1

The One New Man!

Or, What Constitutes ‘Revival?’ 1

Intro: - What is Revival? Page 2.

Chapter 1. Revival is about Purification. Page 3. Chapter 2. Revival is about – Bringing back to Life! Page 8.

Chapter 3. Appreciating the roots of our Faith. - The Past leads to the Future! Page 11.

Chapter 4. The Parable of the Sower. Page 15.

Chapter 5. Life from the Dead! Page 17.

Chapter 6. The One New Man’s Look at the Feasts of the LORD. Page 19.

Appendix - For Those Desiring To See REVIVAL! Page 22.

1 This article produced by Mayim Chayim Messianic Fellowship.

www.mayimchayim.co.uk - mayim_chayim@btinternet.com

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The One New Man!

Or, What Constitutes ‘Revival?’

Intro: - What is Revival?

…finding fault with them, He says,

"Behold, days are coming, says the Lord,

When I will effect a new covenant

With the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;

Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers

On the day when I took them by the hand

To lead them out of the land of Egypt;

For they did not continue in My covenant,

And I did not care for them, says the Lord.

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel

After those days, says the Lord:

I will put My laws into their minds,

And I will write them on their hearts. [Not fully realised yet in actuality;

but promised and then ratified by the shed Blood of Yeshua.]

And I will be their God, And they shall be My people.

"And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen,

And everyone his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,'

For all will know Me, from the least to the greatest of them. [That, will be Revival!]

"For I will be merciful to their iniquities,

And I will remember their sins no more." Hebrews 8: 8-12

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Chapter 1. Revival is about Purification.

My dear wife recently asked me a question and this article, has developed as a result. The question was something like: “Is Christianity like Pharaoh, in that it can do as he did, that is keep

people locked into a system of its own making; thus holding back God’s people from truly understanding

His ways and properly following Him. Also does Christianity, itself hinder people from keeping -HIS

Feasts - The observance of which can only benefit them?”

Ephesians 2:11-22, says:

…. remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called

"Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time

separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise,

having no hope and without God in the world.

[Since the time of Avraham, only to those of Israel have any covenants been made]

But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

[Now Everybody can be brought into the Covenants of blessing made to Avraham and his seed, through

Trusting in Yeshua]

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing

wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances,

[These ‘ordinances’ were structures imposed by men as ways of ‘preserving’ God’s Laws from being

accidentally broken. But they were burdening the people – See Acts 15:10.]

so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, [through Relationship rather than religion]

thus establishing peace, - [a ‘level playing field’ of acceptability in God]

and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

[No More of - ‘We belong to God and you don’t!’]

And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through

Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,

but you are fellow citizens with the saints, [- Those who became the Israel of God when the Spirit was given at Shavuot – Pentecost.]

and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus

Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy

temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

[Ephesians 2: 11-22]

[There is No suggestion Anywhere here that God’s ancient people have been dispensed with,

But rather, that His “Church” was initially called out from among them.]

Consider the significance of Haggai 2: 10-14:

On the twenty-fourth of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to

Haggai the prophet, saying, "Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'Ask now the priests for a ruling: 'If a man carries

holy meat in the fold of his garment, and touches bread with this fold, or cooked food, wine, oil, or any other

food, will it become holy?' " And the priests answered, "No." Then Haggai said, "If one who is unclean

from a corpse touches any of these, will the latter become unclean?" And the priests answered, "It will

become unclean." Then Haggai said, “‘So is this people. And so is this nation before Me,' declares the

Lord, 'and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.’”

So many think that at Pentecost the Spirit was given so that the disciples could be empowered.

Obviously they were; nevertheless, throughout Scripture the main use of God’s fire was to consume

offered sacrifices! Not with reference to people in the sense of burning them up, but so as to purify

them. …. who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a

refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. "He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the

sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in

righteousness. "Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of

old and as in former years. Malachi 3: 2-4

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I believe concerning the time of which Acts 2 speaks, both things happened, a purifying alongside an

empowering of the disciples. Moreover, can we should we, expect the second without the first?

There is a concept around that God accepts us unconditionally. Certainly, if we come to Him as

repentant sinners believing that the sacrificial work of Yeshua was for us, then it is so no matter what

we have done [or what has been done to us.] He accepts us because the price paid Is sufficient to

cover any sin! Nevertheless, whilst there is No condemnation for those who are in Yeshua [Romans

8:1,] to be IN Him means more than to feel or even be, secure! [Does it mean – To be Yoked Together?]

Rom. 8: 3 …what the Law could not do, [work God’s righteousness into us] weak as it was through the flesh,

God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in

the flesh, [4] so that the requirement of the Law might be [can be] fulfilled in us, who do not walk according

to the flesh but according to the Spirit. “… it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Matt 3:15

Having accepted us, He expects something from us! If we think that we can ‘come to Jesus’ and then

continue living as before, we cannot. Saved, we might be; but then should come the purifying and the

Re-building of our lives.

Romans 7:22: “… I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, [23] but I see a different law in

the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin

which is in my members. [Despite our preferred consideration that we are inherently good at heart;

through haSatan, we have an ingrained sinful nature!]

God may accept us as we are, but, He does Not desire nor intend for us to stay as we are!….no man

can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the

foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the

day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's

work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is

burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 1 Cor. 3:11-15

Each year, we can benefit from the continuity of what HIS Feasts illustrate for us! At Passover, our sins are covered over. But during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we are encouraged

to purify ourselves, leave behind our personal version of “Egypt.” To deal with/ get rid of that

which is sinful within our lives, so the requirement of the Law [as it applies to us in our situation] can

be realised. Which is of course, building on the given foundation. But again of course, this can

happen only if and as: “we do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Following the time of Unleavened Bread, Something else was given as a requirement! “….the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'When you enter the

land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits

of your harvest to the priest. 'He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord for you to be accepted; on the day

after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.” [Leviticus 23:9-11]

There are two Sabbath Days during the Passover week, the LORD’s Passover itself [following the

slaying of the lambs,] and the regular ‘Friday/Saturday’ one. The passage above refers to the day after

the Regular Sabbath, therefore meaning this happens on an annual ‘Sunday,’ [as offerings would not

be made before say 9am, though this first and each, day of the week would actually have begun at

sunset.] It was of course on this particular ‘Sunday,’ following His resurrection around sunset of what

we would term ‘Saturday evening,’ that Yeshua appeared to a worried Miryam of Magdala and said: "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I

ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.' " [John 20:17]

5

Given that Yeshua is expressed within the Feasts; in that they all reveal His love and work in some

way, it should come as no surprise to realise that He became the counterpart of the Wave Offering

mentioned within Leviticus. However, HE was more than just the Wave Offering, He was the first

person to be irrevocably resurrected from the dead, giving Sha’ul cause to say:

Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there

is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised;

and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even

found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not

raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and

if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have

fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to

be pitied.

