Sword Of The Lord With Electronic Edge
Monday, March 08, 2010
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Jerusalem wall discovery 'proves Biblical kings existed'
An Israeli archaeologist has claimed newly excavated ancient fortifications in Jerusalem date back 3,000 years and could prove the Hebrew kings David and Solomon existed beyond the pages of the Bible.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Christians – as the Keepers of The Faith
By Roy Tov
A vast distance separates between English and Hebrew. Translations are difficult; being faithful to Hebrew subtexts and undercurrents in English demands lengthy footnotes. This article could be written in Hebrew in a paragraph or less. However, to achieve clarity in English it demands a substantially larger text.
Roots
While talking of “roots” in Indo-European languages (as English is) people often refer to words that can be traced back to an older language. In Hebrew, the “root” is an integral part of most words and refers to a different concept. Around four thousand roots are the basis of the language; most of them include three consonants (though variants exist). A “root” has a basic meaning – though it’s not yet a proper word – and can be conjugated into verbs. Seven structures of verbs allow giving different meanings (achieved in English by auxiliary verbs, reflexive forms and other means. Some of the Hebrew forms have no parallels at all in English). Moreover, verbs in present tense are also nouns; nouns can be conjugated. These mean every Hebrew verb and noun are related in ways English can’t parallel. I want to give an example that despite being a bit complex throws light into a fascinating issue.
Nazareth
The city of Nazareth is known in Hebrew as Natzeret; Natzrat is the possessive form of the name used for example in Natzrat Illit (“Upper Nazareth”), a nearby Jewish settlement. “Tz” is the agreed transliteration for the letter “Tzadik.” it sounds like a “ts” pronounced together – with no syllable break between the “t” and the “s.” To avoid making this error, the inexistent “tz” (in English) was chosen, so that foreigners are not tempted to make a pause between the two letters. I must emphasize that the word “Nazir” is not related, it is derived from a different root meaning “monk.”
As said, the word has a three letters root, in this case N.Tz.R. This root has a double meaning (that’s one of the main things contributing to the Hebrew richness and compactness): “Branch” – mainly in a hereditary meaning – and also “Guard.” “Natzeret” is a feminine noun related to Netzer – a “branch.” The term is used usually for hereditary topics, thus the following verse gets a prophetic meaning:
Isaiah 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
“Branch” appears as “Netzer” in the original, and not as the more botanical term “anaf.” The text goes one describing a Man of God, fitting very much Jesus. Jesus family was from Nazareth and thus the text is interpreted as prophetic and the word “Netzer” is used as a way of referring to Him. Similarly, He was born in “Bethlehem” (meaning “House of Bread”) another prophetic name since:
Matthew 26:26 As they did ate, Jesus took bread and gave thanks, brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said: Take, eat, this is my body.
Until now everything is simple. Making a possessive in Hebrew is also a human fit task: add “i” at the end of the noun. However, a small contraction of the vowels and a fix of the last vowel into a “t” occur here leading to “Natzrati,” meaning “of Nazareth.”
Christians
Until now, this seems trivial, but is very important. Seldom is Jesus referred to - in Hebrew - as being “of Nazareth;” instead another term is kept for Him and His followers. The word for “Christian” in Hebrew is “Notzri.” It is widely used even by the most traditional rabbis/Pharisees. This noun is conjugated from the noun “notzer” and not from “Natzrat.” It is the same root, but its other meaning is used (I skip the linguistic analysis of how nouns are conjugated). It makes reference not to the prophetic place, but to the prophetic role. Not to Nazareth, but to the “Keeper” who is also related to a hereditary branch (descended from David). In Hebrew, a Christian is a “keeper.” A keeper of what? Of the True Faith. Even the Pharisees/rabbis know their interpretation of the Scriptures is partial and false, as was taught by the Netzer, and recognized us – Christians – as the Keepers.
-*-
Roy Tov is a refugee recognized under the 1951 Geneva Convention. Due to a recent attack by Israel, he was left with permanent damage in his throat. Israel attempted also to entrap him in several ways, even by using a prominent American politician. He is seeking resettlement under the 1967 Geneva Protocol or to be gracefully recognized by other country under the 1951 Convention. In any case that must be in a country with no diplomatic relations with Israel.
