HolyVision

      Sometimes my vision is too limited. God's vision is not limited. This Sabbath reading portion titled K'doshim, or "Holy ones", challenges me to see as God sees. We need this kind of vision to fulfill the purpose that the LORD ordains for us because it has an effect on future events. We need this kind of vision in order to be conformed to the image of His dear Son, Jesus. Paul, a Pharisee, and a learned student and later inspired teacher of the Tanakh (Old Testament), as well as teaching in new covenant revelation sight, wrote: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these also He justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." (Rom. 8:28-30).  Here we have the vision of God for us from eternity to eternity. This week's Sabbath reading portion, which includes Leviticus Ch. 19 through 20, introduces us to this truth of purpose while incorporating prophetic vision. I think we will find that the prophetic vision of God's people, and their call to manifest the image of God, will activate, even hasten, prophetic events. There's an old saying: "What you see is what you get." What are the people of God "seeing"? 

     From our Sabbath reading portion, K'doshim, or "Holy ones", we have the following pronouncements by the LORD: 

• "Speak to all (kol/kalal - the whole, all, each, every, anything, everything, whosoever, whatsoever, in regard to one continuous thing, of all kinds, every sort, altogether like/to complete, make perfect, to perfect, to put a crown upon) the congregation (eda/ed/ud - company, assembly, multitude, people, congregation, gathering, family, fixture, a private domestic meeting of family/witness. testimony, evidence of things, a recorder, prince, what testifies/surround with testimony and witnesses, to restore, relieve, say again and again, affirm-warn-exhort-enjoin solemnly-admonish-charge) of the children of Israel, and say (dabar) to them: "You shall be holy (qados/qadas - holy, Holy One, saint, sacred, set apart, God [by eminence], a sanctuary/to consecrate, sanctify, appoint, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be separate, clean, purify, to show oneself sacred or majestic, to be hallowed of God), for I the LORD your God am holy (qados/qadas - same as previous)." (Lev. 19:2).

    Here in this verse, we have the reference to our title K'doshim, or "Holy Ones" (see qados/qadas, above). This verse also tells us that we need to adjust our "sight" according to the Hebrew meanings of "all" and "congregation", above. Did you know that the simple word "all" has its root in perfection, completion and setting a crown upon the head? Sometimes "all" means more than "all"! Even "all" is beyond the limit of our assumptions in the vision of God. "Congregation" means any group or assembly, even family, that is alike in some manner. In this case, their alikeness is defined by their (princely) witness, evidence and testimony which serves to affirm, warn, exhort, admonish and charge. We will see more about this later. However, "Congregation" is not defined by something so superficial as an ethnic, racial or cultural group, but by our testimony, witness, and evidence. This is a very high calling as God's Holy Ones. We become holy because God is holy, as being set apart to His identity. He has dedicated us to Himself.

• "Consecrate/Sanctify (qadas - same as above) yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. And you shall keep My (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) statutes, and perform them: I am the LORD who sanctifies (qadas - same as above) you." (Lev. 20:7-8).

Again we are sanctified by our connection to the sanctified identity of the LORD, who has called us to be part of Him. This sets us apart from all other people and powers and we should honor that separation by His identity, not resent, walk contrary to it or disregard it.

• "...I am the LORD your God who has separated you from the peoples. You shall therefore distinguish (badal - to divide, separate, sever utterly, withdraw from, to disjoin by placing a physical divider between, separate things previously mixed together, shut out, be secluded) between unclean (tame - unclean, impure sexually, morally, ethically and religiously; defiled, profane, contaminated, polluted)...and clean (taor/taher - pure, clean, unmixed/be or make clean or pure, to shine, be bright)...and you shall not make your (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) souls abominable (saqas - make detestable, abominable, filthy, loathsome, polluted, utterly abhorrent, base, impure, contaminated) by beast or by bird, or by any kind of living thing that creeps on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine." (Lev. 20:24b-26).

