Here are some little known facts from the Bible about the most famous person in the history of the world.

Here are some little known facts from the Bible about the most famous person in the history of the world. (If you've never read the New Testament, your really an uninformed person!)

1. Jesus was happier than the people around Him. He was not a roaming Eeyore, crying and depressed about the state of mankind.
But of the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the OIL OF GLADNESS beyond your companions.” (Hebrews 1:8,9)
2. Jesus lived in a house (at least for a while). Some translations add “Levi” to the text due to the belief it must have been Levi’s house. But the original text doesn’t contain the word “Levi.” And since Levi had just left everything to follow Jesus, it is doubtful the house was his.
 13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 15 And as he reclined at table in HIS HOUSE, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. (Mark 2:13-15)
3. Jesus had money. Judas was His treasurer. Broke people don’t have treasurers.
For some thought, because Judas had the MONEY BOX, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. (John 13:29)
4. Jesus got angry when religious people wanted to maintain their traditions instead of doing something cool that would display God’s power. This is actually the ONLY time the Bible says specifically that Jesus got angry although he was probably angry when he drove the money changers out of the temple.
4 Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with ANGER, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him. (Mark 3:4-6)
5. Jesus never did anything for the poor. He never clothed anyone, housed anyone or opened a food bank. The closest thing He ever did for the poor was to feed the 5000 people who came to hear Him speak but forgot their lunch. He was not a Middle Eastern social worker. Jesus preached to the poor but did not give to the poor. Judas criticized Jesus for NOT giving money to the poor. (See Matthew 11:5, Luke 4:18, 7:22)
4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and GIVEN TO THE POOR?” (John 12:4,5)
6. Jesus wore nice clothes. His robe was worth so much money that soldiers gambled for it at His crucifixion.
They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. (John 19:24)
7. Jesus did not come primarily to be our example. He came to die for us. Jesus lived on earth for 33 years. His ministry lasted only 3 years. Twenty-five percent of the Gospels cover one week of Jesus’ life, the week He was crucified and rose again. That is the focus of the Gospels.
For the Son of Man has come to SAVE that which was lost. (Matthew 18:11)
8. Jesus’ first miracle was not very spiritual. He helped keep a party going. He provided refreshments at a wedding party. He helped His mother by turning water into wine and thereby keeping the party going. (John 2:1-12)
9. Jesus lived under the Old Testament, not the New Testament. The New Testament did not begin until after Jesus died.
16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the DEATH of the testator.17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. (Hebrews 9:16,17)
10. Jesus is coming back again to stand on The Mount of Olives and split it in half. The prophesies about His first coming were literal, so it stands to reason the prophesies about His second coming are also literal.
And in that day His FEET WILL STAND on the Mount of Olives,
Which faces Jerusalem on the east.
And the Mount of Olives shall be SPLIT IN TWO,
From east to west,
Making a very large valley;
Half of the mountain shall move toward the north
And half of it toward the south. (Zechariah 14:4)
11. Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good, but to make dead people alive. There is a difference.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have LIFE, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
even when we were dead in trespasses, made us ALIVE together with Christ, (Ephesians 2:5)
Also see Romans 6:11; Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13.
Well, maybe you did already know this but most people don’t. I think it’s important that we depict Jesus accurately as possible based on scripture.


A few more for the fun of it...

• Tov Rose According to Colossians 1, when God created the world, He created it by, through, and in Christ. This means that all time, space, and matter are all in Him. Thus Jesus is Alpha and Omega, beginning and end, all at the same moment. Consequently, the cro...See More

  14 minutes ago · Like
• 

  Tov Rose In the first century, when a boy reached his early teens, he became a man. Women married at around age 13. Ever wonder the age of the 12 disciples Jesus chose? According to renowned scholar Craig Keener, the twelve disciples were most likely in their late teens.

  12 minutes ago · Like
• 

  Tov Rose Just before His death, Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus with a very potent perfume. When His body was taken down from the cross, Nicodemus put 100 pounds of myrrh and aloes on His body (the amount that was used for kings). Thus when Jesus rose again from the dead, He was fragrant. Paul makes mention of the fragrance of the resurrected Christ in 2 Corinthians. The Psalms also allude to it prophetically. The fragrance of resurrection has spiritual implications

  11 minutes ago · Like
• 

  Tov Rose Since we live in the 21st century, we easily miss the use of humor that Jesus regularly employed. Suffice it to say that He was a master at irony and wit. Many of his sayings indicate this.

  11 minutes ago · Like
• 

  Tov Rose First-century Jews believed that the Messiah (which is translated “Christ”) was to rule the entire world and save them from their enemies. First-century Gentiles knew that Caesar was Lord (or Emperor) of world. He was also regarded as the Savior of the people who brought peace to the empire. Whenever a new Emperor took the throne, the Emperor’s emissaries heralded the news of the new Caesar. The word they used for this news was “gospel.” When the early Christians preached to the Jews, they announced the “gospel” that Jesus was the Messiah – meaning, He was the Ruler and Savior of the world. When the early Christians preached to the Gentiles, they proclaimed the “gospel” that Jesus was the new Lord of the world who was also the Savior who would bring peace. So saying that Jesus is Christ and Lord in the first century were high-octane political statements that resulted in riots and persecution to those who claimed such.

