For the Love of the of the Truth

Yahweh Loves Us, So He Warned Us

The Creator Told Us in Scripture What Things Will Not Get into Heaven

It’s up to Us to Take the Warning seriously

By Brother R. Michel Lankford

What Invokes and Produces the Wrath and Judgment of God?

In Romans 1:18, God's Word gives us a profound statement:

"For the wrath of YHWHis revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness..." Romans 1:18 (NASB).

YHWH working through the apostle Paul then gives us a sample listing of the things that bring about the wrath of YHWHin Romans 1:19-32. Here is a quick review of that list.

1. Stubbornly and willfully refusing and rejecting the knowledge of YHWHwhich YHWHhas made plain to everyone; except that they have in effect hardened their hearts against YHWH(Romans 1:19-21; Ecclesiastes 3:11)

2. Willfully suppressing or working to suppress the knowledge of YHWHaway from people by way of unrighteousness.

3. Refusing to honor YHWHas being YHWHand refusing to be grateful to YHWH(Romans 1:21).

4. Choosing to exchange the true knowledge of YHWHfor the imitation wisdom of man (Romans 1:22; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Proverbs 3:5-7; Proverbs 26:12). For the Almighty, even in His foolishness would still be wiser than the wisest of men (1 Corinthians 1:25). As a result of rejecting God, we become foolish and futile in our thinking patterns.

5. Since they rejected YHWHand His knowledge and wisdom, they began to worship their own knowledge wisdom and understanding. They began to worship the created things instead of the Creator (Romans 1:21-23; 2 Kings 17:15; 2 Kings 17:15; Ephesians 4:17-32; 2 Kings 17:15; Ephesians 4:17-32).

6. As people continually reject YHWHand His standards; as they continue to indulge in idolatry against God, worshiping their own intellect and other things which YHWHcreated, human thinking becomes more and more hostile against God, and eventually He will turn us over to this sins in which we have repeatedly indulged. Worshiping our own intellect will lead us into worshiping our own pleasures including our own sexual pleasures. After doing that long enough, normal YHWHordained sexual relations no longer excites and satisfies. So people begin to seek after more perverse pleasures, eventually even accepting homosexuality, or even intercourse with animals, which YHWHdefines as detestable abominations (Romans 1:24-27; Leviticus 18:22-23; Romans 1:21-23; 2 Kings 17:15; Ephesians 4:17-32)

7. As people continually reject YHWHand refuse to honor Him, but instead choosing to honor their own sinful passions, YHWHeventually turns them over to a depraved mind. This leads to the rest of the characteristics that bring about the wrath of YHWHupon societies Romans 1:29-32 (NASB). These are as follows:

Being filled with all unrighteousness,

Wickedness

Greed,

Evil;

Full of envy, murder, strife

Deceit

Malice;

They are gossips,

Slanderers

Haters of God,

Insolent

Arrogant

Boastful

Inventors of evil,

Disobedient to parents,

Without understanding,

Untrustworthy,

Unloving,

Unmerciful;

And finally, approving even celebrating wickedness 

"... although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them."

What Specifically Will NOT Enter the Eternal Kingdom of YHWH?

·        Rejecting Yeshua of Nazareth; The Christ (John 3:36; John 1:12; John 5:24; John 8:51; Acts 4:12)

·        Those Who Refuse to Obey the will of YHWH (Matthew 7:21-23)

·        Lawlessness- (Anomia Greek # 458) Rejecting or setting aside Yahweh Almighty God’s Laws, Commandments, and Instructions (Matthew 7:23; Matthew 13:41–42; Matthew 24:12–13; cf. John 8:31-36). At LEAST FOUR times throughout the New Testament, Jesus Christ specifically said that SIN and LAWLESSNESS would NOT remain in the Kingdom of God. Messiah should know what gets in and what does not, if anyone does. Even Paul the apostle of grace specifically taught that we MUST SEPARATE ourselves from Lawlessness in order to be received by YHWH(2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; cf. Romans 8:5-8; Romans 3:31; Romans 6:19; Titus 2:11-15). The writer of Hebrews; (Hebrews 1:9; cf. Hebrews 10:16-17). John the apostle specifically taught the same way; (1 John 3:4; cf. 1 John 1:5-8; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:7-8). Please think about this carefully. We now have at LEAST FOUR WITNESSES even in the New Testament; (including Jesus Christ, Paul the apostle, the writer of Hebrews, and John the apostle) specifically telling us that ANOMIA or setting aside or rejecting Yahweh Almighty God’s Laws Commandments and Instructions will not enter in and or remain in God’s Kingdom.

·        Those Who are NOT Converted (Matthew 18:1-3; Matthew 5:20; John 3:3,5,7; 1 Corinthians 15:50)

·        Those Who Refuse to Forgive (Matthew 6:15-16; Matthew 18:23-35)

·        Living According to the Sinful Nature (Galatians 5:19-21; Matthew 18:23-35)

·        Those who repeat or copy the sins of the Pharisees, and who do not surpass the Righteousness of the Pharisees; (Matthew 5:20; cf. Matthew 16:6; Mark 8:15; Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:1-13; Matthew 23:1-12

Living According to the Sinful Nature (Galatians 5:19-21);

This includes the following:

Immorality: (particularly sexual immorality in the original Greek)

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Ephesians 5:5-7 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of YHWHcomes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them Ephesians 5:5-7 NASB.

Impurity: (referring to moral impurity-for example greed)

Sensuality: (Basically being inordinately driven or controlled by the appetites of one's five senses; also wantonness or excessiveness)

 Idolatry: (Worshiping anything outside of YHWHAlmighty; also stubbornness (1 Samuel 15:22-23). Also craving another person's possessions or coveting (Colossians 3:5).

