Chapter 9

Chrio

Drugged

The Wrong Way Down a Dead End Street...

Before we advance further through Yahushua's dissertation on the future history of the ekklesia/out-calling, I'd like to jump ahead in time and share something profound, something I hope dissuades confused Christians from continuing to tolerate false doctrines in their midst. While we've discovered that Catholicism is the "Seat of Satan," and Islam is "Satanic Submission," they aren't the only evils lurking in our world. There is another, one even more sinister.

As we unravel one of Scripture's least known prophecies it will become painfully apparent why Yahushua established a unifying thread in His first three open letters to His Called-Out Assembly. By looking at our immediate past and foreboding present you will come to appreciate why God praises intolerance and condemns deception.

In direct contradiction to those who shape the society in which we live, Yahuweh wants us to understand, expose, and condemn deceptions and deceivers. Praising the Ephesian Ekklesia, He said: "I know that you cannot possibly accept, tolerate, or endure those who think errantly, those who are wrong, injurious, or destructive. You have observed and objectively tested them, scrutinized and examined them through enquiry, piercing those who profess that they are godly messengers and special ambassadors, but are not, and have found them through examination and scrutiny to be false, deceitful liars, and erroneous deceivers." (Revelation 2:2) The reason religions have prospered, and with them their associated oppression, death, and destruction, is that Yahushua's Assembly hasn't heeded this advice. If we had, there would have been no Catholicism, Islam, or Communism. These and all other deceptions would have been nipped in the bud.

While similar advice permeates Scripture, one of the most thoughtful and thorough presentations is found in Second Peter. And perhaps that's because Peter was particularly susceptible to error. Sometimes a man must stumble before he recognizes that stones trip the unwary. So to appreciate Peter's unique perspective on the consequence of being susceptible to the Adversary and his errors, let's review Matthew's account of how Peter erred. Mind you, this conversation is recorded in Matthew 16. It immediately follows the one in which Yahushua told Petros that He would build His Ekklesia/Called-Out Assembly upon the rock of recognition that He was the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. If you are a Catholic and believe that the "rock" was Peter, and not the Savior, or that Peter was a "pope" and thus like all popes, was "inerrant," I've got some very troubling news for you. Just as the Church of the Pergamos period was called the seat of Satan, the very next time Yahushua speaks, Peter will be called Satan.

The narrative begins with a less than flattering portrayal of the same kind of politicized religious hierarchy condemned throughout the early Revelation letters. "The time came for the Messiah Yahushua to show (deiknuo - to expose by providing evidence and proof to) His disciples that it was necessary and beneficial (dei) to go to Hierosoluma (a Greek transliteration of the city now called Jerusalem) to suffer much and often from the Presbyteros (Elders who were politicized religious leaders), the Archiereus (High Priests who were rabbis at the top of a hierarchal religious system), and the Grammateus (writers and public servants [read journalists, judges, and politicians]), and to be killed and then arise on the third day. Petros took Him by the hand to lead Him aside (proslambano) and began to rule over Him (archo), chiding, rebuking, and censuring Him (epitimao - admonishing Him sharply, denouncing Him and expressing his strong disapproval), saying to thine own self be merciful, cheerful and happy (hileos soi) sir. This must never, never (ou me) happen (eimi - come to be). But He turned around and said to Petros, 'Withdraw your presence (hypago) and get behind Me Satanas/Adversary. You are an impediment and a trap (skandalon - a snare which serves as a trigger for a ambush; a rock which causes someone to stumble and fall; an obstacle in opposition and an offense) to Me because you don't understand, don't regard, and haven't the right attitude toward (phroneo - you're not directing your mind to contemplate) the things of TS (placeholder for 'Elohiym). On the contrary (allah - in opposition in a transition to the antithesis) you regard the things of man (anthropos).'" (Matthew 16:21-23)

Before we contemplate the Divine wisdom in this passage, let's pretend for a moment that the Roman Catholic Church is right and that the "Rock" was Peter, and that he was the "foundation of the church," and the first "pope." If that were true, his church, the Church was told to "withdraw its presence" from Yahushua because it was "Satanas." If it is true, then the Roman Catholic Church is "an impediment and a trap, a snare which triggers an ambush, a rock which causes people to stumble and fall." If Peter were the Rock upon whom the Church was established and the first Pope, he and the institution he hypothetically founded "doesn't understand, doesn't regard, and hasn't the right attitude toward Yahuweh." They are "allah, contrarians who regard the things of man." And if Peter were not the "Rock upon which I will build My 'Church'," or the first "pope," upon whose throne others would sit, then the foundation of the Roman Catholic Church and its hierarchical clerical system are absolutely wrong, which means that they are without authority. If you are a Catholic, it is a lose, lose, scenario. The Pergamosian condemnation of the Roman Catholic religion, and its stepdaughter, Protestantism, doesn't stand alone.

Returning our focus to Matthew's eyewitness account, we learn that those who caused God the most grief then, are the same fellows who aggravate Him today: politicized religious leaders, rabbis and priests at the top of clerical organizations, and the full cadre of politicians, journalists, and judges. They were and remain Yahushua's enemies. That is a sobering thought.

But here's another: Imagine for a moment being Peter. God has just given you the biggest compliment of your life and now, moments later, He is looking directly in you're your eyes and says He sees Satan lurking behind them. Head swollen from the compliment, Petros was suddenly too big for his britches. He was rebuking God and giving the Creator advice. The "rock" was now an "impediment, a stumbling block, a stone which causes people to trip and fall." I have always said that we humans are never closer to our biggest failure than we are at the moment of our greatest success. So it was for Peter.

There are times where we may not like Yahuweh's ways or appreciate His style, plans, or timing because they don't mesh with our own. And while Yahuweh enjoys our company He doesn't require our advice. Petros was telling the Savior that He should save Himself. "Forget about all that sacrificial redemption stuff. It's way too painful to even think about. Come on, let's go party. To thine own self be true." Thankfully He was. True to Himself, He laid down His life to save Peter and the rest of mankind because it was "necessary and beneficial."

According to Yahushua, the Adversary had beguiled Peter. The Devil was using the disciple. So if it could happen to Peter in the very presence of Yahuweh, it can happen to you and me too. We can go from being the world's most valuable witness to an obstinate obstacle in a heartbeat. Having endured this rapid fall from ally to adversary, Petros dedicated his second epistle to a singular purpose: helping us keep from making the same blunder. And we'll turn to that prophetic account in a moment.

But before we do, appreciate the fact that Yahushua just told us that the ways of Satan and the ways of men are the same way and that they are the antithesis of His Way. For us to be an asset on behalf of our Creator, God, and Savior, we must "understand Him, regard Him, and possess the right attitude toward Him." And for these things there are but two sources: His Spirit and His Word. Not Popes, period.

