Conversing With The Almighty

by Barry W. Gaugler

As I was lying on my bed this morning, after awakening, I was having a conversation with our heavenly Father. My thoughts were upon Adam and how - before his fall - he walked with God in the cool of the evening. How awesome that would have been to have a conversation with the Almighty in real time just as we would have with another person. Our prayers are supposed to be that way. I got out of bed, grabbed a cup of coffee, and went out onto the porch to sit and drink it while the morning was still cool. Our conversation continued.

I was wondering why our Father would withhold His truth to so many people who seem to be honestly seeking Him with their whole heart. I asked Him, "Why is it so easy to hear from the deceiver? He is constantly there bombarding us through our thoughts and the things he places before our eyes to tempt us. Yet, there are times that it seems so difficult to hear from You? So often we pray and seem to get no answer. Why is that?" His answer was a bit surprising, but at the same time, not so much.

Many seek after God intellectually for the sake of their own curiosity. They are not truly interested in a personal relationship with Him. They simply want some form of intellectual evidence whether or not He is real. They really have no heartfelt desire to fully submit their lives to Him. Some intend to use Him for personal gain which is why so many seek the prosperity teachings with such passion. Some attempt to use Him as a way of wielding power in an intellectual manner. It becomes all about self, and looking wise before men. True wisdom certainly does come from the fear of the Almighty, but the wise will always point back to the Wisdom Giver as their source. It is not about us. It is all about Him. Then there are those seeking spiritual power. They are easy prey for Satan to use his power through them and thus counterfeit God's power through false spirits. Sadly this happens all too often. There certainly is power granted to those trusting in the Almighty. He will demonstrate His power through His true believers. However, Satan is a counterfeiter. He will attempt to mimic everything God does, but his intents are to deceive. We are to try the spirits whether or not they are of God.

Make no mistake, God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he shall also reap (Galatians 6:7). We need to understand that our God is a God who is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Yeshua (Jesus) has made it clear that His sheep know His voice and will not follow another.

John 10:1-5 New King James Version (NKJV)

10 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Again in John 10:27, Yeshua says this:

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

You cannot trick God. I will say it again. He knows the thoughts and the intentions of your heart. It is imperative as believers that we learn to know the voice of our Shepherd. Satan has many of his wolves out there speaking to the sheep. Prayerfully study the Scriptures that Yeshua's voice will become crystal clear to you. We should know the voice of our Shepherd better than we know the voice of our earthly parents and siblings. Satan has a lot of Rich Little voice impersonators out there. Do not be deceived. King David had the right heart attitude when he said to God, in Psalm 51:1-13 (KJV [Revised]):

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou might be justified when thou speak, and be clear when thou judge. 5 Behold, I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desire truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

People are constantly wondering. How can I know God? How can I hear His voice? I find it ironic that people desire to hear from God, but then when someone clearly does hear from God, and He gives them a word, people circle their ear behind their back and consider them crazy. God does speak to His people. Are we willing to hear?

David had the correct attitude. First he asked God to have mercy upon him according to His loving-kindness. He acknowledged that it was upon God's loving-kindness to which he was appealing. He understood that before his many transgressions were blotted out that he had no right to even come before a holy and righteous God. He knew he had to be washed of his iniquity because his sin was ever before him. He could not escape from his sins because they were ever before him. He had to acknowledge his sin. Confessing it before God in order to enter His presence. Verse 6 is a very important verse. David knew that God desired truth from within his inner parts. It was much more than simply acknowledging God from his fallen fleshly intellect. It was in his inner parts (his spirit) that the Almighty reveals Himself. In his spirit, not just his mind. He knew that he could not purge his own sins and make himself righteous before God. God had to do the purging. Only God could make him clean.

Then David calls upon God to create in him a clean heart and renew within him a right spirit. Without the Holy spirit working within us, everything we attempt to accomplish is simply the works of the flesh. After all these things, David declares, "13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee." It is not until a right spirit is working within us that we will be an effective tool in the hand of the Almighty for the conversion of sinners.