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a

man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ

all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at

His coming… [1 Cor. 15:12-23]

So the Spirit was given to purify, enable and ultimately, resurrect those in Him. To transform us into -

Expressions of God! And to make of diverse peoples – One New Man! However, this does and must

start with [a process of] purifying, not wishful thinking! Moreover, unless the Christian world takes

seriously what Sha’ul said to the Ephesians, above, can they know True revival?

John encourages:

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we

are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children

of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him,

because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just

as He is pure. Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. [1 John 3: 1-4]

Everyone who sins breaks the law. In fact, breaking the law is sin - NIRV

However, the Feasts of the Lord annually remind us, that through our application of these, God will

work within us to achieve a pleasing end - The requirement of His Law being fulfilled in / worked out,

in us!

And it will be said, - "Build up, build up, prepare the way,

Remove every obstacle out of the way of My people." [False understandings, false gods]

For thus says the high and exalted One

Who lives forever, whose name is Holy,

"I dwell on a high and holy place,

And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit

In order to revive the spirit of the lowly

And to revive the heart of the contrite. [To Revive, means to restore Back to Life!]

"For I will not contend forever,

Nor will I always be angry… [Isaiah 57:14-16]

An example of this reviving appears within the next chapter:

"… you will call, and the Lord will answer;

You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'

If you remove the yoke from your midst, [not His yoke, value system, but that of religion]

The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,

And if you give yourself to the hungry

And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,

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Then your light will rise in darkness

And your gloom will become like midday.

"And the Lord will continually guide you,

And satisfy your desire in scorched places,

And give strength to your bones;

And you will be like a watered garden,

And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.

"Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins;

You will raise up the age-old foundations; [That, which we formally discarded for our

own convenience] And you will be called the repairer of the breach,

The restorer of the streets in which to dwell. "If because of the sabbath, you turn your foot

From doing your own pleasure on My holy day, [and He never changed That Day]

And call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable,

And honor it, desisting from your own ways,

From seeking your own pleasure and speaking your own word,

Then you will take delight in the Lord,

And I will make you ride on the heights of the earth;

And I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father,

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken." [Isaiah 58:9-14]

What was promised through Malachi, is thus the basis of revival and worth repeating.

He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. "He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and

He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord

offerings in righteousness. [Malachi 3:3]

Malachi does not end a finished-with ‘Old Testament.’ In fact his prophecy serves as an effective

bridge between the so-called Old and the so-called New! As there are many who think that the Law -

The ‘Old,’ has been nailed to the cross, this makes these next words all the more serious:

"For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer

will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze," says the Lord of hosts, "so that it will leave

them neither root nor branch."

"But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and

you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. "You will tread down the wicked, for they will be

ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing," says the Lord of hosts.

"Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded

him in Horeb for all Israel.

"Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible

day of the Lord. "He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to

their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse." [Malachi 4:1-6] "A Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob," declares the

Lord." As for Me, this is My covenant with them," says the Lord: "My Spirit which is upon you, and My

words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your

offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring's offspring," says the Lord, "from now and forever." [Isaiah 59:20-21]

It seems that what Christendom has effected over the centuries, will be remedied! The “Wells of

Salvation” will be re-established. The Hebrew roots of the Faith will be followed once again!

7

We learn from Hebrews 3:10-11:

"… I was angry with this generation, and said, 'They always go astray in their heart, and they did

not know My ways';

As I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.' "

Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have

come short of it. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they

heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. [Hebrews 4:1-2]

[Both right Action as well as Trusting, is required]

Don’t we thus need purifying and re-aligning in our day? - Even as Believers? Moreover,

Why do we have to find our way within a ‘spiritual wilderness,’ and live with the difficulties that we

do? So that we might learn His ways – The ways in which He develops His children; and the way He

will deal with His people during the Millennial Kingdom. Again He says:

'….I will pour out water on the thirsty land

And streams on the dry ground;

[It is only in these places that we experience His growth, for only ‘There,’ do we ‘need’ Him]

I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring

And My blessing on your descendants; [Isaiah 44:3] “…. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king will be king

for all of them; and they will no longer be two nations and no longer be divided into two kingdoms. "They

will no longer defile themselves with their idols, or with their detestable things, or with any of their

transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will

cleanse them. And they will be My people, and I will be their God.

"My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk

in My ordinances and keep My statutes and observe them. [Ezekiel 37: 22-24]

"For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own

land. "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your

filthiness and from all your idols. "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;

and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. "I will put My Spirit

within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. [Ezekiel

36:24-27] {The End Result will be Revival! For His people (not just Gentiles) will be Revived-

Brought back to Life}

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Chapter 2. Revival is about – Bringing back to Life!

"….you will know that I am in the midst of Israel,

And that I am the Lord your God, And there is no other;

And My people will never be put to shame.

"It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind…… [Joel 2:27-28]

WHEN His people are Right before Him; when He is truly in their midst, He will fulfill that promise

and moreover, the remainder of humanity will also be truly blessed; but however, required to live - No

longer as - “strangers to the covenants of promise!”

Nevertheless when evangelical Christians generally speak of ‘Revival,’ what often seems to be

referred to, is an occurrence such as “The Welsh Revival” where it seems people/sinners were

convicted [in some numbers] even in the streets whilst they walked etc. However, does this

remarkable happening speak to the Biblical understanding of ‘Revival?’ To ‘Revive,’ equates with –

bringing Back to Life; with true Revival, being the occurrence of this. Surely only those who are

Already God’s people can be revived – brought Back to life? [Although the Welsh along with many

others, may be of the ‘lost’ House of Israel – His people.] It is the sense I believe, of what we read

within Isa 57: 14-16. In this connection, please be mindful of the promises made to those “Dry

Bones,” of the “whole house of Israel” referred to in Ezekiel 37:11.

