A Season To Believe...  Part 2 

Greetings from HomeWorship 101™

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favor with God.

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son,

and shall call His name Jesus (Yahshua). He will be great,

and will be called the Son of the Highest;

and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.

And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,

and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

- Luke 1:30-33

It was prophesized by the Prophet Mica (5:2) that the King of Israel, and Savior of the world, would someday be born in Bethlehem.  And it came to pass, long ago in Judea, in the little village a few miles south of Jerusalem called Bethlehem.  It was a small town of about 400 families.  It was a very busy time because the census was to be taken and everyone had to return to their native homes.  Coming back to Bethlehem were a couple of teenagers, Joseph and Merriam.  They were engaged to be married, and she was already very pregnant (Isa.7:14).  Merriam was near labor and was in dire need of a place to stay, and there were no rooms available at the inn.  So they made due with an animal manger.  An animal manger was like a small shallow cave.  They put down some fresh straw and built a fire at the mouth of the cave, and after a while the King of Israel, and the worlds Messiah was born (Luk.2:2-20). And, as the saying goes, “the rest is history.” 

The prophesied birth of the Messiah, sounds like it should be a happy moment, but there is a problem, Satan and his the dark minions were not happy about this event and the killings and persecutions began.  First the newborns were killed but the devil missed his mark and the Messiah lived, He grew up, and taught the ways of His FATHER’s Kingdom.  Later on after the death of the Messiah, His disciples and followers were hunted, tortured, and killed.  His Jewish believers had a very hard time and were especially hated by general Jewish population for being Christian, and by the Romans for being Jews.  By killing off the Jewish and gentile elders of the 1^st century Christians means that much of the original spiritual knowledge was lost, especially the Jewish or the real Hebrew side of the original Christian faith.

As the years went by, and the Hebrew / Jewish roots of the faith were fading from Christianity, along comes a Roman Emperor who just had an epiphany, if you want to call it that, and dictates that the people of the Roman Empire give up their pagan gods for the Christian God.  The year was 321 C.E., and the Roman Emperor Constantine worried over civil unrest in the heartland.  There were the usual problems plaguing the empire for the last few hundred years, disease, pestilence, corruption, bandits, tribal warfare, etc.  In hard times the people needed a scapegoat to blame their troubles on.  When times got hard, the tradition among the Gentiles was that they would tear down the statue of their existing, non-performing god, and replace it with another god, which gives them hope for a better future.  Now the emperor wondered what to do to bring peace to the empire.  They had used up most of the Greek and Roman gods, and they really didn't work anyway.  Joining up with the Jews was not an option, but maybe adopting the Gospel story of the Messiah-Christ would work.

By now, most all of the Jewish-Christians had been killed, or driven deep underground.  Torah learned Gentiles were few, so there would not be much of a protest if some Gospel events were given that "special" Roman touch.  The emperor’s sales pitch to his advisors might have been something like this: "We'll disregard the complexity of Hebrew scrolls (the Old Testament), and concentrate only on the end of the story - the belief in the Messiah!  Yesterday's - pagan - priests will become today's Gospel priests.  Yesterday's temple to Zeus will be replaced with today's Je'zeus.  Yesterday's - pagan - holidays will be rewritten with today's Gospel stories of Jesus.  He was the Son of God, and had much the same life story as Hercules.  You already know the story; his father is a god. He lived to do good works for the oppressed.  He died before finishing his work.  Went to hell to battle evil, and now sits with his father in heaven.  All you have to do is change the names."  If you think about it, it worked!  The Romans never again tore down their Christ-centered worship places and replaced them with some other god.  But there is a down side… 

As the ole’ saying goes, “absolute power corrupts absolutely.”  Unfortunately, as the centuries went by the Roman Catholics held on and enforced their theological power with an iron fist, for example early on Sabbath keeping was outlawed, and the Sabbath keepers either converted to Sunday keeping or were killed.  Over time the Roman Catholics adopted a central religious leader called the Pope, and for approximately the next 1200 years the Roman Catholics had it their way.  Bibles for the lay people were banned and the popes ruled by decree, dissenters were tortured and murdered, sometimes they would slaughter the whole community if they resisted the Popes authority.  Here is a sample of their horrors:   

The severity of torture and murder that took place under Papal authority during the 605 years of the Inquisition can now be revealed from the pages of history. From the beginning of the Papacy, until the present time, it is estimated by credible historians that more than 50,000,000, men and women have been slaughtered for the crime of heresy charged against them by Papal Rome. This Video contains actual photographs of some of the instruments of torture that were used.

