Saturday, July 26, 2025

Does the Law Still Matter?

🌟 Does the Law Still Matter?

Debunking the Most Common Arguments Against Torah

Many modern believers assume the Law of Moses no longer applies—that it was abolished at the cross, replaced by grace, or meant only for ancient Israel. But Scripture tells a very different story. Below are 14 of the most common claims used to dismiss Torah, each followed by a biblically grounded rebuttal 📜 and full supporting Scripture 📖.

1. 🚫 "The Law came from Moses—not Jesus."

✅ Truth: Many assume Moses authored a temporary law, and Yeshua came to replace it. But Scripture teaches that Yeshua is the eternal Word who spoke through Moses. The Torah is not Moses' invention—it is the voice of Yeshua Himself.

John 1:1–3
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... Through Him all things were made."

1 Corinthians 10:4
"...for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ."

2. ❌ "Moses is no longer relevant."

✅ Truth: Some claim that Moses is obsolete under the New Covenant. Yet he is the only figure shown with ongoing heavenly responsibilities—appearing at the Transfiguration and honored in Revelation!

Matthew 17:3
"Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus."

Revelation 15:3
"And they sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb..."

3. ❌ "Jesus fulfilled the Law, so it’s over."

✅ Truth: "Fulfill" doesn’t mean abolish—it means to bring to completion. Yeshua didn’t erase the Law; He fulfilled its purpose and showed us how to live it. Some point to Romans 10:4 to say Christ ended the Law, but the word for "end" is telos, which also means goal or purpose. Yeshua is the goal the Torah was always pointing to—not the one who shuts it down.

Matthew 5:17
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."

John 19:30
"When He had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.'"

Romans 10:4
"Christ is the culmination [telos] of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes."

4. ❌ "The Old Covenant was replaced by the New."

✅ Truth: Yeshua quoted Torah constantly—and even raised its standards. The New Covenant doesn’t replace the Torah; it writes it on our hearts.🫀

Jeremiah 31:33
"I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts."

Matthew 5:21–22
"You have heard... 'You shall not murder'... But I tell you that anyone who is angry... will be subject to judgment."

5. ❌ "Jesus’ teachings were only for His time."

✅ Truth: Yeshua speaks from eternity! 🕰️ His Word is timeless and never changes.

Hebrews 13:8
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

Psalm 119:89
"Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens."

6. ❌ "The Law is a burden."

✅ Truth: Torah isn’t a burden—it’s a blueprint for life 🧭, given so that you may live well.

Deuteronomy 30:19
"Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."

1 John 5:3
"This is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome."

7. ❌ "The Law was mandatory in the past, but not now."

✅ Truth: The first principle of Torah is free will. God invites, not forces. The Law has always been about choice—never compulsion. From the beginning, people were invited to enter the covenant of Israel voluntarily. No one was ever forced to become part of God's family, and that remains true today. Obedience is the natural response of those who choose to dwell with Him and walk in His ways. 🏡

Deuteronomy 30:15–16
"See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction... For I command you today to love the Lord your God... then you will live and increase."

Revelation 22:14
"Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter through the gates into the city."

Deuteronomy 29:10–13
"All of you are standing today in the presence of the Lord your God... You are standing here in order to enter into a covenant with the Lord your God... to confirm you this day as His people."

8. ❌ "We’re saved by grace, so we don’t need the Law."

✅ Truth: Grace was never meant to cancel obedience. It empowers it. 💪

Ephesians 2:8–10
"For it is by grace you have been saved... created in Christ Jesus to do good works."

James 2:18
"Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds."

9. ❌ "The Law was only for the Jews."

✅ Truth: All believers—including willing Jews—are grafted into Yeshua. Through this blood covenant, we become one people, and by faith, we are all the parts of the family of Israel. 🌿 One tree, one people, one Torah. Some point to Acts 15 to claim Gentiles only need to follow a few basic commands. But the apostles were simply giving new believers a starting point—not a full rulebook. Acts 15:21 explains that Moses (i.e., the Torah) would continue to be taught every Sabbath in the synagogues.

Romans 11:17
"You... have been grafted in... and share in the nourishing sap from the olive root."

Ephesians 2:12–13,19
"You are no longer foreigners... but fellow citizens with God’s people."

Acts 15:21
"For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath."

10. ❌ "Only the moral laws still apply."

✅ Truth: The Bible makes no such distinction. All of Torah flows together like a single stream. 🌊

Numbers 15:15–16
"The same laws and regulations will apply both to you and to the foreigner."

Leviticus 11:44
"Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy."

11. ❌ "The Law was nailed to the cross."

✅ Truth: What was nailed to the cross was our debt, not God’s Law. Scripture never says the Law was done away with—what changed was our position toward the Law. Some use Colossians 2:14 or Romans 6:14 to argue that we’re no longer obligated to obey Torah, but a closer look at these passages shows Paul is talking about freedom from condemnation, not freedom from obedience.

In Galatians, Paul explains that the Law served as a guardian—pointing us to Messiah. Once we meet Him, the Law is written on our hearts. We’re no longer under it as a tutor, but we’re still expected to walk in it as mature sons.

Think of it like a game: before Messiah, we were players under the rulings of the officials (the Law). Now, in Messiah, we’ve been promoted to the role of officiants—kings and priests who apply and uphold the law in righteousness. Like filing taxes with the IRS, no one hovers over you to make sure you follow the code. It’s an honor system built on maturity and integrity. In the Kingdom, all of us are now called to judge ourselves according to God’s instructions as faithful covenant partners.

Colossians 2:14
"He canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness... nailing it to the cross."

Romans 6:14
"For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."

Romans 6:16
"You are slaves... to obedience, which leads to righteousness."

Galatians 3:24–25
"So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian."
"He canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness... nailing it to the cross."

