Sin, Judgement and Punishment

This study discusses what is sin, its consequences leading to judgement and ultimately in punishment. It looks at hell as the eternal place of unrepentant sinners.

Sin, Judgement and Punishment

What is sin? p1

Original sin p6

Why is there sin? p9

Why does sin abound? p10

Consequences of sin p13 Personal p20; national p21

Redemption p22

Intermediate state p24

Judgement p26

Judgement of Sin p27

Judgement of Pre-Snatching Away (Rapture) Believers p28

Judgement of the Nation of Yisra`el p31

Ya`akov’s Troubles (Great Tribulation) Survivors p31

Post- Millennial p36

The Lamb’s Book of Life p36

Who will be the Judge? p38

Sentencing p41

Wrath and mercy p41

Punishment; temporal p47; eternal p50

Where will the punishment take place? p53

Comparison of Hell and Heaven p54

References p55

U.S. Code › Title 17 › Chapter 1 › § 107 17 U.S. Code § 107 – Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use p59

Sin

What is Sin?

There must be a distinction drawn between sin and its effects. The fruits of sin in a person manifests itself in trespasses (Jukes). It is the role of Torah to highlight trespasses for what they are and to show what must be done to escape sin and its consequences. It is said that only Believers are conscious of sin as it is a person’s awareness of Yahuah (Yonay quoting Fr. Danielon).

“…Make me know my disobedience and my sin.” (Job 13:23b). In the depth of his trials, Iyov sought the reason for his condition. This word ‘disobedience’ #H6588 פֶּשַׁע pehshah means transgression which is translated as rebellion in the KJV.*1846a rebellion, revolt, transgression but has the underlying idea of a failure in the relationships between two parties. The result is that Man deceives himself “For the wages of sin is death…” (Rom. 6:23a). It is my belief that there is only one sin – disobedience.

What are normally considered as ‘sins’ are in reality the outworking of disobedience. This may not necessarily be an actual breaking of a commandment but in not obeying Yahuah fully, could be considered as sin. “Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, you, and `Aharon your brother, and speak you to the rock before their eyes, that it give forth its water; and you shall bring forth to them water out of the rock; so you shall give the congregation and their cattle drink… Moshe lifted up his hand, and struck the rock with his rod twice: and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their cattle. Yahuah said to Moshe and `Aharon, ‘Because you did not believe in me, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Yisra`el, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.’” (Num. 20:8, 11, 12). In this account, Moshe disobeyed Yahuah’s instructions. It may seem harsh that after all that he had done and was about to do,

Moshe was not allowed to lead the Yisra`elites into the Promised Land. However, due to Moshe’s close relationship with Yahuah, much more was required of him. Believers must mature and what was considered acceptable last year may not be acceptable today, even though it is not directly breaking any commandments.

“For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins… How much worse punishment, do you think, will he be judged worthy of, who… has insulted the Ruach of grace?” (Heb. 10:26-30). The Book of Hebrews was a warning to Believers not to return to Judaism. It was not a question of losing salvation but of punishment in returning to a belief system that was inferior to that which the Ruach had revealed. When the Ruach reveals Father’s will or truth, He must chastise His children who wantonly choose to ignore His leading (Fruchtenbaum (1)).

_____________________________________________________________________Page 1

In maturing, a Believer becomes more and more reliant upon Yahuah’s Word and the leading of His Ruach. The Ruach instructs a Believer in a specific way preparing the Believer for a particular calling or task. By refusing to listen or follow may result in being disciplined by Father.

The definition of sin as above is being disobedience that is, something that is done or not done that displeases Yahuah. Therefore, what is termed ‘original sin’ cannot be supported by Scripture. Man was given free-will so that all Mankind have a choice whether to sin or not.

“If you do well, will it not be lifted up? If you do not do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.”(Gen. 4:7). This is the first time sin is mentioned in the Bible and Yahuah confronted Kayin (Cain) over the murder of his brother Hevel (Abel). Sin is referred to as the opposite of doing the right thing. What is the ‘right thing’ to do? Throughout the world, each sovereign country makes its own laws and regulations and the corresponding punishment if the laws are broken. Some laws may seem to be more severe or liberal than others. Given that within individual countries, and especially democratic countries, the law-makers may pass laws that are popular against those that are beneficial; there has to be a higher standard that exceeds all man-made laws.

“There is a way which seems right to a man, But in the end it leads to death.” (Prov. 14:12). Even though certain laws are ‘good’ in the sight of the law makers, if they are not Yahuah’s ways then the laws may lead man astray resulting in death. The word usually translated as ‘law’ in the Tanakh (Old Testament) is #8451 תּוֹרָה Torah. It also has the meaning of direction and instruction. It is not only a list of do’s and do nots, it is Yahuah revealing Himself and guiding us on how to live a life in right standing with Yahuah. “Yahuah said to Moshe, ‘Come up to me on the mountain, and stay here, and I will give you the tables of stone with the law and the commands that I have written, that you may teach them.’” (Exod. 24:12).

“All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.” (Matt. 11:27, Luke 10:22) In these accounts, the Son reveals the Father “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Yahuah, and the Word was Yahuah.” (John 1:1). “The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw His glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14). In these two verses, the Son is called the Word of Yahuah. The Son’s purpose on earth was to call all people to repentance (Matt. 4:17; Luke 13:3) and to reveal the Father.

“…and sin is lawlessness.” (1John 3:4b). Yochanan (John) states that ‘lawlessness’ #G458 ἀνομία anomia meaning without the law either by ignorance or wilfulness or contempt for the law. He goes on to say that “All unrighteousness is sin…” (1 John 5:17a) ‘Unrighteousness’ – #G93 ἀδικία adikia meaning a deed violating law.

_____________________________________________________________________Page 2

Yochanan clearly equates sin with breaking the law. He would also be aware of the Roman ignorantia legis neminem excusat (Latin for ignorance of the law excuses no one) where lack of knowledge could not be used as a defence in court (www.wikipedia.org).

Torah did not bring the sin into the world but revealed sin for what it was. “The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw His glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Rom. 5:13). The Menorah (seven-branched candle stand) is the most sacred symbol of the Jewish nation as the Cross is for some Believers. “Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.” (Psa. 119:105). The Torah is said to be represented by the Menorah and is meant to be at the meeting point of Yahuah with man and is eternally in the presence of Yahuah’s people. Yahuah has commanded that the light is to be continually tended. “You shall command the children of Yisra`el, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually”. (Exod. 27:20). Sin is usually contrasted with righteousness in the simile of darkness and light. There is no darkness (not even a black hole in space) that can destroy light, but light always destroys darkness! “For the commandment is a lamp, And the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,” (Prov. 6:23) compares Torah and light. Throughout the first chapter of Yochanan (John 1:4-30) the Good News writer likens the Master as Light; Torah=Light=Messiah. This clearly shows that the Torah became flesh partly to shed light in a dark world by revealing Father.

“and said, ‘Full of all deceit and all cunning, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of Yahuah?’”(Acts 13:10). Sin is also the perversion, distortion or adding to or deleting from the Word of Yahuah (cf Rev. 22:18, 19).

“They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me, for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.” (Exod. 23:33). In this verse and the vast majority of times when Yahuah has had to intervene in the affairs of mankind, it is usually when man has gone after other gods. This insult Yahuah takes personally as a direct insult to Himself and all that He has done. The whole Book of Hosea can be summed up in “For their mother has played the prostitute. She who conceived them has done shamefully; For she said, ‘I will go after my lovers,…’”. (Hosea 2.5a). Hosea’s wife, Gomer played the harlot and went after many lovers. With Yahuah calling all Believers His betrothed, going after other gods was considered to be adultery. “For they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands; and with their idols have they committed adultery;” (Eze. 23:37).

“…for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;” (Rom. 3:9b). According to the Bible there are only two types of people in this world; Jew and Gentile. This means that no one is immune to sin.

“All have sinned and come short of the glory of Yahuah.” (Rom. 3:23). This is probably the most often quoted scripture referencing sin and thus needs to be closely analysed.

_______________________________________________________________Page 3

‘Sinned’ – #G264 ἁμαρτάνω hamartanō – sin, is to miss the target.

‘Come short’ – #G5302 ὑστερέω hustero. This means 1a) 1 to fall short of the end; 1a) 2 to fail to become a partaker of; 1c) to be wanting. If mankind has ‘come short’ then by inference it must be possible to 1a) 1 reach the end; 1a) 2 to become a partaker; 1c) to lack nothing of.

‘of the glory’ – #G1391 δόξα doxa. 1) opinion, judgement or view; 3c) 1a the kingly majesty which belongs Yahuah as the supreme ruler or the absolute perfection of deity; 3c) 2b the absolutely perfect inward or personal Excellency of Messiah; 4a) of that condition with Yahuah the Father in heaven to which Messiah was raised after He had achieved His work on earth (propitiation).

‘God’ – #G2316 θεός theos. 3) the one and true `Elohiym. It is important to note that the verb structure is ‘have sinned’ and not ‘were/are sinners’. This is a one off completed event in the past but may well have been repeated over and over again. The verb sense is one of action where the subject of the sentence ‘all (people)’ actively sins. If Man was born with ‘Original Sin’ this verb structure would not make sense as the subject ‘all’ requires the passive sense.

“I have hidden your word in my heart, That I might not sin against you.” (Psa. 119:11). Sin #H2398 חָטָא chata’. This has the same connotation as #G264 ἁμαρτάνω hamartanō. These are not being what we might have been or what Yahuah had made us to be.*638 hata is to miss or miss the way, incur guilt or forfeit and means to be unacceptable to Yahuah.

“He sings before men, and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it did not profit me.” (Job 33:27). Here is a further explanation as to what sin is and that is where ‘perverted’ #H5753 עָוָה `avah is called a sin #H2398 חָטָא chata’. *1577 awa is to bend, twist or distort. For those who think that it is acceptable to tell a ‘little white lie’ or to tell ‘half-truths’ should take notice of this verse. *1577 חָטָא awa also has the connotation of to distort or deviate from the standard that Yahuah has set for Man. It is, in fact, one of the main weapons in the arsenal of haSatan (cf Gen. 3:1, 4, 5) when it casts doubt in a person’s mind by ever-so slightly twisting the Word of Yahuah.

“For the law works wrath, for where there is no law, neither is there disobedience. (Rom. 4:15). Disobedience #G3847 παράβασις parabasis. This is a deliberate stepping across a line separating right from wrong.

“Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also are not tempted. (Gal. 6:1). Fault #G3900 παράπτωμα paraptoma. “Avimelekh said, ‘What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us!’” (Gen. 26:10). Guilt #H817 אָשָׁם

_______________________________________________________________Page 4

asham. These have the meaning of slipping across and is more of an unintentional transgression than willful sin. *180 asham to offend, to trespass (as well as responsibility for sin, punishment and the guilt after punishment).

“Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’” (Matt. 7:23). Iniquity #G458 ἀνομία anomia. This really means to be without the Law and describes the absence of all concern for Yahuah.

“Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.” (Matt. 6:10). Debt #G3783 ὀφείλημα opheilema. This is not paying the fee that is due.

In other words, there has been set a standard to which all mankind can reach but all (except One) have failed to reach. “Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of Yahuah.” (Luke 22:69). The standard is the ability to be in the presence of Father and the result of obedience is to be in the presence of Yahuah. The result of disobedience is to be excluded from His presence. The cause of this failure is sin and sin enters by invitation.

“She said, ‘No one, Master.’ And Yeshua said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’” (John 8:11). A person has the Yahuah -given free choice whether to sin or not. It is my belief that a person does not have sin per se just because of their relationship with Adam, sometimes called ‘original sin’. I do believe that Adam’s original disobedience (Gen. 3:1-24) causes the effects of sin to enter the world (ref. Consequences below). Take, for example, an aeroplane. Sitting on the runway it has all the capabilities to fly. However, until power is derived from its engines, it will never take off. Similarly, with Adam, he had the capability to die (was not created immortal) but there was no means but which death could be manifest. However, once sin entered the world through disobedience, thereby the means of death entered the world.

“If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.” (John 15:22). Yochanan records the Master’s words condemning everyone who does not heed His words. Even in the Tanakh, it indicates this fact, but it was not until the Master’s ministry that this fact became undeniable.

“To him therefore who knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin.”(Jam. 4:17). Sin is not always some terrible act carried out by a wicked person. Believers must be aware that passing by some opportunity to do a good deed when they know they can help constitutes sin in the eyes of Yahuah. How many Believers have not put themselves down to help on a drinks rota in church or helped to clean and tidy up when they see others around them doing so? It is not the refusing to act that is the problem, but rather it is the attitude of the heart that ignores the day-to-day necessities of running an assembly. Some people may think that they have a ministry that is so important that they leave the lesser jobs to those who do not have such a high profile position. Others think

_______________________________________________________________Page 5

that by contributing regularly with finances, they have done enough. However, ministry means ‘to attend to the needs of someone’ and comes from the Latin minister – servant, itself coming from minus – to be less (www.oxforddictionaries.com). In order to serve Yahuah `Elohiym, Believers must have a humble heart towards all people (cf Luke 22:6; John 13:5). Acts of commission can easily been seen but acts of omission can be readily overlooked. It is for this reason that all our actions whether in doing or not doing a particular thing should always be gauged against the expression ‘What would Yeshua do?”.

“Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (James 1:15). Here sin is likened to a living organism. Once it is ‘born’ it grows by feeding of further disobedience. It is usual that one lie is needed to cover up for another and so forth. Until the sin reaches full maturity, it is possible to kill off the organism by repentance and accepting salvation through Messiah Yeshua.

“Adonai said to Moshe, ‘Tell the people of Isra’el: If anyone sins inadvertently against any of the mitzvot (commandments) of Adonai…’” (Lev. 4:1 Stern CJB). This is called a #H2398 חָטָא chata’ and is a sin offering due to the carelessness of the offerer. “Adonai said to Moshe, ‘If someone sins and acts perversely against Adonai…’” (Lev. 5:20 Stern CJB). This is called an asham (www.ffoz.org). Sin is sin whether it is done accidently or on purpose but the Law of the Offerings requires a slightly different guilt offering: a female lamb or goat for the inadvertent sin and a ram for the wilful sin.

There is another definition of sin that seems most appropriate. Sin is not that of breaking Yahuah ‘s Laws but of breaking Yahuah’s heart (Barclay (3)). For everyone that falls into sin, Yahuah sees His Son crucified.

“Original Sin”?

“To Adam he said, ‘Because you have listened to your wife’s voice, and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground for your sake. In toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Thorns also and thistles will it bring forth to you; and you will eat the herb of the field. By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of

it you were taken.’” (Gen. 3:17-19a). This is the judgement upon Adam (and his male descendents). If the length of the judgement of the participants is comparable to the severity of the sin in God’s eyes (Serpent-2; Woman-1; Adam-2½) then Adam was considered most to blame, then the Serpent and finally the Woman. Remember it was to Adam that Yahuah gave the prohibition not to eat the Fruit (Gen. 2:16,17).

Ultimately, only Adam sinned. The Serpent tempted the Woman who in turn tempted the man. There was no compulsion for Adam (and thus all Mankind) to sin and he had the free-will choice whether to obey or disobey Yahuah’s commandments.

“…For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Gen. 3:19b). Death was

_______________________________________________________________Page 6

introduced but with no apparent immediate affect taking place. The promises of Yahuah always happen. Yahuah promised that Mankind would die if Adam ate of that Fruit. There was no time schedule mentioned but the clock started ticking on Adam.

“And the dust returns to the land as it was, And the ruach returns to `Elohiym who gave it.” (Ecc. 12:7). Death can be defined as separation: spiritual death as being the separation of man from Yahuah; physical death as being the separation of the material body from the immaterial soul and ruach (Hoyt 1986).

“Therefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned.” (Rom. 5:12). ‘Passed’ #G1330 διέρχομαι dierchomas is derived from #G1223 διά dia 1)c)2 by means of and #G2064 ἔρχομαι erchomai 2)a) to come into being. My belief is that as sin was introduced into the world, it made it possible for man to sin. It does not mean that sin itself was passed down to each and every man as in the doctrine of ‘original sin’.

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15). The reference to the High Priest is of Master Yeshua HaMashiach. ‘All’ points #G3956 πᾶς pas – each, every, any, all. This shows that Messiah had in Him every attribute that was in man, and man had every attribute that was in Messiah. If Messiah was capable of sinning, so was man. However, this verse tells us that Messiah had no sin in Him so could not have been subject to ‘original sin’. Therefore, to be our perfect High Priest, man also could not be subject to ‘original sin’. It is true that man’s very nature made it so easy to sin that it was inevitable that he would succumb. Likewise, Messiah’s very humanity made it very easy for Him to sin yet He did not succumb to any temptation.

“Then Yeshua was led up by the Ruach into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matt. 4:1). Here is the beginning of the Master’s temptation. This means that:

i) there must have been a possibility of the Master having a choice to sin or not.
ii) what haSatan had to offer, it was able to deliver its promise.

If these were not true, then it could not be classed as temptation and Messiah could not be our Redeemer as He would not have full understanding of the effect of the constant battle with temptation. Likewise the Adversary would have a justifiable claim that the Master would have had a ‘head start’ over Man. The Master was starting from a position of sinLESSness so sin had no hold over Him from birth. Unlike Man who was starting life from the position of sinFULness and sin had Man in its grip from conception. As haSatan never levied such an accusation, it must be because the Master and Man started from the same position. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15). If Messiah had no sin (original or committed) then Man must also start from having no sin.

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience

_______________________________________________________________Page 7

of one shall many be made righteous.” (Rom. 5:19). Sin came into the world by the disobedience to Yahuah’s commandments. In Gan Eden (the Garden of Eden), all was right between Yahuah `Elohiym and man, until man disobeyed Yahuah. In Aramaic the verse says “For as, on account of the disobedience of one man, many became sinners, as also, on account of the obedience of one, many become righteous.” (Rom. 5:19 Roth AENT). The verse is divided in to two parts; the second being the antithesis of the first. What happens in the second must be mirrored in the first.

The work of Messiah (obedience) has made it possible for everyone to be righteous but it does not follow that once Messiah’s work was completed at Golgotha, everyone afterwards automatically became righteous. Conversely, Adam’s work (disobedience) made it possible for everyone to sin but it cannot follow that everyone automatically is a sinner.

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Master promised to those who love him.” (Jam. 1:12). “Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” (Rev. 3:10). “I have told you these things, that in me you may have shalom. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). If Messiah was born sinless, then He did not have to overcome sin in His life but only had to overcome temptation. However, if there was such a thing as ‘original sin’, Man had to overcome both sin and temptation. If this was so, Messiah could not have been the Saviour of Mankind.

“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Yeshua the Messiah, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7). At the moment of salvation, all a person’s past sins have been wiped away. In the word ‘all’ must, therefore, include a person’s ‘original sin’. How then can a child, born of a righteous couple, inherit sin from the parents? “you shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them; for I, Yahuah, your `Elohiym, am a jealous `Elohiym, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me;” (Deut. 5:9). It can be seen from this verse that a parent’s sin can be passed down, but only on those who do not love Yahuah.

“Adam lived one hundred thirty years, and became the father of a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Shet.” (Gen. 5:3). This verse is often quoted to support ‘original sin’ in that Shet was born in the fallen likeness of Adam. However, this interpretation raises the question as to why only Shet was mentioned and not all of Adam’s children. “`Elohiym said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…’” (Gen. 1:26a). Shet was one of the line from which Messiah (cf Gen. 4:45) was to be born and it may be possible that attention was drawn to the fact that, even after the fall, Man retained the divine image.

_______________________________________________________________Page 8

“Yahuah `Elohiym made coats of skins for Adam and for his wife, and clothed them. Yahuah `Elohiym said, ‘Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil.’” (Gen. 3:21, 22a). #H3801 כֻּתֹּנֶת *1058a kĕthoneth coat. This can be shown to indicate that the coat was a ‘paving of the way for what is to be written’ (Mathews). It is my belief that at the time of Yahuah `Elohiym’s killing the animal to cover Adam and Chavah’s nakedness, they were instructed as to the full meaning of the sacrificial slaying of the animal. They would look ahead, in faith, to the giving of the Torah (Written Law) that itself looks forward, in faith, to the atoning sacrifice of Messiah Yeshua.

#H6754 *1923a צֶלֶם tselem image is the spiritual, intellectual and moral representation of Yahuah`Elohiym and also can be considered as Ruach, soul and body. #H1823 *437a דְּמוּת dĕmuwth likeness is a less defined, more abstract representation. Although Man was made in the image of Yahuah`Elohiym, Yahuah uses דְּמוּת dĕmuwth to limit the exactness. Likewise, this would have Shet being born after Adam’s image (ruach, soul and body) but not an exact copy.

Why is There Sin?

This is a question that only Yahuah in His infinite wisdom can answer. Sin was apparent when haSatan rebelled against Yahuah and was cast out of heaven. The ability to sin was available to Adam and Chavah (Eve) in Gan Eden (Garden of Eden) and is a consequence of free-will.

Free-will, along with the Set Apart Trinity and the Snatching Away, is a concept that is not directly mentioned in the Bible. All three concepts must be carefully extracted from Scripture (see studies on The Trinity and The End Times).

“If it seem evil to you to serve Yahuah, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amori, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahua.” (Jos. 24:15). In order to have free-will there must be a choice and there must be no form of coercion to choose one way above another. If the choice was between obedience (righteousness) and disobedience (sin) then there must be sin available from which to choose.

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;” (Deut. 30:19). Yahuah, through Moshe, offered the Yisra`elites a choice whether to obey Him and receive the promises of blessings and life or to disobey and receive the promises of curses and death. The life and death mentioned here were of a spiritual/eternal nature. In Gan Eden (Gen. 2:17) Yahuah said that Adam would die if he ate of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam

_______________________________________________________________Page 9

had a free-will choice as to eat the fruit or not. The decision to eat (disobey) brought down the promise of the curse of death. This was not an immediate physical death but Adam began to physically die. Adam did die immediately in that the sin caused a rift between a most Set Apart Yahuah and His Creation.

“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of Yahuah shall be saved.” (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:21). “For Yahuah so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). There is a promise of salvation/eternal life for those who call/believe in the redemption through Messiah Yeshua and restore the lost fellowship with their Creator. Conversely all that do not call/believe shall be lost/eternal death. This is a uniquely personalised promise in that each and every person is called to make this choice and receive the appropriate promise.

The question of ‘Why is there sin?’ is one that Mankind cannot do anything about. However, the real question that should be asked is:

Why Does Sin Abound?

“You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience; among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” (Eph. 2:1-3). It is hard to get away from the fact that sin is attractive to our bodies. If sin involved having a limb amputated then sin would obviously not be attractive and resistance would be easy. However, the body yearns after sin as shown by the various addictions. “When Par`oh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.” (Exod. 9:34). One of the main problems is that in sinning a person ignores the conscience that warns not to carry on. With repeated sinning, and especially repetition of the same sin, the conscience becomes seared, calloused or as the above verse states, hardened until the conscience is no longer even noticed.

“Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, The uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.” (Psa. 2:8). “All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matt. 21:22). “Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13). “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” (Eph. 3:20).

“ … You do not have, because you don’t ask.” (James 4:2b). “For whatever is born of Yahuah overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith.” (1 John 5:4) The six verses above show one consistent theme. It is my strong conviction that sin also abounds because Believers allow it. These passages show that

_______________________________________________________________Page 10

if Believers ask prayerfully, in faith and in accordance to the will of the Father, all things will be given to us, note particularly chapter 1 John 5 the power and authority that has been given to Believers to overcome the work of haSatan, the evil one.

Take the scenario of the speed sign at the side of the road. It is usually repeated, in plain sight and drivers have been trained to heed the warning signs. How come then that so many drivers are caught speeding? It is usually through arrogance in taking no notice or ‘it will never happen to me’ syndrome. It cannot be attributed to ignorance. Yahuah in His infinite mercy has clearly signed the activities of sin. He has given preachers and evangelists to verbally warn man. He has caused the serpent to crawl on its belly drawing our attention to the Fall of Man and the curse put upon the serpent. He has given the rainbow, not only to remind Himself but to warn mankind of the consequences of globally turning our backs to Him and ignoring His warnings.

“and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noach, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;” (2 Peter 2:5). Although Yahuah raises up evangelists to preach the Good News, the worldly desires causes people to ignore Yahuah’s warnings. The Good News is not what sinners want to hear; it is what they need to hear. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but, according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts, and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (2 Tim. 4:3, 4). This is a stern warning to Believers who once listened to sound doctrine, but have had their heads turned by the ‘sweet’ words of false teachers. They are attracted to these words because they make life more ‘enjoyable’ and are easier to follow than the truth.

“If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehinnom [hell] of fire.” (Matt. 18:9). As with the speeding motorist, Un-believers can never say that they were never warned. There must be drastic action to remove sin in all our lives.

“Do not be deceived. Yahuah is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Ruach will from the Ruach reap eternal life.” (Gal. 6:7, 8). It is my belief that Yahuah punishers sinners directly with the sin itself. Sexual promiscuity is fraught with the dangers of sexually transmitted infections. The flooding of the Mississippi delta region was, in my opinion, due to the allowing of river boats as dens of iniquity. Weather extremes are increasing in proportion to man’s greed for wealth. Earthquakes, tsunami etc. all show just how puny man is when he tries to ignore Yahuah `Elohiym. It is His mercy that some are lost in order that the many are saved; or at least have the chance to repent.

_______________________________________________________________Page 11

“Therefore Yahuah also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonoured among themselves,” (Rom. 1:24). This action must not be seen as Yahuah as being angry or that He could not care less. Nor does it mean that He is abandoning sinners out of condemnation or judgement but rather with a melancholic heart, one full of sorrow and regret (Barclay(2)).

“…for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before Yahuah day and night.” (Rev. 12:10b). It has been said that the devil is a very ‘good’ devil in that what it does, it does effectively, successfully and relentlessly. It has also been said of terrorists that they only have to be successful one in a hundred attempts whereas the authorities have to be vigilant one hundred times out of one hundred attempts. Likewise Believers must be constantly on their guard.

“Therefore, put on the whole armour of Yahuah, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.” (Eph. 6:13). Therefore Believers, having put on the armour must stand firm (Abbott – ICC 1897). The armour must already be on in order that the soldier can stand firm. The ‘put on’ is a one off event and is an action that has been fully completed and is in the same sense that Messiah was sacrificed once for all. It is not to be repeated therefore the inference is that the armour is never to be taken off. The stand firm and pray imperatives are to be considered as events that once started continue until the outcome has been established. This would be when there is no longer a need to stand against the strategies of the Accuser i.e. when a Believer goes home to Glory or Messiah returns for His people.

“Finally, be strong in Yahuah, and in the strength of His might.” (Eph. 6:10). Rav. Sh`aul (Paul) is in prison in Rome, chained to one or two guards (Eph. 6:20) and he is dictating a letter to Tychicus (Eph. 6:21) to the Believers at Ephesus. Like all Scripture, this is relevant to all Believers for all times. He is letting them know how he is and how they (like him) may withstand the coming onslaught of the Adversary. Sh`aul tells Believers to do two things: i) to put on the spiritual armour (Eph. 6:11a) and ii) to pray in the Spirit at all times (Eph. 6:18).

It is my belief that too much time is wasted on repeated prayers. The Adversary has a multi-generational strategy that erodes moral standards slowly but inexorably moving towards the appearance of the Abomination that causes Desolation in the End Times. My wife and I wasted many hours of prayer over our son Jon when he was at home. This meant that this time could not be applied to a multitude of other causes. Believers must be more efficient in prayer and to focus on a prayer, offer it up to Yahuah and move on. (See Prayer).

Even in the secular world, it has been noted that sin flourishes. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (www.quoteinvestigator.com). The more a man sins, the easier it is for him to repeat the sin (Barclay(2)). This may be looked upon as hardening of the heart or quenching of the Spirit inside of a person. In fact, sin can be considered as any narcotic in that the sinner requires more in quantity or more in depravity in order to get the same effect.

_______________________________________________________________Page 12

Consequences of Sin

“but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat of it you will surely die.” (Gen. 2:17). Adam must have known what it was to die, otherwise this prohibition did not make sense. However, it could not have meant instant death as Adam was to live many years after his eating of the fruit. It is my belief that Adam, being born in the image of Yahuah, knew the difference between right and wrong but not of the depths of sin. The term ‘good and evil’ is a Hebraic saying meaning everything. It is for Yahuah only to know everything (omniscience – www.oxforddictionaries.com).

This leads to an interesting point. What would Adam have made of this prohibition? In order for it to have made any sense, Adam must have been aware of the idea of death but would not know it in reality until Yahuah `Elohiym passed judgement upon him.

“They were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” (Gen. 2:25). “Both of their eyes were opened, and they knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” (Gen. 3:7). The Fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil has taken seed, rooted, sprouted and bears fruit of its kind (Gen. 1:11). Adam and Chavah (Eve) now knew that their disobedience was evil. The idea of the eyes being opened must not refer to a physical condition but rather to a spiritual state. Why did the couple think it was necessary to cover up? It is my belief that once they disobeyed Yahuah, there was a loss of innocence and that the couple looked upon on another lustfully. This was not the state that they could enter into Yahuah’s presence because shame entered into their life.

When was the Good News first revealed to mankind? The fruit that was eaten was that of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. When it was eaten, Adam became aware instantly of all the possibilities to sin. Hence, he made leaf coverings for him and Chavah to hide their nakedness (Gen. 3:7, 10). The joining of two bodies to become one flesh in accordance with Yahuah’s commandments (Gen. 1:28, 2:24) had become corrupted by lust. Adam, in his own efforts to combat sin, laid down the example followed by the rest of mankind: he tried to use his own methods instead repenting and turning back to Yahuah. Not only was Adam made aware of all the possibilities to sin (evil), he was made aware of, the necessity of a sacrifice in order to temporarily atone (cover) the sin and the need of a Saviour to permanently redeem him.

“The man said, ‘I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was

_______________________________________________________________Page 13

naked; and I hid myself.’” (Gen. 3:10). “The fear of Yahuah is the beginning of knowledge…” (Prov. 1:7a). This knowledge has produced a fear of the Yahuah and Adam takes to hiding for he is afraid of the consequences of his disobedience. Although Adam and Chavah made and wore fig ‘clothes’ Adam realised that his nakedness/sin was apparent and it took Yahuah to cover their sin.

“Yahuah `Elohiym said, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?’” (Gen. 3:11). Yahuah is aware of sin when it is in the heart of the sinner and not when it is confessed. However, Yahuah will always give us the opportunity to confess and repent. That was the reason for this question from Yahuah. The only sin that had taken place was that of Adam’s disobedience to Yahuah’s commandment not to eat the fruit of this particular tree; not in Chavah’s taking it and eating; not even in the serpent’s temptation. The act of disobedience has since been called ‘The Fall of Man’.

“Yahuah `Elohiym said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you above all cattle, and above every animal of the field. On your belly shall you go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.’” (Gen. 3:14). It was probably that the original serpent was a most beautiful creature to behold that haSatan used it to lull Chavah into a false sense of security. If it had been a cockroach, then Chavah may have been repulsed by its looks and not have been so easily tempted. The resultant curse was to make the serpent a most loathsome creature. This should serve as a warning to future generations that when a snake is seen crawling on its stomach, it should point to the Fall of Man. (Morris). There could well be a symbol of sin in general where Man is said to return to dust upon death, and haSatan will devour all non-Believers (cf 1 Peter 5:8). A Believer’s body will be resurrected and united with their spirit.

