I want you to turn to your neighbour and say …… No don’t do that, we are not sheep in here.  It always amuses me when I see whole congregations of thousands of people turning to their neighbour and saying what the pastor tells them.  Why, for what purpose?  Are they sheep?  Well brethren, I want to congratulate you in here for not being sheep.  You have come to a place in your spiritual life and search where you do not simply follow; but question and go by the scriptural evidence.  I hope that applies to all of you.  In fact you are much fewer than those who do simply follow or take the flimsy evidence of a preacher.    What you can do, is congratulate yourselves and feel proud for adopting that adult learning mentality.  Where you may not have everything 100% right and understood; but have a mental system to weigh up the scriptural evidence on which to make your stand or change. 

From watching other preachers and observing what influences congregations and individual’s belief, it appears it is not the scriptures; but the charisma of the speaker using their own words.  I know I do not have charisma and thus rely on the scriptural Word of God to move people.  That only works with people of sincere minds and fear of God of which there are very few.  It did not work with Noah, the prophets or even in many cases Yahshua.  An extract to show this point is:

Joh 6:59  These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Joh 6:60  Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? Joh 6:66  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.  Joh 6:67  Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

Yahshua spoke in the synagogue to those wanting to follow God.  A person Yahshua knew and could explain to them perfectly.  They once followed Him.  Maybe because of the miracle of John 2 or hearing of His fame as Nicodemus in John 3 or the lady at the well in John 4 or even the healings in John 5, feeding 5,000 and walking on water in John 6.  Yet when he got down to business and teaching them the hard food of the Word of God, they all but the 12 disciples departed.  Many follow because of what they can get, the healing or the hype; but when it comes down to, say obedience to the commandments, changing one’s life and sacrificing what He wants, they walk with Him no more.  Preferring to go back to the traditions of their religion than the Word of truth.   

Isa 29:13  Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Mat 15:8  This people draw nigh unto me with their mouth, and honour me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 

I chose this topic as a result of reading a review of the book Have I Got It Right God.  The review was written by a pastor of a traditional denomination.  A denomination with no roots except to the individual that started it only about 110 years ago.  I later read reviews on similar books by preachers of the same or similar denomination. It appears such internet reviews of books by such preachers is to deter seekers from buying or reading the books.  Hence not being enlightened or having other evidence from which to compare teachings and theologies.  

I give or post out my book free on the basis freely received free given.  I do not mean the research or printing of the book was free; but God gives us His knowledge freely and so I also pass on that knowledge freely.  He gave me the money to get the book into people’s hands and I have the faith He will give me it back if I need it for survival.  Here is what the review said.  Note the subtle way it deters reading the book. 

I was posted this book anonymously and probably would never have read it otherwise. The author reads the bible in the flat. What God commanded the Israelites of Moses day He commands everyone to do.   Here the reviewer implies there is a difference between what God wants of different people, even though He created everyone.  Also that God’s requirements for obedience changes over time.  Thus He is not a God that is the same yesterday, today and forever as the bible says; but an ageist.  This contradicts for example Act 10:34  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 

The centre of his religion is not Christ but the ten commandments. In his view, these were not just given to the Jews as a condition for living in peace in the promised land but are the saving prescription on how to "Get it right with God".  Here he says it is the writer of the book religion rather than God’s.  He seems to put a difference between Yahshua and the Ten Commandments.  He alludes to the commandments being only given to the Jews when living in the Promised Land and are not to do with “Get It right With God”. 

The book answers these and other questions from three criteria, biblical, historical and logical.  Ofcourse I cannot go into the whole book now; but I can say of many feedback I have had.  I know it opened the eyes of many people.  People whose eyes have been opened from other sources which proved what the book also set out to prove.  That many have said the book it correct; but they are in their church choir, another post or other reasons why they would not practice what the book proves.  I don’t have to convince you here; but let me throw in some scriptures to address the points of the reviewer for those who may read this presentation over the internet.  Some of these are from the book.

The laws and commandments were present before the Jews, Moses or Mount Sinai.  Which should indicate they were for the human race from the start; For example in Genesis 1:14 the Hebrew word translated as “signs and seasons” is better translated “appointed times” as in Exodus 23:15, Leviticus 23:2 and Numbers 9:2.  These times were the annual holy days of Yahweh. In Gen 4:4 First fruits and firstling were offered before Leviticus laws given to Moses. Ex 22:29 Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.  In Gen 4:9 Cain lied or tried to deceive God by not being honest, admitting his wrong doing.  He knew he had done wrong when God asked him where was his brother, whom he had killed.  In Genesis 7:2 Noah knew of clean and unclean animals repeated in Lev 11:4 and Deu 14:7. 

