JEWISH BLESSING

JEWISH BLESSING

                                         

            Gen 12:1-3 “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed”.

            God as a Covenant Keeper has literally blessed the Jewish people down through history and also kept them as a blessing to the rest of the world. In every age, in every land, against all odds, and out of all proportion to their actual numbers, the Jews have distinguished themselves in every branch of human endeavors. What makes these accomplishments extraordinary is that they have come in spite of relentless hatred, persecution, slavery, and even extermination.

            After creating human beings, “God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” Gen 1:28. Not only the Jews have been an enormous blessing in ‘subduing’ the earth, but also have  been a blessing  spiritually and through Father Abraham we got the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religions.

THE HOLY BIBLE:

            The Holy Bible is the greatest gift ever given to man and it has come directly through the Jews. Where the Bible is found, there is joy, peace, justice, charity, freedom, societies civilized; and where the Bible is not found, there is mostly oppression, poverty, illiteracy, hero-worship, corruption and above all the curse of pride and selfishness. In addition the Bible provides the answers to the philosophical questions like humans’ origin, purpose, conduct, future, love and the truth about life and death. The Bible also has inspired many works of literature, art, science, and scientific innovations.

LITERATURE:

            In literary expression, the Jewish writers are not excelled by any other race, Flavius Josephus, a Jew, was one of the most celebrated historians. It has been suggested that, in assessing either Jewish history or the history of foreign nations, Josephus deserves more credit than all of the Greek and Roman writers put together. Immanuel of Rome was described as the “Jewish Dante”.

            Moses Mendelssohn, the grandfather of Felix, was a philosopher and promoter of human rights. Heine, the poet is considered to be the most important successor to Goethe in defense of human freedom and was even called the “Jewish Aristophanes”. Gabriel has been compared to both Dante and Milton and has been called the “Jewish Plato”. And let us not forget Maimonides, who contributed so much to philosophy and literature as to make one wonder if he should be called the “Jewish Aristotle”.

ART AND SCULPTURE:

            Art, another great medium of creative expression, does not lack Jewish representation. The Danish artist Bendemann was considered the most famous Jewish painter of the 18th century. The German Jew, Friedlander, who painted “The Pawnbroker’s Shop”, had his paintings hung in the Austrian Imperial Galleries. The Russian Jewish sculptor Antokolski produced the well known “Jewish Tailor”, “Miser Counting His Money”, “Peter the Great”, “Ivan the Terrible” and “The Death of Socrates”.

            The Jewish sculptor, Moses Ezekiel, was knighted by both the King of Italy and the Emperor of Germany. Among his sculptures are busts of Lizst and Cardinal Hohenlohe, Eve, Homer, David, Judith, Christ in the Tomb, a statue of Mrs. Andrew W. White for Cornell University, Madonna for the Church La Tivoli, Faith for the Cemetery of Rome, Apollo and Mercury in Berlin, Robert E. Lee, Pan and Amor, the Fountain of Neptune for the city of Netturno, Italy, a bust of Lord Sherbrooke for St. Margaret, Westminster, London, and scores of busts and relics.

            He also produced the Jefferson Monument for Louisville, Kentucky, the Homer Group for the University of Virginia, Virginia Mourning Her Dead at Lexington, Virginia, Napoleon I at St. Helena, a monument to Senator Daniel, Lynchburg, Virginia and the Confederate Soldiers’ Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. He also created a bust of Washington and a statue of Eve. Another noted American Jewish artist is Henry Mosler who canvassed “The Return of the Prodigal Son”.

MUSIC:

            As in art, the Jews have made remarkable strides in adding so much to the aesthetic enjoyment of mankind. Many famous composers of the 20th century are Jewish, such as Kern, Gershwin, Berlin, Rogers and Hammerstein, Bernstein, Gould, Romberg, and Lerner and Loewe. The Jewish Classical and Romantic composers of the last two centuries comprise of the prodigy Felix Mendelssohn, Camille Saint-Saenz, Ferdinand Hiller, Ernest Bloch, Arnold Schoenberg, Aaron Copland, Gustav Mahler, Giacomo Meyerbeer and other equally talented individuals.

LAW AND MORALITY:

            The Ten Commandments form the fundamental basis of law, morality, justice, love, and monotheism etc. Only the Jews combined their moral codes with their religion in such a way as to actually live and exist through God. The prophets were a prime example. They were a great moral force in Jewish history, controlling and leading people and Kings.

            Indeed the primary foundations of Western Laws are developed based on the Laws of Moses. All their Colonies had rules based on the Old Testament, and the natural law derived from the Noahic Covenant which eventually led to the declaration of independence and the Bill of Rights. The democratic idea of equality in the eyes of God, which emphasizes the “similarities and not the differences in man”, is from Jewish Law.

MEDICINE:

            There has been no scarcity of Jewish physicians, and many leaders, princes, and kings have engaged their services. Even before Hippocrates, the Jews applied the laws of medicine to healing, a fact which is evident in the Old Testament. Later the Jews brought both chemical skills and luxuries to Europe through which they were able to develop many of the present day allopathic medicines.

            Men such as Ludwig Traube was called the “Father of Experimental Pathology”, left monographs on thermometry, digitalis, and diseases of the lungs. Richard and Oscar Liebreich, both brothers were called “Father of Ophthalmology and Pharmacology”, respectively; the former studied eyesight and invented two ophthalmoscopes. Oscar also discovered some important anesthetics and effects of narcotics as well as other indispensable healing drugs. Gabriel Valentine, a leading pathologist, worked on blood circulation, toxicology, digestion, the electricity of muscles, and nerves. Robert Remak made discoveries in electrotherapy, embryology, and neurology.

            Dr. Carl Koller’s use of local anesthetic in eye operations led to its use in all other surgery. Cesare Lombroso studied animals, insanity, and genius, but also discovered the source of pellagra. Nobel Prize-winning microbiologist Paul Ehrlich discovered salvarsan for VD and Wasserman discovered the reaction to reveal the presence of VD. Two Jewish doctors, Widal and Weil, discovered the treatment for typhoid; another, Dr. Minkowsky, did research leading to the development of insulin, and Dr. Bella Schick created a test to show diphtheria immunity. Dr. Casmir Funk, a Polish Jew, discovered vitamins. Dr. Jonas Salk is familiar to all of us as the discoverer of polio vaccine.

PSYCHOLOGY:

            Eric Erickson, one of the more famous, has developed a developmental approach to personality that is quite popular. Another who has touched many of us is David Wechsler, the creator of the well known IQ test. Two of the founders of “Gestalt Psychology”, Kurt Kafka and Max Wertheimer, who did the original experiment demonstrating the phi phenomenon which led to the motion picture, were also Jewish. Dr. Thomas Sassy, whose name is almost a household term, wrote the now famous book, “The Myth of Mental Illness”. Of course, these are just a few of the Jews who have advanced the sciences of both mind and body.

SCIENCE:

            According to one account, in pre-Nazi Germany the Jews were only .0075% of the population, yet comprised 25% of all scientists and mathematicians. In Italy, the pre-war Jewish population was only .001%, but more than 50% of the distinguished mathematicians were Jews. Contemporarily, Israel also ranks very high in its number of scientists. Israel has forged ahead of scores of other countries including Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Finland and Norway, in scientific research.

            From the time of Daniel the Jews apparently possessed scientific ability Dan 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. We also know that the Jews had enough skill to build the pyramids, walls, river channels, and dams of Egypt, all of which required mathematical and engineering ability.    

ASTRONOMY AND AERONAUTICS:

            In the field of astronomy two Jews Abe and Zacuto (1450-1514), have developed the astronomical tables and astrolabes used by Vasco da Gama; and Levi Ben Garson, an astronomer and mathematician, who in turn invented Jacob’s staff and a sun quadrant. The Alphonsine Tables were prepared by Judah Ben Moses and Isaac Ben Sid. These tables list the planetary movements and are said to form the basic document of modern day astronomy. William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus, the fixed position of 2500 nebulae, and identified 209 binary stars, besides determining the elements of Saturn and the relation of the Milky Way to the universe.

            Otto Lilienthal, the first Jewish pilot, built a flying machine which flew to a distance of 1,000 ft. at a height of 100 ft. Another Jew, A.M, Herring, made a copy of Otto’s machine and made 100 flights. Then an associate, Octave Chanut, brought this copy to the brothers named Wright while they were experimenting with their own machine. It was Emile Berliner who invented the first workable flying machine of the helicopter type.

MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS:

            By far the most famous and far reaching discoveries and inventions by Jews have been in mathematics and physics. Michelson, the first American Nobel Prize winner, measured the speed of light and the diameters of two stars larger than the sun. His work was considered to be the beginning of Einstein’s work. In 1887 he suggested that the sodium light wave-length be a standard unit, since it is so “constant.” There is also Norbert Wiener, a mathematician who was called the “Father of Cybernetics”, the science that developed the computers.

            The Italian Jew Tulilo Levi-Civita was renowned for his theory of parallel displacement and his work was fundamental to Einstein’s theory of relativity. The French Jew, Jacques Hadamard, has been called one of the greatest mathematicians who ever lived. Another Italian Jew, Vito Volterro, initiated a new branch of mathematics called the theory of integral and differential equations and stands among the great mathematicians of modern times. Jewish mathematicians also developed or contributed to the geometry of numbers, differential calculus, algebraic geometry, set theory, and matrix algebra.

            Charles Steinmetz was solely responsible for bringing electricity into our homes. Siegfried Marcus made the first electrical instrument for regulating temperature and invented a way of measuring earth movements. He also worked on forerunners of the loudspeaker and the electric lamp. Eugene Goldstein participated in the discovery of gamma rays. Heinrich Hertz measured the length and velocity of electromagnetic waves and demonstrated the “electromagnetic nature of light”. Robert Von Lieben worked on an early grid tube which led to the radio and Isador Kitsie, both of Vienna, obtained a patent used by Marconi in the development of the wireless communication.

CHEMISTRY:

            During WW I. Chaim Weizman created acetone, a flammable liquid necessary for the production of cordite, the smokeless powder crucial to the British war machine. As a reward, the British passed the Balfour Declaration in 1917 in order to provide a homeland for the Jews. So thanks to Weizman, and at his request, the state of Israel became a reality. Weizman also helped the U.S. to make synthetic rubber in 1942, thus having an important effect on WWII.

