Trianon event

I am announcing the upcoming meeting at the Trianon Hotel in Bonita Springs Florida, on this saturday February 21. The gathering time will be at 7:00 p.m. I hope you are able to attend and bring a friend. We look forward to meeting you there.

The message will relate to Jesus and our Jewish roots, with emphasis on the transmission of truth from "his" kingdom message" to the "apostles doctrine." I will also relate about Paul's gospel and show his view from Jewish perspective about the law of God.

Highway 41 in Bonita Springs Florida, intersecting Bay Commons Drive, is the place to arrive. The actual address is 3401 Bay Commons Drive. As usual, we will share some Hebrew words and thoughts to enrich understanding.

Ron

messiah/messias/mashiach

Messias/“mashiach”/messiah)

The word Christ is found often in the English King James Version Bible, being the Greek language term used in translation for the Hebraic concept of anoint/anointed.
The term occurs often in the New Testament section of the Christian Bible. Since Christians also use the Hebrew bible portion, which they call the Old Testament, we can easily found the ancient Hebrew source word that equates the term christ. Before it was rendered into Greek or English, the Hebrew word is משׁיח (mashiach). It’s found in 4 verses of the Christian Bible and translated with spellings of messiah and messias.

In Daniel 9:25, and Daniel 9:26, it was spelled messiah in the K.J.V. The Jewish Publication Society (JPS) rendered it “anointed leader” and “anointed one” in their translation version.

Two other verse locations in the Christian Bible (KJV), are John 1:41 and John 4:25, where a different English spelling is used for the word christ or mashiach. In those examples the spelling was messias.

The Septuagint Greek Version of the Hebrew Torah, made around 285 B.C., also used the Greek term christ, in that oldest Greek version of the bible. Supposedly, it was made by 72 scholars sent from Jerusalem to Alexandria, and for the benefit of the Royal Library there. There is also some indication that the growing Jewish population in Alexandria had become sufficiently hellenized to need a Greek translation of the Hebrew Torah ( 5 books).

In the Hebrew scriptures, the anointing not only applied to objects, kings, prophets, or things set apart, but also to authority figures chosen of God to lead His people. We even have an example of a pagan king named Cyrus (Khoresh), who didn’t know the Lord, but was anointed with authority and chosen of God to shepherd Israel (see Isaiah 45:1, למשׁיחוֹ, for His messiah/anointed).

There is a need for Christians to understand that the Hebraic concept of mashiach exists yet today among Jews, and is one of 13 basic principles of Judaism. But, Jews do not employ the Greek term christ to express that concept, and they do not believe that Jesus fulfilled the requirements. This writing is an attempt to relate when the term cristos (christ) had its beginning in scriptures, and shows how Hebrew concepts impacted the Greek world and Christianity.

If the Septuagint Greek translation of the Torah, had never been made,
the concept of messiah, would never have been expressed with the Greek term christ, except perhaps in a Greek speaking world when Christianity was first introduced. That appears to be exactly what has happened.

Some Christians think that the term mashiach or messiah/messias, is only a reference to Jesus, or originates only from the Greek New Testament term cristos (anointed). But the Hebrew Bible has numerous verses using the Hebrew term, and refers to others, and not Jesus; and in one case, the plural term is used of the sons of Aaron, showing that more than one messiah (anointed one) operated simultaneouslyהכּוֹהנים המּשׁוּחים (anointed PRIESTS), in Numbers 3:3.

Leviticus 4:3 mentions the “anointed priest” (K.J.V.), הכּהן המּשׁיח, (haKohen haMashiach or “the anointed kohen/priest”). In some sense every Levitical priest in the Hebrew Bible was a messianic type figure; a christ, if we dare to use Septuagint Greek terms. Matter of fact, Leviticus 4:5, and 4:16, also refer to each priest by the Hebrew term mashiach, and with the Hebrew direct article; “The.”

It’s also true of Leviticus 6:22. which even names sons of the priests with terms
הכּהן המשׁיח the Lord’s anointed, which in Greek would be the Lord’s Christ.

Thus, the first individual(s) in the bible to be designated or specifically linked to the term “mashiach” (messiah), were Israelite priests who literally had holy oil placed upon them.

In Lamentations 4:20, “the anointed of the Lord,” משׁיח יהוֹה(Mashiach Yehovah); is a possible reference to King Josiah, who was killed by Egyptian archers (see 2Chronicles 35:23-25). In the Septuagint, the terms used are “ho christos”. Some think it could also be a reference to captive Israel, after considering verses like Psalm 105:14-15, "mashicho" ; which refer to collective Israel; Gods anointed.

Other verses refer to both kings Saul and David as anointed (christ in the Septuagint, the mashiach in the Hebrew version).

Many verses indicate that King Saul was the Lord’s anointed (mashiach). See
1Samuel 24:10 (24:7) and 12:3, 12:5, and 1Samuel 24:6.

King David is also referred to as the Lords anointed with the terms mashiach in the Hebrew text, and christos in the Greek text. See Psalm 84:9, 89:38, 89:51, 132:10, and Psalm 132:17.

Thus, we have in the Hebrew bible: 1. the mashiach/ messiah priests, plural 2. the mashiach/messiah priest, 3. an individual mashiach/messiah spoken of twice in Daniel, 4. King Saul a mashiach/messiah anointed by a prophet, 5. King David, three times anointed with holy oil, 6. Cyrus a Persian king משׁיחוֹ (His anointed),
mashiach/messiah, 7. A reference in Lamentations 4:20, יהוֹה משׁיח (mashiach Yehovah), the anointed of the Lord.

Pointing out these things establish that certain phraseology was employed long before the Christian doctrine regarding Jesus came into being. It also shows that Hebrew to Greek translators of the Septuagint did not attach divine worship to any person described by the terms “christ” or “the christ,” (or messiah). Only in the case of Cyrus and kings, who were God’s mashiach to Israel, and who were literal kings, was subjection and obeisance the normal. Respect and honor was certainly shown all leaders and teachers, but no anointed person was worshipped as Divine.

In the case of the priests, who were reverenced as Gods anointed, prayers and worship were never at any time directed to them personally. The Jewish understanding was, and is; that an anointed person was never to be worshipped as God. Neither was any human worshipped by devout Jews, as a Divine being.

In Jewish thought, the messiah is not to take the place of God, rather he is supposed to be Gods instrument to usher in a world peace that makes the nations turn their swords into plowshares and spears into pruninghooks (see Isaiah 2). He shall judge among the nations and rebuke many people. Neither shall they learn war any more. This will be in a time when the literal walls of God’s House will be rebuilt and the nations shall say; Let us go up to the mountain of the House of the Lord, to the House of the God of Jacob, and he (mashiach) will teach us of God’s ways.

Not only did Isaiah foresee and foretell that Jerusalem and Tzion, would be the place from which the Torah (law) of the Lord, and the word of God, would go forth to all the earth, but Micah 4:2 expresses the exact same. Thus, we have the witness of two Hebrew prophets, expressing coming messianic events. Jewish sages agree that those are messianic prophecies that the anointed of the Lord will perform. Ibn Ezra went so far as to say that messiah will preside at the Temple in Jerusalem (see Artscroll Mesorah comments on Micah 4:2).

It matters little that we try to tell our Jewish friends that Jesus will fulfill those prophecies at his second coming. They just point out that he failed the first time, since the last 2,000 years have been filled with wars and bloodshed, and the Temple is not yet restored. Nevertheless, they hold hope for the coming mashiach, and though he tarry, they yet await him. I heard a cute story told once about an honest Jews comment to a Christian, who told him that messiah had already come and it was Jesus. The Jew replied; “I’m going to ask mashiach when he comes; have you been here before?”

A final thought based upon my scriptural research should be added here, since it relates well to the subject of mashiach or “anointed” ones.

In my studies I learned an amazing thing regarding the life of King David. I found him to be the only person in the Hebrew Bible that was literally anointed three times with holy oil. The first anointing was mentioned in 1Samuel 16:13, when David was a shepherd, and the Spirit of the Lord rested on David from that time.

The second literal anointing was made upon David, by the men of Judah when they made him ruler over the House of Judah as recorded in 2Samuel 2:4).

The third literal anointing was given in Hebron, according to 2Samuel 5:3, when the tribes of Israel and its elders anointed David to rule over them.

The first anointing was a prophetic anointing, to watch God’s flock (people).
The second anointing was a King’s-to rule.
The third anointing was to unify and consolidate God’s people (kingdom).

Wow! No body ever had such grace and choseness bestowed upon them by God and God’s people. I wonder, is that why messiah/mashiach will be called the son of David? Hmmm. Something to think about. An anointed, with greater qualifications than king David.

These leads me to another point. Psalm 2:6 in the K.J. Version reads: Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Tzion. In my studies I have never found a king or anybody yet in biblical history, anointed on mount Zion. You see the Hebrew terms; “vah ani nasachti malchi al tzion” ( עַל־ציוֹן ואני נסכתי מלכי

Another translation actually changes the verse quite a bit. “ And I have anointed My king on Tzion.” The sages know when the Spirit of the Lord spoke through the prophets, they would speak in the first or second person and various tenses.

So, there must be a future anointing on mount Zion which will exceed the triple anointing of King David. Wow! When and who? What hath God wrought?

Finally, Jesus himself spoke considerably of false christs who would appear in Matthew 24:4-5. Likewise in Matthew 24:23-24, he mentioned false christs and false prophets, and warned about such religious deception.

The terms false christs and christ, in his warnings are quite serious, and indicate much religious deception which will lead people away from truth and into error.
Christian prophecy preachers all seem to relate such verses to end time scenarios, and even use the term anti christ in a more specific sense, to refer to those of non christian views.

