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Editor-in-chief and publisher of the Aramaic English New Testament, Baruch ben Daniel, responds:
Very good and honest questions and I will reply from how I understand Mashiyach.
How is it that Yeshua and the Apostles could prophesy, drive out demons, and perform miracles, and yet the believers today don’t do these things? What I mean is why is it not evident today?
I've asked this same question for about 40 years...
I think there are two parts to this question. First, many people never see these works of the Spirit of YHWH because they are in an environment that does not allow for Mashiyach to perform miracles. Most "believers" base their faith on "belief" or an intellectual, cerebral knowledge that Y'shua is Mashiyach and that he will save them from hell. Knowledge is far more elevated by "believers" than obedience to the Word of YHWH. Although I've seen these miracles during my lifetime they have been few and far between, but what I've noticed is that when I am with brothers and sisters who live according to YHWH that wonderous miracles present themselves when we fast and pray together. However Faith isn't very highly regarded among most believers, many believers say prayers as if they are good luck charms. I've been a youth pastor, pastor and Rabbi and served the body of Mashiyach in different capacities and most "believers" aren't "disciples", they are simply members of an institution and most do not want to become disciples of Y'shua.
Secondly, YHWH chooses when and where He will pour out His Spirit and those who live in the West see very few miracles compared to places in the East and in poverty stricken countries where all folks have is prayer and their Faith and trust is based on nothing but the Word of YHWH. So when traveling around the world and then coming to Canada or the USA one can notice a culture of disobedience and faithlessness among the local believers that is absolutely rampant....
I believe in the same way that we have not all been Torah observant, neither have we been used in the way the Apostles were. Something obviously is missing, granted I have heard of, but never been to a healing service, and I have seen those who do cast out demons, never to the extent or style of Yeshua. Never like the Apostles who turned the world of their day around. My question is why? Can you give me your insight on this?
No, I haven't seen any modern Apostles who have the spiritual anointing that compares with Y'shua and his original followers, either. My understanding is that the Kedoshim are entrusted with these things, not individuals; and there are so many one-man-shows who run ministries in the West, rather than servants of YHWH who raise up disciples. Big difference. YHWH does not entrust proud men with great spiritual power and I know of many leaders who are far too proud to repent and pray and fast and turn to YHWH and live as servants rather than lords; most people want me to do this so they can get the benefits from my ministry to them. I also know many leaders who don't feel the anointing is even available today, that it's all in the past. So when you consider such faithless and perverse leaders over YHWH's flocks, then it's no wonder that the Spirit of YHWH is so terribly quenched within the body.
I really do believe that we are moving into the end-time period, and spiritual or supernatural manifestations will increase and be evident, like the first century. Time will tell of course.
I have no doubts that we are in the latter days (acharit hayamim) and that we will see the wind-up of this present system in our lifetimes; and I also believe that there will be an outpouring on the remnant of YHWH's people who return to Him in our days. I don't see prophetically that there will be a great revival in great numbers; rather, I believe there will be a little flock who become hated by the rest of the world and through the declaration of YHWH's Perfection in Torah and Mashiyach the false globalist agenda will be judged and exposed and multitudes and multitudes will be in the Valley of Judgment (Decision) and those who have ears to hear and eyes to see will understand, but the rest will not understand.
Even as we speak there is a very small remnant who is getting off the grid, becoming independent from government, capitalism and toxic food, water and air, and returning to the Ancient Paths of Mashiyach. But most believers are holding out for a Rapture and don't believe that anything bad could ever happen to them because they are "justified" by the theology of their church that makes them feel warm and fuzzy about everything happening in the world.
We will see the Word of YHWH being fulfilled as He has spoken through His servants the prophets, there is now a great falling away; there is now a great rebellion among those who call themselves "believers".
But those who turn to YHWH and His Mashiyach will shine (in Him) like lights among a crooked and perverse generation...and as it was in the days of Noah so shall it be when the Son of Man returns. As it has been said, Faith is a leap of action, not a leap of thought. The actions of each individual tells the story whether we believe in the fulfillment of the Word of YHWH or not. As we live Torah we see the prophecies better and then we can respond by discerning the times in which we live and follow the leading of the Spirit of YHWH. But most "believers" that I talk with are embarrassed that I'm so "fundamental" and that I believe the Bible so "literally." Today I was explaining to someone about how the biometric chips are going to be implemented in 2009 but some "believers" aren't sure that this would be a fulfillment of Rev 14:9 because it's too "fundamental" - so then I don't argue with anyone if they already know better than the Word of YHWH; but it's sad that so many "believers" think that their government will take care of them...
YHWH be with you,
Baruch
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