Sorcery: Witchcraft; The Use and administration of Drugs; poisoning; Using magical arts

Enmities: Hatred or causing hatred

Strife: Loving to fight argue or instigate fights, arguments or contentions

Jealousy: Being fiercely and indignantly Zealous or rivalry

Outbursts of Anger: Uncontrolled passionate zealous indignation and anger (temper tantrums or fits).

Disputes: Causing contention and secretly working behind the scenes to gain an unfair advantage to achieve ones aims in promoting oneself, agenda or desires.

Dissensions: Violent debate (as in attempting to force or to divide them away from the truth; causing ungodly divisions)

Factions: Similar to the above, it has to do with having such misplaced loyalty to a division, group, (a denomination for example), or an idea; to the point that one is willing to sacrifice Truth or Righteousness before YHWHin order to advance a particular group or cause. One example of this would be such things as the KKK, who are willing to murder blacks and blow up churches to advance their cause of so-called "keeping the white race pure." Once you commit mass murder, you are no longer pure by God's definition anyway (Matthew 7:12; 1 John 3:15)! So you cause a lot of grief and pain, and accomplish nothing where it counts for all the trouble you cause!

The biggest example of this in Scripture has to be during the trial of Jesus Christ (John 19:12-15). The religious leaders of the time had the crowd so stirred up that they were willing to openly deny that Almighty YHWHis King in Israel and verbally proclaim an idol worshiping pagan (the Emperor) instead, all to ensure that Jesus Christ would hang, because they said he committed blasphemy (which He didn't; but what were they doing with such talk)? Not only were they so devoted to this idea that they were willing to deny YHWHas their king, but they were even willing to sacrifice their own children to this cause (Matthew 27:25). Now that's an example of losing all perspective.

Envying: A painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage (Webster's Collegiate; 11th Ed) Note: I did not use my Bible dictionaries on this one because they used the key word in the primary definition, which is terrible studying procedure.

Drunkenness: That one is self-explanatory. It means to live a lifestyle of intoxication with foreign substances.

Carousing: It literally means riotous celebration. Biblical dictionaries point to word pictures such as "a nocturnal and riotous procession of half drunken and frolicsome fellows who after supper parade through the streets with torches and music (usually in honor of some false deity). They sing and play before the houses of male and female friends; hence, used generally as an excuse for drinking parties that are protracted late into the night, and indulge in revelry. I think that Mardi Gras or Carnival would be 'reasonable' examples of carousing.

Please take notice that Scripture specifically says that anyone with a lifestyle that indulges in these things (or anything else like those things) will not inherit the kingdom of God. We need to take YHWHseriously. He specifically says that people who indulge in this kind of lifestyle would not go to heaven, so we better cooperate with YHWHto get rid of this kind of stuff out of our thinking and behaviors:

"...and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21 (NASB)

Failing to Overcome: (Revelation 21:7-8)

Revelation 21:7-8 "He who overcomes will inherit these things (Some translations say will inherit ‘all things’, and I will be his YHWHand he will be My son.”8 "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Revelation 21:7-8 (NASB)

So let us look more closely at each of these things:

The Cowardly: It literally to live a lifestyle where one is intimidated; more fearful of the opinions of human beings than of YHWH(2 Timothy 1:7; Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:5; Galatians 1:10).

The Unbelieving: It literally means to be without trust in God; also without faith; also untrustworthy or unreliable.

The Abominable: It literally means to render foul, to stink so badly as to become abhorrent; to turn one's self (more importantly God) away from some person attitude or behavior because of the stench.

Note: Scripture classifies a lot of different things (that I've found); attitudes and behaviors that are specifically named as abominations in God's sight. I have included the list after the section).

Murderers; This includes everything from the actual unjust physically taking of someone's life, to retaining hatred, or unjustified anger in one's heart (Exodus 20:13; Matthew 5:21-26).

Immoral Persons; In literal terms the original Greek word of this term is one who prostitutes their body for hire to satisfy another's unlawful sexual desires; a fornicator. A male prostitute.

Sorcerers; One who practices magic arts, deals in poisons or drugs. To illicitly manipulate the mind.

Idolaters; A worshiper of false gods; Placing anything above God; worshiping in any way after the manner of the heathen (Deuteronomy 12:29-32; John 4:24).

 All Liars; One who lies, purposes to deceive, and practices falsehoods.

“Their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”” (Revelation 21:8, NASB95)

One who lies, purpose is to deceive, and practices falsehoods. So, let’s take a quick look at what the New Testament associates with lying or deceiving (Revelation 21:8):

Biblically, What Qualifies As Being a Liar?

·        The first one is obvious; knowingly not telling the truth (Leviticus 19:11; Colossians 3:9; in contrast to (Ephesians 4:15)

·        Claiming that we are not sinning when Yahweh Almighty YHWHsays that we are: Lying includes claiming that we have not miss the Mark of God’s standards of righteousness in some area, when Almighty YHWHand Christ in his word says that we have, (1 John 1:8, 10; cf. 1 John 3:4; Isaiah 5:20-24). So whenever God’s word specifically identifies something as being sinful or missing the Mark of his righteous standards, then we cannot say that this particular thing does not miss the mark, we cannot say that it is not sin when YHWHsays something is sin, because if we do that makes us a liar according to 1 John 1:8; because in so doing we are either convincing ourselves or teaching others to deny sin; which is lying, (1 John 1:10); because we are denying that God’s standards are valid. Now it is extremely perilous for the Creator. So how much more dangerous is it to call the Creator and Judge of all things; how dangerous is it to call HIM a liar?

