Gifts of Tongues & Interpretation By Rabbi Rob Miller
The following is a teaching from my friend and colleague Rabbi Rob Miller on the Gift of Tongues:
Gifts of Tongues & Interpretation
By Rabbi Rob Miller
“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: you know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of Yahweh calls YahShua accursed, and no one can say that YahShua is King except by the Holy Spirit. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Sovereign. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same Elohim who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given…different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)”
“He who believes and is immersed will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. (Mark 16:16-18)”
“When the Day of Shavuot (Pentecost) had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) and began to speak with other tongues, as the Ruach gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)”
The Gift of Tongues
The Gift of Tongues is a Spiritual utterance, which the one doing the speaking does not understand until the Spirit gives the interpretation. It is a vocal miracle of speech (Acts 2:4-8; Acts 10:46; Acts 19:1-6; 1Cor 12-14). The immersion of believers in the Ruach HaKodesh is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of Yahweh gives utterance (Acts 2:4).
“Speaking in Tongues” refers to the first outward, observable sign that the Ruach HaKodesh has come in filling power. The repeated testimony of Scripture is that this physical sign occurred at the time the Spirit was poured out on individuals. When the 120 disciples were filled with the Spirit, they spoke in tongues (Acts 2:4). They spoke then, not a day, week, or year later.
Years ago, as I studied at the Chabad on Yom Kippur, there broke out during a time of worship a spontaneous outburst of unintellible speech. Concerned at my reaction they came over to me to explain what was going on. They said this is the “Ecstasy of the Holy Spirit.” I assured them I knew what it was I was just shocked they could get it. I was raised as a Pentecostal, I knew what it was I just didn’t know Jews could get it.
That wasn’t the question in the First Century. When Cornelius’s household was immersed in the Spirit, members spoke in tongues, and the believing Jews were amazed that they could get the gift like them (Acts 10:44—48). Again, they spoke in tongues at the same time they were immersed, not at some later time. When the Ephesians believers were immersed in the Spirit, they spoke in tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:1—6). There is no statement or implication of a delay between the event of the immersion in the Spirit and the evidence of speaking in tongues. Those who teach there can be a delay in speaking in tongues draw their conclusions from personal experience or the testimony of others, not from a clear statement of Scripture. Scripture nowhere teaches, implies, or gives an example of a delay occurring between the immersion in the Spirit and the evidence of speaking in tongues; therefore we must yield to the testimony of Scripture not experience.
The immersion in the Ruach haKodesh is just the open door leading into a Spirit-filled life–a fact that can be easily overlooked, even by Messianic Believers. Having spoken in tongues upon being immersed in the Ruach, the Believer must continue to respond to the supernatural promptings of the Ruach haKodesh. For example, praying in the Spirit (intercessory and worship expressions in tongues) should be a continuing part of the new Spirit-filled life.
We believe this last-days outpouring of the Ruach haKodesh is Yahweh’s sovereign move to meet the satanic challenges of the day and to prepare the Commonwealth of Israel for His soon return. Around the world, Yahweh is moving by His Ruach haKodesh in powerful and dynamic ways.
The Mikveh of the Ruach
Mikveh literally means gathering. It usually has to do with a gathering of living water for the purpose of immersion. Rav Yochannan haTivilah (John the Baptist) prophesied that the Messiah would come and, "He will immerse you with the Ruach haKodesh" (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; cf. also John 1:33). At the conclusion of His earthly ministry, Messiah YahShua referred to Rav Yochannan’s statement, “for Rav Yochannan truly immersed with water, but you shall be immersed with the Ruach haKodesh not many days from now. (Acts 1:5)” Rabbi Shimon Kepha, in reporting on the events in the home of Cornelius ben Noach, said, “…as I began to speak, the Ruach haKodesh fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the King, how He said, " Rav Yochannan indeed immersed with water, but you shall be immersed with the Ruach haKodesh.' If therefore Yahweh gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the King Messiah YahShua, who was I that I could withstand Yahweh?" When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified Yahweh, saying, "Then Yahweh has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life. (Acts 11:15-18).
Messiah YahShua promised the Messianic Believers upon his ascension, “…being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father… you shall receive power when the Ruach haKodesh has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:4,8)” Acts 2:4 states, "All of them were filled with the Ruach haKodesh," on the Day of Shavuot (see also Acts 9:17). In Acts 2:17 Rabbi Kepha describes this filling with the Ruach haKodesh as a fulfillment of the prophet Joel’s prophecy that Yahweh will "pour out [His] Spirit on all people" (Acts 10:45). According to Acts 8:16, prior to the ministry of Rabbi Kepha and Rabbi Yochannan in Samaria , the Ruach haKodesh "had not yet come" on any of the Samaritans (Acts 10:44; 11:15). After the laying on of the apostles’ hands, the Samaritans "received the Holy Spirit" (Acts 10:47).
Dr. James Trimm taught in his article: “This brings us to what is called in Rabbinic Judaism "Khokhmat HaTziruf" (Wisdom of Permutation) or simply "Tziruf" (permutation). This practice utilizes the letters of the alphabet in various permutations. By immersing oneself in various permutations of letters and names one empties ones mind of the carnal thoughts that might interfere in focusing on the things of Elohim. Thus ones nefesh (soul), neshoma and ruach are freed from their natural constraints and opened to the influx of the Ruach HaKodesh. Through this process the believer is communing directly with the upper worlds and accessing the
permutations of letters which are the creative substance of the universe, thus connecting with the worlds of formation and creation and the "Word", the ALEF and TAV through which all was created.”
