Is Revelation 4:1 The "rapture"?

"Revelation 4:1 is the rapture?"

Many have assumed Revelation 4:1 is the rapture, or at least a figure for the rapture of the church.
We will show from scripture what is true, and give many reasons.

Here is the passage in Revelation 4:

After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, a voice as of a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass hereafter.  Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne;

1.   Is  “Come up hither”  the same as “caught up” as in 1st Thessalonians 4:17?
(17  then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds

   Here are the two words from the Greek:
 “caught up”  is “harpazo” Def. to seize, carry off by force, claim for one's self eagerly, to snatch out or away  Strongs #726
 “come up” is “anabaino” Definition: ascend , to go up , to rise, mount, be borne up, spring up. #305

The “catching away” is the church remnant being caught up in the twinkling of an eye.
The “come up” hither” is an ascension going up, like smoke.
It may not fit the definition of the “rapture”.

2.    After John went up,  he saw elders, but does it say he saw the churches that he just
  was given a message for in chapter 3 right before going up?

Rev. 3:21   He that overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.
22   He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Next, immediately after being told to write what the Spirit said to the churches, he hears a voice.
3.   Was it a "voice" he heard or a trump that is written that precedes the rapture?

Notice this and ask yourself,  is the "FIRST" voice the "last trump" ???
 Rev. 4: 2" and the first voice that I heard, a voice as of a trumpet"

1Cor 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:
                 for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
                 incorruptible, and we shall be changed

John does not say the voice speaking "come up hither" is the archangel.
He said   the "first" voice is "as" a trump, but is not identified as "the last trump AND a voice of the archangel, as it says regarding the real rapture in 1Thess. 4:16:

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, AND with the voice of the archangel

4.  Is "Come up hither”  mis-identified a "rapture?

    In the Greek, "come up" is "anabaino", and the rapture is "harpazo".      

     Here  is “anabaino”: (www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/anabaino.html)
     Definition:  to ascend, to go up, to rise, mount, be borne up, spring up.

5. “anabaino” is never used where there is a “harpazo”.

 Acts  10:9  On the morrow, as they went on their journey , and drew nigh unto the city,
                   Peter went up upon the housetop to pray (anabaino)
Galatians 2: 1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas,
                   2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach
                       (both are “anabaino” ).
  John went up (anabaino)  in the Spirit, but was not raised (harpazo)  up along with the last trump/ the dead raised first/ the clouds, or the numerous signs that accompany the rapture. 

 6.   The Signs.

        Compare “come up hither” with the real "rapture" and the signs that go with the rapture:

    
        In 1Thessalonians 4: 16
          For  the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, AND with
          the voice of the archangel, AND with the trump of God:

 AND
    the dead in Christ shall rise first;
       (17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up (harpazo)
          in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

7. The English expressions:
    The confusion is introduced by the translators when they translate two different words into similar
     English expressions.
     Our example here of “caught up”, which in the “rapture” verse in 1Thessalonian 4 is “harpazo”,
     is accompanied by many signs.  Harpazo is a sudden seizure, a forceful action. 

  The "pre-trib" folks who want to make "come up hither" into the rapture, but Anabaino is more leisurely like smoke going up, climbing a mountain, arising, or ascending..
   The actions are very different.
8.  Questions:

     In Revelation 4:1, where does the Lord descend?
     Where is the voice of the archangel AND the trump of God?
     Where are the dead that “rise FIRST”?
     Where is the SHOUT?
     Where is “the cloud of witnesses”?
Without any other “rapture” signs that all of the other “rapture” verses mention, any attempt to turn 4:1 into a pre-trib rapture is blatant “twisting”, that is, the “wrestling”  of another meaning into the passage.

9.    At the “rapture” ,  what happens to the physical body?
     In Revelation 4:2 Straightway I was in the Spirit.
     The resurrection is not spoken of until Revelation 20:4, in the first resurrection…”

     Compare with 1Corinthians 15:
51   Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52   in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound,
       and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

There is no mention of a resurrection or a “changed” body in Rev. 4:1-2.

10.  Now compare the same word used in the “rapture” texts
       with the same word used in Revelation 4 as “come up hither”. 

