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| Photo by Leigh Caruthers |
The walls built by unrighteousness
The Testament of Leviy
Leigh Caruthers
Over the last 5 years if I've said it once I've said it hundreds of times, we have been chosen to live in such a time as this. I know that I am not the only one who feels this way and in fact I believe this rings true for most brother's and sister's in the body of Yahusha and the called out assemblies. It blows my mind to think that Yahuah hand picked us to live right now! I often remember my mom telling me a couple of years before she passed away that she would not be living to see the return of Yahusha but that she believed I would. At the time that kind of freaked me out because I did not have open eyes at that time. I had a lot to go through and grow through to be the person I am now. Don't we all go through it! I also believe we are entering a period of time where exponentially great numbers of non believers will have their eyes opened to Yahuah and Yahusha. Then there are those who currently believe in Yahuah but not Yahusha that will have their eyes opened to Him! And finally I truly believe there will be so many that will be called out of churchianity to the ancient path of obedience! It's an exciting time to live! It is also a time of trials and tribulations. There is nothing new under the sun or son and these words of wisdom from the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs are so prophetic, insightful, and full of warnings that speak to us today!
Lets take a look at the The Testament of Leviy. If you have not read it I would highly suggest it! Wow, is it an eye opening read on so many levels. There is so much prophetic symbolism in this Testament that it will definitely require 2 parts.
To refresh our memory, Leviy, is the third son of Ya'aqov and Leah. In the Exodus story we are told that the descendants of Leviy, the Leviyiym, had the responsibility with assisting Aharon and his sons (Kohen) in the Tabernacle (who were also descendants of Leviy). The beginning of this testament really sticks out to me. It reminds me of Aharon and Mosheh in that Yahuah chose when it was time to pass away in the flesh.
Page 257 in the Cepher book Bere'shiyth : AYD LEVIY
1 The copy of the words of Leviy, the things which he ordained unto his sons, according to all that they should do and what things should befall them until the day of Judgement. 2 He was sound in health when he called them to him: for it had been revealed to him that he should die.
Leviy was in "sound health" however it was his time. For all there is a time to die. Death does not always come when we are ill but it always comes in Yahuah's timing. Yahuah is in control of our living and dying. We read this about so many in scripture. Aharon comes to mind, Mosheh, and others. My sister in Yahuah, Andrea, has led us through her Unfolding the Kingdom blog, discussed Unfolding Death for the Kingdom-Mindedness to help us through this understanding. Knowledge fights fear and for Kingdom Minded people there is no fear of death. Yahusha had to die to be the doorway through which we all must pass to get to the Kingdom of Yahuah. Fear comes from uncertainty, however, in the body of Yahusha there is no uncertainty. We believe in the promises given by Yahusha that through Him we will have everlasting life. Each of us have a task given by Yahuah. I believe when we have fulfilled the work Yahuah has for us then he gives us rest. Rest from our flesh and all the pain and struggles that we go through in it. Rest and then we are raised to our new glorified bodies! Halleluyah!
TO everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; QOHELETH (ECCLESIASTES) 3:1-2 את CEPHER
We live in a unique time that we have access not only scripture from Genesis to Revelation (cover to cover believers as our brother Aaron shared with us) but also the books that were hidden for a time and have now come into the light again. We can read these prophecies that not only warn of the wickedness that has come again upon the land but also the salvation of Yahusha foretold so long before his coming and the second coming that will bring the final judgement. We still have time to share these prophecies and call the world to repentance. Yahuah is still speaking to us. He is still calling us out to speak boldly and have zealous faith in Him. Willing to stand for what is good and righteous. Leviy was chosen and called by Yahuah to do just that.
Page 257 : AYD LEVIY
2:3 And when I was feeding the flocks in Avel-Ma'ul, the ruach of understanding of Yahuah came upon me and I saw all men corrupting their way and that unrighteousness had built for itself walls and Lawlessness sat upon towers. 4 And I was grieving for the race of the sons of men and I prayed to Yahuah that I might be saved. 5 Then there fell upon me a sleep and I beheld a high mountain and I was upon it.
Amazingly prophetic words spoken by Leviy..."I saw all men corrupting their way and that unrighteousness had built for itself walls and Lawlessness sat upon towers." One thing we realize whether reading scriptures or history books written by man is that this has been happening from the beginning. The walls built by unrighteousness built in vain for none of those walls will stand. Those in power sit high in their towers living a Torahless life are already dead in their ruach. We are not left powerless under the shadows of these towers. We have the Word as our two edged sword, prayers, and praises as our weapons of choice. We grieve for what we see and we pray to Yahuah for his covering. Praise Yahuah for Yahusha who is our covering and salvation in these dark days.
