The Greek Mind

Its Greek To Us......

THE GREEK BRAIN

You see Brothers and Sisters—the mighty Greek Hellenized Empire—on the back of Alexander the Great, swept across the known world at the time gobbling up whatever stood in its way. Alexander the Great really thought himself to be a god; and his plan was to impose the culture of the Greeks on every society that they came upon. They even did this in Israel. They came in and took over and instead of allowing the silent holocaust of cultural assimilation to run its course—the Greek Antiocus Epiphineas began an all out mass conversion of the Jewish people who lived during this time. That was a few hundred years before the New Testament period—and you can read all about it in the Book of the Maccabbee’s. The short version goes something like this, you see this brother named Judah and his brothers were greived at the cultural assimilation that was occurring in Israel with the Hellenized Greeks. It is because the marriage of these two lifestyles is like mixing oil and water—the two do not mix. The Greeks gave many things to the world we live in today, story telling, literature, tragedy and comedy, and many other things that went along with it like orgies, baby sacrifice, pork as “the other white meat,” and many things that grived the heart of God—not the least of which was the introduction of the concept of a “pantheon” of gods. The Greeks had more gods than you could count even on the best of days! This was in direct violation to the over riding law of Judaism and its sect called "Christianity," which is known as “monotheistic;” which is a fancy way of telling people that you believe that there is One God and One G-d alone. He is One and His name is One and His people are One—in reflection of Him.

The Greeks were a feirce bunch and they imposed their common language upon all peoples. They even took the Holy Torah, written in the very tongue of YHVH himself—which is Hebrew, and rewrote the whole thing in Greek which we call the Septuagent today; and every Bible you ever read was based on the that foundation.

Well, Judah Maccabbee and his brothers were sick of what was happening—and they decided that it was not going to happen anymore while they were alive. You see Antiochus was such a charmer, that He would give you an opportunity to deny the God of Abraham, and if you didn’t, the Greeks would kill you and Antiochus forbid that your body could even be buried—so he left you to rott in the noonday sun. So Judah and His brothern rose up in great revolt against this evil that had taken over their land, and they became known as the “Maccabbee’s” which loosely translated means “the Hammer;” and Hammer away they did. Judah and His brothers saved the people of Israel through the power of YHVH, and they rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem. This is celebrated each year by Jews and Christians all over the world and it is called “Chanukah” or in the bible it is called “the Feast of Dedication.”

The ramifications of the Greek invasion is still with us today. Part of the reason that we have been so fooled is that you are reading a book written to your Hebrew relatives—by your Hebrew relatives--which is translated from a tongue that linquistically does not match up well with Hebrew. For instance, one of the most important words in the Bible is the word “LAW.” In Greek, this is the word “NOMOS” or a variant of it called “ANOMOS.” So every time you see “law” written in your Bible they translated it from the Greek word “nomos.” Now that seems harmless enough; however, if you realize that Hebrew has 14-to 16 differing words for “Law” you can see how this is so problematic. In Hebrew it can mean “teaching” or “instruction” or “truth” or any number of various things based on the linguistic rules and context of the passage. The result of this is that many have never read through the first part of their bible—but focussed on the story about Jesus. Okay lets use Him as an example.

