Isaiah Sixty One Seven: October 2023

Halloween: The True Meaning

This blog was taken from the following website, with a few edits by Maria Merola.

On Halloween night, the streets of the United States (and many other countries) will be filled with children dressed in ghoulish costumes, going from door to door collecting candy.

And it’s not just for the kids. Sinful parties with demonic costumes are everywhere this time of year. However, although it seems like October 31 is a creepy commemoration of communion with the dead (and like most things over the past 2,000 years, the Catholic church played an important role in the development of the holiday).

The date of Halloween also holds a special place in the hearts of Roman Catholics, because at sundown on October 31st began “All Saints Day” on November 1st.

First, a bit of history about the origins of Halloween. Halloween has its roots in some disturbing pagan practices. Around the same time that our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa was on the earth, the Celts dominated what is now known as Ireland, the UK, and Northern France.

They celebrated the New Year on November 1st, but on the night prior to the New Year, they believed that the line between the living and the dead became blurred.

Celtic priests, or Druids, thought that this particular night allowed them to easily communicate with the dead and look into the future to foretell, or divine, things to come.

In order to conceal themselves and blend in with the evil spirits that were out in abundance this night, the Druids cloaked themselves in animal skins, skulls, bones, and whatever else they could find that looked like the spirits they wanted to talk to.

You will notice that Halloween costumes are still often associated with death.

The Day Of The Dead:

By around A.D. 43, the Roman Empire ruled the former Celtic lands. The Romans combined two of their own festivals (celebrating the Roman Goddess of fruit and a day of commemorating the dead) with the Celtic tradition of divination (mentioned earlier).

Mixing the celebrations was a good political move for the Romans. As we know from the story of Balaam, Constantine, and numerous others, the devil has used the “mixing” spirit masterfully throughout history. Sound strange so far?

It gets worse when the Catholic Church gets involved. A few hundred years later, in typical Catholic fashion of blending idolatry and Christianity, “All Saints Day” was established, and seemed to fit well with the Druid celebration of the dead.

The holy day was put on November 1, the Celtic New Year. According to the church, All Saints Day, or “All Hallows Day” is a celebration of those who have “attained the beatific vision in Heaven.”

Basically, it honors those who have died and gone to Heaven. In some cultures, people go to cemeteries to be with the souls of the departed and build private altars containing the favorite foods and beverages as well as photos and memorabilia of the departed.

The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so that the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them. November 1 is considered a “day of obligation,” which means that all Catholics must attend mass.

The Druid/Pagan celebration mentioned earlier fell on the eve of All Hallows Day (All Saints Day), so it is called Hallows Eve. Also known as Halloween. And… it gets worse (Don’t worry, it gets better at the end of the article.)

Holding to the politically-correct, all-inclusive spirit of the Catholic Church, they added another holiday on November 2. “All Souls Day” honors everyone that has died, whether they went to heaven or not.

The “or not” part is a bit disturbing, but we won’t go into that in this article. Like the previous day, in some religious festivals the people dress as the dead, attempting to welcome spirits of the departed.

This is the official “Day Of The Dead” and usually the last day of the celebration. That completes what could be the strangest three-day observance held by any religion in the world: “The Catholic Day Of The Dead Holy Days.”

Ironically, October 31st is also another historic day, when the Roman Catholic Church was dealt a deadly blow. It's something rarely referred to by the Catholic Church, preferring rather to promote evil costumes and worship of the dead.

Among Protestants in Germany, it was a little known holiday, started on October 31, 1517 that involves a church in Germany, ironically called All Saints Church.

In the “Church Age” book, it is called “Castle Church.”

This is the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany, and started the Protestant Reformation.

This explains why the Roman Catholic Church would rather honor everything demonic under the sun, rather than to acknowledge the day that Mystery Babylon Religion took a major blow in history!

Monday, October 30, 2023

Was Paul Condoning Pagan Holidays in Colossians 2:16?

By Maria Merola אריאל

The Queen of Heaven: Why Does The Church Celebrate Easter?

Christians love to use Colossians 2:16 as an excuse to observe pagan holidays, but is that what Paul was telling the Colossians?

Qolasiym (Colossians) 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days.

In Colossians 2:16, context is key!

Sha’ul (Paul) was telling the Colossians not to allow anyone to judge them for keeping the weekly and annual Sabbaths, according to Leviticus 23.

