His - Father thank you for your blessing over us and for giving us this time to meet together in your name
His - We thank you fo leading us by your spirit and teaching us your truth and leading us in the way that we should go
His - I ask for your direction and teaching tonight in your word
His - And ask for your blessing and love upon all that are here tonight and that you would give unto us all the spirit of wisdom and revelation
His - in the knowledge of you and your love
His - we ask your blessing upon your servant and his prescious family as he shares the word that you have given him tonight. Amien.
Matthew 24:11 - And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:12 - And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.Yahushua is speaking here that during the latter days false prophets will arise...
And apparently this will cause 'iniquity' to abound, and love to grow cold
Tonight we are going to examine what the scriptures have to say regarding "iniquity".
It is interesting to do a word study on this word 'iniquity' in this and other verses. Of course, this word "iniqutiy" is translated from the greek language into our own.
In this verse (and many others as we shall see) it is translated from the Greek word "Anomia"
We will find in the Thayer's greek lexicon a definition for this word:
Thayers # 458 anomia {an-om-ee'-ah} from 459; TDNT - 4:1085,646; n f AV - iniquity 12, unrighteousness 1, transgress the law + 4060 1, transgression of the law 1; 15 1) the condition of without law 1a) because ignorant of it 1b) because of violating it 2) contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness
An interesting definition. This word "iniquity" in Matthew 24:12 is the greek word "Anomia", which means "the condition of without law.. because of ignorant of it or violating it... contempt and violation of the law..".
The Strong's Lexicon defines this word: "illegality (i.e. violation of the law)"
Feel free to look this up for yourself
In the context of this scripture, we can see that as a result of the "False Prophets" which "deceive many", "iniquity" (a 'condition of without law' and 'illegality/violation of the law') will abound... and love will grow cold.
This verse alone is an indicator of what these false prophets will be teaching, yes?
Living in violation of the Torah/Law causes love to grow cold because Yahweh's law teaches us how to love Yahweh and how to love one another . There is not a commandment given that does not have these things in mind. Yahushua noted:
Matthew 22:35 - Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
Matthew 22:36 - Rabbi, which is the great commandment in the law?
Matthew 22:37 - Yahushua said unto him, Thou shalt love YAHWEH thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Matthew 22:38 - This is the first and great commandment.
Matthew 22:39 - And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Matthew 22:40 - On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.The whole law and prophets were about love
So the love of many grow cold when iniquity (violation of the law) abounds. Beware of any who would teach that we need not heed His Torah/Law
We find a similar admonition in Matthew chapter 7:
Matthew 7:13 - Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Matthew 7:14 - Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:15 - Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.Yahushua is informing us that the way to life is not a popular way.
It is not a road often travelled on.
Don't be looking for a crowd. He said that it is a 'narrow' way and FEW there be that find it!
Therefore today I call on all mankind, 33% of which profess to be Christians..to TAKE HEED.
If we are on a path that MANY others are on, we surely cannot be on a path that "few find".
And if we must find it, then surely it means we must seek it diligently
Jeremiah 29:13 - And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.continuing in Matthew 7..
Matthew 7:14 - Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:15 - Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.Again we see a warning
Because of the wolves (which look just like sheep), we must remember that the narrow path calls for discernment!
How will we know the difference?
Let's continue to read..
Matthew 7:16 - Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Matthew 7:17 - Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.Ahh.. the fruits!
Note that both trees will bring forth fruit; But one is evil, the other good
This generation has lost the proper concept and understanding of what is good and what is evil. In fact, this generation rejects the Torah.. which is standard by which we determine "good" and "evil"
But we are going to lift up the standard today!
We are going to reveal and raise high the true standard today!
Matthew 7:18 - A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Matthew 7:19 - Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Matthew 7:20 - Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.So we will know a false prophet by their fruits.. whether the fruits are good or evil. But we must understand what good and evil truly are. We must know the difference between righteousness and unrighteousness to understand
Now Yahushua is going to reveal this to us
We must simply pay close attention to His words
There are lots of religions and sects claiming numerous miracles and signs and wonders to prove that what they are teaching is true. Is this what we should be looking to?
What can we look toward?
Let's continue in Matthew 7:
Matthew 7:21 - Not every one that saith unto me, Rabbi, Rabbi, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:22 - Many will say to me in that day, Rabbi, Rabbi, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 7:23 - And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.Ahh! So just because someone considers Yahushua their Rabbi or Master, it doesn't mean they will enter into life!
We see that the miracles and signs are not the "Fruit" Yahushua speaks of
We must do the will of our Father in Heaven!
What is the will of our Father which is in heaven?
How do we know it?
What standard is Yahushua using in these verses to determine whether or not this group of "Many" are doing the will of our Father in Heaven?
What does he say they are doing?