·        Lying includes claiming to walk in His light while we actually continually walk in darkness (1 John 1:5-6); claiming to know God, but actually denying him through our lifestyle, (Titus 1:16; cf. Jude 1:4).

·        Lying includes adding things to the Word of YHWHwhich are not there, and removing things from God’s Word (Proverbs 30:6). It’s a dangerous practice because if you allow that habit, you might actually do it at a time where it would lead to perilous consequences, (e.g. Revelation 22:18-19).

·        Lying includes claiming to be a member of God’s family while refusing to do the will of YHWH(Matthew 12:48-50; Mark 3:35).

·        Lying includes claiming to know Almighty YHWHand Jesus Christ, while at the same time you refuse to walk according to the Commandments, which is of course the opposite of how Jesus walked (1 John 2:3-6). If we claim to know Him, then we need to learn to walk as Jesus walked through this life, and He kept the Father’s Commandments.

·        Lying includes denying Jesus Christ, because He is the truth (John 14:6; 1 John 4:22; 1 John 5:10

·        Lying includes denying God’s Word (John 17:17)

·        Lying includes speaking the opposite of God’s standards (Isaiah 5:20-24)

·        Lying includes speaking the opposite of God’s Law, because God’s Law is the Truth (Psalm 119:142; cf. Psalm 19:7-14 cf. Matthew 5:17-20).

·        Lying includes hearing God’s word, but not developing the habit of putting God’s word into practice, which is lying to oneself or self-deception, (James 1:22-23).

·        Lying includes claiming to have true religion while I fail to bridle my own mouth, because in so doing I am deceiving my own heart (James 1:27).

·        Lying includes claiming to love YHWHwhile we retain hatred for a brother (1 John 4:20; cf. Matthew 5:43-48)

"Their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

The ‘Abominable’ Will NOT Enter (Revelation 21:8)

What is an Abomination?

An abomination in the Biblical sense is an attitude, behavior, or lifestyle that is particularly evil and detestable in the sight of God. In fact abominations are considered by YHWHto be so detestable that they incur God's fierce anger, wrath and violent overthrow. In Biblical language, words and terms like vomit, spew, incensed, and even hatred are used in conjunction with the word, to describe God's reaction to abominable things. Abominable things are considered so wicked by God, that unless one repents and completely forsakes those abominable attitudes and behaviors, YHWHguarantees that they will go to hell for eternity (Revelation 21:8).

 When YHWHsays that He detests any attitude or behavior to the degree that He calls it an abomination, We MUST take YHWHSeriously. We definitely don't want to be anywhere near it. We don't want to be judged guilty of it. We want to turn away from it and run in a new godly direction as quickly as possible, as one running to escape a burning building or a hail of bullets.

What Types of Things are Abominations according to Scripture?

•    Denying & Rejecting Almighty YHWH(Psalm 14:1; Psalm 53:1; Romans 1:18-21)

•    Unclean things (Lev. 7:21)

•    Customs of pagans (Lev. 18:30)

•    Idols (2 Chr. 15:8; 1 Pet. 4:3)

•    Sins of men (Ps. 14:1; 53:1)

•    Cheating (Mic. 6:10)

•    Lost souls (Rev. 21:8)

•    A froward man (perverse; one who turns aside (Pro. 3:32; 11:20)

•    A proud look (Pro. 6:16-17)

•    A lying tongue (Pro. 6:17; 12:22)

•    Hands that shed innocent blood ((Pro. 6:17)

•    A wicked scheming heart (Pro. 6:18)

•    Feet that are quick to sin (Pro. 6:18)

•    A false witness that speaks lies (Pro. 6:19)

•    A sower of discord (Pro. 6:19)

•    Wickedness (Pro. 8:7)

•    A false balance or scale (Pro. 11:1)

•    Sacrifices of the wicked (Pro. 15:8; 21:27)

•    The way of the wicked (Pro. 15:9)

•    The thoughts of the wicked (Pro. 15:26)

•    The proud of heart (Pro. 16:5)

•    Justifying the wicked (Pro. 17:15)

•    Condemning the just (Pro. 17:15)

•    Divers, dishonest weights (Pro. 20:10, 23)

•    Divers, dishonest measures (Pro. 20:10)

•    Refusing to hear the law (Pro. 28:9)

•    Prayers of the rebel (Pro. 28:9)

•    Eating flesh of peace offerings on the 3rd day (Lev. 7:18)

•    Some same sex acts (Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Dt. 23:18)

•    Taking ornaments from idols when being destroyed (Dt. 7:25-26)

•    Any Idolatrous practices (Dt. 12:31; 13:14; 17:4; 18:9; 20:18; 29:17)

•    Offering an imperfect animal to YHWHas a sacrifice (Dt. 17:1)

•    Any traffic with demons (Dt. 18:7-12)

•    Wearing clothes of the opposite sex (Dt. 22:5)

•    Bringing the hire of a harlot or sodomite into God's house (Dt. 23:18)

•    Re-marriage of former companions (Dt. 24:1-4)

•    Cheating others (Dt. 25:13-16)

•    Making images/idols (Dt. 27:15)

•    Idols of Ammon (1 Ki. 11:5)

•    Idols of Moab (1 Ki. 11:7; 2 Ki. 11:13)

•    Idols of Zidon (2 Ki. 23:13)

•    Incense offered by hypocrites (Isa. 1:13)

•    Eating unclean things (Isa. 66:17)

•    Offering human sacrifices (Jer. 32:35)

•    Robbery (Ezek. 18: 6-13)

•    Murder (Ezek. 18: 6-13)

•    Adultery (Ezek. 18: 6-13)

•    Oppression of others, particularly the poor or vulnerable (Ezek. 18: 6-13)

