Saturday, April 16, 2022

The Afikomen Pictures the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!

By Maria Merola

Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 53:5 But he was PIERCED for our transgressions, he was BRUISED for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his STRIPES we are healed. 

I love the element in the Messianic Seder called “The Afikomen,” where the three sheets of Matzah are “broken” and then wrapped in a napkin to be “hidden.” The word “Afikomen” is a Greek word, which literally means “To be eaten at the end.” Why would there be a Greek word in a Jewish Passover? 

You will be surprised to discover that the Jewish Passover Seder is entirely a construct of the Messianic Yahuwidym (Jews) in the 1st Century Jerusalem, (when Greek was the common language of the Roman Empire). It was during this time that our Messiah taught his disciples at this final Passover Meal, aka what some refer to as “The Last Supper.” To see historical evidence for his, go to this link:


Because the Afikomen is something eaten at the end, it reminds us of when our Messiah declared that moving forward (after his Passover meal), he would no longer be eating the Passover meal with his disciples until the end, when he returns to set up his kingdom here on earth (Luke 22:16). 

It also tells us that at the end, the Yahuwdiym (Jews) who search for him will find him standing on the Mount of Olives, and they shall mourn for him whom they have pierced (Zechariah 12:10). 

The napkin is also symbolic of the burial cloth our Messiah was wrapped in. Matzah has no leavening or yeast it it, therefore, it symbolizes that our Messiah is “That bread from heaven,” (John 6:51) who is also the sinless lamb (Exodus 12:5; 1st Peter 1:19). 

The bread being without leaven reminds us that we are to rid our lives of all sin, and that Messiah was perfect and sinless (2nd Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15). The fact that there are three pieces of the Matzah hidden reminds us that our Messiah was hidden “In the heart of the earth for three days and three nights” (Matthew 12:40).

Interestingly, the Matzah is pierced and striped before being placed in the oven. This is a prophetic picture of our Messiah who was “pierced” (Psalm 22:16; John 19:34-37; Revelation 1:7) and by his “stripes” we were healed (Isaiah 53:5; 1st Peter 2:24). 

The only person who is allowed to search for the Matzah is the youngest child in the home. This reminds us that many from the Kingdom of Yahuwdah (Judah) still are blinded to their Messiah, thus, he is “hidden” from their eyes (2nd Corinthians 3:14-16; Romans 11:7). 

The youngest child going in search of the three pieces of Matzah reminds us that those who seek after Messiah, will find him, and will be given the “Hidden Manna” (Revelation 2:17). 

For those who call this a “Rabbinical Tradition,” you couldn't be more wrong about that! Did you know that historically the Passover Seder Meal was a construct of the disciples of Yahuwshuwa? Before Messiah died on the tree, the Yahuwdiym (Jews) did not have a Seder Meal at Passover! The Passover Seder is a construct of Messiah himself and his disciples! 

The Non-Messianic Jews were then forced to come up with their own version of a Passover Seder, in an attempt to “counter” or “supplant,” the Messianic Seder! 

Our Messiah is still “HIDDEN,” from many of the Yahuwdiym (Jews), and the Afikomen is therefore, an allusion to this beautiful passage: 

Yirmeyahuw (Jeremiah) 29:13 And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart

When those from the kingdom of Judah humble themselves as children, they will find him! 

For our Messiah told us we must become “As a little child to enter into the Kingdom of Elohiym” (Matthew 18:3; Matthew 19:14). 

We are shown that we must become “The least, before becoming great” (Matthew 9:48). For those who “Humble themselves shall be exalted” (Luke 14:11; 18:4).

The First Yom Kippur in the Garden of Eden

By Maria Merola אריאל

© Copyright Double Portion Inheritance, August 2016  

Whenever someone asks me which of the seven biblical festivals is my favorite, my answer is “Yom Kippur, with Yom Teruah as a close second.” Most people will tell me that their favorite festival is either Passover, or Sukkot, and the reason for that is obvious.

Passover & Sukkot are celebrations that involve eating good food, dancing, and having a joyous time together with like-minded believers. It’s no wonder that most people choose either one of these as their answer.

