Balaam’s motive was greed, but what he actually did was what almost got him killed!
Today, what Balaam did serves as a warning to all of Yahuweh’s people. In this writing, we will summarise what Scripture reveals about what Balaam did. We will then see that what Balaam did is a warning for all Believers today. The Reader is urged, however, to read the Scriptures for himself, and cease hearing the teaching that leads us astray (Prov 19:27).
Thus as a preface, the Reader is encouraged to study the Scriptures, to see exactly what Balaam did. We should look carefully to find exactly what Balaam’s iniquity was — what Balaam did, even before the angel of Yahuweh became angry with Balaam, and stood in the Way with sword drawn, intending to kill him.
Notice that Balaam’s iniquity had already occurred — even before Balaam arrived at his destination, even before Balaam prophesied, and before he could influence or cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel. (See Numbers chapters 22-25; Num 31:16; 2 Pet 2:15; Jude 1:11; Rev 2:14-16).
Before we summarise what Balaam did, let’s first look at the warning given to us today.
The Doctrine of Balaam: The Warning
In the Book of Revelation, Yahushua gives this warning for His people today:
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication… 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (Revelation 2:14,16)
Here we see Yahushua gives us the following warnings:
- Yahushua is giving us a revelation, a ‘revealing’ for His people today, that we are holding on strongly to the Doctrine of Balaam. Although we have not realised this, Yahushua is revealing this Truth to us, as part of our necessary cleansing and preparation as a Bride. We must first be aware of any problem, before we can remedy it.
- Yahushua is then telling us the results of our having held to the Doctrine of Balaam. He tells us that this doctrine has resulted in idolatry and fornication among His people! Some examples of this idolatry will be seen later in this writing.
- Yahushua is also giving us the only remedy of holding to the doctrine of Balaam: to repent, and change direction. Even as Born-again Believers, we have all been walking in ‘our own’ ways. Those who desire to be among ‘My People’ must choose, however, to walk in Yahuweh’s way.
- For those of us who claim to be among His people, and do not repent, He will fight against us (the unrepentant among us) with the ‘Sword’ of His mouth.
For those who desire to press in, to know Him, to love Him and to please Him, this is a very serious matter. We would want to find out exactly what the Doctrine of Balaam is, so we can repent from it!
Therefore this writing is for those who have a repentant heart, and who desire to prepare themselves, to make themselves ready to go into the presence of the Bridegroom-King.
But before we see what the Doctrine of Balaam is, let’s first look at the great danger it poses, both to individuals and to congregations.
The Doctrine of Balaam: The Great Danger
Again, the Reader is encouraged to read through these Scripture passages, to see exactly what Balaam did, and to notice why Yahuweh became angry with him. (See Numbers chapters 22-25; Num 31:16; 2 Pet 2:15; Jude 1:11; Rev 2:14-16).
We are told of the Error of Balaam in Jude 1:11, and the Way of Balaam in 2Pet 2:15. We see the Counsel of Balaam in Num 31:16. Then in Rev 2:14-16 we see the Doctrine of Balaam.
Let’s first notice the progression. When someone commits the Error of Balaam (what Balaam actually did), he is in danger of walking in the Way of Balaam (repeatedly committing the Error of Balaam), unless he repents.
Continuing to walk in the Way of Balaam, without repentance, results in speaking the Counsel of Balaam (the words of Balaam), also called the Doctrine of Balaam (the teaching, by word and by example, of the Way of Balaam). Walking in the Counsel or Doctrine of Balaam then results in a plague coming upon the entire congregation (Num 31:16). Beloved, this warning in Scripture is for us today! Messiah gives us this warning, so that we might see and understand that this plague is happening today to those congregations that continue to embrace the Doctrine of Balaam!
We may summarise that the Doctrine of Balaam originates as 1) the practice of the Error of Balaam, committed in the lives of the teachers and spiritual leaders, which 2) later becomes an example seen in the lives and teachings of the spiritual Leadership as the Counsel of Balaam and Doctrine of Balaam, which 3) results in the Error of Balaam being committed in the lives of their followers [the people], and which results in the entire congregation engaged in idolatry and [spiritual] fornication, for which the people will be judged (2Pet 2:1-15; Jude 1:4, 11).
But what is the Doctrine of Balaam? And what is the Error of Balaam? What did Balaam do — that almost got him killed?
Let’s summarise what we see in the Scriptures.
The Doctrine of Balaam: What it Is
First, notice Yahuweh told Balaam, “You shall not go with them…” (Num 22:12). At first Balaam agreed to that word, but later, with the possibility of riches and fame, Balaam decided to ask Yahuweh again.
So later Yahuweh told Balaam, “If the men come to call you, rise up and go with them” (Num 22:20).
Then in the morning, Balaam went with the men (Num 22:21) — and next we see the angel of Yahuweh standing in the way sword in hand, intending to kill Balaam (Num 22:22; 31-33).
Yahuweh told Balaam that the reason He intended to kill Balaam was because his Way was perverse (Num 22:32).
In order to see clearly what Balaam’s error was, and what his perverse way was, let’s recap what we have seen.
First, we see that Balaam disregarded, and did not obey Yahuweh’s earlier command to him (“Do not go with them”).
Next, we see that Balaam regarded, and obeyed Yahuweh’s later command to him (“rise up and go with them”).
Then, we see Yahuweh as an adversary with a sword, who told Balaam his way was perverse.
From this we see immediately that Balaam did not keep every word of Yahuweh, by which we must all live (Matt 4:4; Luke 4:4; Deut 8:3). Instead, Balaam rejected Yahuweh’s earlier word, in favour of His later word.
Notice that Balaam may have assumed Yahuweh’s later word had nullified Yahuweh’s earlier word.
Next, we see that Balaam had even disobeyed the later word, when he left the next morning without meeting the terms of Yahuweh’s condition (“if the men come to call you”) (Num 22:20,21). This imperfect obedience to the later command, however, is a consequence of disobedience to the earlier.
We might say that Balaam held to a twisted version of Yahuweh’s later command. We might also say that the later Word is always wrested, or twisted, if it does not agree with the earlier Word!
Thus we see that because Balaam rejected Yahuweh’s earlier word, Balaam failed to live by every Word of Yahuweh. This is the ‘way’ which Yahuweh calls perverse — to obey Yahuweh’s later word, while rejecting His earlier word. And it was for this reason that Yahuweh sought to kill Balaam with a sword!
To summarise, we might say that what Balaam did was to simply reject the Earlier Word of Yahuweh, with the hope that the Later Word of Yahuweh would be more favourable to his purposes, and more agreeable to his motive.
His motive was greed, but his action was to reject, and deny the earlier Word, perhaps thinking the earlier word had been somehow ‘nullified.’
How is the Doctrine of Balaam seen today? Let’s look.
The Doctrine of Balaam Today: Examples
The Doctrine of Balaam today is simply the teaching that Yahuweh’s earlier word has been nullified, in favour of Yahuweh’s later word.
The Error of Balaam is seen today in most Believers’ rejection of the Torah (Law) of the “Old Testament,” in exchange for the teachings of the Doctrines of Men! For it is a Doctrine of men — and not Scripture — that states the “Old Testament” (the Law or Torah) has been nullified by the “New Testament.”
Many precious Believers today are being taught that the “Old Testament” commandments of Yahuweh have been somehow nullified or have been done away with! This is a notion that is contrary to all of Scripture!
This old-wives-tale is contrary to all of Scripture, for it is contrary to the Words of the Prophets, contrary to the Words of the Apostle Paul, and contrary to the Words of Yahushua Himself. As a result of the Doctrine of Balaam, we have refused to walk in Father’s ways, and instead, we have been taught to heed many man-made traditions and doctrines.
