Building Blocks

In our religious belief systems, we are making decisions. Which denomination should I try? Which religion best aligns with my beliefs? Which one is based on truth? All of these questions are based on several options. Each religious belief system believes their doctrine is based on truth. But how can all religious belief systems be based on truth if they contradict one another?

On the other end of the spectrum, prisoners do not have choices. They all wear the same orange jumpsuits. They are assigned a cell in a prison. They do not get to choose which cell they want nor do they choose their roommate. They don’t have a plethora of options to eat. Their choices have been taken from them. This is also true of those who exist under oppressive government controls.

However, no one can force anyone to change their heart. The inside of a man and woman remain sovereign. Pointing a gun to someone’s head will only force them to say and do what their captors want. It does not change the heart of an individual. They are just no longer free to openly express the beliefs in their hearts.

This ability to choose is the exercise of freewill.

No one can take this right away from another individual.

Freewill is an attribute given to each individual by our Creator. Because we have a right of freewill, we are solely responsible for the outcome of our decisions. This is why each of us will stand before our Creator to give an account for each and every decision we have ever made in our respective lives. In other words, our eternal outcome is our responsibility because it is based upon our daily decisions. For example, we may choose to scroll on social media for hours instead of reading and studying the Word. We may choose to binge on television shows rather than search for truth. We may choose to trust our religious leaders rather than validate their message with the Word of Yahuah. Inevitably, we are the only ones accountable for the outcome of our own eternal consequences. This is called “accountability”.

Everyone who has ever died, will be resurrected and stand before Yahuah Elohiym. Each individual will be judged according to their works which are their words and actions. This is further confirmed by Messiah Yahusha Ben David.

Even if we do not study the Word of Yahuah, search for truth or validate the teachings of our leaders… we are accountable for the contents within the Word of Yahuah because it is available to us in many different versions in nearly all countries of the world. We have access to multiple resources to help us understand the original intended meanings of His messages. We have time to research and study it. We have no excuse for our failure to know and understand the truth. We are accountable for its content whether we read it or not.

Freewill is a gift given to us by our Creator.

Each of us have been granted the freewill right to choose between serving our Creator or serving someone else. “Freewill” is the right to make a choice between two or more options. The choice presented to us by our Creator is illustrated below.

True love cannot be forced upon someone. It must be a decision without coercion, pressure, manipulation or force. It is a decision that expresses the true inner desires of a man or woman. This decision is reflected in their actions, words and behaviors and is motivated by the contents of the heart. Messiah Yahusha Ben David confirms this understanding in the following words.

“Freewill” is Choice

“Freewill” involves a choice between two or more options. If there is only one option then we cannot exercise “freewill”. It is like a hiker walking down a trail. Eventually, the trail divides into two paths and now there are two options. The hiker says to themselves, “Do I go right or left?”

How do we know which trail to take?

Hiker’s generally have a map with them or there are signs labeling the destinations for each trail. The map and signs help the hiker make the right decision that best reflects their desire. One trail may lead to a waterfall and another trail may lead to a lake. The hiker makes a decision based on his or her desires. Do they want to see the lake or the waterfall?

If a hiker does not have a map and there are no signs, the decision becomes daunting. There is no frame of reference. They might get lost because they have no idea where the trail ends. This happened to me one time. My hiking partner and I literally walked 30 miles before we were able to find our way back home. We were exhausted. Without guidance and direction, it was difficult to know the right way to go. Were we walking deeper into the forest further away from civilization? We had no way of knowing where we were. In our picture, the destination for either trail is unclear. Just looking at it reminds me of my own experience and what it felt like to be lost. It was an unsettling experience.