Fact is, that in the epistle of John (1John 2:18-19), the author also describes an antichrist, as a spirit affecting plural persons; people who began in the Christian faith, left the group and its apostolic teaching, and no longer continued in the faith delivered unto the early church. By using the terms “many antichrists”, it’s more of a reference to people who wilfully leave the faith, and are led into deception, rather than a “man of sin,” who deceives all the nations as pointed out in some verses in the Revelation.

My people, My name

My people, My name

A familiar verse from 2Chronicles 7:14, is cited by Christians and often used to inspire people to humble themselves, turn away from sin, and make prayers for forgiveness and healing. The reading is: “If My people which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My presence, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 15 Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this Place.”

This statement was originally made to Israel when the House of the Lord, was built in Jerusalem, the place which God had chosen to place His name (2Chronicles 6:6). King Solomon had built and dedicated that “House,” and God accepted it as a “place” of sacrifice, according to what was written in 2Chronicles 7:12 (I have chosen this place to Myself for an House of sacrifice).

Solomon had made many prayers and offered many sacrifices at the dedication ceremony, even 22,000 oxen, and an 120,000 sheep (2Chronicles 7:5). At that dedication service Solomon prayed for God’s blessing, and fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the House” (2Chronicles 7:1).

Solomon’s many prayers for Israel and the House of the Lord, as read in 2Chronicles chapter six, were specifically answered when the Lord appeared to Solomon by night and said unto him, "I have heard thy prayer” (2Chronicles 7:12). Those few verses I have given, are an appropriate background for the promise given the nation of Israel; the people called by His name.

Israel was the name God gave to Jacob in Genesis 32:28; thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel, for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. From such bible verses we have learned that the Hebrew term “EL” is a noun used to refer to God, and since EL is attached as suffix to the word Israel, we see a Hebrew construction which implies that Jacob being renamed Israel , means that Jacob is called by God’s name.

Beginning in Genesis 46:8, a list is given of the names of the sons of Jacob who came into Egypt, and in that same verse, all of Jacob’s descendants are rightfully called the children of Israel. Repeatedly, the Hebrew Bible makes reference to the children of Israel, and the prophets use the term Jacob and Israel interchangeably in many verses (see Isaiah 41:8). Thus, not only is Jacob called by God’s name, but all his seed line by virtue of the “EL” designation IsraEL , are the people called by his name.

Solomon, at the Temple dedication, was addressing the entire nation in regard to worship, sacrifice, placement of the Divine Name, God’s house, and trouble of any kind coming upon the nation. He related that prayer for help should be initiated by humility and turning from evil. He was assured by the Lord, that prayers made by the repentant nation would be heard.

Christians often borrow the verse of 2Chronicles 7:14, and apply it to their own agenda, or need. Maybe they feel justified in such interpretation, because of verses like Matthew 18:20: For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

With some, it doesn’t seem to matter that they take a verse out of context. I am saying that first and foremost, the people called by God’s name is Israel; and that it is the bible based nation to which the promises first apply. God assured Solomon that prayers made in the House of the Lord in Jerusalem by a humble people, confessing sins and turning away from them, would be heard. That is good news.

Israel is not destined to destruction and failure. Israel will not be overcome by hateful enemies.

Pestilence and plague will not obliterate the holy people. When Israel humbles itself and returns to God’s teaching, its prayers will be heard and its enemies shall not prevail against them. God will take away Israel’s reproach and shame when they return to Him.

The Temple was important to Solomon and Israel, and it was important to God, because it was there that God chose to place His name forever. It was so important that scripture called it simply the house (הַבָּיִת - ha bayit). This designation is noted in 2Chronicles 7:1 and 7:3. In that same chapter, it is called 4 times the House of the Lord (בֵּית יְהוָֹה- bait Yehovah) as follows: 2Chronicles 7:2, 7:7 and twice in 2Chronicles 7:11. It is also called the the House of God in 2Chronicles 7:5 (בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים-bait Elohim). God simply calls it this Place and this House (הַמָקוֹם הַבָּיִת הַזֶה- הַזֶה hamakom hazeh, habayit ha zeh) in 2Chronicles 7:12 and 2Chronicles 7:16.

Lastly, in chapter 7, it is called a House of Sacrifice ( bait zavach - בֵּית זַבַח) in 2Chronicles 7:12.

Thus, in chapter 7 we have: the House,
House of the Lord,
House of God,
this House,
this Place
House of sacrifice.

Every reference is specifically to the house of worship of the nation of Israel, located in Jerusalem, where God designated that His name be placed. It is also implied in 2Chronicles 6:40 and 2Chronicles 7:15, that the newly dedicated “House” be a House of Prayer.

In Second Chronicles chapter 6, Solomon’s prayer of dedication requested that prayers for forgiveness be heard and justice be given for God’s servants in recompensing the wicked. Likewise, as follows: And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this House; Then hear Thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of they people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which Thou gavest to them and to their fathers, (2Chronicles 6:24-25).

These verses bring hope to Israel, and to all the world Jewry, in a time when different hateful organizations like Hamas, and the PLO, would try to uproot Israel and Jews from the land God gave to the descendants of Jacob for ever. In spite of thousands of rockets being randomly fired by Hamas into Israel’s civilian population, with intent to wound and destroy Israelis, God will continue to sustain Israel in spite of the hardships inflicted upon them by both enemies and well meaning friends.

Truly Israel has, and is yet suffering much for the sake of the Divine Name, and the Divine Promises. It’s hardly known among Christians that Israel is written by scripture as God’s suffering servants in numerous verses (see Leviticus 25:42 and Leviticus 25:55). Although those verse refer to the plural form (servants), there are other verse locations that talk about Israel being God’s servant in the singular sense, as in Isaiah 41:8, 41:9, 44:21, etc.).

The Hebrew form ( avdi- - עַבְדִּי), is indeed singular reference to Israel, the lineage of Jacob, and the servant of Yehovah.

Many verses like these shown, are the reason why Jews believe that the famous verses in Isaiah 53, relate to Israel as God’s suffering servant, rather than to Yeshua (Jesus). Certainly, the case can be well made for the Jewish contention, by using many Hebrew Bible verses. We Christians take the New Testament as our source for Jesus as being the suffering servant, but with Jews, they take Old Testament verses and amply prove their contention that the he and him verses of Isaiah don’t contain the name Jesus, while in the servant passages of the Hebrew Bible, the servant is usually always named (such as Abraham, Jacob, Israel, David, etc.).

Reading from our Christian Bible, and taking the comments therein by faith, is our interpretive right and privilege, but it is not appropriate to wrest the Hebrew scriptures, and deny dual fulfillments of many prophetic verses, which happens so often in Christian circles. We need always to avoid certain exegesis which detracts from a simple and plain text statement.

In this time, Israel is yet the nation of God’s choosing in the world. We dare not take from them the right to pray, and to assemble and to humble themselves and seek God’s Presence (face). God has not forsaken them for ever, for it is written in Psalm 147:19- He sheweth His word unto Jacob, His statutes and judgments unto Israel. 20 He hath not dealt so with any nation, and as for His judgments, they have not known them. Halleluyah!

The people called by His name are Israel. They have suffered much under Faraoh and other evil regimes. Adolph Hitler tried to destroy Jews with a Holocaust. Now public opinion of the nations is turned against Israel for defending itself from wicked and hateful regimes. But I daresay that God will preserve Israel in spite of the suffering heaped upon them by the raging goyim.

Israel still has the open option of prayer and return, Not only the return to the land as foretold, but return to the teachings of Moses; return to the Torah of the Lord. This is what the last day Elijah will call for as stated in Malachi: Return unto Me and I will return unto you. Remember you the law of Moses My servant. which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold I send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of Yehovah; and he shall turn the heart.........

There is yet great hope for Israel, and the message of the hour is to be announced - If My people which are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face ---.

Yes, we can borrow those verses and use them as a pattern for our prayers, but, may we never forget in these troubling times, that the Lord spoke those promises to his treasured, holy people, the nation of Israel, for their time of need and forgiveness.

The Temple, the House, does not now fully exist (2009), yet Jews still make prayers at the Place where it once stood. The existing wall is properly known as the Western Wall, but has been known in time past as the wailing wall. Jews know that the existing wall is a place of prayer, because of verses made in the prophet-king Solomon’s dedication of God’s House. This is the Place in Israel where the Lord chose to establish His name. It was here that the people called by His name (Israel), were told that humility, repentance of sin, and seeking the Lord, would bring help from heaven in all possible situations. We agree. Shaalu shalom Yirushalayim (pray for the peace of Jerusalem).

In this time when Israel has finally decided to make an incursion into Gaza, after having suffered thousands of rocket attacks into its territory, and having concluded that the Hamas rockets attacks must be eliminated, we offer prayers for the brave Israeli troops who are the true freedom fighters of the conflict. And, we also offer prayers for their injuries and wounds and grieving families. May all non combatants who have become victims of such conflict, find relief and assistance.

Unlike their enemies, Israel has tried always to avoid targeting the innocent. For that and many other reasons, they hold the upper moral hand and sensitivity for the masses. They deserve our support and prayers.

triple anointing or double portion?

When reading bible verses about King David, I quickly realized that he had experienced three separate and literal anointings with holy oil. I also recognized that of all the preaching and teaching I had heard over many years, nobody had ever pointed that out. I had never heard it mentioned among teachings or articles by Rabbis or scholars in the Jewish community either.

I knew it must have significance, since I was also unable to find any other human in the biblical text, who had experienced three literal kingly anointings. My interest in the matter caused me to look for possible reasons why the biblical text had given us this detail. In the searching process, I learned some tremendous things about King David.

Psalm 89:20 wrote: “ I have found David My servant; with My holy oil have I anointed him:” Those comments are based in the narrative of 1Samuel 16:1, where the Lord tells the prophet Samuel, “I have provided Me a king among his sons” (son’s of Jesse the Bethlehemite).

