The Meat of the Matter

VERSE

And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion! And with Him were

a hundred and forty four thousands, with the name of His Father having been

written in their foreheads.

(Revelation 14:1) (HRB NOTE: (2818) To have something written on the forehead shows that it is forever in their mind (Deuteronomy 6:8). Whereas with the mark of the beast in the right hand (right signifies strength and action) and the forehead (where our thoughts originate) is giving allegiance to the anti-messiah, the true believers have the name of YAHWEH inevitably written in their minds and have surrendered their wills to Him and are fully servants of Yahshua. Psalms 2:6, John 17:11

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

The last few weeks I have dwelled on the issue of the seemingly overwhelming availability of data on how to properly worship YHWH. Along that same track let us look at why it can seem so confusing at times and how so many may get led astray. Let us for example examine the issue of diet.

Some folks will tell you that the law is done away with so all foods are okay. Is this true?

First is the issue of “is the law done away with”. Who do they cite as the authority? YHWH or Yahshua? NO! They cite Saul of Tarsus aka the (false) Apostle Paul. A 13^th Apostle? Well that is a separate issue, but, either way no one has the authority to supersede YHWH and He never said His Law is done away with. Yahshua specifically said he did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it. So that claim loses all authority.

Some claim all food is okay and cite what Yahshua said in Matthew 15 & Mark 7. They would do well to continue reading the entire chapter in Matthew. At his disciples request he explained his comments. In Matthew 15:20 he specifies that he was addressing unwashed hands, which was an oral tradition added by the Pharisees, and not a command from YHWH. The subject and context of the entire chapter never dealt with what foods to eat. A matter of interpretation you say? Yahshua never violated the dietary laws of YHWH and Yahshua specifically spoke against eating meat sacrificed to idols (Revelation 2:14 & 20). Do you believe Yahshua contradicted himself? Be careful my friends!

Some claim that dietary laws apply only to Jews? Is this true? Well, first off the Law Moses gave to the nation of Israel applied to all 12 tribes of Israel and not just the tribe of Judah. So that claim is false from the start. Second, we must consider if, like the Ten Commandments, dietary restrictions existed before the time of Moses.

Did YHWH ever institute any dietary restrictions before the time of Moses? Yes, Adam and Eve had a dietary restriction. They ate a vegetarian diet (ref: Genesis 1:29). Animal flesh was not allowed until after the flood when YHWH told Noah it was okay to eat animals (Genesis 9:3). BUT, YHWH added the restriction against eating any animal blood (Genesis 9:4). Note also that the concept of clean and unclean were already known to Noah (Genesis 7:2 and 8:20). This concept expressly applied to how many of each animal Noah loaded on the ark and which animal he offered as sacrifice to YHWH. Did it also apply to which animal could be eaten?

Third, the concept of the Noahide Laws is based on the fact that YHWH's revealed commands to Noah apply to all mankind and not just the nation of Israel. That means not eating animal blood or even animal meat until the blood has been drained from it (again Genesis 9:4). This is reflected even in the New Testament by the Council of Jerusalem where it was decided that Gentiles must refrain from meat offered to idols, from meat from a strangled animal, and from blood (Acts 15:20 & 29, Acts 21:25). This restriction was applied directly to New Testament Gentile believers in this era! Add it all up and there is no way one can say that dietary restrictions apply only to the Jews!

Some folks claim all the dietary restrictions apply to everybody citing such verses as Exodus 12:49: “One law shall be to the native, and to the visitor, the one staying in your midst”. That verse specifies those living or visiting with Israelites so if you are doing so that is true. But neither this verse nor the surrounding verses say it applies to those outside the community of Israelites.

So do all restrictions apply today? Only some of them? None of them? What conclusions can be made? Well, we are not done yet. What is the purpose of following dietary laws anyway? Consider what YHWH said after articulating the dietary laws to Israel:

For I am YAHWEH your Elohim, and you have sanctified yourselves, and you have become holy, for I am holy. And you shall not defile your persons with any swarming thing which creeps on the earth;

(Leviticus 11:44)

(HRB NOTE: The Hebrew word here 'Kadosh' means to be set apart. True covenant believers are to be set apart from the world not imitating their ways. To eat unclean food would be a defilement and outright act of rebellion.

That verse was certainly spoken to, and meant for, the nation of Israel - YHWH's chosen people. But are not the Gentile believers who worship YHWH and follow Yahshua grafted into the family to become one of YHWH's chosen people? Are not we also commanded to be holy?

as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves to your former lusts in your ignorance, but according to the Holy One who has called you, you also become holy in all conduct; Because it has been written, "Be holy, because I am holy."

(1 Peter 1:14-16)

But you are an elect race, a royal priesthood; a holy people, and a people for possession; that you should proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness to His precious light:

(1 Peter 2:9)

(HRB NOTE: The intention of YHWH when He took Israel out of Egypt was to make a nation of priests (Exodus 19:5-6). This did not happen due to the continual rebellion of the people, so in the New Covenant clearly the intention, as it originally was, is to make a kingdom of priests according to the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 3:1; 7:11)

So what conclusions can be made? Is Yahshua your example? Did he not say “follow me”? Does YHWH consider certain foods as unclean for those who would be His People, His Priests? Are you going to be one of His People, His Priests?

A related issue is that if one chooses to try to observe YHWH's dietary instructions is to ensure you do not burden yourself with man made additions as many groups do (e.g. Jewish oral traditions, modern groups that ban alcohol too, etc). Study and pray. Pray and study. The choice is yours.

And if it seems evil in your eyes to serve YAHWEH, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve, whether the gods whom your fathers served beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But as for me and my house, we will serve YAHWEH.

(Joshua 24:15)

PS - It was only recently that I was led to study this particular issue. I spent most of my youth as a country boy in the Deep South of the USA where about the only part of a hog not eaten was the oink. I have never followed a kosher diet yet I am setting out to learn how best to do so; and, with all the man made interference out there that will take much study and may take me awhile. Just another of my steps on The Path to Light - no shortcuts and no hitchhiking.

QUOTE

Childbearing should be a punishable crime against society, unless the parents hold a government license. All potential parents should be required to use contraceptive chemicals, the government issuing antidotes to citizens chosen for childbearing. -- David Brower (Sierra Club) COMMENT: The reasoning of the “climate change” bunch - Nanny knows best!

TIDBITS

Is this another example of the traditions of man supplanting YHWH's words? Compare the following verse to the modern tradition of "saying grace" before a meal instead of after:

And you shall eat and be satisfied; and you shall bless YAHWEH your God

in the good land which He has given you.

(Deuteronomy 8:10)

The term “Jesus Christ” is a transliteration of Greek to English of a transliteration & translation of Hebrew to Greek. His real name was Hebrew and is "Yahushua". Some also use “Yeshua” or “Yahshua” .

Famous Jews such as Joseph Pulitzer and Louis Pasteur openly acknowledged Yeshua as their Messiah. COMMENT: Pulitzer would be appalled at some of the people getting awards in his name these days.