Think on these things.

America's Final Warning

by Barry W. Gaugler

Please take note. This article is going to be quite long. However, it is my conviction that the Almighty has called me to be a watchman on the wall. There is a burning within my heart, and it is not originating from my desire to speak. There is a fear, and a trembling, at what is about to come forth from my keyboard . Remaining silent is not an option. Should I not blow the shofar, and sound the alarm concerning this warning, there is a fear my heart will explode. I cannot have blood upon my hands. It's that important.

This warning primarily comes from Deuteronomy chapter 28, but there will be other passages of Scripture to tie these warnings together. We will be skipping over some verses to focus upon what the Spirit is saying in these End Days. That does not mean these verses are irrelevant. It simply means they are not the primary object of this warning. I encourage you to read these passages in several versions of the Bible. We need to get the clearest understanding possible. I also encourage you to pray that the Holy Spirit would open your eyes to what is happening right before our eyes. The time is at hand.

The argument could be made that these prophesies are concerning Israel and do not apply to the United States of America. I can appreciate that understanding. However, the word of God is eternal and applies to Israel and wherever they may be scattered. The last time I checked, there were more Jews in New York City than there are in Jerusalem. That fact may have changed in recent years, but It could still stand true at this point in time. Even so, God's words are true and will always apply to His people.

Deuteronomy 28:15-17 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Consequences of Disobedience

15 “But it shall come about, if you do not obey the LORD your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:
16 “Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country. 17 “Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

Have you noticed the turmoil within the cities of America in the past several years? Have you noticed the unrest and lawlessness on the rise? The burning, looting, rape and murders perpetrated by the masses is rapidly on the rise. Sure this has happened before, but not at these levels. Our government, and our media is constantly pitting one race against another for power and profit. The police are constantly portrayed as the evil villains. Sometimes justly, but often unjustly.

How are we cursed in the country? The rapid influx of illegal along with legal immigration is causing the need for urban sprawl. More and more of our farm land is disappearing every day to developers. Farm land is a disappearing commodity. Soon the majority of our food will have to come from other countries. Many of those countries do not like us. Then there is the problem with large corporate farms pushing the small farmer out of business. Add to the mix the fact that most of our crops are rapidly being genetically modified in ways prohibited by biblical standards and you can begin to wonder where real food will come from in the near future.

Then there is the regulations put upon the food industry. GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) do not need special warnings. However real food as God created it does. We have gone to the ridiculous extremes that natural foods are dangerous, but artificial processed foods are not. Dangerous things we consume do not need labels, but organic food does. We have truly become cursed in the City, in the Country, and in our kneading bowl.

28 The LORD will smite you with madness and with blindness and with bewilderment of heart;

34 You shall be driven mad by the sight of what you see.

Since we have departed from God's ways and have kicked him out of our public venues, and even many of our places of worship, He has allowed blindness to His Scriptures to prevail in our nation. We have chosen our own way by murdering our unborn and kicking His Scriptures out of our schools and courts. The results have been evident to anyone who will take the time to look at the facts. When many of us older folks were children in school, the primary problems were chewing gum in class and running in the halls. Compare that with today's school shootings and pregnancy rate. The things we see with our eyes on a regular basis are often maddening causing many to be astonished and bewildered.

43 The alien who is among you shall rise above you higher and higher, but you will go down lower and lower. 44 He shall lend to you, but you will not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you will be the tail.
45 “So all these curses shall come on you and pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you would not obey the LORD your God by keeping His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. 46 They shall become a sign and a wonder on you and your descendants forever.
47 “Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and a glad heart, for the abundance of all things;

Our nation has turned its back on God, His commandments, and His statutes. We have altered them, ignored them, dismissed them, and said they no longer apply to us. We have created our own laws in conflict with His and have gone our own way. Therefore our nation is overrun with aliens from other nations. They will be the head and we will be the tail. They have been rising higher and higher over us and are now to the point that we have to press 1 for English. These curses will overtake us until we are destroyed with our debt because we did not obey the Lord.

