To "Contend" is Essential
Theme that distinguishes this age from the others:
“...earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints…” (Jude 1:3).
Recovering Biblical Truth
"And thou shalt return unto YHWH your Elohim, and shalt obey His voice..." (See Deut. 30:1-10). 2.5 Minutes
While upon Earth, Yeshua--the eternal Son of Yahweh, was a Jewish teacher who expounded the truth and modeled the application of the Torah. He instructed His listeners to honor the Law of Moses and proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom of Elohim in the power of the Holy Spirit. Thus the Gospel originated in Israel, was Torah-based, and from there spread throughout the world. As it advanced through the nations, however, it became further and further alienated from its Hebrew-Jewish foundations, the Torah, and Israelite culture. As a result one could say that the original Nazarene Gospel--the unadulterated faith and practice of the Apostles and early disciples, has been in exile for at length. How is that, you ask? Over the centuries institutional, westernized Christianity has taken on markedly divergent expressions of belief and custom, and hence has distanced itself from the unchanging fullness of the sacred Torah-based Word of God. In doing so the nation's traditional faith has also become emotionally and functionally disconnected from the Gospel's Hebraic-Jewish traditions not completely identified with its Torah honoring Messiah.
Yet grace abounds. In the last century as the Jews have been returning to the land of Israel, the Holy Spirit has been moving upon them individually and an increasing number of Jewish people are recognizing Yeshua, the "son" of Joseph, as their prophesied Messiah. Consequently the Gospel is being reunited more directly with (a) the Promised Land, (b) the Torah, and (c) its real Jewish--Israelite Messiah, Yeshua of Nazareth. Also, the full ministry of the Holy Spirit is beginning to be recognized as needed as well. This restoration phenomenon is an end-time work of Yahweh's compassion and grace stirring repentance from lawlessness and a return to heart-felt conformity to sacred truth, i.e.--heart-felt adherence to all known and applicable life instructions. The change of heart needed for such a turn around has been made possible through (1) saving faith in Yeshua and the (2) unspeakably wondrous gift of the Holy Spirit given to indwell the born-again saint. This is a purpose of the blessed New Covenant. And concurrent with its divinely imparted blessings is the (3) infusion of the three enduing virtues: They are faith--which unites the saints to Messiah and eternal life, hope--which lights up the present by brightening the future with Yahweh's promises--prospects which cheer the believing soul, and love--for God and humanity that elevates, purifies, and brings forth the purest blessings of which this life on earth is capable of bearing. [1] Such is the fruit of "belief" that is based in the Elohim of Israel as He is revealed in the Scriptures. We must return to the "...faith once for all entrusted to the early followers" of Messiah Yeshua. Question: Next: Four Essentials of Restoration
Four Essentials of Restoration
First: Contending for the Faith is a Responsibility. 1 minute
Contenders Voice avers that the Hebraic truth restoration ministry today has been raised to contend for the shredded spiritual and moral truth abandoned by scular and religious America. The nation has succumbed to ancient and manifold New Age religions, paganism, globalism oppression, and other spiritual beliefs. The beleaguered nation has turned from the true God of Scriptures evil powers have come to fill and dominate the void, and possess the culture. America's population and institutions and enterprises, have come under a demonic spell. The country is possessed by infernal darkness. and It is prophetic in nature, holds hope of revival, and envisions and prepares believers for the eventual reunification of the tribes of Israel. Consequently, our fundamental education resources are designed to equip contemporary disciples of Messiah Yeshua--those who are Spirit-inspired "faith contenders," for Torah based, whole-truth life and service, which would include the Great Commission of Matthew 28. As stated in the introduction, the word “contend” used in the verse above defines the Contenders Voice reason-for-being. Concisely stated, our objective is to restore Yeshua's saints and set-apart assemblies with His complete, un-compromised sacred truth as believed and practiced by His Nazarene apostles and disciples. Our hope is founded upon invoking the favor of YHVH through prayer and corporate repentance (2 Chronicles 7:14) and whole-heartedly conforming to His sacred standards as revealed throughout the Torah-based Scriptures.
Consider: It is written: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers, against spiritual forces of evil in [of] heavenly places [dimensions]" (See Ephesians 6:12-18). Satan's army of fallen angels, demonic entities, and their evil human minions. We who trust Messiah Yeshua are in a life and death battle. Question: Next post: Shalom.