Romans 6:14
"For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."

Romans 6:16
"You are slaves... to obedience, which leads to righteousness."

Galatians 3:24–25
"So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian."

12. ❌ "We don’t need the Law because we have the Spirit."

✅ Truth: The Spirit writes the Law on our hearts 🖊️, not erases it.

Jeremiah 31:33
"I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts."

Hebrews 10:16
"I will put my laws in their hearts and write them on their minds."

13. ❌ "Jesus declared all foods clean."

✅ Truth: Yeshua was correcting traditions, not overturning God’s instructions about food. 🍽️

Mark 7:8–9
"You have let go of the commands of God... to observe your own traditions."

Isaiah 66:17
"Those... eating pork and rats and other unclean things—they will meet their end."

14. ❌ "Following the Law is legalism."

✅ Truth: Legalism is trying to earn salvation. Torah is how we walk out love. ❤️

John 14:15
"If you love Me, keep My commandments."

Romans 3:31
"Do we nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law."

🏁 Final Word: The Law Still Matters

Yeshua didn’t come to start a new religion—He came to fulfill the covenant and show us how to walk in it fully. If we call Him King, we must live by the culture of His Kingdom.

That Kingdom, much like Ruth boldly understood, is not just about a God—it is about a God, a people, and a place. You cannot separate the God of Israel from the family of Israel or from the land of Israel (not to be confused with the Earthly land of Israel, we are talking about the eternal promised land New Jerusalem). In the book of Revelation, we see the final picture: the Most High dwells with His beloved Son and the Bride in the glorious, eternal city of New Jerusalem. This is a family house, prepared for the family of Israel.

And how do we know it belongs to them? Because the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are written on the twelve gates of the city. You cannot be part of the Bride and dissociate yourself from Israel. No new entity has replaced the family of Israel. It has always been—and will always be—one family, joined not by DNA or ancestry, but by the blood covenant of Yeshua.

Psalm 119:142
"Your righteousness is everlasting and Your law is true."

Revelation 21:12
"It had a great, high wall with twelve gates... On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel."

Ruth 1:16
"Your people will be my people and your God my God."

Biblical Womanhood: A Scripture-Focused Exploration of God’s Design

In this post, Kayla and I aim to present an honest, scripture-focused exploration of the role and character of women as addressed in 1 Corinthians, 1 Timothy, Titus, and 1 Peter. Our focus is not on the role of a wife within marriage, but rather on the broader conduct and responsibilities of women in general, as outlined in these New Testament writings.

We’ve structured this post to offer two levels of scriptural insight, striving to minimize our own bias and allow the text to speak for itself:

Full Scripture References – A listing of all relevant passages so you can read the direct source material in its full context.
Key Excerpts and Summary Principles – Direct quotations from those passages, followed by a condensed outline of what we believe are the core instructions or "laws" expressed in the text.

Only after presenting these do we offer our interpretation and understanding—not as doctrine, but as a personal reflection. We encourage you to weigh these scriptures carefully in the context of the whole Bible, in community with spiritually mature believers, and with prayerful discernment. Ultimately, the authority lies in God’s Word, and our hope is that this study serves as a helpful starting point for deeper understanding.

📖 Full Scripture References

The following passages, to the best of our understanding, are the only New Testament scriptures that directly address the general character, demeanor, and conduct of women—specifically outside the context of marriage. Our focus here is not on the role of a wife, but on the broader expectations placed on women in public, spiritual, and communal settings.

We encourage you to read each passage in full to understand the context, tone, and intent of the original authors before considering any summaries or interpretations.

1 Corinthians 11:2–16 – Paul's instruction regarding head coverings, honor, authority, and the natural distinction between men and women in worship.
1 Corinthians 14:33–35 – A directive concerning silence and order for women during public gatherings of the church.
1 Timothy 2:9–15 – Paul’s instruction on modesty, teaching authority, and the connection between women and the creation narrative.
Titus 2:3–5 – Paul’s guidance to older women on how to conduct themselves and instruct younger women in matters of character and discipline.
1 Peter 3:1–7 – Peter’s exhortation regarding a woman’s spirit, conduct, and beauty, with application both within and beyond marriage.

1 Corinthians 11:2–16; 1 Corinthians 14:33–35; 1 Timothy 2:9–15; Titus 2:3–5; 1 Peter 3:1–7

📜 Key Excerpts

In short, according to the Apostle Paul in his letters to the Corinthians, Timothy, and Titus—and Peter in his first epistle—women are instructed to adopt a distinct posture in both appearance and conduct. Based on these passages:

They are to dress in modest clothing, avoiding outward displays of wealth or vanity.
They are not to braid their hair, and are instead associated with longer hairstyles, which Paul says serve as a natural covering. When participating in prayer or prophecy, they are to cover their heads as a sign of honor and order.
Their demeanor should be gentle, quiet, and submissive, which Peter describes as “precious in God’s sight.”
They are not given authority over men, particularly in matters of teaching or leadership within the assembly.
They are not to teach men, but are called instead to learn quietly and serve in roles consistent with their God-given design.

These themes appear consistently across all four letters and serve as the foundation for the broader summaries and reflections that follow. Below are direct quotations and condensed phrases taken straight from scripture, highlighting the core statements and recurring themes from each passage. This section is designed to let the words of the biblical authors speak for themselves, without commentary or added interpretation.

1 Corinthians 11:2–16

Focus: Honor, head coverings, and hair as symbols of glory and order in worship

"Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head."
"For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man."
"If a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him."
"Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as if her head were shaven."
"For if a woman will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short."
"But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head."
"If a woman has long hair, it is her glory. For her hair is given to her for a covering."