Jesus—though that is not His real name—was a Rabbi from Beit Lechem in Southern Judea. He was trained in the School of Hillel the great and was as the Roman Historian Josephus Flavious has written of Him when He said “Jesus of Nazereth was a Pharisee’s Pharisee.” Jesus—the Jewish Rabbi, was teaching in Israel and said “I have not come to do away with the NOMOS and the Prophets, but to make them full. (Which by the way means “I came to do it right,: using the common vernacular of the day.) SOOOO which Law was He referring to?? Or was He referring to “law” at all?? Now here I go again with one of my million dollars challenges—I challenge any Scholar of the Greek New Testament—to a public debate to last one hour—which you will try to convince the judges and the audience that the Law—NOMOS—Jesus is talking about is the law of Moses that is somehow done away with. I will prove to you beyond a shadow of a doubt—only using the Bible to define the Bible that it is not and cannot mean that. The winner—receives a cool million dollars; high stakes—so bring your “A-game.” Not really, but wouldn't that be fun?? Anyway, did he mean “Torah” or “instruction” or “teaching” or “the levitical system of atonement and ritual purity?” Betcha don’t really know do you? Don’t feel bad—because without knowing the way a Jewish Rabbi thinks—then you couldn’t begin to know what He meant; and besides, it is very hard when you do not really read the first testament for you to understand what Jesus meant. This is the problem of the Greek Mind that is so prevelant today.

The Greeks had a love hate relationship with their gods; if they did what they wanted then all was cool, but if they didn’t they may come and take their wives away and rape them and produce some “son of god” that would terrorize the greek countryside. This “fear factor” as I like to call it, results in a warped vision of the God of Abraham. It also makes for a hard time understanding anything about the Biblical poetry that refers the the “last days.” The last days of what?? The last days of THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is what people think; but let me assure you that it is not what is meant by this phrase. You see in english we have a technique of speech called an “Idiom.” Idioms are things that are used to paint word pictures for you that help to tell a story. For instance Rabbi’s worldwide used the phrase “the Blind” to reference people who are outside of the Torah and its teachings. The phrase “last days” is an idiomatic expression referring to the last days of the DISPERSION OF EPHRAIM—The Biblical House of Israel --meaning the punishment period of at least 2700 years which the 10 Northern tribes have been scattered into every nation and tongue under the stars. It most definitely does not mean the cataclysmic end of the world in a fireball!! This is right out of Greek literature—and not in the slightest way referring to the Hebrew thought of “Tikkun L’Olam: the restoration of all things.” You see the Jews believe that we will all be restored by King Messiah back to a state of Gan Edan—the way Adam and Eve were before blowing it in the Holy Garden. In fact it is written “that the righteous will inherit the earth.” So where do you think this idea of the great cloud ride in the sky came from?? Yep, you guys are so good—from the Greeks that’s where. Heaven in the Sky—Sulpher Burning Hell-- all of that is a production of the Greek mind; and it is all fear based.

Now if you are like me then you were taught that if you ran down to the altar and “gave your life to Jesus” that you would be saved. Yet the young prophet of Nazareth Himself said “as it was in the days of Noah—so shall it be at the return of the son of man.” Now, as a Messianic Rabbi—I have to ask you a question—as this is what the best Rabbi’s do—they ask great questions instead of giving answers!! Okay, if you were to ask Jesus to save you out of the earth in the rapture to a far away place—how do that jive with the story of Noah? Noah in that story is like G-d and the beasts—that is us Biblical Ephraim—Born Again Evangelical believers--we come into the ARC—the place of safety from judgement. The arc is covered in “pitch” which is the Hebrew word “kapparah” meaning “atonement. Now my question is—was it at Noah’s request or did the animals all run up to Noah and say—Hey dude—let us in that cool Desert boat of yours!!” The answer should tell you that this does not jive with Scripture. The Scripture says that YHVH chose US—not US choosing Him. And here is another newsflash—if YHVH chose you—then YOU ARE HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE; and who are His Chosen people according to the Scriptures? Yes—you’ve got it—it is the Jews. So how did you become a Christian? Shouldn’t you be a Jew who follows the teachings of the Christ? Here is just one more quick Rabbinical question for you to think about: if Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi—and you are His follower—then why aren’t you Jewish? He was? You see why Jewish people have such a hard time with the Greek character of Jesus?