Samuel, in spite of his concern that Saul is presently the anointed king over Israel, obeys the Lord, finds David keeping sheep, and has him brought to him for the anointing that the Lord ordained for this son of Jesse. This is the first anointing as detailed in 1Samuel 16:13.

The Spirit of the Lord came upon David at that moment, and the author of Hebrews in the Christian Bible, borrows a portion of that phrase, and applies it to Jesus (Yeshua), saying in Hebrews 1:9; thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

In a secondary sense it is applied to Jesus, but in its first and literal application it applied to David, of whom it was written; “Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.”

Thus, king David becomes the pattern for outstanding anointing, that lifts one above the ordinary and usual brotherhood. This also is confirmed by the Lord’s own statement in Psalm 89:23, “ Also I will make him My firstborn, higher than the kings of earth.” David is outstanding in the sense that he is named by God as “My firstborn,” a shepherd exalted above his own brothers, and higher than Israel’s first king who was rejected because he disobeyed God, and higher than any earthly king because he led God’s nation, Israel. The Hebrew terms אֶתְּנֵהוּ עֶלְיוֹן לְמַלְכֵי־אָרֶץ,
are rendered;

“I will appoint him firstborn highest of the kings of the earth,” by the Jewish Publication Society version. That is accurate, since the Hebrew phrase is reference to “give him” [firstborn status].

A very similar verse is made about Israel in Exodus 4:22, where the Lord
tells Egypt and Pharaoh; “Israel is My son, even My first-born. ...Let My son go, that he may serve Me.” The theme of Israel, as a suffering servant in Egypt, is portrayed in the Exodus, and God is asking that the children of Jacob be freed from bondage to serve Him. Truly, Israel was God’s suffering servant in the Exodus and the prophets.

Regarding David then, as God’s designated leader of a holy people, he was anointed to lead, first as a shepherd and musician over a flock, to become a king and captain over the people. The first anointing was made by the prophet, and was a prophetic anointing; a shepherd’s anointing at Bethlehem.

The second anointing for David was made at Hebron by the men of Judah, as written in 2Samuel 2:4. The people of Judah decided that David should become king over the House of Judah, since the first king Saul was dead. An anointing made by the people of God over a nation that had been separated from its own people, Israel.

They needed a king, who knew how to serve and obey God, a king that could lead them spiritually, as well as into battle. This anointing may be called a kings anointing. The second anointing- a king’s anointing.

The third anointing was made also at Hebron, but was made by the elders of Israel to convey kingship over all Israel to David. We read about it in 2Samuel 5:3. This anointing was sealed with a covenant, because the elders of Israel recalled what the prophet Samuel has said to David when God chose him to lead: “ thou shall feed My people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.” This third and final anointing is the anointing that unites the people of God; again, one nation.

Now, Israel and Judah are solidified into one group under God. They are into covenant and unity. They can accomplish a greater future for a great nation under God’s anointed king. The three anointings of this one person did not instantly happen. It took time and circumstances to bring about God’s desired result, but in king David, God had found a man after his own heart. No wonder He appointed him “My firstborn,” just as He had done for Israel in its earliest stages of becoming a nation. According to 2Samuel 5:5, David reigned over Israel and Judah 33 years.

As firstborn, and king thrice anointed; David becomes the most exalted human ruler in the sight of God, except as found in Daniel 7:13-14. We are not amazed that David becomes a pattern for those who come after him in the royal lineage. As the most literally anointed king in all history, we have example of a “seed line,” that was promised to have a throne to set upon for ever, if they follow the teaching and way of the Lord.

It is interesting that the Lord told Samuel when he saw David: “rise and anoint him, for this is he” (1Samuel 16:12). The Hebrew terms for rise and anoint him are (קוּם מְשָׁחֵהוּ ), with the root consonants for anoint being mashach (משׁח ), three of the same consonants for mashiach (messiah).

The text wrote that the spirit of Yehovah (רוּחַ יְהוָֹה) passed over David from that day onward. Thus, the shepherd’s prophetic anointing with literal holy oil, is equated in this case with the Spirit of Yehovah, coming to and remaining with a chosen person for a specific purpose. Rashi commented that the Spirit of Yehovah is a spirit of strength, and the Targum renders it a spirit of prophecy.

David never lost respect for the anointings which the Lord gave unto him, and in 2Samuel 22:51, it is mentioned; “He sheweth mercy to His anointed, unto David, and to his seed evermore.” Also in 2Samuel 23:1, a statement is made regarding David’s last words: “the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet Psalmist of Israel.” Likewise, the closing verses of Psalm 18 wrote: and [He] shows kindness to His anointed, to David and his seed forever.”

Tremendous respect for the “anointing” extended beyond his personal life. It was shown even to his enemy, a king who chose a path of evil that caused him to seek to destroy David. But, because Samuel the prophet had anointed Saul once with holy oil, David refused to retaliate in kind, when he could have killed king Saul
(see 1Samuel 26:10-11). Even when David learned from a young man that king Saul was wounded and near death, and claimed to have finished Saul off, fulfilling his death wish, David posed a question to the warrior. “why were you not afraid to stretch forth your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed ? ”

Such reverence for God’s anointing, and his anointed, reaches beyond the realm of logic, and indicates a profound respect for the sacred and holy. Perhaps the triple anointing with holy oil, extends far beyond, the famed double portion of prophetic utterance.

Ron’s Trianonreport

We wish to report a measure of success in out recent Trianon meeting held in Bonita Springs Florida on Saturday evening, October 25, 2008. There were numerous first time attenders, and all agreed to return to our next scheduled meeting.

We enjoyed some music with keyboard, guitar, and group singing. Our sound technician said that all present, seemed very eager to hear and responded well, as the message went forth. There was also an effort made to stream the program live to the internet, which I understand proved successful, as well as filming the entire presentation.

I spent considerable time on the subject restoring Jesus. The subject was about giving Jesus back his Hebrew name, his language, his gospel of the kingdom according to the 4 gospel evangelists, and his religion, culture and customs.
We were looking at the subject material through Hebrew eyes and thought.

I was able to present as far as Jesus’ gospel of the kingdom according to the 4 gospel evangelists. Various verses were given from the Christian Bible to substantiate my presentation. We prayed some Hebrew prayers and explained other Hebrew verses, pertaining to Jesus name, and his language. I showed that the Greek Testament terms and spelling for Aramaic and for Hebrew, proved that Hebrew does not mean Aramaic.

At times, excitement oozed as zeal flowed from both speaker and hearers, and the gathering was blessed with joy and unity. Everyone present said they would return to the next scheduled meeting at the Trianon. Near the end of the meeting, prayer was made for the sick and needy, and at the close, cookies and coffee were provided for those present. People surrounded us, asking many questions, some of which we were able to answer, and others which were beyond a rapid answer.

So, I am announcing the next scheduled meeting at the Trianon Hotel in Bonita Springs Florida, on Saturday, November 25, at 7:00 p.m. The location is Highway 41 at the intersection of Bay Commons Drive (3401 Bay commons Drive). Please come and bring a friend, as others have mentioned they would also invite friends. Hope to see you there.

Announcement...upcoming event

Announcement...upcoming event

On Saturday evening October 25, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., I will be holding a meeting at the Trianon Hotel in Bonita Springs, Florida. Everyone is invited to attend. The location of the Trianon, is 3401 Bay Commons Drive, where it intersects Highway forty one (41).

The Meeting begins at 7:00 p.m., and is sponsored by the Light House of Jesus Christ, a 501-C3 non profit corporation, and in unity with Yad-El Ministries, a Florida not for profit corporation. Both corporations are part of a program designed to assist and enable charitable outreach, and to promote understanding of the Jewish roots of Jesus, as shown in the Gospel accounts. Some emphasis will be placed on the Hebrew language, as it relates to Greek Testament manuscripts and Jesus' Jewish roots.

As time permits there will be prayers offered for the sick, and I will bring some interesting teaching observations about Jesus and his earliest gospel form, as it relates to the Kingdom of God.

Please come and hear about the matters dearest to the heart of Jesus and his people.
Mark it down as a calendar date now, so you won’t miss the meeting. I hope to see you there: remember its on Saturday, October 25, 2008, at the Trianon. Its in Bonita Springs, Florida, on 3401 Bay Commons Drive, and Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail).

blog #26

blog# 26,... Jesus and his bible version

Have you ever stopped to consider; what bible Jesus read? Given the sense of urgency placed upon bible reading by many fundamental Christians, and the emphasis placed on particular English language versions, it might help to know which bible Jesus would have read. Of course you realize by now, that I’ve presented a loaded question, which is designed to make one think. The truth is, no matter what you or I think, the man Jesus has never read any Christian Bible Version.

We must recognize that all he learned or knew from boyhood to manhood, was learned from study and meditation upon the words of his Heavenly Father, combined with the instruction of parents and teachers, and interaction with other knowledgeable Jews.

It is common knowledge in the Jewish community about the memorization capacity of sages and scholars. Some of them had memorized every verse in the 5 Torah books, and could have written by memory alone, an entire Pentateuch Scroll. But that was forbidden, since each scribe was to have a Torah copy before him to look at for precision, when making a new Torah scroll. Nothing was left to chance, and every copy must be made according to very rigid rules, which assured accuracy and sanctification regarding the Divine Name.

I recall reading about the Vilna Gaon, (Elijah Ben Solomon), who as a child prodigy had memorized every letter and word in the Talmud. When one realizes the vast and broad scope of Talmudic material, it’s remarkable indeed that a thirteen year old was able to commit it all to memory. Especially when one considers that the 5 books of Torah, with all its words contain 304, 805 letters. Comparing that detail about the Talmud and the 63 tractates therein, we can appreciate the work and effort required to memorize both the Tanakh and the Talmud.

