Escape?
Woe to you who desire the day of YHWH! Why would you have the day of the Lord? It is darkness, and not light; Amos 5:18
Day of YHWH – Rapture! What a great concept. The Lord will come and we will all escape this place. Things will be wonderful. We will have untold blessings, showers of prosperity in heaven. Who can wait? Time to leave it all behind, right?
But the prophets have a different view of the end of the age. Woe to you! Why are they so negative? Yom YHWH comes as a day of punishment to all who are rebellious. Yom YHWH is terrifying to those who have turned from His path. Yom YHWH is disaster for those who have not lived in His reflection.
Oh, but you’re thinking, “That isn’t me. I’m justified. I’m redeemed. I’m saved.” Really? Look very carefully. Search deep within. Do you still want the day of YHWH to arrive right now? Have you nothing corrupt, no dross, no tinge of selfish desire left in the crevices and cracks? Do you really plead for God’s unbearable light to shine into every corner? Today? Maybe it isn’t such a bad thing to let the day of YHWH come tomorrow. Today I still have some repairs to make in order to welcome the King.
The prophet is shocked to find those who desire the day of YHWH. He sees the world from God’s point of view. He observes the hypocrisy, the jealousy, the rage, the manipulation, the deceit in our lives. He knows God is holy. He is frightened of our naïveté. And there is another reason for his dismay. He sees the lost, the hungry, the neglected and the ones whom God has yet to bring into His house. Can we really be so anxious to escape that we would ask God to shorten the time for these to repent and return to Him? Are we so preoccupied with our own salvation that we would hasten the day of judgment? Paul spoke of this and it broke his heart. “For I could wish myself accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen . . .” Those who share God’s heart plead for His mercy and His delay of judgment. They are willing to wait through anything in the hopes that one more will find the path.
What is all this prattle about rapture? Isn’t it really a symptom of our lack of compassion? Paul’s comments about the rapture offer us hope, not escape. It is hope that someday, when God’s purposes have been fulfilled, we will find consolation in His grand return. It is about sharing the experience of the God who is no longer concealed. But we have turned it into a personal exit plan. We want the rapture to solve our problems. Yeshua might caution us that we have neglected the weightier matters of justice, mercy and compassion.
Topical Index: rapture, day of YHWH, yom YHWH, Amos 5:18
Boker Tov!! Shabbat Shalom!!
The “day of YHWH” is a clear example of dualism. Why? Because we know that this day is also a day of hope and freedom to the people of G-d. To the people, that on that same day, will be screaming Baruch HaShem Adonai, Baruch HaShem Adonai!!!!
“The “day of YHWH” is a clear example of dualism.”
Hi Yishmael,
Boker Or
With all due respect, I don’t tend to think of the prophecy of Amos as an example of dualism.
In my view, Paul’s thinking tends to lend itself to dualism (flesh vrs spirit).
On the other hand, Amos seems to portray Yahweh’s world as a “one way street.”
In the vision of Amos, good things happen when we drive toward Yahweh.
Bad things happen when we drive in the wrong direction.
Hello Michael
My statement take in consideration the whole document (Tanak) not just what Amos says. Dualism is present since the beginning. Let’s take as an example Adam. Adam was one in Genesis One and then in Genesis Two HaShem divided it in two…
Hi Yishmael,
I understand, I’m talking about the whole “universe” (heavens and earth).
One God (angels and demons), one Man (Adam and Eve), one way (on or off).
Skip knows how to explain this stuff much better than I do.
But I would say that in “dualism” you have two irreducible things; for example, two gods.
As I understand it, in the Hebrew worldview, there is one God, one source, on way (many paths).
But at the simplest level, everything comes to us in the form of “binary oppositions.”
Each one of us is given choice between two things; good or bad, hot or cold, wet or dry.
As I’m writing this, I’m thinking that this a sounds all bit Greek to me, a bit too “analytical.”
And when I think about it, I generally think there are two types of “reason.”
And, maybe incorrectly, I have always thought that Greek thinking is analytical (static).
And Hebrew thinking is dialectical (dynamic).
And that these two forms of reason are in opposition.
BTW when I woke up this morning I opened one of my two favorite books to section 2:1.
And found the following statement regarding dialectical reason:
“The first set of letters are the Three Mothers, which will be discussed in further detail in Chapter 3. Here they are introduced because they define the thesis-antithesis-synthesis structure that is central to the teachings.”
