Purpose of the Torah of Yahuah The Pervasive Nature of Idolatry (Baal and Asherah) Message Summary 6/23/2012 Pastor

Edwin Perkins The Bachur Fellowship Salem. NY

Yahuah Raah continues to lead us into all Truth as we explore with astute awareness the subtle and pervasive presence of the idolatry of the Baals and Asherim in both past and current culture. It is enthroned in the consciousness of mankind and embedded in all of the systems we (worship) depend on today. We were born into and raised up in this atmosphere of idolatry and had unwittingly been participants in the worship of false mighty ones. But the favor and compassion of Yahuah in the patterned Son Yahuahshua Messiah has delivered us from this deception. And you were dead and trespasses and sins, in which you walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once lived in the lusts of our flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, as also the rest. But Elohim, who is rich in compassion, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Messiah, by favour you have been saved and raised up together and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Messiah Yahuahshua Ephesians 2:1 6 Although Messiah was manifested and redemption made accessible through belief upon his name Yahuahshua, Baal and Astarte worship remains prevalent to this day in a syncretistic fashion. One of the major reasons for this occurring amongst Yahuahs people is the forgetting of the Torah. There is a Christian belief that perpetuates the inability to recall the Law of Yahuah and it is that The Old Covenant was done away with in Christ. This undermines belief by removing the foundation upon which assembly of Yahuah is built. Do not think I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to complete. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall by no means pass from the Torah till all be done. Mattithyahu (Matthew) 5:17 18 This is the Son of Elohims revelation and on this Rock Yahuah has built His assembly and the gates of the grave cannot overcome it (Mattithyahu 16:18). We were once gentiles in the flesh, without Messiah excluded from the citizenship of Yisrael (Israel) and strangers from the covenants of promise. Yahuahshua broke down the partition of the barrier. Paul goes on to say:

So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the setapart ones and members of the household of Elohim, having been built upon the foundation of the emissaries (apostles) and prophets, Yahuahshua Messiah Himself being chief corner-stone, in whom all the building, being joined together, grows into a set-apart Dwelling Place in Yahuah in whom you are also being built in a dwelling of Elohim in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:11 22 When the foundations are destroyed, What will the righteous do? Tehillim 11:3 The aforementioned scriptures reveals Yahuahs heart on the matter. The Torah was not done away with but embodied and completed in Yahuahshua Messiah whose image we are to conform to. In order to grow to perfection we need a perfect foundation to build upon and grow from. Consider the Writing of David in Tehillim 19:7. The Torah of Yahuah is perfect, bringing back the being Scriptures The Law of Yahuah is perfect, converting the soul King James The Law of Yahuah is perfect, restoring the (whole) person Amplified The Torah is perfect!!! So, what is the Torah? Where can you find the Torah? It is composed of the five books of Moses (Mosheh). It contains 623 commandments (mitzvot) which include what is referred to as the Ten Commandments. The word Torah means to teach. Traditionally the Torah is written on a Scroll wound around two wooden poles. In modern printed form, it is usually called a Chumash, which comes from the Hebrew word number five. Below is a chart giving the names of the Five Books in English and Hebrew along the Hebrew meaning of the names. English Genesis Hebrew Bereisheet (I Mosheh) Hebrew Meaning In the Beginning Talks about creation, the Great Flood, and also tells the stories of patriarchs and matriarchs beginning with Abraham and Sarah ending with Joseph in Egypt. Names Tells the story Israels bondage to, subsequent deliverance from Egypt, receiving the words of Yahuah and wanderings in the wilderness. And He Called Dealt with Priestly Matters. In the Wilderness Israelites wanderings in the desert as they journeyed toward the Promised Land. Words Recounts Israelites journey to the Promised Land and Death of Moses

Exodus

Shemot (II Mosheh)

Leviticus Numbers

Vayikra (III Mosheh) BaMidbar (IV Mosheh)

Deuteronomy Dvarim (V Mosheh)

