RaYBaSH's Brit Cahdasha Thoughts
Parashah # 29 Acharei-Mot "After the Death"
Hebrews 7:1-10:23
Summary:
The Torah readings this week deal mainly with Yom Kippur and the big
controversy in Christian and Messianic circles is the fact of
sacrifices at the 3rd Temple when Messiah returns to reign.
Heb. 7:1-3 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most
high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings,
and blessed him;
2To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by
interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of
Salem, which is, King of peace;
3Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither
beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God;
abideth a priest continually.
Heb. 7:11-21 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood,
(for under it the people received the law,) what further need was
there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec,
and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a
change also of the law.
13For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe,
of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe
Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of
Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after
the power of an endless life.
17For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec.
18For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before
for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better
hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
20And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
21(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath
by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou
art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
It is believed that this Melchezedek was Messiah in pre-incarnate
form, a Theophany as Christians call them. They have occurred many
times through out the Scriptures.
Theophonies in Scripture
The presence of Yeshua Messiah in pre-incarnate form:
• All the passages that say, "The Angel of the YHWH" speaks of Yeshuah
Ha Mashiach in pre-incarnate form (Now all angel means is "ambassador"
or "messenger", not necessarily a rank of heavenly created beings we
know as angels). What Christians call a "Theophony." The Zohar, the
ancient mystic Jewish commentary on the Scriptures calls this Angel,
Metatron, and calls Him, "the First Begotten of Elohim", and the "Son
of Elohim". One example in Scripture is Ex.23:20-21, it speaks of
listening to this Angel, not rebelling against Him, and He having the
power of forgiveness, and Elohim's name resides in Him.
• Gen.3:8: It seems to suggest that Elohim took on a human form to
fellowship with His creation. "They heard the voice (the Word of
Elohim: Yahshua Messiah Jn.1) of YHWH walking in the cool of the day…"
• Gen.6:7-14: Hagar referring to the Angel of the YHWH: "Thou Elohim
seest me…"
• Gen.22:12: Avraham and Isaac v.15 the Angel of the YHWH swears by
Himself.
• Gen.32:25-32: Jacob and the Heavenly Wrestler.
• Gen.48:15-17: Jacob equates that Angel as Redeeming Deity, Only
Elohim is Deity, so the Angel of the YHWH must be Elohim in the form
of an angel, or man.
• Ex.3:2-7: The Angel in the burning bush speaking as Elohim.
• Ex.23:20: The Angel pardons sin. Only Elohim can do that.
• Judges 13: 1-25 v.22-23 Samson's parents equate the Angel of the
YHWH with YHWH Himself, and thinks that they will die because they've
seen Elohim. True, the Scriptures does say no man shall see Elohim
(directly) and live, Ex.33:20. But when Elohim tempers His Glory by
veiling Himself in an Angelic form or what have you, one can see
Elohim and live. This is what the smoke screen of incense was for
when the High Priest went to make atonement for Israel on Yom Kippur.
YHWH's Shikinah rested between the Keruvim on the Ark. The smoke
screen was so the Kohen (Priest) wouldn't see Elohim directly.
It is said by Christians and even many Messianics that This High Holy
Day is forever obsolete on account of Messiah Yeshua's death on the
Roman Cross; but this is certainly not the wording of the passage just
sited.
When Messiah comes to reign on earth and the 3rd Temple is rebuilt and
functioning, the sacrifices will resume under the supervision of
Yeshua Messiah the Kohen Ha Gadol (High Priest) of the Melchezideckian
order of priesthood. Allow me to explain:
Many Christian and Messianic believers mistakenly believe that since
the Temple is not standing and we have not functioning Levitical
priesthood and that Yeshua came to die on the cross that the Temple
and its sacrifices have become obsolete.
We see that after the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of
Yeshua that the Nazarene Jewish believers still participated in
worship at the Temple.
Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple,
and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with
gladness and singleness of heart,
"They continued," which means that despite Yeshua being Messiah and
dieing for our sins, despite that not everyone accepted Yeshua as
Messiah, the early Jewish believers still attended and participated in
religious functions at the Temple. This was a normal, regular part of
their religious life. When Yeshua was on earth he respected the Temple
and revered it as His Father's house (Lk. 2:49, Jn. 2:16), so it is
natural that His followers would have that same zeal and respect for
the Temple. This did not change because Yeshua came on the scene and
died on the cross for our sins.