The LORD's identity has already separated us to Himself. We are to understand, acknowledge and honor that separation from the unclean.  As we have read in past Sabbath portions, we, His people who are called by His name (see 2 Chron. 7:14), are so closely united with the identity of the LORD that the uncleanness of God's people makes the whole house of God, which He has set in the midst of His people, unclean also. While we know that the reference to the clean and unclean creatures is generally applied to dietary practices, there is also mention here of unclean creatures that make a person's soul into something "abominable". This is a very deep and dark subject that may include and also extend beyond that understanding that I cannot go into here because of length. Some of it deals with witchcraft, sorcery, divination and animism, and the habit of dark powers to inhabit certain living creatures as we have also seen in examples from scripture (see Gen. 3:1, 14-15, and Mk. 5:1-20). 

     Throughout Leviticus Chapters 19 and 20, the LORD repeats this phrase numerous times after giving the commandments regarding holiness: "I am the LORD", or "I am the LORD your God". His character and being are associated with His commands of holiness. In these chapters the LORD wants us to "see" as He sees and be changed by His vision. The LORD does not want us to be conformed to the vision and understanding of the world and the ungodly. He tells His people not to act in the ways of Egypt, out of which they came, nor to act in the ways of the Canaanites of the land to which the LORD was taking them (Lev. 18:3-5), but to walk by His (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Words (see also Rom. 12:1-3).

     I mentioned above that the holy calling to which we have been called also has prophetic importance. In the Book of Exodus, the LORD had already revealed His calling to holiness for His people: "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." (Ex. 19:4-6). Simon Peter, the apostle, wrote of the same vision for believers in Messiah/Christ: But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10). It's the same prophetic vision regarding God's people. 

     The other reading portions of this K'doshim "Holy ones" Sabbath are scheduled to be read around the anniversary (Atz'ma'ut) of Israel becoming an independent nation on May 14, 1948. However, the assigned portions are of a future vision. These reading portions for this specific time is telling Israel to keep the prophetic vision until it is fulfilled. There is more to come for the natural nation of Israel than what they "see" with their natural eyes, as well as for those who are grafted into that holy root by faith in the Messiah/Christ (Rom. 11:16-21). 

     This is the vision for the K'doshim, the Holy Ones for this Sabbath for the (Atz-ma'ut) anniversary of Israel: "Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.' For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem...They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." (Mic. 4:1-3). The vision for Israel and all of us at the anniversary of the restoration of their independent nation is not rooted in the present, though the present with its terrorism and warfare seems to be all-consuming. What are we "seeing"? Is it the vision for which the LORD has purposed His K'doshim Holy Ones to carry and walk in? There is much at stake.

     The vision doesn't stop there. In another Sabbath reading portion for Atz'ma'ut, the anniversary of Israel, the vision of the LORD for His K'doshim Holy Ones is one of glory: "Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles/nations/heathen/people shall come to your light, and the kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around and see...Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within you borders; But you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise. The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; But the LORD will be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory." (Isa. 60:1-4a, 19). If we are looking at the thick darkness of violence that covers the people, we are looking at the wrong thing. The vision of the LORD is commanding us this Sabbath to look for the risen light and glory of the LORD and conform to it.  This vision of Isaiah's is also brought into the new covenant (Rev. 21:22-27) for the vision of the LORD is eternal and does not change (Mal. 3:6). The verses of Revelation show us the presence of God and the Lamb for the dwelling place/tabernacle/temple of the Holy Ones, because it is written that "...there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life." Saints and K'doshim Holy Ones, are we carrying this vision? These visions of the LORD extend far beyond the current state of Israel and the nations, but look into the eternal, prophetic state of Israel and the nations. This is the LORD's anniversary gift to His people. according to the reading portions assigned for this Sabbath.