He was telling them not to allow anyone to judge them for observing the new moons according to Scripture (Deuteronomy 16:1), and for obeying the commandment to eat lamb for Passover in remembrance of Messiah (Exodus 12:8-9; Luke 22:19; 1st Corinthians 11:24-25).

You see, Paul was addressing the Essenes (who are to this day, into Gnosticism). For a more detailed explanation about Gnosticism, please see my other blog: What Was Blotted Out in Colossians 2?

The Essenes have many unbiblical practices such as ultra-strict ways of observing the Sabbath. To learn more about who these people are, see my other blogs:

What Are the Doctrines of the Essenes?

Why Are There 66 Books in the Bible?

The Essenes were also known for not rescuing their animal if it falls into a ditch on the Sabbath days. However, our Messiah corrected that practice, by telling us that keeping the 7th day holy should always be accompanied by saving life and doing good (Mark 3:4 & Luke 6:9).

The Essenes are still (to this day) into worshiping angels, and they do not believe in eating meat.

*Disclaimer: If you are a vegetarian or a vegan for health reasons, this is fine, but it should not be forced upon others as a doctrine leading to holiness, or to earn salvation. However, we are commanded to eat lamb for Passover once per year.

The Essenes also judged the Yahuwdiym (Jews) for drinking wine on Passover, (as our Messiah did to demonstrate his covenant meal). They also judged the Yahuwdiym (Jews) for eating lamb for Passover, because they are strict Vegetarians.

They believed in keeping a Vegan Passover (which is not biblical). This reminds me of Cain, who was unwilling to offer up lambs to YaHuWaH, (like his brother Abel). Cain would only offer up vegetables, which was not an acceptable offering. Now, I know what many of you are thinking. You are saying to yourselves "But our Messiah was the ultimate sacrifice, therefore, we should not have to sacrifice lambs any longer."

What many fail to understand, is that the blood of bulls and goats NEVER TOOK AWAY SINS IN THE FIRST PLACE!

We do not sacrifice lambs for Passover because we think this must be done to atone for our sins. Our Messiah has always been in eternity “The lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8).

Yahuwshuwa commanded us to keep the Passover “IN REMEMBRANCE” of him----not as a means to having our sins atoned for!

Shemoth (Exodus) 12:14 And THIS DAY SHALL BE UNTO YOU FOR A MEMORIAL; and YOU SHALL KEEP IT A FEAST to YHWH throughout your generations; YOU SHALL KEEP IT A FEAST BY AN ORDINANCE FOREVER.

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

Qorintiym Aleph (1st Corinthians) 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: THIS DO IN REMEMRANCE OF ME.

Qorintiym Aleph (1st Corinthians) 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the Renewed Covenant in my blood: this do you, as often as you drink it, IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

The Essenes do not believe in observing biblical new moons (according to Deuteronomy 16:1 2nd Chronicles 23:31; Ezra 3:5; Nehemiah 10:33).

Their new moons are to this day observed on a full moon, rather than at the first sliver.

This is because of a misunderstanding in Psalm 81:3. To learn more about how to observe a biblical New Moon, see my other blog: What Constitutes a Biblical New Moon?

Here is the break-down of what Colossians chapter 2 is telling us:

Qolasiym (Colossians) 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

Qolasiym (Colossians) 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Messiah.

*Explanation: The word “IS” is in italics in Colossians 2:17, therefore, it was not there, in the original text. It was added by the English translators.

Paul is saying “Let no man judge you......but the body of Messiah.”

In other words, only those who are obeying our Messiah are allowed to judge you in these matters, not the Essenes.

Qolasiym (Colossians) 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

*Explanation: The Gnostic Essenes are into worshiping to angels, praying to the dead, and worshiping deceased saints (like Roman Catholicism).

Qolasiym (Colossians) 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increases with the increase of Elohiym.

*Explanation: Basically, the Essenes are not under the “headship” or authority of Messiah, as they had dismembered themselves from the body of Messiah.

They did not believe in following the Temple ordinances of that day, and they kept to themselves, making up their own rules (which were often against the Laws of Yah).

Qolasiym (Colossians) 2:20 Wherefore if you be dead with Messiah from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances...

*Explanation: Sha’ul (Paul) uses the Greek word for “ordinances,” which is “dogmatizo.” This word means to follow man-made rituals and ordinances, rather than the commandments of Yah.