From John Dowling's The History of Romanism Book 8 Ch. 1, p 542-543, "From the birth of Popery in 600, to the present time, it is estimated by careful and credible historians, that more than fifty million of the human family, have been slaughtered for the crime of heresy by popish persecutors, an average of more than forty thousand religious murders for every year of the existence of Popery." The main credible historians on the Inquisition, besides Dowling himself are Lea, Vancandard, Maycock, Coulton, Turberville and Scottâs Church History. The torture chambers of the Inquisition lasted 605 years and were found throughout the nations controlled by Rome. They had their beginning under Pope Innocent III in 1203 until the Inquisition's final dissolution in Spain and Portugal in 1808.  Read more: http://www.archive.org/details/CatholicInquisition

As I wrote in my Reformation newsletter, the popes religious supremacy was successfully challenged when Martin Luther the lawyer/scholar turned Catholic monk, started the Protestant revolution in 1517 C.E. when he sounded the call to religious change in an unchanging world by calling for a debate on his 95 theses of church reform.  To make his theses public, he daringly posted them on the castle church door in Wittenburg, Germany, and by his act he unknowingly ignited a religious explosion called the Protestant Reformation.  His 95 points of reform rebukes various traditions added on to YAHWEH’S Law by the feudalistic Roman Catholic Church.  As always, challenging the Roman status quo was done at your own peril.  Luther would have been branded a heretic and swept away to a dark jail cell like many before him, but paper making and moveable type were invented in his time, and his open letters of debate appearing in print for all to see helped fuel the protesting movement against the dogmatic Roman Catholic rule.  The Pope did not give up his absolute power easily and years of more killing ensued, but the Protestant movement could not be stopped.

~ The Great Conundrum ~

Now in our modern time here in America, we have the freedom to study the Bible, and other ancient texts.  Computers make it very easy to compare different Bible translations.  And with the Jews back in their homeland, we have discoveries in Biblical archeology, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are helping to prove the Biblical accounts and prophecies.  After careful examination, clear thinking Bible readers can see the prejudice and methods of control in different religions, and now find themselves questioning long held beliefs and what to do about it.  For example, the Christmas tree, I grew up believing that it was a quaint German tradition from the 17^th century.  I was astonished to learn that the Prophet Jeremiah was already preaching against it 600 years before Christ was born (Jer.10:2-4) - at least today, no one prays to the holiday trees anymore.

Throughout history, various groups - churches, trade unions, governments, etc. - come to power by instituting reforms to help people.  In time, the organizations lose their way and become controlling, rigid, and top heavy - no longer serving the people.  Then the roles reverse, and it is the people who wind up serving the organization.  For example: I was raised Lutheran (the people who spawned the Protestant revolution), and my biggest question is: "What have you done for me lately?  Originally, Martin Luther (the early years), had 90-odd good ideas, but he could have gone even further.  It’s been almost 500 years now, what have you done since?”  Sadly, it seemed to me that the religious leaders are more revenue, then Bible, orientated.”  Frustrated, I put on my hiking boots and blazed my own trail up the spiritual mountain of knowledge.  I hope that I have been listening to my good Angel and have an "inspired" point of view, but I didn't stand in a beam of light to get this spiritual enlightenment, I worked at it!  It took many books, and many years of study and prayer to get this far. 

No religious group is perfect (Rev.ch.17), false doctrines aside, I see organized religion more as a Bible learning experience.  The Romans brought the Bible down to its lowest common dominator, and let's call that the grade school level.  The Protestants are like high school.  The Sabbath keepers, the Holy Day keepers, the Sacred Names keepers, are like junior college.  And studying Hebrew, Biblical archeology, and natural healing, are like the university level.  I can't help but wonder, do the university professors look down their noses at the grade school teacher?  Do the college students, confident in their educational superiority, insult the grade school students?  One must remember that the faithful are worldwide body of believers at different levels of understanding.  Or to put it another way…

Remember: GOD is…, like eating a pizza! 