1 Corinthians 14:33–35

Focus: Silence and submission in church gatherings

"The women should keep silent in the churches."
"For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission."
"It is shameful for a woman to speak in church."

1 Timothy 2:9–15

Focus: Modesty, authority, and feminine purpose

"Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control."
"Not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire."
"Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness."
"I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man."
"She is to remain quiet."
"Women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control."

Titus 2:3–5

Focus: Teaching roles and moral training for women

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine."
"They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women":
1. "To love their husbands and children,"
2. "To be self-controlled,"
3. "Pure,"
4. "Working at home,"
5. "Kind,"
6. "Submissive to their own husbands."

1 Peter 3:1–7

Focus: Inner beauty, reverence, and gentle conduct

"Be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives."
"When they see your respectful and pure conduct."
"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear."
"Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."

🔎 Our Interpretation and Understanding

We believe that the instructions found in 1 Corinthians 11:2–16, 1 Corinthians 14:33–35, 1 Timothy 2:9–15, Titus 2:3–5, and 1 Peter 3:1–7 are true, God-breathed laws. These verses do not require reinterpretation or dismissal—they stand as part of God’s inspired Word. However, they must be understood in the full context of Scripture, not in isolation. The Bible is not fragmented; it is unified in Spirit and Truth.

❗ Bold Disclaimer: What is most important is that every believer read these scriptures for themselves—not just the verses listed here, but the entire narrative of God’s Word—and come to their own Spirit-led interpretation through prayer, study, and discussion with spiritually mature community.

What follows is simply our understanding—what the Holy Spirit is showing us right now. We do not offer it as dogma or doctrine, but as a resource, a reflection, and a humble contribution to the ongoing work of discernment within the Body of Messiah.

Women in Scripture: Living Definitions of God's Design

Women such as Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4–5), Abigail (1 Samuel 25), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14–20), and Esther (Esther 4:14–16) were not silent figures—they were courageous, authoritative, and used by God in public, national, and prophetic roles. These were not exceptions to the rule; they were examples of obedience in Spirit and Truth.

The New Testament continues this pattern. Anna (Luke 2:36–38) was a prophetess; Mary Magdalene was the first to proclaim the risen Christ (John 20:16–18); the Samaritan woman (John 4) brought an entire village to believe; and Philip’s daughters (Acts 21:9) prophesied. Women like Priscilla, Phoebe, Lydia, Tabitha, Euodia, and Syntyche are all honored in Scripture as spiritual leaders, laborers in the gospel, and key figures in the early church.

Spirit and Truth: A Unified View of Men and Women in Leadership

Our conviction, shaped by the whole of Scripture and clarified in our Spirit and Truth framework, is as follows:

Men and women are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27)—equal in value, dignity, and spiritual gifting.
As Peter affirmed on Pentecost, God promised, “Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy” (Acts 2:17).
As Paul wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Messiah” (Galatians 3:28).

We affirm that spiritual gifting and calling are not assigned based on gender, but that function within the body of Messiah must be expressed with order and responsibility.

Headship Is Not Dominance—It Is Responsibility

Paul’s writings affirm a structure rooted not in superiority, but in sacrificial responsibility. “The head of every man is Messiah, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Messiah is God” (1 Corinthians 11:3). Headship is not about control—it is about accountability, just as Yeshua submitted to the Father’s will for the sake of salvation.

Likewise, women are entrusted with strength, discernment, and spiritual authority—not to be silenced, but to be expressed in alignment with God’s order. As Proverbs 31 declares, “Strength and dignity are her clothing” and “She considers a field and buys it.” She is not passive—she is powerful and productive, operating within the boundaries of wisdom and reverence.

Mutual Dependence and Co-Laboring

Paul affirms:

“In the Lord, woman is not independent of man nor man of woman. For as woman was made from man, so now man is born of woman. And all things are from God.” (1 Corinthians 11:11–12)

This is not hierarchy—it is mutual dependence. In every movement of God, we see men and women co-laboring—Deborah and Barak, Priscilla and Aquila, Paul and his female coworkers. When women lead, they do so alongside the covering of community, not in rebellion, but in mutual submission (Ephesians 5:21).

A Kingdom House with Assigned Responsibility

The Kingdom functions like a household. Everyone enjoys the blessings of the house, but someone must sign for its stewardship. Men bear final accountability—not because they are greater, but because order requires responsibility. Women, in turn, are not voiceless tenants, but co-owners—builders, prophets, leaders, and nurturers of God’s people.

✅ In Summary

Men and women are equal in value and gifting (Genesis 1:27; Acts 2:17; Galatians 3:28).
Men are responsible for spiritual covering and headship (Ephesians 5:23).
Women are empowered to lead, prophesy, teach, evangelize, and nurture the body (Proverbs 31; Acts 18:26; Romans 16).
Both are designed to co-labor, in humility, unity, and Spirit-led purpose (1 Corinthians 11:11–12; Ephesians 5:21).
True biblical leadership is not domination or silence—it is mutual honor, order, and self-giving love.
Men and women are called to dress modestly, avoiding clothing or appearance that draws sexual attention or energy outside the sacred context of marriage. Both are warned not to elevate outward appearance to the point of idolatry, but to prioritize inner character and the fruit of the Spirit as the truest expression of beauty and holiness.

🔚 Final Conclusion

We believe that any movement that excludes the voices and leadership of women is incomplete—and likewise, any movement that ignores God's divine order for responsibility and covering is spiritually unstable. The strength of the Kingdom is found when sons and daughters prophesy, when men lead with sacrificial love, and when women rise with honor—all under the leadership of King Yeshua, the Head of us all.