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.” (Gen. 3:15). The word for ‘offspring’ – #H2233 זֶרַע zehrah *582a seed, offspring – is singular in both cases. At the Crucifixion, haSatan thought that when Messiah’s heel was ‘bruised’, it was a mortal wound. However, it was haSatan’s head that was bruised and crushed mortally and only Messiah’s heel sustaining a temporary wound. The heel wound was painful but not fatal. ‘Heel’ – #H6119 עָקֵב *1676a `aqeb – is from the same root as the name Ya’akov (Jacob) who was re-named Isra’el by Yahuah. In v14 Yahuah cursed the serpent but in v15 uttered the prophetic announcement upon haSatan predicting the ultimate outcome of history.

“To the woman he said, ‘I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth. In pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.’” (Gen. 3:16). This was the judgement upon the Woman (and her female descendents). The increased pain of child-birth would be two fold; 1) in the physical pain and 2) in the mental anguish of knowing that the child was ultimately going to die. It has been said that this verse is not a punishment as it does not pronounce a curse. Rather, Woman no longer was Man’s co-worker but would become subordinate to him (Hertz).

_______________________________________________________________Page 14

“To Adam He said, ‘Because you have listened to your wife’s voice, and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground for your sake. In toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Thorns also and thistles will it bring forth to you; and you will eat the herb of the field. By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken.’” (Gen. 3:17-19a). This is the judgement upon the Man (and his male descendents) but not a curse. It is the ground that was cursed and as a result Man had to painstakingly work the land in order for it to produce food (Hertz). If the length of the judgement of the participants is comparable to the severity of the sin in Yahuah’s eyes (Serpent-2; Woman-1; Adam-2½) then Adam was considered most to blame, then the Serpent and finally the Woman. Remember it was to Adam that Yahuah gave the prohibition not to eat the Fruit (Gen. 2:16, 17). Adam sinned but when Yahuah’s will has been made known, any disobedience would be considered sin. The Serpent tempted the Woman who in turn tempted the man. There was no compulsion for Adam (and thus all Mankind) to sin and he had the free-will choice whether to obey or disobey Yahuah’s commandments.

“Yahuah `Elohiym said, ‘Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food.’” (Gen. 1:29). In comparing this verse with Gen. 3:17, 18 Yahuah removes his provision of food being readily available and causing Man to have to toil in order to eat. No longer will every plant be a source of food, but Man must use his recently acquired ‘knowledge’ to determine what is edible and what is not. Indeed, this choice would be one of life and death as some plants are now toxic.

“…For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Gen. 3:19b). Death was introduced but no immediate affect took place. The promises of Yahuah always happen. Yahuah promised that Mankind would die if Adam ate of that Fruit. There was no time schedule mentioned but the clock started ticking on Adam. “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to Yahuah who gave it.” (Ecc. 12:7). Death can be defined as separation: spiritual death as being the separation of man from Yahuah; physical death as being the separation of the material body from the immaterial soul and spirit (Hoyt 1986).

“Therefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned.” (Rom. 5:12). ‘Passed’ #G1330 διέρχομαι dierchomai is derived from #G1223 διά dia 1)c)2 by means of and #G2064 ἔρχομαι erchomai 2)a) to come into being. My belief is that as sin was introduced into the world, it made it possible for man to sin. It does not mean that sin itself was passed down to each and every man as in the doctrine of ‘original sin’.

_______________________________________________________________Page 15

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15 KJV). The reference to the High Priest is of Yeshua HaMashiach. ‘All’ points #G3956 πᾶς pas – each, every, any, all. This shows that Messiah had in Him every attribute that was in man, and man had every attribute that was in Messiah. If Messiah was capable of sinning, so was man. However, this verse tells us that Messiah had no sin in Him so could not have been subject to ‘original sin’. Therefore, to be our perfect High Priest, man also could not be subject to ‘original sin’.

During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, much was made of the technologically advanced LZR (Laser) (www.news.bbc.co.uk ) swimsuits worn by some competitors. It was said that they gave an unfair advantage over those who could not afford the suits and there was a furore over the injustice. Indeed, many of the winners wore the new suits, but these were generally the best swimmers anyway who were heavily sponsored. However, the fact was that the non-suited swimmers were under a handicap for not wearing the suits. How much more so can the Adversary call ‘foul’ over the disadvantage Man has being handicapped by ‘original sin’. It could be said that the Master, not being burdened by ‘original sin’ would have found it much easier to live a life without succumbing to sin, that Man who starts life under this massive handicap. It is true that man’s very nature made it so easy to sin that it was inevitable that he would succumb. Likewise, Messiah’s very humanity made it very easy for Him to sin yet He did not succumb to any temptation.

“Then Yeshua was led up by the Ruach into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matt. 4:1). Here is the beginning of the Master’s temptation. This means that:

i) there must have been a possibility of the Master having a choice to sin or not.
ii) what haSatan had to offer, it was able to deliver its promise.

If these were not true, then it could not be classed as temptation and Messiah could not be our Redeemer as He would not have full understanding of the effect of the constant battle with temptation.

Psa. 51:1-7 (1-5)a (Most Bibles do not have the first line as a part of the Psalm proper).

1(0) For the leader. A psalm of David, 2(0) when Natan came to him after his affair

with Bat-Sheva.

3(1) Yahuah, in your grace, have mercy on me:

in your great compassion, blot out my crimes.

4(2) Wash me completely from my guilt,

and cleanse me from my sin.

5(3) For I know my crimes,

my sin confronts me all the time.

6(4) Against you, you only have I sinned

_______________________________________________________________Page 16

and done what is evil from your perspective;

so that you are right in accusing me

and justified in passing sentence.

7(5)a True, I was born guilty,

was a sinner from the moment my mother conceived me. (Stern CJB).

The KJV states that “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” If this is to be taken literally then either Yahuah has called His first commandment to Man (“And Yahuah blessed them, and Yahuah said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:” [Gen. 1:28a]) a sinful act (how perverse can that be?) or that David’s mother conceived him out of wedlock (possible but highly unlikely). “Before I formed you in the belly I knew you, and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”(Jer. 1:5). It could also be said that from the moment of conception a person will fall to temptation and sin but not that the person has ‘inherited’ sin from Adam via their parents.

David was in a state of repentance over the double sin of having Uriah killed and taking Bat-Sheva as one of his wives. It may be that David was acknowledging that from the moment of conception, Yahuah knew of David’s sin(s) (and also all ours) rather than that he was a subject to sin because of his humanity and not to the influence of sin on a susceptible human.

“Also for Adam and his wife the Yahuah `Elohiym made tunics of skin, and clothed them.” (Gen. 3:21). For Man to remain in the presence of the most Set Apart Yahuah, a sacrifice was necessary to ‘cover’ or atone for the sin. This is the first account of death (inferred) in Yahuah’s Word. Adam and Chavah now knew the horrific consequences of sin: a life had to be forfeited in order to pay for the transgressions. Sin does not only affect the sinner but also those around them.

“So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Gen. 3:24). The final verse of Genesis 3 has Mankind cast out of Eden. This was literally being sent out and the way back into the presence of Yahuah was prevented by the k’ruvim (angels). “There I will meet with you, and I will tell you from above the mercy seat, from between the two Keruvim which are on the ark of the testimony, all that I command you for the children of Yisra’el.” (Exod. 25:22). The k’ruvim were either side of the Mercy Seat upon the Ark of the Covenant (the earthly dwelling place of the Glory of Yahuah – Shekinah). The result of sin was the alienation of Yahuah and Man as a sinful man cannot survive in the presence of a thrice Set Apart (Set Apart, Set Apart) Yahuah. In Hebrew grammar, one way to express an increase in magnitude (biggest as opposed to big) was to repeat the word. The double repetition of Set Apart is only ever used in describing Yahuah and no other word has a double repetition attesting to the absolute greatness of Yahuah.

_______________________________________________________________Page 17

“For the wages of sin is death,” (Rom. 6:23a). Sin is the cause of death. Mankind was not made immortal but if there was no sin, there would be no consequence of sin i.e. death. Although man was created as a mortal being, there would be no mechanism to cause him to die. Rather, Mankind was made mortal but with sin having no strength. Notice that there are wages plural (punishment, chastisement and death) whereas sin is singular. There is really only one sin and that is disobeying Yahuah’s Word. Everything else is a description of how Yahuah is disobeyed.

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” (1 Cor. 1:15). Scripture tells that death gets its power from sin. With Adam’s disobedience came sin; with sin death was empowered and Mankind’s mortality became a reality. The word ‘sting’ – #G2759 κέντρον kentron – a prick. It describes how a very small action has such a massive consequence i.e. a small sting of a scorpion can lead to death if not immediately treated.

“Fools mock at making atonement for sins,” (Prov. 14:9a). People do not want to know what sin is and show no concern for sin but instead want to blot out its consequences. “Anyone who has rejected Moshe’s law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.” (Heb.10:28). Death under the Mosaic Law could only be proscribed after the testimony of two or three independent and reliable witnesses. “Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness;” (Deut. 17:6). What witnesses do we have?

a) haSatan – 12:11 calls the Adversary the accuser of the brethren. Can this fallen angel be trusted to tell the truth as it is called the father of lies (John. 8:44)? I believe it can. Remember in Rev. 12:11 haSatan is in the presence of Yahuah and
i) cannot lie in the very presence of a Set Apart Yahuah and
ii) does not really have to as our sin is known to Yahuah. HaSatan is just reminding Yahuah of our sin.
b) The Word of Yahuah – many, many references outlined in this paper;

Ourselves – “So Yehoshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen Yahuah for yourselves, to serve Him.” And they said, “We are witnesses!” (Josh. 24:22). This tells of our being able to witness against ourselves. Unlike most human courts, a person does not have to incriminate themselves; in Yahuah’s court there is no choice.

“but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Heb. 3:13). Sin distracts a person from itself. In witnessing to anybody, the first step towards salvation must be a realisation of sin by a person. Any drug addict, alcoholic or gambler will be the last to realise their problem. When they eventually come to terms with the fact they have a problem, they will try to put the blame on anyone or anything other than themselves (cf. Gen. 3:12). Likewise, when a sinner realises their state, blame is apportioned elsewhere. Sin in its subtlety is a direct consequence of the serpent’s actions which is described as being subtle itself.

_______________________________________________________________Page 18

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8). We can be so deceived by sin that we honestly believe that we have not sinned. If we do not recognise that we are sinners then there is no need of a Redeemer. However, for all those who acknowledge their sin, repent and seek hwhy forgiveness, a Redeemer was sent “For Yahuah so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John. 3:16) and “that Messiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures,” (1 Cor. 15:3). Consider this: if one sin caused us to move one step away from the Father then each successive sin meant that we had to move a further step away. Imagine the distance the Master had to be away from the Father when He took every sin upon Himself.

Yahuah does not want anyone to perish. “Yahuah is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). “And about the ninth hour Yeshua cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My `El, My `El, why have You forsaken Me?’”That is why nothing was spared in order for the way back to be possible; not even the death and alienation of His only begotten Son.

In the Aramaic English New Testament (AENT Roth) has a footnote #268 that ‘forsaken’ is a Marcionite error and should read ‘spared’ in place of it. This has Messiah seeking death as a release back to the Father rather than the Father having turned His back on His Son. “for Yahuah your `Elohiym, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6b). “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” (Isa. 49:15). “I have been young, and now am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his children begging for bread.” (Psa. 37:25). If Yahuah cannot ‘forsake’ a righteous person, how much more so for His Righteous Son. Matt. 27:46 should, therefore read “My El! My El! [Lemana shabakthani] Why have you spared me?” That is to say “Father, I am ready, why can’t we finish this?” (AENT).

“Therefore My people shall know My name; Therefore they shall know in that day That I am He who speaks: ‘Behold, it is I.’” (Isa. 52:6). “It shall be in that day,” says Yahuah Tsav`ot, “that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered… I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘Yahuah is my `Elohiym.’” (Jer. 13:2a, 9). These two prophets tell of a time both imminent and of a much more future time (‘in that day’) when the true Name of the Almighty will be made known. Yeshayahu (Isaiah) repeats the ‘I AM’ theme that would

_______________________________________________________________Page 19

bring to mind Yahuah to all the listeners. Likewise, Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) tells of a time when there will only be a remnant of Believers but these will call upon Yahuah and recognise that this Name is the true Name of the Eternal-Existing One. Strong wrongly ascribes #H3068 Yahuah to Jehovah as this was the name in common usage when he compiled his concordance. However, with the growing Messianic Jewish Movement, better scholarship and leading of the Set Apart Spirit, the true Name is being made known throughout the Congregations of Believers.*484a Yahweh has also been put forward as a possible pronunciation.

“saying: ‘I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.’” (Heb. 2:12). The writer to the Messianic Hebrew Congregations quotes Psa. 22:22. This is King David (foreshadowing Messiah) talking to his `El and calls Him Yahuah. Thus the Messiah will make known this Name to His people. Rav Sh`aul quotes Tanakh (Old Testament) verses in support of his discussions, for example: Rom. 9:17/Exod. 9:16; Rom. 10:13/Joel 2:32; Rom. 15:9/2 Sam. 22:50 and Psa. 18:49. In each of the Tanakh verses the Name of Yahuah is used.

“And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of Yahuah Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Yerushalayim there shall be deliverance, As Yahuah has said, Among the remnant whom Yahuah calls.”(Joel 2:32). “I, even I, am Yahuah, And besides Me there is no saviour.”(Isa. 43:11). Again, in this passage (Isa. 43:1-28), Yeshayahu’s theme is ‘I AM’ and the inspired prophet declares that Yahuah is the Saviour. It is Yahuah who saves. Yeshua (the diminutive being Yahoshua) means Yah or Yahuah is Salvation (Stanton & Isham). The name of Yeshua/Yahoshua is not a unique name so there is no special ‘power’ in the name. However, Yahuah `Elohiym recognises the faith involved when the Name of Yeshua is called upon. Therefore, as the End Times draws to an ultimate conclusion, Yahuah will increasingly be made known throughout Believers and more power will be realised within Believers congregations. This will coincide with the increase in demonic activity and the subsequent need of speaking the true Name of Father and of His Son Yeshua.

Personal

“For there is nothing hidden, except that it should be made known; neither was anything made secret, but that it should come to light. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear. He said to them, ‘Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you who hear.’” (Mark 4:22-24). Sin is a very personal thing. Everyone will be called to account for their lives and those who have not received forgiveness through Messiah Yeshua will be found wanting. No matter how righteous a person may be (except Master Yeshua), they cannot allocate some of their righteousness onto another person. Each and everyone has individually sinned; each and everyone must individually repent. If a person does not repent, then there are individual repercussions. These consequences are usually associated with the sin. For example, King David had Uriyah the Hittite killed so that he could take his wife, Bat-Sheva. However, the consequence of this union was a baby, but Yahuah took the child (an innocent died for the sins of the guilty) from them (2 Sam. 12:1-24). After repentance, the union produced another child, Shlomo who would be blessed by Yahuah in building of the first Temple. Ignorance of Scripture is no defence against their consequences. However, being made aware of the sin and ignoring the warnings, will bring down heavier penalties.

