If you refuse to, you are denying your ransom and are handing youself back on a plate to your original captor! You can't belong to Messiah and not obey Him:
"If you love Me, keep My commandments (mitzvot)" (John 14:15, NKJV).
And the opposite of that is of course: "If you don't love Me, continue not obeying My commandments (mitzvot) - My Torah".
The Principle of the Ransom in the Natural World
The ransomed soul is under an obligation of obedience to his or her ransomer. Everybody understood this in the ancient world but it does not accord well with atheistic egalitarianism of today. And yet it is secretly expected. When the Soviets liberated eastern Europe from Nazi tyrrany they expected to be obeyed, didn't they? Every area they occupied came under communist rule eventually. When the Western powers liberated western Europe from Nazi tyrrany they expected all those Western countries to become liberal democracies. And they did. Today in Iraq and Afghanistan the British and Americans have freed Iraqis from the tyrrany of Saddam Hussein's Baathist Party and the nightmare of the Taliban, and they expect Iraq and Afhganistan to become liberal democracies. Not that the Iraqis and Afghans invited the Americans and British in the first place but the liberators still expect their system to be adopted before they leave in what many are calling 'cultural imperialism'. We are liars when we say otherwise.
Let's be honest - when we go and witness of Messiah in the mission field, don't we secretly wish that our converts adopt the same denominational or system of belief as we do? This law is written in our beings. However, what has happened is that it has become discoloured by the flesh.
Communistic Notions of Obligation
Our communistic indoctrinated rulers resent that we have obligations to anyone other than the state which we sheepishly obey anyway because it has power over our physical lives to one degree or another. Even when people become believers they are still defending fleshy notions. We want 'independence' from Satan but not dependence on Yahweh. The fleshpots of Egypt still draw us back until the fleshy nature is crucified and we stop wanting our old bondage back again.
The Meaning of "The Purchased Possession"
We hate the doctrine of slavery and yet pay lip service to the clear Bible teaching that we are the purchased slaves of Yah'shua. Somehow we gloss over these passages of Scripture and everything they imply for our lifestyle in Messiah. No more:
"In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Messiah should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Ruach haQodesh of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory" (Eph.1:11-14, NKJV).
What is the "Stamp of Ownership"?
These long sentences of Paul are a little hard to understand at first but they are mines of spiritual truth and our investment of time in coming to understand them will be worthwhile. Basically what Paul is saying here is that Yahweh "puts His stamp of ownership on us by giving [us] the Ruach haQodesh He had promised" (v.13, TEV). We become "the purchased possession". In other words, unless you're truly owned, you don't have the unmistakable stamp of ownership, and that is the Ruach haQodesh. And how do you know if you have the Ruach? Two things: (1) You are found to be loving and spontaneously obeying the Torah of your Owner; and (2) You possess the virtues conveyed by your Owner through that Ruach:
"Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...all goodness, righteousness, and truth" (Gal.5:22-23; Eph 5:9, NKJV).
Are you the "purchased possession" or are you a lawless libertine exercising the 'freedom' of one who is not owned or possessed by anyone or anything but his own will - his own flesh?
Conclusion
Over the years we have witnessed, with sadness and horror, as those who were in Yah'shua supposed that being "in" Him had no bearing on the kind of life we live on the outside - at home or in the world. We have watched them slip down into the abyss and be swallowed up. And so it has been in every generation since the first disciples abandoned Yah'shua, and with the same set of excuses:
"Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, 'This is a hard saying; who can understand it?' When Yah'shua knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, 'Does this offend you? What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? It is the Ruach who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.' For Yah'shua knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. And He said, 'Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.' From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more" (John 6:60-66, NKJV).
What "hard sayings" have you recently heard? What do you balk at in Yahweh's Torah? Come on, be honest. I guarantee there is something in Scripture that makes you squirm and apss over - whether it's capital punishment, eating kosher, observing sacred appointments, polygamy, biblical dress standards, slavery, all things in common, or whatever. And I guarantee you have sought for 'rationalisations' or excuses to ignore these things. Yahweh sends many such sifting devices amongst His people to see who will be true and who will not. Who, then, remain? Will there be faith on the earth when Yah'shua returns? (Lk.18:8) And are "hard sayings" and "offenses" the end of ours trouble?