Qolasiym (Colossians) 2:21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Qolasiym (Colossians) 2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

*Explanation: The Gnostic Essenes were practicing “DOCTRINES & COMMANDMENTS OF MEN!”

They were not practicing the commandments of YaHuWaH properly, and even to this day, the Essenes hold to a lot of pagan mixture, man-made rules and regulations.

Sha’ul was explaining the practice of the Essenes when he says “Do not touch, do not handle, do not taste meat or wine” (which are man-made restrictions).

We are allowed to drink wine in small amounts during the Feasts of YaHuWaH, without getting drunk.

Sha’ul also addresses these restrictions in 1st Timothy 4:1-4, calling them “Doctrines of Devils.” The doctrines of the Essenes are very much like Roman Catholicism, which forces abstinence from meat on certain Catholic holidays such as “Good Friday.” Few people realize that this custom originates with the worship of Tammuz (Ezekiel 8:14). To learn more, see these other blogs:

Did Rome Replace Passover With Easter?

Roman Catholicism (like the Essenes) also enforces abstinence from marriage for nuns and priests, which violates the commandment in Genesis 1:22-28 to “Be fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth.”

The Essenes also force abstinence from biblically allowable meat (from clean animals). Paul used the Greek word “broma” in 1st Timothy 4:3, which literally means “Foods allowed under the Mosaic Law.” He is telling us that we are allowed to eat meat from animals that are acceptable as food in Leviticus 11.

Qolasiym (Colossians) 2:23 Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

*Explanation: The Essenes are like Roman Catholic Monks in Monasteries who believe that they are more holy if they abstain from meat, and flagellate themselves (whip themselves with leather straps).

They deceive themselves into believing that they are displaying humility, but they are actually satisfying their flesh, by appearing to be holy outwardly for a show.

Sha’ul (Paul) addresses pagan holidays again in his letter to the Galatians.

Galatiym (Galatians) 4:

8 Howbeit then, when you knew not Elohiym, you did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

9 But now, after that you have known Elohiym, or rather are known of Elohiym, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage?

10 You observe days, and months, and times, and years.

When Sha’ul uses the phrase “weak and beggarly elements,” this is referring to occult practices, such as witchcraft, and worshiping the elements within creation. The elements of the Zodiac and Alchemy or Witchcraft are as follows: fire, earth, metal, water, wood.

Let me paraphrase of what Sha’ul is saying:

“When you did not know the Creator, of heaven and earth, the Almighty Elohiym of Abraham, Yitzchaq (Isaac) & Ya’aqob (Jacob), (and you were pagans), you served other gods by worshipping the created things in nature.

However, now that you know the Elohiym of Yisra’el, why are you turning again to the weak elements of nature, such as holidays patterned after the zodiac signs?

Why do you desire to be in bondage again to paganism? You observe pagan pagan sun-god worshiping holidays patterned after the zodiac signs; you follow your astrological forecast, by observing times and years etc.”

Deuteronomy 18:10-11 forbids us from using the Zodiac signs for fortune-telling purposes, as this is called “An abomination to YaHuWaH.”

To learn more, see my other blog: Is There a Difference Between Astronomy & Astrology?

Contrary to what some are falsely teaching, the crescent moon (the sliver) is NOT a Babylonian tradition. As a matter of fact, we are told repeatedly that YaHuWaH has appointed the new moons for keeping the appointed times & seasons.

The Hebrew word for “times and seasons” is “mowediym,” which are the annual festivals. The Hebrew word for “moon” is “yareach,” whereas a renewed lunar cycle is called “chodesh.” Because of this, some argue that a chodesh simply means a “month,” and that no sighting of the moon is needed to establish a new month.

Tehilliym (Psalm) 89:37 It shall be established forever as the moon [yareach], and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.

Tehilliym (Psalm) 104:19 He appointed the moon [yareach] for seasons: the sun knows his going down.

Yirmeyahuw (Jeremiah) 31:35-36 Thus says YHWH, which gives the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon [yareach] and of the stars for a light by night, which divides the sea when the waves thereof roar; YHWH of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, says YHWH, then the seed of Yisrael also shall cease from being a nation before me forever.

The first sliver of the moon is the biblical Renewed Moon, according to Deuteronomy 16:1.