I am playful in my attempts to get you to see the truth. Judaism is the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ; and so too is Evangelical Christianity--so how are the two separated? The Greek Mind is what separates us from the Commonwealth of Israel. If we see Jesus as a tall skinny white guy with a British accent--then we are thinking with the Greek Mind. If we see the Torah of Moses as LAW--then we are thinking with the Greek Mind. If we think that Judaism is Jesus religion and Christianity is a natural sect within the larger body of Israel--then you are thinking with a Hebrew Mind. If you realize that the Levitical Sacrifices mentioned in Leviticus 1-5 have been replaced by a better Priesthood with Yahushua Ben David as the Kohen Gadol--or High Priest and that by accepting His sacrifice for your sins you have become a member of the Biblical House if Israel and of the Priesthood of Malki-Tzaddik--then you are thinking with the Hebrew Mind. This is what the Apostle Paul meant when He said "Renew you mind--by the washing of the water of the Torah (the Word)." Exchange the Greek Helmet of Antiochus Epiphanies and the Roman Helmet of Constantine and accept the mindset of Israel--the Hebrew mind of your Savior and the Apostles--for only in changing this mindset can you truly experience freedom.

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“Torah”; “Hebrew Roots”, “Hebrew”, “Hebraic”, “Teaching”, “Instruction”, “Law”, “Talmud”, “Jewish,” “Messianic,” “Messianic Jews,” “Jews for Jesus,” “Jesus,” “Yeshua,” “Messiah,” “Christ,” “Anointed One,” “Jewish Haydid,” “Rabbi,” “Teacher,” “Pastor,” “Apostle,” “Prophet,” “Ministry,” “outreach,” “poor,” “widow,” “orphan,” “Deeds,” “Prophecy,” “End Times,” “Last Days,” “Rapture,” “Mystery,” “Jewish Resources,” “Ephraim,” “Judah,” “Ephraim and Judah,” “Judah,” “Israel”, “Israelite,” “not British Israelism,” “not replacement theology,” “Torah Fulfilled,” “Law Fulfilled,” “Scripture,” “Church,” “Churches of God,” “Churches of God General Conference,” “Lion of Judah,” “Jerusalem,” “Jerusalem Post”, “tribes,” “twelve tribes,” “lost tribes,” “Tanak,” “Tenach,” “Tanach,” “Tanakh,” “Bible,” “Word,” “Word of God,” “Apostles,” “Church Planting,” “Discipleship,” “Festivals,” “Feasts of the Lord,” “Feasts,” “Moedim”, “Mo’Edim,” “Passover,” “Pesach,” “Hanukah,” “Chanukah,” “Unleavened Bread,” “First fruits,” “Pentecost,” “Sabbath,” “Shabbat,” “Shalom,” “Peace,” “Rosh Hashanah,” “Purim,” “Yom Kippur,” “Day of Atonement,” “Tabernacle,” “Tabernacle of David,” “Moses,” “Moshe”, “Jacob,” “House,” “2 house,” “Messianic Israel,” “Rosh Chodesh,” “New Moon,” “Biblical Worship”, “Patterns of Biblical Worship,” “Jewish Feasts,” “Jewish Festival,” “Jewish “New Year,” “Jewish Customs,” “Jewish People,” “Television,” “television syndication,” “radio syndication,” “Podcast,” “Podcasting,” “multimedia ministry,” “conference” “speakers,” “dance,” “Hebraic Dance,” “Davidic Dance,” “Jewish Dance,” “Jewish folk dancing,” “Genesis,” “Exodus,” “Leviticus,” “Numbers,” “Deuteronomy,” “New Testament,” “Brit Hadasha,” “Jewish New Testament,” “synagogue,” “Shul,” “Kehilat,” “Kehilah,” “Chaverim,” “ritual”, “application,” “ritual