The Torah is also a part of the Tanach (Hebrew Scriptures). The word Tanach is an acronym: T is for Torah, N is for Neviiim (Prophets) and Ch is for Ketuvim (Writings). These comprise what we refer to as the Old Covenant or the Old Testament. Mosheh warned Israel to keep the Torah and that it would be their wisdom and their understanding before eyes of the people who hear all these laws (Debarim 4:1 9). Yehoshua was admonished by the Spirit of Yahuah, Only be strong and very courageous to guard to do all the Torah which Mosheh My servant commanded you. Do not turn from it from left or right, so that you act wisely wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate day and night, so that you guard to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and act wisely. (Yehoshua 1:7 8) To paraphrase what David said in Tehillim (Psalms) 1:1 3: Blessed is the manwhose delight is in the Torah of Yahuah, and meditates in his Torah day and night. For he shall be as a tree planted by the rivers of water, that yields its fruit in it season, whose leaf does not wither, and whatever he does prospers. In order to meditate we must first read it and become intimate with it with prayer and supplications. By doing this we rescript our conscience to conform to that which is written on the tables of our hearts by the Set Apart Spirit of Yahuahshua Messiah within. This heightened awareness of the Torah is continually revealing to us the depths not only of Yahuahs reign but also of the widespread worship of the Baals and the Asherim. Idolatry has not gone anywhere and is very much embedded in our culture today. We are modern men worshipping ancient false mighty ones some knowingly and some ignorantly under the veil syncretistic religion. There is nothing new under the sun. As we consider the epistles written by Shaul (Paul) within social, political, economic, and religious climate of the times we can begin to appreciate more fully the situations he faced when delivering the good news and establishing assemblies in regions outside the common wealth of Yisrael. Ephesus, Galatia, Corinth, Colosse, Philippi, and Rome were all cities and countries each with its own culture and way of worship which was essentially idolatrous. One of the major deities in these countries and more specifically in Ephesus was Artemis also known in Rome as Diana. Temple of Artemis was located in Ephesus and considered one the Seven Wonders of the World. Ephesus was also considered a major hub of commerce and trade. Artemis was known as the breasted one and goddess of fertility was considered the cause of all abundance and prosperity in Ephesus. Shauls teaching of the good news of Messiah caused many to believe Yahuahshua the Messiah both Yehudim (Jew) and Foreigners (Gentiles). Many who practiced magic burned their books which valued at fifty thousand pieces of silver. It is apparent by the response of the people that the Torah of Yahuah was being clearly explained (Shemoth/Exodus 20:3). This severely affected

the merchants business in Ephesus who gained their wealth by the worship of Artemis. The account is recorded in the book of Acts 19:18 41. Quoted below is an excerpt from this: For a certain man named Demetrios, silversmith by trade, who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided no little business to the craftsmen, who having called them together, with the workers of similar trade, said, Men, you know that our wealth is from this business. And you see and hear that not only at Ephesos, but throughout almost all Asia, this Shaul has persuaded and turned away a large number, saying that they are not mighty ones which are made with hands. And not only is this trade of ours in danger of coming to rejection, but also that the temple of the great female mighty one Artemis whom all Asia and the world worship, shall be regarded as worthless and her greatness diminished. And having heard this, they were filled with rage and cried out saying, Great is Artemis of the Ephesian! Artemis is none other than a Greco-Roman Astarte/Ashtoreth another Asherim. And where Astarte is her consort Baal is not far behind. The whole world lieth in this Wicked One. Brother William Branham spoke of woman coming to great power in our day. If we read the signs and symbols with spiritual understanding we will recognize that this is already occurring. It happened to Israel who is our example. It happened during the time of Messiah and the Apostles. And it is playing out in present day customs in cultures across the world. When we read the letters Shaul wrote to the assemblies in Asia the dots begin to connect within the context of idolatrous practices of the people in that region. When Paul spoke of fighting with beasts at Ephesus he was speaking of the Priests, Merchants and the people who worshipped Artemis. The Works of the Flesh were the licentious and sexual acts (fornication, sodomy, and homosexuality) affiliated with the worship of Artemis. Please refer to previous Message Summary 6/9/2012 Hopping Between Two Opinions and Message Summary 6/16/2012 Idolatry Baal and Asherah & The Torah. They detail some of the practices associated with this idolatrous religion. Also it becomes apparent in Shauls letters to the Ephesians that the principalities, authorities, world rulers of darkness and spiritual matters of wickedness in the heavenlies were none other than the idols and false mighty ones (demon powers) of the nations that Mosheh referred to in Debarim/Deuteronomy 32:15 17. In Shauls message to the Corinthians on the matter of idolatry he rephrases this wisdom from the Torah. The Corinthians were in the same predicament as Yisrael/Israel concerning worship of these deities. What then do I say? That an idol is of any value? Or that which is offered to idols is of any value? No, but what the gentiles offer they offer to demons and not to Elohim... I Corinthians 10:19 20

As we have discussed previous messages, the name of Baal was added to the worship of Yahuah by Yisrael/Israel. The Roman Catholic Church mimicked this behavior by adding the names and

worship of other religions to their catechism of ceremonies, rituals and theology. Roman society epitomized this principle of syncretism merging and combining various beliefs and religious practices. Baal became embedded in Yisraels values social, political, economic and religious. So much so that one of the names of Baal Beelzebul ruler of demons was considered the way Yahuah cast out devils. They accused Messiah of casting out devils by this name in Mattithyahu 12:22 24. Baal was also considered a predominate mighty one of agriculture and as Beelzebul god and producer of flies controlled the flies (pestilence) and nature. Other dishonorable mentions are listed below from the Torah, Prophets and Writings: Baal Gad (Joshua/Yehoshua 11:17) Lord of Fortune Baal Hamon (Song of Solomon/Shir haShirim 8:11) Lord of Wealth Baal Hazor/Hatsor (2 Samuel/Shemuel 13:23) Having a courtyard or Baals village.. Baal Meon (Numbers/Bemidbar 32:38) Lord of the dwelling. Baal Peor (Deuteronomy/Debarim 4:3) Lord of the opening. Baal Tamar (Judges/Shophetim 20:33) Lord of the palm tree.