We see this in the Talmud: ““Rab Judah said in the name of Rab: Bezalel knew how to combine (TZIRUF) the letters by which the heavens and earth were created. It is written here, ‘And He hath filled him with the spirit of Elohim, in wisdom and in understanding, and in knowledge (Ex. 35:31),’ and it is written elsewhere, ‘Adonai by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens (Prov. 3:19),’ and it is also written, ‘By His knowledge the depths were broken up (Prov. 3:20).’” Just like He gathered the waters on the earth for immersion.
Even the Zohar say: “R. Eleazar began here with the verse, ‘Ask thee a sign [Hebrew: OT “sign” or “letter”] of the Lord thy God, ask it either in the depth or in the height above (Isa. 7:11).’ He said: ‘We have compared the former with the latter generations, and found that the former were conversant with a higher wisdom by which they knew how to combine (TZIRUF) the letters that were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, and even the sinners of Israel knew a deep wisdom contained in the letters and the difference between higher and lower letters, and how to do things with them in this world. For every letter that was transmitted to Moses used to ascend as a crown upon the heads of the holy celestial Hayyoth (Living Creatures), who with them flitted through the ether which is under the refined and unknowable supernal ether. There were large letters and small letters; the large letters came from the most high and hidden Temple (hekhal) and the smaller letters from another lower Temple ; and both kinds were transmitted to Moses on Sinai, along with their hidden combinations.”
What It Is Not
It is not the ability to rapidly learn foreign languages. This idea does not line up with the Word in 1Corinthians 14:14 where Rabbi Sha’ul plainly states that he doesn't know what he is saying when he speaks in tongues. Rabbi Sha’ul says his spirit (the inner man) knows, but his mind did not understand it. 1 Corinthians 14:14 says: "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful." This plainly rules out the ability to learn a foreign language.
Once I was invited to a Campbellite Church of Christ function. The minister spotted me and came over and began challenging me. “Speaking in tongues is of the Devil,” he said to which I answered, Acts 2:4 "they were all FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT and began to speak with other tongues..."
The Gift of Tongues is not to be forbidden.
“Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. (1 Corinthians 14:39)”
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18)”
“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. (Jude 1:20)”
The Gift of Tongues has not passed away. This faulty idea comes from a misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” It is claimed that this passage of Scripture teaches that the Gift of Tongues ceased when the canon of Scripture was completed and that the Gift of Tongues is no longer in existence. First of all, the canon of Scripture is not complete, we are still missing several books mentioned in Scripture. The Prophet Daniel implies these will be restored during the Endtimes. If the Scriptures are the “Perfect One” which translation is perfect? No, the “Perfect One” is King Messiah YahShua! Thus, the gift of tongues will definitely be a part of the Messianic Movement and its ministry until the coming of the Messiah.
The Purpose of the Gift
The Gift of Tongues edifies the Believer. “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself... (1 Corinthians 14:4)” One way this is done is by allowing the Spirit to pray for us in a kind of secret code that man nor angel can decipher. “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. (1 Corinthians 14:14)” “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with Yahweh's will. (Romans 8:26-27)”
The Gift of Tongues can also enhance our worship. When we are filled with the Spirit we can sing in tongues too. “So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. (1 Corinthians 14:15)”
The Gift of Tongues can enhance our praise. “If you are praising Yahweh with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amien" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified. (1 Corinthians 14:16-17)”
Rabbi Sha’ul is explaining why, in a public worship, a person should not praise Yahweh above the praising of the congregation in tongues but praising Yahweh quietly, or privately in tongues is perfectly acceptable.
The tongues used in a public worship service must be interpreted or else is it considered out of order. “To one there is given through the Spirit...speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:8-10)”
Interpretation of Tongues
The Gift of the Interpretation of Tongues is the Spiritual manifestation of Yahweh using Spirit-filled Believer’s vocal organs, giving utterance in a known language, telling the meaning of the words which have been spoken with Spiritual tongues.
Rabbi Sha’ul says that interpretation of tongues is equal to prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:15). He says this gift helps us to profit (1 Corinthians 14:16). Yahweh says for us to pray for this gift if we speak with tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5), and for us all to speak with tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5&13). Rabbi Sha’ul said LET someone interpret (1 Corinthians 14:27). There should be SOMEONE to interpret each message. There does not need to be a CERTAIN one; neither should there be competition (1 Corinthians 14:27). Whenever tongues are used audibly in a public worship service they have to be interpreted by someone so the entire congregation can be built up and not just the one doing the speaking. The number of times this can occur in a given service is limited to two or three at the most.
Scriptural Examples
When Yahweh comes down all of creation is effected. Rabbi Joseph Hertz (Authorized Daily Prayer Book, 791) observes, “The Revelation at Sinai, it was taught, was given in the desert territory, which belongs to no one nation exclusively: and it was not heard by Israel alone, but by the inhabitants of all the earth. The Divine Voice divided itself into seventy tongues then spoken on the earth, so that all the children of men might understand its world embracing and man-redeeming message.”