Now, the glaring question remains, “Why is Yom Kippur my favorite of the seven festivals?” The most obvious reason is that it is one of the most misunderstood of all the seven festivals. Even the rabbis and sages to this day, do not fully understand the prophetic significance of this festival. However, for those of us who have an intimate relationship with our Messiah, we can see Yom Kippur typology interwoven into the narrative of the entire counsel of Scripture.

Beginning with Bereshiyth (Genesis) 3 & 4, “Yom Kippur” typology is expressed in the text, and it continues right up until the end, (in Revelation 19), when our Messiah Yahuwshuwa returns on what is called The Day of Vengeance. 

In Revelation 19:2 we see our Messiah returning on a white horse (with his bride as his army) and ready to exact his perfect justice, on all the wicked people of the earth who persecuted his people. As a matter of fact, the word “avenged” is used to describe what our Messiahs agenda will be when he returns.

Chazown (Revelation) 19:2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he has judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and has avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 

Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 34:8 For it is the day of YHWHs vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Tziyown (Zion). 

Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of YHWH, and the day of vengeance of our Elohiym; to comfort all that mourn; 

Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 63:4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. 

Yirmeyahuw (Jeremiah) 46:10 For this is the day of YHWH Elohiym of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for YHWH Elohiym of hosts has a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates. 

Luke 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

Yom Kippur has a specific prophetic purpose, as it is all about judgement on the wicked, and exacting justice for those who have been wronged. Yom Kippur language is found throughout the writings of the prophet Yeshayahuw (Isaiah), as he describes in 42:16 “Making the crooked paths straight, and righting all the wrongs. In Isaiah 58:6, Yom Kippur is the day when The oppressed go free... and every yoke is broken.” 

It is the day when everything that has been wrong with this world, (all the injustices) will finally be avenged and corrected by our Messiah. It will be on that day that the restoration of Yisra’el will begin:

Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 58:12 And they that shall be of you shall build the old waste places: you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which Elohiym has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Now you can begin to understand why that future Yom Kippur, (when our Messiah returns as a ferocious lion), is a day that I am anticipating more than any other day in history. 

And because our Messiah is also longing for justice, we too should be in one accord with him in his desire to see all things restored. Restored back to what? Back to the way they were before that old serpent, the devil, corrupted his beautiful creation.

It all began with the first sin that was ever committed. We are told that the first sin entered into the world through Adam, even though it was Chawah (Eve) who was deceived by the serpent. Why was Adam the one who was given the greater blame? 

It’s because Adam knew full-well what he was doing, for he was not deceived. Shaul (Paul) wrote in Romans 5:12, that sin entered the world through Adam, but in his letter to Timothy, he wrote that Eve was in the transgression, because she was deceived. At first glance, this seems contradictory, but I submit to you that because Adam was formed first, he bears the greater blame, as well as the greater responsibility to redeem his bride. Adam is a prophetic picture of our Messiah, while Eve is a prophetic picture of the nation of Yisra’el.

Qorintiym Aleph (1st Corinthians) And so it is written, The first man Awdam (Adam) was made a living soul; the last Awdam (Adam) was made a quickening ruwach (spirit).

This is the same thing that happened with Aharown (Aaron) who was the High Priest over Yisra’el. Aaron was guilty of forming the golden calf, and because of this, he and his sons would have to bear the guilt forever, by risking their lives once per year on Yom Kippur. 

If the High Priest had any sins in his own life that he had not repented for, he could die behind the veil, and this meant that the sins of the entire nation would not be atoned for that year. 

Adam was also a High Priest in the garden, and because of this, he would have to risk his life, (just like Aaron and his sons) by taking on the role of the priest of his household. Being responsible comes with a heavy price. A captain of a ship must be the last one to exit the ship if the ship is sinking. He lays down his life for his passengers, because he is the leader. 

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 

1st Timothy 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  

1st Timothy 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Adam was the one who was responsible for allowing sin to enter the world, because he was not deceived when he disobeyed. He knew exactly what he was doing, for he had previously been warned directly by YaHuWaH:

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 2:16 And YHWH Elohiym commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat:

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die. 

