Under re-Construction

Baptism by Water

Tevilah

The New Testament speaks of two kinds of tevilah or baptism. Both are inspired by the Jewish mikvah.

The mikvah (literally "gathering") is a ritual bath used for spiritual purification. It has a few different usages:

It is used primarily in conversion rituals (as John the Baptizer used it and as Master Y'shua instructs for his talmidim, which is to say, for all who accept his Way).

Orthodox conversion into Judaism requires kabbalat ol mitzvot -- receiving the charge to obey the 613 commandments -- males must receive mila or circumcision, and all converts must undergo a tevilah or immersion in a mikvah (usually performed in the nude). The mikvah is also sometimes used in Judaism following a woman's menstrual cycles and on other occasions. For more on these usages consider Leviticus chapter fifteen.

The Chasidim are an Orthodox Jewish sect established by Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (aka Besht) that originated in eastern Europe during the second half of the 18th century. Hasidus means "lovingkindness" and speaks to the sect's promotion of spirituality and joy through the practice of internalizing various aspects of Jewish mysticism as fundamental to the Jewish faith. They sought to make Judaism less "legalistic" and more spiritually dynamic. Many Chasidim regularly immerse themselves as a routine part of their spiritual purification reminiscent of the traditions of the long extinct Essene sect. The Mikvah continues to hold a special place within the Jewish faith.

The first century Way elders ruled that circumcision was not binding on Gentile converts to the Way (Acts 15:5-28). Based on the teachings of Master Y'shua Torah observance was redefined however the command for tevilah (baptism) upon conversion was specifically retained as per Y'shua's instructions (Matthew 28:19,20). The other uses of the mikvah fell away with time for the most part from among the Way/Christian communities.

For followers of the Way tevilah or baptism is symbolic but very important as we will discuss below.

Most people on the planet today know the basic story of Y'shua of Nazareth. We know how he lived a righteous life, how he taught, how he was betrayed and how he died in order to make the final sacrifice for the sins of humanity. We also know from Scripture that Y'shua didn't stay dead, that he rose again after three days. We know that after his resurrection he was seen by many witnesses over a span of forty days and then, as his followers watched, the Master was taken bodily to Heaven by HaShem.

What happened next is the topic of this study.

Master Y'shua rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples on at least ten separate occasions over the course of the next forty days. During one of these appearances he issued the following commands for the creation of the Way Movement:

Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

The Master said, Those who believe and are baptized will be saved.

So, what exactly is baptism in the New Testament context? What does it have to do with our salvation?

Paul explains the symbolism of baptism clearly:

Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Y'shua the Christ were baptized into his death?
6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

From the instructions and examples given in Scripture we know that the proper method of baptism is by full water immersion. Leviticus 15:16 commands, "...he shall wash all his flesh in water..." and throughout the New Testament we find references like. "...when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water..." (Matthew 3:16). In other words, the Believer is completely immersed in the water while being baptized.

In the Jewish mikvah no one touches the person being immersed however it is traditional among followers of the Way for the person to be lowered into and out of the water by the one performing the rite, as in the photo to the right of a baptism I performed a few years ago in the San Lorenzo River

Many non-Catholic Christian congregations have a baptismal pool or mikvah, often located in the front of the sanctuary, behind the lectern and choir loft (Catholics do not normally undergo the biblical rite of baptism). Others use some other available facilities including swimming pools, rivers etc. For Christians the mikvah itself does not hold the same level of holiness it does in Judaism. The important thing for followers of Y'shua is the water, not the sanctity of the container. While Jews typically enter the mikvah nude (something that would be problematic for most Christians, especially if done in public), followers of Y'shua do not follow this custom even though it does appear to be proscribed in Leviticus 15 where nothing but the waters are to touch the person during the rite.

As the Believer is lowered into the baptismal waters he/she is acknowledging something that has already happened. Baptism is viewed as the public testimony of an event already completed. It is ones public confession that one has been buried with Y'shua through his vicarious death and has arisen with him in his resurrection into the family of God. In other words, we are acknowledging that it was for "me" as an individual that the Master suffered and died on the stauros (stauros literally means "stake" not "cross"). Through the rite of Christian baptism we are publicly stating that we understand that as the final Passover Lamb the Master shed his precious blood for "me" as an individual. Certainly he died for the sins of the whole world (John 3:16,17), but through baptism we acknowledge our roles as individuals in that sacrifice. Y'shua is my sin atonement and I place my faith in that sacrifice alone. This is what baptism means for the Believer.

As we rise out of the water we are acknowledging that through his sacrifice we have been made a new person. We join Y'shua in his resurrection with the complete assurance that if we fail to survive the coming tribulation period that we too will be resurrected, even as Y'shua was.

