NOT ONE STONE UPON ANOTHER — The End of Institutional Oppression
To all who read, please share, for the contents of this post are relevant to the hour at hand. If anyone would like a .pdf of this post, please email me at womanassigned@gmail.com.
Let's begin:
“A truth teller disturbs, alerts, wakens, and warns against indifference to injustice and complacency about the needs of human beings.
Some of us also know of abuse in our families and our churches and have done and said nothing so as to protect the structure, the institution, rather than the victim. When it comes to injustice, silence is not a virtue; it is a vice two times compounded because it contains both indifference to the victims and complicity with the destroyers.
In such instances we have failed to do justice. The call to do justice is the call to be like Elohim. In failing to do justice, we do not look like Christ in this world. In not looking like Christ, we have failed to worship Him.”
— Dr. Diane Langberg, PhD
*****
NOT ONE STONE UPON ANOTHER
The End of Institutional Oppression
How many of us have ever really contemplated a world absent of the institutions established long before we had any knowledge of the world as it exists today? It’s almost incomprehensible to imagine the end of societal factions that arm our society with its “way” of life.
In Matthew 24:2, Yahusha responds to an observation made by his disciples about the buildings of the temples. I’m sure His response was not at all what they anticipated.
He said to them, “See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down.”
I can only imagine the awkward silence that followed such a profound statement, especially one directed at the temples, the gathering places and monuments erected in support and display of the centers of religion and institutions of faith.
Upon further examination, we can ascertain that there was much more stated than obvious in Yahusha’s response. When we examine the Strong’s concordance for deeper understanding of the phrasing He used, much more revelation emerges.
stone G3034: lithos — stone (lit. or fig.), one stone, stumbling stone, mill stone
upon another implies the stacking or arranging of stones often used in building and construction
be thrown down G2647: katalyo — by implication to demolish, destroy, dissolve, come to nought; overthrow. Biblical usage — disunite; metaphor — to overthrow, render vain, deprive of success, bring to nought; to subvert; overthrow of INSTITUTIONS, FORMS OF GOVERNMENT, LAWS, etc.; to deprive of force, annul, abrogate, discord.
In essence, prophetically Yahusha spoke of the judgment to come upon the holy city that would bring ruin to Jerusalem at a later time. He himself is the foundation stone, the head of the corner, rejected by man, but mandated by Elohim; and what was not built up in Him — the architecture of heaven — was to be overthrown. The institutions, government and laws of Jerusalem should have been established in line with the doctrinal teachings of Yahusha, but Roman influence, in direct contrast to the laws and teachings of Yahuah, had already become quite prevalent in the institutional and governmental policy of that time.
Was it not at all odd that Yahusha was not a part of the religious system of their time, and most of His ministry was outside of the walls of those institutions? Not many years after the death and resurrection of the Messiah, there was a full onslaught siege and the holy city was taken captive by Roman gentile armies in 70 A.D.
Let’s consider for a moment the stumbling blocks, societal hindrances and obstacles upheld through the institutional strangleholds strategically infiltrated by the god of this world. Even during Yahusha’s earthly ministry there was an issue of recognized reputable establishments that became fortified places in the lives of the people. He dealt with the corruption of the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes and chief priests, similar to much of what goes on in our current day.
The bible
describes Yahusha as the stone of stumbling and rock of offense to them
that stumble at the word; being disobedient — 1Peter 2:8. Preceding
verses expound upon Yahusha being the stone that the builders rejected;
now being the head of the corner.
“Religion exalts man; Relationship exalts Christ.”
Yahusha came to establish His headship and kingship both in heaven and on earth. Scriptures often used to support the celebration of one of the most staunchly held traditions called Christmas actually expounds on the purpose for His birth.
Isaiah 9:6-7 reads, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government (kingdom of Elohim) shall be upon his shoulder (under His headship): and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty Elohim, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of Yahuah of hosts will perform this.
One of the reasons Yahusha, who came into the world as the Word made flesh and manifest unto man — was to establish the kingdom of Elohim. His kingdom is not of the world and contrasts societal norms. The kingdom of heaven has a government, laws and principles established by Elohim himself. It is an eternal kingdom and the sacrifice of Yahusha’s life to appease the wrath of Elohim was necessary to make a way for us to enter into the kingdom — our fullest SPIRITUAL potential in Elohim.