At the end of the day, our litmus test of loving obedience is not based on church position, appearance, or gender, but on the condition of the heart and our faithful walk in Spirit and Truth. According to our understanding, those who truly belong to the Bride of Messiah—those who will dwell eternally in the City of New Jerusalem—will be those who do not willfully walk in the following eight sins (Revelation 21:8):

Fearful – Cowardice in the face of righteousness
Unbelieving – Rejection of faith
Abominable – Embracing moral corruption or vileness
Murderers – Those who take life unjustly
Whoremongers – Sexual immorality outside of covenant
Sorcerers – Occult practices and spiritual manipulation
Idolaters – Worshiping anything above or in place of God
Liars – Those who knowingly deceive or distort truth

As long as you are pursuing the Lord with sincerity, honoring His Word from a place of Spirit and Truth, and not living in rebellion to these major sins, you are good to go—walking the narrow path with confidence, hope, and joyful expectancy of the world to come.

Let us press forward—men and women together—building the Kingdom with humility, obedience, and mutual honor, so that we may be found ready on that great day.

Friday, June 20, 2025

Debunking Common Myths About Zion, Israel, and Yeshua’s Reign

The purpose of this write-up is to thoughtfully and biblically challenge several long-standing assumptions regarding Zion, Israel, and the return of Yeshua. Through careful examination of Scripture, we seek to clarify what the Bible truly says—and does not say—about these key topics.

📜 Myth #1: Every reference to Zion, Israel, or Jerusalem refers to modern-day Jerusalem or earthly Israel.

This is simply not true. While some passages clearly reference the historical city or the Promised Land, the vast majority of prophetic scriptures that mention “Zion,” “Jerusalem,” or “Israel” are not about earthly geography but rather about New Jerusalem—a heavenly city and eternal kingdom that will descend from heaven (Revelation 21:2–3).

Examples include:

Isaiah 2, Micah 4, Joel 2–3, Jeremiah 3:14–18, and Psalm 132:13–14 — These describe a restored Zion or Jerusalem where God dwells “forever,” language that cannot apply to a city on the current Earth, which will pass away (Revelation 21:1).
Micah 4:1–2 — This is often assumed to describe a future era of peace in earthly Jerusalem, but the context reveals a heavenly reality. Verse 7 clarifies: “The Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from that day forth and forevermore.” Since no earthly city can last forever, and Scripture teaches that the present earth will be destroyed (Revelation 21:1; Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:10), this Mount Zion must refer to New Jerusalem, the eternal dwelling of God. This aligns with Hebrews 12:22, which identifies Mount Zion as the heavenly city believers have already come to.
Isaiah 31:5-6: refers specifically to Jerusalem during Isaiah’s time, describing God's protection over the city in response to the threats of that era—not a prophecy about the eternal city.
Psalm 48:1–3 and Psalm 2:6–9 — These may hold double meanings, reflecting both historical Jerusalem and future New Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 36 — Often claimed as a modern prophetic promise, this chapter was originally addressed to Israelites in exile and dispersion during the Babylonian captivity. Its context is anchored to the 70-year exile and the generation of Zerubbabel who returned to rebuild Jerusalem and the Second Temple (Ezra 1–3). There is no indication in the text that these promises extend beyond that historical window into modern political times, especially not beyond the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. The restoration language must be viewed in light of that era’s covenant renewal, not future geopolitical ambitions.
Ezekiel 43:7 — Speaks of God's throne in a place He will inhabit “forever,” aligning with New Jerusalem, not temporary earthly land.
Deuteronomy 30:3–5 — Often cited to support a return to modern Israel, this passage initially referred to the return from exile, but prophetically points to the greater gathering through Messiah and covenant. It foreshadows the global invitation into God's eternal inheritance (Hebrews 11:13–16; Romans 4:13).

👑 Myth #2: Yeshua will reign physically from the current land of Israel.

This is a theological assumption not directly supported by Scripture. There is no verse that plainly says Yeshua will physically reign from modern-day Jerusalem or walk on this Earth again. While we fully affirm that Yeshua will return and that He will rule the nations, we believe He will do so from the clouds, with heavenly authority and power—not from a throne on the physical Earth.

Scriptures like 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, Acts 1:9–11, Matthew 24:30–31, Daniel 7:13–14, and Revelation 1:7 describe Him returning “with the clouds,” and believers being caught up to meet Him. The emphasis is not on Him touching Earth but on ruling above it—and through His disciples now, tomorrow, and throughout the Millennial reign (Revelation 20:6).

It’s also important to address a common misunderstanding about Armageddon. Some have assumed that this location—mentioned in Revelation 16—is where Yeshua will establish His throne or initiate His earthly rule. However, Scripture makes it clear that Armageddon is not a place of divine authority but a gathering ground for demonic spirits and the rebellious kings of the earth. Revelation 16:13–16 describes it as the staging area for the final conflict between the forces of darkness and the will of God. Yeshua does not reign from Armageddon—He confronts and defeats evil there. His rule is marked by holiness, justice, and glory, and it is not connected to any earthly battlefield, but rather proceeds from a heavenly position of power and dominion.

☁️ Reigning from the Clouds – Not the Ground

We affirm Yeshua’s return—but also believe He will not set foot on Earth again, either in this age or the next. He will return in the clouds, and rule from above (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). His rule will extend to Earth, but He will govern through His saints and heavenly authority.

Scripture	Key Point
1 Thess. 4:16–17	Saints meet Yeshua in the air
Acts 1:9–11	Yeshua returns in the same way He ascended — in clouds
Matthew 24:30–31	He returns in the clouds to gather His elect
Revelation 1:7	All will see Him coming in clouds
Daniel 7:13–14	Son of Man comes with clouds to receive dominion
1 Corinthians 15:51–52	Believers are transformed at His coming

🌍 Myth #3: “Israel” refers exclusively to the Jewish people.