Acts 3:1-2 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the
hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
2And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they
laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask
alms of them that entered into the temple;
We see in this passage that it was customary for Kefa (Peter) and
Yochanan (John) to go to the Temple and pray at the time of Mincha
(Afternoon) prayers. It didn't say that they went to heal or
evangelize, they went to pray, and it just so happens that on their
way they say a lame man and healed him in Yeshua's name. This caused
quite a stir and in Acts 4 we see Kefa and Yochannan speaking to the
people about what happened and ended up telling the people about
Yeshua and the resurrection. This caused such a disturbance they
arrested them and incarcerated them. Acts 5 records their miraculous
escape and we see them back at the Temple preaching. The Sadducees
held power over the Temple and yes, the authorities had an issue of
them proclaiming Yeshua as Messiah, because they say many Messiah's
come and go and they didn't want a crazed following. But I believe the
Sadducees took more issue with them speaking about the resurrection
because one of the major doctrines of the Sadducees is that they
didn't believe in the resurrection of the dead, not just Yeshua's
resurrection, but the phenomenon of resurrection period.
Let us look a Rav Sha'ul (Apostle Paul) and his views in regards to
the Temple and its service. Let us first make clear that Rav Sha'ul,
even after "conversion", accepting Yeshua as Messiah, didn't change
his Jewish practices, affiliation and or beliefs to a radical degree.
GALATIANS 1:13-14
13For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews'
religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and
wasted it:
14And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own
nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
BECAME A BELIVEING JEWISH PHARISEE:
ACTS 23:6
6But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the
other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a
Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the
dead I am called in question.
ZEAL FOR HIS JEWISH BROTHERS:
ROMANS 10:1
1Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that
they might be saved.
WAS TORAH OBSERVANT AFTER BEING CHANGED BY YESHUA:
ACTS 28:17
And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of
the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto
them, Men [and] brethren, though I have committed nothing against the
people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from
Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
Here Rav Sha'ul proudly proclaims that not only has he kept the Torah,
but also the traditions and customs of the Father's relating to the
performance of the commandments!
ACTS 21:17-26
17And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
18And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the
elders were present.
19And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things
God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
20And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him,
Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which
believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
21And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews
which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought
not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
22What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for
they will hear that thou art come.
23Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have
a vow on them;
24Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with
them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those
things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but
that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
25As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and
concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep
themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from
strangled, and from fornication.
26Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with
them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the
days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for
every one of them.
Here Rav Sha'ul was accused of teaching Gentiles and Jews that they
didn't have to keep the Torah, which was a total lie. So to solve the
problem the Elder's suggested an act on Rav Sha'ul's part that would
prove to the people his allegiance to the Torah, which was to take on
a Nazarite vow (which is apart of the "Old Testament" Law) along with
other believers and to have Rav Sha'ul fit the bill for the other
believers in regards to the sacrifices.
This meant he took on a Nazarite vow, and when the vow was completed
he went to the Temple to offer the prescribed sacrifice! Why would Rav
Sha'ul do this if he thought the Torah, the Temple and the Sacrifices
were done away with, or if he actually was teaching others to forsake
the Torah!?
Either Rav Sha'ul was a Torah Observant Jew till the end or right here
is proving himself to be a two faced liar, playing what ever crowd he
was with at the moment.
I say that the Scriptures are evident and clear that Rav Sha'ul never
abandoned Judaism, the Torah, nor did he assimilate into the Roman
culture at that time, nor did he convert to "Christianity".
Unfortunately As Kefa said in II Peter 3:15-16 that Rav Sha'ul's texts
has been and it is evident even now have been taken out of context to
suit a bias Anti-Jewish and Anti-Torah doctrine in the majority of
Christianity.
Acts 22:17-19 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to
Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
18And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of
Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
19And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every
synagogue them that believed on thee:
We see from this passage that the Temple was still a very important
place to Rav Sha'ul and the 1st century believers. So important that
we see Rav Sha'ul going there to pray and receives a vision from G-d.
This even lends validity that even after Yeshua came and went that
G-d's favor and power still resided in the Temple and G-d expected the
followers of Yeshua to go there when approptiate.
Bottom line is, if your interpretation of Rav Sha'ul's writings is
anything but pro-Torah, you have sorely misinterpreted,
misrepresented, and misunderstood this great Pharisaical Nazarene Jew.