application of the law,” “Chumash, “on-line video,” “live video,” “Elijah’s Fire,” “Shepherds Series,” “CGGC,” “travel to Israel”, “God,” “YHVH,” “Yahwey,” “G-d,” “praise,” “worship,” “praise and worship,” “free,” “torah study,” “bibles,” “bible study,” “Africa,” “African wells,” “reunification,” “restoration,” “grace,” “love,” “love and grace,” “forgiveness,” “healing,” “health,” “healing and health,” “charismatic,” “tongues,” “fire,” “tribulation,” “last days,” “tikkun,” “money,” “finances,” “success,” “wealth,” “power,” “bible” “believing,” “born again,” “spirit filled,” “Rabbi Ralph,” “Ralph Messer,” “Rabbi Ralph Messer”, “Simchat Torah”, “Simchat Torah Beit Midrash,” “Hebrew Heritage International,” “Beit Tehila,” “arc of the covenant,” “third temple,” “Beit Hamikdash,” “Herod’s Temple,” “Essenes,” “Dead Sea Scrolls,” “Jeshua,” “roots of Christianity,” “shadows,” “types,” “types and shadows,” “ancient,” “ancient customs,” “haftorah,” “circumcision,” “free from the law,” “under the law,” “remnant,” “creation,” “kingdom,” “seed,” “scriptures,” “Paul,” “Paul the Apostle,” “Sha’ul,” “Romans 11,” “Galatians,” “etymology,” “Yahshua,” “Yahoshua,” “Lord,” “Greek,” “greek thinking,” “hebrew thinking,” “Hellenism,” “idiom,” “language,” “kosher,” “sukkot,” “Feast of Tabernacles,” “Gospel,” “repent,” “nazarene,” “B'reshiyt,” “Elohiym,” “Elohhim,” “Brit Chadashah,” “rabbinic,” “holy,” “obedience,” “Gentile,” “Missionary,” “God’s appointed times,” “Abraham,” “Isaac,” “Father Abraham”, “Zephaniah,” “Torah Observant,” “Torah to the Nations,” “Nations for Torah,” “ten commandments,” “ten devarim,” “Mount Sinai,” “Crucification,” “Crucified,” “blood,” “clean,” “unclean,” “clean and unclean,” “holy,” “unholy,” “holy and unholy,” “truth,” “abolish,” “fulfilled,” “two sticks,” “ezekiel 37”, “dry bones,” “millenial kindgom,” “Etz Hayim,” “Tree,” “Tree of Life,” “Testimony,” “Revelation,” “parsha,” “parshiot,” “drash,” “pshat,” “hashem,” “moed,” “Prayer, “Early Church History,” “Church History,” “The History of the Christian Church,” “first century Christianity,” “authentic,” “family,” “tradition,” “Bride,” “Bride of Christ,” “Chosen,” “Royal Priesthood,” “holy nation,” “nation,” “priest,” “priests,” “priesthood,” “MJAA,” “UMJC,” “IAMCS,” “Messianic Jewish Alliance of America,” “Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations,” “International Association of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues”, “TD Jakes,” “Bishop Jakes,” “Eddie L. Long,” “Bishop Long,” “Bishop Keith Butler,” “Bishop Butler,” “Mrs. Messer,” “Kol-Bo,” “Holy Land,” “Holy Land Studies,” “Christmas,” “Easter,” “Pagan,” “conversion,” “convert,” “child,” “potter’s house,” “potter,” “Kenneth Copeland,” “Gloria Copeland,” “Believers Voice of Victory,” “Trinity Broadcast Network,” “TBN,” “Paul Crouch,” “Jan Crouch,” “Messianic Times,” “the Messianic Times,” “Messianic Life,” “Messianic Marriage,” “Bris,” “Brit Milah,” “firsborn,” “firstborn redemption,” “Messianic Dance,” “War Dance,” “Menorah,” “Mishkhan,” “Mishcon,” “Zola Levitt,” “temple institute,” “Sanhedrin,” “Temple Mount,” “wisdom,” “understanding,” “knowledge,” “books,” “DVD’s,” “CD’s,” “DVD,” “CD,” “CD Rom,” “heritage”