Introduction
     Over the last few years, there have been movements that promote diversity and tolerance. Things that were illegal by man’s laws a couple hundred years ago are no longer illegal. Not only are they no longer illegal, but if you speak out about such things, then you could be considered breaking laws that are now purposed to protect deviant lifestyles, such as homosexuality.

Right and Wrong
     Now, right is become wrong and wrong is become right. But there are warnings against viewing things contrary to what they actually are. We find Yahweh Himself speaking of this through His prophet Isaiah, Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20. (The New American Standard Bible is used throughout.)
    We know that all Scripture is good, and is our guide toward determining what is right and good from what is wrong and evil (Deut. 13:18).
    All Scripture is inspired by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of Elohim may be adequate, equipped for every good work, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
    The Apostle Paul made it quite clear: We should be motivated by the Word of Yahweh to do what is right, and to avoid what is wrong. Speaking prophetically, he declared how it would be in the end times:
    But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of Elohim, holding to a form of righteousness (religious leaders?), although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, emphasis ours.
    It’s not just that people are calling wrong, right and right, wrong. These people are actually haters of good! (Maybe there should be a hate law against that.)

Haters of Yahweh
     In the book of Romans, Paul expresses that a number of people of his day had already pulled away from the good instruction of the Scriptures and chose to do evil. They knew what was right according to Yahweh’s Word, and they still chose to do wrong. And they suffered the consequences, too … chiefly, being given over to a depraved or reprobate mind – that is, since they rejected the knowledge of Yahweh’s laws, they could no longer discern what was right and wrong. Today, men are still suffering from the same consequence of their choices. In Romans 1:22-32, Paul begins to address idol worship, but his attention soon turns to homosexuality and concludes with other things, equally unrighteous and all of which, defaults to hating Elohim:
    Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible Elohim for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore Elohim gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of Elohim for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason Elohim gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge Elohim any longer, Elohim gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of Elohim, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of Elohim, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
    Moreover, it is written, But My people did not listen to My voice, and Israel did not obey Me. So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, to walk in their own devices. Oh that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! I would quickly subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their adversaries. Those who hate Yahweh would pretend obedience to Him, and their time of punishment would be forever, Psalm 81:11-15. These things are written for our learning and admonition, so that we who have knowledge and a love of the Truth, don’t revert into ancient old habits that are sin (1 John 3:4; Heb. 3:10-12).

Continue in Sin?
     It’s essential to see that Yahweh is the same today, as He was yesterday, and as He will always be (Mal. 3:8; James 1:17); likewise, His Son, Yahshua (Heb. 13:8) Who never sinned, and Who is set as the Example for us, as corroborated by the Apostle Peter:
    For you have been called for this purpose, since Messiah also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; (Isa. 53:6) and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the stake, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls, 1 Peter 2:21-25.
    So, the idea that one may continue sinning without consequences is a false teaching presented by religious and non-religious leaders alike. For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of Elohim, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “YAHWEH WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living Elohim, Hebrews 10:26-31.
    Note well: The authors of the New Testament draw from the only writings they had – the Law (Torah) the Prophets, and the Writings – the Old Testament, which was replete with exhortations to cease from sin and to learn, and practice, obedience. This is why Paul and other Apostles would quote from them. Paul himself would state, “Shall we continue in sin, so grace may abound?” And his answer? “Never!” (Rom 6:1-2, 15-16; 7:7, 13). (Read our free in-depth combined study booklet entitled, Paul and The Law.)

Ecumenicity
     So-called religious priests and priestesses who are openly LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender), teach that Paul’s letter to the Assembly in Rome and which makes references to passages from the Torah in the Book of Leviticus are not pertinent to our society today. After all, “Who are you to judge me?” they will rejoin. But if we are judged by our deeds, and we are; and if the Word of Yahweh has the final say, which It does, then we should give attention to It. While we don’t, and cannot condemn anyone, since all judgment has been committed to the Son (John 5:22), we can, and we do, declare what Scripture says:
    If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them, Leviticus 20:13.
    And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One Who is Good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments,” Matthew 19:16–17.
    Catholicism often uses the word ecumenical to describe their desire for all faiths, no matter the belief, to be under one umbrella – preferably their umbrella. This might even include groups who call on other deities’ names. Already declarations have been made by Catholic clerics who, in the spirit of this ecumenism, have observed, “Allah is a fine name for God.”
    It’s this author’s opinion, that Pope John Paul II, in August 2008, removed Yahweh’s Name from their liturgy as the Roman Emperor, Constantine, under the auspices of a Catholic General Council convened in the early 4th century, devalued the 7th Day Sabbath in order to accommodate other cultures that paid homage to “the venerable day of the Sun” on the first day of the week, and who might want to call on other names of their deities. After all, “Sun-” day is a great day to observe, and all can call on “God” – as he is understood – can’t they? It’s confusion, and NOT the Creator’s way.