The Biggest ‘Revival of all time,’ will take place when God has reunited Judah And Israel following

Yeshua’s return. “… all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM

ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB." [The term “Jacob” implies – All the tribes of

Israel.]" THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS." Romans 11: 26-27.

However in the meantime, there is something that we can play a part in encouraging. Hence I must

pursue the thorny matter of - The “One New Man” concept! Thorny in the sense that many Christian

believers expect Jewish believers to be like them - [bacon-butty eaters,] whilst some Jewish ones,

hope Christians will forsake their pagan activities and whatever else they do [having been blinded by

the evil-one, that is] contrary to the Bible!

“Many others” [Exodus 12: 38] were grafted into the people of God when they left Egypt. They

together became One new nation, to be known as the Children of Israel or Israelites. Moreover,

Romans 11 teaches concerning the, - “Grafting in” of still Others into Israel, [or more accurately, The

Israel of God referred to in Gal 6:16]

In the time of the apostle Sha’ul, Gentile believers were integrated [with some issues such as

circumcision, being a problem] into “The WAY!” This was the named ‘Early Expression’ of trusting

in Yeshua, whilst still practising obedience to the commandments of God. [That “Way,” perhaps

referenced within Judges 2:16-17:

…the Lord raised up judges who delivered them from the hands of those who plundered them. Yet they

did not listen to their judges, for they played the harlot after other gods and bowed themselves down to them.

They turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the commandments of

the Lord; they did not do as their fathers.]

The problem now is that today’s ‘Church,’ is pretty much in the same position as those referred to in

‘Judges:’ Many [have] “played the harlot after other gods and bowed themselves down to them.”

[Rites of the ‘goddess of fertility’ are now cloaked under the name and guise of Easter]

They turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the

commandments of the Lord; they did not do as their fathers.

[Practices that God has condemned, are condoned, even within the ‘Church.’]

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Therefore we need to see the “One New Man” emerging - As Followers of - The Way together! Still keeping GOD’S Friday/Saturday Sabbath for example; as Set-Apart, [even if collective worship

then, is not currently a viable option for all.] Through a good understanding of the Feasts of the Lord,

we can, need to, apply ourselves to walk in the Way that Israel was and is commanded to walk. We

can learn from what was commanded then and without pretending “Jewishness,” if we are not such, or

getting hung-up on impossibilities! [In any case, now that Jewish believers are very much in a

minority and the times have changed, Jewish expressions and traditions are not going to ‘cut much

ice’ with most other believers. However, providing these do not become an end in themselves or a

distraction, Jewish believers remain fully entitled to continue in the practice of their own cultural

expressions.]

Something to meditate on: -

The problem for most of us is that - We don’t see things as They are.

We see things according to how or ‘where,’ We are!

Hence we need - The Spirit given at Pentecost.

Alongside, The Mirror of Torah.

The general stance of much of Christendom is to have Nothing to do with so-called ‘Jewish’ concepts.

And so, rather than having a shared faith based on Hebrew roots – [How it Should Be;] what we have

is – A Wall of Partition or a Dividing Wall, between Christianity and the world of Jewish believers,

often exacerbated by differing traditions! Whereas, we should be looking at ourselves by means of

A Mirror - The revelation of Torah; whilst seeking the empowering and purification of the Spirit of

God, so that we may Confess God’s Values and receive the enablement to follow in His Given Way.

Avraham is our example!

‘Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him,

"I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless.”’ [Genesis 17:1]

How do we do that? By keeping His commandments. Psalms 1 & 119 are a ‘must read!’

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, [Was that only meant to be the case 3,000 years ago?]

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers.

The wicked are not so, [And Yeshua refers to those who build lives on ‘sand’]

But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

But the way of the wicked will perish. [Psalm 1]

Christendom now sees itself as God’s tool, having “replaced” the Jews because of their supposed

unbelief. Likewise so can Jewish people, [even Messianic ones,] so regard those of the “Lost tribes”

of Israel as ‘abandoned.’ Regrettably, each group can be as anti-Semitic as the other. Nevertheless, it

wasn’t only the Jewish people who were rescued from Egypt. And to the House of Israel, many

promises have also been made. Both Jacob/Israel and Moses, prophetically illustrated the futures of

the Tribes as individual peoples/nations. Therefore there is no need to see everything that was or Will

Be, [and prophetically, we cannot;] within the context of Judaism or the Jewish people alone. We All

need to understand the bigger picture. Here is good scriptural advice:

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"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, who seek the Lord:

Look to the rock from which you were hewn and to the quarry from which you were dug.

"Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain;

When he was but one I called him, Then I blessed him and multiplied him." [Isaiah 51:1-2]

Moses was told:

"…. you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the Lord, "Israel is My son, My firstborn. "So I said to you, 'Let

My son go that he may serve Me'; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your

firstborn." ' [Exodus 4:22-23]

If Israel is God’s firstborn, then the Gentiles that come to faith may be the ‘younger brother’ - in Luke

15. Nevertheless, even though we may remember the parable of the “Prodigal” Son; are we prepared

to act as ‘he’ later acted?

Consider the parable!” Much of the ‘Church’ being Christian rather than Hebraic in thinking,

understanding and practice, has gone into a “far country,” where there is much pig food [and of course

– Pig.] I’ve been there too, so there is no cause for personal pride! [And likewise, did the peoples of

the Ten Tribes also separate themselves from their roots even earlier!] Nevertheless, it is better if we

eventually obtain a correct understanding of what it means to – Live in Father’s House and do so;

rather than have a wrong impression about what it means to be under Grace, and fail to come and

Remain, Close! We have a choice: - Build trusting and forgiven, on the rock of God’s expressed

values and Covenants or, build on the sand of contemporary and religious opinion. It will be one or

the other!

It was the ‘Prodigal ‘Son’ who needed revival, the unsaved are not featured in this as such! They,

don’t need reviving [bringing back;] they need New Life! But it is now time to see how God brought

a promise of new life to His ancient people.

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Chapter 3. Appreciating the roots of our Faith. - The Past points to the Future!

Leviticus 23:15-17 says:

'You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day when you brought

in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths. 'You shall count fifty days to the

day after the seventh sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the Lord.

[On that Day of Pentecost,’ three thousand’ were added to the ranks of the disciples as ‘New Grain’ for/to the

Lord]

Now please note what was required for this: 'You shall bring in from your dwelling places two loaves of

bread for a wave offering, made of two-tenths of an ephah; they shall be of a fine flour, baked with leaven as

first fruits to the Lord.’