The following passages of Scripture should open our eyes to the perilous times in which we are presently living. These are clear warnings which the Almighty has been sending our way. He has been giving us these warnings in the hope that we would repent. However, we have not repented. Instead, we have thumbed our noses at the Almighty and have gone deeper and deeper into sin as a nation. I fear there is no longer any turning back. The time is short and we are rapidly drifting further off course as a nation as the majority continues to express its hatred for God and His ways. Please pay close attention to these following verses and ask yourself if they agree with what has been happening to us as a nation.

49 “The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as the eagle swoops down, a nation whose language you shall not understand, 50 a nation of fierce countenance who will have no respect for the old, nor show favor to the young.

52 It shall besiege you in all your towns until your high and fortified walls in which you trusted come down throughout your land, and it shall besiege you in all your towns throughout your land which the LORD your God has given you

These verses may seem to be a bit obscure, but remember the promise God made to His people back up there in verse 15. What happened to us on 9/11/01? The Lord brought upon us a nation from afar. from the end of the earth. How did they attack us? As an eagle swoops down. How does an eagle attack its prey? from above, swiftly and unexpectedly. How were we attacked on 9/11/01? Do you think that, if perhaps the people on those airplanes understood Arabic, they would have allowed their lives to end in such a tragic way? Probably not, but these people spoke in a language that the people on the planes did not understand. These Islamists had no respect for the old, nor show favor to the young. They will behead anyone whether old, young, or infant.

Notice what was attacked. Our high and fortified walls were attacked. This is very significant and did not simply happen by chance. What was attacked? Our high towers (World Trade Center) and fortified walls (Pentagon). Since the word says that the Lord brought this nation against us (verse 49), what was the center of this attack. The center of this attack was in the things in which we trust. What are the things in which we trust that has made America such a great nation? Our economy, and our defense. Thus the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The Stock Market was closed for about a week and a total of about $600,000,000,000
was ripped from our economy in one day. The third plane was probably headed for the Capitol or the White House. That would have included our government into the mix, but God in His grace spared the government. We will not be so blessed next time around as many have made the government their provider and thus their god.

How did America respond to this attack? Were we humbled, or did we take upon ourselves a spirit of pride? Sadly, we took on a spirit of pride. Some in our government even took the Scriptures out of their context to boast in pride.

Isaiah 9:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

10 “The bricks have fallen down, But we will rebuild with smooth stones; The sycamores have been cut down, But we will replace them with cedars.”

Yes, many were humbled for a short time and there was a period of prayer and repentance. It lasted about a week and then it was back to normal. Instead of seeking God and asking Him to reveal why this happened, we took on the attitude of "we will rebuild." I find it ironic that not only did the bricks fall down, but the sycamores across from the World Trade Center in front of the church where George Washington was sworn in as our first president also came down. What did they replace them with? Cedars. They have since died. God is not mocked.

Exactly 8 years later, on the 29th of Elul on the Hebrew calendar, the Housing Mortgage Market took its worst hit in history causing many large banks to go belly up. In fact the company that we had our mortgage with (Countrywide) was one of them. We still have not fully recovered from that hit to our economy.

For those who understand the Scriptures, every seventh year is to be a Sabbath year. The Hebrew year is lunar, and the Gregorian year is solar. The date of 9/11/01 was on Elul 29 according to the Hebrew calendar. It was a Sabbath (Schmita) year. The date the mortgage market collapsed was 9/08/08. It was also on the 29th of Elul, seven years later. Also a Sabbath year. Here we are in 2015. Elul 29 falls on September 13, 2015. What warning can we learn from the Scriptures concerning this matter? If you think you can wait until the last minute to get right with God, you are eternally sadly mistaken. Now is the time to come before the Almighty, humble yourself, turn from your sinful ways and accept His ways as the only way to escape what is coming. This could be your final warning America.