_______________________________________________________________Page 20

National

“saying, ‘Return you now everyone from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that Yahuah has given to you and to your fathers, from of old and even forevermore… and don’t go after other gods to serve them or worship them…Yet you have not listened to me, says Yahuah; that you may provoke me to anger with the work of your hands to your own hurt… Because you have not heard my words… behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, says Yahuah, and I will send to Nevukhadretztzar the king of Bavel, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants of it, and against all these nations round about; and I will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and a hissing, and perpetual desolations.’” (Jer. 25:5-9). This passage shows the result of national sin. Although the prophet Yirmeyahu was speaking directly to King Yoshiyahu, it was to the king as the representative of the nation of Yehudah. Most of the nation (apart from a small remnant) sinned deeply and were warned on countless occasions, but ignored Yahuah’s prophets. Much of the writings in the Tanakh details the national sinning of Yisra`el, the consequences of the sin and the result of their repentance.

“Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of has Yahuah spoken, that he may declare it? Why is the land perished and burned up like a wilderness, so that none passes through? Yahuah says, ‘Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein, but have walked after the stubbornness of their own heart, and after the Ba`alim, which their fathers taught them;’” (Jer. 9:12-14). National sin has dire consequences for the land (Spencer & White). In this passage, the prophet Yirmeyahu is the ‘mouth of Yahuah’ through which the judgement is passed. Due to their continual sin of Torahlessness and following false lords and gods, the land suffered desolation.

“Hear the word of Yahuah, you children of Yisra`el; For Yahuah has a charge against the inhabitants of the land: ‘Indeed there is no truth, Nor goodness, Nor knowledge of Yahuah `Elohiym in the land. There is cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; They break boundaries, and bloodshed causes bloodshed. Therefore the land will mourn, And everyone who dwells therein will waste away. All living things in her, Even the animals of the field and the birds of the sky; Yes, the fish of the sea also die.” (Hosea 4:1-3). Here again, the land suffers because of the sin of the people. Although the prophet spoke in the 7^th. B.C.E., he could well be speaking to the nations in the 21^st. C.E. and it bodes ill for the environment.

_______________________________________________________________Page 21

Redemption

Although Adam and Havah made an attempt to cover their nakedness (sin) they knew it was not sufficient. “Yahuah `Elohiym made coats of skins for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.” (Gen. 3:21). It took Yahuah to provide a temporary covering #H3722 כָּפַר kaphar *1023 kapar to make atonement or reconcile (also from this root *1023a koper ransom) – usually translated ‘atonement’. The death of an animal provided this temporary covering and was acceptable to Yahuah in that Yahuah knew that Adam and Havah understood their need of a permanent atonement. In eating the prohibited fruit (Gen. 2:17), all knowledge was imparted to the couple including both what constituted sin, its consequences and what was needed to return to Yahuah. In Biblical studies, The Law of First Mention gives added importance to words or topics when it first appears in the Bible. This is the first time covering or atonement is mentioned and is significant in the revelation of redemption.

“The next day Yochanan saw Yeshua coming toward Him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of Yahuah who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29). Yochanan the Immerser (John the Baptist) had waited all his life to see the Redeemer of all Creation and was in no doubt when he saw the Master coming towards him. Had he known before this time that his cousin Yeshua was the long-awaited for Messiah or was it revealed at this exact moment (cf Luke 1:41)? In their newly gained knowledge Adam and Chavah could look upon the Lamb yet to be born in the flesh and His sacrificial death for all Mankind. It was in faith that the couple accepted Messiah’s atonement symbolised by the animal skins Yahuah gave them. It is my belief that this was taught to all the subsequent generations until a more substantial but nonetheless temporary system of sacrifices was given to Moshe at Mount Sinai.

“But of him, you are in Messiah Yeshua, who was made to us wisdom from Yahuah, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:” (1 Cor. 1:30). In his first letter to the Messianic Community at Corinth, Rav Sha`ul (Paul) describes all that Yahuah has done for them. Through his letter to the Ephesian Community, Rav Sha`ul tells us “in whom we have our redemption through His [Messiah’s] blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,” (Eph. 1:7). ‘Redemption’ – #G629 ἀπολύτρωσις apolytrosis – ransom. A ransom is the price paid by one person for the release of another from captivity when that person has been unlawfully taken or kidnapped.

“and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by it to its will.” (2 Tim. 2:26). Rav Sha`ul explains to his ‘adoptive son’ in

_______________________________________________________________Page 22

ministry, Timothy that the snare of the devil – sin – causes all mankind to be taken captive by haSatan. It does not want any to be set free. However, there is a price that is put upon each and every one of us.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of Yahuah is eternal life in Messiah Yeshua our Master.” (Rom. 6:23). ‘Wages’ – #G3800 ὀψώνιον opsonion – a soldier’s pay or allowance. This is the payment that a soldier is due. Likewise, haSatan is due this payment or ransom for Mankind falling for its trap. The Enemy of Souls has ‘worked’ in trapping Mankind and demands payment. Yahuah does not demand repayment; indeed there can be no way to repay the debt. “Therefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned.” (Rom. 5:12). “For this reason He [Messiah] is the mediator…, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions…” (Heb. 9:15a). A price had to be paid to haSatan, and that price had to be a death. Messiah’s death paid the ransom for all who accept it.

“Sha`ul, a bondservant of Messiah Yeshua, called to be an apostle, separated to the Good News of Yahuah,” (Rom. 1:1). Rav Sha`ul often refers to himself as a ‘servant’ #G1401 δοῦλος doulos – slave of Messiah or Yahuah. It is unfortunate that the term ‘slave’ has such a poor image in the West that the beauty of this illustration is not fully understood. In the Eastern economy, there were two types of slave. One that was captured or bought at a slave market, and the other was a bondsman. Both of these images are appropriate to Sha`uls’s situation. It is common to talk of redemption being that of Messiah buying us back off haSatan at a slave market. However, the Tanakh view of a slave can also be that of a person who has run up such a high debt, that he is unable to pay it off. Rather than having everything, including his family, taken from him, he may elect to enter a period servitude or bond in order to pay off the debt. A third party may take up this bond and pay off the debt to the holder. The bondsman would then work for a period of time for the third person. It is my belief that this is what Sha`ul had in mind. He (and each and every one of us) owes a debt that he cannot pay. Therefore he sought out Someone who could pay. Messiah accepted Sha`ul’s bond and Messiah has paid in full the debt owed to haSatan for Sha`ul’s sin.

“And if one of your brethren who dwells by you becomes poor, and sells himself to you, you shall not compel him to serve as a slave. As a hired servant and a sojourner he shall be with you, and shall serve you until the Year of Jubilee.” (Lev. 25:39, 40). “And you shall count seven sabbaths of years…on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound… throughout all your land. And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Yovel for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his.” (Lev. 25:8-10). Furthermore, all debts will be cancelled at the Yovel (Jubilee Year). This is every fiftieth year. Every seventh year there was a Shabbat Year where the land was not worked. Like the weekly Shabbat, Mankind was to rely solely upon Yahuah. The Yovel was the year after

_______________________________________________________________Page 23

the seventh Shabbat Year. This required the trusting and reliance upon Yahuah for a two year period. Again, it is my belief that when Messiah returns to this earth, at the sound of the shofar, it will be the declaration of coming of the Yovel and all debts will be cancelled thereafter.

Jubilee 2) a year of emancipation or restoration – origin from Latin jubilaeus annus from the Hebrew word #H8643 תְּרוּעָה *2135b teruah meaning a ram’s-horn trumpet used for signalling or raising an alarm and with which the jubilee year was proclaimed (www.oxforddictionaries.com).

“Thus you shall separate the children of Yisra’el from their uncleanness, so they will not die in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is in their midst.” (Lev. 15:31). Another consequence of sin is that it defiles everything with which it comes in contact. Scripture shows four things that have come in contact with sin and so requires cleansing: a) Man, b) Creation, c) earthly Sanctuary and d)Heavenly Sanctuary. The cleansing is not a physical cleansing (the blood actually washing away dirt) but is a faith cleansing that washes spiritually.

a)Man – “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Yeshua the Messiah, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:17).

b)Creation – “that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of Yahuah. For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.” (Rom. 8:21-23).

c)Earthly Sanctuary – “The bull for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the Set Apart,” (Lev. 16:27). This sanctuary came into contact continually with sinful Man as so required continual cleansing.

d)Heavenly Sanctuary – “According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from the shedding of blood there is no remission. It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.” (Heb. 9:22, 23). Even this Sanctuary was not immune from the effects of sin and so needed cleansing. However, as the earthly sanctuary being a copy of but inferior to the Heavenly Sanctuary, the Heavenly cleansing required a superior Blood; that of Messiah. (Fruchtenbaum (1)).

Now that we have seen what sin is and its consequences, we turn our attention to its ultimate conclusion.

Intermediate State

There is some belief that upon physical death, the soul/spirit leaves the physical

_______________________________________________________________Page 24

body and enters the intermediate state. However, this state is held at two locations; one for Believers who have died (Paradise) and the second for the Un-believers (She`ol).

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto Yahuah who gave it.” (Eccl. 12:7).

“The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and She`ol delivered up the dead who were in them…” (Rev. 20:13a). This description of the resurrection is where the body (held in the sea or ground/death) is re-united with the soul/spirit (held in Paradise/Sheol). “For You will not leave my soul in She`ol, Nor will You allow Your Set Apart One to see corruption.”(Psa. 16:10). In Psa. 16:10 #H7585 שְׁאוֹל She’ol and Acts 2:27 #G86 ᾅδης Sheol are both translated ‘hell’ in English. If the soul is not left in hell then it must be there for some period between physical death and resurrection. Therefore, if physical death is the separation of the body and soul/spirit, the body decays but the soul/spirit must go to some intermediate place.

“Yeshua said to him, ‘Assuredly I tell you [to one of the two thieves with Him at Golgotha], today you will be with me in Paradise.’” (Luke 23:43). ‘With’ #G3326 μετά meta – meaning in very close relationship or fellowship as referring to His disciples. This would indicate that the soul is in a conscious state. ‘Paradise’ #G3857 παράδεισος paradeisos is probably from Persian denoting a large park or garden, an ideal place of leisure.

Rav Sha`ul, writing to the Messianic Community in Philipi, is torn between the necessity for him to live and carry on his ministry or to die and be with Messiah. “But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Messiah, which is far better. Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.” (Phil. 1:23, 24). The implication is that as soon as he dies, Sha`ul departs his flesh/body and his soul/spirit goes immediately to be with Messiah. “We are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with Yahuah.” (2 Cor. 5:8). In his Second Letter to the Corinthian Community, Sha`ul obviously considers death as not being a final state. Again the inference is that as soon as the soul/spirit leaves the physical body, it enters the presence of the Messiah.

“The wicked shall be turned back to She’ol, Even all the nations that forget `Elohiym.” (Psa. 9:17). The word ‘turned’ is #H7725 שׁוּב shuv *2340 shub meaning to return. If the wicked are returned to hell, they must have been there previously. This can only be after physical (first) death but before judgement (second death). There are several other references to this temporary holding place she`ol, abyss and Tartarus. This is not the final depository of souls as all will be resurrected for judgement. The common western idea is that this punishment will take place in hell. However, Hebrew tradition has given hell (she`ol) upper and lower levels. She`ol is the only Hebrew word for the idea of hell. The upper level is the intermediate state but the lower levels are the place of punishment.

“Therefore they are before the throne of Yahuah, they serve him day and night in

_______________________________________________________________Page 25

His temple.” (Rev. 7:15a). The soul/spirit cannot be in a state of unconsciousness if they are serving Yahuah (Blanchard). This reference is before any Judgement so must take place between physical death and Judgement. Further in the Book of Revelation, Messiah shows Yochanan that haSatan is bound “and cast it into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over it, that it should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were finished. After this, it must be freed for a short time.” (Rev. 20:3). The word ‘pit’ #G12 ἄβυσσος Abyssos is the Greek equivalent to She`ol in Hebrew and is the place of temporary confinement for HaSatan and all the unbelieving dead. haSatan is released for a short time but is eventually called to judgement along with all of humanity. Luke recounts the Master’s parable of El`azar (Lazarus) and the Rich Man. “It happened that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels to Avraham’s bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. In She’ol, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Avraham far off, and El`azar at his bosom.” (Luke 16:23). The Master tells us that the Rich Man could see and was in torment in She`ol. He pleaded with Avraham to ask El`azar to give him a drop of water. Therefore, both the Rich Man and El`azar must have been in the conscious state. As there were relatives of the Rich Man still capable of choosing between eternal life and eternal damnation, again this must be between the Rich Man’s (and El`azar’s) physical death and final Judgement. This counters any belief in ‘soul sleep’ being an unconscious state during the intermediate state.

“Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to Yahuah your `Elohiym, also the earth with all that is in it.” (Deut. 10:14).

“…such a one caught up into the third heaven.” (2Cor. 12:2b). Sha`ul mentions a third heaven. Yet another belief is that there are more than one heaven and more than one hell. Tradition has there are seven of each. It may be that the first levels of heaven and hell are accessible by a person in a non-conscious state (coma, trance, ecstasy) from where the person may return. Another level may be Paradise (for heaven) or She`ol (for hell), the intermediate state form where the soul/spirit is resurrected to join up with the physical body. The other levels may be the final state of reward (in heaven) or condemnation (in hell).

“The intermediate state for the saved is heaven without the body, and the final state for the saved is heaven with the body…the intermediate state for the lost is hell without the body, and the final state for the lost is hell with the body.” (Blanchard quoting Shedd).

______________________________________________________________________Page 26

Judgement

“Man cannot save himself; but can damn himself” (Reiser quoting Manson –Reiser 1997)Judgement – a decision of a law court or judge (www.oxforddictionaries.com).

“Therefore they are before the throne of Yahuah, they serve him day and night in His temple.” (Rev. 7:15a). The soul/spirit cannot be in a state of unconsciousness if they are serving Yahuah (Blanchard). This reference is before any Judgement so must take place between physical death and Judgement. Further in the Book of Revelation, Messiah shows Yochanan that haSatan is bound “and cast it into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over it, that it should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were finished. After this, it must be freed for a short time.” (Rev. 20:3). The word ‘pit’ #G12 ἄβυσσος Abyssos is the Greek equivalent to She`ol in Hebrew and is the place of temporary confinement for HaSatan and all the unbelieving dead. haSatan is released for a short time but is eventually called to judgement along with all of humanity.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Messiah; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Cor. 5:10). There will be no exceptions non-Believers and Believers alike will be judged. This judgement is for what was done or not done during a person’s lifetime. This includes repentance where Father gives every opportunity to turn back to Him through the atonement of the Messiah. If it is not done in a person’s lifetime, they will stand condemned at the judgement.

“…For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt. 12:34a, 37). Whatever lies in a person’s heart is made known by the words a person speaks.

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” (Matt. 12:36).

“And He said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant.” (Luke 19:22a). By the very words from our mouths (and deeds) we will be judged, either justified or condemned. Whatever lies in a person’s heart is made known by the words a person speaks.

There is some thought that Believers will not be judged as they are under grace. There is also thought that there will be no judgement for Believers or non-Believers at all but neither of these thoughts can be sustained by the biblical text. In fact, there are five different judgements: 1) to sin; 2) Pre-Snatching Away (Rapture) Believers; 3) Nation of Yisra`el; 4) Ya`akov’s Trouble Survivors; 5) Post-Millennial

1) Judgement of Sin

“Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,’” (Gal. 3:13). All that is needed to remove the consequences of sin in a person’s life is the substitutionary sacrifice of Messiah Yeshua (completed at Golgotha), its acceptance by Father (completed at the Resurrection) and its acceptance by every individual

______________________________________________________________________Page 27

“For Yahuah did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged. He who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only born Son of Yahuah.” (John 3:17, 18). For every living human being while they live, there is Yahuah’s offer of salvation in Messiah Yeshua made available. Nevertheless, there comes at time when this offer is no longer valid and that is the moment of death. The moment of death is in fact the moment of judgement upon them; eternal life for those who have accepted the offer in life and eternal damnation to those who have rejected the offer.