Debariym (Deuteronomy) 16:1 Observe [shamar] the month [chodesh] of Abib, and keep the Passover unto YHWH your Elohiym: for in the month of Abib YHWH your Elohiym brought you forth out of Mitzrayim (Egypt) by night.

In Hebrew, the word “observe” is “shamar,” which means “To watch narrowly for.” There is no need “To watch narrowly for” a full moon, because it has been waxing for two weeks by the time it’s at its fullest.

There is also no need to “To watch narrowly” for a dark moon, because a dark moon can be visible for up to 2-3 nights in a row, therefore, which of the 2 or 3 dark moons do you reckon as the New Moon? See my other blog: What Constitutes a Biblical New Moon?

Also, since a dark moon can be invisible for 2-3 nights, it is not necessary to “watch narrowly” for it. The only phase that requires “watching narrowly for” is the sliver!

The full moon is not the new moon!

The notion of the full moon being the new moon comes from a misunderstanding of Psalm 81:3. There are three Pilgrimage Feasts out of the seven feasts, and three of them fall on the 15th day of the month, which means they land on a full moon.

These three feasts are as follows:

1.) Unleavened Bread.

2.) Feast of Weeks (Pentecost).

3.) Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).

YaHuWaH knew that all Yisraelite men would be traveling three times in the year to keep the Pilgrimage Feasts in Jerusalem, so he gave them “greater light” (a full moon) to travel by on the 15th day of the month.

The other 4 feasts are not Pilgrimage Feasts, (and do not require traveling to Jerusalem), therefore, greater light was not needed on these other feasts. The Feast of Trumpets is not a Pilgrimage Feast, and it falls on the 1st day of the 7th Hebrew month of Ethaniym (also called Tishri).

In Revelation 12:1-5, we have the Astronomical Record showing us that on the Feast of Trumpets in 3 B.C., our Messiah was born, and the constellation of Bethulah (the Virgin) had the first sliver of the new moon underneath her feet!

We also know from the Astronomical Record, that this was on the 1st day of the 7th Hebrew month, which is the Feast of Trumpets!

The reason why the Feast of Trumpets is prophetically called “The Day that No Man Knows,” is because it is the only feast that cannot begin, until the Watchmen in Jerusalem sighted the first visible sliver of the moon!

If the New Moon was the full moon, there would be no reason to refer to the Feast of Trumpets as “The Day that No Man Knows!”

The reason why so many are now falsely claiming that the New Moon is the Full Moon, is because they misunderstand Psalm 81:3. Psalm 81:3 is better understood, by consulting the entire counsel of Scripture.

From the following passages, we understand that there are three Pilgrimage Feasts in the year. Therefore, Psalm 81:3 delineates three separate and distinct purposes for blowing the shofar.

Tehilliym (Psalm) 81:3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, [and] in the time appointed, [and] on our solemn feast day.

1.) Blow the shofar at every new moon (twelve months in the year). 2.) Blow the shofar at the three appointed times or Pilgrimage Feasts (three times in the year).

3.) Blow the shofar on the other non-Pilgrimage Feasts (weekly and annual Sabbaths).

Another corroborating witness in Scripture (which helps us understand Psalm 81:3) is when King Solomon offered up burnt offerings on the altar:

Dibrey ha’Yamiym Shaniy (2nd Chronicles) 8:13 Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Mosheh (Moses), ON THE SABBATHS, and ON THE NEW MOONS, and ON THE SOLEMN FEASTS, THREE TIMES IN THE YEAR, even in THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD, and in THE FEAST OF WEEKS, and in THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES.

Once again, there are three separate, and distinct times for offering up burnt offerings in the Temple:

1.) On the weekly and annual sabbaths.

2.) On the new moons.

3.) On the three Pilgrimage Feasts (Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks, Tabernacles).

Shemoth (Exodus) 23:14 Three times you shall keep a feast unto me in the year.

Shemoth (Exodus) 23:17 Three times in the year all your males shall appear before YHWH Elohiym.

Debariym (Deuteronomy) 16:16 Three times in a year shall all your males appear before YHWH your Elohiym in the place which he shall choose; in THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD, and in THE FEAST OF WEEKS, and in THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES: and they shall not appear before YHWH empty:

Malakiym Rishown (1st Kings) 9:25 And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto YHWH, and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before YHWH. So he finished the house.

Saturday, October 28, 2023

He Led Captivity Captive & Gave Gifts Unto Men

By Maria Merola אריאל

Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Messiah.