Now in terms of my own personal interest in things, the statement above, on a scale of 1 – 10, is off the scale 🙂
HI, Michael
Let’s keep in mind that Hebrew thinking is not monolithic. If you desire check it out how many Kabbalah’s experts explain why Torah starts with the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet and not with “alef.” One book that I can suggest to read is the one written by Friedrich Weinreb Stiftung, ” Het Bijbelboek Jonah. It has a wonderful chapter about “dualism”
Hi Yishmael,
The work of Friedrich Weinreb Stiftung does indeed look interesting.
But unfortunately nothing appears to be in print.
And I would need to read his work in English.
If you see his “Roots of the Bible” for sale please let me know.
BTW I did not mean to imply that Hebrew thinking was monolithic.
But I tend to think of the great German thinkers as dialectical rather than dualistic.
I’ll try to explain what I mean by “dialectical” a little later.
Thanks for suggesting Het Bijbelboek Jonah!
“But I tend to think of the great German thinkers as dialectical rather than dualistic.” Very important distinction that I must take in consideration. Thank you for doing it!!!
I don’t know if these people have books from Weinbreb but check it out, just in case.
http://www.nehora.com
May HaShem bless you!!!
Hi Yishmael – I’m afraid that you are confusing ‘singularity’ and ‘unity’. Even when havvah was created there was still unity – one reality. It is havvah’s act of disobedience that initiates dualism.
“It is havvah’s act of disobedience that initiates dualism.”
Hi Ian and Tara,
I’m still trying to understand what we mean by dualism.
Don’t we start out with innocence and a kind of dualism, a choice between two trees?
The Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life.
And end up with the same choices, just a lot more pain/experience?
OOPs… Forgot to add the third thing that is always there, the option to CHOOSE.
Hi Michael – again, it depends whether you are coming at it from a Hebrew or Greek perspective. From a Hebrew perspective, as it is a fact that God is the only true reality, we cannot – in truth – do anything that actually affects that unity… it is established outside the dimensions that we have any ability to affect. However, havvah’s choice creates a ‘false reality’. A realm where we can conceive and act upon a belief that we know better than God what is best for us. There is, then, ‘duality’ whilst mankind does not bow to the Sovereign rule of God.
“There is, then, ‘duality’ whilst mankind does not bow to the Sovereign rule of God.”
Hi Ian,
I agree that there is “false consciousness” and that we can find lots of “dualities” and triads.
But the Hebrew worldview is “monotheistic,” not dualistic, right?
In the Book of Creation, by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, there in no mention of “dualism.”
Correct, Michael – it doesn’t exist in reality… those who live as though there is anything other than ‘God’ are living in a false reality. Kaplan focuses on God, therefor there is no other reality – only echad.
Thanks Ian and Tara!
That seems like a very important point and pretty easy to understand once it is stated.
So now I’m wondering if Paul’s view of “flesh and spirit” isn’t a kind of dualism?
You are very welcome! We are glad that it was you asking (!); it meant we were able to offer a succinct explanation, and not have to go into lines and lines of philosophy that we barely understand! Rabbi Friedman of Minnesota (on this topic) observed that this just shows the awesome patience and kindness of God – that He can allow people the freedom to live in a fantasy that they have created where they celebrate the fact that He doesn’t exist!
We think your question about Paul was rhetorical – so shall we allow others to ponder it a while… I’m sure it will come up again at a later date.
“Boker Or”
Hmmm
Without the “Boker Or” we could not see the Morning Dew
Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart and Ron Wood-Morning Dew (8/68
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb6WRqZRG-E&feature=related
Grateful Dead
(Walk Me Out In The) Morning Dew lyrics
Walk me out in the morning dew my honey,
Walk me out in the morning dew today.
I cant walk you out in the morning dew my honey,
I cant walk you out in the morning dew today.
I thought I heard a baby cry this morning,
I thought I heard a baby cry this today.
You didnt hear no baby cry this morning,
You didnt hear no baby cry today.
Where have all the people gone my honey,
Where have all the people gone today.
Theres no need for you to be worrying about all those people,
You never see those people anyway.
I thought I heard a young man morn this morning,
I thought I heard a young man morn today.
I thought I heard a young man morn this morning,
I cant walk you out in the morning dew today.
Walk me out in the morning dew my honey,
Walk me out in the morning dew today.
Ill walk you out in the morning dew my honey,
I guess it doesnt really matter anyway,
I guess it doesnt matter anyway,
I guess it doesnt matter anyway,
Guess it doesnt matter anyway.
I almost feel *ahem* “hamstrung” this morning. You see.. this “commentary,” this 2nd “letter” of Peter (ambassador to the Jews-ha!) is not found in the Torah, it is found in the “Brit Chadashah” (New(er) Covenant Scriptures). The problem brother Skip is this portion (for lack of a better word) of G-d’s holy book is not authoritative, not accepted among “all” Jewish people. (Notice how I said all Jews). All “proper” (Kosher) Jews believe this way. – Right? I hope to goodness this offends someone. I hope I stepped one some toes this morning. -Why?
For me to “say” this is both false and ludicrous. I will therefore issue a quick and sincere word of apology to those (few) who do not believe this way.. Ahh.. but then there those “Christians,”- poor deluded fools. “All” of them have been deceived for thousands of years.. (now-who can we “blame” this on?) Does this also offend anyone?, or am I the only one whose toes have been stepped on? (BTW-, as a “disclaimer”- please, “never” worry about offending me) Why?- because I want the truth more than anything, and the truth is: “Jesus.” This is His Greek name. Wonderful. Y’shua HaMashiach is His (far more proper and “accurate” Hebrew name.) No matter..-where is this “name” found in the “approved” portion (for lack of a better word) of G-d’s holy book?
Here is Peter’s commentary on the “Day of the LORD.” There is far more written concerning the second “advent” of Christ (the annointed One,- do we know this by now?), than there was written concerning His virgin birth. Not your normal way of coming into this world, but then Y’shua, starting with His birth, and all through His life, “displayed” for us in the “Brit Chadashah”, He “was” (for lack of a better word), “different.”
(2 Peter 3) “Dear friends, I am writing you now this second letter; and in both letters I am trying to arouse you to wholesome thinking by means of reminders; so that you will keep in mind the predictions of the holy prophets and the command given by the Lord and Deliverer through your emissaries. First, understand this: during the Last Days, scoffers will come, following their own desires and asking, “Where is this promised ‘coming’ of his? For our fathers have died, and everything goes on just as it has since the beginning of creation.” But, wanting so much to be right about this, they overlook the fact that it was by God’s Word that long ago there were heavens, and there was land which arose out of water and existed between the waters, and that by means of these things the world of that time was flooded with water and destroyed. It is by that same Word that the present heavens and earth, having been preserved, are being kept for fire until the Day of Judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed. Moreover, dear friends, do not ignore this: with the Lord, one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some people think of slowness; on the contrary, He is patient with you; for it is not His purpose that anyone should be destroyed, but that everyone should turn from His sins. However, the Day of the Lord will come “like a thief.” On that Day the heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will melt and disintegrate, and the earth and everything in it will be burned up. Since everything is going to be destroyed like this, what kind of people should you be? You should lead holy and godly lives, as you wait for the Day of God and work to hasten its coming. That Day will bring on the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt from the heat;but we, following along with His promise, wait for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness will be at home. Therefore, dear friends, as you look for these things, do everything you can to be found by Him without spot or defect and at peace. And think of our Lord’s patience as deliverance, just as our dear brother Sha’ul also wrote you, following the wisdom G-d gave him. Indeed, he speaks about these things in all his letters. They contain some things that are hard to understand, things which the uninstructed and unstable distort, to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. But you, dear friends, since you know this in advance, guard yourselves; so that you will not be led away by the errors of the wicked and fall from your own secure position. And keep growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Deliverer, Yeshua the Messiah. To him be the glory, both now and forever! Amen.”
Shalom Brother Carl and All,
i viewed this writing as a personal introspection (inventory, if you will) to challenge our thinking about our motives and the desires of our heart toward the great Day of the LORD. Many within the “church” today view the rapture as an event to just sit around and wait for, without actually “occupying” until He comes. Skip seems to be addressing the essence of “even so, come Lord Jesus” to the core of who we are in the Messiah.