A vast distance separates between English and Hebrew. Translations are difficult; being faithful to Hebrew subtexts and undercurrents in English demands lengthy footnotes. This article could be written in Hebrew in a paragraph or less. However, to achieve clarity in English it demands a substantially larger text.
Roots
While talking of “roots” in Indo-European languages (as English is) people often refer to words that can be traced back to an older language. In Hebrew, the “root” is an integral part of most words and refers to a different concept. Around four thousand roots are the basis of the language; most of them include three consonants (though variants exist). A “root” has a basic meaning – though it’s not yet a proper word – and can be conjugated into verbs. Seven structures of verbs allow giving different meanings (achieved in English by auxiliary verbs, reflexive forms and other means. Some of the Hebrew forms have no parallels at all in English). Moreover, verbs in present tense are also nouns; nouns can be conjugated. These mean every Hebrew verb and noun are related in ways English can’t parallel. I want to give an example that despite being a bit complex throws light into a fascinating issue.
Nazareth
The city of Nazareth is known in Hebrew as Natzeret; Natzrat is the possessive form of the name used for example in Natzrat Illit (“Upper Nazareth”), a nearby Jewish settlement. “Tz” is the agreed transliteration for the letter “Tzadik.” it sounds like a “ts” pronounced together – with no syllable break between the “t” and the “s.” To avoid making this error, the inexistent “tz” (in English) was chosen, so that foreigners are not tempted to make a pause between the two letters. I must emphasize that the word “Nazir” is not related, it is derived from a different root meaning “monk.”
As said, the word has a three letters root, in this case N.Tz.R. This root has a double meaning (that’s one of the main things contributing to the Hebrew richness and compactness): “Branch” – mainly in a hereditary meaning – and also “Guard.” “Natzeret” is a feminine noun related to Netzer – a “branch.” The term is used usually for hereditary topics, thus the following verse gets a prophetic meaning:
Isaiah 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
“Branch” appears as “Netzer” in the original, and not as the more botanical term “anaf.” The text goes one describing a Man of God, fitting very much Jesus. Jesus family was from Nazareth and thus the text is interpreted as prophetic and the word “Netzer” is used as a way of referring to Him. Similarly, He was born in “Bethlehem” (meaning “House of Bread”) another prophetic name since:
Matthew 26:26 As they did ate, Jesus took bread and gave thanks, brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said: Take, eat, this is my body.
Until now everything is simple. Making a possessive in Hebrew is also a human fit task: add “i” at the end of the noun. However, a small contraction of the vowels and a fix of the last vowel into a “t” occur here leading to “Natzrati,” meaning “of Nazareth.”
Christians
Until now, this seems trivial, but is very important. Seldom is Jesus referred to - in Hebrew - as being “of Nazareth;” instead another term is kept for Him and His followers. The word for “Christian” in Hebrew is “Notzri.” It is widely used even by the most traditional rabbis/Pharisees. This noun is conjugated from the noun “notzer” and not from “Natzrat.” It is the same root, but its other meaning is used (I skip the linguistic analysis of how nouns are conjugated). It makes reference not to the prophetic place, but to the prophetic role. Not to Nazareth, but to the “Keeper” who is also related to a hereditary branch (descended from David). In Hebrew, a Christian is a “keeper.” A keeper of what? Of the True Faith. Even the Pharisees/rabbis know their interpretation of the Scriptures is partial and false, as was taught by the Netzer, and recognized us – Christians – as the Keepers.
-*-
Roy Tov is a refugee recognized under the 1951 Geneva Convention. Due to a recent attack by Israel, he was left with permanent damage in his throat. Israel attempted also to entrap him in several ways, even by using a prominent American politician. He is seeking resettlement under the 1967 Geneva Protocol or to be gracefully recognized by other country under the 1951 Convention. In any case that must be in a country with no diplomatic relations with Israel.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
CAN JEWS BELIEVE IN JESUS?
Dr. Michael Brown and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach debate on if a Jew can believe in Jesus and still retain his Jewishness. The debate was held at the Harvard Club in Massachusetts.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?
