PARADOX ALLEY

The dress was aqua. It was delicately woven of blues and greens, and the resulting shade of aqua was a most glorious color, full of splendor to behold. Some, however, looked at the dress and saw only the blue or green. Those who saw the blue, simply could not acknowledge the green, and those who saw the green, simply could not acknowledge the blue. When one who looked at the garment through blue tinted glasses saw a thread that looked the least bit green, he would squint till all he could see was blue. Likewise, the one who wanted to see the green would look past any thread he saw that hinted a tint of blue. The battle ensued, but neither the blues nor the greens could win the war, as neither could appreciate the most perfect BLEND of blue AND green woven fabric that WAS AQUA.

How sad is this story, because it is not a dress, it is GOD'S WORD. Denominations squabble about the blues and the greens of the Bible, trying to mold God's Word into their particular humanly inspired theological mold, rather than trying to adapt their ideology to the very TRUTH which is God's ENTIRE Word. Only His PARTIAL truth is found in an isolated verse or even an entire passage (a shade of blue, or a shade of green). One can passionately draw support for either the blue bias OR the green, and get it from this same most holy source, because it contains BOTH blue and green. When they are viewed from these biased perspectives, one seems to contrast against the other. When, however, seen from God's perspective, these contrasting colors blend to make the most beautiful and perfect shade of aqua, which is the ENTIRE PLAN OF GOD.

Please forgive us in this ministry work if we step on toes (either blue toes or green). We will try to tread lightly, but we refuse to stop short of the goal of TOTAL RECONCILIATION of the ENTIRETY of GOD'S most holy and precious WORD, and even the completion of the picture of the ENTIRETY of God's Plan. Throughout the Bible, throughout Christendom, and even throughout the interfaith movement, we find contradictions that seem insurmountable. But are they? If God created everything, then maybe we shouldn't rest until we have reconciled everything to His most beautiful and perfect shade of aqua!

The name of this segment, Paradox Alley, was chosen carefully. It was the name which God seemed to be giving me, but I had to question Him. "Isn't 'Paradox Boulevard' more appealing?" I was then prompted to go to the dictionary and look up the words Boulevard and Alley so I could see WHY He wanted it named the name HE had given me. What I found was very interesting in view of our previous studies. You see, a Boulevard is a WIDE often landscaped (flowery) thoroughfare, whereas an alley is the straight and narrow road, comparatively unadorned; a REAR PASSAGE, a SHORTCUT (if you will); a BYPASS for the Boulevard. This will make more sense as we progress through future segments. Sometimes the view in the alley is most unappealing. The alleyway can be shadowy and isolated, even downright scary! When traversing the alleyway, if one didn't have the presence of God, there would likely be a great deal of fear. The Boulevard is heavily traveled and there is a feeling of safety in numbers that is felt on this road, but the Bible says that the broad way leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13), and that the way that seems right to man leads to death (Proverbs 14:12).

In our spiritual walk, we can choose to stay on the wide Boulevard, neatly flowered with the soothing Laodicean messages to tickle our itching ears, or we can choose to travel the isolated narrow alleyway, which is unadorned by the sweet talk of man, and confront the bare faced truths of God as we traverse the shadows of this path.

The name for this alley is Paradox. There are two definitions that come into play with this word. First, Webster tells us that a paradox is "an argument that apparently derives self-contradictory conclusions by VALID DEDUCTION from acceptable premises". The "ISMS" of Christianity are arguments derived via SELF-CONTRADICTORY CONCLUSIONS by VALID DEDUCTION from the same book. This book is an established acceptable premise of Christianity, the Bible.

The second portion of the definition is "a tenet (doctrine or principle) contrary to received opinion; a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense, and yet is perhaps true". We may find that God's alleyway leads to conclusions which are in opposition to commonly accepted beliefs within Christendom, and may even violate the very foundations of common sense which have been laid by Christendom, yet they are PERHAPS TRUE. I must warn you though, that this alley is for meat eaters only! The Greek word for the "meat" I refer to here is "broma" (Strongs #1033) and means that which is eaten (i.e. solid food). This solid food is contrasted with the liquid nourishment of milk in I Corinthians 3:2.

Only infants are to retain the bottle. As we mature in Christ, we are SUPPOSED to turn to solid food, but we are often coddled with the bottle in Christendom, and not encouraged to sample solid food. Those not ready to give up the bottle had better stay on the Boulevard, as we find some STRONG MEAT per Hebrews 5:12-14 as we explore the alleyway!

This study will actually recap much of what has been covered since our initial writings, as God has seen fit to show us how to harmonize one paradox after another through the years, from within Christendom as well as interfaith world views at large.

For those of you new to this ministry, please understand that I'm simply trying to piece together God's plan, and what I say is not "thus saith the Lord". I could be wrong. Though it may be presented emphatically, what I present is merely meant as a springboard to get you to do some digging on your own. I am simply sharing my findings with you as I traverse the alley way. Be Berean! Don't take my word for ANYTHING. Check it all out for yourself, and if you find that ANYTHING I share with you in this or other studies DOES conflict with the Word, and I have somehow missed it, PLEASE tell me!

Before we begin, I would like to explain why I use the name Yeshua. It may sound strange to many who are used to the name Jesus. I like to be called Karen, because it was my given name in my Mother's tongue. Now if I went to China, they may have another version of "Karen" in their own tongue. The Chinese people might call me by this name, and I guess I would learn to respond to it. However, it would always be more near and dear to my heart to hear my name in my Mother's tongue. The son of God was not Greek. He was not English. He was not American. He was Hebrew, and his given name was Yeshua.

(NOTE - In actuallity, we are presuming here that the vowel point for the first vowel is an "e" because that is the letter most often chosen, but vowel points are not given in the original Hebrew text. Some believe (and have good reason for this belief) that this vowel point should be an "a". Others use Y'shua, allowing the apostrophe to show that the letter is undetermined. Though the verdict is still out on this one, we will use an "e" throughout this book, simply to maintain consistency with our previous writings.)

Thus, Mary didn't call her son Jesus. She called Him Yeshua, and I believe he prefers to hear that name. In its pure unadulterated Hebrew form, Yeshua means Yahweh (Yod - Hay - Vav - Hay) Saves. Indeed the Father sent Him here to save us from our sins! Yeshua and the Jesus of our Bible are one and the same person. I merely desire to show Him the respect of calling Him by His given name.

Many believe Yeshua is only to be found in the New Testament, but that is not so. Let's begin.

Old Testament Faith vs. New Testament Faith

I love the saying that the New Testament is in the Old concealed, and the Old Testament is in the New revealed. Yeshua IS FRONT AND CENTER OF the New Testament. Yeshua was concealed in the very wording of the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament), and in fact THROUGHOUT the entire Old Testament. The law of Moses foretold of Yeshua. We find this in Yeshua's own words in John 5:46 when he states that Moses wrote of Him. Then the hidden things of which Moses wrote were later revealed via the actual arrival of Yeshua in the flesh, as presented in the New Testament. The Old Testament is the FOUNDATION FOR the New. How can we properly understand the New without understanding the Old? To do so is like trying to take Algebra without taking Math 101. Matthew 13:52 makes a profound statement.

Yeshua is the Shamash or servant candle of the Old Testament menorah, and is the One who dictates the blowing of the trumpets in the New Testament.

To say that the New Testament does away with the Old is a savage attack upon the very foundation of the Judeo-Christian faith. Yeshua blatantly negated this teaching when He said in Matthew 5:17:

The New Testament REVEALS the FULFILLMENT of all that was concealed by the carefully orchestrated foreshadowing in the Old Testament. The prophets foretold Yeshua's arrival as our Savior and also as our King in the Old Testament. The New Testament shows how Yeshua fulfilled the role as our Savior, and also points to His yet unfulfilled role as King during His Millennial reign. The New Testament refers constantly to the Old, and would not be complete without it. Without the Old, we cannot completely understand the New. The New OVERSHADOWS the Old, bringing clarity to the perspective, much as one transparency of a drawing might overlay another to add more detail. The second would in no way alter the integrity of the first, but would simply infuse it with more. Indeed, if the first were to be removed, much of the clarity of the second would be jeopardized. Thus it is with the Old Testament and the New. Due to my insistence on this stance, it has been said that I have become a Jew. I will address that now.

