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.

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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.

Tov Rose: Personal Update, Passover/Easter, Upcoming Speaking Engagements

Tov Rose: Personal Update, Passover/Easter, Upcoming Speaking Engagements Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. February 2012 In This Issue Tov Rose: Personal Update Passover/Easter Upcoming Speaking Engagements Keep Up With Us Facebook Twitter Personal Update By Tov Rose Thank you for praying with us! We’ve had wonderful success raising new financial supporters. Praise God! However, due to the economy, some have reduced or stopped supporting us! At a time when we are attempting to reach our target support level, we are still $2500 short every month. Starting this month, Michelle and I have begun calling churches to schedule speaking engagements for me in partnership with Midwest Hebrew Ministries, which is a wonderful way to help raise support. If you could help open the door at your church or congregation that would help a lot! Michelle and I have some wonderful ministry opportunities before us, like helping revitalize a local organization that has a heart for helping Jewish people understand and know their own Messiah, Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew), organizing missions trips to help the poor of Israel, and helping to organize trips for pastors and educators to Israel to teach ministers there to disciple believers. The pastors in Israel are short on discipleship skills, while strong in Evangelism. We are partnering more closely with my Israel-based brother with his private Christian school in Israel, and working to bring missions teams to Israel to help struggling congregations and persecuted believers, as is done by American Christians in many other countries around the world. We need your help! Should everyone receiving our prayer letters increase their giving by $17 a month; we’d reach our monthly target salary. If a few people would give a special financial gift, we should be able to begin moving forward with confidence. Should a few people consider supporting us for the first time or renewing their support, we could make our goal. We know that not everyone is able and we understand. It’s not easy living on a tight budget, praying every month for enough to come in. Even if you’re not able to support us financially, would you pray with us that enough comes in for us, all of those people who do support us? How can you help? 1. Increase your monthly praying. 2. Increase your monthly giving (if you are able). 3. Invite Tov to speak at your church or group. 4. Host a lunch or dinner where you share about our ministry with people you know, encouraging them to pray for us and support us. Ask them to contact us directly to learn more! We can provide video and other materials for this. 5. Actively share about what we are doing with those around you. 6. Contact your local Christian Radio Station encouraging them to interview me about my ministry and books 7. Buy some books! :-) Please contact me with questions. We can also send materials about our ministry. Anyone wanting to support us financially may do so through PayPal, using the email address: chaplains@thechaplains.org. You can also send a gift to us in care of: Tov & Michelle Rose c/o Midwest Hebrew Ministries P.O. Box 43953 Minneapolis, MN, 55443 Blessings in Yeshua (Jesus), -TOV    Tov & Michelle Rose  651-686-5600  PO BOX 22231 | Saint Paul | MN 55122  Email: Chaplains@TheChaplains.org  TheChaplains.org | TovRose.com  Facebook.com/TovRose TOV Rose is the author of several books, including The New Messianic Version of the Bible, The Book of GOD: For Men, The Paranormal GOD, The Paranormal Seams of the Hebrew Bible, Fall of the American Babylon, Volume 1, Is It Not Written In The Book of Jasher?, Is It Not Written In The Book of Enoch?, and the upcoming, Book of GOD: Genesis Unbound. Invite TOV and Michelle to your event, or schedule an interview! Phone: 651-686-5600 or  http://www.TovRose.com/         IMPORTANT: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the named recipient(s) only. If you have received this email by mistake, please notify the sender immediately and do not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof. EVIDENCES OF JESUS' RESURRECTION "I claim to be an historian. My approach to Classics is historical. And I tell you that the evidence for the life, the death, and the resurrection of Christ is better authenticated than most of the facts of ancient history ..." - E. M. Blaiklock - Professor of Classics, Auckland University The Resurrection of Christ is the most powerful event in history.  It has affected the last 2000 years of history and politics, from peasants to kings to nations.  Christianity has spread across the entire world, into every country and into a vast number of ethnic groups and languages. Billions of people have experienced the life-giving, healing, forgiveness and freedom offered by God because Jesus Christ conquered death and rose again from the grave. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Cor 15:12-22 that without the resurrection of Christ, the Christian faith is useless. "And if Christ be not raised," Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." There are many skeptics who disregard the resurrection of Jesus Christ of Nazareth as a fable.  However, the evidence for Jesus' resurrection is extremely strong, even to the point of converting some who sought to disprove it: The Empty Tomb: Though well-trained Roman soldiers guarded the tomb of Jesus Christ, it was empty 3 days after Jesus' death as Jesus had repeatedly foretold (Matt 12:40, Mark 8:31).  The guards had fled (a death penalty offense). The massive stone had been rolled away, and the body was gone – and was never produced by the enemies of the Christians.  The linen grave clothes in which the Jews bury their dead were still in the tomb, undisturbed. From the Jewish historian Josephus to a compilation of 5th-century Jewish writings called the "Toledoth Jeshu", even Jewish sources and traditions admit that the tomb was empty.  The body was never found. Living Witnesses:  There were a multitude of witnesses who saw Jesus Christ alive after his death.  