Various Articles
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Jah's Laws
JAH'S LAW
1. Introduction
Faith in the Almighty Jah and His Son the Adonay (Master) Jahshuwah the Messijah is the very first step in the process of salvation. The Mount Zion Assembly of Jah has taught this basic fact for a while. We also teach the necessity of obedience to JAH'S law. We teach the importance of obedience because millions of professed believers assume that The Maker's (JAH'S) law became obsolete at the Saviour's death at Calvary and that there is no longer any need to keep it. This is a dangerous error, a deadly delusion.
The scriptural quotations in this article are given to show how important are the commandments of the Most High. The list is by no means complete: but from the texts given the honest seeker of truth will soon see that disobedience is a very dangerous pastime. Several New Testament verses are included to show that even at the very close of this dispensation, the true assembly will be 'keeping the commandments of JAH.'
Man's Duty
We live in a world in which the Law of the Most High is given little or no attention. Sad to say even in the popular churches JAH'S law is considered by many to be obsolete, a veritable burden and of little practical use to the new-covenant believer. Is this conclusion the Truth? And if so does the Scripture teach it? Listen to these words of wisdom by two of the wisest men that ever walked this earth (Solomon son of David and Jahshuwah Son of JAH):
Solomon in Ecclesiastes 12:13
Fear JAH and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Jahshuwah in Matthew 19:16-17
And behold one came and said unto him, 'Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?' And he said unto him. 'Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, JAH: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
In view of such statements let all beware of classifying the Almighty's law as being obsolete.
Not Under Law / But Under Grace
Millions of heathenistic Christians idly boast that they are 'not under the law' but 'under grace.' This state, they incorrectly assume, allows them to break certain commandments of JAH. An increasing number even go so far as to justify homosexuality, fornication, Sabbath breaking, adultery, idolatry and the eating of swine's flesh; actions all forbidden in the Scripture. They believe that 'grace' has placed them 'above the law!' Is this what the Scripture teaches? Have these believers understood the Scripture correctly? Are believers now allowed to break JAH'S commandments? Are homosexuals, adulterers, fornicators, liars, idolaters and Sabbath-breakers sinning? Or do the Holy commandments forbidding these things still stand? Let us find out.
2. Take Warning!
To begin with let me list a few verses from the Holy Scripture, which specifically deal with the law of JAH, the Holy One of Abraham, Isaac and Jahzrael (Israel). I could list many, many more texts, but the sheer number would exhaust you. Therefore carefully consider the few listed below.
JAH'S law is holy, just and good. To break it is sin.
Romans 7:12 - Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
1 John 3:4 - Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Obedience attracts Holy blessing.
Deuteronomy 4:40 - Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which Jah thy JAH giveth thee, for ever.
Deuteronomy 13:4 - Ye shall walk after Jah your JAH, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
1 Chronicles 22:12 - Only Jah give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Jahzrael, that thou mayest keep the law of Jah thy JAH.
Psalm 1:1-2 - Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.2: But his delight is in the law of Jah; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psalm 119:1 - Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of Jah.
Disobedience Attracts Holy Punishment
Leviticus 26:15-18 - And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant:16: I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17: And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.18: And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.
Isaiah 5:24 - Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the Jah of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Jahzrael.
Ezekiel 18:4 - Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Amos 2:4 - Thus saith Jah; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of Jah, and have not kept his commandments.
Ignorance of the law is no excuse
Leviticus 5:17 - And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of Jah; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.
JAH'S law is the main tool He uses to bring about a conversion
Psalm 19:7-8 - The law of Jah is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of Jah is sure, making wise the simple. 8: The statutes of Jah are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of Jah is pure, enlightening the eyes.
JAH'S law is Eternal
Psalm 111:7-8 - The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.8: They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
Matthew 5:17-20 - Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.18: For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19: Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20: For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Solomon taught obedience
Ecclesiastes 12:13 - Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear JAH, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Jahshuwah taught obedience
Matthew 19:17 - And he (JAHSHUWAH) said unto him ... if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
The Apostles taught obedience
1 Corinthians 7:19 - Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing,
but the keeping of the commandments of JAH.
The Last Day Assembly will be obedient
Revelation 12:17 - And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of JAH, and have the testimony of Jahshuwah The Messijah.
Revelation 14:12 - Here is the patience of the Jahzarenes (saints): here are they that keep the commandments of JAH, and the faith of Jahshuwah.
