Post by Paddy by Grace on Feb 11, 2010 13:43:04 GMT -7
TY Tshuvah
SHIPWRECKED FAITH: APOSTASY OF THE LAST DAYS –[NOTE: I ran across this Email yesterday that I was sent in 2003. While I had saved it, I guess I hadn’t read it closely enough, for it speaks very clearly of many things that were problems in 2003, but that now are way out of hand today! – While this article’s focus is mainly from a Messianic perspective on certain parts of the “Messianic movement”; however: Many of these types of things are also problems in certain parts of the “Gentile-Churches” as well. - I hope you’d prayerfully read and consider what this article is warning about!]…
POSTED 01 NOVEMBER, 2003
by Mikhel and Sharra Badgley - mikhael@dehrechhatorah.com
The Apostolic Scriptures warn in the latter days before the man of lawlessness or anti-messiah is revealed, first the apostasy would come. Are we witnessing this end-time phenomenon take place in our midst?
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away -(apostasy) first, and that man of sin -(LAWlessness) be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
During the past few years, various leaders within the Messianic/Hebraic community have departed from faith in Messiah Yeshua. As these leaders turned aside from Messiah, they influenced their congregations and those who subscribe to their teachings. Many have followed suit and joined with these leaders to depart from faith and turn aside from their Salvation. In the coming days, before the return of Messiah Yeshua, this departure from faith will continue to increase as it has been declared within the Apostolic Scriptures that such things will take place in the last days. Just as the Holy One of Israel has servants who prepare the way for His return by proclaiming His Word and declaring His Salvation, the man of lawlessness has workers of iniquity, deceptive spirits, and doctrines, which help prepare for his arrival by deceiving and drawing people away from faith in Messiah Yeshua and His Word. It is an alarming trend within the Messianic/Hebraic community that leaders are departing from fundamental understandings of the Scriptures, rejecting sound doctrine, and presenting an influx of what is simply the doctrine of demons (1 Timothy 4:1). These leaders are experiencing shipwrecked faith and they continue to upset the faith of others by relying on and promoting strange doctrines which lead away from Salvation in Messiah Yeshua and depart from His Word.
In the first century, Paul made several missionary journeys outside of The Land of Israel in order to share the basar, the gospel or good news, of salvation and atonement through Messiah Yeshua. He planted several assemblies, encouraged the overseers and penned several letters, which have spoken to many generations since Paul originally wrote them. In his journeys, Paul established an assembly at Ephesus and sent his close companion Timothy to counter the false teachings within the assembly and to serve as a leader and strengthen the people. A close look at Paul's letters within 1 & 2 Timothy, will reveal that our generation within the Messianic/Hebraic community faces the same difficulties as the 1st Century assembly at Ephesus such as: the embracing of Gnosticism, esoterical and false doctrines, corrupted forms of Judaism, unqualified leadership, disorder within assemblies, and the love for money and materialism.
Paul encouraged Timothy to stand firm in his faith and instructed him on how to recognize and respond to the false teachers and strange doctrines that was creeping into the assembly. Paul speaks of those who experienced shipwrecked faith, as these people rejected sound doctrine within the Scriptures.
1 Timothy 1:18-20
“This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
2 Timothy 2:15-18
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.”
In our day, we are witnessing those who experience shipwreck from their faith in Messiah Yeshua. This departure from faith did not happen overnight but is the result of a gradual progression away from sound doctrine. People who formally accepted atonement and remission of sin through the atoning work of Messiah Yeshua have rejected the Blood of His Covenant. Some have converted to Orthodox Judaism, become enchanted with Chasidic Judaism, or have developed a quasi-Ephramite theology apart from faith and salvation in Messiah Yeshua. Others embrace the Gnostic view of pleroma, which is the state of God and man being indistinguishable. In this post-modern world, man has become his own god.
Holman's Bible Dictionary defines apostasy as "the act of rebelling against, forsaking, abandoning, or falling away from what one has believed."[1] New Webster's Dictionary defines apostasy as an "abandonment of what one has professed; a total desertion or departure from one's faith, principles, or party."[2] Apostasy is a derivative of the Greek word apostasia that means "to stand away from." This Greek word occurs twice in the Apostolic Scriptures. In Acts 21:21 Paul is erroneously charged with teaching the Jews who lived among the Gentiles to depart from faith (apostasia) in Moses or more specifically, the Torah. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Paul foretells a latter day departure from faith (apostasia) that would occur before the anti-messiah or man of lawlessness is revealed. In these last days of apostasy, fundamentals of faith and salvation will continue to be attacked, truth will be rejected, and falsehood embraced before the revealing of the man of lawlessness.
The attack on the fundamental understandings
This article is not designed to address the validity and infallibility of the Apostolic Writings, as much as it is to demonstrate the various points of attack that the Enemy has used and is using to undermine the faith of many. However, the Apostolic Writings are the foremost area attacked, because if one could dispose of faith in these writings, the other areas (Messiah Yeshua's blood atonement, deity, virgin birth, resurrection) would be easily discounted.
Messiah Yeshua gave us the following parable that demonstrates the fragility of the Word and the human heart. It is not that the Word is fragile, but that it, like any seed, requires the right condition in which to grow and then to eventually bear fruit. Again, the right condition is not just sun, water, and good soil, but also the lack of rocky terrain and thorns. The rocky terrain and thorns would be any other message that pollutes, corrupts, or contaminates the pure Word of the Holy One.