HE that dwells in the secret place of El Elyon shall abide under the shadow of El Shaddai. I will say of Yahuah, He is my refuge and my fortress: my Elohiym; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover you with his feathers, and under his wings shall you trust: his truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day; Nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday. TEHILLIYM (PSALMS) 91:1-6 את CEPHER
Leviy experiences visions of the heavens, the first, second, and third heavens, each more brilliant that the previous. In this experience he is informed of the importance of the priesthood and how he and his descendants with Yahudah will be intermediaries between Yahuah and Yashar'el. Levi's priesthood, though earthly and temporal, points to the eternal priesthood of Yahusha, who intercedes for humanity before the Father.
This really struck me square in the heart. Are we running out of time to share the truth of Yahusha the High Priest foretold of in all scripture? As we watch the news and see the events of horror and war that are taking place today we see as clearly as the walls of Babylon that were built to reach the heavens that the judgement of Yahuah will strike down the lawless who sit upon those high towers. That is the thing about high towers, the fall from that height is unsurvivable. As Leviy is showed these different heavens he is showed how the lowest level of heaven is "gloomy unto you, in that it beholds all the unrighteous deeds of men.
Page 257 : AYD LEVIY
3:2 And it has fire, snow, and ice made ready for the Day of Judgment, in the righteous judgment of ELOHIYM; for in it are all the ruachoth of the retributions for vengeance on me."
We have seen such an increase in natural disasters. Some blame global warming. Others blame the devices of man that have been made to control and use the weather as a weapon nation against nation. My question is, do we believe the words given to us in scripture? Our world is drowning in darkness and wickedness. I would imagine the cries of the innocent blood that has flowed like rivers over the earth is deafening in Ha'Shamayim. How much more will Yahuah allow? Have we not been warned? Will Yahuah be ignored much longer?
For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Yashar'el; So that the fish of the sea, and the fowls of the heavens, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, says Adonai Yahuah: every man's sword shall be against his brother. And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am Yahuah. YECHEZQ'EL (EZEKIEL) 38:19-23 את CEPHER
This knowledge begs the question, what are we to do? Pray! Be obedient! Work out our individual repentance and our faith with fear and trembling. Though most the world looks through blind eyes at the hand of Yahuah moving the winds, rain, and snow, we know that it is by His hand that all things exist and for His specific purposes. There is judgment coming upon those who forsake Him and His son Yahusha Ha'Mashiach. We must pray with fervent energy that eyes be opened to the way, truth, and life of Yahusha Ha'Mashiach. There is no in between option.
We must take a stand. As we discussed in our Fiery Fellowship on Friday, the Hebrew word for "stand" is נצב (nâtsab), which also means "to establish." To stand for Yahuah and Yahusha is to establish our place within the body of Yahusha. We are established by whatever or whoever we stand with. I firmly stand with Yahusha Ha'Mashiach, who is the doorway to Abba Yahuah and the Kingdom of New Yerushalayim. In this unique time, as we find ourselves standing on the edge of the promised land, waiting to be led in by Yahusha, we must be careful. We must choose today where we stand and, by that choice, whom we will serve.
Now therefore fear Yahuah, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the elohiym which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Mitsrayim; and serve ye Yahuah. And if it seem evil unto you to serve Yahuah, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the elohai which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the elohiym of the Emoriym, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahuah. YAHUSHA (JOSHUA) 24:14-15 את CEPHER
Leviy foretells the corruption of his descendants in the priesthood, warning that they would fall into greed, injustice, and unrighteousness, thus leading Yashar'el astray. This corruption is a reflection of what Yahusha confronted in His earthly ministry, particularly in the condemnation of the religious leaders of His time (e.g., the Pharisees and Sadducees). Leviy’s warning prophetically points to the need for a new, righteous priesthood, fulfilled in Yahusha.
What much of modern-day Christianity overlooks is that Yahusha was not speaking against the Torah, but against man-made oral laws found in the Talmud. The Talmud consists of two parts: the Mishnah, a collection of oral laws, and the Gemara, which is a commentary and discussion on the Mishnah by later rabbis. Their ceremonial washings and empty words do nothing to cleanse a person of sin or offer everlasting life. What they offer is death.
Those who recognize Yahusha as the Son of Elohiym, through whom we receive the covering of atonement for our sins, understand the profound significance of water immersion. Through this act, we die to our old sinful lives and are raised as new creations in the body of Mashiach. They know that there is no other rabbi or teacher but Yahusha.