The established manmade institutions have been operating contrary to that purpose for quite some time. There is more focus and effort given to temporal one-day, one-off events, and the mishandling of the gospel has disarmed its power to transform. We would benefit greatly from exploring the eternal benefits and rewards embodied by the feasts of Yahuah and teaching obedience to the doctrinal principles of the kingdom taught and exhibited by Yahusha.
We are also instructed by the word and admonished in scripture that the Most High does not dwell in houses made by man’s hands — Acts 7:48. The “houses” or “dwelling places” under His construction are those lively stones being built up into a spiritual house; a tabernacle within us for the habitation of the Most High, and that work is assigned to the Holy Spirit whose role is to sanctify and prepare the house.
Our culture, however, loves its institutions. We also love our traditions and ALL of them are tied to the god Mammon (Satan) — institutions, the world’s system, and cultivated mindsets governed by these factions. Yahusha also addressed traditions and defined them as practices and rituals taught for doctrine as commandments that made the word of Elohim of no effect.
Mark 7:7-9 “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of Elohim, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.” And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of Elohim, that ye may keep your own tradition.
If our institutions are not founded upon the word of Elohim, the foundation of Christ, and upheld by truth, they are but white washed tombs as the Messiah so eloquently stated. These institutions, however, are not limited to the church; they extend across every area of life and society. Seven are named and recognized as social structures — family, religion, government, economy, education, media, and arts and entertainment; but I’d like to also recognize housing, employment, and healthcare to that top tier.
1Peter 4:17 says that judgment must first come to the house of Elohim. Peter is not discussing buildings, but a confrontation to the people who make up the church, the ekklesia — the called out assembly — those who are set apart, to be holy unto Elohim and impact the world with the message of the gospel.
In the book of Zechariah, we see the coming of the King, Yahusha:
Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
The fulfillment of this portion of scripture is referenced by the triumphal entry of Yahusha into the city of Jerusalem and how He was received by the multitudes who cried out, “Hosanna (save now, we pray) to the son of David: Blessed is he who cometh in the name of Yahuah; Hosanna in the highest.” — Matthew 21:9
Now upon observation, the people were not in the synagogues and temples, but in the way, waiting upon their Messiah. They were situated outside of the religious establishment, and with some speculation, those numbered among them were probably rejected by the upper echelon, unwilling to adhere to the mandates of the religious sect, or in severe cases, abused by the institution. Thereafter, we read of Yahusha visiting the temples where he cast out the buyers and sellers and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and those who made merchandise of Elohim’s people. He upended the seats (the established positions) of those in authority who sold doves — who corrupted their giftings to become lucrative.
Thereafter, the blind and the lame came to Yahusha and He healed them to the despise of the religious leaders. They weren’t interested in the people finding Christ or being healed of their infirmities, because an identity in Christ would abolish their co-dependency. These are the very same named in John 10 who didn’t desire to enter in, but barricaded the door of the sheep to prevent them from entering into the sheepfold. Further study, will reveal the distinct nature of the true Shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep as opposed to the thief, robber and hireling who operated in the character of Satan, who came to steal, kill and destroy.
The bible is clear that at the end of the age, judgment would come to confront and make a clear distinction and determination about what we have built our lives upon. Are we guilty of holding more tightly to the traditions and institutions than to the word of Elohim?
Unfortunately, many of us have come to love the institutions more than Christ; they have become the idols in our lives and taken up residence in our hearts to the degree that we have eliminated Christ from being the foundation by which all should be built upon.
1 Corinthians 3:11-17, is a portion of Paul’s letter written to the church at Corinth supporting this claim.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of Elohim, and that the Spirit of Elohim dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of Elohim, him shall Elohim destroy; for the temple of Elohim is holy, which temple ye are.
Additionally, most of us are also familiar with Yahusha’s parable of the wise and the foolish man in Matthew 7:24-27, which also warns us to build our house upon a rock and the consequences of being guilty of building our houses upon the sand.
To our detriment, most of us have been taught to trust in these established norms without permission or even a desire to inquire or inspect the who, what, where, when and whys associated with the expectations of fidelity to these institutions and their rules. There is an implied directive to DO WHAT YOU’RE TOLD and follow blindly behind authority figure heads and ask no questions for the fear of being ostracized or reprimanded if you go against the grain. If we recall, slavery is also named as an institution, where obeisance to man was mandated with severe penalty if not regarded.