The disciples, the travelers on the road to Emmaus and a number of women all spoke to Jesus alive. Thomas doubted until he was able to put his fingers into Jesus' wounds (John 20:26-27).  He later spread the Gospel all the way to India.  The apostle Paul tells of 500 people to whom Jesus appeared at one time, most of whom were still alive and available for questioning when Paul wrote his letter  (1 Cor 15:6).  When several people testify in a courtroom that they witnessed an event, and their accounts are found consistent with each other, their testimony is considered factual information.  Jesus Christ was seen alive many times by hundreds of different people over the course of forty days after his death (John 20-21, Acts 1:3). The Disciples:  Christ's followers, who had been fearful and who had run away when Jesus was arrested, were completely changed after the Resurrection and became courageous witnesses.  Peter, who had denied knowing Christ when recognized by a simple servant girl, became the powerfully bold leader of those who had seen Christ alive, speaking to the thousands gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Shavuot – Pentecost.   A person may die for a lie if they do not know it is a lie.  But people do not give their lives up and face severe persecution to spread a lie they themselves invented.   The fact that the disciples willingly suffered beatings and persecution and death is strong evidence that they had actually witnessed the resurrection they refused to stop telling people about. Saul of Tarsus:  A devoutly religious Pharisee, who persecuted the Church and had Christ's followers thrown in prison, Paul had his life absolutely changed by his encounter with Christ.  He became a devoted follower of Christ himself, spreading the Gospel throughout Turkey and Greece in the face of beatings and shipwrecks and imprisonment and, finally, execution. "If the New Testament were a collection of secular writings, their authenticity would generally be regarded as beyond all doubt." - F. F. Bruce, Manchester University Skeptics' Arguments Against the Resurrection: The Hallucination Theory claims that the witnesses who met the resurrected Jesus were all "seeing things" - they were hallucinating.  However, this goes against common sense as well as psychological principles. Five hundred people do not all hallucinate the same thing.  Jesus appeared to many people at many different times.  Also, the body was never produced. The Swoon Theory argues that Jesus did not die – that he simply fainted from loss of blood and exhaustion.  However, this also goes against common sense.  The Romans were professionals who severely whipped Jesus, hung him on a cross, and then stabbed him in the side with a spear to make sure he was dead. He was in the grave for three days, wrapped head to foot in a burial cloth, without food or water or medical treatment.  When he appeared to his disciples he was completely whole and healthy and his appearance inspired awe and worship that lasted throughout the rest of the disciples' lives. The Disciples Faked the Resurrection:  Discouraged, fearful fishermen and former tax collectors, whose teacher had been viciously murdered, were in little position to take on a detachment of trained Roman soldiers guarding the tomb.  They would have had to create a fantastic plan in order to fight off or bribe the professional soldiers, raid the tomb, unbind the grave clothes from Christ's body, take the body away, and hide it where nobody would ever find it. The Roman soldiers faced death if they failed in their guard duty, and the disciples had little money for bribing anybody.  Many people would have had to be involved in the conspiracy, and all those involved would not only have known the truth, but would know that they were risking meeting the same fate as their recently crucified leader. And what purpose could it possibly serve, if Jesus were dead?  They would have had nothing to gain.  Their leader was gone and they would have only faced persecution and death for their invented resurrection story. And again, the disciples' attitudes completely changed after the Resurrection and especially after Pentecost. They became bold and courageous in spreading their message, fearless of beatings or imprisonment. They never sought to fight Rome or to establish any position or kingdom or authority for themselves.  They had nothing to gain, physically speaking.  They simply went about the known world, telling their story in spite of persecution and suffering, poverty and ridicule. Their message quickly spread across the Middle East and Europe and even into Asia without any military conquest or political support involved - and in spite of strong opposition. Only belief and hope based in the reality of their experiences would have produced such dedication in the lives of Christ's followers. His Miracles Today: Perhaps the greatest evidence today of Christ's resurrection is the work that he is still doing in the lives of every day people.  In the name of Jesus, people are still being healed emotionally and physically and spiritually by the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.  Sinners are being freed from the burden and pain and shame of sin – sometimes immediately, sometimes after long years of steady work by the Holy Spirit in their lives.  Hearts are being mended and lives are being turned around.   The best evidence today is the faithful follower of Christ who can say, "He saved me, and I am not the person I used to be" just as the apostles testified 2000 years ago. (For more in-depth coverage of the above arguments, as well as many further evidences and related information, please see the links below.) Related Links: Evidence for the Resurrection - Leadership U Contemporary Scholarship and the Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ - Leadership U The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? - F.F. Bruce Evidence Supporting the Bible - CARM - Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry His Unfamiliar Face - Koinonia House The Jesus Tomb - Koinonia House Reflections of His Image: Pride vs. Humility - Koinonia House   The New Messianic Version of the Bible - This changes everything. Get it:http://www.TheBookOfGod.org/ The preview editions of Volume 1, Volume III and Hebrew Gospel of Matthew, available now! Looking for all of Tov's Books? They are here: http://www.amazon.com/Tov-Rose/e/B004WLJN1K