The Cover Winners Are Here!The Cover Winners Are Here!

How does this sound to you?

Looking for feedback. How does this sound to you?

“Tov Rose fills in the gaps of God the Father. The church has emphasized God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit. But in the last days, the emphasis will be on understanding and knowing God the Father. Only someone with a Jewish understanding can bring us this end-time revelation [and Tov has done so].”

Sid Roth
Television Host
It's Supernatural! Television
www.SidRoth.org

Is there something missing from your Bible? Yes.

The New Messianic Version of the Bible is becoming increasingly popular among believers in Jesus because it answers many unexplained questions!

The New Messianic Version, challenges both Jews and Christians to see that the whole Bible is Jewish. It restores the names of people and places to their "Jewish" pronunciation, translates every name of people and places so that it reads much like an "Amplified Bible."

Author Tov Rose, "Today, Jewish people and Christians alike suffer a similar kind of blindness concerning the nature and person of God: They do not know their God. I know, that looks like an inflammatory statement, but please give me to the end of the book to present my case before passing judgment. There is a secret hidden in your Bible, and this is the only Bible that reveals it." This groundbreaking book answers the one question most Christians and Jewish people alike get wrong, "Who is the God of the Hebrew Bible?" Again, Tov, "If you said, 'God the Father' then you got it wrong, and I'm going to prove it to you."

"In the New Testament book of John 6:46 Jesus says, 'No man has seen The Father...' then who have people seen?"

This Version clearly shows you who the "author" really is, and it isn't God the Father. Tov, "Jesus said unto them, 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.'"

The New Messianic Version clearly tells you which Old Testament Names of God represent the Father God, and which others represent The Son of God.

Jews are challenged by the implication that the Tanakh is an incomplete Bible without the New Testament understanding the Yeshua (Jesus) is the God of the Hebrew Bible. Christians are challenged with the fact that they are joined to the Jewish people through faith in the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus). Christianity can only be truly understood only from a Jewish perspective, hatred of Jewish people (aka: Anti-Semitism), can have no place with followers of Jesus.

In short, The New Messianic Version restores the Jewish flavour and understanding of those first generation followers of Jesus.

Link: https://www.createspace.com/4380296

From Tov Rose; RE: The Seven Feasts of Moses and Why Should Christians Care?

The Seven Feasts of Moses
The Torah - the five books of Moses - details seven feasts during the Hebrew calendar:¹ Three feasts are in the spring, in the month of Nisan: Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of First Fruits. Then fifty days later there is the Feast of Weeks, Shavout, also known as Pentecost.
There are three remaining feasts in the fall, in the month of Tishri: the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and the Feast of Tabernacles. (There are two reckonings of the Hebrew year: the civil year starts in the fall on the 1st of Tishri; the religious calendar starts in the spring in the month of Nisan.² )
Their Prophetic Role
While each of these feasts has a historical commemorative role, they also have a prophetic role. Jesus indicated this in Matthew 5:17:
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Paul also emphasized that in Romans 15:4:
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning...
The prophetic role of the feasts is also highlighted in Colossians 2:16 and 17:
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come...
The Feast of Trumpets
The Jewish New Year (Rosh Ha' Shana), along with the Feast of Trumpets, begins on the 1st of Tishri.
Immediately following the Feast of Trumpets begins the seven Days of Affliction, in anticipation of the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur , the Day of Atonement,³ is observed on the 10th of Tishri. This day was a day of sin offerings and numerous other rituals as it was the most solemn of all the observances.
This was the day - the only day - that the High Priest was able to enter the Holy of Holies,⁴ and then only after elaborate ceremonial washings, offerings, and associated rituals.
This was also the day that two goats were selected, one for an offering and one as the "scapegoat."⁵
(The lottery box, used to select which goat was to serve in which capacity, has been fashioned for service in the forthcoming Temple and may be seen during a visit to the Temple Institute in Jerusalem today.)
As many aspects of the feasts were prophetic, the scapegoat is also Messianic.⁶
Even the seven days preceding, the Days of Affliction, are an affliction of preparation, suggestive of the threshing floor, which is also a prophetic idiom.⁷
Since the loss of the Temple in 70 A.D., the God-centered observances of the Torah have tragically been replaced with a man-centered, good works system of appeasement through prayer, charity, and penitence.
However, it appears that a return to the traditional ways is on the horizon with the plans to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.⁸
Succoth (The Feast of Tabernacles)
Five days later, on the 15th of Tishri, is the final feast of the year: Succoth, the Feast of Tabernacles, or the Feast of Booths. This lasts for eight days and is one of the three feasts that were compulsory for all Jewish males.⁹
It is fascinating to visit Israel at this time and observe them build their temporary "booths" in the traditional way, leaving deliberate gaps in the branches to view the stars at night, and for the wind to blow through during the day. This is intended to remind them of the wilderness wanderings.
At the end of the eight days, they leave their temporary dwellings to return to their permanent homes. (This is one of the reasons some suspect that this feast, rather than the Feast of Trumpets, is suggestive of the Rapture of the Church. Also, there appears to be a hint by Peter, desiring to build "succoths" at the transfiguration.¹⁰ ) This day, traditionally, is the day that Solomon dedicated the first Temple.
This feast also involved a daily processional to the Pool of Siloam to fetch water for the Temple. This ceremonial procession is the setting for the events of John 7, where Jesus offers them "living water."¹¹
This procession involved four types of branches: the willow, the myrtle, the palm, and a citrus.¹² The willow has no smell and no fruit. The myrtle has smell, but no fruit. The palm has no smell, but bears fruit. The citrus has both smell and bears fruit. This sounds reminiscent of the four soils of the first "kingdom parable" of Matthew 13, doesn't it?¹³
The prophetic implications of this climactic feast are many. Most scholars associate it with the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom in Israel.¹⁴
In Summary
Most observers note that the first three feasts, in the first month of the religious year -Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, and Feast of First Fruits - are prophetic of the Lord's First Coming. They each were also fulfilled on the day they were observed.
Between these three feasts and the final three feasts is the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, which is predictive of the Church. (It is also the only feast in which leavened bread is ordained!)
It is believed that the last three feasts, in the 7th month, are prophetic of the Lord's Second Coming. That is why many are particularly watchful in the fall of each year. For more background, schedule Tov Rose to speak to your group: 651-686-5600.