Having gotten His disciples' attention, the Savior revealed: "Then at that time, Yahushua said to His disciples, 'If someone is resolved and determined to come and appear before Me (erchomai) later on in time (opiso - following after Me), let him forget about and deny (aparneomai) him or her self, raise up, carry, and bear the R (placeholder for upright pole from stauros - vertical stake from the root of histemi, which means: that which enables one to stand upright, to be firm, established, and sustained, safe, sound, and unharmed, ready and prepared, unwavering) and follow Me (akoloutheo - accompany Me)." (Matthew 16:24)

Peter had just told Yahshua to focus on His own well being and to avoid the pain of sacrificial suffering. So God said, "If you want to appear before Me [in Heaven] forget about yourself," reject what you think is good, and follow My example. He was going to Jerusalem to bear the pain of being nailed to a vertical stake at the upcoming Passover, knowing that it would be the means we would use to rise up to Him, to appear before Him. The least we can do is to lift up and carry the redeeming truth embodied in stauros: "the upright pole and the vertical stake" from the root of histemi, meaning "that which enables one to stand upright, to be firm, established, and sustained, safe, sound, and unharmed, ready and prepared, unwavering." But instead, the "seat of Satan" better known as "the Roman Catholic Church," dropped the stauros, and all of its profound significance, replacing Yahuweh's terminology with their curx, Latin for "cross." Satan's most universal symbol became the Church's most visible sign. They will be damned for what they have done in service to the Adversary. Please don't follow them into the pit.

And it's not just symbolism. By hiding truth beneath a Satanic counterfeit, billions have lost sight of the connection between the "Upright One" of the Old Covenant prophecies and the Renewed Covenant's fulfillment of "standing upright so as to enable us to stand" with Him. Further, it is "stand," don't bow down. The beriyth/covenant began with Yahuweh telling Abraham to "walk by My side," not grovel or crawl at His feet. It is all about relationship, not religion. It's time we stop submitting to the wiles of man and start proclaiming the truth of the "stauros/upright pole," the "'edon, the Upright Pillar and the Foundation of the Tabernacle."

The teaching throughout this next passage is profound. We learn that we cannot save ourselves no matter how determined we may be to do so. We've been told that our souls are not immortal and that some souls will be entirely abolished and destroyed. That means that for many, there will be no eternal suffering in hell, but no eternal life either. Unsaved souls will simply cease to exist. And while that's not good compared to eternal life with Yahushua, it is a whole lot better than perpetual anguish in Satan's abyss. "Affirming and explaining this (gar), whoever is determined and resolved (thelo - wishes to and intends on) saving (sozo - rescuing and keeping safe and sound, protecting from destruction and perishing) his soul (psuche - breath of life, inner self, and consciousness) shall have it (autos) destroyed and entirely abolished (apollymi - rendered useless and dead, ceasing to exist). And with certainty (an), whoever loses their life for My sake and on My account (heneka) will find it (heuriskomai - attain and experience it)." (Matthew 16:25)

With this introduction to Peter's nearly instantaneous and cataclysmic fall from anointed ally to egregious adversary, we are in a better position to appreciate why Petros was so diligent in writing down this guidance for us. Speaking for Yahuweh, in an open letter to the ekklesia, the disciple warns us to be wary of men and the spirits who inspire them. In particular, he warns us about a new religion which would come to be known as Socialist Secular Humanism.

Our apathy and ignorance of Peter's admonition has put the West on the precipice of destroying itself. And for this I blame the "religion of Christianity" - that vile sungod cult that was conceived during the Pergamos period. Christendom has been so badly deceived, so indoctrinated in the myths of the Whore of Babylon, we have lost our way. Had we followed Yahushua's advice as it is laid out for us in Revelation's letters, Catholicism would have been stillborn; and had that occurred, neither Islam nor Communism would have survived the onslaught of criticism they would have endured from an informed and intolerant ekklesia. Lies die when boldly and relentlessly confronted by truth. They flourish in darkness.

Shim'own Petros' epistle is similar to Yahshua's Revelation letters. It is entirely prophetic and the apostle pleads with us to shed our ignorance as we shed all associations with "cunningly devised fables." He begins the first verse explaining that he is a "doulos/servant" and "apostolos/messenger" of the "Anointed/Messiah Yahushua." He is writing to "those who have lagchano/received by Divine allotment a pistis/conviction in the truth, and are isotimos/equally esteemed with us, dikaiosune/made acceptable by God, our Savior, the Anointed/Messiah Yahshua, our Foundation."

Introductions made, Yahushua's servant shares: "Favor (charis - the gift of loving kindness, mercy, and grace; loveliness, pleasure, and joy; delightful, good and nurturing words) and a state of tranquility (eirene - an exemption from chaos and havoc; harmony and accord; peace and prosperity; freedom) be increased unto you through the precise and correct knowledge (epignosis - acknowledgement and understanding, intelligent comprehension through perception and experience) of TU (placeholder for 'Elohiym, from theos, god) IEU (placeholder for Yahushua), the One to whom we belong (kurios hemon - the one with the power and authority to decide for us)." (II Peter 1:2)

Claris, which is usually translated "grace," means so much more. It is the "gift of love which brings joy through good and nurturing words." Likewise, eirene is usually translated "peace," and yet it actually defines the benefit of charis: "to be exempt from the abyss by being brought into harmony" with Yahuweh. This "favor and freedom" is manifest in epignosis: "a precise and accurate knowledge of 'Elohiym." We must "acknowledge" Him and "understand" Him to "experience" Him. Yahweh's plan of Salvation is a simple and straight-forward formula - and it all begins with knowing.

"Even (hos - as the result of relationship) His Divine inherent power and ability (dunamis - supernatural might and capacity for miracles) has been bestowed upon (doreomai - conferred upon and granted to) us, individually and collectively (pas), that is (ho) to the advantage of our (pros - with regard to all things which pertain to our) life (zoe - living souls) and reverence (eusebeia - the proper attitude toward God), through (dia - by means of, by reason of, on behalf of, because of, and on account of) the precise and correct knowledge (epignosis - acknowledgement and understanding, intelligent comprehension through perception and experience) of Him who has called us by name (kaleo - giving us His name) by means of (dia) His own brilliant shining splendor and radiance (doxa - personal value and majesty, amazing might, honor and greatness) and wonderful manifestation of power (arête - virtuous thoughts, feelings, and actions; moral excellence and eminence)." (II Peter 1:3)

Wow! We possess Yahuweh's "inherent power and ability." The "ability to perform miracles" has been conferred upon us individually and collectively - as anointed souls and as the ekklesia. The purpose is to advance those things which are "beneficial to life and to the proper attitude of reverence toward God." And yes, once again, the key to deploying this power and authority is "a precise and correct knowledge and understanding of Yahuweh, and acknowledgement of His calling." His radiance and power become ours - not because of who we are but because of who He is.

In the preamble to his epistle on the wisdom of denouncing myths and being intolerant of fables, Shim'own Petros continues to illuminate the source of the wonderful tools we have had made available to us. The gift of life did not come easily and should not be taken for granted. "Through whom (dia hos) are presented and bestowed (doreomai - conferred and granted) to us the great and esteemed honor (timios - precious and dear gift of great price) and exceedingly great (megistos - the most magnificent means to grow and become greater, more powerful, and more beautiful) promises (epangelma - declarations and professions) so as (hina) to become (ginomai - to rise into existence), as partners, associates and companions with (koinonos - those who share and participate in fellowship with) the Divine nature and character (phusis - the universal forces and laws of nature; the opposite of that which is produced by man; the origin, birth, and growth; the sum of all properties and powers), having escaped the corruption and destruction (phthora - decay and perishing) that is in the world (kosmos) by way of lustful cravings (epithumia - longing desires for that which is forbidden, coveting, an errant attitude toward possessions)." (II Peter 1:4)

Yahushua did not redeem us so that we could worship Him. That's not His style. He is an approachable, humble, friendly, and accommodating Deity. He wants us to be His partners, associates, and companions. He wants to hang out together. We are to be honored with our God.

