It is easy to become inundated with information, overwhelmed by it, and to become mentally numb by the complexity. I will try to keep this as simple as possible, with a few links for you to see some of the sources of the information. Much more information is in this post. A very good synopsis is found at https://nojabforme.info.

First, we need to know what we are really up against. This means we need to know what the virus is, what the health risks are, and what can be done to mitigate the risk If we simply look to what is happening to the people who get sick we must acknowledge that there is definitely a virus involved, and that it can and does kill people. The symptoms are exactly the same as the influenza virus, and it attacks those with vulnerabilities in exactly the same way. This article has the sub-headline of “CDC charged with mass fraud: The tests at 7 universities of ALL people surveyed showed that they do not have Covid, but simply Influenza A or B – RIVM and EU statistics: ‘Corona’ virtually disappeared, even under mortality“, and explains that Covid-19 has never been found or isolated clinically. The only thing these researches found is influenza and pneumonia, and the tests the CDC was using would have a positive result for many organisms. You can follow the sources and decide if you think they are credible, but even if we believe the government about this virus, we must look at the facts concerning risk and fatalities. If we do that we find the following:

• The CDC greatly exaggerated the numbers of deaths, which they later admitted, saying that the actual deaths caused by the virus were less than 6% of the total.
• The virus is a corona virus, like other viruses we have dealt with, and there are successful treatments already in place for such viruses, such as ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine/zinc. People like Dr. Fauci know this and have used these treatments before, but lied to us to keep us from an easy, effective, and safe treatment. This is inexcusable.
• The number of cases has been the same as a bad flu year, and, in fact, the number of documented flu cases was inexplicably and unbelievably reduced – almost to zero (actually zero in some countries!).
• Masking has been shown, repeatedly, to have virtually no effect in reducing the transmission of viruses. It certainly doesn’t help if you are not also wearing sterile scrubs and keeping your hands and exposed skin disinfected (think operating room). As soon as someone touches a surface (merchandise, foodstuffs, chairs, doors, car seats, strollers, carts, checkout machines, etc.) that surface has been contaminated or has transmitted contamination.
• Masking has been proven harmful when done for long periods of time, even causing Legionnaire’s Disease, etc.
• The proven risk of death is very low (0.3% or lower), similar to that of the common flu, and no different if conventional treatments are allowed. The risk is higher if, like the flu, you have a condition that makes you vulnerable to flu-like disease, and if you are not treated for flu-like disease, such as using ventilators (which damage the lungs by over inflation) instead of hydroxychloroquine, etc.

Go down the list at https://remote-world.com/a-bunch-of-covid-related-articles-to-expose-the-truth/ to get sources and confirmation of these things.

Next, we must ask why we have been fooled into believing that this thing is more sever than it really is. The answer is very simple, and as old as mankind: Fear is a great manipulator. Look at how much freedom (and money) we have lost due to the fear of this thing. Is it truly a pandemic? No, not by any stretch of the imagination. It is exactly the same in deaths, sickness, loss of productivity, and transmission rates as the yearly flu virus, which is NOT considered a pandemic. Why be told we have to wear masks when they are ineffective? Because it is something easy to get people to do, and it serves as a training tool to get them to submit to an unproven and experimental vaccine later.

Ok, but what is the end-game? Other than control of the masses through fear, it is to get you to accept the “vaccine”. It is here that things get really serious, as any honest doctor or clinician will tell you that the “vaccine” being proffered is NOT, in fact a vaccine by normal definitions – it is a device. I don’t mean a man-made mechanical device, I mean a man-made piece of mRNA that will get into your cells and get your cells to manufacture something that they would not normally make. The patent for the mRNA “vaccine” calls it a device, not a vaccine. It is in understanding what this mRNA will do to you that will explain the end-game of those who are foisting it upon you and so urgently trying to get everyone to accept before the truth gets out. So, let’s look at what we know so far:

• There has NEVER been such an mRNA “vaccine” given to a populace before, and this one is still listed as experimental and not approved by our FDA.
• The pharmaceutical companies have be completely exempted from ANY liability for harm created by these products.
• RETRACTION! Looks like I was fooled, as the spike protein is apparently NOT the same as syncytin-1. That said, it does look like there are problems with it: https://www.salk.edu/news-release/the-novel-coronavirus-spike-protein-plays-additional-key-role-in-illness/
• Already there have be a tremendous rise in miscarriages and menstrual problems. Some medical experts are predicting up to a 70% sterility rate for ‘vaccinated’ individuals.
• The main people behind these types of “vaccines” have repeatedly declared that they want to reduce the entire population of the Earth greatly – to as low as only 500 million. We are above 8 billion at present.
• The people who are promoting these “vaccines” stand to make an incredible profit from this. Follow the money. One half of Bill Gates fortune came from pushing vaccines, and Dr. Fauci is financially tied to Bill Gates, who has teamed up with George Soros.
• Do the big pharmaceutical companies win or lose if most of the people die off? Considering that the problems caused by these mRNA devices (which you can never get out of your system), they will profit greatly – taking everything you own as you slowly and painfully die from the complications over a period of years.
• Doctors all over the world are sounding the alarm, and warning us NOT to get the “vaccine”!
• The “vaccine” makes you MORE sensitive to the ‘virus’! It has been acknowledged that it does not prevent the virus and does not prevent the spread of the virus. THEY ARE TELLING YOU THE TRUTH, YET STILL TELLING YOU TO GET REPROGRAMMED!
• Both mRNA and VV shots seem to leave the immune system wide open for a cytokine storm. All this risk for a disease that carries very little risk itself!

Am I and others who are telling you these things now fearmongering ourselves? I tell you the truth – I wish I did NOT have to tell you this truth! I am a father and grandfather, and these thing portend a very scary future for those I love. Also, as a follower of Christ, I am commanded to love others as myself, and I want you to be informed and safe. Please check out these things on the pages I have linked for confirmation. Do the research before accepting anything foreign into your body and the bodies of those you care for. Stand firm against those who would use fear to manipulate you into your own destruction. God said, “My people are destroyed because of a lack of knowledge.” Spread the word.

Read the articles, see the videos posted here and here.

The post Covid-19: What you are not being told, and need to know first appeared on Remote World.

Suddenly, I saw a form dart out of the clouds below. I could tell by her feathers that she was an older matron. She caught the young ones and disappeared into the cloud. I had caught up to my Mate, and our eyes met. “Who is she?”, I demanded. My mate, coasting on the cold air, replied, “She is an old friend. She will see them to safety.” After all the years we had been together, it had come to this. My anger flared, and I drew my short sword. She was gliding on the wind beside me, a look of resignation in her eyes. I reached out with my blade and cut off half of her right wing.

In that instant, as we locked eyes, a look of pain, and yet love, was in her eyes. My Love fell, tumbling, spiraling down, her glossy feathers throwing back glints of the sunshine at me. My heart nearly burst, and I found myself diving after her. I willed myself to gain all the speed I could, and soon caught her in my arms, tears flowing back off my face in the wind. We fell. She looked into my eyes, and smiled a little. Hurt, yet understanding. I held her tightly, and told her that I loved her, as I had always loved her. Over the wind she told me the same. We fell faster, bound together tightly. “We will die together, as we lived together”, I said. She nodded, and kissed me.

The earth rose up to meet us. We were falling into a watery area scattered with small islands. Due to our wind-slippery feathers our death would be quick, even while impacting on water. We clung to each other and closed our eyes.

Water.

We were under water.

I felt like my entire body had been slapped by a huge hand, but we were not dead. We were, in fact, not even injured by the impact. I pulled us to the surface and looked to my Love. “What happened?” she whispered. “I don’t know”, I replied, “The only thing I can think of is that the Creator is not through with us yet, and has softened the blow!”

We made our way to shore, where we could dry out and where I could tend to her wound. My Love would never fly again on her own, and I would never leave her side.

The post Flight

A dream I recently had about love and life.

The post Pics from Iraq 2004 first appeared on Remote World.

The post A Bunch of Covid-related articles to expose the Truth first appeared on Remote World.

Dad,

Thank you for giving me the foundation for being successful, not in business, but in being a man and being a father. I am still learning to do the job, but you gave me the basics to build on. That foundation has stood through the storms, floods, and earthquakes of life. Yah’shua our Messiah is my Spiritual Rock, but you have been my earthly Rock. That part of you lives in me and will live on in my sons. You have taught me leadership (even though I am just now ‘getting it’ in many areas.Thank you (and Mom!) for your patience and forbearance which were needed in such large amounts with me. I love you.

P.S. – Sorry about the match heads in the cigarettes, the window in the roof, the burnt carpet, the midnight alarms, all the medical bills, the wrecked cars…

*Dad died January 18th, 2021

The post John A. Spinuzzi, A Much Appreciated Father first appeared on Remote World.