1. Leviticus 23; Numbers 28, 29; Deuteronomy 16.
2. Exodus 12:2.
3. Leviticus 16:1-19; 23:26-32.
4. Hebrews 9:1-16.
5. Leviticus 16:20-34.
6. 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 53:6; 52:15.
7. Luke 3:16,17. Note the location of Ruth (a Gentile bride-to-be) during the threshing floor scene (Ruth 3:8,9): at Boaz's (the kinsman-redeemer) feet.
8. See The Coming Temple Update, Chuck Missler
9. Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) and the Feast of Tabernacles were mandatory: Deuteronomy 16:16.
10. Matthew 17:4.
11. John 7:2, 10, 37-39.
12. Thanks to Doug Wetmore for his insights.
13. Matthew 13:3-9; 18-23.
14. Hosea 5:15-6:3; Zechariah 14:4, 9, 16.

Want to Support the Ministry of Tov Rose? You can do so through my ministry partner, Chosen People Ministries International, by filling in the Special Designation field: TOV ROSE right here.

Join me! :-) My Schedule for the Next Couple Weeks

MARCH
This month I have several dates scheduled for Messiah & The Passover and other Presentations (and several dates still open if you want to schedule). This is a demonstration explaining how Jesus is the fulfillment of all they symbols of the Passover meal with scriptural support. If you've never had a Passover presentation at your church (or perhaps it's been a while), feel free to contact me! 651-686-5600, or at tov@tovrose.com. What an amazing way to celebrate Easter Sunday!

The following dates are scheduled:
Saturday, March 19, 2013, Something Fun and Messiah in the Passover, Cornerstone Congregation, Manahgah MN 11:00AM
Saturday, March 23, 2013 Messiah in the Passover, The Heights Church, 4054 Van Buren NE, Columbia Heights at 6PM
Sunday, March 24, 2013, A FUN Subject, Love Power Music & Miracles, 1407 Washington Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55454, 10:00AM
Thursday, March 28, 2013, Messiah in the Passover, Restoration Covenant Church, 7707 147th Street West, Apple Valley, MN 55124  6:00PM
Friday, March 29, 2013, Messiah in the Passover, Faith Covenant Church, 12921 Nicollet Ave Burnsville, MN 55337 at 5PM

The Baptism of John from a Jewish Perspective, Part 1

The Baptism of John

By Tov Rose

Why was John considered a prophet and what does this have to do with Baptism?

There are many misconceptions about Baptism of the believer. Some teach that Baptism is simply and outward expression of the internal spiritual commitment. Others teach that it is a requirement, a sacrament. While all of these may be true, there is a background story that is rarely taught, understood and mostly unknown to most pastors.

You may have heard that John’s baptism was for repentance alone, and this is true. However, what is missing from this simple description is the purpose and history of that specific form of baptism John was practicing and the authority, which he carried in Israel.

John’s Father

You might be familiar with his father’s story in Luke 1:5 “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zechariah, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.”

There are some very important points expressed in this rather short verse!

1.       The name and location of the king give us the general time period

2.       It specifically notes that Zechariah was a priest, which is an inherited office from father to son

3.       The Course of Aviah is mentioned, which tells us specifically what time of year Zechariah was required to serve as priest in the Temple and for how long.

4.       His wife is listed as also being a daughter of Aaron (Zechariah had to be a son of Aaron, or he couldn’t be a priest).

The next verse states something very unusual in scripture, “⁶And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless,” reflecting the theme of Matthew -7:17-18 that they were good trees producing good fruit at a time when the High Priesthood was literally bought and paid for, or appointed by the pagan king.

In Luke 1:8-10 it further says, “Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, ⁹ according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. ¹⁰ And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.”