What kind of gift did our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa give his followers when he died for us on the tree? Was it a 2,000-year-long dirt nap, while the worms eat our flesh? What kind of gift would that be?

Does our Soul Sleep in the Grave When We Die?

Why did our Messiah say concerning Jairus’s daughter that she is “not dead,” but only sleeping? I can only offer one of two explanations. I believe it is possible that she was unconscious or in a coma, but not dead yet. However, that is unlikely.

The other explanation, is that it was not time for her to die yet, therefore, the term “sleeping” was a way of letting them know that her condition was not a permanent one, for he knew that she was going to be raised from the dead, or in other words "awakened" or resurrected!

Mark 5:39 And when he was come in, he said unto them, Why make you this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleeps.

Luke 8:52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleeps.

There are a few other examples in Scripture of people who had died, but they are also described as sleeping:

Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

John 11:11 These things said he: and after that he said unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

1st Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Yahuwshuwa died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Yahuwshuwa will Elohiym bring with him.

Once again, in all of the above passages, these righteous souls are not meant to be dead forever. In Revelation 20:6, we read about the unrighteous souls experiencing “the second death,” which is spiritual, and permanent.

John 8:52 Then said the Yahuwdiym (Jews) unto him, Now we know that you have a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and you say, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.

Why would our Messiah make the outlandish claim that we shall “never taste death” if we keep his word? Because he was not speaking about a physical death, he was speaking about spiritual death, which is described in Revelation 20:6 as “the second death.”

YaHuWaH warned Adam & Eve that if they ate of “the tree of knowledge of good and evil” that they would die in that same day:

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.

YaHuWaH told them that they would die on the very same day that they ate of this forbidden fruit. But they did not die physically after eating of the tree. They did not drop-dead on the spot. This can only mean one thing. Yah was speaking of “spiritual death,” aka “the second death.”

Now we understand what he meant when he said that those who keep his words “shall never taste of death.” He was telling us that we would “never taste spiritual death or the second death!”

What a wonderful promise that our Messiah gave us, that we should never taste spiritual death! Therefore, our soul and spirit being one, as our “neshema” it is impossible for us to experience soul sleep. The only thing that dies is our mortal body!

John 11:26 And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Believe you this?

This goes right along with what Shaul (Paul) wrote:

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Adam & Eve became carnally-minded when they disobeyed and ate of the forbidden tree. Thus, they forfeited their spiritual mind, which leads to life. With our spiritual mind we serve the Torah (the instructions) of our Creator. But with our flesh, we serve a different law, called “the law of sin and death,” (Romans 8:2).

Romans 7:25 I thank Elohiym through Yahuwshuwa Mashiyach our Master. So then with the mind I myself serve the Torah (law) of Elohiym; but with the flesh the law of sin.

1st Corinthians 2:16 For who has known the mind of YHWH, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Messiah.

The idea of “soul sleep” is a construct of the Seventh Day Adventists, and it is not supported by the entire counsel of Scripture.

To fully understand what “soul sleep” would mean for us, we should look at the Hebrew definition for “soul.” There are two Hebrew words for soul:

#5315 nephesh neh'-fesh from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, soul.

#5397 nshamah nesh-aw-maw' from 5395; a puff, i.e. wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. or (concretely) an animal:--blast, (that) breath(-eth), inspiration, soul, spirit.

In both of these definitions, we see that it means “A breathing creature!” But a dead person has stopped breathing! We see a glaring contradiction, here. How can a dead person continue to breathe?

Genesis 2:7 And YHWH Elohiym formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

The phrase “living soul” in Hebrew is “chay nephesh,” which means “A living, breathing creature!” Therefore, the idea of “soul-sleep” is an oxymoron, because a dead person is no longer breathing.

When our Messiah died on the cross, it says that he “gave up his spirit!” In other words, his spirit and soul (neshema) left his body!

Luke 23:46 And when Yahuwshuwa had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

The Greek word for “spirit,” is as follows:

#4151. pneuma pnyoo'-mah from 4154; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life. Compare 5590.

#5590. psuche psoo-khay' from 5594; breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from 4151, which is the rational and immortal soul.

In Luke 23:16, the King James Version uses the word “ghost,” which is a different word than “spirit,” (#4151).

The English word “ghost,” means the following:

#1606 ekpneō to breathe out, breathe out one’s life, breathe one’s last, expire.