Luke 8:11-15
“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”
In a sporting event, such as football or basketball, one of the goals for an opposing team and its coach is to disrupt the other team's strategy. The one team has had a plan from the beginning of the game, if which they are able to follow, as their coach has shown, will enable them to be victorious over their opponent. In order to counter this well-conceived plan, the other team will change defensive and offensive schemes to catch the first team unaware. Sometimes, the first team will then take their mind and eyes off of their coach's plan because they think that it will not work or that it is flawed in the face of the opponents' game plan. The players, disregarding their coach, try to come up with their own impromptu plan.
This is similar to that of the modern believer throwing out the Apostolic Writings (New Testament) because of erroneous beliefs. Some insist, that these writings had to originally be written in Hebrew, that they cannot be reconciled with the writings of the TaNaKh (Old Testament), or that they cannot answer basic questions from anti-missionary groups. Many are taking their eyes away from their coach (Messiah Yeshua) and His Word. At the end of the game, they will discover their plans have failed and the adversary has defeated them.
The enemy of our souls has a desire to shake everyone from their faith in Messiah Yeshua. The best way to do this is to discount or discredit the Writings which speak of His coming, sacrifice, resurrection, and plan for our lives. The attack on the original Greek manuscripts has caused many to doubt the inerrancy and inspiration Apostolic Scriptures. All it takes is a little doubt, a little leaven, to be introduced and all can be ruined. The remedy for the introduction of leavening in the batch is to quickly remove it. It is when it is left unchecked that it leavens the whole loaf (I Cor. 5:6-7). Likewise, to leave doubt unchecked can cause a ruined belief system. Please understand that doubt is natural and that nobody should feel any condemnation if they have doubts about what they believe. Believers should not let the doubts lay unattended, but should examine everything in the light of Scripture. Thus, the believer not only will be acting as a good and noble Berean (Acts 17:11) but will be taking captive every thought to make it obedient to Messiah (2 Cor. 10:5).
Influx of Strange Doctrines
Another emerging trend within the last days is the increase of occultist arts. Society as a whole has embraced the occult and rejected the Word of God. This has infiltrated even Messianic/Hebraic assemblies under the guise of Jewish mysticism or kabbalah. During the Middle Ages, when kabbalah became popular among Jewish mystics, traditional Judaism rejected the strange doctrines. In the latter days, kabbalah has been repackaged and marketed under the guise of "new" revelation and "secret" wisdom and gullible believers have swallowed the strange doctrines and many have departed from faith in Messiah Yeshua. Paul warned us that such things would take place:
1 Timothy 4:1-2
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”
Why would people embrace strange doctrines and depart from what is clearly presented in the Scriptures? Sadly, many are not content with the simplicity of faith in Messiah Yeshua and the salvation and atonement He provides. They seek "deeper things" and "secret" understandings. Some seek to have their "ears tickled" as Paul has written:
2 Timothy 4:3-4
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
Kabbalah (Qabala) is the mystical and esoterical body of writings that were recorded in the 12th century in Spain. The word kabbalah is formed by the Hebrew letters Qaf, Beit, and Lamed and means to "receive or accept."[3] The author of the main kabbalist text, the Zohar-Book of Splendor, is disputed and Rabbi Joseph Telushkin presents:
"The most famous work of kabbalah, the Zohar, was revealed to the Jewish world in the thirteenth century by Moses De Leon, who claimed that the book contained the mystical writings of the second-century rabbi Simeon bar Yochai. Almost all modern Jewish academic scholars believe that De Leon himself authored the Zohar, although many Orthodox kabbalists continue to accept De Leon's attribution of it to Simeon bar Yochai." [4]
Two other kabbalistic texts include the The Sepher Yitzirah, or "book of creation," and the Sepher Bahir, or "brilliant." [5]
Should we study from this mystical body of writings? Could it be dangerous?
In the Middle Ages, certain Jewish mystics warned that kabbalah was not intended for everyone, but rather a select few who were "initiated" or "enlightened" and capable of receiving its wisdom. Some mystics warned that the Sefirotic Tree of kabbalah also had a demonic parallel tree. It was considered dangerous for the average person to journey in kabbalah because they might tap into the wrong power. Kabbalah teachers of today (within the Messianic/Hebraic world) would lead people to believe there is a difference between "Hermetic (occult) kabbalah" and "Biblical kabbalah" but this is simply not so. They have presented a syncretism of kabbalah with Torah and the sowing of false doctrines has damaged the faith of those who once trusted in Messiah Yeshua for salvation. Kabbalah is one and the same as evidenced by the usage of the Seifirotic Tree and the common terminology. Messianic/Hebraic teachers that promote kabbalah do not warn people of the dangers of occult and the possible demonic connections. They simply sell more materials under the guise of "new revelation" or "secret insight" which is tragic. With all things, we must inspect the fruit. Many people who are teaching or studying kabbalah are not exhibiting good fruit.
Even though kabbalah was formally published in the Middle Ages, its {false spiritual}-origins are from old. It might even be able to be traced right back to the very beginning with the Tree of Knowlege of Good and Evil. Although many would state the Seifirotic Tree is the Tree of Life, this is not the case. The Torah is the Tree of Life. Interestingly enough, the middle pillar of the Sefirotic Tree is known as the tree of knowlege. Why do people desire to study all the mysteries within kabbalah? Are they not satisfied with their Scriptures? Sadly, men want to know the secrets of the universe. Mankind wants to be like God. Mankind does not want to humble themselves and become servants. Mankind does not want to have child-like faith. Things really have not changed much since the beginning.