The Commentary, Exodus Rabbah 5:9 says, “When [Yahweh] gave the Torah on Sinai, He displayed untold marvels to Israel with His voice. What happened? [Yahweh] spoke and the voice reverberated throughout the world…It says, And all the people witnessed the thunderings (Exodus 20:18). Note, it does not say “the thunder,” but “the thunderings”; wherefore, Rabbi Yochannan said that [Yahweh’s] voice, as it uttered, split into seventy voices, in seventy languages, so that all the nations should understand. When each nation heard the Voice in their own vernacular, their soul departed (they were afraid) save Israel , who heard but were not hurt…”
Rabbi Moshe Weissman, in his book, “The Midrash Says On Shemot (Exodus),” “On the occasion of Matan Torah (Giving of the Torah on Shavuot), the B’nai Yisrael not only heard [Yahweh’s] Voice but actually saw the sound waves as they emerged from [Yahweh’s] mouth. They visualized them as a fiery substance. Each commandment that left [Yahweh’s] mouth traveled around the entire camp and then came back to every [Israelite] individually, asking them, ‘Do you accept upon yourself this commandment with all halachot (Scriptural understanding) pertaining to it.’ Every [Israelite] answered, ‘Yes,’ after each commandments. Finally, the fiery substance which they saw, engraved itself on the luchot (sapphire cubes).”
As Moses went up on the Mountain he was filled with the Ruach haKodesh. After Yahweh gave the example of the Tabernacle and upon its completion, Yahweh told Moses, “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel , whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the Tabernacle of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone…So Moses went out and told the people the words of Yahweh, and he gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the Tabernacle. Then Yahweh came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they Il Sof (incomprehensible speech), and did not cease. But two men had remained in the camp: the name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them. Now they were among those listed, but who had not gone out to the Tabernacle; yet they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, and said, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp." So Joshua ben Nun, Moses' assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, "Moses my lord, forbid them!" Then Moses said to him, "Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the Yahweh's people were prophets and that Yahweh would put His Spirit upon them!" And Moses returned to the camp, he and the elders of Israel . (Numbers 11)”
Yahweh keeps giving revelation. “But the Word of Yahweh was to them, "Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little" (Isaiah 28:13)” This is exactly what Isaiah saw: “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. (Isaiah 28:11-12)
Joel received more of the revelation that Moses’ prayer would be answered.: “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. (Joel 2:28, 29)”
“[Rav Yochannan HaTivilah] preached, saying, "There cometh after me One mightier than I, the strap of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have immersed you with water, but He shall immerse you with the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). (Mark 1:7-9)"
“…being assembled together with them, [Messiah] commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for Yochannan truly immersed with water, but you shall be immersed with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Sovereign, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel ?" And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem , and in all Judea and Samaria , and to the end of the earth. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of Yahweh." So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?" (Acts 1:4-12)"
“When Shavu’ot (the Day of Pentecost) had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues (Il Sof), as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)”
“Rabbi Kepha, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel …(Acts 2:14-16).”
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you into all Truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. (John 16:13)”
“…it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which Yahweh has prepared for those who love Him. (Isaiah 64:4)" But Yahweh has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of Yahweh. (1 Corinthians 2:9,10)”
“And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Rabbi Kepha, because the Gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. (Acts 10:45)”
“[Messiah] has made us competent to be workers serving a New Covenant, the essence which is not a written text but the Spirit. For the written text brings death, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:6)”
“Yahweh is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. (John 4:24)”
“…we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of Yahweh our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Messiah YahShua our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7)”
“On the land of my people will come up thorns and briers, yes, on all the happy homes in the joyous city; because the palaces will be forsaken, the bustling city will be deserted. The forts and towers will become lairs forever, a joy of wild donkeys, a pasture of flocks until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, when hail comes down on the forest, and the city is brought low in humiliation. Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey. (Isaiah 32:13-20)”
Before Messiah Comes he promises a new outpouring of the Spirit. “Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for Yahweh has done marvelous things! Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field (Gentiles at large); for the open pastures are springing up (places of conversion), and the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree ( Israel ) and the vine (Israelite and convert – Commonwealth of Israel ) yield their strength. Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in Yahweh your Elohim; for He has given you the former rain faithfully (Numbers 11), and He will cause the rain to come down for you-- the former rain, and the latter rain (Acts 2) in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. (The outpouring of the former and latter rain will happen at the Endtimes.)
So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of Yahweh your Elohim, Who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame. Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel : I am Yahweh your Elohim and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame.
And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of Yahweh. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of Yahweh shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as Yahweh has said, ‘Among the remnant whom Yahweh calls.’ (Joel 2;21-32)”
The Need for the Gift
“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives , the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
And Rebbe YahShua answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, "I am anointed,' and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this Full Messianic Message of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Therefore when you see the "abomination of desolation (the Golem),' (Daniel 11:31; 12:11) spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.
Then if anyone says to you, "Look, here is the Messiah!' or "There!' do not believe it. For false Messiahs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.
Therefore if they say to you, "Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or "Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Matthew 24:3-29)”
We will need the Gifts of Tongues and Interpretation in the Endtime as Joel says so that we may “endure to the end.” We need to humbled ourselves in Teshuvah. The secret to the outpouring of the Spirit is having a humble heart. It makes one gentle. It opens one to communication with the Holy Spirit. It easily, lightly and naturally guides one away from sin and towards fulfillment. Learning to have a humble heart is a great lesson to be sought. Having a humble heart is a precious trait. The Fruit of the Spirit took us from being a wilderness into being a Forest .
“Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before Yahweh, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. (Psalm 96:12)"
Now that we are established as a Forest it is time for Judgment! There is a side of judgment that should fill all of us with dread and awe. “The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Psalm 111:10)”
Because his judgment brings mercy, a "refuge for the oppressed." For the oppressors, His judgment is bad news, but for the oppressed it is good news!: “From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet - when you, O Yahweh, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land. (Psalms 76:8)” As James 2:13 says, "Mercy triumphs over judgment."