Copyright © 2012 TovRose.com, All rights reserved. Not everyone remembers how they got on someone's mailing list. Everyone on this list agreed to be in touch with Tov Rose in one form or other. Since I am Tov Rose, I'm keeping in touch! Hello! How are YOU? :-) Please be in touch! Don't forget to tell your friends about this new book. They really do want to know about it! The Book of GOD:Everything you Ever wanted to know about God that no one would tell you! by Tov Rose Get it here: https://www.createspace.com/3582133 Our mailing address is: TovRose.com PO BOX 22231 PO BOX 22231 Saint Paul, MN 55122 Add us to your address book

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Forward

Ever had a conversation like that…with the air?

I know I have.

The world has a way of beating innocence out of us, doesn’t it?

When I was a kid my father introduced me to science fiction. One of my first memories was of sitting on dad’s lap watching Star Trek. Fantasy was always a big part of my life. I had an imaginary friend. I spoke to God on a regular basis and really believed that He answered me. We had conversations. We would talk about the weather, dogs, cats, what breakfast was going to be tomorrow, how awesome those clouds were…

“Look at those! Wow…”

“That one there looks like a frog! This other one looks like a lion…”

“…and that one there…it looks like…God’s Smile!”

For some reason we have very little problem accepting the idea of God—when we’re small. It seems like the most natural thing in the world to believe in a divine being who is gentle and loving, kind and caring, always having our best interest as the most important thing in His heart. I know that not everyone has had this kind of experience of God, but I know I have. I remember a time when I was around the age of three that I literally felt surrounded by God’s love. It was as if I actually LIVED in His love!