All of the evil schemes that Petros will detail as his letter progresses emanate from epithumia - coveting. It's what got Satan into trouble. And when it comes to deceit, destruction, death, and damnation, the Adversary isn't opposed to sharing.

The Anointed Way is an individual and collective experience. We enter Yahuweh's eternal family the same way we are born into our human family, one at a time. But once born we enjoy the familial embrace of mother and father, brothers and sisters. "Moreover, for this very reason also, apply and contribute individually and collectively all earnestness and diligence in your conviction to the truth, with complete trust, reliance and acceptance (pistis), abundantly supplying light (epichoregeo), virtuous thoughts, feelings, and actions (arête) as a manifestation of power (arête) and knowledge (gnosis)." (II Peter 1:5) Epichoregeo is part of a family of words which all relate to light. Since light is the closest facsimile of Yahweh's power manifest to us and the source of our enlightenment, I have elected to include this essential truth.

From cover to cover, Scripture is about knowing. Yahuweh wants us to know the truth and to know Him. Knowing is the Light upon the path; it is the Way to life. In Hosea we heard Yahuweh say: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowing." Now He reveals the other side of that profound and forgotten truth. "In knowing (gnosis) is power and authority (endrateia), steadfastness and endurance (hupomone - deliberate purpose, loyalty, perseverance, life, the ability to stand upright and firm), and in the ability to stand upright and firm (hupomone) there is reverence and respect toward and relationship with God (eusebeia). And in reverence and respect for and relationship with God (eusebeia) there is love for one's spiritual brothers and sisters (philadelphia - caring for fellow believers). And in kindness for the brethren (philadelphia) there is affection, good will and benevolence (agape - moral love)." (II Peter 1:6-7) For each of these compound Greek words I have chosen to reveal the meaning the author intended. To accomplish that, I have laid aside my Greek dictionaries, which in many cases simply parrot what the first translators selected, for studies which focus on the history of Koine Greek words and the context they were originally used. Too often Bible Dictionaries wallow in religiosity, reinforcing church dogmas, as opposed to searching the etymological roots and contemporaneous uses of the terms they are supposed to be illuminating.

In this case we discover that knowing is the source of all that is good. To be steadfast and unwavering, to preserve one's life, we must first know the Truth and rely on Him. Hupomone was used to communicate a reverent and respectful relationship with God. It isn't piety, holiness, or religion. It is developing a right relationship with Yahuweh based upon achieving the right attitude, one of reverence and respect. The means to achieve this is by reading Scripture. God tells us who He is so that we can get to know Him. And when we do, we are born into an eternal and loving family. While this family may be small in relationship to the world, it is big where it counts.

The reason the Scriptures focus so intently on knowing is that it is only through knowing the truth that we can effectively expose the lies that destroy "genuine benevolence, good will, and love." Ignorance and tolerance are oppression's allies.

Then in the ninth verse we are told "If you lack these things [knowledge, purpose and perseverance, reverence, respect and relationship with God and affection for one's spiritual brethren] you are blind (typhlos - unable to see or comprehend), nearsighted so as not to have perspective or understanding (muopazo), forgetful (lethe) and forgotten (lambano - exploited by deception) unpurged (me katharismos - unclean), and not renewed (palai), missing the mark (hamartia - errant, mistaken, and thus has wandered from the Way)." (II Peter 1:9) These calamitous things all occur as a direct result of ignorance.

That is why Petros says: "Therefore, on account of this (dio) brethren, be much more diligent, eager and ready (spoudazo - prepared), making (poieo) certain and trustworthy (bebaios - verifiable and true, dependable and reliable, sure) your invitation to the feast and salvation of God (klesis - summons and calling), choosing to produce and author (poieo - render and bear) these things, and never, never (ou me) at any time (pote) causing anyone to stumble (patio - err, be mistaken, trip and fall into misery)." (II Peter 1:10) Spoken by one who had been there and done that and didn't ever want to do it again or see it done.

Petros is telling us to be careful. We shouldn't assume we are saved, but instead find out for sure. In the process of knowing, will come preparedness, and with preparedness an eagerness to engage. We will then be ready and able to share a trustworthy invitation with others, saving them. And that's what redemption is. Salvation is an invitation to Yahuweh's family and to His party. We either accept it and attend or reject it and go our own way.

But there is more too it than that. There is a third choice - one we must never be responsible for encouraging: "to cause anyone to stumble because they have been misled." Half truths and errant preaching line the path to misery and death. When people are called into buildings named after sun goddesses, with sungod crosses emblazoned on them, on Sunday, to hear the word of the Lord from a book named after another sungoddess and encouraged to celebrate the day the sungod was born and the day the sun impregnated mother earth, it's hard not to be blinded by all of the false light.

The Way has been delineated. It is found through knowledge and relationship. "In this manner, following this way (houto) the entrance and acceptance (eisodos - portal and the way to it; the act of entering; the reception and welcome) to the eternal (aionios - that without beginning or end, that which always was and always will be, that which is infinite and unlimited in the dimension of time, without ceasing, everlasting) power and dominion (basileia - authority) of the KU (placeholder for 'edon, Foundation of the Upright One, from kurios, the one with authority over, the master) of us (hemon) and Savior (soter - one who rescues and delivers), the CRU (placeholder for Anointed Messiah from chrio) IEU (placeholder for Yahushua) has been generously (plousios - abundantly and richly) provided (epichoregeo - supplied, furnished and presented)." (II Peter 1:11)

While the placeholder CRU, has been embellished with the addition of a "t," the sign of the Satan's "cross," and has in time become "Jesus'" last name, the shocking truth is neither chrio, nor christos, were ever actually written out on any page of any first, second, or third century manuscript of any Renewed Covenant book or letter. Interestingly, of the many ways the placeholder CRU is rendered in the 70 extant pre-Constantine manuscripts, none of them contain the Greek tau, or "t." Not one. And of the 24 letters in the Greek alphabet, the "T" or Tau, was the only one associated with Tammuz, the son of the sun in the Babylonian religion that has come to pollute Christendom.

To render II Peter 1:11 as accurately as possible, I'm using the oldest known manuscript, Papyrus 72. It is a seventy-two page codex dating to the late third century. It contains most all of First and Second Peter and Jude.

Tracing the actual meaning of chrio, the basis of what became cristos, in koine Greek is a useful endeavor. Plato, our best source for contextual definitions, uses a compound form of chrio (χρίω) as a verb, meaning "to prick" and "to quarrel." That's a rather ominous start for the word most identifiable with Christendom. Chrio is not used at all by Aristotle, our second best resource. We do find chrio in Greek tragedies, however. In these plays, chrio is used to convey: "to rub someone's body or to stroke oneself." When used in the context of "fats and oils" it means "to smear." For example, poison from the robe of Deianira was chrio onto Hercules' body by way of Deianira's garment. So we have gone from bad to worse, descending into the realm of myth, tragedy, and poison.