For example, the Scriptures tell us that the Greek word ‘dogma,’ Strong’s numbers <1378> and <1379>, the “Decrees of Men,” were against us, and contrary to us, and so they have been blotted out, and taken out of the way, nailed to the cross, and abolished by the crucifixion of Yahushua’s body on the tree.
So we see that Yahushua’s crucifixion has not removed the importance of obedience to Yahushua’s earlier word, but has simply removed, and taken out of the way, the very thing that was against us, and which brings division, and separates men from Him, by leading them astray — the Commandments of Men.
The Reader is urged to study these six verses that use these two Strong’s numbers <1378> and <1379>, the “Decrees of Men. We must be as the Bereans, and see for ourselves whether these things are so! (see Luke 2:1; Acts 16:4; Acts 17:7; Eph 2:15; Col 2:14; Col 2:20.)
It is also the man-made commandments of men that appear in the Talmudic writings, which say “touch not, taste not, handle not.” (Luke 2:1; Acts 16:4; 17:7; Eph 2:15; Col 2:14; Col 2:20-22). The Old Testament Scriptures make no mention of these.
However, most seminary-trained Leaders today, in their ignorance of the man-made traditions taught in the Talmud, have been taught not what the Scriptures actually say, but instead have been taught ‘Patristics,’ what other men have said about Scripture. These man-made doctrines are teaching our spiritual Leaders that it was the Biblical Law or Torah (the earlier word of Yahuweh) that has been nullified, abolished, taken out of the way, etc., thus contradicting the plain and clear words of the Apostle Paul!
Since when is the pure Word of Yahuweh equivalent to the dogma or Decrees of Men?
It is the Doctrine of Balaam that nullifies and removes the Truths of Yahuweh’s earlier word, and this in turn results in disobedience to Yahuweh’s later word. We will see some examples of this below.
Therefore multitudes of Believers today, embracing this deceptive Doctrine of Balaam, are walking in disobedience to Yahuweh’s earlier Word. Rejection or denial of part of the words of Yahuweh — by Yahuweh’s own Born-again people — is the equivalent of wholesale rejection and denial of all the Words of Yahuweh, which is precisely what the Error of Balaam is!
This partial rejection of Yahuweh’s Word is the ‘perverse way’ of Balaam, for which Balaam was almost killed. (see Jer 11:10; Jer 13:10; Eze 3:10; John 5:46-47; James 2:10).
So we see that what Balaam did in his day, multitudes of Believers are doing today, as they are taught the Doctrine of Balaam by their spiritual Leaders!
What are the end results of the Doctrine of Balaam today? Let’s now look at some examples.
The Doctrine of Balaam Today: Results
Today, most Believing Congregations have replaced the Biblical Truths with the Commandments of Men that ‘appear’ on the surface to be true, to those who do not study the Scriptures on their own. Instead, these Commandments of Men have actually turned most Born-again Believers away from practicing the Truth (Titus 1:14), and have caused multitudes to reject walking in Yahuweh’s ways.
Only a few remnants of Truth remain in most congregations, because spiritual Leaders have allowed men to re-define Biblical Words, Doctrines, and Practices, replacing them with man’s notions of Biblical words, man’s Doctrines, and man’s practices.
Indeed, we see much practice in the church today of pagan customs and abominations, such as Christmas, Easter, and Lent; and very little of the Scriptural teachings and practice of the Passover bread, and Passover cup. It is Messiah Himself, who teaches us and urges us to keep the Passover — without which participation there is ‘no life in you,’ according to the words of Yahushua Himself (Matt 26:18-29; Mark 14:16-24; Luke 22:11-20; John 6:53-54). Notice it is Yahushua who defines and illustrates these words and terms used in Scripture; it is not our place to re-define Bible Words and terms.
Likewise today, we hear of many things considered to be holy and Scriptural, such as Communion or the Lord’s Supper. These terms are Biblical, but as used today, they sometimes describe man’s replacement for the Biblical Passover! As we saw in a previous article, any man-made replacement for Yahuweh’s Word is a form of idolatry.
Let’s look now at how the Doctrine of Balaam promotes this idolatry.
The Result is Idolatry
Note in Scripture that the Biblical Passover is the only sacrifice commanded to be eaten by all of Yahuweh’s people. The Passover is to be celebrated only by Yahuweh’s people, either home-born or Strangers, that are first circumcised, telling us that Passover is only for Yahuweh’s Covenant people.
We are further told that the Passover is to be kept only on the Day of Passover, the fourteenth day of the Biblical month (Lev 23:5). Any man-made changes to Yahuweh’s Word are considered ‘strange fire.’ Any substitutes of His Word or ordained practice is considered idolatry, and any man-made substitute for any of Yahuweh’s Word is considered an idol.
We see furthermore, that the communion or Lord’s Supper as described in Scripture is to be taken at the conclusion of the Passover meal. Therefore any practice that differs from Scriptural practice is merely a clever, man-made counterfeit; it is a substitute for the True, and is thus an idol.
The Doctrine of Balaam denies earlier Word of Yahuweh, and so it must necessarily deny the Passover as being a vital part of New Covenant life.
The Passover is part of the earlier word of Yahuweh, so the Doctrine of Balaam must create a substitute Passover to take the place of the True Passover.
Today most of the evangelical world have embraced the man-made counterfeit, substitute Passover, rather than the Biblical Passover!
We therefore see the warning in Revelation, where Yahushua tells us it is the Doctrine of Balaam today that teaches His people to eat the man-made substitute Passover bread and cup of wine. And because these bread-and-cup elements as used today are substitutes [idols] of the True Passover elements, Yahushua does not mince words. He tells us He sees this as “eating of things sacrificed to idols“ (Rev 2:14, 20).
Indeed, when we reject Yahuweh’s Words and Scriptural practices, in order to embrace the words and practices of men, Yahuweh tells us throughout Scripture He sees that as “whoring” after other gods. Thus we see the rejection of Yahuweh’s word is called [spiritual] fornication in our subject passage in Revelation 2:14!
Yahuweh’s remedy is that we would simply repent. This tells us to cease our disobedience, and begin obedience to all of His Word.
Let’s now look at the results we can expect if we repent.
The Remedy: Results of Repentance
For those who repent, and walk in a different path, a path of obedience, Yahuweh makes these promises:
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (Revelation 2:17)
Here we see Yahuweh promising to give two hidden rewards, in exchange for overcoming (‘prevailing’) in only one hidden aspect of His Covenant.
To those who do not repent, there is likewise a promise and a consequence.
The Remedy: Consequences of No Repentance
For those who do not actively repent, or who think they can put it off until a later day, Yahuweh has this Word:
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (Revelation 2:16)
The result of continuing in the Error of Balaam is the same result Balaam had: Yahuweh’s SWORD will be against those who do not repent.
And Yahushua also tells us in the above verse, that He will come quickly to fight against those who do not repent.
According to the warning to the Pergamos church, the end-time body of Believers are apparently practicing and teaching this same Doctrine of Balaam. We today are among those Believers being warned! And so Yahuweh will again use a SWORD against us, to stand in their (our) way, just as He did against Balaam.
When the Sword of Yahushua’s mouth fights against the Believers, the result is usually not made known immediately. We see in 2Thess 2:8-11, where the sword of His mouth will bring a “strong delusion [deception], that they might believe a Lie.”
Someone who is believing a lie, and who is deluded or deceived by Yahuweh Himself, is not even aware of his delusion! He thinks “I’m OK — I’m saved!” “You know, ‘Once a Tree, Always a Tree!'” — “Surely Yahushua must have meant something different in Luke 13:6-9!”