•    Violence (Ezek. 18: 6-13)

•    Breaking vows (Ezek. 18: 6-13)

•    Lending with interest to a brother (Ezek. 18: 6-13)

•    Lying with a menstruous woman (Ezek. 18: 6-13)

•    Hardness of heart (Ezek. 18: 6-13)

•    Injustice (Ezek. 18: 6-13)

•    Worship of anti-Christ (Dan. 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; 2 Th. 2:4; Rev. 13)

•    Incest (Lev. 19: 6-30)

•    Things highly esteemed by man (Lk. 16:15)

•    Many other sins of the nations (Lev. 18: 26-29; Dt. 18: 9-12; 20:18; 29:17; 1 Ki. 14:24; 21:2, 11; 23:24; 2 Chr. 28:3; 33:2; 34:33; 36:14; Ezek. 7: 3-20; 8: 6-17; 16: 2-58; 20: 4-30; Rev. 17: 4-5)

Sexual Immorality (Leviticus 18:1-23)

Adultery; Any sexual relationship outside of Biblical marriage (Lev. 18:20)

 Incest Sex with any blood Relations. This includes in-laws, adopted or having sex with related persons like having sex with a woman and later her daughter or a woman and then her sister (Lev. 18:1-18);

Homosexuality (Lev 18:22);

Bestiality; humans having sex with animals (Lev 18:23).

Re-marriage to one's former spouse; if either one was sexually defiled during their separation (Deuteronomy 24:4)

Cross Dressing: Men Wearing Dresses clothes designed for women or Women wearing Clothes designed for men (Deuteronomy 22:5)

Spiritual Infidelity

·        Idolatry: Worshiping false gods and giving children over to false gods (Deut. 7:25; Lev 18:21).

·        Ungodly stubbornness is also considered worshiping false gods (1 Samuel 15:22-23) Carving images and Icons to worship (Deuteronomy 27:15, 29:17,32:16)

·        Witchcraft: (Deuteronomy 18:9-14). This also includes a mindset of rebellion (1 Samuel 15:22-23)

·        Rejecting God's Law or standards (Prov. 28:9)

·        Seeking friendship and compromising with the world (James 4:4)

·        Loving the sinful world, and the things thereof (1 John 2:15-17)

·        Mixing biblical godly worship with the practices and customs which were used to worship other false gods. This is demonic (1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 19-22;. 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Romans 15:4 cf. Exodus 32:1-10; Deuteronomy 12:1-4, 8, 29-32; Jeremiah 10:1-2; cf. John 4:24).

Why YHWH Exalted Christ

Scripture demonstrates that one of the reasons that Almighty YHWHexalted Jesus Christ so highly was that He loved righteousness, and He hated iniquity or wickedness (Hebrews 1:9).  Part of loving YHWHwith all our heart soul mind and strength (Matthew 22:36-40), requires that we hate what is evil (Proverbs 8:13).

 Scripture is abundantly clear that YHWHwill not allow people who love the wicked things listed in the last sections, or who accept or celebrate these wicked things as though they were good, or those who practice those evil things, to live in the Kingdom of Heaven with Him. If we are accepting of, or doing any of these types of things, we must be earnest and get serious about repenting and turning away from such evil things. YHWHis serious about judging and punishing those who do not turn away from all of these wicked things. 

We must change our mind to agree with God's standards, we must then confess our sins, completely turn away from them and do right with God’s power helping us. That is the definition of genuine repentance.

The coming punishment for wickedness

The prophets, Messiah and the apostles all spoke about the judgment of YHWHand the punishment for those who stubbornly choose to hold onto wickedness instead of accepting God's forgiveness and the way of grace that He provides. YHWHwill seriously punish wickedness in the severest terms. Jesus Himself described the place of punishment as one of unending agony (e.g. Luke 16:19-31). Seven times He described it as a place of outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (e.g. Matthew 25:30). It's described as a place where there is no rest from torment (Revelation 14:11).

Which discomfort and which offense do you choose?

Would you rather be and bothered now, while you still have a chance to repent, or would you rather be offended when He says, “… Depart from me you will practice lawlessness, I never knew you”? Which offense would you rather receive?

As we read this very detailed list of what YHWH’s Word clearly says will NOT enter into or inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, it can be very disquieting. Let’s be honest, when you look at a clear list of the categories on specific things which YHWHsays will not enter His Kingdom, our first instinct and temptation is to try to reject it is so different than the message of lawless grace and salvation which we have become so accustomed and comfortable with believing. Even though what I’m saying is clearly biblical in both parts of the testament of Scripture I often get reactions like, “That’s not optimistic.” “That’s different than what I’ve ever been taught, how can it possibly be true? Or, that’s disturbing, and offends my sensibilities.” To those comments I have several things to say, which I humbly ask you to keep in mind. First, I completely understand that this is uncomfortable, but all things considered which discomfort would you prefer? Would you wisely prefer to face up to some discomfort and difficult or challenging feelings now, or would you rather face the discomfort of being called a liar on the Day of Judgment, because you said that you weren’t sinning but YHWHsays you were? Would you rather deal with the discomfort of measuring your life according to Scripture now, when you still have a chance to see your mistakes and repent? Or would you rather face the discomfort of being rejected on the day of judgment? I put it to you plainly, choose your discomfort. I offer you this Scriptural study on what Almighty YHWHspecifically says will not enter the Eternal Kingdom of Heaven. I humbly beg you to be earnest, to be zealous, and to repent if you are engaged in any of these desires, thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors or lifestyles which YHWHsays will not inherit the kingdom of God. We have a chance to confront our lives and compare our deeds to the Scriptures, and to repent where we are in error. On the Day of Judgment. It will simply be too late.