2) Judgement of Pre-Snatching Away Believers

“Yahuah administers judgement to the peoples. Judge me, O Yahuah, according to my righteousness, And my integrity that is in me.” (Psa. 7:8). “For Yahuah will judge His people, And have compassion on His servants.” (Psa. 135:4). Unlike the mistaken teaching in ‘Christian’ circles, Believers will not escape judgement. “I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more.” (Heb. 10:17). This is the proof verse that is often quoted to support that Believers will not be judged and that Believers are under grace not the law. This does not mean that there will be no judgement, but that, through grace, Yahuah will have compassion upon His people.

“But when we are judged, we are punished by Yahuah, that we may not be condemned with the world.” (1 Cor. 11:32). Believers are constantly being judged and disciplined so that the sins may not be heaped up against them, to be brought to light on the Day of Judgement. “My little children, I write these things to you that you may not sin. If anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Yeshua the Messiah, the righteous.” (1 John 2:1). This is the means by which Believers prevent the piling up of sin.

“For by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt. 12:37). If, according to Heb. 10:17, a Believer’s sins will not be remembered, where will these words be found? “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before Yahuah `Elohiym and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” (Rev. 20:12). All Mankind, both Believers and non-Believers (small and great) will be (judged according to their works) that will include both deeds and words.

______________________________________________________________________Page 28

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Messiah Yeshua, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Ruach.” (Rom. 8:1). However, Believers will not suffer the full consequences of their sin. Imagine this scenario:

You park your car in an area clearly signed that no parking was allowed. When you return, you have a parking ticket. You appeal the fine and appear in court. Your only defence was that you did not see the warning signs. The judge shows you pictures clearly showing the warning signs and orders you to pay the fine. Without warning, a member of the court stands up and goes over to the clerk and pays in full your fine. You are allowed to leave the court. So it will be in the heavenly court for Believers. We will be asked how we plead. There is only one verdict: guilty. We will be judged and sentenced passed. However, Messiah Yeshua stands up and pleads His Blood and your faith in Him. The Judge of All accepts this plea and you are set free. Note: Judgement has been rendered, the verdict given and the punishment carried out. Only, it is not the Believer who rightfully bears the punishment, but our Saviour.

This is usually referred to as the ‘free gift’ of Yahuah. This cannot be further from the truth. The ‘gift’ has been freely given, but the price that was paid was the death of Yahuah’s only begotten Son. Imagine a person needing a car but could not afford one. In steps a benefactor who buys one from the local dealership and then gives it to the one in need. The car had a cost, but it was the benefactor who paid for it, not the one in need.

“For this we tell you by the word of Yahuah, that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of Messiah, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. For Messiah Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the chief angel, and with Yahuah ‘s shofar. The dead in Messiah will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet Messiah in the air. So we will be with the Yahuah forever.” (1 Thess. 4:15-17). All Believers past and alive at the Snatching Away, will go up to meet Messiah in the clouds; the dead by resurrection and the alive by translation. This is known as the First Judgement.

Judgement falls into two categories: a) chastisement during life and b) of works of resurrected and translated Believers at the Snatching Away.

a) Chastisement – “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8, 9). This passage quite clearly states that, while we remain in our flesh bodies, we will always be susceptible to temptation. The being tempted is not a sin, but a condition of our flesh nature. However, being tempted, we may fail to resist. Nevertheless, Yahuah has made a way back for both Believers and non-Believers. For Believers, this is to ensure that sin has no permanent residence in our bodies. For non-Believers, this is the first step in the recognition of the need of a Saviour.

______________________________________________________________________Page 29

“For if we discerned ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are punished by Yahuah, that we may not be condemned with the world.” (1 Cor. 11:31, 32). The recognition of sin requires honesty and a contrite heart that can be guided by the Ruach HaKodesh. It is He that continually brings us back to Father. This is not a license to wilfully sin, seek forgiveness and then go on to sin again repeating the cycle (Gal. 5:13).

“My son, do not despise Yahuah ‘s discipline, Neither be weary of His reproof: For whom Yahuah loves, He reproves; Even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.” (Prov. 3:11, 12). In order to break this cycle of repeated sin, Yahuah may have to intervene, either by reproof or by chastisement. When this happens, it is not a sign of Father’s displeasure but of His continual love for His children and is a cause to celebrate and give thanks (1 Cor. 15:57; 1 Thess. 5:18).

b) Of works – “For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Messiah; that each one may receive the things in the body, according to what he has done, whether of benefit or worthless.” (2 Cor. 5:10). Here the Apostle Sha`ul is addressing the Messianic Believers at the Corinth Assembly and is including himself in this warning. For the Believers, it is not an assessment of innocence or guilt as this has been determined at Golgotha ( 3:13) and upon a sinners confession and subsequent salvation (John 5:24) but upon their works.

It is unfortunate that the Greek word βῆμα #G968 bēma has been translated as ‘judgement seat’. When Sha`ul wrote the epistles to the Messianic Assembly at Corinth, the city was the venue of the Isthmian Games that were second in importance only to the ancient Olympic Games (Barclay4) . The meaning of the word bēma would instantly be understood to the assembly as the place were athletes actions would be assessed by judges according to the rules of the competition and rewards would be given to those athletes who were successful (Larkin p.160).

In 2 Cor. 5:10, Sha`ul warns the assembly that every Believer’s action, omission or word will be compared to the commission assigned that Yahuah has given to that individual. The fruits of the individual’s works will be assessed as to be of benefit to Yahuah’s Kingdom or to be worthless. “For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Yeshua the Messiah. But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or stubble; each man’s work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man’s work is. If any man’s work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward.” (1 Cor. 3:10-15).

The record of a person’s deeds and words will be as that of the Great White Throne Judgement, in Yahuah’s Torah (Scrolls of the Covenant and Law), the Lamb’s Scroll (Book) of Life and the person’s individual book. For further details please refer to the maxi-study Sin, Judgement and Punishment.

______________________________________________________________________Page 30

The rewards will be in the form of στέφανος #G4735 stephanos that is the victor’s crown as opposed to διάδημα #G1238 diadēma that is the Sovreign’s crown. Scripture reveals five crowns/ stephanos (Larkin p.160):

i) The Crown of Life (James 1:12);

ii) The Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:2-4);

iii) The Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thess. 2:19, 20);

iv) The Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8);

v) The Crown Incorruptible (1 Cor. 9:25).

vi) The Bride’s Rainment (Rev. 19:7-9)

For further information on the crowns refer to the section on rewards. After the rewards, the resurrected and translated Believers would become the Lamb’s Bride.

3) Judgement of the Nation of Yisra`el

“If you will not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book… then will make your plagues wonderful, and the plagues of your seed… He will bring on you again all the diseases of Mitzraim, which you were afraid of; and they shall cleave to you… Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will Yahuah bring on you, until you are destroyed… You shall be left few in number, whereas you were as the stars of the sky for multitude; because you did not listen to the voice of Yahuah your `Elohiym… Yahuah will scatter you among all peoples, from the one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth…”(Deut. 28:58-64). Yahuah warned His people through Moshe, of the dire consequences of disobedience. He will bring the plagues of Egypt, and worse, upon the Nation of Yisra`el. This will ultimately take place during the time known as Ya`akov’s Troubles (Great Tribulation).

There will be people who will be saved during Ya`akov’s Troubles as it is Yahuah’s will that none shall be lost (1 Tim. 2:3, 4). Nevertheless, this period is one of the judgement and outpouring of His wrath.

“He who rejects me, and does not receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48). The Nation of Yisra`el doubly rejected Messiah Yeshua; once at His ministry when He was executed and now as they reject His Word.

“and I will bring you out from the peoples, and will gather you out of the countries in which you are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out; and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there will I enter into judgment with you face to face. Like as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Mitzrayim, so will I enter into judgment with you, says Yahuah `Elohiym. I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant;” (Ezek. 20:34-36).

4) Ya`akov’s Troubles Survivors

This study will not discuss the events of Ya`akov’s Troubles due to the complexity of the material. For more information, it is recommended that a separate study should be undertaken consulting the many commentaries available such as Clarence Larkin. Nevertheless, Messiah’s return to earth brings Ya`akov’s Troubles to an end.

______________________________________________________________________Page 31

“who also said, ‘You men of the Galil, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Yeshua, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw Him going into the sky.’ Then they returned to Yerushalayim from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Yerushalayim, a Shabbat day’s journey away. (Acts 1:11, 12). Literally the first step is when Messiah ben David comes down from heaven and arrives fully back on earth.

“Let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let us give the glory to Him. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. It was given to her that she would array herself in bright, pure, fine linen: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the holy ones… I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness He judges and makes war… The armies which are in heaven followed Him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen.” (Rev. 19:9-14). One army that will return with Messiah is His Bride clothed in pure, fine linen.

Yahuah, you `Elohiym to whom vengeance belongs, You `Elohiym to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth. Rise up, you judge of the earth. Pay back the proud what they deserve. Yahuah, how long will the wicked, How long will the wicked triumph? They pour out arrogant words. All the evil-doers boast. They break your people in pieces, Yahuah, And afflict your heritage… He who disciplines the nations, will He not punish? He who teaches man knows.” (Psa. 94:1-5, 10). How long, `Elohiym, shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme your name forever? Why do you draw back your hand, even your right hand? Take it out of your pocket and consume them!” (Psa. 74:10, 11).The wicked blaspheme Yahuah yet the Psalmist cannot comprehend His long-suffering.

Even when Yahuah’s own people are being persecuted Yahuah withholds His wrath. “They cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ A long white robe was given to each of them. They were told that they should rest yet for a while, until their fellow servants and their brothers, who would also be killed even as they were, should complete their course. “(Rev. 6:10, 11). The martyrs of Ya`akov’s Troubles (Great Tribulation) cry out in Heaven as they too do not understand the delay. It is all down to the omniscience of Yahuah and His perfect timing.

“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Yeshua, and for the word of Yahuah, and such as did not worship the beast nor his image, and did not receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived, and reigned with Messiah for the thousand years. The rest of the dead did not live until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.” (Rev. 20:4, 5). The second army that will be clothed in white linen will be the martyrs that were killed during Ya`akov’s Troubles. These will be re-bodied in incorruptible flesh and return with Messiah and His Bride. This is known as the First Resurrection. There are now three types of people; the nations and Yisra’el with both groups having the ‘old style’ of bodies and the martyrs with Messiah having the ‘new style’ of physical bodies.

______________________________________________________________________Page 32

“For He comes, for He comes to judge the world. He will judge the world with righteousness, The peoples with His truth.” (Psa. 96:13). When Messiah returns it will be for judgement for all non-Believers. The standard by which He will judge is His truth. Not the standard of the world nor that of false teachers or doctrine of demons (1 Tim. 4:1) but His Torah. There will be no excuse when He returns.

“He gathered them together into the place which is called in Hebrew, Megiddo… The seventh poured out his bowl… There were lightnings, sounds, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since there were men on the earth, so great an earthquake, so mighty… Great hailstones, about the weight of a talent, came down out of the sky on people. People blasphemed Yahuah because of the plague of the hail, for this plague is exceedingly severe.” (Rev. 16:16-21). This coincided with the opening the seventh seal and sounding of the seventh trumpet. “He who blasphemes the name of Yahuah, he shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him: the foreigner as well as the native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.” (Exod. 24:6). All the plagues, famines, wars, pestilence and trials through Ya`akov`s Troubles only caused non-Believers to curse the Name of Yahuah and hardening of hearts. This continual blasphemy could not go unpunished by Yahuah.

“Far be it from you to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteousness with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Gen. 18:25). “For He will judge the world in righteousness. He will administer judgement to the peoples in uprightness.” (Psa. 9:8). When He returns, it will be as Judge and King. As Judge, a decision will be made, based on His Torah, as to the status of each person. As King, He will reward the righteous and condemn the wicked (Robertson). “And among the lampstands was one like a Son of Man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest.” (Rev. 1:13). In His re-appearance to Yochanan, and subsequent appearances in His Revelation, Messiah Yeshua appears in the apparel of Judge.

“I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness He judges and makes war… He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called ‘The Word of Yahuah.’” (Rev. 19:11, 13). A Rider appears on a white horse and His name was the Word of Yahuah; logos theos (#G3056 λόγος logos – 3) Messiah Yeshua {Jesus Chris}) + #G2316 θεός theos – 2b) Messiah (Christ). “The armies which are in heaven followed Him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen.” (Rev. 19:14). “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will render to everyone according to his deeds.” (Matt. 16:27). “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the set apart angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.” (Matt. 25:31). The Messiah returns to earth followed by a third army, that of the angelic hosts.

______________________________________________________________________Page 33

“Behold, I come like a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his clothes, so that he does not walk naked, and they see His shame. He gathered them together into the place which is called in Hebrew, Megiddo.” (Rev. 16:15, 16). This is the first of two gatherings where Believers are brought together by Yahuah. Armageddon is the transliteration of the Hebrew Har-Magedon which means Hill or City of Megiddo. It is my belief that this gathering is to gather those persecuted through the Troubles to witness Yahuah’s wrath and the vindication of His people.

“It happened after this, that the children of Mo`av, and the children of `Ammon, and with them some of the Me`unim, came against Yehoshafat to battle… When Yahudah came to the watch-tower of the wilderness, they looked at the multitude; and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the ground, and there were none who escaped.” (2 Chron. 20:1-24). After Yahuah brought back His people from exile, the surrounding nations came against King Yehoshafat (Jehoshaphat). When the king cried out to Yahuah, Yahuah `Elohiym heard him and delivered the people from their enemies. The valley in which this massacre took place was just outside of Yerushalayim (#H3092 יְהוֹשָׁפָט Yehoshofat – Yahuah has judged). Indeed Yahuah had judged the nations. This valley, Emek Yehoshofat, was not a geographical name but named after Yahuah’s decision and help. This could well be Nahal Qidron (Kidron or Cedron Valley) that separates the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives. “I will gather all nations, And will bring them down into the Valley of Yehoshafat; And I will execute judgment on them there for my people, And for my heritage, Yisra`el, whom they have scattered among the nations.” (Joel 3:2).

“The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion: He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.” (Prov. 20:2). The nations cannot escape the judgement of their own actions. When talking about the end times, the Master taught that there would be a gathering of the nations and Believers. “Then the King will tell those on His right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matt. 25:34). “Then He will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and its angels.” (Matt. 25:41). There is a distinct separation between Believers and Non-believers made by Yahuah.

Most biblical commentators refer to the Battle of Armageddon. However, it is my belief that, as in Yehoshofat’s day, it will be a massacre of the wicked witnessed by the righteous and His angels. Those Believers who came to earth with Messiah ben David, His Bride and the martyrs of Ya`akov’s Troubles and those Believers alive at that moment are sent to Messiah’s right hand. It is the belief of FGA that this will direct the Believers to take up positions on the surrounding hills, grand-standing over the valley. As with the Snatching Away (Rapture) the righteous dead will be resurrected and the righteous living will be translated into their new style glorified bodies.

______________________________________________________________________Page 34

The gentile nations that came up against Yersuhalayim and the Jews that worshipped the Beast and his image were directed to Messiah’s left hand, and down into the Valley of Yahuah’s Judgement. “The Beast was taken, and with him the False Prophet who worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur.” (Rev. 19:20). Unlike all the other non-Believers, the Beast and False Prophet were cast directly into the lake of fire and by-passing the Intermediate State. “I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in its hand. It seized… HaSatan… and bound it for a thousand years, and cast it into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over it, until the thousand years were finished.” (Rev. 20:1-3). All non-Believers present at the Valley of Yehoshofat will witness the incarceration of HaSatan that deceived the world since Gan Eden prior to their own destruction.