I can’t tell you how many times as an adult I wish I could return to those simpler times!

You know what I mean­­?

­Over the years, I’ve met people from all over the world, and shared so many common stories with people from all walks of life, including the two stories above. My worldview has been challenged more times than I can count. It constantly amazes me that people from such diverse cultures can have so much in common; yet have so much not in common at the same time!

I remember years ago, beckoning to a colleague on the other side of a noisy, crowded room to come join me. An innocent enough thing to do, and something I’m sure you’ve probably had a similar experience with, right? My co-worker came storming up to me with fire burning in her eyes! She could barely contain the fuming unspoken curses raging and trying to escape from her tense, pursed lips.

I had no idea what I’d done wrong.

Several days later after trying to get to the bottom of the situation, my wife came to me and explained that in her native culture, the gesture I had used was one of calling to a lady-of-the-night to engage her services.

I really had no idea!

If it is so easy to cause offence and misconstrue one person’s gesture in the midst of a room full of people, how often do we misread, misinterpret and misunderstand the people closest to us?

We all have filters through which we sift the information we are engaged with moment-by-moment. There have been volumes of psychological, theological and philosophical works on this subject. Why? Because of the amazing amount of confusion we humans all seem to be trying to clearing up about the “this, that and the other things” of life that someone didn’t quite understand about something we did, said, wrote or the expression we did (or they perceived us to) make.

Our filters don't necessarily make us right or wrong, they simply determine our point of view.

One person may have been devastated by the death of Michael Jackson, while the next person may view it as, "One less pedophile in the world." One person may perceive Barack Obama as the Messiah while the next may view George W. Bush as the anti-Christ. These are just the filters through which each person sees life’s events, situations and the actions of others.

By being aware of our filters we are more cognizant of the fact that we are not necessarily right or wrong, we're just us. Coming to a place where we understand this concept leads us to the realization that our perspective is more often, "It's all about me,” but rarely, “I am trying to understand you…”

Here’s An Exercise:

Consider a time when you went out of your way to help someone who was then offended by your words or actions. Did the recipient see your good intentions as evil "according to their filters"?

I think most people have had such an experience, no?

In my life there is at least one person I know of that seems to always read what I say in an email in exactly the opposite way of what I actually wrote.

Do you have someone like that in your life? Perhaps more than one person?

Maybe you are that person and you know it?!?

Or…maybe you don’t.

I’ve heard many people express their frustration with these “filter problems” with such sentiment as,

I love work. I just can’t stand the people I work with!

I love God, but I can’t stand God’s people!

I Love Mankind. It’s People I Can’t Stand!

Every friendship or relationship starts out with so much hope.  We dream big about the possibilities that this person will bring to our lives.  We start out being open, generous, and giving.  Then, as people will do, we start to disagree and things get on our nerves.  In our polite, new friendship mode, we let things go to keep the peace.  Then at some point, there comes the deal breaker and all of the pent up anger gets released—and usually not in a healthy way.  Do we give in to the dark side and cling to the notion that we always have to be right?

Our filter says we are right!

Their filter says they are right!

Have you ever experienced frustrating thoughts like these?

Why is that person always reading between the lines and hearing something I am not actually saying?!?

Why does [insert person’s name here] insist that I am acting out of selfishness or malice when I only trying to be helpful?

How in the world could [so-and-so] have gotten me so wrong?

Here’s a practical example:

A while back I was at a three day conference and made some new friends with two guys who shared a common passion and vision for things. Over the course of the weekend we spent more time talking to each other than listing to the guest speakers. One of them made it clear that as much as he loves talking, he really likes doing a lot more, especially when there seemed to be so much agreement.

So we decided to meet a few more times to talk, brainstorm and pray about whether God was in these discussions and if He was, did he want us to act? As part of that prayer and excitement we thought it might be nice to bring in some more people to the prayer and discussions.

There were two other mutual friends that we invited who also shared some similar dreams and visions.