Chrio is most often used by Homer in the context of the application of drugs designed by men to cure the sick. It is from this usage that we derive the Greek designation for "drugstore." The "c" in Greek chi looks like an "x" (χ) and the Greek rho, has the sound of the English "r" (ρ). They are reversed to form "Rx." This was because chrio described the application of medicines. Today we call them "drugs." Since I am not drugged, medicated, or poisoned I prefer not use the term "Christian." I prefer more descriptive and less controversial terms: "anointed, member of the ekklesia/out-calling, follower of the Way, Yahudim, and Yisra'el."

Aphrodite is said to have chrio the dead Hector in a pagan sungod religious rite. Weapons were chrio with grease and arrows were chrio with poison. And while none of these connotations is desirable, it gets worse. From the basic sense of "to rub over" we get such meanings as "to color," "to paint over," and "to whitewash," the very thing Satan adores and Yahuweh detests.

Whitewashing is central to the Whore of Babylon and every religious and political deception based upon her schemes. Satan knows the truth. He has been in and out of heaven since the beginning. He is four dimensional and thus can, unlike us, maneuver in time. Recognizing the profound and saving truths inherent in Yahuweh's plan, Satan has sought to prevail by painting over them. That way, the truth is hidden and his lies, having been based upon an element of truth, become believable.

For a counterfeit bill to pass as genuine it must appear to the untrained and unsuspicious eye as real. Ignorant of the Truth and of Yahuweh's Word, most people are unprepared and unwary. We have become easy dupes. So by coloring, painting over, and whitewashing the Adversary has created a counterfeit for every truth that we over time have accepted as real. Chrio/to stroke, medicate, and whitewash replaces Anointed Messiah. The Lord/Ba'al replaces Yahuweh. Jesus replaces Yahushua. Sunday replaces the Sabbath. Christmas replaces Tabernacles. Easter replaces Passover. The cross replaces the upright pole. Mary, and the sungoddess Madonnas before her, replace our Spiritual Mother, the Set-Apart Spirit. The church replaces the called-out assembly. And before you know it, Satanism has replaced Yahuweh's plan of redemption. And it wasn't hard. He simply hid the truth, he chrio - painted over it with poison. And as a result of this whitewashing, religion has replaced relationship. For the wont of a word, the battle and kingdom were lost.

Yes, I will acknowledge, that if you open your Strong's to "Christos," a word which does not actually exist in the text, you will find "Christ was the Messiah" as the primary meaning and "anointed" as the secondary definition. But that can't be right. The Greeks had no difficulty transliterating the title "Messiah," having done it twice in the Renewed Covenant. So if the authors intended their placeholder to be chrio, and for chrio to become christos, and for christos to be "Christ," in the sense of the title "Messiah," they would have transliterated "Messiah" each and every time. But they didn't. If however, the authors were trying to dispose of all of chrio's negative connotations and focus on the idea of applying oil, and thus trying to convey "anointing" in the Greek language by their use of the placeholder for chrio, then our only sensible and rational option is to translate chrio into the only English word which conveys that same notion - "anointed."

The New American Standard Greek Dictionary is accurate enough. They report: Christos, from chrio; the Anointed One, Messiah." Despite this, they go on to report that their own NASB translation ignores their definition, replacing "Anointed One" and "Messiah" with "Christ" 527 times, rendering it "Messiah" only 4 times, and never once correctly translating it from Greek to English as "anointed."

The Dictionary of Biblical Languages gives as the primary definition of Christos: "Messiah, the title of the Anointed One." That's reasonable. So then why did the translators ignore this, substituting Christ for Messiah? Perhaps it is because this dictionary's second definition is wrong on all accounts: "Christ, adj., proper name for Jesus." Sorry fellas but chrio is a verb, christos doesn't exist in the text, Messiah and Anointed are both titles, not names, and the only proper name of the Anointed One is Yahushua. The first "J" was invented by the Anglo-Saxons in the late 15^th century and "Jesus" didn't make its way into the "Bible" until the third edition/revision of the King James in 1629. How is it that 17^th century Brits were given the honor of choosing/changing the Savior's "proper name," especially in the light of the fact Yahuweh told us that His name would be Yahshua 2,800 years before they were born?

One last thought on chrio before we move on. I have found it written out in Scripture, at the end of Revelation 3:18, albeit as part of a compound word: egchrio. The eg prefix is probably a contraction of ego, meaning "I, me, and my," as the word is used in the context of the Laodicean Assembly being self-reliant. Moreover, the topic is drugs, in this case a mineral compound that was used to heal sore eyes.

"Therefore, for this reason (dio), always (aei - perpetually, incessantly, and invariably; in all circumstances and at all times) think, be ready, and be engaged (mello - be active and productive, going forward, intending to be on the point, doing what must be done, having the mind to suffer if necessary), mindful (hupomimnesko - remembering and reminding others of) these things through (kaiper - the fullness of reality) knowing that you belong to the household and family (eidotas - to know and to be aware of the reality that you are related, belonging in the home of God), established, confirmed, and rendered strong (sterizo) in (en) the hand and by the side of (pareimi - arrived and present with, possessing) objective truth (aletheir - that which is real and certain; that which all the evidence and facts correspond; that which is valid and binding)." (II Peter 1:12)

He has said it a dozen times in a dozen verses, but not as eloquently as here. One who knew tells us: we need to know, to think, and to be mindful of the Truth, forming a relationship with the author of Truth, walking by His side, our hand in His. Truth is the Way, it is the Door, it is the Doorkeeper, it is the Destination. Admittance into the family of Yahuweh requires the acceptance of an invitation, one whose terms and conditions are engraved in but one place - Scripture. Know it, accept it, rely upon it, and be saved. Ignore it and be destroyed. Corrupt it and you will spend your eternity with the father of lies.

Having erred himself, Petros was now committed to removing rocks from people's paths. He says: "Continuing on (de), I will lead through contemplation (hegeomai - lead by thinking and regarding), esteeming that which is right in our relationship (dikaios - that which is upright and establishes fellowship), as long as I am in this tabernacle (skenoma - tent and temple, dwelling place), awakening souls and arousing minds, rendering them active (diegeiro - agitating and stimulating thinking) by way of reminding you and refreshing your memory (hypomnesis)." (II Peter 1:13) Christendom, ignoring this advice, has become a social icon of thoughtlessness. Most Christians react emotionally; very few think. They have come to justify their poligious opinions as worthy, entitlements even, when few have any basis in fact or reason. "Knowing" has become a relic of bygone generations.

Having attended a NASCAR race last evening, I was able to experience the fanatics of America's fastest growing sport - the one which wraps itself in the flag, promotes the military, offers the pledge of allegiance, gives a prayer that must cause Yahuweh to gag, only to act like Imperial Rome. It was a drunken orgy of thoughtless rage as this generation of chariots charged into one another before scantily dressed and overly tattooed gladiatorial devotees. And round and round they went in their flashes of corporate color and noise so loud it drowned out all sensible communication. It is little wonder America no longer listens to Petros, heeds his advice, or knows his God. It is little wonder that America allows its sons to be slaughtered in senseless wars and arrogantly rebuilds morally polluted cities in the wake of hurricanes.