NUCLEAR PHYSICS:

            The Jews established the theory of the atom, split the atom, and made the atom bomb, the H Bomb and the neutron bomb. Albert Einstein established the enormous power in a nuclear explosion and its incredible energy, through the now universally known equation E = MC2. He was also involved in the invention of television. A Jewish woman, Lise Meitner, an expert in atomic theory, was involved in the neutron-induced fission of the uranium nucleus. Enrico Fermi, an Italian Jew, is given credit for the first successful nuclear fission, in other words, splitting the atom.

            With the advent of WWII came the Manhattan Project led by the Jew J. Robert Oppenheimer. He also advanced quantum theory and helped originate work in cosmic rays and relativity. Another Jewish pioneer of the atom is Niels Bohr (Danish) who also worked on the bomb. Another participant in the Manhattan Project was Edward Teller, a Hungarian Jew. Teller is responsible for a more awesome nuclear weapon, namely the H-bomb. God preserved him for this purpose since he was forced to flee the Nazis and come to America, as did Fermi, Meitner, and Einstein. Finally, there is Sam Cohen, a little known American Jew who also worked on the Manhattan Project. But, unknown to his own neighbors, modest Sam was responsible for the creation of the neutron bomb. Obviously there is almost a complete monopoly by the Jews on the nuclear market.

I. C. ENGINES AND PHONOGRAM:

            The first successful internal combustion engine was invented by a Jew called Siegfried Marcus and is remembered as father of the internal-combustion engine (1864). Another German Jew named Philip Reis invented an apparatus in 1860 that could transmit pitch and then speech with few changes. It has also been described as a “hearing apparatus” and an actual telephone. A Jewish associate named Greenberg “improved” the apparatus and brought it to America for manufacture. A Jewish businessman named Loath linked up Greenberg with Alexander Bell. While it is true that Edison was the original inventor of the primitive phonograph, it was actually a Jew named Peter Goldmark who invented the “long playing phonograph”. He also won the National Medal of Science. To complement the phonograph, Emile Berlinger invented the modern form of the flat disc record and a related instrument microphone.

CAMERA AND SPOKED WHEEL:

            The Jews also invented the camera (Edwin Land), stainless steel (Benno Strauss), the spoked wheel, and the traffic light. These are just to name the few of the inventions made by Jews but in reality their contribution to the development of this world is numerous and all can not be listed in this small booklet. BUSINESS AND COMMERCE:

            In business, commerce, and finance the Jews are quite resourceful, industrious, and self-supporting. It is the Jews who have introduced the “Bill of Exchange” (paper money) into European business, which was safer to carry than specie and it became the “backbone of commerce”. The House of Rothschild, while naturally making profits, aided Western progress by making national loans, helping to develop the industry of Europe. They financed most 19th century railroad construction and provided funds in World War I. The House of Seligman, with the Rothschild, financed much of the Civil War for the North and financed the U.S. Navy and State Department from 1876 into the 20th Century. According to H.G. Wells, most “enterprises, undertaken by the sovereigns of the 10th to the 15th century were promoted by Jewish financiers;” the many cathedrals, abbeys and beautiful buildings are examples. Aaron of Lincoln was one individual who financed many such buildings.

 

PRINTING:

            Two Jews, Procopius Waldvogel and Davin of Caderousse put together the “art of dyeing” with Hebrew letters which were to be “well cut in iron”. This invention was preparatory for printing. In 1444, Soncini an Italian Jew invented the art of printing in his native Italy from which the Jews spread the art to the rest of Europe via Spain. The list of enterprises is too large to enumerate here. Regardless of the business, the Jews always taught their children a trade or skill, not only because of the Diaspora and its related persecution, but also in fulfillment of the Scriptures.

DIASPORA:

            Deuteronomy chapters 28, 29 & 30 depict the whole history of Israel, from the time they entered the Land of Promise until the return of Christ. It includes the captivities to which they were subjected, and even the very feelings of hatred that they would engender in other people. This was prophesied by Moses even before they were constituted as a nation.

            Israel was offered prosperity and blessing in return for their obedience to God’s Commandments, but deprivation and curse if disobedient. Continued disobedience would result in removal from the land and scattering among the gentile nations, where they would be oppressed and become a proverb. Both were experienced by Israel. Blessings were abundant in the reigns of David, Solomon and other faithful kings; but trouble and captivity came following continued disobedience, culminating in the deportation of the ten tribes to Assyria and then the two tribes to Babylon.

          Lack of Epignosis: Isaiah 6:13 “therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge.” Hosea 4:6 says, “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.” As we have seen, all of them have ‘gnosis’, but God wants them to have ‘epignosis’, i.e. the intimate knowledge of the Creator or the superior spiritual knowledge. Not only this lack of spiritual knowledge has resulted in the Diaspora, but also has brought upon the curse.

          The Curse: Mat 27:22-25 “Pilate saith unto them, what shall I do then with Yeshua who is called Christ? They all say unto him, let him be crucified. And the governor said, why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.”

            It was a practice in Athens that if anyone accused another of a capital crime; he devoted himself and his children to the same punishment if the accused was afterward found innocent. This has become a practice in other countries also. The Jews were no exception even though they had no right to call down this vengeance upon their children.        

            They were as unanimous in their imprecations upon themselves, as in desiring the crucifixion of Yeshua: Not for the cleansing of their sins, which virtue that blood has, but if there were any blot or pollution, through the shedding of it, they wished it might be on them. Not for the forgiveness of their sins, which that blood was shed for; but on the contrary, if there was any sin and guilt in it, they desired it might be imputed to them. Nor for their justification before God and security from wrath to come, which are by his blood; but all the reverse of this, that if there were any punishment, condemnation, and death, due for the shedding of it, they imprecated it all upon themselves, and their posterity.

FULFILLMENT OF THE INEVITABLE:

            Daniel 9:25-26 “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.”       

            Isaiah 64:10-11 “Thy holy cities are a wilderness; Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste.” Micah 3:12 “Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.” Mark13:2 “And Yeshua answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? There shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

PERSECUTION OF JEWS AFTER YESHUA:

            In less than forty years after the crucifixion of Yeshua that was in  A.D 70 Jerusalem and the Temple were overthrown and destroyed. More than a million people perished in the siege. Thousands died of famine; thousands by disease; thousands by the sword; and their blood ran down the streets like water. Thousands were crucified suffering the same punishment that they had inflicted on the Messiah. So great was the number of those who were crucified, that, it was only stopped because, “room being wanted for the crosses, and crosses for the men”.

            With the destruction of Jerusalem 1,100,000 Jews were killed and 97,000 taken into captivity and slavery. In 115, several hundreds of thousands of Jews were killed in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Cyrene and Cyprus. In 132-35, during the Bar Kochba rebellion 500,000 Jews were killed and thousands were taken and sold into slavery.

            In 135, Roman Emperor Hadrian commenced his persecution of the Jews. He built a temple for Jupiter on the temple mount (Moriah) in Jerusalem and a temple to Venus on Golgotha. Jews were forbidden to practice circumcision, the reading of the Law, eating of unleavened bread at Passover or any Jewish festival. Infringement of this edict brought the death penalty. 

            In 315, Constantine the Great established “Christianity” as the State religion throughout the Roman Empire; issued many anti-Jewish laws. In 379-95, Theodosius the Great expelled Jews from any official position or place of honor. Permitted the destruction of their synagogues if by so doing, it served a religious purpose. In 613 all Jews who refused to be baptized had to leave Spain. A few years later the remaining Jews were dispossessed and declared as slaves.

            In 1096, at the beginning of the First Crusade, in Germany, 12,000 Jews were killed branding them as enemies of Christendom. In 1121, Jews were driven out of Flanders. They were not to return until they repented of their guilt of killing Jesus Christ. In 1146-47, at the beginning of the Second Crusade the French monk Rudolf called for the destruction of the Jews.

            In 1181, the French King Philip banished the Jews from his domain. In 1189, at the coronation of Richard the Lionhearted, unexpected persecution of the Jews broke out in England. Most Jewish houses in London were burnt. In 1290, Edward I banished the Jews from England. In 1298, the nobleman Kalbfleish alleged that he had received a divine order to destroy all the Jews. More than 100,000 Jews were mercilessly killed in Franconia, Bavaria and Austria.

            In 1306, King Philip the Fair banished the Jews from France, forcing 100,000 Jews to leave the country. In 1320, in France, 40,000 shepherds dedicated themselves for the Shepherd Crusade to free Palestine from the Muslims. But under the influence of criminals and land grabbers, they destroyed 120 Jewish communities. 

            In 1321, Jews were accused of having incited outlaws to poison wells and fountains in the district of Guienne, France. As a result 5,000 Jews were burned to death. In 1348, Jews were blamed for the plague throughout Europe, especially in Germany. In Strausberg 2,000 Jews were burned. In Maintz 6,000 were killed in a most gruesome fashion. In Erfut 3,000; and in Worms 400 Jews burned themselves in their homes. 

            In 1370, Jews were blamed for having defiled the “Host” (wafer used in the Mass) in Brabant. The accused were burnt alive. In 1391, in Spain, 70 Jewish communities were cruelly massacred and their bodies dismembered. In 1394, second banishment of Jews from France took place. In 1453, the Franciscan monk, Capistrano, persuaded the King of Poland to withdraw all citizens’ rights of the Jewish people.

             In 1478, the Spanish inquisition directed against the Jews and resulted in the banishment of Jews from Spain. In 1492, 300,000 Jews who refused to be “baptized” into the Church of Rome were forced to leave Spain penniless.

            In 1497, the Jews were banished from Portugal. King Manuel, generally friendly to the Jews, under pressure from Spain instigated forced baptism resulting in 20,000 Jews leaving the country and those who remained were declared slaves. In 1516, the first Ghetto was established in Venice. In 1540, Jews were banished from Naples and 10 years later, from Genoa and Venice. 

            In 1794, Jewish men were forced to serve 25 years in the Russian military. Because of this many hundreds of thousands of Jews were forced to leave Russia. 1933 was the commencement of the mother of all persecutions by Hitler. It was the systematic annihilation of 6,000,000 Jews throughout Nazi-occupied Europe.  These persecutions are continuing unabated even today.

HARDNESS OF HEART:

            Isaiah 6:9-10 “And He said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.” Isaiah must preach to them, and they will hear him indeed, but that is all; they will not heed him; they will not understand him; they will not take any pains, nor use that application of mind which is necessary to the understanding of him; they are prejudiced against that which is the true intent and meaning of what he says, and therefore they will not understand him, or pretend they do not. They see indeed but they perceive not their own concern in it; it is to them as a tale that is told.