The above, is only part of the text pertaining to the Feast of Weeks, its offerings and the 50-day count

- The ‘Counting of the Omer.’ Nevertheless, it is enough to show us that we arrive following the

waving of that first sheaf of barley; [to become - Yeshua - the Firstfruits] at ‘Pentecost’ 50 days later.

Now if the first Wave Offering 50 days earlier, signified Yeshua resurrected, and the salvation of

3,000, equates with an offering of ‘new grain;’ what does the waving of these two loaves signify?

Noting that these, were also to be baked with leaven as first fruits, you may be asking by this time;

what does all this have to do with the work of the Spirit within us?

The symbology here is that though God was creating New grain, it remained leavened, [still

containing sin/leaven which corrupts.] Could He have created through His Spirit at Pentecost, brand

new beings such as Adam and Eve once were, and sinless? Yes presumably He could have; He could

also have taken all taint of sin away from those redeemed on the Day of Pentecost, but He didn’t!

What He did do was cleanse them. Then He set them to the task of purifying Themselves, [giving His

Spirit to enable!] For Peter/Kefa spoke of the need for repentance, a turning away from that which

is sin in us. Likewise, Sha’ul stated that we must Work Out our Salvation, within Philippians Two;

and Yeshua Himself told those of the seven congregations, that they must be ‘Overcomers!’

[Revelations 2 & 3.]

Within the LORD’S pattern prayer, we are informed that we are forgiven as we are forgiving! That is,

Willing to forgive! After all, are we in ourselves truly better than anyone else is? Whilst not

everything should be quickly forgotten, nevertheless, to hold or retain bitterness and resentment in our

hearts is not God’s way for us. Therefore, we must seek to become like Him!

With what shall I come to the Lord and bow myself before the God on high?

…. He has told you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justice, to love kindness,

And to walk humbly with your God. [from Micah 6: 6 – 8]

Incidentally, what did Yeshua our example, Himself have to overcome? Consider the following!

Isaiah having being given prophetic insight, stated:

…..His appearance was marred more than any man

And His form more than the sons of men. [Isaiah 52:14]

He was despised and forsaken of men,

A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;

And like one from whom men hide their face

He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

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Surely our griefs He Himself bore,

And our sorrows He carried;

Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,

Smitten of God, and afflicted. [Isaiah 53:3-4]

Yet whilst nailed to that tree on which they crucified Him, He said: - Father forgive them, they know not

what they do! Again does that mean that anything and everything must be just forgiven. No! What it

does indicate is that because the Jewish authorities mistakenly believed that they were serving God

by dealing with a ‘blasphemer’ in this way, there were adequate grounds for such forgiveness. He

requested forgiveness even for those who cruelly used Him! Yeshua learned to overcome hatred and

rejection! Do you think Father will want anything less from us should we find ourselves persecuted

for His Name’s sake? Or hated for any reason? Despite our pain, we must likewise forgive those who

sincerely ask for it. For, He did and does! This, will be part of that which will mark us as belonging

to Him!

To hold or retain bitterness and resentment in our hearts is not God’s way for us, just as it is not His

own way for Himself.

"…. he who takes refuge in Me will inherit the land

And will possess My holy mountain." [Isaiah 57:13-14]

… it will be said, "Build up, build up, prepare the way,

Remove every obstacle out of the way of My people." [Unhelpful traditions and attitudes]

That question which kick-started all this, was something like: “Is Christianity like Pharaoh, in

that it can do as he did, that is keep people locked into a system of its own making, thus holding back

God’s people from truly understanding His ways and properly following Him. Also hindering them

from keeping- HIS Feasts - The observance of which can only benefit them?”

And I sense the answer is – Yes it is! For religion can have this effect! Even Christianity! It can be

such an obstacle! Why and how? Because, religions have their own structures, and these structures

do not easily lend themselves to helping the individual Hear the ‘voice’ of the Spirit, Follow the

Shepherd and Obey the Word of God! Hence, people individually and collectively within these

‘structures,’ are more likely to remain “Leavened” – Liable to sin, whether in ignorance or otherwise.

At the time of Shavuot / Pentecost, two leavened loaves were waved; but on the One following the

death and resurrection of Yeshua, as Acts 2 reveals, the Spirit was “poured out.” This means that those

who were estranged from the Covenants of God, and His people – Ephesians 2: 12; [and that includes

the separated Two Houses also,] could through the Blood of Yeshua, be brought into relationship with

Him and with each other; and presented to God as brothers and sisters of The 2nd

Adam - “New

Grain!”

But why would He even want to restore / revive / bring back together, His estranged people? Well,

remember: - 'Thus says the Lord, "Israel is My son, My firstborn.” Israel will not always be split

into two parts, nor Forever separated by their sins from Him:

For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel

And the men of Judah His delightful plant…. [Isaiah 5:7]

[Hence we are pointed to promises such as Jeremiah 31: 31-34 & Hebrews 8: 10;

For He WILL write His laws on All of their hearts/ inner beings.]

When God resurrects & re-integrates them in accordance with what He says within Ezekiel chapters

36 & 37, they will indeed have a “hope and a future!” Yet, this was never for them alone, for as we

read in Isa 49: 5-6:

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…now says the Lord, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant,

To bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him

(For I am honored in the sight of the Lord, And My God is My strength),

He says, "It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant

To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; - [Only]

I will also make You a light of the nations

So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth."

Therefore Sha’ul had the joy of saying to those at Ephesus at the time, but in reality Anywhere, now: ….remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the

so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at

that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of

promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

[Since the time of Avraham and Isacc, only to those of Israel have any covenants been made]

But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

[Now Everybody can be brought into the Covenants of blessing made to Avraham and his seed, through

Trusting in Yeshua]

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing

wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances,

[These ‘ordinances’ were structures imposed by men as ways of ‘preserving’ God’s Laws from being

accidentally broken. But they were burdening the people – See Acts 15:10.]

so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, [through Relationship rather than religion]

thus establishing peace, - [a ‘level playing field’ of acceptability in God]

and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

[- ‘We belong to God and you don’t!’]

And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through

Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,

but you are fellow citizens with the saints, [- Those who became the Israel of God when the Spirit was given at Shavuot – Pentecost.]

and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus

Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy

temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

[Ephesians 2: 11-22]

[There is No suggestion Anywhere here that God’s ancient people have been dispensed with,

For, His “Church” was initially called out from among them.]