The Spirit filled Believer responds to the coming judgment of Yahweh: with expectation and hope. “Yahweh reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice. Yahweh is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. (Psalms 9:7-9)”
The “times of trouble” may be hard for a moment, but it also brings an end to human injustice. Psalms 94:2 says, "Rise up, O Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve."
Why is Yahweh's judgment finally necessary and even merciful? Because it preserves order.
"And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of Yahweh.
And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of Yahweh shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as Yahweh has said, ‘Among the remnant whom Yahweh calls.’ (Joel 2:28-32)”
“After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land [or earth] or on the sea or on any tree. Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living Elohim. (Rev. 7:1,2)”
“The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of Yahweh on their foreheads. They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man. During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them. (Rev. 9:1-6)”
What is the seal of Yahweh? “Now it is Yahweh who makes both us and you stand firm in Messiah. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2Cor. 1:21,22)”
“…you also were included in Messiah when you heard the word of truth, the Full Messianic Message of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are Yahweh's possession (Eph. 1:13,14).”
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of Yahweh, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Messiah Yahweh forgave you. Be imitators of Yahweh, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Messiah loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to Yahweh. (Eph. 4:29-5:1)”
Yahweh's seal of ownership, His sign of affirmation is the Holy Spirit. It is the sign or deposit "guaranteeing our inheritance" or salvation until "the day of redemption."
Rabbi Sha’ul asks the Believers “. . . Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed? . . . (Acts 19:2).”
Gifts of Tongues & Interpretation
By Rabbi Rob Miller
“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: you know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of Yahweh calls YahShua accursed, and no one can say that YahShua is King except by the Holy Spirit. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Sovereign. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same Elohim who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given…different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)”
“He who believes and is immersed will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. (Mark 16:16-18)”
“When the Day of Shavuot (Pentecost) had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) and began to speak with other tongues, as the Ruach gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)”
The Gift of Tongues
The Gift of Tongues is a Spiritual utterance, which the one doing the speaking does not understand until the Spirit gives the interpretation. It is a vocal miracle of speech (Acts 2:4-8; Acts 10:46; Acts 19:1-6; 1Cor 12-14). The immersion of believers in the Ruach HaKodesh is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of Yahweh gives utterance (Acts 2:4).
“Speaking in Tongues” refers to the first outward, observable sign that the Ruach HaKodesh has come in filling power. The repeated testimony of Scripture is that this physical sign occurred at the time the Spirit was poured out on individuals. When the 120 disciples were filled with the Spirit, they spoke in tongues (Acts 2:4). They spoke then, not a day, week, or year later.
Years ago, as I studied at the Chabad on Yom Kippur, there broke out during a time of worship a spontaneous outburst of unintellible speech. Concerned at my reaction they came over to me to explain what was going on. They said this is the “Ecstasy of the Holy Spirit.” I assured them I knew what it was I was just shocked they could get it. I was raised as a Pentecostal, I knew what it was I just didn’t know Jews could get it.
That wasn’t the question in the First Century. When Cornelius’s household was immersed in the Spirit, members spoke in tongues, and the believing Jews were amazed that they could get the gift like them (Acts 10:44—48). Again, they spoke in tongues at the same time they were immersed, not at some later time. When the Ephesians believers were immersed in the Spirit, they spoke in tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:1—6). There is no statement or implication of a delay between the event of the immersion in the Spirit and the evidence of speaking in tongues. Those who teach there can be a delay in speaking in tongues draw their conclusions from personal experience or the testimony of others, not from a clear statement of Scripture. Scripture nowhere teaches, implies, or gives an example of a delay occurring between the immersion in the Spirit and the evidence of speaking in tongues; therefore we must yield to the testimony of Scripture not experience.
The immersion in the Ruach haKodesh is just the open door leading into a Spirit-filled life–a fact that can be easily overlooked, even by Messianic Believers. Having spoken in tongues upon being immersed in the Ruach, the Believer must continue to respond to the supernatural promptings of the Ruach haKodesh. For example, praying in the Spirit (intercessory and worship expressions in tongues) should be a continuing part of the new Spirit-filled life.
We believe this last-days outpouring of the Ruach haKodesh is Yahweh’s sovereign move to meet the satanic challenges of the day and to prepare the Commonwealth of Israel for His soon return. Around the world, Yahweh is moving by His Ruach haKodesh in powerful and dynamic ways.
The Mikveh of the Ruach
Mikveh literally means gathering. It usually has to do with a gathering of living water for the purpose of immersion. Rav Yochannan haTivilah (John the Baptist) prophesied that the Messiah would come and, "He will immerse you with the Ruach haKodesh" (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; cf. also John 1:33). At the conclusion of His earthly ministry, Messiah YahShua referred to Rav Yochannan’s statement, “for Rav Yochannan truly immersed with water, but you shall be immersed with the Ruach haKodesh not many days from now. (Acts 1:5)” Rabbi Shimon Kepha, in reporting on the events in the home of Cornelius ben Noach, said, “…as I began to speak, the Ruach haKodesh fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the King, how He said, " Rav Yochannan indeed immersed with water, but you shall be immersed with the Ruach haKodesh.' If therefore Yahweh gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the King Messiah YahShua, who was I that I could withstand Yahweh?" When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified Yahweh, saying, "Then Yahweh has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life. (Acts 11:15-18).