This is a common but incomplete view. While the Jewish people today are widely associated with the tribe of Judah, the term “Jew” (Yehudi) actually came to represent a broader group of Israelites—a mixture of multiple tribes who were part of the Babylonian exile and eventual return to Jerusalem. It is a myth that Jews are solely descended from the tribe of Judah. In reality, many individuals from the southern kingdom of Judah included remnants from Levi, Benjamin, Simeon, and likely even refugees from the northern tribes, who had fled south before the Assyrian conquest (see 2 Chronicles 11:16–17; 2 Chronicles 15:9).

Over time, the term 'Jew' became a general label for all those who preserved covenant identity and worship centered on the Law given through Moses—regardless of tribal ancestry.

Furthermore, the northern kingdom (10 tribes) was dispersed by Assyria (2 Kings 17:6) and scattered throughout the nations all over the Earth. These people merged with other nation populations, and over centuries and millennia, the tribal lines blurred. As a result, no one today can definitively deny Israelite tribal or genetic identity—because anyone could potentially carry that heritage. This aligns with God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as countless as the stars in the sky.

From God’s perspective, Israel was always defined by covenant, not by race or DNA. The Torah itself included the “mixed multitude” (Exodus 12:38) that came out of Egypt as part of Israel. Isaiah 56:3–7 speaks of foreigners who join themselves to the Lord and are fully accepted. Paul affirms this in Romans 2:28–29: “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly... but a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart.”

The covenant was first ratified by the blood of animals (Exodus 24:8), but after Yeshua, it is sealed once for all by His blood (Hebrews 9:11–14). Therefore, those who walk in faith and obedience to Yeshua are considered part of Israel by covenant, not by ancestry (Galatians 3:26–29; Romans 11:17–24).

NOTE: This is not replacement theology. Israel is still the chosen family of God. Revelation 21:12 confirms that the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are written on the gates of the everlasting city. That city is the family home of Israel, and all who are grafted in through Yeshua—including Jews and all nations—are invited to become part of that household. It is not about bloodlines but about belonging through covenant.

📖 Scripture References:

2 Kings 17:6 – Assyrian exile of the northern kingdom
2 Chronicles 11:16–17; 15:9 – Northern tribes migrated to Judah
Exodus 12:38 – Mixed multitude in the Exodus
Isaiah 56:3–7 – Foreigners joined to the Lord
Romans 2:28–29 – Circumcision of the heart
Galatians 3:26–29 – All who belong to Messiah are Abraham’s seed
Romans 11:17–24 – Grafted into the olive tree
Revelation 21:12 – Names of the tribes on the gates of the eternal city
Hebrews 9:11–14 – Blood of Yeshua as the final covenant seal
Matthew 1; Luke 3 – Genealogy of Yeshua

🔥 Myth #4: “Jewish people are Israelites, and everyone else is either Gentile or from the nations.”

This is a simplification that obscures the deeper covenantal identity revealed in Scripture. While Jewish people today are part of Israel, they do not solely define Israel. The Bible never limits Israel to ethnic Jews, nor does it define everyone else as permanently “Gentile.” In truth, Israel has always been the covenant family of God on Earth—a people defined by their relationship to Him, not by bloodline or label.

From the very beginning, “Israel” referred to those in covenant with the God of Israel. Abraham himself was called out from among the nations (Genesis 12:1–3), and through his faith, he became the father of many nations (Romans 4:16–18). Even during the Exodus, a mixed multitude came out of Egypt with Israel and was counted among God’s people (Exodus 12:38, 48–49).

Paul affirms this in Romans 9:6–8, writing: “For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel... it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise.” Likewise, Ephesians 2:12–13 reminds us that those once "alienated from the commonwealth of Israel" have now been brought near by the blood of Messiah. But this does not create a third category. You are either in covenant as Israel, outside the covenant as the nations, or in rebellion altogether.

Some people try to carve out a theological middle ground called “the Commonwealth of Israel,” imagining a sort of hybrid identity between Israel and the Gentiles. But Scripture never presents a third category. There are only three spiritual conditions described in the Bible:

Israel – those in covenant with God through faith and obedience.
The Nations (Goyim) – those outside the covenant but not inherently excluded.
The Rebellious / Children of the Devil – those who knowingly reject God’s rule and belong to the domain of darkness (John 8:44; Ephesians 2:2–3).

When Scripture speaks of “Israel,” it is speaking about anyone—regardless of ethnicity—who is in covenant with the God of Israel. As Paul declares in Galatians 3:28–29: “There is neither Jew nor Greek... for you are all one in Messiah Yeshua. And if you are Messiah’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

📚 Scripture in Context: Clarifying the Foundation

Many of the myths we’ve addressed—whether about Zion, Yeshua’s reign, Israel’s identity, or covenant boundaries—are often built on isolated readings of Scripture. Below is a breakdown of commonly referenced passages that are used to support these traditional interpretations. However, when viewed in context—and through the lens of covenant, Messiah, and eternity—these same scriptures tell a much different story.

What follows is a categorized timeline of key prophetic texts. I've included my perspective alongside each, to help distinguish between what points to earthly events, what has already passed, and what clearly speaks of God’s eternal Kingdom, which is not bound to this present world.