Have you ever seen the bumper sticker that says, "My boss is a Jewish carpenter!"? So it is. Yeshua was a Jew. Technically, a Jew is one who is from the tribe of Judah, though I know that was not what was meant by this statement. Rather than a physical issue, the one at hand is spiritual, and it is addressed in Romans 11:17. One day all those of the Jewish faith will know Yeshua as Messiah, but we'll get to that soon enough. Contrary to the concept of all Jews denying Christ, it was only BECAUSE I received Yeshua as my Savior that I was ALLOWED the PRIVILEGE of becoming a Jew. You see Romans 11:17 tells me that IT WAS BECAUSE I received Yeshua as my Savior that I was grafted into the Jewish Olive Tree. I don't otherwise (at least to my knowledge) have any claim to this tree through my blood lineage, so had I NOT received Yeshua as my Lord and Savior, I could NEVER have been grafted into this tree. YESHUA is "THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE", and NO MAN can come to the Father but by Him per John 14:6. Yeshua is the very ROOTS OF this Hebrew Olive Tree. Most who are of this tree just don't understand Him yet. If we are not OF the Hebrew Olive Tree, then we are not OF CHRIST. Galatians 3:29 reiterates this concept.

You see, the promise was to ABRAHAM'S SEED. If we don't have a blood claim to his lineage, we can only claim his inheritance via belief upon Yeshua! You see, ALL CHRISTIANS are JEWS. WE must first become Jews to become Christians. You cannot jump to point B without first jumping to point A, and you cannot become a Christian without first becoming a Jew. Not all Jews are Christians, but all Christians are Jews, and should not ignore their Jewish roots!

Festivals vs. Holidays

As a Christian, we believe upon Yeshua, and we are told to be like Him, so should we not embrace that which HE embraced? Yeshua embraced His Hebrew roots. He honored the Old Testament Festivals. The Bible says they are the LORD'S festivals. Our God is a God of pattern. Hebrews 8:5 informs us that the tabernacle was a pattern of heavenly things - hence the explicit instructions for it. Likewise the Old Testament Festivals are patterns of the heavenly things of God. Did the Lord CHANGE? My Bible (New Testament by the way) says that Yeshua is the same YESTERDAY, TODAY, and FOREVER (Hebrews 13:8). Yeshua is one with the Father (John 10:30). Isaiah 44:6 says:

This includes both the Father AND the Son. They are both called Lord (capital L), and counted as ONE in the end of the verse. TOGETHER they are GOD, and there is no other. Revelation later clarifies that Yeshua is also alpha and omega, the first and the last. Yeshua is ONE with the LORD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, and this single essence IS the same YESTERDAY (in the Old Testament), today (in the New Testament), and forever, (throughout eternity). If something pleased Him THEN (in the Old Testament), it would please Him NOW (in the New). He HASN'T CHANGED!

The Hebrew word for "feasts" (or festivals) is "mowed" and does not just mean feast. It also indicates an "appointed time", a "sign", or "season". The Hebrew word for "Holy Convocation" is "miqra", and means "rehearsal". The feasts (festivals) of the Old Testament are also often referred to as Holy Days or Holy convocations, so this meaning would apply as well. It is in these Festivals that Yeshua's interaction with man is concealed, His First coming, our rapture, His second coming, and on through the completion of time. They actually spell out the plan of God for His people, and the fulfillment of God's prophetic plan unfolds via these Biblically mandated observances! God had a REASON for insisting that we observe them. Just as we take communion in memory of what Yeshua did, our very observance of these feasts is intended to be the properly mandated celebrations of the redemptive plan of God via Yeshua, from start to finish!

In the early days of Christianity, Constantine, in his fervor to draw everyone into Christendom, took some non Jewish festivals, gave them a Christian veneer, and substituted them for the God ordained holy days of the Old Testament. Thus he successfully merged what our Bible refers to as "mystery Babylon" into Christendom. This was never corrected, and these non Biblical customs are still practiced and honored within Christendom today in place of the LORD'S festivals. God's ordained Festivals were called HOLY Days. Man's Constantine version is H O L I Days, (the replacement of God's H O L Y Days), and can not suffice to show the intended patterning of God as His mandated Festivals do. Maybe we should be heeding the Biblical warning found at the end of Deuteronomy 12:32.

Though the Bible only gives us the outline of God's ordained Festivals, had Constantine not intervened, we would have retained the oral tradition as well, which completed the picture. Much can be gleaned from extra Biblical sources which helps us regain this beautiful patterning of God.

Law vs. Grace

Many within Christendom now teach that law was judged by grace, and abolished. If this is so why did Yeshua Himself say that He came not to destroy the law? Did He lie? We have established that Yeshua is a part of God, and God does not change. Nor does He lie. If God does not change, how could the law which once pleased Him no longer please Him? God knew that the law was too hard for the people to keep. The Bible tells us that He remembereth that we are dust! This doesn't mean that God no longer DESIRES for us TO KEEP the law. If it pleased Him then, it pleases Him now. It simply means that He realized that we were unable to keep the law in the perfection that was required to go to heaven. Yeshua came to provide another way, whereby man could be cleansed when he fell short of the perfection that was, still is, and ever will be desired by God. In Acts 15, Luke addresses whether or not we should be "under the law" in the New Testament age. He speaks of Paul and Barnabus having a dispute with those who taught that Gentile Believers must be put under the Hebrew law. Verse 5 of this chapter indicates that the law being spoken of here was the Pharisaical law, which added more than a few jots and tittles to that which God originally ordained. Paul and Barnabus believed that it was not right to insist upon obedience to this Pharisaical version of the law, but rather that some simple general guidelines should be imposed, most of which were merely dietary. In fact, I concur with Paul here, that the Phariaical version of the law was too intense. It would have stymied the Believer in the muck and mud of man's additions to the laws, reducing his productivity and effectiveness. Yeshua didn't speak too highly either about this distorted version of God's law.

However, we CANNOT throw out God's originally ordained law because of this passage which refers to the Pharisaical perversion thereof. James twice refers to the law of liberty. It is THIS law which the New Testament saints are under. So what is this perfect law of liberty? It is the same law God has always ordained, since the days of Old, without all of the Phariseical jots and tittles. We don't need to wear the phylacteries to remember it today as they did in the Old Testament, as it is sealed in our mind and spirit by the Holy Spirit after our belief upon Yeshua. We don't have to sacrifice the animals today, as this was not Old Testament LAW. It was merely a sacrificial system which would point to the saving power of the blood of Christ. There were many other do's and don't's in the Old Testament as well, (some 600 plus by current count), just as we have many laws in our legal system. However God's perfect LAW for man was succinctly summed up in a list of ten commandments which ordered His standard for living in very general and easy to understand terms. These ten commands of God were literally carved in stone. They pleased Him then. They please Him now. He has not changed. Yeshua said in John 14:15:

They are HIS too! When we are saved by grace, the Holy Spirit writes them upon the tablets of our hearts, then we are directed by the Holy Spirit to live by them. There are no Phariseical jots and tittles in this perfect law, (unless the Holy Spirit dictates one here and there), but what pleased God then, pleases God now, and we should honor Him by observing that which He has given to us to observe. I should also mention here that the fourth commandment specifically states the SEVENTH day as our day of rest. This too is a patterning imprint by God, and has tremendous significance. Exodus 31:15-16 says that this seventh day is to be a day of rest as a sign of God's PERPETUAL (unending) covenant with his own! Constantine, not God, endorsed Sunday as our day of rest, and by so doing, he (as man) took it upon himself to end what God ordained to be unending. God has not changed - only MAN has changed!