Messiah YahShua promised the Messianic Believers upon his ascension, “…being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father… you shall receive power when the Ruach haKodesh has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:4,8)” Acts 2:4 states, "All of them were filled with the Ruach haKodesh," on the Day of Shavuot (see also Acts 9:17). In Acts 2:17 Rabbi Kepha describes this filling with the Ruach haKodesh as a fulfillment of the prophet Joel’s prophecy that Yahweh will "pour out [His] Spirit on all people" (Acts 10:45). According to Acts 8:16, prior to the ministry of Rabbi Kepha and Rabbi Yochannan in Samaria , the Ruach haKodesh "had not yet come" on any of the Samaritans (Acts 10:44; 11:15). After the laying on of the apostles’ hands, the Samaritans "received the Holy Spirit" (Acts 10:47).
Dr. James Trimm taught in his article: “This brings us to what is called in Rabbinic Judaism "Khokhmat HaTziruf" (Wisdom of Permutation) or simply "Tziruf" (permutation). This practice utilizes the letters of the alphabet in various permutations. By immersing oneself in various permutations of letters and names one empties ones mind of the carnal thoughts that might interfere in focusing on the things of Elohim. Thus ones nefesh (soul), neshoma and ruach are freed from their natural constraints and opened to the influx of the Ruach HaKodesh. Through this process the believer is communing directly with the upper worlds and accessing the
permutations of letters which are the creative substance of the universe, thus connecting with the worlds of formation and creation and the "Word", the ALEF and TAV through which all was created.”
We see this in the Talmud: ““Rab Judah said in the name of Rab: Bezalel knew how to combine (TZIRUF) the letters by which the heavens and earth were created. It is written here, ‘And He hath filled him with the spirit of Elohim, in wisdom and in understanding, and in knowledge (Ex. 35:31),’ and it is written elsewhere, ‘Adonai by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens (Prov. 3:19),’ and it is also written, ‘By His knowledge the depths were broken up (Prov. 3:20).’” Just like He gathered the waters on the earth for immersion.
Even the Zohar say: “R. Eleazar began here with the verse, ‘Ask thee a sign [Hebrew: OT “sign” or “letter”] of the Lord thy God, ask it either in the depth or in the height above (Isa. 7:11).’ He said: ‘We have compared the former with the latter generations, and found that the former were conversant with a higher wisdom by which they knew how to combine (TZIRUF) the letters that were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, and even the sinners of Israel knew a deep wisdom contained in the letters and the difference between higher and lower letters, and how to do things with them in this world. For every letter that was transmitted to Moses used to ascend as a crown upon the heads of the holy celestial Hayyoth (Living Creatures), who with them flitted through the ether which is under the refined and unknowable supernal ether. There were large letters and small letters; the large letters came from the most high and hidden Temple (hekhal) and the smaller letters from another lower Temple ; and both kinds were transmitted to Moses on Sinai, along with their hidden combinations.”
What It Is Not
It is not the ability to rapidly learn foreign languages. This idea does not line up with the Word in 1Corinthians 14:14 where Rabbi Sha’ul plainly states that he doesn't know what he is saying when he speaks in tongues. Rabbi Sha’ul says his spirit (the inner man) knows, but his mind did not understand it. 1 Corinthians 14:14 says: "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful." This plainly rules out the ability to learn a foreign language.
Once I was invited to a Campbellite Church of Christ function. The minister spotted me and came over and began challenging me. “Speaking in tongues is of the Devil,” he said to which I answered, Acts 2:4 "they were all FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT and began to speak with other tongues..."
The Gift of Tongues is not to be forbidden.
“Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. (1 Corinthians 14:39)”
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18)”
“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. (Jude 1:20)”
The Gift of Tongues has not passed away. This faulty idea comes from a misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” It is claimed that this passage of Scripture teaches that the Gift of Tongues ceased when the canon of Scripture was completed and that the Gift of Tongues is no longer in existence. First of all, the canon of Scripture is not complete, we are still missing several books mentioned in Scripture. The Prophet Daniel implies these will be restored during the Endtimes. If the Scriptures are the “Perfect One” which translation is perfect? No, the “Perfect One” is King Messiah YahShua! Thus, the gift of tongues will definitely be a part of the Messianic Movement and its ministry until the coming of the Messiah.
The Purpose of the Gift
The Gift of Tongues edifies the Believer. “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself... (1 Corinthians 14:4)” One way this is done is by allowing the Spirit to pray for us in a kind of secret code that man nor angel can decipher. “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. (1 Corinthians 14:14)” “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with Yahweh's will. (Romans 8:26-27)”
The Gift of Tongues can also enhance our worship. When we are filled with the Spirit we can sing in tongues too. “So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. (1 Corinthians 14:15)”
The Gift of Tongues can enhance our praise. “If you are praising Yahweh with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amien" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified. (1 Corinthians 14:16-17)”
Rabbi Sha’ul is explaining why, in a public worship, a person should not praise Yahweh above the praising of the congregation in tongues but praising Yahweh quietly, or privately in tongues is perfectly acceptable.
The tongues used in a public worship service must be interpreted or else is it considered out of order. “To one there is given through the Spirit...speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:8-10)”
Interpretation of Tongues
The Gift of the Interpretation of Tongues is the Spiritual manifestation of Yahweh using Spirit-filled Believer’s vocal organs, giving utterance in a known language, telling the meaning of the words which have been spoken with Spiritual tongues.
Rabbi Sha’ul says that interpretation of tongues is equal to prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:15). He says this gift helps us to profit (1 Corinthians 14:16). Yahweh says for us to pray for this gift if we speak with tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5), and for us all to speak with tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5&13). Rabbi Sha’ul said LET someone interpret (1 Corinthians 14:27). There should be SOMEONE to interpret each message. There does not need to be a CERTAIN one; neither should there be competition (1 Corinthians 14:27). Whenever tongues are used audibly in a public worship service they have to be interpreted by someone so the entire congregation can be built up and not just the one doing the speaking. The number of times this can occur in a given service is limited to two or three at the most.