🅰️ Before the Exile

Joel 2–3, Isaiah 2, Isaiah 24:23, Micah 4, Jeremiah 3:14–18, Jeremiah 30:1–11 – Prophecies of New Jerusalem
Jeremiah 30:12–24 – Earthly Jerusalem during pre-Yeshua return
Psalm 2, Psalm 48, Psalm 132 – Future rule from Zion/New Jerusalem

🅱️ During the Exile

Ezekiel 43:7 – God's throne "forever" = New Jerusalem

🅾️ Returned or After the Exile

Zechariah 8 – Earthly Israel, but expires at Yeshua
Zechariah 10 – Refers to Israel of that time
Zechariah 14 – Mixed: Apollyon (vv. 1–4), Return (vv. 5,13–15), New Jerusalem (vv. 6–12, 16–21)
Luke 1:32–33 – Yeshua’s throne = New Jerusalem
Matthew 5:33–35 – Refers to eternal heavenly pattern
Acts 1:1–11 – Yeshua avoids affirming a future earthly reign
Revelation 2:26–27; 3:12; 16–17; 21:2–3 – Kingdom is in New Jerusalem, not modern Israel

🧠 Closing Thoughts

It’s time we reevaluate some of the assumptions we’ve inherited—assumptions about geography, genetics, and the nature of God's Kingdom. The Scriptures reveal a far deeper truth: God’s people are defined not by human lineage, but by the blood covenant of Yeshua—and His Kingdom is established by heavenly authority, not by national borders.

The idea that Yeshua must reign from modern-day Israel, or that “Israel” refers exclusively to the Jewish people, or that there are rigid separations between Jews and Gentiles—these are traditions shaped more by history and politics than by careful reading of the text. Scripture consistently speaks of Yeshua returning in glory—not to dwell on Earth, but to reign from the clouds—and of God's people being those who are in covenant with Him, regardless of ethnic origin.

We see in passages like Galatians 3:29, Romans 9:6, and Ephesians 2:12–13 that covenant status is what determines true Israelite identity. And we are reminded in Revelation 21:12 that the names of the twelve tribes are etched into the gates of the eternal city—signifying that Israel is not just preserved, but glorified in God's eternal plan. That city is the home of God's family, and everyone who walks in covenant with Yeshua is invited in—not as guests, but as heirs.

There is no third category. You are either in covenant with God as Israel, outside as the nations, or opposed to God altogether. The invitation remains open: Come into covenant through the blood of Yeshua, and take your place among His people.

Let the Scriptures—not tradition—define who we are and where we’re going. Let covenant, not lineage, determine who belongs to the family of God.

- Written by Martin and Kayla Briggs of Birmingham, AL

Saturday, November 9, 2024

The Cost and Scale of Constructing the New Jerusalem: A Modern Perspective

The New Jerusalem—the Holy City—described in Revelation 21:9, is not simply an artistic metaphor or a poetic dream. It is a real, divine capital of staggering wealth, radiant purity, and eternal purpose. During His earthly ministry, Yeshua gave us a subtle but profound key to grasp its worth:

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”
— Matthew 6:28–29 (NIV)

In His comparison, Yeshua reveals something shocking: from the perspective of heaven, even Solomon—earth’s richest and most splendid king—is outshone by a mere lily in the field. That statement would make no sense unless He was measuring from the wealth of the place He came from—the New Jerusalem.

So what does that say about us?

Today, the total combined wealth of the world exceeds $500 trillion. Skyscrapers pierce clouds. Cities gleam with gold-plated opulence and artificial intelligence. Empires rise and economies surge. Yet from heaven’s viewpoint, even this entire sum would not equal a single lily. That’s how radically different the wealth of New Jerusalem is from our world’s highest accomplishments.

This article offers an earthbound estimate of what it might cost to construct such a city today—not to contain heaven in dollars, but to provide a tangible lens for grasping the magnitude of what God has prepared. It is a reminder that our worries, possessions, and even our greatest architectural feats pale in comparison to the glory that awaits.

🌿 Why worry, Yeshua asks, when everything we stress over is insignificant compared to what God has already prepared for those who love Him?

The City’s Magnificent Scale

Overall Dimensions: The Holy City of New Jerusalem is envisioned to span 1,380 miles in every direction, equating to a floor plan that would stretch from the northeastern corner of North Dakota to Columbus, Ohio, down to Laredo, Texas, and across to Salt Lake City, Utah. This immense distance forms a perfect cube with a total land area of approximately 1.9 million square miles.

Vertical Scale: To comprehend its height, Mount Everest, the tallest peak on Earth at 5.5 miles, pales in comparison. Ascending to 1,380 miles would require 125 round trips up and down Mount Everest or an astonishing 2,500 trips up and down the Empire State Building.

The Estimated Costs

1. Gold Structure: The weight of the city—77.64 quadrillion gold ounces—would translate into an estimated value of $1.475 sextillion ($1.475 × 10²⁰) at today’s gold prices.

Jasper Walls: The walls of the city are described as being 144 cubits (216 feet) thick and constructed from jasper. You could fit approximately five full standard city buses (each 40 feet long) into 216 feet of space, with a little extra space left over. The amount of jasper required for the walls alone would weigh approximately 930.68 trillion tons, with an estimated value of $186.14 quintillion.

3. Pearl Gates: The twelve gates are twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. Each gate standing an estimated 320 miles tall and 40 feet thick. Constructing these gates would require approximately 7.48 billion pearls per gate, weighing a total of 24,732 tons for all gates combined. At a valuation of $350 million per ton of pearls, the total cost would be approximately $8.66 trillion.

4. Precious Stone Foundations: The city’s foundation is detailed as comprising 12 layers of precious stones:

Jasper: 1.35 trillion tons valued at $270 quadrillion
Sapphire: 2.08 trillion tons valued at $2.496 quintillion
Agate: 1.37 trillion tons valued at $20.55 quadrillion
Emerald: 1.43 trillion tons valued at $5.005 quintillion
Onyx: 1.35 trillion tons valued at $13.5 quadrillion
Ruby: 2.08 trillion tons valued at $3.12 quintillion
Chrysolite: 1.71 trillion tons valued at $102.6 quadrillion
Beryl: 1.40 trillion tons valued at $70 quadrillion
Topaz: 1.82 trillion tons valued at $45.5 quadrillion
Turquoise: 1.35 trillion tons valued at $67.5 quadrillion
Jacinth: 1.82 trillion tons valued at $273 quadrillion
Amethyst: 1.37 trillion tons valued at $13.7 quadrillion

Total Foundation Value: Approximately $11.5 quintillion.