God knew that even keeping these simple ten commandments would be impossible for man over the full course of his days. We may keep them for one day, or two, or ten, but eventually everyone will err and transgress the law. Even one sin would separate us from God, as only perfection can be in His presence. Merely one sin would damn us. Thus, God allowed our redemption through Christ as an act of grace toward us. Through His act of grace, we have an ADVOCATE in CHRIST when we sin. IF we CONFESS our SINS (I John 1:9) He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Let me emphasize that word IF. This promise IS CONDITIONAL upon that simple two letter word IF. IF we fail to confess our sins, no such promise is given.

What are our sins here? I John 3:4 states:

When we flaunt the perfect law of liberty, we sin, and this sin REQUIRES our confession in order for God to forgive and cleansing to occur.

John 1:17 says:

The Old Testament priests were of the Levitical line. They were priests according to the LETTER OF THE LAW. Penalties were enacted to insure obedience to the law, thus failure to abide by the law was punished in accordance WITH the letter of the law.

Hebrews 5:6 tells us that Yeshua is our priest after the order of Melchisedek. Yeshua was our sacrifice, once and for all. Thus, due to HIS perfection, He was able to conclude the sacrificial system and attain the higher Melchisedekian priesthood, whereby God's grace was applied to or overlaid upon the letter of the law. This grace did not negate the law, it overshadowed it. As our advocate, Yeshua has the power to forgive our transgression of the law simply upon our confession of it rather than through the seemingly endless sacrificial system. Yeshua's perfect one time sacrifice enabled God to apply His covering of GRACE over the LETTER of His law.

In Romans 6:1-2, Paul says:

Paul would never contest that we should live by God's perfect law of liberty. In these days of perversion, it is very easy to "justify" deviations from God's Law. Just as the Pharisees added to the law, I fear that Christendom today has subtracted from it, substituting the "if it feels right, do it" motto of this age of grace. If we abuse the liberty of God's perfect law it may come back to bite us! We may find that we have a lot to answer for one day when we are judged by it (James 2:12). I believe we will learn the hard way that there is no such thing as a GRACE ESCAPE for the soul!!! We're fixin' to see why!

Calvinism vs. Armenianism

Two main "ism's" are taught in our churches today. They are Calvinism and Armenianism. According to the Calvinist, once we receive Yeshua as our Savior, we can never lose our "salvation". They have ample Scriptural texts to support their position, such as Ephesians 4:30 which states:

Then we have the Armenian camp who believe that saved people can lose their salvation. They too have ample Scriptural references to back their belief, such as Hebrews 10:29, which states:

Such a one is a BELIEVER. He was SANCTIFIED by the BLOOD! Hebrews 6:6-9 further indicates that some who fall away shall be burned.

The Calvinist sees the blue, while the Armenian sees the green. Though they appear to contradict each other, they are in the Bible. There IS TRUTH OUTSIDE of the Bible, but there is NOTHING BUT TRUTH within it. To say it another way, not all of Truth is exclusively found within the Bible, but all that IS within the Bible is TRUTH. SO - if all of these verses are true, though they appear to conflict, they must be reconcilable! To find the aqua, we must get off these two boulevards and enter the alley between, where we can observe these and similar verses without their preconceived biases.

Both camps think of spirit and soul as a single unit, and hell as the eternal lake of fire where these spirit/souls can or cannot be damned to destruction. From the alleyway, we can honestly view I Thessalonians 5:23 which indicates that the spirit, AND the soul, AND the body EACH have accountability before God to be blameless. This clearly shows us that the spirit and the soul are NOT one and the same thing, but FURTHERMORE, each one will be SEPARATELY evaluated in judgment by God. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that SALVATION is a gift of God - not of WORKS, lest we might boast. Then in Philippians 2:12 we are told to WORK out our own SALVATION - with fear and trembling no less! Salvation is not of works, then we're told to work it out! What is this all about? There is a dual SALVATION here. You see, Ephesians 2:8-9 relates to the judgment and salvation of the spirit, whereas Philippians 2:12 relates to the judgment and salvation of the soul. Each has a separate judgment and salvation. That is why the term "SALVATION" in these two passages is so confusing to the blue and the green. The salvation of the SPIRIT is a GIFT of God the Father to man via His GRACE. We receive it when we receive Christ. It is a done deal and irreversible! The Holy Spirit SEALS the spirit upon entering our body temple, and a spirit thus sealed can never be damned to the Lake of Fire. Grace and mercy are not the same thing. GRACE is being given something GOOD that we DON'T deserve. Mercy, on the other hand, is NOT being given something BAD that we DO deserve. GRACE is FREELY given, whereas MERCY is a reward due to MERIT. A word study of mercy in the Bible will prove this quickly. The salvation of the SOUL is a REWARD at the Bema Throne via Yeshua's MERCY for those who are worthy to receive it. Over and over in the New Testament, worthiness is taught in relation to the condition of the soul. That is why we are told to work out THIS salvation (of the SOUL) with fear and trembling, as the soul can be SAVED at Bema, OR CONDEMNED. That is why Ephesians 2:8 says:

Initial salvation (of the spirit) is BY GRACE. Progressive salvation (of the soul) is THROUGH our walk of FAITH. This FAITH is not a forcing of the mind to believe in something that cannot be seen, though that too is a type of faith. The faith referred to here would be a LIVING FAITH, (an ABIDING in Christ by YIELDING to the Holy Spirit type of faith). Yeshua's brother James tells us in James 2:20 that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS is DEAD. WORKS DO HAVE A PLACE in our salvation as it relates to the SOUL. They exemplify a TRUE ABIDING FAITH. Our SPIRIT is saved BY GRACE (an instantaneous process), and our SOUL is saved THROUGH FAITH (an ongoing process!) Our spirit is sealed upon our belief, but our soul is not. It is up to US to yield to the Holy Spirit and bring the soul under subjection. Only then will it too be saved. If our soul is not found worthy, consequences lie in wait. Yeshua asked a VERY FRIGHTENING QUESTION in Luke 18:8. He asked if He would even FIND FAITH on the earth when He comes. As our end times progress, this type of true FAITH will seldom be found.

The second problem area for both camps is their view of hell as being the eternal abode of the lake of fire. Twelve times the Strongs Exhaustive Concordance tells us that the Greek word which the King James translates as hell in the New Testament is actually Gehenna. This is not the Lake of Fire, but is a place where God sends people for the destruction of their bodies and their souls per Matthew 10:28. Mark 9:43-48 tells us that in Gehenna the worm doesn't die and the fire isn't quenched. Gehenna destroys the soul and body, but the spirit is not mentioned in Matthew 10:28 because it has been sealed. It may well be severed off prior to the soul and body being cast into Gehenna, as we find in Hebrews 4:12, where the Word of God (as a sharp TWO edged sword) divides the soul and spirit. To get a time frame for this hell hole, we can go back to Isaiah 66:23-24, and we will see that it will be activated during the Millennial reign of Christ. It is a temporal hell for a specific purpose. The burning will consume the bodies and souls of the rebellious Believers who were condemned at the Bema Throne while Yeshua reigns and rules for 1000 years. Though the sealed spirits of those who endure Gehenna will live on, they will no longer be clothed with the light of the soul. They will be naked, as denoted in Revelation 16:15.

Pretribulationalism vs. Posttribulationalism

We have a similar paradox between the Pretribulation perspective and the Posttribulation view. Each camp is seeing only a part of the picture, and ignoring all the verses that blatantly contradict their belief. The Pretribulationalists say that the ENTIRE body of Christ will be taken into heaven as found in I Corinthians 15:51-52 and I Thessalonians 4:14-18 prior to the onset of "Jacob's Troubles" or the period of Tribulation as found in Daniel, Zechariah, the gospels, and Revelation. On the other side, the Posttribulationalists believe that the ENTIRE body of Christ will be taken into heaven later in the tribulation period, most likely very near the end of it. The factor which both camps refuse to acknowledge is that not everyone is taken into the heavens at THE SAME time. The body of Christ IS divided for a time. It is divided even now by physical death. Some have actually said there may be several raptures. In our studies, we have found two which relate to the present body of Christ which are very prominent. If there are more, we have yet to see them.

