Shepherd of Hermas command #11: Test every PROPHET!

“He pointed out to me some men sitting on a seat, and one man sitting on a chair. And he says to me, “Do you see the persons sitting on the seat?” “I do, sir,” said I. “These,” says he, “are the faithful, and he who sits on the chair is a false prophet, ruining the minds of the servants of ELOHIM. It is the doubters, not the faithful, that he ruins. These doubters then go to him as to a soothsayer (one who tells the future by magical means), and inquire of him what will happen to them; and he, the false prophet, not having the power of a Divine Spirit in him, answers them according to their inquiries, and according to their wicked desires, and fills their souls with expectations, according to their own wishes. For being himself empty, he gives empty answers to empty inquirers; for every answer is made to the emptiness of man. Some true words he does occasionally utter; for the devil fills him with his own spirit, in the hope that he may be able to overcome some of the righteous. As many, then, as are strong in the faith of YAHWEH, and are clothed with truth, have no connection with such spirits, but keep away from them; but as many as are of doubtful minds and frequently repent, betake themselves to soothsaying, even as the heathen, and bring greater sin upon themselves by their idolatry.” For he who inquires of a false prophet in regard to any action is an IDOLATOR, and devoid of the truth, and foolish.”

Those who turn to false prophets are empty, devoid the truth, act as heathens and are idolaters because they are turning to the devil other than YAHWEH for counsel. This is a direct violation of the second commandment by you placing another above our ELOHIM.

Exodus 20:3

“You shall have no other mighty ones except Me.”

This is serious because the devil is filling these false prophets with words to lead astray the righteous, this means he can speak through anyone who isn’t living completely for ELOHIM. The words of the false prophet may sound good and will divert you off of the path that YAHWEH told you to go if you are not grounded in the truth. Because these evil spirits can occasionally utter the truth as the malach of repentance said:

Acts 16:16-19

“And it occurred that, as we were going to the house of prayer, a certain maid met us, who had a SPIRIT OF DIVINATION, and who procured her masters great gain by the DIVINATION which she performed. Then she followed after Paul and us, and cried, saying: “These men are the servants of the Most High ELOHIM, and they announce to you the path of life. “and this she did many days. And Paul was indignant; and he said to that spirit, “I command you, in the Name of YESHUA HA’MASHIACH, that you come out of her.” And it came out the same hour.”

As we see she was filled with the spirit of divination, yet she was still able to tell the truth by identifying them as servants of YESHUA and announcing the Good News.

YAHWEH commands us in His Torah to stay away from soothsaying/divination in the Torah:

Leviticus 19:26 (Samaritan)

“You shall not eat with the blood, and do not practice conjecture nor soothsay the clouds.”

A soothsayer according to Collins dictionary is one who believed they could see into the future and say what was going to happen. Synonyms: prophet, DIVINER, ORACLE (My note: like the oracles of Delphi in Paul’s day), fortune-teller.

Leviticus 19:26 (Aramaic)

“You shall not eat blood, you shall not practice DIVINATION, with birds, nor shall you consult an ORACLE.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “For no spirit given by ELOHIM requires to be asked; but such a spirit having the power of Divinity speaks all things of itself, for it proceeds from above from the power of the Divine Spirit. But the spirit which is asked and speaks according to the desires of men is earthly, light, and powerless, and it is altogether silent if it is not questioned.”

John 16:13-16 (Hebrew)

“But when that Spirit of truth will come, He will teach you all truth. For He will not speak of His own heart, only the words which He hears He will speak, and make known to you those words. He will esteem Me-from My Father He will take, and will make known to you all the things which are My Father’s-which are Mine-and He will make them known to you.”

The RUACH HA’KODESH only speaks what He hears from YAHWEH and will announce to us things to come; therefore, the Spirit of truth does not operate like the spirit of the false prophet where it speaks on its on accord to fulfill the lusts of men; whereas the RUACH HA’KODESH wants to serve YAHWEH and bring esteem to YESHUA.

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “How then, sir,” say I, “will a man know which of them is the prophet, and which the false prophet?” “I will tell you,” says he, “about both the prophets, and then you can try (test) the true and the false prophet according to my directions. Try the man who has the Divine Spirit by his life. First, he who has the Divine Spirit proceeding from above is meek, and peaceable, and humble, and refrains from all iniquity and the vain desire of this world, and contents himself with fewer wants than those of other men (1 Timothy 6:8 “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”), and when asked he makes no reply; nor does he speak privately, nor when man wishes the spirit to speak does the RUACH HA’KODESH speak, but it speaks only when ELOHIM wishes it to speak.”

Firstly, the true prophet that has the RUACH HA’KODESH dwelling within him will display the fruits of the Spirit by his life:

Galatians 5:22-24

“But the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control…”

Secondly, when the prophet is asked he makes no reply but only speaks when given the words by the RUACH HA’KODESH:

Jeremiah 42:1-9

“Then all the officers of the forces and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah and all the people from the young to the old came near. And said to Jeremiah, we beseech you, pray for us before YAHWEH your ELOHIM, for we are left but a few of many, as your eyes see us; that YAHWEH our ELOHIM may show us the way by which we may go and the thing that we may do. Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray before YAHWEH your ELOHIM according to your words; and it shall come to pass that whatever YAHWEH shall answer you, I will declare it to you; I will hide nothing from you. Then they said to Jeremiah, may YAHWEH be a true and faithful witness between us if we do not do according to the word with which YAHWEH your ELOHIM shall send to us. Whether it be good or whether it be bad, we will obey the voice of YAHWEH our ELOHIM to whom we send you; that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of YAHWEH our ELOHIM. And it came to pass AFTER TEN DAYS THAT THE WORD OF YAHWEH CAME TO JEREMIAH THE PROPHET.”

As we see Jeremiah did not speak until he heard from YAHWEH which was 10 days later, unlike the false prophet.

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “When, then, a man having the Divine Spirit comes into an assembly of righteous men who have faith in the Divine Spirit, and this assembly of men offers up prayer to ELOHIM, then the malach (angel) of the prophetic Spirit, who is destined for him, fills the man; and the man being filled with the RUACH HA’KODESH, speaks to the multitude (not privately) as YAHWEH wishes (John 16:13-16). Thus, then, will the Spirit of Divinity become manifest. Whatever power therefore comes from the Spirit of Divinity belongs to YAHWEH. Hear, then,” says he, “in regard to the spirit which is earthly, and empty, and powerless, and foolish. First, the man who SEEMS to have the Spirit exalts himself (the opposite of the humble man who has the RUACH HA’KODESH), and wishes to have the first seat, and is bold, and impudent, and talkative, and lives in the midst of many luxuries and many other delusions, and takes rewards for his prophecy; and if he does not receive rewards, he does not prophesy. Can, then, the Divine Spirit take rewards and prophesy? It is not possible that the prophet of ELOHIM should do this, but prophets of this character are possessed by an earthly spirit.

Micah 3:11

“The chiefs thereof judge for a bribe, and its priests teach for hire (hired like a job and won’t teach unless being paid), and its prophets divine for money…”

As the malach of repentance said these false prophets live in the midst of many luxuries and most of them flaunt it with their lifestyle. The prophets divining for money matches the words of the malach of repentance: “and if he does not receive rewards, he does not prophesy.” Also, as we read earlier, YAHWEH says to stay away from divination/soothsaying in Leviticus 19:26, which means these prophets spoken of in Micah 3:11 have to be false prophets because they are using divination, again matching the words of the malach of repentance “It is the doubters, not the faithful, that he (false prophet) ruins. These doubters then go to him as to a soothsayer.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “Then it never approaches an assembly of righteous men, but shuns them. And it associates with doubters and the vain, and prophesies to them in a comer, and deceives them, speaking to them, according to their desires, mere empty words: for they are empty to whom it gives its answers. For the empty vessel, when placed along with the empty, is not crushed, but they correspond to each other. When, therefore, it (false spirit) comes into an assembly of righteous men who have a Spirit of Divinity, and they (false prophet) offer up prayer, that man is made empty, and the earthly spirit flees from him through fear, and that man is made dumb, and is entirely crushed, being unable to speak.”

“For if you pack closely a storehouse with wine or oil, and put an empty jar in the midst of the vessels of wine or oil, you will find that jar empty as when you placed it, if you should wish to clear the storehouse. So also the empty prophets, when they come to the spirits of the righteous, are found [on leaving] to be such as they were when they came. This, then, is the mode of life of both prophets. Try (test) by his deeds and his life the man who says that he is inspired.”

Revelation 2:2 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“I know your works and your hope, and that you are not able to bear the wicked ones, and that you TESTED those who say they are PROPHETS while the are not, and found that they are deceivers.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued:  But as for you, trust the Spirit which comes from ELOHIM, and has power; but the spirit which is earthly and empty trust not at all, for there is no power in it: it comes from the devil. Hear, then, the parable which I am to tell you. Take a stone, and throw it to the sky, and see if you can touch it. Or again, take a squirt of water and squirt into the sky, and see if you can penetrate the sky.” “How, sir,” say I, “can these things take place? for both of them are impossible.” “As these things,” says he, “are impossible, so also are the earthly spirits powerless and pithless (weak). But look, on the other hand, at the power which comes from above. Hail is of the size of a very small grain, yet when it falls on a man’s head how much annoyance it gives him! Or, again, take the drop which falls from a pitcher to the ground, and yet it hollows a stone. You see, then, that the smallest things coming from above have great power when they fall upon the earth. Thus also is the Divine Spirit, which comes from above, powerful. Trust, then, that Spirit, but have nothing to do with the other.”

This is a serious topic because many people love prophets, they love the unknown of the future, and there seems to be people calling themselves prophets around every corner, and these false prophets have ensnared those who follow them. Being a prophet is not a glamourous position as we know that prophets were despised. Furthermore, if a prophet got a prophecy wrong they would be put to death, why? The prophet is supposed to be mouthpiece for YAHWEH and when a prophecy does not come to pass when that prophet said it would, then people who were waiting for the prophecy to be fulfilled begin to question ELOHIM, their faith dwindles and the faith as a whole begins to be mocked. Many “So-called” prophets today would not be living to tell another false prophecy if we were living in the land of Yisra’el.

Deuteronomy 18:20-22

“But the prophet who shall presume to speak a word in My Name which I have NOT commanded him to speak, or who shall speak in the name of the name of other mighty ones, that prophet shall be put to death. And if you say in your heart, how shall we know the word which YAHWEH has not spoken? When a prophet speaks in the Name of YAHWEH, and the thing does NOT come to pass, nor follow; that is the thing which YAHWEH has NOT SPOKEN, but the prophet has spoken presumptuously, you shall not be afraid of him.”

Jeremiah 28:1-17

“In that same year, at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fifth month of the fourth year, Hananiah the son of Azzur, the prophet from Gibeon, spoke to me in the house of YAHWEH, in the presence of the priests and all the people, saying, 2 “Thus says YAHWEH of hosts (speaking in the Name of YAHWEH), the ELOHIM of Yisrael: I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. 3 Within two years I will bring back to this place all the vessels of YAHWEH's house, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place and carried to Babylon. 4 I will also bring back to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the exiles from Judah who went to Babylon, declares YAHWEH, for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.”

5 Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Hananiah the prophet in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of YAHWEH, 6 and the prophet Jeremiah said, “Ahmein! May YAHWEH do so; may YAHWEH make the words that you have prophesied come true, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of YAHWEH, and all the exiles. 7 Yet hear now this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. 8 The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. 9 As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that YAHWEH has truly sent the prophet.”

10 Then the prophet Hananiah took the yoke-bars from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet and broke them. 11 And Hananiah spoke in the presence of all the people, saying, “Thus says YAHWEH: Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all the nations within two years.” But Jeremiah the prophet went his way.

12 Sometime after the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke-bars from off the neck of Jeremiah the prophet, the word of YAHWEH came to Jeremiah: 13 “Go, tell Hananiah, ‘Thus says YAHWEH: You have broken wooden bars, but you have made in their place bars of iron. 14 For thus says YAHWEH of hosts, the ELOHIM of Yisrael: I have put upon the neck of all these nations an iron yoke to serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they shall serve him, for I have given to him even the beasts of the field.’” 15 And Jeremiah the prophet said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah, YAHWEH has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie. 16 Therefore thus says YAHWEH: ‘Behold, I will remove you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die, because you have uttered rebellion against YAHWEH.’”17 In that same year, in the seventh month, the prophet Hananiah died.”

As we see being a prophet is not fun and games, it’s a serious matter to our Father YAHWEH! And to those who are following these false prophets be sure to test them with everything the malach of repentance said which backs up all the words of scripture. As always, may our Father YAHWEH bless you in YESHUA’s Name!

Shepherd of Hermas command# 10: Grief and not grieving the Set-Apart Spirit

“Remove from you,” says he, “GRIEF; for she is the sister of doubt and anger.” “How, sir,” say I, “is she the sister of these? for anger, doubt, and grief seem to be quite different from each other.” “You are senseless, O man. Do you not perceive that grief is more wicked than all the spirits, and most terrible to the servants of ELOHIM, and more than all other spirits destroys man and crushes out the RUACH HA’KODESH (The Set-Apart Spirit), and yet, on the other hand, she saves him?”

Grief is defined by oxford dictionaries as deep sorrow, especially that is caused by someone’s death, misery, and sadness. Death isn’t the only thing that causes grief it can be the loss of someone’s job, house, car, or because of any reason something in their life did not go according to their plans. However, the part about death as mentioned in the definition and matches Sirach which was found in the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Sirach 38:16-23

“My son let tears fall down over the dead and begin to lament, as if you had suffered great harm yourself; and then cover his body according to the custom and do not neglect his burial. Weep bitterly and make great moan and use lamentation as he is worthy for a day or two, for fear that they speak evil of you: and then comfort yourself for your sorrow. For from sorrow comes death and the sorrow of the heart breaks strength. In affliction also sorrow remains; and the life of the poor is the curse of the heart. Take no sorrow to heart: drive it away and remember the last end. Do not forget it for there is not turning again: you shall not do him good, but hurt yourself. Remember my judgment: for you shall also be so; yesterday for me and today for you. When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest; and be comforted for him, when his spirit has departed from him.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “I am senseless, sir,” say I, “and do not understand these parables. For how she can crush out, and on the other hand save, I do not perceive.” “Listen,” says he. “Those who have never searched for the truth, nor investigated the nature of the Divinity, but have SIMPLY BELIEVED ( Modern Christianity), when they devote themselves to and become mixed up with business, and wealth, and heathen friendships, and many other actions of this world, do not perceive the parables of Divinity; for their minds are darkened by these actions, and they are corrupted and become dried up. Even as beautiful vines, when they are neglected, are withered up by thorns and divers plants, so men who have believed, and have afterwards fallen away into many of those actions above mentioned, go astray in their minds, and lose all understanding in regard to righteousness; for if they hear of righteousness, their minds are occupied with their business, and they give no heed at all.”

Mathew 13:10-15

“And His disciples approached and said to Him, “Why do you speak in parables to them? And He (YESHUA) answered them, “To you it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them. For to him who has, it will be given to him and it will increase to him, and to him who has not, even that which he has will be taken from him. Because of this, I will speak in parables with them because they see, and they see not, and they hear and they do not hear, nor do they understand. And is fulfilled in them the prophecy of Isaiah which said that, ‘Hearing, and you will not understand what you will hear, and seeing you will see not know what you see.’ For hardened is the heart of this people, and with their ears they were hard of hearing, and their eyes are blinded that they should not see with their eyes and hear with their ears and should understand in their heart and return and I heal them.”

These words are so true that the malach of repentace says because most of the world simply believes in YAHWEH and His Son YESHUA and say they are saved by grace and they stop there. They don’t seek out the heavenly things of YAHWEH to understand the truth which by definition is the Torah (Psalms 119:142) nor righteousness which is by definition the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:25). Most, believe they can go to church for one hour on Sunday (Skipping over the commanded 7th Day Shabbat/Saturday) and that is all that is required of them, instead they devote their time into the things of the world; therefore, they don’t understand heavenly things nor parables, they have eyes to see but are spiritually blind and ears to hear but are spiritually deaf.