     Simon Peter wrote of the even further extent of this far-reaching, unlimited vision of the LORD's and our responsibility to it: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night...the heavens will pass away...the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore...what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening (speudo - to desire earnestly, make haste, urge on diligently or earnestly, await eagerly) the coming of the day of God...Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:10-13, excerpt). Isaiah first prophesied this vision of the LORD (Isa. 65:17-19) regarding a new heaven and a new earth which was also "seen" by John the apostle in a vision in Rev. 21:1-4. Saints and K'doshim Holy Ones, what are we looking for? Is it this same vision of the LORD, which pulls us forward to the new and the righteous? Or do we only see the here and now, which are the things that are passing away? 

     The prophet Habakkuk wrote the word of the LORD: "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but in the end it will speak, and will not lie. Though it tarries (mahah/ma - be reluctant and linger because of the questions "What?", "How?", "Where?", "Why?", "When?"), wait for it; Because it will surely come, it will not tarry (ahar - delay, hesitate, defer, remain behind, slack, keep back)." (Hab. 2:2-3). The LORD wants His K'doshim Holy Ones to read His vision and act upon it with urgency. Are we treating the Holy Vision that the LORD has commanded to His people with urgency?

     The writer of the Book of Hebrews also wanted to adjust our vision by picking up on the prophetic word of Habakkuk above: "For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just (dikaios - righteous, observing divine laws, approved of or acceptable of God, of him whose way of thinking, feeling, and acting is wholly conformed to the will of God, and who therefore needs no rectification in the heart or life) shall live by faith...Now faith is the substance (hypostasis = hypo: under + istemi: to make firm, fix, establish, uphold or sustain the authority or force of anything, stand immovable, of the foundation of a building) of things hoped for, the evidence (Greek root elegcho - reprove, refute, shame, correct, admonish, to call to account, to bring to the light) of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." (Heb. 10:37-38, Heb. 11:1-3). The exercise of our (prophetic vision) faith brings forth the new things by scolding them for not manifesting, according to the Greek meaning above! This is the calling of the K'doshim Holy Ones and saints.

     If you would like to know more about the prophetic vision that the LORD has appointed for the K'doshim saints and Holy Ones, you can pray with me: "LORD of all creation, Your creation is still manifesting Your Word. The vision which You set from before the beginning will come to pass because You watch over Your Word to perform it.  As I follow Jesus, fill me with the Holy Spirit so I may walk in Your vision, running with it, looking forward and hastening it, living by the faith of the Son of God that pulls into existence the things that are not yet visible. I pray for Israel on their anniversary as a nation, that they would be blessed also in "seeing" by Your vision, which You entrusted to them, and by looking to the risen light and glory of Zion. I ask these things in the name of my Savior, Jesus. AMEN."

*NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as Α Ω , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13.

     