If these false mighty ones have not gone anywhere how can we identify them today? What are the false mighty ones in America today? Where do we see the pagan customs and symbols of their worship in American culture today? How are they rooted our way of living? In the Message Summary 6/2/2012 The Idolatry of Ashtoreth and Baal Today we began to identify their images in our societal infrastructure, especially in our court systems. Justicia (Justitia) was known as the Lady of Justice. She was named Themis in Greece and later as Justicia in Rome. Please review the summary for further details. In an article The United States: A Country founded on Paganism (http://www.nobeliefs.com/pagan) it is stated that Our Justice system is derived from Pagan Greek and Roman concepts. Courthouses throughout America honor our Goddess of Justice with magnificent statues. As Justitia, goddess of Justice of the Romans, she is portrayed by sculptors as evenly balancing both scales and a sword and wearing a blindfold. As Maat, goddess of Justice of the Egyptians, she is depicted as carrying a sword with an ostrich feather in her hair to symbolize truth. In the same article our governmental systems and building architecture were tied to the Greek and Roman Pantheon of gods and goddesses. It specified that the architects of the United States Capitol Building, state capitol buildings, court buildings, libraries, and national banks throughout America modeled their buildings after Pagan Greek and Roman Architecture. The Greek and Roman Pantheons served as a template for the construction US Government buildings. The Supreme Court Building, the Second Bank of the United States, and the Lincoln Memorial took their design from the Parthenon, a religious Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Athena goddess of wisdom. The Pantheon with its majestic dome influenced the design of the U.S. Capitol building. As an aside, the word Capitol comes from the name of an ancient temple of Jupiter on Capitoline Hill in none other than Rome. And atop the U.S. Capitol

building is the pagan Statue of Freedom which is one of the goddesses of Romes Pantheon, Libertas, the Latin word for freedom. Libertas signified freedom of action, freedom from restraint, independence, rights and related forms of personal and social liberty. Not only is this statue mounted on the U.S. Capitol, it is also planted at one of our major ports of entry New York Harbor known as the Statue of Liberty or Lady Liberty. It is the same Libertas of the Romans, Artemis of the Ephesians, Astarte of the Canaanites, Maat of the Egyptians and Semiramis of the Babylonians. What we call statues or monuments in the scripture they are referred to idols. We can understand the words of the Prophet William Branham by the inspiration of the Set Apart Spirit when he looked upon the architecture of St. Peters Basilica and that of the U.S. Capitol and stated, Behold, Two Babylons. They have the same design and layout with an Egyptian Obelisk (a symbol of Baal and Astarte sexuality and fertility worship) at the center. The article Satanic Occult Symbols in Washington D.C. (http://www.jesus-issavior.com/False%20Religions/Illuminati/dc.htm ) gives even more details of our U.S. Capitol relationship with idolatry clarifying what our countries true foundation is which is certainly not the Torah, the Prophets, Writings and the Messianic Scriptures Messiah Yahuahshua being the chief cornerstone. The Eyes of Yahuah run to and fro throughout the earth revealing the subtle nature of idolatry the true enemy of all mankind. Yahuah continues to bring clarity of vision to the eyes of our understanding through the Torah of the Spirit of Life in Messiah Yahuahshua. Yahuah, we thank you for encompassing us roundabout with your Set Apart messengers and setting us apart from this Mystery of Iniquity by your Words and for keeping us pure from the idolatry that is in the world!!! References and Credits: What is the Torah? - http://judaism.about.com/od/judaismbasics/a/What-Is-The-TorahChumash.htm Ancient Ephesus and the New Testament http://www.patheos.com/blogs/markdroberts/series/ancient-ephesus-and-the-new-testament/ I Corinthians: Standing Firm in a Pagan Culture by Steve Ray - www.catholicconvert.com/documents/007FirstCorinthians.doc The United States: A Country founded on Paganism - http://www.nobeliefs.com/pagan.htm Satanic Occult Symbols in Washington D.C. - http://www.jesus-issavior.com/False%20Religions/Illuminati/dc.htm