Category: Apostolic Writings

These studies cover the writings by the closest shelakhim (apostles) of Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus the Christ). Commonly called the “New Testament,” this standard canon includes the four Gospels, the letters and the Apocalypse (Revelation).

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings

Demystifying the mysterious ‘abomination of desolation’

Demystifying the abomination of desolation

One of the ways we can look at the mysterious apocalyptic phrase “abomination of desolation” is to see it as a “Tale of Three Cities” — Babylon, Tyre and Ninevah — and how all three cities are really symbolic of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) herself. The carnage of the “abomination of desolation” will not come on Babylon, Tyre, Ninevah or any of our great cities of modern times like London, New York or Tokyo. From God’s prophets, we understand that it was and will be the people of Yerushalayim who will have a front row seat, and it will be for the same reasons for the previous desolations.

George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” We are blessed to read these repeated warning of the spiritual condition of people God calls before an “abomination of desolation” — and internalize the lessons.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Luke 21:5-38: Birth pangs of the coming of Messiah

A graphic with a background of intense orange and yellow flames features bold, black-outlined white text that reads, "Birth pangs of the coming of Messiah." Below, the scripture reference Luke 21:5-38 is displayed in a similar bold font. In the bottom left corner, there is a white logo featuring a stylized Hebrew letter and the website "hallel.info."The fiery background visually emphasizes the theme of prophetic warnings and the coming of the Messiah.

Yeshua repeated warned His disciples to “be ready” for the Day of the Lord. Take note that Yeshua said, “When you see the abomination of desolation” and refers His listeners to the book of Daniel. Yeshua is warning us that the “abomination of desolation” was not a one-time event.

The main reason the Temple was desecrated and destroyed was due to syncretism — blending of belief systems. The reason God destroys the Temple is not because each were and will be flawed but the hearts of the people were flawed. Let’s learn from history and not repeat it.

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Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Discussions Unleavened Bread

Those who trust the Messiah become sincerely, truly ‘unleavened’

A digital graphic design featuring a symbolic scene inspired by the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The image includes a glowing loaf of unleavened bread, illuminated by soft golden light, symbolizing sincerity and truth. In the background, and a brown cross behind it. To the right the words "The Feast of Unleavened Bread: Sincerity and truth."

Is the Feast of Unleavened Bread all about “getting sin of your life”? Is that the only message here? I’d submit to you that there’s much more. It is where the Father, the Creator, has placed you. He has placed you in the world, in the place where He wants you to be. It’s not just the “bread of affliction” but also the “bread of hope.”

We are to be “unleavened” — clear, transparent and easy to see, i.e., not “actors” a.k.a. hypocrites. And the community we worship in is also supposed to be clear, transparent and easy to understand in all matters of our lives.

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Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Discussions Lamb Selection Day Passover

A Lamb Led to the Cross: Foretold by a Prophet, Fulfilled by a King

An artistic depiction of a lamb walking toward a cross on a hilltop, guided by a robed man and flanked by armored guards. The scene is bathed in golden light from a setting sun, evoking a solemn, divine atmosphere. The text on the image reads: “A Lamb Led to the Cross: Foretold by a Prophet, Fulfilled by a King.” The website hallel.info is displayed in the bottom right corner.

The Apostle John tells us that John the Baptist was the first one who proclaimed the primary purpose of Yeshua’s mission. “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (Jn. 1:29, 36) But this Lamb did not show up the way the experts wanted and when Yeshua refused to fulfill the violent desires of the religious experts, they inflicted grave violence on Yeshua, but Yeshua expected that, and so did John the Baptist, even though he didn’t live to see it.

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Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Atonement Discussions Lamb Selection Day Passover Prophets and Writings Torah

Of Lamb and Goats: God’s salvation memorialized in Passover Lamb Selection Day and Day of Atonement

Newborn spring lamb (Petr Kratochvil / PublicDomainPictures.net)
Newborn spring lamb (Petr Kratochvil / PublicDomainPictures.net)

Lamb Selection Day is closely connected with Yom haKippurim (Day of Atonement). Both occur on the 10th day of their respective months: first month for Lamb selection day and seventh month of Yom Kippur.

And the words of the herald for the Mashiakh (Messiah), Yokhanan the Immerser (John the Baptist), that Yeshua was “the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world” (Jn. 1:29) further connects these two memorials of God’s salvation plan.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Luke 21:1-4: Widow’s big little Temple gift reveals major lapse in obeying God

Jeff

We only know of the poor widow in Luke 21:4, because Yeshua made note of her in a “teachable moment” with His key students. Both Mark and Luke record Yeshua’s testimony of her as an example of a faithful giver. Her faithfulness was not in the amount of her gift in terms of monetary value but in terms of the percentage she gave in proportion to what she had. She did not give just 10 percent or a portion from surplus but everything.

She may have already spent all the rest of her means just to get to Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) in the first place. But if those rich people had truly had a heart for the Torah, she would have come there in comfort, not in desperation and extreme poverty (Deut. 16:9–15; 24:19–20; 26:12–13).

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Luke 20:41-44: Yeshua is one with YHWH

Jeff

In the fourth encounter between Yeshua and the Temple leaders before His death on Passover then resurrection, Yeshua became the questioner (Luke 20:41-44). Quoting Psalm 110:1, Yeshua asked how the Messiah could be David’s son if David called Him “Lord” (Luke 20:41-44). In this study, we explore what Scripture has to say about the identity of Yeshua and YHWH (“the LORD”).