Pretribulationalists stand on verses such as Revelation 3:10 which says:

However they conveniently ignore the first part of the verse that blatantly says that this promise is CONDITIONAL! Posttribulationalists view the martyrdom of Believers found in verses such as Revelation 6:9 as proof text that Believers will be here during the tribulation. Indeed some will, but they should not ignore Revelation 3:10 when they contemplate their stand. Throughout Revelation 2 and 3, the church is warned that the Believer's candlestick CAN be removed from its place of favor. If we are not in right standing with God when the Bride is to be taken home, we may not be accounted as a part of the Bride!

BECAUSE the Old Testament has been ignored, Christendom cannot see the Festival shadow typing that explains this paradox. There are two sticks and two loaves found in God's Word. These two sticks and loaves are symbolic of 1) the spiritual house of Judah which is the Hebrew people who have not yet come to belief upon Yeshua (i.e. the Natural Olive Tree of Romans 11), and 2) the spiritual house of Ephraim which is their Gentile counterpart (i.e. those of the Wild Olive Tree which have been grafted into the Natural Olive Tree). These two are still counted as separate, as the tree has not yet learned to function as one unified whole. Ezekiel shows that one day they will, however, be united. The two sticks will become one (Ezekiel 37:19).

Some churches teach replacement theology, saying that when the Jews failed to recognize Yeshua for who He was, they were severed off, never to be allowed back into God's presence or His prophetic plan. They teach that the "church" took their place in this plan. This simply is not true. The Bible refutes this at every turn. When speaking of it in Romans 11:1-27, Paul tells us that God has NOT cast away His people the Jews, He has just given them a spirit of slumber for a time. They can not come to belief upon Yeshua yet, in order that the Gentiles might be grafted INTO THEIR Olive Tree. He then confirms that God is under covenant agreement with all of Israel to take away their sins. Verse 23 of this passage says that some of these natural branches which He removed for a time can be grafted BACK IN AGAIN. Indeed He MUST ultimately do so in order to complete his covenant with them! Ezekiel 37 tells of this regeneration, and concludes with the two sticks becoming one. He also says that as Gentiles who have been grated in, we should take heed lest He sever OUR branches for a time as He has theirs!

There are two main grain harvests in God's Word, which symbolize the taking up of God's elect. One is the Barley, and the other the Wheat. There is only one Barley Harvest mentioned, but there are two Wheat Harvests: a First Fruits Wheat Harvest, and an Ingathering Wheat Harvest. The Old Testament Festivals were centered around these three Harvests. The Barley Harvest was just about the time of the First Fruits Wheat Harvest, which occurs during the Spring Festival period. The Ingathering Wheat Harvest occurs during the Fall Festivals. The Harvests symbolize the catching up of God's people. I believe the Barley Harvest was when Yeshua arose and many graves were opened, the inhabitants were seen, and then went into heaven with Yeshua. It represented the portion of the Jewish stick or loaf which was to be taken up at that time. It has already occurred, and I believe that the next Harvest is slated to occur VERY shortly. It is the Wheat Harvest and will catch up the Believers in Christ to the heavens. It occurs in two phases.

Before we discuss the two phases of this harvest, I want to look at the seven churches in Revelation. Whereas I do acknowledge the dispensational aspect of the 7 churches in Revelation 2 and 3, I also believe that aspects of these seven churches live on today. They represent individual Believers who compose God's church whom God has categorically classified by their spiritual traits. I believe that the last three are particularly prominent in the typology of the end day churches of our country. The Philadelphians are the "called out" ones who have conformed to the image of Christ, and are blameless before Him. When referring to the church of Sardis, it is not my intent to name names or to judge any specific group, so I will use a very broad and generalized classification. I believe that the Sardis church may well represent those in some Charismatic circles who point to the more sedate members of the body of Christ and accuse them being "dead", viewing themselves as being "alive". God says here that THEY are the dead. They have been DEFILED! In Numbers 5, we see that the way one becomes defiled is by adultery with someone other than one's spouse. I don't believe He means here that those of this church are physically "sleeping around". They have become SPIRITUALLY defiled. This would occur by receiving a counterfeit spirit, which they believe to be the Holy Spirit. Due to their vibrant interaction with this counterfeit spirit, they see themselves as being, ALIVE, but they are numbered by God among the DEAD. The seduction of some of the tongues and spirits in this movement is incredibly profound. Revelation 3:4 indicates that only a FEW of them have not yet defiled themselves or have managed to see what they have done and repent of it. The spirits who grip these participants are exceedingly strong, and prevent their victims from seeing their true condition. They truly believe that they have the real thing in a way that others don't. It grieves my heart to read here that only a FEW of this group will be found worthy and be given white garments. The Laodiceans are those who are complacent regarding anything of God, and too concerned with their materialistic lifestyle to bother with appropriate commitment to Him.

The First Fruits Harvest is for those typified by the Philadelphian church, though there may be some from all seven churches who somehow manage to OVERCOME. Their candlesticks are in right position and they are ready to go when the trumpet sounds and the call for the Bride goes out. In Old Testament Festival symbolism and Jewish tradition, the First Fruits of the Wheat Harvest are waived before God, and then given to the High Priest. Our High Priest is Yeshua, and the First Fruits are His Bride. They have died to self by consecrating their souls and bodies to God. They have yielded to the direction of the Holy Spirit, and thus have been accounted as WORTHY of this honor. This First Fruits Harvest catches up the faithful Bride of Christ prior to the Tribulation. As the events of the Tribulation BEGIN to come to pass, THEIR redemption occurs (per Luke 21:28). (We can easily confirm that the initial events of the Tribulation are, even now, BEGINNING.) This is the Pretribulational First Fruits "rapture".

II Corinthians 5:10 tells us that (as Believers), we must ALL appear before the judgment seat of Christ so that everyone may receive according to the things he hath done, WHETHER GOOD OR BAD! This judgment seat of Christ is the Bema Throne, and is also found in I Corinthians 3:11-15. It occurs in the heavenlies, but much of Christendom has been left behind to endure Tribulation when the First Fruits of the Wheat Harvest have been taken home to be honored. They too must now appear before the heavenly throne. This transport will occur at the last trump, toward the end of the Tribulation period, when the Ingathering Wheat Harvest occurs. This is during the Old Testament Fall Feasts. Both the dead in Christ and those Believers who are alive and remain (having been left behind) will be taken to the Bema Throne at this time to stand before Yeshua and give account. This is the Posttribulational Ingathering "rapture".

Determination will now be made whether GOOD rewards or BAD will be given to each of those who have just arrived. Here, man WILL BE REWARDED according to his works, either good or bad (II Corinthians 5:10). Hebrews 2:2 indicates that every transgression and disobedience receive a just recompense of reward, and such reward would not be a GOOD reward! Have they defiled their body temples and lived in debauchery fit only for the unsaved, or have they brought their lusts and inherent carnal natures under the control and subjection of God's Spirit within them? Have they quenched the spirit, or allowed it to fill them? Per Jewish tradition, there are actually three books opened here. One has the names of the "good". This would be a listing of those who had overcome. They will be counted now as Philadelphians, and will be allowed to join into fellowship with the Bride and enter into the Millennial Kingdom. Another book has all of the names of those who are "bad". These would be those who have sinned a sin unto death (I John 5:16), and will not be able to be cleansed without enduring the fires of Gehenna during the Millennial reign. The Sardis group who have allowed themselves to be DEFILED by counterfeit spirits may be dealt with here. God said they are "dead", meaning that they will spend this 1000 year period in the land of the dead, Gehenna. All who have taken the mark of the Beast will join them there. In fact, many from Sardis may actually receive the mark when they are left behind, because the deceiving spirits which defile them may convince them that it is OK to do so. The third book contains the names of those who are neither good nor bad. These lukewarm Believers of the Laodicean persuasion will be spewed out (cast out) by Yeshua into what the parables of our Bible call Outer Darkness. The parables tell us of this future abode, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. The end of the Mark 9 passage regarding Gehenna speaks of salt losing its savor. In a sister passage of Luke 14:34-35 we read:

This last line always indicates a deeper hidden meaning. You see, the land is the Millennial Kingdom, the dunghill is Gehenna (derived from the Old Testament dunghill, which was known as the Valley of Hinnom), and being cast out is to be cast into Outer Darkness, where it will finally be determined whether that one is more fit for the land or the dunghill.

