Tomorrow is Pentecost or Shavuot, the last of the spring biblical feasts. Jews believe this is the day God spoke the Torah at Mount Sinai – when He wrote His commandments on tablets of stone. In the New Testament book of Acts, God wrote Torah on the hearts of men by filling believers in Messiah Yeshua with the Ruach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit.
Scripture records that 3,000 Israelites died when they worshipped the golden calf at Sinai, and 3,000 were saved on Pentecost following the death and resurrection of Yeshua of Nazareth. The second chapter of Acts chronicles the drama of the latter event: the disciples huddle on the Temple Mount during Shavuot – probably trying to keep a low profile – when a mighty wind roars from heaven and tongues of fire rest above their heads. Empowered by God's Spirit, these uneducated Galileans began speaking in languages unknown to them, but recognized by the multitude around them. The Jews marvel because they hear the message of salvation in their native tongues. Biblical tongues is the ability to speak a foreign language previously unknown to the speaker for the purpose of communicating the gospel. It is a sign for unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:22). After Peter delivers an impromptu sermon, Jews are "cut to the heart" and ask what they must do (Acts 2:37). Peter instructs them to repent and be baptized, which they do gladly.
In the Old and New Testaments, God delivered Torah – His instruction book to mankind – via fire and a great shaking. Sinai was consumed by fire and smoke as Moses received the stone tablets. Disciples in Jerusalem were impacted by a fiery baptism of the Holy Spirit. We should remember this day with gratitude and fear, as in reverence to a mighty and awesome God.
Posted by Jeff King at June 12, 2005 10:21 AMDear sir, I wanted to address a comment here that I read posted elsewhere. You had stated that tattoos and piercings where associated with witch craft and paganism. I don't think you realize how many things in many many religions are related to paganism and witchcraft. I would like to point out though that I am pagan, I am a natural witch, and I am a christian. I believe in God in my way that feels right to my soul. Having brought together many things from many religions. I believe that there is no right or wrong way to believe in God. GOD is love. He is not to be feared. He wants simply to love us, to experience through us. He wants us to love and accept eachother. And all the differences which make us all so beautiful. I know you will disagree with me and that is fine. That is who YOU are and what YOU believe in. God bless and keep you:)
Posted by: thequeen at June 12, 2005 10:28 PMI'd like to respond to a couple comments you made. You say you are a witch and a Christian, but biblically that is not possible. The corrupt Pharisees made the outlandish and false claim that Yeshua (Jesus) healed a man by Beelzebub, the ruler of demons. The Lord answered in Matthew 12:25-26, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to destruction, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?" In other words, God's light cannot coexist with spiritual darkness. God condemns witchcraft throughout Scripture. He detests it. In Galatians 5:20 the apostle Paul includes witchcraft as one of the fruits of the flesh that will prevent a person from inheriting the kingdom of God.
Your statement that there is no right or wrong way to believe in God does not agree with Scripture. The Torah (usually referring to the first five books of Moses, or the Bible in general) is God's instruction book to mankind and clearly outlines what is expected of His followers. Yeshua says He is the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. He also says narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life, and few find it. I agree that God loves. His mercy is unparalleled. But He also is a God of judgment and justice, as reflected in Matthew 12:37 – "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Your comment that God is not to be feared is in conflict with Matthew 10:28 – "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
I encourage you, if you haven't already, to search the Scriptures and find out what God says about Himself. Consider the gift of grace that He offers freely to all men through Yeshua of Nazareth. I know of no greater joy and peace than to know Him, and to worship Him in spirit and truth.
Posted by: Jeff at June 13, 2005 12:01 AMHi 'the queen',
Just a few comments.
"How you worship determines who or what you worship." The God Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the God of Yeshua(Jesus) does not accept witchcraft as a form of worship. One of the reasons why is witchcraft seeks to manipulate and control that which is God's. It is egocentric.
You can not practice Biblical Judaism/Biblical Christianity and witchcraft. As Jeff pointed out above, the Bible teaches the exact opposite of you beliefs, there is one correct way, there is only one correct God(Deut 6:4,5), etc. The Bible and your beliefs are contradictory and mutually exclude one another. The 2 sets are incompatibale. That is what our God believes, not just Jeff and I. Ultimately, it is irrelevent what Jeff, you, or I believe about God. It only matters what God Himself wants. :)
I hope you re-evaluate your beliefs using the Bible. I say this with love. If you do not believe Jeff or I, ask God through Yeshua HaMashiach(Jesus The Christ) to show you the truth. If you have an open heart and mind, He will. :)
May HaShem(The Name) love and bless you through His Son Yeshua HaMashiach(Jesus The Christ),
Erik
I said I was a natural witch. I am also a gyspy by blood line. This does not mean that I cannot also be a christian, I am a gnostic christian.
I don't believe in the words of the bible. I believe that alot of what is in the bible is helpful to man and that is why god has allowed it among other holy books to remain on this planet.
The bible has been changed by the hand of man to many times for me to put any faith into what so ever. I think there are alot of great lessons in it on how to treat people. And basic good advice on how to live a good life. In any religion there are great lessons to be learned and there is a lot of good advice on how to live a good life.
God and Goddes and Jesus are all quite real to me. I celebrate them, I have faith in them. I believe in them. I am not so much religious as I am spiritual.