When we toy around with the word of Yahuweh, and re-invent definitions for Biblical words and terms, and apply our own definitions to them, we are headed for our ruin, as well as for the ruin of those who follow us. Thus it is imperative that we get back to the Scriptures!
Conclusion
The end-time, New Covenant Believers are given the warning of the Doctrine of Balaam. They are warned to be aware of what it is, and to repent.
The Doctrine of Balaam is perhaps the most prominent feature of today’s evangelical Doctrine. This teaching results in the Error of Balaam in the lives of the people.
The Doctrine of Balaam results in deceiving multitudes to think the earlier word of Yahuweh has been nullified.
The Doctrine of Balaam is causing many of Yahushua’s precious lambs to be led off into idolatry and [spiritual] fornication, because they are being taught to practice counterfeits of Yahuweh’s prescribed set-apart days, mere substitutes created by the Commandments of Men, which turn men away from the Truth, and which lead them astray.
As a side issue, many of our precious Jewish Brethren have yet to receive the message of Messiah, simply because many of the carriers of the Gospel message reject the foundational Truths of living in obedience to the Torah, against the warning of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 8:20).
Unless the Pastors and spiritual Leaders of today — and their followers — repent, Yahushua will most likely not meet them at the door of the Wise Virgins, or receive them as part of the Bride Company. Instead, He will most likely allow them to remain among the foolish virgins.
The warning of the Doctrine of Balaam is a warning to the Bride!
—
Related Articles:
- The Error of Balaam [the full-length article] – One of the hidden “spots and wrinkles” issues revealed in the Book of Revelation is the Error of Balaam, a poisonous infection that progresses to become the Doctrine of Balaam. Here is a detailed look at what the Scriptures reveal about the Error and Doctrine of Balaam, so that we might remove it from our lives.
- Let No Man Steal Your Crown – Reveals there are men today trying to take away, and steal your Bridal veil, and your crown; things that allow your crown to be stolen; the Doctrine of Balaam, and how it will steal your crown.
- If You Love Me, Keep ‘My’ Commandments – Do we show our love for Messiah, in the way He has told us — or have we lost sight of His identity?
- What Are the Ten Commandments? – Also called The Ten Words, these Scripture passages are shown in both Hebrew and English, enabling us to see for ourselves what these Commandments actually say. When we as New Covenant Believers understand whose words they are, we can better know how to respond to them
- Obeying Torah is Not About Salvation – Obedience to the Torah [Father’s House Rules for His family] is not about our redemption by Yahushua’s blood. Instead, it is Messiah’s New Testament instruction to all Born-again Believers in how to abide in Him, how to love Him, and how to walk as He walked.
- Seven Biblical Guidelines for Studying the Bible: Using Scripture to Interpret the Scriptures – What is the source of our current understanding of the Bible? The pure Truths of Scripture are of highest importance — how we understand the Scriptures will affect our eternal condition! To avoid being deceived by man-made doctrines, we must not rely on Preachers, Teachers, Bible notes or commentaries. Instead we must study and understand the Bible for ourselves — not looking through the lenses of tradition or man-made Bible study methods — but relying only on what the Bible actually says about how to study and understand the Scriptures! Here are 7 Biblical Guidelines that show us the way!
- Contending for The Faith – We are exhorted to contend, to fight to remain in The Faith that was originally given. Scripture shows what The Faith is, and shows why and how we must contend for The Faith. Overview of how the adversary attacks the foundation of The Faith, with examples of contending for The Faith.
- The Wise and Foolish Virgins – Yahushua tells us why many today are not prepared.
- The Wise and Foolish: According to Yahushua – Messiah tells us in clear and simple terms for our instruction, who the wise and foolish are today!
- The Wise and Foolish Virgins: The Separation of the Wise – The Scriptures reveal a 2-step process of separation from the multitudes, for those who would grow in Wisdom.
- Let No Man Steal Your Crown – Reveals there are men today trying to take away, and steal your Bridal veil, and your crown; things that allow your crown to be stolen; the Doctrine of Balaam, and how it will steal your crown.
- Who is the Chaste Virgin? – The Bridegroom is coming for His Bride — one who is chaste, and without corruption. The Scriptures warn us of the many forms of corruption, and how to remove them, in order to remain chaste, and ready for the Bridegroom.
- The Wedding of the King’s Son: A Parable – A parable revealing the astonishing – and magnificent – nature of the New Covenant
Related Content: Testing & Warnings
For further details of the Wilderness Testing of the Believers, and of the Warnings given to the Bride concerning her Testing that must occur before entering in with the Bridegroom, see the following articles:
Entering the Kingdom: The Wilderness Testing of the Believers – An Overview of the testing
Entering the Kingdom: The Wise Virgins’ Checklist – An Overview of the testing, and a Scripture Checklist
Entering the Kingdom: The Two Love Tests – Further details of Father’s testing of the Believers
The Love of Many Grows Cold – the measuring-stick used to test the Believers
The Doctrine of Balaam: A Warning to the Bride – The Root cause of failing the test
Eating Things Sacrificed to Idols: A Warning to the Bride – a major cause of failing the test
What Your Pastor Never Told You About The 2nd Commandment – Warning – a major cause of failing the test
Removing the Abominations: A Warning to the Bride – a major cause of failing the test
—
Notes from the Wilderness 
Hello Bill
be blessed for your service.
I am trying to nut out why many people say that the meal Messiah engaged in and taught so much to the apostles during the eating of it & prior to being arrested in the garden was actually Pesach.
All the Lambs for a Pesach had to be killed @ the Temple just as Messiah was on the Stake 14/1 @ the time when the lambs were slaughtered for Passover. Between the evenings….not western sunset to last light. There were thousands of lambs to be ritually slaughtered & prepared but it all started way before Sunset.
The Jewish Leaders insisted on not going into the Gentile Judgment Court that day so they would be “spiritually pure” and able to eat the lamb at dusk & continue the long ritual remembrance meal for the Exodus into the new day which began on that evening 15/1 to awaken to the morning 15/1 which is First Day of Unleavened Bread (the Festival High Day Sabbath). Passover is not a day of no work, it is a preparation day & the convening of at least part of the Sanhedrin to judge Messiah @ such an hour shows it was a business day to them too.
I have tried very hard to understand all the timings which for a modern gentile trained mind is not easy. So if you are able to explain where/if I have it mixed up I would be grateful.
Somewhere I had come across that the Greek word for desiring to eat the Pesach with the Apostles was an incredible yearning that would not eventuate because Messiah determined to take the cup from the Father & BE OUR PASSOVER.
With love & gentle courage to seek the Truth
With love & humility to be corrected
Fiona B
Thank you Fiona, for your comments and questions. I wish more Believers would question and look into these important matters of the New Covenant. I will try to answer your questions briefly, and will refer you to links to a few of my posts where these answers are given in much more detail.
Regarding why many people say, that Messiah’s meal before being arrested in the garden was actually Pesach, please understand that many people also say, that this meal was not Pesach. Which one are we to believe?
This illustrates the truth that it is not important what many people say. What matters is, “What did Messiah say?”
It appears from Scripture, that Messiah said that He would keep the Passover with His Disciples, and it appears He did so. We recall that Passover [the night of the 14th] is a ‘Covenant’ issue, and the Feast of Unleavened [the night of the 15th] is not.
The difference here is that some would rather cling to what their tradition teaches them, rather than what Messiah actually said. Let us disregard what many people say and do, and let the Scriptures speak to us.