Harpazo: (to seize, carry off by force to seize on, claim for one's self eagerly to snatch out or away)
Acts 8:39   And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip;
                  and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing.
 2nd Corinthians 12:2  I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body,
                                   I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth),
                                   such a one caught up even to the third heaven.
 2 Cor 12:4      how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words...
 1Thes 4:17      then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them
                        be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:...
 Revelation 12:5  And she was delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations
                          with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne.

Anabaino:  (ascend to go up , to rise, mount, be borne up, spring up)

Mat. 14:23    After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray
Mat. 20: 17  As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by
                    themselves, and on the way He said to them,
             18 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem
John 1: 51    And He said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and
                    the angels of  God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
John 6: 62   "What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before ?

Rom 10:6    But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows :
                   "DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, 'WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN ?'

Eph. 3: 8       Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH,
                       HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN."
            9   (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that
                 He also had descended  into the lower parts of the earth ?
          10   He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens,
                 so that He might fill all ...)
Rev 4:1 …and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me said,
                         "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place …"

11.  And here, incredibly,  “anabaino” and “harpazo” are used --->  in the same verse! <---

Acts 8: 39 39 When they came up out of the water,  (ANABAINO) 
                      the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away (HARPAZO)
                      and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.
Do you still want to say John was “raptured” in Revelation 4:1?
 –Clearly, “anabaino” is NEVER used as a “rapture” verb anywhere in scripture.. 

Theatrical Christianity

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SHOW 
-rory moore

Ask any pastor or church leader "Why do we have a raised platform, focused special lighting, a sound system, and (maybe) cameras and video monitors"?  

More than likely they will answer that is so they can further the gospel or something similar.
"It's all for Jesus"?

It is?
WHO benefits from the electronics, video monitors, platforms, and is the center of focus for a congregation?  
Jesus or the man on the stage? Does God's Word need the special effects, sounds, and lights or if we are honest, does it cross the line into fleshly entertainment?
Do you realize that many Sunday Sermons are delivered by professional orators (called preachers) who have not only crafted and polished the message, have rehearsed in front of a mirror, and many are even imitating some other preacher they admire?


In today’s visible church world we find many “alternate realities” under the guise of winning souls, "growing God's kingdom", growing one’s ministry, "going to the next level", achieving some sort of destiny,
and having a successful church (and church business). 

This point was driven home one night as we watched one of Americas Best Selling Christian pastor-authors, one Sunday night television.  Not being much of a TV watcher myself, this was a revelatory mind-boggling view of what has become “Christian”.
The speaker (who rarely, if at all, even quoted from the Bible) appeared on the stage of one of the most elaborate settings this side of heaven itself.

The huge auditorium must have seated tens of thousands of people, ceiling lighting that looked like a starlit night sky, and was enhanced by state of the art lighting, and sound, and center stage of it all was the humble hero of the day. Every facial expression and every timely pause was choreographed and delivered flawlessly. 


Luke 7:25 But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment?
      Behold, they that are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

Acts 12:21  And upon a set day Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel, and sat on the throne, and made an oration unto them.


The “sermon” began with a cute little joke that sent ripples of chuckles through the huge auditorium. 
He went on to encourage the folks to achieve a better life, live happy, and have a winning attitude.  His message really impacted those watching from their pews and televisions as reflected in the sales of millions of his books and DVD’s.
His highly polished and timely delivery, accompanied by appropriate hand gestures and facial expressions, just made you feel good.
Surely many of the good folks drove home with anticipation of how they were now motivated and equipped to succeed in life.  

Likewise we recall how we desired our building to be improved in looks, comfort, and with the electronic necessities of modern churches. 
Better lighting, better cameras, better sound equipment, better presentation were all sought after. 

One year, we even did a major theatrical presentation called “Hotel Hallelujah” in which the majority of the membership played in various roles of the saints and sinners of our day.
I was the voice of the emcee.
We portrayed Elvis, Lady Di, Willie Nelson, Kurt Cobain, Selena, and many others as they met their fate. 
It was a huge effort by our church with rehearsals, stage props, and advertising in an effort to “reach” people for Christ.  (We were copying another church in this production).
Despite the advertising, rehearsals, and the expense, there was only moderate attendance and it is highly questionable that anyone actually got “saved”. 

