Letter 16: The Sign Gifts

The Letters of Faith
Letter 16: The Sign Gifts

“But I will come to you soon, if the Master wills, and I will know,
not the speech of those who are puffed up, but their power.
For the kingdom of Elohim is not in words, but in power”
(1 Corinthians 4:19-20 ENB).

Dearest Disciple;

Praise and glory to our magnificent Messiah, Master and King!  I know that He has allowed me to enjoy a vivid imagination, my friend, but I could never for the life of me ever have begun to estimate His wonders and working through these letters.  The Holy Spirit is the beginning of what heaven will be like, because we have abiding within us now that assurance of what will come, so rejoice in your gifts, and prepare your heart for their use in His wondrous work.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - His Foreknowledge of YOU!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – His Foreknowledge of YOU!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - His Foreknowledge of YOU!  Elohim knew who you were before the creation, and He also knew how He was going to utilize you in this world, and in His Ekklesia.

His distribution of gifts to you is an especially designed mixture prepared just for you, and that is a mere peek into the extent of His thoughts and plans for each of us.  Your gifts are a blessed treasure.  Keep them close to your heart and sharp through their use.

Glorify Yehoshua in the power of His abilities in your life, because Elohim not only can, but fervently desires to work through us in this battle.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - His Foreknowledge of YOU!  While the full majesty of the Ekklesia is to be revealed at the second coming of Yehoshua, the reality of His abiding in us today is being made known, and has already been made known. We, however, need to realize the fullness of this, moment-by-moment in our walk with Him, because inasmuch as we are united as one in His Body, it is important that we comprehend how the different parts of the body are meant to function.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - His Foreknowledge of YOU!  To that end, therefore, and since there is so much fascination with the Sign Gifts, and because there is so much room for error, intrigue and deception, in the use of the Sign Gifts, I want to close our discussion about the gifts in this area; I want to imprint these Gifts in your mind and heart, to insure their proper maintenance within the Ekklesia, and to stop every misuse and abuse within Babylon.

The sign gifts, once again, are: rd_dot Gifts of Healings rd_dot Effecting of Miracles rd_dot Prophecy – (Office of)  rd_dot Languages of the Nations “Tongues” and  rd_dot Interpretation of Languages of the Nations “Tongues”.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - All Gifts ARE Alive:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – All Gifts ARE Alive:

Sometime in the past, it somehow became “understood”, within the “church”, the institutions of Babylon, that certain gifts were no longer being dispensed.

Imagine, how faithless individuals, who possessed political power within the developing religious institutions, and who were not personally experiencing the gifts because of their faithlessness – or literal non-belief, decided to declare the Gifts of The Holy Spirit dead!

Yes, they were dead to them, because they had no faith!

What is difficult to imagine, however, is the body of Yehoshua buying into the deception so thoroughly.  The arbitrary nature of the declarations, as to who receives what, and what can and cannot be given, are amazing testimonies of Satan’s influence within the teachings of Babylon.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Are Alive!  As Elohim’s children, though, we are commanded to search Elohim’s Word for the truth of these matters, and His Word says that The Spirit gives as He wills.
Example  The Word also says that He will continue to give until the Perfect comes, and the Ekklesia is removed from the earth.
Example  Until He comes though, and while we are still here representing Him, and laboring for His glory, the Gifts will be at our disposal – as He sees fit to dispense.

AMEN!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Must Be Free From Babylon:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – Must Be Free From Babylon:

Must Be Free From Babylon:  It is imperative, however, for the Ekklesia to be totally free from the Babylonian influence, in order for The Holy Spirit to work freely within us.

Example  As long as the brethren remain anchored to a system of clergy, programs, processes and organizations, the power of Elohim, as evidenced by that cloud of witnesses that went before us, will not be seen in our lives.
Example  As long as idolatry remains entrenched within the institutions, and within our hearts, in that we elevate any individual, organization, teaching OR thing over Yehoshua, the vision for our life purpose will remain blurred, and the power of Elohim will elude us.
Example  Certainty of purpose, and dedication to Yehoshua our Master, Messiah and King, needs to be the standard in our lives, and that standard sets us free from Babylon.

Through every voyage I make into the Word of Elohim, I am constantly shown parallels and parables that skipped my notice in previous trips.  The revelation of Jacob representing the deceiving church, and Israel, as a type of the Ekklesia, is an example of the type of parallels and parables I am discussing.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Must Be Free From Babylon:  The lessons I have been taught throughout my walk, have convinced me that the Gifts of The Holy Spirit must also be viewed under this same light of parallels and parables.
Example  While we speak of the Apostle, Prophet, Pastor and Teacher as functional members of the body, we must also recognize that these positions represent Spiritual Offices – with spiritual power, and spiritual authority, as well.
Example  Tongues also has two obvious tiers, prayer (spiritual) and actual (functional/literal languages), and the other gifts are the same.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Dilution:  When the group of men I meet with gathered recently, a Word of wisdom was given to one of them for me – regarding these letters on the gifts.  The word was “Dilution”.

Our ensuing conversation shed tremendous light on the fact that the Ekklesia today, in placing hirelings over them, have caused immense dilution of the gifts in two different ways:

Example  First, we have diluted the gifts simply by not acknowledging their existence.  In our current gathering as spectators, there is no room for participation, and this lack of Spirit filled and Spirit led participation has brought about dilution.

In the denial of these things, there is guilt of denial of The Holy Spirit; there is clear BLASPHEME of The Holy Spirit…  BEWARE, beloved, BEWARE!
Example  Second, the pastoral staffs that are truly blessed in The Holy Spirit are diluted in the nature of their calling.

Blessed with the gift of a pastor, for instance, they are forced to serve in every other area [for which they are not gifted], diluting their own gift to the point of uselessness.
Example  This is precisely what happened to Moses when he tried to judge over all the tribes of Israel.  And like Moses, these are sins from which we must repent.

As we investigate each of the gifts of The Holy Spirit, and as we recall everything discussed thus far, please try to understand how each gift is to be used by and within the body.

Unless we can comprehend the need for the Gift, and the method of its proper use, our discussions are futile.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gift of PROPHECY / OFFICE Of A PROPHET:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – Gift of PROPHECY / OFFICE Of A PROPHET:

In the eyes of the Babylonian religious institutions, the Gift of Prophecy, in every form and format: “Is DEAD!”  It is also DESPISED!

Truthfully, though, it not only lives within the Ekklesia, in many instances – it is thriving!

The Word of Elohim says:
nugget “Surely Master YEHOWAH does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7 ENB).
nugget “The prophet that has a dream, let them tell the dream; and they that have My word, let them speak My word faithfully” (Yeremiyeh 23:28 ENB).

This passage, by the way, speaks very clearly of the two types of Prophetic Gift; Foretelling and Forthtelling…  How wonderful is His Word?!
nugget “Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not despise prophecy, but prove everything.  Hold fast to that which is good; abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 ENB).

DIGGING DEEP:

Example  In Yeremiyeh 23, and elsewhere, The Holy Spirit is indicating that there are two basic types of Prophecy: Expository (forth telling) and Visionary (foretelling).
nugget Expository Prophets possess the Gift of Prophecy, and those Gifted with this ability have the capacity to see into hearts, minds and souls, where sin and error might abide, and then have the wisdom, knowledge and Authority to approach the sinner.  This is normally done in private, on a one-on-one basis, but if repentance is not forthcoming, a rebuke may be made in public as well.

Included in this Gift, though, is also the capacity (and authority) to speak forward to a false or erroneous teaching, whether that teaching is intentional or not.  And in this case, the rebuke may be made publicly, in order to immediately stop the minions of evil.

nugget Visionary Prophets, on the other hand, occupy the Office of a Prophet, which is considerably more powerful than the Gift of Prophecy.  The Office is more powerful, because an occupant of the Office of a Prophet may very well do the very same things as a Gifted Prophet, but with the added responsibility of the Visions!

Those so endowed as visionary prophets, will speak of things in the future, while the expository prophet will speak forth the Word of Elohim in such a way that great clarity will be given to issues (both personal and general) that are otherwise confounding.