            Those that were willfully blind should be judicially blinded. They will not understand or perceive thee, and therefore thou shalt be instrumental to make their heart fat, senseless, and sensual, and so to make their ears yet more heavy, and to shut their eyes the closer; so that, at length, their recovery and repentance will become utterly impossible and they shall no more be able to see the danger they are in. Some looked upon the word as a privilege, and their convictions were smothered by it; others looked upon it as a provocation, and their corruptions were exasperated by it.

GOD’S DISPLEASURE:

            Isaiah 1:11-15 “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and Sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.”

            1Sa 15:22 “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” Micah 6:7 “Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” Jer 6:20 “To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.”

GOD’S PROPENSITY:

            As we all know, they are still being persecuted and have become a hissing and a byword among people. No single nation, has ever suffered so much; and yet they have been preserved, as Jer 30:11 says, “For I am with thee, saith the Lord, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.”

            All classes of people, all the governments of the earth, have conspired to overwhelm them with calamity, and yet they still live as monuments of God’s justice and as proofs of the crime of their fathers in putting the Messiah to death, and in calling down vengeance on their heads. Zec 8:13 “And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.”

HORN OF ISRAEL:

            Micah 7:18-19 “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

            Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 9:6,7 “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.”

            And we see how these prophecies have been fulfilled. Luke 1:67-69 “And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.” GOD’S PROPITIATION:

            Ever since the first blood sacrifice was offered by Abel, the world has seen enormous amount of animals being sacrificed not only by the Jews but also by Hindus and Moslems for the very same purpose of redeeming their souls. But God, at the appointed time had sent His only begotten Son to be offered as The Supreme Sacrifice for the redemption of the entire mankind, fulfilling His promise meticulously.

            Gen 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Yeshua was wounded in the heel through His death. Isaiah 53:4-5 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Leviticus 17:11 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.”

            First, the woman is to have a seed: as we know, this pointed forward to our Lord’s humanity. Second, He was to be peculiarly the woman’s “seed,” not the man’s, hence we read, “When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman” (Gal. 4:4). Third, the woman’s “seed” was to bruise the Serpent: in other words, Satan was to be His particular antagonist. Fourth, He was to bruise the Serpent’s head. Fifth, He Himself was to be bruised in the “heel” by the Serpent; and hence it is written, He was “bruised for our iniquities” (Is. 53:5). Sixth, there was to be “enmity” between the Serpent and the one who gave birth to the “seed,” namely Israel (cf. Rev. 12:1-6).

VICTORY OVER DEATH:

            Isaiah 25:8 “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away the tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he taken away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.” Isaiah 35:10 “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

            Death is also another name for Satan and today these two seedlings still continue to fight against one another in the physical and spiritual realms. It is simply an ancient battle between the children of God and the children of the devil. Col 2:15 “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Heb 2:14 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.”

DAVIDIC KINGDOM:

            2Sa 7:16 “And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before thee: thy throne shall be established forever.” 1Ch 17:14 “But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom forever: and his throne shall be established forevermore.” This Everlasting Throne [spiritual kingdom] of David is being established through his descendant Yeshua, by destroying the Devil along with his agents who are the enemies of both Israel and the spiritual children of God.

            Psa 89:36 “His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me.” Luke 1:30-33 “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Yeshua. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

            God wants to give the whole world to Jesse’s descendents through Yeshua. Gen 13:15-16 “For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. And said, by myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son.” Gen 22:17-18 “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”

GOD’S INVITATION:

            Ezekiel 33:11”Say unto them, as I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”  Zephaniah 3:17 ”The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”  Isaiah 1:18 ”Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”  Isaiah 43:25 ”I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”

            Yesua’s Invitation: John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and life; no one comes to the Father except through me. John 5:24 “Verily,  verily, I say unto you, he that hears my word,  and  believes  in Him  that sent me,  has  everlasting  life,  and  shall not come  into  condemnation;  but is passed from death unto life.” Rev.3:20 “Behold, I stand  at the door,  and  knock;  if  any  man  hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him,  and will sup with him, and he with me.”

ENSIGN OF THE PEOPLE:

            The children of Israel were selected as the channel of Divine revelation because they were the descendants of the faithful fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Exodus 9:5-6 “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Isaiah 25:9 “And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

            Isaiah 11:10 “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.” Isaiah 60:3 “And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” Philippians 2:9-11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Yeshua is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

 

RETURN OF THE MESSIAH:

            Dan 7:9, 13-14 “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

            Even today the Jewish people are waiting for the Messiah to come and deliver them from all their literal enemies. As they are expecting, the Messiah is coming, but as the King of Kings, Lord of Lords and as the Righteous Judge. Psalm 96:13 “For He cometh, for He cometh to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth.” Mal 3:2 “But who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap.”

            Amos 5:18-20 “Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! To what end is it for you? The day of the Lord is darkness, and not light. As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light? Even very dark, and no brightness in it?” This will be the condition for those who have rejected Yeshua and His salvation. Luke 21:27 “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with Power and Great Glory.”  Rev 6:17 “For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”

            2Ch 30:8 “Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified forever: and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.”

HIS PEOPLE SHALL REIGN:

            Rev 21:10-12  “And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,  Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.”

            Deu 15:6 “For the Lord thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.” Deu 28:1 “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth.” Zec 8:22 “Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.”

            The first great evangelist was a Jew. His name was Paul. The first Christians were Jews. Judaism gave rise to Christianity and God blessed mankind through the greatest Jew of all, Yeshua, the son of Mary, who, by His blood, reconciled both Jews and Gentiles to the one true God, “for salvation is of the Jews” (John 4: 22).

            If the Jewish people were to be of such immense blessing to the whole world, while they themselves are under their own curse, then how much more will it be, if they were to be without the curse?

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

 

 

             

 

 

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SELF REALIZATION

SELF REALIZATION

                According to Indian philosophers, self is the Purush or Purusha; realization is the knowledge or the consciousness of this Purusha within every human being, and it is the most important aspect of every seekers of God to attain Mukti (salvation). For those who believe in karma samsara, Self Realization is the only way to liberate themselves from the cycle of birth and death.       

MAN MADE MARGAS TO REALIZE PURUSHA:

            The religious life of many Indians is focused on devotion to gods and goddesses through rituals at homes and in shrines. More philosophically-minded people ignore these gods altogether and seek Realization of the Self through intense meditation. Still others focus primarily on fulfilling the social and moral duties appropriate to their position in life.

            These three approaches are regarded as equally important, and they are formally recognized as threefold margas (paths) to liberation: bhaktimarga (the path of devotion), gnanamarga (through the path of knowledge ‘sankhya’ or through philosophy ‘yoga’ and ‘meditation’), and karmamarga (the path of works and actions).

            Those who want to follow the path of devotion are the majority and their aim is to try and please God through different types of rituals including poojas, offering special prayers & gifts during festivals, doing dharma, undertaking pilgrimages, participating in kumba-melas, taking up vows and penances, walking on fire, offering yagnas, rolling for miles, even sacrificing animals etc.

            Purpose of Yoga: The goal of Yoga is to achieve union with self, the little self and the True Self. It is a process of awakening to the preexisting union between Aathma (soul) and Brahma (Creator), Jeevathma and Paramathma, or the realization of Purusha standing alone as separate from Prakrithi. Buddhist philosophy teaches that the self does not have absolute boundaries.

            The author of the yoga system, Shri Patanjali, says that it is a system of moral and physical exercises (Yoga Sutra 1:1,2). Patanjali teaches eight steps. 1. Yama (moral conduct): fulfilled by noninjury to others, truthfulness, nonstealing, continence, and noncovetousness. 2. Niyama (religious observances): prescripts are purity of body and mind, contentment in all circumstances, self-discipline, self-study (contemplation), and devotion to God and guru. 3. Asana (right posture): the spinal column must be held straight, and the body firm in a comfortable position for meditation. 4. Pranayama (control of prana): the subtle life currents. 5. Pratyahara (withdrawal) of the senses from external objects. 6. Dharana (concentration): holding the mind to one thought. 7. Thyana (meditation). 8. Samadhi (superconscious experience).

            In the final stages of Samadhi, the yogi is supposed to have attained miraculous powers such as raising into the sky, walking on water, conquering lions, leaving his body and entering into the dead bodies of any form etc. Through this system of yoga and meditation, the soul is expected to merge with the Purusha without the grace of God; and it is also believed that, through the individual practice alone one can attain divine status.

            Kriya Yoga: Kriya Yoga (union with the Infinite through a certain action or rite) is a technique of relaxation, meditation and concentration which leads to a personal experience with God. When the inner peace arrives, one can then feel God’s overwhelming presence and reach greater clarity. The body and mind will then be trained and the soul will eventually be liberated and truly freed.

            It is to free man from the effects of karma resulting in everlasting remains. It is done through the realization of oneself, and thereby realizing God and the love for God. It helps them to recognize the beauty within, and the magnificence of their spirit. Most of the people seek satisfaction from what they see, but this provides no relief and the longing continues. But by focusing on the internal, rather than the external, one can get complete relief from all desires.

            It is also meant to encourage the establishment of individual temples of God in the hearts of men, to liberate man from his threefold sufferings: physical, mental and spiritual, to promote plain living and high thinking, to spread the spirit of brotherhood among all people by teaching the eternal basis of their unity: kinship with God, to demonstrate the superiority of mind over body, of soul over mind, to overcome evil by good, sorrow by joy, cruelty by kindness, ignorance by wisdom and above all to attain direct personal experience with God.

            Kriya Yogi mentally directs his life energy to revolve around the six spinal centers (medulla, cervical, dorsal, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal plexus) which correspond to the twelve astral signs of the zodiac, the symbolic Cosmic Man. One-half minute of revolution of energy around the sensitive spinal cord of man effects subtle progress in his spiritual evolution; that half-minute of Kriya equals one year of natural spiritual unfoldment.

            Hatha Yoga: The purpose of Hatha Yoga is to locate and activate the chakras (centers of energy), thereby raising the kundalini (dominant spiritual power). This in turn is believed to help remove blockages (diseases) in the mind and body.

            Hatha yoga attempts to balance mind and body via physical postures and exercises (asanas), controlled breathing, and calming of the mind through relaxation and meditation. Asanas teach poise, balance & strength and were originally (and still) practiced to improve the body’s physical health and clear the mind in preparation for meditation in the pursuit of enlightenment.