Covenant

This sabbath's reading portion is again a double title: Acharei Mot (after the death) and K'doshim (holy ones). It covers Leviticus chapters 16 through 20. The first title, Acharei Mot, or "after the death", begins after the death of Aaron's two sons, who had offered profane fire before the LORD (Lev. 16:1). The LORD begins to give the law of His covenant regarding atonement and forgiveness of the sins of His people - sins that would mean their destruction otherwise. The law given in this sabbath reading portion reflects a Law based upon justice, decency, life, and love, including, "You shall not hate your brother in your heart...You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD." (Lev. 19:18). This verse is sometimes referred to as "the heart of the Law". It was so important that God signed it with His name and being: "I am the LORD". Jesus taught the same (Mt. 22:37-40, Mt. 5:22-24). Jesus said that along with our whole-hearted love of God, love towards our neighbor makes up all the Law and the Prophets. They are so vital that even though heaven and earth may pass away, none of the Law will pass away until all of it is fulfilled (Mt. 5:18-19). Jesus said that these very scriptures, as well as all of the scriptures in the Tanakh (Old Testament), testify directly of Him, the giver of eternal life (Jn. 5:39). Paul also wrote that the love of our neighbor is the fulfillment of the Law (Rom. 13:9-10). Whenever we view the law, we must keep in mind that it is not about acting holy, but being holy as the LORD is holy. (Lev. 19:1-2). Even the double title of this week's sabbath reading begins after a death from a self-righteous work, which is profane before the LORD, and then raises us up into the true meaning of holiness. We get from one point to the other by the blood of the atoning sacrifice (Lev. 16). Outward acts of "holiness" are worthless without the inner work of the Word and the Holy Spirit within each heart. Jesus pointed this out when He compared the religious people of His day to whitewashed tombs that look clean on the outside, but are filled with the corruption of death on the inside (Mt. 23:27-28). We invite the Holy Spirit when we read sripture to bring the truth of God's Word to do a work of change in our hearts (Ps. 119:11). We learn in the New Testament that the Word is not just the legalism of letters on a page, but it is living, and it is a Person, Jesus Christ. The LORD spoke often of His people keeping His statutes as they enter the land that He was giving them, according to the covenant promise He had made to their forefathers: "Therefore you shall keep every commandment which I command you today, that you may be strong, and go in and possess the (aleph-tav) land which you cross over (abar - march over, pass through, overtake and pass, impregnate, perish) to possess (yaras - drive out previous and possess in their place), and that you may prolong your days in the land which the LORD swore (saba - 7X oath, to seven oneself) to give your fathers, to them and their descendants, 'a land flowing with milk and honey'. For the land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot as a vegetable garden; but the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the LORD your God cares (daras - requires, demands, seeks with care, to beat a path); the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end (aharit/ahar - last, latter times, future, remnant/afterwards, delay, tarry) of the year (sana - year, whole age, do again, transmute)." (Deut. 11:8-12, see also Deut. 4:1-2, 5:29-33, 6:17-19, 7:12-15). "The land" is mentioned often in connection with the covenant made with the forefathers and the covenant of the Law. Why was this connection of the Law to the Land so important? The word "land" in Hebrew is eres, but it not only means a nation or specific territory, but the whole earth. The Hebrew letters that make up the word "land" are aleph, reysh, and tsadhe, which, when their meanings are put together may say, "God (Adonai) the Highest inescapably pulls toward Himself a harvest of the righteous". As we can see in the verses above from Deut. 11, and the Hebrew words used in scripture, this "aleph-tav land" is not being treated as only a natural land by the LORD, but a special land, and He wants His people to understand that there are greater and wider spiritual implications involved in their keeping His Word in the aleph-tav land. [note please: aleph and tav are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, with which Jesus described Himself in Revelation, as translated into the Greek language, the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.] We will see, in the following portions from this week's sabbath reading, the importance of the Word and commandments of God "in the aleph-tav land" as the prophetic and spiritual key to renewal, not just for Israel, but for THE WHOLE EARTH. We