Combined with Luke 1:5, this tells us specifically which day of the year Zechariah was in the Temple: The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). It was the one day of the year that the High Priest of Israel entered the Holy of Holies in the Temple to offer the sin sacrifice for all of the people of Israel. Zechariah was preparing the Holy of Holies, filling it with Incense prior to the High Priest’s entering in!

Yet there is even more to the story…

In those days the High Priest was appointed as a political office. Another way of saying this is that God did not recognize the political office as being legitimate, because he was not selected in the way prescribed by God in the Bible. How can I say this? What I mean is that there was an appointed High Priest, and then there was the one who was supposed to have been God’s High Priest.

If the succession for the High Priest office was unclear it was the tradition to cast lots (throw the dice), to see whom God wanted to take the office. The disciples of Jesus followed the same tradition in Acts 1:15-26 in choosing a replacement for Judas who had betrayed Jesus to the illegitimate High Priest.

According to Luke 1:8-10 this is precisely what happened with Zechariah: He was chosen by lot. To put this another way, if the Illegitimate High Priest died in the presence of God, Zechariah was runner up to take his place and offer the sacrifice in the Holy of Holies before God. Or, to put it yet another way, Zechariah was chosen by God to be the Legitimate High Priest of Israel. This is confirmed by the simple fact of an Angel actually showing up and speaking to him about his future son, the future legitimate High Priest of Israel—John the Baptist. 

Top Books

Tov Rose's The Invisible Ingredient

You don’t always know what doors God is going to open! So, I’m coming to you asking for prayer! Michelle and I have had an active, but relaxing summer here in Minnesota. We’ve been spending a lot of time across the parking lot from our small home, that’s where the pool is, and the kids are swimming there about three hours every day. Josiah turned eight years old this coming July, and of course he's having a pool party! You should see his abdominal muscles. We joke that he could put some body builders to shame.

In other news, I’ve been calling churches to schedule speaking engagements for myself, my brother Jason, and my father, Mike. It’s a harder in the summer than at other times, and I’d appreciate your prayer heading into the fall, that God would significantly bless what I’m doing. If your congregation is interesting in having a Jewish follower of Jesus come to speak, please let me know. You can find a short list of my speaking topics here: http://speaking.tovrose.com/

Another major thing I’d like to ask prayer for is an opportunity that we’ve been praying about for many years in partnership with another organization that reaches out to Jewish people with the Gospel.  It looks like I am may be hosting a radio program beginning this fall. There are still many things to discuss before this is final. However, the show would be on a new Christian radio station covering a large portion of the upper mid-west. I wanted to open this up to anyone who would like to give input, would you happen to have any advice? Would you know anyone who might have me on air as a guest? Practice speaking into a microphone with lots of people listening is good!

Author and Radio Hosts, Dr. Michael Brown, Sid Roth and a few others have given me some great things to consider, but I want to hear from you as well. What would you like to hear about on the radio? What kind of guests? Topics?

Finally, after some craziness with hackers things are looking better now for  The New Messianic Version of the Bible. It has been doing very well. I can honestly say that Volume 1 and 3 of the preview editions are Amazon.com Best Sellers, in the Top 20 for Messianic books. Would you please pray that God would continue to bless and prosper these works for His glory?

Your Brother,

-TOV

Top Books

Democrats falsely claim conservatives are racists. Let’s pretend for a moment it’s true… So what?

Democrats falsely claim conservatives are racists. Let’s pretend for a moment it’s true… So what?


From the moment that Barack Obama threw his hat into the ring for President, Democrats have been accusing those who disagree with him of being racists. They are of course being disingenuous, pernicious and at the end of the day, most importantly, wrong.

But what if they weren’t? Let’s say somehow the entire universe of conservatives was made up of racists… so what? Does it change the veracity of their stated disagreements with President Obama? If it were in fact the case that conservatives hate him because he is black does that mean that their well thought out, reasonable and clearly articulated reasons for opposing him are somehow less valid? No, of course it doesn’t.

This issue makes me think of hate crimes. I’ve never been a supporter of hate crime legislation. Not because I like crimes or hate, but because it’s the act that makes something a crime, not the real or imagined hate. If someone beats up someone else because of their race or sexual orientation or religion, they should be prosecuted for assault, period. Is a victim any less injured or dead because the perpetrator assaulted them for their money instead of their – fill in the blank characteristic? No, obviously not. That’s ridiculous. The criminal justice system should deal with the crime and not worry about trying to look into the soul of the criminal.

In the same way, politics should focus on people’s words and actions and not try and look into the souls of the various participants. Why? Because that is all we can really know about a person. As George Bush discovered with Vladimir Putin, it’s impossible to look into someone’s soul and know what is going on in there. Along those same lines, when Steve Jobs died I wrote that it was possible that he was selfish son of a bitch, but I’d never know. What I do know however is that his words and actions did a great deal of good for hundreds of millions of people around the world. It didn’t matter if Jobs thought PC users were mental dwarves when compared to the Mensa like intelligence demonstrated by those who use Macs. He opened up iTunes to everyone and changed the world of music. It’s what he did that changed the world not what was going on in his soul. But of course race plus politics is something altogether different.