Genesis 3:1-5; 13
“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which YHVH God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. - And YHVH God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.”
The adversary is quite busy in our day deceiving people and many go astray. We surely must be careful what fruit we partake of.
The {False}-Concept of Metatron and Greater and Lesser Yahweh
Some Messianic/Hebraic teachers choose to redefine the nature of Messiah Yeshua in a manner that is not consistent with the Scriptures. They present interpretations that are quite similar to that of Joseph Smith of Mormonism, because the false teachings share the same root of kabbalah. Smith founded the largest cult in America with his departure from Scripture and embracing of strange doctrines, and we can recognize the same false teachings and cult-like behavior within certain Messianic/Hebraic circles of our day.
Smith began studying under Alexander Neibaur, a European Jew in 1841. Neibaur possessed many kabbalistic works and shared them with Smith as the false prophet was emerging on the American frontier. Smith adopted many kabbalistic understandings and even quoted almost word-for-word from the Zohar in his greatest sermon "The King Follet Discourse" which he delivered before 10,000 people in 1844.
Modern scholars recognize the link between the teachings of Smith and kabbalah. Harold Bloom, a prominent scholar and professor at Yale connects the doctrines of Joseph Smith with kabbalistic interpretations of God: ‘Enoch-Metatron may be regarded as the authentic angel of America, which was initially the insight of the Mormon prophet, seer, and revelator Joseph Smith, who identified himself with Enoch.’ [6]
Bloom recognizes the syncretism of kabbalistic thoughts with Mormon doctrine and the impact that Joseph Smith had on religious thought in America: ‘What is clear is that Smith and his apostles restated what Moshe Idel, our great living scholar of Kabbalah, persuades me was the archaic or original Jewish religion. My observation certainly does find enormous validity in Smith's imaginative recapture of crucial elements, elements evaded by normative Judaism and by the Church after it. The god of Joseph Smith is a daring revival of the god of some of the Kabbalists and Gnostics, prophetic sages, who like Smith himself, asserted that they had returned to the true religion.’ [7]
During the Middle Ages, the concept of Greater and Lesser Yahweh emerged among a sect of Merkabah Mystics. The sages within traditional Judaism denounced the idea as heresy. - Elisha ben Abuyah was a mystic who claimed to have a vision of Heaven and saw Metatron on the throne. He concluded: "Perhaps there are two Gods in Heaven" and he was recorded in the Talmud as being heretical. [8]
Should we accept a kabbalistic interpretation of the Holy One of Israel that has been considered heresy by traditional and orthodox Jewish thought and cannot be substantiated from Scripture? The false prophet Joseph Smith touted these same kabbalistic interpretations as he developed what grew to be the largest cult in America. The Apostle Peter warned of the false prophets, false teachers and destructive heresies that depart from the Scriptures:
2 Peter 2:1-3
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in d**nable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. ¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their d**nation slumbereth not.”
As the assembly in Ephesus was bombarded with strange doctrines and false teachers, Paul encouraged Timothy to remember his foundation of the Scriptures. Paul did not exhort Timothy to seek out strange and esoterical doctrines.
2 Timothy 3:13-17
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Messiah Yeshua. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
The {False}-Concept of Adam Kadom
Another kabbalistic understanding embraced by Joseph Smith and promoted with Messianic/Hebraic circles of our day is the concept Adam Kadom. This view is erroneously attributed to the Holy One of Israel as Messiah Yeshua. One Hebraic teacher defines Adam Kadom as the: ‘Anthropomorphic allusion to Vast Face as the Celestial Man "created (i.e. World of B'riyah) in the image of Elohim"; depicted in Merkabah literature as riding upon the Celestial Chariot, or seated upon the Throne of El Shaddai. Adam, as the archetype of the first man in the Garden of Eden, reflects the male aspect of Small Face in the Lower World of Yetzirah, with Chawah (Eve) representing the feminine aspect of Small Face as the energy of consciousness. With the allusion of the eating of the apple of the knowledge of good and evil, the action drops down into the World of Asiyah, and consciousness becomes dualistic.’ [9]
Adam Kadom is Divine Man or Anthropos, the primordial Adam of Kabbalism. Bloom, a classic Gnostic and a respected scholar, rejects the idea of the Creator-God of the Torah, the Creation accounts and the fall of man and describes rather succinctly the Gnostic view of Adam Kadom:‘ Ancient Jewish myths and theosophies had long anticipated Gnosticism, and these speculations were revived during the formative first century of Jewish Gnosticism. The most important of them concerned the original or Primordial Adam, the Anthropos, or Man, as Greek-speaking Jews called him, a being at once Adam and God, whose enormous body took up the entire cosmos, but who actually transcended the cosmos. Our world, even before it fell (or shrank into the Creation of Genesis 1) was actually contained inside the frame of Adam, Anthropos, Man, who was indistinguishable from God.’ [10]
Bloom quotes the ancient Hermetic Corpus, the writings of pagan Alexandrian Gnostics under Jewish kabbalistic influence to sum up the understanding of Adam Kadom: ‘The true Man is above even the gods, or at least fully their equal. After all, none of the celestial gods will leave the heavenly frontiers and descend to earth; yet Man establishes himself on high without leaving the earth, so far does his power extend. We must presume then to say that earthly Man is a mortal god, and that the celestial God is an immortal man.’ [11]
Although Messianic/Hebraic teachers use the concept of Adam Kadom to define and describe Messiah Yeshua, we discover through researching the works of scholars that this concept is quite heretical and does not line up with Scripture. This is the basis of Gnosticism and Mormonism and has led many to depart from Scripture. Many people who reject the Creator-God of Israel and His Word embrace this kabbalistic interpretation of Adam Kadom because it diminishes the God of Israel and elevates man as god. Although some Hebraic teachers would like to present the concept of Adam Kadom to define Messiah Yeshua, Kabbalists and Gnostics who vehemently deny salvation and atonement through Messiah Yeshua accept this very concept. After all, according to this line of thought man is god and does not have need of a Savior.