will see that the quickening or resurrection power of the Word of God, including the Law, which became flesh in Jesus (Jn. 1:14, Jn. 11:25), as well as the Spirit of God (Rom. 6:10-11, Rom. 8:11), revived a man, a nation, and will change, revive and renew THE WHOLE EARTH. First, a man was revived: "Then Shaphan the scribe showed the king (Josiah), saying, 'Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.' And Shaphan read it before the king. Now it happened that when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes (sign of repentance and mourning). Then the king commanded...'Go, inquire of the LORD for me, for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us." (2 Kings 22:10-12). As a result of hearing the Book of the LAW, that had been previously lost, the king of Judah gathered all the inhabitants of Judah from great to small, and he personally read to them the words of the Book of the Covenant. (2 Kings 23:1-2)."Then the king stood by a pillar (ammud/amad - pillar, upright, platform/take one's stand, endure, become servant of, be steadfast, arise, appear, come on the scene) and made a (aleph-tav) covenant before the LORD, to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments and His (vaw [nail]-aleph-tav) testimonies and His (vaw [nail] -aleph-tav) statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the (aleph-tav) words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people took a stand for the covenant." (v. 3). The king then commanded that all places of idolatry be destroyed, and all idolatrous, occultic activity and abominations cease, "...that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book...Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him." (v. 4 - 25). The words of the Book went right through Josiah's soul and heart when he heard them, and he brought a renewal to his nation as well. Josiah's name means "whom Jehovah heals". In another sabbath reading portion, the scripture says that in the latter days: "...out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem." (Micah 4:2). Not only will this be in "the land" of Israel, but the Word will affect the nations: "They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore...and no one shall make them afraid." (v. 3-4). The Word (who is Jesus) will come out of Jerusalem, and from there to THE WHOLE EARTH. If you thought "world peace" was impossible, read the promise of the LORD written in His Word! The LORD reveals the glory that He has commanded for "the land" and its inhabitants in another sabbath portion: ",,,your people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified." (Isa. 60:21). All of the nations of the world will come to them bringing their wealth (v. 11). The supernatural blessing of eternal light will replace natural light (v. 19). "The land" and its people are commanded by God to "Arise, shine!" (v. 1). This supernatural shining light is the glorious light that accompanies resurrection, or "the brightness of your rising"...And they shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel...You shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob...in your land...you shall call your walls Salvation (Yeshua, which is the Hebrew name of Jesus), and your gates, Praise (root word halal - includes "to shine, to flash forth light, give light").(v. 3, 14, 18). The Words of the Covenant, which Jesus is and fulfilled, bring resurrection newness and glory, peace and wealth, Salvation and Praise, to "the land", with its effects going out to THE WHOLE EARTH. This is the will and plan of God, for God so loved the world, that He gave His Son. This may start with the individual, as it did with King Josiah, but it is not meant to remain limited to the individual (see Mt. 28:19-20, Mk. 16:15-18). Unfortunately, the opposite is true also. When the Words of the Covenant are not kept in the land, the false gods fill the land, and the land becomes desolate: "Then the LORD said to me. 'Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying: 'Hear the words of this covenant and do them...." (Jer. 11:1-14). This is the covenant of the Word, and it is joined to the covenant of "aleph-tav the land". If you would like to know more about this covenant of glory, meant to fill THE WHOLE EARTH, you can join me in my prayer: "Heavenly Father, You have commanded Your people to keep the words of Your covenant. Jesus embodies and inhabits every Word, every jot and every tittle of the Your Word, and the Holy Spirit quickens it to touch, pierce, and transmute the hearts of men. Help me, Lord, to keep Your covenant in the land, and bring it to all the nations of the world, as Jesus said. Let Your resurrection light and glory be seen upon my life, and the land, as I keep Your Word in my heart, in order to be part of the fulfilment of Your eternal plan in the earth. I ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN."

