Various Articles
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The Dietary Law
The Watchman of Zion
Presents
Dietary Laws and Vegetarianism
Millions of people do not eat meat for a variety of reasons:
1. It is against their religion (Hinduism).
2. Man's original diet according to Genesis 1:29 did not include meat.
3. Meat from diseased animals can be a danger to one's health, and it is difficult to be sure that the meat bought in the market place is disease free.
4. Meat is a major source of cholesterol, a fatty substance found in animal tissues, thought to cause hardening of the arteries.
5. Meat is expensive and the money spent on it could more profitably be spent on fruits and vegetables.
6. Meat is difficult to digest etc.
There are other reasons, but these are among the main ones. The Zion Assembly of JAH does not publish literature as to the advantages or disadvantages of eating meat. However, there are certain meats that the Almighty JAH of Israel has forbidden His followers to eat. This is discussed later. Our observations concerning vegetarianism are as follows.
The Scriptures do NOT forbid believers from eating CLEAN MEATS (from animals that chew the cud and have the cloven hoof, or fish that have scales and fins).
Most Israelites in the Scriptures (the prophets, patriarchs, apostles and the Messiah) ate meat. The Scriptures have scores of texts to prove this point. See John 21:13 where the record states that the Messiah ate fish after His resurrection. JAH - as stated - has not forbidden His people from eating meat. He even symbolically talks of giving us "A FEAST OF FAT THINGS FULL OF MARROW" (the choicest parts of a meat dish) at the great spiritual banquet still to be held in the future (Isaiah 25:6-8).
Most of the offerings made to the Most High on His Sabbaths were meat offerings, of which the priests partook (Leviticus chapters 2,6,7,9,10,14 and Numbers chapters 28 and 29). Those animal sacrifices represented JAH's Son (Ben) Jahoshuwah the Messiah whose "FLESH" we believers symbolically partake of at each Passover festival (John 6:53-56).
Meat is also a symbol of the advance doctrines of JAH and of FAITH; where as the eating of vegetables is likened to a "Spiritual Babes" diet (weak in faith). Any person who does not eat meat because of "Doubt", should never eat meat again because whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Heb. 5:12-14; Rom. 14:1-2,22-23).
Vegetarianism as a spiritual requirement originated in Heathen-India, where multiplied millions are strict vegetarians. It has been observed that even after thousands of years of vegetarianism, there is no evidence that Indians are any healthier than other nations.
Their neighbours the meat-eating Muslims of Pakistan, for example, live just as long as the vegetarian Hindus of India: and both countries have the same climate. The Indians are no healthier, stronger or long-lived than their Muslim neighbours. Neither do Indians excel in sports when competing in the Olympic games.
Forbidding a believer to "marry" or "eat meat" is a deception of Satan. In his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul calls this practice "A DOCTRINE OF DEMONS."……
1 Timothy 4:1-4 "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; FORBIDDING TO MARRY AND COMMANDING TO ABSTAIN FROM MEATS, which JAH hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which BELIEVE AND KNOW THE TRUTH. For every SANCTIFIED creature of JAH is GOOD, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is SANCTIFIED by the Word of JAH." (1 Tim. 4:4-5).
When instructing its readers The Zion Assembly of JAH makes it a point of duty not to go beyond the Scriptures. You will see from the above argument that a believer in JAH is allowed to eat CLEAN MEATS; and no one should judge him/her - least of all a vegetarian.
Romans 14:2-3- "For one believeth that he may eat all SANCTIFIED things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not, and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for JAH hath received him".
UNCLEAN MEATS
There are, however, certain meats that are strictly forbidding in the Scriptures. JAH's law tells us about CLEAN and UNCLEAN MEATS. See Leviticus 11:1-47.
Many Christians and so-called believers do not keep these commandments. They believe that texts such as Mark 7:15 and Acts 110:10-15 give them full permission to eat all kinds of meat: pigs, rabbits, horses, mice, dogs, cats, shell fish, lobsters and prawns. They are mistaken.
These Christians have completely missed the point of these texts and have also ignored vital prophecies in Isaiah where the Most High categorically states that on the Day of Judgement He is going to destroy eaters of unclean meats - the muse and the swine. I quote the prophecies:
Isaiah 65:1-4 - "I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens and burneth incense upon altars of brick; Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, WHICH EAT SWINE'S FLESH, AND BROTH OF ABOMINABLE THINGS IS IN THEIR VESSELS."
Isaiah 66:15-17 - "For, behold, the [Adonay] will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword will the [Adonay] plead with all flesh: and the slain of the [Adonay] shall be many. They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, EATING SWINE'S FLESH, AND THE ABOMINATION, AND THE MOUSE, shall be consumed together, saith the [Adonay]."