“Behold, the day of Yahuah comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger; to make the land a desolation, and to destroy the sinners of it out of it.” (Isa. 13:9). “The great day of Yahuah is near…That day is a day of wrath, a day of distress…a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, a day of the shofar…and their blood will be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung.” (Zeph. 1:14-17). “As the days of Noach were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man… and they did not know until the flood came, and took them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matt. 24:37, 39). In the account of Noach (Noah/Noe) the unrighteous were all swept away as punishment for their sins. Noach’s Ark is a type of Messiah and all those who did not make use of the safety promised by Noach were killed.

Likewise, all those who did not ‘make use’ of the safety promised by Yahuah through His Messiah, will also be wiped out. “…and from the wrath of the Lamb for the great day of His wrath has come; and who is able to stand?” (Rev. 6:16b, 17). This day of wrath is the day when Messiah returns and it is my belief that all the enemies of Yahuah’s people will be annihilated in one twenty four hour day. Those non-Believers outside of the land of Yisra`el, will be translated to Hades, held over for judgement at the end of the thousand years or chiliasm.

“Behold, the days come, says Yahuah, that I will punish all those who are circumcised in their uncircumcision: Mitzrayim (Egypt), and Yahudah, and Edom, and the children of `Ammon, and Mo`av, and all that have the corners of their hair cut off, who dwell in the wilderness; for all the nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Yisra`el are uncircumcised in heart.” (Jer. 9:25, 26). “since there is one Messiah who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.” (Rom. 3:30). All non-Believers perish because ultimately they all rebelled against Yahuah and ignored His warnings throughout all the ages. It will not benefit non-believing Yisra`elites to try to claim salvation through Avraham. The corpses are left in situ but do not decay as a witness to the righteousness of Yahuah and a feast for the scavenging birds (Rev. 19:17, 21).

______________________________________________________________________Page 35

5) Post-Millennial

The Millennial Kingdom (or Chiliasm) ushered in by the return of Messiah and will last one thousand literal years (for more details please refer to the maxi-study End Times). There will be three types of people who will be alive during this time: those Believers alive at the Second Coming; all Believers who are born physically and spiritually in the Chiliasm and all born physically but not coming to faith.

As with previous judgements, those Believers who have died within the thousand years will be resurrected and those alive will be translated at the end of the thousand years.

“And after the thousand years, HaSatan will be released from its prison… and it will come out to deceive the nations… They went up over the breadth of the earth, and surrounded the camp of the holy ones, and the beloved city. Fire came down out of heaven from Yahuah, and devoured them. The devil that deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur…” (Rev. 20:7-10). HaSatan will be released and leads all non-Believers in a short rebellion. Those who come up against Yerushalayim will be consumed by fire. After this, HaSatan is cast down for all time.

“I saw a great white throne, and Him who sat on it… I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened books. Another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and She’ol gave up the dead who were in them. They were judged, each one according to his works.” (Rev. 20:11-13). The Great White Throne judgement is for non-Believers who have died throughout time. As with all the Believers who have been judged, the wicked dead will be judged according to the Three Scrolls; Yahuah’s Torah, the Lamb’s Book of Life and a person’s account of deeds and words.

“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of Yahuah;” (Rom. 3:23). The person’s account falls short of Yahuah’s standard. However, as their name is not written in the Lamb’s Scroll, Messiah Yeshua cannot commend them to Yahuah. “If anyone was not found written in the [Lamb’s] book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev.20:15). This will be the Second Death.

“Do not marvel at this, for the hour comes, in which all that are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come out; those who have done good, to the Resurrection of Life; and those who have done evil, to the Resurrection of Damnation.” (John 5: 28, 29).

The Lamb’s Book of Life

“Yet now, if you will, forgive their sin and if not, please blot me out of your book which you have written. Yahuah said to Moshe, ‘Whoever has sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.’” (Exod. 32:32, 33). Moshe asks Yahuah to remove his name rather than those who had sinned from Yahuah’s Book. Therefore, Moshe must have been aware of the existence of such a Book.

______________________________________________________________________Page 36

“Let them [the wicked] be blotted out of the book of life, And not be written with the righteous.” (Psa. 69:28). It is my belief that upon conception, every person is entered in to the Lamb’s Book of Life. Until a person’s final breath the name remains. If a person dies in a state of un-repentance their name is blotted out. However, if a person has repented and called upon Messiah to be saved then their name will remain in the Book. This will also take into account the status of a child that has died at an early age or a person that has some form of learning disability. The age of accountability will depend upon three factors:

a) The child’s access to sound teaching (Godly parents & grand-parents, youth church attendance, school);
b) The child’s ability to understand the teaching;
c) The child’s ‘innocence’ being corrupted by others.

“There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Rev. 21:27). “He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life,” (Rev. 3:5a).

“All who dwell on the earth will worship him [the Beast], everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed.” (Rev.13:8). Those who worship the Beast will not be found in the Lamb’s Book of Life. I believe that this means that the Book of Life only becomes The Lamb’s Book only at the end of time. By then, all who would repent have done so and these will not be blotted out. By inference, those who would not repent will be blotted out.

“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand beforeGod; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Rev. 20:12 KJV). Some translations refer to the dead opening the books inferring that each person had their own book. There is no Scriptural indication as to who opened the books. It is clear, however, that one of the books held a record of the life of the person and this would also include words as by these we are told that we are justified or condemned (cf. Matt. 12:36, 37).

“Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of Yahuah your `Elohiym, that it may be there for a witness against you.” (Deut. 31:26).

“Then Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) called Barukh the son of Neriyah; and Barukh wrote from the mouth of Yirmeyahu all the words of Yahuah, which he had spoken to him, on a scroll of a book.” (Jer. 36:4).

“He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on Him. He began to tell them, ‘Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’” (Luke 4:20, 21).

______________________________________________________________________Page 37

“He said to them, ‘This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moshe, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.’ Then He opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:44, 45). It is my belief that the ‘books’ or scrolls of Rev. 20:12 are three in number: “and the books (at least two) were opened: and another book (at least a third) was opened,”. The three books being i) the deeds of a person, ii) the Lamb’s Book of Life and iii) The Torah in its entirety being the Book of Moses (Pentateuch), Prophets and Writings and the B’rit Hadashah (Renewed Testament). The Judge of All will take note of what is written in each book before passing sentence. There can be no evading the truth because the times when a person heard the Good News of Messiah will have been written down and the response noted. A negative response will mean that a person’s name will not appear in the Lamb’s Book of (Eternal) Life.

“At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.” (Deut. 17:6). If a person faces the Judge and refuses to acknowledge their past sins (Buddist, aetheist, humanist etc.) the Judge will ask them to prove their case. They will open their book and point to all the good that they have done throughout their lives. The Judge opens His Torah and it witnesses against them. The Lamb will open His Book and their name does not appear. Thus is the case proven against the person.

“…To whoever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48b). At judgement, there will be a revealing and an evaluation of all the facts.

Who Will be the Judge?

“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?” (1 Cor. 6:2, 3). The word ‘judge’ #G2919 κρίνω krino – 6) to rule, govern is not the subject under discussion. Believers will be given work to do as was Adam in Gan Eden but it will not involve judgement unto punishment.

“Yeshua answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Ruach, he cannot enter the kingdom of Yahuah.’” (John 3:5). Yochanan records the Master’s declaration to Nakdimon (Nicodemus). It can only be through the witness of the Ruach can a person be made aware of their sinful nature and their need of a Saviour. A person admits their sin, repents and puts their trust in the atoning work of Messiah Yeshua. This is in the knowledge that Mankind cannot do anything to remove the sin and consequence of their sin from their lives and can only be accomplished by the Saviour, Messiah Yeshua.

______________________________________________________________________Page 38

“testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward Yahuah and faith toward our Master Yeshua the Messiah.” (Acts 20:21). Yahuah has made it possible for Mankind to be reconciled with Himself through Messiah Yeshua, but it takes Mankind to make the final decision. Yahuah cannot force man to be saved (born again, born from above), therefore it is up to him to either accept Yahuah’s provision of a Saviour or to refuse it. To accept is to end up in heaven with Yahuah. To refuse is to end up in hell without Yahuah. It is as simple as that. Therefore, ultimately a person must be their own judge in deciding their eternal destination.

“Then Sha`ul and Bar-Nabba grew bold and said, ‘It was necessary that the word of Yahuah should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.’” (Acts 13:46).When Sha`ul (Paul) and Bar-Nabba (Barnabas) were preaching at the synagogue in Antioch in Pisidia, they told the Jews that by their rejection of Messiah, they had, in effect, judged themselves. Likewise, all Jews and Gentiles who reject Messiah, will have in effect, judged themselves.

“So when Yeshua had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30). At what stage do we judge ourselves? The work of redemption ended with the last breath of Messiah. The results were eternal. However, it clearly defines the demarcation between life when decisions can be made and death when it would be too late.

“With physical death, human destiny is fixed irrevocably…When the soul leaves the body it has already taken all the decisions it could have taken.” (Blanchard quoting Toon).

Now, as it is a person who determines where they will go upon death, what is the role of Yahuah?

In all the End Times’ statements regarding judgement it is in fact sentencing. Yahuah can only pronounce one verdict: guilty. There is only one punishment: death

“But the thing displeased Sh`mu`el when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us.’ So Sh`mu`el prayed to Yahuah.” (1 Sam. 8:6). However, there will be the Ultimate Judge of All.

“then hear in heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, condemning the wicked, bringing his way on his head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness.” (1 Kgs. 8:32; 2 Chr. 6:23).

“…for He is coming to judge the earth with righteousness He shall judge the world and the peoples with equity.” (Psa. 98:9; 1 Chr. 16:33). Yahuah shall judge all the earth – eretz #H0776 *167 both the earth and land of Yisra`el that will include all the inhabitants and all of Creation.

“Therefore, since we are the offspring of Yahuah, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. Truly, these times of ignorance Yahuah overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:29-31).The Father shall judge everyone according to perfect example He gave us in His Son, Messiah Yeshua. In v31, the ‘He’ is different than that who was raised from the dead.

______________________________________________________________________Page 39

“I charge you therefore before Yahuah and the Master Yeshua the Messiah, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:” (2 Tim. 4; 1).This passage refers to Messiah as being the Judge. “…And they lived and reigned with Messiah for a thousand years.” (Rev. 20:4). Nowhere does it state that Yahuah the Father will have a Kingdom (although there is the Kingdom of Heaven but this is generally in reference to that place that where the King rules. This could easily mean in a person’s life as much as Heaven). “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.” (John 5:26, 27). The Father, the rightful Judge, passes this duty to the Son, who is more ‘qualified’ due to His humanity.

Is there a conflict between who is to judge? Father or Son?

“to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to Yahuah the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,” (Heb. 12:23).The word ‘God’ is #G2316 θεός theos 2) the Godhead, Trinity. If we want to know what Heaven (the place and condition where all Believers will spend eternity) will be like, just refer to all those Scriptures that refer to Creation and the Gan (Garden of) Eden. In all of these Yahuah is referred by the plural #H430 אֱלֹהִים elohiym *93c elohim is, without fail, used in Scripture with the verb, adjective and pronoun forms in the singular. This cannot mean more than one Yahuah, so it must refer to the Trinity. My belief is that once time has ceased and eternity begins at the final judgement, there will be no requirement for the Trinity to operate in all three of the Persons. There is no sin and we will have the Living Word Yahuah (Messiah) so the Set Apart Spirit will not operate as throughout History. We will have free access to the Father so an Intercessor will not be needed. Therefore, when Scripture says the Father or the Son will judge, this will in fact be the case as the Trinity/`Elohiym will be our Judge (cf. Zech. 14:9).

“And Yahuah said to Moshe, ‘I WAS AND AM WHO I WILL BE’… This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’” (Exod. 3:14a, 15b). In this passage, Yahuah covenantal Name is revealed to mankind through Moshe at the burning bush as `Ahyeh `Asher `Aheyh (the closest translation being I Will Be As I Will Be). This is abbreviated to Yahuah (Yod – Heh – Waw – Heh when reading left to right) where in Hebrew the letter Yod is equally transliterated J or Y and Vav as V or W. However the letters J and vav and their accompanying sounds are relatively modern (J around the turn of the 16^th. to 17^th. Centuries and Ashkenazi for vav). Therefore these letters were not available to the original writers and should not be used for transliteration purposes. Due to the lack of vowels in Hebrew this has commonly been translated as Yahua, Yahweh or YaHuWaH (in Hebrew/Aramaic) or Jehovah (in Western languages) these are only best guesses. In order to ensure that the Name of Yahuah is not taken in vain, Yisra`elites usually use ADONAI (Our Great Lord – when dealing with the Jewish people) or HaShem (The Name – when dealing with the Nations i.e. those outside of the Commonwealth of Yisra`el). Moshe was not just seeking how to address Yahuah by revealing His Name, but wanted a revelation of the divine Nature i.e. a covenant-making, covenant-keeping, unchanging, eternal Yahuah.

______________________________________________________________________Page 40

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of Yahuah. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND MASTER OF MASTERS.” (Rev. 19:11-13, 16). The Rider is described as Faithful and True and making righteous judgements

(v11), named as The Word of Yahuah (v13) and King of Kings and Master of Masters (v16). These are all fulfilled in Messiah. However, in v12 we are told that He had a Name that no person knew. It is my belief that at the culmination of History, Elohim will reveal the new Name of v12 by which He will be known as throughout eternity.

Now that we know Who will judge, we need to know where/when sentence is pronounced.

Sentencing

In Rev. 20:4-15 the scene the Apostle Yochanan (John) described constituted the Millennial Rule and Final Judgement. The Ya`akov’s Troubles Martyrs were raised and ruled with Messiah for a thousand years. During this time, haSatan is locked away in the Abyss. At the end of the thousand years, all the dead are raised up and the Fallen Angel is loosed and leads a rebellion but is finally defeated. “The devil, that deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the Beast and the False Prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Rev. 20:10). HaSatan is judged and sentence is passed.

“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before Yahuah, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” (Rev. 20:12). After seeing the 1000 years of King Messiah’s reign, Yochanan sees a Great White Throne with One who sits on it. This Person is not recognised by Yochanan as he saw “one like a son of man” (Rev. 1:13) or the Lamb (Rev. 5:6). This must be `Elohyim. Every person who has lived will come before the Judge sitting on the Great White Throne. Those whose names are not found in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire that is the Second Death. Those who names can be found in the Book of Life will know everlasting life (Matt. 25:46). This lake of fire was created by Yahuah for haSatan and its fallen angels and not for man (Matt. 25:41).

______________________________________________________________________Page 41

Now that we know the who and where of judgement, we need to know how He will judge.

Wrath and Mercy

“He who does not love does not know Yahuah, for Yahuah is love.” (1 John 4:8). Scripture tells us that Yahuah is love. However, He is also set apart, righteous, just and wrathful. To single out love as the major characteristic is un-biblical. At the very least, love has equality to set apartness, righteousness, justice and wrath. If taken from the number of references, the major characteristic is holiness (Blanchard 1993).

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18). This fourth chapter of 1 John is all about love. Indeed the very first word is ‘Beloved’. The all-perfect Yahuah, who loves with an all-perfect love, must also shun sin with an all-perfect set apartness; rule with an all-perfect righteousness; pass judgement with an all-perfect justice; and carry out the sentence with an all-perfect wrath. To suggest that Yahuah will not punish sinners eternally is not based upon biblical fact but on un-biblical sentimentality. Punishment must not be viewed from Mankind’s perspective that is being concerned with their (sinner’s) welfare. Punishment is required for Yahuah to display:

i) His authority: “and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.” (John 5:27):

ii) His love: “He who does not love does not know Yahuah, for Yahuah is love.” (1 John 4:8);

iii) His justice: “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight, that You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.” (Psa. 51:4);

iv) His anger: “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of Yahuah,” (Rom. 2:5).

