Can we do תפילות prayers for:
Ephraim & Rimona Frank?
So that through them The האור Light, רפואה The Healing and The ואהבה Love of ישועת יהוה Yeshuath YHWH may come back to הארץ The Land of Israel?Shalom Fellow Israelite Warrior,
In last week’s letter we covered most of the “devices” that are in the armory of the Holy Spirit. But before continuing, there is one more among those “tools” that I want to focus on, and that is “prophecy.” Upon hearing this word many feel ill at ease or are even put off, as it is perhaps the most misused, abused and misunderstood of all the gifts of the Spirit. The apostle Paul emphasized the importance of this gift in the following words: “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy…For he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men” (1 Corinthians 14:1, 3). Let us look at each of the last three terms a little more closely.
Edification: from the Greek oikodome meaning: 1) (the act of) building, building up 2) metaph. edifying, edification 2a) the act of one who promotes another's growth in wisdom, faithfulness, happiness, and holiness.
Exhortation: from the Greek paraklesis meaning: 1) a calling near, summons, (esp. for help) 2) importation, supplication, entreaty 3) exhortation, admonition, encouragement 4) consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment.
Comfort: from the Greek paramuthia meaning: for the purpose of persuading, or of arousing and stimulating, or of calming and consoling.
There is one more word in the above scripture which we need to examine, and that is “desire” - zeloo (dzay-lo'-o) meaning:
1) to burn with zeal… to be zealous… to desire earnestly, pursue
1b)… to strive after, busy one's self about…to exert one's self.
Here I must ask myself, is this a fitting description of my heart? When it comes to these matters do I have this kind of zeal? To be in the spiritual battle that we are about to face in the days ahead we need this kind of determination. Our Head and Commander in Chief will be sorting out the troops that will lead Israel into the age to come. So let us be vigilant.
The definitions of the above words underscore the importance of “prophecy,” particularly as pertaining to combat, when the troops need to be strengthened, encouraged, and comforted. Thus, we may conclude that a word of prophecy, even though it can pertain to the assessment of future events or the interpretations thereof, is not in the realm of ‘fortune telling’ or speculations. What is more, in order for this very important gift/tool to be exercised with credibility and wisdom it requires the endorsement of two or three ‘witnesses’ (see 1Corinthians 14:29).
Now that we are in the advanced training course, there is another discipline that we must focus on once again. In basic training we learned about “obedience,” such as obedience to the Torah’s elemental principles, but now we need to apply it (obedience) on an even higher level as it involves the nature of our character (righteousness). Paul, writing to the believers in Rome, puts it this way: “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves servants to obey, you are that one's servants whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But Elohim be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered” (Romans 6:16-17 emphases added).
This should be one of the most profound of all the truths in the life of a believer. Paul is teaching us the importance of not just choosing with our will to be obedient, nor merely giving mental assent, but he points directly to the heart. The heart is the seat of faith and of one’s character. Yeshua described the heart of fallen man as being full “of evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness” (Mark 7:21-23). However, the heart of the redeemed must be full of righteousness which is: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). The apostle declares that this transformation is brought about by the obedience of faith (see Romans 1:5; 10:10; 16:26), the obedience to the truth (Galatians 3:1; 5:7), and the obedience to the gospel of the kingdom and Yeshua the Messiah.
Both Paul and Peter issue serious warnings to those who do not obey the gospel of Elohim. Peter writes: “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of Elohim; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of Elohim? (1 Peter 4:17). Perhaps Paul’s statements in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 answer Peter’s question: …when the Lord Yeshua is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know Elohim, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power…”
As soldiers in YHVH’s resurrected army let us keep in mind this word:
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in Elohim for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Elohim, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Messiah” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 emphasis added).
Shabbat Shalom,
Ephraim
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