10/26/2007 Sabbath Meeting Transcript

Tonight we are going to discuss a subject that has the potential to affect a person's life in a major way, especially if one was raised in a Gentile home.

This study tonight is an update and more detailed explanation of an existing study already on the web site.

It has been taught by mainstream Christianity for nearly 2000 years that Yahweh has abolished or set aside various laws dealing with the eating of unclean meats.

For this reason, most Christians have no problem with consuming pork, rabbits and other rodents, lobsters, shrimp, and various kinds of shellfish.

But if one will do a thorough reading of all New Testament scriptures regarding the law, it is evident that the law of Yahweh has not been abolished.

This fact alone demonstrates that we should be observing the commandments regarding the avoidance of eating unclean animals.

Nevertheless, this study will further demonstrate the understanding that Yahweh desires us to eat only the clean animals that He created. 

It will also address various "new testament" verses that some claim to be evidence for abolishing these commandments.

The word "unclean" denotes defilement or dirtiness.

In the same way we would not want to serve a meal to our family or friends that we regard as contaminated with filth, Yahweh also has a certain standard of clean and unclean. He doesn't want us eating things that are 'dirty' or defiled.

Since He created the animals and He also created our bodies, He knows quite well what is fit for us to eat.

Today, some of us are finding out that Yahweh knew what He was doing when He told us to refrain from unclean animals. V

Various books have been written which conclusively prove that pork and shellfish are very unhealthy for our bodies.

If man had only chose to listen to Yahweh's word already written in the scriptures, it would have saved a lot of people from the harmful effects of eating unclean animals long ago.

These animals are the garbage cleaners of the earth, and generally speaking, they don't have the digestive system to filter out the contaminants from the carcasses and feces they like to eat.

Shellfish generally sit in the bottom of the sea, cleaning up the garbage and feces that falls to the bottom.

Hogs roamed the earth eating carcasses or disgusting thing they could find until man put them in pens and fed them slop.

It's time that we go back to the true "Maker's diet" and put away these abominations.

So what is clean and what is unclean?

In the scriptures, Yahweh declares certain animals "unclean" and therefore unfit for human consumption.

Yahweh plainly speaks of the kind of animals He wants us to eat and the kinds of animals He does not want us to eat:

Leviticus 11:3 - Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.

Leviticus 11:4 - Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

Leviticus 11:5 - And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

Leviticus 11:6 - And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

Leviticus 11:7 - And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.

Leviticus 11:8 - Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.

Notice that one of the animals Yahweh pointed out in particular is the swine.

Even in those days, swine (pigs/pork) was often eaten just as they are today.

He made a special point that we are not to eat the swine.

Some might claim that since we have now domesticated the swine and the swine is fed grains and such, that it is a clean food.

But since the pig still does not chew the cud, it is still unclean according to the word of Yahweh. Truly, Yahweh knows best.

Continuing in Leviticus..

/s lev 11 9

Leviticus 11:9 - These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.

Leviticus 11:10 - And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you:

Leviticus 11:11 - They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.

Leviticus 11:12 - Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.

According to the above verses, we should only be eating fish that has both fins and scales. Because of this, all shellfish are consider unclean.

Today, shellfish and other unclean fish are very popular in various restaurants. Shrimp, lobster and oysters are commonly served in spite of what the the Creator of those fish says about them.

This can be likened to a man who decides to drive his car into the ocean because he wants it to be a boat.

It wasn't created to be a boat. It has no propeller and it would only sink to the bottom of the ocean.

If the man had listened to the designer and builder of the vehicle, he would have known that his vehicle would not float.

In the same way a road vehicle wasn't created to float and drive across the sea, shellfish and various unclean animals weren't created to be eaten by man.

If man will listen to the Creator of animals and fish, he will learn that Yahweh did not create pigs and shellfish to be "food" any more than a car was created to be a boat.

We need to get the idea that these kinds of animals and fish are even "food" to begin with...out of our minds.