Race has been an issue swirling around Barack Obama since he first declared his candidacy and then continued once he became President. There was the whole Jeremiah Wright deal and Obama’s spending two decades in his church but somehow inexplicably never hearing a single racist comment. There was his knee jerk reaction that the Cambridge police department “acted stupidly” without knowing the facts of the case. There was his attorney general dropping voter intimidation charges against the demonstrably guilty New Black Panther Party. And just last month the President revived African-Americans for Obama. Can one imagine the outrage if Mitt Romney created a Whites for Romney organization?

To the degree that race is an issue for President Obama, it’s either been because he is making it so or because his party is using it as a red herring to deflect criticism of their agenda. The most obvious example of the latter was during the ObamaCare debate when the Democrats famously accused protesters of using racial epithets and spitting on black congressmen. The late Andrew Breitbart did a good job of dispensing with those charges.

That brings us to the basic element of liberal politics. Their default position towards anyone who opposes Barack Obama and the Democratic Party’s socialist agenda is to accuse them of being racist and that is supposed to be the end of the conversation. In that kind of an environment a conservative simply cannot win – how do you disprove something for which the mere accusation itself is seemingly enough to prove guilt? You can’t. My suggestion therefore is to take a different tack altogether: Don’t try. Rather, I suggest playing the hypothetical card. Instead of trying to disprove the undisprovable, instead suggest: “Ok, let’s pretend I am what you have painted me to be, and let’s assume that’s not going to change… now let’s talk about the issues.”

Now of course many of the good and principled liberals will demure to discuss the issues because they feel it’s inappropriate to discuss politics with racists other than to demonstrate their own non-racist bona fides. In that case you might then suggest to them that if their leader can advocate sitting down and talking with people who want to wipe the United States off the face of the planet they might deign to talk with people who simply want to discuss things like the tax code, the EPA and healthcare.

Don’t hold your breath however. Apparently liberals / Democrats believe that if one is racist (or more accurately, is labeled racist by them) then you are simply not qualified to have a voice in the political arena and your issues need not be addressed. That’s quite a leap for a party whose Senate leader for a decade was a man who had been an Exalted Cyclops of the KKK and filibustered to block the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Conservatives need not acquiesce to the liberal’s attempt to stifle public discourse. By calling their bluff and taking the non sequitur of racism off the table, conservatives have the opportunity to expose the liberal agenda for what it is, nothing but a recipe for disaster of a cleptocratic nanny state. In doing so and by discussing the facts rather than letting Democrats malign the messengers of the messages they fear, perhaps we can once again allow the American people to focus on the real issues facing the country rather than parrying with shadows of a Democrat created illusion with no basis in reality. Top Books

Would You Read This Book? Is it interesting?

• Unlocking secrets in the Bible that have been hidden for centuries, author Tov Rose goes where no author has gone before in bringing an old revelation about God into the 21st Century. 
  
  Using the book of Genesis as practical application, Tov clearly shows which three names of God represent GOD the Father, and which others represent His Son, The Word of GOD. He doesn't stop there, however. 
  
  "I discuss a number of taboo subjects in this book," says Tov, "including some overlooked and ignored issues in Bible scholarship. For example, did you know that the very letters of the Divine Name can be translated into words and the actual vowel markings for the Unspeakable Name can be themselves translated into words? Just imagine what that does for Bible translation!" 
  
  Some of the topics covered in Genesis Unbound include:
  
  

-       How to identify the names of the Living Word of God in the Hebrew Bible

-       What three (3) Names of GOD are only ever used for GOD the Father?

-       The Name of God controversy in the today's Messianic movement

-       Why the Massoretes choose the vowel markings for the Divine Name, and are they of Inspired by God?

-       How do you translate the Hebrew Vowels, and what mysteries does doing so reveal? 

-       Who is the Biblical Abram/Abraham, from his own cultural perspective?

-       What are Hebrew Hieroglyphs and why they are important to modern scholarship and believers? 

-       What is the meaning of the Hebrew word, ET? And Why it is significant to Christians. 

-       What happens when you translate the names of every person, place and thing in the Book of Genesis?

-       Did you know that God said in Genesis that He took Abraham out of “The Fire of the Sorcerers” to bring him to a new land that he and his descendants would live in forever? And that Abraham’s brother’s name means, “burnt one”?

One thing is certain, this book promises to change the way you read and understand your Bible. Top Books

Why Jesus' First Miracle had to have been the First? (And Yes, Jesus Drank Wine)

he Bible makes a very important distinction between "strong drink" and wine. New Wine, especially, is a symbol of the coming of the Kingdom of God in the Old Testament.

I'm not sure where the theological stance comes that says Christians cannot drink wine, and that wine itself is evil. My understanding of Scripture is that you need to read it in context to get the meaning of a verse. At least that is what my seminary teachers and mentors always said, but for some reason when it comes to this Wine issue, the rules seem to go out the window! I don't get it. Jesus was Jewish and he was very much part of his own culture and was even accused of eating and drinking strong drink with sinners. Any honest scholar will tell you that he really was eating and drinking strong drink with sinners! He went to those who needed him and showed himself to be fully human and fully able to engage in all of life's experiences without sinning.