Example  In either case, it is our responsibility to test the spirit, and only appropriate what is said, when the message is proven to be of The Holy Spirit; proven to be Biblically correct.
Example  Deuteronomy 13:1-4 is especially crucial to the Ekklesia’s understanding and acceptance of the prophetic message, because everything is to be weighed against the Word of Elohim.  Which is a lesson I have taught from the very beginning of this ministry, adding that every teaching must be compared to and against Scripture.  Every teaching, all the time!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gift of PROPHECY:  While it is the Visionary / Foretelling Office of the Prophet that is mostly denied today, the Expository Gift of Prophecy is being ignored and denied as well.

Example  For some reason, professing “christians” around the world are completely ignoring the power of Elohim; ignoring His Word, and ignoring His insight and intervention into their lives.  I often wonder what they plan on doing with the Two Witnesses who are prophesied to come in the end time.
Example  Scripture tells us that, “They will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth” (Revelation 11:1-11 ENB).  It is impossible for either the Gift of Prophecy, or the Office of a Prophet to be dead if we, at the very least, acknowledge that these two are still coming.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - A Personal Experience:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – A Personal Experience:

As I was preparing my notes, studying, and praying about these letters to you, I had a dream.  It was the most striking dream I have ever received in my life.  Upon awakening, I wrote down every aspect of what I saw and heard, and I prayed intensely for a clear interpretation.

While this may be considered graphic to some, and I certainly don’t mean to “gross” anybody out.  What follows, nevertheless, is what the Master showed me:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - A Personal Experience:  In the dream, I walked into a very large room that was immaculate in its cleanliness and order.  In the center of the room, under a set of suspended lights, was an old, beaten-up wooden crate, which was placed on top of a waist high stainless steel table.  It was obvious, to me, that the table was meant as a workstation.

The crate was about six feet long, three or four feet high and three or four feet wide, and it lay on the stainless steel table horizontally, enabling me to walk the full six-foot length of it.  The side of the crate facing me was slatted its entire length, while the rest of the crate was a solid box.  The space between the slats was about three inches, and the slats themselves were about six inches wide.

As I approached the table and looked into the crate, I noticed there was a large form inside.  From my original vantage point, I saw that the form was totally wrapped in a very thick covering of what appeared to be a smooth layer of solid fat.  The fatty layer was two or three inches thick.  Surrounding the whole thing was another thick layer of packing material made from straw. The fat was covered in blood, and the entire form, including the fat, was bleeding from every pour and every orifice.  All of the straw and some of the box were bloodstained, and the blood flowed through the slats, onto the table.

I slowly walked along the length of the crate, peering through the slats at the mass inside.

As I moved along, I realized for the first time that whatever the form was, it was alive, and it was in excruciating pain.  When I got to the far end of the box, I was able to see that the fatty wrapping had stopped at what appeared to be the shoulders of the form, exposing the neck and head; and I could then see that it was a man entrapped within those coverings.

From the eyes I saw tears of blood pouring forth, and for the first time I was able to hear it softly crying in anguish.

When I realized that the form inside the crate was a man, I picked up a knife that was setting on the table, reached through the slats, grabbed the fatty covering that had ensnared him with my left hand, and with my right hand put the knife to the fat, in order to cut him free and attend to his wounds.

I had no sooner grabbed hold of the fat and put the knife to it, when the man began speaking to me – Stopping me!

Strangely, I recognized the voice talking to me, and for the first time I looked directly and intently at his face and into his eyes.  It was then I realized that it was my own Dad, my father in this life, who went to be with the Master a long time ago.

He told me that without knowledgeable people on hand, who were trained in handling his injuries, when the fat was removed, that he would die!  He instructed me to assemble the surgical team necessary to successfully remove the fat, and tend to the wounds.  He also informed me that time was short, and I was urged to hurry!

Example  The dream ended.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - A Personal Experience:  Afterward, as I prayed for understanding, and sought an interpretation from Elohim, thru whatever source He provided.
Example  Then,  I was given a very clear and specific understanding for what I had just seen.
Example  I was also given a Scriptural passage for further insight and encouragement.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - A Personal Experience:  This is the interpretation of my dream:

The immaculate room is the universe before the fall of man in the Garden of Eden.  It was perfect, and delightfully pleasant.  From a human viewpoint, only Adam and Eve could explain to us the difference that their fall (our sin) has made to the creation, because they saw it before and after.

What I saw though, showed me that the difference is more than merely significant.

The stainless steel table sitting underneath the set of lights represented our fallen planet under the watchful eye of The Spiritual realm, both Good and evil (two lights).  The stainless steel represents our concept of purity and cleanliness. It is neither.

The crate represents the Ekklesia – the true body of Yehoshua.  Just as Yehoshua is our head and covering, we are His representatives here, now!  We are to be His ambassadors to the world.  We are to be His intercessors on behalf of humanity, for the glory of our Elohim.  Our faithlessness has caused us to appear old and beaten!

The slats represent the false nature of our love, by which people are falling away from the Ekklesia to eternal death, and the straw that has encased the form within the crate, thereby not allowing the crate to touch the man, is Babylon – The Deceiving and Apostate false “church”.

The fat that can’t be cut away, until the knowledgeable ones are in place, is apostasy and faithlessness.  And the man simply represents mankind.  Because of the straw (Deceit) and the fat (Apostasy, Idolatry and Faithlessness within the Ekklesia), the false teachings, false prophecies and false life-styles that are being presented to the world as ‘christian’, are hindering Elohim’s Children (True Disciples) from touching humanity.

Anything not of faith is sin, and the faithlessness of the Ekklesia, its sin, has rendered it incapable of touching mankind for Yehoshua.

The blood and the crying indicate the literal pain, anguish, grief, suffering and death that humanity is experiencing today.

By the grace of Elohim, we have been saved from that death, and we know the difference, but until we remove the apostasy and idolatry from our lives, with the knife that He has given us, and until we utilize every talent, of which we have been blessed, the bleeding and death of humanity will continue.

Clearly, our work is before us!

The fact that mankind happened to be represented by my Dad was Elohim’s way of telling me that humanity is lovable and loved – by us, as well as by Him!

It is our loved ones who are in agony.  It is our loved ones who are in pain and anguish.  It is our loved ones who are dying – ETERNALLY!  It is our neighbors and our enemies alike who are suffering and dying, and it is these whom the Master personally commanded us to love.  And even more importantly, it is these for whom He died!

The surgical team required to remove the fat are the trained, knowledgeable and gifted children of Elohim; each performing as they should and must, with one purpose: Salvation of the children of Elohim, to the glory of our Heavenly Father, thru Yehoshua ha Mashiach.

Why else did Yehoshua suffer and die, if not to deliver us? Why else was He resurrected from the dead, if not to go as a forerunner before us, offering us not only the hope, but also the promise that we who believe upon Him shall have eternal life? And, to what end?

To the end that WE would live eternally to THE GLORY OF OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN – THROUGH YEHOSHUA OUR MESSIAH!

The knife is the Word of Elohim; The Sword!  We know that His Word is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and it is the only thing that will ever cut through an apostate heart.  It is the only remedy for a heart filled with lies and deceptions.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - A Personal Experience:    I was then given the passage of John 21:1-17, and told the time was near.  Here is what John 21:1-7 added to the dream:

Example  In the frustration, fear and anguish of their day, the Apostles returned to what they knew; they returned to Fishing.  I imagine they were very good at what they did though, because from their effort they earned enough to make a living for a number of families.
Example  Nevertheless, the Master had been severely Scourged, Tortured and Crucified, then Resurrected from the dead, and Visited with them.  They knew He lived!
Example  They rejoiced in the knowledge of His resurrected life.
Example  They also knew they had been given authority; they had already been sent out by two’s more than once.  And yet, here we see that they went fishing.  They fished all night and caught nothing.
Example  Yehoshua, standing on the shore, then told them to cast out the net on the right side of their boat, and as they did, their catch was so large they could not pull the loaded net out of the water into the boat; dragging it behind instead.
Example  And, although there were so many fish, and the weight so great, the net was not torn.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - A Personal Experience:  The significance of this is:
Example  Mankind is in tremendous pain – Literally and Figuratively.  As a race, humanity is dying before Elohim.
Example  Ensnared in lies and deception, apostasy and hate, mankind has entered its final age.
Example  If aspiring disciples of Yehoshua continue to abide faithlessly, denying the Power of The Holy Spirit, and without following the full instructions and directions given in the Word of Elohim, we will catch absolutely nothing. (We will cure Nothing in our lifetime).
Example  If, however, we will faithfully utilize every tool given us by Elohim – in faith, and follow His directions fully (His guidance thru The Holy Spirit), our catch will be great, our net will be strong, and Elohim will be glorified.

Example  If faithful Disciples of Yehoshua will do the work that Elohim has prepared for us; if we will return to the labors, for and to which we have been called, expectantly and lovingly, Elohim will provide abundantly for us – and thru us.  Otherwise, the bloodstains of humanity will remain on our hands.

Discipleship is net weaving and net making!  Discipleship is, for me, simply following the instructions that I have been given!

Through the ministry of these Letters, and thru the many emails and postings I write, I am attempting to assemble the surgical team – as commanded!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - The Gift of Prophecy / The Office of a Prophet:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – The Gift of Prophecy / The Office of a Prophet:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - The Gift of Prophecy / The Office of a Prophet:  I wholeheartedly pray that Elohim gives you a full comprehension for His gifts through these Letters, and I hope you will see what I am led to tell you – in the light of the gift of prophecy.

And in to seeing, I wholeheartedly pray that you recognize that the gift is not dead.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - The Gift of Prophecy / The Office of a Prophet:  Yehoshua said He would send prophets (Matthew 23:34), and the gift, as dispensed by The Holy Spirit, is announced in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4.

Example  A primary responsibility of the Prophet, regardless if they be Gifted or occupy the Office of, is to edify, exhort and console (1 Corinthians 14:3-4; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11)
Example  As well as to speak forth what has been disclosed (John 16:13-15).
Example  But Scripture also warns us to Beware of the false prophet (Isaiyeh 44:6-8; much of Yeremiyeh and Ezekiel 13), which demand that we TEST the spirits.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - The Gift of Prophecy / The Office of a Prophet:  The actions of the Prophet are to be regulated within the assembly of the Ekklesia (1 Corinthians 14: 29-33),
Example  But neither the Gift of Prophecy NOR The Office of a Prophet is restricted to males, as some would have you falsely believe (Acts 21:9-11; 1 Corinthians 11:5).
Example   There were Old Covenant female prophets, and there will be New Covenant female prophets as well.
Example  And although there is orderliness to their speaking within the assembly, the prophets must nonetheless speak out – and must be allowed to speak out!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - The Gift of Prophecy / The Office of a Prophet:  While Scripture dictates that all Disciples are to speak with grace – for a purpose, (Colossians 4:5-6), they are all commanded to speak forth with boldness (Acts 4:31).
Example  Accordingly, the prophet must also be silent at the appropriate time as well (Acts 24:12).

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - The Gift of Prophecy / The Office of a Prophet:  While both the Gift and the Office of Prophecy are to be sought (1 Corinthians 14:1, 39), as in all things spiritual, there is an increased responsibility and burden that accompanies each (Ezekiel 3:17-21; Luke 4:24; John 4:44).
Example  And, should the prophet not speak, their sorrow will be immense (Psalms 39).

The 119th Psalm clearly teaches that with revival comes the prophet, and revival, as we discussed in our conversation on the Assembly of the Ekklesia, always accompanies reformation.

Throughout history, the Prophet was always an inspired instigator, orator and teacher, who preceded any revival.

“Does not both evil and good proceed from the mouth of the most High” (Lamentations 3:38 ENB)?

The proclamation of these matters troubles many within the religious institutions, but it is for many of the souls within those institutions that revival must come.  And it will be the souls of that revival who will reorganize under the headship of Yehoshua – our loving Messiah, Master and King.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Fear Not!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – Fear Not!

About the future, we are told not to fear, because,
Example  “There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed” (Matthew 10:26-27 ENB) and
Example  “Surely Adnay YEHOWAH does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7 ENB).

The power and authority to know all mysteries and have all knowledge, may be included in the Office of a Prophet Gift (1 Corinthians 13:2), but we also KNOW that only our Father in Heaven KNOWS EVERTTHING!
Example  And yet, some prophets will be able to reveal the secrets of people’s hearts (1 Corinthians 14:24-25).

I have no doubt that as we draw nearer unto the latter days, that Elohim’s prophets will faithfully exert the full power and authority that was displayed throughout most of the Old Covenant (1 Kings 17:21-22, 18:36-38; 2 Kings 1:9-12, 4(all)).
Example  Nevertheless, we must also beware of false prophets, because they will display counterfeit versions of these things as well (Revelation 13:11-13).
Example  The warning of Deuteronomy 13:1-5, therefore, takes on additional importance in light of these facts.

I have often told people that prophets are frequently identified as the grumpy ones in an assembly, because every nuance catches their eye, and they become aggravated whenever something is spiritually incorrect – in even the slightest way.

But the prophet will normally be among the first to bow in praise, worship and prayer, too, because The Spirit of Elohim would have already taught that individual the full extent of humility.

Additionally, the prophet will tend to speak rather pointedly and without much delicacy or explanation at times, so they do not normally make especially endearing or loving pastors.  A pastor who is a pastor indeed, and not a hireling, will get along wonderfully with the prophets; the hireling will not!

If you possess either the Prophetic Gift, or occupy the Office of a Prophet, be especially careful to test the spirits, and if you are lacking discernment, ask for it!  Elohim will increase what you already have.  Follow the instructions given to you in Elohim’s Word for the application of this gift, and do not shrink back from pronouncing the glory and truth of our Elohim.

If you possess either of these gifts, however, it is increasingly important that you KNOW the Word of Elohim, because it is against that knowledge that the arrows of Satan will fly whenever you proclaim the Gospel of Yehoshua to the world.  Hold your knife skillfully, oh prophet, and begin the process of cutting away the needless and destructive fat!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gift of Gifts of Healings:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – Gift of Gifts of Healings:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gift of Gifts of Healings:  In the moving of The Holy Spirit, Elohim may determine to emphasize a Proclamation of His Word, or may determine to release someone from their personal bondage to an illness, by bestowing a Powerful release of the Gift of – “Gift of Healing”.

Example  Please note, beloved, this is not the gift of “healing”, or the gift of “healings”, as some are known to say.  Those are incorrect references to this gift, because what Elohim gives to the members of the Ekklesia, and what we are discussing here, is the Gift of, “Gifts of Healings”.

I realize that I am dealing in semantics, but I believe the difference is quite relevant.  If an individual had the gift of “healing”, as some people think it to be, then the individual so gifted would be able to walk into every room of a hospital, lay hands upon all of the patients, and heal every one of them.  If that were to occur, that act would better represent an “Effecting of Miracles”, and not a personalized “Healing”.

Example  The Gift of The Holy Spirit that we are discussing at this point, is the Gift of “Gifts of Healing”, and it means that one so enabled will be moved to lay hands upon a particular individual, for the purpose of healing that individual.

Example  This Gift allows a brother or sister to pass along a very specific and Powerful healing to another person, and those healings will normally pour forth when there is a Proclamation of Elohim’s Word spewing forth.  Power normally accompanies a Proclamation of The Good News; The Gospel of Yehoshua ha Mashiach!

Example  It is not necessary for the person with this Gift to be the one making the proclamation, but what is often necessary is that the outpouring of this Gift confirms the message being proclaimed.

Yehoshua sent His disciples out by two’s (Luke 9 & 10), and it is possible that healings will happen again when we go out two-by-two, proclaiming the Gospel Message of the Messiah.  With one individual gifted in this manner, and another gifted in that, Gifts of Healings may very well be a part of those pairings.

Perfect Examples provided throughout Scripture:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gift of Gifts of Healings:  It is conceivable that an individual could be recognized as having this gift, and in their daily walk be confronted with throngs of people seeking a healing.  It is also conceivable that every person touched by the one so gifted, may realize a noticeable and miraculous change in their health.