Adam was warned before Eve was even formed from his rib. Did Adam give Eve the memo? Or, did he forget? Scripture does not tell us, but its obvious that Eve knew she was not supposed to eat of the forbidden tree, because she told the serpent that she and Adam were commanded not to eat of it.

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which YHWH Elohiym had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, has Elohiym said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:  

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, Elohiym has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. 

This explains why Adam was responsible for causing sin to enter the world, because he was told directly by YaHuWaHs voice, whereas Eve was warned through Adams instruction. It is far more intimate to be instructed by the voice of Yah directly, than through another human being. 

For to be instructed directly by Yah is to receive the engrafted word into our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; James 1:21). This means that Adam sinned directly against the voice of Elohiym. Eve also transgressed, because she believed the voice of the serpent, instead of believing the instruction given by Yah.

After Adam had already been instructed by YaHuWaH not to eat of The Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil,Elohiym formed the woman out of his rib, and telling them to become as one flesh:

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 2:22 And the rib, which YHWH Elohiym had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
 
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 

After Eve had disobeyed, Adam knew that that his wife was going to be banished from the garden, and he could not bear to be without her. This was not an excuse, but Eve had been taken out of his side, and made from his rib, because she was “Bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh(Genesis 2:23). 

I am sure that Adam must have felt the heavy weight of responsibility for what his wife had done. My guess, is that he had been off somewhere playing with the animals, and not paying close attention to what Eve was doing. This is no different than today’s husbands who are caught up with sports, recreation, and television, but they often fail to function as the High Priest in their homes. The serpent must have waited for the perfect opportunity to get Eve alone (without Adams protection), so that he could entice her to eat of the forbidden tree.

Even though Scripture does not tell us when YaHuWaH “covered” Adam & Chawah (Eve), we get a hint that they were covered on Yom Kippur. The meaning of the word “kippur” (atonement), comes from another root word “kaphar” which means “to cover.”

This means the first “Day of Covering” took place in the Garden of Eden!

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did YHWH Elohiym MAKE COATS OF SKINS, AND CLOTHED THEM. 

YaHuWaH himself, manifested as the High Priest (Melchizedek), as he “walked among them” in the garden. It was the Pre-incarnate Messiah Yahuwshuwa who performed the first “Yom Kippur” sacrifice to “cover the nakedness of their sins.” 

In Leviticus 16, the High Priest is commanded to cast lots to see which of the “twin goats” is to be “killed,” and which one is to be “sent away.” Immediately after YaHuWaH “killed” a lamb (and covered Adam & Eve), he had to “send them away” as the “SCAPEGOAT.” 

Immediately after atonement was made for Adam & Eve she “CONCIEVED” and bore two sons: Qayin (Cain) & Hebel (Abel). 

This reminds me of “The Law of Jealousy,” in Numbers 5:11-31. This ordinance is a test for a woman suspected of committing adultery without a witness to corroborate. If her husband suspected her of cheating, he would take the woman to the Temple to perform this test. 

And if she passed the test, (because she had not been unfaithful), she would go home and conceive a child by her husband. This was a supernatural sign that she was innocent. Similarly, although Eve was not innocent, she was made innocent by the blood of an innocent lamb dying in her place. This explains why the Apostle Shaul (Paul) made a reference to the woman being saved in child-bearing:

1st Timothy 2:15 Notwithstanding, she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. 

The names of these two brothers tells a story of the TWO HOUSES OF YISRA’EL.

The name “Cain” (Qayin) comes from this Hebrew root word as follows:

#H7069 qanah kaw-naw' a primitive root; to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by PURCHASE (causatively, sell); by implication to own:--attain, buy(-er), teach to keep cattle, get, PROVOKE TO JEALOUSY, possess (-or), PURCHASE, RECOVER, REDEEM

*Explanation: The very definition of his name, is filled with Yom Kippur language! 

In Revelation 19, on the Day of Atonement, our Messiah will return on a white horse, and he will REDEEM, PURCHASE, and RECOVER his bride! You will also notice that this word “qanah” means “TO PROVOKE TO JEALOUSY!” 