HolyOnes

This Sabbath is a special or unusual Sabbath called K'doshim, meaning "holy ones". The reading for this Sabbath begins in Leviticus 19, where God gave the command: "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." (v. 2). As we can see, it was always God's intention that His people be like Him, so as to be identified as belonging to Him. God's people were to be set apart from the other people of the world: "I am the LORD your God who has separated (badal - set apart, divide, sever out, to make a distinction or a difference) you from the peoples...And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated/severed you from the peoples, that you should be Mine." (Lev. 20:24-26). The Apostle Paul also wrote about this separation or severance: "...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed (metamorphoo - transfigure, change into another form, adjustment of shape, nature, form) by the renewing (anakainosis - complete change for the better, renewal; to be changed into a new kind of life as opposed to the former corrupt state) of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom. 12:2). Paul wrote about a change that goes much more deeply than that of adopting a kind of outwardly "holy" behavior or attitude. The change Paul wrote of is about being changed into a completely new form. In verse 1 of Romans 12, Paul begs us to "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." The term "reasonable service" comes from the Greek root words logos and latreuo. Jesus is called the Logos, or spoken Word of God, in John 1:1-3. The term latreuo relates to being a menial servant, to serve, to perform sacred services. Paul told us in this verse to sacrifice ourselves and our own identity, in order to be a servant to the Spoken Word, Jesus. It is by the Word of God (Eph. 5:26) that our minds are washed, renewed and changed. This is part of our "transformation" from the profane to the holy. We are not here to be like everyone else, but to become the image of God by belonging to Him through His Son. Jesus is: "...the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation...now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight - if indeed you continue in the faith..." (Col. 1:15, 17, 21-23). Here is change or transformation again: "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed (symmorphos - having the same form as another, fashioned like unto) to the image (eikon/eiko - image, figure, likeness/to be like, a copy) of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Rom. 8:29). It is far better to be transformed into the holy identity of the resurrected Christ, conformed to His image, than trying to achieve a holy identity of our own. Man always gets it wrong when they attempt to do that. God did not command us to "act" holy, but to BE holy in the same way, and by the same standard that HE is holy. This is truly what Christ accomplished in our behalf. If we can understand and accept it by faith, then we can become it in truth. New Testament scripture is full of the necessity of our ending, in order for Christ to begin in us, such as: "...you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on (endyo - in the sense of sinking into a garment) the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him...Christ is all and in all." (Col. 3:9-11). The holiness of God incorporates a new identity in us, which is begun through His Son, Jesus, and the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God from our innermost being (Eph. 3:14-19, 2 Cor. 4:16-18), progressing outwardly. Jesus wanted to teach this to us about our new identity when He said that you just can't put new wine into old wineskins! (Mk. 2:21-22). It turns out that when the LORD spoke the sentence "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy" to the children of Israel, He was really saying a mouth-full, even a book-full. In a look at another complete transformation in the holiness of God, this Sabbath, because of where it falls on the calendar, is also set apart as the Sabbath before Israel's Independence Day, which is on the date of Iyar/Ziv 5, or May 14th on our calendar. In Hebrew, this independence is noted as Atz'ma'ut accompanied by the Sabbath reading of Micah 4, and Isaiah 60. Israel miraculously became an independent nation again in 1948 after 2,000 years. This is an event that will transform not only Israel, but the world. The end time events prophesied in scripture depend upon Israel and Jerusalem existing and being inhabited. The names of the month in which this restoration of Israel as a nation occurred, Iyar/Ziv, have a special meaning dealing with transformation. Ziv means "radiance, light, glow". This same month became known as Iyar after the Babylonian captivity. Iyar is associated with a Biblical event when the bitter water of the wilderness was made sweet. This transformation happened when Moses was shown (yara - point out, teach, instruct, to shoot) by the LORD a tree (es - timber, wooden post, gallows, carpenter) that when thrown into the bitter water, would make it sweet. (Ex. 15:22-26). The LORD made that place and event a statute and ordinance for Israel. The LORD promised to set a difference between the diseases of Egypt and His people, and to be their Healer (rapa - healing of national defects, of personal distress, of hurts of nations involving restored favor, to sew together, to mend), as His people obeyed His ordinances. Therefore the month of Iyar is associated by the Jewish people as providing an opportunity for healing. We can see a prophetic meaning to the transformation of the bitter water by the throwing in of a tree to be related to the transformative work of the cross on which Jesus was later crucified. It is interesting that out of all of the verses in scripture that deal with Israel as a nation, it is the verses from Micah 4 and Isaiah 60 that are applied to this miraculous anniversary of Israel's independence as a nation. Micah 4 speaks about a transformation that will occur in the latter days, the time in which we are now living. Nations shall be transformed because of the Word and Law that flows from Zion and Jerusalem, and the mountain of the house of the LORD will be exalted. The lame and the outcast will become "a strong nation". Redemption will come to God's people, and the stronghold, dominion and kingdom will be with Zion and Jerusalem. In Isaiah 60, though the earth will be covered in great darkness, Zion shall arise in light. They shall become radiant, and the nations with their abundance shall come to them. Their sons and daughters will be brought back to them, and "Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, so that no one went through you, I will make you an eternal excellence, a joy of many generations." (Isa. 60:15), and "...your people shall all be righteous;" (v. 21). In remembering God in the rebirth of Israel after two thousand years, scriptures were chosen in which the blessing and favor of the LORD upon Israel and Zion would transform not just their own nation, but all of the nations of the world. It is difficult sometimes to picture this great transformation considering the conditions in the world today, but God is the God of miraculous transformations, and we will be holy, because He is holy. He is transforming you and me, and He is transforming all creation through His Son. If you would like to learn more about this transformation, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, by Your Son, Jesus, you have brought transformation to my life, and also to Israel and the nations. You have made us holy through Jesus, as we are transformed from our own likeness into His image. You allowed me to be born anew. You showed Moses how to transform the bitter waters, so they would become sweet. You brought Your nation, Israel, back from the dead, and the whole world will be affected by it in these last days. Father, transform Your people from our innermost being to our outer form into the image of Your holiness, Your Son. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit who quickens my mortal flesh, raising me from death to life. I ask these things in Jesus' name. AMEN."