As we emerge from the baptismal water we are told to be mindful that we "walk in the newness of life." Why is this?

The symbolism of transformation through the Master's resurrection is no mere figure of speak! Without him we are spiritually lost but through him we arise as true sons and daughters of HaShem, grafted for all time onto the holy Tree of Israel! This occurs at the point of our salvation, when we repent of our sins and accept his sacrifice, but the rite of baptism is the public acknowledgment and demonstration of this transformation.

The Master explains at John 3:16 that he was sent into the world by HaShem to bring forgiveness and life to all of humanity. As his talmidim or followers we acknowledge what he has done for us, both as our paschal lamb and as our cohen gadol or high priest. We owe everything to Master Y'shua and to his Father.

Through the rite of baptism we acknowledge that we have chosen to begin walking the Way he taught. Water baptism should be experienced as soon after receiving salvation as is feasible. It can be conducted by any sincere Believer as all the talmidim are members of the Priesthood of Believers. The only mediator between the Believer and HaShem is Master Y'shua, our Cohen Gadol or High Priest.

There exists within the Nicene Christian faith competing opinions on some of the specifics of conducting baptisms.

Infant Baptism

Some congregations and denominations baptize infants. The usual given justification for this non-biblical act is that it protects the child in the event of premature death. There are two problems with this view. Firstly, baptism is symbolic, of itself it is meaningless. Secondly, it is symbolic of ones conscious decision to enter into a covenant relationship with HaShem through the sacrifice and high priesthood of Y'shua. Infants can not make such choices. For this reason infant baptism should not be practiced. One need not understand all the details of salvation, but one must understand the basics. The rite of Baptism is a sacred metaphor for the entire Gospel message and is not to be taken lightly. As for children, we are assured:

I Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

HaShem is just and merciful always.

Credobaptism

Every baptism recorded in the Bible is a credobaptism, which is to say, a baptism based on volitional faith (from credo: Latin for "I Believe"). The Anabaptists are usually credited with returning credobaptism to Nicene Christianity. These were former Catholics who had undergone infant baptism but realized the New Testament necessity for an informed and complete immersion. In order to receive biblical baptism a person must be able to acknowledge that "I believe" in the completed work of Y'shua. What is biblically required is a single informed baptism. There is no need for a baptized Believer to undergo more than one credobaptism.

Re-baptism

While there is no biblical need for more than the initial Credobaptism neither is there any biblical prohibition against it. If one has been out of fellowship for some period of time or if one simply wishes to rededicate her/his life to Y'shua re-baptisms can be spiritually rewarding. If desired they can be taken frequently as by the Chasidim.

The Words of Baptismal Consecration

While most Nicene Christians who undergo biblical baptism conduct the rite with the words "In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" there is not complete agreement about this point. Some Nicene Christians, such as the United Pentecostal Church, baptize "In the name of Jesus" while others say "In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus' name." The reason for these differences are found in the following two verses:

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost...

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...

There is an interesting point to be made here that is of special interest to "Arian" Believers (such as Noahide Nazarenes, Unitarians, Creation Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Arian Catholics, International Bible Students, members of the United Church of God, members of The Way International and Church of the Blessed Hope and others). While "Arianism" is certainly the minority view, it has far more adherents than most Christians assume. It is therefore worth noting that in all cases I am aware of (there may be exceptions) Christians who embrace the Doctrine of the Trinity use the prior declaration while those who embrace what is known as the "Oneness doctrine" practice the later.

The words "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" seems to support the Trinitarian view of God (One God in three distinct Persons) while the phrase "In the Name of Jesus" is thought to support the Oneness doctrine (i.e. that Jesus is God described as Father, Son and Holy Spirit with no division).

From an Arian perspective the arguments used to support neither view really fits the biblical teachings. The translation of the verses that use these different forms are all textually correct. Are we therefore looking at contradictory instructions? No, not at all.

In both cases the Greek word rendered as "name" is onoma and is correctly translated. This word is commonly used both literally and figuratively, both as a personal pronoun and figuratively as in under the authority of. In this case the most likely meaning of the word is the figurative one. The instruction in my opinion is to baptized new Believers by and in the name or authority of the One God. As with "the Lord's Prayer" the Master was not reciting something to be repeated but the essence of what matters.

Our God and Father HaShem provides such baptisms to those with faith. His Son Y'shua makes this faith possible by his sacrifice and his service as our high priest. By His Spirit HaShem empowers and sanctifies such baptisms so that they are meaningful and purifying. And it is all thanks to work of Y'shua of Nazareth.