At one point the Young Man became unemployed, and he and his Wife were doing all they could to pay the bills and feed their Children. The Friend offered the Young Man a job. Though it was a long drive each day, the Young man accepted the job, and was Grateful. But after a time, the Friend told the Young Man that the job was ending, and the Young Man needed to find another job. He did eventually find a job (closer to home), but he was not paid by his Friend for the last week he had worked for the Friend. The Friend said he could not find the paperwork with the Young Man’s hours. Then he told the Young Man that the business really belonged to the Friend’s Father, so the young Man needed to talk to him about payment.

When the Young Man approached the Father about getting paid, the Father told him to talk to the Friend, as the Friend had hired the Young Man and was responsible for paying him. So the Young Man went back to his Friend for payment. Again the Friend said he could not pay him without knowing the Young Man’s hours. The Young Man, somewhat desperate to pay his bills, said that his Friend knew he had worked over 40 hours that week, and he would accept payment for those hours and forget the overtime he had worked. The Friend refused nevertheless, saying he could not pay unless he had the paperwork. The Young Man countered that the paperwork was the Friend’s responsibility, after all, but to no avail. The Friend simply refused.

Two hard years passed for the Young Man and his Wife and Children, and they had another child. One day, though, the Young Man was passing near the Friend’s house and decided to stop by. They had a good conversation about general things, when the Young Man spied an Old Car that was sitting next to the Friend’s house. The Old Car was surrounded by weeds, as it had set there for years waiting to be rebuilt by the Friend, who always vowed to eventually get to it. The Young Man, wanting to find a way to impress upon his Friend what he had done to the Young Man and his Family, asked if the Friend would sell him the Old Car. They discussed price for a long time, until the Young Man had talked the Friend down to the same amount that was owed for the work that had been done two years before. They shook hands on the deal and the Young Man loaded the Old Car on his trailer and drove it home, with the Friend promising to send the title in the mail the next day.

But the title did not come the next day, or the next after that. Weeks passed, and the Young Man called the Friend to inquire about the title to the Old Car. The Friend said he needed payment first, so the Young man explained that the Friend had been paid two years previous when the Young Man worked for him and was not paid for the work. The Friend was incensed. He felt tricked and betrayed. The Young Man explained that this was exactly how he felt, and wanted his Friend to understand, as the Young Man really did not want the car – he wanted justice from his Friend. The Friend hung up the phone and refused to talk to the Young Man. Weeks went by. One day the Young Man received an envelope in the mail from the Friend. It contained nothing but the title to the Old Car. The Young Man sighed, and decided to be patient with the Friend.

Two years quickly passed for the Young Man, his Wife, and their Children. He worked. The Wife worked and cared for the children. Life was hard, but joyous for the Young Couple. The Old Car still sat by the side of the house, neglected. But one day there was a knock at the door. It was a younger man who was excited about the Old Car. He wanted to buy it and restore it. The Young Man considered his generous offer, but declined, saying he would only take the amount that was owed by his Friend. The younger man was elated at getting the Old Car for such a low price, and the deal was struck. Ten months later the younger man brought the Old Car by the Young Man’s house to show off his work. The Old Car was completely restored – shiny and perfect. The Young Man was pleased.

More years went by, and the Young Man became a Middle-Aged Man. He never made much money, but he and his Wife made ends meet, and raised a wonderful family. One day the Middle-Aged Man was back in his home town, and ran into the Friend. They had lunch together! The Friend had met a successful woman, married her, and now lived in a nice house, though he had no children. The Middle-Aged Man was hopeful that the friendship could be rekindled, but it soon became apparent that the Friend had never understood, and didn’t want to understand now. He was bitter at the Middle-Aged Man, and held him in contempt. The Middle-Aged Man was sad, and regretted tricking his Ex-Friend, but also knew that his duty was higher to his Wife and Children. He hoped that time would bring wisdom and forgiveness, but learned that this is not always the case.

The Young Man has now become the Old Man, and has the joy of having Grandchildren, though he is still of humble means. He is still sad for his Ex-Friend, not just for Friendship lost, but also for the fact that the Ex-Friend had not the joy of Children and Grandchildren. He hopes his story will be of value to his Children and Grandchildren, so he tells it here.

The post The Young Man and the Debt first appeared on Remote World.

I wrote this for my son Nathan some years ago, when he was enjoying making projects on his MSP430. Those who know what this is, along with the Arduino, will enjoy it. For others, look up the MSP430, and you will understand. -john s.