Yahweh marked them at creation for a good reason. We need to cleave to His will in spite of what the people around us may do.

Here is a list of birds and insects that Yahweh declares to be unclean:

Leviticus 11:13 - And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,

Leviticus 11:14 - And the vulture, and the kite after his kind;

Leviticus 11:15 - Every raven after his kind;

Leviticus 11:16 - And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,

Leviticus 11:17 - And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,

Leviticus 11:18 - And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,

Leviticus 11:19 - And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.

Leviticus 11:20 - All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you.

Leviticus 11:21 - Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth;

Leviticus 11:22 - Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind.

Leviticus 11:23 - But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you.

For this reason, it was acceptable for John the Baptist to eat locusts and wild honey

Scripture says that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit:

1Corinthians 6:19 - What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of YAHWEH, and ye are not your own?

If the body we have is not our own, but rather given to us by Yahweh, then we must take care of it and not defile it.

We must present our bodies as a living, holy, and acceptable sacrifice to Yahweh:

Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of YAHWEH, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto YAHWEH, which is your reasonable service.

Holiness is the reason Yahweh gave for us to avoid eating unclean animals.

He wants us to be a clean people, a holy people.

When Yahweh gives the commands regarding clean and unclean He will say that He wants us to be holy as He is holy. 

Leviticus 11:44 - For I am YAHWEH your Elohim: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Knowing this, let's consider some other scriptures that speak of the importance of not eating unclean animals. 

Here is a scripture that has yet to be fulfilled:

Isaiah 66:16 - For by fire and by his sword will YAHWEH plead with all flesh: and the slain of YAHWEH shall be many.

Isaiah 66:17 - They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith YAHWEH.

Obviously, we don't want to be among those eating swine's flesh in that day.

Isaiah 66:18 - For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

Isaiah 66:19 - And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

Isaiah 66:20 - And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto YAHWEH out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith YAHWEH, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of YAHWEH.

Isaiah 66:21 - And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith YAHWEH.

Isaiah 66:22 - For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith YAHWEH, so shall your seed and your name remain.

Isaiah 66:23 - And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith YAHWEH.

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. .

So, judging by the context we see that the prophecy of Yahweh's destruction of those who eat swine's flesh is yet future.

Why then do so many believe that it is now acceptable to eat unclean animals?

The main reason is they do not read verses like these because they are taught to avoid the Old Testament or not even bother trying to understand it.

Secondly, because they already have this idea that it must be acceptable to eat unclean meats, they read the "New Testament"

Let's take a look at the most commonly quoted verses that swine eaters will use to justify their actions.

Many believe that Yahushua declared all foods clean in Mark 7:19

Let's take a look at the context here..

Mark 7:1 - Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

Mark 7:2 - And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

Mark 7:3 - For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

Note that this is a tradition of the elders and not a commandment from Yahweh. Although it is not wrong to eat with washed hands, it is not a commandment from Yahweh either.

Nevertheless, the Pharisees and scribes said that their hands were "defiled" or unclean.

Yahushua responds by saying their priorities are wrong in whom they choose to obey.

They placed the commandments of men over the commandments of Yahweh.

Let's read on..

Mark 7:4 - And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

Mark 7:5 - Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

Mark 7:6 - He answered and said unto them, Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Mark 7:7 - Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctines the commandments of men.

It is vain to worship Him with the doctrines and commandments of men.

Mark 7:8 - For laying aside the commandment of YAHWEH, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

Mark 7:9 - And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of YAHWEH, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Mark 7:10 - For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:

Mark 7:11 - But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

Mark 7:12 - And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

Mark 7:13 - Making the word of YAHWEH of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Mark 7:14 - And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

Mark 7:15 - There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

Mark 7:16 - If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Mark 7:17 - And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

Mark 7:18 - And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;

Mark 7:19 - Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

Other translations such as the New International Version will end this verse with the following statement: "(In saying this, Yahushua declared all foods clean)."

