Pentecost - Messianic Hebraic Perspective
Since this Shavu’ot discourse has clearly taken a Torah centric path let us first pull back the covers from within the Tanakh and see how the Messianic prophecies and Torah mitzvot regarding Torah itself … depict the relationship between Mashiach and Torah. It would seem that this is a good place to start given the fact that traditional Christianity holds to a doctrine wherein the law has been to a large extent abrogated or fulfilled while mainline Jews refuse to accept a Mashiach that purportedly has authorized the abrogation of Torah. Obviously these are broad brush comments … but ultimately fairly indicative of the overall perspectives.
Fill up the Torah as the prophet to come (Deut.18:15-19; Isa. 42:4; Nah: 2:1)
Teach the knowledge of G_D (Isa. 2:3-4; Isa. 42:3; Isa. 42:18-21; Hab. 2:14)
Fill the Earth with the knowledge of G_D (Isa. 7:14; Isa. 42:4; Hab. 2:14)
Bring light to the darkness (Jer. 31:33; Isa. 9:1; Isa. 42:4)
Open the of the eyes to them that are blind (Isa. 61:1; Isa. 35:5)
Open the ears of the deaf (Isa. 35:5)
Free the tongue of the dumb (Isa. 35:5)
Circumcise the remnant and put Torah upon their hearts (Jer. 31:30-33; Isa. 42:3)
To know that all wisdom and knowledge comes from G_D’s Word -Torah (Psa. 16:2; Prv. 2:1-12)
To know that G_D’s Torah is eternal (Psa. 48:15)
To know that G_D’s Torah is pure, perfect and righteous (Psa. 19:8-10)
To know that wisdom is G_D’s Torah and it is a tree of life and path of life to those that take hold of it (Psa. 3:13-18; Prv. 6:23)
To know that Israel’s wisdom and glory before the nations is obedience to Torah (Deut: 4:6)
To know that G_D sanctifies Israel through the Torah (Lev. 20:8; Duet. 6:17)
To know that a discerning heart comes only from G_D (Psa. 10:17; Prv. 20:12)
To diligently learn, contemplate and teach the Torah of G_D (Deut. 6:7; Psa. 1:2)
To not take advice from a person that speaks contrary to or is ignorant of Torah (Psa. 1:1; Prv. 14:7)
Not to change the commandments given by G_D (Deut. 13:1)
That the King shall write a scroll of the Torah for himself, in addition to the one that every person should write, so that he writes two scrolls (Deut. 17:18)
To await the prophet (Mashiach) in WHOM G_D’s Word will be fulfilled (Duet. 18:15-19)
As can be seen from just these Messianic prophecies and Torah Mitzvot related to Mashiach and Torah respectively … there can be no doubt whatsoever that the legitimate Mashiach of Israel was to fill up the Torah for Israel in a manner that only Mashiach would be able to do. In keeping with the truth of aligning the TANAKH with the B’rit Chadasha then … it would be incumbent upon us to see within the B’rit Chadasha writings the fulfillment of and continued support for these revelations declared in the TANAKH … while understanding that if the later does not support the former than those traditional unbelieving Jews previously mentioned herein would be correct in their denial of Yeshua as Mashiach of Israel. For if the testaments do not align and Yeshua did indeed abrogate the Torah … then Scripture mandates his exclusion as Mashiach and worse yet declares him to be a false prophet and a liar. Conversely if the B’rit Chadasha record does in fact conform to the prophecies of Mashiach and the Torah mitzvot within the TANAKH, then it is clear that the traditional Jew is in fact denying the rightful Mashiach and on the other hand that the traditional Christian is cleaving to a wayward doctrine. Hmmm!
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fill it up. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:13-19)
It would appear that we really need not delve much further since the previous passages are definitively and declaratively testifying to Mashiach upholding G_D’s Torah … or is there some other non-literal translation that should be adopted herein? Hmmm! In any event let us consider some additional testimony:
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it. …
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (lawlessness … torahlessness). (Matthew 7:13-23)
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, why call thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, G_D: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matthew 9:16-17)
Then Yeshua sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, he that sows the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity (lawlessness); and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father! Who hath ears to hear, let him hear! (Matthew 13:36-43)
And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of G_D, and have the testimony of Yeshua Mashiach. (Revelation 12:15-17)
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of G_D, and the faith of Yeshua. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the LORD from henceforth: Yea, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. (Revelation 14:12-13)
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loves making a lie. (Revelation 22:12-15)
From just these few passages with respects to Yeshua directly quoting upon the Torah mitzvot … what can any reasonably objective person observe?