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “Those, on the other hand, who have the fear of ELOHIM, and search after ELOHIM-Head and truth (Psalms 119:142), and have their hearts turned to YAHWEH, quickly perceive and understand what is said to them, because they have the fear of YAHWEH in them. For where YAHWEH dwells, there is much understanding. Cleave, then, to YAHWEH, and you will understand and perceive all things.”

Why is it that those who fear ELOHIM search out the ELOHIM-Head in truth and have understanding?

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (Aramaic)

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: FEAR YAHWEH and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS; this is given by One Master to every man.”

Proverbs 9:10

“The fear of YAHWEH is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the righteous is understanding.”

CHAPTER 2

“Hear, then,” says he, “foolish man, how grief crushes out the RUACH HA’KODESH, and on the other hand saves. When the doubting man attempts any deed, and fails in it on account of his doubt, this grief enters into the man, and grieves the RUACH HA’KODESH, and crushes Him out.”

This is when someone goes into a situation DOUBTING from the very beginning and once it fails because of his/hers own doubt, they begin to carry grief in their hearts and crush out the RUACH HA’KODESH. Later in this message you will see why doubt which turns to grief causes one’s prayers to NOT be heard.

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “Then, on the other hand, when anger attaches itself to a man in regard to any matter, and he is embittered, then grief enters into the heart of the man who was irritated, and he is grieved at the deed which he did, and repents that he has wrought a wicked deed. This grief, then, appears to be accompanied by salvation, because the man, after having done a wicked deed, repented. Both actions grieve the Spirit: doubt, because it did not accomplish its object; and anger grieves the Spirit, because it did what was wicked. Both these are grievous to the RUACH HA’KODESH — doubt and anger. Wherefore remove grief from you, and crush not the RUACH HA’KODESH which dwells in you, lest He entreat ELOHIM against you, AND HE WITHDRAW FROM YOU.”

This is something that no follower of YESHUA should ever want to happen to them and David understood this perfectly well:

Psalms 51:11

“Cast me not away from Your presence; and take not Your RUACH HA’KODESH from me.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “For the Spirit of ELOHIM which has been granted to us to dwell in this body does not endure grief nor straitness (distress/stress). Wherefore put on cheerfulness, which always is agreeable and acceptable to ELOHIM, and rejoice in it. For every cheerful man does what is good, and minds what is good, and despises grief; but the sorrowful man always acts wickedly. First, he acts wickedly because he grieves the RUACH HA’KODESH, which was given to man a cheerful Spirit. Secondly, Grieving the RUACH HA’KODESH, he works iniquity, neither entreating YAHWEH nor confessing to Him. For the entreaty of the sorrowful man has no power to ascend to the altar of ELOHIM.” “Why,” say I, “does not the entreaty of the grieved man ascend to the altar?” “Because,” says he, “grief sits in his heart. Grief, then, mingled with his entreaty, does not permit the entreaty to ascend pure to the altar of ELOHIM. ,”

Psalms 141:1-2

“YAHWEH, I cry to You; make haste to answer me; give ear to my words and accept them. Let my PRAYER be set forth before You as INCENSE, and the gift of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”

Revelation 5:8

“And when He took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls filled with INCENSE, which are the PRAYERS of the set-apart ones.”

Romans 8:26-27

“So also the Spirit aids our weakness. For we are not cognizant of what to pray for in a proper manner; but the Spirit prays for us with groans beyond description. And the searcher of hearts, He knows what is the mind of the Spirit; because He prays for the set apart believers, agreeably to the will of ELOHIM.”

THE RUACH HA’KODESH intercedes for us in prayer, but as we see the malach of repentance says if your heart is filled with grief that is sitting in your heart, which is the most wicked spirit of all, then it crushes out the RUACH HA’KODESH and is equivalent to mixing wine with vinegar; therefore, be cheerful and the RUACH HA’KODESH will intercede for you without the grief, this in return will increase the power of your prayers and they will ascend pure to the altar of YAHWEH as incense.

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “For as vinegar and wine, when mixed in the same vessel, do not give the same pleasure [as wine alone gives], so grief mixed with the RUACH HA’KODESH does not produce the same entreaty [as would be produced by the RUACH HA’KODESH alone]. Cleanse yourself from this wicked grief, and you will live to ELOHIM; and all will live to ELOHIM who drive away grief from them, and put on all cheerfulness.”

As always may our Father YAHWEH bless you in YESHUA’s Name!

Shepherd of Hermas command #9: Pray with unwavering confidence

“He says to me, “Put away doubting from you and do not hesitate to ask of YAHWEH, saying to yourself, ‘How can I ask of YAHWEH and receive from Him, seeing I have transgressed so much against Him?’ Do not thus reason with yourself, but with all your heart turn to YAHWEH and ask of Him without doubting, and you will know the multitude of His tender mercies; that He will never leave you, but fulfill the request of your soul…”

Firstly, you must be obedient to the commandments of the Torah for your prayer to even be heard. These transgressions spoken of are those done out of ignorance which the malach of repentance will mention later, not willful transgressions.

Proverbs 28:9

“He who closes his ears from hearing the Torah, even his PRAYER IS AN ABOMINATION.”

Mathew 21:21-22

“YESHUA answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, that if you have FAITH and no DOUBT, not only this miracle of the fig tree will you do but even if you say to this mountain, “Be removed and fall into the sea!’ it will happen. And everything you ask for in prayer and believe, you will receive.”

Mark 11:22-24

“And Simon remembered and said to Him, “Behold Rabbi, that fig tree which you cursed has dried up!” And YESHUA answered and said to them, “Let the faith of ELOHIIM be in you. For truly I say to you that he who says to this mountain. ‘Be lifted up and fall into the sea’ and does not come divided (indecisive or doubtful) in his heart but believes, that will happen. That thing which he said he will have. Because of this I say to you that everything that you pray for and ask for you believe that you will receive it, and it will be to you!”

Hebrews 11:6

“But, without faith, a man cannot please ELOHIM. For he that draws near to ELOHIM must believe His existence and that He will recompense those who seek Him.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “For He (YAHWEH) is not like men, who remember evils done against them; but He Himself remembers not evils, and has compassion on His own creature.”

1 Chronicles 21:9-19 (When David conducted the census)

“And David arose early in the morning, and the word of YAHWEH came to Gad, the prophet, saying, “Go and tell David, saying, “Thus says YAHWEH: I offer you three disasters; choose one of them, that I may do it to you.” So Gad the prophet came to David and said to him, “Thus says YAHWEH: choose for yourself either three years of famine in the land or three months to be defeated before your enemies while they shall pursue you and rule over you or else three days the sword of YAHWEH in Yisra’el. Now therefore advise what answer you will give to Him who sent me to you.” And David said to Gad, I am in a great distress; LET ME BE DELIVERED INTO THE HANDS OF YAHWEH; FOR HIS MERCIES ARE VERY GREAT; BUT LET ME NOT BE DELIVERED INTO THE HANDS OF MEN.” So YAHWEH sent pestilence upon Yisra’el; and there fell of Yisra’el seventy thousand men. And YAHWEH sent an malach (angel) to Jerusalem to destroy it; and as he was destroying it, YAHWEH saw and considered it and AVERTED THE DISASTER, and said to the malach that destroyed, “you have destroyed a great many, stay now your hand. And the malach of YAHWEH stood by the threshing floor of Onan the Jebusite.”

This matches what the malach of repentance said about YAHWEH having compassion on His own creature and David knew this, which is why he said “Let me fall into the hands of YAHWEH for His mercies are very great; but let me not be delivered into the hands of men.” And even after David’s selection, YAHWEH turned back His anger.

YAHWEH not remembering evils:

Jeremiah 31:34

“And they shall teach no more every man his brother and every man his neighbor, saying, “Know YAHWEH”; for they shall all know Me, from the youngest of them to the eldest of them, says YAHWEH; for I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their transgressions NO MORE.”

Hebrews 8:11-12

“And one will not teach his son of the city nor his brother, nor say: You shall know your Master YAHWEH: because they will all know Me, from the youngest of them to the oldest. And I will forgive them their iniquity; and their transgressions will I remember NO MORE.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “Cleanse, therefore, your heart from all the vanities of this world, and from the words already mentioned, and ask of YAHWEH and you will receive all, and in none of your requests will you be denied which you make to YAHWEH without doubting.”

James 4:4 (Hebrew)

“O adulterer and adulteress, do you not now that whosoever loves this WORLD, he hates YAHWEH? So, whosoever wants to be a lover of THIS WORLD, he himself will be a hater of YAHWEH.”

1 John 2:15-17

“Love not the world nor anything in it; for whoever loves the world has not the love of the Father in him. For all that is in the world is the lust of the body and the lust of the eyes and the pride of the world, which are not from the Father but from the world itself. And the world is passing away, both it and the lust thereof; but he that does the pleasure of ELOHIM abides for ever.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “But if you doubt in your heart, you will receive none of your requests. For those who doubt regarding ELOHIM are double-souled, and obtain not one of their requests.”

James 1:6-8

“But if there is one among you who lacks wisdom, he must pray for it of YAHWEH, who gives to every man, and He Himself will also give it to him. But he must pray in faith, and not in DOUBTING; for whosever is doubtful, he is like a pair of balances on the sea. And this man must not think that he will receive anything from The Master. And he who is doubtful is without understanding in all his ways.”

In context James is speaking of wisdom here, but the same concept can be applied to anything you pray for that aligns with YAHWEH’s will for your life. If you doubt you will not receive it, just as YESHUA said.

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “But those who are perfect in faith ask everything, trusting in YAHWEH; and they obtain, because they ask nothing doubting, and not being double-souled. For every double-souled man, even if he repent, will with difficulty be saved. (Remember James 1:8 says that one who is doubtful is without understanding in all his ways) Cleanse your heart, therefore, from all doubt, and put on faith, because it is strong, and trust ELOHIM that you will obtain from Him all that you ask. And if at any time, after you have asked of YAHWEH, you are slower in obtaining your request [than you expected], do not doubt because you have not soon obtained the request of your soul; for invariably (in every case) it is on account of some temptation or some transgression of which you are IGNORANT that you are slower in obtaining your request.”

James 1:13-17

“But let no one say-when a temptation comes on him-“This comes from YAHWEH,” for YAHWEH does not tempt man with evil, and He is not tempted by anyone. Only, everyone is tempted when his desire overcomes him. And afterwards, if he accepts the desire it causes the transgression; but the transgression-when it is completed-causes the death. Do not go astray beloved brothers. Every good gift comes from above, from the light of the Father, and with Him there is no change, nor alteration of light and darkness.”

2 Baruch 54:19

“And Adam is therefore not the cause, except only for himself, but each of us has become our own Adam.”

In other words, we have nobody to blame for our actions except ourselves, each one of us has the ability to choose the blessing or the curse. So, if you don’t receive what you prayed for on account of a temptation that caused you to transgress then you cannot blame ELOHIM for that. As the malach of repentance says, still don’t doubt it just means the prayer has been delayed because of this, or if you did something unknowingly and some examples are in the Torah:

Leviticus 4:1-2, verse 13-14

“And YAHWEH spoke unto Moses, saying, speak to the children of Yisra’el, saying, “if a person shall transgress through IGNORANCE against any of the commandments of YAHWEH concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do any of them…” Verses 13-15 “And if the whole congregation of Yisra’el go wrong, and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the assembly (unknowingly), and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of YAHWEH concerning things which should not be done and are guilty; when the transgression which they have committed against it is known, then the whole congregation shall offer a young bullock for the transgression and bring it before the tabernacle of the congregation.”

Leviticus 5:17-18

“And if any person transgresses and commits any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of YAHWEH; though HE DOES NOT KNOW THAT HE HAS TRANSGRESSED, YET HE IS GUILTY AND SHALL SUFFER FOR HIS INIQUITY. And he shall bring to the priest a ram of value without blemish out of the flocks for a trespass offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him for his IGNORANCE in erring, even though he KNEW IT NOT, and it shall be forgiven him.”

So, if you have done something that you are unaware of then its time to examine yourself to see why you have not obtained what you asked for, as YAHWEH is never to blame.

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “Wherefore do not cease to make the request of your soul, and you will obtain it. But if you grow weary and waver in your request, BLAME YOURSELF, and not Him who does not give to you. Consider this doubting state of mind, for it is wicked and senseless, and turns many away entirely from the faith, even though they be very strong.”

This happens when people believe they have strong faith, and they pray for something and they do not get it when they think they should received it. Then they begin to doubt whether ELOHIM exists or if He hears them, which causes them to fall away from the faith and blame ELOHIM as if He has forsaken them, when He is the One who has been carrying them the entire time. Don’t doubt, don’t waver, don’t give up, and don’t put a time limit on when you expect to receive something just focus on your faith.

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “For this doubting is the daughter of the devil, and acts exceedingly wickedly to the servants of ELOHIM. Despise, then, doubting, and gain the mastery over it in everything; clothing yourself with faith, which is strong and powerful. For faith promises all things, perfects all things; but doubt having no thorough faith in itself, fails in every work which it undertakes. You see, then,” says he, “that, faith is from above — from YAHWEH — and has great power; but doubt is an earthly spirit, coming from the devil, and has no power. Serve, then, that which has power, namely faith, and keep away from doubt, which has no power, and you will live to ELOHIM. And all will live to ELOHIM whose minds have been set on these things.”

Habakkuk 2:4

“For His soul does not delight in iniquity, but the righteous man shall live by faith.”

Mathew 8:5-10

“And when YESHUA entered Capernaum, a certain centurion approached Him and was beseeching Him, and he said, “My Master, my boy is lying at home and is paralyzed and seriously in pain.” YESHUA said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion answered and said, “My Master, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my boy will be healed. For I am also a man that is under authority, and there are under my hand soldiers, and I say to this one ‘go’ and he goes, and to the other ‘come’ and he comes, and to my servant to do this, and he does it.” And when YESHUA heard this, He was amazed and said to those that had come with Him; “I say truly to you that not even in Yisra’el have I found faith like this.”

When we come to ELOHIM in prayer let us remember to have this kind of faith, so that the things that we ask for that are in line with YAHWEH’s will for our lives will be obtained. HalleluYAHWEH!

As always may our Father YAHWEH bless you in YESHUA’s Name!

Shepherd of Hermas command #8: SHUN EVIL AND DO GOOD

“I told you, “Said he, “that the creatures of ELOHIM are double, for restraint also is double; for in some cases restraint has to be exercised, in others there is no need of restraint.” “Make known to me, sir,” say I, “in what cases restraint has to be exercised, and in what cases it has not.” “Restrain yourself in regard to evil, and do it not; but exercise no restraint in regard to good, but do it. For if you exercise restraint in the doing of good, you will commit a great transgression; but if you exercise restraint, so as not to do that which is evil, you are practicing great righteousness. Restrain yourself, therefore, from all iniquity, and do that which is good.”

“What, sir,” say I, “are the evil deeds from which we must restrain ourselves?” “Hear,” says he: “from adultery and fornication, from unlawful reveling, from wicked luxury, from indulgence in many kinds of food (gluttony) and the extravagance of riches, and from boastfulness, and haughtiness, and insolence, and lies, and backbiting, and hypocrisy, from the remembrance of wrong, and from all slander. These are the deeds that are most wicked in the life of men. From all these deeds, therefore, the servant of ELOHIM must restrain himself. For he who does not restrain himself from these, cannot live to ELOHIM. Listen, then, to the deeds that accompany these.”

When know that in Galatians 5 that all these mentioned above by the malach (angel) of repentance of deeds of the flesh and not the Spirit.

Galatians 5:19-21

“For you know the works of the flesh, which are these adultery, impurity, and lasciviousness (lust), idolatry, witchcraft, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, stubbornness, treacheries, heresies, envy, murder, drunkenness, revelry and all like things. Those who do things like these, they will not inherit the Kingdom of ELOHIM.”

Most of these have been covered in the past few Shepherd of Hermas commands in great detail and he is reiterating how wicked they are here, so I’ll touch the new ones that have been mentioned.

Remembrance of wrong- This is when you are keeping tabs of all those who have wronged you and throwing it in their faces when you should be forgiving them.

Mathew 18:21

“Then, Peter drew near to Him and said, “My Master, how many times should I forgive My brother with me who is at fault. Should I forgive him up to seven times? YESHUA said to him, “I do not say to you up to seven times, rather, up to seventy times seven.”