But this statement is not in the majority of Greek manuscripts and is not found in the King James Version or Young's Literal Translation.

Even so, all "foods" are clean because shellfish and pork aren't food to begin with.

Yahushua was not being criticized for eating pork, He was being criticized for eating without washing his hands according to the "tradition of the elders."

They believed his hands were defiled, so everything he ate was also defiled. But failing to wash your hands did not defile His hands or the food he was eating.

So Yahushua declared to them that the food was not defiled by eating with unwashed hands.

Then He gave a "parable." We know his statement, "There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man." was a parable and not intended to be taken literally because His disciples later "asked him concerning the parable."

Then He gave an explanation of the parable:

Mark 7:20 - And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

Mark 7:21 - For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Mark 7:22 - Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

Mark 7:23 - All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

To confirm He was not speaking of unclean meats not defiling a man, consider the parallel of Yahushua's saying here in the book of Matthew where the same story is told:

Matthew 15:19 - For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Matthew 15:20 - These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

So it was the evil coming out of the heart that defiled a man, not eating with unwashed hands. Yahushua spoke nothing of eating pork chops here, nor would He have ever approved of anyone breaking Yahweh's commandments. 

Think about it for a minute: Yahweh clearly commanded them to refrain from eating unclean meats... why on earth would He sharply rebuke the people of His day for keeping the very things that Yahweh commanded them to keep?

The context is clearly speaking of the eating with "unwashed hands." Therefore, it is clear that Yahweh's perfect law was not changed here.

Kepha/Peter's vision

Many believe that this commandment was abolished later in Acts chapter 10. Once again, let's take a close look at the context:

Acts 10:1 - There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

Acts 10:2 - A devout man, and one that feared Elohim with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to Elohim alway.

Acts 10:3 - He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of YAHWEH coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

Acts 10:4 - And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Master? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before Elohim.

Acts 10:5 - And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Kepha:

Acts 10:6 - He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

Acts 10:7 - And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

Acts 10:8 - And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

Acts 10:9 - On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Kepha went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

Acts 10:10 - And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

Acts 10:11 - And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

Acts 10:12 - Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

Acts 10:13 - And there came a voice to him, Rise, Kepha; kill, and eat.

Acts 10:14 - But Kepha said, Not so, Master; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

Now consider this, Peter (Kepha) declares that he has never eaten anything common or unclean.

Yet this is many years after Yahushua's resurrection and ascension. If Yahushua had declared all foods clean in Mark 7:19 or in any other instruction to the disciples, why would He refuse any request to do so?

Continuing on...

Acts 10:14 - But Kepha said, Not so, Master; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

Acts 10:15 - And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What YAHWEH hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

Acts 10:16 - This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Acts 10:17 - Now while Kepha doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

Now many would like to stop right here and declare that it it is now acceptable to eat unclean animals.

But according to the previous verse, Peter/Kepha himself didn't even know what the vision meant. How then can we interpret the vision?

Kepha knew that it was always considered an "abomination" to eat the flesh of unclean animals and that we should not make ourselves "abominable" by eating them

Leviticus 20:25 - Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.

He knew that for Yahweh to change His mind and say that what was once considered to be an "abomination" to eat is now perfectly holy and acceptable... was not possibly what Yahweh meant. 

We can be sure He also knew that the Day of Yahweh would one day come and Yahweh would destroy those who ate swine's flesh. Therefore, to understand what was meant by the vision we must continue reading:

Acts 10:17 - Now while Kepha doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

Acts 10:18 - And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Kepha, were lodged there.

Acts 10:19 - While Kepha thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

Acts 10:20 - Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

Acts 10:21 - Then Kepha went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

Acts 10:22 - And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth Elohim, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from Elohim by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

Acts 10:23 - Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Kepha went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

Acts 10:24 - And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

Acts 10:25 - And as Kepha was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

Acts 10:26 - But Kepha took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

Acts 10:27 - And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

Acts 10:28 - And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but YAHWEH hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

So this vision had nothing to do with Yahweh trying to show Kepha that it is now okay to eat unclean foods, but rather Yahweh was trying to show Kepha and the rest of the disciples that they needed to go to the Gentiles with the good news of Yahushua too!

