One Torah For All
One Torah shall be to him that is home-born, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
Exodus 12:49

Questions and Answers

Menu of questions by subject
(click on menu item below to take you to the question below)

=

Concerning Statement of Faith and doctrine - posted 6-27-2012 Menu

I found your “Statement of Faith” page interesting and insightful.  No doubt, such statements have been used exclusively.  Here’s my question:  Cannot the same thing be said for doctrine (i.e., teaching)?  Isn’t the scripture itself exclusive?

Read response here.

====================================

Concerning Sacrifice of Mashiach - posted 7-4-2012 Menu

Question: We have been going around and around about the purpose for Yeshua to come and die.  We were excited to read your comments about this in Part 6, the Kinsman Redeemer, but have some additional questions.  Many say that Yeshua was the final sacrifice; the sin offering once for all.  We know first that there are many sacrifices that are not intended to be sin offerings, and that sacrifices will resume when the temple once again stands in Jerusalem.But trying to fit Yeshua into the role of a sacrifice raises the issues of how He would not have been an acceptable offering—a few of which are:  His death was not painless; He did not die at the hands of the priest; and YHWH has decreed human sacrifice to be an abomination.  After all, He did not allow Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.  Would this latter point be not applicable because YHWH abhorred the idolatrous ceremonies that typically surrounded human sacrifice, not necessarily the sacrifice itself?

Read response here.

====================================

Concerning Adam and Yeshua being brothers - posted 7-10-2012 Menu

Shalom Zerubbabel,
If Yeshua is the only-begotten Son of the Father, how is he brother to Adam?  Is that a symbolic relationship?  We understand that He is the second Adam, but are trying to grasp that relationship.  [Question was generated from the study Son of Elohim – part 7]
B_____

Read response here.

====================================

Concerning the fourth commandment - Shabbat and Torah - posted 7-17-2012 Menu

Zer,

I have a clear peace in my heart about the division between the 10 commandments and the other parts of the law.  We may not see eye to eye, but I have studied Scripture on this deeply and see there does appear to be a clear division that as of now my spirit is at peace with.  I have often felt though that evangelicals are inconsistent with this as they appear to hold strongly to 9 of the original 10 commandments but are very casual on the 4th (the Sabbath).  I understand their “reasoning” (I am saying “their” as though I am not an evangelical but I do stray from the mainstream on many points this being one of them), but I disagree with the casual nature with which “we” (evangelicals) seem to treat the Sabbath observance.  Now I know Jesus gave an answer to the Pharisees with an example of where David clearly broke the Torah and took the grain of the temple to feed his soldiers and Jesus says “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath”.  I don’t agree with most evangelicals who say this proves Jesus was doing away with strict Sabbath observance, but it does raise an interesting question of why Jesus holds up a clear example of breaking the law when discussing the Sabbath.  I am struggling to find the right balance between rigid, Pharisaical observance and the too-casual attitude of most evangelicals in regards to the Sabbath.  I wanted to get your thoughts on what you felt Jesus was teaching there by holding up an example of breaking the law when discussing observing the Sabbath.

I find a similar “casual disregard” type of attitude with the Messianics I have dealt with in regards to some parts of the law.  I mean while most are rigid observers of the dietary laws, Sabbath, etc, there are other parts which are undeniably there which are NOT kept.  These include taking the life of those who break the Sabbath (Ex 31:15), destroying idols (Dt. 12:2), killing false prophets (Dt. 18:22), taking money from a guy who rapes one’s daughter and then giving her to him in marriage (eek!)(Ex. 22:16-17, Dt. 22:29), etc.  So if the belief is that ALL of Torah is the perfect will of God for how we are to live and it is ALL for today, why are these harsher parts of the law seemingly excluded from the observance of those who claim to keep all of Torah?  Again this is not an accusation and please don’t hear that in my tone, it is a sincere observation and question and I would love to hear your thoughts on this as the answer I believe will have bearing on my consideration of question 1 and how I reconcile the inconsistency in my own practice.

Read response here.

====================================

Concerning the Millennial Temple and Sacrifices - posted 7-24-2012 Menu

Shalom Zerubbabel,

We are struggling with another question right now.  In the Davidic Kingdom, when the third temple is built, according to Ezekiel 40-46, all kinds of sacrifices will again be offered.  We know that to be true, but we are having a hard time understanding that that includes sin offerings.  Of course that means that there will still be sin (!?!)  Do we have the wrong picture of what will take place in the milennium? I guess we have the notion that there will no longer be disobedience under Messiah's rule.  Are we missing something, or misinterpreting when this passage is to take place?  We would be thankful for your interpretation.

B_____

Read response here.

====================================

Concerning recommendation of which translation to use - posted 8-1-2012 Menu

Can you recommend a 1st and 2nd Testament Translation
Regards
B___ B____

Read response here.

====================================

Concerning animal sacrifices in millennial temple - posted 8-8-2012 Menu

 After reading the Q and A about the 3rd Temple a few thoughts have come to mind.