The specific words of the rite are not what matters. Its the heart that gives praise to HaShem and thanks to His Son and that through baptism makes public declaration that HaShem is God.

Baptism By Fire

Baptism by water has been practiced by the people of HaShem since at least the time of Moses (circa 1500 B.C.E.). Baptism by fire came through Y'shua.

On the Pesakh/Pentecost following Y'shua's ascension into heaven the talmidim (disciples) were gathered together in an upper room for the traditional sedar (feast). While there they received another type of baptism as Y'shua had promised:

Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

This empowerment from on high was in partial fulfillment of an important prophecy revealed by Joel in the 8th or 9th century B.C.E. Joel foretold:

Joel 2:28,29 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

Not all of this prophecy has been fulfilled yet. We will witness its complete fulfillment soon as we enter into the final seven years of the age. The disciples however were given a taste of its yet-future fulfillment and this taste empowered them to rock the foundations of the earth as the Way exploded and spread throughout the known world (Acts 17:6)!

Peter cited this prophecy explaining what they had experienced that Day:

Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Act 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.

This was the baptism of fire! Here's how it came about:

Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

By His Ruach HaKodesh HaShem baptized ("gathered together in His anointing") everyone present in that room with His Spirit thus confirming the ministry granted to them by Y'shua. Word of what was happening quickly spread throughout Jerusalem and the region and people flocked to the disciples to see what was up. According to the scriptures "a great multitude" of people from all over the world came and experienced the miracle of Pentecost as once again HaShem gave freedom to the captives.

Master Y'shua had said his followers would empowered, but they probably didn't expect anything so dramatic! The assembled throng each understood the words of the talmidim (the Way followers) in their own languages!

As we study The Book of the Acts of the Apostles, the various Epistles and so on, we find these supernatural gifts manifested from time to time as evidence of the empowerment or anointing experienced by the first century Way community.

Even at this first outpouring of Ruach HaKodesh some of those present failed to understand what they were seeing. Peter says that some of these eyewitnesses assumed the talmidim were drunk (Acts 2:15)! In time the Apostle Paul sought to categorize the powers and gifts being received through the ongoing outpourings. He felt these were important signs and spiritual tools from God but that "... all things [need] to be done decently and in order" -- I Corinthians 14:40.

We will discuss the modern day Pentecostal Movement below but there is one point that needs to be clarified here. In many Pentecostal circles it is believed that the gift of tongues is the evidence that one has received "the Baptism of the Holy Spirit." This gift is therefore placed above all others. I have "spoken in years" for many many years and value this wonderful gift, however the teaching that it is the main sign of the Baptism of Fire is simply opposed to what the Bible says of it:

I Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
12:2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.
12:15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

The gift of tongues is one among many and no gift is given to all nor does any individual gift serve as a litmus test. Paul continues:

I Corinthians 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.>

Seems clear enough to me. All Believers receive spirit gifts according to their service. It is also clear from verse 31 that we can pray for new gifts. When will they be granted? Verse seven tells us: "... the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." So if one wishes to receive the gifts of Ruach HaKodesh one should begin exercising the gifts already granted by HaShem. Are you a gifted speaker? Speak about Y'shua and his Kingdom! Are you a healer? Then heal in the name of Y'shua, giving glory to HaShem! Are you able to explain difficult topics clearly? Then explain the things of God! To those who have more will be granted as the Master explained (Matthew 25:29). We are different. Use you unique gifts in the service HaShem for the benefit of others.

As foretold by Y'shua of Nazareth and his servants like John an infection entered the Way early in its history and gradually spread like cancer through the Way Movement. This cancer is known by many names including the Error of Balaam:

Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam...

Master Y'shua's brother Jude (compare Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3) also warned about this heretical movement within the early Way Movement:

Jude 11 Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah`s rebellion.
12 These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.
14 To these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones,
15 to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him."

This spiritual cancer is referenced in several different ways. For instance:

Revelation 2:20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess....

"That woman Jezebel" will soon become "the Great Whore" known as Babylon the Great, she who contaminates the world with the Nicolaitan Heresy:

Revelation 2:6 But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

I discuss the Nicolaitan Heresy in detail in my verse by verse commentary of The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed.

As the Nicolaitan Heresy took root and developed among the followers of the Way the various symptoms described in chapters two and three of Master's Revelation occurred. Gradually the Way became the Church and lost most of its spiritual empowerment. I discuss this development in part four of my study The Noahide Nazarene Way: Rise of the Universal Church. With the nationalization of the Way the more dynamic gifts like miraculous healing, tongues and so on faded away and Christianity became the nearly global religion.

