Leigh Anne Caruthers Spirit of sleep and the image of death: The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs: The Testament of Re'uven

Photo by Leigh

Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs: Spirit of sleep and the image of death

Leigh Anne Caruthers

Spirit of sleep

Throughout my life, starting as a small child, I have always had vivid dreams. At times, they were more like night terrors. I have experienced several serious traumas that brought me to the edge of death. At age 5, I was brutally mauled by a German Shepherd. (I must add that this poor animal had been abused and was being starved by the owner to make him more aggressive.) Looking back on these events, I firmly believe they were spiritual attacks against the work Yahuah had for me at such a time as this—a failed attempt to silence me. Both the dog attack and, later, being hit by a car while on a motor scooter caused significant damage to my mouth and jaws. My mouth was actually sewn partially shut after the dog attack to heal the large injury to my face.

I believe that serious traumas in our lives change something within us that can bring about the ability to have vivid dreams and even visions. However, I do not think this is the only way and believe any person can have these types of dreams. It is often through our dreams that Yahuah speaks to us and warns us. Unfortunately, sleep is also a prime time for the enemy to reach us as well.

In the previous Blog, Sickness of Sin Re'uven warned us about the 7 ruachoth appointed against man and seven other ruachoth given to him at his creation. 

Photo by Leigh

Image of death

Now we continue in the Testament of Re'uven Chapters 3:1-3 (page 250 in Cepher Bere'shiyth) : 

    

Besides all these there is an eighth ruach of sleep, with which is brought about the trance of nature and the image of death. With these ruachoth are mingled the ruachoth of error. 

Sleep has long been considered a mysterious and powerful state, one that not only restores our bodies but also mirrors deeper, spiritual truths. One of the most profound reflections seen in sleep is its connection to death. When we sleep, our bodies enter a state of stillness (trance like nature) and inactivity, similar to the lifelessness of death. Just as the body lies motionless in sleep, so too does it rest in death. When we sleep, our defenses are naturally lowered. Our conscious mind, which acts as a gatekeeper to our thoughts and beliefs, steps aside, allowing our subconscious to take the lead. This state of vulnerability can make us more susceptible to spiritual influences, both good and bad. While sleep is a time for rest and renewal, it is also a time when the spirit of error can attempt to infiltrate our thoughts through dreams. 

Who is the spirit of error? 

1 John 4:1-6  BELOVED, believe not every ruach, 

but try the ruachoth whether they are of Elohiym: 

because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

  Hereby know ye the Ruach Elohiym: 

Every ruach that confesses that 

Yahusha Ha’Mashiach is come in the flesh is of Elohiym:

And every ruach that confesses not 

that Yahusha Ha’Mashiach

 is come in the flesh is not of Elohiym: 

and this is that ruach of antimashiach, 

whereof ye have heard that it should come; 

and even now already is it in the world.  

Ye are of Elohiym, little children, 

and have overcome them: 

because greater is he that is in you, 

than he that is in the world. 

They are of the world:therefore speak they of the world, 

and the world hears them. We are of Elohiym: 

he that knows Elohiym hears us; 

he that is not of Elohiym hears not us. Hereby know we the 

Ruach Emeth (truth), and the ruach of error.

Photo by Leigh

Ruach that is seated in the nature and senses

Testament of Re'uven Chapters 3:3-4: 

3) First, the ruach of fornication is seated in the nature and in the senses; the second, the ruach of insatiableness, in the belly; 4) the third, the ruach of fighting, in the liver and the gall. The fourth is the ruach of obsequiousness and chicanery, that through officious attention one may be fair in seeming. 

Re'vuen is warning us here. Everything we consume through our eyes and ears is fair game for the adversary to use against us. The ruach of error cannot physically cause us to sin. But he can influence us through our thoughts and yes through our dreams. Dreams are often a download and resorting of images, words, and thoughts from our day or our past. Pornography is a huge tool of the evil one. He hooks children and adults alike through the imagery that is obtainable again right at our fingertips. There is all manner of perversion free and for the taking. Maybe it starts as curiosity to look but before long the hooks are in the flesh and chains fashioned around souls. And as I see it there is pornography for the sensual fleshly desire and then there is food pornography for the insatiableness in the belly. Gluttony. Oh, how history repeats itself. You can read about ancient roman times and find such similarities to our current world. Sure they didn't have TV or internet but they lived grouped together in such a way that a short walk would bring you to either a brothel or a lavish meal where they gorged and purged themselves so they could gorge again. There was a high status attached to being about to afford such meals. I find them disgusting. Often I think about what Yahusha and the Talmidiym ate as they walked to the next place to spread the good news. A hand full of wheat, a drink of water from a well, or fish and bread brought by a child. 