Regarding all the Lambs killed at the Temple just as Messiah was on the Stake, according to Scripture, the lambs for Pesach were not to be killed in the temple, by the priests, but killed in individual homes, by each family, on the night of the 14th. The lambs and other prescribed sacrifices, however, that were killed in the Temple on the afternoon of the 14th, by the priests, were for the Feast of Unleavened on the night of the 15th.
The Biblical timings can be seen more clearly, and more easily understood, by comparing the differences in Scriptural requirements for the one-day Passover, in contrast to the Scriptural requirements for the 7-day Feast of Unleavened. These differences are seen in vivid detail in The Mystery of Passover: Which Day-Truth or Tradition-Part 5.
The man-made idea of ‘between the evenings’ promoted by Rabbinic tradition is not Scriptural, for it obscures the fact from born-again Believers, that Yahushua was indeed the Passover Lamb, who did indeed eat the Passover supper before He suffered (Luke 22:15), and in the same night in which He was betrayed, as Paul tells us (1Co 11:23).
We should ask the question, “Why would we follow tradition, by eating the Passover Memorial meal on a night that is different from the night Messiah ate the meal?” If we are to follow in His footsteps, we must follow His every action, and do them in His exact timing. If we will simply follow the apostle Paul’s guidance on the Passover supper, we will get it right: “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread…”(1Co 11:23).
Regarding Passover being a normal work day, and a preparation day for the High Sabbath of Unleavened starting the night of the 15th, you are correct in what you have said. The lamb they were eating, however, was not the Passover Lamb. According to Scripture, it was the Sacrifice of the first day of Unleavened, which is to be slaughtered in the afternoon, and eaten after sunset on the first night of Unleavened, as shown in the above link.
Regarding the timings for Passover and Unleavened, you are not alone in finding them ‘not easy’ to understand. The Biblical timings of Passover are indeed ‘hidden in plain sight’ in the Scriptures, and I have shown some of these in summary in When Do We Eat the Passover Supper, According to Scripture?, and in Passover: Seven Days or One Day?.
Regarding Messiah’s desire to eat the Pesach with the Apostles, as a yearning that would not occur because Messiah determined to take the cup from the Father and to be our Passover, that idea is clearly someone’s imagination, a mixture of a Scriptural truth with an unscriptural idea.
The Covenant cup of the Betrothal [our part] is to be taken individually by His Disciples [talmidim], only in the night of Passover; Messiah’s part of taking the Covenant cup of the Betrothal was expressed in the Garden that same night, and was fulfilled on the cross [stake] the next afternoon, still on the 14th. Scripture requires that all of the Passover ceremonies are to be done on the 14th (Num 9:3), before the start of the Feast of Unleavened.
In summary, the Biblical Passover is indeed a ‘mystery,’ because the practice of observing Passover has become a blend of truth mixed with man-made tradition. But today the seals are being removed from the Scriptures, and Messiah is restoring all things to His people in their original manner. For further insight into some of these details, see The New Covenant Passover: A Mystery. Blessings and shalom –Brother Bill
Thankyou very much for your kind & considered response Bill. I will take some time to look into the resource links you have provided. Most of my queries come from Yochanan’s account & trying to overlay & align all the accounts of the Apostles’ & then framing my mind to understand the plain things that I am not familiar with & feel it is easy to have them ‘explained’ to me with out grasping a true functional understanding. I don’t want to be a head nodder ……………I seek His Truth because it is the only way to walk the narrow way.
With much love & blessings for you care for an enquirer.
Praise our wonderful Elohim & His Patience in you!
Fiona B
Hi, My name is Shar, and I too was looking for info about Balaam, You answered my question. I have been searching Scripture also and decided to go back to the Beginning, I also did a study of the encampment of Israel around the tabernacle in the wilderness (Tent of Meeting), Yah is an awesome G-D! He truly, by way of the Comforter is showing me that He is G-D, He never changes! The only thing nailed to the cross with our Savior was Talmud, and the bondage of it, and man-made traditions. One day about 3 or 4 years ago, I asked The Father, “what is the great apostasy”? He has been showing me little by little. Thank-you for allowing Yah to teach you, and you teaching others. I’m happy to have “stumbled” upon this site.
Great testimony, Shar! And thank you for your encouraging words! Our Abba Father is opening the eyes of many today, of those who seek Him “from the Beginning.” May all honour, glory, and blessing be unto our Messiah Yahushua, for He is worthy! (Rev 5:12).
Have you heard of 119 ministries test everything.com? another good teaching ministry that is very helpful as your ministry is. When you get the chance, please take a look, as I would like to see what you think, and if they have errors, they say that we should let them know as in “edification” for the body.
Shar,
Shalom
Thank yo Shar, for your comments. Yes, of what I have seen thus far, 119ministries [testeverything.com] are basically sound, except in matters related to the Biblical Calendar. For a more Torah-correct rendering of the Biblcal Calendar and timing of the Feast days, you might look at torahcalendar.com. However, even Torahcalendar.com seems to adhere to Rabbinic ‘tradition’ in setting the omer-count and timing for Shavuot (Pentecost), so that this year they are 1-day off from the Biblical date of Shavuot. It seems that most of the ‘Messianic’ ministries today still cling to Rabbinic Tradition in one point or another, but if they would only look to Messiah and His examples of timing of the moedim, they would all see eye-to-eye (Isaiah 52:8)! Shalom and Blessings to you Shar!
I prayed to God for understanding and he brought me to your site. I never understood the Doctrine of Baalam and what it meant before. God has opened up such a new understanding for me through this site. You are truly blessed. I hope to meet you on the other side of the veil . May your days be filled with peace, joy , happiness and hope. May Grace always abound with you and within you.
A Brother
Yes, Messiah is opening the eyes of many today! May Yahushua be glorified! And thank you Perry, for your blessing.
I fell upon Revelation 2:12 during my devotional time and I decided to look deeper into the place revealed as the throne of Satan and better understand the doctrine of Balaam.
I stumbled upon your explanation on the web and I am fully satisfied with your views on that particular passage. I do believe that God’s 10 commandments are immutable and any born again christian should abide by them, not in order to be justified, but because he/she has been justified by the blood of Jesus, and that His commandments are now written in his/her heart.
Where I would need further studies is on the washing of feet/ communion (John 13:1-17) and the celebration of Christ’s ressurection. Since we know the time alloted to Passover, why would the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection be considered as a strange fire? Didn’t Jesus bid us to emulate his service of humility until His return? Would it hurt to be reminded of Jesus’ ressurection? A sound Biblical stand on these two issues would be much appreciated… God Bless you Br. Bill
Monique
Thank you Monique, for your visit, and your comments and questions. You have asked some good and thoughtful questions.
Perhaps we can look at your questions in a wider sense, by looking at some examples found in Scripture, in order to see some Biblical principles.
First, let us understand that all of what we do in our daily walk, is an illustration of whom we think Yahushua is. The commandments we obey, and those we do not obey, reveal whether or not we know who He truly is (1Co 10:4).
Personally, I do not wish to hear the words, “I never knew you…you who work ‘iniquity’ [Greek word 458 from 459, literally ‘transgression of the Law of Moses’]” (Matt 7:23). My desire is to search the Scriptures, to search out all of Messiah’s commandments for myself, including those He gave to Moses. It is my desire to find out those things that please Him, and also those things that are ‘abomination’ to Him. I want to like what He likes, and to hate what He hates. That is my starting point, for my own personal walk.
Regarding what is popularly called ‘communion’ you might read carefully (Matt 26:17-28; Mark 14:14-24; Luke 22:13-20) and notice that this event is not some new invention created in Yahushua’s day, but is none other than the Biblical Passover. We are called to emulate Messiah and His Disciples, in this and in all respects.
Regarding the celebration of Messiah’s resurrection, there is already a Scriptural, set-apart [‘holy’] day appointed by Yahuweh, to which many Believers today are returning to observe. That day is the Biblical ‘Feast of First-fruits’ (Lev 23:10-11; 1Co 15:20). But in order to keep the true holy days, we must remove the false holy days, which are abominations.
In general, any worship of our heavenly Father in ways not commanded, or in ways that oppose His commandments, Father considers to be ‘abomination’ and as ‘strange fire,’ as we learn in (Lev 10:1; 2Sam 6:6-7).
These items are further discussed in:
Removing the Abominations: A Warning to the Bride;
Eating Things Sacrificed to Idols: A Warning to the Bride;
Communion: A Man-Made Substitute for the Biblical Passover.
Blessings to you Monique, and to your household,
Brother Bill
Brother Bill,
I liked your article, but i am unsure on your beliefs on Christmas and easter. I read you hinting that it’s wrong, but you never clearly stated it! Could you clarify what you believe?
Shalom, Micah
Thank you Micah, for your comment! You are right—I did not make the point clearly, so I have added a few words to remove any doubts. Yah forbid that I should not try to state clearly what the Scriptures say, regarding these man-made forms of ‘strange fire’ that are abominations to Yah!
There are many today who, unless they repent of their participation in these popular, pagan religious customs of Christmas, easter, Lent, and many other popular religious practices, are likely to be among those who will hear, “I never knew you…” (Matthew 7:23).
The importance of removing these (and all) abominations from our lives is discussed in a reference at the bottom of the post. See Removing the Abominations: A Warning to the Bride.
Thanks Micah for calling this to my attention! Blessings to you and your household! -Brother Bill
I enjoyed your article very much. I am a christian and i believe in the torah..God gave me a vision of the torah and grace or HS….(i may write it for you if I feel it will be helpful) but anyways..i agree with almost all of the article but here is what i always thought because of my study and the vision i had that the Col 2:14 Blotting out 1813 the handwriting 5498 of ordinances 1378 that was against 2596 us 2257, which 3739 was 2258 contrary 5227 to us 2254, and 2532 took 142 it 846 out of 1537 the way 3319, nailing 4338 it 846 to his cross 4716; i thought those ordinances were the the death penalty. Jesus is our sacrifice when we sin. So those commands that said if you do this or that you will die, those commands went to the cross.
Thank you Marilyn, for your visit and comment. You have made some good comments here, and on some of the other posts, so it appears you are pursuing the One who is Truth.
Paul’s use of 1378 and 1379 in Colossians 2:14 and 2:20 is a clue. Recall that 1378 and 1379 are used excusively in the NT writings to speak of ‘decrees of men,’ [either good or bad], which Paul confirms for us in context, in Colossians 2:20-22, telling us that these [1378 and 1379] are according to the ‘doctrines of men.’ When we read all the uses of 1378 and 1379, it is easy to see that these are handwritings of ‘decrees of men,’ and are not handwritings of the [eternal] Torah of Yahuweh.
According to the apostle Peter, there are many unlearned and unstable who wrest [‘twist’] the words of Paul (2Pet 3:16), and this is true today. The word of Yahuweh [‘all Scripture] is eternal, and will never be ‘done away with’ despite what the popular, well-known Bible teachers declare (John 10:35; 1Pet 1:25; Ps 119:160).
So your next assignment is to find out what [or who] was nailed to the cross, according to Scripture, and what was accomplished in this nailing to the cross. The Scripture answer will be an eye-opener!
Blessings, Brother Bill
“Col 2:14 Blotting out 1813 the handwriting 5498 of ordinances 1378 that was against 2596 us 2257, which 3739 was 2258 contrary 5227 to us 2254, and 2532 took 142 it 846 out of 1537 the way 3319, nailing 4338 it 846 to his cross 4716”
Brother Bill, Please explain why Almighty God would leave heaven, become flesh and suffer death on a CROSS to fulfill ‘decrees of men’ (1378 or 1379)? You really believe this?
Strongs G1378:
Outline of Biblical Usage:
1. doctrine, decree, ordinance
of public decrees
of the Roman Senate
of rulers
2. the rules and requirements of the law of Moses;<==== carrying a suggestion of severity and of threatened judgment<=====
3. of certain decrees of the apostles relative to right living
Thank you Kathryn. You have asked a good question. Perhaps I could have worded that part of the post more clearly.
The point I was wanting to make, is that the Scriptures are very clear, that it was not the ‘Torah’ that was against us, and nailed to the cross, but it was something else. Notice how this Colossians passage is worded in the following versions:
“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” (Col 2:13-14 ESV)
“You were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were not free from the power of your sinful self. But God gave you new life together with Christ. He forgave all our sins. 14 Because we broke God’s laws, we owed a debt–a debt that listed all the rules we failed to follow. But God forgave us of that debt. He took it away and nailed it to the cross.” (Col 2:13-14 ERV)
To understand what this passage is saying, let’s look at an example. When we break a speed limit Law, we receive a speeding ticket. We incur a debt that is “against us,” and that debt must somehow be paid.
After the debt is paid, there is no longer a debt “against us.” Once the debt is removed, the record of that debt is blotted out. But when we (or someone on our behalf) pays the debt, the speed limit Law is not done away. Only the record of our transgression of the law was removed.
It is the same with God’s Law (Torah).
When a man sins, that man’s sin becomes a record of debt. When that man believes in Yahushua Messiah, however, Yahuweh takes this record of our debt out of the way, and cancels the record.
Notice that it is not the Torah with its commands that are “against us,” but it is the debt we incur when we transgress the Torah, that is against is us. When Yahushua died on the cross, the Torah was not done away. It was only the record of our sins — our transgression of the law (1John 3:4) — that was removed.
For all who believe in Yahushua, Father has cancelled the past “record of debt” we ourselves had written by our sins. Father gives us a clean record, a clean slate. Although we now have a clean record, if we break the rules [sin], the writing of debt commences. It is only when we confess [acknowledge] our sin to Yahuweh, that He cleanses us again, and blots out our record again, of all unrighteousness (1Jo 1:9).
Again, the main point is that God did not remove the ‘Law’ [the Torah; Father’s “House Rules”], but He removed the writing of debt we incurred by breaking the rules.
Hello
I understand how the idea of “profane fire” can be applied to Christmas and Easter. Ive never heard of anyone in my country who replaces the Lords supper with Passover (in New Zealand anyway). I also understand how we need to follow all of the Words of God, not just those that suit us, however, the practice of the Levitical codes seems to have been literally done away with by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. What are your ideas on this?
Kind Regards
Graeden
Thank you Graeden, for your visit, and your comment.
You mentioned that you had never heard of anyone in your country who ‘replaces the Lords supper with Passover.’ To that I might reply, that it is the other way round. Most Believers today have replaced celebrating the Biblical Passover with a man-made ‘substitute’ celebration, and have called this man-made celebration ‘The Lord’s Supper.’ Today our Heavenly Father is restoring the original Biblical truths to His people, and many are returning to celebrate the Biblical Feasts, including the true, Biblical Passover, just as Yahushua did.
You said, “I also understand how we need to follow all of the Words of God, not just those that suit us…” and then said, “the practice of the Levitical codes seems to have been literally done away with by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ…”
I am not aware of the term ‘Levitical codes’ in Scripture, unless you mean those things pertaining to the Levitical Priesthood. The Levitical codes, as you call them — whatever they are — remain as part of the Word of God. If we are to follow all of His eternal Word, we may not eliminate anything, after considering those things enumerated in the Book of Hebrews that are modified as to their practice, as ‘better things’ brought to us by the New Covenant.
Under the New (‘Everlasting’) Covenant between Yahuweh and His people, there is still an eternal Priesthood [Yahushua Messiah is the High Priest, Born-Again Believers are the priests], eternal sacrifices [Yahushua’s Blood shed once on the cross, effective for all time, fulfills the Blood requirement; Our sacrifices of prayer, praise, thanksgiving, our lives as ‘living sacrifices’ remain today as the ongoing, prophetic sacrifices].
All the terms and conditions of the New (‘Everlasting’) Covenant are found in the ‘Old Testament,’ and all these remain in force as ‘eternal’ provisions, just as every Word ever spoken by Yahuweh is eternal, and will not be ‘done away.’
So the Law [the entire Old Testament–also called the Tanak and the Torah] has not been done away with, or disappeared. The curses pronounced by the law have been borne by Yahushua Messiah, so that those who abide [‘remain’] in Him are removed from its curse of death, and have instead received Messiah’s Life.
The Law [‘Torah’] is not what many folk say it is. It is Father’s eternal instruction and counsel for His sons, but is also His rebuke, to train them, just as a ‘schoolmaster’ would train little children to walk in obedience.
For those who are Born-Again, who have had Yahushua ‘birthed’ within them, these have been set free from the bondage of being ‘compelled’ [under threat of death] to obey Father’s eternal Instructions. They now may choose whether they will be Wise virgins or Foolish, whether they will obey or disobey. It is in this way that Father determines who loves His Son Yahushua Messiah; and it is these who obey the Law (even though not forced to do so) who will become the Bride.
But obedience to Father’s eternal Law is our choice.
Let us each endeavour to choose ‘wisely.’
Blessings,
Brother Bill
I would humbly disagree with you on a lot of what you wrote. Although I would agree with you that a lot of the modern teachings in mainstream Christianity are not purely scriptural and that has led many to stumble, but that is not because they have forgotten obeying the Torah.
by the way, how do you follow the Torah, I take it, when you say you follow it, you don’t mean the complete Torah.
Good day to you.
Thank you John, for your visit and your comments.
You said, “a lot of the modern teachings…are not purely scriptural and that has led many to stumble, but that is not because they have forgotten obeying the Torah..”
For many years I too held the same beliefs you express in your comments, but you should be aware that there is no Scriptural backing for your statement. Most of our misunderstandings arise from our having been taught an un-Scriptural view of Law and Grace, and from our lack of basic understanding of how to read and study the Scriptures for ourselves.
Let’s look at only a few of many, many Scripture passages that tell us about why Blood-Washed, Born-Again, Spirit-Filled, New Covenant Believers would choose to keep (obey) the Torah (‘Law’):
Yahushua tells us, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Those who do not know Him, do not know it was Yahushua who led, and accompanied, the Israelites in the Wilderness (1Co 10:4)–and gave the Tablets to Moses. When we do not keep the Torah (His Commandments that He gave to Moses), we demonstrate one of two things: either we do not love Him, or we do not really know Him.
Yahushua tells us the reason He will say to the Foolish Virgins, “I never knew you,” is because they were practicing iniquity [Greek: anomia, “Transgressing the Law”](Matt 7:23). After we are Born-Again, we begin to know Him in covenant relationship only after we begin to observe His Sabbaths (Ezekiel 20:12,20), which is a part of obedience to Torah (Law).
The Wise Virgins are those New Covenant Believers who keep the Torah (Law) (Prov 28:7; Matt 25:1-13).
The Foolish Virgins are those who are redeemed, but who also practice wickedness [‘wickedness’ is forsaking the Torah (Law) (Psalms 119:53)] – and as a result their candle shall be extinguished (Proverbs 24:20; Matt 25:8)
The prayers of those who continue to refuse to hearken to (hear and obey) the Torah [Law] are abomination to Yah (Proverbs 28:9).
Those Believers who continue to practice iniquity [‘transgress the Law] will be gathered up, and taken out from His kingdom, and will be cast into the furnace of the fires of tribulation (Matt 13:41).
Speaking prophetically of Messiah [“my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth” (Psalms 89:27)] and of His people today, the Psalms tell us:
“If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes (Psalms 89:30-32).
According to the above passage, many of our problems as Believers are due to our disobedience of Messiah’s commandments in Torah.
The apostle Paul urges us to observe Passover, which is a vital part of obedience to Torah (1Co 5.8).
Messiah’s Table (Passover) is contemptible to those who do not keep Torah (Mal 1:7).
Yahushua Messiah tells us that if we do not eat and drink the flesh and Blood of Passover, we have no Life (His presence) in us (John 6:53; Matt 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20).
Messiah tells us that observing His Sabbath is a part of His ‘everlasting’ (eternal) New Covenant with His people (Exodus 31:16; Hebrews 13:20).
It is the false religious leaders who are unstable, because they cannot cease from sin [transgressing the Law] (2Peter 2:3,14), and as a result they have no light in them (Isaiah 8:20).
It is the true religious leaders who have light in them, and who teach in accordance with both the Torah (Law) and the Testimony (the life examples of Messiah, His Disciples, and the New Covenant apostles’ doctrines (Isaiah 8:20).
The Bible definition of ‘Sin’ is “transgression of the Law” [Torah](1John 3:4). Paul tells us that continuing to sin [transgress the Law] leads to death, but obedience leads to Righteousness (Romans 6:16b; James 1:15).
Yahushua was manifested to take away our sin [transgression of the Law] (1John 3:5,8). Has He taken sin [transgression of the Law] away from us — or do we still want to transgress the Law?
Throughout the New Testament, Believers are exhorted to stop sinning [transgressing the Law] (Rom 6:1-2,11-15; Eph 4:26; 1Jo 2:1,3:9).
Those who sin [transgress the Law] are to be rebuked before all, that others may fear (1Tim 5:20).
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” (Hosea 4:6).
The essence of the New Covenant is that Father will put His Holy Spirit within us, and will write the Torah (Law) on the Believers’ hearts (Jer 31.31-33). What is Father’s purpose for doing this–so His people will disobey the Torah, or so they will obey it? The Prophet Ezekiel tells us the answer:
“. . .I will give you a new heart. . . and I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:26a, 27).
The apostle John tells us: “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1John 5:2-3).
Messiah tells us: “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (John 15:10). If we think Messiah’s commandments are only in Matthew-Revelation, then we do not really know who He is–we do not yet know Him.
The apostle John tells us: “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” (1John 2:6). How did Messiah walk? He did not sin [He did not transgress the Law]. We are to do likewise.
The apostle John tells us: “Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning” [‘Genesis’] (1John 2:7).
Messiah tells us: “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:18-19).
Messiah tells us: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12).
Messiah tells us: “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14).
John, you asked, “…how do you follow the Torah, I take it, when you say you follow it, you don’t mean the complete Torah…”
Yes, all that pertains to me I try to follow, as much as I am aware of, and as much as I am able to do by His grace. All the exceptions are laid out in the Bible, in the Book of Hebrews.
Blessings to you John, and to your household.
Thank you for the reply.
I guess we would be disagreeing on some things if not all. My contention is that the O.T is not for believers. Christ followed it because he had to fulfill it, we don’t. Paul says that the law was done away with. May be we have different definitions of the words like commandments, laws and sin etc.