I can understand the caution of some pastors and clergy, trying to protect their members who have addiction problems, but you cannot deny the truth. The truth is this: Jesus drank, all of the priests of Israel were required to drink, Moses drank, Paul commands Timothy to drink -- Wine.

I can give you a little background teaching on how I deal with the issue:

Why did Jesus turn water into WINE? Because it was required to fulfill the Rabbi's traditions! He could not have fulfilled tradition by turning the water into some kind of drink other than wine. By-the-way, all of Jesus' miracles were to fulfill Rabbinic Tradition that stated ONLY Messiah could do these things, so Jesus had to do them to prove himself beyond a shadow of doubt to be Messiah. Here is the tradition concerning the Marriage Wine:

The Rabbis teach that Adam and Eve sinned by eating a fruit from a tree that was similar to a GRAPE. They teach that Adam and Eve sinned just prior to consummating their marriage, and that the "second creation story" isn't about the creation of the world, or of the Garden of Eden, but about the WEDDING of Adam & Eve. Thus it was a seven day wedding.

All formal Orthodox Jewish weddings are Seven Days in commemoration of Adam & Eve's wedding. At every one of those weddings you are required to serve the best WINE first and the worst WINE last, to commemorate the Sin of Adam & Eve.

Further, because Eve was the one through whom the Original sin came in the first place, all of her daughters are required to be ritually bathed each day of the seven day wedding ceremony. She is required to have stone jars filled with water (symbolizing leaking vessels filled with the Spirit of GOD). After each cleansing that day's jar was to be smashed so it could not be used again. However, this did not happen in the New Testament story, the jars were kept whole. However, as is the tradition, the head of the party served the BEST wine first and the WORST wine last, BUT they ran out of WINE too early!

That is the moment where the story in John 2 begins, "And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

 4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

 5His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

 6And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

 7Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

 8And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

 9When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

 10And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

 11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him."

In other words this is what happened:
Jesus' mother saw an opportunity for Jesus to begin revealing himself to the world, but he knew that it was not time for the full revelation. However, he did do a very important thing. He had the six vessels (representing the cleansing of Eve of the original sin), filled with water (The Holy Spirit), then he turned the water into the BEST WINE, and all were surprised! Because you NEVER give the best wine (the NEW WINE) last!

Jesus with his first miracle used WINE and Rabbinic Tradition to personally reverse original sin...

We are the leaky vessels. We are filled with the Spirit which keeps us cleansed and we look forward to the day when we drink that Passover CUP of the Covenant with Jesus at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, when we drink with Him the New Wine of the Kingdom in the presence of His Father in Heaven.

Biblical Principles Concerning Ethics and Protocols Relating to New Testament Prophetic Ministry

Original: http://files.streamsministries.com/website_pdf_info/Convergence-Principles-and-Protocols.pdf?utm_source=MailingList&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2011+Convergence+Findings

Biblical Principles Concerning Ethics and Protocols

Relating to New Testament Prophetic Ministry

Originally compiled by John Paul Jackson and Marc Dupont

Editing team: John Paul Jackson, Marc Dupont, Loren Sandford,

John Sandford, Jim Goll and Bobby Connor

The Preamble

Within the contemporary church the term, “prophetic ministry,” can mean a great many things.  

Therefore we have attempted to outline a brief description of biblically based values and practices 

for New Testament prophetic ministers and prophets. The following are intended primarily for those 

called to trans-local ministries to the church at large. However, we also acknowledge many of these 

principles can be applied to individuals whose prophetic work does not extend beyond their local 

church. 

Some persons labeled as “prophets” may be more accurately categorized as “prophetic ministries.” 

While they may minister to the church at large, they primarily operate within the occasional “charisma” 

gift of prophecy. Others are called to bear the ministry of a prophet consistently as a primary calling.  

An established prophet will not only operate in the gift of prophecy, but will carry seasonal prophetic 

burdens and messages from God the Father to the wider church, and sometimes even to nations. His 

or her emphasis may be much more “the word of the Lord,” as opposed to “words from the Lord.” 

They may, at times, even give a prophetic rebuke or warning to the church, which should always be a 

message of grace, postured within the Father heart of God.

Our heart in preparing and submitting these values is neither to police, nor to correct any known 

individuals or situations. Rather, we are simply endeavoring to articulate biblical standards that can 

help ensure long-term fruitfulness both for prophetic ministries and the recipients of those ministries. 

Revelation 19:10 states: “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Therefore, we wholeheartedly 

believe that the overriding theme, goal and vision of any biblically based New Testament prophetic 

ministry should be to make known the Person and ways of Christ Jesus. And while a prophetic 

ministry may often be accompanied by revelatory words, signs and wonders, healings and miracles, 

a true prophet will always seek to champion the Person of Christ, the gift-giver, more than the gifts. 

Because God’s will is for each disciple of Christ to be conformed to the image of Christ, we believe, as 

well, that God calls those who represent His will, voice, and ways to be living testimonies of Christ-like 

integrity, lived out within the context of healthy relationships that provide accountability. 