Page 260: AYD LEVIY 8: 1-15 And there again I saw a vision as the former, after we spent there seventy days. 2 And I saw seven men in white raiment saying unto me; 3 Arise, put on the robe of the priesthood and the crown of righteousness and the breastplate of understanding and the garment of truth and the plate of faith and the turban of the head and the ephod of prophecy. 4 And they severally carried (these things) and put (them) on me, and said unto me: 5 Henceforth become a priest of YAHUAH, you and your seed forever. 6 And the first anointed me with holy oil, and gave to me the staff of judgment. 7 The second washed me with pure water, and a holy and glorious robe. 8 The third clothed me with a linen vestment like an ephod. 9 The fourth put round me a girdle like unto purple. 10 The fifth gave me a branch of rich olive. 11 The sixth placed a crown on my head. The seventh placed on my head a diadem of priesthood, and filled my hands with incense, that I might serve as priest to YAHUAH ELOHIYM. And they said to me:12 Leviy, your seed shall be divided into three offices, for a sign of the glory of Yahuah who is to come. 13 And the first portion shall be great; yea, greater than it shall none be. The second shall be in the priesthood. 14 And the third shall be called by a new name, because a King shall arise in Yahudah, and shall establish a new priesthood, after the fashion of the other nations (to all the other nations). 15 And his presence is beloved, as a prophet of El Elyon, of the seed of Avraham our father.
1. Robe of the Priesthood: Symbolic of Yahusha’s High Priesthood. The robe signifies righteousness and service to Yahuah.
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Yahusha the Son of Elohiym, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. IVRIYM (HEBREWS) 4:14-15 את CEPHERI will greatly rejoice in Yahuah, my soul shall be joyful in my Elohiym; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. YESHA'YAHU (ISAIAH) 61:10 את CEPHER
2. Crown of Righteousness: Represents the crown of life and eternal reward, reflecting Yahusha’s reign and the promise to His faithful.
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which Yahuah, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. TIMOTHEUS SHENIY (2 TIMOTHY) 4:8 את CEPHER
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. CHIZAYON (REVELATION) 19:12 את CEPHER
3. Breastplate of Understanding: Corresponds to the breastplate of righteousness and wisdom, symbolizing Yahusha’s role in giving discernment and guidance.
And the Ruach Yahuah shall rest upon him, the Ruach Chokmah and Biynah, the Ruach Etsah and Gevurah, the Ruach Da'ath and of the Yir'ah of Yahuah; YESHA'YAHU (ISAIAH) 11:2 את CEPHERStand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; EPH'SIYM (EPHESIANS) 6:14 את CEPHER
4. Garment of Truth: Truth is central to Yahusha’s identity and mission; He embodies truth and clothes believers in it.
Yahusha said unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me. YOCHANON (JOHN) 14:6 את CEPHER
5. Plate of Faith: Faith is foundational to the life of a believer, and Yahusha is the author and perfecter of faith.
Looking unto Yahusha the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of Elohiym. IVRIYM (HEBREWS) 12:2 את CEPHERAbove all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. EPH'SIYM (EPHESIANS) 6:16 את CEPHER
6. Turban of the Head: The turban signifies holiness and consecration, a direct reference to Yahusha's High Priesthood.
And you shall make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, Qodesh L'Yahuah. And you shall put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the turban; upon the forefront of the turban it shall be. SHEMOTH (EXODUS) 28:36-37 את CEPHER
And I said, Let them set a fair turban upon his head. So they set a fair turban upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of Yahuah stood by. ZAKARYAHU (ZECHARIAH) 3:5 את CEPHER
7. Ephod of Prophecy: The ephod symbolizes Yahusha as the fulfillment of prophecy and His role as the mediator between Yahuah and humanity.
And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work. SHEMOTH (EXODUS) 28:6 את CEPHERAnd beginning at Mosheh and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. LUQAS (LUKE) 24:27 את CEPHER
The additional items mentioned further emphasize Yahusha's priestly and kingly roles:
8. Holy Oil (Anointing): Represents Yahusha as the Anointed One (Mashiach) who was consecrated to serve as both priest and king.
The Ruach Adonai Yahuah is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the Besorah to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, LUQAS (LUKE) 4:18 את CEPHER
9. Staff of Judgment: A symbol of authority and righteous judgment, reflective of Yahusha’s role as judge.
And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Yahuah Tseva'oth. CHIZAYON (REVELATION) 19:15 את CEPHER
10. Pure Water (Washing): Reflects purification, which Yahusha provides through His sacrifice.
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. YOCHANON (JOHN) 15:3 את CEPHERThat he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, EPH'SIYM (EPHESIANS) 5:26 את CEPHER
11. Linen Vestment (Ephod-like): Represents purity and righteousness, signifying holiness in service.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the qodeshiym. CHIZAYON (REVELATION) 19:8 את CEPHER
12. Girdle like unto Purple: Purple signifies royalty and majesty, alluding to Yahusha as King of Kings.
And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, YOCHANON (JOHN) 19:2 את CEPHER
For he testifies, You are a priest forever after the order of Malkiy-Tsadiyq. IVRIYM (HEBREWS) 7:17 את CEPHER
And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the qodeshiym, ascended up before Elohiym out of the angel's hand. CHIZAYON (REVELATION) 8:4 את CEPHER