Scriptural Examples
When Yahweh comes down all of creation is effected. Rabbi Joseph Hertz (Authorized Daily Prayer Book, 791) observes, “The Revelation at Sinai, it was taught, was given in the desert territory, which belongs to no one nation exclusively: and it was not heard by Israel alone, but by the inhabitants of all the earth. The Divine Voice divided itself into seventy tongues then spoken on the earth, so that all the children of men might understand its world embracing and man-redeeming message.”
The Commentary, Exodus Rabbah 5:9 says, “When [Yahweh] gave the Torah on Sinai, He displayed untold marvels to Israel with His voice. What happened? [Yahweh] spoke and the voice reverberated throughout the world…It says, And all the people witnessed the thunderings (Exodus 20:18). Note, it does not say “the thunder,” but “the thunderings”; wherefore, Rabbi Yochannan said that [Yahweh’s] voice, as it uttered, split into seventy voices, in seventy languages, so that all the nations should understand. When each nation heard the Voice in their own vernacular, their soul departed (they were afraid) save Israel , who heard but were not hurt…”
Rabbi Moshe Weissman, in his book, “The Midrash Says On Shemot (Exodus),” “On the occasion of Matan Torah (Giving of the Torah on Shavuot), the B’nai Yisrael not only heard [Yahweh’s] Voice but actually saw the sound waves as they emerged from [Yahweh’s] mouth. They visualized them as a fiery substance. Each commandment that left [Yahweh’s] mouth traveled around the entire camp and then came back to every [Israelite] individually, asking them, ‘Do you accept upon yourself this commandment with all halachot (Scriptural understanding) pertaining to it.’ Every [Israelite] answered, ‘Yes,’ after each commandments. Finally, the fiery substance which they saw, engraved itself on the luchot (sapphire cubes).”
As Moses went up on the Mountain he was filled with the Ruach haKodesh. After Yahweh gave the example of the Tabernacle and upon its completion, Yahweh told Moses, “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel , whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the Tabernacle of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone…So Moses went out and told the people the words of Yahweh, and he gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the Tabernacle. Then Yahweh came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they Il Sof (incomprehensible speech), and did not cease. But two men had remained in the camp: the name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them. Now they were among those listed, but who had not gone out to the Tabernacle; yet they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, and said, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp." So Joshua ben Nun, Moses' assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, "Moses my lord, forbid them!" Then Moses said to him, "Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the Yahweh's people were prophets and that Yahweh would put His Spirit upon them!" And Moses returned to the camp, he and the elders of Israel . (Numbers 11)”
Yahweh keeps giving revelation. “But the Word of Yahweh was to them, "Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little" (Isaiah 28:13)” This is exactly what Isaiah saw: “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. (Isaiah 28:11-12)
Joel received more of the revelation that Moses’ prayer would be answered.: “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. (Joel 2:28, 29)”
“[Rav Yochannan HaTivilah] preached, saying, "There cometh after me One mightier than I, the strap of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have immersed you with water, but He shall immerse you with the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). (Mark 1:7-9)"
“…being assembled together with them, [Messiah] commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for Yochannan truly immersed with water, but you shall be immersed with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Sovereign, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel ?" And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem , and in all Judea and Samaria , and to the end of the earth. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of Yahweh." So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?" (Acts 1:4-12)"
“When Shavu’ot (the Day of Pentecost) had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues (Il Sof), as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)”
“Rabbi Kepha, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel …(Acts 2:14-16).”
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you into all Truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. (John 16:13)”
“…it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which Yahweh has prepared for those who love Him. (Isaiah 64:4)" But Yahweh has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of Yahweh. (1 Corinthians 2:9,10)”
“And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Rabbi Kepha, because the Gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. (Acts 10:45)”
“[Messiah] has made us competent to be workers serving a New Covenant, the essence which is not a written text but the Spirit. For the written text brings death, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:6)”
“Yahweh is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. (John 4:24)”
“…we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of Yahweh our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Messiah YahShua our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7)”
“On the land of my people will come up thorns and briers, yes, on all the happy homes in the joyous city; because the palaces will be forsaken, the bustling city will be deserted. The forts and towers will become lairs forever, a joy of wild donkeys, a pasture of flocks until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, when hail comes down on the forest, and the city is brought low in humiliation. Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey. (Isaiah 32:13-20)”
Before Messiah Comes he promises a new outpouring of the Spirit. “Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for Yahweh has done marvelous things! Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field (Gentiles at large); for the open pastures are springing up (places of conversion), and the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree ( Israel ) and the vine (Israelite and convert – Commonwealth of Israel ) yield their strength. Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in Yahweh your Elohim; for He has given you the former rain faithfully (Numbers 11), and He will cause the rain to come down for you-- the former rain, and the latter rain (Acts 2) in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. (The outpouring of the former and latter rain will happen at the Endtimes.)
So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of Yahweh your Elohim, Who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame. Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel : I am Yahweh your Elohim and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame.
And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of Yahweh. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of Yahweh shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as Yahweh has said, ‘Among the remnant whom Yahweh calls.’ (Joel 2;21-32)”
The Need for the Gift
“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives , the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
And Rebbe YahShua answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, "I am anointed,' and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this Full Messianic Message of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Therefore when you see the "abomination of desolation (the Golem),' (Daniel 11:31; 12:11) spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.