In view of these sobering texts, and we could bombard the reader with scores more, let all believers beware of dismissing the law of the Most High as though it were of little account. On the great Day of Judgement there is going to be much weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth: and the main reason will be because millions had treated with impunity the law of the Almighty JAH! So do not let some well-meaning but completely mistaken religious leader delude you into thinking that you are 'above the law' of the Almighty JAH!
The Greatest Commandment
Yes the commandments are important no matter what people may say: and some commandments are more important than others. In Matthew 22:36-39 we discover this fact.
Question: Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Answer: Jahshuwah said unto him:
Thou shalt love Jah thy JAH with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Let us examine those two important words 'fear' and 'love' as used in these passages of Scripture.
Fear JAH
English 'fear:' An unpleasant emotion caused by the nearness of danger or expectation of pain. Or the reverence or awe felt for JAH.
Hebrew 'yare': - to fear, revere, be afraid, stand in awe of, honour, respect.
Greek 'phobos': - fear, dread, terror; or reverence for one's husband
When used in connection with man's duty to JAH the word 'fear' means primarily to 'hold Jah in reverential awe;' to consider Him so great a person that His will must be placed above one's own. To fear JAH means to be afraid to the extent of abandoning one's own wishes in favour of His - to walk in His ways. It is an expression that begins with holy awe, progresses to respectful admiration and matures to reverential love and worship. And mature love always manifests itself in willing obedience. This process begins a chain of benefits.
Wisdom
Psalm 111:10 - The fear of Jah is the beginning of wisdom: and a good understanding have they that do His commandments
Fountain of Life
Proverbs 14:26-27 - In the fear of Jah is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of Jah is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Proverbs 15:16 - Better is a little with the fear of Jah than great treasure and trouble therewith
Proverbs 19:23 - The fear of Jah tendeth to life: and he that hath it abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
Love Jah thy Maker
The word 'love' is probably the most misunderstood word in the English language. It means different things to different people. Just say the word 'love' and into a dozen minds will spring a dozen different ideas. Your concept of the word 'love' will be somewhat different to others.
In view of these differences of opinion how can we express our 'love' to JAH? What do we have to do? How can we be sure that our love is the type of love the Most High is calling for? The Messiah answers these difficult questions for us in these words.
John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Verse 21 - He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me ...
Verse 24 - He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
We see here that obedience is proof of love; and disobedience is proof that love is absent. Obedience is, in fact, faith and love in action. The Scripture says that obedience is better than praise or sacrifice and that in the courts of heaven is the most acceptable testimony a believer can give.
1 Samuel 15:22 - And Samuel said: Hath Jah as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of Jah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams.
In the final analysis we will all be judged, not by how much we possess, not by how much we know or understand or even by how much we praise JAH; but by whether we obey Him or not. And though we are not justified (cleared of past sins) by the deeds of obedience, (for justification comes through faith in The Messijah;) we are nevertheless evaluated, graded and rewarded according to the deeds done in this life.
Romans 2:6 - … JAH Who will render to every man according to his deeds.
3. Multilevel Commandments
JAH'S commandments are multilevel. This means that they are applicable on several levels: the physical, mental and the spiritual. When we examine the Almighty's laws we find that at their illustrative (physical) level, many are limited to periods of time we call 'ages' or 'dispensations.' When a dispensation or age expires, then the physical, instructional, ceremonial aspect of certain laws no longer applies. But the moral, high level lessons to which those laws point, continue for all time. That is why the scriptures teach that:
ALL JAH'S commandments are sure,
they stand fast for ever and ever.
(Psalm 111:7)
In other words, the moral kernel of every Holy commandment is eternal, everlasting! Let me explain this fact with the help of two examples.
The Law concerning Phylacteries
Phylacteries are prayer bands, amulets or small boxes worn on the forehead or arm containing extracts from JAH'S law. (Exodus13:1-10, Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21). At their lower level the wearing of phylacteries ceased to be obligatory in the Jahspel (Gospel) dispensation. The Apostles didn't wear them. That is why we Believers do not wear phylacteries in this age. But at its high level this law is eternal. It points to a new covenant procedure when the Most High writes His commandments on the true believer's mind (forehead) and actions (right arm).
Hebrews 8:10 - For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Jahzrael after those days,saith Jah; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a JAH, and they shall be to me a people.
The Laws concerning Animal Sacrifices
At their low level these laws called for the sacrifice of certain animals and birds (bulls, rams, lambs, he-goats and pigeons) to gain access to and pardon from JAH. These sacrifices ceased when the Saviour shed his life-blood for us at Calvary; though animal sacrifices continued for the Jews as long as the Temple stood. At their low level the sacrificial laws were instructional shadows and types. Whereas at their high level they all point to Jahshuwah The Messiah, the Lamb of JAH, who alone is able to cleanse the sinner from guilt and make it possible for him/her to gain access to JAH.