First of all let me say that I agree with you that the Temple being built would certainly be defiled by Anti-Messiah and that would lead to that 4th. 

Now from what I have read and understood thus far is that while there will be a Temple built, is it not the one that is not built with human hands, thus it would be us who are the Temple that is being built, rather than a literal building? Also, my thoughts go to a Scripture that Yah says He is weary of the slaughtering of animals

Read response here.

====================================

Concerning the timing of Mashiach Yeshua's return - posted 8-14-2012 Menu

Shalom Zerubbabel,

I was fascinated by your teaching on the timing of Mashiach's return in "Where are We and Where are We Going"; I had never thought about it that way!  It seems so clear the way you explained the time of darkness as the beginning of the new day, and quite believable when you consider all that is happening in recent times.  All creation is truly groaning.  But to realize that it will grow darker and darker before the light returns is a formidable thought.  No wonder we all want to hasten the day.  Which brings me to another  new way of seeing things---that the way we think we are hastening the day may actually be delaying it!   

And yes, it raised more questions in my mind.......

So, upon His return, which will occur when we are yet in darkness, it will continue to be dark for a time, and in fact grow darker.  But the day will dawn, and He will rule (this agrees with the way you have explained the Messianic Age to me before), and yet the earth will then pass away in fire, at the end of that 1000-year 7th day?  Then the new heavens and the new earth will be created?  More than my brain can absorb; I guess I'm still confused.....

I totally see your point about not trying so hard to fix Babylon.  I've long ago concluded that it is not fixable.  But at the same time we are to diligently work at restoring Ephrayim as a nation by..... drawing the faithful out of the church?  I see many around me who eyes have been opened to the truths and blessings of Torah, but so many are still so blinded by a lifetime of false teachings that they do not want to accept what they are shown, even if they admit that they see it.  (It truly is a major paradigm shift; I suffered that experience not so long ago, and am still struggling with it.)  And will there truly be a time when all Ephrayim will literally and physically return to the land?  Surely YHWH will expand her borders by then so that we will all fit!  What an exciting thought!  Or is "returning to the land" symbolic for living a Torah-observant life?

I must take some more time to soak all of this in; I think I am sounding rather befuddled today.  But as always, I am grateful and blessed by your teachings and your friendship,

your sister in Mashiach,

B______

Read response here.

====================================

Concerning Heaven and Hell - posted 8-21-2012 - Menu

Shalom Zerubbabel,

Have you done a study on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, of Luke 16:19-31? Our group had some great discussion on that concerning the nature of the afterlife, ie genhenna/sheol/gan eden, and Abraham's lap in comparison to the commonly taught beliefs of the church about heaven.  We would love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

Thanks much for your wonderful ministry.

B_____

Read response here.

====================================

Concerning the symbolism of certain numbers in Scripture. posted 8-28-2012 - Menu

 

Zerubbabel,

If the foundation of everything in Scripture is usually 12, why only 10 founding laws, and if 7 is the number of completion, then why only 5 books of Torah? 

Just wondering,

shalom achi,
S____ B____

Read response here.

====================================

Concerning the timing of the fall feasts in 2012. Posted 9-11-2012 - Menu

Shalom, achi!

I have a question: according to your understanding, when do you think Yom Teruah will be? 09/18 or 09/19? I've heard 09/17, but that seems to make the 6th month a 28th day if my calculations are correct.

Todah rabah, achi!
O________

Read response here.

====================================

Concering immersion - posted September 2012 Menu

Zer......I have noticed some Messianics can get a little mean with "Names" and other subjects, instead of teaching others with care, when new people are learning and are trying to grasp what YHWH wants them to know.

Some will say you will go to hell if you don't have this name right ect... I know when I embraced my Savior (with the only name I knew then as Jesus) that He was the same One I embrace today, except I didn't know His proper Name. Now I understand His name is Yeshua. 

I try to learn and correct what I didn't know, but I still come against others who confuse me and have yet another name and or names! I'm sure you understand!

My question is what about Baptism? People say you have to be baptized in the right name, but this one lady won't tell me what name she is referring to because she says Yeshua is not it! I have been baptised into the One and only Elohim I have ever known and if I don't understand terminology of names yet, I KNOW my heart was right!

Do you have any studies on Baptism? I am willing to learn, and YHWH knows I want to learn!
Thank you!      

T_____

Read response here.

====================================

Concerning Shabbat rest and boredom posted October 3, 2012 Menu

Zerubbabel

crazy question -- what do you think about a person that says they keep the sabbath, but they find themselves "bored" on the sabbath?

I guess I just think it's sad for people to feel bored on the day we are to delight in. The King of the Universe wants to come and sup with us! We are rehearsing for the day when we sit at the table with Him...The Day when Yeshua will lift the glass with the fruit of the vine -- with us! A set-apart day, a blessed day, a prophetic day and yes a rest day! I think it's almost insulting to our Heavenly Abba to even tell people you are bored on His Shabbat. It's these kinds of things about some FB "friends" that make me crazy! I can't relate to someone like that at all...whew! Time is too short! Thanks for your input

W_____

 

====================================