The whole purpose of the gospel is to save people from the pit of desolation and eternal torment:

Messiah described the purpose of the gospel when He commissioned Paul to be an apostle.  He said it was "to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.' (Acts 26:18 NASB)

YHWHloves absolutely everyone.  YHWHdoesn't want to send anyone to the pit of torment and desolation (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17).

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 NASB with emphasis added)

1 Timothy 2:3-6 This is good and acceptable in the sight of YHWHour Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between YHWHand men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. (1 Timothy 2:3-6 NASB with bold type face added)

It sometimes feels difficult to accept in our everything goes society, but the truth is that YHWHhas only provided one way for humankind to be saved.  There is only one go-between (one mediator) that will bring YHWHand human beings back together in friendship.  There is only one fire exit out of the deathtrap called sin.  We must come through Jesus Christ who is the gateway to God.

The great news though is that the fire exit YHWHprovided is absolutely big enough to receive absolutely everyone who comes to Jesus, and who is willing to repent, to turn away from evil and to walk with God.

John 14:5-6 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  (John 14:5-6 NRSV; 1 Timothy 3:5)

Acts 4:10-12 let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom YHWHraised from the dead. This Jesus is 'the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.' There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:10-12 NRSV)

YHWH through Messiah will accept every single person that comes to Him. He will not reject anyone, but we must come to Him:

John 6:37 "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.  (John 6:37 NASB).

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30 (Matthew 11:28-30 NASB)

Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  (Matthew 7:7-8 NASB)

Romans 10:9-10,13 "….that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that YHWHraised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE Lord WILL BE SAVED." (Romans 10:9-10,13 NASB).

The thing is that in order to REPENT and RETURN to Him, we have to first realize and recognize that we are drifted away from Him and his ways in the first place. You can’t repent, if you assume that you’re all right, because when you assume that you’re okay, you don’t know that you need to repent. That’s why we constantly need to measure ourselves according to YHWH’s standards. You can repent and ask for forgiveness once you realize that you’re wrong and that you need forgiveness, but you can’t repent until then. The reason people don’t repent is that they assume they’re okay, whether YHWH says they are or not. That’s dangerous. Measure yourself by Yahweh standards, so that you will know where you truly are.

The decisions we make each day will determine what we will hear on the Last Day. We will either hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the Father's Rest." Or we will hear, "Depart from me, I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness. I want to hear and follow Yahweh Almighty's instructions, because I love Him, and He loved me enough to send His Son to make atonement for me, so that when I came short of His Standards, I could repent and I could be forgiven, and I could start over and try again to OBEY my Father. He also provided me Messiah as an example of how to walk through this life. I want to be in the first group. I want to be in the non-smoking section of eternity.. I want to hear well done good and faithful servant, enter now into the Father's Rest. If I want to hear those good words, then I have to practice hearing and OBEYING the Father's instructions NOW. Ultimately, each one of us will have the eternity that we have chosen. Yahweh Almighty warned us through His Words about what will not inherit the Kingdom, if I refuse to turn away from those things, then I will suffer the consequences. If I repent from these things and overcome these things, then I will inherit blessings both in this life and eternal rewards in the next.

Both Yahweh and Messiah clearly warned us what does NOT get into the Kingdom. If you really BELIEVE Him, then you will heed the warnings, you will examine your life carefully, and you will repent and turn away from these things when you see them in your life. If you refuse to take these warning seriously and to act accordingly, then you are really demonstrating that you DON'T believe Him at all. What we do PROVES what we really BELIEVE. Do you believe Yahweh, or don't you? Do you believe Messiah, or don't you? Prove it. Take what he says seriously and act on it.

May Yahweh Almighty give us grace to truly hear, to believe, to repent as needed, and to OBEY His Instructions so that we may be blessed and unashamed on the Day of Judgment. That's what TRUE GRACE does. Amen.

Brother R. Michel Lankford

Bible Interpretation 101

By Brother R. Michel Lankford

We Have the Definition of Truth, Whether or Not We Choose to Honor It or Use It

It’s a sad reality, but in our modern world lots of things pretend to be true which are not true at all. So what does Scripture, (the ultimate dictionary), identify to be what truth is?

As it is written:

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17, NASB95)

“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8, NASB95)

“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19, NASB95)

“Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.”” (1 Samuel 15:29, NASB95)

Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands. They stand this day according to Your ordinances, For all things are Your servants.” (Psalm 119:89–91, NASB95)

The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.” (Lamentations 3:22, NASB95)

Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth.” (Psalm 119:142, NASB95)

So how does EVERLASTING TRUTH somehow stop being truth, after Messiah died?

You are near, O LORD, And all Your commandments are truth.” (Psalm 119:151, NASB95) Notice that NOT just some of His Commandments are truth, but ALL of His Commandments ARE truth.

The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.” (Psalm 119:160, NASB95)

Messiah Himself is also the Physical Living Embodiment of Truth, (John 14:6); that’s because He honored and obeyed ALL of the Father’s Commandments, (John 15:10), so He IS the Living Embodiment of the Truth. Please take notice that Messiah DOES NOT CHANGE either, (Hebrews 13:8).

So, please notice that it specifically says that ALL of the Father’s Righteous ORDINANCES are EVERLASTING. It does NOT say that only some of them are everlasting, but that ALL of them are Everlasting (Psalm 119:160).

So, if some of Yahweh’s righteous ordinances were nailed to the cross and abolished and done away with, and made invalid, then we have a problem because this Scripture would not be true. “Houston, we have a problem.”