Since ELOHIM does not keep track of the transgressions we committed against Him when we asked for forgiveness, then why are you keeping tabs on the wrong doings of your brothers and sisters?

Reveling- is when someone is enjoying himself in a lively and noisy festivities, especially when these involve drinking large amount of alcohol, so think of parties, clubs, sporting events etc. It includes rowdy, disorderly parties that go late into the night with feasting and bad behavior. Compellingtruth.org adds “In Greek culture a revel was a group of partiers who paraded through the streets after dinner drunk and unruly, singing and playing instruments in honor of Bacchus deity.”

This pagan deity Bacchus is found in 2 Maccabees 6:7

“And in the day of the king’s birth every month they were brought by bitter constraint to eat the sacrifices; and when the fast of Bacchus was kept, the Jews were compelled to go to procession to Bacchus, carrying ivy.”

Romans 13:13-14

“And let us walk decorously, as in daylight; not in merriment, nor in drunkenness, nor in impurity of the bed, nor in envy and strife. But clothe yourselves with our Master YESHUA HA’MASHICH: and pay no concern about your FLESH for the indulgence of appetites.”

Wicked luxury- lusting after riches, a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort where one trusts in his money.

Mathew 13:22

“And that which was sown into a thorny place is he that hears the word and the cares of this world and the deception of riches choke the word, and it becomes without fruit.”

Mathew 19:16-24 (Aramaic)

“A certain man came and drew near and said to Him, “Good teacher, what is good that I should do that I should have eternal life?” Then He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? (Most Scripture dictionaries say “Why do you question Me concerning this good thing?” There is none good except One ELOHIM? Now If you desire to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?” Then YESHUA said to him, “That you will not kill, and not commit adultery, and you will not steal, and you will not give false witness, and honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these things I have obeyed them from my youth. What do I lack?” YESHUA said to him, “If you desire to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give them to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come follow Me.” And that young man heard this word and went away sad, for he had many possessions.”

The rich man had much luxury and was living in comfortability and did not want to depart from the comfortability of the lifestyle he was living. Later in the Shepherd of Hermas it is explained that those who have great riches are to look out for the poor for that is the reason why they were given the riches.

Extravagance of riches- wasteful or careless spending/ lack of restraint in spending or more than what is needed.

Boastfulness- is excessively proud and self-satisfied talk about one’s achievement, possessions, or abilities.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

“Thus says YAHWEH, let not the wise man BOAST in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man BOAST in his might, and let not the rich man BOAST in his riches; but let him who BOASTS boast in this: that He understands and knows Me, that I am YAHWEH who executes lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, says YAHWEH.”

James 4:13-17

“But what will we say of those who say: “Today or tomorrow we will go to such or such a city and will abide there a year; and we will traffic and get gain?” And they do not know what will be tomorrow: for what is our life but an exhalation that is seen a little while and then vanishes and is gone? Whereas they should say: “If Master YAHWEH wills it, and we live, we will do this or that.” They BOAST in their arrogance. All such BOASTING IS EVIL. He that knows the good and does it not, to him is sin.”

Haughtiness- arrogant, pride, conceit, the appearance or quality of being arrogantly superior and disdainful.

Isaiah 3:16-17

“Because the daughters of Zion have become HAUGHTY, and walk with stretched forth necks, and wanton eyes, making a tingling with their feet, and thus provoking YAHWEH; therefore YAHWEH will bring low the heads of the daughters of Zion, and YAHWEH shall lay bare their secret parts.”

Proverbs 6:16-19

“There are six things which YAHWEH hates; yea, the seventh is an abomination to Him; HAUGHTY EYES, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness who speaks lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.”

Insolence- rude or disrespectful behavior.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

“But know this: That in the latter days hard times will come: and men will be lovers of themselves and lovers of money, boasters, proud, revilers, unyielding towards their own people, deniers of mercy, wicked, unloving, addicted to irreconcilable malicious gossips, ferocious, haters of the good, treacherous, rash, inflated, attached to pleasure more than to the love of ELOHIM, having a form of respect for ELOHIM but wide from the power of ELOHIM.”

2 Peter 2:10-17

“And especially them who go after the flesh in the lusts of pollution, and despise government. Daring and boasting without cause they do not quake with awe while they blaspheme; as opposed to the messengers/malachim/angels, greater than they in might and valor, do not bring against them a reproachful judgment. But these, like nasty beasts that by nature are for slaughter and corruption, while engaging in evil speech regarding things they don’t know, will perish in their own corruption; they being persons with whom iniquity is the reward of iniquity, and by them rioting in the daytime is accounted as delightful; defiled and to pleasure; having eyes that are full of adultery and transgressions that never end; seducing unstable souls; and having a heart exercised in greed; children of cursing; and having left the correct path, they have wandered and gone in the way of Balaam the son of Beor who loved the wages of iniquity, and who had for the corrector of his transgression a mute mule which, speaking with the speech of men, rebuked the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds driven by a storm, person for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “Are there, sir,” said I, “any other evil deeds?” “There are,” says he; “and many of them, too, from which the servant of ELOHIM must restrain himself — theft, lying, robbery, false witness, overreaching (to get over on someone cunningly like extortion), wicked lust, deceit, vain esteem, boastfulness, and all other vices like to these.” “Do you not think that these are really wicked?” “Exceedingly wicked in the servants of ELOHIM. From all of these the servant of ELOHIM must restrain himself. Restrain yourself, then, from all these, that you may live to ELOHIM, and you will be enrolled amongst those who restrain themselves in regard to these matters. These, then, are the things from which you must restrain yourself.

Theft, lying, robbery, false witness, deceit:

Exodus 20:14

“You shall not steal.”

Leviticus 19:11

“You shall not steal; you shall deal falsely; neither shall you lie to one another.”

Proverbs 6:16-19

“There are six things which YAHWEH hates; yea, the seventh is an abomination to Him; haughty eyes, a LYING tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness who speaks LIES, and he who sows discord among brothers.”

Revelation 21:8

“But to the timid and the unbelieving, and to the transgressors and polluted and to manslayers and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and to all false persons, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Revelation 22:15

“Without will be dogs and sorcerers, and whoremongers and manslayers and idolaters, and everyone that loves and does falsehood.”

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

“Or don’t you know, that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of ELOHIM? Make no mistake! Neither sexual sinners, nor idol-worshippers, nor adulterers, nor the corrupt, nor men who lay down with other men, nor the oppressors, nor thieves, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, will inherit the Kingdom of ELOHIM.”

Leviticus 19:13 (Samaritan)

“You shall not oppress nor ROB your friend…”

Vain esteem- pride in oneself or one’s achievements, excessive vanity, similar to boasting.

Philippians 2:3

“And do nothing in strife or VAIN ESTEEM; but, with humbleness of mind, let each regard his neighbor as better than himself.”

False-witness

Proverbs 6:16-19

“There are six things which YAHWEH hates; yea, the seventh is an abomination to Him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a FALSE WITNESS who speaks lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.”

Exodus 20:16

“You shall not bear FALSE WITNESS against your neighbor.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “But listen,” says he, “to the things in regard to which you have not to exercise self-restraint, but which you ought to do. Restrain not yourself in regard to that which is good, but do it.” “And tell me, sir,” say I, “the nature of the good deeds, that I may walk in them and wait on them, so that doing them I can be saved.” “Listen,” says he, “to the good deeds which you ought to do, and in regard to which there is no self-restraint requisite. First of all there is faith, then fear of YAHWEH, love, concord, words of righteousness, truth, patience. Than these, nothing is better in the life of men. If any one attend to these, and restrain himself not from them, blessed is he in his life. Then there are the following attendant on these: helping widows, looking after orphans and the needy, rescuing the servants of ELOHIM from necessities:

All of the other good that was listed have been covered in great detail in the previous Shepherd of Hermas messages, the malach of repentance is just reiterating the importance of them, but a new one is to rescue the servants of ELOHIM from necessities.

James 2:15-17

“Or if a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say to them, “Go in peace, warm yourselves, and be full;” and you do not give them the NECESSITIES of the body, what is the use? So also faith alone, without works is dead.”

James 1:27

“For the worship that is pure and set-apart before ELOHIM the Father, is this: to visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction; and: that one keep himself without blemish from the world.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “The being hospitable — for in hospitality gooddoing finds a field —

Jasher 22:11-13

“And Abraham planted a large grove in Beersheba, and he made to it four gates facing the four sides of the earth, and he planted a vineyard in it, so that if a traveler came to Abraham he entered any gate which was in his road, and remained there and ate and drank and satisfied himself and then departed. For the house of Abraham was always open to the sons of men that passed and repassed, who came daily to eat and drink in the house of Abraham. And any man who had hunger and came to Abraham’s house, Abraham would give him bread that he might eat and drink and be satisfied, and any one that came naked to his house he would clothe with garments as he might choose, and give him silver and gold and make known to him YAHWEH who had created him in the earth; this Abraham did all his life.”

Genesis 18:1-7

“And YAHWEH revealed Himself to him by the oak of Mamre, as he was sitting in the door of the tent in the heat of the day; and he lifted up his eyes and at a distance from him; and when he saw them, he ran from the door of the tent to meet them and bowed himself to the ground. And said, O YAHWEH, if now I have found mercy in Your sight, do not pass away from Your servant; let me bring a little water and wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree; and take a morsel of bread and sustain your hearts; after that You shall go on Your way, since you have come to Your servant. And they said, “So do as you have said.” So Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of fine flour; knead it, and make cakes on a griddle. And Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf fat and good, and gave it to a servant, and he hastened to prepare it. And he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set them before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they ate.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “Never opposing any one, the being quiet, having fewer needs than all men (looking after others instead of yourself/putting others first), reverencing the aged, practicing righteousness, watching the brotherhood, bearing insolence, being long-suffering, encouraging those who are sick in soul, not casting those who have fallen into sin from the faith, but turning them back and restoring them to peace of mind, admonishing sinners, not oppressing debtors and the needy, and if there are any other actions like these.”

Being quiet:

Sirach 20:5-8

“There is one that keeps silence and is found wise: and another by much babbling becomes hateful. Some men hold their tongue, because they have nothing to answer: and some keep silence knowing their time. A wise man will hold his tongue until he sees opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will not regard time. He that uses many words shall be abhorred (hated)…”

Reverencing the aged:

Leviticus 19:32

“You shall rise up before an elder and honor the person who is older than you and revere your ELOHIM; I am YAHWEH your ELOHIM.”

1 Peter 5:5

“And you juniors submit yourselves to your seniors; and clothe yourselves, stringently, with lowliness of mind one towards another; because ELOHIM resists them who exalt themselves, and gives favor to the humble.”

Watching the brotherhood:

1 Peter 5:2-4

“Feed the flock of ELOHIM which is committed to you: have care for it spiritually; not from compulsion but voluntarily; not for base gain but with all your heart; not as masters of the flock but so as to be a good example for them: that when the Master Shepherd will be revealed you may receive from him a crown of esteem that does not fade.”

Being long suffering:

1 Peter 2:20-25

“But they who endure suffering due to their transgressions, what praise have they? But if, when you do well, they vex you and you endure it; then great is your praise with ELOHIM. For to this were you called; because the Messiah also died for us and left us this PATTERN that you should walk in His steps. He did no offence; neither was any deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile; and He suffered but didn’t threaten, but committed His cause to the Righteous Judge. And He took away all our transgressions and, in His body lifted them to the stake; that we, when dead to transgression, might live by His righteousness; for by His wounds you are healed. For you had gone astray like sheep; but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

Admonishing sinners:

2 Esdras 14:13

“Now, therefore, set your house in order, and REPROVE (reprimand, rebuke) your people; comfort the lowly among them, and instruct those who are wise.”

1 Corinthians 5:11-13

“But this is what I wrote to you, that you don’t mix, if anyone is called a brother and is a sexual sinner; or greed for wealth, or an idol-worshipper, or a charlatan, or a drunkard, or greedy, with him who is such, not even to eat bread.”

Not oppressing debtors and needy:

Mathew 18:23-34

“Because of this the Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a king who desired to take an accounting from his servants. And when he began to take an accounting, they brought him one who owed ten thousand talents. And when he had no way to repay, his master commanded that he be sold, he and his wife, and his children and everything that he owns and he repay. And that servant fell down and worshipped him and said, ‘My master, be patient with me and every thing I will repay to you.’ And the master of that servant had compassion and released him and forgave him his debt. Now that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarii, and he seized him and was choking him and said to him, ‘Give to me that which you owe to me.’ And that fellow servant fell down upon his feet beseeching him and said to him, ‘Be patient with me and I will repay you.’ And he did not want to but went and cast him into prison until he paid him what he owed him.” And when their fellow servants saw the thing that had happened, it saddened them very much, and they made known to their master all that happened. Then his master called him and said to him, “Evil servant!” I forgave you all of that debt because you beseeched me, was it not right for you to have mercy on your fellow servant as I had mercy on you.”

Exodus 22:21, 25

“You shall neither harm a stranger nor oppress him; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Verse 25 “If you lend money to any of my people who are the poor among you, you shall not be to him as an usurer, neither shall you take any usury from him.”

Deuteronomy 15:9-10

“Beware that there be not a wicked thought in your heart, and you say, the seventh year, the year of release, is near; and your eye be evil toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing; and he cry to YAHWEH against you, and it be transgression to you. You shall not be displeased when you give to him when you give to him…”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “Do these seem to you good?” says he. “For what, sir,” say I, “is better than these?” “Walk then in them,” says he, “and restrain not yourself from them, and you will live to ELOHIM. Keep, therefore, this commandment. If you do good, and restrain not yourself from it, you will live to ELOHIM. All who act thus will live to ELOHIM. And, again, if you refuse to do evil, and restrain yourself from it, you will live to ELOHIM. And all will live to ELOHIM who keep these commandments, and walk in them.”

As always may our Father YAHWEH bless you in YESHUA’s Name!

Shavuot/Pentecost Instructions 2022

YAHWEH willing we will soon be entering into the Festival called Festival of Shavuot (Shavuot means “weeks” in Hebrew), Festival of First Fruits, Festival of Weeks or Pentecost (Which means 50 in Greek). Shavuot is on June 5th and is a High Shabbat which means we are not allowed to work. We will discuss who celebrated Shavuot, importance of Shavuot, and instructions for Shavuot and the freewill offering.

On April 17th, which is equivalent to the 26th day of the 1st month on the Hebrew calendar, was the Sunday AFTER the Feast of Unleavened Bread when we started the counting of the omer (sheaf).  When the kohen (priest) would wave the first-fruits of barley sheaf before YAHWEH to accept the future crops; which will place us at June 5th on the Gregorian calendar, which is the 15th day of the 3rd month on the Hebrew calendar.

Leviticus 23:15-16 says:

 “And you shall count unto you from the morrow after the Shabbat, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Shabbat’s shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh Shabbat shall you number fifty days; and you shall offer a new grain offering unto YAHWEH.”

Exodus 23:16

“And the Festival of weeks, the first-fruits of which you have sown in the field…”

Exodus 34:22

“And perform the Feast of weeks, the feast of the first-fruits of wheat harvest…”

Numbers 28:26

“And on the day of FIRST FRUITS, when you bring a new grain offering to YAHWEH at your FESTIVAL OF SHAVUOT, you have a set-apart gathering, you do no work.”

Deuteronomy 16:9-12

“You shall count seven weeks to yourselves; begin to count the seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain. And then you shall keep the feast of weeks to YAHWEH your ELOHIM with sufficient of freewill offering of your hand, which you shall set aside as YAHWEH your ELOHIM has blessed you; and you shall rejoice before YAHWEH your ELOHIM, you and your son and your daughter and your manservant and your maidservant and the Levite who is within your towns and the sojourner and the fatherless and the widow who is among you, at the place where YAHWEH your ELOHIM has chosen to place His Name. And you must remember that you were a bondman in Egypt; so you shall observe and do these statutes.”

Let’s look at Scripture to see who celebrated Shavuot!

Modern day Christianity says that the Appointed Times of YAHWEH are for the Jews only and that Apostle Paul did away with the law. However you will see that Paul himself observed Shavuot as all the righteous men of scripture did.

Acts 20:16

“For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might lose no time in Asia, for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the DAY OF THE FESTIVAL OF SHAVUOT.”