In other words the low level instructional requirements of these laws (the sacrifice of animals) no longer applies: but the kernel of the commandment, the high level spiritual requirement is still in force. It demands that a sinner who seeks access to the Almighty must approach Him with faith in the blood of His Son, the true Lamb of JAH. This aspect of the sacrificial laws is eternal: it will never cease to be. It means that all through eternity, redeemed believers will approach the throne of the Almighty through the merits of the blood of Jahshuwah the Messijah.
4. Not Under Law, but Under Grace
What did the Apostle Paul mean when he wrote that a believer is 'Not under the law, but under grace?' Did he mean that a believer was at liberty to sin and break JAH'S law? Obviously not; Because elsewhere in his letters, Paul advises believers to obey the law. What, then, did Paul mean?
The answer is: he meant 'that a sinner who repents is no longer under the curse and death penalty of the law; but is under the grace and mercy of JAH.' In other words, Being 'under grace' means to be a recipient of the Almighty's mercy. When a repentant sinner seeks mercy and pardon from the Holy One of Jahzrael, the death penalty for sin is lifted from that person and he/she is placed 'under mercy, ''under grace.' That person is 'no longer under the death penalty of the law' but is now 'under the grace of JAH.'
That's what Paul meant.
In addition to this happy state, the Holy Spirit is imparted to the believer in order that he/she might live a life of obedience and holiness. In other words, sin (disobedience) is no longer allowed to have dominion over that believer, provided, of course, he/she wants to be obedient. Paul explains this in the following verses.
Romans 6:14-15 - For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15: What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? JAH forbid.
I repeat: Sin is disobedience. It is breaking JAH'S law. (1 John 3:4) What Paul is asking here is: 'Shall we sin (disobey JAH) because we are under His grace? His answer is 'JAH forbid!' A stronger term could hardly be used. In other words a believer under grace is not above the law! Any solicitor will confirm this fact that: No one is above the law. If anything, a believer - being under grace - is under greater obligation to obey the law of JAH than the person who knows nothing about sin and salvation.
How are we to obey?
Question: To what extent is obedience expected of us?
Answer: Thou shalt love Jah thy JAH with all thy heart, mind and soul.
This is not just a New Testament concept or command. It is old: and it was, and still is, possible to keep; as the following examples prove.
Deuteronomy 6:5 - And thou shalt love Jah thy JAH with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
1 Chronicles 29:2 - I have prepared with all my might ...
2 Kings 23:25 - And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to Jah with all his might ...
Notice how JAH wants the whole individual; not to become a slave-like robot incapable of individual thought who mechanically does what he is told. JAH wants His followers to respect, love and obey Him, with heart and soul. That, according to king Solomon, is the whole duty of mankind: and, as the Saviour said, was the entrance to life.
5. Summary
JAH'S law is holy, just and good.
Sin is disobedience of JAH'S law. Sin carries the death penalty and since all of us have sinned, we are all are under the death penalty of the law. Once we have accepted forgiveness and mercy, then we are no longer under the ` death penalty of the law'; but are now ` under grace'. But being ` under grace' doesn't mean we are free to sin. “ JAH forbid!” says Paul.
Obedience attracts blessing. Obedience is in itself a Fountain of Life.
Obedience is love in action. It is proof of living faith and is far better than sacrifice or praise.
Disobedience attracts punishment and cursing. Disobedience is dead faith and dead love.
Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
The wisest men in both the Old and New Testaments (Solomon and Jahshuwah) recommend obedience to JAH'S law as a duty and as evidence of living faith and true love. And all the Apostles taught obedience.
JAH'S law is perfect and an important tool in the conversion of souls.
Reverential awe of the Most High brings in its train: wisdom, confidence and safety. The Last Day Assembly will be obedient.
JAH'S commandments are multilevel: and though some low level requirements, such as animal sacrifices, no longer apply, at their high level every commandment of the Most High is eternal.
Believers are invited to love JAH, which means to obey Him with total commitment - with everything we've got - with all our physical, mental and spiritual powers. It is possible as the examples quoted prove.
Being 'under grace' means to be a recipient of the Almighty's mercy. Being under grace is no excuse for continuing in sin. No one is above the law!
Those who ignore these facts do so at their peril.
The Mount Zion Assembly of Jah
5 Kanarick Crescent
Toronto, Ontario M3L 1P3 Canada
647-231-9466
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