Example  Paul was a perfect example of this, and we must not restrict or limit the hand of Elohim today either.
Example  I believe that individuals so gifted would have to fulfill the law of Power and Proclamation, however, and if that requirement is upheld in the ministry of a single individual, as it was with Paul, I suggest that the person is an apostle, prophet or evangelist first, who also has the Gift of “Gifts of Healing.”

Before we can positively discuss this particular gift though, we must understand two facts:
Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gift of Gifts of Healings:  First, not every sick person will be healed in this lifetime.
Example  Timothy’s frequent ailments (1 Timothy 5:23), are a perfect example of this fact.
Example  (Additional support can be gleaned from Luke 4:23-27).

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gift of Gifts of Healings:  There are many false teachers in the world, who would have you believe that the reason we have any ailment is:
rd_dot First, because of sin (if they even acknowledge sin as a cause).
rd_dot Then, second, our sickness is simply because our faith is too weak, or our walk with Elohim is otherwise flawed.

These two points, however, are not necessarily true or false, which means that the Ekklesia must really be alert!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gift of Gifts of Healings:  The extraordinary miracles performed by Elohim through the hands of Paul (Acts 19:11-12), dictate that Paul was a man of faith.  Even though others tried to imitate Paul’s actions of casting out spirits (Acts 19:13-17), they were unable to do so, because they were unknown – they had no power.

rd_dot  Paul displayed tremendous faith and power, yet Paul suffered.  Read Acts.
rd_dot  Read the epistles written by Paul also, and witness his suffering and the truth regarding that suffering.

Those teachers today, who deny that Paul walked with Elohim, and there are many, are deceivers and liars.  Paul understood the working of Elohim, and he rejoiced (2 Corinthians 12:9).  In spite of his personal suffering, Paul understood.  The false teachers understand nothing, and Satan is rejoicing.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Relationship between Sin and Healing:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – Relationship between Sin and Healing:

While it is true that there is a relationship between sin and sickness (John 5:14), and we are commanded not to lay hands upon people hastily, thereby sharing in their sin (1 Timothy 5:22), the Gift of “Gifts of Healings” is directed and driven by The Holy Spirit in such a way that these warnings will be well heard.

Gifts of Healings are a very specific imparting of the power of Elohim, through His Disciple, toward an individual or individuals.  The Holy Spirit gives as He wills, and we are not to dictate healings anything, let alone Healings to Him!

Let’s consider JOB for a moment:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gift of Gifts of Healings:  Almost every topic that we discuss in the course of these Letters can be touched upon, and taught, from the Old Covenant Book of Job.  I refer to it frequently.
rd_dot  The false teachers and false healers of our day are exactly like Job’s comforters.
rd_dot  Job was involved in a tremendous spiritual battle – that was being fought in the heavenlies, but his comforters insisted that his misfortune must have been his fault.

They were wrong then, and they are wrong today.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gift of Gifts of Healings:  Occasionally, Elohim will “touch a person more than once”, before a healing is complete (Mark 8:22-26).
rd_dot  Or a healing may not be noticed immediately, but be delayed for a period of time (Luke 17:11-19).

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gift of Gifts of Healings:  These facts are true for the Effecting of Miracles also, and some great examples are given in the Gospel according to Mark.
rd_dot  Touching more than once strengthens our faith by reminding us that it is He who is really touching; it is He who is doing the healing, not us.
rd_dot  Additionally, Mark presents healings and miracles that are unique to the Gospels.
rd_dot  Yehoshua commanded the spirits to come out of demon possessed “legion” more than once, and they even bargained with Him before leaving the man whom they had possessed (Mark 5:6-13).
rd_dot  Yehoshua sometimes also touched people more than once in order for the healing to be complete (Mark 8:22-26), and we must also walk humbly with our Elohim, faithfully trusting Him.

It is important to note that Yehoshua, and Peter, and John, and Paul, spoke with people too.  They lovingly talked to individuals, and we are to talk with those we touch as well.  We are to communicate, we are to care, we are to be interested, and people are to know that they matter.  Love must prevail!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Why Do Healings Occur?

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – Why Do Healings Occur?

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Why Do Healings Occur?  While the false healers of our age have people falling backward to the floor, Elohim has them leaping into the air (Acts 3:1-10).  But why do healings and miracles occur anyway?
rd_dot  Simply, healings and miracles occur to glorify our Elohim!
rd_dot  As you read Acts 3:1-10, continue on through Chapters 3 and 4, and you will see why the lame man was healed.
rd_dot  The Word of Elohim was Proclaimed and the Power of Elohim accompanied the proclamation of His Word (Acts 3, 4, 13:9-12) – and many were saved…

Power and proclamation!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Why Do Healings Occur?  This healing of Acts 3 is a very interesting healing for another reason, though, which many readers simply do not see.  And I truly do love this incident. Why?
rd_dot  The lame man healed by Peter and John was, “over forty years old” (Acts 4:22)
rd_dot  He had been lame since his birth.
rd_dot  And, according to the Word, had been taken to the gate called Beautiful, “Every day…in order to beg alms” (Acts 3:2 ENB).

So what makes this an interesting healing? Well, let’s ask ourselves one simple question:
rd_dot  “How many times do you suppose Yehoshua passed by this man, as He was entering or exiting the Temple, and yet He did not heal him”?

Do you see the issue? Why is this important?
rd_dot  The Gift of “Gifts of Healings”, as well as “Effecting of Miracles”, is always manifest thru the leading of The Holy Spirit.
rd_dot  Yehoshua did not heal that lame man, because He was not led to heal him.  Why?

rd_dot  It was necessary for a miracle to take place at the hands of Peter and John – in order to validate their testimony.  If Yehoshua had healed every sick person in the country, there would have been no testimony to the nation by Peter and John on that day.

Power and Proclamation prevailed though…  Without a proclamation of the true Word; without a teaching of the Gospel, there would have been no power displayed that day.  Why should there have been?

But with the proclamation, Elohim was enabled to place His stamp of approval on the Word given, and many souls were saved that day – thru that one Healing!

Our responsibility is to have faith, and to follow the leading of The Holy Spirit.  Elohim will do the rest!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gifts of Healings Demand Faith!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – Gifts of Healings Demand Faith!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gifts of Healings Demand Faith!  “Who gave man a mouth? Or who makes mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, YEHOWAH” (Exodus 4:11 ENB)? Using the Gift of “Gifts of Healings” (and Effecting of Miracles) requires faith on the part of the healer, and frequently on the part of the healed as well (Acts 19:13-17, 14:9-19).
rd_dot  As a matter of fact, this gift is severely restricted by unbelief on the part of an intended recipient (Mark 6:5-6).

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gifts of Healings Demand Faith!  If we walk closely to the Master though, and in our closeness keep our ears tuned to His voice, this Gift of “Gifts of Healings” will always glorify Him (John 9:1-5).
rd_dot  Our faith is timid and puny though, because if we really believed that Elohim is the Creator, then we would also realize that He is the Great Physician.
rd_dot  If He makes blind, or deaf, or dumb, He can also make seeing, hearing and speaking.

Sadly, many have forgotten how to walk humbly with Elohim!

One More Passage To Consider:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gifts of Healings Demand Faith!  It is important that we consider one more passage in this study on healings, however, because it is tremendously relevant.  If this passage is misunderstood, this Gift will be misunderstood as well.

Therefore, I refer you to James 5:13-16, because in the James 5 passage The Holy Spirit is not talking about the Gift of “Gifts of Healings”, as many suppose.
Red Dot  He is talking about another type of His mercy in the form of a healing.
Red Dot  He is speaking of a healing that is brought about in a completely different way.

Please note, In James 5:13-16, the sick person is directed to call the elders of the Ekklesia, and the elders are to:
Red Dot  Pray over the sick person,
Red Dot  Anointing him or her with oil – in the name of Yehoshua.  And,

The prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick:
Red Dot  And the Master will raise them up.
Red Dot  And if they have committed sins they will be forgiven.

Therefore, So you may be healed:
Red Dot   Confess your sins to one another.
Red Dot   Pray for one another.