A foundation in Christ is solely supported by truth, which somehow now has become optional. We’ve changed the image of the Messiah, who is the image of the invisible Elohim; and as a result, we’ve distorted the image of Elohim and worship the work of our own hands. Yahusha said in John 8:31, if we continue in His word, then we are truly his disciples and we would know the truth and the truth shall make us free. How is it then that we have become slaves to the system that opposes our Messiah?
Yes, Elohim is love, but love has a foundation in the truth. The opposite of love is oppression and anti-truth is deception, which opens the door for abuse, heresy, and systematic indoctrination in lawlessness, which is the spirit of antichrist. The removal of truth or the distortion thereof (heresy) introduces darkness where light should reside and gives permission for evil spirits to usurp the authority of Elohim in our lives, and the compromise of our beloved institutions have opened the door and given unimpeded access to the enemy to wreak havoc on Elohim’s flock.
Romans 14:17 The kingdom of Elohim is not meat or drink, but righteousness, joy and peace in the Holy Ghost.
Elohim’s kingdom is based upon laws, principles and commands that He has given us. His Holy Spirit and empowerment by grace enable us to live righteous and upright and in harmony with Him. The onslaught and impact of contrary teachings and permissible and acceptable lifestyles contrary to the word of Elohim, supported by traditions and institutions, have hidden the work of the kingdom and corrupted the value system even of they called believers.
We need to examine these institutions and practices more closely in order to expose, uproot and unearth errant behavior and plant and establish the will of Elohim in our lives. Yahusha stated in Matthew 13, in the parable of the soils, that an enemy planted tares, and at the time of harvest, at the end of the age, He would make a distinction between the wheat, the children of the kingdom, and the tares, the children of the wicked one; and that time is come. The children of the kingdom submit to the authority of the word of Elohim, the tares submit to the manmade system and their gods and do the work of the enemy to stunt the growth of the wheat.
The message of both Yahusha and John the Baptist holds true in this hour. REPENT, for the kingdom of Elohim is at hand. We know that the kingdom is within us and what we practice (do) determines where we place our faith. Faith in the Elohim of Israel; the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, means that by the help of the Holy Spirit, we adhere to the principles, laws, teachings, statutes, commandments and instructions that He gave us; and then we can unlock the kingdom within us and put on the image of the Messiah.
TIME FOR SEPARATION — THE END TIME EXODUS
In the book of Exodus, we see a type and shadow that parallels and supports the command to come out from among them and be ye separate or set apart; holy unto Elohim. Elohim was insistent that Pharaoh let Israel go and release them into Moses’ care to journey into the wilderness to worship Him. Israel was that set apart nation who was to impact the heathen nations. He brought them out of Egypt — the spirit of the world and its systems — to remove the influence of their oppressors and impart His laws, teachings and instructions (Torah), and ready them to enter into the Promised Land; hence the Kingdom of Elohim.
“As it was in the beginning so shall it be in the end…”
The Spirit of Elohim, the Ruach HaKodesh, has recited that very same statement to me time and again. Now there is an alarm sounding, a shofar blasting in the distance; an urgent clarion call to Israel and grafted in Gentiles to COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM; to come out of Babylon. Babylon is NOT AMERICA, but AMERICA is a part of Babylon. I would also take an opportunity to forewarn against “patriotism.” Discipleship and patriotism is an oxymoron.
To support the statement as it was in the beginning, so shall it be in the end, let’s examine the life of Abraham. In Genesis 12, YAHUAH made himself known to Abraham and instructed him to come out from among his country, his family (kindred), and his father’s house to embark upon a journey to a land he would show him.
Abraham and his family resided in Ur of the Chaldeans — Chaldea is another name for BABYLON. Modern day Babylon is not a place, but a system with institutions and factions. If I had to offer terms to better define it, I would say it’s satan’s domain with the intent to counterfeit the kingdom of Elohim through the use of societal systems that seek to implement and even force compliance through the manipulation of human need. Look about and see just how prevalent that is even this day with all of the Trojan horses in play.