Jubilees 6:15-21

“And He gave to Noah and his sons a sign that there should not be a flood on the earth again. He placed a rainbow in the cloud for a sign of the everlasting Covenant that there should not be a flood again on the earth to destroy it all the days of the earth. For this reason it is ordained and written on the tablets of the heavens, that they should celebrate the FESTIVAL OF SHAVUOT IN THIS MONTH (3rd month on Hebrew Calendar) ONCE A YEAR to RENEW the Covenant every year.” And this whole Festival was celebrated in the HEAVENS FROM the day of creation till the days of Noah: twenty-six Jubilees and five weeks of years. And Noah and his sons OBSERVED IT for seven Jubilees and one week of years, till the day of Noah’s death. And from the day of Noah’s death his sons forsook it until the days of Abraham, and they ate blood “But Abraham observed it, and Isaac, and Jacob, and his children observed it up to your days, and in your days the children of Yisra’el forgot it until you celebrated it anew on this mountain. And you shall command the children of Yisra’el to observe this Festival in all their generations for a Command unto them; one day in the year in this month (3rd month) they shall celebrate the Festival. For it is the Festival of SHAVUOT AND THE FEAST OF FIRST-FRUITS: This Feast is twofold and double nature: according to what is written and engraved concerning it, celebrate it.”

Numbers 28:26

“And on the day of FIRST FRUITS, when you bring a new grain offering to YAHWEH at your FESTIVAL OF SHAVUOT, you have a set-apart gathering, you do no work.”

Both Jubilees and Numbers shows that First-Fruits and Shavuot are connected and are the same feast. Especially, since we counted the 50 days starting on First-Fruits.

Jubilees 15:1

“And in the fifth year of the fourth week of this Jubilee, in the THIRD MONTH, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH (15th Day) Abram celebrated the Festival of the First-Fruits (Shavuot) of the grain harvest.”

There are only 30 days in a month on the Zadok Priestly calendar; therefore, we know that the middle of the month is the 15th day. Our earliest indication of this is found if Genesis 7:24 which reads:

“And the waters were mighty on the earth, one hundred and fifty days.”

30 days X 5 months= 150 days; therefore 12 months X 30 days in a month= 360 days in a base year.

Jubilees 16:13

“And in the middle of the sixth month YAHWEH visited Sarah and did to her as He had spoken, and she conceived. And she bore a son in the THIRD MONTH, and in the MIDDLE OF THE MONTH (15th Day) at the time of which YAHWEH had spoken to Abraham, on the Festival of the First-Fruits (Shavuot) of the Harvest, Isaac was born.”

Jubilees 28:15

“And again Jacob went in to her, and she conceived, and bore him a fourth son, and he called his name Judah, ON THE FIFTEENTH OF THE THIRD MONTH (SHAVUOT), in the first year of the fourth week.” Isaac and Judah were both born on Shavuot.

Jubilees 22:1

“And it came to be in the first week in the forty-fourth Jubilee, in the second year, that is, the year in which Abraham died, that Isaac and Ishmael came from Beersheba to celebrate the FEAST OF SHAVUOT-that is, THE FEAST OF THE FIRST-FRUITS of the harvest-to Abraham, their dad. And Abraham rejoiced because his two sons had come.”

Jubilees 44:1-5

“And Yisra’el (Jacob) took his journey from Haran from his house on the new month of the THIRD MONTH, and he went on the way of Beersheba, and he offered an offering to the ELOHIM of his dad Isaac on the seventh of this month. And Jacob remembered the dream that he had seen at Beyth El, and he feared to go down to Egypt. And while he was thinking of sending word to Joseph to come to him, and that he would not go down, he remained there seven days, if it came to be he should see a vision as to whether he should remain or go down. And he celebrated the HARVEST FESTIVAL OF THE FIRST-FRUITS with old grain, for in all the land of Canaan there was not a handful of seed, for scarcity of food was over all the beasts and cattle and birds, and also over man.” And on the sixteenth day YAHWEH appeared to him, and said to him, “Jacob, Jacob…”

As we see it was the 7th day of the 3rd month when Jacob offered an offering to ELOHIM, then 7 more days passed which puts us on the 14th day of the 3rd month, and on the next day being the 15th day of the 3rd month Jacob celebrated Shavuot. After the celebration of Shavuot YAHWEH spoke to Jacob the next day which was the 16th.

Tobit 2:1 (Included in 1611 KJV Bibles)

“Now when I had come home again and my wife Hannah was restored to me with my son Tobi, at the FESTIVAL OF SHAVUOT-which is the (kodesh) set-apart Feast of the SEVEN WEEKS-there was a good dinner prepared for me, for which I sat down to eat.”

As we see in one of the books that was removed from the Bible, that Tobit celebrated Shavuot and notice he says “the kodesh feast of the seven weeks” and we know that we counted 50 days which is 7 completed Shabbats to arrive at the date of June 5th (15th day of the 3rd month). Tobit was a righteous man and he understood we should keep the kodesh days even while he was in exile in Nineveh. He followed the command according to how it is written in the Torah which says:

Leviticus 23:15-16

“And from the morrow after the Shabbat, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you shall count for yourselves: SEVEN COMPLETED SHABBATS, then you shall bring a new grain offering to YAHWEH.”

2 Maccabees 12:31-32

“They thanked them, desiring them to continue being friendly toward them. And so they came to Jersualem-The FESTIVAL OF SHAVUOT was approaching. And AFTER the Festival of Shavuot, they went out against Gorgias the governor of Edom, who came out with three thousand footmen and four hundred horsemen.

As we can see from all the scriptures above is that Noah and his sons, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Apostle Paul, Maccabees, and Tobit all observed Shavuot, The Festival of First-Fruits aka Pentecost. Further pointing to the fact that Noah and Abraham celebrated the Feast before there ever was a Jew.

Covenant cut with Abraham on Shavuot:

Genesis 15:17

“And it came to pass that when the sun had set and it was dark, behold there appeared a smoking furnace and a burning torch passed between those pieces. On that day YAHWEH made a covenant with Abram…”

Jubilees 14:7-20

“And He said to him, “I am YAHWEH who brought you out of Ur Kasdim, to give you the land of the Kana’anites to possess it forever. And I will be ELOHIM to you and to your seed after you.” And he said, “Master, Master, how will I know that I will inherit it? And He said to him, “Bring Me a heifer of three years, and a goat of three years, and a sheep of three years, and a turtle-dove, and a pigeon.” And he took all these in the MIDDLE OF THE MONTH.”

 For the context to see what month it was we need to go back to verse 1 of this chapter. Jubilees 14:1

“After these things, in the fourth year of this week, on the first day of the THIRD MONTH the WORD of YAHWEH came to Abram in a dream.”

Jubilees 14: 10-19 continued:  And he was dwelling at the oak of Mamre, which is near Hebron. And he built there an altar, and slaughtered all these animals; and he poured their blood upon the altar, and divided them in the middle, and laid them over against each other; but he did not divide the birds. And birds came down upon the pieces, and Abram drove them away, and did not allow the birds to touch them.” Verse 20 And ON THAT DAY we cut a covenant with Abram, just as we had covenanted with Noah in THIS MONTH (Jubilees 6:15-21); and Abram renewed the Feast and ordinance for himself forever.”

And the covenant was cut with Abraham in the middle of the month the 15th day of 3rd month in verse 20 just as they did with Noah which is on Shavuot which was referenced above.

Jacob and Laban make covenant on Shavuot:

Jubilees 29:5

“And in the seventh year of the fourth week Jacob turned toward Gilad in the first month, on the twenty-first day. And Laban pursued after him and overtook Jacob in the mountain of Gilad in the THIRD MONTH, on the thirteenth day. Verse 7 And on the FIFTEENTH  of those days (15th Day of 3rd month) Jacob made a banquet for Laban, and all for all who came with him, and Jacob swore to Laban that day, and Laban swore also to Jacob, that neither should cross the mountain of Gilad to the other with evil purpose.”

Genesis 31:46-48

“And Jacob said to his brethren, gather stones, and made a heap; and they did eat there upon the heap. And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha (The pillar of Witness); but Jacob called it Galead. And Laban said, this heap is a witness between me and you this day. Therefore he called its name Galead.”

What is the importance of this day?

The importance of this day is connected with first-fruits which is why its called Shavuot the festival of the first-fruits. ELOHIM was telling Moses that He was taking His people to a fertile land that He was giving them and would like them to acknowledge this gift. Each spring, when the harvest of the year is available the people should bring their initial crops (first-fruits) to the priest to acknowledge them before ELOHIM. YAHWEH wants us to acknowledge that He has provided for us by bringing our best offering to Him; and it also shows our trust in Him by offering our best knowing that He will continue to provide and bless us. So when Shavuot comes 50 days later they would reap a harvest of barely/wheat.

How do we celebrate Shavuot? Instructions

There are many traditions and celebrations that surround Shavuot/Pentecost in modern day Judaism such as the giving of the Torah to Moses (Jubilees 1 shows us the tablets of stone of testimony were given on the 16th which was a Monday and not on Sunday the 15th) reading the 10 commandments, and the eating of dairy products. Trust me, I’m NOT saying we cannot eat ice cream or cheesecake on this day, I’m merely pointing out the traditions. However, what does scripture tell us about how we are to celebrate this day as followers of our Master YESHUA?

 Shavuot/Pentecost is a NO work day. So remember that June 5th is a High Shabbat of no work.

 Leviticus 23:21 says:

“And you shall proclaim on that same day, that it may be a set-apart gathering for yourselves, you do NO SERVILE WORK ON IT a Law forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.”

Deuteronomy 16:9-12

“You shall count seven weeks to yourselves; begin to count the seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain. And then you shall keep the feast of weeks to YAHWEH your ELOHIM with sufficient of freewill offering of your hand, which you shall set aside as YAHWEH your ELOHIM has blessed you; and you shall rejoice before YAHWEH your ELOHIM, you and your son and your daughter and your manservant and your maidservant and the Levite who is within your towns and the sojourner and the fatherless and the widow who is among you, at the place where YAHWEH your ELOHIM has chosen to place His Name. And you must remember that you were a bondman in Egypt; so you shall observe and do these statutes.”

YAHWEH our ELOHIM tells us to bring a freewill/voluntary offering according to the blessing He has given us as a way to say thank you for His provisions and blessings for us (such as donation to the orphans and widows or the homeless while in diaspora).

Freewill offering:

An example of the type of attitude believers should have towards the voluntary/freewill offering is defined perfectly in Exodus 35:

Exodus 35: 20-22

“And the whole congregation of the children of Yisra’el departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, everyone who was WILLING in HIS HEART and everyone whose spirit made him willing, and they brought offerings for YAHWEH, to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all its service, and for the set-apart vestments. And they came, both MEN AND WOMEN, as many as were WILLING-HEARTED, and brought bracelets and earrings and rings and necklaces and all sorts of jewels of gold; and every man that had set aside an offering of gold brought it to YAHWEH.”

Exodus 36:5-7

“And they said to Moses, the people bring much more than is necessary for the service of the work which YAHWEH commanded to make. And Moses gave command, which the heralds proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained. For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the things they had to make, and some was LEFT OVER.”

The people brought so much that they had to stop them from bringing anything else, this is the cheerful giver that YAHWEH seeks especially when He is the One who has provided everything we have to begin with.

Rejoice:

YAHWEH also commands EVERYONE to rejoice before Him on this day. We are not to be sorrowful or in a bad mood because YAHWEH clearly commands us to be joyous on this day.

Deuteronomy 16:11-12 says:

“And you shall REJOICE before YAHWEH your ELOHIM, YOU AND YOUR SON AND YOUR DAUGHTER AND YOUR MANSERVANT AND YOUR MAIDSERVANT AND THE LEVITE WHO IS WITHIN YOUR TOWNS AND THE SOJOURNER AND THE FATHERLESS AND THE WIDOW WHO IS AMONG YOU.”

Remember the slavery in Egypt:

Deuteronomy 16:12

“And you must remember that you were a bondman in Egypt; so you shall observe and do these statutes.”

Shavuot/Pentecost is the last Moedim/Appointed Time of the spring/summer and as you can see YAHWEH wants us to remember that He brought us up out of Egypt and on Shavuot we are to remember that we were slaves in Egypt. He wants us to remember this fact so that we do not backslide and forget His blessings. By having us remember that we were slaves keeps our focus on Him and His commandments, so we do not become disobedient.

To renew the Covenant from the flood:

Jubilees 6:16

“He placed His rainbow in the cloud for a sign of the everlasting Covenant that there should not be a flood again on the earth to destroy it all the days of the earth. For this reason it is ordained and written on the tablets of the heavens, that they should celebrate the FESTIVAL OF SHAVUOT in this month once a year, to RENEW THE COVENANT every year.”

Two loaves baked WITH LEAVEN:

Leviticus 23:17

“Bring from your dwellings for a wave offering two loaves of bread, of two-tenth parts of fine flour they are, BAKED WITH LEAVEN, first-fruits to YAHWEH.”

Summary of instructions:

Shavuot is about giving thanks for the blessings of YAHWEH, giving a freewill/voluntary offering, rejoicing, renewing the Covenant YAHWEH cut with Noah, NO WORK, remembering that we were slaves in Egypt, baking two loaves of bread with leaven as first-fruits and the pouring out of the RUACH HA’KODESH  (Holy Spirit.)

Giving of the RUACH HA’KODESH/The Set-Apart Spirit

Another important fact for this day is the promise that YESHUA gave before He ascended into heaven. YESHUA tells us in:

John 16:7 (Hebrew)

“But I say the truth to you. It is better for you that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you at all, but if I go, I shall send Him to you.”

It was important for YESHUA to ascend into heaven because He sent the RUACH HA’KODESH to dwell within us and verse 13 He tells us what the Set Apart Spirit will do:

“But when that RUACH of truth will come, He will teach you all truth. For He will not speak of His own heart, only the words which He hears He will speak, and make known to you those words. He will esteem Me-from My Father He will take, and will make known to you all the things which are My Father’s-which are Mine-and He will make them known to you.”

The RUACH HA’KODESH will guide and us lead us into all truth; and show us how to obey the commandments just as Paul says in Romans 8 and Galatians 5. It is important to mention YESHUA’s promise of The SET-APART SPIRIT during the Festival of Shavuot because The SET-APART SPIRIT was poured out on His disciples on this very day.

 Acts 2:1-4 says: (Aramaic)

“And when the day of SHAVUOT/Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one purpose in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the RUACH HA’KODESH/Set-Apart Spirit, and began to speak in various languages as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

The Book of Ruth is worth reading because it ties into Shavuot

 Ruth 1:22 says:

“So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country, of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of the BARLEY HARVEST (SHAVUOT).”

Another interesting connection with the Book of Ruth and Shavuot is the command that YAHWEH gave concerning the land, He says in:

Leviticus 19:9-10

“And when you reap the harvest of your land, do not completely reap the corners of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. And do not glean your vineyard or gather every grape of your vineyard, leave them for the poor and the stranger. I am YAHWEH your ELOHIM.”

Leviticus 23:22

“And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not make clean riddance of the corners of your field when you reap, neither shall you gather any gleaning of the harvest: you shall leave them for the poor, and to the stranger: I am YAHWEH your ELOHIM.”

Deuteronomy 24:19-22

“When you reap your harvest in you field, and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, do not go back to get it. Let it be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow, so that YAHWEH your ELOHIM might bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, do not examine the branch behind you. Let it be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, do not glean behind you. Let it be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.”

YAHWEH made a specific command to not be greedy and clean the fields out when you reap the harvest because you are supposed to leave what is left for the poor, stranger, fatherless, and widow. The connection was made in Ruth, because Boaz did exactly as YAHWEH commanded:

Ruth 2:2-7 says:

 “And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean heads of grain AFTER him in whose sight I shall find favor. And she said unto her; Go, my daughter. And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field AFTER the reapers; as it turned out, she came to the part of the field belonging to Bo’az, the near relative of Elimelek.”

As we see Boaz was obedient to YAHWEH’s command from the Torah and Ruth who was a widow benefited by being able to glean over his fields and also find favor in the sight of Boaz. And a side note is that Boaz and Ruth were blessed to be in the lineage of YESHUA:

1 Chronicles 2:11-15

“Nashon brought forth Salma, and Salma brought forth Boaz; Boaz brought Obed, and Obed brought forth Yishai (Jessie); and Jessie brought forth Eliyab his first-born, and Abinadab the second, and Shim’a the third, Nethan’el the fourth, Raddai the fifth, Ostem the sixth, David the seventh.”