ISSUE: These are the verses in Scripture that define, “This is what Truth IS.” Consequently, by definition, anything that runs CONTRARY or OPPOSITE of what Almighty Father actually said, or anything that goes contrary to what He Commanded, or anything that runs contrary to what Messiah said or contrary to what Messiah  physically lived out when He was here, CANNOT be the TRUTH.

Absolute Truth Cannot Contradict Absolute Truth

We just read the biblical definitions of truth. By definition, absolute truth CANNOT CONTRADICT absolute truth and still remain true. YES, I believe and accept the fact that the New Testament is part of Scripture. At the same time, it is absolute historical fact that what we commonly call the Old Testament today was written FIRST, and Yahweh’s Word was CLEARLY declared to be the TRUTH, by the Messiah HIMSELF (John 17:17).

Since Yahweh’s Word in the Old Testament was clearly declared to be the truth, and since the Old Testament was clearly written FIRST, then if my understanding of something I read in the New Testament contradicts what is clearly written in the Old Testament, then my understanding and my interpretation of the New Testament must be WRONG or mistaken in some way.

EXAMPLE: Romans chapter 6, Isaiah 40:8, and Psalm 119:142 are ALL part of Scripture. They are all part of the word breathed out by the Holy Spirit of YAH, and given to people to write down on paper (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

IF my understanding of what I read in Romans chapter 6, contradicts Isaiah 40:8; or if my understanding of Galatians chapter 3, forces Psalm 119:142, and Psalm 119:160 to BECOME FALSE in some way, then I have somehow MISUNDERSTOOD Galatians chapter 3 somewhere, BECAUSE, Yahweh Almighty revealed Isaiah 40:8, Psalm 119:160, and Psalm 119:142 to be everlasting truth FIRST. So if my understanding of the New Testament forces anything that Yahweh Almighty first said in the Old Testament to somehow become false, then I have obviously misread and misunderstood the New Testament somewhere.

People often forget the critical principle of interpretation.

The Reliable Guarantee

When we undermine and undercut Yahweh’s Word in the First Writings, (a.k.a. the Old Testament), we also accidentally undermine and undercut the reliability of the Second Writings or the New Testament at the same time. WHY? Because ultimately, a promise is only as good as the character and the reliability of the one who issued the promises. The Commandments, the Instructions and the promises of the, “Old Testament,” and the Promises, the Commandments and the Instructions of the Second Writings or the New Testament, were ALL issued by the SAME, “God” and Creator.

There are many things within the First Writings which Yahweh Almighty specifically said, “These are an everlasting ordinance, throughout all generations.” (I.e. Leviticus 23, for just one of many examples).

IF the things which Yahweh Almighty specifically said were established to be an EVERLASTING ORDINANCE throughout ALL generations can somehow be abolished, even at the cross, then what the Father said and what He promised in the New Testament is NOT secure, and it CANNOT be relied upon either.

If the things that HE said that HE established FOREVER in the Old Testament can be done away with, then the promises of the New Testament cannot be relied upon either, because IF Yahweh broke His promises once, then any promises he made in the New Testament are not safe and secure either.

A promise is ONLY as good as the Character of the One who gave the promise in the first place. If the EVERLASTING Word, the EVERLASTING Commandments, or the EVERLASTING Promises which were given in the Old Testament were somehow done away with and abolished at the cross, then the promises which were given by the SAME Almighty Father in the New Testament, CANNOT be relied upon as secure.

When you undercut and undermine Yahweh’s ETERNAL Commandments and ETERNAL Promises in the Old Testament, you also undercut and undermine the reliability of the New Testament promises as well, because BOTH were given by the SAME Father and Creator. Think about it.

Brother R. Michel Lankford

Narrow is the Way...

Understanding What Legalism Is, and What It Is NOT

By Brother R Michel Lankford

Even the most passionate free grace teachers and advocates, if they are honest, must admit that the term legalism, and specific warnings against legalism in those actual terms, does NOT exist in Scripture at all. So, right off the bat, we need to realize that the concept of legalism has been invented by human beings to define what THEY have pieced together from various parts of Scripture, (mixed with their own traditions), and what THEY personally believe Scripture allegedly INTENDS to say. Why do I make this distinction upfront? I do so because most of the people who argue against legalism are from the very foundation of their argument speaking about human terminology, and rightly divided Scripture often times is not the foundation of their basis for debate. It’s often humanism disguised as Christianity.

Legalism in simple everyday English

At its core, legalism is the belief that one will somehow EARN or GAIN Eternal Salvation by keeping rules. This can be an effort to earn or gain salvation either by keeping man-made religious rules, or by keeping rules which were legitimately given by the Creator. That is the definition of legalism at its lowest common denominator. I keep a set of rules, and keeping those rules is what CAUSES me to EARN or to GAIN Eternal Salvation. There are a lot of other dynamics that we could take many pages to discuss, but obeying rules in order to earn or to gain Eternal Salvation is the common thread.

Two Main Types of Legalism

Institutionalized Legalism

Crucial examples of institutionalized legalism would have to include such a religious organization as Roman Catholic churches Episcopalian and Lutheran churches, (as well as some other lesser-known organizations. The reason that these qualify as institutionalized legalism is because each one of these churches has a strong hierarchy which all have long-established religious rules, and it is believed by many that obeying these man-made religious rules and traditions can actually cause an individual to be saved. For example, there are some people who believe that if their children are baptized in the Lutheran Church that eternal salvation is confirmed to that child because they were baptized as an infant in the particular church organization. This was a man-made rule which was carried over from the Roman Catholic Church, but it has NO basis in biblical fact whatsoever. 