Yahushua had commanded the disciples to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.." in Matthew 28 but up until that point they had not done so.

So Yahweh sent a vision to Kepha to show him that, contrary to popular opinion during that time it was not 'unlawful' or against the commandment of Yahweh to go "keep company with or go to one of another nation."

The Jews would not do so because they considered the people too defiled and unclean to even keep company with.

This was above and beyond anything Yahweh had ever commanded.

Such enmity was never intended by Yahweh at all!

It wasn't unlawful according to the Torah/Law of Yahweh, but the traditions of man.

The word "unlawful" in the above verse is translated from the Greek word Athemitos (#111) which carries the following meaning:

"This term refers primarily not to what is forbidden by ordinance but to violation of tradition or common recognition of what is seemly or proper." Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, Third Edition

In Yahweh's law, it never says to separate yourself from the Gentile and treat him with contempt. Rather it says:

Exodus 22:21 - Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Leviticus 19:34 - But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am YAHWEH your Elohim.

Therefore, it is clear that Yahweh never inspired or intended such practices.

The mainstream teachers of Judaism were so obsessed with cleanliness that they added hundreds of laws to the Torah which Yahweh never intended or inspired. We saw the ones dealing with pitchers and cups and tables and eating with washed hands only. This was another one of the manmade traditions.

Kepha and the other disciples needed to be corrected in this area and this was the purpose of the vision.

Acts 10:28 - And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but YAHWEH hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Acts 10:29 - Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

Acts 10:30 - And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

Acts 10:31 - And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of Elohim.

Acts 10:32 - Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Kepha; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

Acts 10:33 - Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before Elohim, to hear all things that are commanded thee of Elohim.

Acts 10:34 - Then Kepha opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that YAHWEH is no respecter of persons:

Acts 10:35 - But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

We'll stop here but later in the chapter, Yahweh works a miracle when He pours out His spirit unto the gentiles in the presence of the Jews by having them speak in tongues. They were shocked that such a thing was even possible:

Acts 10:45 - And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Kepha, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.

So by reading the context of this vision, we gain understanding of what it truly means. What I have shared with you is exactly what it means because Kepha himself declared the meaning of the vision.

If anyone speaks of any other meaning behind Kepha's vision, they are not speaking according to the scriptures.

But in Kepha's vision, why would Yahweh liken the Gentiles to unclean animals and tell Kepha to kill and eat them?

This was Kepha's interpretation of Yahweh's vision, but there is no explanation in scripture as to why Kepha interpreted the vision this way.

I believe the scriptures are able to illustrate clearly why he understood this vision this way, but this may require a deep understanding of what Yahushua has done for us if any of you are not already familiar with it.  

At one time Kepha was told by Yahushua:

Mark 1:17 - And Yahushua said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

Now if you are fishing, the thing that you will do is catch fish, clean them and eat them.

Thus, we have a similar statement by Yahushua in another place.

When we become a believer in Yahushua, we must die to self so that Yahushua can live in us.

In fact, we participate in Yahushua's death when we are baptized:

Romans 6:4 - Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as the Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:5 - For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Romans 6:6 - Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Galatians 2:20 - "I have been impaled with the Messiah; it is no longer I who live, but the Messiah lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of YAHWEH, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Thus, when we receive Yahushua and are baptized in His name, we are made dead (spiritually) because it is no longer we who live but Messiah who lives in us.

We are now the "body" of Yahushua. 

1Corinthians 12:27 - Now ye are the body of the Messiah, and members in particular.

In light of this, remember that Yahushua said:

John 6:46 - Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of YAHWEH, he hath seen the Father.

wrong verse...

John 6:54 - Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:55 - For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

John 6:56 - He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

And again..