But it sure was a great show.

We use these two illustrations to demonstrate how shallow church has become as the focus has shifted from “a temple made without hands” to the works of men’s hands. So much time, effort, and finances go in to support the typical “church” operation which culminates in the Sunday Show Case.
There are other matinées such as classes, special groups, etc., but The Sunday Show is the Big One.

Can there any doubt who the focus is on?



Do we realize how vain it has become?
We now have the spectacle of SUPERSTAR PASTORS.  
The Sunday show determines the financial success of the business side of the ministry and how the players performed. 
In some churches efforts are made to "follow-up" with visitors and those who may have made a "profession of Christ".  
You  can sugarcoat the "show" with words of concern for souls and changing lives, but if you were to strip away the tithes, salaries, buildings, and lifestyles from the typical evangelical pastor, how many real servants of God do you think would be left?   

People sub-consciously know something is terribly wrong with the theatric Christianity
that is so prevalent, and pleases our flesh, but they have nowhere to turn, so they think.
 For many of us the thought of not attending church was off the radar and it was only by God's grace were we delivered from our institutional ideas about church and Christianity and have found wonderful simplicity in gathering with others to seek God's Presence without the showmanship.  

Hidden Manna, a White Stone, and a New Name (short version)

✨

Hidden Manna, a White Stone, and a New Name (short version)

Rev. 2: 17 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 

To him that overcomes, to him will I give of the hidden manna, 

and I will give him a white stone, 

and on the stone a new name written, 

which no one knows but he that receives it.

What the Spirit says:
The Spirit-taught revelation from the Word:
Jn 14:26 "But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, "
1Jn2:27 And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abides in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teaches you; concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie..

To him that overcomes, to him will I give of the hidden manna
What do they overcome to eat of the hidden manna, the hidden Word of Truth? In other words, leaving the apostate system that calls itself Christian and is headed by "false apostles 'messengers',
the Nicolaitane error (false church government), and the the married-to-the-world Balaam ministry that sold itself for hire, given in the previous verses in Rev. 2.:2/6/14

I will give him a white stone What do they that eat of that "hidden manna" receive? 

Nothing less than the "white stone", i.e. the pure "unleavened bread" of a non-sectarian, denominated Jesus:
"The Stone that the builders rejected who is become the Head of the corner".
Acts 4:11
 This is the stone which was set aside of you (Jewish) builders, which is become the head of the corner." 
-Indeed, set at aside by the builders who substituted their version of Jesus as they built their churches, organizations, and ministries. 

a new name written
The "new name" IS the true Jesus (the white stone) of the "hidden manna" of the Word of God.
Can "another Jesus slip in through the church door?

2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached. 
Well,  not every "Jesus" preached is The "White Stone" Jesus that Paul preached!
which no one *knows but he that receives it.

What was the revelation to recognize the Pure unleavened, un-denominated Jesus of the Hidden Manna one may receive? - after overcoming the Nicolaitane error and the preach-for-reward ministry! 

Knowing the "new name", in truth, cannot be learned from books or a man, it can only be revealed by the Spirit of God.
Men may teach what they learned from others and repeat their words, but the Lord God gives revelation, the "hidden manna".

Where was a a "pure Jesus" preached? Search the Book of Acts and look closely for what the Spirit-filled disciples proclaimed. Happy searching!:

https://preparinghisway.blogspot.com/2018/06/this-jesus-as-stated-by-apostles-in.html

The FAKE-Bible Word Dictionary

A Dictionary of words, teachings, or beliefs which cannot be either affirmed or quoted in scripture

1Peter 4: 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God 

In today's homogenized, packaged-faith, divided and sub-divided Christianity, we find many terms, phrases, and overlooked words that are assumed to be "Christian". Some of these may surprise you.
Many words, phrases, and assumed Church-speak catch-phrases are simply not in God's Word.

The Old Testament Law and Us in 78 Verses

Galatians 5:9 - A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
          The leaven here is adding a little law.