          Kundalini Raising: The practice of kundalini yoga centers on raising the kundalini, or dormant psychic energy, through the body’s seven major chakras, or centers of consciousness. The seven chakras are: Muladhara chakra – base of the spine, Svadhishthana chakra – near the genital organs, Manipura chakra – behind the navel, Anahata chakra – at the heart, Vishuddha chakra – at the throat, Ajna chakra – behind the point between the eyebrows (the “third eye”), Sahasrara chakra – the cerebral cortex.

            Each chakra is associated with a different set of psychic powers and spiritual experiences. For example, accessing the vishuddha chakra in the throat bestows powers of telepathy and prophecy, while activating the ajna chakra on the forehead brings universal knowledge. Specific colors and sounds are also associated with the chakras and used to activate them.

          Transcendental Meditation: The Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique involves reciting of a mantra through which the mind is brought to the source of thought, the settled state of the mind – Transcendental Consciousness – pure consciousness, self-referral consciousness, which is the source of all creative processes. It is believed that through this technique, the individual’s awareness settles down and experiences a unique state of restful alertness. As the body becomes deeply relaxed, the mind transcends all mental activity to experience the simplest form of awareness – Transcendental Consciousness, where consciousness is open to itself. This is the self-referral state of consciousness.

            The Transcendental Meditation as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi claims that TM is the only way for salvation and it provides heaven in earth. It uses seven words such as Jagrata centana (walking); swapna cetana (dreaming); sushupti cetana (sleeping); toorya chetana (transcendental consciousness); tooryateet cetana (cosmic consciousness); bhagavat centana (God consciousness); and brahmi cetana (Unity consciousness). Even though the TM organization claims that their mantras are meaningless sounds with known physiological effects, the mantras are in fact names of a Hindu deity.

VEDIC REQUIREMENTS OF SELF REALIZATION:

            Katha Upanishad 65:8 says, Avyaktatuparah purushoyagnatva muchyatae: One who knows Purusha becomes free and attains immortality. Viveka Chudamani verse 6 says;

       Vadhanthu shastrani yadhanthu devane, Kurvanthu karmani bajanthu devata,

          Aatmaikayodena vinabpi mukitha, na chityathi bhramma shathanthrashpi.

Let them quote scriptures and sacrifice to gods; let them observe  rituals and worship devatas (gods); but there is no liberation at all; no, not even in a hundred lifespan of Brahma put together, until the identity of one’s self with the Divine Self is realized. Again verse 56 says:

“na yogena na sankhyena karmanano na vidhya brahaat maikatva bodena moksha sidyate naanyata”

Neither by yoga, nor by knowledge, nor by karma or by learning, but by the realization of one’s own identity with God is liberation possible, and by no other means. Svetaasvatara Upanishad 3:8 says:

          Vedaaha metam purusham manantam Aaditya vamam tamasah-h parastat

          tameva viditvati mutu meti naanyah panthaa vidyate-ayanaaya

I know the mighty Purusha of the color of the sun beyond the darkness. Only in knowing Him does one Passover death.  There is no other way leading to eternal life.

VEDIC PURUSHA:

            Vedas begin with the worship of gods of nature, namely;

1)  The terrestrial gods- Prithvi (earth), Agni (fire), Bruhaspati and Soma (plants).

2)  The atmospheric gods- Indra, Rudra, Maruts, Vayu and Parjanya (storm, thunder and rain).

3)  The celestial gods- Dyaus (heaven), Varuna, Ushas & Asvins (twilight morning stars) and Surya, Mitra, Savitri, Ka, Vishnu (all associated with the sun).

            Actually these gods were the result of man’s search for the truth, which finally culminated in the Purusha Prajapathi, the Creator. The Katha Upanishad 3:11 says, avvyakthath purusha parah purushanna param kinchith sa kastha sa paragathi, which means that there is none superior to this Purusha and He is the paragathi (Only way to Moksha).

            The Purusha in the Purusha Sukta of the Rig Veda is called the Param Purusha that means the one and the only Supreme Being and He is the Lord of immortality. The 10th mandala of Rig Veda chapter 121 verse 10 says, Prajapathi Lord of life, Lord of Creatures and Lord of Creation.

 

 

BIBLICAL PURUSHA (SELF):

            Creation of Man: Genesis 1:27 “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them”. Isaiah 64:8 “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand”. Psalm 139:14 “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well”. God created humans in his own image for His glory and to the praise of His glorious grace.

            Empowerment of the Soul by Purusha: Genesis 2:7 “The Lord God (Prajapathi Purusha) formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul”. Many people find it difficult to believe, that human beings were created from the dust of the ground. However, if we recognize that the modern day wonder machines including the Super Computers and Nuclear Bombs etc., were made by taking all the raw materials from the earth only, and that too with the limited wisdom and knowledge of the human beings, then it will become obvious that the All-knowing and All-powerful Creator can create human beings by taking the necessary ingredients including the living cells from the ground.

            Since human beings were made out of living things, then what God breathed into Adam’s nostrils is His own Spirit, and Adam’s soul (Aathma) became a living soul (Jeevathma). That means the soul (Aathma) has been endowed with the life and that life (Purusha or Self) is the Holy Spirit (True Self) of God Himself and this spirit was not given to any other creature. This is what many people call it as Little Self, Sixth Sense, Clear Conscience or the Still Small Voice etc.

            This leads us to the fact that, every human is made up of both physical and spiritual being. The physical being comprises of the physical body and the life attached with the body, and the spiritual being comprises of the soul, which is the controlling force behind the body, and a life (self) to sustain that soul. As the physical man has got a physical heart and brain etc., the spiritual man does not have such heart or brain. However, when we talk about heart or mind during our religious discourse, we actually refer to the soul, and this soul or the Aathma is the one, which manipulates our brain.

            Having got the Holy Spirit of God, the soul also has become immortal and cannot be destroyed. Even many things in this world cannot be destroyed, but can only be changed from one physical state to another.  Hence humans have become altogether powerful beings, physically as well as spiritually. That is why human beings are sometimes called as saints or lower gods.

            In addition, human beings have been endowed with the power to communicate not only with each other, but also can know and be in communion with the Creator all the time. Each and every word that humans speak has got a special power behind. Mat 12:37 “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned”.

            The life in this condition was like a child born into a King’s family. The King being the all-powerful Creator of this Universe who is our Heavenly Father, with immeasurable grace, mercy and power, and everything in His Kingdom was made available to man without asking. It is all the Royal inheritance of the rightful heir. So God provided man with everything including the host of angels at his service. This Kingdom is the everlasting Kingdom of God.

            Uniqueness of Human Beings: It is because of the empowerment of the soul by God’s Spirit, humans have become unique with lots of extraordinary features namely,     a) Physical:- with distinct individual capacity, power and identity. b) Intellectual:- bestowed with the wisdom and knowledge to analyze logically and be creative, and with necessary skills to rule over the other creatures. c) Spiritual:- In addition to our soul being made immortal, it has been endowed with a free will. Only humans build altars and worship God.

            This spirit and soul combination has become an inimitable dynamic system, and it is this indwelling of the Holy Spirit in every human soul, helps everyone to seek and search for God one day or the other, which the other creatures will never do.

LOSS OF SELF (FALL OF MAN):

            As a result of the above qualities, man became a self-sufficient, self-creative and self-willed complete individual being. It is because of this free will, not only can he think and choose, but also can be influenced by other forces as well. When the first man was to make a choice between God and devil as the guiding force for his soul, he willfully chooses the devil, as the present day world, because of the influence of the devil, who had already chosen evil for himself by trying to become like God or equal with God, who made man also to fall prey to his evil design.

            It was not just a simple disobedience, but it was a deliberate choice of evil over good, and the evil spirit got embedded onto the human soul affecting the entire human race. In this condition, the spirit, which is the life force for the soul, lost its sustenance from God and got suppressed, and the devil took almost full control and authority over the human soul. This has brought about a sea change in the attitude of man towards God and ultimately man became an enemy of God.

            Thus humans have been stripped of that honor and glory, privileges and power they were vested with; and having lost the image of God that was upon them, and that robe of purity, innocence and righteousness, the rectitude of their nature with which they were arrayed. Now they were unable to save themselves from the curse of the righteous law and the fury of vindictive justice.

            Genesis 3:19 “In the sweat of thy face shall thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground, for from dust thou art taken, and dust shall thou return”. Eze 18:4 “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die”.

            As a result of these curses and also due to the corruption of the soul, not only our physical body suffers a simple death but also is afflicted by diseases and deformities, and there is always a constant struggle raging between the life forces (immune system) which are trying to preserve the body on the one hand, and the disease forces which are trying to destroy the body on the other hand. At times the disease forces dominate resulting in sickness with the life forces being suppressed and vice versa.

            Similarly, there is also a struggle going on in our soul, between the subdued spirit (Self) which is the life force for our soul and the evil spirit which is the destructive force trying to destroy the soul. This affects our thoughts and deeds, as it is written, “for I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but I cannot carry it out” Romans 9:18.

            The evil spirit makes man to do more evil than good, if not all the time, but most of the time. That is why God says, “You belong to your father the devil, and you want to carry out the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and has never stood by the truth, since there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie he speaks in character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” John 8:44.

            All have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. We are full of envy, murder, quarreling, deceit, and cruel. We are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, haughty, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, selfish, corrupt, lustful, lust for money, lust for food, lust for power, with contempt for God, no peace, revelry, strife among ourselves, and among nations. These are the fruits of the evil spirit, which are exactly opposite to that of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Hence the word of God declares that, “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” Ecc 7:20.

            The effect of all these is the cause for the greatest battle which is now raging in this world between good and evil, i.e. between the forces of God and the forces of devil, and the victory of course is foreknown. But the big question is, on which side are you? Everyone in this world, either knowingly or unknowingly is contributing his money, might, and time for the above cause. Mat 7:20 “Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them”. But if we are indifferent to know or to find out, or even to spend a minute to think about it, we may have no excuse at all.

            The atmosphere of the world today gives all of us without exception a perverted sense of value because of the influence of devil. We tend to get life’s priorities wrong, since that influence is immensely powerful. Faster than ever before in the history of mankind, the world is sinking into the gutter of moral decay and corruption. The darkness deepens until the night is black around us.

VEDIC REDEMPTION:

            Now the soul which has lost its empowerment by the spirit (self), if not redeemed will have to spend its eternity in Hell. The Vedas and Upanishads proclaim that the redemption can be obtained only through Purusha the Prajapathi. In Rig Veda Purusha Sukta ends with the following words:

         tameva vidvaanam amruta iha bhavati, nanyah panthaa ayanaaya vidyate

(thus one who knows this becomes able to reach the state of deathlessness. There is no other way).                       Bhruhat Aranyaka Upanishad (1.3.28) says, “Asatoma sat gamaya, Tamasoma  Jyothir gamaya, Mruthyoma amrutham gamaya” which means, from untruth lead me to truth, from darkness lead me to light, from death lead me to eternal life.