The goal of our presentation is Christ-like love and service from a pure heart. We do not present 

these principles and protocols from an assumed posture of authority or elitism. The spirit in which 

we present them is two-fold; Firstly, we desire to offer this as an appeal for Christ-centered unity 

of purpose among current prophetic ministries. Secondly, we wholeheartedly desire to see our colaborers bear witness to who Jesus is in every facet of ministry as they seek to prophetically serve the 

Body of Christ. 

pg 1Biblical Principles Concerning Ethics and Protocols

Relating to New Testament Prophetic Ministry

I. Concerning Beliefs and Practices 

1. The Bible, as the perfect revelation of Jesus and the infallible word of God, is the absolute 

standard for weighing and assessing all revelation (2Timothy 3:16, Col 2:18-19, John 

1:14).

A. While I treasure spiritual experiences from the Holy Spirit, I will not place 

subjective experiences and discernment above the Bible (Rev 19:10; Col 2:18-19). 

B. I will not allow my emotions or pride to rob me of utilizing the Bible as my standard 

for weighing a revelation and any interpretation I may attach to a revelation.

C. I will always speak a Bible-centric message. 

D. I will seek to draw all who hear me toward a greater relationship with the Father 

through Jesus, and to make the name of Jesus known in a biblical way.  

2. God values His Word as the expression of His name and nature (Psalms 138:2). Therefore, 

we hold truth as a necessity in prophecy.

A. I will always try not only to speak truth, but to speak prophetic words in a way 

that reflects the loving heart of God.

B. I will determine to always lovingly speak prophetic correction in such a way as to 

avoid condemnation toward those who receive the prophetic word.  

C. I will intend to always communicate hope for change through the transforming 

power of Jesus.

D. I commit to reflect the nature of my God by loving people more than my gift. 

E. Prophecy is a word from God.  I will try to speak it with both humility and 

confidence. 

F. While fearing God, I will not fear man. Whenever God directs me to release 

revelation I will not hold back through fear of man, fear of offending those with 

whom I am in relationship, or fear of losing popularity and/or opportunities to 

minister (Galatians 1:10, Proverbs 29:5). 

G. I commit to God’s call on my life to proclaim the ways and will of God ahead of the 

“success” of my ministry in the eyes of man or the church.

pg 2

3. I believe that prophetic accuracy is essential. I believe that the method and manner of 

delivery (the heart) of a prophecy is also important.  

A. I understand that voicing words from God is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. 

I aspire to have 100% accuracy in all I say. 

B. I will admit when I am wrong and take steps to acknowledge, repent and make 

restitution for my error in a prophecy or its delivery, in a manner appropriate to 

correct the error and the reason for the error. 

C. Repentance and restitution must also be appropriate to my sphere of influence 

and the scope of the prophetic word (Psalms 138:2).

4. If I do give an errant prophecy, I commit to full repentance. This will include:

A.   An apology. If I gave the prophecy to a private party, my apology must be to that 

party. If the prophecy was given to a group such as a church or the public, the 

apology must be given to that group.

B.    Biblical repentance does not mean saying, “I’m sorry” only to God, but also to those 

I have hurt. Most importantly, I must communicate that I am deeply concerned 

about the harm I have done or the hurt I have inflicted, and I will do whatever else 

is needed to help heal the wounds I have caused.

C.    With the help of wise counsel, I will seek to find if there is anything in my heart 

that caused this error, and deal with it through confession, repentance and action.

D.   I commit to continuing in accountability to a safe and loving authority whom I 

believe will support me and help me walk in integrity. I will not remove myself 

from this process even if painful to me and/or it seems that those to whom I am 

accountable are not treating me fairly. 

E.    I believe there are consequences to all actions. If my error is particularly serious 

or repeated, I will be willing to take time off from prophetic ministry until I and 

those in authority over me have discerned that I am ready to resume ministry.

5. Concerning supernatural manifestations, I will not substitute the seeking of angels, angelic 

activity, or other supernatural manifestations, over the seeking of God, His presence, and 

the truths contained in Scripture. The source of all truth is the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 11:14; 

Col 2:18-19). 

A. I believe that the character of Christ in me is more important to the Kingdom than 

my gift. It is the application and manifestation of God’s Word in my life. 

pg 3

B. I will not fall prey to idolatry by seeking to generate, initiate or exaggerate 

supernatural manifestations, no matter what may be expected by the church 

culture in which I speak.  

C. Likewise, I endeavor to allow the Holy Spirit to initiate how and when He releases 

supernatural manifestations and/or ministry through me.

D. If God does speak to me through angels, or causes certain manifestations, or gives 

particular types of revelation, I will communicate what I hear and see only as God 

directs. I will do so without elevating myself, my experience or revelation in any 

way that might detract from the Person of God Himself.

6. Understanding a prophetic word is vital to its implementation.  Therefore, I commit to 

being open to discuss, with appropriate leaders within the Body of Christ, the prophetic 

words I receive and interpretations of those words.  I will endeavor to do so because 

prophetic gifts are given to serve the people, not to promote the one who prophesies. 

7. Words from God should encourage, train and equip the Body of Christ to conform to the 

image of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16). I will endeavor to always help the Body of Christ 

perceive the Person of Christ more clearly and to hunger for Him and His ways (Col. 1: 

8-10, Eph. 1:17-18).  

