to Heaven and came down, and who is holding the wind in his palms? Who has bound the waters in a napkin and who has established all the ends of the Earth? What is his Name, and what is his Son's Name, if you know? (Proverbs 30:4)’” 

We looked at how Yahshua is the embodiment of the Torah. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)” We looked at how Yahshua is also the testimony, in that his life and mission are a testimony that we cleave to. “Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring--those who keep Elohim's commands and hold fast their testimony about Yahshua. (Revelations 12:17)” The difference between the Torah and the Testimony is that the Torah is instruction and the Testimony is the experience of that instruction. 

We looked at how he is the embodiment of Israel and how Israel is the embodiment of him with regard to both Israel and Messiah both being referred to as Yah’s first born son. “(Yahshua and his parents) stayed (in Egypt) until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Adonai had said through the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’ (Matthew 2:15)” “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. (Hosea 11:1)” Together with Yahweh we are all echad with Yahshua in that compound unity, that complete inseparable wholeness. Echad, which we translate as “one” means a two or more individuals acting as if they are one individual in every conceivable way. Does this mean that attaining this state forfeits our personality? No more than a big toe can become a right eye and vice-versa. In other words, just as there is a diversity in the human anatomy, so to there is a diversity in the body of Moshiach, but all work in complete harmony. 

In Part 2 we saw how Yahshua’s parents took great pains to keep him concealed before his ministry, and how even after his ministry commenced that there were things he didn’t do. Thus teaching us that there is a level of covertness and discernment that we should maintain in our ministry, moving in accordance with the Ruach, which sometimes reveals us and sometimes conceals us. This is why Yahshua says, “Behold, I’m sending you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: therefore be as wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16)” 

We looked at how he is Moshiach, the anointed one, who is capable of such a great and thorough rescue from sin and death. The concept of an “anointed” or “consecrated one” signifies Yahweh’s special seal of authorisation, separating one from his own desires to do His will. An anointed one carries Yahweh’s Divine emblem. 

We learnt how the term Moshiach carries the root word Moshe, meaning “to be drawn from,” specifically from the Father’s bosom. Messiah was in the bosom of the Father as it says, “No man has seen Elohim at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him. (John 1:18)” This use of a specific part of the anatomy denotes that Yahshua came from the heart and was extended out from the Father as His right arm. “Elohim exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. (Acts 5:31)” In other words, Yahweh has His whole heart are set on us and is using His best means, his own right arm to save us. 
We looked at how Yahweh used John (Yochannan) to cultivate the hearts of the masses, preparing souls for the coming of the Deliverer. We looked at Yahshua’s first act of ministry, immersing himself in a gathering of living waters (a mikvah). We learnt quite a bit about a mikvah’s significance and its various applications. Both teachings are available on our website, including video, PowerPoints shows and text format.

The Ruach HaKodesh

(Slide) Once immersed, Yahshua receives the anointing of the Ruach HaKodesh and following this an audible testimony to Yahshua’s identity emanates from the sky. “…and the Ruach HaKodesh descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased. (Luke 3:22)” 

What’s interesting is the apparent lack of astonishment by any onlookers at the incident. Two anomalies took place. One is the physical manifestation of the Ruach HaKodesh and the other was an audible voice from heaven. We know that Yochannan was present and that the two manifestations were to confirm to him that Yahshua was the Messiah. “I didn't recognise him, but I came immersing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel. And Yochannan gave this testimony, saying, ‘I saw the Ruach descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. (John 1:31-32)’”

(Slide) Yochannan’s water ministry was designed to identify the Messiah. In other words, he knew that eventually someone was going to be immersed by him who would receive a visible manifestation of the Ruach and an audible confirmation from heaven. 

(Slide) Considering the lack of awe from any onlookers, it is reasonable to assume that the audible voice from heaven could have been a “bat kol.” A bat kol is a low level form of Divine Inspiration. It literally means the "daughter of a voice" [or understood as an "echo"]. Normally, a bat kol was only heard by tzaddikim, who were otherwise worthy of prophecy. Nevertheless, when the situation demanded it, it could even be heard by gentiles. In many cases, it was heard by everyone worthy, but in others, it was only heard by a single individual. The bat kol was heard until the Sanhedrin ceased to function (around 361 CE). In Jewish literature the bat kol is often referred to as having “the the voice of a dove.” So the manifestation of a dove descending is possibly visible speech. In other words, fiery Hebrew letters clustered together and fluttering down like a dove emanating with a bat kol. 