Petros will again equate his human body to a "tabernacle," which is the temple of God, because he recognizes that as the dwelling place of the Set-Apart Spirit, his flesh is a shrine. "I know that the removal and washing (apothesis - laying aside) of my tabernacle (skenoma - tent and temple, dwelling place) is imminent, because indeed the KS (placeholder for 'edon, Foundation of the Tabernacle and Upright Pillar, from kurios, the sovereign worthy of respect and reverence) of us, IES (placeholder for Yahushua) the CRS (placeholder for Anointed Messiah) was made manifest (deloo - made known and clear by relating; providing understanding by bringing to light)." (II Peter 1:14)

For Shim'own Petros, to be apart from the body was to be with Yahushua. But for Yahshua, to be with His body was to be apart from Yahuweh. That is why the Savior is called the most Set-Apart throughout the Old Covenant. Moreover, Yahushua as the human manifestation of Yahuweh literally becomes Yahuweh's Tabernacle on earth. That is the essential truth behind the Feast of Tabernacles and it is why Yahshua was born on this Miqra' and not Christmas.

One of the two purposes of Yahushua's previous advent was to reveal himself, shining His light more evidently in this world. By manifesting Himself in human form, Yahuweh was able to make Himself known to us. By diminishing Himself, He was better able to relate to His diminished creation, giving us a clear understanding of His nature and purpose. Petros knew that he was Yahuweh's tabernacle and that to be apart from the body was to be with Him because Yahshua demonstrated these things before his eyes. That is what makes his witness so vital to us.

Recognizing this, he said as much..."Indeed, I will exert myself in all diligence (spoudazo - be ready, willing, and engaged, endeavoring eagerly) at every moment (hekastote - at all times) so that by association (meta) upon my departure from this life (exodus - exit and final fate) you will hold fast to (echo) your Creator (poieo), remembering these things." (II Peter 1:15) Back in the days that I was investing most all of my time in the exposure and condemnation of Islam, I received a constant flow of emails from "Christians" who were rooting me on, but not one in a hundred of these letter writers were willing to prepare for battle or engage themselves. The relationship Yahuweh wants established is a participatory affair. We are to walk with Him, not spend all day on our knees praying for others. To be useful we must come to know Him, come to rely on Him, come to know the truth, and come with Him to engage in the battle.

When we do these things, we cannot be fooled. And equally important, we can keep fools from fooling others. That is where this entire discussion has been headed. Listen to the words of one who knows. "For this reason (gar), we have not followed or accompanied those who (exakoloutheo - imitated, yielded to the authority of, or complied with those who joined the party, or became disciples of those who) artificially invented and taught (sophizo - cleverly contrived and deceitful) myths (mythos - fictional fables, invented falsehoods, and legends)." (II Peter 1:16)

Sophizo forms the basis of the English word "sophist," a term used to designate "an expert, someone who is smart but also deceitful." A sophist is a "clever man." The Greeks would have seen Peter's use of sophist as a direct repudiation of the Hellenist philosophers, men whose rhetoric was adroit and subtle, but who were also known for specious reasoning. Like the words and ideas of "enlightened" men today, the sophist's notions seemed plausible, but they were usually as deceptive as they were ingenious. The game then, as it is now, is to make that which is false appear true and that which is true appear obscure and elusive. The sophizo illuminated the way of man. Adam Weishaupt, the father of Communism and the New World Order was a sophizo. Eighteen centuries before Weishaupt would base the Secret Order of the Illuminati on the cunning myths of Babylon, Yahuweh told us to be wary of his kind.

But Communism, and its derivatives, secular humanism and socialism, aren't the only conniving myths conceived by men in alliance with the Adversary. Catholicism and Islam are Satanic schemes as well. Our ignorance of them has allowed these dogmas to victimize billions. For example, polluted by the religion of Christianity, not one American in a thousand blames Islam for what happened on September 11^th, 2001. In fact, those who make the obvious and rationally undeniable connection are condemned rather than the perpetrators.

At that NASCAR race I mentioned earlier, one on the weekend of 9/11, I made this connection before a man who was just completing a 20-year Naval career. For exposing the enemy he was allegedly fighting, he became irate and threatened me, saying that I was unpatriotic. Truth, thinking, and accountability must therefore be un-American. I assume the reason for this is that rather than coming to understand the satanic myth that compelled men to fly planes into our buildings by beguiling them into thinking that they would be rewarded for mass murder with a plethora of virgins, our leaders, political, religious, media, and academic, have lied to the nation instead. They have all conned Americans into believing that the Muslim men who commandeered those planes, turning them into suicide bombs, hijacked their otherwise peaceful religion. When one is confronted by the fact that this is not true, it makes our politicians liars and it makes their wars senseless. The cost of ignorance is deception. The cost of deception is death. There is a consequence for every choice we make.

Shim'own Petros was interested in the things of God and chose Him. "We make known (gnorizo - came to recognize and then revealed) to you the inherent strength, power, and ability (dynamis - the mighty deeds and supernatural miracles) and the presence (parousia - coming, personal arrival, return, and advent) of the KU (placeholder for 'edon, Upright One, from kurios, the one to whom we belong) IEU (placeholder for Yahushua) the CRS (placeholder for Anointed Messiah), indeed (all) existing as (ginomai) eyewitnesses to (epoptes - ones who see, observe attentively, inspect, and experience) the great magnificence and majesty (megaleiotes - the visible splendor of Divine prominence and power) of the One." (II Peter 1:16) Peter saw Yahshua transfigured into His more elevated and natural state. In that condition, the human manifestation of Yahuweh radiated light. That is what he is sharing with us here.

"Affirming this (gar) He took upon Himself (lambano - associated with, manifest, and carried) in the intimate presence and immediate proximity of (para) TU (placeholder for 'Elohiym, God, from theos) the PRS (placeholder for Heavenly Father, from pater) the fixed price to purchase us (time - He bought, redeemed, and received us by paying, bearing, accepting and becoming the compensation and ransom), being the judgment and verdict (doxa - the opinion and estimate)." (II Peter 1:17)

Time is a very precise term in Greek, and it is especially revealing in this context. The primary meaning of the word is "the worth or value one ascribes to a person so as to determine a satisfactory compensation or purchase price to release them from a penalty due." You and I represent that "person." The "one" is Yahuweh. We were "worth" enough to God, "valued" highly enough, for Him to diminish Himself to human form, to allow Himself to be tortured by His creation, and for Him to forsake His Soul into the Adversary's lair so He could pay the "determined satisfactory compensation" for our lives. He "paid the purchase price to redeem us, to ransom us." The "penalty due" was the loss of our soul unto death and separation," but that sentence became His to bear.

Time is the "legal appraisal of the penalty that needs to be paid to satisfy a debt." It could be "a monetary fine," but was usually "incarceration or death." Therefore, in one word Yahuweh encapsulated the entire story of our redemption. We become eternal in time through His act of time.

Too bad every English translation misses this essential truth. They all focus on time's secondary meaning: "to revere, respect, value and honor," attributing these things to Yahushua rather than to mankind. The heart of the message is that God so loved us, so revered us, so respected us, and so valued us, that He honored us by paying the price to save us. By "taking upon Himself" the "price to purchase us" He was able to render a just and honorable "doxa/judgment and verdict," one in which guilty men and women might be exonerated because their punishment had been borne by another.

Doxa, like time, has secondary connotations. The question is, do these things apply to Yahushua or to us as the result of Yahshua's act of time: "to be reputed and accounted as honorable and glorified, to be pleasing so as to become bright and splendorous, and through grace to become approved and perfect?" When we "belong to God, we become magnified and brilliant" according to doxa. Indeed, Yahushua is all of these things. And indeed, all of these things happen to us when we accept Yahshua's gift of time. That is because all that is His, becomes ours.