Then if anyone says to you, "Look, here is the Messiah!' or "There!' do not believe it. For false Messiahs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.
Therefore if they say to you, "Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or "Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Matthew 24:3-29)”
We will need the Gifts of Tongues and Interpretation in the Endtime as Joel says so that we may “endure to the end.” We need to humbled ourselves in Teshuvah. The secret to the outpouring of the Spirit is having a humble heart. It makes one gentle. It opens one to communication with the Holy Spirit. It easily, lightly and naturally guides one away from sin and towards fulfillment. Learning to have a humble heart is a great lesson to be sought. Having a humble heart is a precious trait. The Fruit of the Spirit took us from being a wilderness into being a Forest .
“Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before Yahweh, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. (Psalm 96:12)"
Now that we are established as a Forest it is time for Judgment! There is a side of judgment that should fill all of us with dread and awe. “The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Psalm 111:10)”
Because his judgment brings mercy, a "refuge for the oppressed." For the oppressors, His judgment is bad news, but for the oppressed it is good news!: “From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet - when you, O Yahweh, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land. (Psalms 76:8)” As James 2:13 says, "Mercy triumphs over judgment."
The Spirit filled Believer responds to the coming judgment of Yahweh: with expectation and hope. “Yahweh reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice. Yahweh is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. (Psalms 9:7-9)”
The “times of trouble” may be hard for a moment, but it also brings an end to human injustice. Psalms 94:2 says, "Rise up, O Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve."
Why is Yahweh's judgment finally necessary and even merciful? Because it preserves order.
"And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of Yahweh.
And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of Yahweh shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as Yahweh has said, ‘Among the remnant whom Yahweh calls.’ (Joel 2:28-32)”
“After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land [or earth] or on the sea or on any tree. Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living Elohim. (Rev. 7:1,2)”
“The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of Yahweh on their foreheads. They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man. During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them. (Rev. 9:1-6)”
What is the seal of Yahweh? “Now it is Yahweh who makes both us and you stand firm in Messiah. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2Cor. 1:21,22)”
“…you also were included in Messiah when you heard the word of truth, the Full Messianic Message of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are Yahweh's possession (Eph. 1:13,14).”
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of Yahweh, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Messiah Yahweh forgave you. Be imitators of Yahweh, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Messiah loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to Yahweh. (Eph. 4:29-5:1)”
Yahweh's seal of ownership, His sign of affirmation is the Holy Spirit. It is the sign or deposit "guaranteeing our inheritance" or salvation until "the day of redemption."
Rabbi Sha’ul asks the Believers “. . . Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed? . . . (Acts 19:2).”
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Comment by James Trimm on June 5, 2009 at 7:21pm
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Ann,
Can you quote where my co-worker "admitted" that his current practice of "tongues" in the Pentecostal church? He said that he observed a parallel practice among Orthodox Jews and was familiar with the concept due to his having been "raised a Pentecostal". You seem anxious to read things into his words that he did not say.
It seems urgent to you that you be able to trace any practice of tongues "back to the Charismatic movement" (you said "by" instead of "back" but this was obviously a typo).
Of course the Orthodox Jewish practice of Tzeruf can not be traced back to the Charismatic movement, neither can the practice mentioned in 1Cor. 14:2.
If you are looking for someone who is going to say that anti-nomian Christians receive authentic gifts of the Ruach then you are talking to the wrong man.
I can state plainly that I have never been a Christian, I went straight from Rabbinic Judaism to being a Torah Observant, Nazarene Jew. My concept of tzeruf tongues is based on 1Cor. 14:2 and historical Judaism.
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Comment by Anna on June 5, 2009 at 9:12pm -
James:
You responded but you did't answer all of my questions which I will copy below. If you don't want to answer them please tell me as this is the last time I will repeat them. I stated:
I guess I must be more specific. At that time, (when you first spoke in tongues) whose presence were you in, who/what is the name of the person who was your teacher, and what was the religious practice/denomination you were in when you recieved your "gift of tongues"?
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James, are these specifics too much to ask? Or do you not remember? Where were you, who were your with, who was your teacher under whom you recieved the Ruach manifested by "speaking in tongues"?
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I was wrapped in the Shekinah in my private meditations deep in devekut (cleaving [to YHWH])... which should therefore be PRIVATE.
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Comment by Anna on June 6, 2009 at 3:23pm
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Thank you James for finally sharing some of your experience with us when you recieved the Ruach.
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You seem to be stating that the Ruach came directly to you as it did the 120 there on that day of Pentecost in Acts 2?
However you mentioned that this experience should be "PRIVATE"?
In all the examples in the NT the recieving of the RUACH was VERY PUBLIC! And I can find no instance subsequent to that Day of Shavuot, that the Ruach did came to a person APART from one who already had recieved it..
Even Paul who had a vision on the road to Damascus, He had to go to a Messianic believer to be heald of this blindness and for the gift of the Ruach:
Acts 22: 12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
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So James did you recieve a mikvah in water, signifying your conversion from traditional Judiasm, as the Jews of Acts 2 and Paul did, and John's disciples did, witnessed by a Messianic believer? If so when and what is the name of that Messianic believer who witnessed your mikvah for conversion?
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Comment by Anna on June 9, 2009 at 11:02am
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James:
Today is Tuesday June 9. My last question addresed to you, above was dated June 6. You have not replied to it, although you have been online several times responding to other blogs.
Are we to assume from your obviously intentional silence/non response to my question that you have not submitted yourself to a Messianic Mikvah as is the command of our Messiah, Matt. 28:19 - 23, and his talmidim in Acts 2:38?
Acts 2:38- "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."?