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with Yahuah. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness’”. (1 Cor. 3:19). Some of these may seem to contradict one another in man’s thoughts.

“He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, an `Elohiym of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.” (Deut. 32:4).

“Yahuah is righteous in her midst, He will do no unrighteousness. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He never fails, but the unjust knows no shame.” (Zeph. 3:5). In both of these verses Yahuah is described as being ‘just’ #H6662 צַדִּיק tsaddiyq *1879 – righteous. Yahuah righteousness is shown not in Him unmaking or undoing His Creation but rather in a redemptive righteousness.

______________________________________________________________________Page 42

“But you denied the Set Apart One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,” (Acts 3:14). Luke records in Acts Shimon (Simon) Keefa (Peter) declaring that Messiah Yeshua, being the full revelation of Yahuah, is described as being ‘just’ #G1342 δίκαιος dikaios, 1) righteous, keeping divine laws; 4)b) rendering each his due and that in a judicial way. Here we see one of the characteristics of Yahuah. He is a righteous Yahuah always giving out what people deserve. However, mercy can be defined as not giving someone what they do deserve. How can this be if it does not these statements are not conflicting? The answer is that Yahuah indeed gives to everyone what they deserve. When He looks in to His Book of Life, there are those who have had their sins removed. This does not mean that the sins have gone unpunished. Rather, it means that the punishment has already been taken. Consider the scenario of the parking ticket above (Judgement). This is exactly what Messiah has done for us. We have been found guilty of sin, and the punishment is death (we have been warned!).

Up comes our Redeemer and takes this punishment upon Himself. The Righteous Judge has been satisfied. A just sentence has been passed and the sentence duly carried out. This is the Good News and it is this Good News that all Mankind has been called to believe.

“Therefore consider the goodness and severity of Yahuah: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.” (Rom. 11:22).The paradox is clearly stated in this verse but there is no contradiction in this statement. Throughout the Bible there appears to be a tension between Yahuah’s requirement for justice and His love. However, both are reconciled in the work of Messiah. “but these are written that you may believe that Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of Yahuah, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31). But we believe that through the grace of the Master Yeshua the Messiah we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” (Acts 15:11). ‘Believe’ #G4100 πιστεύω pisteuo – to trust, have faith in. What must be ‘believed’? That all Messiah has done; all that is said and promised in Yahuah’s Word is true and has been made available to all.

One of the areas that cause much contention is that how can a loving Yahuah be wrathful and merciful at the same time. Are these qualities totally opposite one another? How can a ‘good’ ‘unsaved’ man who has never do anything wrong go to hell and yet a ‘bad’ ‘saved’ man goes to heaven.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Yahuah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa. 55:8, 9). Yahuah, through His prophet Yesh’yahu (Isaiah), tells us that Mankind is incapable of thinking and acting as Yahuah. Mankind has only a finite grasp of any situation because he is unaware of all the circumstances. Yahuah, however, in His infinite capacity does know all and is capable of acting upon this knowledge. “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahuah weighs the hearts.” (Prov. 21:2). And He said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves before men, but Yahuah knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of Yahuah.” (Luke 16:15). We can only see what our eyes show us and through our senses we can be easily deceived.

However, Yahuah can, and does, see into the very heart of a person and cannot be deceived.

______________________________________________________________________Page 43

“Can you search out the deep things of Yahuah? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than heaven, what can you do? Deeper than She`ol, what can you know? (Job 11:7, 8). This passage surely warns us that although Yahuah in His grace has revealed everything in His Word, so things are kept from us because the time is not right or the person is not ready to receive the full revelation.

However, these things are but details and nothing is hidden as regards to salvation.

“Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.” (Exod. 32:10).

“So fire went out from Yahuah and devoured them, and they died before Yahuah.” (Lev. 10:2). “You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger; Yahuah shall swallow them up in His wrath, and the fire shall devour them.” (Psa. 21:9). How long, Yahuah? Will “You hide Yourself forever? Will Your wrath burn like fire? (Psa. 89:46). Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken, because He was angry.” (Psa. 18:7). Yahuah’s wrath consumes all those who rebel against Him as fire consumes stubble. ‘Anger’ #H2734 חָרָה charah *736 hara -burning anger, heat. There is a frequent association between wrath and fire. “So I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest.” (Psa. 95:11; Heb. 3:11). The wicked will receive no rest or respite because of Yahuah’s wrath. Once kindled, the fire of Yahuah’s wrath is all consuming and is poured out to various persons and nations as and when it is deserved. However, there will be a day when Yahuah’s wrath will be poured out upon all Creation. This is denoted as the Day of the Yahuah’s Wrath and is described by Tzefanyah (Zeph. 1:1-18).

“For the wrath of Yahuah is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,” (Rom. 1:18). Rav Sha’ul in his letter to the Messianic Community in Rome talks of the wrath as already being revealed. This is so because the course of history was laid down along with Creation and its effects are in motion even as he wrote his letter. The reality is present in heaven but the manifestation will be made known at Messiah’s return. The Hebrew word for ‘wrath’ #H639 אַף ‘aph *133a `ap anger but with the idea that there has been some restraint. However, ‘wrath’ #G3709 ὀργή orge, anger exhibited in punishment. The Greek orge has the implication that the restraint found in the TaNaKh (Old Testament) has been removed. It is my belief that with the Master’s death, Yahuah has shown fully the reality of the consequences His wrath only to be manifested at His return.

“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says Yahuah.” (Rom. 12:19). “and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Yeshua who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thess. 1:10). I believe that this is saying to the righteous need not worry as the full weight of Yahuah’s wrath will fall upon the wicked or upon the Saviour of Mankind. “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of Yahuah comes upon the sons of disobedience.” (Eph. 5:6).Wrath is a promise of Yahuah and, as with all the promises of Yahuah, will surely be visited upon the wicked/disobedient/sinners.

“But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them. Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, and did not stir up all His wrath;” (Psa. 78:38). Yahuah’s wrath is turned away by His mercy or compassion. “The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness.” (Psa. 103:8 KJV). Yahuah’s slowness must not be interpreted as His inability to act. His reluctance stems from His mercy and His desire that none shall be lost and gives every opportunity for repentance.

“Who is a Yahuah like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy.” (Mic. 7:18). “You in Your mercy have led forth the people whom You have redeemed;” (Exod. 15:13a). ‘Mercy’ #H2617 חֶסֶד khesed *698a – goodness, faithfulness. This relates to His name Yahuah that is a covenant-keeping Yah. What Yahuah’s promises, He is able to keep. “Oh, give thanks to Yahuah, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psa. 106.1; 1 Chron. 16:34). Yahuah’s mercy does not change back to anger once forgiven (of a particular sin), always forgiven.

“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in Yahuah, mercy shall surround him.” (Psa. 32:10). In my distress I called upon Yahuah, and cried out to my `Elohiym; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry entered His ears. (2 Sam. 22:7). And when he heard that it was Yeshua the Natzri, he began to cry out and say, “Yeshua, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47). From these passages on wrath and mercy, it can be clearly shown that all have sinned and therefore come under Yahuah’s wrath and His punishment. However, to those who cry out to Father for mercy, repent of their ways and believe on the work of the Messiah, their cries will be heard. “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” (Rom. 5:9). The death sentence has been taken from us by our Redeemer and Saviour.

“Pinechas the son of El`azar, the son of Aharon the priest, has turned back My wrath from the children of Yisra`el, because he was zealous with My zeal among them, so that I did not consume the children of Yisra`el in My zeal” (Num. 25:11).

______________________________________________________________________Page 45

“When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables.” (John 2:15). In these two passages we see Pinechas and the Master acting out of anger. Pinechas actually kills two people without due process of trial according to the Torah. “Whoever kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness is not sufficient testimony against a person for the death penalty.” (Num. 35:30). These passages are frequently cited to justify acting in anger, usually called ‘righteous anger’. However, looking closely at the passages, both Pinechas and the Master do not act out of anger to those wrongfully treating them. They both act in order to uphold Yahuah’s reputation or Name. This is true ‘righteous anger’. Great care must be taken not to justify the need for revenge to take hold of our anger and cause us to act.

There are two doctrines that have been brought forward to attempt to reconcile the biblical severity of Yahuah and the sentimentality of man;

a) Universalism – this states that all Mankind will eventually be saved. “Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die.’” (Gen. 3:4). As Adam and Chavah (Eve) did die but not straight away, this must be talking about the eventual state of man after death. It is this lie at the start of Mankind that has been perpetuated throughout time.

“And these [sinners] will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matt. 25:46). Yahuah through Mattiyahu (Matthew) contrasts the two eternal states of sinners and Believers. If, as taught by Universalism, that all will eventually be saved, why is there the two distinct states?

“Then Yeshua said to them again, ‘I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.’” (John 8:21). Speaking to the Pharisees, Yeshua tells them that because of their unrepented sin they will not end up with Him. If all mankind will eventually end up in heaven, what was the reason for the Master’s words?

b) Annihilationism – there are various types but generally means that sinners will cease to exist either immediately upon death or after a period of punishment in hell according to their sins. Again, this is to reconcile man’s thoughts that an all-loving Yahuah could not surely submit sinners to eternal torment.

“And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” (Rev. 14:11). The word ‘ever’ is #G165 αἰών aion – an unbroken age, eternity. The repetition strengthens the noun. There will be no respite or relief.

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting [ainios] fire prepared for the devil and its angels:’” (Matt. 25:41). ). Here the Master is using the adjective (aionios) to describe the type of fire in hell. All the uses of the words aion or aionios nearly all refer to eternity future. The other references are to describe Yahuah being without beginning or end. Where the majority are used it is either to describe the period spent in hell or the period spent in heaven. There is never any doubt that the blissful state spent in heaven will not come to an end. So why should the same expressions have a finite time duration when referring to hell?

______________________________________________________________________Page 46

Hopefully these very brief descriptions and answers to Universalism and Annihilationism show that hell is exactly what it is; a place of unending torment for unrepented sinners. It is why Yahuah has done everything possible to prevent sinners ending up in hell. Yahuah has done His part and so Believers must do theirs in reaching others with His Good News of salvation in Messiah Yeshua.

“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of Yahuah shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21). “Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet… The devil, that deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Rev. 19:20a; 20:10). The beast and the false prophet remain alive for the thousand years they are incarcerated in She`ol. After haSatan is cast into She`ol they remain alive but in a state of eternal torment.

Punishment

“For Yahuah did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.” (John 3:17). “who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4). It is always Yahuah’s will that Man should turn back to Him. This is the outpouring of His love and He uses every means possible to bring this repentance about. However, He is also righteous, just and set apart and if Man does not repent, there must be sanctions in place to satisfy these characteristics of His divine personality. Therefore restoration and deterrent are the two major factors in punishment and if these fail then they must take the form of punitive measures.

There are two concepts that have to be considered; a) temporal and b) eternal.

The first of these is of a temporary nature and may be sub-divided into ai) deterrent, aii) discipline, aiii) punitive, aiv) refining and av) persecution. The second concept is always punitory. Whereas aii), aiv), and av) may be called trials or tribulations, unfortunately, in English translations all these concepts can be called “punishment”. The Great Tribulation or Ya’akov’s Trouble features aiii) for the Nations and av) for Believers. The second is a penalty or retribution for a crime committed. The result of this is that hopefully the offender does not repeat the offence.

______________________________________________________________________Page 47

a)Temporal

ai) Deterrent

“even the censers of these sinners against their own lives; and let them be made beaten plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before Yahuah; therefore they are holy; and they shall be a sign to the children of Yisra’el…to be a memorial to the children of Yisra’el, to the end that no stranger, who is not of the seed of Aharon, comes near to burn incense before Yahuah; that he not be as Korach, and as his company: as Yahuah spoke to him by Moshe.” (Num. 16:38, 40). In the account of the rebellion of Korach, Datan and Aviram in Num. 16:1-50 the

punishment metered out to them and their families was meant as a deterrent against future rebellion. The beaten censers was to be a sign #H226 אוֹת ‘owth *41a(5) token that Yahuah and His Word are truly Set Apart. On two other occasions

when the Israelites were rebellious the pot of man (Exod. 16:33) and Aharon’s rod (Num. 17:10) were both used as warning signs. Although the pot and rod were kept in the Ark of the Covenant away from human eyes they served as a reminder to all the High Priests that they ministered to a rebellious people on behalf of Set Apart Yahuah `Elohiym.

There are strong cases in the secular world supporting and denigrating the effectiveness of deterrents. In his article (http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk), Tim Stanley puts forward a typical case for capital punishment. In this article, it states that there is a definite correlation between the abolition of the death penalty and rising murder rates. This is countered by arguments against the ultimate sanction by Amnesty International and (US) Justice Harry Blackmum (www.bbc.co.uk). Both these sources look at the problem of executing people after a trial only later to be proven innocent. In a secular setting these latter arguments have real weight, but when dealing with the just, righteousness and impeachable Judge Yahuah have no real standing.

aii) Discipline/Restoration – or chastisement is for a short period.

“For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.” (Prov. 6:23 NLT).

“You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so Yahuah your `Elohiym chastens you.” (Deut. 8:5).

“Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law:” (Psa. 94:12 KJV).

“Behold, happy is the man whom Yahuah corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.” (Job 5:17). These last two verses tell us how we are to respond when Yahuah corrects us. We are told not to despise His discipline but that we should consider ourselves as being blessed that our Abba Father loves us so much that He cares about our well-being.

______________________________________________________________________Page 48

“Then Sha`ul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” (Acts 9:8, 9). Rav Sha`ul was struck down by blindness but it was only for a short time until Hananyah laid hands upon him. It was the whole effect of being struck blind, having to rely on others and Hananyah’s prayer that led to Sha’ul realising that the Master was indeed the long-awaited Messiah.

aiii) Punitive – this is the consequence of wrong doing and is the closest to the common idea of punishment but refers only to this life.

“Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear

came upon all those who heard these things.” (Acts 5:5). Hananyah (Ananias, not that of Acts 9:11) and his wife Shappirah were struck down as a punishment for their wicked behaviour. This may seem to have an eternal effect upon the couple, but in the context of eternity was instantaneous.

aiv) Refining – this is the act of removing the dross from a Believer’s life.

“He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to Yahuah an offering in righteousness.” (Mal. 3:3). This refining process is to make the material more useable. Gold is found in very small quantities in ore. In order to make it more useful, it undergoes many physical and chemical processes in order to make it pure.

However, gold is of little use (except for bullion reasons) until it is then given over to the craftsman who makes it into something of beauty or of use causing it to increase greatly in value.

av) Persecution – this can be further sub-divided into:-

aiv(a) proving

“who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end.” (Deut. 8:16). This is a case of Yahuah wanting to teach the Isra’elites that they must trust Him in all that He does. Although many did rebel, Yahuah dealt with them to the strengthening of the rest of the people.

“…And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.” (Job 2:3b). Yahuah allowed haSatan to inflict Iyov (Job) to prove that Iyov’s fidelity to Yahuah was based on who He was and not what Yahuah had done for Iyov. This is one of the keys to understanding the Book of Iyov.

A good example of this is in the production of porcelain. The soft greenish kaolin clay is formed into the desired article, but has no strength. The colours used in its decoration are usually dull and unattractive. However, when fired to very high furnace temperatures for a period of time, the dull clay becomes translucent and the colours vibrant and beautiful. What was a useless article has become a highly prized piece. Likewise, the Believer when first saved does not seem to be of any use. Nevertheless, Yahuah sees the final product in all its beauty.