The Children of Israel often saw the sound of Elohim’s voice. "And all the nation saw the voices and the torches and the voice of the horn. (Exodus 20:14)” In The Book of Revelation, we also find John seeing the sound of a voice. “Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden menorot. (Revelations 1:12)”

(Slide) A bat kol is like a voice heard in the mind. Although it sometimes sounds like a voice from heaven, it is a prophetic, rather than a physical voice, and it is only heard by those for whom it is intended. Regarding the bat kol it is written, "Your ears shall hear a voice behind you. (Isaiah 30:21)” In the Talmud a bat kol is mentioned as complaining like a dove in the ears of a rabbi walking through the ruins of Jerusalem saying: “Wo to the children, because of whose sins I have destroyed my house” – Tractate Berakoth. 3a

The voice of Elohim without the filter of the echo causes trauma and death to a hearer. “ And all the people saw the thunder and the lightning and the noise of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moshe, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have Elohim speak to us or we will die." (Exodus 20:18)” In order that people not be killed, the bat kol was required. Whenever the voice of Yahweh is heard and there is no physical harm, it’s reasonable to assume it is a bath ḳōl. In the era of the prophets the bat kol was almost non-existent, becaue the Na’avi was Yah’s mouth-piece, but as prophecy departed the Ruach HaKodesh manifest with the bat kol became widespread. 

(Slide) In the account of the fulfilment of the latter rain prophecy of Joel 2:28-32 in chapter 2 of Book of Acts we see the Ruach being poured out, resembling tongues of fire. “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. (Acts 2:2-3)” The “tongues of fire” is a direct reference to Hebrew letters. At this time the talmidim of Yahshua begun to speak of the testimony of Yahshua in languages they did not know. Again, the audible nature of what occurs has a visible manifestation. More than likely, the dove, was “black fire on white fire,” yet another expression of the Hebrew language fluttering in a cluster of Hebrew letters resembling the movement of a dove. 

(Slide) So what is the Ruach HaKodesh? Is it a person, one of a triune G-dhead, or is it the Holy Ghost?

(Slide) Ruach simply means “breath.” Dishonest scribes have mystified it by applying ecclesiastical terminology to it with the word “spirit.” They did the same with the term “angel” instead of messenger, “apostle” instead of sent-one, “holy” instead of set-apart and “church” instead of gathering and they did it to many more terms to wrestle meanings away from original context. 
The Ruach is literally Yahweh Elohim’s breath that is a Divine force that gives life to all things. The ant crawls and the earth rotates by every life-giving exhale of Yahweh’s breath. The Encyclopaedia of Judaica says that “the most noticeable difference between sentient beings and dead things, between the living and the dead, is in the breath. Whatever lives breathes; whatever is dead does not breathe.”

Although Elohim created man to live on a physical plane, He did not close off the spiritual completely. Yahweh arranged creation so that even while in the physical world, man would be able to open a door to the spiritual and experience the Divine. This would constitute the highest perfection that a mortal human can attain. “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18). “…in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:4)” 

(Slide) The Ruach HaKodesh is the actuator that triggers or “quickens” Divine prophecy and wisdom. It is that Divine force that causes Yahweh to directly influence everything in the universe. By the Ruach, an attribute of Yahweh, maintains creation from moment to moment. The Father is constantly breathing life into existence. “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you--they are full of the Spirit and life. (John 6:63)” The Ruach HaKodesh is a higher form of this breath, an overriding power that contains a more concentrated awareness of the Father. The Hebrew word Ruach is used 389 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. What do the Nazarene Writings and the Talmud have in common? They both use the expression “Ruach HaKodesh.” The Ruach HaKodesh is never mentioned by name in the Torah. In fact, it’s not until half-way through the Scriptures until it is mentioned. It is first mentioned in Psalm 51:11 and then only used twice in the Book Of Isaiah (Isaiah 63:10,11). The more usual expression for Holy Spirit in the Tanach is “Spirit of Elohim” or “Spirit of Yahweh.” 

(Slide) Though the Ruach is sometimes assigned a male gender it is not considered a person. The Shekinah is sometimes assigned a female gender, but it is not considered to be a female person. The Shekinah is a comforting manifestation of the Ruach. It is that part of the Ruach that has gone into exile with Israel and gives us hope during hardships. 

