Witness and Witnessing and the Reason

The beauty of the New Testament is not found in what we can do for God, but in the overwhelming revelation of what Yah’shua (Jesus) has already done for His beloved. In the religious world, a "witness" is often portrayed as someone striving to prove their own devotion through works, rules, and "doing." Yet, the ultimate Witness, the Holy Spirit constantly reminds us of the goodness, love, and truth of Christ. So, it becomes clear that a true witness is simply one who disregards himself and points toward the Truth, the Light of the World.

When we look at the opening chapter of John, we are introduced to a man sent from God whose entire existence was defined by this singular purpose.

Babylon the Gate of Confusion

In this three-part blogpost series, we’ll embark on a journey to understand the origins of Babylon. We shall look through the lens of the finished work of Yah’shua to recognize the historical context and its opposition to God’s Grace. 

Babylon is not merely a geographical location or an ancient empire; it is a spiritual system—a "deadly mixture"—that stands opposed to the perfection and grace of God (Yah’shua).

To understand Babylon, we must go back past the towers of Mesopotamia, all the way to the very beginning in the Garden of Eden. It was there that the first seeds of Babylonian confusion were sown, and it was there that the "deadly mixture" was first presented to humanity.

The Almond Tree Perspective

Have you ever read a familiar Bible verse and had its meaning completely transformed by a new understanding? The book of Jeremiah offers one of these moments. When we connect Jeremiah 1:12 with the New Testament revelation that Jesus Christ is the living Word of God from the very beginning, a simple promise becomes a profound, personal declaration of God's love and absolute grace. The focus shifts from a generic promise to the person of Jesus Himself.

The verse in question reads: "Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it." (Jeremiah 1:12, KJV).

Many are called … few are chosen. Are You?

For Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen: The Message of Grace

Jesus uses a phrase that often causes confusion, if not condemnation, in the hearts of believers. In Matthew 20:16 and Matthew 22:14, He says, "...for many be called, but few chosen."

This phrase follows two of His most powerful parables: the parable of the workers in the vineyard who are all paid the same wage regardless of when they started, and the parable of the wedding feast where one guest is cast out for not wearing the proper garment.

Is this phrase a warning of exclusion, a looming threat that implies our salvation is conditional upon our performance? Or is it a profound revelation of God's unchanging nature and His redemptive plan?

Legalistic preachers often use this text to condemn their audience, preaching, "Get right with God or get left behind!" or "Repent, or you won't be chosen!" This mindset forces people into a law-abiding, Pharisee-like way of thinking. In doing so, they miss the very heart of the Gospel and risk causing believers to fall from grace by returning to a works-based system (Galatians 5:4).

So, what is the true meaning behind Jesus's words?

Baruch Ha Ba Ba Shem Adonai - Revisited

Baruch Ha Ba Ba Shem Adonai: Embracing Wholeness in the Name of Jesus

One of my earliest memories when I became intimately aware of the love and presence of Christ was the ancient Hebrew blessing, Baruch ha ba ha Schem Adonai (בָּרוּךְ הַבָּא בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה)? It's a phrase bursting with deep and intuitive meaning: 

"Blessed be He who cometh in the Name of the LORD."

The original Hebrew text cuts right to the heart of it: "Blessed be He who cometh in the Name of Yahveh." This isn't just a greeting; it's a deep declaration of authority, identity, and divine purpose. It is a very personal statement, using the Personal Name of the Blesser Himself.

But who is it that comes in His Name?

Teacher - YAH-rah and bridling - Revisited

Unbridled horses are just strong, elegant, and beautiful animals that serve no purpose except to satisfy their own needs. Yet, once bridled, they can fulfill a multitude of useful purposes with all their inherent power and might.

It’s the same with us. If we are not taught (by the Holy Spirit), we are without understanding, like a horse or a mule running wild and without purpose.

The question is: How do we bridle ourselves?

Food out of the Eater, Sweetness out of the Devourer

The Riddle: "Out of the eater came forth food, and out of the strong came forth sweetness." (Judges 14:14)

This riddle, given by Samson, isn't just a clever puzzle; like many ancient parables and prophetic utterances (e.g., in Proverbs 1:6 or Psalm 78:2), it carries a deeper, veiled truth. From a New Covenant, grace perspective, it becomes a powerful metaphor for the triumph of Christ and the lavish blessings that flow from His completed victory.

Sometimes it is difficult to see the forest for the trees … or the trees for the forest being bogged down in minutiae and losing sight of what's truly important or how everything fits together. On the other hand our over-generalization may cause us to lose touch with the practical realities because we get too absorbed in our doctrines, our theology and church traditions (Mark 7:13).

Dead Bones and Life

Listening to the song “Rattle” by Brandon lake, I was reminded of our powerful 2020 hindsight following the cross and the finished work of Jesus that makes the dead come alive … just by touching …

The Story of the dead bones

The account in 2 Kings 13:20-21 is a curious one, often overlooked in the grand narrative of the Bible. It tells of a dead man, hastily thrown into Elisha's tomb, who, upon contact with the prophet's bones, is miraculously revived. “So Elisha died, and they buried him. And the raiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year. And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they saw a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.” (2 Kings 13:20-21, KJV).