During the subsequent meeting, these other two people began accusing me of trying to force God’s hand to make things happen—when nothing could have been further from the truth. For some reason those two had the idea that I was trying to maneuver and control those gathered in order to make my own dreams come true. They had the mistaken idea that I wanted to head everything up and be the main one in charge.

It was weird. It was strange. It was very odd.

What was said was supposed to have been “from God” and maybe it was, but it sure wasn’t a message I needed to hear! Maybe it was the guy sitting next to me…because none of the things said were in my mind and heart!

I was offended.

Those two people were offended at what they thought my intentions were. They were wrong about my intentions, but they would not hear what I had to say, believing me to be trying to cover up “my sin.”

The original three of us guys were stunned at the reaction, “Where did that come from?” said one. It was actually the one guy who had done nearly all the talking who asked this question. He was the same guy who had previously said he didn’t want to just talk, he wanted to act. I think the message was for him.

The bottom line was this: the stated purpose of the meeting was to gather together to talk about mutual dreams and pray about them, and to see if God wanted to make them more than just intellectual stimulation!

The “Filter” through which those two invited guests had viewed me, was a little perplexing to say the least. Their well intentioned discussions about me with other people after the incident caused considerable harm to many relationships.

It is amazing how much damage a couple of well-intentioned “saints” can cause.

Maybe they should have come to talk to me?

Filters: Can you relate?

In our faith, it is easy to sit in church surrounded by a loving church family, and think that we will always be God-like in our interactions with others.  When the people around us are warm and wonderful, it is easy for us to reciprocate in the same manner.

But what about when false accusations come?

Our filters create difficulties in relationships, family, work environments and everyday interactions with those around us. By more clearly understanding why we (and they) react the way we do, maybe we can somehow work together toward actually being the people God wants us to be.

If our “filters” can cause so much trouble between people we love and care about, what kind of trouble do they cause between us understanding God and His intentions?

Tomorrow: Chapter 2
But if you don't want to wait, you can get the whole book right now: https://www.createspace.com/3582133

Why are Christians Offended When I Teach?

So today I was teaching a little bit at our twice per month Saturday evening Bible study. I guess someone was shocked when I mentioned that the Bible's Enoch and Elijah were actually dead and unable to return as the "Two Witnesses" in the Book of Revelation. Why is that controversial? 

Sure, most of Western Christianity teaches that that Enoch and Elijah will be coming back to preach and die in Revelation chapter 11. But does saying something other than what the majority believes make me controversial? 

Does it matter that there are even some extra-Biblical books that confirm that Enoch and Elijah are dead right now, and even accepted books of the Bible that contain information confirming that these two men died?

I've been in this place a few times, where someone has accused me of reading a Bible passage out of context, then finding an extra-Biblical source to back up a theory. However, for the record, I do not teach nor believe that extra-Biblical Books or even Apocryphal books are the inspired Word of God. However, if one of these additional works confirms something that the Bible clearly says, shouldn't it be okay to at least discuss and consider the issue? Maybe God is trying to teach us something? 

Maybe I'm wrong. I've been wrong before.

FOR THE RECORD:

I am not even going to give my teaching on Enoch and Elijah. I haven't written a book about the issue, but there is a guy who covers that subject in his own book. So I am going to do something I rarely do and encourage you to go read this guy's book. I'm not the only one teaching that Enoch and Elijah were dead in the dirt long before Jesus walked this earth.

Did the Bible's Enoch vanish into thin air?

Mystery ends right now! Find out what really became of Genesis hero ...

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Posted: March 07, 2009
8:45 pm Eastern
© 2011 WND

This 1728 engraving by Gerard Hoet and Joseph Mulder depicts the common misconception that Enoch cheated death and was miraculously brought to heaven.

When some people hear the name of Enoch from the Bible, they often wonder what really happened to this Old Testament prophet.

They know the Bible says "Enoch walked with God," and that "Enoch was translated that he should not see death."