To be sure, Church history records scattered outbreaks of what we today call Pentecostalism, the Baptism of Fire, but they were few and far between. There were however always sincere people throughout the Church who desired the Holy Spirit's guidance. Despite occasional periods of optimism the Way remained largely concealed under heavy clerical garb.

But then something truly awesome occurred! Something that most people didn't even notice.

In the mid 1800's the bands HaShem had placed on Israel began being loosened! The spirit of Jewish identity known as Zionism had been building for a while but by the 1840's it was taking hold in the hearts and minds of ever more Jews. The writings of people like Rabbi Alcalay and Rabbi Kalischer began reminded the people of HaShem of their destiny and their duty. As Jews had since 70 CE many longed to return home to Eretz Israel but now they were seeking ways to accomplish it!

The time for the Kingdom was dawning.

The time for the complete fulfillment of Joel's prophecy was nearing!

And HaShem began pouring out His Spirit as He had not in nearly 2000 years! Besides the spark of nationalism He placed in the hearts of the Jewish people, HaShem touched a group that no one would have expected!

A small group of ministers were lead by Ruach HaKodesh to sincerely seek Him in the hope of producing what they considered a "Second Chapter of the Acts Revival." These ministers felt the Christian Church had grown lukewarm (compare Revelation 3:14-19) and spiritually weak and so through much prayer and fasting they sought God for a "Pentecostal Outpouring of the Holy Spirit."

And guess what happened: HaShem heard them and granted the desires of their hearts!

The Second Pentecostal Revival began in small enclaves throughout my ancestral homeland of Wales. What was happening there rocked Great Britain and reverberated around the world!

As the twentieth century dawned many sincere Christians from various denominations began sensing that God had something huge in store for them and for the world.

Then on April 14, 1906 Ruach HaKodesh baptized the African American Reverend and Pastor William J. Seymour with fire! Pastor Seymour prayed and the Holy Spirit of HaShem descended upon his Azusa Street congregation in Los Angeles and continued to do so until 1915! As the Power of the Holy Spirit fell the people were "slain in the Spirit," they spoke in tongues, experienced amazing healings, saw visions and dreams... And the Pentecostal Movement was born.

And Lucifer was furious! He began the First World War as the Ends Times became visible through the fog! And the Pentecostal fires sputtered... but they continued and Pentecostal and Charismatic churches arose among the denominational and non-denominational Believers.

For their part, more and more Jews were realizing that the establishment of the Jewish state after 2500 years was possible! In 1917 the Balfour Declaration was signed guaranteeing that the UK would support and help to establish the independent Jewish Homeland!

And Lucifer was irate!! He began the First World War as the Ends Times became visible through the fog! And then he began the Second World War and raised up an Austrian anti-Semitic colonel to genocide the people of HaShem and prevent the Jews from achieving their destiny.

These two events are directly related!

Today, about a hundred years after the Azusa Street Revival, the Pentecostal fires continue to burn, though not as brightly as before. As the Master foretold with the dawning of the End Times the Christian faith at large has gradually become lukewarm, the Salt has all but lost its savor (Matthew 5:13) and will soon be vomited out in the final seven years of the age (Revelation 3:14-19)!

Soon the one called Rex Mundi, Little Horn, the Man of Sin and Son of Perdition, the Antichrist will arise in Europa and take control of the now-almost established Global Union. He will appear to be a man of profound wisdom and peace. He will unite the nations, end poverty, advance remarkable technological innovations that will seemingly promise the establishment of an Earthly Paradise. And he will sign one very important treaty with Israel! When he and the Israeli government officials sign this treaty the age will have just under seven years left -- but of those seven years Master Y'shua warns us:

Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

To save the Jews from annihilation the final seven years will be shortened as Y'shua HaMoshiach destroys the Rex Mundi and the New World Order.

Our job is to assist him!

There will be NO Rapture.

THEN will the complete prophecy of Joel be fulfilled:

Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of HaShem cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
2:2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
2:3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
2:4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
2:5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
2:6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
2:7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
2:8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
2:9 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
2:10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
2:11 And HaShem shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of HaShem is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
2:12 Therefore also now, saith HaShem, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto HaShem your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
2:14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto HaShem your God?
2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
2:16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
2:17 Let the priests, the ministers of HaShem, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O HaShem, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
2:18 Then will HaShem be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
2:19 Yea, HaShem will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
2:20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.
2:21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for HaShem will do great things.
2:22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
2:23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in HaShem your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
2:24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
2:26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of HaShem your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
2:27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am HaShem your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
2:30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of HaShem come.
2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of HaShem shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as HaShem hath said, and in the remnant whom HaShem shall call.

THIS Is The Baptism of Fire!
Get Ready and Stand With Israel Always!



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