            Deliverance from untruth, darkness and death is the basic need of every person. The sages in the past testify that they were living in the shadow of vanity, darkness and death. They were seeking truth, light and eternal life, knowing fully well that they were mortals and these immortal gifts were beyond their reach; but they were also aware, that the Prajapathi or the Creator will have to help them to attain their goal. Katha Upanishad 3:15 says,

     asabtham aspersam aroobam avvyam dhtha arasam nithyam ahandha vachya yath

     anadiyanandham  mahatha param durvam nitchaya dhanmruthyu mukthath pramoochyathe, which means, one can not know God who has no beginning and end, either by sound, or by feel, or by eyes, or by smell, or by taste but by His grace.

            Viveka Chudamani verse147 says that, “neither weapons, nor wind, nor fire, nor millions of deeds can help us reach mukti. Only the wonderful sword of knowledge that comes out of discrimination sharpened by the grace of God can achieve it”. Shankara the ancient sage admitted that union with God, is attained by the grace of God (Viveka churamani 3).

            Naham vedair na tapasa na danena na ejyaya

             sakya evamvidho drstavan asi mam yatha   (Gita 11:53),

which means, neither by Vedic study, nor by austerities, nor by charities, nor by sacrifices can one behold Me. Nor by any works that you have done.

            To summarize the whole teachings of Gita, God alone is the only way to attain Mukti. Moksha is initiated by God (18:66). God calls the sinner to surrender, since He is the refuge (18:62, 72, 73). It is His grace that salvation is open to men and women regardless of their merits and demerits (11:47, 18:58, and 5:18). The easiest way to find refuge in God is by complete surrender (18:62). A seeker can be liberated in this lifetime itself (4:21, 23, and 41). Moksha is available even at the dying moments (8:5, 18:66).

            According to Vedic literatures and Saiva Siddhanta there are four steps to salvation: Salokya  (sa-lokya – the believer is admitted into the sphere of God by faith in the word of God – the Purusha), Sameepya (the believer comes near to Purusha, the author of salvation), Sa roopya (the believer is identified with the savior in every aspect) and Sa yoojya (the believer enters into union with Purusha).

BIBLICAL PLAN OF REDEMPTION:

            If mankind were to have been left to mend themselves with God, none of them would have ever become eligible to get to Heaven. But God who is the God of love, mercy and long suffering is not willing to give up, and hence He devised various methods to bring back the condemned souls to Himself. These methodologies were meant to pave the way for reconciliation, by atoning the sins of the human beings. This of-course is not without a price.

            Animal sacrifice: Heb 9:22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. By transgression, a man forfeits his life to divine justice, and he must die, if God in His mercy did not provide an alternative. This alternative is the blood of the victim, which is its life, is shed as a ransom for the life of the sinner.

            This requirement may look strange for many people, but it is the root of all religions. For Hindus, “Sarvapapa pariharo raktha prokshna mavasyam” which means, the redemption is through shedding of blood only. Bakrid is the day of sacrifice for the atonement of their sins for Muslims. But it was and is being practiced just as a ritual.

            Deluge: This was the most painful thing that a loving Father could have brought upon His own creation. But it was a righteous judgment upon the ungodly. II Peter 2:5, God did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly… God revealed to Noah the coming judgment Genesis 6:13. Hebrews 11:7 tells us, By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. But the descendents of Noah did more evil than the previous generations. That means even this has not remedied the situation.

            Ten Commandments: It was in this condition that, mankind was compelled to follow some of the most rigorous rules and regulations, expecting that the evil spirit could be forced to rescind, but apparently without success. However, this methodology is still being used by many religious people in the present world. Even we see people taking upon themselves different types of penance including self-inflicted torture for this purpose.

            Neither the evil spirit could be tamed nor could it be abrogated from the human soul, because, all these commandments were targeted to discipline the physical being, which obviously had no effect on the soul or the evil spirit which is in control of the soul. So to lift up the subdued Holy Spirit in the soul, and to  turn them from darkness to light and from Satan’s control to God’s, He had to make a way out, by that the human race might receive salvation.

          The Cross: Ultimately this was achieved by the sacrifice of His own Son Jesus Christ on the cross. Lev 17:11 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life”. All sacrifices were mere shadows of the sacrifice of Christ and looked forward to it. It was a promise, prophecy and pledge that God would accomplish it with His own beloved Son.

            Isaiah 53:4-6 “Surely our grieves He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed”. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.

 

VEDIC REQUIREMENT FOR ATONEMENT:

            Thertiriya Aranyaka verse 3 says, Sarvapapa pariharo raktha prokshna mavasyam, thud raktham Paramatmane punyadana baliyagam”  which means,  the redemption is through shedding of blood only and that-blood has to be through the sacrifice of God himself. The Purusha Sukta says, there is no other way other than the sacrifice of Purusha Prajapathi. Purushao vava yagna (Chandokya Upanishad 3.16.1), God, the Purusha is the sacrifice. Sama Veda Dandiya Mahabhramanam says “Prajapathi devapyam aathmanam yagnam kruthva prayachita” which means God will offer himself as a sacrifice for the redemption of mankind. Sathpatha Bhramanam says “Prajapathi yagnayaga”. It also says: “Yagnova avati tasya cchaya kriyate”, which means all animal sacrifices are shadows.

          It is the Prajapathi, the creator of the universe (Rig Veda 10.121), the great ‘I Am’ (Bruhat aranyaka Upanishad 1.4.1) who willed to become a sacrificial body (Br. Ar. Up 1.2.7) to be offered by saints as the sacrifice (Rig Veda 10.121.10). In the Purusha Sukta, we also read that the God Brahma (Creator) is the sacrifice, who by putting on both mortality and immortality and becoming incarnate as God-man, would Himself be the sacrificial animal and offer Himself as a sacrifice to redeem mankind from their sins.

            “If you want to be delivered from the sins which you commit through eyes, mouth, ears and mind, bloodshed is necessary. That must be the blood of the Holy one. God is our creator. He is our King. When we were perishing, He came to save us by offering even his own body on our behalf” (Maha Brahmanam 4.15).

            Rig Veda specifies the requirements for the sacrificial animal: It must be without blemish, the “balusu” bush must be placed round its head; It must be bound to a sacrificial post, Nails must be driven into its four legs till they bleed. The cloth covering the victim should be divided among the four priests. None of its bones must be broken. The victim should be given a drink of Soma juice. After it has been slain, it must be restored to life again. Its flesh should be eaten.

FULFILLMENT OF THESE REQUIREMENTS:

            These ware clearly fulfilled in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. He was the sinless God-man (I Pet. 2:22). A crown of thorns (balusu) was placed on His head (Mark 15:17). He was tied to the sacrificial post (Psalm 118:27). He was nailed hands and feet to the cross (John 19:18). Those who nailed Him to the cross divided His garments among themselves (Mat.27:35). Not one of His bones was broken (John 19:36). He was given vinegar (Soma juice) to drink (Mat. 27:34). He rose again as death’s conqueror (Mat. 28:5-6). At the last supper He gave His disciples that they should eat His flesh and drink His blood (Mat. 26:26-29).

BIBLICAL PROVISION FOR MOKSHA:

            Micah 6:6-7 “Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” This is the great question as to a sinner’s relationship with the Holy God.

            God loves the sinner; but He hates the sin.  God has sworn that He has no pleasure in the death of a sinner (Ezek 33:11); yet He has also sworn that the soul that sinneth, it shall die (Ezek 18:4). Which of the two oaths shall He keep? Shall the one give way to the other? Can both be kept inviolate?

            Both law and love have triumphed in the reconciliation God has accomplished. The one has not given way to the other. Never has there been love like this love of God; so large, so lofty, so intense, so self-sacrificing. Never has law been so pure, so broad, so glorious and so inexorable.

            John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. 1 John 4:10 “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins”. 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For God has made Jesus to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”.

            Love has never been more truly love, and law has never been more truly law, than in this conjunction of the two. God’s honor has been maintained, yet man’s interests have not been sacrificed. God has done it all; and He has done it effectually and irreversibly. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. Isaiah 45:6 “that people may know, from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other”.

            The consent of parties to the acceptance of this basis is required in court. The law consents; the Lawgiver consents; Father, Son, and Spirit consent; and man, the chief party interested, is asked for his consent. If he consents, the whole matter is settled. The verdict is issued in his favor; and henceforth he can triumphantly say, “It is God that justifieth; who is he that condemneth?”

            Our Righteousness is nothing but Filthy Rags: Job 15:14-16 “What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? Behold, He putteth no trust in His saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in His sight. How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?” Isaiah 64:6, “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags”. The sense is, that all our prayers, sacrifices, alms, praises, were only abominable to the Lord because of the impurity, imperfection, pride, and vanity that appeared in them.

            Salvation is not found in man-made ceremonies, neither is it obtained through ordinances or religious sacraments. Instead, “salvation is of the Lord” Jonah 2:9. Still, multitudes believe that the pursuance of good works or the following of a prescribed code of ethics automatically earns them the guarantee of eternal life. Others talk about the benefits of the Golden Rule, the Sermon on the Mount, or the observance of the Ten Commandments as the way to prepare one’s soul for heaven.

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY:

            Romans 3:23 declares that, “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”; Hebrews 9:22 “and according to the law almost all things are purged with the blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission”. Romans 5:8 “But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”.

            Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. God reckons us as righteous by our faith in Christ”. 1 John 1:7 “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanses us from all sin”. John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and life; no one comes to the Father except through me”. Acts 4:12 says, “Neither, is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”.

            The Curtain in the temple, which symbolized the dividing wall between the people and God, was torn into two from top to bottom at the moment Jesus Christ gave up his Ghost on the cross. This is actually God accepting Christ’s offering of himself for our sins, hence, opening the Heaven’s gate for humans to enter, through his precious and most valuable sacrificial blood, which was shed on the cross as a ransom for all our sins and iniquities.

            There is no other way for us to come to God or get to heaven. Because, the only sacrifice God accepts for our sins is the sacrifice that He has provided, that is the unblemished sacrifice of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the one and the only hope for the salvation of mankind. Are you clothed in the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ? 1John 5:11 “And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life; and this life is in his Son”.