Some people like it with just plain cheese; others like to load it up with everything.

Some like the thin crust, some like only the regular crust, some others like the double thick crust, and there are those who like all three. 

Some like to eat carefully with a knife and fork, some others just grab hold and chomp away - sitting is optional. 

Sometimes you like to eat it at home, sometimes you feel like going out fancy and eating it in a restaurant. 

And for those who do not like pizza - we will pray for you. 

Beware and be aware, if you are a pizza lover, then Satan wants you - dead! 

“The liberty enjoyed by the people of these states

of worshiping Almighty God agreeably to their conscience,

is not only among the choicest of their blessings,

but also of their rights.”

— George Washington

The moral of the story is that in the above George Washington was right, having the people free to worship and feed on our CREATOR’S knowledge, even if it is in their own particular style is better then no Divine Worship & Knowledge.  And he also knew, that Satan hates all Believers - he does not care which brand of Believer you are.

Don’t step on someone else’s dream just because it is not yours.

There are a lot of Christmas critics amongst the Holy Day keepers.  As I say the worldwide body of Believers are at different levels of understanding.  The Christians would say, there is Biblically symmetry of sorts to the winter celebrations: Beginning the season of believing one can add Chanukah, the Feast of Dedication, which means dedicate yourself to GOD-YHWH.  Then Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year means give thanks, see Christ, and start new in the New Year, and giving small gifts are a sign of affection and gratitude. 

Personally I have many relatives and friends who still keep to their father’s traditions and I know they are not pagans.  My spiritual calling is different then most, I gave up my Christmas tree in 1992 and adopted the Holy Days, but I do not use it as a prideful club.  I am firm on no X-mas trees and no pork roasts.  But I still enjoy Christmas movies of naughty vs. nice with happy endings.  I still enjoy the sights of holiday decorations.  I still enjoy sounds of holiday music.  And I still wish my friends and relatives peace and goodwill for the season of believing.

“I will honor Christmas in my heart,

and try to keep it all the year.” 

—Charles Dickens

Maybe this holiday has pagan roots, but people are not sacrificing children and virgins anymore, they are celebrating righteousness.  Discounting the characterless mass-marketing, they are celebrating the Divine concept of giving, instead of receiving (Act.20:35).  One must remember, if giving up long held traditions was so easy, there wouldn't be a very special reward for it (Rev.2:17).  We should always look to the example of our Master-Teacher.  When Yahshua-Jesus was talking to a general audience about Heaven, with all His spiritual knowledge, He didn't look down his nose at them and demand ritual purity.  He spoke of His FATHER's Kingdom as a blessing to the people (Mat.5:1-12).  And He strongly spoke against the religious abuse of the Jewish orthodoxy of His day, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  Serpents, brood of vipers!  How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” Mat.23:29-33, (and more Mat.3:7, 5:20, 23:1-36; Luk.11:37-54, 18:9-14; Jno.8:44). 

“Resistance to tyrants is obedience to GOD”

                 - Thomas Jefferson

There are political tyrants, and religious tyrants such as the popes of years past.  Today there are what I call mini-religious tyrants promoting their religious abuse – and I have little patience for them.  In my Internet travels and conversations many people relay their stories of religious abuse.  What I mean by religious abuse is, when religious churches and organizations mentally abuse its members.  Not like child sex abuse, but spiritual torment on adults, both young and old, to force them to submit to the will of their church or threaten that they will burn in hell.  Quite frankly it is one of the things that YHWH hates (Prov.6:16-19). 

Here are some examples: Some write and say that they have visited with some Sacred Name groups and they have said that unless you pray using the Sacred Names your prayers will not be heard in Heaven - including all your past prayers.  Others have told me that Holy Day keepers have said keeping the pagan holiday will dam you to hell – who can stand such spiritual arrogance.  There is one Messianic teacher who says if you remove all the paganism from Christianity there would be nothing left – IMHO I do not believe in insulting people before you begin to teach them new things.  Years ago I have personally visited with a large Sabbath keeping group and after the service they would sit together and run down the “pagan” Sunday keepers – I didn’t stay with them very long because I know at their hearts my Christian Sunday keeping friends are not pagans.  Being a little mixed up in ones theology does not make one a pagan.  Many forget this is the Age of Grace and our FATHER will overlook some things because of our false teachings (Act.17:30).