We came to this passage because of what it has to say about the importance of knowing, and through knowing rising to the state where we are unaffected by the wiles of Satan and men. But along the way we have learned so much more. So has Peter.

The message continues with: "Moreover, certainly and truly (toiosde) there was conveyed and borne (phero - produced, carried forth and delivered) the voice (phone - the sound and language) to Him from above (huperairo - elevated and exalted): 'The Magnificent and Majestic Upright One (megaloprepes - from megas, great and powerful, and prepo, one who stands up and who stands out conspicuously), the Judgment and Verdict (doxa - the brilliant, honorable, and glorified, the perfect and magnified), the Son (hyios) of Mine, the beloved (agapetos - loved, esteemed, favorite, and worthy) of Mine. He (houtos) is, was, and will be (esti - He exists and He is existence) whom I see as good, have chosen to determine and decide, and was willing and ready (eudokeo - from eu, to act well and prosper, and dokeo, to think and to please, to be accounted and reputed, to be good and to judge, to determine and to please)." (II Peter 1:17) Now you know what Yahuweh thinks of Yahushua. His evaluation was significantly superior to that of the political and religious community. But I suppose that's because He was better informed.

Petros was an eyewitness to this: "And His (houtos - this) voice (phone) which was conveyed from (phero) heaven (ouranos) We ourselves heard (akouo - listened to and considered what was announced) when we were (on - in existence) together with (sun - companions in affiliation and relationship with) Him on the set-apart (hagios - cleansing object of awe and reverence) mountain." (II Peter 1:18)

There is a fascinating aspect of hagios that is also manifest in the Hebrew yare and Greek phobia. All three words convey a sense of reverence and fear. While one cannot love what one fears, making reverence the only rational designation of these words when applied to the family of Yahuweh, for those who do not choose Him, they will come to fear Him. Individually then, we choose the proper meaning of these terms as they apply to us. If we choose not to love Yahuweh, God will become an object of great fear. If we choose to form a relationship with Yahweh and rely on Him, God will become an object of great reverence.

Hagios is the Greek version of Qodesh. While they mean "set-apart," they both convey the notion of "cleaning and purifying" - the primary purpose of the Set-Apart Spirit and Her Garment of Light.

 The author of this epistle believed not just because he was honored to see Yahushua elevated in majesty or hear Yahweh's bold voice, as we will one day too, but because of prophecy. What was said of Him, He fulfilled. And what He has said has come true. Prophecy remains Yahweh's primary means of proving to us that He inspired His Word. Only God can consistently and accurately predict the future. And He does so with the certainty of one who has actually seen it. "We have and hold (echo) trustworthy (bebaios - certain, sure, guaranteed, dependable, reliable, and verified) prophetic (prophetikos - inspired revelations of future events and salvation; to declare openly and proclaim publicly, making known in advance) words (logos - declared thoughts and mandates, statements and treatise, accounts and records) which mean, those who (hos) come to rely upon them (prosecho - are alerted to them, carefully considering and trusting them) do well and are made right, blameless and beautiful (poieo kalos)." (II Peter 1:19) This is the mission statement of Yada Yahweh.

Prophetikos has been transliterated into English rather than translated. It is derived from prophetes, itself a compound word. From it we discover its true meaning: from phemi, "to make known one's thoughts and to declare," and from pro, "before". The "before" connotation has been assumed to mean "before" that which is "made known" actually happens. But "before" could just as easily mean "in front of or in the presence of" men and women. Inclusive of both options, prophecy is then both God "making Himself known by declaring His thoughts before mankind" and God "declaring what's going to happen before" it occurs. While we have been focused on the predictive aspects of Yahweh's Word, all of the value has been derived from the "thoughts" Yahweh has attached to His predictions.

The most important "thoughts conveyed" in Scripture are those which, when "carefully considered and relied upon" result in people being "made right, blameless and beautiful" in Yahuweh's eyes. This result is achieved by accepting Yahushua's redemptive gift and it leads to us being covered in the Set-Apart Spirit's cleansing Garment of Light. They are made known through these "trustworthy prophetic words."

That is the purpose of Yada Yahweh. While I am not a linguistic scholar and while I seldom know where a passage is going before I get into the midst of it, I have taken the time to research Yahuweh's words so that we might better understand His thoughts. Using a score of credible sources to reveal what His words actually meant to those who were first inspired to use them we come to know what Yahuweh wanted us to know.

While I'm often overwhelmed by our Creator's goodness and brilliance, very little He says surprises me. Once you come to know the Father and understand His plan of redemption everything falls into place and makes sense. The pieces all fit together and complement one another. I'm only surprised that scholars and clerics have issued and tolerated such a muddled array of errant translations, hiding Yahuweh's Light and withholding His Salvation from so many. The continuation of this verse, like the 17^th before it, is a case in point. There would be no way to ascertain these truths from the KJV, NKJV, NIV, or NASB, yet it is what the words themselves reveal.

What follows illuminates the purpose and result of God's Word and His Light. But because the thoughts are conveyed within the construct of long interwoven Greek sentences, I encourage you to read the bold words through first and then return to ponder the full implication of each term as it is more fully developed within the parenthesis.

Speaking of trustworthy prophetic words which make us blameless before God, the apostle conveys: "In this manner and way (hos) the Lamp (luchnos - Light, from leukos, meaning brilliant and dazzling white light) appears and radiates (phaino - bears forth shinning illumination, manifesting resplendent, clear, and brilliant light which exposes, makes visible and makes known) in (en) dark, lightless, destitute, and dirty (auchmeros - abandoned and deprived) places (topos) until the time and place (hoes) the day (hemera) shines through, breaking the darkness of night (diaugazo - from dia, meaning through, and augazo, meaning to be bright and to shine forth), and the Light Bringer (phosphoros - from phos, shinning illumination from a lamp, star, or God which sheds light on and makes known and phero, is carried, borne, and conveyed; brought to mind and moved inwardly to prompt and preserve) arises purposefully inside, illuminating (anatello - rises up, dawns, and becomes light; from ana, comes into one's midst, and telos, eternally, to the end to which all things relate, for the ultimate purpose and goal in) your hearts, minds, and life (kardia)." (II Peter 1:19)

As we come to understand this verse, we must first recognize that Yahuweh is light - the purest form of energy, the place where time becomes infinite, the substance of illumination and enlightenment, and the source of life. Yahushua was Yahuweh's Lamp, the manifestation of God that appeared and radiated His nature in our presence, exposing God and making Him visible to us.

Auchmeros is more than a "dark and lightless" place. The word conveys a sense of "dirtiness and filth" which would describe the heart and soul of a person destitute of Yahuweh's cleansing light. That would leave an auchmeros individual: "impoverished and forsaken, miserable and deserted, even desolate, and thus lifeless" all of which are conveyed within the Greek word. Auchmeros even explains how we go about finding ourselves in this dark, destitute, and dirty place: by being "self-reliant, boastful and arrogant."