Moreover, according to God’s word, Israel’s Two Houses will be re-integrated into one nation again;

becoming a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation,” Exodus 19:6. Moreover, given that the two

loaves waved before God were leavened ones, illustrating that which was still sinful; it will take a

mighty work of God to bring them and the rest of us, truly together - Make us into One New Man in

practice. It will require a Revival! However, If a ‘One New Man’ is to exist as more than a façade;

these two loaves which probably represent Judah and the “Lost Tribes,” must be re-integrated in a

significant physical way; and at a spiritual level, also. Nevertheless, I strongly suspect that those from

the Christian world who are willing to walk this path, may be used of God here. Bear in mind the

Parable of the “Wise and Foolish Bridesmaids/ Virgins” within Matthew 25.

The Church was called out from Israel. [Primarily the Jewish people then in the land] Therefore,

Gentiles enter therein by being grafted into the “Israel of God” referenced in Galatians 6. They

and we too, becoming part of “God’s Household.” Regrettably, there still remains a level of

separation, not now because of ‘Judaising however, but because of ‘Christianising!’ As you may

appreciate, given that the Jewish people and the State of Israel, are “so popular- not” at the moment,

many Christians will prefer to continue to act like many have done over the centuries. - Avoid all

close connections! And like as has happened previously, keeping so-called ‘Jewish’ stuff, may prove

to be dangerous in the future. Even keeping the biblical Sabbath is more than likely to put the

keepers’ thereof into trouble, so be prepared.

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You know, the more I think about this and seek to keep them; the more I realise how important God’s

Feast-times can be for and to us. They are the glue that can bind people of different nationalities and

customs [i.e. the Ephesians et. al.] together. His Feasts reveal that He wants us to become good fruit

and moreover, reveal how we can grow in and into Him year by year through these set times. Do the

Christian festivals assist us to the same degree?

"Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day

of the Lord. "He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their

fathers…

We need to cry out for and listen to, those with such a revelation!

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Chapter 4. The Parable of the Sower.

I’m sure that the people of Israel did plenty of moaning – Why are we here; why do we have to do

‘that’ and put up with ‘this?’ Not to forget – Why did or doesn’t God do, or not do? [And don’t we,

also act as they did? The article – ‘Why doesn’t God?’ reflects on such matters as relating to modern

life.] Yet just as the body must die in order to receive resurrection life – So must our rebellious

natures; and that means – Learning that Matthew 4: 4 applies as much to us as it did to them!

“…He [Yeshua] answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on

every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.' " [God gave and gives only Good, guidance]

"Hear then the parable of the sower. "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not

understand it, the evil one comes … [Matthew 13:18-19]

"Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds

came and ate them up. "Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately

they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. "But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and

because they had no root, they withered away. "Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and

choked them out. "And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and

some thirty. "He who has ears, let him hear."

God has revealed throughout the scriptures, the way he wants His people to live [And this way

of life was at one time Called - The Way!] For the Kingdom is about the rule of God, but does He

‘rule’ in us? – The Kingdom is about establishing His values within humankind now and in the future.

Please also note that Yeshua in speaking concerning - “The word of the kingdom,” is illustrating its

potential effects amongst His own people/‘followers,’ rather than painting a general picture

concerning the ministry of evangelism.

That our enemy “Comes,” speaks to this, as our enemy ‘has’ the unsaved anyway [at this

time;] just as he has or owns the kingdoms of this world, for now – [Matthew 4: 8-9.] However, even

for us, religion and tradition can be a ‘rocky’ place’ and if one is dissuaded by such from

keeping/doing what God says, then the evil one can ‘come’ and ‘mess us up!’

Likewise, ‘thorns’ – Cares of the world, impede our growth so often. If we do not act with diligence

to prioritise as God requires, which is the 1st Commandment in fact; we will not grow to become a

fruitful ‘crop.’ It is Not a done-deal. Yeshua does Not do it - All! We have to walk in obedience if

we want to reap a reward! Consider Philippians. 2:12-15:

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much

more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you,

both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things [do what the Book says] without grumbling or

disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in

the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world…

Jacob in Genesis 32, wrestled, but ended up being changed by God! We all need the latter

experience though we may reach it by differing means. Perhaps one can put it this way; the Holy

Spirit comes upon us to EQUIP! That is though both purifying us and, empowering for service.

Moreover, please note, purifying goes deeper than cleansing from sin. Purification is inward

working. And to desire power only, is to be potentially headed for what Yeshua spoke of below:

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the

will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. [That I believe relates to that said within Matthew 4: 4- We

are to Live by every word that God has given] "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not

prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'

"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'

[That is, Not to Live in accordance with His Word!]

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[We can so easily ‘miss the point.’ – Remember the two sisters – Mary & Martha? – Luke 10:38-42. We may like our traditions, but are we as keen to keep His commandments? If we don’t even seek to

keep “The Ten,” (which Includes HIS Sabbath,) we are definitely practising lawlessness!]

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise

man who built his house on the rock. "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and

slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. "Everyone who

hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the

sand. "The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—

and great was its fall." [Matthew 7:21-27] [Again, you may wish to consider meditating on Psalms 1 & 119]

The Rock is indeed Yeshua, but remember He is also -The WORD! The Expression of God’s values

and Blueprint-for-Living, - Now Made Flesh! Remember that He said: - "I and the Father are one."

[John 10:30] And within the ‘Law’ – Torah, He has given us the Foundation to build our lives on.

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last

days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the

world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all

things by the word of His power…. [Hebrews 1:1-3]

Sha’ul writing to the Corinthian believers says this: According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and

another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a

foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. [The Anointed One - our Example]

Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's

work will become evident;

For the day will show it because it is to be revealed with [refined by] fire, and the fire itself will test the

quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.

If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? [1 Cor. 3:10-16]

Sha’ul laid a foundation for those who were coming into the Faith and the foundation was and is

Messiah, and Messiah’s actions. Now, that teaching concerning the ‘Foundation’ Himself has

been deliberately? distorted. Moreover that had even began whilst Sha’ul was still alive. He wrote:

I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me. For I am

jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present

you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be

led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. [And into religion] For if one comes and

preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not

received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. [2 Cor. 11: 1-4]

Now then, how are we to understand this? The ‘acceptable’ and consequently, accepted way is that

‘Jesus’ came as the Saviour for all humankind and thus, did not want to represent God in a harsh and

legalistic light. As One who expects too much from those who would follow Him?? Incidentally, in

this ‘light,’ ‘Jesus’ can be portrayed as a revolutionary or communistic Jesus, or even a new age Jesus.