In other words, as our Messiah was sending his spirit (ruwach) back to the Father, as “the breath of life” was leaving him! Therefore, to claim that a “rational soul,” can still be breathing after death, defies the very definition of what it means to be dead.

Death means that one’s spirit and soul (neshema) has left their body, and they have gone back to the Father in heaven.

It only “appears” that they are sleeping, (but they are not), because their soul and spirit have departed, and their body is merely an empty shell.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit (ruwach) shall return unto Elohiym who gave it.

Abraham’s Bosom

In Luke 16:19-31, our Messiah told a true account of Lazarus, Abraham, & the rich man, and all three of them were conscious, aware, and able to communicate with one another.

Some people will argue that the story of Lazarus and the rich man is only a parable. However, when our Messiah taught in parables, he never mentioned real people. He began his parables by speaking about a fictitious character. As an example, he would say something like “There was a certain man...”

However in the story of Lazarus, he mentioned Abraham, Moses, Lazarus, and the rich man. If our Messiah was telling a fictitious story, we would have to accuse him of being a tale-bearer, and bearing false witness about these real-life characters. Obviously, our Messiah would never have spoken falsehoods about Abraham & Moses.

You see, only the body decays in the dirt, but our spirit and soul (neshema) goes immediately to be with YaHuWaH in Paradise!

And where exactly is Paradise?

There are only three places in Scripture, where the word “paradise” is used, and in all three instances, it is obviously speaking about the third heaven at the throne of Elohiym.

Our Messiah told the thief next to him on the cross, that he would be joining him that very same day in paradise, which is at the throne in heaven:

Luke 23:43 And Yahuwshuwa said unto him, Verily I say unto you, Today shall you be with me in paradise.

And how do we know that paradise, is at the throne of Elohiym in heaven? The Apostle Shaul (Paul) tells us about a man who as caught up to “The third heaven,” which is the same place that is referred to as “paradise.”

2nd Corinthians 12:2 I knew a man in Messiah above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: Elohiym knows;) such a one caught up to the third heaven.

2nd Corinthians 12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: Elohiym knows;)

2nd Corinthians 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

And finally, we learn from the revelation that our Messiah gave to the Apostle Yahuwchanon (John) that only those who overcome the world, will eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of paradise, aka heaven:

Revelation 2:7 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the assemblies; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of Elohiym.

2nd Corinthians 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from YHWH:

2nd Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight:

2nd Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with YHWH.

Revelation 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of Elohiym, and for the testimony which they held:

Revelation 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O YHWH, holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

Revelation 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

Revelation 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our Elohiym which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

Post-crucifixion qodeshiym (saints) are brought before the throne in heaven as his “FIRST-FRUITS WAVE SHEAF OFFERING!”

That’s why it says the following in Ephesians 4:

Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he said, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

*Explanation: Who was in captivity, and who did he give gifts to?

In Luke 16:22, we are told that all righteous souls (Pre-crucifixion) went to a place called ABRAHAM’S BOSOM, which is in the Lower Parts of the Earth!

What kind of gift did he give to those in Abraham’s Bosom?

If you keep on reading, it says that he “DESCENDED FIRST” to the lower parts of the earth (Abraham’s Bosom).

Then, he “ASCENDED UP FAR ABOVE ALL HEAVENS,” which is what Scripture calls “The Third Heaven,” aka “Paradise!”

Ephesians 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

Ephesians 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

What things did Messiah fulfill?

Leviticus 23:20 And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the FIRST-FRUITS FOR A WAVE OFFERING before YHWH, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to YHWH for the priest.

Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, WHICH HAVE THE FIRST-FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, WAITING FOR THE ADOPTION, THE REDEMPTION OF THE BODY.

Ya’aqob (James) 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of FIRST-FRUITS of his creatures.

Pre-crucifixion qodeshiym (saints) went to Abraham’s Bosom upon death (in the lower parts of the earth).

Why did Messiah descend into the lower parts of the earth?

To redeem all those righteous souls that were in captivity in Abraham’s Bosom! (Luke 16:22).

That is the gift he gave us, which is Eternal Life with him in Paradise!

Many people like to cite this passage as so-called proof that nobody goes to heaven:

Yahuwchanon (John) 3:13 And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

This passage is telling us that nobody has BODILY ASCENDED YET!