Yeshua clearly declared that he was not here to abrogate Torah but to fill it up;
Yeshua clearly associated “the light” with the goodness of Torah;
Yeshua clearly associated “sanctification” with Torah;
Yeshua clearly declares that the straight path is the path that leads to safety while the broad path of disobedience is the path to destruction;
Yeshua clearly declares that anyone seeking eternal life will keep the commandments;
Yeshua clearly upholds the teacher of Torah while rebuking those that steer people away from Torah;
Yeshua clearly declares that the workers of “lawlessness” (against Torah) will be sent away from him for those that are lawless have no portion in him;
Three times in Revelation … the closing Book of Holy Scriptures does Yeshua declare how the righteous in him have faith … and keep the commandments;
Yeshua declares that pursuit of the commandments is directly related to partaking of the “tree of life”.
So … it would seem to be a certainty that Yeshua HaMashiach in no way shape or form gave any indications that Torah … the sacred mitzvot were to be abrogated. Oh most assuredly Yeshua chastised and rebuked the leaders of Israel for crafting and implementing their own torah … but he assuredly made clear that G_D’s Torah is forever!
With this being stated let us take a look at what Yeshua’s talmidim (disciples) had to say on the matter:
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that G_D is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness (outside of Torah), we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light (abide in Torah), as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Yeshua Mashiach his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:5-9)
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Yeshua Mashiach the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that says, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of G_D perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that says he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:1-6)
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of G_D; Having a form of G_Dliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses (preached against the law), so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds; reprobate concerning the faith. … But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Messiah Yeshua. All scripture is given by inspiration of G_D, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of G_D may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:1-17)
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believes that there is one G_D; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? See thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed G_D, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of G_D. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James: 2:14-26)
But now the righteousness of G_D without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of G_D which is by faith of Yeshua Mashiach unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of G_D; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Mashiach Yeshua: Whom G_D hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of G_D; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Yeshua. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the G_D of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one G_D, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? G_D forbid: yea, we establish the law. (Romans 3:21-31)
Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? G_D forbid! But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (Romans 7:12-14)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of G_D, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto G_D, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of G_D. (Romans 12:1-2)
If any man defile the temple of G_D, him shall G_D destroy; for the temple of G_D is holy, which temple ye are. (1 Corinthians 3:17)
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blame and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; (Colossians 1:21-23)
But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the daytime. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceiving while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Yeshua Mashiach, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. (2 Peter 2:12-22)
And account that the longsuffering of our LORD is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Yeshua Mashiach. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:15-18)
Naturally we could review the entire corpus of the B’rit Chadasha Testament but such efforts are simply not necessary. With just a few passages we clearly see Yeshua’s talmidim preaching the fullness of the Good News Gospel … a Gospel of faith, grace and Torah observance … and of course warning the faithful to stay clear of those false reprobate teachers that lead people away from the holy commandments.
When the B’rit Chadasha is viewed within the proper Hebraic perspective there is no disconnection or incompatibility with the Tanakh … we should clearly see:
By no means is the Torah abrogated because of grace and faith;
Torah is declared to be Spiritual;
Torah itself arbitrates between light and dark;
The Gospel is a message of holiness, purity and light … not darkness;
A believer is expected to pursue holiness;
Torah is the means of perfecting faith in Yeshua;
The commandments reflect the love of G_D;
Walking in Torah is walking in the footsteps of Yeshua … the Master Rebbe;
A purported faith without the outward expression of Torah is a dead faith;
A purported believer that does not abide by the Torah is a liar;
People opposing the Torah are reprobate, corrupt and set aside for condemnation and destruction.
Yet again we see clearly and conclusively how the Torah is upheld within the B’rit Chadasha Testament … this time through the writings of the Talmidim. It would seem safe to declare that Yeshua … and the writings of his talmidim are consistent with the TANAKH’s expectation of Mashiach. It would seem that the writings of the B’rit Chadasha are thoroughly consistent with the inspired writings of David!
OK … so hopefully we’ve cleared up any confusion with respects to Yeshua upholding Torah … as if the unchanging Word of G_D in the flesh would negate or contradict what has already been revealed? Heaven forbid!
So now the challenges … now the lingering question for the unbelieving Jew … “do you still believe that Yeshua stands against the eternal and sacred Torah? Do you still believe that Yeshua stands against the Everlasting Covenant? Does Yeshua look more and more like the Mashiach of Israel? Can you now look beyond the wayward confusion of Christian theology/doctrine and see Mashiach for who he really is and what he really represents? Hmmm!