The Word of our Father in heaven is like a map people use in our hiking scenario. We walk in life and come to a crossroad. We ask ourselves, “Do we want to go right or left?” If we make a decision without consulting His Word, we are like the hiker who has no map. We are uncertain of the destination of either trail so we just choose one. We have a much greater risk of getting lost because we do not know where the trail ends. When we consult our “Life Map” called the Word of Yahuah, we can determine which trail we want to take based upon our desired destination. For example, in Debarim (Deuteronomy), Yahuah Elohiym presents a “choice” between life and death:

Based on Debarim (Deuteronomy) 30:19, life and death are two different destinations. When faced with this particular decision, we are standing at the point where the trail divides in two different directions. One pathway leads to a destination called “life” and the other trail leads to a destination called “death”. This passage is defining two different paths with two different outcomes.

How do we know if we are on the trail that leads to life or if we are on the trail that leads to death?

Yahuah Elohiym is our Creator. He has power and control over all the earth and in every generation. He determines the criteria that leads to life and it is He who determines the criteria that leads to death. Pastors, priests and teachers do not have the power to make these determinations. Yahuah is the only one who reserves this right because He is our Creator. Therefore, it becomes necessary to consult His Word on these matters. His Word is our map. If our pastors, priests and teachers are not using Yahuah Elohiym’s map, then how do we know if we are on the trail that leads to life or death?

Debarim (Deuteronomy) 30:19 uses the word “choose”. The Hebrew word in this passage translated as “choose” is “bachar”. In order to better understand the perspective of our Creator, it is important for us to consult the underlying Hebrew language He spoke to His true prophets.  The Ancient Hebrew Lexicon of the Bible written by Jeff A. Benner uses the Hebrew pictographic language. Each letter represented by a pictograph has its own definition. We can put the meanings of these individual letters together and determine the actual definition of the word as it was perceived by the people who used this language in ancient times. Mr. Benner defines it the following way:

“Choosing” involves selecting between two or more options freely. In Debarim (Deuteronomy) 30:19, the two choices are “life” and “death”. Making an informed decision involves the process of carefully reviewing the evidence. It is an examination of the “best” choice. In our belief system, the Word of Yahuah Elohiym is our “Life Map” because it describes the pathway to life.

The ancient Hebrew language is read from right to left. “Bachar” contains the letters “beyt”, “chet” and “resh”.

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The “beyt” is a picture of a nomadic tent. It represents the house, family or something that is inside. The second letter is the “chet” and it is a picture of a wall that separates the inside from the outside or it simply means outside.  The “chet” creates a separation between two options: the inside or the outside.

Our study Matzadah explains this picture in greater detail.

The “resh” is a picture of a man’s head and represents the chief or the head. The “resh” represents the idea of something being “first” or the “best” option which is a decision performed by the chief. We are the “chief” of our own body and soul. The “beyt” can also represent what is on the inside and can represent our heart. We can see the definition of this word in the ancient Hebrew pictographic language for ourselves. Here are the pictures associated with this Hebrew word.

ALL of us make a “choice” to be “inside the Garden” or “outside the Garden”. In Debarim (Deuteronomy) 30:19, Yahuah is giving us a choice between two options and He is encouraging us to “choose” life and blessing.

Walking on the Trail

Once our hiker decides between the lake or the waterfall, they take action and start walking towards their destination. Walking in life is like walking down a trail. We are constantly moving each day towards our goal or destination. We think, say and do things every day which brings us closer to our destination. Let’s consider an example from the Word. In the very beginning, Adam was told not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. If he ate from this tree, he would die.

Picking the forbidden fruit and eating it is an action like walking. Adam and Chavah (Eve) produced actions or walked down the trail that led to death. The Word of Yahuah Elohiym was their map. Their location is marked by the gold star on the map. Their actions led to the destination of death. Here is the testimony supporting this conclusion:

The Word of Yahuah stated that Adam would die if he ate from the forbidden tree and he did. We can rely upon our “Life Map” in the Word of Yahuah to give us the right instructions.

Let’s consider another example. When we consult our Life Map or the Word of Yahuah, it tells us that those who practice witchcraft will die.

People who participate in sorcery or witchcraft are producing actions associated with this practice. They are walking down the trail of sorcery. When they came to a crossroads in the trail, they chose to travel the pathway that leads to death when they started practicing witchcraft because that is what our “Life Map” is telling us. They are also represented by the yellow star on our map. People who practice witchcraft are following the same trail that Adam and Chavah (Eve) travelled and will receive the same outcome.