Second: Spiritual Restoration is Fundamental and Generational. 1 Minutes
As Contenders Voice has already affirmed, America is being, for the greater part, systematically annihilated. Our national life is openly exposed to (1) the forces and works of unrestrained evil and (2) a multitude of government and corporation leaders, their sycophants and bureaucrats, and beguiled supporters--all given over to reprobate mindsets. See Romans, chapter one. Today's pandemic of secular and spiritual lawlessness, the putrefaction of biblical morality, the decomposition of traditional domestic values, and our other self-induced national maladies, continually afflict and corrupt every realm and level of American life. Our public's rejection of Yahweh's whole truth is the underlying cause of our extensive misfortune. Unrestrained sin is the bitter root.This spiritual and moral backsliding must be reversed. Rejected truth must be recovered and restored or freedom loving people will fall under the dominance of New World Order communism of the worst sort. Brave believers, contenders for the restoration of biblical truth, are needed now. The word "contend" means--to fight for, to grapple, argue, wrestle with, surmount, protect and guard. Every generation needs believers who will stand up, contend for, surmount the deceptions of infernal forces, and set in place and guard YHVH's sacred Torah-based truth.
Consider: Moses, by the Word of Yahweh, commanded Israel upon their entry into Canaan: "You shall destroy all their idols and completely eliminate all their [idolatrous high places." Revival requires breaking down of idols and lawlessness by the saints. Are you willing to make teshuvah? Without returning to Torah-based truth, pure doctrine unmixed with falsehoods, we will fall. Question: Next post: Shalom
Third: Yeshua was a Contender in Israel. 1 Minute
The person who contends–as did (1) Jacob in Genesis 32:22-32, (2) Phinehas in Numbers 25:13, and (3) Paul in Acts 18:5-11 for instance–is ipso facto a contender. Of course, Yeshua, our divine Savior and soon coming King, having disarmed evil rulers and wicked spiritual forces by way of His sinless life, atonement, shed blood, death, and resurrection from the grave, is the Chief Contender and Restorer among all of the heroes of faith featured in Scripture. It is written: "Listen to His words! Understanding that the world's opposition to biblical truth and righteousness is relentless, our Messiah warned His disciples...and Scripture warns us today: “In the world ye--[you who stand against the kingdom of darkness and boldly proclaim the Kingdom of God]--shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer [take courage]; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Yeshua achieved a surpssing victory. He conquered the power of the evil one and the wicked world of despair and fear by His sinless life, atoning death on the cross, burial, and full resurrection from the grave. So be confident, ye beloved of Yeshua. For--day by day, hour by hour, even moment by moment, the Savior will renew, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the virtues of faith, hope, and love in the heart of every saint striving to be a restorer of good and necessary thing by contending for "...the faith once delivered."
Consider: "They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is the LORD of Lords and King of kings, and those with him are call and chosen and faithful" (Rev. 17:14). Those coming with Messiah have been faithful disciples during their time on earth who followed His words and kept His instructions day by day, and endured unto the end! They--contenders for truth, have become like their Redeemer and Teacher. Question: Next post: Shalom.
Fourth: Love is the Contender's Motive. 1.5 Minute
As you journey forward on the Narrow Road keep in mind that a contender of biblical truth is driven by YHWH’s fervent, self-less love. Spiritual restoration, or revival, is a work inspired by divine compassion. This holy virtue motivates awakened saints to (a) guard the integrity of God’s entire Word--from the Torah through Revelation, and (b) teach His historic, Hebraic standard of righteousness taught and modeled by the early Nazarene assembly of Jewish saints. Doctrinal compromise, false teaching, non-biblical religious customs--all distortions of His truth, blend with the corrupt “woke” worldview to obfuscate (sully, obscure, distort) mankind's understanding of Elohim's holy covenants. Of course, the infernal deceptions are satanic in nature. All carnal manipulations to Scripture truth, apparent or subtle, are very harmful to the faith and lives of unwary saints and converts, and should never be tolerated by love-motivated, loyal followers of Messiah Yeshua. Those following Him today and living as true disciples, are in fact learners in the School of Messiah, so to speak. They obey His words. These set-apart students are fully aware of the necessity of yielding to the ministry of the Spirit of Truth, adhering faithfully to all that is applicable in His Torah, and identifying with their Hebraic-Israelite heritage. What's more, compassionate saints who love Yahweh's truth and seek the spiritual welfare of His people, are actually emerging as this era’s guardians of the Almighty's Kingdom blessings. Are you among them, dear reader?
Consider: "We live out God's will when we change our thoughts to God's thoughts" and keep His commandments "rather than living by the world's dictates. The saints are commanded: "Hate what is evil; cling to what is good" (Rom. 12:20). This is not a suggestion...It is written: "And now I will show you the most excellent way...Follow the way of love..." (See all 1 Corinthians 13: and 14:1). Question: Next post: Shalom.
Paraphrase: Eerdmans; Pulp. Comm. Corinthians 13
Brackets-by the author.