How do we know that is what John 3:13 is conveying?

The context of John 3:13 is better understood, when reading the previous verses of John 3:1-12.

The interaction that took place between our Messiah and Nicodemus was BEFORE the resurrection, and our Messiah was explaining that up until that point “no man” had ascended into heaven yet!

Yahuwchanon (John) 3:

3 Yahuwshuwa answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of Elohiym.

4 Nicodemus said unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Yahuwshuwa answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of Elohiym.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Ruwach (Spirit) is ruwach (spirit).

*Explanation: our Messiah is making a distinction here between being born physically, (via the water in the amniotic sack of a womb), and being born spiritually from above (from heaven).

Yahuwchanon (John) 3:

7 Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again.

8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell where it comes, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Ruwach (Spirit).

9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

10 Yahuwshuwa answered and said unto him, Are you a master of Yisrael, and know not these things?

11 Verily, verily, I say unto you, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and you receive not our witness.

12 If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

Yahuwshuwa was explaining to Nicodemus the difference between being born naturally into this world, and being born spiritually from above. This is the reason why he explained to Nicodemus that no man had ascended yet into heaven!

You see, moving forward, our Messiah was going to descend into the lower parts of the earth (following his death on the tree), and he would then bring those righteous souls in Abraham’s Bosom up to the 3rd heaven (Paradise), before the throne as his “FIRST FRUITS WAVE-SHEAF OFFERING!”

In 1st Corinthians 15:44, we are told that there is “A NATURAL BODY & A SPIRITUAL BODY.”

The spiritual body that we receive upon death houses our spirit and soul (neshama), until that future event, when all those who died in Messiah will be given a permanent, incorruptible, glorified body.

Here is the Hebrew word for the spirit and soul:

#H5397 nshamah nesh-aw-maw' from 5395; a puff, i.e. wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect or (concretely) breath, inspiration, soul, spirit.

Therefore, the spiritual body that followers of Messiah receive upon death, is only a temporary one (which houses our neshesma), until that future day, when the bride of Messiah corporately receives “The redemption of the body.”

Examples of the use of the word “neshama” can be found in the creation account, when YaHuWaH breathed into the nostrils of mankind, giving him breath:

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 2:7 And YHWH Elohiym formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life [neshama]; and man became a living soul [chay nephesh].

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 7:22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of life [neshama], of all that was in the dry land, died.

Yechezqel (Ezekiel) 37:1-14 bears this out, because we are told that when the corporate bride of Messiah is brought up from their graves, they will be given “New skin, flesh, and bones!”

So what is a “spiritual body?”

Our spiritual body houses our neshama—our soul and spirit, (upon death), until that future event known in Ezekiel 37, as “The Valley of the Dry Bones.”

This is when our spirit and soul (neshema) will join our new glorified bodies!

In the meantime, our neshema is being held by a temporary, spiritual body in heaven.

Post-Crucifixion, when an unbeliever dies, he goes immediately to the torment side of Hades aka “Sheol or Hell.”

At the final judgment, Sheol (Hades or Hell) will be emptied before “The Great White Throne,” where its occupants will be judged prior to entering the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:13–15).

On the other hand, when a believer in Messiah dies today, (Post-Crucifixion), he is “ABSENT FROM THE NATURAL BODY, AND PRESENT WITH YaHuWaH” in heaven (2nd Corinthians 5:6–9).

There, he joins those who were redeemed by our Messiah from Abraham’s Bosom, as they are given “The First-fruits of the Spirit...until the redemption of the body!” (Romans 8:23).

A resurrection awaits everyone—either a resurrection to eternal life or a resurrection to “Shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2).

Scripture clearly states that Post-Crucifixion believers who have died, will have their bodies resurrected at the event we call the “Harpazo” (Post-Tribulation Rapture), aka the catching away of the bride (1st Thessalonians 4:16–17).

Both the Pre-Crucifixion & Post-Crucifixion followers of Yah will be joined to their glorified, immortal bodies at the end of the tribulation period, when Yahuwshuwa returns to earth to set up his millennial kingdom (Isaiah 26:19; Hosea 13:14).

But their neshema (soul/spirit) will be awaiting the redemption of their bodies in Paradise before the throne (Revelation 6:9-11 & 7:9-17).

Monday, October 23, 2023

What Are You Grafted Into?

By Maria Merola אריאל