What can we do to stem the tide of apostasy?
One of the first things that each believer needs to do is to make certain that we are trusting in the plan of the Holy One. The Israelites which were about to enter into the Land of Promise continued speaking of Egypt in preferable and favorable terms. To be precise, they were beginning to refer to Egypt as the land which would flow with milk and honey: the very description that the Holy One gave of the Promised Land.
Please carefully read the next two passages of Scripture. Keep in mind that throughout the pages of the Bible, Egypt refers to a place of sin, bondage, and death.
Hebrews 3:7-12
“Wherefore (as the Holy Spirit saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”
Isaiah 30:1-2
“Woe to the rebellious children, saith YHVH, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!”
It is clear from the above passages that we are to rely upon the Holy One for our provision: physical, emotional, and spiritual. We are to consult His Book and not anything from Babylon, Egyptian, Eastern, or Mystical sources. Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) is the motto for our day. Nobody should take that to mean that the Holy Spirit is not needed. The phrase carries the implication that no other writings are needed to convey the message of salvation (2 Timothy 3:15).
From this point on, we must do several things, each of which with love and discernment from the Holy Spirit:
We must fight the good fight and proclaim the Word.
2 Tim. 4:7-8
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
We must occupy until He comes.
Luke 19:13b
…“Occupy -(can also mean: ‘do business with this’) till I come.”
We must contend for the faith.
Jude 1:3-4
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness –(lewdness) and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Yeshua Messiah.”
We must rebuke false teachers and false doctrines.
1 Timothy 5:19-20
“Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.”
We must protect the flock.
Acts 20:28-30
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”
We must present our testimony.
Revelation 12:11
”And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
We must rely on the Anchor
We are living in the last days. Apostasy is rampant and will continue to wax worse. In the Dark Ages, men were ignorant of truth. In these latter days, men mock God and reject truth. Paul summed it up best:
2 Timothy 3:1-5, 7
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. - Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
If we do a quick survey of the world, we can witness moral filth and degradation, gross immorality and open denial of God and His Word. If we observe many of the mainstream Christian churches, we will find entertainment-centered, watered-down, feel-good theology that rejects the eternal Torah of God. If we observe the Messianic/Hebraic world, we will find various divisions and factions. Much of Messianic Judaism has created a two-class, dual covenant system that proclaims Torah is not for non-Jews. Many of those who accept a Two-House understanding of Israel have marginalized into extremes. The extremists promote faulty theology, false doctrines and exhibit poor scholarship. –{My note: I’d further qualify that, as there are now days several more different types of ‘Two-House’ & ‘One-House’ camps and teachings. While some ‘Two-House’ camps do not teach that about the Torah and non-Jews; yet even some of the ‘One House’ camps do teach that. – Sad to say: There are a lot more things out there now that we need discernment concerning then were around in 2003; and we can’t always go by their ‘labels’ anymore (including the ‘label’: Messianic!) to rely on in giving us an indication of just what they might believe!}
We have painted a bleak picture as we have presented an analysis of the current state of the world and the Body of Messiah but we are not without hope. The storms of the latter day apostasy are upon us. Many people are experiencing shipwrecked faith because they did not rely on the Anchor. Anchors are secure and stable and they prevent ships from drifting in the raging waters of storms. Those who are in Blood Covenant with Messiah Yeshua and rely upon the Word of God (Genesis to Revelation) will not be in danger of shipwrecked faith in the last days. He the Hope and the Anchor and all who trust in Him are secure.
Hebrews 6:18b-20
…we might have a strong consolation –(encouragement), who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Yeshua, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Michael "Mikhael" and Sharra Badgley are the authors of the website Dehrech HaTorah-Path of the Torah (www.dehrechhatorah.com).
NOTES
[1] Quickverse 6.0: Holman's Bible Dictionary.
[2] New Webster's Dictionary, College Edition (New York: Consolidated Book Publishers, 1975), 76.
[3] www.jewfaq.org/kabbalah.htm
[4] Telushkin, Joseph, Jewish Literacy (New York: William Morrow and Company, 1991), 200-201.
[5] 1911 Edition Encyclopedia "Kabbalah" 35.1911encyclopedia.org/
[6] Harold Bloom, Omens of Millennium (New York: Riverhead Books, 1996), 46.
[7] Harold Bloom, The American Religion (New York: Simon & Shuster, 1992), 99, 105.
[8] Harold Bloom, Omens of Millennium, 236.
[9] Nydle, Ed. "Glossary of Kabbalistic Terms"
[10] Harold Bloom, Omens of Millennium, 236.