            Romans 10:9 “That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved”. Romans 5:1″Being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. Mark 8:36 “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain he whole world, and lose his own soul?” People in Hell right now, would give anything for the chance that you have at this moment to get saved.

BIBLICAL SELF REALIZATION (BEING BORN AGAIN):

            Becoming a believer in Jesus Christ is the first and the foremost step in our long and joyous journey of pilgrimage towards Heaven. The immediate and the most obvious step in our endeavor is to have the assurance of our faith, i.e. the experience of being born again. It was told to Nicodemus a ruler of the Jews, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. i.e., he was to be born of water and of the Spirit.

            As we all know that when we were born in to this world, we were born of blood and water. But here we are required to be born of water and the Holy Spirit. John 3:6 says, “that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit”. Hence It is definitely not the physical rebirth, but it is the spiritual rebirth, i.e. the soul has to take the rebirth.

            We say that the soul has to take rebirth because, as we have seen already the spirit which is the life for our soul, is now in a suppressed and dormant condition. Once that spirit (self) is revived or quickened, then the soul automatically gets regenerated and comes back to life. The revival of this spirit is possible only after our sins have been forgiven by God. 

            So immediately, after we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we should also confess all our sins and iniquities and ask for His forgiveness. From this moment onwards, we become His children. We are once again born into His family. As the newborn babe is washed by water, and the life in it is revived by the milk, our soul is “being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which lives and abides forever” I Peter 1:23.

            That is, as soon as we are born into His Family, we are cleansed by His precious blood and the water, which He poured out on the cross, and then the spirit which is in near dead condition or in a state of hibernation is quickened and renewed through His Life giving Spirit (Holy Spirit) which is in the Word. Tit 3:5 “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit”.

            Now because the life (Self or Spirit or Purush) for the soul being revived and quickened, the soul automatically Realizes Self without going through the torturous route of yoga, meditation, kundalini raising, karma samsara etc. All our traditions and rituals are also infructuous. According to Gnan Vidhi teachings, for self realization, a living enlightened medium in the form of an Avatar (Gnani Purusha) is required. Jesus Christ is that avatar and through his sacrificial blood only our soul can become a living soul (Jeevathma) again through the renewing of our spirit (self). This is how we are able to obtain Salvation or Mukti or Self Realization etc.

            The symptoms of being born again are the longing of our spiritual being (self and soul) for the spiritual food, which is the Living Word, 1Peter 2:2 “as newborn babies long for the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby”, and the desire to be in constant communion with God, by which we should be able to say, “The Cross before me, and the world behind me”.

KUMBAMELA (BAPTISM):

          The next stage of our spiritual life is baptism. This is not a new thing for both Christians as well as Hindus. Large number of Indians every year participate in various Kumba-melas. By dipping themselves in different rivers they believe that they will be cleansed of their sins. But for Christians it is considered as fulfilling all righteousness of God after becoming His children. This baptism by water is only symbolic and it is also external, but the real baptism is for the soul. John the Baptist replied to all of them, “I am baptizing you with water, but the one who is stronger than me is coming, and I am not worthy to untie his sandal straps. It is he who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”.

            Baptism by Holy Spirit is a continuous process of strengthening of our spirit by the Word of God, which in turn rejuvenates our soul, ultimately helping the spiritual being to grow spiritually and get transformed to the image of Jesus Christ. This process has to continue as long as we live on this earth. Similarly, the baptism by fire is also a continuous process of refining or becoming holy by the refining fire from the altar. This is what is being practiced as walking on fire by devote Hindus hoping to get themselves cleansed, and it is also believed that, if the fire doesn’t hurt them, then they are supposed to be without sin.

            As the spiritual being grows from strength to strength, we are able to recognize God’s glory, and be in constant communion with Him and the soul enjoys the heavenly peace and happiness which the world cannot give. Because of this, the worldly desires, longings and priorities gets changed automatically. We begin to see the world through the eyes of the Holy Spirit which has now taken control of our soul and not through the lustful eyes of the devil which was the root cause of all evil.

            The learned man Saul (later became Paul), of the tribe of Benjamin wished to destroy Christianity. He was a Hebrew a Pharisee, a legalist, self-righteous and a scrupulous follower of the law. Act 9:1,2 “And Saul, yet breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,  and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem”.

            On the way when he heard a voice saying unto him, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” And Saul said, who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks”. Repenting for his mistakes Paul says, Phi 3:8 “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ”.

UNIVERSAL PURUSHA:      

            Bruhat Aranyaka Upanishad says, “Vagyo vai  Brahma”, the word is Brahma (Creator). Brahmavindu Upanishad says, ”Shabdo vai Brahma”, the voice is Brahma and “Shabdaksharam Param Brahma”, the voice and word became absolute God. The Yazur Veda 32:45,46 says, Poorvam Purusham Jatam, which means in the beginning Purusha was there. The Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God and the Word was made flesh (Pursha).

            From the Vedas and the Upanishads we can understand that there is only one Purusha in this Universe. Knowing Purusha as the Self and as the Guru (Master or Rabbi) is important. The word Guru is composed of two words as Gu and Ru. Gu means darkness or sin. Ru means destroyer. The following verse from Guru Gita 44 explains the Guru in this way:

         Gu kaarascandhakaa rohi Ru kaarasteja ueyate Agnanagroaakam brahma Gurureva na samsaya-h

This poem emphasis that Guru is God himself. A beautiful poem from Advayataaraka Upanishad 17,18 goes like this: Guru reva param brahma: Guru Himself is supreme God. Guru reva paraagathi: Guru Himself is the Supreme way. Guru reva paraavidya: Guru Himself is the Supreme knowledge. Guru reva praayanam: Guru Himself is the Supreme journey. Guru reva paraakashta: Guru Himself is the Supreme climax. Guru reva param dhanam: Guru Himself is the Supreme wealth.

            These qualities and characteristics of a Guru that the ancient sages proclaimed can be found only in the man God (Purusha) Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” John 8:12.

            Yoga has given the sadhus and sanyasis of India a great sense of satisfaction which comes from rigorous self-imposed discipline and self-denial of the physical body and the soul. These psychic exercises like kung-fu or karate can give immense physical power in addition to spiritual powers like working signs and miracles with the help of some unknown spirits. But unfortunately they are yet to realize the Self which was their primary aim. That is why Gita 17:6 says,

                karsayantah sarira-stham bhuta-gramam acetasah mam

                chaivantah-sarira-stham thanviddhy asura-niscayan,

with vain conceited move by powerful passion and attachments, they perform various terrible mortifications contrary to scriptural injunctions. Thus do these senseless men torture their own bodies and Me dwelling in them. Know such persons to be of demoniac resolve.          

You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.

 

 

OLD AND NEW COVENANT

 

 

OLD AND NEW COVENANT

 

            A covenant is a contract, an agreement, between two parties. When God is one among them, it is a very serious contract, a sacred agreement. God’s existence was revealed to the world through this agreement. Many believe that the old covenant refers to a harsh Ten Commandments law, while the new covenant pertains only to grace and promises not based on law or obedience.

            Yet, the Bible reveals the true meaning and significance of these divisions, known as the Old Testament and the New Testament. When God created man, He made him to appear as a spiritual image of Himself. Man was physically and spiritually complete. But for his regular sustenance as the physical man needs to eat; the spiritual man was to depend on God for the spiritual food for his soul.

            When the first man was to make a choice between God and devil as the source for his spiritual food, he willfully chooses the devil, as the present day world. It was not just a simple disobedience, but it was a deliberate choice of evil over good, and the evil spirit got embedded onto the human soul affecting the entire human race.

            In this condition, the spirit, which is the life force for the soul (Genesis 2:7 The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. What God breathed into Adam’s nostrils is His own Spirit, and Adam’s soul became a living soul), lost its sustenance from God and got suppressed, and the devil took almost full control and authority over the human soul, thus making them carnal or devilish.

THE OLD COVENANT:

            It is the Law of the flesh Rom 7:5; Law of works Rom 3:27; No mercy Heb 10:28; Many sacrifices Heb 9:12-13; Aaronic priesthood Heb 7:11; Temporary priest Heb 7:23; Yearly atonement Heb 10:3; Priests have sin Heb 5:1-4; Remembers sins Heb 10:3; Carnal ministry Heb 9:9-10.

            The Ten Commandments were the constitution of the theocracy and the other laws were the bylaws. All of these ordinances and regulations together constituted the Mosaic Law. The Mosaic economy and the ordinances targeted chiefly the carnal beings. Their meats and drinks concerned the body; their ablutions and washings sanctified to the purifying of the flesh; their circumcision was outward in the flesh; all the rituals of the law consisted in outward things, hence those that trusted in them trusted in the flesh.

            Also their spiritual activities were centered around the temple, because God was present in the temple. They were supposed to visit the temple for celebrating feasts and festivals and offer first fruits, tithes and sacrifices for the forgiveness of their sins. Only the High Priest could come before the very presence of God in the Holy of Holies once a year. A veil separated the people from their God. Similar veil can be seen in many of the Indian temples even today.

            The Old Covenant, containing a single, unified law code, was a legal, conditional covenant requiring perfect and complete obedience of all those under it. Deu 28:1-2,15, 25 If thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all His commandments, then the Lord thy God will set thee on high and all the blessings shall come upon thee. But if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, the Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies and the entire curse shall come upon thee.

            All such instructions and the failure of Israel to live up to what they had promised to do, are documented as a lesson for the benefit of the later generations. Such a lesson could not be condensed into one proverb or even one episode. These lessons had to be written in blood, so to speak, requiring many books of the Bible, with the experiences of many generations interwoven with God’s commands and counsel.   

            Carnal Man: John 7:19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? They had been instructed by God’s servants and had witnessed numerous divine miracles from God. However, they could not obey God, much less overcome weaknesses of the flesh. Their experience demonstrates that man cannot obey or please God in his natural carnal state. So all of them slowly drifted towards the rituals, formalities and traditions of the priests.

            Unfortunately this is what most of the people around the world, irrespective of any religion are practicing scrupulously even today, thinking that they are fulfilling the will of God. They are not only disobeying God, but also making others to do the same, proving themselves to be enemies of God.

            Rom 8:6-7 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Nothing short of God’s miraculous divine intervention is required to open the mind and grant the willpower to begin keeping God’s laws; to deeply desire to be in harmony with every aspect of His will. 

THE NEW COVENANT:      

            The carnal man being unable to keep the Old Covenant is condemned to Hell. But God in His mercy did not want to leave mankind to be lost for ever. So God decides to revive the spiritual being in man through Jesus Christ, and makes the New Covenant with this spiritual man. This was predicted by prophet Jeremiah 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.