I believe it is abundantly clear that the first century believing
Nazarene Jews still went to the Temple to sacrifice and worship during
the pilgrimage festivals and to pray and even give money in support of
the Temple (Exodus 23:17, Acts 2:46, Acts 24:14-18).
As for today the Temple and a working Levitical priesthood does not
exist, and most Jews would agree it is on account of our sin and
disobedience to the Torah. So obviously the Commandments regarding our
duties and obligations in regard to Temple service has been
temporarily suspended until the 3rd Temple is rebuilt and I believe
prophecy is clear that the Temple will be rebuilt and sacrifices will
resume.
I believe similarly to Mimonides of the 11th century who said that we
do not need a Temple in order to worship the G-d of our Father's. I
can worship G-d any where. But, if there was a fully functioning
Temple that met all Torah requirements to be legitimate, I would not
have to think twice about going up to the "house of the L-rd" and do
what the 1st century believers did before the Temple was destroyed in
70 C.E., which is to pray and offer sacrifices to YHWH.
In the Messianic and Christian arena's the issue of Salvation and
Levitical animal Sacrifice has caused charged heated debates and cause
congregational and denominational splits. How were the "Old Testament
Saints" saved? Will there be animal sacrifice during the Third Temple
when Messiah reigns, and if so, why? Wouldn't animal sacrifices slap
Yahshua and his sacrificial atoning work on the cross in the face?
Many like questions, circle, submerge and emerge continuously. As a
Netzari Jew, let me put this weary animal to rest. If you don't like
the answer, take it up with HaShem and His Word. If it blows down
your little theological house of cards, then maybe you should question
the materials you have used, or the foundation it has been founded
upon; YHWH's Word, or tradition and doctrines of men?
Let me first tackle the issue of salvation. It is the misconception
of many that the "Old Testament Saints" were saved by works, keeping
the Torah (law) in combination with the Levitical animal sacrifices,
and "New Testament Saints" are saved by "Grace" and Yahshua's death on
the cross. How fair is that!? Christians say there is only one way
of salvation. This view would contradict that. This is purely a
Christian false doctrine; nothing could be further from the truth.
Then how were the Believers before the death and resurrection of
Yahshua, saved!?
I believe the saints in the Tanak were saved the same way as the
saints in the Renewed Covenant. The difference is perspective. Those
in the Tanak looked forward to, and believed in the Messiah and His
atoning work that was coming. The Renewed Covenant saints (us) look
back and believe in the Messiah and His atoning work that already
came, and is coming again! The sacrifices of the Tabernacle and
Temple era, before Yahshua came, never atoned for or removed sin. In
the Renewed Covenant, Hebrews 10:4 states "It is NOT possible that the
blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." The sacrifices
just rolled the sin back like a credit card debt until Messiah came
to pay the debt in full, atoning for them all past, present, and
future (Isa.53:6; IPt.2:24; IJn.2:2; Heb.1:3; 5-10). I believe that
Yahshua worked within the framework of Torah, and the sacrificial
system set up therein.
Then what is the purpose of the animal sacrifices and Tithes?
1. It was to be a physical object lesson that pointed to the coming
Messiah and what He would do. It acted as a credit card that covered,
did not take away, and rolled back the sin debt until someone,
Messiah, could come along and pay it. In the time of the Third Temple
the sacrifices will be a reminder of the Messiah who came and what He
did (Is. 56, 66; Zech. 14:16-21). The sacrifices that took place
before Yahshua came, only pointed to the Messiah which was to come.
The sacrifices that will take place after Yahshua, and that will take
place in the Millennial Reign, point back to Messiah's atoning work.
2. It provided and will provide food, materials and income for the
Priests and their families (Leviticus 5-10).
From the accounts in the book of Acts we can clearly see the first
century Nazarene Jewish believers in Yeshua meet "daily" and during
appointed festival times at the Temple and offered "offerings",
"sacrifices" and "gifts" as practiced by all Jews at that time. The
first century believers in Yeshua clearly saw no conflict with this
and their belief in Yeshua being the ultimate atoning sacrifice. There
was no problem or issue with belief in Yeshua and participating in
Temple activities and having both coexist simultaneously.
This is especially in regards to the Yom Kippur Sacrifice. During the
3rd Temple it will become a powerful object lesson of what Messiah has
done for us.
Shabbat Shalom and Shavuah Tov!
-- Rabbi Yehudah
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