"Then Yah'shua said to the twelve, 'Do you also want to go away?' But Simon Peter answered Him, 'Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Messiah, the Son of the living Elohim.' Yah'shua answered them, 'Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?' He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve" (John 6:67-71, NKJV).
The mass desertion of disciples was not the end. There was yet one who was in the heart of His entourage, who who ate with Him daily- the most sacred thing one can do outwardly - who would yet betray Him. And then, afterwards, they would all desert Him for a while. The full revelation of the Messiah would have to await the final test - to see whether His apparent extinction was, in fact, the end - to see whether His promises would hold water. When He arose from the dead, the doubts of the doubters fled and once more they rallied, to be finally empowered with a tremendous anointing at Shavu'ot (Pentecost). Many who had not been disciples up this point were converted, including Yah'shua's own half-brothers, and in greater numbers than before!
Every work of Elohim must be tested and its leaders put through the fire. Their numbers must be stripped as was the army of Gideon. Why? To ensure that the success of any work of Yahweh is incontestably because of the power of Yahweh and not of men!
It is soon Pesach again - a new beginning. At one Pesach two thousand years ago all looked lost as the Son of Man hung on that cursed cross. But three days later He arose and appeared, and fifty days later, after He had ascended into Heaven, He empowered His disciples and sent them into the world with fire in their hearts.
This work has been betrayed, nailed to a cross and pronounced dead - many times. They're saying ti again and trying to ensure it by every evil strategem they can devise. How wrong our enemies are! They continue to taunt and mock but the last laugh is always on them. We haven't even begun yet! Rather, we shall assemble to rededicate ourselves and watch Yahweh do His marvelous work and a wonder. May His blessed Name be praised! Amen.
Endnotes
1
PhilMehrens.com
2
Norrlandsälver, Svenska Turistföreningens årsbok 1993 (Uppsala: 1992), p.209
3
See Preussens Gloria
4
In the continuing disaspora of Israel, Germany and the German-speaking nations tribally represent East Manasseh with the United States representing West Manasseh, Great Britain representing Ephraim (the three Josephite nations) and Norway representing Benjamin - the sons of Rachel and Jacob. See, The House of Joseph at ../../joseph.html At one point in American history, when German speakers were the majority in that nation, a proposal was made to make German the official language of the United States (at its foundation, Hebrew had been proposed as the national tongue too). See, for example, Yair Davidy, The Tribes: The Israelite Origins of Western Peoples (Russel-Davis Publishers, Jerusalem, Israel: 1999) and W.H.Bennett, Symbols of our Celto-Saxon Heritage (Covenant Books, London: 1976). Both of these books have an anti-German bias, the former Jewish and the other British, incorrectly marking the Germans as descendants of migrant Assyrians. The absurdity of this is no more apparent when you consider that the British, Dutch, Flems and Scandinavians - whom both authors recognise as Israelite - all orginated in Germany and are hence called 'Germanic nations'. If the Germans are Assyrians, then so are the Scandinavians, British and others. This ministry restores Germany to its rightful place and welcomes Germans home.
5
"I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells" (Rev.2:13, NKJV). Also see, Antipas: He Died at Satan's Throne
6
See Larry R. Lasiter, The Beast Arises!
7
See Volga German Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic and Volga Germans
8
See our fulfilled Prophecy on the Unification of Germany
9
Only a few days ago the Brown Labour Government, supported by the Liberal-Democrats, and doubtless acting on instructions from their Illuminati Overlords, renegged on a promise made by the former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to consult the British people in a Referendum on whether they wanted to go deeper into the EU by accepting the EU Constitution or not. The liberal-supported socialist government just went ahead and ignored the people's wishes, knowing they would be defeated, just as the French government was
10
The Brothers Karamazov
11
Philip Yancey, The Miracle of Restraint in 'Our Daily Bread' (RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI: 2008), April-May 2008, 4 March.
12
"Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of Elohim (nefilim) saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. And Yahweh said, 'My Ruach shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.' There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of Elohim came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown" (Gen.6:1-4, NKJV). Those interested in Mormonism should also see, Nefilim: Understanding the True Origins of Mormonism
13
See, for example, Our Amazing Bible: As Birds Flying - Jerusalem 1917 and Who are the Jews?