And YESHUA comes from the blood line of David which makes Him the rightful heir to the throne. Let us prepare our hearts to get ready to rejoice before our Father YAHWEH and His Son YESHUA and enjoy the last Festival of the spring/summer before it picks back up again in the fall. As always please share this with those who need to hear this important message and may YAHWEH barak (bless) you in YESHUA’s Name!

Shepherd of Hermas command #7: Fear YAHWEH and not the devil

“Fear,” said he, “YAHWEH, and keep His commandments. For if you keep the commandments of ELOHIM, you will be powerful in every action, and every one of your actions will be incomparable.”

John 14:21-24

“He who KEEPS MY COMMANDMENTS, is he LOVES ME. And Whosoever loves Me, will be loved of My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.” Verse 24 “But he WHO DOES NOT LOVE ME will NOT keep My word, and this word that you hear is Not Mine; rather, it is of the Father who sent Me.”

John 15:10

“If you KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept the commandments of My Father, and I abide in His love.”

1 John 5:3

“For this is the love of ELOHIM, that we KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS; and His commandments are not burdensome.”

Deuteronomy 30:11-14

“For this commandment which I command you this day is not hidden from you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, who shall go up for us to heaven and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, who shall go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it? But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may DO IT.”

Luke 11:28

“He said to her, “Blessed are they who hear the Word of ELOHIM and KEEP IT.”

Revelation 12:17

“And the dragon was enraged against the woman; and he went to make war upon the remnant of her seed who KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS of ELOHIM and have the testimony of YESHUA.”

Revelation 14:12

“Here is the patience of the set-apart believers who KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS of ELOHIM, and the faith of YESHUA.”

Revelation 22:14

“Blessed are they who DO His commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life and may enter through the gates into the city.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “For, fearing YAHWEH, you will do all things well. This is the fear which you ought to have, that you may be saved. But fear not the devil; for, fearing YAHWEH, you will have dominion over the devil, for there is no power in him. But he in whom there is no power ought on no account to be an object of fear; but He in whom there is esteemed power is truly to be feared.”

Do you have this type of fear for YAHWEH?

2 Esdras 8:28

“Think not on those who have lived wickedly in Your sight; but remember those who have willingly acknowledged that You ARE TO BE FEARED.”

Testament of Levi 3:9

“Therefore when YAHWEH looks at us (malachim/angels), all of us are SHAKEN; yes, the heavens, and the earth, and the abysses TREMBLE at the presence of His majesty. But the sons of men, not perceiving these things, SIN (Transgression of the Torah 1 John 3:4) and provoke the anger of the Most High.”

Most believers and people in this world have no fear of YAHWEH; therefore, they run around carelessly sinning in His presence when they should be trembling in fear as the angels do! Sadly since they don’t physically see YAHWEH they go on about their lives transgressing against His commandments without a care in the world; however, if they only knew how the angels feel being in His presence, the willful sinners would be acting a lot differently on this earth.

Many people fear the devil and give him power by always wondering what he is going to do; and run around rebuking every spirit and leave no room for fearing YAHWEH. Think about it most people believe that Satan is going to be the one tormenting believers for eternity when the fact is that Satan will be tormented along with those who follow him.

Mathew 10:28

“And do not fear of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, have FEAR more so of Him who is able to destroy the soul and the body in Gehenna.”

The demons clearly understood this fact and they knew who to fear even though they chose to rebel, and they know who is going to be doing the tormenting and it isn’t Satan.

Mathew 8:28-29

“And when YESHUA came to the other side to the place of Gadarenes, two demon possessed ones met him who were coming out from the cemetery, so that no man was able to cross over by that way. And they cried out and said, “What do we have to do with each other YESHUA, Son of ELOHIM? Have you come here before the time to TORMENT us?”

Revelation 20:10

“And the accuser who seduced them was cast into the lake of fire and sulfur where also the beast of prey and the false prophet; and they will be TORMENTED DAY AND NIGHT, forever and ever.”

So let that lie of Satan tormenting believers be put to rest as he deserves no fear that people are giving him.

Remember in Job that Satan had to get permission to do anything to Job because YAHWEH’s hedge of protection was around him. So, this is a perfection example of Who is in control and with that said, why would Satan be the object of people’s fear?

Job 1:6-10 (Aramaic)

“Now there was a day when the sons of ELOHIM came to present themselves before YAHWEH, and Satan came also among them. And YAHWEH said to Satan, whence have you come? Then Satan answered YAHWEH, and said, from going to and fro in the earth, and from walking on it. Then YAHWEH said to Satan, have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, an innocent and upright man, one who REVERES ELOHIM, and turns away from evil? Then Satan answered YAHWEH and said, does Job revere ELOHIM for naught? You have rested Your hand of protection upon him and upon his house and upon his children and upon every everything that he has everywhere; You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now, and destroy all that he has, and he will curse You to Your face. And YAHWEH said to Satan, behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself you shall not put forth your hand. So Satan went out from the presence of YAHWEH.”

 Shepherd of Hermas continued: “For every one that has power ought to be feared; but he who has not power is despised by all. Fear, therefore, the deeds of the devil, since they are wicked (fear being like him and his ways). For, fearing YAHWEH, you will not do these deeds, but will refrain from them. For fears are of two kinds: for if you do not wish to do that which is evil, fear YAHWEH, and you will not do it; but, again, if you wish to do that which is good, fear YAHWEH, and you will do it. Wherefore the fear of YAHWEH is strong, and great, and esteemed. Fear, then, YAHWEH, and you will live to Him, and as many as FEAR Him AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS will LIVE to ELOHIM.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (Aramaic)

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: FEAR YAHWEH and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS; this is given by One Master to every man.”

The malach of repentance says when you fear YAHWEH you will not do that which is evil:

Job 28:28

“And to man he said, behold, the reverence of ELOHIM, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”

Psalms 25:14

“YAHWEH is mindful of them that worship Him, and He will show them His covenant.”

Psalms 34:11

“Come, you children, listen to me, and I will teach you the reverence for YAHWEH.”

Proverbs 8:13

“Reverence of YAHWEH despises evil, pride, arrogance, evil ways, and perverse speech do I hate.”

Proverbs 14:27

“Reverence for YAHWEH is a fountain of life to those who turn away from the snares of death.”

Proverbs 15:16

“Better is a little with reverence for YAHWEH than the great treasures of the wicked.”

Proverbs 19:23

“Reverence for YAHWEH leads to life; and he who is satisfied with it shall abide; he shall not be visited with evil.”

2 Samuel 23:3

“The ELOHIM of Yisra’el said, the Mighty One of Yisra’el spoke to me: He who governs men must be righteous, ruling over those who revere ELOHIM.”

Philippians 2:12-13 (Aramaic)

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have at all times obeyed, not only when I was near to you but now when I am far from you, push through the work of your life more abundantly, with FEAR and with trembling. For ELOHIM is operating in you, both to purpose and also to perform that which you desire. Do all things without arguing and without conflict; that you may be perfect and without blemish, as the sincere children of ELOHIM who are resident in a perverse and crooked generation; and that you may appear among them as shining lights in the world; so that you may be to them in place of life.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “Why,” said I, “sir, did you say in regard to those that keep His commandments, that they will live to ELOHIM?” “Because,” says he, “all creation fears YAHWEH, but all creation does not keep His commandments. They only who fear YAHWEH and keep His commandments HAVE LIFE with ELOHIM; but as to those who keep not His commandments, there is no life in them.”

Those who fear YAHWEH and keep His commandments have LIFE:

Leviticus 18:5

“You shall therefore KEEP My commandments and My judgements, which if a man do, he shall LIVE IN THEM, I am YAHWEH.”

Ezekiel 20:21

“Notwithstanding the children of Yisra’el rebelled against Me; they did not walk in My commandments neither did they keep My judgements to DO them, which if a man shall do HE SHALL LIVE BY THEM; they polluted My Shabbats: then I said, I will pour out My fury upon them and accomplish My anger against them in the wilderness.”

Deuteronomy 30:19

“I call heaven and earth to bear witness against you this day, that I have set before you LIFE and DEATH, blessings and cursing’s; therefore choose LIFE, that both you and your descendants may LIVE…”

The malach of repentance says but all do NOT keep His commandments, as we know the lie of Christianity that says the law is done away with and for this reason they have NO LIFE:

Isaiah 24:5-6

“The earth also is defiled like its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the Torah, changed the ordinance, and nullified the everlasting covenant. Therefore the earth shall sit in mourning, and all its inhabitants shall be condemned; therefore all the inhabitants of the earth shall be destroyed and a FEW MEN SHALL BE LEFT.”

Mathew 7:14

“How narrow the door and straight the road that leads to life, and FEW ARE THEY, those that find it.”

2 Esdras 8:1

“He answered me and said, “The Most High made this world for the sake of many, but the world to come for the sake of FEW.”

2 Esdras 8:56-60

“For they also received freedom, but they despised the Most High, and were contemptuous (deep hatred or disapproval) of His LAW, and forsook His ways. Moreover, they have even trampled upon His righteous ones, and said in their hearts that there is no ELOHIM-though knowing full well that they must DIE. For just as the things which have been predicted await you, so the thirst and torment which are prepared await them. For the Most High did not intend that men should be destroyed; but they themselves who were created have defiled the Name of Him who made them, and have been ungrateful to Him who prepared life for them.”

2 Esdras 9:9-22

“Then those who have now abandoned My ways shall be amazed and those who have rejected them with contempt shall dwell in torments. For as many as did not acknowledge Me in their lifetime, although they received My benefits, and as many as scorned My law while they still had freedom, and did not understand but despised it while an opportunity of repentance was still open to them, these must in torment acknowledge Me after death. Therefore, do not continue to be curious as to how the unrighteous will be punished; but inquire how the righteous will LIVE, those to whom the age belongs and for whose sake the age was made.” I answered and said, “I said before, and I say now, and will say it again: there are MORE WHO PERISH than those who WILL LIVE, as A FLOOD is greater than a drop of water.” He answered me and said, “As is the field, so is the seed; and as are the flowers, so are the colors; and as is the work, so is the judgment, and as is the farmer, so is the threshing floor. For there was a time in this age when I was preparing for those who now exist, before they came into being the world was made for them to dwell in, AND NO ONE OPPOSED ME THEN (disobeying His commandments), for no one existed; but now those who have been created in this world, which is supplied both with an unfailing table (plenty of food) and an inexhaustible pasture, have become corrupt in their WAYS. So I considered My world, and behold, it was lost, and my earth, and behold, it was in peril because of the devices of those who had come into it. And I saw and spared some with great difficulty, and saved for Myself ONE GRAPE out of a cluster, and ONE PLANT out of a great forest. So let the multitude perish which has been born in vain, but let my grape and my plant be saved, because with much labor I have perfected them.”

2 Baruch 51:4-6

“For those who will then come will groan even more over this, over the fact that they REJECTED MY TORAH and have stopped their ears so that they would not hear wisdom or receive understanding. Therefore, when they will see that those, over whom they are now exalted, will then be exalted and esteemed more than they, and that they have been all transformed, these into splendor of angels and those into startling apparitions, then at the sight of these shapes they will waste away even more. For they will see and afterward they will go to be tormented.”

Again, the angel (malach) of repentance told us what we need to do to live to ELOHIM, which is to fear YAHWEH and keep His commandments, and also not to have any fear for the devil, but rather reserve all that fear for Him. Remember how few will inherit eternal life; therefore, do all you can through the strength and mercy of our ELOHIM and being led by the RUACH HA’KODESH (The Set-Apart Spirit) to do so. As always may our Father YAHWEH bless you all in YESHUA’s Name!

Shepherd of Hermas Command #6: Choose right PATH (Good angel and bad angel)

CHAPTER 1

“I gave you,” he said, “directions in the first commandment to attend to faith, and fear, and self-restraint.”

Faith:

The biggest part about faith that the malach (angel) of repentance mentioned was believing that ELOHIM is ONE! If you have not read the “The Shepherd of Hermas command #1”, I would recommend reading that message when you can.

Habakkuk 2:4

“For his soul does not delight in iniquity, but the righteous man shall live by faith.’

Hebrews 11:6

“But without faith, a man cannot please ELOHIM. For he that draws near to ELOHIM must believe His existence and that He will recompense those who seek Him.”

Fear:

Proverbs 9:10

“The FEAR of YAHWEH is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the righteous understanding.”

Psalms 111:10

“The FEAR of YAHWEH is the beginning of wisdom; and good understanding have all they that do His commandments; His praise endures forever.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (Aramaic)

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; FEAR YAHWEH and keep His commandments; this is given by ONE MASTER to EVERY MAN (Now just Jews).”

Sirach 2:15-16

“Those who FEAR YAHWEH will not disobey His word; and those who love Him will keep His ways. Those who FEAR YAHWEH will seek that which is good and pleasing to Him; and those who love Him shall be filled with the Torah.” Those who FEAR YAHWEH will prepare their hearts and humble their souls in his sight, saying, we will fall into the hands of YAHWEH and not into the hands of men; for as His greatness IS, His mercy is the same.”

Self-restraint:

2 Timothy 1:7 (CJB)

“For ELOHIM gave us a Spirit who produces not timidity, but power, love and SELF-DISCIPLINE.”

Sirach 18:30-31

“Do not go after your lusts, but refrain yourself from your appetites. If you give your soul the desires that pleases her, she will make you a laughingstock to your enemies that malign you.”

2 Esdras 7:125-126

“Or that the faces of those who practiced SELF-CONTROL shall shine more than the stars, but our faces shall be blacker than darkness. For while we lived and committed iniquity, we did not consider what we should suffer after our death.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “Even so, sir,” said I. And he said, “Now I wish to show you the powers of these, that you may know what power each possesses. For their powers are double, and have relation alike to the righteous and the unrighteous. Trust you, therefore, the righteous, but put no trust in the unrighteous. For the PATH of righteousness is STRAIGHT…”

What is righteousness?

Deuteronomy 6:25

“And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe and do all these commandments before YAHWEH our ELOHIM as He commanded us.”

Psalms 119:142

“Your righteousness is righteousness forever and Your Torah is the truth.”

So, the straight PATH of righteousness means to walk in the commandments of the Torah!

Psalms 119:1

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who WALK in the Torah of YAHWEH.”

In scripture the WAY and the PATH are similar and used interchangeably to represent walking in the Torah or walking in wickedness.

Proverbs 2:20

“Therefore you must walk in the WAY of good men and keep the PATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS.”

Jeremiah 6:16

“Thus says YAHWEH, stand in the WAYS and see, and ask for the OLD PATHS and see where is the good way and WALK IN IT and find rest for your souls…”

Mathew 7:13-14 (Hebrew)

“YESHUA MASHIACH said unto His disciples, “Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the way that leads man to destruction, and many are entering into it. But the gate and the WAY that leads to life, it is exceedingly narrow; and few are they who find it.”

2 Esdras 7:6-13 (Parenthesis mine)

“Another example: There is a city built and set on a plain, and it is full of all good things; but the entrance is narrow, and set in a precipitous place, so that there is fire on the right hand and deep water on the left; and there is only ONE PATH lying between them, that is, between the fire and the water, so that only ONE man can walk upon that PATH. (Notice how narrow this path is? Only one man can walk on it at a time). If now that city is given to a man for an inheritance, how will the heir receive his inheritance unless he passes through the narrow place? I said, “He cannot, master.” And he said to me, “So also is Yisra’els portion.” For I made the world for their sake, and when Adam transgressed my statues, what had been made was judged. And so the entrances of this world were made narrow and sorrowful and toilsome; they are few and evil, full of dangers and involved in great hardships. But the entrances of that coming world are broad and safe and yield the fruit of immortality.”

Now that we have defined what the way and path is, we must walk on the narrow straight path of righteousness which is the Torah and do not turn aside from the Torah neither to the left hand or right hand.