The explanations of the Oral Torah had been memorized over all of 1,500 years, before it was finally permitted to be written down. And, much biblical information was also committed to memory by Godly parents, who passed it down to children. Surely, Jesus had learned many things through his own studious efforts, as well as what was passed down by sages and family. Today, it is known that the Babylonian Talmud contains 20 volumes.

Even during times of extreme testing and confrontation, he often cited the phrase, “it is written.” Those references were to verses written by Moses. Before and during the times of Jesus, generations of students, had memorized, studied, and passed down volumes of information from the Torah (law), the prophets, and the writings. How could he have possibly known what was written if he never read it?

Jewish tradition has a very interesting way of making reference to the Hebrew Bible. By defining the 3 sections (divisions), of the Hebrew scrolls, and giving them their Hebrew names, a new name is gained which represents the Jewish body of sacred scripture which we call “bible.” The first word is TORAH, which specifies the first five books of Moses. Torah is generally rendered law, teaching, or instruction. That word begins with the letter T. So, we set aside the “ T,” to help form the new word, and soon add the next letter from another section of Jesus’ bible.

The second section of the Jewish Bible is called NAVIIM, and means prophets. So lets add that letter to the letter “ T.” Now with TN, we have 2 Hebrew consonant letters which represent 2 sections of the Jewish writings, Torah and Naviim (law and prophets). In a moment by taking the first three letters of the Hebrew names for 3 sections of scripture, we will have a new name for the Jewish scripture which Jews everywhere understand.

The third section is called Ketuvim, which means “writings.” The three sections of the Jewish bible then, are law, prophets, and writings. Now, let’s put each first letter of each Hebrew word on the same line and form the representative term for the Jewish bible; TNK.

When our Jewish friends refer to the Hebrew Bible, or what Christians claim is the Old Testament, they use the 3 letters which represent the Hebrew names of the 3 sections of their bible; TNK. It is vocalized by means of various spellings: Tenach, Tanakh, Tanach.

Jesus referred to the Tanakh in Luke 24:44, which wrote in part: “that all things might be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and in the Psalms concerning me.” The Psalms are part of the section considered “writings.”

At this point in our lesson, it is necessary to inform Christian readers that among Jewish educators, the section called the TORAH, has been considered given a higher position of honor and greater inspiration then the other 2 sections of the inspired Hebrew scriptures.

Where is authority for this? It’s based on verses in Deuteronomy 34:10-11, with Divine revelation and confirmation granted him by the Lord: “And there never arose a prophet again in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, for all the signs and wonders, which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and his servants, and to all his land.”

Those verses, when compared to Numbers 12:6-8, show that Moses was not inferior in any way to any prophet, seer, visionary, or dreamer. Whether awake or asleep, Moses could speak to God face to face (panim el panim), or mouth to mouth (peh el peh). He didn’t need a dream or vision or trance. I suggest it was possible, because of his extreme humility as noted in Numbers 12:3.

It has a nagging oddity about it, that one section has a higher degree of inspiration, but after all, if Moses was the greatest of all prophets ever to rise in Israel, it makes sense that since Torah wrote this about Moses, those teachings come from a man who did not see or prophesy in part, and are complete.

I have wondered at times why Christians don’t attach more honor to the words of Jesus in theology. The 4 Gospels contain all that he said and done, and he personally stated: “heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Yet, it seems on many matters, that the letters and epistles to churches are held in higher esteem then the words of the one whom Christians have called “Lord.” Perhaps, many theological hangups would have been avoided, if the words of Jesus had been given priority. After all, why call we him Lord, Lord, and do not the things which he said?

Jesus emphasized the law of Moses, and always upheld it. That is why he could say heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. He knew that scripture could not be broken. He knew that Gods word was forever established in the heavens. As best I know, Jesus never tried to change or refute anything that Moses taught. However, in certain circumstances he openly disagreed with some Pharisaic INTERPRETATIONS of the words of Moses.

We can be assured that Jesus knew the entire Tanakh (from Genesis to Malachi). The gospel narratives show him often quoting or referencing verses from those sources. But, we also recognize after much study and comparisons, that Jesus seemed to be quite familiar with all the oral explanations of the Hebrew Bible, and evidently was able to discuss it intelligently with experts at the Temple, when he was only 12 years old (see Luke 2:42-52).

blog# 25, Bible Translation Versions

Ron’s notes, Sept. 4, 2008
Bible Translation Versions

Due to years of experience as a Christian pastor, I have naturally developed some insight about the Christian Bible. My investigation into Hebrew and Greek Bible languages enabled me to make excellent comparative analysis with English understanding of my old King James Bible Version. After all, my primary job involved preaching and teaching the bible to the people, so since new English Bible Versions were constantly being promoted and introduced to the public,
I knew I would be in a good position to explain any questionable verses or wording.

In a modern world, that is consistently changing and evolving, because of application of more technology, information, and scientific accuracy, its also good to know that some things are never to be changed, and certain basic foundational truths will always apply. I say that in regard to the Christian Bible. The basis for all bible versions is not the version itself, rather the basis of every version is the Manuscript Copy. Any, and every version should be compared to the Hebrew or Greek Text, from which it is alleged to have been translated.

A growing concern to me, had not only been the few complaints, that the older King James Version of the bible was hard to understand, but the congregation all seemed to have a different bible version they were reading from. I recognized that ever so swiftly and silently, the normal pattern of having a responsive reading for group participation, was no longer possible. Everyone was reading from a different bible. The old saying about getting everybody on the “same page,” had been trashed by different version use. The nearly 400 year old style of the English version, that kept us all verbally together, had been automatically replaced by every persons desire to have a different English translation version.

It was time to grasp the words of 1Corinthians 1:10: ...“that ye all speak the same thing, and there be no divisions among you.” That verse portion was a reference to unity in the Corinthian Church and applies to Christian doctrine as delivered by Paul to churches he founded. But, if understood in a literal sense as applicable to the Christian Bible Version in use in any congregation, it would quickly minimize any variations of wordings or interpretation of actual texts.

There must be one standard for the word of God. I came to this conclusion for several reasons. That standard is the Manuscript Copies. Pastors who can expound and explain and link to the manuscript copies, can detail any or all needed explanations. Such a plan would enable everyone to use the same bible version all the time. In cases where the pastor or teacher is not able to work with biblical languages, then he should request his hearers to all use the same Version that he employs. Again, it puts everyone in unity.

The manuscript copies never change, only translation versions change. The word of God never changes. Thus, when the bible in use is the same version for each congregation, people are able to actually memorize and quote what everyone else is reading. It’s embarrassing to hear some one quote from a little known version, a verse which nobody can identify with, because of uncertain and new wording. The abundance of English versions discourages group memorization.

A particular verse in Deuteronomy 4:2, sheds huge insight into theology and transmission of texts. “You shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.”

That verse also is a reference to the detailed commands given of God to Moses, and to Israel. But it goes beyond the commands and back to the very basis of what was first written. To rewrite anything that God said, or had written, must be written exactly and precisely. We may not add verbiage or detract from what God commanded Moses to write.

Numerous times I have heard public readings from Translation Versions, which included much verbiage not supported by Manuscript Texts. Since at times, I was a little familiar with those manuscript sources, I was quite shocked that any translator should take it upon himself to render into English, something that God did not truly say. First of all, Deuteronomy 4:2, is adopted by Christians into their Bible from the Jews. And because we say, it’s the word of God, it is not to be misrepresented. When a person understands Orthodox Judaism, then they know that JEWS believe that God DICTATED the entire Pentateuch to Moses, who wrote what he was told.

Secondly, Jesus said: “ one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (observed).” Jots and tittles are tiny strokes used on Hebrew Alphabet letters. We, may not change the tiniest letter of the Hebrew or Greek alphabet as it relates to what God has spoken to be written. The Greek text has used the word “iota,” the smallest Greek alphabet letter.

The final book in the Christian Bible, the Revelation (apokalupsis), even goes so far as to name a curse on anyone who adds unto its prophecy, the plagues written in this book (Rev. 22:18-19).

Logically, the correct interpretation, does not mean rendering the words from Greek into good English. God wants us to hear His word in our language. But when translators take the liberty of adding or detracting words unsupported by manuscript texts, they are on very dangerous ground.

It becomes a matter of choosing our wisdom above the wisdom of God. When we think we know how God should have said something, and go so far as to actually change what He had spoken, for the prophets to write, we have made ourselves in the place of God. God forbid!

The need for the “common standard” among the Christian community is more pressing than ever. In a next generation every special interest group will have their own bible, and nobody will be able to specifically define what is an accurate translation which is true as possible to the manuscript copies. Each special interest group will love their own version, because it appeals to themselves, but added verbiage and interpretative translating will cause more segmentation of the church, and endless confusion for congregations.

Then, I suppose, the only people who will really appreciate the word of God, will be those fortunate enough to have a leader who is capable of looking at, and examining the Hebrew and Greek Bible texts for precise clarification. After all, the Biblical language copies NEVER change. Pastors or teachers who are not trained in biblical languages, are not left out. They can find numerous bibles containing a numbering system coded to any particular bible version, and the Hebrew and Greek text.

I know that some people prefer English Translation Versions which consistently supply descriptive and elaborate terms, which they say, help explain what God intended to be known. The argument is, that it enhances understanding. But, why have humans ADDED explanatory words unsupported by the Manuscript copies? If it’s fair to deviate from what God literally said in any case, why is it not fair to write entirely what is desired, into the text of what God caused to be written? Matter of fact, that is what is ongoing, in some new modern English Versions.

I recall in my studies about an English Version Bible, which had many notes in the margins, and those notes were claimed on some occasions, to have entered from the margins into the actual texts. That particular bible version was soon replaced by a new version which did not take that liberty. It seems to me, that no matter how we try to make God’s word easier to understand, the only way to defeat the maze of translation differences, which in the end make things even more confusing, is to encourage people to study the Bible, and compare every concern with a good Hebrew or Greek Concordance.