The shadow typing for Outer Darkness is found in Leviticus 13 and 14. Leprosy is a type of sin, the house is a type of body, and the garments are the typology for the soul. The garments and houses are to be isolated to see if they get better or worse, and checked periodically for progress. If the leprosy is healed, they are cleansed and accepted back into society (i.e. the fellowship of the Philadelphians in the Millennial Kingdom). At some point though, Yeshua will have checked enough, and will determine that the leprosy of some is fatal. Upon this determination, the houses (bodies) are dismantled, and the garments (souls) are burned. The worms of Gehenna take care of the former, and the fire completes the latter, destroying both soul and body in Gehenna (as found in Matthew 5) and only the sealed spirit of these Believers is spared. Some might say that this concept of Outer Darkness bears a great resemblance to Purgatory as taught by the Roman Catholic Church. Well, the concept of Purgatory may well have been derived from the Biblical Truth of Outer Darkness. However, it is not for everyone, and one who is sent there cannot be bought out of that place. Only repentance can reverse the leprous condition of anyone who is cast into this abode, providing for his redemption.

Premillennialism vs. Amillennialism

We also find a paradoxical encounter between those of the Premillennial persuasion and those of the Amillennial view. Those who believe that Yeshua will judge His own at Bema then establish His kingdom and rule for 1000 years are called Premillennialists. On the other hand, the Amillennialists believe that we are to perfect our world before we can be reunited with God, and they don't see a literal 1000 year reign of Yeshua. Some even acknowledge the end time prophetic Scriptures as being valid, but believe that events of our past have already fulfilled them. They believe that the Biblical Tribulation is behind us, that basically all prophecy has already been fulfilled, and that we are living now in the millennial era, and emerging into a more perfect world foretold for this era by the Bible. The New Age belief is centered around this philosophy. They will one day see that these events were mere shadows of the horrors that lie ahead which WILL fulfill these prophetic passages. They reject the literal interpretation of Scripture which tells of Yeshua's 1000 year reign in Revelation 20:6, as well as other literal interpretations of the Word, and deduce their claim based upon more figurative interpretations.

Indeed there is much validity to figurative interpretations gleaned from the Word, but we are not to reject the literal and REPLACE it with the figurative. Rarely is a passage nonsensical when literally interpreted. In such rare cases, the obvious symbolism is usually given. However, short of these rare cases, any figurative interpretation may be viewed IN ADDITION TO, but never IN PLACE OF the literal rendering of the Biblical text.

Deuteronomy 11:26-32 speaks of two mountains. One (Mount Gerizim) is a mountain of blessings and the other (Mount Ebal) is a mountain of cursings. We find duality throughout God's Word. As with these two mountains, most of the duality found in the Word presents a contrast of good and evil, black and white, dark and light, death and life. There were two trees in the garden. There was the Tree of Life, and there was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. We will refer to these two trees often in this study, so we will abbreviate them now, by deeming the Tree of Life to be Tree 1, and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil to be Tree 2.

There was a literal fruit on each of these two trees, and Adam and Eve consumed the fruit they were told not to eat. However, these trees were not merely trees. Just as though these trees were humans with a message, there was a spiritual message ingested with the eating of this fruit, which almost certainly left a literal physical imprint upon the minds of Adam and Eve. From that time forth, until the proper timing in God's redemptive plan, all who descended from Adam would received mixed spiritual messages, and see through a glass darkly, which is why there is so much trouble understanding God's Word today.

Creation vs. Evolution

Most of those who hold to the Bible as the inspired Word of God believe that the world was created in six literal days, per Genesis chapter 1. This is called the creation theory, and is adamantly opposed to the Darwinian world view of evolution which sees life as "evolving" from one form to another over millions -- even billions of years. Though it seems preposterous, these two world views do actually have an aqua aspect as well.

As a word to those who are new to this ministry regarding our research techniques, this IS a connecting the dots ministry, and God's plan includes dots which are not spelled out in His Word. For that reason, we do not limit our research to the Bible, BUT we ALWAYS bring our deductions back to the microscope of the Word, which IS our final authority. The Bible indicates that there are many mysteries, and Proverbs 25:2 says:

As we go from milk to solid food, we are to glean further understanding and knowledge by putting line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little per Isaiah 28:9-10. Then II Timothy 2:15 tells us to study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. God's Word of Truth provides the foundation for many things, without fully explaining them. Clarification can often be obtained by extraBiblical sources, but we must be sure to re-examine our findings via the Word, and reject them if there is conflict with ANY of our literal Biblical text. God knew how prolific our networking capabilities would be in the end days when knowledge increased, and I believe He intends for those of us alive now to supplement His text with the views of others to draw the picture together. However, we must be sure that we do not in any way compromise the literal integrity of God's Word during this process. We are also told to be wise as serpents but harmless as doves in Matthew 10:16. To be wise as serpents, we might need to tap into controversial literature from time to time. We are to be aware of oposing views so we can put everything into perspective. We are to glean everything we need to understand God's plan from all available sources at hand, then we remain harmless as doves by being sure we align our findings with God's Word.

Back now to the work at hand, an overview of my theory regarding Creation vs. Evolution begins with a gentleman by the name of Gerald Schroeder who has been featured by the Zola Levitt ministry. He has shown how six literal days in the heavenly realm actually translate to 15-1/2 billion years of earth time. It simply depends upon your perspective. His formula and data are verifiable - both scientifically and Biblically, and seems to harmonize the findings of the two camps beautifully. Space expanded en route from God's throne to the earthly realm. There is a dimensional shift between the two, and time in this dimension is exponentially longer in contrast to time there.

It is my theory that Tree 1 and Tree 2 also represented two trees of an etheric nature which were able to proliferate and produce offspring. Have you heard of the concept of a mirror world/universe? In a very brief and oversimplified overview, I believe that with each spoken command of God, a dual creation occurred. One was in Tree 1; the other within the Tree 2. Creation was dually formed in these two mirror worlds/universes - one being of Tree 1 (which would yield only good fruit), and the other of the Tree 2 (which would yield both good AND evil fruit). However, the nature of the good fruit of the Tree 2 is merely a counterfeit version of the true good fruit of Tree 1.

These two mirror worlds/universes in two different dimensions were connected by a time tunnel which science today has dubbed a wormhole. It was this portal through which Lucifer/Satan, (i.e. the corporate Tree 2 spiritual essence), was able to ascend and descend to tempt Eve to eat from the tree that marked it's opening. The Edenic Adam should never have been shut out of the garden and expelled to the Tree 2 world/universe. He should have lived in total heavenly bliss, but he forfeited that option. Once he had eaten the fruit of this tree, he was destined to be expelled through the portal it marked, into the Tree 2 universe until the cycle of redemption could run its course. So - here we are today in the mirror world of the heavenly, pleading to go back home where our hearts say we belong.