And for the mainline Christian adherent … “do you still believe that any doctrine standing against Torah is a valid doctrine … do you still believe that somehow Yeshua, G_D manifested in the flesh, abrogated what he divinely revealed through Holy Scriptures? Do you still think that traditional Christian interpretation of pretty much Paul’s writings alone, which when taken out of context and appear to combat the application of the law … are actually good interpretations? Well …
Here is what Paul’s writings deal with and what Paul states about his own writings:
1) If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the LORD.
2) Paul’s aggregate listing of prohibitions:
a. Idolatry, Parental Disobedience Murder, Adultery, Theft, False Testimony, Covetousness, Unrighteousness, Evil thoughts, Wickedness, Maliciousness; Fornication, Homosexuality, Lust, Envy, Deceit, Dishonesty, Malignity; Gossip, Backbiting, Spite, Pride, Boasting, Conceit, Riotous Behavior, Vengeance, Drunkenness, Bitterness, Wrath, Anger, Ungracious, Ungrateful, Unthankful, Craftiness, Foul talk, Contentious, Striving, Blasphemy, Whore-mongering, Inordinate affection, Uncleanness, Misuse of G_D’s Word and Covenant Breaking;
b.Thou shall not commit adultery, Thou shall not kill, Thou shall not steal, Thou shall not bear false witness, Thou shall not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.
3) All scripture is given by inspiration of G_D, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of G_D may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Objectively when one views Paul within a Hebraic framework … it is clear that Paul is attempting to teach the Gentiles the Torah … but in a crash course curriculum. Paul is synthesizing the aggregate of the personal behavior prohibitions and defining for his listeners how the commandments should result in these behaviors being rooted out of the individual. Paul is warning the Gentiles that if these behaviors abound than the purported believer remains in rebellion and is not walking in the light. Paul is teaching how Torah manifests within the character of the true believer to individuals who have not had the luxury of learning how this character development takes place via study of and obedience to Torah.
Unfortunately Paul’s exquisite teachings with regards to “justification” and “sin atonement” through faith have been used as fodder by those that do not want the covenantal relationship, codified in blood through Mashiach himself, to be the standard of righteousness and holiness that a believer is accountable to. Frankly it would appear that most people prefer the promise of everlasting life without being accountable to the standards of the true Gospel … which would of course mandate a tangible change in life-style! Hence we are left with the saying “the church is not under the law” … rather than the saying “believers are no longer under the death penalty curse of the law”! There is a huge difference because within the later statement believers are still mentally and spiritually cognizant and desirous of being joyfully lawful … as adopted citizens of the Kingdom. As opposed to convincing one’s self and others that it is perfectly acceptable to be lawless because sin through faith is washed away! Hmmm! If such were the case then the Gospel of course has absolutely zero power to transform and adoption from the seed of hasatan (the lawless one) to the seed of G_D (The Righteous One) would ultimately result in continued slavery to sin! So is there power in the Gospel to transform or not? One would conjecture that it depends upon whose Gospel one upholds! Hmmm!
Given the body of literal declarations, revelations and teachings by Mashiach and his talmidim, there objectively should be no debate as to the continuance and permanence of Torah and the works of Torah. As such … if certain far less literal passages from Scripture are used to argue against this truth then it should seem obvious that either:
a) Scripture would contain direct contradictions and negate itself and bring into question the very orthodoxy of the later writings … namely the B’rit Chadasha writings of Paul … or
b) The selected Scripture passages being used by the unlearned to contest writings from the Tanakh and B’rit Chadasha (including those of Paul) that are consistent … are essentially being misinterpreted or taken out of context.
Ultimately some writings of Paul can’t be used to argue against Paul himself or against Mashiach, the other Apostles and the Tanakh. So … the interpretation of Paul is either wrong or his writings should never have been deemed to be inspired! And frankly speaking the issue of “canonical works and the men who determined same” … well that is an entirely other work all together! But … given the revelation found in the writings of Paul and the testimony of Peter on Paul’s behalf, we should be quite comfortable in accepting these inspired writings … if not the uninspired interpretations of unorthodox men!
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In any event it would appear that what we can learn from the B’rit Chadasha inspired writings is that the same themes associated with Torah within the Tanakh … the inheritance; the uniqueness; the light, the holiness; the mission; etc. … continue and have not changed! And … now that we’ve addressed the issue of Torah in a Messianic perspective we can take a closer look at the glorious fulfillment and perfection of Shavu’ot by Yeshua HaMashiach.
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: and he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:11-12)
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Yeshua by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from G_D: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except G_D be with him. Yeshua answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of G_D. Nicodemus says unto him, how can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Yeshua answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of G_D. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again. The wind blows where it lists, and thou heard the sound thereof, but cannot tell whence it comes, and whither it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, how can these things be? Yeshua answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and know not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, we speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (John 3:1-13)
For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if h