Jubilees 23:16-17 (Parenthesis mine)

“And in that generation the sons will convict their fathers and their elders of sin and unrighteousness (opposite of Deuteronomy 6:25), and of the words of their mouth and the great wickedness which they perpetrate, and concerning their forsaking the covenant which YAHWEH cut between them and Him, that they should guard and do all His commands and His judgments and all His Torot (plural form of Torah), without departing either to the right hand or left hand.”

Deuteronomy 5:32

“You must observe and do therefore as YAHWEH your ELOHIM has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.”

Deuteronomy 28:14

“And you shall not turn aside from any of the commandments which I command you this day, to the right hand, or to the left, and you shall not go after the gentile elohim, nor serve them.”

Joshua 1:7

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the laws which Moses my servant has commanded you; turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may succeed wherever you go.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “But that of unrighteousness is crooked. But walk in the straight and even way, and mind not the crooked. For the CROOKED PATH has no roads, but has many pathless places and stumbling-blocks in it, and it is rough and thorny. It is injurious to those who walk therein.”

Proverbs 2:10-15

“When wisdom enters into your heart and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, intelligence shall preserve you, and the understanding of the pious men shall deliver you; that you might be delivered from EVIL WAYS, from men who speak perverse things, who forsake the PATH OF UPRIGHTNESS to walk in the WAY OF DARKNESS; who rejoice to do evil and delight in the perverseness of evil things; men whose ways are CROOKED AND WHOSE PATHS are perverse, wisdom shall deliver you from a strange woman who flatters with her words, who has forsaken the mother of her youth and forgotten the covenant of her ELOHIM. For she has forgotten the threshold of her house and the way of her PATHS. None who go to her return again, neither do they remember the PATH OF LIFE. Therefore you must WALK in the WAY OF GOOD men and KEEP THE PATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS. For the upright shall dwell in the land, and those who are unblemished shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth and the unrighteous shall be rooted out of it.”

Jeremiah 18:15

“Yet My people have forsaken Me and have burned incense to vanity and have stumbled in their WAYS, and have departed from the ANCIENT PATHS to walk in a WAY which was not trodden.”

Psalms 17:4-5

“Through the conversation of my lips You have kept me from EVIL WAYS. You have strengthened my goings in Your PATHS, that my footsteps slip not.”

Psalms 36:4

“He devises mischief upon his bed; he WALKS IN A WAY that is not good that he may do evil.”

Proverbs 1:15-16

“My son, do not walk in the WAY with them; but refrain your foot from their PATH; for their feet run to evil, they make haste to shed blood.”

Proverbs 16:25

“There is a WAY that seems right in the eyes of men, but the PATHS thereof are the PATHS OF DEATH.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “But they who walk in the straight road walk evenly without stumbling, because it is neither rough nor thorny.”

Why is it that those who walk on the righteous path do not stumble? Because you have the light of the Torah shining on the path so you will know where to go. Without the light of the Torah you stumble in unrighteousness which is the thorny and rough way.

Proverbs 6:23

“For the commandment is a lamp, and the TORAH IS A LIGHT, and the reproofs of instruction are the WAY OF LIFE.”

Psalms 119:105

“Your word is a LAMP to my feet and a LIGHT (TORAH) to MY PATH.”

Baruch 4:1-2

“This is the book of the commandments of ELOHIM and the law that endures forever; all those that keep it shall come to LIFE; but those who leave it shall die. Turn, O Jacob and take hold of it; WALK in the presence of its LIGHT (TORAH), that you may be illuminated.”

John 14:6

“YESHUA said to him. “I AM the WAY, and THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE. No man comes to the Father except by Me.”

Tsade in the Otiot is the number 18 and is a picture of a PATH and represents YESHUA Who is the WAY to eternal life and represents righteousness! So as we can see the righteous path is following the way of truth through the written Torah which is YESHUA the written Torah that became living flesh by the leading of the RUACH HA’KODESH!

Acts 24:14 (CJB)

“But this I (Paul) do admit to you: I worship the ELOHIM of our ancestors in accordance with THE WAY (which they call a sect). I continue to believe everything that accords with the Torah and everything written in the Prophets.”

Paul was following the WAY and YESHUA is the WAY, The Truth and the Life, so Paul was walking the narrow PATH of righteousness.

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “You see, then, that it is better to walk in this road.” “I wish to go by this road,” said I. “You will go by it,” said he; “and whoever turns to with all YAHWEH his heart will walk in it.”

CHAPTER 2

This next section reminds me of how the cartoons would always depict this scenario. There would be a good malach (angel) on one shoulder telling the person to do good; and then on the other shoulder would be the devil telling the person to do evil. So obviously in those early cartoons they had an understanding of the spiritual realm or were taking straight from the Shepherd of Hermas.

 “Hear now,” said he, “in regard to faith. There are two malachim (angels) with a man — one of righteousness, and the other of iniquity.” And I said to him, “How, sir, am I to know the powers of these, for both malachim (angels) dwell with me?” “Hear,” said he, and “understand them. The angel of righteousness is gentle and modest, meek and peaceful. When, therefore, he ascends into your heart, forthwith he talks to you of righteousness, purity, chastity, contentment, and of every righteous deed and esteemed virtue. When all these ascend into your heart, know that the angel of righteousness is with you. These are the deeds of the angel of righteousness. Trust him, then, and his works.”

The malach of righteousness is going to speak to you the things that the RUACH HA’KODESH wants to do while dwelling in you which matches Galatians 5 and they are similar.

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “Look now at the works of the angel of iniquity. First, he is wrathful, and bitter, and foolish, and his works are evil, and ruin the servants of ELOHIM. When, then, he ascends into your heart, know him by his works.” And I said to him, “How, sir, I shall perceive him, I do not know.” “Hear and understand” said he. “When anger comes upon you, or harshness, know that he is in you; and you will know this to be the case also, when you are attacked by a longing after many transactions, and the richest delicacies, and drunken revels, and divers luxuries, and things improper, and by a hankering after women, and by overreaching, and pride, and blustering, and by whatever is like to these. When these ascend into your heart, know that the angel of iniquity is in you. Now that you know his works, depart from him, and in no respect trust him, because his deeds are evil, and unprofitable to the servants of ELOHIM.

Colossians 3:4-10

“And when Messiah Who is our life will be manifested, then will you also be manifested with Him in esteem. Make as dead therefore your members that are on the earth; sexual sin, impurity and the passions and evil desire, and insatiable desire for wealth which is idolatry. For on account of these things the wrath of ELOHIM comes on the deeds of disobedience. And in these things you also formerly walked, when you lived in them. But now, put away from you all these: wrath, anger, malice, reviling, filthy talking; and lie not one to another but put off the old man with all his practices; and put you on the new man that is renewed in knowledge, after the likeness of his Creator.”

Galatians 5:16-21 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“What I am saying is this: run your lives by the Spirit. Then you will not do what your old nature wants. For the old nature wants what is CONTRARY to the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is CONTRARY to the old nature. These OPPOSE each other, so that you find yourselves unable to carry out your good intentions. But if you are led by the Spirit, then you are not in subjection to the system that results from perverting the Torah into legalism (Oral Torah of Pharisees). And it is perfectly evident what the old nature does. It expresses itself in sexual immorality, impurity, indecency, involvement with the occult and with drugs; in feuding, fighting, becoming jealous and GETTING ANGRY; in selfish ambition, factionalism, intrigue AND ENVY; in drunkenness, orgies and things like these. I warn you now as I have warned you before: those who do such things will have no share in the Kingdom of ELOHIM!”

1 Peter 4:1-4 (Parenthesis mine)

“If then the Messiah has suffered for you in the flesh, do you also arm yourselves with the same mind; for everyone that is dead in his body (meaning died to self) has ceased from all sins that he may no longer be alive to the lusts of men while he is in the body, but only to do the will of ELOHIM. For the time that is past was enough when you pursued the WAY of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, and in sexual sin, and in drunken parties, and in the worship of demons. And lo, they now wonder and reproach you, because you do not run with them in the same former drunkenness; who must give account to ELOHIM who is to judge the living and the dead.”

1 John 2:15-16

“Love not the world nor anything in it; for whoever loves the world has not the love of The Father in him. For all that is in the world is the lust of the body and the lust of the eyes and the pride of the world, which are not from the Father but from the world itself. And the world is passing away, both it and the lust thereof, but He that does the pleasure of ELOHIM abides forever.”

James 4:4 (Hebrew)

“O adulterer an adulteress, do you not know that whosoever loves this world, he hates YAHWEH? So, whosever wants to be a lover of this world, he himself will be a hater of YAHWEH.”

Mathew 5:28

“But I say to you that all who that looks at a woman as lustfully at once has committed adultery in his heart.”

“These, then, are the actions of both angels. Understand them, and trust the angel of righteousness; but depart from the angel of iniquity, because his instruction is bad in every deed. For though a man be most faithful, and the thought of this angel ascend into his heart, that man or woman must sin. On the other hand, be a man or woman ever so bad, yet, if the works of the angel of righteousness ascend into his or her heart, he or she must do something good. You see, therefore, that it is good to follow the angel of righteousness, but to bid farewell to the angel of iniquity.” “This commandment exhibits the deeds of faith, that you may trust the works of the angel of righteousness and doing them you may live to ELOHIM. But believe the works of the angel of iniquity are hard. If you refuse to do them, you will live to ELOHIM.”

My fellow brothers and sisters walk the narrow path of righteousness and guard your hearts against the unrighteousness that enters through the wrong malach (angel) who wants to lead you astray. As always, may our Father YAHWEH bless you in YESHUA’s Name!

Shepherd of Hermas command #5: ANGER and BITTERNESS

“Be PATIENT,” said he, “and of good understanding, and you will rule over every wicked work, and you will work all righteousness. For if you be patient, the RUACH HA’KODESH (The Set-Apart Spirit) that dwells in you will be pure. He will not be darkened by any evil spirit, but, dwelling in a broad region, He will rejoice and be glad; and with the vessel in which he dwells he will serve ELOHIM in gladness

And what does the RUACH HA’KODESH want to do to serve YAHWEH with gladness while dwelling in us?

John 16:13-15 (Hebrew)

“But when that RUACH (Spirit) of truth will come, He will teach you all truth. For He will not speak of His own heart, only the words which He hears He will speak, and make known to you those words. He will esteem Me-from My Father He will take, and will make known to you all the things which are My Father’s-which are Mine-and He will make them known to you.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “having great peace within himself. But if any outburst of anger take place, forthwith the RUACH HA’KODESH, who is tender, is straitened, not having a pure place, and He seeks to depart. For He is choked by the vile spirit, and cannot attend on YAHWEH as He wishes, for ANGER POLLUTES Him. For YAHWEH dwells in long-suffering, but the DEVIL IS ANGER. The two spirits, then, when dwelling in the same habitation, are at discord with each other, and are troublesome to that man in whom they dwell.

Galatians 5:16-26 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“What I am saying is this: run your lives by the Spirit. Then you will not do what your old nature wants. For the old nature wants what is CONTRARY to the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is CONTRARY to the old nature. These OPPOSE each other, so that you find yourselves unable to carry out your good intentions. But if you are led by the Spirit, then you are not in subjection to the system that results from perverting the Torah into legalism (Oral Torah of Pharisees). And it is perfectly evident what the old nature does. It expresses itself in sexual immorality, impurity, indecency, involvement with the occult and with drugs; in feuding, fighting, becoming jealous and GETTING ANGRY; in selfish ambition, factionalism, intrigue AND ENVY; in drunkenness, orgies and things like these. I warn you now as I have warned you before: those who do such things will have no share in the Kingdom of ELOHIM!” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, PATIENCE, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, self-control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things (because you are already walking out the requirements of the Torah in love.) Moreover, those who belong to Messiah YESHUA have put their old nature to death on the stake, along with its passions and desires. Since it is through the Spirit that we have Life, let it also be through the Spirit that we order our lives day by day. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “For if an exceedingly small piece of wormwood be taken and put into a jar of honey, is not the honey entirely destroyed, and does not the exceedingly small piece of wormwood entirely take away the sweetness of the honey, so that it no longer affords any gratification to its owner, but has become bitter, and lost its use? But if the wormwood (Revelation 8:11 bitterness) be not put into the honey, then the honey remains sweet, and is of use to its owner. You see, then, that patience is sweeter than honey and useful to ELOHIM, and YAHWEH dwells in it.”

Jubilees 19:8-9

“This is the TENTH TRIAL by which Abraham was tried, and he was found FAITHFUL AND PATIENT in spirit. And he did not say a single word regarding the rumor in the land: that YAHWEH had said that He would give it to him and to his seed after him, and he begged a place there to bury his dead; for he was found faithful, and was recorded on the heavenly tablets as the friend of YAHWEH.”

Testament of Joseph 2:6-7

“In TEN TRIALS He showed me approved, and I endured them all. For endurance is a great medicine, and PATIENCE gives many good things.”

Proverbs 14:29 (Aramaic Peshitta)

“He who is SLOW TO ANGER is of great understanding; but he who is hasty of temper is exceedingly foolish.”

Proverbs 16:32 (Aramaic Peshitta)

“He who is SLOW TO ANGER is better than the mighty; and he who conquers himself than he who takes a city.”

Psalm 37:8 (Aramaic Peshitta)

“Cease from ANGER, AND FORSAKE WRATH; fret not yourself in any wise to do evil.”

Colossians 3:12 (CJB)

“Therefore, as ELOHIM’s chosen people, kodesh (set-apart) and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with feelings of compassion and with kindness, humility, gentleness and PATIENCE.”

Isaiah 30:18 (Aramaic Peshitta)

“Therefore YAHWEH will begin to be gracious to you, and therefore He will be exalted that He may have mercy upon you; for YAHWEH is a ELOHIM of judgment; blessed are all those who WAIT FOR HIM.”

Sirach 1:23

“A PATIENT man will cry for a time and afterward joy shall spring up to him.”

Sirach 2:3-4, 14

“Cleave to Him and do not depart, that you may be increased at your last end. Whatever is brought on you take cheerfully and be PATIENT when you are hanged to a low estate.” Verse 14 “Woe to you that have lost PATIENCE! And what will you do when YAHWEH visits you?”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “But ANGER IS BITTER and useless. Now, if anger be mingled with patience, the patience is polluted, and its prayer is not then useful to ELOHIM.”

Anger is useless which is why the malach of repentance use the wormwood reference in the honey, because patience is sweeter than honey but wormwood like anger is bitter, so don’t defile the honey.

Psalms 37:8

“Cease from ANGER, and forsake wrath; fret not yourself in any wise to do evil.”

Proverbs 14:29

“He who is slow to anger is of great understanding; but he who is HASTY OF TEMPER IS EXCEEDINGLY FOOLISH.”

Proverbs 15:18

“A WRATHFUL man stirs up contention; but he who is slow to anger appeases strife.”

Proverbs 22:24-25

“Make no friendship with a WRATHFUL MAN; and with a man given to ANGER you shall not go, lest you learn his ways and find a stumbling block to your soul.”

Proverbs 29:22

“And ANGRY man stirs up strife, and a FURIOUS man abounds in transgression.”

Ecclesiastes 7:9

“Be not HASTILY ANGRY, for ANGER rests in the bosom of the fools.”

Sirach 1:21-22

“The fear of YAHWEH drives away sins: and where it is present it turns away ANGER. And FURIOUS man CANNOT BE JUSTIFIED; for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction.”

Sirach 27:30

“HATRED AND ANGER even these are abominations; and the sinful man shall have them both.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “I should like, sir,” said I, “to know the power of anger, that I may guard myself against it.” And he said, “If you do not guard yourself against it, you and your house lose all hope of salvation. Guard yourself, therefore, against it. For I am with you, and all will depart from it who repent with their whole heart. For I will be with them, and I will save them all. For all are justified by the most holy malach (angel).”

CHAPTER 2

“Hear now,” said he, “how wicked is the action of anger, and in what way it overthrows the servants of ELOHIM by its action, and turns them from righteousness. But it does not turn away those who are full of faith, nor does it act on them, for the power of YAHWEH is with them. It is the thoughtless and doubting that it turns away. For as soon as it sees such men standing steadfast (loyal and committed), it throws itself into their hearts, and for NOTHING AT ALL the man or woman becomes embittered on account of occurrences in their daily life, as for instance on account of their food, or some superfluous word (going beyond what is needed, excessive) that has been uttered, or on account of some friend, or some gift or debt:

Luke 6:34

“And if you lend to whom you expect to be REPAID from, where is your blessing? Even sinners lend to sinners that they might likewise be repaid.” Makes sense because if you loan to someone without expecting it back it won’t bother you; and therefore will not cause bitterness to creep into your heart.

