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Introduction
   Yahshua our Master affirmed this moment – He said, It is impossible but that offences will come … the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force, Luke 17:1; Matthew 11:12.
   Offences are still coming. “But woe unto him through whom they come” (Luke 17:1). And the kingdom is still suffering violence, and the violent are still seeking to take it by force.
   It’s not a violence of guns and bullets. It’s a violence of words, as deadly as guns and bullets. It’s about rhetoric – contentions, strivings over Names, words, the Law, the calendar, debates, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, and tumults proceeding from men who corrupt and deceitfully handle the Word of Yahweh and bring into Assembly private interpretations (Tit. 3:9; 2 Cor. 12:20, 2:17, 4:2; 2 Pet. 1:20). Men, first in their own cause and who are come to proclaim everyone his own goodness are become emboldened to put forth ways that seem right to them, but which are not altogether so (Prov. 14:12, 18:17, 20:6). Quite unaware are they, there are some who by reason of use, have their senses exercised to discern Truth from their error (Heb. 5:14).
   And multiplied to this confusion, are four principal works of the flesh: variance, emulation, strife, heresies (Gal. 5:19, 20). Hebrew TORAH Restoration, for want of a better cognomen, is suffering from an identity crisis that has not so characterized the protestant Christianity from which most of these perpetrators of perverse things have come out.

Put Them On?
   In some places the outward adorning of tallits, tefillim, kippahs, and tzitzits are made a test of fellowship and to become a replacement for “the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of Yahweh of great price” (I Peter 3:4). Better to put on the Messiah!
   Nomenclatures — Sacred Namers, One-House, Two-House, Messianics, Hebrew Roots, etc., etc. — many don’t know who they are, because they won’t sit still long enough under but one pulpit to find out! Too few fathers (1 Cor. 4:15); too many instructors giving out themselves as some great ones (Acts 8:9) and we need not doubt whereunto this will grow, either: those sitting under the latter’s tutelage declaring their teachers to be the great power of Elohim (Acts 8:10). Too many persuasions presented on too many YouTube Channels are tossing men to and fro and carrying them about with every wind of diverse and strange doctrine (Eph. 4:14; Heb. 13:9). Better, that men should follow the counsel of the Author of the Book: “TAKE HEED THEREFORE HOW YE HEAR … TAKE HEED WHAT YE HEAR” (Luke 8:18; Mark 4:24).
   So many choices have produced so few connections and so little commitment. Men who have not waited upon their ministering (Rom. 12:7), neither studied to show themselves approved that they might rightly divide and speak Truth as an Oracle (2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Pet. 4:11), are bent upon fulfilling Daniel’s 12:4 prophecy: “Many shall run to and fro.” But in their running to and fro, TRUTH is fallen into the streets so that equity cannot enter (Isa. 59:14).
   The very thing which Yahshua and His Apostles warned against, is come to pass. Men who have been called to liberty by the Evangel of Grace, are using their liberty for a cloak of maliciousness instead of by love, serving one another as the servants of Yahweh (Gal. 5:13; 1 Pet. 2:16). Grievous wolves clothed in sheep’s clothing have found entry into the sheepcote (Acts 20:29) and sowed discord among brethren (Prov. 6:19) by speaking perverse things and drawing disciples after themselves (Acts 20:30).
   Indeed, is this the time, when some are compassing sea and land to make to themselves proselytes, but once when they are made, the kingdom of heaven is shut up against them and neither do their mentors enter in (Matt. 23:15, 13).

Unity?
   Convocations on unity have not been able to withstand this lawless, unruly free spirit – and the reason? Because at the heart of their conventions are the very things of contentions, strivings over Names, words, the Law, the calendar, debates over whether the Son is subordinate to (1 Cor. 10:3) or coordinate with, the Father (Phil. 2:6) and other matters made subject to backbitings, whisperings, swellings, and tumults. And these things have occurred, and are occurring, because there is yet, no King in Israel that has come to rule with a rod of iron (Judg. 17:6, 21:25). But all will see eye to eye when He brings forth Zion (Isa. 52:8).
   And all these things give us, and should give them, pause. For men who think themselves somewhat in conference (Gal. 2:6) are failing to behave themselves (1 Tim. 3:15) and behold what manner of persons they are called to be in all holy conversation and piety (2 Pet. 3:11). Unwittingly, they have given place to the adversary (Eph. 4:27) and know not, to what manner of spirit they have yielded themselves (Luke 9:55, Rom. 6:13, 16) and neither, that in so doing, they have quenched the Spirit (1 Thess. 5:19) Messiah affirmed should dwell in them (John 14:17).
   Itinerating across continents and making many pilgrimages to Israel does not, any more qualify one to speak in Yahweh’s stead than another who weekly, sojourns to the same Assembly to be trained up, nurtured and admonished in the Way he should go (Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4). Potted plants that are able to be carried about, and are “cared” for by them who care not (really!), soon become root bound. Men will grow where they are planted. Men will grow in that place to which they have committed their presence, their gifts, their service, and their prayers.


-Elder John W. Reece


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