Holy

The word "Holy" brings to mind different things to different people. Some things or activities that others in the world call holy, might seem strange to us. There was a man who was called a holy man in his country. He faithfully traveled a far distance to a shrine every day. However, instead of walking the miles to the shrine from his village, he would roll on the ground all the way to the shrine. This, in his countrymen's eyes, made him "holy". There was an account written of a man who was considered by all to be a devout Christian. One thing that made others consider him to be holy was that he ate and drank only bread and water. Some think being holy requires a certain outward appearance, and certain religious practices that indicate that the person has separated himself from the world, and dedicated himself to God. Many think that to be holy requires that one doesn't sin, or is sincerely repentant of sin. This would seem to reflect what the Word of God requires for holiness. We have the Word of God to teach us, yet there are still many interpretations of what it means to be holy, or to live a holy life. The fact that we are confused is evidenced by the inevitable questions about holiness that continually arise, such as: "But can I still watch TV? What about cable?" or "Can I play video games and still be holy?". "Can I drink alcohol and be holy?" People are unsure about the subject. There is one thing that is certain: God has called His people to be holy to the same measure that He is holy: "For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. For I am the LORD who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, as I am holy." (Lev. 11:43-45). Also, "I am the LORD your God, who has separated you from the peoples...And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine." (Lev. 20:24, 26). In those last verses from Lev. 20, it seems that the LORD has made the people holy because He has taken them specifically as a possession for Himself. Here is another command from God: "And the LORD spoke to Moses saying, "Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: "You shall be holy (kadosh/kadash- holy, sacred, pure, clean, free from defilement, saint; sanctify, hallow, dedicate, purified, to set apart, to be consecrated, to make or pronounce clean, used of God), for I the LORD your God am holy." (Lev. 19:1-2). This last command from Lev. 19 is also part of the Torah portion for this Sabbath. The title of this Sabbath's portion is K'doshim, meaning "Holy ones". I think this section from Lev. 19 offers some interesting ideas that the LORD adds to the discussion of holiness. Perhaps they are points that some might never have connected to holiness, but God connects them. The first point made after the command of the LORD from Lev. 19 for His people to be holy is the instruction, "Every one of you shall fear/revere (yawray- revere, stand in awe of, reverence, honor, respect, to cause astonishment and awe, to make afraid, to tremble, venerable, august, in a wonderful manner) his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God." (v. 2). Revering parents and keeping Sabbaths seem to be two different instructions, but the LORD has paired them together. The commandment regarding our parents tells us that holiness begins at home, in this intimate family relationship. The LORD regards our parents in a manner that we may not. By using the word fear/revere and its meaning in Hebrew, God regards them as deserving the same reverence as one would give God Himself. Our connection to our parents is a sovereign work of the will of God, and therefore holy, and should be viewed by us as such. This is the beginning of holiness. The LORD makes clear in His Word that it is He who opens and closes the womb. He knows us even before we are formed in the womb. It is no accident or happenstance regarding to whom we are born. In the same verse, the LORD commands that we keep (samar- observe, heed, preserve, beware, watchman, wait, save, guard, retain, treasure up (in memory), protect, celebrate) His Sabbaths. The Sabbaths are not just days of religious observance to some, but the concept of the Sabbath that is so holy, so worthy to be guarded and protected, is that it is a day that proclaims the finish, the conclusion, of all of God's work, past, present and future. It represents