Ham saw the nakedness of his father Noah Gen 9:22 (violation of Lev 18:6-7, 22 and others), Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed for violation of man laying with man / same kind (Lev 8:7, 22). From the beginning were offerings made to God before the Levitical laws (i.e. Genesis 4:3, 8:20, 22:3, 35:14), man worshiped other gods (violation commandment 1, and bowed to idols (commandment 2). Gen 20:6 God said from sinning against me, Gen 39:9 Joseph said sinning against God. Yet these same laws were not given to Moses and the Jews for generations later.  Adhering to these same commandments continued throughout the New Testament with both Jesus and the apostles instructing they should be kept (Matt 15:3, 6; Mark 12:30; Luke 18:20; John 15:10, 1 Corin 7:19, 1 John 5:2, James 2:10, Rev 22:14). Proof neither they nor any were cancelled.  

You would also note these laws were for all of God’s people not only the so-called Jews (Lev 24:22 “Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God”.  Nevertheless, even when it is argued they were given to the “Jews”, this can be seen to be wrong.  They were given to God’s people and not the non God’s people.  In other words, anyone could have been God’s people by choosing to follow the same commandments and laws as they were given to “he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed” (Gen 17:12).  Gen 26:5  Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.                                               

If the commandments were only given to the Jews as a condition when living in the Promised Land, does that mean if they step out the land they can now murder, steal, worship false God’s etc. Or a non Jew can sin in the land? Similar to today if a smoker wants to smoke a cigarette he can go out of the building.  Thus if a Jew wants to commit a sin they go out of the land, whereas the non Jew can stay in the land and sin or even they have to go outside the boundary.  Is that not foolish?  Did Daniel and others worship false god’s in Babylon or were they thrown into the fire or lion’s den for keeping God’s commandments?  Did God not punish people for breaking i.e. His commandments before entering the land i.e.  Exo 16:28  And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?  Num 15:32  And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. Num 15:35  And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. Num 15:36  And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.  Other supporting scriptures are found in the “Jew and Gentile” Scriptures article on the web site. 

Preachers keep using Christ as a reason not to keep the commandments.  They have not realised the gospel, good news started in the Old Testament.  That Yahshua was the law in flesh and Paul in the  New Testament categorically states Christ does not mitigate us keeping the law when he said Gal 2:17  But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.  (sin being transgression of the law 1Jn 3:4  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law).

Psa 40:7-8 “Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart”.  Joh 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.  Jesus was heading to His father in heaven by doing His will, using the laws and commandments as His guide.  Jesus confirmed He had not come to destroy or change the “Law”.  In fact, He came to magnify it.  Show how it is to be kept.  Shine a light on it and make it clear through clarification and examples.  Isa 42:21   “The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable”.  Jesus was the living Law.  Scripture speaks of their attributes in the same way. Truth (Joh 14:6, Psalm 119:142), holy (Acts 4:27, Rom 7:12), perfect (Heb 5:9, Psalm 19:7) righteous (1 Cor 1:30, Psa119:172), light (Joh 8:12, Pro 6:23), just (Acts 22:14, Rom 7:12), abide in forever (Joh 8:35, Psa 111:7-8), should be in the heart (Eph 3:17, Psa 40:8), gives freedom, no condemnation and liberty (Rom 8:1, James 2:12).  Rejecting the Law is rejecting Jesus (and visa versa), which brings wrath (Joh 3:36, Neh 13:18).  Therefore, how can any Christian professing to follow Christ think they are no longer under the law; under Jesus’ directive? Yahshua came to reconcile us back to His Father and we are called to be ambassadors for of both.  (See 2 Cor 5:17-20). 

Speaking of the Holy Spirit Yahshua said Joh 16:8  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 

Let us see what a sample of scripture says about “How to get it right with God”.

Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: Psa 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.  Psa 19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Psa 111:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. Psa 112:1  Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.  Psa 115:13  He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. Psa 115:14  The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.  (from KJV see also Psa 119:18, 97-8, 115, 165, read all 119)  Psa 89:34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.  1 Joh 2:3-4 “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 

What is the reward or wages of sin, breaking the Law, going against God or Jesus?  Death (Rom 6:23 wages of sin is death)!  Separation from God”.   