            The New Covenant is the Law of the Spirit Rom 8:2; Law of grace and faith John 1:17; Complete mercy Heb 8:12; One sacrifice for sin Heb 10:12; Melchisedec priesthood Heb 5:5-10, 7:21; Eternal priest Heb 7:17; Eternal atonement Heb 10:14; Sinless priest    Heb 7:26; Forgets sins Heb 8:12, 10:17; Spiritual ministry II Cor 3:6.

            Under the New Covenant, we are not penalized then and there, for all our misdeeds. We are under grace, but not at liberty to live in sin. Grace gives us the freedom and power to obey Jesus Christ. By virtue of Christ’s perfect obedience to the law, as well as His bearing of its curse on the cross, the New Covenant promises only blessings to all those who belong to it.

            Mat 5:3-11 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

            The New Covenant is modeled after the old, with its basic laws like the Ten Commandments which are not only retained in all its force and wisdom, Jesus makes it plain that He added intent to the laws scope so that it is now stricter under the New Covenant.

            Mat 5:38-40, 43-44 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. Ye have heard that it hath been said, thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.

            Mat 5:17-19 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one title shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 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.

FULFILLING THE OLD AND NEW COVENANTS:

            The New Covenant fulfills the Promise that God made to Abraham. Gen 22:18 And in thy seed (which is Christ Gal 3:16) shall all the nations (Jews and Gentile) of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Through whom alone all God’s blessings of providence, mercy, grace, and glory, shall be conveyed to the nations of the earth. 2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

            God can be pleased only with that which resembles himself: and those who are made partakers of his own divine nature. To attain this divine nature, first and foremost the spiritual being has to be revived through faith in Jesus Christ, who shed His own blood to atone for the sins of the world and then get strengthened by the Word with the help of the Holy Spirit. 

             John 14:16-17,26 I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

            Paul was enabled to do all by the power of an indwelling Christ. Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. At every step of life, Christ is able to strengthen us, and can bring us triumphantly through. Hence the New Testament believers are taught of God by His Spirit according to the word of truth and by the ministry of it, the revived spiritual beings are strengthened by the spiritual food, to be able to fulfill all the Covenants of God.

            The Comforter will give us this spiritual food when we meditate upon the Word day and night. Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Psalm 119:97,99 O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. 

LITERAL WORD:

            Ever since the creation of Adam and Eve, the devil has demonstrated himself to be a literalist preacher. In Genesis 3:4, the devil through the serpent says to Eve “Ye shall not surely die!” This appears to be correct if we interpret the word literally, because they did not physically die immediately after their disobedience. But this is contrary to what God had said to Adam and Eve in Gen. 2:17, “but of the tree of the knowledge good and evil, thou shall not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shall surely die”. If we understand these words that God spoke to be spiritual in their reference, both of them did die spiritually, immediately as per God’s warning.

            If we study Jesus’ temptation in Matthew 4:1-11 for example, the devil’s message was about literal bread, while Jesus’ concern was spiritual bread. The devil again tempts Jesus Christ with the mutilated quotation of (Psa 91:11-12) that he would be safe in casting himself down from the pinnacle of the Temple; which actually referred to spiritual protection. Even the last temptation was an attempt to interest Jesus in the literal kingdom, rather than the spiritual kingdom Jesus was setting up (John 18:36). Hence it is clear that the devil is a literalist preacher.

            Paul taught in II Cor 3:6 that the letter (in Greek letter means literal) killeth, but the spirit (spiritual) giveth life.  In John 3 : 4, Nicodemus thinks that being born again is a literal, fleshly rebirth, and in John 4:15, when Jesus offers the Samaritan woman the water of life, she means literal water.

            Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. As it was predicted we have the written word, the Bible to read, but no ministers with revelations, but they have all become full of greed, self-indulgent, deceit and sinful (Mat 23:25, 28). Most of the believers are heavily dependent on these pastors or preachers for their spiritual food, not knowing that they are all adulterated and eating such foods, results in decay and death of their spiritual beings.

            1John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things. Rev 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters. Jesus also declares that no one can claim to be a rabbi, spiritual father or a master because all are equal. We have only one Rabbi, one Father and one Master who is our Messiah Jesus himself (Mat 23:8-10).

            Gal 1:11-12 I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Likewise the believers are to depend only on Jesus Christ for the revelation or the heavenly manna which is the one and only spiritual food for the spiritual being, because the commandments of the Lord are pure, sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb (Psa 19:8,10).

HEAVENLY MANNA:

            Bible is a unique book, because it is given by inspiration of God (2 Ti 3:16). It contains portions of scripture that indicate only a literal meaning which is meant for the non-believers to understand, but the remaining are all having both spiritual and literal or pure spiritual meanings, which are meant only for the spiritual children. The spiritual meanings contained in this book, if they should be written every one, even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written     (John 21:25). It is an unfathomable and inexhaustible treasure house, from where God says, He will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely (Rev 21:6; Isa 55:1-2).

            Deu 8:3 And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. The manna typified Christ, the bread of life. He is the Word of God; by Him we live.

            John 6:53-55 Then Jesus said unto them, verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. His flesh is the literal word and we are required to eat His flesh with His blood. This blood is the life in the Word. The Word with life is the real food to keep our spiritual being alive and growing in Him.

            Only for His Children: Luke 8:10 Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. The word mystery, in the Bible, properly means a thing that is concealed, or hidden.

            Mat 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Whoever has a saving knowledge of Christ, and a spiritual acquaintance with the doctrines of the Gospel, shall have more grace given him; he shall grow in the knowledge of Christ, and the Spirit of truth shall lead him into all truth: of grace, light, wisdom, and experience.

            But whosoever hath not: the truth of grace, nor a spiritual knowledge of Christ, nor any experience of the doctrines of the Gospel, and the ministry of it, the means of grace, the Gospel of the kingdom of God, which in process of time were wholly taken from these people.

            1Co 2:8-11 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him, these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

            1Co 2:12-14 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not understand them because they are spiritually discerned, but can be understood by spiritual people with the spiritual wisdom.       

WISDOM OF HIS CHILDREN:          

            Psa 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 1Co 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught: 1Co: 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.

            Here he contrasts two different types of wisdom. a) The wisdom of this world.       b) The wisdom of God. We know that the world’s wisdom is literal, physical understanding of things. Paul tells us that the world’s type of wisdom (literal) will come to nothing. However, he shows us that there is a “hidden”, or “mystery” wisdom that is of God.

            James  3:17 The Spiritual wisdom is pure in itself, it is free from everything that is earthly, carnal, or sensual, or devilish; it produces purity of heart, of life, and conversation; and is the means of keeping persons pure and chaste, and free from impure lusts, lusts of uncleanness, pride, envy, wrath, etc. which prevail in carnal and unregenerate men.

            The Gospel is the wisdom of God, mysterious, hidden, ancient wisdom, and hence the more we eat the Word of God, the more spiritual wisdom we get. It is the direct measure of our spiritual growth. This spiritual wisdom gives us the knowledge of what and who God is.

            God is not merely eternal. He is supreme in every quality of goodness, and in Him absolutely no evil dwells. In the Bible, this goodness is called holiness, which is transcendent purity. It permeates every aspect, every attribute, of God-life. God’s character is holy, and it flows out from Him in acts of love, making it impossible for Him to do anything evil. This is the state towards which He is drawing us.

UNRECOGNIZED WORKS:

            Unfortunately very many believers are being led to go astray by taking spiritual shortcuts, without going through the process of growing spiritually and knowing Him intimately. Mat 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

            Mat 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Iniquity means (from the Hebrew word  עוּה, pronounced as  iwwah,  to bend, make crooked, pervert) crookedness, or perverseness, i.e. evil regarded as that which is not straight or upright, moral distortion. Primarily, it denotes “not an action, but the character of an action”.

            The meaning of Christ here is, “I never had any love, or affection for you; I never esteemed you; I never made any account of you, as mine, as belonging to me; I never approved of you, nor your conduct; I never knew you exalt my person, blood, righteousness and sacrifice; you talk of the works you have done, I never knew you do one good work in all your lives, with a single eye to my glory; wherefore, I will neither hear, nor see you; I have nothing to do with you”.

            “I never knew you”; for as the omniscient God, He knew their persons and their works, and that they were workers of iniquity; He knew what they had been doing all their days; He knew the principles of all their actions, nothing is hid from Him. Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. Psalm 1:6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. 

            Mat 7:19 & Luke 3:9 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. 

SPIRITUAL IMMATURITY:

            These people have been casting out the demons, prophesying and doing many other wonderful works, not of their own strength, but definitely by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are all gifted people, but still God could not approve of their actions. There is nothing wrong with the gifts but the way in which they were used, or the purpose for which they have been used is what matters to God.

            It can be seen, that these gifts are being given to the people even before they have learnt anything from the Word of God. Act 10:45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. These groups of people are likely to misuse their gifts. Being spiritually immature, when they start exercising their spiritual gifts, they will have no strength to resist the devil and his temptations, and become an easy prey to his viles. Hence they start glorifying themselves rather than glorifying God who had bestowed them with all these gifts.   

            This is what we see in the life of many of the Old Testament believers like Samson, Saul, Solomon and many others. King Solomon had the gift of the worldly wisdom, but was unable to keep the commandment of God, as required by, Deu 17:17 neither shall the king multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold, and fell into sin. Jonah 1:1-3 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah, saying arise, go to Nineveh that great city, and cry against it for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. They were all anointed and gifted with special gifts but not spiritually matured.

            It is evident from the scriptures that there are different types of spiritual gifts which God wants to bestow upon His people. We also should know that these gifts are given to His servants or those who are engaged in his work without their asking. It is like a company employing lots of people for different types of work, and for each and every one of them the employer provides the required machinery, material and tools in addition to their salaries and allowances, to help them make the best product.

            Similarly when we join God’s army as faithful soldiers we are provided with the required tools necessary (spiritual gifts) to fight His war efficiently and effectively. God knows exactly what type of gifts are required for the type of job which we are going to do, and these gifts are to be used strictly in order to build His Kingdom and to bring glory and honor to His mighty name. Since it is a gift and it is to be used only as a tool for furthering His Kingdom, there is no reason why anyone who has these gifts should think themselves superior to others, and why struggle throughout life for getting it, without ever using it or misusing it?