Where the Gift of “Gifts of Healing” is Spirit led unto the healer, here, the sick believer is being led to call upon the elders.  And here, there are any number of participates.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Healings thru Elders:  First, the elders are directed to pray over the sick person.
Red Dot  (These are not the elected business managers we are so familiar with, by the way.  These are the true spiritual elders of the local Ekklesia, who have been selected by The Holy Spirit).
Red Dot  (Also note that there is no requirement that any of the elders be gifted with “Gifts of Healings”).

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Healings thru Elders:  Then, the elders are to anoint the sick person with oil in the name of Yehoshua.  I find it interesting that nowhere in these instructions are the elders directed to lay hands upon the sick person in order to bring about a healing.
Red Dot  “Gifts of Healings” on the other hand, always involve physical contact.
Red Dot  Aside from the anointing of oil, nothing is said about touching, or not touching.

Read James 5 again, beloved, and gain clarification, because these teachings are purposeful.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Healings thru Elders:  Finally, according to Elohim’s Word, the prayer offered in faith – will restore the sick one, and the Master will raise them up, and their sins will be forgiven them.
Red Dot   Confession and prayer are key to our understanding of the James 5 verse.
Red Dot  The sick person must confess their sins, and we must faithfully pray for one another – in order for forgiveness, and a healing, to be brought about.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Personal Example:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – Personal Example:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Healings thru Elders:  As an “elected” elder (in the distant past), I have been called into an office before a Sunday morning service, along with the other elected elders, in order to pray for sick brethren; called to anoint them with oil, and claim a restoration to their health.
Red Dot  Maybe one or two minutes were spent in any of these instances, asking if there is a sin to be confessed.  And once the big, “NO!” is heard, the oil is poured, everybody says a few words, and the prayer is over.  Elohim, forgive me!

We learn to play church while Elohim wants us to be
HIS AMBASSADORS AND PRIESTS – HERE AND NOW!

Red Dot  True confession and true repentance is what Elohim seeks in every instance, as well as a sincere and heartfelt prayer of faith.
Red Dot  In seeking a glorious and miraculous restoration of health, we must do what Elohim expects and demands.

He will heal through the elders when His conditions are met, and not until they are met.  Praise to Elohim!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - IF You Have This Gift:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – IF You Have This Gift:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - IF You Have This Gift: If you have this gift, and are moved to lay hands on someone, talk to that person first. Spend time with the individual, and seek to know what ails them – if you do not already know.  That way, if the ailment is demonically wrought, you will be able to address whatever demonic spirit is present; rebuking it/them directly –  as you lay hands upon them and pray.
Red Dot  You must also discover if sin(s) must be confessed, but this discovery of sin can never be in judgment, and you are never to say, “It is because of sin” unless you are also a Prophet, with knowledge of sin!

Red Dot  Ask if sin is present, and request enlightenment from The Holy Spirit – and then listen to The Holy Spirit who has led you to the person in the first place.  You will know what to do, and you will know what you should be hearing, because if present, the requirement of confessed sin and repentance must be upheld. (Also see Galatians 6:1 ff).

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - IF You Have This Gift:  The questionnaire I provided contains questions and statements about this gift that may appear unusual, but as children of Elohim we must learn to pay attention to our Father.
Red Dot  I know of instances where people with “Gifts of Healings” have painful sensations in their hands or feet, but only when they are among the Ekklesia, or only when a certain person is nearby.  In these instances, Elohim was signaling that He wanted them to do something; He was signaling there was to be a healing.

In our lack of understanding, however, Elohim is often ignored.

Red Dot  If you are led to lay hands upon a person, your hands or feet, or some other area of your body may hurt or tingle whenever that person is present.  I believe this to be the energy of Elohim about to flow through us.
Red Dot  Look at the healing of the woman with the hemorrhage (Mark 5:25-34), where  Yehoshua knew the power of Elohim was present, and He also knew when that power was discharged.

We are given this information for a purpose, beloved, and perhaps the sensations we feel in our bodies – is one way we are supposed to know what Elohim is doing.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - IF You Have This Gift:  Perhaps the only absolute way to know that you have this particular gift, is to react the next time The Holy Spirit moves you.  If you only feel the moving on Wednesday evening when your Ekklesia gathers, and then only when a particular person is present, make preparation for your next meeting.

Red Dot  Discuss with a pastor or elder, your belief that you have this gift, and explain what you feel happening on Wednesday evenings, when so and so is present.
Red Dot  Confirm that the individual will be in attendance during your next gathering, and then devote your day to prayer; perhaps even fasting if you are so led.
Red Dot  Go to the assembly prepared, and in The Spirit, and then let Him signal you again.

If you feel His leading, announce what Elohim has been telling you, and then lay hands on the person you are being directed toward; following the instructions for use of this gift.

Do not fret, or fear, beloved, because The Holy Spirit will guide you!

Red Dot  It is very possible that one or more of the others in attendance on Wednesday night, who are professing ‘christians’, really do not believe in Elohim.
Red Dot  Through the healing which you are led to administer, they may finally realize the fullness of Yehoshua, and accept Him as Master and Messiah.

In this way the body is edified, Yehoshua is glorified, and the law of Power and Proclamation is upheld.

The requirements and restrictions that apply to the Gift of “Gifts of Healings” apply to the Effecting of Miracles as well.  The discussions on these two sign gifts, though, will explain their differences, so when the concordance is used, you will be able to differentiate between them.

I consolidated the concordance of these two gifts here though, because each display of Elohim’s power should be given extensive consideration by every Disciple who may possess either one of these gifts.

If we abide in faith, Elohim will move mountains to glorify His Son through us.  Our role is to believe!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gift of Effecting of Miracles:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – Gift of Effecting of Miracles:

While any healing given by Elohim should be considered “miraculous”, it must be noted that miracles and healings are really quite different.  Basically, a miracle can be described as a “Sign”.  Any Sign, really, but normally, they are BIG.
Red Dot  Where “Gifts of Healings” are usually specific, and although BIG in the healed person’s life, miracles tend to be much broader in scope and size.
Red Dot  Examples of the, “Effects of Miracles”, are given us by Yehoshua, Moses and thru many of the Old Covenant Prophets.

Red Dot  Throughout Scripture we can find:  Red Dot  fire pouring forth from heaven  Red Dot  plagues
Red Dot  locusts  Red Dot  rain / drought  Red Dot  moving of mountains  Red Dot  healing of towns or communities  Red Dot  feeding thousands with a few morsels  Red Dot  containers of oil that continually replenish
Red Dot  trees being cast into the sea  Red Dot  torrents of running water held back in a riverRed Dot  and things like this.

And they all clearly represent the Effecting of Miracles.  They are signs!  There are others!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gift of Effecting of Miracles:  As children of Elohim, it is imperative for us to acknowledge that He is the same today as He was yesterday.  It is also imperative for us to acknowledge that Elohim seeks to glorify His Son, and the Son seeks to glorify the Father.  Therefore, in the acknowledgement of these things, we must know that He will do the same things today thru us.  IF we will only believe!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gift of Effecting of Miracles:  If we accept that Elohim is The Creator, and that He can effect miracles, but then deny that He will perform miracles today thru us, then aren’t we denying Elohim?
Red Dot  Doesn’t His Word tell us that if something is not of faith – that it is sin?

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Gift of Effecting of Miracles:  Yehoshua said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, those who believe in Me, the works that I do shall they do also; and greater works than these shall they do; because I go to My Father” (John 14:12 ENB).