In Romans 11:11, we are told that the Kingdom of Yahuwdah (Judah) fell from grace, and caused salvation to come to the gentiles aka “The House of Ephrayim,” in order to “Provoke Yisrael to jealousy!” 

Romiym (Romans) 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? Elohiym forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy

Therefore, Cain represents the House of Yahuwdah (Judah) because they killed their own Messiah when they shouted “CRUCIFY HIM!” 

The name Hebel (Abel) means the following: 

#H1892 hebel heh'bel or habel {hab-ale'}; from 1891; EMPTINESS OR VANITY; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb:--altogether, vain, vanity

Even though Abel was righteous, the meaning of his name has a negative connotation. Its because Abel died before he could bear children and fulfill his destiny. His life had been wasted by his brother Cain, and thus Adam & Eve had to experience the emptiness and vanity of the fallen world to where they had been sent into exile.

At Messiahs first coming, the older brother in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, symbolized the Kingdom of Judah, while the younger brother represented the Kingdom of Yisrael aka the Ten Tribes of Ephrayim, who were destined to become “A multitude of nations” (Genesis 48:19 & Romans 11:25). 

The Tribe of Judah can be compared to Cain, (the older brother), and the Tribe of Ephrayim can be compared to Abel, the younger. However both Houses of Yisra’el have “TRADED PLACESthroughout throughout history. In these last days, Judah has become more like Ephrayim, and Ephrayim has become more like Yahuwdah (Judah). 

To learn more about why Ephraiym & Judah appear to be trading places, see this blog: Two Conditions of the Human Heart Seen in Ephrayim & Judah

One would think that because Abel was righteous, his name would mean something positive, and Cains name should mean something negative. However, I suspect that there is another reason why the name Hebel means  means “emptiness, vanity, and unsatisfactory.” 

I believe it is because there is this dichotomy that is constantly taking place with the Two Houses of Yisra’el, and it is directly related to the Twin Goats for Yom Kippur, outlined in Leviticus 16. 

On Yom Kippur, the High Priest casts lots to see which of the two goats will be killed for the sins of the nation, and which of the goats will be sent away into the wilderness as the scapegoat. At various times throughout history, we see the Kingdom of Judah as the sacrificial goat, (when they were slaughtered in the Roman Siege), as well as in the Nazi Germany Holocaust.

Our Messiah came to portray the role of both goats, for both Houses of Yisra’el, so he could “Stand in the gap, and thereby repair the breach” between these two divided families. 

We can observe a pattern, that throughout the history of Yisra’el, they are constantly going through some kind of transitory process. The Ten Northern Tribes were divorced, and then sent away into exile (like the scapegoat). The Two Southern Tribes of Judah & Benjamin have also been exiled, but twice in history, they were allowed to return back to Jerusalem, to rebuild. 

Cain (who represents Judah) was guilty of slaying his brother Abel, and this is why he was sent into exile. This is just like the Kingdom of Judah who were guilty of slaying their own Messiah. Their punishment came forty years later, when they were sent into exile in the nations following the Roman Siege of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. 

Throughout history, both Houses of Yisra’el have experienced exile (like the scapegoat) and at other times they experienced being slaughtered by their enemies (like the sacrificial goat). Thus, both houses have been punished for their sins, just like the Yom Kippur Twin Goats. Therefore, neither of these two kingdoms can claim superiority over the other; and thus, they will be reconciled and reunited in the end, when Messiah returns.

Abel represents the House of Ephrayim, (because Ephrayim was the younger son of Joseph), and yet, he was given the blessing of the “first-born son.” 

Similarly, Cain was jealous of his younger brother (Abel) who was like Joseph’s brothers when they were jealous of the coat of many colors given to him by his father, Jacob. 

Cain was chronologically the first-born, but just like Esau, (who was also the biological first-born), they both hated their younger brothers, and harbored murder in their hearts.

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 4:7  If you do well, shall you not be accepted? and if you do not well, sin lies at the door. And unto you shall be his desire, and you shall rule over him.  