The possibilities are numerous. We can make Him out to be any ‘saviour’ we want, rather than

acknowledging Him as He Is and devoting our lives to Him!

Actually, the Biblical Yeshua [wait for it – wait for it] – Came for a Specific reason:

"…. I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." [Matthew 15:24]

Looking at that statement within the broad context of all of scripture, I believe one can

determine that Yeshua came primarily, for His ancient Covenant people! Once He has accomplished

His stated purpose for and in them, He will become the Saviour of the Whole world. “For He is

not willing that any should perish.”

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Chapter 5. Life from the Dead!

In a future time, His Called-Out Ones will be Ready to teach everybody what they need to

know and do; and there will be a resurrection of / for “the rest of the dead.” [Rev 20: 5] Moreover,

our, humankinds, enemy will have been removed from the scene. – Chapter 20.

We become Good fruit [His Children,] through the application of what we need to learn and apply. If

we don’t ‘work out our salvation with fear and trembling,’ we may end up as those who died in the

wilderness; “not Knowing His Ways”! And not ‘fit for purpose.’ His intent for us is that we become

as Yeshua Himself is, an Expression of the Almighty One. - Children of GOD and Overcomers!

"… truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass

from the Law until all [ALL] is accomplished. "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these

commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but

whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

"For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not

enter the kingdom of heaven. [Matthew 5:18-20] He said to His disciples, "It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they

come! "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the

sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. "Be on your guard! [Matthew 18: 7]

It is better that we take up and proclaim the gospel that includes – “If you love me – Keep

my commandments;” rather than present a gospel of ‘salvation’ only! Remembering, Yeshua’s

statement in John 10:30 - "I and the Father are one." What the Father requires; So Does He!

Moreover, God’s Feast Times do and will, provide us with regular opportunities to take

Root in the Word and be Revived! To Build our lives on surer foundations; for on the other side of

His ‘Requirement,’ – is His Love and Enabling! Within the cycle of these HIS festivals and a proper

application of them, we can be set on the road of becoming more like the 2nd

Adam - Yeshua, the 1st

‘New Man’ - Who “Being in very Nature – GOD,” [Phil. 2: 6] is The Expression of - Father! But His

adopted children, how do they become such?

When Yeshua said to His followers in Acts 1: 8: “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both

in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

[What manner of power was He speaking of?] It is an enabling to become what we should Be; not just a power to Do, that is given!

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in

the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself…

[Philip. 2:5-7]

1 Cor. 15: 45-49 says: So also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

[Are we also to become such? Is this our most fervent desire?

However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man is from the earth, earthy;

the second man is from heaven. As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so

also are those who are heavenly. Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image

of the heavenly. [He who fully carried out Himself, that which was written for our benefit and instruction.]

So back to our consideration of concepts of Christendom. Does the concept therefrom that – ‘We are

not under the Law,’ mislead and hinder us? Of course it does! For Romans 8:2 highlights two

differing “Laws.”

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… the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

Two laws – value systems! One, provides Enablement through the Spirit. The other like

Pharaoh – Enslaves. We must be Not Under the 2nd

, but instead Led and enabled by, the 1st!

And what then will we be enabled to do? Become “Good Ground!” A good ‘crop.’ People that

He can transform! People with ever deepening Roots, rather than a surfeit of foliage! Made into His

Likeness, as distinct from just being in His image. That is a True Revival definition! I put it to you

that the whole of Romans 8 is about this. Life from the dead! But how does He so transform us? If

we equate salvation with being made whole and righteous, then to Timothy, the way was given:

…from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads

to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for

teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate,

equipped for every good work. [2 Tim. 3:15-17] These “sacred writings” have given us the Commandments of God and have shown us concerning His

Feasts. The former, speak of His values, the latter, His Work within humankind – How Salvation is

worked out within us! Today In Him – The 2nd

Adam. Tomorrow Like Him – Expressions of

God. [1John 3: 1- ]

Pharaoh had only one way of ‘teaching’ – Through Enslavement! Not so God! It was when

the Children of Israel obeyed re. The Sabbath for example, that they learned that GOD could be

Trusted to keep His word. They didn’t go hungry etc. when they were Keeping His Commandments

& Covenants. He made them a Big promise in Exodus 19: 6:

“….you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak

to the sons of Israel."

Perhaps an even Bigger promise is recorded within Hebrews 8: 8-12:

…finding fault with them, He says,

"Behold, days are coming, says the Lord,

When I will effect a new covenant

[This has already existed from way back, but has not yet been fully realised – Effected]

With the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;

Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers

On the day when I took them by the hand

To lead them out of the land of Egypt;

For they did not continue in My covenant,

And I did not care for them, says the Lord.

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel

After those days, says the Lord:

I will put My laws into their minds, And I will write them on their hearts. [Not fully realised yet in actuality; but

promised within Deuteronomy and ratified by the shed Blood of Yeshua.]

And I will be their God, And they shall be My people.

"And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen,

And everyone his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,'

For all will know Me, from the least to the greatest of them.

"For I will be merciful to their iniquities,

And I will remember their sins no more."

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Chapter 6. The One New Man’s Look at the Feasts of the LORD!

If we truly wish to become One New Man; if we truly wish to experience revival in our midst; then I

strongly suggest that if we are believers - we all Relate to what is above and get to grips with what is

outlined next. The matter of Keeping HIS Feasts!

Why should We keep those ‘Old Testament’ feasts? [A much asked question]

There are differing ways of appraising the Feasts of the LORD. – Referenced as His Feasts, not the

Jews’/ Israel’s, as they state the times given by GOD to be observed, and as such He calls them His

Appointed Times. One can look back at aspects of these historically, i.e. as we do at Passover. And

we can also consider them prophetically, as with the Feast of Trumpets and the Feast of Tabernacles.

Such considerations are of course valid, and yet there is also a third one. For His festivals also

demonstrate the manner of God’s plan of salvation – How righteousness will be worked out within the

individual, His people collectively and ultimately, humankind. Moreover, how what God intends for us

– His Likeness, is to be produced in Us! And how ‘dying to ourselves,’ {what Baptism signifies}

enables us to receive His indwelling life - Increasingly!