Down here in this mirror image world (which is exponentially stretched out in time), that which happened instantaneously in creation in Eden, happened over a painfully slow process. Thus we have evolution, which, given the differential in time, otherwise actually seems to perfectly correlate with our Genesis account. It is only when we can see the proliferation of life from EACH OF these TWO trees that we can really understand the paradigm in which we exist. There is a matrix in God's creative plan, complete with spirits who control it - (powers, principalities, etc.). Through it, God traps and releases, plants and reaps, in His time, and at His command, in order to complete His prophetic plan.

Our Bible refers to Tree 1 as the Tree of Life. This is because the very essence of God is Life, and this tree linked man to God. Conversely, death does not necessarily indicate eternal nonexistence. It is merely a mindset which does not include God's life. In the truest sense, it is simply being removed from the Truth that is God (i.e. the very mind of God). There is a mind and a mind set linked with both Tree 1 and Tree 2. Tree 1 was the link to God, i.e. the mind of God, and Tree 2 is the link to the mirror image of the mind of God, a system of man whereby good and evil are sorted out and dealt with independently of God. A god of sorts (one of energies and forces) is presumed to be over all of the Tree 2 creation, but there is no personal relationship. Our Bible speaks of a consequence for embracing this god rather than the God of Tree 1. This consequence is death. Once again, death is merely being separate from the Truth of God. Our Bible says that God wants none to perish (or fall victim to "death"), because He wants none to have to be separate from the Life that is within Him. Our Bible also assures us that one day all of "death" WILL BE turned to "life". We shall see though, as we proceed, that this process might be lengthy, more so for some than for others.

So, from Tree 1 comes those beings with the Mind of Life (those with living souls, i.e. minds/wills) who are linked philosophically and intellectually to the mind and heart of the living God. From Tree 2 comes those beings with the mind of the god of forces, (whose souls, i.e. minds/wills) who are not linked philosophically and intellectually to the living God. In His sovereignty, God allowed a link to exist in all of creation for both trees which could ultimately join all spirits to Himself when the time is right. For those who are in Tree 2, this link is merely closed off for a time by stumbling blocks which can only be removed by God in his timing. Because this link to the living God is blocked for a time, until it is removed those of Tree 2 cannot understand that Yeshua has come in the flesh and is the Son of God, and thus, they will reject the atoning power of the blood of His sacrifice. You see, we have here Life and Death, Truth, and the Lie. Please understand that Death is not unkind. Our Bible indicates in John 12:24 that we must die in order to live. Even embodied within that which our Bible calls the "lie" is a FORM of Truth or godliness (II Timothy 3:5), which we are told to reject. We are not to embrace it because it is a mirror image of the Living God rather than being connected to the Life that IS Him. Romans 1:25 speaks of it, saying that some will Change the Truth of God into a lie, and II Thessalonians 2:11 speaks again of this lie, indicating that those who don't love God's Truth will be coerced to believe this lie.

Matthew 13:37-43 tells of these two seeds. The key words are "children of the kingdom" and "children of the wicked one". Again please understand that it is wicked only in the sense that it is not of the standard of purity of the living God. This form of godliness will have a lot of good mixed with the evil of the Tree 2 system. Please understand that many who are a part of the Tree 2 system are beautiful people who are striving for godliness just as are those who have already been grafted back into Tree 1, symbolized Biblically as the Jewish Olive Tree.

In fact, the Tree 2 gospel message is strikingly similar to that of Tree 1, and is even Biblically derived. It simply EXCLUDES the redemptive blood of Christ, and the basis of its quantum leap (a type of salvation) is TOTALLY through the works of man, via his attainment of Christ consciousness. Their Ascended Masters will soon be announced, as beings who are here to help us. They will spread the Tree 2 gospel version, and show great signs and wonders, prompting many to believe it as being God's Truth. Most of Ufology, all New Age spirits, and the NESARA movement are all rooted in Tree 2 and profess its gospel message. Whereas Yeshua was crucified and resurrected as the Savior of mankind, they too will see the return of one whom they will claim was Yeshua (Jesus), but they will renounce the blood atonement which was provided for the repairing of the breach between God and man (Isaiah 58:12). Their Jesus BECAME A CHRIST by attaining Christ consciousness. It is the gospel of ANOTHER Jesus of which Paul speaks. Remember though, that their are two separate trees, and two separate creations going on simultaneously. Both are real and viable, and this "Jesus" will have his place. Matthew 24:4 states:

Hebrews 9:22 tells us that without the shedding of blood, there can be no remission of sin. It wasn't the good things Yeshua did that provided for our atonement and redemption, it was the shedding of His PERFECT BLOOD.

Recall in the description of the crucifixion of Yeshua that Barabbas was freed. "Bar" in Hebrew is "son of", and "abba" is the "Father". Yeshua was the Son of God the Father. His mirror image, Barabbas, would go free for a time. This is shadowed by the two goats of the Day of Atonement. One goat was "to Adonai", and one was "to Azazel". The first was slain, and the latter was released into the wilderness. These two men, and these two goats are the two trees. The second tree will ultimately be merged into the first, and atonement for Barabbas and the goat to Azazel will ultimately be achieved, though this tree will not be grafted in until much later in the picture. For a time, quite a long time, the goat to Azazel may roam the wilderness. In human terms, those of Tree 2 will continue to remain in an existence whereby their connection to the life of God remains blocked.

Our Bible also speaks of a one world government in the very end days of the Tree 1 existence on this earth. There is a battle going on, even as I write these words, regarding the structuring and leadership of this governmental system. A one world religion will usher in this new government. It will be the Tree 2 religion. The BLOOD ATONEMENT is a stumbling block for the merging of the "church" into the new ONE WORLD RELIGION, and a sign of the times is that you will seldom hear it mentioned behind our pulpits today. Recall that John 1:17 said that grace AND TRUTH came BY Yeshua. The Old Testament pointed to Him. The New was fulfilled by Him. HE IS the TRUTH of God's Word. He said in John 14:6:

LIFE is in the BLOOD per Leviticus 17:11. It is by His BLOOD that we can LIVE. Yeshua is LIFE vs. DEATH for us, TRUTH vs. the LIE for us, and the ONLY WAY by which we can be cleansed for presentation to the Father is by the blood He shed for us! However, this blood will not be acceptable under the Tree 2 philosophy. They too will come to embrace it, but for many this will not occur until much later.

Just as the Jewish people were given a spirit of slumber for a time, in the larger picture MANY of those propagated via Tree 2 are under a permanent spirit of slumber, which cannot be lifted till their spirits are reprogrammed in the flames. It is somewhat like the hard disk on the computer. Their memory has been maxed out with the Anti version of the gospel message, and no more programming can be added until their hard drive is formatted. Truth to them is that version of the software within their minds. To those who have the Tree 2 version, this version to them is truth, and will remain truth to them until reformatting occurs. This reformatting can occur when God chooses to remove stumbling blocks, or by emerging through His veil of consuming fire. The former method is preferable to the latter, but it can only be attained by acknowledging the presence of the living God, and seeking His Truth in earnest prayer to Him.

Within Christendom each denomination would tell you what one must believe to be "deemed" a Christian. Each has its own dogmatic criteria, or software programming, and whoever falls outside its carefully designed box is heretical in its eyes. This would make virtually all of Christendom heretical, depending on which box you were in when you pointed your finger at someone else's beliefs. When it really comes right down to the line, what separates Christendom from Anti Christendom is one thing, and one thing only. What do you think about the blood of Christ? What does it mean to you personally? It is the means by which God's salvation is provided. If you hear a gospel message presented that doesn't rely on it, you know from which tree it came! As previously mentioned, Tree 1 is Biblically typified by the Natural Olive Tree, and Tree 2 by the Wild Olive Tree. To go from Tree 2 to Tree 1 requires the blood of Christ. When truly seeking the Living God, He will open up the link to enable one to find this blood (John 5:24 & 6:44).