*Explanation: The word “accepted” is Yom Kippur language, because our Messiah came to preach “The Acceptable Year of YaHuWaH” (Isaiah 61:2 & Luke 4:19), and thus setting free the captives from the curse of sin and death.

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 

Qayin (Cain) is an archetype for all the future older brothers who were jealous of their younger brothers, and sought to slay them, thereby taking the inheritance. Esau was also like Cain, because he had the wrong attitude, and was willing to forfeit his inheritance for that which was temporary. And because Jacob valued his inheritance, Esau hated him. 

Malakiy (Malachi) 1:3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. 

Romiym (Romans) 9:13 As it is written, Yaaqob (Jacob) have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Qayin (Cain) represents the “SCAPEGOAT,” because he was “SENT AWAY.” 

Hebel (Abel) represents the “SACRIFICIAL GOAT” because he was “SLAIN.” 

Thus, in one respect, Cain is like the Kingdom of Judah, because he hated and killed his brother, (just as Judah killed their own Messiah). But in another way, Cain also is also like the Ten Northern Tribes of Ephrayim, because they were divorced and sent away into the Assyrian Captivity, as was Cain. 

Abel in one way, represents the Kingdom of Judah, because he was slain (just like our Messiah who was from Judah); but in another way, he also represents the Ten Northern Tribes of Ephrayim, because he was given the favor and blessing of the first-born, even though he was the younger son. 

Adam & Chawah (Eve) lost both of their sons as punishment for their sin in the garden. Similarly, King David (who was a King of Judah) was also punished for murdering Bathshebas husband (Uriah). David was like Cain, because he coveted his brother Uriahlittle lamb (Bathsheba). But the prophet Nathan caught David in his sinfulness and lies, when he told him a parable. This parable contains the same recurring them of Yom Kippur typology. 

ShemuwEL Beyt (2nd Samuel) 12:1 And YHWH sent Nathan unto Dawiyd (David). And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.  

*Explanation: The rich man is symbolic of Judah & Cain, while the poor man is symbolic of Ephrayim & Abel.

ShemuwEL Beyt (Samuel) 12:2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:  

ShemuwEL Beyt (Samuel) 12:3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.  

ShemuwEL Beyt (Samuel) 12:4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor mans lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. 

*Explanation: The Prophet Nathan knew about the sins that David was hiding. So rather than confront him about it directly, he told him this parable to show David how his sin grieved YaHuWaH.

When David heard the story, he was enraged that the rich man stole the poor mans only female lamb and killed it so that he could entertain his guest.

ShemuwEL Beyt (Samuel) 12:5 And Dawiyd(Davids) anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As YHWH lives, the man that has done this thing shall surely die:  

ShemuwEL Beyt (Samuel) 12:6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.  

ShemuwEL Beyt (Samuel) 42:7 And Nathan said to David, You are the man....

David tried to cover his sin with Bathsheba by killing her husband, Uriah. This is just like Adam & Eve trying to coverthe nakedness of their sin with fig leaves. David was also like Cain, because he also tried to cover his sin with a lie: 

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 4:9 And YHWH said unto Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brothers keeper?

David coveted Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba whose name in Hebrew means “Daughter of an oath!” 

Her name is loaded with Yom Kippur typology, for it is the High Priest, Malkiy-Tzedeq (Melchizedek) who was sworn into his office by an oath, for he is the Kinsman Redeemer, and the only one who is able to redeem Yisra’el from their sins. 

David is the one who wrote in Psalm 110:4 about Melchizedek being sworn with an oath for the day of judgement and wrath, which will be on Yom Kippur:

Tehilliym (Psalm) 110:1 YHWH has sworn, and will not repent, You are a priest forever after the order of Malkiy-Tzedeq (Melchizedek).  

Tehilliym (Psalm) 110:5 Adonay at your right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.  

Tehilliym (Psalm) 110:6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. 

In Genesis 4:15, YaHuWaH pronounced “VENGEANCE” on anyone who slays Cain: 

“And YHWH said unto him, Therefore whosoever slays Qayin (Cain), VENGEANCE shall be taken on him SEVENFOLD. And YHWH set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.” 

And what is the mark that was place on Cain? To find out, see my other blog: What is the Mark of Cain?

