First Day of the Week

The church says that the Jews have Saturday Sabbath and the Christians have Sunday.  Do we really think that our Father in Heaven would make different laws for His people?  I don't think so, in fact I know He didn't.  That is like saying he made the sky for one group of people and the grass for a different group of people.  He made all of creation for all of His people.  One Torah for all,  and one standard to live by.  The Brit Hadasha doesn't say one way for Jew and another way for the Greek, no it says "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of Elohim unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" Romans 1:16.  If only people really studied the Word.

"The First day of the Week" in the bible has been misunderstood and the day Christians are to worship and about the sabbath.  When I looked at the part of the sentence First day of the week in Greek I was taken aback by what it meant in. But we have to go back to the history of the Israelites and what they were commanded to do, to get an understanding of this. It will make more sense further down. 

Now First day of the Week is mentioned eight times in the Brit Hadasha.  On these scriptures the church has based their reason for gathering on Sunday. 

Mathew 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

Mar 16:2 And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.

Mar 16:9 And having risen early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Miryam from Maḡdala, from whom He had cast out seven demons.
Luk 24:1 And on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared,
Joh 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Act 20:7 And on the first day of the week,the taught ones having gathered together to break bread, Sha’ul, intending to depart the next day, was reasoning with them and was extending the word till midnight.

1Co 16:2 On the first day of the week let each one of you set aside, storing up whatever he is prospered, so that there are no collections when I come.
When a word is italicized  it was not originally there and was placed to give a better understanding, but honestly should be left out.  So the verse should say first of the week.  So let's look at the word Week in the Greek for each verse.  Mathew 28:1; Mark 16:2; Mark 16:9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1; John 20:19; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2:
 G4521 σάββατον sabbaton sab'-bat-on  Of Hebrew origin [H7676]; the Sabbath (that is, Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension a se'nnight, that is, the interval between two Sabbaths; likewise the plural in all the above applications: - sabbath (day), week.


Sabbaton, of Hebrew origin from the Sabbath. It is the interval between two Sabbaths.  Sabbath, what two Sabbaths? Hold on. The verse is really saying the First of the Sabbaths.  What Sabbaths?  Okay, here is where we need the history.  In the Old Testament, there are Feasts that Yahweh gave to His people.  They are called His Feasts.  After Passover, the first sabbath after Passover is Firstfruits and then the counting of the Sabbaths to Pentecost.  Pentecost is fifty days from the Sabbath after Firstfruits.

They had to count seven sabbaths to Pentecost.  

  Lev. 23:15,16 And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:  Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.

These Sabbaths became known as First Sabbath, Second Sabbath just like in:

Luke 6:1 As it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields;
 

On the second sabbath after the first in the Greek is defined as:
G1207 δευτερόπρωτος deuteroprōto sdyoo-ter-op'-ro-tos From G1208 and G4413; second first, that is, (specifically) a designation of the Sabbath immediately after the Paschal week (being the second after Passover day, and the first of the seven Sabbaths intervening before Pentecost): - second . . . after the first.

So, what does this prove you ask? Well, the belief that everyone holds that Sunday is the day that they were gathering because that is when the New Testament Christians are now supposed to gather.  It proves that they were gathering not because of a new thing but because it was what they were taught out of keeping His Feasts, from Passover to Pentecost.  This is why we can't just read the bible.  We have to study it and look up every word whether Greek or Hebrew.  We don't want to be the blind being led by the blind. I don't want to fall and then live in a ditch.   Let's prove ourselves worthy.  The way it is translated into English just proves the saying "lost in translation" and proves Sunday has nothing to do with anything. 

The Word by which the Gospel is Preached

Again, I am on my treadmill.  I am listening to the audio bible on my IPod. 1 Peter, chaper 1 and on verse 24 through verse 25 the voice says, "For all flesh is as grass, and all glory of man as the flower of grass.  The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  But the word of the Elohim endureth for ever.  And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."  Now, this is my "aha" moment.  Christians say they are New Testament Christians and that the gospel is not the same as the Old Testament, that Yeshua taught something new.  I know differently, but having the scripture that ties the two together when I am talking to someone helps.  Verse 24,25 is quoted from Isaiah 40:6-8 "The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the YHWH bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our Elohim shall stand for ever."  The Word in the Old Testament is the Torah, His will and it stands for ever and this scripture is being quoted in the New that endures for ever and is the word which by the gospel is preached unto us, and the other scripture that is referenced Luke 16:17 "And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail."  This is no crossing the t or dotting the i.  This is hebrew writing.  And Mathew 5:18 "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."  Heaven and earth are still here and He hasn't returned yet.  Wow,  thank you Father in Heaven.  This is an answer to prayer.  It is something I have known but when you find the Word that interprets the Word. I can almost hear Angels sing. Okay, just kidding.  Psalms 119:89 "For ever, O Yahweh, thy word is settled in heaven."  