What is God's purpose in a dual creation? I believe that God in His highest form is above a heavenly Divide, and all of creation resides below. Psalm 68:4 says:

Daniel 7:27 speaks of kingdoms UNDER the WHOLE heaven, THEN it speaks of the Most High, whose kingdom is an EVERLASTING kingdom. Between the eternal Kingdom where the Most High resides and creation below is a great Divide. This kingdom of the Most High above the Divide is everlasting because, being above the Divide, this realm is not bound by the dimension of time. I believe that He started to form creation within this realm and found it to be imperfect, so He ejected it to below the Divide into the realm of time to correct the problem. Only when the problem is resolved can He restore it again unto Himself. Much as the body sometimes aborts a dying embryo, this creation was cast down from this highest Heaven and sealed off to be sorted out below. Within it was Tree 1 and Tree 2 which would proliferate below the Divide. Tree 1 would be headed by God the Father, the very manifestation of the MOST HIGH God above the Divide in a form that could relate to creation below the Divide. There would be a head of Tree 2 also, but greater is He that is within Tree 1 than that which is in the world, or the Tree 2 version. He would maintain sovereignty, ultimately dividing evil from good and purifying it. He would use the salt of the flame (Mark 9:49) to destroy death, and return a purified creation to God above the Divide.

God IS LOVE, but God is ALSO HOLY, and without being pure, we cannot be in His presence. Because He loved us so much that He wanted NO ONE to perish, He devised a way to purify that which came FROM Him so He could BRING IT ALL BACK into Himself. God's preferred means of purification for his elect is by dying to self, embracing His will, and overcoming the world. When we fail to do so, however, we must be assigned to His default mode, which involves consuming fire. The penalty of sin is death, or ultimately the destruction of any impurity by fire. He devised Gehenna during the Millennial Kingdom for the rebellious Believer, and the Lake of Fire during the Father's Kingdom for the UnBeliever. Both will destroy all that is impure. The purified spirit will be sealed in it's purity, so that it can never again be defiled. In order for the spirit to emerge in purity, all of the imprints of the gospel of death and it's unholy fruit must be destroyed in the flames. Only then will some be ABLE to bow down to Yeshua. When God says EVERY knee in Philippians 2:10, He means EVERY. "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death", which would include its gospel message. "And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be ALL IN ALL." This is found in I Corinthians 15:26-28. There is a celestial masterpiece which tells the story.

Astronomy vs. Astrology

When God fixed the sun, moon, and stars in space, He said they were for signs and seasons. If He said they were for signs, then maybe we should know something about them! We are not to view them from an astrological perspective, as this is forbidden to us in the Word, but astronomy from a Biblical perspective is very interesting. Astrology is linked to Tree 2, and Astronomy to Tree 1. Again the accounts of the two are strikingly similar, though the astrological version relies on man for his own salvation, and the astronomical version relies upon the blood of Christ. Actually, I believe that certain astronomical alignments between the dual universes provide transport portals. It is amazing how science is suddenly supporting this concept. It is no longer science fiction. "Toto, we aren't in Kansas anymore!"

Monotheism vs. Polytheism

While we, as Christians, see a Trinity, theologians have been struggling for some 2000 years to explain exactly what this is. The Trinity teaches that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all God; they are separate, yet they are One. It is a difficult concept. There are many names for God in our Bible. Because of our Trinitarian teachings, we presume that each of these names must relate to the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit. Maybe they do, but where in God's Word do we see this specified? A man whom I highly respect once told me that he enjoyed my presentation because I wasn't afraid to step outside the box. I guess I am merely trying to say that if we were to truly understand all of the intricacies of Tree 1, maybe we would see that we are putting too tight a box around the concept we have of our sovereign God. The Polytheist of the Tree 2 belief system, on the other hand goes to the farthest other extreme, and sees many, many gods. Hinduism is at the center of this belief system, and from it comes Buddhism. The Indian culture and belief system (which may actually be the closest thing to blending the two belief systems) also has much to offer when seeking to understand the total picture! Taken to the maximum extreme, the gospel message of Tree 2 indicates that even inanimate objects such as rocks are god. They believe that you and I are gods too - we just don't know it yet. Ironically, there may be a grain of truth to this. They see all of creation as having a divine spark. Well, it DID ALL come from God, and it WILL all be purified and go back to Him. They are just unable to comprehend the process. Our Bible tells us that everything with a voice will ultimately proclaim Yeshua for who He is, and per our Bibles, even the rocks can cry out! The serpent in Eden spoke, and our hymns tell us that nature sings. ALL things may once again be imbued with a fragment of the nature and essence of God when they are sealed in purity and restored to the eternal kingdom, and God is once again ALL in ALL (I Corinthians 15:28).

Islam vs. Judaism

Both Islam and Judaism are monotheistic in nature. Both have one God. Both claim that this God is the God of Abraham. Neither yet sees Yeshua as Messiah. Neither yet accepts the atoning power of His blood. There is much similarity between these two faiths. Islam claims God is so high that He could have no personal relationship with man. Yet they claim that He is the God of Abraham. The Jewish orthodox believe that they can have a relationship with God. We on the other hand are one step removed, believing that Yeshua is God the Father's Son, and that we can have a relationship with Him as well. (The Bible refers to our relationship with Yeshua as a husband and wife relationship in Ephesians chapter 5.) But, back to the subject at hand. How many Gods did Abraham have? I believe he only had one. Had he been polytheistic, I don't believe he would have been chosen for the role he was to play in God's plan. When Muslims say that they serve Abraham's God, I believe them.

I believe Muslims misunderstand who is meant by the "infidel" in their holy book. There is evidence that those of the Jewish and Christian faiths do not fall into the category of infidels, but have been added to it by factions of the Muslim faith who are bent on hatred toward us. Neither am I saying that their holy book is inerrant. I am not putting it on the level of our Bible, however, there is much beauty in this book as well. This people have a very high devotion and standard of morality, and though it is somewhat misplaced at times, many of them have a great deal of zeal to serve God. Actually, the devotion, morality, and zeal of the average Muslim would probably far exceed these same traits in the average Christian. Those in Christian pulpits point fingers at the Muslims and say, "Their God is not OUR God!" If their God is Abraham's God, then it MUST BE our God.

Because Muslims view God as being so High that He can have no personal relationship with man, I wonder if they are seeing the MOST HIGH God who rides ABOVE the Heavens, whereas we and the Jewish people see the Father, with whom we CAN have a relationship. Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are the three "monotheistic" religions, and I believe they DO ALL ACTUALLY stem from the Tree 1. They may play varying versions of the Tree 1 software, but they stem from the same tree. Over the years, the mixing of the seed from Tree 1 and Tree 2 has caused some very bizarre programming to occur, and we are dealing with this in our every day life. Due to aberrant factions, doctrinal differences and misunderstandings, we are all now at each other's throats. While those of us from Tree 1 contend with one another, the Messianic Tree 2 rider of the white horse spoken of in Revelation 6:2 is preparing to ride. According to Revelation, the Tree 2 gospel message must be empowered here for a time, and this is allowed by our sovereign God as a part of His complete plan for mankind. If God's Word prophesies it, it will be so.

Though the Old Testament POINTED to salvation through the blood of Christ, in and of itself, it was limited to a plan of works to please God. AS IT RELATES TO TREE 1, the New Testament had to apply the blood of Christ via the grace of God to the Old Testament works before salvation could be effected. Ironically this very plan may be repeated to provide for the salvation of Tree 2 in the larger picture as well. The Tree 2 gospel message is ALSO one of works only. Neither do those from Tree 2 yet see the need for a Savior, and (in their own way) they too (at least a significant portion of them) are committed to what they view as a "godly" lifestyle.

As we mentioned earlier, the Goat to Adonai and the Goat to Azazel in the Day of Atonement Festival were meant to show us that even those who do not receive the sacrifice of Yeshua will also ultimately be purified, though it will be through death (the second death) that this will occur. Per Jewish records, atonement of their sins as a nation was miraculously evidenced after the death of the scapegoat. This happened without fail every year until after the crucifixion of Christ, when the evidence ceased. From that point on, only the blood of Christ would suffice. The flames of the second death will serve to open the mind of the victim to the knowledge of atonement that is only available now through the blood of Christ.