On “The Seventh Day Sabbath Millennium,” the Future “DAY OF VENGEANCE,” on Yom Kippur, Yahuwshuwa will finally REDEEM, PURCHASE & RECOVER all that the enemy has stolen from Adam & Chawah (Eve) and their TWO SONS, who represent “BOTH HOUSES OF YISRA’EL!” 

Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 61:2 To proclaim the Acceptable year of YHWH, and THE DAY OF VENGEANCE OF OUR ELOHIYM; to comfort all that mourn; 

Chazown (Revelation) 19:2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he has judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and has AVENGED the blood of his servants at her hand. 

When YaHuWaH sent Adam & Chawah (Eve) out of the garden, they too were a prophetic picture of the Twin Goats on Yom Kippur. 

To learn more about how our Messiah fulfilled the Twin Goats for Yom Kippur, see this blog: The Yom Kippur Twin Goats Fulfilled in Messiah.











Friday, April 15, 2022

Are You a Branch from the Vine or a Christian?

By Maria Merola אריאל 
© Copyright Double Portion Inheritance, August 2004-2022

To give you a little bit of history, the title “Christian” existed 1,000 years before our Messiah came to earth. 

The Greek word “Christianos” means “A follower of Christos.” 

What is a “Christos?” 

The Greeks referred to all their pagan deities as “Christos.” 

False gods such as: Zeus, Apollo, Poseidon, Mercury, etc., these were all called “Christos!” 

Therefore, be “A follower of Christos” simply meant that you followed “A Greek deity” of some kind. 

The Hebrew word is “Mashiyach” (Messiah), and it means “to smear or rub with oil, to anoint.” 

The anointed one that was prophesied to come in the Hebrew TaNaKh (Old Testament) is more specific, and this is why those of us who have left The Mother Harlot Church system, (as Revelation 18:4 commands), no longer go by the title “Christian.” 

We recognize that as a “whole,” Christianity has rejected the Mosaic Law (Towrah), as they wrongly teach that our Messiah nailed his own commandments “To the cross.” 

This is due to a misunderstanding of Colossians chapter 2. See my blog explaining what was nailed to the cross. What Was Blotted Out in Colossians 2?

The disciples did not refer to themselves as “Christians.” It was those who lived in Antioch Syria that first came up with the nick-name “Christian” (see Acts 11:26). The disciples called themselves “Nazarenes,” which is an English translation for “Natzariym” (branches). 

Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Natzariym (Nazarene)

Acts 24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Natzariym (Nazarene) 

Do you remember when our Messiah said that we are his BRANCHES? In the TaNaKh (Old Testament), the Messiah is referred to as “THE BRANCH” (Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah 33:15, Zechariah 6:12). 

Therefore, if he is the VINE,(the main trunk of the tree), and we are his BRANCHES, we are “Natzariym!

Yahuwshuwa ha’Mashiyach is referred to as “THE RIGHTEOUS BRANCH” in prophecy.

Yirmeyahuw (Jeremiah) 23:5 Behold, the days come, says YHWH, that I will raise unto Dawiyd (David), A RIGHTEOUS BRANCH, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. 

Yirmeyahuw (Jeremiah) 33:15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause THE BRANCH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS to grow up unto Dawiyd (David); and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. 

Zecharyahuw (Zechariah) 6:12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaks YHWH of hosts, saying, Behold THE MAN WHOSE NAME IS THE BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of YHWH.

The Greek translation of the New Testament uses the word “Nazarene,” which comes from the Hebrew word “natsar” (singular) or “natsariym” (plural). See the root words below from the Hebrew Concordance.

#H5342 netser nay’-tser from 5341 in the sense of greenness as a striking color; a shoot; figuratively, a descendant:--branch

#H5341 natsar naw-tsar’ a primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.):-- besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe, preserve, watchman.

The Apostle Shaul (Paul) called himself all three things, even though, he was from the Tribe of Benjamin: 

1.) A Hebrew. 

2.) An Yisraelite. 

3.) A Yahuwdiy (Jew). 