Sometimes people are so convinced that the Almighty’s blessings rest upon the particular organization, that some will sincerely believe that even if these religious rules disobey Scripture, that the Heavenly Father will supposedly still accept a person who disobeys Scripture for the sake of obeying their institutions religious rules, because supposedly the Almighty’s blessings rest upon the institution and the authority of the clergy to confer the Creator’s blessings upon those who adhere to the institution. That’s one form of legalism; obeying institutionalized religious rules to gain or to earn salvation.

Another example of institutionalized legalism would be such denominational rules as, “If you have musical instruments in your churches, you are going to hell because, there is no example of musical instruments being used in the New Testament, so therefore there should be no musical instruments in church. That is utter NONSENSE. That is a man-made religious rule which is NOWHERE in Scripture whatsoever. That is another example of institutionalized legalism; trying to obey man-made religious rules, to earn or gain salvation. In reality, even the so-called New Testament clearly tells us that we are to use ALL Scripture in forming our doctrine, (2 Timothy 3:14-17); NOT just the New Testament, but ALL of Scripture. There is no telling how many heresies we would prevent if we just kept the biblical instruction. The largest book in all of Scripture, (the book of Psalms), is dedicated to giving instructions to the musicians on how to worship in the sanctuary.

Personal or Individualized Legalism

Personal or individualized legalism is a little bit trickier. That’s because the individualized rules that Christians can use to regulate their lives and behaviors might partially in fact be based upon a true and Biblical Commandment, (or some rule that someone sincerely believes to be in Scripture, but it’s not; or they may have misunderstood what that Scripture actually says. Nevertheless, this person believes that by obeying certain particular rules, (whether in Scripture or not), will cause them to be saved and to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Notice that in either case, when the person is involved in institutionalized legalism or individualized personal legalism, both sectors are dependent upon their obedience to particular sets of rules in an effort to earn or to gain their Eternal Salvation.

The Same Outfit in Different Colors

Whether one is walking in institutionalized legalism, (depending upon observing the rules and traditions of an institution), to cause one’s salvation, or whether one is depending upon keeping one’s personal understanding of a Biblical rule or Commandment or other traditions to CAUSE one’s salvation; at its core, BOTH forms of legalism, are exactly the SAME; the belief that HUMAN effort, and HUMAN obedience will ultimately CAUSE a person to be saved. In either form of legalism, the ultimate dependency is on human flesh, and not upon Yahweh Almighty, nor upon the life, the instructions, the debt or the resurrection of the Messiah to bring salvation. The ultimate question is; upon what are you depending to CAUSE your salvation? If we are depending on human flesh and human effort to save us, (whether institutional or personal), we are under a curse:

As it is written:

Thus says YHWH, “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from YHWH. “For he will be like a bush in the desert And will Not see when prosperity comes, But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, A land of salt without inhabitant. “Blessed is the man who trusts in YHWH And whose trust is YHWH.”  - (Jeremiah 17:5–7, NASB95; with the Biblical Name of the Creator re-inserted).

Trying to Prevent Legalism through Lawlessness

I was doing things around the apartment one day, and had the TV on in the background. I suddenly heard an advertisement that stopped me dead in my tracks. There was a commercial for a pharmaceutical product that would prevent yellowing toe fungus. What shocked me was at the end of the ad; it said, ‘In some cases this product causes liver cancer and DEATH.’ Are you kidding me; SERIOUSLY?! I’ll pay you a ton of money for this medicine. It can cause permanent liver damage, cancer, and I might even die from complications of this medicine, but I will look much better if I should happen to wear sandals at the beach. That’s insane!

Or please consider these riddles for a moment…

Let’s say that a patient should enter a hospital with a severe case of influenza. Would it be good and sound and ethical medical practice to kill the patient and to euthanize him so that he does not develop cancer? Could that hospital legitimately advertise that they help prevent cancer among their patients?!

Or, a driver is driving on a narrow steep and treacherous road with sheer cliffs on either side. Is it better for the car and driver to plunge to his death falling off of the LEFT side of the cliff, or would it be better for the car and driver to plunge to his death falling on the RIGHT side of the cliff?

Notice that in both our scenarios, every option presented caused the same result. The patient dies of influenza, or he is killed and euthanized in hopes he won't develop cancer, but he still dies. Whether our driver pledges to his death on the right side of the steep cliff, or on the left side of  the cliff, the end result is the same. The driver dies.

Modern Protestant evangelical Christianity has fallen into the same type of scenario. It’s a deadly trap. 

Modern Christianity has become so deathly afraid of, ‘Legalism’ that they have often promoted lawlessness as the alleged cure for legalism. According to many in modern Christianity the supposed cure for legalism, is to get rid of every biblical Commandment. According to many, Christians should not try to obey anything instructed in Scripture, because that leads to works righteousness and to legalism, and the way to avoid legalism is supposedly to actively and to purposely DISOBEY Biblical instructions, so that you do not try to become righteous by your works of obeying Scripture. That’s killing the influenza patient on purpose to prevent the possibility that he might develop cancer. That’s the driver intentionally driving off of the left side of the cliff on purpose, in order to ensure that he might not accidentally drive off of the cliff on the right side.

LAWLESSNESS IS NOT THE APPROPRIATE SOLUTION TO WORKS RIGHTEOUSNESS or LEGALISM

In an effort to avoid works righteousness legalism modern Christianity has opted to teach that Christians should actively DISOBEY the Creator’s instructions on purpose. 

In an effort to make sure that I am not trying to become righteous by my own human efforts of keeping the Creator’s Commandments; let’s BREAK YHWH’s Commandments on purpose, because I’m, “Under Grace.” If we think about it carefully, works righteousness legalism;(trying to EARN or to GAIN salvation by obeying the rules), is the RIGHT side of the sheer cliffs. Purposely DISOBEYING a Biblical instruction; that’s LAWLESSNESS, that is the LEFT side of the sheer deadly cliffs. Lawlessness, (walking outside of YHWH’s Laws Commandments and Instructions is GUARANTEED Eternally FATAL; (Matthew 7:21; Matthew 13:41-42). 