            Ezekiel 47:3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. It is perfectly natural that as soon as one reaches this stage and starts working for God, we can see the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the form of miracles. Because God says, He will discriminate between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not (Mal 3:18).

            At this stage if the miracle worker starts broadcasting (self-glorification), he is not only destroying himself but also misleading large number of gullible people. Only at this depth, one can jump, dance and advertise but can not do the same after getting immersed. 

SPIRITUAL MATURITY:

          Ezekiel 47:4-5 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.

            If only we follow the conducting angel, the minister of the Gospel, not only we come to know the Lord intimately, but also we find a continual increase of light and life, till at last we are carried by the streams of grace to the ocean of eternal mercy; then plunged and lost in His immensity. This is the essence of spiritual growth and it is a long-long way to go.

            John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. To attain this, it is very much essential that we grow spiritually, so that we may give spiritual fruits for God, as soon as we reach the stage of spiritual maturity, similar to a tree as it grows normally, it gets matured, and starts giving fruit which cannot be stopped, but it continues to grow giving more and more fruits.

            John14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. This is the fully immersed stage where the Father and His Son along with Holy Spirit make their abode in us.

            Eze 47:9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.

PRESENT DAY RELIGIOUS SYSTEM:

            In the Old Testament there were two temples. One was built by king Salomon and the other was built by king Herod. Salomon got the instruction from his father David, who in turn was directed by God to build the temple, to worship and to glorify Him. God Himself was present in the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant was also present, and from there He blessed Salomon and the people of Israel. But later on they became a sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward (Isa 1:4).

            Now God had to leave the temple, and the Ark of the Covenant was also taken away before the temple itself was destroyed by the Babylonians. This destruction signifies that God does not live in the temples anymore, and hence the temples of the future will have, neither the sanctity nor the original glory attached to it. But philosophically and sentimentally this temple had become an icon that the people do not want to accept the fact that the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands (Act 7:48) anymore. So, in all the religions, not only this temple worship system continues, but also the reverence for the temple is growing everyday.

            The Old Testament people were relatively illiterate, ignorant and above all the comforter was not given to them. Hence, priests were appointed and made responsible for preserving and conducting all the affairs of the Temple, like offering sacrifices etc. Even they were acting as agents between God and men in fulfilling their spiritual requirements. 

            It is the most abominable thing that the pastors, priests and mullahs are continuing to act as God’s intermediaries even today. 1Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. In the present day church, the pastor conducts the worship service, collects offerings and blesses the congregation. Similarly in a Hindu temple priests chant some Vedic mantras and blesses the gathering after collecting thakchana, and a mullah in a mosque preaches from Koran and after collecting gifts blesses the people and sends them away.

            The second temple, built by Herod (a non-believer) was neither under the instruction from God, nor was there the presence of God either, and only a stone was kept in the Holy of Holies in place of the Ark of the Covenant. It was built only to glorify Herod himself and to establish his own name. This temple actually represents the present day religious system.

            Where, most of the religious people around the world are still following their own traditional worship, without knowing that they themselves are the temples of God and the Spirit of God dwelleth in them (1Co 3:16), once they accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Some keep the idols, and others do not keep. Some Christians are given to believe that their system of worship is superior to others.

            Jesus Christ Himself preached in this temple on many occasions to try and correct the people, and went on to the extent of whipping them, but was crucified by the very same temple priests and worshipers, because they were unwilling to accept their mistakes. This is exactly the same situation even today in all the present day religions, where Jesus Christ is being crucified everyday, every hour and every minute because of the unwillingness of the priests, pastors, preachers and mullahs to give up building their own kingdoms.

            Mark 7:9, 13 And he said unto them, full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition, making the word of God of none effect through your tradition. Jer 12:10-11; 23:1 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord. Mat 23:13 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Each pastor or a preacher is acting like a ringmaster exalting himself and indoctrinating the crowd, with his own doctrine and theology.

            As it is written in Joel 2:31, the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. The sun light (Gospel truth) is being blacked out during a total solar eclipse, when the moon (present day religious system) passes over the disk of the sun, and when the earth’s shadow passes over the moon a lunar eclipse occurs, the moon’s appearance becomes “as blood” because of the refraction of sunlight in the earth’s atmosphere (the filth of the present day religious people).  2Ti 4:3-4 says: 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.

            Hence this present day religious system which is the antichrist or the abomination of desolation, will be thrown down like the second temple which was thrown down by Romans in 70 AD, as it was foretold by our Lord in Mat 24:2, “there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down”, by the remnants which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev 12:17). Rev 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.

NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH:

            When a child is born in to a family, the parents become the custodians, and are also responsible for the protection, comfort and wellbeing of the growing child. While the child is growing it is also sent to school and then to colleges, where it gets qualified and then made to settle. Similarly when we accept Jesus Christ as our Personal Savior, we become His children and Christ hands us over to the church for our spiritual upbringing. This church will have only the spiritually growing believers.

            Now the church takes on the role of the foster parents for all the believers, and it becomes responsible to protect, help and guide them to get the appropriate spiritual food from God, so that they grow spiritually and get matured to be handed over to the bridegroom who is none other than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. These spiritually matured believers, not only become the brides of Christ, but also become His co-workers in gathering the souls for His Kingdom. Hence the church becomes a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon (Song 4:15).

            All those who belong to this church, are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1Pe 2:9). Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen. 

            1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord. Since the great sacrifice has been offered, and there is no expiation now to be made; it has become the primary responsibility of the New Testament believers to bring the souls and offer them as a living sacrifice to the Most High God, and also can take on the role of ministers and shepherds in the church.

            Evangelization: If only we keep the commandments of God, He will be with us and help us to defeat the enemy, so that God’s Kingdom can be established, as it was the case with the Israelites. Zec 4:6 says, not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. The work of grace on the soul is expressed by a regeneration, which is not of the will of man, nor of the will of the flesh, but of the Spirit of God (1Co 3:7). On the other hand, the present day evangelization replicates the slaughter and scattering of the Israelites, when they disobeyed God’s commandments.

            Salt and Light: Mat 5:13-15 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. All who profess to follow him should be the salt of the earth, to preserve the world from putrefaction and destruction, and a light to illuminate the souls of men. 

NEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP:

          Worship consists of two parts. One part of it is praising God, which everybody can do and doesn’t cost us anything, but the most important part is establishing the proof of our faith in deeds and actions which may cost us a lot including our life. Hence the spiritually matured believers only can do it.

            John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. To worship the Holy God in truth and spirit with contrite heart, we should be worthy and wholly acceptable to Him. These worthy people can gather anytime, anywhere and anylonger in any number to worship Him. These worshipers will satisfy the following dictums.

            1) They will have the reverence and fear for God. Psalm 2:11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Psalm 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. Rev 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

       2) 1 John 3:4, 8-9 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin. 1Co 6:9 The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind. Without holiness no man shall see the Lord (Heb 12:14).

            3) They do not appear before Him empty handed. Exo 34:20 …And none shall appear before me empty. Deu 16:16 In the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: they shall not appear before the Lord empty.  They will come with the offering of the souls which they have gathered unto His Kingdom.

            4) They will share the revelations of God and also their experiences and burdens of each other. They will pray for each other and for the establishment of His Kingdom.        

INDIVIDUAL COMMUNION WITH GOD:  

            While Jesus Christ was on this earth as a human being, either day or even it may be throughout the night He was in communion with God, in person. This communion helps us to live our christian life, in and through Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12L2). No christian can live a christian life independent of Jesus Christ. This was the lesson which the Israelites were to learn in the wilderness through a hard way. It was the same case with Peter and many others.

            Talking to God: Mat 18:3 Jesus said, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Unless we are saved from those prejudices and be clothed with the spirit of humility, we won’t be able to talk to God. Talking to Him will help us to go into His presence with trust and confidence.

            Listening to God: Listening to God requires a right attitude. In order to listen to God and receive His instruction, we must have the longing to do His will, as Psalm 40:8 says, “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”

            Meditating His Word: Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread. In this verse Jesus taught us to pray for our daily spiritual food and not for the literal food. Luke 11:11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

            Though the spiritual food is assured, we will have to earnestly plead with God, begging Him daily for our heavenly manna, because neither we can earn this food, nor can we barrow from any one else. Hence we may have to wait for a long time or even fast before we get it. This waiting is actually called tarrying or meditating in the religious terminology. If we are able to get our spiritual food everyday, we will never have to beg for anything, anytime from anybody.

            This spiritual food is the ‘nectar’ or ‘amruth (prasadam)’ in Hindu mythology; if any one drinks or eats will get eternity. Whereas the Hindu sages are meditating for years, for the purpose of realizing self, which is actually trying to get the spiritual being revived, which we know is possible only by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior. That is the reason Jesus declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6)”.

            Interceding for the souls: Psalm 106:23 Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away His wrath, lest He should destroy them. This is that intercessory prayer which Moses, Jesus Christ and many other servants of God prayed for the sake of the multitudes of souls going astray from God.

TITHES:

          In the Old Testament, people were required to give very many offerings like sin offering, meat offering, first fruit offering, peace offering, thanksgiving offering, Sabbath offering, beginning of month offering, Passover offering, feast offering and for the morning and evening sacrifices including tithes.

            All their festivals were not a time of celebration, but were a time of remembrance, thanksgiving and a time of special offering. But in the present day Church, only tithes is being insisted upon, because the sacrifices have been stopped. Hence most of the affluent christians spend the rest of their earnings towards entertainment, extravagant food and clothing etc., which leads them to spiritual corruption.

            Exo 13:2 Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine. Num 8:17 For all the firstborn among the people of Israel are mine, both of man and of beast. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I consecrated them for myself.

            This right to the first-born was that, God sanctified to Himself all the first-born of the Israelites from the stroke of the destroyer through the atoning blood of the paschal lamb, because of their faith and obedience to His command. If it were to be the firstborn of clean creatures they were to be sacrificed, if unclean to be redeemed with a price, and the firstborn of men, because it was not lawful to sacrifice them; the money for the redemption of them was given to the priests and they became a living sacrifice.

            This sanctification of them to the Lord signifies the separation or devoting of the first born of the entire generations to be offered for the service of God. If it is so, then how much more it is necessary that all those who are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, are to offer themselves as a living sacrifice to God, who had offered His own precious Son for the salvation of our souls.

            We are liable to offer ourselves wholly to His glorious service with all our time, all our energy, all our talents, all our earnings, all our gifts and all our belongings including our own life. This is the perfect offering which is expected from each and every one of His children. 1Ch 29:14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. 

 

    John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

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