He was also called a “Natsariym,” (Nazarene) as well, just like our Messiah. Many people confuse the “Tribe of Judah,” with the “Kingdom of Judah.” 

Queen Esther was also from the Tribe of Benjamin, but she was called a “Yahuwdiyah,” (a Jewess), because she was from the “KINGDOM,” of Yahuwdah (Judah). 

Many people confuse the “Tribe of Judah,” with the “Kingdom of Judah.” Queen Esther was also from the Tribe of Benjamin, but she was called a “Yahuwdiyah,” (a Jewess), because she was from the “KINGDOM,” of Yahuwdah (Judah). 

In 1st Kings chapter 12 (after King Solomon died), the Kingdom was divided into Two Kingdoms: 

1.) The Two Southern Tribes of Benjamin & Judah, ruled by King Rehoboam, (the son of King Solomon). 

2.) The Ten Northern Tribes of the Kingdom of Yisra’el (Ephrayim), which was ruled by King Jeroboam. 

So you see, any person from one of the Ten Tribes of the Northern Kingdom, could decide to return to the Kingdom of Yahuwdah (Judah), and they would still retain their original tribal identity, but they would also be a citizen of the Kingdom of Judah! 

Therefore, one could be from the Tribe of Rueben, and still be called a “Yahuwdiy,” (Jew), because they decided to join the “KINGDOM,” of Yahuwdah (Judah), not the “TRIBE” of Yahuwdah (Judah).

Shaul (Paul) called himself a “Hebrew,” and also “An Yisraelite,” from the tribe of Benjamin, and also a “Yahuwdiy” (Jew). 

Acts 22:3 I am verily a man which am a Yahuwdiy (Jew), born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the Torah (law) of the fathers, and was zealous toward Elohiym, as you all are this day. 

Philippians 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, OF THE STOCK OF YISRA’EL, OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN, A HEBREW OF HEBREWS; as touching the Torah (law), a Pharisee; I am also all three things.

I too, identify as all four things:

1.) I am a “Hebrew,” because I “crossed-over,” like Abraham. 

2.) I am an “Yisraelite,because I “wrestled” with Elohiym (like Jacob), and I prevailed,aka “became an overcomer(Revelation 2 & 3). Therefore, a new name was given to me as “Arielle” (Revelation 3:10). 

3.) I am a “Yahuwdiy” (Jew), because my heart is circumcised, and I praise YaHuWaH (Romans 2:28-29; Genesis 29:35).

4.) I am a “Natzariym,” because “I am a branch from the vine” (John 15:5).

See my other blogs at the links below.



Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Maria’s Homemade Unleavened Bread (Matzah) Recipe for Passover

By Maria Merola

Description: A delicious lightly sweet, slightly salty homemade unleavened bread. You can also use this dough to make homemade Matzah Pizza. Just add Tomato Sauce or Basil Pesto, grated cheeses and toppings, and then bake on a hot Pizza Stone or Pizza Pan at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes, depending on how thick your crust is, and how many toppings you have on the Pizza. 

Yield: 6 cookie sheets 

Full Ingredients: 

¼ cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil. 
¼ cup Raw Unfiltered Honey.
 
*Hint: if you are on a low carb diet, you can substitute Stevia, Allulose, Erythritol (Swerve), or Monk Fruit Sweetener instead of honey. 

2 teaspoons Pink Himalayan Salt.  
3 Pasture-raised eggs.
1 ½ cups filtered water. 
6 to 6 ½ cups bread flour or all-purpose flour.

*I like to use a blend of Ancient Grain flours, such as Einkorn, which is not hybridized, and naturally Gluten-Free, and Non-GMO. 


Other flours I like to add to my blend are as follows: Millet, Sorghum, Spelt, Sprouted Oat Flour, Buckwheat, Ground Flax, and Psyllium Husk Powder for added fiber. See the flours I have purchased from Amazon at the links below.






You can also cut the carbs to this dough by making a blend of 50/50 Extra-Fine Almond Flour with equal parts of the other flours in a container or bowl. Then, measure the amount of blended flours according to the recipe. 