8. Ephesians 4 ministries are to equip the Body of Christ to receive, develop and mature, 

rather than to cultivate an audience of spectators for our gifting. Thus, we hold in high 

regard the priesthood of each believer in Christ (1 Peter 2:5; Romans 8:14; Isaiah 61:6).

A. I commit to preaching sound doctrine rather than dividing the Body of Christ 

through non-scriptural doctrines designed to amaze my audience and develop a 

following (2Tim 4:3-4).

B. I will not use the gift God has given me in a reckless manner that might cause 

others to stumble or misunderstand God and His ways (Jer. 23:32).

C. I commit to help Christian leaders and trainers discern between the operation of 

God-given spiritual gifts and human psychic abilities (Daniel 2:27-28; 4:8-9). 

D. I commit to help train the Body of Christ to discern between true, Holy Spiritinspired revelation and mere human intuition, New Age pseudo-spirituality or 

psychic abilities (1John 4:1).

E. I will intentionally try to communicate revelation and the interpretation of 

revelation in ways that encourage, strengthen, and comfort the recipient(s) of the 

word (1 Corinthians 14:3).

pg 4

F. I will seek to avoid prophesying anything that controls or manipulates the lives 

of others. 

G. When giving a prophetic word, I will seek to always encourage hearers to 

biblically and prayerfully weigh it rather than to take it without consideration (1 

Corinthians 14:29). 

9. I commit to help train the Body of Christ to discern between genuine encounters with God 

and other pseudo-spiritual experiences, as well as to help the Body of Christ understand 

the various degrees of revelation and their relative levels of importance.

10. I commit to refusing to prostitute the revelatory gifting God has given me by attaching a 

fee to a prophetic word* (Micah 3:11).

A. I will not use a prophetic word or prophetic ministry to manipulate people to give 

financially to me, and or the ministry I lead (2 Peter 2:15). 

B. I will not lead people to believe that the prophetic word will be triggered or 

influenced by a gift.

*Accepting honorariums, gifts or travel remuneration is acceptable.  This is different 

than prophesying for an agreed amount of money, and is equivalent to a pastor 

receiving a salary.

II. Concerning My Life in Representing Christ Jesus Prophetically

1. I commit to living, modeling and championing the character of Christ. I believe Christ-like 

character to be more important than operating out of gifting  (2 Cor. 7:1). 

A. I choose to consistently promote and model the ways of Christ more than simply 

communicate revelation. 

B. When it comes to representing Christ Jesus, I believe that I not only have a message, 

but that I am the message. 

2. I believe that wisdom from above is “reasonable and peaceable.” I will place high value on 

Christ-like humility, and shun prophetic arrogance (James 3:17). 

pg 5

3. I commit to having an accountability group in place to whom I will hold my lifestyle, 

marriage and ministry accountable.

A. I commit to living a life free of substance abuse, love of money, extra-marital sex, 

pornography, pride and unforgiveness/bitterness. 

B. I commit to living out God’s high value of love and covenant emotionally, spiritually 

and physically with the “spouse of my youth,” to the best of my ability. 

C. I will guard my heart and make a covenant with my eyes not to look upon another 

in a lustful manner.

4. I commit to being free from both the love of money and the love of appearing successful in 

the eyes of man. I commit to choosing venues to host my ministry, based on the leading of 

the Holy Spirit as opposed to the size of the crowd or financial remuneration. 

5. I commit to being not only a person of prayer and worship but a continual student of the 

Bible and the ways of God.

6. I commit to honor the Lord by honoring and strengthening His delegated authority in the 

Body of Christ.

A. I will honor and strengthen local pastors and church leaders as God’s-appointed 

shepherds and gatekeepers for their local congregations.

B. I will not usurp the authority of the local leadership in the Body where I am called 

to speak.

7. I commit to perceiving myself as a servant to both the church at large and the local church 

as God gives me opportunity. 

A. I will not view congregations and other ministries as mere platforms, or tools to 

facilitate my vision and calling. 

B. I will not steal another leader’s people or leadership in order to build my ministry.

8. I commit to financial, ethical and moral purity, and will not use the Body of Christ to 

advance my ministry nor build my own empire. My endeavor is to imitate Jesus’ example 

of servanthood, and only do as I see the Father doing.

pg 6

III. The Nature of Authentic Prophetic Ministry

• Bible-centric —Bear/bare witness, expose, declare and establish the truth of Scripture. 

• Salvation-centric – Declare, teach and demonstrate the gospel of the Kingdom of God with 

signs and wonders following (Mark 16:20).

• Jesus-centric – Edify, comfort, encourage and exhort believers and the church in the way 

to Jesus as well as the way of Jesus. 

• God-centric - Demonstrate in word, deed and manner the character of the Father:  love, 

righteousness, justice, compassion, mercy, majesty and holiness.

• Sovereignty-centric - Bring glory to God alone.  His name, His acts, and His Glory are 

inseparable. He exercises His will through His Omniscience, Omnipotence, Omnipresence, 

Immutability and Eternality, as He chooses.

pg 7