Luke 21:34-36 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

34 “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. 36 But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Shalom

Our Heart's Desire

                                by Barry W. Gaugler

The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God. Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be cursed thing like it: but thou shall utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.

Deuteronomy 7: 25 & 26 (KJV)

The wicked boasts of his heart's desire, and blesses the covetous, the Lord abhors.
Psalm 10:3

Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and the remembrance of thee. With my soul I have desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
Isaiah 26:8 & 9

I often hear people quote Psalm 37: 4 without its surrounding verses. "Delight thyself in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." This is often used by prosperity teachers as a proof text that our heavenly Father wants to overflow you with material blessings. I urge the Israel of our heavenly Father to look at these verses in the whole context of Scripture. Delight yourself in the LORD. He and He alone is to be our heart's desire. Our desire is not to be for the silver and gold, nor the abominations we may bring into our houses which we may put as idols before Him. We are not to be covetous of the things of this world. He, and He alone, is to be our heart's desire. When we learn to make Him the desire of our hearts, then, and only then, will we begin to understand what this walk is all about. It is all about Him. It is not about our covetous desires for material things.

Seek after Yeshua and His kingdom to be established in our lifetime. There is nothing upon this earth outside of His will for our lives that can satisfy. We should desire the kind of intimacy with Yeshua that we cannot only trust Him, but that He can trust us. We should covet to know His voice better than we know the voice of our earthly parents, spouse, or even our children.

Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:25 & 26

Our heavenly Father certainly does want to give us the desires of our hearts. However, let's put that statement into its proper perspective from His point of view. He wants to be the sole desire of our heart. He knows our needs and desires. He wants us to prosper, but most of all He wants our soul to prosper. Sadly, many miss that point.

Let's not be blessing our covetousness with that which the Lord abhors. Perhaps that ham and cheese sandwich really isn't a good idea in our Father's eyes. If you really are desiring the things of our Father, and if you are really walking in the Spirit of the Living God, how can our desire be towards those things which He has clearly condemned and called abominations? Can the Spirit contradict God's words? If God has written His laws upon our heart, what has changed from those laws written in His Scriptures? Is God double minded? Has He changed?

Who is there in heaven but You that I may desire? Fill me to overflowing with your Ruach (Spirit) that I may know You with an uncommon intimacy. Cause my life to be lived in such a manner that the world might come to know you through your living in me. I ask this in Yeshua's name. Amen.

Shalom Ahlaychem,

John 3:16 in Context

                                            by Barry W. Gaugler

I've been going through my documents files and have been finding teachings I had written, but don't know if I've ever posted before. I know I delivered a message similar to this a few weeks ago in Synagogue, but here is an older condensed version. Hope you enjoy.

John 3:14 - 17 (KJV);
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.
15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Within these few verses stands probably the most popular verse in all of Scripture. Yet, it is probably the most misquoted, and least examined verse in all of Scripture. It is common for us to read this verse, and just assume that, because we believe in Yeshua (Jesus), we automatically have everlasting life. Is that an accurate assumption? Take a close look at verse 15. It clearly says that whoever believes in Him "should not perish." It does not say that whoever believes in Him "shall not perish," nor does it say, "will not perish." The use of the word "should" leaves the act of perishing as indefinite. It is open ended, and implies that you most certainly could perish. That is probably not what you are taught in church, but the language is plain. All I am saying is supported by the grammar of the original Greek.

Now look at verse 16. The same language is used. It says, that whoever believes in Him (the Son) should not perish. When Yeshua says something twice, it is important to pay very close attention to what He is saying. He is trying to emphasize an important point, and He wants you to get it. It is vitally important that you grasp the full meaning of what Yeshua is trying to tell His people in the commonwealth of Israel.