Red Dot  We either believe what He said, or we do not, and if we do not, then we do not believe Yehoshua is Who He said He is.
Red Dot  We either believe that our works shall be greater than His, because He went to be with the Father, or we call Him a liar.
Red Dot  If we deny Him, He will deny us.
Red Dot  If we confess Him, He will confess us before His Father.
Red Dot  If we deny Him, we should simply pack up our tents and wait for the mountains to crash upon our heads.
Red Dot  But if we believe Him – cast the mountains to the sea if they get in your way from proclaiming Elohim’s Word.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Babylon in Denial:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – Babylon in Denial:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Babylon in Denial:  During the days immediately preceding the return of Yehoshua, in complete ignorance to the warnings of Deuteronomy 13:1-5, the world’s religious institutions that deny the final reformation and revival, will all be deceived, along with the majority of the world’s population.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Babylon in Denial:  The Great Harvest will come in the power and glory of Elohim, and so too will His wrath.  My sincere prayer is that we will clearly hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”, as Elohim rejoices in the faithfulness of His children.
Red Dot  For us to hear this though, we must remember that the law of Power and Proclamation is especially applicable to miracles, because without the full proclamation of the Word of Elohim, the power will be Satanic.
Red Dot  If The Holy Spirit is moving you to proclaim Elohim’s Word – with signs and miracles, do it!
Red Dot  And if He wants to place an exclamation point onto a message, by enabling you (or a brethren laboring with you) to “Effect a Miracle”, “In the name of Yehoshua”, then DO THAT TOO!
Red Dot  Do not doubt for an instant that Elohim is able, and do not doubt for an instant that He is working through His children today.  Doubt only if Yehoshua is not being proclaimed!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - If You Have This Gift:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – If You Have This Gift:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - If You Have This Gift:  My suggestion for any Disciple who believes Elohim has given them this gift, is to take it to the Master in prayer and fasting.  While you are praying and fasting, spend as much time in His Word as possible, and seek His direction.  Talk with your pastor too, if you have a good one.  If you do not, please pray – and then find one!

Ask for wisdom, knowledge, discernment, insight and understanding.  Ask for a confirmation as well.  This is no time to play or be timid.  If, on the other hand, the Master is moving you to do something immediately, Then Do It!  Listen to Him!  You know how to test the spirits; The Holy Spirit will never fail.

Red Dot  May mountains be moved for the whole world to see, that the name of Yehoshua would be glorified and magnified.
Red Dot  May mountains be moved so eyes and hearts will be directed unto Him.

Do not fear, dear friend, there is no fear in love.  Miracles will abound in the latter days, and we, the Ekklesia, abiding in the latter days, must be prepared to do His bidding.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Languages of The Nations (Tongues) and Interpretation of The Languages of The Nations:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – Gifts of Languages of The Nations (Tongues) and Interpretation of The Languages of The Nations:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - "Tongues"  “In the beginning”, if you will, everybody on planet earth spoke the same language.  After the time of Noah and the flood though, when the population of mankind had increased sufficiently once again, Elohim confused the languages, at the building of the tower of Babel, and, “Scattered them abroad from there, over the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:7-8 ENB).

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - "Tongues" After the Ascension of Yehoshua into heaven though, during the Feast of Weeks, when the Jews, “From every nation under heaven” had assembled in Jerusalem, to celebrate on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:5), the promised, “Comforter”, The Holy Spirit, first descended upon the newly formed and forming Ekklesia.
Red Dot  And on that day Elohim partially restored (removed) the confusion of languages!

The initial arrival of The Holy Spirit is recorded thus: “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with The Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as The Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:2-4 ENB).

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - "Tongues"  What Elohim confused at Babel, He untangled for those given this Gift at the coming of The Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
Red Dot  Elohim confused the language(s) at Babel, in order to drive mankind apart, so they would populate the whole earth.
Red Dot  He removed the confusion of the languages on Pentecost though, to allow the Ekklesia to go out into the whole earth and preach the gospel, drawing all of humanity back unto Himself.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - "Tongues"  Because the gift of languages, and the interpretation of languages, have been abused and misused so horribly within Babylon, there is tremendous doubt and confusion within the Ekklesia today about their legitimacy and purpose.

I am not interested in propagating false teachings, however, so I have prayerfully taken extreme caution in the search of Elohim’s Word, while locating the fullness of His truth with regard to these Gifts and their correct use.

I present my findings here for your edification.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Tongues, The Nature of The Problems and Error:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – Tongues, The Nature of The Problems and Error:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Tongues, The Nature of The Problems and Error:  The nature of the error that exists concerning these gifts, prompts me to provide you with a detailed examination of Scripture, so that your evaluation of my statements can be strict and thorough. There are so many deceptions, so many avenues through which Satan will attempt to disrupt our faithful assemblies, and so many areas that can be used to persuade the world that the true Disciples of Yehoshua are barbarians and fools, that we need to be attentive and watchful.

Accordingly, the topical concordance will be extremely important to this matter, and will require labor on your part.  I trust Elohim to guide you as you faithfully search.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Tongues, The Nature of The Problems and Error:  While the Word of Elohim provides an abundant set of passages to peruse in our study of these gifts, there are three primary areas of Scripture that introduce the phenomenon, endow them as gifts, and teach about their proper utilization within the Ekklesia.  Those areas are:
Example  Acts 2,
Example  Romans 8 and
Example  1 Corinthians 12-14.

Although we will concentrate our study in these passages, it will be needful that we investigate all of the data provided by Elohim, so that our comprehension may be complete.  We must always be alert to the Fake use of any Gift, and “Tongues” (as this Gift is so commonly called) is certainly no exception.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Tongues, The Nature of The Problems and Error:  In Romans 8:26-27, Paul tells us how The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, “With groanings which cannot be uttered” (ENB).
Example  This intercessory prayer, performed on our behalf by The Holy Spirit, is correctly classified as a type of  “Prayer Tongue”.
Example  Additionally, within the teachings of many institutions, 1 Corinthians 13:1 is also quoted as justification for another type of “language”, because in that verse, Paul said, “Though I speak with the languages of mankind and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy vessel or a clanging cymbal” (ENB).

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Tongues, The Nature of The Problems and Error:   Prayer Tongues, and the Languages Of Angels, are the least understood, least mentioned and most abused instruments of Satan today, with regard to these two Gifts.
Example  The abuses in this area, therefore, necessitate that we must begin our study here, because it is here, in the false use of these “gifts”, that many people stumble in their attempt to find Yehoshua.
Example  And it is because so many of the religious institutions insist that every “spirit filled believer” must speak in tongues; insist that every professing “christian” must also babble with them, in the abuse of these obscure languages, that many seekers, who are earnestly seeking Elohim in their lives, are turned away from finding and following Yehoshua altogether.

There must be repentance from this sin!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Tongues, The Nature of The Problems and Error:  A repeating thought that plagues my mind, whenever I discuss the abuses of “Tongues” is,
Example  “Where is love (underlined in 1 Corinthian’s 13:1 above) when we place a stumbling block in front of any seeker or believer, by causing them to doubt their search for Truth or their faith experience?

Example  When we insist that every “spirit filled believer” must speak in tongues (with no regard for interpretations, I might add), and when we also ignore the fact that “No Two Are Gifted Alike”, haven’t we placed a cloud of doubt in the heart and mind of that believer?

Example  If we are not edifying and glorifying Elohim in the hearts and minds of every seeker and disciple, then we are distracting, distorting, diluting and placing a cloud around Elohim, obscuring Him in the eyes of the beloved.

Example  AND,  love is nowhere to be found.  And lest we repeat this too often, “Anything not of love is sin!”

The Holy Spirit repeatedly rebukes the notion that all must speak in tongues, and this fact will become abundantly clear as this study progresses.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Tongues, The Nature of The Problems and Error:  In 1 Corinthians 14:14, with regard to speaking in unknown languages within the assembly, Paul said,
“What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with understanding also; I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with understanding also.  Otherwise when you bless with the spirit, how will the one who fills up the room of the unlearned say, ‘Amen’ at your giving of thanks, seeing that they do not understand what you are saying? For you are truly giving thanks, but the others are not edified.  I thank my Elohim, I speak in the languages of nations more than you all, yet in the church I would rather speak five words with understanding, so that I might teach others, than ten thousand words in an unknown language” (1 Corinthians 14:15-19 ENB).

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Tongues, The Nature of The Problems and Error:  Sadly, within the gatherings of many institutions, a great many (if not all) within the assembly babble incoherently – all at the same time – in their “prayer tongue”.

Example  This incoherent babbling, however, defies the instructions given to the Ekklesia in the Word of Elohim, regarding the Gift of Languages (1 Corinthians 14).
Example  Praying in a strange language, as well as the true Gift of Languages and the Interpretation of Languages are Scriptural.  That same Scripture, however, tells us that the prayer language is personal, and is not meant to be shared.
Example  The prayer language was never intended for the assembly – and it never will be!

The cacophony that emanates from the babble of people gathered for the sole purpose of “praying in tongues” is in direct violation of the use of His gift (1 Corinthians 14:23).