The young man stopped his steed on a slight knoll. Twisting in the saddle he wistfully looked back over the terrain he had traversed, thinking of the battles fought, the lessons learned, the order brought, and the wisdom earned. Sighing he then looked forward into the chaos and danger of what lay ahead: The Werkaria. He had been here many times before, but though many battles had been fought here, many remained. His hand went reflexively to the hilt of his weapon, firmly ensconced in the scabbard at his hip. The handle of the soldering iron felt familiar and reassuring. Nathan knew it was time to dismount the steed that had brought him thus far and proceed alone, as the friendly constant companion could not follow him into the chaos ahead. He closed Laptop5’s lid and, leaving its smooth muzzle behind, strode into the wilds that few dared enter that existed between the cliffs of West Wall and East Wall. Mumbling bits of The Code, which had strengthened him and his friends and which had guided him on his quest, he remembered the things he had learned from Master BlueHash and those who had gone before him. Ahead, in the jumble of the wild waited the thing that must be tamed – the MSP430!

Nathan had fought with this beast on other occasions, and knew that harder battles lay ahead before this particular animal would be subdued. Struggling through the wires of the badlands, which tore at his legs like vines, he thought of his friends and family, which, not understanding the need for his quest, refused to enter here. Here, where components needed to survive were hard to find – and many times had to be harvested with great difficulty – Nathan felt truly alive. He was in his element. Though it seemed insane, he actually looked forward to the battles because of the rewards gained when The Code worked! The MSP430 was not the only beast out here, either. His confidants had warned him about its sister, The Ardwuino Beast, which was just as dangerous.

Suddenly, he found himself at the Board! The beast was waiting for him! Drawing his soldering iron from its scabbard Nathan engaged in The Task. With a wisp of flux smoke and amid the flash of LEDs he was instantly focused only on the Battle, as all else around him faded away. He became unaware of West Wall, East Wall, and the chaos of Werkaria. Only the Board mattered, and only his skill with The Code could save him!

The post The Task first appeared on Remote World.

To claim salvation by grace, THROUGH FAITH, we must understand that a saving faith results in action, and does not assume that those who receive the free gift are without responsibility to God to obey Him. Ya’shua said “If you love Me, keep My Commandments.” Who is Messiah, but the everlasting and Almighty God, who said:

Matt. 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (NIV)

Grafted into what?

He is the same God who gave Israel, into which we are grafted, the Law. He never cancelled the Law in the New Covenant, but instead modified the Law concerning the preisthood and sacrificial Law.

Psalm 105 (NIV)
7 He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
8 He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations,
9 the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.
Psalm 19 (NIV)
8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.

Nehemiah 9 (NIV)
13 You came down on Mount Sinai; you spoke to them from heaven. You gave them regulations and laws that are just and right, and decrees and commands that are good. 14 You made known to them your holy Sabbath and gave them commands, decrees and laws through your servant Moses.
Psalm 111:9 He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever, holy and awesome is his name.

So, does God’s Law apply to us who are grafted in?

Romans 7 (NIV)
11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Romans 3(NIV)
30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

Deuteronomy 10 (NIV)
12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?

1 John 2:4-6
We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him”, but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

So, these commands are for OUR OWN GOOD, just as we restrict our children for their own good.

Also:

Rev. 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

But isn’t the Law oppressive?

In Galatians Paul explains that we are not in bondage to the Law, as slaves, nor is it any longer used as a schoolmaster. We are to obey God’s Law to please Him and for our benefit – we do this willingly, to honor God’s will in our lives. The Law therefore becomes written on our hearts, as something we wish to do. It becomes joy, rather than burden.

Psalm 119:111 Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
Psalm 119:152 Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.
Ecclesiastes 3:14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.
Isaiah 59:21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, says the Lord. My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants from this time on and forever, says the Lord.

Indeed, in Acts 15 we read:

19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 but that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

Does this mean that Gentiles must only follow these commands, which are from the Law? What of not coveting? Stealing? Homosexuality? Do we get to choose which Laws we follow? Is not ALL of the Law good?
That was not their purpose, but instead they address what they believed to be the most egregious and common things that the Gentiles did against God’s Law. He then goes on to say that the Gentiles can then learn more of the Law every Sabbath at the synagogues!

So we see that Christ and His apostles say we should keep the Law as obedient servants, but not for salvation. Those who claim Christ, but do not keep His commandments do not love Him, and to those He will say, “Go away from me you evil-doers, I never knew you!”
We must not be antinomian.
We must not be luke-warm.

More Scripture concerning this can be found here: http://www.eliyah.com/protorah.html

And HERE: https://www.wnd.com/2024/10/is-the-sinners-prayer-sending-people-to-hell/

The post A Quick Note About Keeping God’s Law first appeared on Remote World.