Matthew 7:23 - And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.He says that they "work iniquity"
Didn't we learn something about the greek word behind that?
It is the same greek word we looked at before
So here we have a group of people who profess to preach Yahushua
They even thought that they cast out demons, healed, prophesied and done many other wonderful works
Sadly, they were apparently false teachers swayed by a 'strong delusion' (as we shall see)! What was Yahushua saying about them?
"Depart from me, ye that work iniquity!"
That was their TRUE work
In the greek "Iniquity" is that same word again, 'Anomia' which is more accurately translated "'illegality/violation of the law' or without law!
Look it up, you will see. We can know the standard that Yahushua is upholding here!
Today and in generations past we have been taught that we are 'under grace' and need not keep that "old law" anymore.
But Yahushua says otherwise...He says that those who are in illegaliy/violation of the law are in a heap of trouble! :(
Let us not be among them!
No wonder Yahushua said:
Matthew 5:19 - Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.What are "These commandments"?
Let's back up a couple of verses and see
Matthew 5:17 - Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Matthew 5:18 - For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Matthew 5:19 - Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.Not a jot and not a tittle.. there is much yet to be fulfilled. Heaven and earth has not passed away
I would like to examine more instances of this word "Anomia" (translated 'iniquity'). But first, let's look at the first part of its definition once more:
For this will further prove what I am saying
"BDB/Thayers # 458 anomia {an-om-ee'-ah} from 459..."
Notice that this "Anomia" (#458) is derived from another word. It is word number 459
What is the word #459 and its definition? It is the greek word "Anomos":
BDB/Thayers # 459 anomos {an'-om-os} from 1 (as a negative particle) and 3551; TDNT - 4:1086,646; adj AV - without law 4, transgressor 2, wicked 2, lawless 1, unlawful 1; 10 1) destitute of (the Mosaic) law 1a) of the Gentiles 2) departing from the law, a violator of the law, lawless, wicked
So here we are given a more thorough definition. It's first meaning is to be 'destitute of (the Mosaic) law'
This can all be confirmed by looking these numbers up in a Greek Lexicon, such as the one at http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html. Or just look up "iniquity" in your Strong's
You may notice that THIS word "Anomos" comes from the greek word "Nomos (3551)" (with 'a', the negative particle added in front of it). "Nomos" is translated "Law" nearly 200 times in the New Testament, almost without exception speaking of Yahweh's law in the "old testament"!
So.. The "a" in "A-nomos" is the negative particle. Sort of like the "un" in "Unbeliever"
The 'nomos' means Torah or "Law" and is translated "law" 197 times in the New Testament
There is an instance in 1John 3:4, where "Anomia" is not translated "iniquity".A more telling translation comes to light:
1John 3:4 - Whoever commits sin trangresses also the law, for sin is the transgression of the law.In this verse, The phrase "transgression of the law" is from "Anomia"!
For consistency in translation, why didn't the KJV say "Depart from me you that transgress the law" in Matthew 7?
This is an important word. It is the very definition of SIN according to 1John 3:4
Praise Yahweh for the light. Again this verse deals with 'Who Yahweh's people truly are' just as Yahushua had revealed:
1John 3:4 - Whoever commits sin trangresses also the law, for sin is the transgression of the law.
1John 3:5 - And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.
1John 3:6 - Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.So "Anomia" is the very definition of sin. To sin is to transgress Yahweh's law. Everywhere you see the word "sin", it means to transgress the law of Yahweh! Notice: Whoever abides in Him won't transgress His law willfully
What a sad deception it is to say that Yahweh's law is abolished!
When you take away the standard of right and wrong, good and evil.. you water down the truth and justify sin! You also grey the line between a prophet who has good fruit and one who has evil fruit. But to have good fruit we must abide in the Vine, Yahushua. Whoever abides in Him should not be saying that it's okay to sin!
See, Yahushua came to take away our sins, not the entire law!
He didn't come to take away the law, He came to atone for our violations of that law!
1John 3:4-7 declares that whoever abides in Yahushua will not sin. Therefore they will not 'transgress the law' for sin is transgression of the (mosaic) law
So indeed Yahushua spoke the truth when He said that 'transgression of the law' or "Anomia" would abound in the last days.
These verses in 1John are purely consistent with the teaching of Yahushua
The WHOLE WORD is true and applicable to us from the beginning to the end, brethren!
Mark 15:27 - And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
Mark 15:28 - And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.v
This word "Transgressors" is indeed "anomos" which means those who are "destitute of (the Mosaic) law".
Interestingly, it is quoting an verse in the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 53:12 - Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.The word "transgressors" in this verse is translated from the Hebrew word "pasha"
This is the same Hebrew word translated "Transgressors" here in the following verse:
Psalms 37:38 - But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.And "Transgressed" here:
Isaiah 66:24 - And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. .See what happens to "the men that have {transgressed} against me" ?