Driving off the cliff on either side is equally deadly. The solution is to learn to keep the car on the road and not drive off either the right side of the cliffs or the left.

Learning to Keep the Car on the Road

Messiah SAID: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it”; (Yeshua; the Messiah; Matthew 7:13-14; NKJV)

When Messiah said that the gate is narrow and that the way is strait; (literally tight or constricted) which leads to life; Messiah wasn’t kidding. He was serious. 

As a side note, Matthew 7:13-14 should be enough to convince anyone who uses the brains and common sense that YHWH gave them, that Lawless Grace; Works Free Grace; Obedience Free Grace; Obey Nothing but claim faith in Jesus type of Grace; this is NOT and this CANNOT POSSIBLY be the STRAIT and NARROW path that leads to Life. Way too many modern Christians get swept up into that. That is a very BROAD and popular way to travel through life, while you claim to believe Christ. It’s obviously NOT the narrow path.

• Obeying man-made religious rules believing that this will CAUSE your salvation; (THAT’S LEGALISM). 

• Trying to obey Yahweh’s Commandments without Messiah; believing that our obeying apart from Messiah will CAUSE your salvation; THAT’S LEGALISM.

•  Rejecting and refusing Yahweh’s Commandments; doing the OPPOSITE of what Yahweh’s Commandments requires you to do, because you think that’s what living in HIS Grace means; that’s LAWLESSNESS; that’s INSANE; that’s Eternal SUICIDE, (Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 13:41-42; 1 John 3:4; Isaiah 5:20-24).

• Becoming born-again and getting saved by grace through faith in YHWH, and in Messiah which YHWH has sent FIRST, and THEN progressively learning, practicing and DOING the Commandments of Yahweh AFTER receiving the gift of salvation; that’s NOT LEGALISM. That is RIGHTEOUSNESS (Romans 6:19; Ezekiel 36:25-27). That’s DISCIPLESHIP (Matthew 28:19-20). That is LOVING Yahweh (1 John 5:3). That’s BIBLICAL Living. That is REQUIRED, (e.g. 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1).

We must learn the CRITICAL difference. It’s a life-and-death distinction.

So What Part Does the Law Rightly Play in the Life of Believers?

In simple terms, YHWH’s Law, CANNOT CAUSE,  and it does NOT CAUSE your salvation, but lawless grace, (which is counterfeit grace) will not save you either. The key is to understand the real and essential part which the Creator’s Laws, Commandments, and His Instructions accomplishes within the life of an individual AFTER they are saved by Grace through Faith in YHWH and in Messiah.

The Law CANNOT CAUSE your salvation, but Yahweh’s Torah DOES train and DISCIPLE you AFTER you are saved by Grace through Faith.

Natural children DO NOT first obey a Father in order to BECOME that Father's Child. Children are only required to learn to obey their Father AFTER they have already become His child, because He already IS THEIR Parent. That's what gives Him the authority to make the rules for that particular youngster. FIRST a child gets born or adopted and accepted into the family. AFTER he or she IS a family member, THEN the child is REQUIRED to progressively learn and obey the Father's Rulings and Instructions. First a Child of YHWH gets Born Again and saved by Grace through Messiah. THEN AFTER they are already accepted by Grace as YHWH’s Children THEN we must progressively learn and KEEP the Father's Laws, Rulings, Commandments and Instructions in His Torah; because He IS our Father. That's what gives Him the right to make the rules that we children of YHWH must learn to obey. It's a simple concept that Christians love to confuse in order to justify disobedience and rebellion, in the name of Grace.

I have been an active believer in YHWH and a follower of Messiah for more than a quarter of a century. I have been in active ministry for more than 20 years. The more I walk with YHWH in all that time, the more convinced I have become of the priceless value of the Creator's Commandments. Every Law, every Commandment, every Instruction that YHWH has given from Genesis chapter 1 to Revelation 22,  is intended to fulfill either one of two purposes in the life of a Covenant child of Elohim. Any given Commandment of YHWH will either train us HOW to love YHWH more perfectly, or a specific command will train us how to love our neighbor as ourselves more perfectly.

For example, when you choose to honor and to keep the biblical seventh day Sabbath, obeying that particular Commandment trains you to love YHWH with all of your being more perfectly, and purposely separates you from honoring the traditions of false gods, by purposely honoring what YHWH has decreed. So when ever you purposely obey YHWH's Sabbath decree, you are training your being to love YHWH with all your being, and you are building yourself in loving Yahweh.

At the same time, when you choose to honor YHWH's biblical Commandment to always use honest and true measures, and you choose never to use a dishonest weight or standard of measurement, you are pleasing your Heavenly Father, but you are also reinforcing and training yourself in the standards of how to love your neighbor as yourself, because you yourself would not enjoy being cheated or ripped off.

Whenever you practice obeying any Biblical Commandment; it is intended to train you into loving YHWH more perfectly, and or into loving your neighbor as yourself, more perfectly. When we neglect any instruction or Command that YHWH has given, we neglect the opportunity either to learn how to love YHWH with all our being more perfectly, or we neglect the opportunity to learn how to love our neighbor as ourselves more perfectly. 

Brother Michel Lankford

As It Is Written: 

Psalm 119:30-32 

I have chosen the way of truth;

Your judgments I have laid before me. I cling to Your testimonies;

O Lord, do not put me to shame! I will run the course of Your commandments, 

For You shall set my heart free.