After consulting our “Life Map” and determining our expected outcome, we can change the path we are following. We can back-track and start walking down the trail that leads to life. Messiah Yahusha calls this “repentance”.

People who participate in witchcraft can repent from this sin or turn away from it. They can STOP doing these actions associated with black magick and START walking on the trail that leads to life. Our Messiah is telling us that if we do not produce the actions associated with repentance, that we will stay on the trail that leads to eternal death. Repentance from sin involves an act of freewill to STOP thinking, saying and doing behaviors that lead to death. The Word of Yahuah is our Life Map and it will guide us the direction we need to go to obtain our desired outcome.

“Freewill” has its limitations or boundaries. We can choose which pathway we want to follow but we cannot change the destination for that pathway. For example, Adam and Chavah (Eve) could not change their destination after eating the forbidden fruit. People who participate in witchcraft cannot change their destination unless they turn away from practicing witchcraft. “Walking on the trail” is akin to our thoughts, words and actions. One set of thoughts, words and actions lead to a destination called “eternal death” and one set of thoughts, words and actions lead to a destination called “eternal life”. We can choose which thoughts we want to think, which words we want to say and which actions we want to do… but… we cannot change the outcomes for these decisions. The outcomes are determined by the One who has power and control and that is Yahuah Elohiym.

The Journey or the Destination:

Hikers may choose a trail because they prefer the scenery on the pathway rather than the destination. The destination is not the primary goal of the experience. The journey is more important than the destination and stems from a desire within the heart of an individual.

“Freewill” decisions are words, actions and thoughts freely done of one’s own accord… they are voluntary. This means we are free to choose without hindrance. For example, choosing to read the content we present is a decision to consider alternate perspectives that reflect the Word of our Creator that do not conform to the doctrines of men and women. This is expressed in the Hebrew word “ratzon” which represents this idea of “freewill” in the Word of Yahuah. The Ancient Hebrew Lexicon of the Bible defines “ratzon” the following way:

“Freewill” from an ancient perspective is expressed as “one’s desire” rooted in determination and persistence. This is closely related to our modern-day concept of “freewill” as well. Each Hebrew word is based upon a two or three-lettered root word which is similar in meaning to the actual word. In fact, all words in this Hebrew word family are related in meaning in some way. The two and three-lettered roots of the Hebrew word “ratzon” are defined the following way:

Ancient Hebrew is very concrete in nature. From this perspective, one’s desires are actually written down on physical potsherds. This is similar to our idea of goal-setting. Some of us write down our goals and read them every day. Likewise, our desires are written on our hearts like “potsherds” mentioned in this definition. It is a message which flows out of our hearts and is expressed in our thoughts, words and actions. Messiah Yahusha described it the following way:

People with “good” in their hearts bring forth “good’ things. People with “evil” in their hearts bring forth “evil” things. In essence, our thoughts, words and actions reveal the contents and desires of our hearts. They communicate a message to our Creator and the world around us.

The individual who participates in witchcraft did not base their decision on their desired eternal outcome. They would not choose “eternal death”. They based their decision upon their desire for the witchcraft and black magick. They want to practice sins against Yahuah Elohiym. They are focused on the journey rather than the destination. Many people are focused on the journey and not their desired destination. Unfortunately, when they realize their eternal fate and come face-face with the Creator of the Universe, it will likely be too late to make different decisions in that moment. The time for making these decisions is now.

When people are focused on the journey rather than the destination, it doesn’t make sense for them to consult their “Life Map” which is the Word of Yahuah Elohiym. It doesn’t make sense for them to read and study these lessons because they are not basing their decisions on a desired outcome or destination. Messiah Yahusha said it this way:

The “Light” is the Word of Yahuah… our Life Map. People who practice witchcraft do not want to read the Word of Yahuah because it will tell them that practicing witchcraft leads to eternal death. They are focused on the journey and find pleasure in the sins they are committing against Yahuah Elohiym. It is this way with anyone who chooses to continue practicing sin. This is the question we all must ask ourselves:

Which is more important to me… the journey or the destination?