Let's move on to verse 17. The heavenly Father did not send His only begotten (unique) Son into the world, to condemn the world. It is not the Father's will that any should perish, but that all would turn from their sins, and find everlasting life through Yeshua. The Father sent His unique Son into the world with the hope that through Him, the world might be saved. Pay attention to the words, "might be saved." Again, by using the word "might" be saved there is an indefiniteness about who is being saved. I know. You were probably not taught this in your church, but yet again, the language is clear. It is not guaranteeing that those believing will absolutely be saved. By saying you "might be saved," is not saying you absolutely will be saved.
From the Greek, there are two words translated into English as the word "in." They are εν, and εις. The former simply means "in." The latter is more correctly translates as "into." There is a great difference from the Hebraic understanding, between believing "in" something, and believing "into" something. I know in the English, this sounds strange, but I will explain.

When many people say, "I believe in Yeshua:" what they are really saying is that they believe He lived. They believe He was a great man, a great teacher, or they may even believe that he was God in the flesh. However they have never really trusted "into" Him to be their savior. They may know about Him, but they don't really know Him. I know about George Washington, but I have never met him and I have never had a relationship with him.

On the contrary. I knew my earthly father. We had a loving relationship. When he was teaching me to swim, I could put my total trust upon him. I knew he loved me, and I could place my total trust "into" his care. He was not going to allow anything evil to happen to me. He always had my best interest in his mind.

Yeshua is not telling us, that by simply believing in Him, we automatically have eternal life. Yeshua is telling us, that only by putting our lives totally into His care, and trusting that we are dead to our sinful nature, by being immersed into His death, burial and resurrection, will we find life eternal. I pray Ruach haKodesh (the Holy Spirit) open your eyes to this truth in Yeshua's name. Amen.

Keeping Torah

                                                  by Barry W. Gaugler

Is the keeping of Torah important to our Creator? Consider what is written in Jeremiah 31:31-33:

"Behold the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God and they shall be my people." (KJV)

Notice in the above passage that the Spirit is speaking directly to the house of Israel, and to the house of Judah. He is declaring a new covenant with His people. Some try to say, that this is speaking allegorically about the church, and not Israel. That is twisting scripture, as the language is perfectly clear, to whom Elohim is addressing. The New Covenant spoken of here, is with Israel and Judah. Yes. I know, that it is also given for the Goyim who claim the promises, by being grafted into Israel. Notice also where Elohim is writing His instructions (Torah). It is to be written in their hearts. We need to ask ourselves this question. If we are not to observe Torah, why would the Spirit write Torah upon our hearts? I believe, it is because, our love for Yeshua, is to be so great, that the thought of breaking His commandments would be absolutely repulsive to those who love and trust in him.

It is important to understand this important fact. It is by our Father's grace, that we are able to live Torah, through the working of Ruach haKodesh in our inner being. It is the Ruach, imparting to us the life of Yeshua haMashiach. It is not something we can work to achieve of our own volition, strength, or human nature. It is only achieved through surrendering your life completely to Yeshua.

Many are afraid, that by surrendering to Yeshua, their life will be over, and that they will never be able to enjoy life again. Nothing could be further from the truth. Life in Messiah is full and rich. Those who follow after their own ways, or the ways of this world live empty lives. They are always searching for some pleasure that will remain for more than a few hours, but they can never seem to find it. Their joy is shallow, and soon fades. I often hear their words, and have even said them myself in the past, "Is this all there is to life?" Their motto is "Life stinks, and then you die." Those who do not know Yeshua as their savior are constantly looking for something. Their lives are always miserable and empty. They may deny it to your face, but in their heart of hearts, they know it's true. When they place their heads on their pillow at night, and are alone with their thoughts, they know. There is no escape from the reality that you feel alone and empty.