and contains the completion of the restoration and reconciliation of all creation back to the One who created it. It is the finished work ordained over each of our individual lives as stated in Jer. 29:11, "For I know the thoughts/plans that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." It is the planned work of the Father, completed by and through His Son, Jesus, for each of us, and for the heavens and the earth, which makes the Sabbath so holy to God, and holy to us. Our own salvation was finished and memorialized in the Sabbath. This is all that is expressed in the Sabbath (Heb. 4:3-4,10-12). Understanding and guarding the holy concept represented by the Sabbath is a place of holiness for us. Our faith exhibited in our God is represented by our understanding of the holiness of the Sabbath, and our faith is something that is very holy and precious to God. The LORD's holiness contained in these two principles makes us holy as well when we receive and understand. As we read on in Lev. 19, the LORD continues His unusual glimpse into His idea of holiness. He discusses our holiness in terms of how we treat others, not only in regards to our brethren, but strangers as well. These instructions include: leaving the corners and gleanings of fields and vineyards for the poor and the stranger. Do not steal nor lie to one another. Do not cheat nor rob your neighbor, nor pay wages late to your workers, thereby doing them harm. Do not mock nor hinder those who have a handicap. Make just judgments, not favoring the wealthy nor disfavoring the poor. Do not be a talebearer (rawkeel- scandal-monger, slanderer, informer, detraction) among your people. Do not hate your brother in your heart. Do not take vengeance nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but "love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD." (Lev. 19:9-18). Of the last statement in this week's Sabbath reading portion, "...love your neighbor as yourself", Jesus also taught as being one of the two principles that make up all the law and the prophets. It carries the same weight as "The LORD is one, and you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, mind and strength." (Mt. 22:36-40). Paul also pointed to this statement, "Love thy neighbor as thyself", as summing up all of the commandments of God (Rom. 13:9-10, Gal. 5:14). Paul adds to the thought: "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." (Rom. 13:11). "Loving your neighbor as yourself", therefore, is not only the fulfillment of all of the (holy) commandments, but is a requirement in preparation for the return of Christ, according to Paul. The Apostle James wrote: "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well." (James 2:8). Jesus made sure that we understood that "our neighbor" is not limited to those close to us, or to those with whom we share an acquaintance. "Our neighbor", in God's expectation of holiness, also includes those who are sometimes avoided by "religious" people in an effort to keep their "holiness" (Lk. 10:25-37). Holiness isn't found only in a list of things to do, or acts to perform. It isn't measured, for example, by how far we can roll on the ground to church. It does not depend upon how we dress, or wear our hair. Holiness, I believe, is found in a Person, God, and discovering our inseparable existence in Him, and in our revering what is in the heart of God towards ourselves and others. If we can understand this, then we are holy, because He is holy. May we be holy for our God is holy, and our Father has called us to be like Him. If you would like to become part of God, and His holiness, you can pray: "Heavenly Father, in Your love, and in Your commandments to be holy, You have provided Your only Son, Jesus, Your Living Word, to call us to Your holiness. I believe that Jesus became sin, so I could be reconciled with You and Your holiness. I believe He died and was raised from the dead, because Your Word says that Your Holy One will not see corruption, and as a result we also are passed from death unto life in Your Son. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, who leads me into the deep things, even the holiness, of God. I thank You that You have separated me unto Yourself as Your holy possession. I receive Your provision of holiness in my body, soul, nd spirit, in Jesus' name, AMEN."