A Thousand Years is Like a Day to God
Some believe that since God made/recreated the world in six days and rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:1-3), that humans will have 6000 years to live on the earth under Satan's influence, but will have a 1000 years to be under Christ's reign (the original creation of the universe may have been billions of years earlier c.f. Genesis 1:2; Isaiah 45:18).
Many have noted that a thousand years seems to be as one day to God. This is a concept from both the Old and New Testaments:
For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is past (Psalm 90:4).
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Peter 3:8).
More information on the 6,000 year plan can be found in the article Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan?
The Book of Revelation Teaches a Thousand Year Reign of Christ
Notice that the Book of Revelation makes it clear that God's people will reign on the earth with Christ:
9..."You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:9-10).
Thus, a future physical reign on the earth is clearly prophesied.
Notice that the Apostle Paul told Timothy that the true saints would reign with Jesus:
11 This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
12 If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:11-12).
Chapter 20 of the Book of Revelation clearly teaches, as it mentions it five times, that there will be a thousand year reign of Christ on the earth:
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while. And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
This millennial reign is essentially the "first phase" of the kingdom of God on the earth (more information can be found in the article The Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church).
Some believe that since God made/recreated the world in six days and rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:1-3), that humans will have 6000 years to live on the earth under Satan's influence, but will have a 1000 years to be under Christ's reign (the original creation of the universe may have been billions of years earlier c.f. Genesis 1:2; Isaiah 45:18).
Many have noted that a thousand years seems to be as one day to God. This is a concept from both the Old and New Testaments:
For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is past (Psalm 90:4).
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Peter 3:8).
More information on the 6,000 year plan can be found in the article Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan?
The Book of Revelation Teaches a Thousand Year Reign of Christ
Notice that the Book of Revelation makes it clear that God's people will reign on the earth with Christ:
9..."You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:9-10).
Thus, a future physical reign on the earth is clearly prophesied.
Notice that the Apostle Paul told Timothy that the true saints would reign with Jesus:
11 This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
12 If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:11-12).
Chapter 20 of the Book of Revelation clearly teaches, as it mentions it five times, that there will be a thousand year reign of Christ on the earth:
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while. And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
This millennial reign is essentially the "first phase" of the kingdom of God on the earth (more information can be found in the article The Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church).
King James Bible and other versions: why does it matter?
It is my belief that the King James Bible, originally known as the Authorized Version, first published in the year 1611, is God's word in the English language without admixture of error. This site is here to help tell you why I believe that. At one time I read and studied with a New International Version, and I hope that after spending some time learning about this issue that the truth about the multiplicity of versions will be revealed to you as it was to me.
Lesson 2: Can You Trust The Bible?
Christians take a variety of positions regarding the authenticity of the Bible. Since the middle of the 19th century, it has been attacked and its authority undermined by some "scholars". But, at the same time, other scholars have demonstrated into trustworthiness! Sadly, in this materialistic age, the Bible's moral influence has sharply declined. Many more now read the Scriptures than a century ago - but it has little impact on life. Even professing Christians pay mere lip-service to its teachings. The Bible presents itself as the very Word of God. It claims divine inspiration. Yet if it is shown to be in fundamentally flawed then how can we believe its claim to be God's revelation to mankind - of his nature' of his purpose for us, of the one and only way of salvation through Jesus Christ?
So - can you trust the Bible?
So - can you trust the Bible?
Two Christians Murdered for Witnessing in Boynton Beach
According to the Boynton Beach police, simply sharing the word of God on the street is what brought two ministers to the man who killed them. Tite Sufra, 24, and Stephen Ocean, 23, were shot and killed Saturday night after meeting Jeriah Woody, 18. They witnessed to Woody for fifteen minutes when he got a phone call and told the preachers he 'had to go.' As they walked away, Woody suddenly started walking back toward them. Sufra walked up to greet him and was killed with a shot gun blast at point blank range. When Ocean ran, he was shot in the back. After he fell, Woody shot him in the head execution style. Woody was arrested Wednesday and is charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Thursday, February 04, 2010
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