The Gift of Languages of the nations as a sign, yes; “tongues for prayer”, during assembly, Never!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Tongues, The Nature of The Problems and Error:  Additionally, the “language of angels” is not meant to be an open door to an unruly assembly either.
Example  At the very most, allowance is made for a few individuals to speak in languages during a gathering, and even then Only if an interpreter is present (1 Corinthians 14:27).

Be extremely cautious of any individual who constantly has an “angelic message”, week after week, and be doubly cautious if their interpreter is always the same person.

Obvious abuses are frequent  in this area, beloved, but the institutions of Babylon do not have the courage to silence the abusers.

Anointed elders must insure that different members of the assembly are permitted to speak, and if those who always want to talk, or always have a message, cannot acknowledge this leading of The Holy Spirit, they must be silenced.

Another Form of Abuse:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Tongues, The Nature of The Problems and Error:  Furthermore, I have often heard people “praying in tongues”, and it amazes me how the same people always repeat the same phrase or phrases, like a chant – every time they pray.
Example  Every week; every month; every year; the prayer never changes.  Why doesn’t the prayer change?
Example  Unless the utterance is one of praise and worship, and their interpretations dictate they are not, then these cannot be authentic prayers.  Our lives and circumstances change, as do our needs, and as do the needs of the people we know and love.
Example  Scripture says that The Holy Spirit intercedes according to the need.  So, with a much greater vocabulary than ours, and with so many different needs in our lives, unless we are dead, shouldn’t His interceding prayer on our behalf, change?

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Tongues, The Nature of The Problems and Error:  What these individuals are doing, by repeating the same phrase or phrases is chanting, and maybe even channeling.  The anointed pastors, elders, prophets and teachers must rebuke this type of activity, because a Disciple is never supposed to repeat a word or phrase that they do not understand (Matthew 6:7); Disciples Never Chant or Channel!

Prayer demands caution, alertness and awareness:

We must approach the throne of Elohim carefully in prayer; carefully, but with boldness as well. And we must be watchful as we approach His throne, so that Satan cannot use our words against us.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Tongues, The Nature of The Problems and Error:  The Romans 8:26-27 passage tells us that The Holy Spirit intercedes for us (individually), “with groanings which cannot be uttered” (ENB).
Example  If the groanings cannot be uttered, why do the false teachers think an interpreter will be able to put that prayer into words?
Example  If the person praying cannot comprehend what The Spirit is saying, because the groanings are beyond comprehension; beyond utterance, what makes the false practitioners think some other person can comprehend those same words?

This particular type of prayer, if authentic, may be intercessory for the specific individual, and not meant for the entire congregation; it is not meant to be interpreted by mankind and shared.  PERIOD!!!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Intentional Manipulations of Tongues:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – Intentional Manipulations & False Teachings on Tongues:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Intentional Manipulations & False Teachings on Tongues:  Furthermore, those false practitioners who want you to believe that every child of Elohim must speak in languages, whether human or angelic, will always use certain passages to reinforce their viewpoint.  I will expose some of those verses with you now, and show you how they are misunderstood, manipulated and incorrectly taught:

Example  Acts 2: Because every disciple present at the initial anointing of The Holy Spirit spoke in a discernible language, the false teachers dictate that every disciple must speak in a different language today.

If you analyze the purpose for “Tongues” at Pentecost though, you will see the fulfillment of the law of Power and Proclamation, and readily recognize that this law is not being upheld in the closed-door assemblies of many congregations today.

Thousands of souls were won for Yehoshua on Pentecost, because of the power of Elohim displayed in Jerusalem on that day. Today, however, people are being chased away from our Messiah by the abuses of unruly, unfaithful and manipulating deceivers.  Pentecost was unusual. Pentecost was special, and so was the anointing.

Example  Acts 10: Because the Gentiles, to whom Peter witnessed, received The Holy Spirit and spoke in unknown languages, the false teachers dictate that all who receive The Holy Spirit should speak in tongues.

In falsely teaching this passage, however, they totally neglect the truth revealed in Acts 11, which clearly tells us why these Gentiles spoke in tongues.

They spoke in languages as confirmation to the Jewish Disciples, that the Gentiles also were to be included in the plan of salvation provided by Yehoshua.  Otherwise, The Holy Spirit would have had to intervene in some other way to convince the Jews that Elohim approved teaching the Gospel to the “heathen” nations.  Power and Proclamation are evidenced in Acts 10 as well, and the edification given to the Ekklesia through this outpouring was huge!

Example  Acts 19:2: Because the believers at Corinth spoke in languages, when they learned of The Holy Spirit, this passage is frequently used to support an “all must speak in languages” mentality.

The fullness and reality of this display, however, is in the wording itself, because they did not know, “Whether there is a / The Holy Spirit”.  Once again though, for their edification, as well as for verification of the Gospel being taught, an outpouring of languages was given.

Example  Mark 16:17: Yehoshua said that certain signs would accompany those who believed, and among those signs we are told that, “They shall speak in new languages” (ENB).

This is only a portion of an interesting passage, my friend, but the entire passage must be used to insure its proper context.  In its entirety, Yehoshua said, “Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to all the creation.  They that believe and are baptized shall be saved; but they that believe not shall be condemned.  And these signs shall follow those who believe: In My name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak in new languages; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:15-18 ENB).

Example  The command to go out to the entire world and proclaim the Gospel is vital to the passage, and it is vital to understanding the gifts as well.  Power and Proclamation is an imperative when comprehending and contemplating this anointing of The Holy Spirit. And this is especially so when the Sign Gifts are present.

The false teachers of this age want you to believe that to a certain degree, Yehoshua was speaking prophetically in this verse, and that His prophecy was partially fulfilled by Paul following his shipwreck on Malta (Acts 28).  The rest of the verse, they say, is still viable today.

While they want to claim this passage as their authorization to teach an ‘all must speak in “tongues”” theology, they refuse to pick up serpents or drink poison.

Never allow anybody to dissect a passage that way.  The proclamation made by Yehoshua is either wholly prophetic, having been fulfilled entirely by Paul, or every aspect of the passage is applicable to every believer today.

Although I have not picked up any serpents lately, nor consumed any poison to date, that I know about, I know that if my life purpose is incomplete, and if my time to return home has not yet arrived, my Elohim will shelter me from whatever may befall me.

But, I will not put Elohim to the test by picking up vipers or by drinking poison, just to prove this passage.  In effect though, by dictating what The Holy Spirit either should or should not do, with regard to the speaking in languages portion of this verse, that is exactly what the false messengers are doing!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Intentional Manipulations & False Teachings on Tongues:  Additionally, I would be remiss in not directing you to Acts 4:31, where the new believers were filled with The Holy Spirit and began to speak “The Word of Elohim with boldness”.  Or how about Acts 8:17, where once again no languages were evidenced?

If you know of any who have been deceived with regard to this or any other gift, please approach them in love and compassion.  We are not to judge, but to enlighten.  Pride is perhaps the greatest single stumbling block that The Spirit confronts, so you must appeal to the brethren who have been deceived, in the proper light, in order to put their pride at the cross of Yehoshua.  Then, prayerfully point out these passages to them, and make an enlightened appeal in the name of Yehoshua.

Those who have ears will hear!  Our responsibility, beloved, is to speak forth the truth…  The Spirit of Elohim will enlighten…

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Moving Onward With Understanding:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – Moving Onward With Understanding:

So, now that the babble of misuse is gone from the assembly, and now that the “tongue of angels” is severely restricted and monitored within the assembly, what about the Gifts of Languages and Interpretations of Languages? How are they to be used within the Ekklesia today?

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Intentional Manipulations & False Teachings on Tongues: Acts 2 is an important chapter in our understanding of these Gifts, because the languages spoken by the apostles were the languages that the assembled people (In Jerusalem on that day) from around the world spoke.

Example  The apostles did not babble; the languages they spoke were recognizable, and 1 Corinthians 12-14 is also fundamental to this understanding.

While I believe it is possible for every child of Elohim to pray in languages (please note that I said possible, not mandatory, or expected, or even probable) I do not believe it is necessary for every child of Elohim to have either of these gifts.

