November 10, 2006
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). In last week’s letter I mentioned the war between the sons of Zion (Judah the bow and Ephraim the arrow) and the sons of Greece. (ref. Zechariah 9:13). The unity of these two are to be a mighty sword in the hand of YHVH. Are we now in the day in which YHVH is smelting His sword for an up coming battle?
Interestingly, in a few weeks time we will be celebrating Hanukkah. For those of you who do not know about this particular eight-day feast, it commemorates the victory of Judah the Maccabee and his brothers, in 168 BC, over the Syro-Greek king, who outlawed all Biblical observances. This victory was marked by the cleansing the Temple and re-instating its services, as well as by partly divesting the Jewish society of the Hellenistic influences. This obviously was not the fulfillment of Zechariah 9, as at the time of the revolt it was mainly the Levites of Judah who stood up for the Torah and the Hebraic culture. Much of the Jewry of the day succumbed to the strong influences of that “beast” (the leopard with the four heads, ref Daniel 7:6). Judah may have been a strong bow at that time, but without the arrows of Ephraim they remained ineffective in defeating this powerful influence. As a matter of fact, ultimately even the Priests and Levites compromised with the Hellenistic spirit.
We again see the same beast show up in the Book of Revelation, as the main body of the seven-headed beast of the latter days. “Now the beast, which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority” (Revelation 13:2).
Much has been written about these beasts, which are simply manifestations of Satan’s kingdom, through the cooperation of man in his fallen condition. The beastly or fleshly nature of man expresses itself by the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life. Man’s nature and way of thinking is formed by spiritual influences, both internal and external, of this kingdom of darkness. However, the Father, by sending His only begotten Son, Yeshua the Messiah, has changed the dynamics of this spiritual condition, specifically in redeemed man. We are therefore told now to renew our minds: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of Elohim” (Romans 12:2).
We are to have the mind of the Messiah, whose thoughts are not the same as those of the world. We are to think according to the Word and nature of Elohim. That is why the Scriptures exhort us to “cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Elohim, and to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Messiah” (2 Corinthians 10: 5).
In contrast to the Hellenistic thinking of fallen man, another word has been coined for the mind of Messiah, and that is the “Hebraic mind-set”. I have just come across a list (posted below), in which the Greek-Hellenistic mind is being compared with the Hebraic one. (No name of author or ministry, or rights reserved, were printed on the sheet).
I will write more on this subject next week, YHVH willing.
Ephraim
The following is from an unknown author.
HEBRAIC GREEK
Active-appeals to the heart Cognitive-appeals to the intellect
Motive Motive
Love of God and others. Pursuit of self-interest and knowledge.
Life viewed as a pilgrimage leading Life viewed in circular terms, to someday
to ultimate culmination. achieve a higher state of existence.
Suffering seen as necessary for Suffering to be avoided; people and
development of Christ’s character. Activities weighted for self-gratification:
“How does this person/event benefit me?”
Process Oriented Program Oriented
Stresses direct participation. Heavy program prominence
Emphasizes age and wisdom Emphasizes education
Role modeling, mentoring Relies on speaking skills,
and discipleship indispensable oratory, programmed materials
information conveyance.
Character of leader essential Leader’s personal life immaterial
Personal relationships imperative Personal relationships optional
Biblical Application Biblical Application
Doers of the Word Belief without personal cost
Bible-reality that must be confronted Bible-data that must be taught
Goal-to develop into image of Messiah Focus on rules-do’s and don’ts
Become one expression of the body of Messiah Emphasizes distinct denominations
Ministry Activity Ministry Activity
Small intimate groups Large impersonal groups
Leader as facilitator Leader-directed and controlled
Cooperative, participatory planning Organizational roles important
Spiritual gifts shared Acquisition of knowledge emphasized
Scheduled and personal unscheduled gatherings Reliance on scheduled gatherings
Fruit Fruit
Love, acceptance, forgiveness Mutual toleration
Transparency encouraged Transparency discouraged
Active participation Passivity and lethargy
“How your serve” vital “What you know” vital
Each believer trained to serve Trained professionals utilized
Produces mature believers Produces spectators
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). In last week’s letter I mentioned the war between the sons of Zion (Judah the bow and Ephraim the arrow) and the sons of Greece. (ref. Zechariah 9:13). The unity of these two are to be a mighty sword in the hand of YHVH. Are we now in the day in which YHVH is smelting His sword for an up coming battle?