Inhabits the Praises of Who?

While on the treadmill this morning I was listening to a promo for a conference.  I am not sure if it is coming or has gone but I was desperate for something in my ear when the gentleman brings up what we have all the heard the preacher say "God inhabits the praises of His people."  But where is that found?

Psalm 22:3 "But thou art Holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel."

Did you see that? Inhabits the praises of who?  Israel. There is no scripture in the bible that says He inhabits the praises of His people. It doesn't say just any people, but Israel.  An Israel that kept commandments, statutes, etc.  A cultivated olive tree.  We need to let that sink in and marinate for a little bit.  What was Israel doing that He inhabited their praises?  It should make us want to dig deeper into the Word, truly searching it as treasure. 



Written by:  Jana D. Pindell

The First Divorce

When Adam and Eve (Havah) sinned, Yahweh "sent him forth from the Garden of Eden" in Genesis 3:23. Then in verse 24 it says" He drove out the man". Interesting. So he sent them out twice? Huh? Maybe they were holding onto a tree and wouldn't let go?  So, He had to say it twice.  No.  When He sent him forth, he was casting them out of the Garden.  They had to leave but when you look up the word drove in Hebrew it says to divorce as with a woman.  When Adam sinned and broke the Eden covenant he was given a divorce.  He no longer had the relationship with Yahweh that he had in the Garden.  "They heard the voice of Adonai, Elohim, walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze,"  Gen. 3:8.  For there to be a divorce there had to be a covenant with commandments, statutes, etc.  Christians will argue there was no Law given until Sinai.  No, it just wasn't written down until then.  You know, tell a child several times to do a chore then write it down, in stone.  Maybe then we will get that He meant it.

If there was no Torah given before Mt. Sinai then why:

Adam and Eve chose to listen to satan, god of this world and sinned. "You shall have no other gods before me"   Which was in violation of the first commandment. 

Jacob was told to get rid of the idols that they had with them.  Gen. 35:2-4 "Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that [were] with him, Put away the strange gods that [are] among you, and be clean, and change your garments:"  Violation of the second commandment.

If what Ham did wasn't sin why did Noah curse Canaan?  Gen.9:24-25 "And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed [be] Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren."

And if Cain killing Abel wasn't sin, why is he cursed? Gen. 4:10-11 "And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now [art] thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;" Violation of sixth commandment.

What about Joseph telling Potiphar's wife he would not sleep with her and do wickedness and sin against Yahweh?  Gen. 39:8-9 "But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Be There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" Violation of seventh commandment.

Gen 26:5 "Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws."  Abraham was considered a friend of Elohim.

Gen. 38:6-8 Y'hudah took a wife for 'Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.  But 'Er, Y'hudah's firstborn, was evil from ADONAI's perspective, so ADONAI killed him.  Y'hudah said to Onan, "Go and sleep with your brother's wife - perform the duty of a husband's brother to her, and preserve your brother's line of descent."   This is from Deut. 25:5.  "If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her."

There are many more scriptures that show that Torah was given before it was written down. We have to understand that Torah will all its commandments, statutes, judgements, etc. were given to not just to the Jews, but to the Israelites, His people.  So if we are grafted into the Commonwealth of Israel and the root bears us, we partake of the root not the other way around.  The Jews who have always kept His Torah will not have anything to do with christianity because it is not of Yahweh.  It is not the Jews who have to come over to chrisitainity but, us who have Yeshua need to repent and keep Torah.  And then will their eyes be opened to recieve Yeshua.  

Written by:  Jana D. Pindell

The Sin of the Golden Calf

Years ago, when I started questioning things I had learned in the church that had been passed down from generation to generation.  I would talk to other people asking questions about how they felt about these holiday traditions that we were celebrating. I even spoke to one of the pastors at the church and I always received the same answer no matter who I talked to.  "We are worshiping Him, He is happy with us as long as it is focused on Him, it doesn't matter how it is done as long as He is in the forefront, this is how we have always done it, Jesus is the reason for the season." The reasons goes on and on.  But, it just doesn't line up with scripture.