How does one obtain the Ruach HaKodesh? There are ten steps a person must go through before attainment of the Ruach HaKodesh. (Click through) They are:

1. Constant study and observance of the teachings of the Torah (Torah)
2. Scrupulous care not to violate a single law (care; zehirut)
3. Constant diligence to fulfill every commandment (diligence; zerizut)
4. Living completely free of sin, in thought and in deed (cleanliness; nekiut)
5. Avoiding even the permissible when it may lead to wrong (abstinence; perishut)
6. Purifying oneself of all sin, both past and present (purification; tahora)
7. Dedication to Elohim, far beyond the call of the Law (piety; chasidut)
8. Absolute negation of the self (humility; anava)
9. Loving Elohim so much as to dread all sin and evil (fear of sin; yirat chet)
10. Total negation of the worldly (holiness; kedushah)

(Slide) On occasion, the Ruach can come upon a person on occasion without all of the afore mentioned steps or without the act of deep spiritual meditation. Incessant and fervent study of the Torah alone can induce this state. It can also be attained through deep meditation in fixed prayer. It can also come automatically through a great act of faith, or from the observance of a commandment executed through pure joy.

King David was able to rouse the Ruach through music.

(Slide) Once a person had completed all these steps, he was then ready to engage in the exercises of meditation (hit'bod'edut) that were used to attain the Divine inspiration of the Ruach HaKodesh. These exercises would consist of the contemplation of Divine names, as well as the chanting of psalms and prayers. The purpose of these exercises was to totally isolate the mind, both from external stimuli and internal thought, leaving it perfectly clear to receive the divine influx.

This is why immediately following his immersion and confirmation, Yahshua is taken by the Ruach into isolation for a period of time. Yahshua, full of the Ruach HaKodesh, left the Yarden and was led by the Ruach into a solitary place. (Luke 4:1)” 

(Slide) Some Gospel accounts say that he was taken away to be tempted by HaSatan. Others say he was ministered to by angels and that his temptations came at the close of his 40 day fasting and seclusion when he became very hungry. Rather, his 40 day isolation was filled with deep meditation to prepare him for his time of tempting at the conclusion of this time. 

“Then Yahshua was led by the Ruach into the wilderness to be tempted by the HaSatan. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of Elohim, tell these stones to become bread. (Matthew 4:1-3)”
After refusing HaSatan at all the chief points of entry that are exploited by the enemy, temptations and cravings of the flesh (in the form of sating hunger) wealth, and power, the Accuser departs until another opportune time. After his departure, Yahshua is then ministered to by messengers from Heaven. “Then the devil left him, and messengers (angels) came and attended him. (Matthew 4:11)” 

(Slide) But what happened during these forty days? 

(Slide) Answer: Everything that happened to the Children of Israel in the desert for 40 years, happened to Yahshua in 40 days. He was in a human body, an organic tomb, a weak flesh-bag. As we read through the Torah and we see hardships buffet the nation and how Yahweh literally trims back those parts of the multitude that are weak, lazy, stubborn, arrogant, fool hardy, half-cocked, ignorant, impatient, selfish, frightened, frustrated, haughty, headstrong, lust filled, forgetful, disrespectful, unappreciative, angry and obstinate, Yahshua is trimming away those parts of himself that that are prone to the same sin of the first humans. To avoid food for forty days, brings a person very near to death. You can’t go much longer than forty days without food before it begins to cause irreparable damage to the body. Yahshua took his mind and made it superior to all his other organs. The brain should say to the tongue, “I’m in charge” and the heart “I’m in charge” and all his members, “I’m in charge!” 

A mind of one entirely resolved to serve Messiah with his entire being, needs to be removed from everything for a time. Whether it’s for 40 seconds, 40 minutes or 40 years. What’s the significance of 40?

(Slide) The number 40 represents transition or change; the concept of renewal; a new beginning. The number 40 has the power to lift a spiritual state. Consider: When a person becomes ritually impure, he must immerse in a ritual bath, a mikveh. The Talmud tells us that a mikveh must be filled with 40 se'ahs (a measure of water). Immersion in a mikveh is the consummate Jewish symbol of spiritual renewal. It is no accident that in the story of Noah, the rain poured for 40 days, and submerged the world in water. Just as a person leaves a mikveh pure, so too when the waters of the flood subsided, the world was purified from the licentiousness which had corrupted it in the days of Noah. Moshe was on Mt. Sinai for 40 days and came down with the stone tablets. The Jews arrived at Mt. Sinai as a nation of Egyptian slaves, but after 40 days they were transformed into Elohim's nation.