Leviticus 23 then, commences with announcing His Sabbath Day – The Original, rather than the

usurper.

The Lord spoke again to Moses, saying, "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'The

Lord's appointed times which you shall proclaim as holy convocations—My appointed times are

these: 'For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, a

holy convocation. You shall not do any work; it is a sabbath to the Lord in all your dwellings…

The Sabbath represents God’s Rest. As we walk in trust and obedience, understanding and

following, what is required of us within this and other defined times, we learn to enter that rest, for we

are Enabled to do so. It is a day to be set aside for Him, whether or not we are able to meet with

others for ‘worship’ on it. Passover, which features next, shows us that we need forgiveness, a covering/ Cleansing for our sins.

Passover speaks of redemption by blood. It depicts the giving of a Notional righteousness in that our

sins are ‘passed over.’ This ‘Righteousness’ is undeserved, but is given to us because another’s blood

was shed for us! When The “Lamb of God” was slain for us, that was the Ultimate and never to be

repeated Sacrifice! We should therefore consider 1 Corinthians 5:7-8:

Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened.

For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old

leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity

and truth.

The Time of Unleavened Bread - We will always need to get rid of Leaven/Sin – Leave behind our

‘personal’ Egypt! And Not fall into the “Ways of the Nations” either. Those things that come

between the Eternal One and ourselves, we need an “Exodus” from. We learn to willingly accept

‘Pruning’ and focus in it particularly that we may ‘Abide in Him’ instead of religion and the self-

destructive way of the world.

Firstfruits, refers to His “Called-out ones,” albeit living in their own ‘spiritual wilderness’ situation.

Here we have to - “work out” our “salvation with fear and trembling;” - As His ‘Intended!’

Learning from and also relying on HIM, our ‘Big Brother’ – The First of All! All this, in preparation

for the Age to Come where we may More Fully serve Him and know Him as promised. It also speaks

of our own resurrection - Following His own.

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But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For

since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all

die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after

that those who are Christ's at His coming… 1Cor 15:20-23

The Feast of Weeks, {Pentecost} reveals the Empowerment available to us to walk aright, be useful,

and reach the goal of our calling. God’s redemptive act; and then the giving of the Spirit, [Acts 2]

making the disciples, those early Jewish believers and also, we of many nationalities - “New Grain!”

The Feast of ‘Trumpets!’ A day of rest and of reflection reminding us that we are at war - Without

and Within. That we need to acquire and put on the armour of God so as to deal with anything in our

lives and attitudes that would hold us back from walking with Him Blamelessly. That we can become

more like Yeshua, overcoming, as we learn to walk like unto the way that He Himself walked.

Both historically and today, it served/ serves as a reminder that one day we must all stand before Him.

… the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn,

and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great

glory. "And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER

TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. Matthew 24: 30-31.

The Day of Atonement reveals that God forgives unintentional sins. [And those we are powerless to

desist from.] The culmination of the ten day period of repentance - The “Days of Awe!” The High

Priest would offer blood sacrifice for his own sins along with those of his household; and then the sins

of the people. It speaks of Israel being made At One with Him - By Him! Zech. 3: 9; 12: 10; 13: 1. We

believe that in the future, much of the human race will also come to Know and become At One with

Him; for we are [initially] as powerless and blinded as was the High Priest depicted within Zech. 3.

Lastly, The Feast of Tabernacles or Ingathering, illustrates God gathering in humanity-at-large to

Himself during a future age! This second and far greater physical harvest, also completes each annual

cycle of His given Festivals. Each of these, are there to remind us to trust and rest in the provision

made, leading us to commit to Him year on year - And Sabbath by Sabbath. The Festivals of

Christendom may prompt us to think back, but the Feasts of the LORD, also prompt us to look

FORWARD to our own, and much of Humanity’s, Salvation.

It is of course possible to come to Messiah without knowledge of HIS Feasts; yet the Gospel being the

“Power of God for Salvation” [Romans 1: 16] is revealed and enabled through these! Moreover, our

consistent application of these Appointed Times throughout our lives, will serve to remind us perhaps

in increasing measure, of both the awesomeness of God’s Holiness and our need of His Grace

individually and collectively; thus prompting us to come to Him in a way that we otherwise might not.

This too, could be called – Revival!

I earlier said and I repeat now, that:-

The problem for most of us is that - We don’t see things as They are.

We see things according to how or ‘where,’ We are!

Hence we need - The Spirit given at Pentecost.

Alongside, The Mirror of Torah.

There is a big difference between our ‘Not Knowing,’ as against a ‘Not Wanting to know’

how God expects His people to live before Him! What we lack knowledge of, may not be down to

us. But we Can learn to challenge/ reconsider, that which has been presented to us over the years.

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To His Ancient people – ALL OF THEM, He promised in Exodus 19: 5-6:

'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession

among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy

nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel."

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of

God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that

when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.

And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. [1 John 3:1-3]

If it is your desire to be “One New Man” with this people? Then Become Ready! - "Behold, I am going to

send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. "He will restore the

hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers…

At this moment of time, the kingdoms of this world are under the sway of haSatan. [Matthew 4: 8-9]

And until he is removed, one cannot expect a sizeable ‘revival.’ However, it will not always be this

way:

….the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world

has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever." [Rev. 11:15}

"Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom

and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away

what has been sown in his heart.”

But if we do understand it however, there is an Enabled potential for Growth!

Scriptures used are from the NASB and used with thanks.

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Appendix - For Those Desiring To See REVIVAL!

“The WAY,” is the Biblical designation of the belief and practice of the Early Church or, “Called-Out Ones” – “Israel of

God.” {Acts 9:2; 16:17; 18:25-6; 19:9, 23; 22:4; and 24:14, 22.} Paul stated: … this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets. As throughout his life, Paul remained Committed to that Biblical lifestyle known as The Way; I ask - What resemblance has today’s largely rootless Christianity; to that Faith and lifestyle? Consider; to the believers within Ephesus he said: At that time you were living apart from Christ, estranged from the Commonwealth of Israel, with no share by birth in the Covenants which are based on the Promises, and you had no hope and no God, in all the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were so far away have been brought near through the death of Christ. Ephesians 2: 12-13. {Not being brought near to {be Under the} LAW, as some suppose; But included in - Covenantal relationship!}

Paul’s statements thus go beyond the sole consideration as to whether – We have asked Jesus/Yeshua into our hearts or not! – {The often given rationale for Yeshua’s words: - Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. – [Revelation 3: 20]} Yeshua, was and is The Way, the Truth and the Life! {John 14: 6} But He is the Way to What? He further said: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke {Instruction / Law / Covenant Path} upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:

28-30 {And Psalm 119.}

Proverbs 14: 12 says: There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. And Paul says in Romans 8: 3-4: … what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

God’s Grace applied through the Holy Spirit enables us to so walk or, “Run the Race!” ‘…the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, His righteousness to children's children, To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them.’ Psalm 103:17-18.