It doesn't matter how many so called friends they have, or how much stuff they have gathered, or how much they travel around the world. They feel empty. They are searching for something, and they can never seem to find satisfaction. The reason, is because, they are searching in all the wrong places. Lives that are apart from Yeshua, are always filled with oppression. Have you ever noticed how angry their lives are without Yeshua? Always wanting to fight, or always cutting other people down? Even at their parties, fights break out. When it's all over, they end up praying to their porcelain god, asking him to just get them through another hangover. Swearing to him that they will never drink another drop (until next time). Lives that are surrendered to Messiah Yeshua however, are always full and rich, even during the hard times. Do we suffer hard times? Of course we do, but there is that blessed assurance, that in the end; We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, and are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

The Closer We Walk

The closer we walk with our heavenly Father, the more distance our former friends and family want between us, and them. This should not come as a surprise. Yeshua spoke of this often. In Matthew 10: 21 & 22, Yeshua says these words:

"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against their parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end shall be saved."

Again, in Matthew 24:9 Yeshua has this to say,
"Then they will hand you over to persecution and will kill you. You will be hated of all nations because of My name"

We have to understand something. Many people today, are sitting in churches, that do not preach the truth of the Gospel. I sat in several denominational churches, for almost half of my life, and not once, had I ever heard our Father's plan of salvation even mentioned. I was confirmed as a young teen in the Lutheran church, and had never heard the answer to the question, "What must I do to be saved?" The same was true for the Methodist church, and the Episcopal church. What I did hear was that we are saved by grace, so don't worry about keeping the commandments of God. Jesus did it all for you. It is a sad commentary, that so many people, are sitting in these dead churches for years, and they have never heard the message of salvation.

It is quite obvious from reading Matthew 7:21- 23, that many, who thought they were saved, will not make it into the kingdom of heaven. It is sad. They thought they were saved. They thought they were on the right track, but Yeshua's words are clear when He said,

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord!' will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in Your name, and drive out demons in Your name, and perform many miracles in Your name?' Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you. Get away from Me, you workers of lawlessness!'"

Notice; those who do the will of the Father will enter in. What is the will of the Father? That's simple. That you "keep His commandments." Also notice; The workers of lawlessness will not enter in. John 14:21 says,

"He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him"

Has He revealed Himself to you, or do you only know about Him as some being out there in the far off sky somewhere? Ask Him, and He will become real to you, and will reveal Yeshua (Jesus) to you as a real living person.

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The Meaning of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)

                                                          by Barry W. Gaugler

What was the purpose for our heavenly Father giving His appointed times to the children of Israel? The purpose of each and every one of Elohim's appointed times, was to be a prophet example pointing to His Messiah. They were much more than just a celebration. Elohim was showing His children important keys to knowing His plan for His children Israel, that they would know the times and the seasons. So, what is the significance of this appointed time called Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles?

We know from Scripture, that the Messiah could not have been born anywhere near late December, for meteorological reasons. The Bible clearly records in Luke 2:8, that the shepherds were out in the fields watching over their sheep by night, around the time of Messiah's birth. The meteorological patterns today for this area of Judea, are known to be, just as they were around the time of the birth of Messiah. The lambs would be at risk in the cold weather, and have always been in shelter during the cold Judean nights of late December. This fact, makes it certain, that Yeshua could not have been born in late December according to Scripture.

So, if Yeshua (Jesus) was not born in December, does Scripture give us a clear indication, as to when He actually was born? Since Elohim does not change, and always works within the parameters of His appointed times. We can know according to Elohim's appointed times, the time period in which Yeshua was born. We know from Scriptures in Luke, chapter one, that the father of John the Baptist was a priest named Z'kharyah (Zacharias). He served in the temple burning incense during the course of Aviyah (1st Chronicles 24:10). He was chosen by the drawing of lots (Luke 1:9), as was the custom of the priests (See 1st Chronicles 24:5). The names of the different courses of priests that served in the temple are mentioned in 1st Chronicles 24: 1-19. Aviyah was the 8th course. Each course served in the temple for one week, with the 1st course starting in the 1st week, in month of Nisan, in the Spring (See 1st Chronicles 27:1 & 2). All priests served during Elohim's appointed feasts of Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Pentecost), and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). After six months, the cycle would repeat, so each course would serve two weeks during the year.