Mark 14:22 - And as they did eat, Yahushua took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

Thus, when we partake of the body & blood of Messiah we are actually partaking of one another as well, for we are His body and we have been cleansed by His blood. 

So when it was told Kepha to "Kill and eat," it was a spiritual way of telling him to go to the Gentiles so that they can also be "crucified with Messiah" and be "buried with Him in baptism" so that they can also be a part of the body of Messiah, of which we all partake.

This is exactly what happened. Kepha went to the Gentiles who were cleansed by Yahweh because of their faith and belief in Him, and they were baptized. But the Jews (those "of the circumcision") who were with Kepha were amazed.

So the correct interpretation is revealed when we hear the correct interpretation as spoken by Kepha himself and we see what actually took place.

It had nothing to do with Yahweh cleansing abominable animals. It was a vision that, when properly interpreted, had to do with Yahweh cleansing men who wanted to receive Yahushua. 

Another scripture that some point to to say that Yahweh has changed His mind on His commandment not to eat unclean foods is found in the book of 1 Timothy:

1Timothy 4:1 - Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

1Timothy 4:2 - Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

1Timothy 4:3 - Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which YAHWEH hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

Now up to this point we have not been able to find a single scripture which advocates the eating of unclean animals.

For those who are already pork eaters it would be fairly easy to look at this scripture through from their own perspective and assume that Paul is calling those who only believe in eating clean animals as those who follow "doctrines of demons" and have their "conscience seared with a hot iron."

But demons aren't the ones who came up with the idea of eating only clean animals. It was Yahweh who commanded it. 

The scripture actually says that some will be "commanding to abstain from foods which Elohim created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth."

Those who believe and know the truth are those who understand that Elohim created certain animals (such as sheep and cattle) to be received with thanksgiving.

It is the vegetarianism that is being spouted by the New Age movement and other eastern religions that is false doctrine. Those who believe and know the truth will understand that pork and shellfish aren't even considered to be "food" to begin with and never were intended to be "food."

With this in mind, let's read the following verse:

1Timothy 4:4 - For every creature of YAHWEH is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

1Timothy 4:5 - For it is sanctified by the word of YAHWEH and prayer.

After reading the above verses, some have mistakenly thought that as long as they pray before they eat an unclean animal, Yahweh cleanses it for them.

But this is not what is meant. Suppose such a person forgot to pray one time before they had their breakfast sausage? They would guilty of committing an abomination.

If it really meant every creature is good to eat then we can have buzzards, bats, lizards, rats and skunks for breakfast too...and it would all be "good"

So what is meant by these words? If we examine them closely, we can find that actual meaning of what is being said. Here are the three tenants of what is being said in this scripture:

1) Every creature of Elohim is good

2) Nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving (vs. 3) by those who who believe and know the truth (vs.2)

3) The creatures are sanctified by the word of Elohim and prayer

So first of all, verse 5 speaks of "every creature of Elohim (Yahweh)."

Could there be a creature which is "of Elohim" and another creature which is not "of Elohim?"

We do know that there are some men which we would consider to be men "of Elohim" and other men which are not "of Elohim."

Consider:

2 Peter 1:21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of Elohim spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 

Men who are "of Elohim" are holy men, while men who are not "of Elohim" are unholy.

Can we not say the same of all Yahweh's creatures?

Though He created all men, some men and all creatures, some are "of Elohim" and others are not.

Men that are "of Elohim" will be clean and capable of being sanctified/holy.

Likewise, creatures that are "of Elohim" will be clean and capable of being sanctified/holy

Creatures which are not "of Elohim" are animals which are not able to be sanctified/holy because they are not clean. 

Being clean and being holy are synonymous all throughout the scriptures. Consider these scriptures:

Ezekiel 22:26 - Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

1Corinthians 7:14 - For the unbelieving husband is set apart by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is set apart by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

Leviticus 10:9 - Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:

Leviticus 10:10 - And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;

So holiness and sanctification are intricately linked with cleanness.