I am struggling with this today as I an “in between” congregations and seem to have a hard time finding one that is NOT teaching/preaching from a non-Hebraic, Christianese view of Scripture. I too am living in the South (southeastern NC) and was converted in a Pentecostal Holiness assembly. I see some HUGE distortions of the Scriptures as Peter reference here:
Since everything is going to be destroyed like this, what kind of people should you be? You should lead holy and godly lives, as you wait for the Day of God and work to hasten its coming. That Day will bring on the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt from the heat;but we, following along with His promise, wait for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness will be at home. Therefore, dear friends, as you look for these things, do everything you can to be found by Him without spot or defect and at peace. And think of our Lord’s patience as deliverance, just as our dear brother Sha’ul also wrote you, following the wisdom G-d gave him.
Indeed, he speaks about these things in all his letters. They contain some things that are hard to understand, things which the uninstructed and unstable distort, to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. But you, dear friends, since you know this in advance, guard yourselves; so that you will not be led away by the errors of the wicked and fall from your own secure position. And keep growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Deliverer, Yeshua the Messiah. To him be the glory, both now and forever! Amen.”
According to most Christians, I am backslidden because I am not “in church” on Sunday(both am and pm) and Wednesday nights. I am a Judaizer because I abstain from pork and shellfish-although I am not imposing this personal lifestyle decision on ANYONE else (including my family). I am not seeking sympathy or pity, however, I am asking for the people of the Living God to pray for me. I have struggled for about the past 15 years with many of the obvious contraindications of the entirety of the Scriptures and the lack of cohesion with what is preached today. Coupled with the revelation of historical anti-Semetism, pagan syncretism, and apathetic, ignorance toward the whole counsel of the Creator of the Universe, Christianity has left me high and dry. BUT, does this relate to my being in a backslidden condition? In reality, according to the totality of the Scriptures, WHO is actually backslidden here? I feel as though I am like one who was addicted to the religious aspects of obeying a man’s teaching vs obeying the teaching of El Elohim. Am I suffering from religious withdrawal???
This is one of the hardest times I have ever endured because I am lonely and feel so isolated. I am continuing to look for “like-minded” believers to worship and fellowship with. Help me pray for His leadership and guidance, brothers and sisters.
Hey Mary,
You’re not alone! Going to church makes you a “Christian” about as much as going to McDonald makes you a hamburger. Although I attend our church, I have a very interesting perspective as I listen to the message each week. Sometimes I agree, and others I really question. So, I go because I love the people, I love to sing to YHWH, and I haven’t felt God directing us to leave just yet. That said, yes, I’ve read about how the way we do church is really unBiblical, and I do struggle with that.
I also struggle with trying to live according to God’s commands (like no pork or shellfish). Most of my family doesn’t do this and thinks I’m a little nuts because “I’m under grace and all those rules don’t apply anymore.” I wonder if they see the contradictions that statement creates.
I spend a lot of time confused and uncertain about many of the things I thought I “knew” about God. And there are definitely lots of times when I wish I could just sit down and interrogate someone who is “like-minded” but who knows so much more than I do.
Oh, and I’m one of those who doesn’t really want the “end times” to come – mostly because it sounds horrible, up to the point where Yeshua returns. I have a hard time with those songs that ask for His return. I think a lot of people who sing those songs will be a lot shocked when He does come.
Anyway, I think at this point I’m rambling. 🙂 My whole purpose was to say that you’re not alone. Although we’re not there physically, we love you and support you and will pray for you. Perhaps for this time, He jealously wants to be everything and all for you. Whatever the purpose, at least we know there is, indeed, a purpose and plan and that He hasn’t forgotten you.
Feel free to email me if you ever want to talk or rant or wail or whatever. 🙂 I may not have many answers, but I’m more than happy to listen and pray.
Love, my sister,
Amanda
Hello Mary,
Welcome to the wilderness, it’s the best place to be! It is here where you will experience intimacy with your Creator. I live in an area in Texas where there are many denominations, including Messianic fellowships. I have visited many and have found many Babylonian/Greek principles being followed. There are many sincere people in these movements but it is not a place for me at this time. It is an honor to be invited into the wilderness to be loved, nurtured, healed and instructed by the Most High Himself. It has taken me some years to understand and experience this as a blessing. I will petition Him for you and He will answer. He is the most adoring, devoted, sweetest, kindest, most loving, awesome Adonai! Words fail me. Bless the Name of YHWH!
Shabbat Shalom!