______________________________________________________________________Page 49

aiv(b) martyrdom

“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 Yeshua and for the word of Yahuah, …” (Rev. 20:4a). The word ‘witness’ #G3141 μαρτυρία martyria from which the word martyr derives. All the above concepts except aiv(b) martyrdom are carried out for the sake of man (Yahuah act towards man) whereas martyrdom is carried out for the sake of Yahuah (man’s act towards Yahuah).

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” (Matt. 5:11). Martyrdom does not necessarily mean paying the ultimate price of life. However, many people have been considered dead by families when a member has come to faith in Messiah.

“Forasmuch then as Messiah suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin;” (1 Peter 4:1). Another aspect of punishment is in order to bring about salvation. By bringing tribulation upon the unrighteousness, there is an expectation that a person would turn away from sinful practices back to Yahuah (see also Psa. 23:4). Yahuah, how long will the wicked? How long will the wicked triumph?” (Psa. 94:3).

“For I was envious of the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no struggles in their death, But their strength is firm. They are free from burdens of men, Neither are they plagued like other men… Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.” (Psa. 73:3-5, 12). There is a common misconception that the wicked seem to prosper whilst the righteous suffer the trials and tribulations of this world. This is the theme of Psalm 73 where Asaf questions Yahuah regarding this apparent injustice. “Until I entered Yahuah‘s sanctuary, And considered their latter end. Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.” (Psa. 73:17, 18). This refers to the ultimate fate of the wicked that they will eventually be punished. However, it may be said that tribulation in the life of the unrighteous is a sign that Yahuah is still trying to lead the person back to himself (Barclay(1)). Rather than being envied, the lack of tribulation in an unrighteous life should be pitied and fervent prayer offered up for the person that they may realise the sin in their lives is blocking out Yahuah.

“Efrayim is joined to idols. Leave him alone!” (Hosea 4:17). Individuals, tribes and nations can all be left un-chastened.

b) Eternal

“And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matt. 25:46). Here, the punishment is of an everlasting nature. It is not meant for any other purpose but retribution. It is this concept of eternal retribution that is to be considered more in depth here.

______________________________________________________________________Page 50

“You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger; Yahuah shall swallow them up in His wrath, and the fire shall devour them.” (Psa. 21:9). “Let burning coals fall upon them; Let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, that they rise not up again.” (Psa. 140:10).The wicked will be cast into the fire. “And said to haSatan, “Yahuah rebuke you, Satan! Yahuah who has chosen Yerushalayim rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” (Zech. 3:3).

Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) is at the heart of Yahuah’s people and is Yahuah’s Set Apart city. This would therefore mean that Yahuah’s people will be rescued from destruction.

“And even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matt. 3:10, 12). The chaff (the rubbish left over after winnowing out the good seed) will be consigned to unquenchable fire. ‘Unquenchable’ #G762 ἄσβεστος asbestos – that which is not consumed, i.e. will not go out, perpetual. This is the type of fire designated for punishment. In the prelude to the account of Yochanan the Immerser (John the Baptist) immersing of Messiah Yeshua (cf. Matt. 3:7-12; Luke 3:7-9; 17-19) Yochanan warns some leaders to change their ways or face the consequences.

“and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 13:42, 50). In the twin parables of the Tares and Fishing Net (Matt. 13:24-50), the Master declares the fate of the wicked. They will all be cast into the fire.

“If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.” (Matt. 18:8). ‘Everlasting’ #G166 αἰώνιος ioneos – without beginning or end.

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and its angels:” (Matt. 25:41).This ‘fire’ must, therefore be part of Creation but was never meant for Mankind but for demons.

“And they shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die and their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh” (Isa. 66:24). Mark quotes this verse three times in quick succession to warn of the consequences for the wicked (Mark 9:43-48).

“And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 25:30). In The Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:13-31) the unprofitable servant is said to be cast out into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. In my opinion the true reason that the servant was cast out was due to him not having taken notice of the Good News. The 5 talents is for a person who has grown up in a believing family and lived in an environment where the Good News has been preached many times The 2 talents is for a person who has had an extended exposure to the Good News but less than the previous person. The 1 talent is for a person who has heard the Good News. The 5 and 2 talent people have responded to the Good News and have received salvation. The 1 talent person has rejected the Good News, hence the reason for being cast out.

______________________________________________________________________Page 51

Unfortunately, this verse is frequently quoted in reference to spiritual gifts due to the misuse of the transliterated word ‘talent’ #G5007 τάλαντον talaton a weight or balance.

“And these (the wicked) will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matt. 25:46). In the continuation of the Master’s account, The Parable of the Sheep and Goats, the wicked found under the curse of Yahuah will end up in the everlasting (ioneos) fire prepared for haSatan and its angels. The righteous will go to eternal life.

“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:6). ‘Abide’ #G3306 μένω meno – c) in reference to state or condition 1) to remain as one, not to become another or different 2) to wait for, await one. Those who do not ‘remain as one’ with Messiah or who does not ‘wait’ faithfully for Messiah’s return, will come under the full weight of Yahuah ‘s wrath.

“as S’dom and Amorah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 1:7). “Then Yahuah rained brimstone and fire on S’dom and `Amorah, from Yahuah out of the heavens. (Gen. 19:24). Brimstone was probably flaming pitch and/or sulphur. In later centuries the Byzantines invented ‘Greek Fire’. Although the exact recipe is not known, contemporary accounts suggest a crude oil/sulphur /saltpetre mixture. Greek fire was virtually unquenchable and caused terror in opposing armies as it would stick to any surface whatever the angle and would burn on water. This is my view of the biblical ‘everlasting and unquenchable fire’.

From the above, it is obvious that there are two common factors i) fire and ii) it is unquenchable. The idea that there will be worms speaks further of corruption and as maggots writhe as a mass, the idea is one of continual agitation.

“‘There is no peace,’ says Yahuah, ‘for the wicked.’” (Isa. 48:22). This infers that there will be no respite for the wicked and that whatever is happening there will be no end.

“And suddenly they cried out, saying, ‘What have we to do with You, Yeshua, You Son of Yahuah? Have You come here to torment us before the time?’” (Matt. 8:29). Legion asks the Master if He has come to torment them before ‘the time’. The demons are to be cast into the pit along with their leader, haSatan at the end of the Millennial Reign. The demons including haSatan.

“And being in torments in She`ol, he lifted up his eyes and saw Avraham afar off, and El`azar in his bosom.” (Luke 16:23). In The Parable of The Rich Man and El`azar (Lazarus) the rich man was in great torment in hell’s fire.

“And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” (Rev. 14:11). In this passage (Rev. 14:9-13) the wicked are in torment due to the fire and sulphur without rest. The righteous are contrasted by them enjoying peace.

______________________________________________________________________Page 52

Hell comes from the Hebrew She`ol and is also called Gehenna from which the Greek term #G1067 γέεννα geenna meaning the destination of the damned. The Valley of Kidron was situated just outside of the city walls of Yerushalayim. It was where all the rubbish and dead animals were thrown or cast away. It continually steamed due to deep seated, smouldering fires that never went out. The dead animals were consumed by maggots (worms?) and the area was always covered by flies. This was the typical 1^st. Century C.E. (Common Era) idea of what She`ol was like; a place of unquenchable fire that never seemed to consume anything (maybe because the fires were never seen but were continually being fed by the rubbish and dead animals), seething with worms and constant torment of flies. It would not be a healthy place to be.

“…for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” (Jude 1:13b). All pictures of hell typically show flames everywhere. However, this is not borne out by Scripture which depicts the eternal place of punishment as one of utter darkness. My idea of Hell (as a place of eternal punishment) can be best equated to Cueva de los Cristales – Cave of Crystals. Massive crystals have formed but, although they are beautiful in appearance, are razor sharp and highly dangerous (as sin is attractive to Mankind but draws us into immortal danger). This is found in the lead and silver

mines of Naico, Mexico. The cave was discovered 300 metres below the surface having temperatures above 45 Celsius with 100% humidity. The Humidex Factor allows for a 10 minute exposure before serious health problems arise, but the cave is also high toxic due to the lead presence. Without artificial lighting, the cave would be completely lightless. The heat is attributed to the proximity of an up-swelling of a magma chamber (www.channel.nationalgeographic.com).

Where Will This Punishment Take Place?

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and its angels.’” (Matt. 25:41). All unbelieving humanity will end up under eternal punishment in hell. The tragedy of this is that it was never Yahuah’s will for man to suffer eternal damnation and torment. He gave everything necessary for Man to be saved from eternal punishment. Hell was designed for haSatan and the fallen angels; never for Man.

“For if Yahuah did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved to judgement;” (2 Peter 2:4). The word #G5020 ταρταρόωας Tartarus is the equivalent to Gehenna in Hebrew. It is the place of utter darkness and is referred to by Homer as the place beneath Hades (Sho`el/Hell) (www.theoi.com). Once an angel is cast down into Tartarus there is no escape and goes directly from there to the lake of fire and brimstone of Rev. 20:10 for eternal punishment (Fruchtenbaum (2)).

______________________________________________________________________Page 53

There is some belief that ‘heaven’ is next to and visible from ‘hell’ (Luke 16:23). However, I cannot believe that hell is visible from heaven. It would certainly add to

the torment if sinners could see how the righteous spend eternity. However, for righteous souls to see the torment of hell, they would suffer themselves. If the view was as a one-way mirror, hell can see into heaven but not heaven into hell, there would be the eternal light of heaven, lighting up hell.

“Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to Yahuah your `Elohiym, also the earth with all that is in it.” (Deut. 10:14). “…Yahuah knows – such a one was caught up to the third heaven.” (2 Cor. 12:2b). Sha`ul mentions a third heaven. Yet another belief is that there are more than one heaven and more than one hell. Tradition has

there are seven of each. It may be that the first level of heaven and hell are accessible by a person in a non-conscious state (coma, trance, ecstasy) from where the person may return. The second level may be Paradise (for heaven) or She`ol (for hell), the intermediate state form where the soul/spirit is resurrected to join up with the physical body. The other levels may be the final state of reward (in heaven) or condemnation (in hell).

“But as it is written, ‘Things which an eye did not see, and an ear did not hear, Which did not enter into the heart of man, These Yahuah has prepared for those who love him.’” (Isa. 64:4/1 Cor. 2:9). It is stated in Scripture that heaven will be so infinitely better than Man’s finite brain can comprehend. It is my belief that the converse will also be true that hell will be so much worse than Man can ever imagine.

The table below summarises the difference between the place of eternal punishment (Hell) and eternal life (Heaven):

Hell	Heaven

Everlasting Fire – Matt.18:8; 25:41	Water – Rev. 22:1
Fire/Heat – Psa.140:10; Isa.66:24;	Water – Rev. 22:1
Unquenchable Fire – Isa.66:24; Matt. 3:12	Water – Rev. 22:1
Furnace – Psa.21:9; Matt.13:42,50	Water – Rev. 22:1
Fire/Brimstone – Rev.20:10	Water – Rev. 22:1
Heaven Visible – Luke 16:23	No Remembrance – Isa.43:18
Thirst – Luke 16:24	Water – Rev.21:6; 22:17
Darkness – Matt.25:3; 2Pt.2:4; Jude 1:13	No Night – Rev.21:22; 22:5
Everlasting Punishment – Matt.25:46	No Pain/Sorrow – Rev.21:4
Wailing – Matt.13:42,50	Singing Praises – Rev.5:13
Gnashing – Matt.13:42,50
Worms – Isa.66:24
Weeping – Matt.25:30	No Tears – Rev.21:4
No Peace – Isa.48:22
Everlasting Torment – Rev.14:11	Health – Rev.22:2
Prepared For Devil – Matt.25:41	New Heaven – Rev.21:1

Second Death	Everlasting Life – Matt.25:46
	Greater Than Imagination – Isa.64:4

______________________________________________________________________Page 54

Remember

The reason that we accept Yeshua HaMashiach as our Saviour is not to ‘escape’ hell. First it is because we want to obey the King of the Universe as it is His right.

Secondly it is because we want to please our heavenly Father.

“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of Yahuah shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21).

“that if you confess with your mouth the Master Yeshua and believe in your heart that Yahuah has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom. 10:9).

References

Abbott Rev. T.K. (1897) Epistles To The Ephesians And To The Colossians, T&T Clark,

Edinburgh.

Barclay W.(1) (1960) The Letters of James and Peter, Saint Andrew Press, Edinburgh.

Barclay W.(2)(1960) The Letter To The Romans, Saint Andrews Press, Edinburgh.

Barclay W.(3) (1960) The Letters To Timothy, Titus Philemon, Saint Andrews Press, Edinburgh.

Barclay W. (4) The Letters to the Corinthians, Fourth Impression, Saint Andrew Press, Edinburgh 1959.

Blanchard J. (1993) Whatever Happened to Hell?, Evangelical Press, Durham.

Brown B., Driver S.R. The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon,

& Briggs C.A.(2005) Hendrickson, Peabody, Mass.

FFOZ Torah Club Vol.1 – Torah Treasures, Marshfield, Mo, USA.

Fruchtenbaum A.G.(2005) The Messianic Jewish Epistles – (1)Hebrews, (2)II Peter, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, CA.

Hoyt H.A. (1986) The End Times, BMH Books, Winona Lake, IN.

Jukes A. (1954) The Law of the Offerings, Lamp Press, London.

Larkin C. (1920) Dispensational Truth, Pantianos Classics, U.S.A.

Mathews D. (2015) The Rainbow Language: The Sight, Sound & Color of the

Holy Tongue, CCB Publishing, B.C., Canada.

Morris H.M.(2009) The Genesis Record, Baker, Grand Rapids, MI

Harris R.L., Archer Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Moody, Chicago,

G.J. Jr., Waltke B.K.(1980) Il.

Hertz Dr. J.H. (1987) The Pentateuch and Haftorahs, Socino Press, London.

Reiser M. (1997) Jesus and Judgement, Fortress Press, Augsburg.

Robertson O. The Flow of the Psalms, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ

Palmer (2015)

Roth A.G. (2011) Aramaic English New Testament, 4^th. Ed., Netzari Press, USA.

Spencer N. & White R. Christianity, Climate Change and Sustainable Living, SPCK,

(2002) London.

Stanton D. & Isham B. Yeshua: The Name Above All Names, Maranatha Revival Crusade, Brunswick, Australia.

Stern D.H. (1998) Complete Jewish Bible, Jewish New Testament Pub., Clarksville, MD.

Strong J. (1994) Strong’s New Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, World Bible Publishers Inc., Madison.

Strong J. (1996) The New Strong’s Complete Dictionary of Bible Words, Thomas Nelson, Nashville.

Yonay P.D. (1997) What Is So Amazing bout Grace? Zondervan, Grand Rapids,

Michigan.

AENT “Scripture taken from the Aramaic English New Testament Copiyright 2008. Used by permission of Netzari Press.”

HNV The Hebrew Names Version is based off the World English Bible, an update of the American Standard Version of 1901. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.

KJV The Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV), 1611, 1769.
Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown.

______________________________________________________________________Page 56

NLT Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/capitalpunishment/ Execution of the Innocent citing Amnesty International and Applied Unfairly citing (US) Justice Harry Blackmum

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/timstanley/100099693/as-britain-debates-the-death-penalty-again-studies-from-america-confirm-that-it-works/

www.blueletterbible.org

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/giant-crystal-cave-3569/Overview#tab-facts

www.news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/swimming/8161867.stm

www.oxforddictionaries.com

http://quoteinvestigator.com/2010/12/04/good-men-do/

http://www.theoi.com/Kosmos/Tartaros.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignorantia_juris_non_excusat

www.youtube.com YaHuWaH – Giver of All Life

www.wwyd.org

______________________________________________________________________Page 58

U.S. Code › Title 17 › Chapter 1 › § 107 17 U.S. Code § 107 – Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use

US Code

Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include—

(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;

(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;

(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and

(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.

______________________________________________________________________Page 59

Share this: