Step 3 R E P E N T A N C E

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The Shoot

When we examine in detail the first four steps of the Ladder, we notice an impasse. We notice that, although we need Faith to enter unto Repentance, God simply commands to enter unto Repentance.^{Matthew 4:17} In other words, if Faith is the wherewithal to Righteousness, why do we need to enter unto Repentance?

Let us recall that, at this point, man has already entered unto Repentance. This step is therefore the outcome of Faith just as the Shoot is the evidence of Repentance. ^{Isaiah 61:11} So then, the discipline of our Repentance and our Repentance takes place during step one, during the four levels of the Faith that saves. In fact, most of the phase of Righteousness takes place during step one. How so?

The four levels of The Seed are actually a microcosm of the first four steps of the Ladder. We recall that, because The Seed is Faith, only the four levels of The Seed are able to accomplish what the four steps of the Ladder cannot unless the steps begin with Faith. For this reason, Faith has to be accomplished during step one, during the four levels of the Faith that saves. Truly brothers, this is how The Ladder reminds us why there is only one-step to Righteousness inasmuch as there is only one-step to holiness.

We are able to see this when we overlap the four levels onto the four steps of the Ladder. Then when we move forward to end what we started, we seek the purpose of The Truthgiver (level 4) through the Baptism of Repentance (step 4). On our way there, Faith will arrive to end what we started. At that very moment, The Seed will bring forth the Shoot causing the Soil to thirst for Water. ^{John 4:14, 1Peter 3:21, Acts 8:36-38}

This is the reason we are saved by Faith even as we are saved through Faith.^{Romans 1:5, 5:1} To the surprise of many, the four levels of The Seed are wonderfully designed within the main body and throughout the whole model.

Brothers, unlike the rendering by the unbelieving Jews, the design of the golden model holds 22 cups, 22 buds, and 22 blossoms. ^{Romans 10:2-3} They are designed in that respective order to serve a purpose. ^{John 15:4-17} By design, the four levels (cups with buds and blossoms) can actually be seen within the Lampstand from every branch and from every perspective, even as the grand total also points to The Word of God. ^{Exodus 25:40, Romans 10:17}

Any way we look at it, the four levels of The Seed remind us why it is the microcosm of the four steps of the Ladder. Even when we view any branch from the top towards the center, we are reminded how to enter unto Repentance. In other words, those who want to enter unto the Baptism of Water (step 4) know they need to enter unto Repentance (step 3).In doing this, Faith will arrive (step 2) because they sought to accept The Truth (step 1) as one. ^{Revelation 22:13} Even the seven steps of the golden model remind us of the four levels once we see them in pairs. In a few words, the four levels, the step of Righteousness, and the whole seven-step process, within and throughout, point to the purpose and the NAME of God. ^{Isaiah 46:11-13, Zechariah 4:1-6}

Through God’s design, we are now able to remind the professing Christian who says, “All I need is Christ,” to go through the four levels that are within the main body. Even to those who say, “Christ is my Righteousness,” to remember that, if that were the case, he would also be Christ’s Righteousness. ^{2Corinthians 5:21, Romans 8:10}

Brothers, the knowledge we are receiving will not come back to God empty. ^{Isaiah 55:10-11} Consequently, what we are hearing is a curse to many while a blessing to us. ^{Revelation 2:5} The only difference is what we do with what we have. ^{Matthew 21:28-31, Romans 2:13} I therefore urge you to see everything as one-step. Even the slightest move forward can begin the step that will end what we started. Allow me to explain how the four levels (steps) work in tandem, to achieve one objective, by telling you a story.

There was a man who promised his brother to attend his wedding. Unfortunately, the wedding ceremony is across the country and lately, he cannot afford to go. As the wedding approaches, the groom to-be keeps calling him to confirm his promise. This man has thought of telling his brother all the many reasons why he cannot go, but his conscience keeps reminding him that he made him a promise. At this point, he does not know what to do.

Now, what do you suppose will be the indicator that such man will go to the wedding?

It is the moment he buys the plane ticket. Just as his decision is made when he buys the plane ticket, Faith begins the moment we set the date to the Baptism of our Repentance. And just as that man is to prepare for the trip, we are to prepare for the date to the Baptism of our Repentance. Then, on the way to our destination, Faith will take over much like the plane takes over. So once we set the date to the Baptism of our Repentance, we show our Father that we are going to The Wedding. ^{Matthew22:2-14, 13:44-46,Hosea 10:12}

Nothing short of the Law

Because most of the phase to Righteousness takes place during the first step, not everything could be explained in detail in step one. For this reason, we need to be aware of the obstacles that were not described in detail during step one. This is done to make sure that nothing stands in the way towards our main objective. This is our main objective: ^{Ecclesiastics 12:13 “}Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. ¹⁴ For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

To accomplish this, let us begin by exposing, in detail, the main obstacle that Religion uses to lead us astray before we go over, in detail, two obstacles that Religion uses to block the way.

One of the reasons we have not been able to understand our main objective is due to the puppets that go out of their way to take the heart from the Law by distorting the writings of the apostle Paul. To our benefit, this apostle was given more than enough wisdom to attract a greater audience. Unfortunately, even during his lifetime, Paul’s writings were the first to be abused by some of that audience. ^{2Peter 3:15-18}

Before we find how, let us recall one passage written by this apostle that cannot be easily distorted by any type of puppet: ^{Romans 6:15} “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. ¹⁶ Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? ¹⁷ But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.¹⁸ Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”

There are more passages recorded in plain language on this matter alone by this apostle than by all the other apostles. ^{Ephesians 3:8-9} Notwithstanding, let us look at the writings of another apostle to clearly see how the puppets keep the masses in a minefield of darkness. This is what the apostle John says: ^{1John 3:4} “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law ⁵And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. ⁶ Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.”

You would think the puppets would seek to harmonize these passages with any other recorded in Scripture. Instead, without explaining a thing, they go on to quote the following passage: ^{1John 1:8} “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Now let us see how the same apostle, who recorded both previous passages, goes on to escalate the importance of the message being conveyed with yet another important passage: ^{1John 3:8} “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. ⁹ Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

Let us recap what the apostle John says: first, he says that a man who knows God does not Sin. Then he says that a man cannot claim to be without sin. Finally, he says that a man who Sins is of the devil. Brothers, is the wisdom given to this apostle also too difficult for them to understand?

Knowing well that Scripture is good for our edification then subsequently, all three are true.^{2Timothy 3:16-17} In fact, The Spirit who counseled the apostle to write these passages also counsels him to explain how these passages are holy and true. Let us listen carefully to a passage that Religion does not preach-let alone, want us to understand:

^{1John 5:16} “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. ¹⁷ All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.”

Right after this powerful passage, the apostle continues to emphasize what is being conveyed: ^{1John 5:18} “We know that whosoever is born of God Sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. ¹⁹ And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”

The Sins that lead a man unto Death

Under the First Covenant, the Hebrew who killed another man could not cleanse these Sins through the blood of goats and lambs. By not having anything to replace his death, such man was put to death. To avoid the punishment for the Sins that were committed in ignorance, a ceremony would take place once a year by the High Priest through the offering of a lamb.^{Leviticus 16:34, Hebrews 9:7}

Year after year, this ceremony had to continue because the blood of lambs and goats could never take away our Sin permanently! ^{Hebrews 10:1-4, Hebrews 10:11-18} For this reason, man needed the offering of The Perfect Lamb who, through The Perfect Spirit, offered Himself to purge us from the acts that we committed under the First Covenant. ^{John 3:16, Hebrews 9:15, 10:9}

Through this final ceremony, we are now able to provide the Offering that cleanses the Sins that would have otherwise led to our Second Death. Then, once Forgiven, we are commanded never to Sin again.^{John 8:11} If we thought we could, we are reminded to suffer the consequences.^{John 5:14} After all, once we have subjected God’s beloved Son to more than open shame, what else does The Father have to offer on our behalf if we were to Sin again? ^{2Peter 2:20-21, Hebrews 6:4-6, 10:26-31, 2Corinthians 3:7-9}

Brothers, do not be concerned with the last quote if we enter The Baptism of Repentance with the proper Faith. ^{Hebrews 6:9} This passage is there to warn those who wish to Repent under the illusion of continuous Repentance for continuous Sin. ^{Romans 2:4} You see, these individuals cannot understand how Faith is inherent with the power of The One who rose from the dead. Fear is then what the adversary instills in us while confidence is what The Holy Spirit seeks to place in us permanently.^{1John 4:18}

The sins that do not lead a Man unto Death

The purpose of the temple served a duality. The second and more common purpose was to provide the daily sacrifice that cleansed the sins that do not lead unto Death. Unfortunately, the manner in which these sins were cleansed did not help the Hebrew towards his main objective. Now imagine if the physical temple had been extended to the Gentiles…the outcome would be disastrous!

Nonetheless, because these sins remain, our objective is to eliminate them through the daily offerings now afforded under the New Covenant. Through the more efficient Temple, these offerings serve a greater purpose even as they serve a duality: first, to forsake the unnecessary destruction of animal life and then, to remember our brother. ^{Hosea 6:6}

The eleventh commandment alongside charity, prayer, fasting, and supplication cover these types of sins. ^{1Peter 4:8} However, no amount of the aforementioned fulfills the requirements of the Law unless man enters unto Repentance. ^{1John 5:16}What we can do for our brother is to pray in the hope that God stirs in him enough fear to end what he started. Ultimately, each person has to accept full responsibility for the Sins committed then Repent and be baptized in the name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.

Nothing added to the Law

Once we accept the Law, the puppets that led us astray will no longer be a threat to us.However, we should be careful that, on our way, we might encounter the puppets that prevent many from ending what they started. These puppets are the teachers of the Law who, for the sake of money, block the narrow road to make sure that no one who knows the Truth finds The Truth. ^{Matthew 23:13,2Corinthians 2:17}

Let us recall how Scripture narrows down our objective to the simplest fact:^{1Corinthians 7:19} “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.”For the law of circumcision holds no value when the Law is disobeyed:

^{Galatians 6:12} “As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. ¹³ For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.”

The apostle Paul expresses this in detail when he reproaches some of the unbelieving Jews who claimed to be a light to the Gentiles just because they knew the Law.

^{Romans 2:17 “}Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, ¹⁸ And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; ¹⁹ And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, ²⁰ An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. ²¹ Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? ²² Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? ²³ Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? ²⁴ For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. ²⁵For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. ²⁶ Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? ²⁷ And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? ²⁸ For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: ²⁹ But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”

Notice how the apostle Paul speaks about the difference between preaching the Law and obeying the Law. Although the unbelieving Jews knew the Law, they only boasted about the laws that had nothing to do with Faith. The apostle further explains how the believing Gentile, who obeys the Law, is considered as one who is already circumcised whereas the Jew, who does not keep the Law, is considered as one who is not.

After all the exhaustive teachings regarding circumcision, it appears that Paul was very clear on this message…but was he? ^{Galatians 5:11} If we agree that circumcision is nothing, why do we keep seeking nothing yet expecting something good to come out of it? Why did we manage to get nearly half the males in The United States under the knife despite the specific teachings on this subject alone? ^{Galatians 5:2} Why something so simple for one man to understand can be so complicated for another? Do we now see how Religion holds some captive through the veils of idolatry while others, through a security blanket?^{1Corinthians 13:11} Unfortunately, there is more to this security blanket.

The Non-Everlasting Covenant

You would think the subject on the dietary laws is no longer a debatable issue. Unfortunately, we find the same teachers who peddle the Law also peddling a short rendition of the dietary laws just to appeal to the right idiosyncratic taste. ^{Philippians 3:19}

This brings a self-induced righteousness of exclusiveness that is far more apparent than Label Christianity. The irony is that, despite knowing the Law, their divorce rate mirrors the religions they frown upon.^{James 4:4} As a result of all the obstacles they place on themselves and the constant reproach of the Law, we are reminded why they become twice the child of hell than the puppets that have to look good for the show. ^{Matthew 23:13} Unfortunately, these overseers do not care to reproach their faithful. Instead, they are too busy robbing temples even as they claim to abhor idols. ^{Romans 1:32}

You see, these peddlers are the hypocrites who accuse Label Christianity of honoring Christmas. Yet, during these times, they allow these idols to remain in their presence during the whole ceremony. Although they did not place them in those temples, they certainly expected them to be there since they rent such temples from other religions that plainly leave these idols in their presence.

This corners their faithful into keeping the Sabbath while staring at idols during the whole ceremony. One can only imagine, if we had a room full of Jews or Arabs in that temple, they would be out the door or that idol would be out the window. The hearts of these Gentiles cannot come to understand that in their efforts to keep the fourth commandment they break the second while, all along, keep ignoring the great pink Elephant! Aside from this, these puppets block the road unto Righteousness in the most cynical manner.

When an individual wants to enter the Baptism of Repentance he is reminded, once again, to be aware that he will Sin again! Of course, who needs a doctor when he is no longer sick?Because of this, they stay empty of The Spirit and vulnerable to the spirits of corruption.^{Luke 11:23-26, 2Peter 1:9}

Brothers, the reason the dietary laws are interrelated with the law of circumcision is because they are often practiced together, even by those who claim to practice only one without the other. Such is the case with these faithful as they are often found practicing circumcision under “a personal matter” by mutilating their children sometime after birth. ^{Philippians 3:2-3}

Unlike them, we know that anyone turning to God is not to be burdened beyond the requirements set forth by the council at Jerusalem. ^{Acts 15:19-20} Each man is to remain as he was found and return to God as required by Law. ^{1Corinthians 7:18-24} Because of the aforementioned, God has left the matters of food upon the judgment of each individual. ^{Romans 14:2-4, 14:17, 1Corinthians 6:13} But why are there any restrictions if everything is to be left to our own judgment? ^{Acts 15:28-29}

The only reason these minimum restrictions were set forth is due to the idolatry that can be associated with food. We know these idols are nothing and that food is just food. Nevertheless, we are not to be partakers of their ignorance. ^{1Corinthians 8:4-13}

What these peddlers do not care to explain is that we would need a complete physical exclusion from the rest of the world just to satisfy the dietary laws. Unlike them, the Jew knows that unless he is physically separated from the Gentile, he cannot keep these laws since these restrictions are far beyond the exclusion of pork! ^{Leviticus 11:1-47}

We recall that under the Old Covenant, the Gentile who sought inclusion had to go through these rituals and restrictions.However, now that we are commanded to go to them, our priorities are to bring the Gentile into a seamless Faith. ^{Acts 13:47} But how are we to go to them if by insisting in observing the dietary laws, we cannot even eat with them?^{Acts 10:28,Acts 15:13-20, Ephesians 2:14, Titus 1:4} For this reason, the dietary laws get on the way in bringing the Gentile into a seamless Faith.

This is not saying that a Jew is to eat what is not acceptable to him, but only that he is to be prepared for the obvious when invited by a Gentile to eat a meal and subsequently, he chooses to go. ^{1Corinthians 10:27-33}Otherwise just do not go!^{Proverbs 15:17}As for the Gentile who bought into these restrictions, why do you judge your brother by the very same laws you cannot even keep?^{Romans 2:1} The Jews you follow are not the Jews we are to follow. If the believing Jew did not burden you beyond these requirements, why are you seeking from others what they did not seek from you? Notwithstanding the overwhelming evidence, what do these puppets say about all this?

They say that all these passages are concerning the requirements and rituals that are no longer needed to prepare, “clean meats.” Under this premise, they are also saying that “nothing” no longer means nothing and “everything” no longer means everything anymore than The Savior, to them, no longer saves. ^{Mark 7:14-15, 1Timothy 4:4, 1Corinthians 10:25-26,John 8:34-36} Reason this, if an everlasting covenant is no longer physically everlasting, what makes a non-everlasting covenant so physically everlasting?

So shall we say that Paul also failed to make this message very clear? Of course not! This great apostle was well acquainted with the Gentiles, well educated under the Old Covenant, and well enlightened under the New. ^{Acts 22:3, Philippians 3:4} All this prepared him with enough knowledge to attract the Gentile and to persuade the Jew. ^{1Corinthians 9:20-21} In other words, Paul knew his audiences very well.

So when these letters were directed to the Galatians, Corinthians, Colossians, Romans and the like, Paul knew his audience was mostly of Gentile origin.^{Galatians 2:8} Sure, there were a number of believing Jews in these lands but The Church was mostly comprised of Gentile origin.^{Colossians 4:11} But even if all the letters were addressed to those residing in the holy land, Paul knew that Judea was not exclusively of Jewish origin.

Therefore, Paul was very clear with this message:^{Romans 14:13} “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. ¹⁴ I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.” However, when these letters were addressed to the Hebrews, we notice how the same apostle uses words that only Jews could understand: ^{Hebrews 13:9} “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.”

These, “meats” are the ceremonial foods that were ordained under the First Covenant. Notice how the apostle alludes to the dietary laws as having no value in those who eat them. But why does Paul use the word, “strange” if this letter is addressed to the Christian Jews who are quite familiar with the ceremonial foods?

Well, just as idolatry is now most certainly strange to the believing Gentile, the dietary laws are now strange to the believing Jew given that, similar to circumcision, the dietary laws add no value to those who keep them. ^{Galatians 2:14, 5:6} Instead, we a