The tattoos I have are because I wanted them, because they mean a great deal to me, they symbolize important events and people in my life which are a reminder of god/goddes to me. A reminder of my brother Jesus. Thankyou for letting me respond to you here on your blog.
God bless you and keep you.
Yes, well said. But the most important part of the pentecostal background derives from the fact that this fire had to it a two-fold aspect. Recall that the fiery pillar in the Exodus gave light to the Israelites. This pillar, a threatening and consuming fire to the Egyptians and light and comfort to the Israelites took up residence in the tabernacle built by Bezalel and Oholiab. This divine glory -- the Spirit and Presence of the Lord -- eventually moved to the Temple in downtown Jerusalem under the auspices of the work of Solomon, the son of David.
On the day of Pentecost, we see with clear eyes beholding that the Glory-presence had once again moved on from the Temple in Jerusalem to the very people of God in whose hearts Torah stands written. The Temple was now Ichabod. But the Church of Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, now had become the New Temple and the New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven, and which Temple is not built with hands.
The day of Pentecost radiated with the beginning of the new order, and the last days of the old.
Posted by: Ophir's Razor at June 14, 2005 12:43 AMQueen, I'm sorry to hear you don't believe in the Bible. It is not just a book, but a living, breathing testament of God's mercy to fallen man. The Torah, which generally refers to the first five books of Moses, means teaching or instruction. The root of the Hebrew word for Torah is "to shoot," like an arrow. In other words, Torah is a one-way arrow sign that shows us the way to go. It is a beautiful picture of God's kindness – He gave us a road map that leads to Himself. But He gives everyone a free-will choice to receive or reject Him. Sadly, most people in the world choose to go their own way, and miss the mark.
Posted by: Jeff at June 14, 2005 01:46 AMthequeen said "He is not to be feared"
Prov. 9:10 The fear of The LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Set-apart One is understanding.
Pro. 10:27 The fear of the LORD lengthens the number of days, but the years of wicked people are shortened.
etc.,etc.
you also said "The bible has been changed by the hand of man to many times for me to put any faith into what so ever."
This is completely false. Translations and paraphrases have been changed.
Lastly, if the Scriptures (Bible) were not completely accurate, for one thing you would have no idea who Yeshua (Jesus) was/is. He came to fulfill the prophecies in Scripture. Without them, you would still be looking for Messiah to come. Though I guess it can be argued that you still are.
Thequeen said: "I would like to point out though that I am pagan, I am a natural witch, and I am a christian. I believe in God in my way that feels right to my soul."
For the sake of YOUR eternity, I would like to remind you that 'pagan' coupled with 'witch' and 'christian' is a tri-fold oxymoron. Secondly, this is not about "YOU." It's about loving God, and serving Him. He's really not concerned with how you manifest what "feels right to YOUR soul." His concern is that your soul worships Him, and Him alone. Our purpose on this earth (if we are a Believer) is to show forth God's glory on this earth, while we are here.
You yourself have called yourself a pagan. The dictionary defines you (from your own description) as: 1 : HEATHEN 1; especially : a follower of a polytheistic religion (as in ancient Rome)
2 : one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods : an irreligious or hedonistic person. Therefore, you are ruled and controlled by your SENSES.
You've also described yourself as a witch. Again, the dictionary defines you as: 1 : one that is credited with usually malignant supernatural powers; especially : a woman practicing usually black witchcraft often with the aid of a devil or familiar : SORCERESS -- compare WARLOCK
2 : an ugly old woman : HAG
3 : a charming or alluring girl or woman
4 : a practitioner of Wicca
5 : WITCH OF AGNESI
You know not the Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and I would exhort and encourage you to spend time alone reading the Bible, and asking Almighty God to reveal Himself to you as He truly is. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek HIM. Seek Him while He may be found for the salvation of your soul, rather than the pleasures of your soul. May He shed His mercy and grace upon you.
Posted by: Anna at June 16, 2005 06:36 AMTo the queen...
I read much accurate rebuking to what you have written, and I also hear your heart. You truly believe in God. You did not say that you believed in His Son, Jesus Christ. That is the mark of a Christian, not belief in God. Jesus is, and remains, the only true TRANSFORMING power in the world. His Spirit, given to us freely at Pentacost, provides the power of God within us (to the level of our faith)to love as deeply and sacrifice as boldly and fully...
I, too, searched "alternatives" to religion, I, too came from a "spiritual" path. I explored all avenues with God's grace allowing me this. What I learned was that NONE compare to the truth of God's Word, God's infinite Grace and Power. None provide the peace, joy, contentment in all circumstances, and indwelling inexplicable. To attempt to put God in a box denies the reality of God, I agree, but to attempt to live outside of His Word and really be a transformed, powerful Christian is impossible.
The Devil was God's angel of the morning. He masquerades as an angel of light and allows us to have enough "power" in alternative religions to keep us from The Truth. He will provide for you a resemblance of God's truth in order to keep you in darkness. He will provide shaky grounds of why the Bible isn't bullet proof (which, if you research yourself as some have suggested, you will discover it is actually bullet proof), and keep you in darkness if you so desire.
I am not trying to put you down. We all find God by seeking and it is obvious you are still seeking, God will welcome you to His truth at any time. I know this from walking the paths you are upon while growing in my knowledge and understanding of God's Word. If you seek His truth, you will find the masquerades will fall away and true power will arrive.
God Bless You!~
Posted by: crock pot mom at June 19, 2005 11:17 AM