In Exodus, the Israelites were brought out of Egypt and He told them if they will obey His voice and keep His covenant they will be a peculiar treasure, kingdom of priests and a holy nation. In Exo 19:8  "And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do."  They agreed to this covenant.  Then Moses is told to go get the people ready and to sanctify them and be ready the third day. He is going to come down in the sight of the people.  On the morning of the third day Moses brings the people out to meet Him.  Then in chapter 20 Yahweh begins to give the commandments, all of them not just the ten. But in verse 18  "And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19  And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die."  He wanted an intimate relationship with His people, just like in the Garden of Eden.  But they were too afraid.  So, Yahweh picks up where He left off and continues to tell Moses.  So Moses tells them to the Israelites and they agree to them, "we will do and be obedient".  Then there is a feast with Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: Exo 24:10  "And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. Exo 24:11  And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink."  A wedding feast.  He has married His Bride. Next verse Moses is told to come up and receive the tables.   Exo 24:12  "And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. Exo 24:13  And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God."  So Moses goes up and through chapters 31 He gives Moses His Word. But in Chapter 32 we see when Moses is gone for so long the people tell Aaron to make them gods that will go before them and that brought them out of Egypt.  Of course, we still see a lot of Egypt still in them as you can see in verse 6.  So Aaron makes a golden calf and builds an altar. Exo 32:5  "And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD."  That is interesting,  A feast to the Yahweh? Didn't they just make a golden calf?  Let's go on to Exo 32:6 " And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.  Exo 32:7  And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: Exo 32:8  They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt."  So, in their eyes they were worshipping Him. But, in His eyes they were worshipping other gods.  They broke their covenant with Him.  So Moses broke the tables.  Exo 32:19  "And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount."  We see in Exo 32:21  "And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?"   We have to always worship Him according to His Ways. Otherwise, it is sin. 

Written by:  Jana D. Pindell

The Mark of the Beast

If we let the Word interpret the Word, it is amazing what comes to light.  We have been taught over the years that the mark of the beast will be some sort of electronic chip that will be implanted in our bodies, or it is the social security card, etc.  But let's look at some scriptures and let the Word speak for itself. 

In Revelations concerning the mark of the beast it says:
Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
 We are told in Deuteronomy that we are to keep His commandments and teach them to our children and talk of them pretty much all the time.  But as you see in chapter 6, verse 6 they are a sign on us.

Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deu 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: Deu 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deu 6:8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

If we look up the word sign in Hebrew it also means a mark.
People are looking for a physical mark to be placed, something visible.  But what if it isn't? Let's look at some more scriptures.

Job 10:14 If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.

Psa 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
Psa 37:38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

Perfect in Hebrew means upright and/or undefiled.  So we can see that one who sins has a mark and one who is righteous has a mark.  Did Job physically get a mark on him? 

The Sabbath was also a sign between Him and His people.
Exo 31:16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
Exo 31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. This is the one commandment that we are told to Remember. 

But people say "now that I have recieved Christ I am sealed with the Holy Spirit" and people quote Eph 1:13:  " In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"
As it says after ye heard the word of truth and ye believed, ye were sealed.  And the scriptures say in John 14:15-16:  " If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;"  The scripture is saying when we have heard the word of Truth and believe, we have repented and turned back to Him and  keep the commandments we will be given the Holy Spirit.  It is one transparency on top of the other that reveals the whole picture.

During Sabbath we are told we are to rest, stay in our domain, not light a fire, and not buy and/or sell.  The not buying or selling comes out of Neh. 13:15-18.  The Sabbath was not to be a day of commerce.  It is His day, not ours.  So if we go back to Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.  If we are keeping the commandments, then we are keeping the Sabbath and cannot buy or sell that day. 


Written by:  Jana D. Pindell

How to Study the Bible

In times past when I studied the bible, well, I really didn't study it I mostly just read it. Now I study it.
In church a scripture is pulled out and a sermon is made.  But the issue with that is it limits our view of what is really being said in the scriptures.  The Torah was given to the Israelites.  So if we want to understand the scriptures we need to study them exactly the way the people who were given them studied them.  If you are studying a specific topic/word then you need a concordance and you need to look up every place that topic/word is discussed in the Bible. We have to search it like hidden treasure Proverbs 2:4. This will give you the bigger picture.  We cannot just pick and choose scriptures.  We have to let the Word interpret the Word. We have to remember the Word is of no private interpretation (2Pe 1:20).

I came across a great computer program called E-sword. This is a great study tool. This program is so well laid out.  There are several versions.  One version kind of basic you can download from their website and it is free.  You can then add different Bible versions or commentaries, some are free and some costs.  http://www.e-sword.net/   You can also make a donation if you like. 

The other version is from http://119ministries.com/free-resources  and it has lots of extras.  Although a lot larger file 3 to 4 GBs.  But if your computer can handle, it is worth it!  It is also free, but you have to go through checkout and input your information.   Enjoy!

Written by:   Jana D. Pindell