I have seen a lot of strange and surprising things in my life, so much so that I used to say that nothing really surprised me anymore. I may have to recant saying that, as the other day something happened that I was not at all prepared for. A man I know – a teacher in a local (Christian) church – was talking about how much fun the church had during an event in which men of the church dressed up as women for a mock beauty pageant. I was really taken aback. No, I was actually shocked. When we talked about it I was again surprised at his initial reasoning that it was OK because it was all just in fun. As we continued to talk about the Old Testament prohibition for a man to not wear a woman’s clothing in Deuteronomy 22, he decided to think about it and later give me his defense. I present that defense and my response here for those who may fall on either side of this issue, and, who want a definitive answer on how God views such things. Does this Law in Deuteronomy 22:5 apply to the Church today, or did I over-react to something trivial and meaningless?

Deuteronomy 22:5
A woman shall not wear a man’s clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman’s clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God. (emphasis mine)

That’s pretty harsh! We will study here the context and meaning, including ‘hidden’ and implied meaning of this Law, as it speaks to God’s authority and His delegated authority in His people.

Sometimes Christians defend sin

My friend did some research by reading what other scholars said about this verse. I am careful about the things I read from many scholars because many such ‘scholars’ have caused so much harm. Witness Martin Luther, who wrote a treatise about how evil the Jews are, that they should not be allowed to own property, a business, or to handle the Word of God. Luther also authored a German translation of the Bible where he translated the Greek word ‘pesach’, which is a transliteration of the Hebrew word for ‘passover’, as ‘Easter’ – the name of a pagan fertility goddess who God forbade Israel to worship (also known as Ishtar, Ashtoroth, Asherah, The Queen of Heaven, etc.). Of twenty-five uses of the word ‘pesach’ in the New Testament, Luther changed only one to Easter, but the damage was done, and the Christian denominations (sects) have replaced the name of God’s Passover with the name of a pagan goddess to this day. Furthermore, Luther had this to say about the Old Testament:

We don’t want to see or hear Moses. How do you like that, my dear rebels? We say further, that all such Mosaic teachers deny the gospel, banish Christ, and annul the whole New Testament. I now speak as a Christian for Christians. For Moses is given to the Jewish people alone, and does not concern us Gentiles and Christians. We have our gospel and New Testament. If they can prove from them that images must be put away, we will gladly follow them. If they, however, through Moses would make us Jews, we will not endure it…
Therefore Moses? legislation about images and the Sabbath, and what else goes beyond the natural law, since it is not supported by the natural law, is free, null and void, and is specifically given to the Jewish people alone.” – emphasis mine, jks
Citation: http://toolong.com/martin-luther-sola-scriptura-by-richard-rives/

Luthor, to come to this conclusion, had to completely ignore the teachings of Christ in the new testament! This is only one small example of leaders being mistaken and leading the Body astray – there are many more. We must, therefore, be eternally diligent to study God’s Word and to be sure of the faith that was delivered to us by Yahushua and His prophets and apostles. So, let us look at what my friend found that these scholars were saying.

My friend mentioned that the Law given in Deut. 22 is problematic, as there are several interpretations of its meaning. The question is asked, Why would God give such an obvious commandment especially when at this period of time men and women’s clothing were almost the same?

  First, their clothing may have looked alike to us, but the differences at that time were most likely quite apparent to them or further explanation would have been given. The same is true of today. My sweaters and my wife’s sweaters are in some ways very alike, but I wouldn’t be caught wearing hers. If you read this entire chapter you will notice that these commandments are all about daily life, and especially about relationships with other people. Many of the commandments are very specific, such as are given in vss. 11 and 12, where we are told not to make clothes by combining wool and cotton, and are told to put fringes on the edges of our outer garment. These commands seem silly at first glance, but they are to help and protect us. Wool and cotton shrink at different rates, they also wear differently. It has been discovered that they also have different electrical properties, which in combination may affect our health. Fringes on an outer garment help keep edge-wear down, which is why marine flags are fringed to make them last in the wind. These very specific commands in this passage are there for our good. If God saw that further explanation was needed in vs. 5, He would have given it.

  Second, God made this command as one who sees all the past and all the future. He is not limited as we are, and it is both a mistake and an insult to Him for us to not recognize this.

  Third, in that day, as in this, there were homosexuals and effeminates – and God states that these people are an abomination to Him. Remember Sodom.

I was given five explanations of this verse that were proffered by scholars:

1.

It means exactly what it says.

I believe it does, as this would be consistent with the rest of the passage, and indeed with all God’s Law.