It takes 40 days for an embryo to be formed in its mother's womb. 40 represents the four sides of the world, each side containing the ten Sefirot (esoteric powers).

(Slide) Many times in Rebbe Yahshua’s ministry we find him removed from people, in a quiet solitary place, alone with Yahweh, deeply immersed in concentrated prayer. “But Yahshua often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Luke 5:16)” 

The act of hit'bod'edut was a constant feature of Yahshua’s life and ministry. The portion of time he spent in isolation far outweighed the time he spent in anyone’s company. “It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He (Yahshua) spent the whole night in prayer to Elohim. (Luke 6:12)”

“After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. (Matthew 14:23)”

Think about it, for 29 years Yahshua grew up in virtual obscurity, preparing for what was all of 1 to 2 ½ or 3 ½ years of ministry - depending on your view. The ratio of prep far exceeds the ratio of actual execution of a task. 

(Slide) Even before his crucifixion we find him in isolation, praying for so long that his own talmidim fall asleep. “Then Yahshua came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His talmidim, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray. (Matthew 26:36)’” He prays for 1 hour, takes a break, prays again and takes another break and prays for a third time before alerting his talmidim of his betrayal and capture. It’s reasonable to assume that during this time Yahshua prays for approximately three hours on his own. 

(Slide) Much of what we know of the concept of hitbodedút “self-seclusion,” comes to us from Rabbi Nachman of Breslov from around the time of the 1700s. But hitbodedút goes all the way back to the time of Avraham, who stood by night gazing at the stars in complete isolation, tending his sheep. This is why the profession of shepherd was so prized by Torah Scholars, because it provided an income and also required them to spend many, many hours, days and weeks away from any type of human contact. 

Hitbodedút refers to an unstructured, spontaneous and individualised form of prayer and meditation that is not meant to replaced fixed prayer, but supplement it. It was said by Rabbi Nachman that it is best observed in one’s mother’s own tongue, meaning that is to be engaged in one’s native language rather than strictly Hebrew. Rebbe Nachman's religious philosophy revolved around closeness to Elohim and speaking to Elohim in normal conversation “as you would with a best friend.” We see Yahshua very much engaged in this type of no ritual prayer before his crucifixion, travailing in the Spirit. 

(Slide) The best place to do hitbodedut was in a field or forest, among the natural works of Elohim's creation. But failing this, one can use an empty room to perform self-seclusion. “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6)”

Why is hitbodedut so important? Yahweh seeks open and honest communication and the best way for this to occur is when one is alone, unhindered by the temptation to posture prayer for anyone nearby. If one is engaged in public prayer, such as in a large gathering at the Western Wall, it is traditional to speak no more than above a whisper, so the words spoken are only heard by the one who is praying. "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. (Matthew 6:5)” 

Encouragement and compliments on the elegance of another’s prayer endangers the recipient by inhibiting his reward to be confined to the earthly realm rather than allowing his Heavenly treasury to be added to. 

(Slide) Yahshua spent time surrendering his own will. He had a body at this time like we do now and it takes time to unload our own will and clear our minds. But when we do we can more understand Yahshua’s mindset when he spoke the words, “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. (John 5:30)” 

A believer should find time each day to hide himself away from the distractions of the world and commune with the Father in deep reflective prayer. Yahshua did this and we should certainly considering doing so ourselves. 

(Slide) Yahshua became a human being. He was fully man, known in Hebrew as the בן–אדם, ben-'adam. So if he was human, he was comprised of a form that contains the knowledge to do good and evil, a yetza hara and a yetza hatov, a form of evil and a form of good. He needed to bring his body into full submission, depriving it of food and all human contact. His time out in the wilderness was more of an ordeal than his crucifixion, how many of you know it! His actions out there were more critical, because it cemented his resolve out there. HaSatan gave him everything a man can be offered in this world. In comparison, a beating and a hanging from a tree was a walk in the park. The shame he stood to bear if he failed over the physical agony of the execution tree doesn’t compare. You now shame is the most painful thing a human being can bear. Yes he experience shame on the tree, but it wasn’t his own shame. It was ours. 

Messiah is the son of man.