Have a look at this, I wrote a few articles, this is one if them:
“http://johnadavid.wordpress.com/2012/08/08/christians-keeping-the-law-of-moses/”
I however think that people can follow the Torah out of their hearts and love for God. I see nothing wrong with that but in the end, the Torah points to Christ, not Christ to Torah.
It is also a coincidence that one year ago I was almost saying the same things as you. :) anyway. Christ should be the focus of our faith, not something else. As long as that is a given I can respect that.
God bless you and your family too.
Thank you John, for your reply.
In my previous reply, I presented many Scripture passages that Yahuweh has spoken through Messiah to His people, with the intent that they would hearken to[‘hear and obey’] all His words in the Scriptures.
In your reply, however, you have presented your contention–your opinion.
Since you did not mention or refute any of the Scripture passages I gave, it appears that it is God’s word against yours.
Perhaps you have not yet noticed who it is that forsakes Yahuweh’s eternal Law:
“Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law” (Psalms 119:53).
“…the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to [‘submitted to obedience to’] the law of God…” (Romans 8:7b).
“They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them” (Proverbs 28:4).
As long as my Born-Again brothers continue to forsake the Law, I will continue to contend with them over the issue—but only because we are brothers, and we all desire to seek out the Truth.
Father has a magnificent, hidden purpose for His sons to ‘choose’ to keep the Law, even though we are no longer ‘compelled’ to do so. His purpose is to separate the Wise Virgins from the Foolish — to see who loves Yahushua Messiah, and who does not — so as to determine who will be among the Bride-Company, in the Marriage of His Son.
The Law [‘Torah’] is not what many folk say it is. It is Father’s eternal instruction and counsel for His sons, but is also His rebuke.
“A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke” (Proverbs 13:1).
“The way of a fool[ish son] is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15).
Our Father’s counsel to us all, is that we would choose to cease hearing the instruction that causes us to go astray (Prov 19:27), and begin to study for ourselves what the Scriptures actually say (2Tim 2:15).
As for me and my house, we have chosen to serve Yahuweh (Joshua 24:15), and to hear and obey all of His Word.
Blessings,
Brother Bill
Thank you so much for this website!!! Your grasp of the scripture and insight to the hidden manna are a real blessing to all who find it. In the past 3-4 months I have been both convicted and condemned of so many of the the truths you have outlined here. Non stop my mind has been on the Sabbath and how we prostitute Christ’s wife every Sunday. I was blessed enough to have an Adventist friend enter my life and am happy to say that today will be my first true observance of the Sabbath! I have much work to do but will be sharing this site with many. I have yet to find the Betrothal Secrets section but I’m sure I will:) The search has been fun! Thank you again brother for your diligence. You are a real blessing to me…who is at best…the Least of Them…
Thank you Anthony, for your kind words. I rejoice with you, as you become a “DO-er” of more of Yahushua’s Words. Our ‘doing’ will result in further understanding and blessing! (Psalms 119:100; John 13:17)
All who choose to walk in further obedience to Messiah are as one on a journey, who set out to return to our Father who awaits with open arms, having a robe, a ring, and sandals to put on us. Our journey is likened to walking on a narrow path, through a swamp full of Doctrinal crocodiles on either side of the path. Only the roadmap of the Scriptures, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, will see us to the other side of the swamp, as we draw ever nearer to our destination. Beware the Doctrinal crocodiles, waiting to devour all that are on the path!!
The Betrothal Secrets section to which you refer on the Way Prepared website, is for the ‘seekers’, and you can use the ‘map’ to find it!
Blessings to you and your household, and Rejoicing with you,
Brother Bill
I had a lot of trouble with some of the teachings that try to say that I am NOT living a Christian life by saying I am not following the true spirit of the word by not including the one of laws of the Torah or the Septuagint or the Talmud. I started living a Christian Life the minute I gave my Heart and Soul to GOD. When I believed I needed God’s only way to HIM thru accepting HIS SONS obedience in place of my own decrepid attempt, I became one of the BRIDE OF JESUS CHRIST. My BIBLE tells me so. He said that just like the people who got in the boat from faith were saved. I am saved by believing that JESUS is MY BOAT. My water baptism is sign in front of man that I am a footstool under The LORDS FEET. GLORY TO THE LAMB OF GOD WHO WAS SLAIN FOR THE SINS OF THE W O R L D. My PASSOVER was at the CROSS. My COMMUNION is every day. HE is MY MANNA from HEAVEN. Please read 1 Peter 3:21 then if you need that explained, read Romans 7. With the PEACE the passeth ALL UNDERSTANDING, now for ME there is no condemnation. Your guilt and shame is what is keeping you from GOD not your sin. With JOY and PEACE you are cleansed by him. You don’t get cleansed then come to GOD. That is the work of HIS HOLY SPIRIT and promise. THAT PROMISE WILL NOT BE FULFILLED UNTIL WE PUT OFF MORTAL AND PUT ON IMMORTAL. THEN DEATH AND SIN AND HELL WILL BE DEFEATED. Those who overcome are those who Keep their faith that JESUS will do what HE said and present us spotless and without blemish to the FATHER for JESUS NAME SAKE NOT OURS. AMEN.
Thank you Rob, for your visit, and your comments. The Gospel message is a message of Redemption, Salvation, Grace, and Righteousness, each presented in Scripture as a 2-sided coin, as it were. Father has planted the Seed within you, and in due time, He will expect to see the fruit. It appears you do have a grasp of the 1st side of the coin, which is commendable. The apostle John likens this to ‘knowing that your sins are forgiven’ (1John 2:12).
I would encourage you to seek Father with all your heart, and study the Scriptures diligently, so that you may discover the 2nd side of the coin.
It is much more important for us, when faced with a ‘new concept’ we have never heard, that we not be froward (given to opposition or argument), but that we be more ‘noble’ as the Bereans, who searched the Scriptures daily to see whether what is being taught is true, or not (Acts 17:10-11). Remember, the only Scriptures anyone had in the New Testament times was the Law — the Torah, also called the ‘Old Testament.’
The above article is giving a particular warning to Believers, by highlighting a somewhat-hidden sin, so they may choose whether they want to continue in sin, or not. Remember that sin is ‘transgression of the Law [disobedience of the Torah–the Mosaic Law] (1John 3:4). Throughout the NT writings, it is the Born-Again, Blood-washed, Water-Baptised, Spirit-Filled Believers who are exhorted and urged to do one thing: to no longer continue in sin (Romans 6:1-2;1Co 15:34; Eph 4:26; 1John 2:1). This tells us that, according to 1John 3:4, we are urged to no longer disobey the Law!
Many Believers are heeding these warnings, and are making themselves ready for the Bridegroom’s soon return, by removing sins and abominations previously unaware of from their lives. Others have what the apostle Paul calls a ‘carnal’ mind, because they are not yet ‘subject to’ [have not submitted themselves to obey] the Law (Romans 8:7). If these other Believers choose not to prepare, but to continue in sin, by transgressing the Law, then that is their own personal choice—and they will eventually face the consequences of their choices (Psalms 89:27-32; Mat 7:19, 23; Luke 6:46; Luke 13:25-27; John 15:6; 2Pet 2:21; Rev 22:14).
I have studied these passages as well and came to a slightly different awareness of the “doctrine / sin” of Balaam.” Although there is not much disagreement. Specifically Balaam’s sin is that he cursed Israel. Greed was his motivation, laying a trap of immorality and idolatry was his method. The same sin can be accomplished in different ways. The big one in this nearly post-church age is to believe that Israel does not have a right to exist as a nation. That pretty much puts amillennial Christians right in the same camp as Balaam. The timing in the warning to the churches in Revelation support this idea as well.