This is purely consistent with Yahushua's words and the words of John, the Apostle
It all agrees with each other, there isn't this New Testament in one corner and Old Testament in the other
I must believe it is true when scripture says that those who violate the law of Yahweh will be destroyed just as Yahushua predicted and "their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh."
Yahushua will be saying to them "Depart from me, ye that work Iniquity/transgress the law"
This is a serious thing to ponder!!!
We surely do not want to be in that group of people!!
Yes, if we are ignorant.. Yahweh can have mercy. But with the scriptures so available in this age.. what will our excuse be?
Who will hear this message?
Who has ears to hear?
As we will see, it is certainly not those who do not love the truth.
This is probably all part of satan's plan..to deceive men by the 'false prophets' into thinking we are have no need of His Torah/law/commandments today!
Deceiving men into sinning is what satan has desired to do since the garden of eden!
"Hath Yahweh said... ?"
It's the same old trick!
Let's examine a new testament passage.. this time from the Apostle Paul
2Thessalonians 2:1 - Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Master Yahushua the Messiah, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Thessalonians 2:2 - That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of the Messiah is at hand.
2Thessalonians 2:3 - Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"Let no man deceive you". "False prophets shall arise"
2Thessalonians 2:4 - Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called elohim, or that is worshipped; so that he as elohim sitteth in the temple of elohim, shewing himself that he is elohim.
2Thessalonians 2:5 - Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Thessalonians 2:6 - And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Thessalonians 2:7 - For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Thessalonians 2:8 - And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom Yahushua shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Thessalonians 2:9 - Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,In verse 5 there is the prediction of a falling away..
but falling away from what?
It is a 'mystery', is it not (verse 7)? It was already at work in Paul's day
What greek word is used here that is translated "iniquity" in the phrase "Mystery of iniquity"?
You guessed it, "Anomia" or "Illegality/violation of the law"!
And what will happen with these people? In verse 8 we find that it is consistent with the teaching of Yahushua and John and the so-called "Old testament" as well
2Thessalonians 2:8 - And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom Yahushua shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:The 'Wicked' will be revealed. But now it is revealed to you that the translators hide this word "Anomia" behind many others...
Even the word translated "Wicked" in verse 8 is "anomos" meaning one who is "destitute of (the Mosaic) law"
The violators of Torah will be revealed whom Yahushua shall consume with the spirit of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming
One day the "Anomos" will be revealed
Which is after the working of Satan.. with signs and wonders..
Does this sound familiar?
Matthew 7:22 - Many will say to me in that day, Rabbi, Rabbi, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 7:23 - And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.He will deceive others through his servants, the false prophets who (as an example) claim the MIRACLES as evidence of their teaching being the truth but teach others that there is no law.. or a different law.
What else do we read in 2Thessalonians? Let's continue:
2Thessalonians 2:9 - Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Thessalonians 2:10 - And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.They did not recieve a love of the truth. What a sad, sorry condition! How important is it to love the truth? Read that verse!
We must love the truth to be saved, for a lack of it obviously leads to eternal damnation.
"whom Yahushua shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming"
"their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh."
"depart from me!!"
We need to be sure that we never enter that condition!
I don't want to be there, ever!! Yahweh have mercy on us!
Let's look at another point in this verse 10:
2Thessalonians 2:10 - And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved."deceivableness of unrighteousness"..
Deception that leads to unrighteousness is very deceptive. People believe it is okay to be unrighteous..and transgress the law. They think nothing will happen to them :(
But we are to "love the Truth" that we might be saved
What did Yahushua say was truth?
In His prayer to Yahweh the Father He said:
John 17:16 - They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.His word is His law. His law, His word is truth
Psalms 119:142 - Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.Remember, when Yahushua said Yahweh's word is truth...the "New Testament" didn't even exist! Yahweh's word, IS TRUTH
His whole word is TRUTH, No matter what date it is written. The year it is written doesn't matter. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Whether it is new or old.. it is all truth and it is all consistent and to be heeded! They want to change His word, His name, His feasts, His Sabbath.. but He either He is a chameleon or He changes not!
Yahushua is also the Word, thus He is the Truth
He kept the Word / Torah perfectly, without fault
He did not break a single commandment in the law of Yahweh
So we are told to walk as He walked:
1John 2:4 - He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1John 2:5 - But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of YAHWEH is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
1John 2:6 - He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.He who abides in the Vine will bear good fruit. We will not bear 'evil' fruit. We will know a false prophet by the evil fruit! The one bearing evil fruit is the one who is not abiding in Him. He who is not abiding in Him is he who is not walking just as Yahushua walked. One who abides in Him will keep the Torah as He did.. walking as He walked
Continuing in 2 Thessalonians again where we left off:
2Thessalonians 2:10 - And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Thessalonians 2:11 - And for this cause YAHWEH shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Thessalonians 2:12 - That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.Scripture says that if we don't love the truth, we will believe a lie.
