Frequently asked questions and answers:


Question 256: Why Did Yeshua Want The News Of His Miracles Kept Quiet?

Answer:

It was probably out of consideration for His followers, as there might be a popular rising which might lead to slaughter. The people were expecting the Messiah to be a King and, if they had recognized Moshiach and still held that notion they would probably have risen in rebellion against Rome. On one occasion (John 6:15), He hid Himself to prevent such a rising. It was safe after His death to preach Him as the Moshiach, because then the spiritual nature of His Kingdom would be understood; but while He lived, it was necessary to avoid publicity. Even the disciples expected that He would make Himself King and did not understand His real purpose until after the resurrection.

Question 255: What Is Meant By: “Let The Dead Bury Their Dead?”

Answer:

The language employed by Moshiach (Matthew 8:22) on the occasion in question is to be accepted figuratively, as in many other instances of His teachings. He was speaking of the characteristics of true discipleship and particularly referred to those who permitted themselves to become so entangled in worldly affairs, that they persistently procrastinated in spiritual things. To these, Yeshua showed that all other claims were inferior to the divine claim upon their energies and the paramount command to "preach the Kingdom of YHVH." These should take precedence even of the highest claims of nature. While immortal souls are in peril, the true disciple must not hesitate, but must go even at the sacrifice of all he holds dear. Those who remain, being dead to the spiritual call, may well be relied upon to fulfil all needful natural duties to the dead or the dying among themselves. The disciple's duty is to obey the call, leaving the consequences with YHVH.

Question 254: What Is Meant By: “The Children Of The Kingdom Shall Be Cast Out Into Outer Darkness?”

Answer:

In this passage (Matthew 8:11-12) Moshiach was evidently referring to the Jews. His remark was called forth by a Roman officer exhibiting more faith in Him than had ever been done by a Jew. He therefore warned His Jewish hearers that, although they prided themselves on being children of the Kingdom of YHVH, through their descent from Abraham, they might be excluded from the Kingdom because of personal unfitness; while others, who could not claim that illustrious pedigree, would be admitted because of their personal fitness. The present application of His Words appears to us to be not to converted persons, but to nominal believers, who have never been converted, but expect to enter heaven because they belong to Christian families, have been baptized and admitted to membership in a church; but have not the Spirit of Moshiach and Moshiach's Words here also apply to people in Christian countries who having a knowledge of the things of YHVH, do not live according to their knowledge. They too, will see people who had not their advantages admitted, while they themselves are excluded.

Question 253: Who Are The Angels Of The Little Ones?

Answer:

The reference in Matthew 8:10 has caused discussion among divines in all periods of the Church and is by no means satisfactorily explained. Yeshua seems to have lifted for a moment the veil over the unseen state and to have spoken of a matter familiar to Him, but incomprehensible to us. The apparent meaning is that even the humblest followers of Moshiach are ministered to by angels, who have access to the presence of YHVH Himself.

Question 252: What Are We to Understand By: “Lead Us Not Into Temptation?”

Answer:

YHVH does not tempt anyone. He may permit us to be placed in positions where, if left to our own resources, we would fall; but He does not tempt us to evil. Eve said, "The serpent beguiled me" (see Genesis 3:1, 4, 5, 13.) She yielded in her weakness and suffered accordingly (verses 14, 15, 16). In Matthew 4:1 and parallel passages, it is distinctly stated that the devil was the tempter of Yeshua. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 it is made clear that though YHVH may permit us to be tempted, He is not the tempter. See James 1:13, where it is emphatically asserted that YHVH tempts no man. The withdrawal of Ruach HaKodesh exposes us to temptation, by leaving the heart open to the attack of the tempter; but nothing is more erroneous than to assume that temptation or the placing of any agent in man's spiritual path which may cause him to fall, comes from YHVH. If this were true, He would be the author of eternal ruin to multitudes who rush into sin by yielding to temptation. See also Job, 1st and 2nd chapters, where Satan is shown as the tempter who pleads to be allowed to test the spiritual stability of the patriarch. The only sources of temptation in any case are the evil spirit, the world and the flesh. Unless we are fortified by the presence of the Divine Spirit, when these assail, we are especially exposed and liable to fall. See further on the subject Revelation 12:9; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:13, 1 John 3:8; Mark 1:13, Luke 4:2; Acts 5:3; Matthew 26:41. Even when YHVH has made a trial of man's faith, He has done so in every instance by the removal of spiritual safeguards and leaving man to his own resources, when the tempter availed himself of the opportunity. In this sense, it is evident that a test is not a temptation. Some cannot reconcile the statement that YHVH did tempt Abraham, Genesis 22:1, with the assertion of James 1:13 that YHVH tempts no man. James refers to allurements to sin. Abraham was not tempted in that sense. He was tried and tested. Temptation is a trial and a test because when a man is tempted, he learns his strength and weakness, hence the confusion in the meanings of the word. It is obvious however, that the trial may come in different ways. In Abraham's case he was ordered to do something that was against his nature and the question was whether he would do what he did not wish to do at the Command of YHVH. James, on the other hand, is speaking of a case in which a man is prompted to follow his own inclinations and to commit sin. YHVH tempts no man to commit sin, but He does test our faith in Him and love for Him by trials. Job must have been tempted to take his wife's advice and curse YHVH; but his trials as we know, were tests of his disinterested allegiance, not such temptations as James refers to.

Frequently asked questions and answers:

Question 251: What Is Meant by: “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least Commandments?”

Answer:

The meaning of the passage in Matthew 5 :19 is: Whosoever shall break or make invalid through deliberate misinterpretation, one of the least of these Commandments and shall teach men so (as the Pharisees were doing), shall be called the least in the Kingdom of heaven. The penalty was not exclusion from heaven, but the loss of the position of honour in YHVH's Kingdom, which they might have enjoyed. On the other hand, whosoever shall teach men to obey the Law in its right interpretation, looking to the glory and honour of YHVH, should be honoured in heaven. It was a warning to the Scribes and Pharisees that righteousness must be inward, vital and spiritual, instead of outward and formal.

#lying to the #holyspirit is a #bad #idea

Thought for Today: Sunday February 02

What giants are you facing today? The giant of peer pressure? Or different ideologies and philosophies fighting for control of your life? Or is it giants like social injustice, moral deterioration or crime? Or maybe the giant of fear, joblessness, broken relationships, family conflict, unfairness at work? Goliath had David out-armed and out-experienced. Goliath was a giant warrior, David was only a shepherd with a slingshot, but he had a deep dependence on YHVH and YHVH gave him victory. Every one today has problems, and our Moshiach wants to help you face your giants – if you will let Him!