Interestingly, in a few weeks time we will be celebrating Hanukkah. For those of you who do not know about this particular eight-day feast, it commemorates the victory of Judah the Maccabee and his brothers, in 168 BC, over the Syro-Greek king, who outlawed all Biblical observances. This victory was marked by the cleansing the Temple and re-instating its services, as well as by partly divesting the Jewish society of the Hellenistic influences. This obviously was not the fulfillment of Zechariah 9, as at the time of the revolt it was mainly the Levites of Judah who stood up for the Torah and the Hebraic culture. Much of the Jewry of the day succumbed to the strong influences of that “beast” (the leopard with the four heads, ref Daniel 7:6). Judah may have been a strong bow at that time, but without the arrows of Ephraim they remained ineffective in defeating this powerful influence. As a matter of fact, ultimately even the Priests and Levites compromised with the Hellenistic spirit.
We again see the same beast show up in the Book of Revelation, as the main body of the seven-headed beast of the latter days. “Now the beast, which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority” (Revelation 13:2).
Much has been written about these beasts, which are simply manifestations of Satan’s kingdom, through the cooperation of man in his fallen condition. The beastly or fleshly nature of man expresses itself by the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life. Man’s nature and way of thinking is formed by spiritual influences, both internal and external, of this kingdom of darkness. However, the Father, by sending His only begotten Son, Yeshua the Messiah, has changed the dynamics of this spiritual condition, specifically in redeemed man. We are therefore told now to renew our minds: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of Elohim” (Romans 12:2).
We are to have the mind of the Messiah, whose thoughts are not the same as those of the world. We are to think according to the Word and nature of Elohim. That is why the Scriptures exhort us to “cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Elohim, and to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Messiah” (2 Corinthians 10: 5).
In contrast to the Hellenistic thinking of fallen man, another word has been coined for the mind of Messiah, and that is the “Hebraic mind-set”. I have just come across a list (posted below), in which the Greek-Hellenistic mind is being compared with the Hebraic one. (No name of author or ministry, or rights reserved, were printed on the sheet).
I will write more on this subject next week, YHVH willing.
Ephraim
The following is from an unknown author.
HEBRAIC GREEK
Active-appeals to the heart Cognitive-appeals to the intellect
Motive Motive
Love of God and others. Pursuit of self-interest and knowledge.
Life viewed as a pilgrimage leading Life viewed in circular terms, to someday
to ultimate culmination. achieve a higher state of existence.
Suffering seen as necessary for Suffering to be avoided; people and
development of Christ’s character. Activities weighted for self-gratification:
“How does this person/event benefit me?”
Process Oriented Program Oriented
Stresses direct participation. Heavy program prominence
Emphasizes age and wisdom Emphasizes education
Role modeling, mentoring Relies on speaking skills,
and discipleship indispensable oratory, programmed materials
information conveyance.
Character of leader essential Leader’s personal life immaterial
Personal relationships imperative Personal relationships optional
Biblical Application Biblical Application
Doers of the Word Belief without personal cost
Bible-reality that must be confronted Bible-data that must be taught
Goal-to develop into image of Messiah Focus on rules-do’s and don’ts
Become one expression of the body of Messiah Emphasizes distinct denominations
Ministry Activity Ministry Activity
Small intimate groups Large impersonal groups
Leader as facilitator Leader-directed and controlled
Cooperative, participatory planning Organizational roles important
Spiritual gifts shared Acquisition of knowledge emphasized
Scheduled and personal unscheduled gatherings Reliance on scheduled gatherings
Fruit Fruit
Love, acceptance, forgiveness Mutual toleration
Transparency encouraged Transparency discouraged
Active participation Passivity and lethargy
“How your serve” vital “What you know” vital
Each believer trained to serve Trained professionals utilized
Produces mature believers Produces spectators
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