Ooooh, that reminded me of one of Skip’s teachings on the wilderness! It was fabulous! I’m going to have to go find it now! Thanks for posting that! 🙂
I posted a list of some of them (I didn’t find the one I was thinking of, but these are all really good, too) on my site: http://www.godhunt.com/?p=1482
If you’re interested. 🙂
Hi Amada, Thank you for being there. Your earnestness in the “hunt” is evident in your loving expressions. Sometimes in the smelting process, the environment become almost too intense to bear and for type A personalities, this is even more of a challenge. He has used you as a cool drink in the desert. Thank you dear Sister!
Hello Robin,
I appreciate your kindness and it sounds as though I hear a witness in you. At the risk of being transparent, I am totally blessed by your response. I know He is with me and will never leave or forsake me, although there are times He hides, or so it seems. I have His Word to lead me and the power of the eternal YHWH to provide shade by day and light by night. Yes, dear Sister, we are blessed indeed!
Hi Robin,
Not quite sure what happened, but my comment intended for you is somehow below!!
good morning all- Yes! Baruch Hashem Adonai!-
We serve,love, know and worship one G-d. Get it? Got it? Good. Hear, O Israel, the LORD our G-d is one. (or to quote the “forbidden” New(er) Covenant, B’rit Chadasah-
-yet for us (all) there is but one G-d, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we (all) live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we (all( live.
(1 Corinthians 8:6)
–
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13)
Did you hear the word “unity?” “Oneness”- “Shalom” -We (who belong to Him), we (who are followers of the Way, we (who know and bless His name), we (who are the sheep of the Shepherd), we (who are the children of YHWH) are “one.”
“There is one LORD, one faith, one baptism.” (Ephesians 4.5) We worship one G-d. Just to be clear, it is the very same G-d of Abraham, Moses, Noah, David, Isaiah, Peter, Paul and Mary. (sorry.. I got carried away!) Adam’s G-d is our G-d. Eve’s G-d is our G-d. -Need I go on? You want a list of names? -(It is very long and we don’t have the time.
Speaking of names.. (uh-oh)- you want a list for the “names” of YHWH? “Oy”-lol! (Only) over three hundred names! And where are theses titles/names found? Start in Genesis and read through to Revelation.. Yeah.. it will get you “wound up.”
Are any of us (I said us) able to “reduce” G-d’s name? No. It is an impossible task on this side of death to fully know (intimately) His name. These are my words. My (very sad) confession to you. I do not know “Hashem” the name which is above all names. I will know this name apart from revelation. I will not know this name from reasoning, but rather from desire. G-d (who is ONE) has promised to all- (both Jew and Greek, bond and free, male and female), -“if you seek for me with all your heart, you will find me.”
Here is a beautiful illustration of this:
http://meetatbridge.blogspot.com/2010/09/ernest-and-sharon-ready-for-gods.html?showComment=1286105820751_AIe9_BGyUskTAW40rXLz4-3Q8ADXOIwzEOXIa75VtTjxp9fBJAjcnN2WFCItULa99gmiA04Xyiy0bScEeMVo0mV-vwlE8mUbCRVY9w-B-_fKVJXcmbij8kCwXIN3qzSnxAcefzhVWG0Q2Vhx74tt75jv25Zv4ql_Md_-uZayVW5HNNMOHXzB67JPmXvVgvt76oMfXA-MvJgeFIUubgMw4xdypHMjzmcllhRA4colP9aImdatRxsWf_xr8q0Kd7DJhVOvjG6WP_9aNVyz31aEZsQofyKFeh0_6fKnRR_XO3Bexn69L1_-duRMldid4V7oEC9g-WB8G1MhzSDzqQKG6qpRiYReEk5CDRqwTSN8nlCuI1f9LyPMocXCc5WsIQ57LON-8GQypAH0YF8j4rU8JxrNSSmxOJO3Ol0DNUECrSDceREi_jRFWIQPxhGnnccz7DD7DZ28lB5Ow7ykztcghz7Bl84kKDTdgR5tv6nPP_la5f0urnW8CgjV2ps3IPyiEZ_zf5u47OMF7QwhD-ny0S_OZC7sc11RwDiySggV-Hj_deWAhPxlseSp3ICVSlBCeVB-sL-eelidcj6ulXwfMx-QHGpciGFwp6ulufTVXd6gr3yEjIyriF5BL-2otijP9iNb05Lpz2VTAosdt9XhrxJ1WUHI4nZGo91V64wefWGbR5fLTVNa1l4#c7689154677837825978
This should be re-posted considering what happened 2 weeks ago