2.

It is referring to military implements such as swords and spears, which is why Jael, in the book of Judges, drove a tent peg through Sisero’s temple, because it would have been dishonorable for her to have a sword.

First, I would like to see the citation proving this prohibition for women to have weapons in their possession, as it is not accurate. You can simply read history or the Old Testament to discover this. Second, it makes more sense that Jael used a tent peg and hammer because it was both what she had available and what tools her hands were familiar with. Furthermore, his death by tent peg (by a woman, no less) was an insult and dishonor to him. Third, the word used here for ‘garment’ (in the KJV) is the Hebrew simlah (8071 in Strong’s), which means apparel, cloth, garment, raiment. Those that would try to use cultural prohibitions at the time to obfuscate the clear meaning of the passage are antinomians (those that practice/teach lawlessness), who wish to say, as Satan did, “Hath God (really) said…?” when He was trying to deceive Eve into disobeying God in the Garden (Genesis 3:1).

3.

It is referring to intentional cross-dressing to engage in sexual conduct… or to try and
change the God-given masculinity or femininity that a man or woman has.

God has already defined proper sexual conduct, but the second part is getting close to the Truth. This Law is to preserve both God’s structure for the family and for the church, as we shall see later.

4.

It has nothing to do with cross-dressing, because at the feast of Purim (which celebrates the deliverance of the Jews in the book of Esther) cross-dressing is sometimes part of the festivities.

Again, I would like a citation, especially in light of the fact that for this to be acceptable by God, he would have sanctioned it in His Word. This alleged cross-dressing by the Jews at Purim is NOT a reason to ignore the command of God. The Jews have a history of disobeying God – this in no way nullifies the command of God. Furthermore, the above statement flies in the face of common sense and is simply an excuse, as Deut. 22:5 defines cross-dressing, and goes on to define those who do it as abominations unto God.

5.

It was forbidden because this type of thing was practiced in pagan temples.

God’s Word gives no reason here for this restriction such as “because the pagans do this”, and none should be needed. God owes us no explanation for His commands to us, He does, however, give us hints and reasons for this command elsewhere in scripture, which we will explore later, as this verse does not stand alone. If the pagans did do this, then should we not take note and stay clear of it merely as a precaution? Furthermore, if we accept this reasoning that this prohibition was because God did not want us doing the things that the pagans do, then the churches are admitting culpability for celebrating borrowed pagan rites such as Christmas, Easter, etc. (They are, in any case, but that is not what this command has to do with.)

Similar passages

When we look for some meaning in this verse other than its obvious meaning in context, I fear we are trying to excuse our sinful behavior. God’s Word must always be seen as a whole. It all fits together without contradiction or confusion. To do otherwise would invalidate God’s Word and we would not be able trust any of it. In this case we can look to other sections of his Word that reinforce and explain what God expects of us concerning this subject. First, we go to I Timothy 2:12-14, where women are not allowed to usurp authority over a man, especially in the assemblies.

But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression.

Please note that this seems to be the personal opinion of the Apostle Paul. To this I must remark that, first, I would tend to trust Paul over any ‘scholar’ that came after him, and second, I believe God has let this stand in scripture for our own good. I have written on this subject of where a woman stands in creation, so for now I will move on. God is a God of order, and has placed the man in the position of servant-leadership over the woman. Notice the role of men and women in the Church in I Tim. 3. Again, this authority structure preserves and orders the Church. Second, we look to I Corinthians 11, where Paul sets out the order of God’s authority indicated by hair length and head coverings. God is the head of the man, man is the head of the woman. See especially vs. 7;

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of man. (KJV)

Again, see verse 10:

For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

Why? Because a woman with her head covered is recognizing she is under a man’s authority (due to the fall), and the angels should go looking for the man to execute judgment – the woman is protected. Furthermore, the acceptable length of hair for man or women is not given – it is a cultural thing. (Note here that vs. 6 is, however, referring to hair cut very short – it is ‘shorn’ (Greek keiro), using the same word found elsewhere for the shearing of sheep.) Here we see the cultural connection to Deut. 22:5. Men and women’s clothing is not defined, but is left to cultural norms. This command is in agreement with the rest of scripture in setting up God’s authority structure. A woman wearing man’s clothing or hair-style is a usurpation of the authority and identification that God placed upon man. A man wearing women’s clothing is an abdication of the man’s authority and a debasement and mockery of God’s authority which He has shared with and put upon the man.

I Cor. 11:14
Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair it is a dishonor to him(?)
[NAS]

If it is therefore a shame for a man to have long hair (like a woman), then is the same not true of a man wearing women’s clothing?