Becoming unholy is intricately linked with being defiled or unclean.

Typically, the animals who are not holy (and thus, not "of Elohim") are scavengers and garbage cleaners of the earth. Yahweh can not dwell with things that are unclean. He is holy, and cannot dwell with the unholy.

The second tenant states that nothing is to be refused if it is "received with thanksgiving." The previous verse said there were foods which "Elohim created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth."

1Timothy 4:4 - For every creature of YAHWEH is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

1Timothy 4:5 - For it is sanctified by the word of YAHWEH and prayer.

Therefore, in context it is obvious that those are receiving it with thanksgiving in verse 4 are those who "believe and know the truth."

Those who believe and know the truth are going to know which creatures of Yahweh are set apart as food and which ones are not. They will not fall prey to doctrines/words of demons.

Why? Because the word of Elohim tells us the truth. His word is truth and those who know His word recognize this truth. 

Thus, no creature "of Elohim" is to be "refused if it is received with thanksgiving (vs. 3) by those who who believe and know the truth (vs.2)."

Those who believe and know the truth will know which creatures are sanctified (a word meaning "set apart") by the word of Elohim.

Let's remember that when Paul wrote Timothy, there was no "new testament" in existence. The holy scriptures in the "old testament" were the words of Elohim he would be referring to.

Leviticus 11 speaks specifically about which animals Yahweh are unholy and abominable, and which animals are set apart for holy use. Thus, we know which animals are sanctified/set apart for men to eat.

The unclean animals are never sanctified in the word of Yahweh.

The fact is, Yahweh set apart which animals are clean and which animals are unclean prior to the laws in Leviticus.

Noah was told to take the unclean animals by pairs but the clean animals in groups of seven:

Genesis 7:1 - And YAHWEH said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Genesis 7:2 - Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.

Genesis 7:3So, -

Genesis 7:3So, -

Genesis 7:3So, -

So, long before Yahweh gave His commandments in the law, He made a difference between the clean and unclean. Noah knew what Yahweh was talking about.

Getting back to 1Timothy 4, we see that creatures "of Elohim" are to be "received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth" because they are "sanctified (set apart) by the word of Elohim and prayer."

When we pray to Yahweh in thanksgiving, the food is recognized as coming from Yahweh and not from any other elohim.

Thus, the food is sanctified/set apart for the ones who know and believe the truth. We are called to be holy as Yahweh is holy and not regard the words/doctrines of demons. 

Like in former times, there is a complete misunderstanding of holiness today. Those who claim holiness while doing unholy acts and eating unclean animals are not truly holy.

Isaiah says:

Isaiah 52:11 - Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of YAHWEH.

Paul quotes this verse in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18. 

2Corinthians 6:17 - "Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says YAHWEH. "And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.

2Corinthians 6:18 - "And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me," says YAHWEH Almighty.

2Corinthians 7:1 - Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of YAHWEH.

Notice that in order to really be "perfecting holiness" we must seek to cleanse ourselves from defilement of the flesh AND spirit.

It isn't just a spiritual cleansing that Yahweh is seeking from us.

Yahweh desires a clean people. People who live clean, think clean and eat clean so that we are a fit temple for Yahweh's Holy Spirit.

To fill His temple with the flesh of abominable things is not cleansing yourself from filthiness of flesh or spirit. 

It is the imitation of Antiochus Epiphanes who smeared pig fat all over the temple walls in the book of Maccabees.

Let's not be like him!

Therefore, let's maintain the purity of flesh and spirit that Yahweh seeks, that we might among those "perfecting holiness in the fear of Elohim." 

Let's set aside the traditions of men and the whole idea of just assuming that because everyone else does it, it must be right.

Let's look straight into the scriptures and receive what they really say about holiness and sanctification, and seek to walk therein. Yahweh knows best; let's diligently follow His will for our lives.

And may Yahweh bless you and have mercy on us all!