3  I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole (OT) law.

     4  Ye are severed from Christ, ye would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace.

Simply put:

In case some are not clear on the New Testament in regard to the Old Testament laws and ordinances please carefully read what we are bound to and what we are loosed from. For many this is not an issue. For many, there is much confusion and some sects would bring you back under the law and a covenant God never made with Christians, either Jewish ones or gentile.

The following are NT verses to clarify Christians relationship to the laws of God as given in the Old Testament:
 (OT is used and abbreviated from the words, "OLD TESTAMENT")

Galatians 4:21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law......

What follows is verse after verse that the Spirit of God spoke through Jewish apostles.

How serious is this?   Do you want to be under curse?

Galatians 3:10-11
 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse:
for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written
in the book of the (OT) law to do them.
^5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the (OT) law.

Romans 10: 4   For Christ is the end of the (OT) law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Romans 7:6     But now we have been discharged from the (OT) law, having died to that wherein we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the (OT) letter.

Col. 2:20  Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to (the OT LAW) ordinances?
¹⁴ Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances (contained in the law)
that was against us, which was contrary to us,
and took it (the law) out of the way,  (OUT of the way.)
 nailing it (the law) to his cross;

Eph 2:¹⁵ Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances;  for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Hebrews
7:12 - For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

8:7  For if that first covenant had been faultless (the OT law), then should no place have been sought for the second (Covenant).
  :8   For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
  :9  Not according to the covenant (contained in the law)  that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt;

:13  In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old.
Now that (the OT law) which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away.

Why was it getting ready to to vanish away?
At the time the NT scriptures were written, the nation of Israel, the temple, and the OT priesthood still stood and outwardly functioned.  But Christ had already pronounced Jerusalem and the House of God there "desolate" and the Romans would come and wipe national Israel and the temple, off the map in 70 ad.

When that took place, it became IMPOSSIBLE to observe even a form of the OT law that required a temple, priesthood, sacrifices, feasts, tithing, and many other ordinances specifically required by God's OT laws, statutes, ordinances, and commands.

And so we read regarding the priesthood and sacrifices under the law:

Hebrews
9:9  Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
^:10  Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances,
        imposed on them until the time of reformation.

Col. 2: 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink (from the law) , or in respect of an holy day(from the Law), or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days (from the Law):
 17  Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. "

The law was "the shadow", The Body of Christ is LIGHT.
 

Col 2: ²⁰ Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
²¹ (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
²² Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
²³ Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in (self-) will worship

Paul appeared to go back to the law in Acts 21. (remember, the OT temple was still standing)

Acts 21:²⁰ And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the(OT)  law:
²¹ And they are informed of thee, that thou teach all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
²² What is it therefore?  the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
²³ Do therefore this that we say to thee:  We have four men which have a vow on them;
²⁴ Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walk orderly, and keep the (OT)  law.

(which was in the process of “decaying” and “vanishing away” as the Jewish temple and nation had been “desolated” by Christ, but still existed at the time scripture was written)

 ²⁵ As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing (the OT laws) , save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

But why would Paul appear to go back under the OT law?
He told us!
1st Corinthians 9:19     For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.
Here it is:
:20      

And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews;
to them that are under the law, as under the law,
not being myself under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

He went back under the OT law in order to lead his Jewish brethren out from it to Christ!

Gal. 2:
15  We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,
and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.  (to the law)

:21  I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Gal.3:3
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit,
are ye now made perfect by the flesh?  ("perfect" meaning complete,in works of the flesh, by keeping the OT law the Lord abolished)

4:9  But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God
 how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements,  (the OT law)
 whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?  (the OT law)

5: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.   (to the OT laws)

2Cor 3:7
But if the ministration of death (the OT law), written and engraven in stones (the law), was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 
⁸ How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
 ⁹ For if the ministration of condemnation (th OT law)  be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

¹⁰ For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. ¹¹ For if that which is done away (the law) was glorious, much more that which remaineth (NT faith) is glorious.
 ¹² Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
 ¹³ And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:  (the OT law)
 ¹⁴ But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail  (the OT law)
   untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.              (By observing an OT law we veil the face of Christ)

Gal. 5:3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised (or tithes, or keeps sabbath, or other points of the law)  that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

Do you really want to be a debtor to do the *WHOLE law, as the law itself commanded?





