Saturday, May 10, 2014

GOD’S PEOPLE ARE SEPARATED

Keeping the Lord’s feast’s and Sabbath separates God’s people from the world. He has called us to be a peculiar people unto Him. This setting apart is a sign to the world. Colossians 2 discusses this issue in depth. It talks about the worldly traditions of men, philosophy, and humanism.

In verse 8 we see the context which this chapter is talking about. It is referring to the ways of the world or spirit of this world. Many in that day did not obey the Torah--they controlled the people by their oral laws and traditions. In Jesus’ time the Pharisee’s added oral and traditional commands to the Torah. In addition to this the pagan gentiles were bringing their pagan customs into the Torah. Early believers, it should be noted, were taught from the Torah or Old Testament. There was no New Testament written until after the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. New converts to the faith were taught exclusively out of the Old Testament.

Paul was dealing with Pharisaic traditions and pagan traditions at the same time. God does not want mixture. He desires purity of the word. The Torah is to be written on our hearts. Our hearts are to be circumcised by the word of God.

In that day physical circumcision was the sign of being Jewish or “chosen”. The new covenant did not require physical circumcision, but many wanted new believers to be cut with the knife. The apostle’s believed that was not necessary as this new covenant required a heart transplant--not a physical cutting. Verse 14, “decrees against us” is talking about the philosophies and traditions of men. These are things that are not required in the Torah. They are the things men design to control the masses. If a person desires physical circumcision there is nothing wrong with having it done-but it is not required in the New Covenant.

Paul is trying to explain the difference between the two in this 2nd chapter of Colossians. The new moons and days he is talking about are (verse 16) the pagan festivals. We should not let the world intimidate us into celebrating according to their traditions, but rather we should obey the word of God (Torah). The Lord desires we celebrate His feasts and Sabbath. They are a sign between God and His people--that’s what makes us “peculiar.”

The new moon’s are important in pagan and witchcraft rituals. The new moon is part of their cycle. This is the spirit of Jezebel loose in the church. Witches believe that they “menstruate with the moon.” (See witchcraft on internet search). The full moon is their powerful time for working magic and spells. Ancient cultures practiced the same rituals as modern witchcraft. Their worship centers around the creation rather than the creator (Romans 1). There is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9-11). What is happening around us today was happening then…we just are not as aware of it. (See internet search of Beltane for example) This is the “moon” Paul was speaking about--the pagan festivals.

 

POPULAR PAGAN HOLIDAYS--SEE THEWITCHESVOICE.COM
Yule is an important pagan/witchcraft holiday associated with a divine king. It is a celebration of the return of the sun god Tammuz. Tammuz was cut down and reborn as the sun god. Paul is talking about pagan holidays. Don’t let society judge you because you don’t celebrate their pagan feasts and festivals.

In verse 18 we see Paul warning about worship of angels. Many are worshipping angels, or Mother Mary, or various saints. There is only one mediator between God and man--the Lord Jesus Christ. These are deceptions that go back to the earliest days of the church. Things like self abasement to make one worthy, beating yourself, crawling on knees up steps. This is not the spirit of God. This is self abasement. In the Philippines some sects crucify individuals at Easter.

People are turning from the Lord to visions, self abasement, angels, or saints. These are of men. Verses 20-23

It is important we search the word and not be involved in this type of activity. Come away from traditions of men.

The more time you spend waiting on the Lord and seeking truth in His Word the more understanding you will get. God wants “hungry” seekers of the word.


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