[11] Ibid, 238.
SHIPWRECKED FAITH: APOSTASY OF THE LAST DAYS –[NOTE: I ran across this Email yesterday that I was sent in 2003. While I had saved it, I guess I hadn’t read it closely enough, for it speaks very clearly of many things that were problems in 2003, but that now are way out of hand today! – While this article’s focus is mainly from a Messianic perspective on certain parts of the “Messianic movement”; however: Many of these types of things are also problems in certain parts of the “Gentile-Churches” as well. - I hope you’d prayerfully read and consider what this article is warning about!]…
POSTED 01 NOVEMBER, 2003
by Mikhel and Sharra Badgley - mikhael@dehrechhatorah.com
The Apostolic Scriptures warn in the latter days before the man of lawlessness or anti-messiah is revealed, first the apostasy would come. Are we witnessing this end-time phenomenon take place in our midst?
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away -(apostasy) first, and that man of sin -(LAWlessness) be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
During the past few years, various leaders within the Messianic/Hebraic community have departed from faith in Messiah Yeshua. As these leaders turned aside from Messiah, they influenced their congregations and those who subscribe to their teachings. Many have followed suit and joined with these leaders to depart from faith and turn aside from their Salvation. In the coming days, before the return of Messiah Yeshua, this departure from faith will continue to increase as it has been declared within the Apostolic Scriptures that such things will take place in the last days. Just as the Holy One of Israel has servants who prepare the way for His return by proclaiming His Word and declaring His Salvation, the man of lawlessness has workers of iniquity, deceptive spirits, and doctrines, which help prepare for his arrival by deceiving and drawing people away from faith in Messiah Yeshua and His Word. It is an alarming trend within the Messianic/Hebraic community that leaders are departing from fundamental understandings of the Scriptures, rejecting sound doctrine, and presenting an influx of what is simply the doctrine of demons (1 Timothy 4:1). These leaders are experiencing shipwrecked faith and they continue to upset the faith of others by relying on and promoting strange doctrines which lead away from Salvation in Messiah Yeshua and depart from His Word.
In the first century, Paul made several missionary journeys outside of The Land of Israel in order to share the basar, the gospel or good news, of salvation and atonement through Messiah Yeshua. He planted several assemblies, encouraged the overseers and penned several letters, which have spoken to many generations since Paul originally wrote them. In his journeys, Paul established an assembly at Ephesus and sent his close companion Timothy to counter the false teachings within the assembly and to serve as a leader and strengthen the people. A close look at Paul's letters within 1 & 2 Timothy, will reveal that our generation within the Messianic/Hebraic community faces the same difficulties as the 1st Century assembly at Ephesus such as: the embracing of Gnosticism, esoterical and false doctrines, corrupted forms of Judaism, unqualified leadership, disorder within assemblies, and the love for money and materialism.
Paul encouraged Timothy to stand firm in his faith and instructed him on how to recognize and respond to the false teachers and strange doctrines that was creeping into the assembly. Paul speaks of those who experienced shipwrecked faith, as these people rejected sound doctrine within the Scriptures.
1 Timothy 1:18-20
“This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
2 Timothy 2:15-18
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.”
In our day, we are witnessing those who experience shipwreck from their faith in Messiah Yeshua. This departure from faith did not happen overnight but is the result of a gradual progression away from sound doctrine. People who formally accepted atonement and remission of sin through the atoning work of Messiah Yeshua have rejected the Blood of His Covenant. Some have converted to Orthodox Judaism, become enchanted with Chasidic Judaism, or have developed a quasi-Ephramite theology apart from faith and salvation in Messiah Yeshua. Others embrace the Gnostic view of pleroma, which is the state of God and man being indistinguishable. In this post-modern world, man has become his own god.
Holman's Bible Dictionary defines apostasy as "the act of rebelling against, forsaking, abandoning, or falling away from what one has believed."[1] New Webster's Dictionary defines apostasy as an "abandonment of what one has professed; a total desertion or departure from one's faith, principles, or party."[2] Apostasy is a derivative of the Greek word apostasia that means "to stand away from." This Greek word occurs twice in the Apostolic Scriptures. In Acts 21:21 Paul is erroneously charged with teaching the Jews who lived among the Gentiles to depart from faith (apostasia) in Moses or more specifically, the Torah. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Paul foretells a latter day departure from faith (apostasia) that would occur before the anti-messiah or man of lawlessness is revealed. In these last days of apostasy, fundamentals of faith and salvation will continue to be attacked, truth will be rejected, and falsehood embraced before the revealing of the man of lawlessness.
The attack on the fundamental understandings
This article is not designed to address the validity and infallibility of the Apostolic Writings, as much as it is to demonstrate the various points of attack that the Enemy has used and is using to undermine the faith of many. However, the Apostolic Writings are the foremost area attacked, because if one could dispose of faith in these writings, the other areas (Messiah Yeshua's blood atonement, deity, virgin birth, resurrection) would be easily discounted.
Messiah Yeshua gave us the following parable that demonstrates the fragility of the Word and the human heart. It is not that the Word is fragile, but that it, like any seed, requires the right condition in which to grow and then to eventually bear fruit. Again, the right condition is not just sun, water, and good soil, but also the lack of rocky terrain and thorns. The rocky terrain and thorns would be any other message that pollutes, corrupts, or contaminates the pure Word of the Holy One.