At first glance, this story might seem like a strange, almost macabre miracle, a testament to the lingering power of a prophet even in death.

The Blueprint in the genealogy of Jesus

In the previous post we looked at the gematria construct of Matthew 1:1-17 and the balance of probabilities that any heptadic narrative anywhere in the world could have been written in this way. We discovered that it is not humanly possible. In fact, we discovered that it is beyond the computing abilities of a thousand ultra-futuristic advanced supercomputers working together to achieve this. And that was just on the construct!

In this post we’ll focus more on the genealogy and the meaning of names of the ancestral human lineage of Yah’shua (Jesus). We’ll look at the prophetic meaning of these names, how history is really His-story and how Matthew 1 was cleverly constructed.

Life vs death

The eternal battle between life and death is a theme that has captivated humanity for millennia.

In the Bible, this theme is central to the Christian narrative.

It is a story of life overcoming death, of hope triumphing over despair, a beginning and a hopeful end.

… and in accordance with the Word of God, life has a name.

His name is Yah’shua, Jesus!

Hewn from the Rock

The Mirror

Isn't it remarkable how children often mirror their parents? A son might resemble his father, and a father may desire his son to think and act like him. Similarly, a mother often hopes her daughter will follow in her footsteps. When you observe them together, their similarities are striking.

In Genesis 1:26, God declares, "Let Us make man in Our image and likeness." This declaration implies that God intended for humanity to reflect His nature, to behave like Him, to think like Him, and to rule like Him.

The divine declaration, "I Am that I Am," is followed by the creative act of making man in His likeness. This suggests that God desires humans to embody His very essence.

Dug out

Law of first mention or first mention of law?

Imagine Perfection.

Imagine having more than you could ever need, living in a world without danger. Picture a life filled with beauty, tranquility, peace, love, health, and boundless contentment. Imagine a perfect love relationship with someone who couldn't love you more. Imagine the cool of a summer evening, simply being. This is paradise, this is Eden!

Would I stay in such a place? Would I give it up?

The Standard

We all have a certain standard.

And it has a lot to do with our upbringing and how we are influenced.

So, I looked up what the word standard means, fundamentally.

Isn’t a dictionary a great tool? It shows us what the words we are using really mean, even though we use them randomly, daily and sometimes carelessly.

The Tree-of-Life

Not long ago I was woken by the Spirit of Truth early one morning and taken on a journey, my journey …

It was a strange dream. Although, it was not a dream and I was wide awake. My vision was clear and distinct and I had no uncertainty as to what I was shown or who the Narrator speaking into my soul was.

The journey was a belief-journey, one I walked from being a child to where I found myself today ... an apocalypse ...

Beyond Love - Abba Ahabah!

During an anthropology research trip undertaken in 2015 I had a divine revelation experience that I will never forget … ever!

I remember that our research trip took us into the most remote areas of the Northern Cape Richtersveld desert, looking for Nama communities who still practiced the rite-of-passage custom of initiation.

… and Father, speaking to me ever so clearly, shared His inner-being.

It was His 'ahăḇâ-revelation.

The Aleph Tav and Grace

Charitoō

There is a mystery hidden in plain sight. Yet, no one sees it.

It is a Mystery so profound that it changes our understanding. It is so intense that our concept of grace is forever awakened. It redefines the very meaning and essence of humanity. It is a Mystery so great that it brings life where only death and despair once roamed. It is momentous, outrageous and ridiculously profound in its display. 

It stands above all, everything and anybody …

Elijah's miserable run

There is nothing we can do on our own to ensure the outcome of our lives. Nothing we can do to secure our salvation into everlasting life. Nothing we can do by ourselves to secure power, authority ... or even signs and wonders ... not even walking in the prophetic ... not even abstinence or spiritual warfare or compliance or non compliance.

There is only one Way.

One Life!

I have a few favourite stories pointing straight to Jesus, Yah'shua Himself. One of them happens to be the story of Elijah, the guy whose name means Elohim is Yahveh or God is YHVH.

Today I share this incredible story of this great prophet on the run.

Truth remains Truth

I was recently criticized.

I was politely reprimanded to convey the truth with caution.

In communicating the truth, I needed to be sensitive, thoughtful and diplomatic. I must take care not to offend those who are deceived, ignorant or even indifferent to the truth.

Communicating the truth must all be done in love …

Why am I ranting on about this?

Does our concept of God conform to who He says He is?

The higher being concept

All over the world in all religions people have different concepts of who their God is.

Some of these ideas were formed by religious thinking, while others believe they received it by revelation.

Still others believe that a God is just a state of being.

Maybe we should first look at the concept of who we are

What does it mean? The Way, the Truth and Life?

I always find it beneficial to listen what Jesus says.

Sometimes I battle because of my brainwashed past.

But you can always ask the Spirit of Truth to help ...

What does Jesus say when He says He is the Way, the Truth and Life?

We need guidance

With the guidance and revelation of the Holy Spirit, meditating on the words of the Word Himself, becomes an overwhelming gratifying and refreshing experience, especially considering that they are spirit and they are life. John 6:63

Didn’t God say Hearken unto me now therefore, ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth? Pro 7:24