The Monumental Comparison

To put these figures into perspective, the global GDP for 2023 was estimated at $105.4 trillion. The projected total cost of building the New Jerusalem, including materials and labor, reaches $2.54 sextillion. This cost is approximately 24.1 million times the size of the current global GDP.

Labor and Total Cost

Assuming labor costs are roughly 60% of the total material expenses, the estimated expense for labor adds approximately $0.954 sextillion to the material cost of $1.59 sextillion, bringing the grand total to $2.54 sextillion.

The Sheer Impossibility

The construction of the New Jerusalem is not just economically staggering but also logistically unimaginable. The estimated total weight of 17.77 quadrillion tons for the foundations alone is 394.89 billion times the mass of the foundation of the Burj Khalifa. This vast and celestial vision underscores the symbolic and spiritual meaning of the city, transcending any real-world equivalent.

Conclusion

The Holy City to come as description in the Revelation 21:9-26, when considered through a modern lens, reveals a project so grand that it would dwarf the world’s combined economic and material resources. The total estimated cost of $2.54 sextillion highlights the city’s unimaginable scale and value, embodying a divine ideal far beyond human capacity. This perspective deepens the awe-inspiring vision of the New Jerusalem, presenting it as an unparalleled testament to divine glory and grandeur.

The scale of 24.1 million times is almost incomprehensible when applied to the realities of our world. To put it simply, finding examples on Earth where one thing is exactly 24.1 million times bigger than another is exceedingly rare because of the sheer magnitude of that comparison. Such a scale is so vast that it stretches beyond what we typically encounter in our daily lives. It highlights that the New Jerusalem, as described, is not just grand—it transcends human experience and imagination. This helps to illustrate the extraordinary and divine nature of this biblical city, reminding us that its scale and value surpass anything that exists or could be built on Earth.

Additional thoughts:

The Contrast Between Human Ambition and Divine Design: The Tower of Babel vs. The New Jerusalem the Holy City

The Tower of Babel was humanity's ambitious but flawed attempt to build a structure reaching the heavens, driven by pride and the desire for self-glory. In contrast, the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21 is a divine and perfect city, descending from heaven with 12 jeweled foundations and four towering walls stretching 1,380 miles high, giving it the appearance of a magnificent tower. While Babel symbolized human effort and division—ultimately halted by God, leading to the scattering of people—the New Jerusalem the Holy City represents divine unity and fulfillment. It embodies what Babel could never achieve: an eternal, God-ordained city where the divine and the redeemed dwell together. This heavenly city surpasses human imagination and effort, illustrating that true grandeur and lasting unity come not from human ambition but from divine purpose and glory.

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Exploring Christianity from a Hebraic Perspective with The Briggs

Dear friend,

Yours truly, Martin & Kayla, have crafted this message with anticipation of connecting with fellow believers in Yeshua (Jesus) like yourself. We share an appreciation for the Hebrew roots of our faith and a desire to explore the deeper connection between Christianity and the founding fathers of our faith in the “Old Testament,” also known as the Tanach (comprising the books of law, the prophets, and collected writings).

To us, worshipping God from a biblical perspective means recognizing that the God of Israel is the same God from Genesis to Revelation—unchanging, eternal, and consistent in all He has spoken. Yeshua did not “start” being God in the New Testament; He has been God from the very beginning. As John 1:1–3 declares, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.”

Therefore, from the first words spoken in Genesis to the final words in Revelation, Yeshua is the eternal Word of God. Anytime God speaks, it is Yeshua. Anytime Yeshua speaks, it is God. They are never separated, and they always speak the same truth—truth that is everlasting, unchanging, and binding for all generations. The “Old” and “New” Testaments are not in competition—neither is more or less relevant than the other. Both carry equal weight and significance, and together they form one seamless, unbroken revelation of God’s Kingdom.

With that truth in mind, there’s something vital to settle before you begin the journey of walking in His ways:

Before you consider the do’s and don’ts of God’s law…
Before you study the calendar, adjust your diet, or mark your first Sabbath on the calendar…
Before you embrace the Hebraic perspective of worship…
We urge you to pause and ask yourself one life-defining question:

“Am I willing to give my whole heart to God and to His family—the Twelve Tribes of Israel—who will, for all eternity, live and rule from New Jerusalem the eternal holy city of God?”

Because if your heart belongs first to God and His people, then everything else—the commandments, the feasts, the Sabbath—flows naturally from love. You obey because you love the One who gave the instruction and the family He has called you into. But if you strive to keep every rule without ever falling in love with the King and His Kingdom family, then you may find you’ve been living under obligation rather than within the Kingdom itself.

This is the heart posture of Ruth, the Moabite woman who, though a foreigner, bound herself to the God of Israel and His people with an unshakable covenant of love. Her words echo through history as the very heartbeat of true conversion:

“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you.
Where you go I will go,
and where you stay I will stay.
Your people will be my people
and your God my God.
Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.
May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely,
if even death separates you and me.”
(Ruth 1:16–17)

Notice Ruth didn’t begin her journey by asking for a list of rules. She began with love and loyalty—to Naomi, to God, and to God’s people. And because her heart was already His, obedience followed.

That is the challenge we place before you—not simply to learn about the feasts, the Sabbath, or the dietary instructions, but to decide right now whether you will join yourself fully to the God of Israel and His Kingdom family. If your heart says yes, then everything you learn will be anchored in love. And love will make the walk lighter, the sacrifices joyful, and the obedience full of life.