Didn’t Jesus say; “search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39). We are told to “search,” and not just to read what some translator had added to the word of God via verbiage. Perhaps nothing destroys the initiative to “study” more than reading a new bible translation. Why do the work, when a stranger has done it for you? When we study to show ourselves approved by God, the satisfaction of learning by careful examination of the word of God, is far superior to interaction with those who do not fear or tremble enough before the Lord. That lack of respect is shown by the willingness to change what God has plainly spoken and written.

As time progresses, there could be so many varying Christian Bible Versions, that the new convert could easily become confounded, having become familiar with the fact that wording differs from one English version to another. The natural response would be; which one of these bibles is right? I have actually seen people in bible book stores ask a salesperson that same question. The response many times was; it depends on what you are looking for in a translation.

Why should anyone have to look for anything in a translation, except a good English rendering of what the manuscripts have revealed? Talk of dynamic equivalents and modern English renderings may be all right for the experts of parables, allegories, and secrets, but the average person simply wants to know what God has spoken, minus all the additions of man.

Christians have often been critical of Jews, saying that it’s not possible to keep 613 of God’s laws, as written in the Torah. All to often, it’s forgotten that Americans must keep thousands of city, county, state and federal laws. Thousands, of which have not have been nailed to the cross. So many of our laws are unknown to the average person, and its amazing when we learn that we are in violation. I say that for a reason.

The bible is not only a brief synopsis about God and creation, its about a nation of people who He taught and made holy, as they chose to obey His voice. He made that people guardians of His words, which eventually became known among us as the “bible.” When we read the bible, we learn where we fit in, and what is expected of us by the Lord. We learn that His word is holy and pure and not to be tampered with. We learn that morality, integrity, and honesty are given within our humanity. His word, plain and simple, has been written for all to understand. Why would anybody tamper with what God had written, except to make it simply plain, and readable?

The knowledge of what God expected from Israel and the Jews, is written by his faithful prophets. If the number of His commands to them was 613, so be it. Possibility exists that it can be done. The Christian Bible says of Zacharias and Elizabeth in Luke 1:6: “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” Wow! Who ever said, that nobody could possibly keep all the law???

God gave all the details/ordinances, and they are in the book called the “bible.” Somebody said once, “the devil is in the details.” Whoever originated that phrase, must not have read much bible, because in the bible God gives details galore about every aspect of human life and worship. That’s why we should not mess with the text. It involves details which we need to know, and details known only to the Lord.

If God is involved in the details of life, then it only makes sense that we should learn where those details are found. The Christian Bible provides information under the everlasting and adoptive covenants.

I am not saying any particular English version is perfect above all others. Martin Luther is reported to have said; there is no substitute for reading the bible in its original languages.

I do agree with that comment. My favorite bible version has always been the K.J.Version. But in many cases it does not clearly align to the Greek manuscript. I have always told the congregation when I run across such matters. They were shocked at times when learning that words like Lucifer, Calvary, Jesus, Easter, and Devils, do not even align the Greek and Hebrew texts, and should never appear in an English version bible. But the traditions developed from such versions, have actually become stronger than the Greek text itself.

I encouraged the people to get a Strong’s concordance and check me out when I preached. This, some did, while others trusted my word. But in any case, nobody was ever able to come to me and say, your explanations were not aligned with the manuscripts.

So this message is like the shofar blast of Rosh Hashanah. It’s designed to alert and awaken the conscience of the sleeper. Hopefully, it will not take a hundred blasts of the rams horn, to alert the people to revere the Lord, and tremble at His word.

blog# 24, Jesus...and prayer

blog #24, Jesus... and “prayer,” in the gospels

The Hebrew word for prayer is tefilah, and its English form “prayer,” is located 114 times in the King James Version. In Hebrew and Christian thought, prayer consists of 2 elements. First, it involves supplication or petition, and secondly, it involves thanksgiving or praise. There are also forms of corporate (group), and individual prayer. Jesus made reference to individual prayer in Matthew 6:6, and used the word “secret” to define that individual form of prayer. He also used the terms “closet” and “door” in regard to secret prayer. It may be that this was an allusion to prayer made under the prayer shawl.

The first *recorded prayer I found in the bible with an answer, was Abraham’s prayer for Abimelech and his house in Genesis 20:7, and Genesis 20:17. It resulted in “healing.”

Elements of prayer are shown in verses like Nehemiah 1:6, which indicate that confession of known individual sins, or group sins of believers, are part of corporate or individual prayers. The wording of Psalm 39:12, hints that prayers mixed with tears (godly sorrow), can bring quick response. Psalm 65:3 relates that eventually “all flesh” will pray to God. According to Proverbs 15:8, God delights in the prayer of the upright, and then in Proverbs 15:29, He heareth the prayer of the righteous.

I have no memory of reading any verses in the 4 Gospels, where Jesus ever told his disciples to pray to himself. I often have heard Christians pray to Jesus, and have even heard media religious leaders use that same manner of petition and praise to Jesus. I know that people approached Jesus according to Gospel accounts, and made many requests, for healing, deliverance, and help. But, his method of theology was very much aligned with Judaism. He always said and did things to direct people toward Father God, rather than himself.

What then did he actually teach about prayer and worship? Did he tell people to pray to idols, images, angels or deceased and holy people? Or did he teach them to pray to the God of Israel, his Father?

The Christian Bible gives abundance of verses, which indicate exactly what Jesus explained. Your Father which seeth in secret shall reward you openly ( Matthew 6:4). And to whom did he teach men should pray? Pray to thy Father which is in secret (Matthew 6:6). And what manner of address? Our Father which art in heaven (Matthew 6:9).

Jesus mentioned that men should pray to the One in heaven, saying: One is your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 23:9). He further informed his immediate followers about prayer agreements; saying, anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 18:19).

That statement when correctly interpreted, must take into account, the words of 1John 5:14-15, “that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

Because Christians embrace the doctrine of a Triune God, or a Trinity of separate god persons, maybe it makes some sense to them, that separateness and equality, are features of each person, and it matters not to them to whom they pray. But Jesus always taught in harmony with Jewish thought and tradition. His manner was always about the Heavenly Father, and himself being a servant empowered by God. The same view was projected among his followers.

In one example about prayer, the following observation is noted about accusations of idolatry among Christians, by Jews who pray only to One. “Some authorities also distinguish between Catholic and Protestant forms of Christianity, the latter being considered as less idolatrous” (Encyclopedia of the Jewish Religion). When prayers are made to Jesus, and statues or images are employed, it is not hard at all to understand why Jews would conclude that idolatry.

The subject is vast, but for practical purposes, here is a simple outline to help people know some things about prayer.

Places to effectively pray-God’s House- the assembly, a most likely place to pray
(1Kings 8:29, Isaiah 56:7). At Gods altar -Solomon made prayer and supplication kneeling before the altar of the Lord (1Kings 8:54), in trouble or some unlikely
places (Jonah 2:7-8, belly of hell), on a mountain (Mark 6:46), in a solitary spot
(Mark 1:35).

Have a time to pray, morning prayer (Psalm 5:3), hour of prayer (Acts 3:1),
pray without ceasing (1Thessalonians 5:17), This means be instantly ready to pray in any situation, when possible to do so in a sensible and safe manner.

Reasons to pray, spiritual communication and talks with God (1Corin. 14:4, and Jude 1:20), watchfulness for church leaders and holy people (Ephesians 6:18), prayer for necessary “things” (Mark 11:24), prayer with faith and anointing for healing the sick (James 5:14-15), prayer for Israel and the Jews (Psalm 122:8), prayer for governmental leaders and nations (1Timothy 2:12).

But what about unanswered prayers?
Not praying according to God’s specific will (see 1John 5:14 and 1John 3:22).
Praying wrongly regarding someone whom God is chastising for sins, or whom the heavenly Father is busy correcting (see Jeremiah 7:16 and Jer. 11:14). When
faith is being tested on a matter and patience is needed (Hebrews 10:35-36)

An example of how Jesus prayed.
Hebrews 5:7: “who in the days of his flesh when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.”

* There may be earlier biblical hints of “prayer,” such as, men walking with God, or men beginning to call on the name of the Lord, or men building altars unto the Lord, or Abraham falling on his face before the Lord, or Abraham pleading for the righteous of Sodom. But the account of Abraham praying for Abimelech and his entire household, specifically mentions the word “pray” and “prayer,” and also shows the answer to that prayer (see Genesis 20:7 and Genesis 20:17)

Jesus ...his kingdom perspective on wealth

blog#23, Jesus... his kingdom perspective on wealth
(From an original blog made on Tuesday, September 16, 2008, edited, and spell checked on Thursday October 3, 2008, in this corrected blog.)

In Matthew 6:29, Jesus made reference to Solomon: “And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these”... In a previous verse he had commented; “consider the lilies of the field, they toil not, neither do they spin”. The reason he had mentioned Solomon’s wealth and glory, was his concern about treasure, wealth, or money, becoming the driving force behind everyday life and existence, among the people of God..

In Matthew 6:19-34 (15 verses), Jesus emphasized that God would provide for every necessity, of his children. He focused on teachings his students, to NOT allow mammon to become the master of life. He said; “You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). The term “mammon,” is a Chaldean loan word incorporated into Hebrew, and is yet in use today. It means “money.” In pursuit of the regular necessities for life (food, drink, shelter, clothing), Jesus had warned, no man can serve two masters. Keep every priority in order, is a true spiritual mantra.