Luke 8:11-15
“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”
In a sporting event, such as football or basketball, one of the goals for an opposing team and its coach is to disrupt the other team's strategy. The one team has had a plan from the beginning of the game, if which they are able to follow, as their coach has shown, will enable them to be victorious over their opponent. In order to counter this well-conceived plan, the other team will change defensive and offensive schemes to catch the first team unaware. Sometimes, the first team will then take their mind and eyes off of their coach's plan because they think that it will not work or that it is flawed in the face of the opponents' game plan. The players, disregarding their coach, try to come up with their own impromptu plan.
This is similar to that of the modern believer throwing out the Apostolic Writings (New Testament) because of erroneous beliefs. Some insist, that these writings had to originally be written in Hebrew, that they cannot be reconciled with the writings of the TaNaKh (Old Testament), or that they cannot answer basic questions from anti-missionary groups. Many are taking their eyes away from their coach (Messiah Yeshua) and His Word. At the end of the game, they will discover their plans have failed and the adversary has defeated them.
The enemy of our souls has a desire to shake everyone from their faith in Messiah Yeshua. The best way to do this is to discount or discredit the Writings which speak of His coming, sacrifice, resurrection, and plan for our lives. The attack on the original Greek manuscripts has caused many to doubt the inerrancy and inspiration Apostolic Scriptures. All it takes is a little doubt, a little leaven, to be introduced and all can be ruined. The remedy for the introduction of leavening in the batch is to quickly remove it. It is when it is left unchecked that it leavens the whole loaf (I Cor. 5:6-7). Likewise, to leave doubt unchecked can cause a ruined belief system. Please understand that doubt is natural and that nobody should feel any condemnation if they have doubts about what they believe. Believers should not let the doubts lay unattended, but should examine everything in the light of Scripture. Thus, the believer not only will be acting as a good and noble Berean (Acts 17:11) but will be taking captive every thought to make it obedient to Messiah (2 Cor. 10:5).
Influx of Strange Doctrines
Another emerging trend within the last days is the increase of occultist arts. Society as a whole has embraced the occult and rejected the Word of God. This has infiltrated even Messianic/Hebraic assemblies under the guise of Jewish mysticism or kabbalah. During the Middle Ages, when kabbalah became popular among Jewish mystics, traditional Judaism rejected the strange doctrines. In the latter days, kabbalah has been repackaged and marketed under the guise of "new" revelation and "secret" wisdom and gullible believers have swallowed the strange doctrines and many have departed from faith in Messiah Yeshua. Paul warned us that such things would take place:
1 Timothy 4:1-2
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”
Why would people embrace strange doctrines and depart from what is clearly presented in the Scriptures? Sadly, many are not content with the simplicity of faith in Messiah Yeshua and the salvation and atonement He provides. They seek "deeper things" and "secret" understandings. Some seek to have their "ears tickled" as Paul has written:
2 Timothy 4:3-4
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
Kabbalah (Qabala) is the mystical and esoterical body of writings that were recorded in the 12th century in Spain. The word kabbalah is formed by the Hebrew letters Qaf, Beit, and Lamed and means to "receive or accept."[3] The author of the main kabbalist text, the Zohar-Book of Splendor, is disputed and Rabbi Joseph Telushkin presents:
"The most famous work of kabbalah, the Zohar, was revealed to the Jewish world in the thirteenth century by Moses De Leon, who claimed that the book contained the mystical writings of the second-century rabbi Simeon bar Yochai. Almost all modern Jewish academic scholars believe that De Leon himself authored the Zohar, although many Orthodox kabbalists continue to accept De Leon's attribution of it to Simeon bar Yochai." [4]
Two other kabbalistic texts include the The Sepher Yitzirah, or "book of creation," and the Sepher Bahir, or "brilliant." [5]
Should we study from this mystical body of writings? Could it be dangerous?
In the Middle Ages, certain Jewish mystics warned that kabbalah was not intended for everyone, but rather a select few who were "initiated" or "enlightened" and capable of receiving its wisdom. Some mystics warned that the Sefirotic Tree of kabbalah also had a demonic parallel tree. It was considered dangerous for the average person to journey in kabbalah because they might tap into the wrong power. Kabbalah teachers of today (within the Messianic/Hebraic world) would lead people to believe there is a difference between "Hermetic (occult) kabbalah" and "Biblical kabbalah" but this is simply not so. They have presented a syncretism of kabbalah with Torah and the sowing of false doctrines has damaged the faith of those who once trusted in Messiah Yeshua for salvation. Kabbalah is one and the same as evidenced by the usage of the Seifirotic Tree and the common terminology. Messianic/Hebraic teachers that promote kabbalah do not warn people of the dangers of occult and the possible demonic connections. They simply sell more materials under the guise of "new revelation" or "secret insight" which is tragic. With all things, we must inspect the fruit. Many people who are teaching or studying kabbalah are not exhibiting good fruit.
Even though kabbalah was formally published in the Middle Ages, its {false spiritual}-origins are from old. It might even be able to be traced right back to the very beginning with the Tree of Knowlege of Good and Evil. Although many would state the Seifirotic Tree is the Tree of Life, this is not the case. The Torah is the Tree of Life. Interestingly enough, the middle pillar of the Sefirotic Tree is known as the tree of knowlege. Why do people desire to study all the mysteries within kabbalah? Are they not satisfied with their Scriptures? Sadly, men want to know the secrets of the universe. Mankind wants to be like God. Mankind does not want to humble themselves and become servants. Mankind does not want to have child-like faith. Things really have not changed much since the beginning.
