Isaiah 14:1, “For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again He will choose Israel and settle them in their own land. The foreigner will join them and unite with the house of Jacob.” Does choosing the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as your God mean that you need to practice Judaism? Certainly not! Many of the traditions of Judaism (while designed to unite the Jewish people) are not found in the Bible. Choosing the Creator means choosing to live the way we are designed to live and following His instructions.
Question 15: Who compiled the Old Testament?
Answer:
It is claimed that the books of the Old Testament were collected and arranged under the supervision of Ezra, though modern scholarship disputes the claim. The epistles of Paul to the various churches were collected and incorporated with the other epistles and the Gospels and Revelation into one book during the first half of the second century and as we learn from Eusebius, were in general use soon after the year 300 A. D.
Question 14: What significance attaches to the frequent use of forty?
Answer:
It is not merely an arbitrary period or a "round number," but is chosen to convey die sense of fullness. Some of its prominent Scriptural uses are: Moses was forty days on the mount (Exodus 24:18, etc.); Elijah strengthened by angel food, fasted for forty days (1 Kings 19:8) ; the rain of the flood fell for forty days (Genesis 7:12) ; Noah opened the window of the ark after forty days (Genesis 8:6); the spies spent forty days in searching Canaan (Numbers 13:25) ; Moses twice fasted and prayed for forty days (Deuteronomy 9:18-25); Ezekiel bore the iniquities of Judah forty days (Ezekiel 4:6); Nineveh was allowed forty days to repent (Jonah 3:4) ; the Israelites wandered forty years in the wilderness (Numbers 34:33); Goliath defied Saul's army for forty days (1 Samuel 17:16) ; forty days was the period of embalming (Genesis 50:3); the Lord fasted for forty days (Matthew 4:2, etc.); the arisen Lord was seen for forty days (Acts 1:3); the Jews were forbidden to inflict more than forty stripes (Deuteronomy 25:3). It is noteworthy that Jerusalem was destroyed forty years after Moshiach's ascension and tradition says Yeshua was forty hours in the tomb. Lent lasts for forty days, as does also quarantine. St. Swithins betokens forty days' rain, while many ancient laws concerning physicians, knights, husbands, wives, widows, sanctuary privileges, fines, etc., all cluster about this number.
Question 13: Why is seven more used than any other number?
Answer:
The symbolism of "seven" should be traced back to the symbolism of its component elements, "three" and "four," which represent divinity and humanity. Hence, "seven" represents the union between YHVH and man. Among the Persians, the Greeks, the ancient Indians, the Romans and all nations where seven days in the week were recognized, the influence of the number seven prevailed. It was called by Cicero "the knot and cement of all things," because in "seven" the spiritual and natural world were comprehended in one idea. Some writers claim that the Hebrews borrowed it from their heathen neighbours. The Sabbath, being the seventh day, suggested seven as the appointment for all sacred periods. The seventh month was ushered in by the Feast of Trumpets; seven weeks was the interval between the Passover and the Pentecost and so on, recognizing seven as the symbol of all connected with the Divinity.
Question 12: What are the Sacred or Symbolical Numbers?
Answer:
There are certain numbers employed in Scripture that are known as sacred or symbolical' numbers. Among these are
Seven (perfection), as the triune symbol of deity and the four quarters of the earth;
Forty, a "round number," signifying duration, distance, quantity;
Ten (completeness);
Five, as used in offerings etc.;
Four, related to the quarters of the globe, the shape of the holy of holies in the temple, etc.;
Three, symbol of Supreme Divinity;
Twelve, which derives its significance from the twelve tribes and which has been called the "square number," the "zodiacal number," the "apostolic number." 12x12 means, symbolically, fixity and completeness and taken a thousand-fold, it gives the grand multiple of 144,000 (otherwise a countless multitude),
One thousand symbolizing the world wholly pervaded by the divine --- a world redeemed.
Frequently asked Questions and answers:
Question 11: What Symbols are used for both Moshiach and His people?
Answer:
There are six symbols used for both Moshiach and His people.
1. A BRANCH. --- (For Moshiach) in Isaiah 11:1-4, "A branch out of his roots shall bear fruit," and "with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked;" in Zechariah 6:12, 13, Hebrews 3:1-4. Isaiah 4:2; Zechariah 3:8, Jeremiah 23:5, 33:15, 16. (For his People) John 15:5, "Ye are the branches;" Isaiah 60:21, "The people also shall be all righteous, the branch of My planting;" also, Romans 11: 16, Psalm 80: 11, 15.
2. LIGHT. --- (For Moshiach) in John 8:12, Yeshua spake, "I am the light of the world;" also, in John 9:5, Luke 2:32 and I John 1:5, "YHVH is light" (For His People) Philippians 2:15, "Among whom ye are seen as lights in the world," Matthew 5:14, Ephesians 5:8, Acts 13:47, Isaiah 42:6, Proverbs 4:18.
3. A STONE. --- (For Moshiach) in I Peter 2:4, 6, 7, 8, "A living stone," "A chief cornerstone," "the stone which the builders rejected," "a stone of stumbling;" also, Psalm 118:22, Ephesians 2:20, Matthew 21:42. (For his People) 1 Peter 2:5 "Ye also as living stones are built up a spiritual house;" also, Ephesians 2:21, 22.
4. A TEMPLE. --- (For Moshiach) in Revelations 21:22, "And I saw no temple therein for the Lord YHVH the Almighty and the Lamb are the temple thereof;" also, John 2: 19, 21. (For his People) 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17, "For the temple of YHVH is holy which temple ye are," and 1 Corinthians 6:19, 2 Corinthians 6:16.
5. A SUN. (For Moshiach) Psalm 84:11, "For the Lord YHVH is a sun and shield;" also, Malachi 4:2, Revelations 21:23, 22:5. (For his People) Judges 5:31, "Let them that love thee be as the sun;" also, Matthew 13:43.
6. A STAR. (For Moshiach) Revelations 22:16, "I am the bright and morning star," 2 Peter 1:1, "Until the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts;" also, Numbers 24:17. (For his People) Daniel 12:1-3, "And they that be wise shall shine," "and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever."
Something to think about:
In a shabbat service, while the sermon is halfway, the preacher curse the Name of Yeshua, and the believers get uncomfortable. A while later, he curse the Name of YHVH, and the believer feel uneasy. Still a while later, he goes off against Ruach HaKodesh and now the believers start mumbling and shuffling in their seats. Near to the end of the service, the preacher invite 2 young people up to the podium and ask them to undress while heavy metal music plays softly in the background. Now, the believers are angry, some get up and start walking out. This is a place of worship and it is not allowed to happen!
BUT YET --
12 Hours earlier, many, many believers all over the world, pay premium fares to go to theatres where the exact thing is happening and they are okay with it! THUS, the theatres are the most powerful institutions where even believers agree to performances. More powerful than a service. More powerful than social media like TTN, where truth is found. The Word is clear -- "You cannot serve Elohiym and still be part of this world" -- the time has come where you have to decide which is more important for you. Don't be caught lukewarm -- there is only one choice -- be hot or cold!
I pray you make the right choice today, because time is running out. You do not know if you will still be here in an hour, tonight, tomorrow or in a week. Life is no longer guaranteed.
Be blessed!