With the above information, we can look at Scripture, and have a pretty good idea, as to when Messiah Yeshua was born. We know from Luke 1:11-20 that the angel Gabriel visited Zacharias while he was serving in the temple. We know from Scripture, that Aviyah served in the 8th course. That would have put Zacharias serving in the temple from the month of Iyar 7 to Sivan 5. That brings us right up the start of Shavuot (Pentecost) on Sivan 6. Since this is one of the three feasts in which Jewish men are required to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, we know that Zacharias would have remained in Jerusalem for another week. Upon returning home, his wife Elizabeth soon conceived. If we add 40 weeks, or 280 days to this time (the normal gestation period for humans) it would put the birth of John The Baptist, right at Passover. (Remember, God always works within the parameters of His appointed times. Our heavenly Father never works according to manmade times and seasons. He works according to His schedule, not ours.)

When Elizabeth became pregnant, Luke 1:24 tells us that she remained in seclusion for five months. In verse 26 Gabriel appears to Miriam (Mary) in the sixth month and tells her she is going to conceive by the Holy Spirit and give birth to a son. He will be called the Son of God. The dialog continues through verse 37, and then in verse 38, Gabriel leaves her. Then in verse 39, it says, that Miriam hurried to the hill country to visit Elizabeth. John leaped in Elizabeth's womb upon hearing Miriam's voice. From these passages, we can determine that John would be born at least six months before Yeshua. That would put Yeshua's birth, right at the first day of Sukkot (probably late September, or early October according to our calendar). Now, remember this fact. Our heavenly Father always works within the parameter of His appointed times. (I know I am being redundant about this, but please bear with me. It is very important that this fact is embedded in your mind).

Let's examine the Feast of Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles, as it is more commonly known among Gentiles. I will only highlight (for the sake of brevity) those verses, or portions of verses from Leviticus 23:33-43 which are most important to understanding, but I suggest you read it for yourself from your own Bible.

vs. 33-36: "ADONAI said to Moshe, 'Tell the people of Isra'el, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of Sukkot for seven days to ADONAI. On the first day, there is to be a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work.-----on the eighth day you are to have a holy convocation;----- it is a day of public assembly; do not do any kind of work.'"

vs. 39: "But on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered the produce of the land, you are to observe the festival of ADONAI seven days; the first day is to be a complete rest and the eighth day is to be a complete rest."

vs. 41-42: "You are to observe it as a feast to ADONAI seven days in the year; it is a permanent regulation, generation after generation; keep it in the seventh month. You are to live in sukkot for seven days; every citizen of Isra'el is to live in a sukkah."

(All above verses from the Complete Jewish Bible)

Notice that Elohim says, it is a feast for seven days, but then He adds an eighth day. Why? If one has an understanding of Scripture, the answer becomes quite evident.
In Genesis 17:10-12a, Elohim says this to Avraham (Abraham);

"Here is my covenant which you are to keep, between me and you, along with your descendants after you: every male among you is to be circumcised. You are to be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; this will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. Generation after generation, every male among you who is eight days old is to be circumcised,-----."

From the above passages, it should be quite evident why our heavenly Father, in His infinite wisdom, added an eighth day at the end of the seven day feast of Sukkot. Since Messiah was to be born on the first day, of the feast of Sukkot (a holy day), does it not make perfect sense that the eighth day, or the day of Messiah's circumcision and dedication to Elohim, would also be on a holy day? The feast of Sukkot is an obvious prophetic feast, pointing to the birth of Messiah Yeshua. Many people today understand, that Yeshua was born in a manger. There was no room at the inn, because it was during Sukkot. Look at any picture of a manger, and you will soon notice exactly what it is. It's a sukkah, or a temporary dwelling in accordance with Elohim's commandment.

John:1:14 says;
"And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We looked upon His glory, the glory of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth."

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