Aren’t these just Scriptural ‘guidelines’?

Another reason that was given for disregarding this command is that, as we do not follow the other “guidelines” in this chapter, then we should look for some other meaning for this command. First, these are not “guidelines” – as many antinomians would have us believe – these are direct commands from the Most high and Holy God Almighty, and He nowhere says that they are simply “guidelines”. If we accept this line of reasoning, then ‘we’, as church or society, can disregard ALL of this chapter. In so doing we invalidate God’s command. This is lawlessness. When we read this passage do we find anything in it that we disagree with? Even if so, does it matter? If we love Him we will keep His commandments. These things are not the Law of the priesthood, which Yahushua ‘fulfilled’ – and changed before His death, this is the moral Law which He has never invalidated and which His apostle affirmed:

Romans 3:31
Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law. [NAS]

It has also been suggested that Paul, in I Cor. 9:9, is suggesting that the passage in Deuteronomy 25:4 could be taken literally, but may have other implications. Certainly Paul shows that this passage about oxen can be applied to our taking care of the workers in the church, but he in no way invalidates the original meaning and intent of the passage. Instead, Paul is showing that ALL of God’s principles apply to ALL of His creation. His laws concerning land, crops, and animals are all to bless His people. In Deut. 22:10 God forbids plowing with an ox and a donkey yoked together. If you yoke in-equal animals together one may become injured or overworked. This will ultimately be a detriment to their owners. Paul asks, “Does God care for oxen?” The answer to this question is, resoundingly, “Yes!”.

Matthew 10:29
“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” [NAS]

The sense – in both passages – is that if God cares for the animals, how much more does He care for us (hence 2 Cor. 6:14)? So it is not just that there is more than one message to any one passage, but that God’s principles are universal.

How Christ looked at the Law

Matthew 5:21-22 and 27-28 were also quoted as evidence of Yahushua challenging our thinking concerning the true intent of the old testament scriptures. Certainly Yahushua explained and expanded our understanding of God’s principles here, but the “true intent” of the Law as given in the Old Testament was exactly as it was stated. Did God give all these strictures to His people to observe for thousands of years, only to say later, “Nah, that’s not what I meant”? Did He not, instead, give them good laws to live by that helped protect and prosper them, while also teaching them His universal principles? These verses explain the difference between sins in the flesh, against flesh, and sins in the spirit against God. In fact, Matt. 27-28 explains that we are doubly guilty when we sin. When a person commits adultery the sin is against their spouse, against God, and even against their own body. Physical adultery is the only reason given as a sufficient reason for divorce. Adultery is, in God’s economy, idolatry (Jer 3:6-9). Their vows were made not just to each other, but foremost to God, who joined them together. They are one flesh – but they shall not always be so. At the death of either of them the marriage is dissolved (Matt. 22:30; Rom 7:3). They are no longer one flesh – they part at death. Certainly, we are told, there is no male or female, or giving in marriage in heaven. Understanding this we can see that lust conceived in the mind is adultery in the spirit, and is against God alone, not against the spouse. Otherwise, first, any marriage is at any time in peril of divorce, as men and women occasionally fall into the sin of lust even if for the briefest of moments. Second, the allegation might be impossible to prove, especially with the required two witnesses. Because physical marriage is fleshly, physical adultery is necessary for divorce. Lust conceived in the mind, however is against God alone and is not grounds for divorce. This has always been true, but Yahushua delineated it for us, putting us under an even stricter law.

Now, returning to Deut. 22, we must not fall into the antinomian (anti-Law) trap that God’s Law means something different to modern man than it did thousands of years ago. God’s principles do not change – they reflect His unchanging character. We do not need to interpret this command. It is plainly written and means exactly what it says. God’s reasons for it may need to be sought out, but the command remains. Cross-dressing, as we now call it, is an abomination to the Lord. Our feelings, motivations, intentions, or purposes are irrelevant when it comes to obeying God. Our excuses will not be acceptable to God who said simply, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

So where did we get the idea that cross-dressing is funny?