But what do these puzzling verses really mean?

Did Enoch, a champion of God from the Book of Genesis somehow cheat death and get miraculously transported to heaven? Or is there a much simpler answer, one that's actually revealed in the Bible?

After all, it is "appointed unto men once to die" (Hebrews 9:27),  "as in Adam all die" (1 Corinthians 15:22), andJesus Himself said no one has gone to heaven except Himself(John 3:13).

"Some think what happened to Enoch is a huge mystery that we won't be able to solve until Jesus returns, but you can find out the truth of Scripture right now if you just crack open your own Bible and see the words on its pages," says WND Executive News EditorJoe Kovacs, author of the best-selling book,"Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told."

"I think I underestimated the public's confusion about what happened to Enoch, so I didn't focus on him in my book. But I'm very happy now to help people see with their own eyes what Scripture actually says, as well as what it doesn't say."

Yes, the Bible is completely true, but you may never have heard the spectacular, ultimate destiny God has in store for you. It's far more glorious than just floating around on clouds in heaven! Find out what you've never been told, direct from your very own Bible!

First of all, the King James Bible does not say Enoch never died, vanished into thin air or was somehow was whisked off into heaven, the unseen dwelling place of God. Those words are simply not on its pages.

If you look closely, though, what the Bible actually does say is that Enoch died.

Yes, it's in your Bible. Enoch died.

"In Hebrews chapter 11, there is a list of famous heroes from the Old Testament," says Kovacs. "There are great names mentioned including Abraham, Noah, Abel and Enoch. And guess what the Bible says about these outstanding characters who followed the true God of the universe. It says theyall died."

• Theseall diedin faith, not having received the promises (Hebrews 11:13, King James Version)

Feel free to open up any translation of your own Bible right now, and you'll see that these Old Testament heroes all died.

• All these faithful ones died without receiving what God had promised them ... (New Living Translation)

• All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised ... (New International Version)

The Bible clearly says Enoch and the others "all died." Now that you're aware of that, what about those puzzling verses?

Some people get confused when they read, "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God" (Hebrews 11:5).

Note what this verse does not say. It does not say Enoch went to heaven. Remember, Jesus said no one, and that includes Enoch, has gone to heaven except Jesus himself:

• And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven (John 3:13, KJV)

• No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven – the Son of Man (John 3:13, NIV)

The confusion is caused by the word "translated" in Hebrews 11:5. In its original Greek language, the word is "metatithemi," and means transported, transferred, removed, taken away or carried over.

That Greek word "metatithemi" is used just four other times in the Bible, and never has anything to do with not dying or sauntering off to heaven.

For instance, in Galatians 1:6, it's rendered as "removed":

• I marvel that ye are so soonremovedfrom him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel

OK, now back to Enoch.

Enoch was a preacher of righteousness and we're told that he "walked with God" (Genesis 5:22) and that "God took him" (5:24).

Incidentally, Scripture also says "Noah walked with God," and Noah did not vanish into thin air to dwell with God in heaven. Noah died at the ripe old age of 950 (Genesis 9:29).

As mentioned before, "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God."

We already know that Enoch did in fact die, so what does it mean when the Bible says "God took him," "God had translated him" and that he should "not see death"?

"It means exactly what it says," Kovacs explains. "God literally took him. God transported or removed Enoch from his location so that he would not be found. Why? Because apparently there were people who wanted him dead."

More specifics about Enoch are provided in Jude 14, 15 where it mentions Enoch blasting false prophets: "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him."

Enoch was a tough talker of his day, preaching a righteous message the ungodly of the world did not wish to hear. So it's not hard to understand that some of these wicked guys wanted to kill him.