5:9    A little leaven (from OT law) leaveneth the whole lump.
3:10  For as many as are of the works of the (OT law) are under the curse:
for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Just a little law such as tithing/sabbath/ dietary /feasts, etc., leavens, it veils, it makes Christ no effect, it brings us  under the curse, etc....

Paul testified of his very Jewish pedigree:

Phil. 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me (the righteousness of the OT law),  those I counted loss for Christ.

Why would he count the OT law “loss”?
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,
 but that which is through the faith of Christ,  (is) the righteousness which is of God by faith

Therefore Christ, in Col. 2:14
 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us  (in the law),
which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16  Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days (as given in the law):
17  Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

When Christ, the LIGHT comes, the shadow goes away.

Hebrews and the “BETTER COVENANT” than the Old one.

7:22   By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.  (the NEW one)
8:6     But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry,
by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Heb. 8:7
For if that first covenant  (the OT law) had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant (the law) that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt (the law) ;
because they continued not in my (OT) covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old  (the law) .
Now that which decayeth and waxeth old (the law) is ready to vanish away.

GAl. 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law;

 ye are fallen from grace.
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

If any part of the law does not justify us, and was: Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances,"  then
WHY CONTINUE DOING THAT WHICH WAS ABOLISHED IN HIS FLESH,
which will cause you to be “fallen from grace”, brings you into  a “yoke of bondage”,   by which “shall NO flesh be justified”, and brings you “under a curse” for not “doing ALL things that are written in the law to do them”?
addendum for those that may doubt me yet:

*the WHOLE law:
If you have even a FLICKER of doubt in your ability to keep, observe, and do ALL that is written in the law, please read carefully the following:

Does all really mean "all", when God said "do all", "keep all", "observe all"?

H3605 כּול כּל^o

^{kôl kôl kole, kole From H3634; properly the whole; hence all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense): - (in) all (manner, [ye]), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, [no-] thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso (-ever).}

^{Let's be clear about "all". כּול כּלo}

^{I used the Gesinius lexicon.
Definition: all, the whole all, the whole of, any, each, every, anything, totality, everything}
 

<sup>It was used in 4,221 verses.
 -No splitting hairs on this one, God meant "all" when He commanded "all".

And the penalty for breaking and not doing "all" the way He gave "all" in the laws, staututes, commandments, and ordinances" was often death and being "cut off" from Israel.</sup>

^{Exodus 15:26 and he said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of Jehovah thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his eyes, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians: for I am Jehovah that healeth thee.}

^{Leviticus 20:22 Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all mine ordinances, and do them; that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, vomit you not out.}

^{Deuteronomy 5:29 Oh that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!}

^{Deuteronomy 6:2 that thou mightest fear Jehovah thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.}

^{Deuteronomy 11:8 Therefore shall ye keep all the commandment which I command thee this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go over to possess it;}

^{Deuteronomy 11:22 For if ye shall diligently keep all this commandment which I command you, to do it, to love Jehovah your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;}

^{Deuteronomy 13:18 when thou shalt hearken to the voice of Jehovah thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of Jehovah thy God.}

^{Deuteronomy 17:19 and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life; that he may learn to fear Jehovah his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them;}

Exposing The Masquerade of the Tithe

The Masquerade of the Tithe

One night while channel surfing, we happened to run across a very slick, smiling, preacher speaking in a MAGNIFICENT, HUGE "church". The very smoooooth, smiling preacher was polished in delivery and style, the huge crowd mesmerized by his path to the good life.
He even made a few references to the Bible after opening with a cute joke.




It happened that another former Church Inc. member was visiting with us during the broadcast.
    Our friend related how their own pastor would get up and exhort the folks to tithe, while they would have the folks repeat a mantra about God rebuking the devourer and all the financial benefits and blessings that come to them as a result of tithing to God.
"Give to God!  -but make your check out to "The Church"....
 (i.e. the family that manages the "church" checking account and sorts out the tithe from the general offering.)