Remember we said that GRACE was receiving that good reward which is not deserved, and God wants NONE to perish. I believe that our loving God of pattern, has included ALL of creation in His bigger picture. The pattern is there. We're just boxing in a small part of the bigger pattern and calling it Christianity. Within this box, we say that all must believe before this mortal life ends or they are damned for eternity, but we fail to see that some are actually UNABLE to do so now. God HAS not forgotten them, OR excluded them from His plan. He is ONE AWESOME GOD!

Dying Once vs. Reincarnation

Believers use Hebrews 9:27-28 to refute reincarnation, yet there is much proof that reincarnation does occur. This verse indicates that "MAN" is APPOINTED ONCE to die, but after this the judgment. Yet Revelation speaks of a SECOND death, so there is yet another paradox buried here. "MAN" in this Hebrews passage may be limited to those of Tree 1 who have believed upon Yeshua's sacrificial blood, as expounded in the surrounding verses. Maybe those who are programmed with the Anti gospel are not so "appointed". Evidence of reincarnation in some instances is hard and fast. The Anti version of the gospel teaches that when one reaches Nirvana, the soul may be permitted to sleep rather than being recycled. While the good of Tree 2 can achieve status of merit for the SOUL, it can never achieve salvation for the eternal spirit. For some, only the Lake of Fire will renew the mind to the awareness of the blood of Christ - whereby the spirit can be saved. There is a FIRST resurrection (BELIEVERS), and a SECOND resurrection (UNBELIEVERS) and the SECOND DEATH will not hurt those of the FIRST resurrection (BELIEVERS). This SECOND DEATH is the Lake of Fire, and those of the FIRST resurrection will not have to endure it.

Covered vs. Uncovered

So how do we protect ourselves from deceit? What steps do we take to be sure we do not allow our soul to become defiled (whereby we might confront Gehenna) and to be sure that we are overcomers (whereby we might merit God's mercy when choosing His First Fruits)? First and foremost, we must be grounded in the Word. Secondly, we must ALWAYS remember that that which divides the two gospels is the blessed blood of Christ. Then there is one more thing I might suggest. You can take it or leave it, but the Bible DOES strongly suggest it. That would be to appropriate our cover. For men, this is Christ Himself, but for women, we believe it is something physically worn over the head.

In the Old Testament days, both men and women of God were to cover their heads. Numbers 5:18 explains that anyone who was accused of adultery was to drink a liquid which would either prove innocence, or confirm guilt via excruciating pain and probable death. This was called Sotah. It is said that the covering can actually be a hedge of sorts to prevent negative judgment, so during this ordeal, the covering which was normally worn was to be removed so judgment could ensue. Orthodox Jewish women still cover their heads today.

The covering is found again in the New Testament. It is in I Corinthians 11. Many women today try to write off the covering as an outdated custom, or a misinterpretation of this passage. It is neither. The initial verses of I Corinthians 11 indicates that the covering is probably an "ordinance" for women. A Biblical ORDINANCE is something ORDAINED by God. some women say that our covering is our hair. I don't believe that it is. Verse 15 says that a woman's hair IS given to her for A covering. However, it is obvious in this passage that this is a "type" of covering to point to the covering she is to wear. Both men and women have hair, but the man's head is to be UNCOVERED. Is he to have no hair? Does verse 5 mean that some women have taken their hair off? Some say that the LENGTH of our hair is to provide our covering, as men's hair is to remain short. Neither though is a woman's long hair her covering, as this passage implies that her covering can be applied or removed quickly. Whereas hair can be cut quickly, women who have let their hair grow know that this is a "lengthy" process! (Pardon the pun!) Verse 6 says if she chooses NOT to be covered, she is ALSO to be SHORN, showing that the cutting of her hair was not what was meant by her choice NOT to be covered. If she chose not to wear her external covering, then her head was to be shaved AS WELL. This covering is symbolic of the rank and file of God's ordained governmental order. Within Christendom, women are to be subordinate to men. God ordained this in Genesis when Eve caused the fall. Women don't like this, and this is one reason they have rebelled against the covering. This rebellion started simultaneously with the Women's Liberation movement. Don't you remember the days women wore hats to church every week, or am I showing my age? Then as the liberation movement took root, it was only at Easter, and gradually even the Easter Bonnet was tossed away. The type of covering is really not significant, and even a hat is OK if it is worn for the right reason.

Some say that Paul teaches that there is no male and female in God's eyes per Galatians 3:28. The same verse also says there is neither Jew nor Greek. It is not talking about now, it is talking about the spiritual reality of that time when all will be one. Until that time, there IS Jew and Greek, there IS male and female, and God's governmental order of the sexes still applies. Similarly, while Yeshua is counted as equal WITH the Father from a spiritual essence consideration, saying, "I and the Father are One" in John 10:30, Philippians 2:8 says that He humbled Himself, and became obedient to the Father, even unto the death of the cross. Though spiritually equal to men, women are also to humble themselves in obedience with God's governmental order.

The Orthodox Jewish males also still cover their heads as a sign of submission to God. However, when a man finds Yeshua as Savior, he is to remove his covering. Christ is perfect, and is now his direct cover, so he is to keep his head UNCOVERED symbolically. Should he cover it again, it may be somewhat akin to denying Christ. Whereas man is imperfect and woman is under man in God's order, she is to cover her head to show that symbolically she agrees to her placement in God's order and she belongs to Him. Some would agree that women should wear covering, but only at church, (as was done for many years) because the Bible says it should be worn "when women pray or prophesy". What about prayer outside the church? Actually, I Thessalonians 5:17 says to pray without ceasing, so shouldn't women wear it without ceasing?

A woman honors God by wearing it (per verse 5), and it is her outward and visible sign to the angels (per verse 10), as well as to the world, that she belongs to God. Selah (pause and consider these things)!

In an article I read near Passover, we were reminded that the blood of the Passover lamb was to be externally observable so the angels knew to leave that home untouched by the angelic judgment. In our Leviticus passage regarding leprosy, our house is a type of body. Yeshua is our Passover Lamb, and this cover is an external symbol that we are His, having received His blood atonement. It is the external emblem of His blood on the door post of the mind of our body house, and a visible sign to the angels per Corinthians 11:10.

Men are NOT to wear covering, though there may be an external symbol for them as well, i.e. circumcision. Paul says that it is not necessary for a Believer to be circumcised, and maybe this is so, just as it is not NECESSARY for a woman to wear covering to be SAVED. However, God did mandate it as well, and I believe it is advisable. It is an external sign of a covenantal relationship between man and his God, and clothing is no barrier to the view of the angels. I truly believe that male Believers today who are not circumcised should consider being circumcised right away!

I want to close this segment by reading from a writing I did a few years ago called "Why Do Some Women Cover Their Heads?". "As the fragile bird is driven instinctively to the protection of its winter home, in the approaching winter of life, my tender spirit is driven to return to the security of my home of homes. I have found that home to be in God, and have found the warmth and solace I seek in returning to the grassroots of His Word. I have found that existence at any other level than being firmly grounded in His Word has fallen severely short of life as I am intended to live it - short of the life in abundance spoken of in John 10:10. As the bird instinctively realizes the danger of staying behind in a climate which grows cold, my spirit senses the danger of becoming more entrenched each day into the climate of worldly things - those things which would draw me away from the true meaning of life. Therefore, I seek endlessly to return to The very heart of God's Word, wherein I find the vast richness of life I can know no other way - life in abundance that the world knows nothing of - life that satisfies the deepest longings of my spirit."

May you share these desires, and may we all find His perfect shade of aqua, truly becoming ONE in GOD (John 17:20-21).