He alluded to Solomon and all his glory with his kingly raiment. At the same time, without negating sensible preparation and planning, he asserted; “consider the lilies.” His comparative analysis of flowers of the fields with Solomon’s raiment, and glory, showed a concern of God even for nature itself. His words; “take therefore no thought for the morrow,” made in regard to eating, drinking or clothing; is reference to anxiousness, and not to sensible preparation. Jesus taught people to trust God and not to worry. If God clothed the grass of the fields in natural beauty, why would He not clothe the children of faith, who are far more important than fading flowers?

That formula is not inconsistent with the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible). It was written in Proverbs 23:4, “Labor not to be rich; cease from thine own wisdom.” One’s total energies should be well concentrated to serve God first, and things can fall into place. But, as in everything else, we must have balance in our ambitions. Maybe that’s why the Tanakh also wrote in Ecclesiastes 10:19: “a feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry, but MONEY answereth all [things].” When people have money, it can be used to have a feast, throw a party, and thereby produce temporary joy and happiness. Proper use of money, does provide answers to some problems.

Folks often have said, that money is the root of all evil. That’s a falsehood! The Christian Bible wrote, “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1Timothy 6:10). To covet money is a form of idolatry. So, loving God with all the heart, soul, and strength, is the balance and understanding for how to apply the use and desire for money.

The author of Epistole Yakov (epistle of Jakob/James), in his letter to the twelve tribes scattered abroad, wrote: “Go to now you rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you”... (James 1:1 and James 5:1). He stressed that the long time wealth of the wicked (gold and silver), was accumulated by evil practices; fraud, dishonesty, and slaughter (Yakov 5:1-6). He reminds Christians who have been similarly oppressed by evil and rich masters, to be patient, and recall that the prophets had austerity and suffering heaped upon them, and to follow their example of enduring patience.


The example used in reference to Solomon and his glory, is not the only time Jesus alluded to him. In Matthew 12:42, Jesus shares his knowledge about Solomon, and the Queen of Sheba.

She came from the utmost part of the earth to investigate the rumored wisdom of Solomon. Thus, Jesus pointed to the glory of Solomon and the wisdom of Solomon. The biblical account of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba is given in 1Kings 10:1-9. The Tanakh wrote, that in the same year when the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon, his wealth was increased by 666 talents of gold, among other valued items. The Queen of Sheba gifted Solomon with 120 talents of gold herself. Now, 666 talents of gold, if weighing 113 pounds and 10 ounces per talent, equates 75, 324.6 pounds of gold. In today’s market value, we guestimate $700.00 per ounce: that represents 52 million, 727 thousand, and 220 dollars (52, 727, 220.00 ). Wowee! Only one year of personal wealth?

The wisdom of Solomon given by God, brought revenue beyond belief to the king. We can only imagine the value and purchasing power of such gold three thousand years ago. Mind boggling indeed.

The Queen of Sheba came to Israel to investigate the rumored wisdom of Solomon. She was more than pleased when discovering the reports were true. The great woman was happy to hear, see, and learn from Solomon. So happy, that she gave him 120 talents of gold, and other valuable items. Her journey from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon was mentioned in Matthew 12:42, where Jesus contrasted it to a lack of Israeli interest by his generation, in his ministry and message of the kingdom of God.

His comments and comparisons were strikingly bold: “behold, a greater than Solomon is here.” He had also said; “the Queen of the South shall rise up in the judgment with this generation; and shall condemn it.” Was it proper for Jesus to view himself greater than Solomon? Was Jesus an egotist as a Rabbi friend once told me? Was it appropriate to say, that this generation would be condemned in the judgment? Or was he on a Divine mission, knowing who he was, and who had sent him to the Israelis?

It should be noted that in Matthew 12:24-39, Jesus’ detractors were present, and had became so verbally abusive and vociferous they had accused him of practicing demonic matters. Jesus considered them blasphemers, since they did not credit the finger of God with healing and deliverance in his ministry. Rather, those Pharisees accused him of demonic activity. Maybe that’s why Jesus reacted so strongly against what he considered a generation of hypocritical Pharisee’s. He felt that denial of God’s work among His people, and attribution of such to Satan, was indeed blasphemy. Whenever religious people attribute healing, deliverance, and miracles, among the people of God, to the work of demons, it is a very serious charge, and is not to be taken lightly. Jesus labelled such vocal hypocrisy to blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:32).

Jesus also dealt somewhat with the subject of “riches” in his parable or proverb about the “rich man” in Luke 12:16, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man, brought forth plentifully:

And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do , because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, this will I do: I will pull down my barns; and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and all my goods. And I will say unto my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?”

Jesus assesses his own parable with certain and clear comprehension, saying; “so is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21). Riches cannot detract from those who are “rich” toward God. Thus, ignoring soul preparation while in pursuit of wealth is unwise.

In other gospel verses Jesus advises followers to, “sell that you have and give alms; provide for yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Because Jesus knew that some people would allow money or riches to master them, he warned sternly against riches; saying in Mark 10:23: “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” A similar warning is given in Mark 10:24: “Children, how hard it is for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God.” In other passages Jesus refers to the deceitfulness of riches which choke the word of God in ones life (Matthew 13:22).

Then in Luke 16:11, he says; “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” Those words imply that people who handle money properly in worldly matters, can also be trusted with accounting for spiritual matters.

I firmly believe that God desires his children to be blessed and happy. He wants every necessity of life to be provided for them. And, the biblical concept of working for pay when possible, so that one may enjoy the fruits of his labors, is a certain principle.

Prayer about Kyle...and congress

Prayer about Kyle... and congress
12:07 A.M., September 28, 2008

Our Father, our King. Whom have we in heaven but You, and having You, there is none on earth that we desire. We beseech Your attention now to a growing problem at this very hour of 12:07 A.M., approaching Sunday morning, September 28, 2008.

From You the Guardian of Israel, who watches all creation, we request mercy and intervention for the entire Eastern sea coast and the Northeast shoreline of the United States. A tropical storm named Kyle, has suddenly been upgraded to a category one hurricane. Forecasters say that winds of possible 75 miles per hour may batter the coast, with waves, and much water. We are concerned now because of possible loss of human lives, and rains have already saturated many coastal areas.

Forgive us for lack of earlier interest about this, since we had listened to weather reports which had indicated only a tropical storm and heading to the North in a projected path. And we had assumed an overly calm demeanor. For the sake of all others affected by this development, we plead with You to have mercy upon the land and the people of our nation. Spare the nation from the fury of that storm, just as You have done on previous occasions. We ask that lives be saved, and homes be spared, beach erosion be minimized, and emergency needs be met. Whatever is dear to the hearts of people, their livestock, their pets, belongings or property.

Father, there is not much time, and reports suggest that by Sunday evening all those regions will have been impacted. But, You are El Elyon, and there is no limit to Your ability to intervene. You made the thunder, the lightning, the winds, and the rain. You the God of Elijah, who spoke in a still small voice in the midst of winds and storm at the mountain. Get glory and honor for the sake of Your people and Your name. Speak now please. Speak now and calm the storm.

We close this prayer with another petition, and also offer praise to You for our great nation and its good people. Help our congress and leaders, as they seek a way to deal with and correct financial problems on Wall Street, banking, homeowners, construction, and Insurance groups. Forgive us for collective greed, and spiritual wickedness in high political places. May our hearts be turned to You, and to ethics, integrity, and honesty. Grant unity among our leaders, so that a good plan shall be implemented on behalf of all the people, with oversight, accountability, and success.

On account of Your great compassion we ask, and we ask not on the basis of our own righteousness, goodness, or merit. In Your Divine name we pray and trust.

Jesus...Judaism...and the fringe

blog#22,
Jesus...Judaism...and the prayer shawl

Moses had written and commanded Israel under Gods direction, that every male should have “fringes” (KJV), on the border of his garment. The English Translation wording is found in Numbers 15:38-40, as follows:

“Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that you may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them.”...

The Hebrew Bible term for fringes is tzitzit (plural tzitziot). The verses refer to a garment known today as “tallit katan” (small prayer shawl), differentiating between the “tallit gadol,” which is the larger tallit and used mostly when praying. The smaller tallit is worn during the day by observant male Jews. Looking on a fringe or tzitzit (some render it tassel), was to be a constant reminder to the Jew, to remember and to do all the Lord’s commandments, as given by Moses from God.

A good question is: Did Jesus wear the tzitzit garment? Does the Christian Bible provide any information which indicates that Jesus kept or obeyed that teaching? The simple answer to both questions posed is yes. I will provide some verses, but we should first learn some important detail related to the word tzitzit.

The Talmud relates in Nedarim 25a, the wearing of the tzitzit equals the observe of the whole Torah. How can that be? Explanation is found in the knowledge that the Hebrew language also has a numerical value for each alphabet letter. The number value of the word tzitzit is 600. Sages then added the number of threads and knots in one of the four corners of the garment, which is 13 (eight threads and five knots), and the sum is 613. This is also the exact number of Torah commandments. Thus, the Talmudic statement about tzitzit, and Torah commands, equal the same in number value.

In Mark 6:56, an account is given of Jesus and his followers: “And whithersoever he entered, into villages or city or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched it were made whole.”

Notice the terms “border of his garment.” Then we should examine the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, under the italicized number 2899, for a link to the Greek word rendered border. The word is “kras’pedon.” The definitions are listed as; fringe or tassel.

Similar gatherings and events are mentioned in the Gospels (see Matthew 9:20-21, Matthew 14:36, and Mark 5:27-28). In each case the separate gospel authors used the same root term “kras’pedon.” How can we doubt that this was simply the fringe or tzitzit?

Jesus was wearing the fringed garment, and the people were crowded around him, pressing and surging forward to touch it. And in the process, folks were being made well and healed.