Most organized churches operate as a "DBA" (doing business as), and many are government licensed 501c3 Incorporated.  This means they have a President-CEO, Board, Secretary, just like every other business organization.  Usually the  pastor is CEO.

Sometimes the secretary is the pastor's wife, sometimes a bookkeeper is hired or found within the assembly.  In the charismatic-Pentecostal church world, often one family has sole control over all the finances. Can you see how easy it would be for satan to use "church" income to corrupt and/or destroy a ministry?

On Sunday, a sermon from  Malachi 3:10  is dusted off and the folks are reminded about "robbing God" out of the Old Testament Law of Moses." I mean, NOBODY want to be a God-robber and the thought of short-changing the Lord by not putting the full 10% of our income send a cold chill up the spine.
We heard and saw this time after time after time, always trusting our leaders and never questioning their authority to put a church full of people under the law of the tithe from a covenant God never made with His church.
-and not only that, but the Old Testament tithe was never money!,
-it was always from plants, trees, and animals grown only in the land of Israel.

Or they may go all the way back to find Abram tithing from that which was not his, the spoils of war.
Which upon closer examination is found to be a one-time tithe from what was not his (spoils of war), and he gave away the other 90% too.
Or they may try and resuurect Jacobs tithe-promise for which there is no information what he tithed or who he tithed to.
 Worse yet, they may quote from Leviticus and verses from the Law, -a covenant God never made with us.

They  may even use a text where Jesus mentioned the tithe to a pharisee still under the Old Covenant law, in Matthew 23:23. -Jesus even saying tithing was "of the matters of the law", not understanding we are to "rightly divide" the New Covenant from the old because there must have been the death of the Testator, Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 9:16 For where a testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him that made it.
:17 For a testament is of force where there hath been death:
        for it doth never avail while he that made it liveth..
Simply put, The New Covenant and the church did not begin until after Jesus' death.  So of course Jesus affirmed keeping the law until "the time of reformation".

 Hebrews 9:10 being only (with meats and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances,
                        imposed until a time of reformation.

Here's the masquerade:

Many of God's people are taught tithing through manipulation of scripture.
Many teach it for personal benefit and gain (prosper).
This is done by sleight-of-hand by saying people are REALLY tithing to please God, and that God would bless them for doing so. The clergy person themself may tithe 10% or more seeking to be blessed by a special covenant from their misunderstanding of scripture. (there is no other NT covenant).

That is a blatant and deceiving error .  But we have to give credit, (no pun intended) week after week many get up there with a warm smile and a sincere, beneficent look, as they manipulate both scripture and the trusting people for their own benefit. If the clergy person tithes to be blessed, where does their "blesing" come from? It is from the people that pay them. But wait, there is not a single verse of scripture where any pastor, elder, or minister has a command to take tithes of their brethren in the New Testament.
(as the Levites did, under the law. see Hebrews 7:5. 
And they indeed of the sons of Levi that receive the priest`s office have commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren.
Of course God had defined the tithes there too, and it was not from income. (Leviticus 27:30)

These are the modern counterparts to the money changers who ran their businesses in the temple and changed folk's money into an act of worship for personal benefit. After all, weren't they serving God's people? -They had discovered the secret that there is good money to be made in the "church".  Eventually Jesus ran them out of the temple and rebuked the Pharisees as "lovers of money"..

There is not one verse in the New Covenant instructing or reminding any Christian or church to tithe.  There is not a single one of the apostles, elders, or overseers who are given a word or example in the New Testament ministry to take tithes of the people.

When we rip the Old Testament mask off the tithe, there is nothing there.... except possibly a corrupted ministry and many of God's people whose needs were not met because the offering plate was fed instead.

Shepherds are prophesied in Scripture to lose their spiritual strength, discernment, understanding and restraint because of plundering and lying to God’s people.

Zech.11:15 And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet again the instruments (in this case the law of tithing) of a foolish shepherd.
16 For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, who will not visit those that are cut off, neither will seek those that are scattered, nor heal that which is broken, nor feed that which is sound; but he will eat the flesh of the fat [sheep], and will tear their hoofs in pieces. (he will destroy their spiritual walk)