14
To Satanists and Other Deluded Souls
15
See our Deliverance Ministry Website
16
Philip Yancey, Ibid.
17
Philip Yancey, Ibid.
18
Philip Yancey, Ibid.
19
John 6:35,48; 15:5; Genesis 49:11b
20
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law (Torah) or the Prophets (Nevi'im). I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the Law (Torah) till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt.5:17-20, NKJV).
21
Barabba, The Parable of the Speeding Ticket
22
The Olive Branch addresses the unity of inner and outer in its many revelations. See, for example, OB 58:20
23
See The Pagan Infiltration of Christianity
24
See The Sabbath
25
The Hebrew (D&M) says, "Servant of B'liya'al" (Belial = Satan) - v.32 (HRV).
26
Strongs NT:928
27
Literally, "You are nothing" (HRV) - in other words, calling someone worthless when every soul is infinitely precious to our Heavenly Father. The Greek translators have rendered the original Aramaic into moros, from which we get the abusive word 'moron', which literally means 'dull' or 'stupid', not in the sense of being intellectually retarded but of one who is morally heedless. If this is a correct rendition, then it is at variance with Jn.7:24 which admonishes us to judge righteously when we judge: "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24, KJV), not meaning we may condemn someone if we do it 'righteously' (unless it is a Yahweh-appointed council - see footnote #24) but to appraise them correctly. To say 'Racca' to someone is more than an appraisal - it is a judgment to hell - it is declaring, by human fiat, that someone is worthless when in fact there is still a chance for them to be saved and glorified. The one making such a judgment becomes an accuser like Satan himself. Such a person can do great spiritual damage to another and must be disciplined by the local zaqenim or elders.
28
The council of elders of the local assembly or church for disciplining and possible excommunication. The RSTNE says "in danger of the Sanhedrin" though this word is not used in any Hebraic MSS I can find.
29
"You impious one" (HRV). Again, the issue is not whether someone is a fool or not but the fact that they are judging as Yahweh alone judges. Thus Yah'shua would say: "But Elohim (God) said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward Elohim" (Luke 12:20-21, NASB). The only fool is the one about to lose his soul and only Yahweh knows if that is the case. This word 'fool' is to be distinguished from other places where another Greek word, kenos, meaning 'vain', is also unfortunately rendered 'fool' or 'foolish': e.g. "But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:20, NKJV). We are not prohibited from rebuking vanity.
30
Obviously it is not a sin to testify to someone of what the Sctriptures say sends people to hell. We are called to warn people of the terrible judgment that befalls people outside of Messiah, but we are not to say: "You are hell-bound!" We are to let Yah'shua do the convicting and pronouncing.
31
Hal Lindsey, Hope for the Terminal Generation (Fleming H. Revell Co., Old Tappan, NJ: 1976), front cover.
32
The Gnostics teach that the 'God' of the Old Testament is the unredeemed 'Demiurge', a malak or angel appointee, whom Christ converted. They sometimes confuse the angel of Yahweh's Presence, who was the pre-incarnate Yah'shua, with Yahweh Himself.
33
See Exposing Lilith: The High Queen of Demonesses, Morena: The End-Time AntiVirgin and Mother Goddess and Hecate: Origin and History of the Queen of Demonesses
34
David Bercot, What the Early Christians believed About the Atonement (Scroll Publishing Co., Amberson, PA) - CD-ROM #9071023.
35
What Yah'shua abolished and nailed to the Cross in His death, was not the Torah or Law, but the sting of Torah, penalty for sin (death) that comes from breaking the Torah (see Rom.6:23). Those who do not repent remain under its penalty and go to hell when they die but those who accept Yah'shua's payment for sin have their debt paid them by Messiah and go to heaven. Paul makes a clear dictinction between being a slave to the holiness of Torah (Rom.7:12) and a slave to the law (torah) of sin: "Thanks be to Elohim -- through Yah'shua the Messiah our Master! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to Elohim's law (Torah), but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin" (Rom.7:25, NIV).
36
See, Covenant Love: The Heart of Life in Yahweh
37
Cyprian, Vol.5, p.432
38
Remember that the saved are those who have the faith of Yah'shua and who obey the mitzvot or commandments - Rev.12:17; 14:12; 22:14; John 14:15
Author: Lev-Tsiyon