More evidence exists beyond the gospel verses. The translation word used in the Septuagint Greek, that is rendered from the Hebrew text in Numbers 15:38-40, and refer to tzitzit, is the same as used in Christian Greek Testament copies. The word is “kras’peda.” Keep in mind that the Five Torah books are reported to have been made around the date 285 BCE, for Jews of Alexandria, who possibly had lost the use of their mother tongue.

In Jesus’ early ministry, many people sought healing from him. Some trusted any word he might say to them. Others wanted him or his disciples to lay hands on them and anoint and pray. But in numerous gospel narratives, and perhaps because of huge crowds, they sought only to touch the hem of his garment, and as many as touched “it,” were made whole. Heaven rewarded the faith of those who reached and touched.

prayer for the Jews

Ron’s prayer for Jews-Christians

Heavenly Father, please open the gates of heaven to receive our prayers. Your great and manifold compassions, make us aware that we may gain Your favor and generous mercies in our petition. Likewise, Your tremendous love for Your people, gives us reason to seek Your Presence.

We are involved in sensitive and difficult situations at times, as we interact with the “people of the book.” They are Your people, and we ask for guidance, assistance, and favor from You, as we befriend and love them in Your name.

Much harm has been done the Jews, bringing suffering, death, and disgrace to many families. History shows that Christians have caused such damage among Jews, and it makes us feel very saddened and ashamed. Our fathers and leaders of the church, bear some responsibility, whether by direct influence or indirect. And, although we ourselves have not participated in forms of anti Shemitic conduct or words, we feel a compulsion to mention it to You.

We do now make public disapproval of any and all anti-Shemitic conduct, past or present. Forgive us, if in any way we have been too silent concerning this horrible history.

We understand that terrible and horribly deep scars have been etched into Jewish minds because of the crusades wherein many innocents were murdered by Christian Crusaders. Please help all those families today. Enable relatives and survivors to rise anew with hope in You. Heal the wounds as only You can do.

May we who are Christians, begin a new history today. May our dealings with the Jews be based sincerely on actions and words of profound respect. May we always be honest and without deceit. May we all from this day forward, be a greater and true blessing to one another.

Our hearts are heavy about these things, so please, if it is Your will, respond quickly. Open a new door of mutual respect, so that in the end, Your Torah teachings and concepts and words, can enable us to walk and work together in a basic unity.

We know that beside You, there is no other. We ask these favors and mercies in the name of Him, whose word is exalted with His Name. Amen.

Hurricane Ike

Third hurricane prayer (about Ike) Sept. 4th, Thursday, 11:00 a.m.

Heavenly Father, Most High God, You are the Almighty. Again we offer thanks to You for all that we have, and possess, and all that we are. Because of Your changeless great compassion and kindness, we exist, as does Your people Israel.

We come once again with a third request, and beseech You to not be weary with our imploring and pleading. Remember Your servant Avraham who besought You repeatedly on behalf of sparing the righteous. In the light of destructive Hurricane Ike’s force, and its present direction, toward the U.S. Eastern sea coast, we ask that You be pleased to direct it away from our coasts, so as to greatly lessen the potential impact.

As always, we have only Your compassion and wisdom to rely upon in this regard. O Thou who hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Continue to give us mercy, spare human lives, provide for all needs, including emergency food and water where needed. Enable human agencies to assist the people with necessary clothing and shelter.

Remember the request of Your servant, who petitioned You no less than 6 times in Genesis 18, about one particular matter. Remember us for good, and forgive us all our transgressions and failure, both national and personal. Turn away the angry force of wrath, and accept our humility in Your Presence. We ask these things in Your name. Amen.

Holy Spirit... in Mark's Gospel?

blog#21

The Introduction of the term “Holy Spirit” (ruach hakodesh), in Mark’s Gospel 1:8, at first glance, appears to be non-Jewish phraseology. Some explanation is required for the Jewish perspective, in order to establish a proper Christian understanding of the Jewish view.

The Jewish religion is strictly monotheistic (One God), and does not promote a multiple persons god, as is common to Christian theology. Their creed of faith is somewhat defined in the word “shema” (hear). The Hebrew words then explain to Israel, that the Lord your God is One. The term for “one” is “ekhad,” and it is a cardinal number when counting. It does not in this verse, refer to a unity or collective noun. If we were counting in Hebrew to number one, we should say: ekhad (masculine form for the number one).

Christians identify the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as three separate god persons within a unity. Some define with the term Trinity, others use the word Triune. This method of explanation is generally given, in spite of the fact that various gospel verses plainly state, that the Father of Jesus is the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit). A reading of Matthew 1:18, and Matthew 1:20, shows that the miraculous conception reported in that gospel, was caused by the Holy Spirit. This of course is not reference to God having sexual activity with a woman, rather a stress upon fatherhood via miraculous means, and identifying the One who caused the child to be.

Luke’s Gospel author identifies the Father of Jesus as the “Highest,” the “Holy Spirit,” and “God” (read Luke 1:31-35). Somehow, Christian theologians had developed a concept that the Holy Spirit is a separate god person than the Heavenly Father.

Truth is; the terminology “Holy Spirit” (Heb.= ruach hakodesh), was not unknown or unused by sages and Rabbis of Judaism. Educated Jews who are familiar with oral traditions, Talmud, and writings of the sages, run across the term Holy Spirit in various writings. Even in the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), the term Holy Spirit occurs three times. Notice Isaiah 63:10, Isaiah 63:11, and Psalm 51:13 (Hebrew verse numbering). The Hebrew readings confirm that God is called the Holy Spirit (ruach hakodesh) in those verse locations.

The penitent Psalm of David (Psa. 51:13), says: “ruach kadshikha al tikach mimeni,” Don’t take Your Holy spirit from me. He was addressing God when he prayed this prayer of repentance requesting forgiveness.

But among Jewish leaders and teachers, the Holy Spirit was not known as a different entity then the Father in Heaven. Whereas, among Christians, belief exists that the Father and the Holy Spirit are separate entities, detractors could easily debate that two separate god persons are the father of a divine son. It might be argued in defense, that such logic is not faith based. But, it was we Christians who introduced the term “persons” to define God. Big Mistake! Persons usually always mean “people.” We admit that logic is not always faith, but bible based logic rests solidly on cumulative bible verses.

In John’s Gospel 4:24, Jesus properly identified his belief in God saying: God is a Spirit, and they who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth. He properly asserted that God is Spirit. Joshua used “wholeheartedly” in a similar verse, which reflects what Joshua told Israel in Joshua 24:14. “And now fear Hashem, and serve Him with wholeheartedness and truth.”

When using combinations of gospel verses as a basis for a belief system, we could come to recognize that the Father and the Holy Spirit are the same entity. If as in Judaism, they represent Divine names for the One God, then the terms Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, could be understood as more links by Christians, in a chain of revelation, of the One God with many names.

The Holy Spirit phraseology, when understood in Jewish context, is a referral to the actions and activities of the One God, who alone rules in the heavens and the earth. It is the Divine spirit emanating from God. Often in the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), the term used is Spirit of the Lord, or Spirit of God. Jewish writers agree that the phrase “Holy Spirit” is more or less synonymous with God. Sometimes it signifies His sustaining and inspiring presence. It seems a shocker to some Jews, when they learn that the term Holy Spirit was used among prophets, sages, and kings.

It’s a term that indicates the “nearness of God, and at times is quite identical to another Hebrew phrase; the shechinah (dwelling, presence); which expresses the Divine immanence in the world. More often, the sages say, it is employed to describe the endowment of a person with special gifts or prophecy; God’s direct influence upon man.

It was said that, “men of prehistoric times, being able to use the Holy Spirit, gave names to their children which indicated events that were to happen to them later in their lives” (see Genesis 10 and Gen. R. XXXVII. 7). The same teaching admitted: “we on the other hand, who cannot employ the Holy Spirit, name our children after our ancestors.”

Mark’s Gospel author spoke of one coming after the forerunner who would baptize or inundate repentant and observant ones with the Holy Spirit, in a manner similar to how the Baptist used water. Did Mark’s author know about the rabbinic concept that the Shechinah and the Holy Spirit indicate the nearness of God? Was that author aware of an oral teaching which was later written in the Talmud, that as surely as the wicked drive away the Divine presence by sins, that the righteous restore its blessing to the human race?

Tradition has originally stated that the Holy Spirit was in the lower regions; ‘when Adam sinned it ascended to the first heaven; when Cain sinned to the second; In Enoch’s generation to the third; In the flood generation to the fourth; In the Tower of Bavel generation to the fifth; the men of Sodom caused the Divine Presence to depart to the sixth; and the Egyptians in the time of Avraham to the seventh heaven.’

In contradistinction, seven righteous men arose and made the Shechinah descend, beginning with Avraham and ending with Moses (Moshe), who caused it to come down from above to below on earth. The coming one written about by Mark, and declared by the Baptist-was he the prophet beyond Joshua, and like Moses, and mentioned by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:18-19? In some way the Baptizer knew things about the restoration of the Holy Spirit to the lower levels, and indicated that one coming after him, would begin the process anew.

These questions and many others are under constant investigation by bible students who not only look for basic foundational truths established in biblical history, but examine the same verses to see if any other hints and omens are provable and pertinent.

hurricane Hanna blog

Second hurricane prayer (about Hanna)

Our Father, God of Avraham, Yitzhak, and Yaakov. Lord, God of Elijah, El Elyon are You. We offer thanks to You, the calves of our lips giving honor to Your name. Thanks for the mercies and kindness manifest throughout hurricane Gustav, and the consideration You so freely gave to our petition. Thanks for all the detail You involved Yourself in to assist our people.

Once again, we are faced with media reports of other approaching hurricanes named Hanna and Ike. We do need Your Divine assistance and intervention. We are nearly powerless except for limited human preparation, against such potentially destructive force of nature. Turn Hanna away from the Gulf Coast region and remember the Atlantic Seaboard. Show the nations and the people, that Your kindness and compassion is far greater than the destructive force of nature.