**********

Once the heart is fully His, the next step is to understand how to walk it out. The commands, the appointed times, and the patterns given in Scripture are not a cold checklist—they are the roadmap for loving God in Spirit and in Truth. We start with the heart because only a heart surrendered to God will truly obey Him. But when that love takes root, we can then embrace the path He’s set before us—learning the ways of His Kingdom and living them out with joy.

The greatest day for any believer is the moment we find our Savior Yeshua and become grafted into His family as sons and daughters, as co-heirs of His Kingdom. Yeshua stated in his word, Matthew 5:17-20:

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly 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. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

When Yeshua stated he has come to fulfill the word, that means to us that the law or the instruction of the Old Testament was a gift from God in development from the time of Adam through the prophet John the Baptist. These Laws would be sealed and now fully ready for delivery to the world after the death and ultimately the resurrection of Jesus. For greater clarity, if we said we owned a 'fulfillment center', what would that mean? It is a place for something to be developed, packaged, and ready for delivery. That is exactly what Jesus meant when he said I have come to fulfill the law. Meaning before his time on Earth, the law was a gift from God being processed, developed from the time of Adam through John the Baptist. This new product is now sealed and delivered to the world for use. Which means, as he said, the law is not abolished but now ready for instruction and utilization. Therefore, it's crucial to understand that every 'New Testament' writer aimed not to abolish the law but to guide us in its practice.

With that being said, it is very important that believers from all Nations understand that it is us who are being grafted into the family of the Old Testament, from Adam through John the Baptist. We are meant to practice and worship God as He instructed the Kingdom of Israel. In your journey to reestablish the heritage of your forefathers, you will begin to explore the following practices:

Abstaining from certain foods.
Obedience to the Ten Commandments.
Weekly Shabbat practiced from Friday evening through Saturday evening.
The annual holidays appointed by God Himself, known as biblical feasts, include Passover, Feasat of Unleven Bread, Shavuot (also known as Pentecost), and all the Fall festivals such as the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot.

These four observances, coupled with the acceptance of Yeshua as our eternal Lord and Savior, constitute what we perceive as the non-negotiables of faith. There are also a total of nearly 1,700 other commands that we are instructed to follow from Genesis to Revelation. Certainly, we believe the reason the Lord our God made so many commands is to emphasize that our righteousness will never be good enough to enter into the Kingdom of God without the blood sacrifice of Jesus. According to the word of God,

'All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.' --Isaiah 64:6

While we are commanded to follow all the laws of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, it is impossible to do so entirely. This could be due to our lack of awareness of certain laws, our inability to adhere to them fully, or because we perceive some laws as irrelevant or unachievable in today's context. In any case, no one has or ever will fully comply with the letter of the law; we all fall short. Thus, we rely on the grace of Jesus to bridge the gap. We can say that as you navigate your journey to find your walk with God through a Hebraic perspective, you will find the greatest controversies related to the following topics:

Sexuality and marriage
Defining the weekly Sabbath (Shabbat)
The practice of Easter, Halloween, Christmas, and other festivals
Dietary rules
'Law' vs 'Grace'
The sacrifice of circumcision
Zionism
The role of women
Outward expression of devotion to God including hair, makeup, and apparel styles

As each one declares our path of faith, we can guarantee you one thing: each person will have their own unique relationship with God, and no one is fit to judge anyone else's walk with God as better or lesser than their own.

Resources to consider for next steps

- Riverbranch Community, from a doctrinal perspective, appears to be one of the most biblically aligned ministries we have encountered. Their teachings consistently point back to Scripture as the ultimate authority, and they have cultivated a strong global community where believers from around the world can connect, learn, and grow together in their walk with God.

- Celebrating Jesus in the Biblical Feasts: Discovering Their Significance to You as a Christian, Author: Dr. Richard Booker

- Becoming Israel - Leaving Babylon, Leaving Religion, and feeling alone.......IT'S BY DESIGN - This message will certainly bring encouragement as you journey out of the grand scale of institutional faith and into the scattered diaspora of Israel dispersed throughout the world.

A Personal Update:
Written in late April 26, 2025, just over a year after the original post.

Since first writing this article, my perspective on Hebrew roots has undergone a radical transformation. I've come to realize that many doctrines taught within Christian, Jewish, and Messianic circles, from my current understanding, often stand in opposition to the Word of God. I encourage you—just as I continue to do—to carefully and prayerfully scrutinize every teaching you encounter including the resources I recommended against Scripture itself. Stay anchored in the Word above all.

Here are additional resources we have produced that we hope will help you along the way:

'Spirit and Truth' for life - his document presents a living, collaborative exploration of what it means to worship God in Spirit and Truth, inviting feedback from devoted believers across diverse backgrounds as we refine our shared faith

Honoring Shabbat: A Scriptural Guide to the Sabbath - This study traces Shabbat from Creation through Moses and Yeshua, showing it as God’s covenant gift designed to teach His people how to rest, trust, and live free from striving. Grounded in the full sweep of Scripture, it presents Shabbat not as a burden, but as a joyful rhythm of rest, gratitude, and relationship with God.

Debunking Common Myths About Zion, Israel, and Yeshua’s Reign - The purpose of this write-up is to thoughtfully and biblically challenge several long-standing assumptions regarding Zion, Israel, and the return of Yeshua. Through careful examination of Scripture, we seek to clarify what the Bible truly says—and does not say—about these key topics.

Does the Law Still Matter? – This blog explores the enduring role of God’s law in the life of a believer, especially in light of Yeshua’s fulfillment of the Torah. With clarity and conviction, it challenges modern interpretations that dismiss the law, inviting readers to reconsider its purpose, beauty, and relevance through a Messiah-centered lens.

May these resources be a guiding light as you embark on your own journey of discovery and faith.

KMBriggs Out Loud

Saturday, July 26, 2025