*Example: I measure out 3 cups each of the Einkorn, Sprouted Oat Flour, and Buckwheat Flour. This will make 9 cups of flour. Then, add 1 cup of Psyllium Husk Powder, 1 cup of Ground Flax, 1 cup of Oat Fiber, and 6 cups of Almond Flour to make a blend of 50/50, so that the carbs will be cut in half. I recommend this Ultra-Fine Almond Flour:


*Here is an important tip:

I always end up using more flour than what this recipe calls for. 6-7 cups is more of a starting point. You will want to keep on adding flour until it no longer sticks to your hands while kneading it. I end up using about 10 cups of flour altogether, instead of 6 cups. Just keep on adding flour until the dough no longer sticks to your hands, and it rolls off your skin. If more water is needed, you can add more water until you achieve the right consistency of dough.

*Instructions: 

1.) In a large mixing bowl, combine the oil, honey, salt, eggs, and water. Stir until well-mixed. Stir in about 4 cups of the flour, then add more flour as needed and knead into a fairly stiff dough. 

2.) Divide dough into 3 pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a large rectangle. You can make your matzah as thin or as thick as you wish; we like ours rolled fairly thin (not thicker than pie crust, for example).

3.) Cut rolled dough into squares. (I use a pizza cutter for this.) Place squares onto lightly greased baking sheets. Prick with a fork. Sprinkle with salt if desired. 

*Tip: I like to brush mine with Olive Oil, fresh Rosemary, freshly crushed garlic, and grated Asiago cheese. 

4.) Bake in a preheated 375-degree oven. For thin matzah, bake 10-11 minutes. For medium matzah, 13-14 minutes. For thick matzah, bake 15- 20 minutes or until done. Matzah should be very lightly browned on top. Over-baked matzah will be hard and not very good, so be careful to not bake too long! 

5.) Removed baked matzah from baking sheet and place on wire rack to cool, covered with a clean towel. Store in an airtight container or bag.

*Tip: I place my dough on Parchment paper, and then with a Pizza Peel, I slide it onto a hot Pizza Stone. This makes the matzah crunchy on the outside and chewy and soft on the inside.

*Additional Notes: If you have a bread machine, you can use the dough cycle for this step. Just place ingredients in machine in order listed and allow it to knead until a smooth dough has formed.

Remove dough from machine (before “rising time” has started) and proceed with step 2.

This illustration shows my homemade Matzah Pizza before adding the grated cheese. 

To make this Matzah Pizza:

1.) First, I prick holes in the dough using a fork. 

2.) Next, I spread Basil Pesto evenly all over the dough. Then I slice Heirloom tomatoes, Eggplant slices (brushed with olive oil), basil leaves and fresh Rosemary. We use Kirkland's Basil Pesto from Costco, which is by far the best in my opinion.

3.) The last step is to drizzle more Extra Virgin Olive Oil over the veggies. Sprinkle some breadcrumbs all over the drizzled oil to help soak it up (so it won’t run off the Pizza while baking). I use nut-crumbs (pecans or walnuts ground up in the food processor, to make it lower in carbs).

4.) The last step is to add grated Mozzarella, Asiago, Provolone Cheeses, etc. 

5.) Bake at 350 degrees for no more then 20-25 minutes on a Baking Pan lined with Parchment Paper (I use a Pizza Stone).

*Tip: Grate your own cheese at home. Store-bought grated cheese adds wood pulp as an anti-caking agent. Wood-pulp is harmful to your intestines, and negatively affects your gut biome.

You can also make a Dessert Matzah Pizza with Pecans, Walnuts, Butter, Cinnamon & Honey:

Dessert Pizza

To make this, follow these steps:

1.) In a mixing bowl add one block of softened Philadelphia Cream Cheese, two-three tablespoons softened butter, Stevia or other Sweetener, to your desired sweetness; Two teaspoons Vanilla Extract. 

2.) After poking holes in the dough with a fork, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough.

3.) Add chopped Pecans and Walnuts. Then drizzle the top with Honey or Maple Syrup (or a little of both). 

4.) Bake at 350 degrees for no more then 20 minutes on a Baking Pan lined with Parchment Paper.