You alone, know the exact amount of rain and fresh water needed for our sustenance and supply. Please be mindful for our sakes. Likewise, You alone know the amount of wind force we can tolerate in any storm. Limit these forces in accordance with Your Divine wisdom. We also ask that You remember all the people of the islands, who have faced the torrents of water pouring down, and the windy gusts which have brought devastation and suffering. May it be that food, water, clothing, and shelter, arrive for every person's storm need.

Not on account of our righteousness do we ask, but on account of Your great mercies.
Again, we ask all these great favors in Your Divine name. Amen.

hurricane prayer

blog prayer

Heavenly Father, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Lord God of Elijah, God of mercies and great compassion:

We invoke your Divine name on behalf of the U.S. Gulf Coast and all its residents and properties. Reports are telling us of a Hurricane Gustav approaching and about to hit near New Orleans Louisiana any moment, described as category three in force. We ask Your help for the entire Gulf Coast Region.

It is written that You make the deep to boil like a pot, and that You have Your way in the wind and in the whirlwind. No force exceeds Your word and will, and all forces are under Your command.

Please now, protect all the involved people and their properties, their animals and possessions. Spare from injury and harm. Lessen the impacts of the winds and preserve the lives of all personnel who of necessity remain behind to serve and protect. Let the line of supplies of food and water be speedy and precise. May no good strategy fail the emergency teams. Remember all travellers in the regions.

We trust in You, who at the word of Your servant Elijah caused rains to come to Israel in time of drought, and by that same word and servant, caused the rains and winds to cease in the appointed time. Quickly calm these hurricane winds and waves in Your great wisdom and power.

These favors are asked in the Divine name and because of the knowledge of your great mercies.

Amen.

blog#20, Jesus... in Mark's Gospel

blog#20, Jesus...in Mark’s Gospel

My Hebrew teacher was a very interesting person whose husband was a professor at the local University. She was a “sabra,” an Israeli Jew, born in Israel. I had hired her to check my Hebrew-English translation skills of the Gospel of Mark, and to correct or further my language progress. In the process, for the first time in her life, she had to read the Gospel of Mark in Hebrew; a text which had been rendered from a Greek copy into Hebrew, by a pastor/teacher scholar, who led an Israeli congregation for 47 years.

As she read the Hebrew Gospel of Mark, she would tell me from time to time: Ron, Jesus is a good person, you need to tell this to my people. My response at the time was: “no, YOU need to tell your people.” All she had ever heard about Jesus, was certain demeaning Jewish traditions which had reached her ears. She was impressed by the Hebrew Gospel of Mark.

Another thing she told me, which I have recalled is; truth has layers, like an onion, which must be peeled off, to uncover and expose its reality. Best I can recall, we also talked about the archaeologist, who must carefully peel back the layers of soil to reach the object of discovery.

We had agreed that her knowledge of Hebrew language, customs, traditions, and all she had learned in her native Israeli upbringing, was very helpful in reading the Gospel of Mark. I would say as she made discussion points; you should be teaching this. Her reply was; Of course, Ron, it’s my language. I knew quite well later what I had only suspected in earlier times, that an educated Jewish mind, like hers, would understand earliest teachings given by Jesus.

A Hebrew translation version of the Greek Gospel of Mark, in the Mark 1:1 location reads: “tchilat besorat Yeshua hamashiach [ben Elokim].” A usual English rendering might be; “A beginning of the good news of Yeshua the anointed, [God’s son].” The notion that behind our Greek Gospel accounts, lies a Hebrew language, Hebrew culture, and Hebrew people, is quite provable. So, when the Greek words are placed back into Hebrew, its quite easy to see there is much information to be gained from Hebrew culture that is totally lost or missing in Greek logia.

It’s also rapidly noticed that nearly every person mentioned in the Gospel’s had a Hebrew name. Wow! That’s also true regarding “Jesus.”

In spite of the Anglicized form, which has been so widely published in Western markets, we can quickly notice that the word “Jesus,” has a Hebrew origin, and its non Anglicized form is simply “Yeshua.” The Greek form was Eeaysooce, as noted in the Greek manuscript copies; “Arche tou euangeliou Eeaysoo christou (huiou theou).” But, it arrived to us in English, via transliteration, translations, and because of language shifts, as “Jesus” [Geez-uhs).

One Christian scholar called that development, and its continuation, “euphemistic profanity.” The foundations of faith are not only based on faith itself, but should also be founded upon accurate knowledge. And, all that is placed upon the foundation of faith, should continue to be biblically provable by manuscript evidences, as the truth is “rightly divided.”

As my teacher read my English translation version, made from the Hebrew, she stopped to exclaim after the first verse: "O Ron you know, don’t you?" I said: "know what"? She replied: "You know that Jesus’ name was Yeshua". My response was: "I only rendered the Hebrew letters of the text accurately into Yeshua, instead of Jesus." She grinned and said: “We Jews have always known”. I was happy to know that she didn’t think I was another silly uneducated person.

Situations like those, made me more determined than ever that I would peel back everything needful to get to the core of truth. More examples follow.

In our Greek copies of Mark 1:1, where Jesus is called “christ,” the simple reading might indicate that Jesus last name is “Christ.” But, its not so in the Jewish setting. By translating from Greek back to Hebrew, the term ‘hamashiach” appears. Jews knew about mashiach (messiah), But the Greek term christ was not significant among Jews. Thus, the “christ” term is not traceable back to Hebrew culture and language, and because it’s a Greek word, appears to be a foreign introduction to Hebraic thought. Jews expected a “messiah,” but it’s extremely improbable, that Orthodox Jews in the first century had an expectation of a Christ, rather they were aware of a “mashiach” (anointed one) to come. They still today expect a “mashiach” (messiah).

In our Christian Bible, Jesus was given only the name “Yeshua”, as a birth name. Careful reading of Matthew 1:21, explains in angelic words to Yosef (Joseph): she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name “Jesus” [Yeshua]. The term “Christ” is not written there. In obedience to the angelic command, Joseph called the child’s name “Jesus” [Yeshua] (Matthew 1:25).

Hebrew readers and scholars are able to trace the term “yeshua” to a noun in Exodus 15:2 (K.J.V.), where it was written that “the Lord has become my salvation” (yeshuah).

Luke 1:21, confirms again, the one word phrase about the Hebraic name for Jesus. His last name was not “Christ.” Paul also understood the one name that Jesus was given. Read Philippians 2:9-10, which was written: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus [Yeshua] every knee should bow,” ... Christian Bible evidence is precise: God gave the boy the name Yeshua.

Although, some knew the boys name, and somewhat of his role in history from the start, and some prophecies and revelations were shared before hand, it was a process of time and unfolding events, that caused many to think that he was “hamashiach” (the messiah). After time passed, the descriptive term, the Christ, was added to describe the views of his followers about him. But “Christ” was never part of his birth name. The language of conveyance was Greek, so the term christ stuck, though the original concept of anointing was not Grecian.

Further, the English word “gospel,” which we know, and as relates to the message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, is not what is implied in Mark 1:1 (beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ). In Hebrew thought and language, the term used in the prophet Isaiah is “besorah,” and relates to a “message;” news, either good or bad (besorah/besorat). At first, in the beginning, Jesus’ besorah, his message, his gospel, was about the Kingdom of Heaven/God.

The gospel which was at first preached by Jesus and his apostles was good news about the Kingdom of Heaven. It also involved healing, miracles, and signs and wonders, which all enforced the theme, that the Kingdom of heaven was “at hand.” He also sent his disciples to preach that gospel (Luke 9:6), before they even knew of his coming death, burial and resurrection.

Mark’s gospel (good news), was the spreading of the besorah (message) began by Jesus in the earliest form. He takes the reader in Mark 1:2-3, to the words of Isaiah the prophet, and the writings of Malachi, combining them for emphasis of Hebrew prophetic fulfillment (compare Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3). In Mark 1:4, he asserts that John the Baptizer fulfills the role of forerunner for Jesus. In Mark’s gospel, John was part of the “beginning” of the gospel of Jesus.

The reason being, that John the Baptizer’s first sermons, were about the nearness of the Kingdom of Heaven with warnings to repent (Matthew 3:2). Evidence abounds in Mark 1:5, that all these events transpired in the land of Judea, among people of Jerusalem, and at the Jordan River, as many repentant ones confessed sins and immersed themselves because of John’s announcements.

This brings us to another interesting point about “John.” His Hebrew name was Yochanan, which means grace of Yehovah. The Hebrew term is Yochanan hamatbil, and implies that John was the one who caused [people] to dip, immerse, baptize themselves because of repentance.

With all these Hebraic names, theological themes, and traditions, how could anyone even begin to think that the gospel stories originated in Greek culture or literature?

Various scholars have opined and stated in times past, that the Greek Gospels are a result of every mans effort to spread a Hebraic life story about Jesus, into languages among the people of many nations. Other comments were made by the likes of early church fathers, among whom were Papias, Irenaeus, Eusebius, Epiphanius, and Jerome. Each of them alludes to a Hebrew Gospel origin. It probably wasn’t until the middle ages, when an erring theory developed that Hebrew meant “Aramaic.”

The first 8 verses of Mark chapter one, are powerful and rapidly moving in sequence, as the author outlines some detail about a prophet, whom he considered the forerunner, and messenger of God with good news. The eighth verse ends with the amazing prophecy that another one is coming after that one. One who is greater than he, and one before whom he is unworthy to bow and untie the thong of his sandal (ayneneni raooey likhroa berekh l’fanav ool’hatir et s’rokh n’alav). Then, the amazing words: “I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Who could this possibly be, before whom a fearless outspoken preacher, would feel so unworthy, as to bend and untie the thong of his sandals? Who was this coming one, that could inundate a soul with the Holy Spirit?