The apostle, Paul, instructed us not to be conformed (with form) to this world, but be transformed (change form) by the renewing of our minds — Romans 12:1-3. Yahusha taught us that we were in the world, but were not to be of the world. It’s time to change our focus, for the world as we once knew it is no longer and will not return to what it was; and terms like, “the new normal” is yet a part of the systematic programming for ease of indoctrination.
End time messages have been trumpeted as warnings for quite some time, and went ignored; and messengers mocked and scorned because what was coming was not yet apparent to the naked eye. What many could not ascertain was that the message still belonged to Elohim: The bible warns us:
Galatians 6:7-8
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
As in the days of Noah… the masses at large were living their best life NOW — eating, drinking, marrying… while Noah was building the ark. Peter gives an account of the types of things that would be taking place at the time of the end. Yahusha gave instruction that the end would replicate the days of Noah. Noah was a preacher of righteousness, yet they who were in the world preferred a more watered down message.
2 Peter 2:1-5
1But there were FALSE PROPHETS also among the people, even as there shall be FALSE TEACHERS among you, who privily shall bring in DAMNABLE HERESIES, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves SWIFT DESTRUCTION.
2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3And through COVETOUSNESS shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
4For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
5And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
A TWO-FOLD COMMAND:
REPENT AND COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE YE SEPARATE, SAYS YAHUAH!
1. REPENT!
The Kingdom of Elohim is at hand! It’s time to serve the Father with our whole hearts and turn away from the world and its wicked ways, for the Father has already judged these matters. We are admonished not to love the world, nor the things in the world; and if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world is lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life, but he who does the will of Elohim abides forever — 1John 2:15-17. The fall of man in the garden was as a result of these three temptations. If we continue to live as the fallen, there is no opportunity to become overcomers and enter into the kingdom.
Yahusha taught that His kingdom is not of this world; and that we cannot serve two masters; that we will love one and hate the other. We cannot serve Elohim and Mammon. Mammon (Satan) is the god served by this world as objects of devotion and worship. Mammon is the personification (idols) of wealth, money, power, treasures, riches, and the like. If we recall during Yahusha’s wilderness temptation, Satan offered him the kingdoms of this world if He would bow down and worship him.
1 Timothy 6:10 tells us that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil; and that while men coveted (lusted) after it, they have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
Yahusha spoke about the cares of this world and deceitfulness of riches in Matthew 13, the parable of the soils. Many promote a prosperity gospel where the “godly” prosper in this world. There’s an underlying premise that you have to protect your things from Satan. Think again. Satan is the prince of this world; he’s not after your stuff; he’s after your cares… and many surmised that the acquisition of money and things could protect them from adversity, but Solomon warns us that under the sun time and chance happens to us all.
Ecclesiastes 9:11 “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”
We are warned in the scriptures that they who practice and live according to the deeds of the flesh CANNOT AND WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF ELOHIM.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
We are in the last time and the world will pass away as it is written and men will be judged according to their deeds.
2. COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM!
Babylon is ALREADY fallen (under judgment and condemnation) and the manifestation of the consequences is already prevalent. Revelation 18 issues a command to come out of her with an added warning:
Revelation 18:4-5,8
4Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
5For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
8Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
Her, in these verses is the harlot church that has enslaved the souls of many; and the end is with swift, sure and sudden judgment.
Again, let’s revisit Genesis 6-7, the story of Noah, and how Noah received a prophetic warning that it would rain. The people were of the opinion that the probability or thought of rain was unlikely, just as many believe that Yah will not bring judgment upon His people. Some probably even thought that if it would rain, they surely had time. Surely Elohim would not take them unawares. However, when Noah completed the ark, he was given a seven-day warning before the rains fell. He and his family entered into the ark and then Elohim shut the door.
Likewise in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, Matthew 25, the wise entered in to the wedding and the door was shut to the foolish who failed to prepare themselves. In both instances, those who were left on the other side of the door, had to experience a harsher outcome; and face the consequences of their iniquity and disobedience.
There is a strong reminder in 2 Peter 3 that provides precedent concerning these matters:
2 Peter 3:9-10
9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Elohim promised that He would not destroy the world again by flood, but fire is established as the chosen instrument of His indignation in the last days.
Let a word to the wise be sufficient: Be not found outside of the safety of Yahuah, lest the consequences of iniquity befall those who are left behind.
REPENT and COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, says YAHUAH!
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