Also, the Jewish converts of John in
Acts 19:4 - 6
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the (Yahshua).
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
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There are other examples where those previously baptized in water, before belief in Messiah, had to undergo a Mikvah in Yahshua's name, under the hands of one of Messiah's talmidim.
I will ask again for you to share with us your experience: Please tell us under which Messianic teacher did your recieve your Mikvah when you left traditional Judaism.
Also if you did not submit to a Messianic Mikvah, why have you not done so, since the scriptural evidence requires you to do so? Even Paul with his Damascus road experience was DIRECTED to a Messianic believer for his Mikvah:
Acts 9-
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and ******* was baptized.**********
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Many of us individually and our assemblies are not prospering due to sins of omission and commission.
We must all get rid of the leven of sin and disobedience which we are guilty of otherwise what is the point of going through the rituals of the "Days of Unlevened Bread" if we don't remove our own leaven/sin/disobedience?
Please understand, I am not exempting myself, But we are obligated to ENCOURAGE one another "as we see the day approaching" to order our lives according to His Word, in this case His direct command, and not lean to our own understanding.
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No its not that Anna, its just that your presuppositions about "baptism" are drawn from your Christian background. Believe it or not "baptism" is not originally a Christian practice, nor did it originate with "John the Baptist".
Looks like I need to write a blog on "baptism" soon.
One thing I will say is that a Jew who accepts Yeshua as Messiah does not "convert" to a new faith... the one true faith, that was once and for all time given to the set-apart ones is "Judaism". Yeshua did not come to create a new religion, but to be the Jewish Messiah of the Jewish faith that already existed, Judaism. When a Jew accepts Messiah he remains Jewish, he does not convert to a new and different religion. That being said there are several reasons for having a water baptism in Judaism, becoming a proselyte to Judaism is just one of them. I have been baptized MANY times since becoming a believer in Messiah.
Like I said... I better write a whole blog on this subject that is so misunderstood.
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Comment by Anna on June 9, 2009 at 2:32pm
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James, you are mistaken about my reference point for the Mikveh.
I know well it was not originally a Christian practice, as I mentioned John the immerser's disciples had to undergo an ADDITIONAL Mikveh under the authority of the Apostles in Acts 19:4 - 6, posted above and in
Acts 2, all of those of Israel were immersed under the witness of the Apostles. Even to enter the temple mount a Mikveh was required.
But in your last response, you have once again avoided answering my specific question regarding the name of MESSIANIC PERSON who witnessed your immersion.
I will ask again:
James, upon leaving the traditional Jewish faith ALL of the examples in the NT demonstrate that the Jewish candidate was IMMERSED IN MESSIAH'S NAME, by one who was already previous immersed, at their point of accepting Messiah.
My question to you, who was the MESSIANIC witness of your Mikveh when you left the faith of traditional Judaism (which rejects Yahshua as Messiah), and accepted Yahshua as Messiah?
Regarding a Jew "being converted", if you will check out this reference you will find Peter addressing specifically "YE MEN OF ISRAEL" admonshing them to "be CONVERTED"
Acts 3:
12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? 13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. 14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. 16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. 18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
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If you were to diagram this sentance as we did in high school, the subject and the action Peter was charging them to do this reference was:
"(subject)YE MEN OF ISRAEL.......(verb)REPENT AND BE CONVERTED"
or do you read it differently?
So you as a "Man of Israel" would be under the same admonition, to "Repent and Be Converted", and to have a Mikveh witnessed by a Messianic believer, would you not?
Here are 6 other examples in the NT to those of Israel, the term "converted" is applied, not to a new religion, but to the fullest expression of the that same faith:
Matt.13
[15] For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Matt.18
[3] And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mark.4
[12] That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
Luke.22
[32] But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
John.12
[40] He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them
Acts.28
[27] For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Finally, please don't be so condescending with your responses, unless you know the person, don't assume that the person is not well conversant in the topic on which they are posting.
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I just posted a blog which points out the difference between the T'VILLA for repentance and that which accompanies circumcision in the conversion to Judaism.
Acts 3:19 “repent therefore and be CONVERTED”
The word “converted” here in the Aramaic is P’NA meaning “to turn oneself around”. The phrase is a typical Hebrew/Aramaic redundancy like “signs, wonders and miracles”.
Here “conversion” in the Aramaic is simply a synonym for “repentance” and not a word indicating a “conversion” to a new religion. This is the baptism for repentance from sin.
This is the same Aramaic word used in Mark 4:12; Luke 22:32 and Jn. 12:40 all use this same Aramaic word P’NA
Matthew 13:15 is actually quoting Is. 6:9-10 where the Hebrew word is SHUV in both Is. 6:10 and the Hebrew of Mt. 13:15, it just means “turn”. Acts 28:27 is alto quoting this passage of Isaiah.
Matthew 18:3 in the Hebrew has TESHUVAH which simply means “repent”.
This is all the repentance David mentioned in Psalm 51 in connection with "washing" and which is discussed at length in connection with T'VILLA in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Follow up on this with my new blog on T'VILLA and Baptism.
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I'll add that in Ps. 51 David was not converting to a new Messianic Faith, he was simply acknowledging his sin and repenting of it.
BTW it is common in Judaism to undergo this kind of an immersion regularly especially in the ten days of repentance leading up to Yom Kippur.
I have undergone this kind of immersion for repentance from sin several times, and make a habit of doing so in the ten days of awe each year.
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BTW repentance is effectively defined in the Tanak as returning to Torah (Jer. 8:4-6; Zech. 1:1-6)
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