The solution to man's predicament is found in "phosphoros/the Light Bringer," another metaphor for Yahushua and the Set-Apart Spirit. The Greek word has made it into the English language, describing the natural earth phosphors which glow in fluorescent bulbs. Scripturally, the benefit of the Light Bringer is found in the compound word itself, one that is usually translated "Morning Star" even though neither pros nor phero mean morning or star. Although the real Morning Star is Yahushua, coveting the light and resurrection, the Adversary has masqueraded himself under the counterfeit title of the sungod. Isaiah identifies the Adversary as Halal/the Arrogant and Abominable son of the Shachar/Sunrise. That is how he has become known by the derivation of the Latin word for light, Lucifer, the Morning Star. But that is not who Peter is speaking of here as the Devil's appearance in our hearts would have a less than desirable effect.

Yahushua and the Set-Apart Spirit alone convey Yahuweh's light. Yahshua and the Set-Apart Spirit prompt and preserve souls by way of Yahweh's light. To further confirm this, the second portion of the compound word phosphoros could just as easily be based upon pheromai, which means the "pros/light" "guides, leads, and sustains by demonstrating reality which when accepted enables one to receive, endure, experience and bear fruit." Phosphoros is therefore the light of life.

Spiritually, we move from darkness to light, from filthiness to blamelessness, and from death to life when we invite the Lamp to reside within us. This "purposeful act" enables the Set-Apart Spirit to make our bodies Her Tabernacle. Our souls "rise" spiritually as the Spirit "illuminates our minds, hearts and lives." This is the meaning of anatello. The "light shines in our midst for all eternity." Anatello is "the answer to which all things relate." Anatello is "the ultimate purpose and goal" of life.

Now that he has explained the purpose of prophecy, Shim'own Petros reveals its source. He begins with one of Yahuweh's favorite words: "Know (ginosko - learn about, understand, and acknowledge; be acquainted with and relationally recognize) Him (houtos - this) first (protos - first in time, place, succession, rank, influence, and honor)." (II Peter 1:20) To benefit from the Light we must first know the Light Bringer.

The apostle continues the verse using another derivative of: "prophetiko/inspired revelations of future events and of salvation that make known and declare the thoughts" of God "before men and before they happen." "Accordingly, for this reason (hoti) individually and collectively (pas) no (ou) prophecy (propheteia - discourse emanating from Divine inspiration declaring the purpose and nature of God) in the Scripture (graphe - Writings) exists as (ginomai - came into being as) individual (idios - unique and personal from one person acting separately or privately) revelation (epilysis - interpretation, understanding, unloosening, determination, and explanation)." (II Peter 1:20)

Epilysis means "to let loose." In this context the closest English synonym is probably "reveal" because that which is "let loose" becomes exposed and known. In that sense Peter is saying that men, working independently, don't "reveal" Scriptural prophecies, they are instead a collaborative effort with Yahuweh providing the inspiration and the Set-Apart Spirit conveying it to us. Yahweh uses prophecy to confirm that His message is trustworthy and He uses His Spirit to communicate its saving knowledge to its beneficiaries.

Sadly, epilysis is almost always translated "interpretation," giving the verse an ambiguous and often misunderstood meaning. To "interpret" is to "adapt" which is the very thing Yahweh doesn't want us to do. To be "called-out" is the antithesis of blending in. When I do radio shows on Islam, the hosts who are universally ignorant of Muhammad's words and deeds, always play devil's advocate, dismissing the evidence found in the historical record with: "that's just your interpretation." "No," I always respond, "that is what the words say. They do not have to be interpreted. Just read." If our translations were accurate, that would also be true with Yahuweh's Word, albeit in a positive sense.

The secondary meaning of "interpretation" is "a teaching technique which combines factual information with stimulating explanatory discussion." That defines what we are trying to do here, discussing Yahuweh's truth in the context of contemporary and historic facts so as to stimulate our thinking and increase our understanding. The "discussion" part is valuable because Yahuweh's truth is often diametrically opposed to "church" doctrine, and therefore we must unlearn before we learn.

Speaking of "unlearning," this next verse was one of the most challenging I've encountered. Recognizing that English translations are hopelessly errant (actually, purposefully misleading), I turned to the oldest surviving copy of Second Peter. What I discovered is that Peter didn't say that "holy men" were engaged in the business of prophecy, no matter how much the "Church" wants us to believe this is the case. The Greek, hagios/set-apart, qualifies the Spirit, not man, in the context, and man is mentioned once, not twice. The second use of anthropos/man, following immediately after the placeholder for 'Elohiym, belongs in the next sentence, the first of the second chapter. To be part of this one, man would be God.

What follows conveys the author's intent, in the order he related the words, to the greatest degree possible with the oldest manuscripts and the best modern tools. "For this reason (gar), no prophecy (propheteia) at any time (pote) was borne out or conveyed (phero - brought into being) by the inclinations (thelema - the will, desires, pleasures, or choices; the decisions, schemes, or covetous cravings) of human beings (anthropos), but instead under the agency of (hypo - by reason of the position and by the force of; because of the location and through the control of) the PNS (placeholder for Spirit, from ruach, from the Greek pneuma) Set-Apart (hagios - of cleansing) demonstrating the reality of, bearing, upholding, and carrying (pheromai - experiencing, receiving, accepting, maintaining, sustaining, and conveying) the voice (laleo - the words, speech, language, and declarative thoughts) separated and taken from (apo) TU (placeholder for 'Elohiym, God, from theos)." (II Peter 1:21)

To begin, Petros wasn't speaking of "all prophecy," inclusive of future false prophets like Muhammad and Nostradamus. He was only addressing that which was recorded in the graphe/Writings known as the Old Covenant. That is why this sentence follows the previous one.

Second, prophecy is much more than just "predictions." Based upon the compound Greek term, it is anything that makes the mind of Yahuweh known to man. And speaking of men, we aren't the source of prophecy. False prophets who speak for the dark spirit have no part in Yahuweh's revelation. They reveal their own lusts, not God's plan. This was never so telling of any man than it was of Muhammad, a money grubbing sexual pervert who recited Qur'an surahs solely to satisfy his own cravings. But it could also be said of many popes. When they speak on behalf of the Church, they likewise are revealing their own inclinations, at least according to Peter, the man whose "seat" they claim to occupy.

Religion is the byproduct of man's cravings, human thelema: "choices, decisions, and schemes borne out of desire." Man's way is not God's way; that has been made perfectly clear.

The vehicle Yahuweh has chosen to use to convey His thoughts is "the Set-Apart and Cleansing Spirit." Our Spiritual Mother is the agent of revelation, the force behind the Word, the translator between God and man. While the Set-Apart Spirit has many roles (giving us spiritual birth, cleansing us, clothing us in a garment of light, nurturing, protecting, comforting, and empowering us), nothing is more important than being Yahuweh's communication medium. The Spirit makes "reality known to us by bearing, upholding and carrying" the Word from Yahweh to humankind. Without the Spirit we would not know the Word as there would be no Scripture. Without the Spirit we wouldn't understand the Word, and thus we wouldn't know Yahweh, as the Spirit alone is responsible for revealing truth. This is why Yahushua said that blasphemy against the Set-Apart Spirit was unforgivable. Without the Spirit we are lost and hopeless.