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “Or some such senseless affair. For all these things are foolish and empty and unprofitable to the servants of ELOHIM. But patience is great, and mighty, and strong, and calm in the midst of great enlargement, joyful, rejoicing, FREE FROM CARE, esteeming ELOHIM at all times:

Psalm 34:1-3

“I will bless YAHWEH at ALL TIMES; His praises shall CONTINUALLY BE IN MY MOUTH. My soul shall make its boast in YAHWEH; let the humble hear and be glad. O magnify YAHWEH with me, and let us EXALT His Name together.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“And in EVERYTHING BE THANKFUL: For this is the will of ELOHIM in YESHUA the Messiah concerning you.”

Paul says be thankful in everything, not sometimes! We are to praise YAHWEH when things are going good and when things seem to be falling apart, we should always bless His Name and be patient.

Psalms 69:30

“I will PRAISE the Name of ELOHIM with a song, and will MANGIFY Him with thanksgiving.”

Psalm 95:1-7

“Come, let us sing to YAHWEH; let us make a joyful noise to the ELOHIM of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to Him with psalms. For YAHWEH is a great ELOHIM and a great King above all elohim. In His hands are the foundations of the earth; the strength of the hills is His also. The sea is His, and He made it; and His hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before YAHWEH our Maker. For He is our ELOHIM; and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Today if you will hear His voice.”

Psalms 145:2

“Every day will I bless You; and I will praise Your Name forever and ever.”

Psalm 150:1-6

“Praise YAHWEH. Praise ELOHIM in His sanctuary; praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with psaltery and harp. Praise Him with timbrel and pipe; praise Him with sweet stringed instruments. Praise Him upon loud cymbals; praise Him with a mighty song. Let EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE YAHWEH. Praise YAHWEH!”

 Shepherd of Hermas continued:” having no bitterness in her, and abiding continually meek and quiet. Now this patience dwells with those who have complete faith.”

Mathew 5:5

“Blessed are they who are meek because they shall inherit the earth.”

Psalm 37:11

“But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

Habakkuk 2:4

“For His soul does not delight in iniquity, but the righteous man shall live by faith.”

Luke 18:8

“I say to you that He will do their vengeance quickly. Nevertheless, the Son of Man will indeed come, and will He find faith on the earth?”

Hebrews 11:6

“But, without faith, a man CANNOT please ELOHIM. For he that draws near to ELOHIM must believe His existence and that He will recompense those who seek Him.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “But anger is foolish, and fickle, and senseless. Now, of folly (lack of good sense) is begotten bitterness, and of bitterness anger, and of anger frenzy. This frenzy, the product of so many evils, ends in great and incurable sin.”

Once you let bitterness set in your heart it turns to anger and then it begins to spin out of control and as the malach of repentance said it ends in great “And incurable sin”.

Shepherd of Hermas continued “For when all these spirits dwell in one vessel in which the RUACH HA’KODESH also dwells, the vessel cannot contain them, but overflows. The tender Spirit, then, not being accustomed to dwell with the wicked spirit, nor with hardness, withdraws from such a man, and seeks to dwell with meekness and peacefulness.”

Ephesians 4:30-32

“And do not grieve the RUACH HA’KODESH of ELOHIM whereby you are sealed for the day of redemption. Let all BITTERNESS and ANGER and WRATH and clamoring and reviling be taken from you along with all malice: and be affectionate towards one another and sympathetic; and forgive one another as ELOHIM by the Messiah has forgiven us.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “Then, when he withdraws from the man in whom He dwelt, the man is emptied of the righteous Spirit; and being henceforward filled with evil spirits, he is in a state of anarchy in every action, being dragged hither and thither by the evil spirits, and there is a complete darkness in his mind as to everything good.”

We saw this happen to Saul when the RUACH HA’KODESH departed from him and an evil spirit troubled him.

1 Samuel 16:14

“But the Spirit of YAHWEH departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from before YAHWEH troubled him.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “This, then, is what happens to all the angry. Wherefore do you depart from that most wicked spirit anger, and put on patience, and resist anger and bitterness, and you will be found in company with the purity which is loved by YAHWEH. Take care, then, that you neglect not by any chance this commandment: for if you obey this commandment, you will be able to keep all the other commandments which I am to give you. Be strong, then, in these commandments, and put on power, and let all put on power, as many as wish to walk in them.”

The malach of repentance says that if you can stay away from anger, bitterness, and wrath then you will be able to keep all the other commandments. Let this be a reminder to us all to walk in humility, love, and patience and live to ELOHIM!

As always may our Father YAHWEH bless you in YESHUA’s Name!

Shepherd of Hermas command #4 part 2: REPENTANCE/IMMERSION

I asked him again, and said, “Since YAHWEH has vouchsafed to dwell always with me, bear with me while I utter a few words; for I understand nothing, and my heart has been hardened by my previous mode of life. Give me understanding, for I am exceedingly dull, and I understand absolutely nothing.” And he answered and said unto me, “I am set over repentance, and I give understanding to all who repent. Do you not think,” he said, “that it is great wisdom to repent? for repentance is great wisdom. For he who has sinned understands that he acted wickedly in the sight of YAHWEH, and remembers the actions he has done, and he repents, and no longer acts wickedly, but does good munificently, and humbles and TORMENTS his SOUL because he has sinned.”

This is how you know that you love ELOHIM and fear Him because you don’t take sin lightly and it grieves you that you have disappointed ELOHIM; therefore, you repent and afflict your soul. Some Examples:

Testament of Rueben 1:6-9

“And behold I call to witness against you this day the ELOHIM of the heavens, that you should not walk in the sins of youth and whoring, in which I indulged, and defiled the bed of my dad Jacob. And I tell you that He struck me with a heavy wound in my loins for seventh months; and had my dad Jacob not prayed to YAHWEH for me, YAHWEH would have destroyed me. For I was thirty years old when I worked evil before YAHWEH, and I was sick to death for seven months. And after this I REPENTED with determination of my being for SEVEN YEARS before YAHWEH. And did not DRINK WINE OR STRONG DRINK, AND FLESH (no meat) entered not into my mouth, and I ate NO PLEASANT FOOD; but I MOURNED OVER MY SIN, for it was great, such as had not been in Yisra’el.”

Jubilees 41:23-24

“And Judah acknowledged the deed which he had done was evil, for he had lain with his daughter-in-law, and he considered it HATEFUL in His eyes, and he acknowledged that he had transgressed and gone astray, for he had uncovered the skirt of his son. And he began to LAMENT AND TO PETITION before YAHWEH because of his transgression.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: “You see, therefore, that REPTENTANCE IS GREAT WISDOM.” And I said to him, “It is for this reason, sir, that I inquire carefully into all things, especially because I am a sinner; that I may know what WORKS I should do, that I may live: for my sins are many and various.” And he said to me, “You shall live if you keep my commandments, and walk in them; and whosoever shall hear and keep these commandments, shall live to ELOHIM.”

The malach of repentance told Hermas that repentance is great wisdom and others witness to support this are:

Luke 13:1-5

“Now at that time men came and told Him about those Galileans, those whom Pilate had mingled their blood with their sacrifices. And YESHUA answered and said to them, “Do you think that those Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they were killed thus? I say no to you, but that all of you if you do NOT REPENT also, you will likewise be destroyed. Or those eighteen who had the tower fall upon them and were killed in Shiloh, do you think that they were greater sinners than all the people who live in Jerusalem? I say no to you, but that unless you REPENT, all of you like them will be destroyed.”

2 Esdras 7:132

“I answered and said, I know, O YAHWEH, that the Most High is now called ‘merciful,’ because He has mercy on those who have not yet come into the world; and gracious,’ because He is gracious to those who turn IN REPETANCE TO HIS TORAH…”

Jasher 6:19-21

“And Noah, with a loud voice, answered them from the ark, saying, “Have you not all rebelled against YAHWEH, and said that He does not exist? And therefore, YAHWEH brought this evil upon you, to destroy and cut you off from the face of the earth. Is this not the thing that I spoke to you about, one hundred and twenty years ago, and you would not listen to the voice of YAHWEH, and now do you desire to live upon the earth?” And they said to Noah, “We are ready to RETURN TO YAHWEH; only open for us that we may live and not die.”

Teshuvah in Hebrew means to repent and turn away from sin and not go back to it and live for ELOHIM! Which those in the flood were willing to do only when they saw the end was near, don’t be like them. ELOHIM gave them a lifetime, 120 years to repent, but they chose death.

Hermas also asks what WORKS must he do that he may live and the malach of repentance says “You shall live if you keep the commandments”, so works is equated with works of the Torah which Christianity says no works are required and that is false.

Revelation 12:17

“And the dragon was enraged against the woman; and he went to make war upon the remnant of her seed who KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF ELOHIM and have the testimony of YESHUA.”

Revelation 14:12

“Here is the endurance of the set apart believers who KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF ELOHIM, and the faith of YESHUA.”

2 Esdras 7:24

“They scorned His Torah, and denied His covenants; they have been unfaithful to His statutes, and HAVE NOT PERFORMED HIS WORKS.”

Mathew 5:16 (Parenthesis mine)

“Let your light (Torah) shine like this in front of the sons of man that they should see your good WORKS (Of the Torah) and they esteem your Father who is in heaven.”

Works of Torah includes loving your neighbor as yourself, so you will not only love them but you will also provide for what they need and not just professing it with your mouth, its action based as we see James say in his writings.

James 2:20:24

“Would you know, o weak man, that belief without works is dead? Abraham our ancestor, was not he justified by WORKS in offering his son Isaac upon the altar? Do you realize that his belief AIDED HIS WORKS, and that by the WORKS OF HIS FAITH was rendered complete? And the scripture was fulfilled which says: “Abraham believed in ELOHIM, and it was credited to him for righteousness” and he was called the friend of ELOHIM. You see that by WORKS A MAN IS JUSTIFIED AND NOT BY FAITH ALONE.”

James 1:22

“But be DOERS of the Word, and not HEARERS ONLY; and do not deceive yourselves.”

Romans 2:13 (Parenthesis mine)

“For not the HEARERS of Torah are righteous before ELOHIM; but the DOERS (Works) OF TORAH ARE BEING MADE RIGHTEOUS.”

Abraham had faith to leave his own country, he had faith to offer up his son which includes works, and also was circumcised out of obedience when he was 99 which is all works of Torah, Paul in Galatians 3 is saying the same thing as James regarding Abraham, and that is faith and works go together.

Then the malach of repentance says if you keep the commandments that you shall LIVE to ELOHIM:

Leviticus 18:5

“You shall therefore keep My commandments and My judgements, which if a man DO, HE SHALL LIVE IN THEM: I AM YAHWEH.”

Ezekiel 20:21

“Notwithstanding the children of Yisra’el rebelled against Me; they did not walk in My commandments, neither did they keep My judgements to DO them, WHICH IF A MAN SHALL DO, HE SHALL LIVE BY THEM; they have polluted My Shabbats: then I said, I will pour out My fury upon them and accomplish My anger against them in the wilderness.”

Deuteronomy 30:19

“I call heaven and earth to bear witness against you this day, that I have set before you LIFE and DEATH, blessings and cursing’s; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live…”

2 Esdras 7:129-131

“For this is the way of which Moses, while he was alive, spoke to the people, saying, ‘Choose for yourself life, that you may live!’ But they did not believe him, or the prophets after him, or even Myself who have spoken to them. Therefore there shall not be grief at their destruction, so much as joy over the life of those who did believe.”

CHAPTER 3 (Immersion)

And I said to him, “I should like to continue my questions.” “Speak on,” said he. And I said, “I heard, sir, some teachers maintain that there is no other repentance than that which takes place, when we descended into the water (immersion/baptism) and received remission of our former sins (sins before being immersed).” He said to me, “That was sound doctrine which you heard; for that is really the case. For he who has received remission of his sins ought not to sin any more, but to live in purity.

Firstly, the malcah of repentance confirms that immersion is a requirement just as YESHUA said in John 3 and as we saw the disciples doing in the Book of Acts, this destroys the argument that some make saying that you don’t have to be physically immersed in water.

Romans 6:1-6

“What will we then say? Will we continue IN SIN that favor may increase? Far be it: for if we are persons that have DIED TO SIN, how can we again live in it? Or do you not know that we who are immersed into YESHUA the Messiah are immersed into HIS DEATH? For we are BURIED WITH HIM IN IMMERSION to death; that as YESHUA the Messiah arose from the dead into the esteem of His Father, so also we, to walk in NEW LIFE. For if we have been planted together with Him into the LIKENESS OF HIS DEATH, so will we be also into His resurrection. For we know that our old man is PUT ON THE EXECUTION STAKE WITH HIM; that the body of sin might be abolished and we be NO MORE SERVANTS OF SIN…”

You are supposed to die to old self and your sinning ways and be spiritually reborn after immersion and the leading of the RUACH HA’KODESH, so this matches what the malach of repentance said is that you are to sin no more and live in purity.

John 5:14

“After some time, YESHUA found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold you are whole again. DO NOT SIN or else something that is worse than before should happen to you.”

John 8:11 (Hebrew)

“So she, she answered, “Master, here no stone was thrown after me.” Then YESHUA said to her, “Neither will I punish you; GO AND STOP SINNING—FROM NOW AND ONWARD.”

What is sin?

1 John 3:4 (Complete Jewish scriptures)

“Everyone who keeps sinning is VIOLATING TORAH—indeed, sin is VIOLATION OF TORAH.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: Since, however, you inquire diligently into all things, I will point this also out to you, not as giving occasion for error to those who are to believe, or have lately believed, in YAHWEH. For those who have now believed (already believe), and those who are to believe (those who will believe), have not repentance for their sins; but they have remission of their previous sins (once immersed). For to those who have been called before these days, YAHWEH has set repentance. For YAHWEH, knowing the heart, and foreknowing all things, knew the weakness of men and the manifold wiles of the devil, that he would inflict some evil on the servants of ELOHIM, and would act wickedly towards them. YAHWEH, therefore, being merciful, has had mercy on the work of His hand, and has set repentance for them; and He has entrusted to me power over this repentance. And therefore I say to you, that if any one is tempted by the devil, and sins after that great and kodesh (set-apart) calling in which YAHWEH has called His people to everlasting life, he has opportunity to repent but once. But if he should sin FREQUENTLY after this, and then repent, to such a man his repentance will be of no avail; for with difficulty will he live.”

This verse completely destroys Christianity where it’s believed that YAHWEH sees YESHUA in everything that we do; therefore, they can live however they want and repent for it later and never lose salvation. There is a difference between unintentional sin and willful sinning/practicing sin. I’ll give you an example, if you were reading scripture and had no clue that pork was unclean, it is still a sin, but it’s unintentional because you did not know better, but once you know the truth and disregard it and keep eating the pork that is willful sin. Or you are fornicator and you repent because you know that it is wrong, but then you go out and do it again a few days later, this is willful sin.

1 John 3:4 (Aramaic)

“And everyone that PRACTICES SIN, perpetrates iniquity (lawlessness) for all sin is iniquity.”

Hebrews 10:26-31

“For if a man sin VOLUNTARILY after he has received a KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH, there is no longer a sacrifice which may be offered for sins: but the fearful judgement impends, and the zeal of fire that consumes the adversaries. For if he who transgressed the Torah of Moses, died without mercies at the mouth of two or three witnesses; how much more, do you think, will he receive CAPITAL PUNISHMENT who has trodden upon the Son of ELOHIM (The Living Torah) and has accounted the blood of His covenant by which He is set apart, as the blood of all men and has treated the Spirit of favor in an insulting manner? For we know Him who has said, retribution is mine I will repay: and again, Master YAHWEH will judge His people. It is very terrible to fall into the hands of the living ELOHIM.”

Testament of Judah 19:3-4

“For the sake of money I lost my children, and had not my repentance and my humiliation and the prayers of my dad been accepted, I would have died childless. But the ELOHIM of my ancestors had kindness on me, BECAUSE I DID IT IN IGNORANCE. And the prince of deceit blinded me, and I sinned as a man and as flesh, being corrupted through sins; and I learned my own weakness while thinking myself to be invincible.”