If God says this is an abomination, should we dance all around the subject, doing gymnastics in order to find an out – an excuse – for violating His Word? Is God just old-fashioned, that we need to school Him in updating His Law to our modern standards? Does God give exceptions to His Law based on our intentions? Or, is it that the world has wooed us away from holiness so they may corrupt us to sin against the God of all space and time? Does the world wish to debase us who are made in the image of God and honored with authority given from God Himself in order to hurt God and us? Of course they do, which is why one of the greatest purveyors of cross-dressing – for fun – is Hollywood! They make movies and commercials designed to break down our understanding and our standing-firm in the Word. They, like Satan, say to us, “Hath God (really) said…” when he was trying to deceive Eve in the garden. [Genesis 3:1]

Concerning lawlessness

John Rushdooney had this to say concerning antinomianism in the Church:

St. Paul makes it clear that he is engaged in a total war, but that, while engaged in this war as a man, he is not warring with human weapons – relying on human resources. Paul has directly in mind those in Corinth who are resisting God’s law and are living in defiance of it, but he plainly generalized to include every fortress, theory, height, calculation, and imagination which is opposed to God.

The problem in Corinth was antinomianism, a disobedience to God’s law, in particular, sexual and marital law. What Paul demands is obedience to Christ, whose word is the every word of Scripture. The case of incest in Corinth had to do with laws in Leviticus; Paul sees it as disobedience to Christ, whose work the whole of Scripture is. Paul’s goal is thus the obedience of Christ.
(John R. Rushdooney, The Institutes of Biblical Law Vol. 2, Ross House Books, 1982, 579.)

And:

Where righteousness or justice is separated from the specifics of God’s law and Christ’s atonement and related instead to ecstasy, experience, and enthusiasm, the result is not Christianity but the revival of paganism.

Righteousness or justice is conformity to the law of God. The law of God is an expression of God’s being. For man to deny that law and seek righteousness on his own terms is to deny God.

Enthusiastic or spiritual righteousness is not righteousness or justice but sin. The same is true of social justice, which, unlike divine justice, derives its law or righteousness from man and man’s needs, not from God. For social justice, righteousness is the freedom and fulfillment of man. But man is a sinner, and, whether great or small, rich or poor, black or white, needs condemnation, not fulfillment. His only hope is condemnation and deliverance through Christ’s atoning death as his vicarious sacrifice and substitute, and obedience to God’s law as the way of holiness and righteousness in Christ.

Because faith is more than mere belief, it requires, and is part and parcel of, righteousness. Our justification is by God’s sovereign grace; it manifests itself in us by faith. Faith without works is dead. The man of faith is the man of righteousness, the man of justice. Antinomianism is anti-Christianity.
(Ibid, p.586)

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:19-20)

These words are addressed to all who teach.

Any and all who break, or relax, (RSV) the slightest commandment of God shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. Because man is a sinner, he searches the Scriptures for loopholes when he reads it; hence, every verse which can be interpreted to set aside the law is exploited to that end.
Ibid, p. 590

Now, my friend thought that Deut. 22:5 could be interpreted to mean either cross-dressing for the intent of having sex, or, to purposely alter their god given identity as a male or female. First, I do believe that these are rationale, in part, for the command, but again, the verse does not need interpretation. It stands as a clear command from God. Second, I would add to this list of reasons for the law the effect that cross-dressing has on God’s authority structure, and would suggest from my reading of the Word that this is the primary reason. Although my friend does not believe that those participating had any sinful intentions, the fact remains that God forbids cross-dressing. As the Apostle Paul noted:

Rom 7:7-14 (KJV)
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

So the Law teaches about sin and about God’s character:

Psalm 19:7-14
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins: let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Finally, my friend correctly thought that this type of exhibition could cause someone to stumble. There is also the possibility of causing someone to disrespect the leaders of this church as those who would sanction cross-dressing. How can we teach Christ if we appear to be just like the world?

Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. [KJV]

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MARRIAGE: Our marriages are created by God Himself, not the state. A marriage license from the state says that it can regulate, tax, and dissolve your marriage at the whim of the state. If my state, Texas, does not stand up to this tyranny, then I may need to REVOKE my marriage license with the state. It is none of their business! Understand – this DOES NOT mean that my marriage, ordained by GOD, will be dissolved. “What GOD has put together, let NO MAN put asunder!” It will merely be announcing to the state that my marriage is not controlled or licensed by them, and that THE STATE’S DEFINITION OF “MARRIAGE” AND MINE ARE NOT THE SAME.

I call upon all ordained ministers of God’s Word to stop using the words “by the authority vested in me by the state of Texas”, and instead say ONLY “by the authority of God’s Word” in performing marriages. Do not issue state marriage licenses. Stand up for the One True God and His Word. The homosexuals want STATE SPONSORED “marriage”, but we WILL NOT defy Almighty God and agree to “marry” them. It is an abomination! Jail and persecution are temporary – do not throw away an eternity of being with God due to a fear of man’s wrath.

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