The reviewer says “One Commandment dominates the book - keeping the Saturday Sabbath. This is (he claims) the central element in right worship and that in turn is the key element in eternal salvation. The author refers to Jesus as "our saviour" and "the Son of God" but it seems he believes that Jesus came to make the world Jewish (with Paul making circumcision unnecessary as a concession to it being difficult). He believes Jesus' Commandments are no different from those of Moses. Faith in Jesus becomes assent to the facts of his deity, death and resurrection rather than building your life on Christ. Instead of the church being founded on the Apostles and Prophets with Christ as chief cornerstone, it is founded on the Ten Commandments with the Fourth as the chief cornerstone. Any contradiction of this point of view is the work of Satan.  

The reviewer has the same shortcoming of most seekers trapped in denomination.  Probably because they drank from the same traditional cup of inherited denominational teaching rather than of the scriptures.  The first shortcoming is not seeing the similarity between Yahshua, the commandments and God to whom He came to reconcile us.  We have the law maker in the Father, written law as He gave it through Moses, living law in the Son and law teacher in the Holy Spirit who brings it to remembrance when learnt.  If our faith or life is built on Yahshusa, it is also built on the law of which He is.  The law by which we are saved from the penalty of sin, death under the law.  Just like when God instructed Israel to build their lives on His law and by so doing they remain His peculiar people and apple of His eye. 

In addition to the examples given above here are some other scriptures showing the reason for His coming and teachings.

Mat 5:17  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.  Mat 19:16  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? Mat 19:17  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.  Jud 1:21  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  Mat 25:46  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.  To be in the love of God and walk the road of righteousness we keep His commandments 1 John 2:4-5  1Jn 5:2  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

1Jn 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.  Deu 6:25  And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.  Luk 1:6  And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 

Rom 15:18  For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 

This scripture is talks of those who teach against keeping God’s  law 1Ti 1:7  Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 1Ti 1:8  But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 1Ti 1:9  Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

1Ti 1:10  For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

Rom 7:12  Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Rom 7:13  Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. Rom 7:14  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 

Many scriptures confirm the law is for the lawless and unholy not the obedient and holy.  We are called to be keepers of, obedient to the law of God not sinners.  By the keeping of them we are made righteous like Luke 1:6 above. See also Eph 5:6 and Col 3:6. 

So to clear up some misconceptions of the reviewer, to which those of you who have heard other studies of the author are aware.  The book covers a variety of topics.  It only focuses on the seventh day Sabbath in part; because vomiting up the wrong day of worship is the first step the writer thought is needed.  Many non religious people keep the other moral laws of Exodus 20:12-17 as not murdering, stealing etc. In addition, many good Christians also keep Exodus 20:3-7.  The one the deceiver has chosen to by which to steal their law breaking is the fourth found in Ex 20:8-11.  And as Yahshua said and the devil knows, if you break one you break them all.  If you repent on all others; but not that one because you believed it was not a sin, he has deceived you.  Telling someone all the things they have right does not fix the one they have wrong.  People may keep all the laws of the land; but that does not keep them out of punishment for the one they break!  Perfection or a master piece is not obtained only by keeping the good; but getting rid of the bad.  Fix what is or where something is broken not where it is not.  Did Yahshua not leave the 99 sheep and search for the one lost in order to save the whole?  It really is a basic and common principle. 

Next the commandment of God are not limited to 10.  That number only came in because the people became uneasy after hearing the tenth one in Exodus 20:18.  Take out verses 18-21 and God’s list of instructions would have continued uninterrupted until 23:33.  The whole list inclusive of 23:14-19 is what they made a covenant to do in 24:7.   Third, the author does not say nor think Yahshua came to make the world Jewish; but to return the world to God.  Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Yahshua was against Jewish traditions and ordinances of men as was Paul.

Mat 15:3  But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?...  Mat 15:6  And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.  Col 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.  Tit 1:14  Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 

Yahshua taught of love and obedience to God and brother.  Same as found in Deuteronomy.  Also repentance and forgiveness of sins. Same as in Leviticus.  So I do not know on what basis the reviewer thinks the Messiah’s instructions differ to those of His father given through Moses.  Yahshua always taught and read the Old Testament, saying many times have you not heard, it is written etc.   For example compare Mat 22:35-40 with Lev 19:18 and Deut 6:6  “ Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Mat 22:36  Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Mat 22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Mat 22:38  This is the first and great commandment. Mat 22:39  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Mat 22:40  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.  Mar 12:29  And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: Mar 12:30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment

Lev 19:17  Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Lev 19:18  Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.  Deu 6:4  Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: Deu 6:5  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 

Of course the church is not founded on the ten commandments though they are an integral part of the church. Without the commandments of God there is no distinguishing and recognising difference between God’s church as started with Israel in the wilderness and other pagan churches serving other gods.  Act 7:38  This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

So if anyone is advocating not keeping God’s commandments are they not promoting the deception of satan? 