"We're not given the details," says Kovacs, "but we are told that God transferred Enoch so that he would 'not see death,' in other words, not be slain. Remember,God also transported Elijah miraculously, airlifting that prophet to another location.Elijah did not go to the heaven of God's home, but merely to the 'first heaven,' the sky, and came back to live out the rest of his days right here on Earth. He even wrote some less-than-pleasant mail to the evil King Jehoram of Judah after his famous angelic chariot ride in the sky." (see 2 Chronicles 21:12-15)

"God took Enoch away from those looking to murder him, but the Holy Scriptures tell us outright that Enoch eventuallydied, not having received the promises. It's time to put away the fables and get back to the facts. The Bible does agree with itself when people read all of it."

Don't wait another second to find out the truth about heaven and what really happened to the likes of the prophet Elijah. Get "Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told" personally autographed by the author. If you prefer ordering by phone, call WND's customer service line toll-free at 1-800-4WND-COM (1-800-496-3266) between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday.

Yet another "whisking away" happened in the New Testament to Philip, who was miraculously transported by God at the moment he baptized an Ethiopian eunuch.

• And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus ... (Acts 8:39-40)

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In"Shocked by the Bible,"Kovacs also explains that if people just read for themselves without any preconceived notions, they'd quickly discover:

• "Three Wise Men" are never mentioned in the story of Jesus' birth, andno wise men at all are shown present at the manger scene the night Jesus was born.(They showed up later at a house when Jesus was a young child)

• The Bible doesn't outright declare the day, month, year or even season Jesus was born

• There's no mention of a Christmas tree or any tree in the gospels recording Jesus' birth. However, there is a custom mentioned in the Old Testament that shows people decorating trees with silver and gold. You might be astounded to find out what God says about such a practice

• The Bible never says Jesus died on a Friday orfrom the grave Sunday morning

• Scripture does not say Noah's Ark rested on "Mount Ararat"

• Noah brought a lot more than just two of certain animals aboard the Ark

• The word "Easter" has vanished from modern Bible translations

• God sought to kill Moses, shortly after telling him to lead the Israelites to freedom

• Jesus did not come to make everyone understand His message, and personally said so

• Jesus made personal appearances in the Old Testament

• The worst case of hemorrhoids in history is recorded

And these are merely the beginning of hundreds of facts that will stun even those who thought they had a strong knowledge of the Bible.

"If you've never been into the Bible, or even if you have, there's no need to fear," says Kovacs. "I make it quick, easy and fun for you to find out the juiciest, most interesting stuff that never seems to get mentioned in church. And I'm not talking about trivial facts and difficult names no one can pronounce."

"Shocked by the Bible"has become an instant smash since its release, hitting No. 1 in three Bible-related categories several times on Amazon.com withreaders giving it high praise, and theauthor being interviewed on dozens of radio shows. Denver's No. 1 host, Peter Boyles of KHOW Radio, raves,"I'm drawn to this book. It is so well written."

"Shocked by the Bible" skyrocketed to the No.1 spot in three Amazon.com categories several times since its release

It reached the No. 1 spot on the WND Best-Seller list several times. International demand has even led to a deal to have "Shocked"translated into the Korean language.

"If you think you really know the Bible, better think again," warns Fox News' Bill O'Reilly. "Your parents never told youthis stuffwas in the Bible," adds radio talker and author Melanie Morgan. WND founder Joseph Farah simply says, "'Shocked by the Bible' is nothing short of genius."

Kovacs, the executive news editor of WND, has written countless reports in his 25-year news career. Many have focused on biblical issues such aschariot wheels said to be found in the Red Sea, searches forNoah's Arkand theArk of the Covenant, and controversies overChristmasand Easter holidays as well as theSaturday-vs.-Sunday Sabbath.

He has received many awards for news excellence from the Associated Press and United Press International. He's run television, radio and print newsrooms in the U.S., as well as Budapest, Hungary. Kovacs is also regarded as one of the premier creative headline writers in the news business today.

Be a champion of God and stand up for the absolute truth of Scripture! Get "Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told" personally autographed by the author. It makes a brilliant gift that will be remembered for a lifetime.

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To interview Joe Kovacs, author of "Shocked by the Bible," pleasecontact him.

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