In your mind, you may be thinking the destination is more important. Who in their right mind would ever choose to walk the trail that leads to eternal death? However, what will you do when you discover that the actions you are currently doing has placed you on the trail that leads to eternal death? I have studied our Life Map for over 30 years. Many, many people are on the trail that leads to eternal death and are completely unaware of their grim situation. Our aim is to show people what our Life Map says so they can make an informed decision about their eternal outcome.

Asking for Directions:

Some hikers will ask another hiker for directions rather than consult their map. This is like someone who is relying upon their religious leader to give them directions to their desired destination. If our leader has never arrived at that destination, then can we really rely upon them to help us make a decision?

For example, Messiah Yahusha Ben David has been resurrected. He ascended into heaven and is sitting on the right hand of his Father. He has successfully arrived at the destination that leads to life. He told his followers, “Unless you repent, you shall all likewise perish” in Luke 13:3. Yahusha knows the pathway that leads to life because he has achieved it. He is in the Garden of Eden with Yahuah Elohiym right now, eating from the Tree of Life. If we desire “life” then we ought to follow his instructions and he said:

Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

These words do not say that we must “confess the name of Jesus” in order to avoid death. Yahusha said that we must repent. He also says that he will reward every man according to his works:

“Works” are thoughts, words and actions. They are the things we think, say and do. Religious leaders in our day say, “we are NOT saved by works”. Who are we going to believe? Our religious leaders who have not obtained eternal life or Messiah Yahusha who is sitting on the right hand of our Father in heaven? This is just one of many, many examples.

We respect everyone’s right of freewill given to us by our Heavenly Father. We do not coerce, manipulate, persuade or pressure anyone to make any decision. Our desire is to present evidence from our Life Map which is the Word of Yahuah Elohiym to help people make an informed decision based upon their heart’s desire. These are our choices:

• Do we want to be on the trail that leads to eternal life? OR…
• Do we want to just focus on the journey and not concern ourselves with the outcome of our choices?

We are not creating a new doctrine with some special interpretation. Our aim is to restore the faith once given ages ago by returning to the Word of Yahuah and testimony given to us by Messiah Yahusha. Our aim is to help people make sure they are traveling on the trail that leads to “eternal life” if that is their desire. The deception runs deep. Even if you “think” you are on the trail that leads to eternal life, we encourage you to verify what you believe is the truth by examining the evidence presented. If you are truly on the right road, this will only strengthen your beliefs.

In our world today, there are a plethora of religious belief systems. Many of these systems are a mixture of the true pathway that leads to life and manmade doctrines. Mixture places us on the pathway that leads to death. We are not going to decipher individual belief systems. We are just speaking the truth. It is up to you to decide if something in your daily walk is leading you astray from the true pathway that leads to life. This places you at a crossroads.

• Am I attached to this behavior and want to continue to do it, despite its negative eternal outcome?
• Am I willing to change this behavior and align myself with actions that will put me on the trail to eternal life?

The answers to these questions in that moment will reveal the desires of your heart. Those who are attached to their behavior that leads to death are focused on the journey like our first father and mother, Adam and Chavah. They are like the people who want to continue to practice witchcraft. In their view, the outcome is not important.

Those who are willing to make the necessary changes in their thoughts, words and deeds are focused on the destination. They desire eternal life and will do what is necessary to reach their desired destination, like Messiah Yahusha. Remember, we cannot change the outcome of our choices. Eating from the forbidden tree led to death. Practicing witchcraft leads to death. Practicing witchcraft will never lead anyone to eternal life. Their desire to practice their magick is greater than their desire for a positive eternal outcome. Living without their magick is unbearable and not a compromise they are willing to make.

However, this requires people to activate their freewill and choose to read and study the content we present. This will allow people to consider the evidence and assist them in making an informed decision.