Genesis 3:1-5; 13
“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which YHVH God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. - And YHVH God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.”
The adversary is quite busy in our day deceiving people and many go astray. We surely must be careful what fruit we partake of.
The {False}-Concept of Metatron and Greater and Lesser Yahweh
Some Messianic/Hebraic teachers choose to redefine the nature of Messiah Yeshua in a manner that is not consistent with the Scriptures. They present interpretations that are quite similar to that of Joseph Smith of Mormonism, because the false teachings share the same root of kabbalah. Smith founded the largest cult in America with his departure from Scripture and embracing of strange doctrines, and we can recognize the same false teachings and cult-like behavior within certain Messianic/Hebraic circles of our day.
Smith began studying under Alexander Neibaur, a European Jew in 1841. Neibaur possessed many kabbalistic works and shared them with Smith as the false prophet was emerging on the American frontier. Smith adopted many kabbalistic understandings and even quoted almost word-for-word from the Zohar in his greatest sermon "The King Follet Discourse" which he delivered before 10,000 people in 1844.
Modern scholars recognize the link between the teachings of Smith and kabbalah. Harold Bloom, a prominent scholar and professor at Yale connects the doctrines of Joseph Smith with kabbalistic interpretations of God: ‘Enoch-Metatron may be regarded as the authentic angel of America, which was initially the insight of the Mormon prophet, seer, and revelator Joseph Smith, who identified himself with Enoch.’ [6]
Bloom recognizes the syncretism of kabbalistic thoughts with Mormon doctrine and the impact that Joseph Smith had on religious thought in America: ‘What is clear is that Smith and his apostles restated what Moshe Idel, our great living scholar of Kabbalah, persuades me was the archaic or original Jewish religion. My observation certainly does find enormous validity in Smith's imaginative recapture of crucial elements, elements evaded by normative Judaism and by the Church after it. The god of Joseph Smith is a daring revival of the god of some of the Kabbalists and Gnostics, prophetic sages, who like Smith himself, asserted that they had returned to the true religion.’ [7]
During the Middle Ages, the concept of Greater and Lesser Yahweh emerged among a sect of Merkabah Mystics. The sages within traditional Judaism denounced the idea as heresy. - Elisha ben Abuyah was a mystic who claimed to have a vision of Heaven and saw Metatron on the throne. He concluded: "Perhaps there are two Gods in Heaven" and he was recorded in the Talmud as being heretical. [8]
Should we accept a kabbalistic interpretation of the Holy One of Israel that has been considered heresy by traditional and orthodox Jewish thought and cannot be substantiated from Scripture? The false prophet Joseph Smith touted these same kabbalistic interpretations as he developed what grew to be the largest cult in America. The Apostle Peter warned of the false prophets, false teachers and destructive heresies that depart from the Scriptures:
2 Peter 2:1-3
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in d**nable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. ¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their d**nation slumbereth not.”
As the assembly in Ephesus was bombarded with strange doctrines and false teachers, Paul encouraged Timothy to remember his foundation of the Scriptures. Paul did not exhort Timothy to seek out strange and esoterical doctrines.
2 Timothy 3:13-17
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Messiah Yeshua. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
The {False}-Concept of Adam Kadom
Another kabbalistic understanding embraced by Joseph Smith and promoted with Messianic/Hebraic circles of our day is the concept Adam Kadom. This view is erroneously attributed to the Holy One of Israel as Messiah Yeshua. One Hebraic teacher defines Adam Kadom as the: ‘Anthropomorphic allusion to Vast Face as the Celestial Man "created (i.e. World of B'riyah) in the image of Elohim"; depicted in Merkabah literature as riding upon the Celestial Chariot, or seated upon the Throne of El Shaddai. Adam, as the archetype of the first man in the Garden of Eden, reflects the male aspect of Small Face in the Lower World of Yetzirah, with Chawah (Eve) representing the feminine aspect of Small Face as the energy of consciousness. With the allusion of the eating of the apple of the knowledge of good and evil, the action drops down into the World of Asiyah, and consciousness becomes dualistic.’ [9]
Adam Kadom is Divine Man or Anthropos, the primordial Adam of Kabbalism. Bloom, a classic Gnostic and a respected scholar, rejects the idea of the Creator-God of the Torah, the Creation accounts and the fall of man and describes rather succinctly the Gnostic view of Adam Kadom:‘ Ancient Jewish myths and theosophies had long anticipated Gnosticism, and these speculations were revived during the formative first century of Jewish Gnosticism. The most important of them concerned the original or Primordial Adam, the Anthropos, or Man, as Greek-speaking Jews called him, a being at once Adam and God, whose enormous body took up the entire cosmos, but who actually transcended the cosmos. Our world, even before it fell (or shrank into the Creation of Genesis 1) was actually contained inside the frame of Adam, Anthropos, Man, who was indistinguishable from God.’ [10]
Bloom quotes the ancient Hermetic Corpus, the writings of pagan Alexandrian Gnostics under Jewish kabbalistic influence to sum up the understanding of Adam Kadom: ‘The true Man is above even the gods, or at least fully their equal. After all, none of the celestial gods will leave the heavenly frontiers and descend to earth; yet Man establishes himself on high without leaving the earth, so far does his power extend. We must presume then to say that earthly Man is a mortal god, and that the celestial God is an immortal man.’ [11]
Although Messianic/Hebraic teachers use the concept of Adam Kadom to define and describe Messiah Yeshua, we discover through researching the works of scholars that this concept is quite heretical and does not line up with Scripture. This is the basis of Gnosticism and Mormonism and has led many to depart from Scripture. Many people who reject the Creator-God of Israel and His Word embrace this kabbalistic interpretation of Adam Kadom because it diminishes the God of Israel and elevates man as god. Although some Hebraic teachers would like to present the concept of Adam Kadom to define Messiah Yeshua, Kabbalists and Gnostics who vehemently deny salvation and atonement through Messiah Yeshua accept this very concept. After all, according to this line of thought man is god and does not have need of a Savior.