The Judgement Day is still future and it is unlikely that JAH would punish the generation before the Crucifixion for eating SWINE'S FLESH and then forgive the generation after the Crucifixion for eating the same things. Such an inconsistent Judgement would create chaos in people's minds for all time. You may therefore be certain that eating unclean meat (swine and mouse etc.) is still a sin and will be punished on the Day of Judgement.
What then of these words of Jahoshuwah?
"There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man." (Mark 7:15).
This text simply points to a higher level of defilement - the human mind. Filth on the clothes and the skin are not as bad as filth in the stomach. Still worse is the filth in the mind. And worst of all is the unclean spirit of Satan who roams this world and at the least excuse will pollute the unsuspecting human mind.
Unclean animals and birds (snakes, dogs, vultures, bats etc.) are symbols of Satan and his unbelieving followers; just as clean animals and birds (the ram, the lamb, the kid, the deer and the dove) are symbols of JAH and His Ben.
Knowingly eating unclean foods is insulting the Most High JAH, It is not only blatant disobedience, but is tantamount to saying: "I am going to partake of unclean meats even though I know they symbolize Satan and his filthy lifestyle." This is an extremely dangerous stand to take.
Another misunderstood passage is found in the book of Acts. I quote:
Acts 10:9-16 - "On the marrow, as they went on their journey and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knot at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, not so, [Adonay]; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean, And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What JAH hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven."
In this experience the Almighty JAH is teaching Peter, and all who later read the chapter, a great spiritual truth: THAT TRUE BELIEVERS IN THE MOST HIGH JAH - OF WHATEVER NATION - WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY REGARDED AS UNCLEAN "DOG", ARE NOW TOTALLY ACCEPTABLE TO JAH.
Their previous unbelief had made them unclean: they were then likened unto dogs, pigs and snakes in JAH's eyes. But, because of their newfound faith in Jahoshuwah the Messiah they are now clean. They are His sheep.
They are no longer to be regarded as dogs, swine or any other unclean beast. Because of their faith in Jahoshuwah the Messiah they have been cleansed through and through by JAH Himself and are now clean and holy. This symbolic drama on the rooftop was given to teach the Apostle Peter and subsequent generations of Messiahns (Saints), that faith in Jahoshuwah the Messiah purifies the vilest sinner, no matter from what nation he or she comes from.
This passage is not to be taken as a lifting of Holy ban against eating unclean animals. Reptiles, dogs, cats, mice, swine, rabbits, shellfish, lobsters, shrimps, and prawns etc. are still unclean for human consumption. They should not be eaten. These unclean creatures symbolize unbelief: and unbelief pollutes a person, it makes him/her unclean. I repeat, unclean creatures are still unclean: just as unbelievers remain unbelievers until such time as genuine faith in JAH purges their uncleanness.
Because of these facts unclean meats should not be eaten; especially in view of the coming DAY OF JUDGEMENT.
Remember the Holy warning:
"They that sanctify themselves and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating SWINE'S FLESH, and the ABOMINATION, and the MOUSE, SHALL BE CONSUMED TOGETHER, saith the [Adonay]."
CONCLUSION
Vegetarianism is not taught in the scriptures. It has no advantages: most certainly it is not evident in vegetarian nations such as India. Indians are no healthier or long-lived than other nations.
According to the scriptures believers are allowed to eat the meat (BUT NOT THE BLOOD OR THE FAT) of clean animals: ANIMALS THAT CHEW THE CUD AND ARE CLOVEN FOOTED. Clean animals include cattle, sheep, goats and dear. Animals such as the pig, the horse, the rabbit, the mouse and the snake are unclean. They do not have those two qualifying points. FISH THAT HAVE SCALES AND FINS ARE CLEAN. Shellfish are unclean. Birds of prey are unclean. See Leviticus 11 for further details.
When an unbeliever, of whatever race, accepts Jahoshuwah and is washed in His cleansing blood, he/she then becomes clean and is henceforth acceptable to the Almighty JAH of Israel. Cornelius the Gentile became a believer, and was cleansed through his faith in Jahoshuwah's blood. Cornelius became clean and was acceptable to the Most High JAH. That was the lesson JAH was teaching Peter in the experience recorded in Acts 10. In no way was the Almighty JAH reversing His Law regarding clean and unclean animals.
Unclean animals are still unclean. Dogs, cats, pigs, rabbits, rats and mice have not been cleansed. They are still unclean animals: and eating their flesh will bring down judgement on the eater.
One Love
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