Judah said the prince of deceit (Satan) blinded him and he acted out of ignorance, this matches what the malach of repentance said “. For YAHWEH, knowing the heart, and foreknowing all things, knew the weakness of men and the manifold wiles of the devil, that he would inflict some evil on the servants of ELOHIM, and would act wickedly towards them. YAHWEH, therefore, being merciful, has had mercy on the work of His hand, and has set repentance for them; and He has entrusted to me power over this repentance.”

Jubilees 41:23-24

“And Judah acknowledged the deed which he had done was evil, for he had lain with his daughter-in-law, and he considered it HATEFUL in His eyes, and he acknowledged that he had transgressed and gone astray, for he had uncovered the skirt of his son. And he began to LAMENT AND TO PETITION before YAHWEH because of his transgression.” And we told him in a dream that it was forgiven him because he petitioned earnestly, and lamented, AND DID NOT DO IT AGAIN.” No more WILLFULL sinning!

 1 John 2:1

“My children, these things I write to you that you DO NOT SIN. But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, YESHUA the Messiah, the righteous.”

Proverbs 24:16

“For a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again; but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”

Shepherd of Hermas continued: And I said, “Sir, I feel that life has come back to me in listening attentively to these commandments; for I know that I shall be saved, if in the future I sin no more.” And he said, “You will be saved, you and all who keep these commandments.”

My brothers and sisters be born again through immersion/baptism and die to your old self and then walk in the newness of life and stop sinning! In doing so, we die to self in this world and to gain it in the world to come.

As always may our Father YAHWEH bless you in YESHUA’s Name!

First-Fruits 2022

We have already begun the spring moedim the Appointed Times of our ELOHIM and we just completed celebrating Pesach and The Feast of Unleavened Bread. Now coming up on April 17th will be First-Fruits. First-Fruits is NOT a shabbat where we are commanded to do no work as the first day and seventh day of Feast of Unleavened were, this is to inform everyone of the events moving forward.

Leviticus 23:9-16 (Aramaic)

“And YAHWEH spoke to Moses, saying, “speak to the children of Yisra’el, and you shall say to them, ‘When you come into the land which I give you, and shall reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest to the priest; and he shall wave the sheaf before YAHWEH to be accepted for you; on the morrow the priest shall wave it. You shall offer that day when you wave the sheaf of a male lamb of the first year without blemish for a burnt offering to YAHWEH. And its meal offering shall be two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to YAHWEH for a sweet savor; and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, a fourth part of a hin. And you shall eat neither bread nor parched wheat nor green ears until that same day, until the day when you have brought an offering to your ELOHIM; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. And you shall count to you from the morrow, that is, from the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Shabbats shall be complete; even to the morrow AFTER THE SEVENTH SHABBAT (The weekly 7th Day Shabbat) you shall count fifty days; and you shall offer a meal offering of a new wheat to YAHWEH.”

Aviv in Hebrew means the month of green ears of barley when the barley is ripening. The children of Yisra’el would take the first-fruits of the barley harvest which is the earliest and best of their crops and tie them into a bundle and bring it to the high priest. The high priest would then wave the sheaf (omer) before YAHWEH to accept the future crops and then begin the 50 day count to Shavuot. They were not allowed to put the sickle to grain nor eat any of the harvest until after this ceremony was completed. This reminded the children of Yisra’el that ELOHIM gave them this land and all the harvest belongs to Him. As we see barley is the crop that matures faster than the other crops:

Exodus 9:31-32 (Aramaic Peshitta)

“And the flax and the barley were lost; for the barley was in the ear and the flax was bolled. But the wheat and rye were not lost; for they were sown late.”

As for the offering, YESHUA is the Lamb of YAHWEH who takes away the sins of the world and offered Himself with His blood and not the blood of bulls and goats. It is important to see what YESHUA’s blood did for us being that we do not have to sacrifice animals for atonement today. YESHUA fulfills the animal offerings for us with His blood and is the sweet fragrance that YAHWEH mentions:

Ephesians 5:2

“And walk in love, as Mashiach (Messiah) also has loved us, and gave Himself for us, a gift and an offering to YAHWEH for a SWEET-SMELLING FRAGRANCE.”    

 YESHUA is the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:20 meaning that those who are in the grave that lived for YESHUA will be resurrected as He was.

1 Corinthians 15:20-22

“But now Messiah has been raised from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those having fallen asleep. For since death is through a man, resurrection of the dead is also through a Man. For as all die in Adam, so also all shall be made alive in Messiah.”

2 Baruch 30:1-2

“And after these, when the time of the advent (the coming) of the Messiah will be fulfilled and He will return in esteem, then all those who have fallen asleep in HOPE OF HIM will rise. At that time, those reservoirs will be opened in which the number of the souls of the righteous have been preserved, and they will come out, and the abundance of the souls will appear in one assembly, of one mind. The first will rejoice, and the last will not be saddened, for they know that the time has arrived of which it is said that it is in the consummation of times.”

This is beautiful because Paul is using Old Testament terminology in the Torah as he always does, because he observed the Torah. As mentioned above first-fruits is when the earliest and best of the crops were brought to the priest to wave and then 50 days later would be the full harvest (Shavuot). Same applies with YESHUA, He is our first-fruits He is the best offering as He is the Son of YAHWEH, became flesh and died for our sins and rose on the third day, and in doing so we afterwards became the harvest ready for reaping, now we have to walk in Torah and believe in YESHUA and found to be wheat and not the tares.

1 Thessalonians 4:16

“Because the Master Himself shall come down from the heavens with a shout, with the voice of a chief messenger/angel, and with the trumpet of ELOHIM, and the dead IN Mashiach shall rise first. Then we, the living who are left over, shall be caught in the clouds to meet the Master in the air…”

Enoch 49: 1-3

“For wisdom is poured out like water, and esteem failed not before Him for eternity. For He is mighty in all the secrets of righteousness, and unrighteousness shall disappear as a shadow, and have no continuance; because the ELECT ONE (YESHUA) stands before YAHWEH of hosts, and His esteem is forever and ever, and His might unto all generations. And in Him dwells the spirit of wisdom, and the spirit which gives insight, and the spirit of understanding and of might, and the spirit of THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

So do we observe first-fruits and the counting of the omer during the Feast of Unleavened Bread?

Leviticus 23 reveals that YAHWEH never overlapped or mixed the Feasts. YAHWEH separates them by saying “AND then YAHWEH spoke to Moshe”. Calendars today are lumping First-Fruits in with the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

This article will show that we are to begin counting on April 17th after The Feast of Unleavened Bread is completed to arrive at the 15th day of the THIRD MONTH which is June 5th on our Gregorian calendars. Keep the 15th day of the 3rd month in mind because the Scriptures below will show that is the day when Shavuot is to be celebrated.

The Appointed Times are separated and do not mix or overlap!

So, Passover is on the 14th day of 1st month (Abib), feast of unleavened bread is on the 15th-21st of 1st month (Abib). And First-Fruits is on the 26th day of the 1st month of (Abib) AFTER the Feast of Unleavened bread is completed; then that morrow after the Shabbat is first-fruits which is April 17th.  First-Fruits is tied to Shavuot so it cannot overlap with The Feast of Unleavened Bread, because they are separate.

 The problem is that many calendars have first-fruits fall on any day depending on what day they observed Passover, for example since the first day of Unleavened bread is a “High Shabbat” many interpret the next day after the first day of unleavened bread to be “Day after the Shabbat” and that is when they begin their count which could fall on the 3rd, 4th or 5th day of the week; whereas on the Zadok Priestly calendar it always falls on a Sunday after the completion of Unleavened Bread.

Leviticus 23:16 (Aramaic Peshitta)

“Even to the morrow AFTER THE SEVENTH SHABBAT (The weekly 7th Day Shabbat) you shall count fifty days; and you shall offer a meal offering of a new wheat to YAHWEH.”

The Aramaic Peshitta clarifies that first-fruits is AFTER the 7th day Shabbat which is a Sunday and no other day; and this is when we begin the 50-day count, which matches the Book of Jubilees.

 Scriptural Timeline:

The Israelites left Egypt on 15th day of 1st month which is the first day of the feast of unleavened bread:

Exodus 12:17

“And you shall guard the Matzah (Feast of Unleavened Bread 15th Day of 1st Month), for on this SAME DAY I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. And you shall guard this day throughout your generations, an everlasting Law.”

And then almost exactly TWO MONTHS later on the 12th Day of the 3rd MONTH which was a Thursday the Israelites arrive at Sinai according the Zadok Priestly calendar.

Exodus 19:1

“In the THIRD MONTH after the children of Yisra’el had come out of the land of Egypt, on this day they came to the Wilderness of Sinai.” For they departed from Rephidim, and had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Yisra’el camped there before the mountain.”

So basically, if we don’t start the count of First-Fruits on the 26th day of 1st month to get to the 15th day of the 3rd month, then Shavuot the beginning of the barley harvest will be celebrated too soon, before the Israelites even entered into Sinai. The Book of Jubilees confirms this:

By the Israelites arriving on the 12th day of the 3rd month would give them time to celebrate Shavuot on the 15th which is a Sunday, because YAHWEH spoke to Moses on the next day the 16th, which means that the tablets of stone were given to Moses on a Monday the second day of the week.

Jubilees 1:1

“And it happened in the first-year of the exodus of the children of Yisra’el out of Egypt, in the third month, on the SIXTEENTH DAY OF THE MONTH, that YAHWEH spoke to Moses, saying, “Come up to Me on the Mount, and I will give you two tablets of stone of the Torah and the command, which I have written, that you may teach them.”

Celebration of Shavuot on the 15th day of 3rd month:

Jubilees 15:1

“And in the fifth year of the fourth week of this Jubilee, in the THIRD MONTH, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH (15th Day) Abram celebrated the Festival of the First-Fruits (Shavuot) of the grain harvest.” The Book of Enoch says there are only 30 days in a month; therefore, the middle of the month is the 15th day.

Jubilees 16:13

“And she bore a son in the THIRD MONTH. And in the MIDDLE OF THE MONTH (15th Day) at the time of which YAHWEH had spoken to Abraham, on the Festival of the First-Fruits (Shavuot) of the Harvest, Isaac was born.”

So we see that Abraham celebrated Shavuot also known as First-Fruits in Jubilees because  the two are connected by the 50 day counting of the omer, which is why it’s important not to start counting during the Feast of Unleavened Bread because they are separated.

 The messenger/angel goes into great detail about the two-fold meaning of The Festival of Shavuot and First-Fruits together:

Jubilees 6:15-21

“And He gave to Noah and his sons a sign that there should not be a flood on the earth again. He placed a rainbow in the cloud for a sign of the everlasting Covenant that there should not be a flood again on the earth to destroy it all the days of the earth. For this reason it is ordained and written on the tablets of the heavens, that they should celebrate the FESTIVAL OF SHAVUOT IN THIS MONTH ONCE A YEAR to renew the Covenant every year.” Verse 19 “But Abraham observed it, and Isaac, and Jacob, and his children observed it up to your days, and in your days the children of Yisra’el forgot it until you celebrated it anew on this mountain. And you shall command the children of Yisra’el to observe this Festival in all their generations for a Command unto them; one day in the year in this month (3rd MONTH) they shall celebrate the Festival. For it is the Festival of Shavuot AND THE FEAST OF FIRST-FRUITS: This Feast is twofold and double nature: according to what is written and engraved concerning it, celebrate it.”

Again, we know that this Festival/Appointed Time is in the THIRD MONTH because the beginning of Jubilees 6 says:

Jubilees 6:1

“And on the new month of the THIRD MONTH he went out from the ark, and built an altar on the mountain.” And we have seen that Abraham celebrated Shavuot on the 15th day of the THIRD MONTH.

The Festival of Shavuot is the same festival Abraham celebrated and was called the Festival of First-Fruits because they are connected and twofold and we have to remember that we slaves in Egypt. Which I’ll cover as Shavuot approaches for us to celebrate, ELOHIM willing.

Jubilees 44:1-8

“And Yisra’el took his journey from Haran from his house on the new month of the THIRD MONTH, and he went on the way of Beersheba, and he offered an offering to the ELOHIM of his dad Isaac on the seventh of this month. And Jacob remembered the dream that he had seen at Beyth El, and he feared to go down to Egypt. And while he was thinking of sending word to Joseph to come to him, and that he would not go down, he remained there seven days, if it came to be he should see a vision as to whether he should remain or go down. And he celebrated the HARVEST FESTIVAL OF THE FIRST-FRUITS with old grain, for in all the land of Canaan there was not a handful of seed, for scarcity of food was over all the beasts and cattle and birds, and also over man.” And on the sixteenth (16th) YAHWEH appeared to him, and said to him, Jacob, Jacob.” YAHWEH spoke to Jacob on the 16th after he celebrated Shavuot on the 15th day of 3rd month.

So if we count the 50 days starting on April 17th (on our Gregorian calendar) which is the 26th day of the 1st month on YAHWEH’s calendar, then we will arrive in the middle of the 3rd MONTH (15th Day) when Abraham, Noah, and their sons celebrated it. So, Shavuot will be observed this year on June 5th a NO WORK day. It is important to get the exact days of YAHWEH’s appointed times because this is what the messenger/angel says concerning the days of YAHWEH:

Jubilees 6:32-35

“And you shall command the children of Yisra’el that they observe the years according to this reckoning: THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR DAYS (364 days), and these shall constitute a complete year, and they shall not disturb its time from its days and from its Festivals; for all shall fall out in them according to their witness, and they shall not leave out any day nor disturb ANY FESTIVALS. But if they neglect and do not observe them according to His Command, then they shall disturb all their seasons, and the years shall be dislodged from this order; and they shall NEGLECT THEIR LAWS. And all the children of Yisra’el shall forget, and shall not find the path of the years, and shall forget the new moons, and seasons, and Sabbaths, and they shall go astray as to all the order of the years. For I know, and from this time on I shall declare it to you, and it is not of my own devising; for the Book is written before me. And on the tablets of the heavens the division of days is ordained, lest they forget the FESTIVALS OF THE COVENANT and WALK ACCORDING TO THE FESTIVAL OF THE GENTILES after their straying and after their ignorance."

Enoch 74:12-14

“And the sun and the stars bring in all the years exactly, so that they do not advance or delay their position by a single day unto everlasting; but complete the years with PERFECT JUSTICE IN THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR DAYS. In three years there are one thousand and ninety-two days ( 1,092 days divided by 3= 364), and in five years; one thousand eight hundred and twenty days  1, 820 days divided by 5=364), so that in eight years there are two thousand nine hundred and twelve days ( 2, 912 days divided by 8=364.)

What are we to do on it First Fruits?

As we read in Leviticus 23 that the Israelites were not to eat any grain of the new harvest until they brought their initial crops (first-fruits) and bring the barley sheaf to the priest so he could wave it before YAHWEH to accept the future crops and begin counting down the 50 days to the next Appointed Time which is The Festival of Shavuot aka The Festival of First Fruits aka Pentecost (50 in Greek).

Leviticus 23:14

“And you do not eat bread or roasted grain or fresh grain until the same day that you have brought AN OFFERING to your ELOHIM.”

We know that YESHUA gave Himself up once and for all with His own blood and not the blood of bulls and goats. This is what Paul says about how we can also apply this by living holy lives and being obedient to our ELOHIM!

Romans 12:1

“I call upon you, therefore, brothers, through the compassion of ELOHIM, to present your bodies a LIVING OFFERING-holy, well pleasing to ELOHIM-your reasonable worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you prove what is that good and well-pleasing and perfect desire of ELOHIM.”

This means to die to self, to die to sin, and live righteously by faith in YESHUA and keeping the commandments of Torah, and distancing yourself from the world.

1 Peter 2:4-5

“Drawing near to Him, a living Stone-rejected indeed by men, but chosen by YAHWEH and precious-you also, as living stones, are being built up, A SPIRTUAL HOUSE, a holy priesthood, to OFFER UP SPIRITUAL SLAUGHTER OFFERINGS acceptable to YAHWEH through YESHUA HA’MASHIACH.”

Other than that we all we need to do is count down the 50 days to get to Shavuot which is on June 5th this year.

 As always may our Father YAHWEH bless you in YESHUA’s Name!