Unrighteousness is sin and sin is transgression of Yahweh's law
What a powerful word to those who do not love the Word, the Truth, the Torah !
What a powerful word to those who do not love the Word, the Truth, the Torah !
My brothers and sisters, could it be that these miracles we see today that certain religions and denominations use to claim as evidence for their doctrines be a part of the "Strong Delusion" sent from Yahweh??
Did you know that in order for a Catholic person to become a saint after their death, there must be a proven miracle that took place when a person prayed to that dead saint?
Thus, miracles mean nothing.. they just might be the "strong delusion"... FROM YAHWEH
If the delusion is sent from Yahweh Himself, SURELY they will be deceived.
Now I pray that we also are not deceived! O Father, give us the truth we pray!?!?
Help us to walk in the truth, that we might know more truth??!
Brethren, will we walk worthy of our calling?
Will we love the truth, that we might be saved?
Or will we have pleasure in sin and unrighteousness.. and believe a lie and be deceived by unrighteousness?
Will we receive this 'Strong Delusion'?
Have we had not a new conviction in a while?
Have we put down our armor for a time?
Are we failing to grow?
Are we getting caught up more and more in the ways of this world instead of the ways of Yahweh?
If so...then it can be a sign that we need to REPENT of something.
And we still have hope!
Titus 2:11 - For the Favour of YAHWEH that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Titus 2:12 - Teaching us that, denying wickedness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and reverently, in the present age;
Titus 2:13 - Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great Elohim and our Saviour Yahushua ha Mashiach;
Titus 2:14 - Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.Yahushua the Messiah is that hope. He has come to redeem us from all "INIQUITY" ("Anomia" or "Illegality/violation of the law" as the Strong's lexicon has it)
But we are called to "repent" (meaning, turn away) and we do not want to be found among those who thought they were in Yahushua..only to have Him say "Depart from me, ye that work "torahlessness/transgression of the law"!
I wondered...when Yahushua said "depart from me", was He quoting scripture?
YES
Psalms 119:115 - Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my Elohim.
Psalms 6:8 - Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for YAHWEH hath heard the voice of my weeping.It is the commandment breakers that sent Yahushua to hang on a tree, not the commandment keepers
Today, many are so concerned that we are "legalists"
But based on what we have read thus far, should we not be concerned more with being an "Illegality/violation of the law" than being a "Legalist"?
Legalism is not loving obedience to Yahweh's word. Legalism is the doctrine of "Adding to Yahweh's word" something that was never intended, or believing that we are saved by our own merit and not by the atonement Yahushua offers us!
Adding to Yahweh's word is what the Scribes/Pharisees had done, and indeed mainstream Christianity also with its Christmas, Easter, Sunday Sabbath, etc etc etc.!
These have roots in idolatry and there are so many things we have inherited that are filled with paganism and idolatrous worship :((
The roots of our faith need to be in the scriptures, not in idolatry.
I pray that we also are not among this lot, for we have inherited many lies from our fathers!
Just as in Jeremiah's day
Jeremiah 16:19 - O YAHWEH, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.
Jeremiah 16:20 - Shall a man make elohim unto himself, and they are no elohim?
Jeremiah 16:21 - Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is YAHWEH.It's time to teach men to walk away from the lies of our Fathers.
It is time brethren, for all to know that HIS Name is Yahweh!
Indeed when we learn the ways of Yahweh outlined in His word, His law..which is truth...
Then surely we know that His name is Yahweh and surely we know what His name is meant to represent...
Among other things, His truth and His love which is in His law..and the coming kingdom which will be ruled by it!
But how can we rule in the coming kingdom when we don't even know or seek to follow the rules?
It is high time that we all learn this way of righteousness which He has given..that we might be worthy to stand before the son of man who will not say to us "Depart from me, ye "illegalists/violators of the law"' but instead..
Luke 12:32 - Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.The little flock.. the few that find it!
Let's seek it!
Let's find it!!!
Let's seek the days of gladness and hope.. a day where Yahweh's Torah will be the rule and He will be the King
Yahweh has said, and His word endures forever..
Deuteronomy 30:19 - I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:His words ring true today.
I pray that we will inherit this joy of eternal life that awaits His servants... Forsaking the traditions and lies handed down to us and walking in the path Yahushua has shown us.
Let's endeavour to be walking in the Messiah's example..
With Him living in us.. we can do it. Let's do it! Let's walk in His footsteps.. for then we will be where He will be.. forever.
May Yahweh bless you and may He have mercy on us all!
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