Such statements and promises as these, are revelations of God’s intent for us; for Life in Him is Not meant to be a Waiting-Room experience. Now just in case anyone thinks that their “Freedom in Christ” eliminates the need to take into account that given within the “Old Testament,” {better expressed as - God’s Value System and His Blueprint for Living} - given to us; let us remember that Yeshua said: Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19. And when sending messages to the seven congregations of Asia Minor, {within Revelation 2 and 3,} HE said to each of the Seven: that it is those who “Overcome,” who will inherit/realise glorious promises.

We have to: … work out [our] your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life…. Phil. 2:12-16

Everything that we receive from Father through Yeshua, is given through His Grace and Love. And take note that when Yeshua says in Revelation 3:20: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me; He was Not reaching out to unsaved sinners in a gospel appeal! The invitation, was to the segment of His ‘Body’ meeting within Laodicea. Moreover also, I believe; those who are Listening out for, then Obeying, HIS voice; trusting Him to Lead and Enable - His Spirit will Call/Lead such, into a Walk that will bring Blessing and intimacy, now and eternally. Our Salvation {The Way of,} is akin to being given a bicycle and a Map; with Help pedalling, and also a GUIDE!

Be aware! The Laodicean assembly may have been ‘In Him.’ He nevertheless, was- ‘Outside their Door.’ This should cause us to ponder if we are Seeking – Revival? Does Yeshua’s being “Outside,” also mean His people can be ‘outside’ in any way too? If this seems strange - Please read on, for the Apostle John wrote: … in the days when the seventh angel blows his trumpet--when he begins to do so--then the secret purposes of God are realized, in accordance with the good news which He gave to His servants the Prophets." Then the voice which I had heard speaking from Heaven once more addressed me. It said, "Go and take the little book which lies open in the hand of the

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angel who is standing on the sea and on the land." So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little book. "Take it," he said, "and eat the whole of it. You will find it bitter when you have eaten it, although in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey." So I took the roll out of the angel's hand and ate the whole of it; and in my mouth it was as sweet as honey, but when I had eaten it I found it very bitter. And a voice said to me, "You must prophesy yet further concerning peoples, nations, languages, and many kings." Then a reed was given me to serve as a measuring rod; and a voice said, "Rise, and measure God's sanctuary--and the altar--and count the worshippers who are in it. But as for the court which is outside the sanctuary, pass it over. Do not measure it; for it has been given to the Gentiles …. Revel. 10: 7- 11: 2; WNT.

What was given to John to eat, that would seem so bitter to him? Did he see considerable numbers coming to Messiah worldwide, but also a sad picture; seeing great suffering coming and maybe a falling away of mislead and unthinking believers as maybe illustrated by Yeshua’s message to the ‘Laodiceans’? If so, we have a Need to pray for revival and I would put it to you that Becoming “One New Man” equates with Covenant-keeping rather than maintaining today’s Christian customs and life-preferences. Formerly, the Temples possessed an outer court called The Court of The Gentiles. Yet the attendees there, had no part of the Covenant {being non-Israelites} until Yeshua’s sacrifice of Himself opened up the way for them too. Sadly though, even now, attitudes, traditions and semi-pagan festivals, still keep many Gentile believers ‘Outside’ even though they can now be Grafted-in to the Renewed Covenant, Way, Path Given to Israel - See Deut. 29:1

In Hosea 14: 4, God promises to heal the waywardness of This, His Ancient people. Whilst the peoples of Israel are to be the major recipients of His promises; should not, need not the Christian “wild olive shoots” also be so Revived, Integrated, {Healed} - Made Ready to be Also Counted-In? Especially, those who prefer their own religion to what God Himself gave us. {Jude vs. 3.} The ‘Gentile Believer’ mentality that many have inherited, can keep us, And HIM - Outside; {Rev. 3:19-20.} If we do not have the vision that we are of, or being grafted into the Israel of God, then how can we prepare ourselves for the Age/s To Come? Or, {to} do anything worth doing?

Perhaps we can pray along these lines?

“Father, I am desirous of being revived in my own heart so that I am walking ever closer to You. No longer a ‘Gentile Christian’, but rather, a Redeemed Covenant Person - Following the Way of the One who Named Himself – “The WAY…” It Is, from Jacob/Israel, that You formed The “Israel of God” - ‘Church.’ Yet I am aware, that one’s genetic heritage is only of limited importance; for it isn’t now our ancestry which is of foremost importance in Your eyes. It Is; WHAT WE ARE SEEKING TO BECOME!

{See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1John 3: 1-3}

Nevertheless, we are invited to believe that Your word illustrates Your Plan to restore all the Tribes of Israel back into Covenant Relationship with Yourself. {Acts 26: 7-8} Therefore, we need a heart that not only desires The Jewish people to return to You, and receive heart-circumcision; but also, prays likewise for The Lost Tribes of Israel and even for ourselves too. For Your Covenants are the Foundation and Core of all Your dealings with ALL of Your people. Therefore, I too need to be learning to walk in these; just as the Gentiles of that “Mixed Multitude” of Exodus 12: 38 would have!”

“A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. But the true

Jew is one inwardly, and true circumcision is heart-circumcision--not literal, but spiritual; and such people receive praise not from men, but from God.” Romans 2: 28-29.

I guess that will also apply to True Israelites!

Paul told the Gentiles of Corinth to: Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast--as you really are. For

Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 1Cor. 5: 7 And also: … be separate, says the Lord. Touch no

unclean thing, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2Cor. 6: 17-7: 1. {As Yeshua said when asking John to baptise Him: “… it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Matt. 3:15} There remains then for us; a requirement that IS both right and Righteous. {As in Romans 8: 3-8; & 1 Cor. 3: 11-15} … you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all

Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1: 8. {Power to BE and Become; not just to do!}

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