Finally the reviewer asks and answers his own question  “So is this book useless? Not entirely. The author takes a number of fundamentalist obsessions and takes them to a reductio ad absurdum. Perhaps this extreme serves as a warning. Some examples:  Only the King James Version is the pure word of God;

 All the Apostles shared HIS species of belief and practice but Satan has since led us astray;

 the devil's plan is to establish One World Religion;

 every part of the bible must taken literally and the honest reader using common sense and rationality is bound to reach HIS conclusions;

 the church has little purpose except to be a lecturing society preaching the RIGHT way (which is, of course, HIS way).

 Such attitudes are common enough and when taken to this extreme are revealed as folly of a high order. 

I used the review in its entirety to highlight the criticism true followers of God’s commandments get.  Firstly by others on milk and governments who have removed use of the commandments from judicial, children’s education and other systems.  Soon if not already we shall be called fundamentalist or extremist.  Walking on the straight narrow road of God that He says makes us a holy and peculiar person is not recognised by the unholy.  They do not hear His voice  Joh 10:3  To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.   Joh 10:4  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. Joh 10:5  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Joh 10:16  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Joh 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Joh 18:37  Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 

Many bible translation purist, prefer the King James version not because it is perfect; but because it gives a corresponding number to every word it translates from the original Hebrew or Greek so that an avid student of the true meaning of the word can go back to the original.  This is not possible with other versions which paraphrase the translation.  Many times I have heard one wrongly translated word change the entire meaning of the sentence and thus the reader’s belief. 

With the book comes an invitation to enter into dialogue with any reader who can scripturally  proof the conclusion of the book is incorrect.  A £1,000.00 reward is offered to the readers. The reviewer never took up the offer.  Eph 4:5  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,.  This means all are called into one single faith.  1Co 10:20  But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 1Co 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.  2Co 6:15  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  This means any other faith than that of the singular one of God is of the devil including deceived denominations.  (see “Yahweh’s system” article on the web site for elaboration).   As fellow seekers, we owe it to each to debate our understanding.  We should be our brothers’ keeper.  Either we will find out we are in error or that or brother is.  Jas 5:20  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.   Let us be like the Bereans.  Paul discussed with others for two years.  We owe it to ourselves and our brother to discern the spirit of truth and that of error. 1Jn 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.   

The devil’s plan may not necessarily be to establish “one world religion”; but simply to deceive us not to follow God’s one world plan.  Revelations tells us he will fail.  God will establish a one new heaven and earth.  

Notice the reviewer keeps saying “HIS” religion speaking of the writer, yet never gives any scriptural evidence.  If God’s church and its advocates are not to “lecture society preaching the RIGHT way” then what is its purpose. Should they not be like Joshua  Jos 24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. 

Ofcourse the bible is to be taken literally as far as literal styles of writing to convey the gospel and God’s will for us His created.  It is written historically, methophorically and using analogies to give a mental picture when necessary.  A picture paints a thousand words and the narrative are at times written accordingly.  Of course Yahshua is not a literal wooden door when He says He is the door.   Lazarus in Luke 16:23 did not go to Abraham’s bosom.  However, neither are the keeping of God’s holy days and commandments to be spiritualise as many do.  It is not the hearers of the law that are saved; but the doers. 

I will leave my comments there; but hope the points the reviewer brought up and my scriptural replies arm you with some answers for your faith and encourages you to keep on the narrow road you have chosen.  It is and will be worth it.  Endure to the end to receive Yahweh’s promise. 

I know many of you came to where you are via these and many more scriptures.  Almost all of us through denominations for a different understanding.  Still on milk.  But I think it is good to be reminded of why you chose to follow as you do and to be reminded of the answer to your faith in case someone asks.  You will continue to get criticism and the enemy through many avenues will tempt you back to what you vomited.  Through your physical actions, heart feelings and head thoughts.  It would be like a bungee rope tied to and pulling on your feet, heart and head.  Hold strong. Keep the true faith.  Take each decision one at a time, making the right choices until the elastic in the bungee ropes get weaker and weaker and become an ordinary piece of string. 

Shalom.