Laws Apply to Everyone
     Diversity, like ecumenism, is contrary to what Scripture teaches.
    As for the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the alien who sojourns with you, a perpetual statute throughout your generations; as you are, so shall the alien be before Yahweh. There is to be one law and one ordinance for you and for the alien who sojourns with you, Numbers 15:15-16. (See also Leviticus 24:22.)
    In Ezekiel 18:26-32, Yahweh declares, When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and dies because of it, for his iniquity which he has committed he will die. Again, when a wicked man turns away from his wickedness which he has committed and practices justice and righteousness, he will save his life. Because he considered and turned away from all his transgressions which he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. But the house of Israel says, “The way of Yahweh is not right.” Are My ways not right, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are not right? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct, declares Yahweh Elohim. Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you. Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares Yahweh Elohim. “Therefore, repent and live.”
    One might pause and say, “That was for Israel only.” Yet, we’ve already seen that there is one law for Israel and for the foreigner. Ecclesiastes 12:13 concludes that the whole duty of “mankind” is to fear Yahweh and to keep His commandments. To that end, the prophets Ezekiel (36:26-27) and Jeremiah (31:33-34) assert why the Spirit is provided today. Yahshua, too, promised to intreat His Father to send “Another Comforter” (John 14:16) Which when It was come, would guide and bring to our remembrance whatsoever had been commanded us (John 14:26).
    Those in the early Assemblies knew it wasn’t the Law That was contrary to us, and therefore been blotted out, taken out of the way, and nailed to a tree (Col. 2:14). Indeed, prophecies tell of the Law being taught in the coming Kingdom of Yahweh. In Isaiah 2:1-4, we read, The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. Now it will come about that in the last days the mountain of the house of Yahweh will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills; and all the nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the El of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths.” For The Law will go forth from Zion and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem. And He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples; and they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war.
    It’s clear. This passage is not speaking only of Israel. While Yahweh has promised much through Abraham concerning Israel, His comprehensive plan includes any who would do His will as the Apostle Peter discovered more than a score of years after the Messiah had risen from the dead when he was dispatched to the home of Cornelius after having seen a vision in which he was directed, ostensibly, to slay and eat that which was common and unclean (Acts 10:9-20) in defiance to what was written in the Law (Lev. 11; Deut. 14). (Request the free in-depth booklets entitled, Yahweh’s Food Laws and Orthodox Followers.)
    Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that Elohim is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him,” Acts 10:34-35.
    Further corroborated by Paul, we read in Romans 2:11-16:
    For there is no partiality with Elohim. For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before Elohim, but the doers of the Law will be justified. For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my evangel, Elohim will judge the secrets of men through Messiah Yahshua.
    Thus, transgression of other commandments, statutes and ordinances, based on Yahweh’s Holy Scriptures, is subject to the ultimate judgment by Yahshua just like what is naturally understood by them who are ignorant of Torah … e.g., laws prohibiting murder and stealing.
    As we have already seen through the prophet Ezekiel, Yahweh is merciful. Yahweh is gracious and full of compassion to forgive those who turn from wrong ways toward doing things according to what He had determined to be right ways of living. We can choose and are, in fact, told to choose life.
    In Deuteronomy 30:19-20, Yahweh says, I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving Yahweh your Elohim, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which Yahweh swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.

There’s Hope in Messiah
     We are grafted into the family of Yahweh through the sacrificed life and shed blood of Yahshua the Messiah. This grafting into the green olive tree, which represents all of Israel (Jer. 11:16-17), is the subject of Romans, chapters 9-11. (Read our study booklet entitled, The Hope of Israel.)
    The Messiah is become the Solution to the mystery of how Yahweh will restore a people (the ten northern tribes) who were divorced by Yahweh and dispersed through Assyrian captivity as punishment for their continued rebellion throughout the earth. By the death of a Testator on Whom they believe (Heb. 9:15-17), they can be restored (Isa. 61:1-3).
    By accepting Him, and by living the house rules of His Father, we, too, can become saints of the Most High – even those who have renounced their aberrant sexual lifestyles.
    In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, the Apostle confirms this, Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of Elohim? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of Elohim. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the Name of the Master Yahshua Messiah and in the Spirit of our Elohim.

What Will It Take? Sanctification and Endurance
     As Yahshua learned obedience through suffering, the saints will also face difficulties. We are told Satan will be allowed to wear down the saints and attempt to change the standards of time and laws.
     He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him, Daniel 7:25-27.
    Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to our Elohim and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power, 1 Corinthians 15:24.
    Meanwhile, through the difficulties imposed upon the saints as the beast system comes into play, they hold fast – continuing steadfastly in, earnestly contending for the faith, and giving all diligence to make their calling and election sure. But the end of those joining with the man of sin, that son of perdition, at that time, the end of this age, is death.
    Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of Elohim, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name. Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of Elohim and their faith in Yahshua.” And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Master from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them,” Revelation 14:9-13.

Conclusion
     The saints will possess both obedience to the Father and maintain their faith in the Messiah as their attributes. Ultimately, they are saved by Yahshua to become heirs, and joint-heirs with Him (Rom. 8:17).
    We have This Hope, to serve the Father through the Son by sharing Their plan of salvation laid out in the Good News, even to them who have been caught up in ‘the spirit of the age’.
    In Messiah, there is, indeed, hope: redemption, salvation, and deliverance from ignorance and done in ignorance. The Savior Himself, as the Advocate of them who called to justify, may ye implore His Father, saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34).
    What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Messiah Yahshua have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Messiah was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life (i.e., without sin). For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was put to the stake with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Messiah, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Messiah, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to Elohim. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to Elohim in Messiah Yahshua, Romans 6:1-11.