Apo is the term Yahuweh inspired His servant to use to connect His laleo/voice to Him. That's interesting because apo also means "set-apart." Specifically, apo is "the separation of a part of the whole where some portion of that whole is taken from one place to another." Let me connect the dots for you and in the process of creating a new picture, obliterate and old one. According to Isaiah, the prophet most focused on Yahushua's Redemptive advent, 'Yshayah'el/God Existing As Man, was Qodesh Qodesh, or the Most Set-Apart. Whether Hagios or Qodesh, the Spirit is also Set-Apart. Yahshua and the Spirit are thus apo: "a part of a whole that has been separated from God going from one place to another." That means that the Savior and the Spirit are both a part of Yahuweh sent from Him to us. They aren't separate individuals; they are separated from the Individual, from the Creator, from Yahuweh. In support of this thought: "The Word was with God, and the word was God, and the Word became flesh and tabernacled with us."

For a visual picture, imagine dipping two cups into the ocean, freezing one, making it solid and tangible, and boiling the other, turning it into vapor. Their substance is unchanged. Only their magnitude is diminished and their energy level is altered to achieve specific purposes. The Savior and the Spirit, like the two cups of water, are part of the ocean which is Yahuweh in this example. They are diminished manifestations of Him. This reduction in energy was done for our own good. Had Yahuweh not diminished the magnitude of His means to communicate with us and to save us, He would have incinerated us. Our planet could not endure the intensity of energy inherent in the Creator of 100 billion galaxies each with 100 billion suns. If earth's sun was just one percent closer, we would shrivel under its intensity. Imagine being face to face with 10, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000 of them.

We know that Yahuweh is of infinitely greater magnitude than earth's oceans, just as Yahushua, Yahuweh manifest in human form, and the Set-Apart Spirit, God manifest within us, are similarly greater in magnitude to the metaphorical cups of solid and gaseous seawater, but still this picture is infinitely more in keeping with Yahuweh's Word than is man's invention of the Trinity.

Yahushua, set-apart from Yahuweh, can say, "The Father is greater than I am," and "The Father and I are one," and have both statements be accurate according to "apo/separation of a part from the whole," but not according to a Trinity of three persons. With apo, John 14 makes sense: the Father, the Comforter, and the Savior are the same.

While we are on the subject of inspired prophecy, I'd like to share something I stumbled on last week. It demonstrates the great precision incorporated into Yahuweh's predictions, the very element that proves their authenticity. The occasion of the passage was Yahushua's play on words where he predicted the destruction of the Temple and equated it to the crucifixion of His Tabernacle. Curious, His disciples segued into a question on the end times and what events might foreshadow their arrival. There are seven signs, six of which have already occurred. Here is the first of them: "And they asked Him, saying, 'Teacher, when then, this being so, shall this happen and be present, and what sign (semeion - indication, distinguishing factor or unusual occurrence) will there be when this is about to occur, (ginomai - appear on the stage of history)?' And he said, 'Watch out and be aware (blepo - think and understand) so that you are not led astray (planao - wander away from the truth, are not deceived or seduced to error), for many shall come in My name (onoma - authority, and reputation), saying, "I Am," and though the due measure of time draws near, do not accompany or follow after them. But (de - on the other hand) when you hear of strife, and quarrels (polemos - fighting and battles) and instability leading to a state of disorder and confusion (akatastasia - rebellion and disorderly insurrection, riots and disputes, societal deterioration and chaos), do not fall away terrified, for this is necessary and inevitable, and will come to pass first. But this is not the end (telos - the last in a series of events; the final result of the process) immediately forthwith (eutheos).'" (Luke 21:7-8)

While many, including folks like Muhammad and Hitler, have claimed Messiah status, Messiah is a title, not a name. The only people who qualify for "many shall come in My name, claiming my authority and usurping My reputation, saying 'I Am,'" while "leading people astray" are the long succession of popes who have falsely claimed to be "Christ's Vicar on Earth." While they have caused more "strife, quarrels, and fighting" than any institution in human history, Yahushua is warning us not to "fall away," by following their false ways. Ways which have caused society to crumble before our very eyes. Yahshua is also advising us not to be terrified of their terrible behavior - no matter how hideous their inquisitions and tortures become. The reason He says that this "will come to pass" that "it is necessary and inevitable" is that He would predict the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church in His Revelation letters. All of God's prophecies come true.

"Then (tote - at that time) He said, 'Multitudes (ethnos - races, specifically Gentiles, peoples and nations; large groups based upon religious, political, cultural, or geographic ties; heathens and pagans) shall be awakened and rise up (egeiro - become aroused from a deadly sleep to stand up and make war) upon and against nations (ethnos - races and peoples), and royal rulers against royal rulers. And great (megas - big, powerful, and numerous) hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis (seismos - shaking, commotion, rocking to and fro, and agitation on land and sea) shall come to exist (esomai) against low (kata - down against) places (topos - inhabited areas), and famines (limos - scarcity of harvests and food), and pestilence (loimos - infectious epidemic diseases that are virulent and devastating, destructive and pernicious; plagues, pests, and troublemakers), and terrorist activity (phobetron - terrorist strikes, terrorist and alarming events) and great (megas) signs (semeion - indications, unusual occurrences, and wonders transcending the normal course of nature) shall be (esomai) from (apo - proceed out of) the sky (ouranos - the universe, the abode of stars, the heavens)." (Luke 21:9-11)

The last century's world wars killed more people than all preceding conflicts combined. And today there are more wars being fought in more places than at any time in human history. Moreover, the cause of most of those conflicts, Islam, represents the "kingdom against kingdom" portion of the prophecy. Islamic monarchs represent the last bastion of royal totalitarian rule - something that requires a cooperative religion to perpetrate.

The pestilence of HIV and AIDS has infected more people than any plague in human history. But there is a historic and likely future fulfillment of the pandemic prediction. Bird flu killed 50 million people in 1918 and the current manifestation of this avian disease is predicted by world health leaders to claim as many as 200 million people over the next twenty years.

Terrorist activities have never been as substantial or as frequent. And with them we are experiencing greatly increased famines. Both are the result of Islam, a religion so impoverished it failed to give Muslims a reason to live, but only to die. There has never been a productive, self-sufficient Islamic economy in any nation - not one, not in 1400 years. So as Islam spreads throughout the subcontinent of India and the continent of Africa starvation and terror have become universal.

The sixth sign is magnas seimos, a term which denotes "a massive and violent storm upon the sea, indicative of tsunamis and hurricanes" in addition to "earthquakes." The term is only defined once in Scripture, and that would be when seimos was used to describe the effect of gale force winds upon the Sea of Galilee. In the context of coming "down against low inhabited places" it's not hard to see the enormous hurricanes that have inflicted Florida and New Orleans and the giant tsunami that engulfed Indonesia in these predictive words. We should expect more of all of them as we march like ignorant lemmings toward the Tribulation. But hopefully, some people will be awakened by these prophecies and turn to the Word who predicted that they would occur at this time. While we cannot save the planet from them, we can save ourselves and those we love.

The final sign, "unusual occurrences from the sky" has not yet occurred. The most likely candidates are: the continual breakdown of earth's magnetic field and its reversal which would lead to the sun scorching mankind, something that is predicted in Revelation 16:8-9. Or it could be an increase in solar storms and flairs, which would accomplish the same thing. Or, then again, it could be the asteroid impact spoken of in the Olivet Discourse and again in Revelation at the end of the Magog War.

But any way you look at these events and the predictions of them, we are in the last days. And the short road that lies before us is going to be horrific.