Micaiah
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- Dec 31, 2019
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Stepping Backward
Supposed wisdom
PARTIAL JUDAIZERS
COMPLETE JUDAIZERS
The Ark of the Covenant
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And this, the Apostle Paul warns us about!
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him That called you into the grace of Christ unto another Gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other Gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Galatians 1:6-9 The BIBLE
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There are two (2) kinds of those who would seek to turn the Christian toward Judaism. Each of these Judaizers can be recognized as being in one of two basic groups: the PARTIAL, and the COMPLETE:
PARTIAL JUDAIZERS Of the two types in this tendency, Partial Judaism is the type more commonly seen in some churches and Christians. Partial Judaizers are those who would merely bring into Christianity the observance of some Judaistic matters such as speaking Hebrew, using Hebrew Names of God, observing Judaistic seasons, feasts, Sabbaths, etc. But our Lord says, through Paul:
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him:
7 Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
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16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
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20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using
after the commandments and doctrines of men?23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Colossians 2:6-8, 16-18, 20-23 The BIBLE
9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Galatians 4:9-11 The BIBLE
7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
8 This persuasion cometh not of Him That calleth you.
9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
Galatians 5:7-10 The BIBLE
COMPLETE JUDAIZERS This second type of Judaizer is those who would take the Christian completely out of Christianity, and into Judaism. This type is no mere matter of degrees: while the (1) other type of Judaizer seeks merely to convince the Christian to adopt various Judaistic customs and practices, telling them, or just implying by example, that in this way they would be more Godly, this (2) second type seeks to convert them (symbolized by ritual circumcision and characterized by strict observance of Old Testament Law) totally away from Christ altogether, claiming that the Jewish religion is the only Way (and there are some Spiritually immature and Biblically ignorant Christians today who, in their love for the Jews and Israel, would suggest that Judaism is a legitimate alternative to Christianity)!
1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Acts 15:1 The BIBLE
3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the Gospel might continue with you.
Galatians 2:3-5 The BIBLE
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ Is dead in vain
Galatians 2:21 The BIBLE
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:1-14 The BIBLE
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Galatians 5:5-6 The BIBLE
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Galatians 6:15 The BIBLE
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using
after the commandments and doctrines of men?23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Colossians 2:20-23 The BIBLE
But Christ, and therefore, Christianity, Is the completion of Judaism! So any step away from Christianity, and into Judaism would therefore be a step backward into the incomplete, a step back from the completion that all of history and God’s prophets and people awaited throughout the whole of history! (For more on the Completion of Judaism in Christ see Progressive Revelation,[4] also in Micaiah.com.)
10 And ye are complete in Him, Which Is the head of all principality and power:
11 In Whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Colossians 2:10-11 The BIBLE
To reject Christ, and to insist on following mere Judaism, would therefore be comparable, in allegory, to reading only half-way through a mystery novel, without reading through to its culmination and completion, and discovering what the entire book was all about in the first place! In so-doing, the reader would be deprived of discovering the treasure for which the book’s heroes were searching, and be unable to enjoy with them the pleasures and benefits attained by their discovering the prize! The whole purpose of the entire book would be lost!
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Colossians 1:26-28 The BIBLE
8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof … .
Ecclesiastes 7:8 The BIBLE
The New Testament is not different, and separate from the Old Testament; the New Testament is an inherent, essential part of the Old Testament, and the completion of it; the two cannot be separated! The Messiah was foretold by the prophets in the Old Testament,[5] and was manifested in the flesh by Jesus Christ.
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Therefore:
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 Christ Is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Galatians 5:1-6 The BIBLE
So our Heavenly Father tells us to stand strong in this liberty that His Son did so much to purchase for us by His death on the cross! We are therefore now free of all the Old Testament legalism! If we wish to follow some Old Testament practices, we are permitted (liberty), but we can in no way claim that they make us any more holy or close to God; He has set us free of them! God says so.
Many different groups exercise this liberty of ours in their own ways, adding certain practices to their worship of God. For instance, there are those Christians, urban members of what they themselves call, “Cowboy Churches,” who on Sundays dress up in cowboy costumes and attend churches with a cowboy theme. And there are those believers from certain ethnic backgrounds and foreign countries who like to dress in their national dress and attend churches devoted to worshipping God in a manner particular to their customs, and preaching and conducting services in their national tongue. And there are also those Christians who like to use as many Hebrew words as possible when speaking with other Christians. These latter may also observe some Jewish customs such as Hebrew feasts; they may hang Israeli flags, and sing songs in Klezmer or Khazone style or in minor key. And they have every right to do so. But none of these traditions of man makes the person any more Godly! Jesus condemned those who claimed otherwise:
3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
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7 Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
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13 Making the Word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
14 And when He had called all the people unto Him, He said unto them, Hearken unto Me every one of you, and understand:
15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
Mark 7: 3-4, 7-8, 13-16 The BIBLE
So there is no failure to follow man’s mere tradition, that can make a man less holy. And there is no obedience to the mere tradition of man that can make him more holy:
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using
after the commandments and doctrines of men?23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Colossians 2:20-23 The BIBLE
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:5 The BIBLE
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:11-14 The BIBLE
That is another reason that personally and regularly studying the Word of God, the Bible, for one’s self is so vitally important to the Christian![6] Knowing the Scriptures, the Words and voice of the Good Shepherd, is the best way to preserve one’s self from being deceived by the enemy into a false Godliness, a mere show of man’s attempt at pleasing God!