Example  The Holy Spirit gives as He wills, and He gives as He deems necessary.  When the apostles all spoke in languages on the day of Pentecost, their number was relatively small, and the world was vast.  In this day and age, our numbers will be vast, while the world has grown relatively small.  It is not necessary for all to speak in languages.

Example  In 1 Corinthians 12-14 we learn where the gifts are given (12:10), to whom they may be given (12:28-31), and how to properly use them (14 all).
Example  Therein we also see that languages are a matter between each Disciple and Elohim (14:2-4), indicating that not all have these gifts (14:5) and that the gifts are distinct and profitable only when used appropriately (14:6-9).

These chapters in 1 Corinthians also confirm the truth found in Acts 2, that tongues (GLOSSA), and languages (DIALEKTOS), are intricately knotted together, and 1 Corinthians 14:20-40, clearly teaches that our assemblies are not to be a breeding ground for their misuse!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Purpose For Tongues:  The very purpose for The Gifts of Languages and Interpretations is given to us in 1 Corinthians 14:22, where Elohim says,
Example  “Therefore languages of nations are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to those who do not believe; but prophecy is not for those who do not believe, but for those who believe” (ENB).

Example  If speaking in languages is meant to be a sign to unbelievers, why do the false teachers permit abusive and excessive phony displays of “tongues” within the assembly of the (supposed) faithful believers?

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Purpose For Tongues:  It is the truth of this passage that upset me so much in that Pentecostal meeting, where the gentleman speaking in Latin was escorted out of the room.  If anybody within that gathering had the authentic gift of interpretations, and if that gathering was truly proclaiming the Gospel, instead of being an income producing side-show, that man would have heard the words he desired to hear, and he possibly would have been saved that day.

Think about that for a moment, beloved…

What that man received that day, instead of a Blessing from The Holy Spirit, was a satanic escort out the door.  And his blood is on the hands of those false teachers, false prophets and false preachers who discarded him in their deceit!

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Purpose For Tongues:  Languages and the Interpretation of those languages are gifts that untangle the confusion of Babel, in the presentation of the Gospel of Yehoshua ha Mashiach.

Example  These Gifts allow the children of Elohim to be heard in the Proclamation of His Word, and to hear what is being said to them by those who speak foreign languages.
Example  The Gifts of Languages and their Interpretations, will be present in an assembly of the Ekklesia when foreign speaking individuals are present within an assembly of the Ekklesia – Whom The Holy Spirit Wants To Touch – otherwise they are unnecessary.

While it is possible for one of the brethren to be given a prophetic utterance in languages, unless an interpreter is available, that person must remain silent (1 Corinthians 15:28).  That is what the Word of Elohim says!

Example  These gifts are meant to win souls for Yehoshua, not scare people away from the One who loves them and died for them.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Purpose For Tongues:  These gifts will also be seen in power and glory when brethren are set apart and sent out.
Example  Apostles, prophets, evangelists and teachers will be empowered with these gifts, when they travel to foreign lands to proclaim Elohim’s Word, or when foreign speaking individuals are drawn to them – in order to hear the Word of Elohim.

We, as the Ekklesia, have a responsibility to those among us who are moved by The Holy Spirit, to go forth Proclaiming the Word of Elohim.  In prayer and fasting we must anoint these brethren in The Spirit, and insure that they are able to succeed, both spiritually as well as materially.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - "Come Out Of Her, My Children!"

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – “Come Out Of Her, My Children!”

"Come Out Of Her, My Children!"  In our discussion on the assembly of the Ekklesia, we spoke of Elohim’s Word to His people, that they should come out of the false institutions of Babylon.

Example  The fullness of the teaching on this issue of tongues, and about the misuse of “prayer tongues” and “tongues of angels”, lies in the correlation between the confusion of languages at Babel, and our relationship to the Babylonian church.

Example  As long as the Ekklesia (the True Children of Elohim) is ensnared in the trappings of the false church, the gifts will be abused, misused or totally ignored.  Only in our repentance, however, will a full outpouring of The Holy Spirit be made available to us.

Example  The gifts of GENOS DIALEKTOS (Kinds of Languages), and HERMENEIA DIALEKTOS (Interpretation of Languages) are not lost to the faithful in Yehoshua.  Simply stated, Those with little understanding, and those with malice and hatred in their hearts, have diluted them – right before our eyes.

And, the call from Elohim to, “Come out of her, My people” continues to echo forth.

"Come Out Of Her, My Children!"  Speaking in the Languages of the nations, and having the capacity to Interpret those Languages are powerful gifts to be used in proclaiming the gospel of Yehoshua  ha Mashiach.

Example  These are not feeble babblings that diminish Elohim’s power before a doubting world.

Abuse and misuse are tactics of the deceiver, but the Body of Yehoshua has the power and authority to rise Above the deceiver.

We know we are to proclaim the Gospel of Yehoshua in power, and we also know Satan desires to diffuse that power.  We must remain faithful and obedient to the moving of The Holy Spirit though, because as long as we remain faithfully entrenched, we will not be deceived.

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Closing Thoughts:

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts – Closing Thoughts:

We must permit the fullness of the Sign Gifts to permeate our heart, and we must permit the proper use of these gifts to register soundly within our hearts, minds and souls.

The Ekklesia must be extremely cautious of displays of power that do not accompany the full proclamation of Elohim’s Word, or do not offer prophecy of His Word.  But we must also uphold those who faithfully exercise their gifts.

And when we do those things, the full glory of Elohim will be dispensed throughout the world.

Encourage your newly forming discipleship group to discover their gifts, beloved, and then reassure them as they learn the proper use of those gifts.  And be encouraged yourself, my friend, because your progress is exciting, and the faithful application of the wisdom (and gifting) you have gained will truly glorify Elohim.

I remain faithfully and humbly your brother in Yehoshua our Messiah,

larryv

Letter 16: The Sign Gifts - Topical Concordance:

Letter 16 Topical concordance:

Gifts of Healings and Effecting of Miracles:
Old Covenant: Exodus 4:11; Numbers 12:13-14; Deuteronomy 13:1-5; 2 Chronicles 16:12; Psalms 103:1-5, 147:3.

New Covenant: Matthew 8:1-13, 14:13-21, 14:22-33, 15:29-31, 15:32-39, 17:14-21; Mark 1:25-26,32-34, 5:6-13,25-34, 6:5-6,13, 8:22-26, 9:14-29; Luke 4:23-27, 17:11-19; John 5:14, 9:1-5, 14:12; Acts 3:1-6,16, 13:9-12, 14:9-19, 19:11-17, 28:8-9; 1 Corinthians 12 (all); 2 Corinthians 12:7-9; 1 Timothy 5:22-23; James 5:13-16; Revelation 7 (all), 11 (all), 13 (all).

Prophecy:
Old Covenant: Deuteronomy 13:1-5, 18:20-22; 1 Kings 17:21, 18:36-38; 2 Kings 1:9-12, 4(all); 1 Chronicles 25:1; Psalms 39, 101, 119; Ecclesiastes 5:6, 10:4; Isaiyeh 44:6-8, 24-25, 46:8-10; Yeremiyeh (all speaks against false prophets) 1:6-10, 15:19, 23:28, 33-40; Ezekiel 2:1-7, 3:17-21, 13(all), 14:9-10; Lamentations 3:38; Amos 3:7.

New Covenant: Matthew 10:26-27,40-42, 23:34, 24:45-51; Mark 6:4, 13:23; Luke 4:24; John 4:44, 16:13-15; Acts 4:31, 11:27, 13:9-11, 21:9-11, 24:12; Romans 12(all); 1 Corinthians 11:5, 12(all), 13:(all), 14:(all); 2 Corinthians 7:8-11; Ephesians 4(all); Colossians 4:5-6;
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22; Revelation 11:1-11, 13:11-13, 19:10.

Tongues and Interpretation of tongues:
Old Covenant: Genesis 11:7-8.

New Covenant: Mark 16:15-18; Acts 2:3-11, 2:37-42 (no tongues present), 4:31, 8:17,10 (all), 11 (all), 15:1-35, 19:1-7; Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 12 (all), 13 (all), 14 (all); Hebrews 12:7-11.

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