What can we do to stem the tide of apostasy?
One of the first things that each believer needs to do is to make certain that we are trusting in the plan of the Holy One. The Israelites which were about to enter into the Land of Promise continued speaking of Egypt in preferable and favorable terms. To be precise, they were beginning to refer to Egypt as the land which would flow with milk and honey: the very description that the Holy One gave of the Promised Land.
Please carefully read the next two passages of Scripture. Keep in mind that throughout the pages of the Bible, Egypt refers to a place of sin, bondage, and death.
Hebrews 3:7-12
“Wherefore (as the Holy Spirit saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”
Isaiah 30:1-2
“Woe to the rebellious children, saith YHVH, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!”
It is clear from the above passages that we are to rely upon the Holy One for our provision: physical, emotional, and spiritual. We are to consult His Book and not anything from Babylon, Egyptian, Eastern, or Mystical sources. Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) is the motto for our day. Nobody should take that to mean that the Holy Spirit is not needed. The phrase carries the implication that no other writings are needed to convey the message of salvation (2 Timothy 3:15).
From this point on, we must do several things, each of which with love and discernment from the Holy Spirit:
We must fight the good fight and proclaim the Word.
2 Tim. 4:7-8
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
We must occupy until He comes.
Luke 19:13b
…“Occupy -(can also mean: ‘do business with this’) till I come.”
We must contend for the faith.
Jude 1:3-4
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness –(lewdness) and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Yeshua Messiah.”
We must rebuke false teachers and false doctrines.
1 Timothy 5:19-20
“Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.”
We must protect the flock.
Acts 20:28-30
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”
We must present our testimony.
Revelation 12:11
”And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
We must rely on the Anchor
We are living in the last days. Apostasy is rampant and will continue to wax worse. In the Dark Ages, men were ignorant of truth. In these latter days, men mock God and reject truth. Paul summed it up best:
2 Timothy 3:1-5, 7
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. - Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
If we do a quick survey of the world, we can witness moral filth and degradation, gross immorality and open denial of God and His Word. If we observe many of the mainstream Christian churches, we will find entertainment-centered, watered-down, feel-good theology that rejects the eternal Torah of God. If we observe the Messianic/Hebraic world, we will find various divisions and factions. Much of Messianic Judaism has created a two-class, dual covenant system that proclaims Torah is not for non-Jews. Many of those who accept a Two-House understanding of Israel have marginalized into extremes. The extremists promote faulty theology, false doctrines and exhibit poor scholarship. –{My note: I’d further qualify that, as there are now days several more different types of ‘Two-House’ & ‘One-House’ camps and teachings. While some ‘Two-House’ camps do not teach that about the Torah and non-Jews; yet even some of the ‘One House’ camps do teach that. – Sad to say: There are a lot more things out there now that we need discernment concerning then were around in 2003; and we can’t always go by their ‘labels’ anymore (including the ‘label’: Messianic!) to rely on in giving us an indication of just what they might believe!}
We have painted a bleak picture as we have presented an analysis of the current state of the world and the Body of Messiah but we are not without hope. The storms of the latter day apostasy are upon us. Many people are experiencing shipwrecked faith because they did not rely on the Anchor. Anchors are secure and stable and they prevent ships from drifting in the raging waters of storms. Those who are in Blood Covenant with Messiah Yeshua and rely upon the Word of God (Genesis to Revelation) will not be in danger of shipwrecked faith in the last days. He the Hope and the Anchor and all who trust in Him are secure.
Hebrews 6:18b-20
…we might have a strong consolation –(encouragement), who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Yeshua, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Michael "Mikhael" and Sharra Badgley are the authors of the website Dehrech HaTorah-Path of the Torah (www.dehrechhatorah.com).
NOTES
[1] Quickverse 6.0: Holman's Bible Dictionary.
[2] New Webster's Dictionary, College Edition (New York: Consolidated Book Publishers, 1975), 76.
[3] www.jewfaq.org/kabbalah.htm
[4] Telushkin, Joseph, Jewish Literacy (New York: William Morrow and Company, 1991), 200-201.
[5] 1911 Edition Encyclopedia "Kabbalah" 35.1911encyclopedia.org/
[6] Harold Bloom, Omens of Millennium (New York: Riverhead Books, 1996), 46.
[7] Harold Bloom, The American Religion (New York: Simon & Shuster, 1992), 99, 105.
[8] Harold Bloom, Omens of Millennium, 236.
[9] Nydle, Ed. "Glossary of Kabbalistic Terms"
[10] Harold Bloom, Omens of Millennium, 236.
[11] Ibid, 238.