Recently I received an email questioning why I advocate the “Jewish” Holy Days and goes into a long Biblical explanation as to why Christians should not observe the Holy Days of Lev.ch.23 or any day or season such as Easter, Christmas, Lent, Advent, etc.  To Christians every day is the same.  All the so-called Christian Holidays are a fabrication of the Roman Church and are not biblical.  (Yikes these guys have no sense of humor.)  I wrote back saying, “You say to Christians every day is the same.   Huh?  Where do you get that from?   That sounds like the life the Israelite slaves had under Egyptian / Satan's rule - boring.   What about Colossians 3:16?   I could agree on Easter, Lent and Christmas because like you say they are Roman / pagan based "holidays."  You are mixing up “Jewish” holidays with YHWH’s "Holy Days" which are Biblical and will be observed in the future when the Messiah returns - you would think the Bride of Christ, aka the Christians, would know what they are all about since they will be helping Him rule during the Millennium.” 

Sometimes I receive mail asking why I do not list the year ending holidays of Hanukkah and Christmas on my website.  The focus of my book and website is – nonreligious - Biblical teaching only.  Technically speaking, Hanukkah and Christmas are “traditional” or “national” religious holidays based on Biblical stories.  Discounting the characterless mass-marketing, I don't have a problem with righteous themed holidays as long as they do not replace the Biblically - YHWH - ordained Holy Days or Holy Convocations of Lev.ch.23. 

I’m not a holiday-Nazi! (Except for Halloween.)  In the old days, when the emperor made his change to Christianity, many pagan priests were not happy, and in some circles, there has been a seething resentment ever since.  Today in our politically-religiously correct world, we have come full circle.  The nonbelievers are succeeding in removing public naivety scenes, and Christmas music; and in schools, Christmas value stories of giving, sacrifice, and hope are shunned.  What will replace them I wonder, a new humanism - the ole’ Babylonian - religion of the self?  Is this modern, new-millennium, cultural improvement?  It seems to me that we are devolving. 

Presently, this world is a compromise.  The righteous do not have it completely their way, and neither does the dark side (Mat.13:36-43).  There is no doubt, when the conquering Messiah arrives, He will destroy this corrupt system and things will change, but until then, getting to Heaven is a matter of the heart (Dan.2:34; Heb.4:12; Zec.14:16-19).  If getting there was because of a perfect theology, then we would a-l-l be in serious trouble.   

There is only one man that has the power, and after the revolution (the 2^nd coming,) we will all be celebrating Christ-mass at the proper time, during Tabernacles, until then a little love and kindness, a little understanding and patience doesn’t hurt. 

“…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”

– Galatians ch.5

This is the season of believing.  Believe that YHWH is on our side.  Remember: all the societies of Angels up to Adam and Eve, after being created, immediately knew their CREATOR.  After their fall from grace, humanity now has to have 'faith' in our CREATOR, and the 'heart' for HIS Righteous path (Heb.11:1).  During the Millennium Rule the people and new-borns will immediately know their Messiah.  That is what makes the faithful special during this Age of Grace, because we believe without seeing (Jon.20:29,1Pet.2:9).

True Believers are not religious once a year, or once a week.

True faith is something you live with and it guides you all year long.

Take care.  Peace and blessings, Errol.

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Errol Mueller, chronicler extraordinaire

  e-mail: errol@homeworship101.com

website: www.homeworship101.com

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WSC Newsletter 2010-15b, posted 12/23/10.

 

Copyright © 2010 Errol Mueller.  All rights reserved.  Short quotations, page copying, or redistribution for personal or non-commercial group study is permitted and encouraged, provided they are copied in total with no alterations or deletions.  Author’s name, website address, and copyright notice must be included.  If any other use is desired, written permission is required.

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