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Colossians 2:23 The BIBLE
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby.
I Pet. 2:2 The BIBLE
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.
II Tim. 2: 15 The BIBLE
16a Seek ye out of the Book of the LORD, and read:
Isa. 34:16a The BIBLE
39 Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.
John 5:39 The BIBLE
Speaking Hebrew, either just the Names of God, or speaking it fluently in quoting the Bible or reading it in church (except, perhaps, for giving a more clear understanding of the original) does no more for one’s holiness or Godliness than, for instance, taking out the garbage in the morning, or driving one’s car. One doesn’t please his Heavenly Father any more by speaking the Name of God in Hebrew, nor reading the Scriptures in Greek; neither language is used in heaven. And speaking God’s Name in Hebrew or Greek, if just to appear more holy, would in fact, give us no more (questionable) reward than perhaps making us appear more Godly to those around us, and, tragically, it would disappoint our Lord! Jesus condemned hypocrites.
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father Which Is in secret: and thy Father, Which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 6:16-18 The BIBLE
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
II Timothy 3:13 The BIBLE
In fact, by using a foreign tongue in the church we are actually less likely to enhance our service to the Lord and to man, and more likely to fail! Our Heavenly Father instructs us in this very concept while speaking of the Spiritual gift of Tongues:
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
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18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
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23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? …
33 For God Is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
I Corinthians 14:33 The BIBLE
Therefore:
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
II Timothy 3:14-17 The BIBLE
The Ark of the Covenant
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he Ark of the Covenant was replaced by the actual presence of God, in the form of Jesus the Christ!
The Ark held the presence of God on the Mercy Seat, between the two golden figures of angels on the lid. So in order to approach near to the presence of God on earth the worshipper had to travel to wherever the Ark was being stored, and left the nearness of the presence of God when they returned home. And they were never able to get into the actual presence of God with the Ark itself. The High Priest was the only person ever allowed into the actual presence of God where the Ark was stored behind the great veil, in the Holy of Holies, and he did so only once a year, in terror of dying if not being at that moment pure and holy enough.
But when Jesus arrived (Greek: Immanuel "God With Us") we no longer needed the Ark; we had the actual presence of God Himself, and when Jesus returned to heaven He left with us the Holy Spirit, our Comforter. We now no longer need to travel somewhere to be near the presence of God; He Is with us always.
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever
17 The Spirit of truth, Whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:15-17 The BIBLE
28 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I Am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:20 The BIBLE
The Ark had been a mere very poor replacement for God Himself, temporary until Jesus arrived. And, because Jesus forgave our sins when we repented of them and were Born Again, we no longer have to fear; we are even now in the very presence of God, holy and accepted because of His forgiveness, and safe within His protecting arms! With Immanuel now with us in Person, why even concern ourselves with what was temporary, partial, invisible to the average man, and even terrifying?
Why even concern ourselves with the old, partial revelation of God that the Jews laboured under? Why concern ourselves with the old, Jewish laws and mere symbolism and artifacts that kept us apart from God Himself, when we have the fullness of God in Jesus Christ living within us? We no longer have to be afraid! It is Jesus, God Himself, we seek after, not the temporary, incomplete Jewish religion of ignorance of the fullness of God. Why seek mere artifacts when we have the Source of them, God Himself?
Those two angels on the lid of the Ark now guide us to seek the living Jesus, not the mere ark!
4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they (the angels) said unto them, why seek ye the living among the dead?
6 He Is not here, but Is risen: remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee,
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49 And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Luke 24:4-6, 49 The BIBLE
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16 The BIBLE
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh;
21 And having an High Priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He Is faithful that promised
Hebrews 10:19-23 The BIBLE
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, Which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
I Corinthians 15:55-58 The BIBLE
[1] NOTE: In order to forestall any attempt to dismiss this essay as antiSemitic, antiGentile, antiSemantic, etc.:
Please note that the author, Glen C. Robertson, is a Born-Again, Protestant, Spirit-Filled, Gentile Christian minister. His education is in ‘Exegetical Theology,’ majoring in Bible and Biblical languages (Hebrew, Koine [Biblical} Greek). His heart and love are for the Jewish nation, who are the original and present people of God, and for the country of Israel.
[2] 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Luke 21:24 The BIBLE
[3] 15 I will go and return to My place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek My face: in their affliction they will seek Me early.
Hosea 5:15 The BIBLE
7 Awake, O sword, against my Shepherd, and against the Man that is My fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn Mine hand upon the little ones.
8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My Name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The LORD Is My God.
Zechariah 13:7-9 The BIBLE
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the Gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all.
Romans 11:25-32 The BIBLE
[4] Escapre or Endurance? Page 37
[5] Genesis 3:15; 12:3; 49:10; Deuteronomy 18:15; Psalm 22; 45:2; 68:18; 69:21; 110:1; 118:22; 132:11; Isaiah 7:14; 9:2, 7; 11:10; 25:8; 28:16; 42:1; 49:6; 52:13-15; 53; 55:4; 59:16; 61:1-3; 62:11; 63:1-6; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Ezekiel 17:22-24; Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14; 9:25-27; Micah 5:2; Haggai 2:7; Zechariah 3:8; 6:12-13; 9:9; 11:12-13; 12:10; 13:7; Malachi 3:1-3
[6] ALELUJAH.COM - What Next? - Study the Bible