1 Peter 5:6-9  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of Elohiym, 

that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; 

for he cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; 

because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, 

walks about, seeking את whom he may devour:

 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions 

are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

"The ruach of fighting, in the liver and the gall" marches across this world like a brush fire in the dry season. We are told in Ephesians : 

Ephesians 4:26-27  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun 

go down upon your wrath:

  Neither give place to the devil.

Holding onto anger can create a barrier between us and Yahuah. In Scripture, we are called to forgive others as Yahuah has forgiven us. When we refuse to let go of anger, we resist Yahuah's command to forgive, which can distance us from His presence and guidance and by doing so gives the enemy a way in. Holding onto anger can block the flow of forgiveness, both in giving and receiving it. Yahuah's forgiveness is conditional upon our willingness to forgive others, and harboring anger can prevent us from fully experiencing His grace.

Matthew 6:14-15  For if ye forgive men their transgressions, 

your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not 

men their transgressions, neither will your Father 

forgive your transgressions.

Anger can be used by the enemy as a tool to ensnare us in spiritual warfare. By holding onto anger, we give the devil a foothold in our lives, allowing him to exploit our emotional state and lead us into further spiritual conflict.

Ephesians 4:30-32  And grieve not the Ruach Ha’Qodesh of Elohiym, 

whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking,

 be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, 

tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as Elohiym for Mashiach’s 

sake has forgiven you.

Photo by Leigh: Edgar Evins State Park 

"The fourth is the ruach of obsequiousness and chicanery, that through officious attention one may be fair in seeming": 

What is obsequiousness? Obsequiousness refers to excessive or insincere flattery, eagerness to please, or submissive behavior. It often involves someone being overly compliant or deferential to gain favor or advantage from others. This behavior can be deceptive because it gives the appearance of loyalty, kindness, or respect, but it's often motivated by selfish desires or hidden agendas. When someone acts obsequiously, they may be trying to manipulate others by appealing to their ego, making it seem like they are genuinely supportive or admiring when they are actually seeking personal gain.

Chicanery refers to the use of trickery or deception to achieve one's goals. It often involves manipulating or misleading others through dishonest means, such as lies, half-truths, or clever but deceitful arguments. Chicanery can lead people astray by distorting the truth, creating confusion, or convincing them to act against their better judgment. It's a way of disguising lies as truth, making it difficult for others to see the reality of a situation.

By appealing to a person's ego, pride, or desire for praise, an obsequious individual can manipulate emotions to achieve their own ends. This emotional manipulation can cloud judgment, making it difficult for someone to see through the flattery and recognize the underlying deceit.

Chicanery can further manipulate emotions by presenting misleading information in a way that plays on fears, desires, or biases. This can cause people to act impulsively or irrationally, based on manipulated emotions rather than sound reasoning.

Galatians 5:19-26  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; 

Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, 

variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, 

murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: 

of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, 

that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of Elohiym.  

But the fruit of the Ruach is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, 

gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: 

against such there is no law put in place.  

And they that are Yahusha Ha’Mashiach’s have crucified the flesh

 with the affections and lusts.  

If we live in the Ruach, let us also walk in the Ruach.

 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, 

envying one another.

In conclusion, the importance of keeping guard over what we watch and listen to cannot be overstated. The content we consume during our waking hours can seep into our subconscious and influence the quality and nature of our dreams. As sleep is a vulnerable time when the enemy can attempt to infiltrate our minds, it's crucial to be vigilant about the media we allow into our lives. By being mindful of what we expose ourselves to, we can protect our minds and spirits, ensuring that our dreams remain a space where Yahuah can speak to us, free from the deceptive influences of the devil. Guarding our hearts and minds is not just a daytime responsibility but a spiritual discipline that extends into the night, safeguarding our rest and keeping us aligned with Yahuah's will even as we sleep.

Join me next week as I continue with the remaining 4 spirits of sleep and the impact they can have on our lives. 

Photo by Leigh: Beech River TN