Thank you Richard,
For your visit, and for your comments.
In your comments, you reveal a number of reasons why you came up with a “slightly different awareness” of the ‘doctrine / sin’ of Balaam, different from what is written in the article. Let’s look at your comments, and then see what the Scriptures say.
First, you said: “Specifically Balaam’s sin is that he cursed Israel…”
What do the Scriptures tell us about Balaam’s sin?
The testimonies of Balak, Joshua, and Nehemiah, all tell us that Balak called Balaam to curse Israel, but instead of cursing Israel, Balaam blessed them (Numbers 24:10; Joshua 24:9-10; Nehemiah 13:2).
Nowhere in Scripture does it say that Balaam cursed Israel. So what was Balaam’s sin?
We recall that Yahuweh gave Balaam two commands:
And God said unto Balaam, 1) Thou shalt not go with them; 2) thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed. (Numbers 22:12) [emphasis added]
Now fast-forward to Balaam’s journey. Part-way along his journey, Balaam had an encounter with the angel of Yahuweh. What do we see in this encounter?
Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. 32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: 33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. (Numbers 22:31-33)
Here we see the angel of the Yahuweh standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand. He tells Balaam that unless Balaam’s ass had turned, the angel of Yahuweh would have slain Balaam. This tells us Balaam’s sin had already occurred, even before Balaam arrived at his intended destination—and even before he could utter any words of blessing over Israel.
Notice again Yahuweh’s two commands to Balaam seen in Numbers 22:12:
1) Thou shalt not go with them;
2) thou shalt not curse the people.
Which one of the two commands did Balaam disobey? Yahuweh tells us which command Balaam disobeyed:
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. 22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went:… (Numbers 22:21-22a)
Yahuweh’s anger was kindled because Balaam went.
We know that Yahuweh is just, and He would not slay Balaam until after Balaam committed a sin. The Scriptures reveal that Balaam disobeyed the earlier Word of Yahuweh (“Do not go”), choosing instead to obey only Yahuweh’s later Word (“Go”). This is the doctrine that is being taught today to Believers, to do the same — to disobey Yah’s earlier Word, but to obey only His later Word.
The Doctrine of Balaam is not the act of “cursing Israel.” According to Rev 2:14, the ‘doctrine of Balaam’ results in Yah’s people going into error — to “eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.” This is a ‘doctrine’ issue and a ‘congregation’ issue, and is related to the congregational behaviour of the Believers today. The Doctrine of Balaam simply puts stumbling-blocks in the Way, causing the Believers to disobey Torah.
The Doctrine of Balaam has nothing to do with one’s ‘belief,’ or current understanding, of future events regarding the nation of Israel, nor of the Believers’ agreement/disagreement as to whether there will be a future millennium. For most, these ‘future events’ subjects are mere distractions for the immature, because they are focusing on these, and speculating rather than preparing. Our job is to prepare ourselves for the Bridegroom, both as individuals, and as congregations.
The results of abandoning the ‘Doctrine of Balaam’ can be easily seen in practice among the daily lives of the Believers. They are no longer disobedient to Torah, but are obedient to both Yahuweh’s earlier Word and His later Word. They study and obey the complete counsel of Scripture, not just the last half, not just the later Word.
When Believers abandon the ‘Doctrine of Balaam,’ they begin to cast out their abominations. They begin to obey the 2nd and 4th commandments, and they begin to celebrate the Passover meal and Father’s other Appointed Times, just as Messiah did. This is how we abide (‘remain’) in Messiah (John 15:10), and this is how we ‘walk even as He walked’ (1John 2:6).
There is not much time left for the Wise Virgins to make themselves ‘ready.’ Soon there will be a knock at the door, and it will be too late to get ready. Discarding the Doctrine of Balaam is the key to preparing oneself for the Bridegroom.
Richard, if you and I do not repent from the Doctrine of Balaam, our Way will remain perverse before Him (Num 22:32), and we will face what Balaam, Moses, and Ananias & Sapphira faced–Yahuweh standing in the Way, with a sword, to fight against us— for exactly the same reason (Exodus 4:24; Num 22:23; Rev 2:14-16).
The bottom line: In order to repent of the Doctrine of Balaam, and to understand how it relates to Born-Again Believers, we must first understand clearly what it is.
The cursing of Israel was accomplish by providing direction to Balak to cause moral decay – a failing to obey the Torah. Well said. You are looking at the fleas and missing the Camel. Balaam gave into greed and provided information to allow Israel to be cursed. “There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.” (Revelation 2:14) This information may also (not sure) be found in the Septuagint as opposed to the proto-massoretic or the Massoretic text commonly used in both Jewish and Christian bibles today. But John the Apostle was aware of it. Thanks for making me dig into the Bible again it is good to do.
Thank you Rich, for your comments. My prayer is that Father would open the eyes of all Believers, and that all might repent of this teaching and its resulting wicked practices among today’s congregations.
Thank you for your article. There is more writen about Balaam in THE BOOK OF JASHER. It goes much deeper about who Balaam was and all the things he did. Hope it helps in going deeper in understanding about the topic about Balaam.
Blessings Elisabeth
Thank you Elisabeth, for your visit, and the additional information. The Book of Jasher (‘Yashar’–the ‘upright’ ones) gives lots of good background information.
Reading what I have read on this page and now knowing what I know, I feel I must repent for I did not know what I’ve done till now. I’m speechless and this lesson here has opened a new door in my journey down the path of truth and knowledge. I feel like the life and religion that I live has just crumbled and the things I was taught and thought I knew has been a exaggerated half truth. I now am thinking outside of the box. I feel like I am now looking at the scriptures with new eyes, and I must relearn everything that was taught to me and forget what was taught in the past to me. Thank you for opening my stubborn eyes to the truth.
Cherish, thank you for your visit, and for the encouragement your comment brings.
Many, including myself, have experienced this same collection of feelings when they stumble onto the Truth. They begin to realise they must un-learn much of the old, and re-learn what has been there in Scripture all along. But it was not I who opened your eyes–it was the Holy Spirit. I merely write what I see, and leave the results to Father.
The Holy Spirit is moving mightily today among His people. What He reveals to us, we must verify in Scripture, for the Living Truth will always be in accordance with the written Truth. He has promised to guide us into all Truth (John 16:13), so we can have confidence that He will do so. Therefore we need to make thoughtful decisions and bring everything to Father in prayer. He will quickly confirm His Truth to us, and will lead us in His path!
Great article! I have been researching the doctrine of Balaam and have come across some explanations that are pretty out there. Your words bear witness to my spirit. It aligns with what I have also been shown. Thank you for sharing.
Shalom
Thank you Tabby. Your words of confirmation are an encouragement.
With such a serious matter facing the Believers, sometimes it becomes a little scary to think that so many Believers could be in such great error, and in so much danger–but there it is in Scripture!
It appears you are doing as the Bereans–who were more noble, for they searched the Scriptures, to see whether these things are true (Acts 17:11)!
Blessings to you and your Household,
Brother Bill
Greetings, I take it your name is Eliyah.
I was doing a search on Balaam’s doctrine. I found your site of the long list on google.
I have read your page here and based on your words on this page, I take it you are, well versed. Grace and Peace in the Most Holy Name of Jesus.
I found this page to explain what I was looking for. Thank you,
Peace be with you always
Stu
Thank you Stu, for your visit.
No, my name is not Eliyah, although there are today a great company called Eliyah.
Glad you are searching. May your search be very fruitful!
No, I am not as well-versed as I should be. Like you, I am still searching the Scriptures, as the Bereans. Let’s all continue our search, and share what we find!
Brother Bill