Let’s evaluate the warning in scripture that no one has ever heard of…

2 Peter 3:14-18
Therefore, loved ones, while you are looking for these things, make every effort to be found in shalom, spotless and blameless before Him. ¹⁵ Bear in mind that the patience of our Lord means salvation—just as our dearly loved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom given to him. ¹⁶ He speaks about these matters in all of his letters. Some things in them are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist (as they also do with the rest of the Scriptures)—to their own destruction.
¹⁷ Since you already know all this, loved ones, be on your guard so that you are not led astray by the error of the lawless and lose your sure footing. ¹⁸ Instead, keep growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Yeshua the Messiah. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity! Amen.

Ok, first things first.  Are you familiar with this very serious warning from Peter the Apostle?
I was never taught this during my 33 years in the church, but I learned it when I started reading and studying the bible for myself.

Secondly…
Is this warning a big deal?
Are you kidding me?
This warning in scripture is a HUGE DEAL!!!!

Let’s take a closer look at it.
Peter begins by reminding us to be found in peace, and to be found spotless and blameless.
This ties back to what he said in verses 1 and 2
“In both I am trying to stir you up by way of a reminder to wholesome thinking— ² to remember the words previously proclaimed by the holy prophets and the commandment of our Lord and Savior through your emissaries.”

Wholesome (smart, wise, good) thinking = remembering what the prophets taught, and remembering the commandments.

Ummm, I’ve only been taught that the words of the prophets and the commandments were done away with at the cross.
Slow down and think about it.
Peter tells us these things AFTER the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Yeshua (Jesus).
Why would he tell us these things are applicable AFTER they were done away with.
Maybe he didn’t get the memo?
Or….
Maybe they were not done away with?

Are you going to believe a first century Apostle who learned directly from Yeshua, or are you going to believe your pastor, who learned his theology from a college run by men?
Who has the most authority to teach?

Matthew 28:18
And Yeshua came up to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

If Yeshua (Jesus) has ALL OF THE AUTHORITY, that means our pastors (and our Seminaries) have NONE OF THE AUTHORITY.
I’ve decided to stick with the guy who learned directly from our Messiah.  He probably knows what he is talking about.

Peter then tells us that the salvation that comes from Yeshua is what Paul wrote about — based on the wisdom given to him.
Paul had a supernatural interaction with Yeshua on the road to Damascus.
He converted from a Pharisee who was persecuting and killing the new church, to being a prominent leader of the new church.
Does scripture tell us it took time?  Did he go off and study for several years and then begin his ministry?
No.  He began right away.  He understood immediately. The ways of Yehova were imparted to him, just as Peter tells us.
This means Paul’s writings are true and can be trusted.

But then we get to the beginning of the actual warning…
“Some things in them are hard to understand…”
Oh, you don’t say???  Is it possible that the things Paul wrote might be misunderstood and improperly taught today, 2000 years later?
Well, considering Peter wrote this warning within years of the source of the truth (the teaching they received directly from Yeshua), people were getting this wrong back then.  2000 plus years did not need to pass in order for the lessons of Paul to get muddled.
If it was going on back then, how much worse could it have gotten over two millennia?? The sky is the limit, right?

Moving on in Peter’s warning, we get this:
“…which the ignorant and unstable twist (as they also do with the rest of the Scriptures)—to their own destruction.”

Ok, this is where we get to the HUGE DEAL I mentioned above.
Not heeding this warning will result in our destruction!!
Wait, what???
Did Peter say destruction?
Ummm, yes.  Destruction is not a good thing for us, is it?
Destruction is not like a sunburn or a mosquito bite. It isn’t something that is mildly irritating, only to be soon forgotten.
Nope.
Destruction is a big deal.

Matthew 10:28
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

Should we listen to the words of Messiah and Yehova, who can destroy both body and soul?
Or should we listen to our pastors, or the [mis-represented] words of Paul, or the words of any man, who can only kill the body?

Peter doesn’t warn that if we get this wrong, it will be ok because of abundant grace.
The man who learned directly from Messiah tells us that if we get this wrong, we will be destroyed.
This is no joke.
This is serious.
This is not something we should just skim over and forget about.

What else did Peter include in his warning?
He said that people will twist Paul’s writings, to the consequence of being destroyed.
Not only that, he said these people will also twist the scriptures (only the Old Testament scriptures existed at the time, and that is what he was referring to), to the consequence of being destroyed.

Making  this mistake is about misunderstanding and twisting Paul’s writings AS WELL AS misunderstanding and twisting the Old Testament scriptures.

Peter continues his warning with this:
“…be on your guard so that you are not led astray by the error of the lawless and lose your sure footing.”

We are to be on our guard.
We are to not be led astray.
By the error of the lawless.
So misunderstanding Paul’s writings (and the scriptures) brings about lawlessness, and will result in our destruction?

Yes.
Like I said, this is a big deal.

How does this relate to our mainstream churches?
They teach us that the law was done away with at the cross.
If you ask your pastor about this, I can pretty much guarantee he will use the writings of Paul to justify this teaching.
In fact, I challenge you to ask your pastor to prove, using scripture, that the law was done away with, and that we no longer have to do it.
Be ready to take notes on Paul’s [misunderstood and twisted] writings.

How do we know this is a “wrong” teaching.
Well, would direct quotes of your Messiah help sort it out?

John 14:15
If you love me, you will keep My commandments.

John 14:21
He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me.

John 14:24
He who does not love Me does not keep My words. And the word you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.

John 15:9-10
“Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you. Abide in My love! ¹⁰ If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

Matthew 5:17
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Prophets! I did not come to abolish, but to fully teach.

Matthew 5:18
Amen, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or serif shall ever pass away from the Torah until all things come to pass.

Matthew 5:19
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps and teaches them, this one shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²² Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, and drive out demons in Your name, and perform many miracles in Your name?’ ²³ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Get away from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’”

Revelation 22:14
“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.”

Revelation 22:15
“But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”

If our Messiah tells us over and over again to keep the commandments, but our churches use the writings of Paul to say we are not to follow the Torah Instructions (the law), then what has happened?
It would seem our churches have failed to heed the warning given by Peter.
And here is the really awful part…
The consequence of failing to heed this warning is destruction.

Am I saying that everyone, millions upon millions of people throughout many generations will be destroyed?
No, I am not saying that.
Scripture is saying it.
Peter said it.
Your Messiah is saying it.

If the mainstream church misinterprets Paul’s writings and teaches a lie because of it, everyone who believes that lie will be destroyed?

Messiah Himself says so. Yes.
Again, from Revelation 22:15
“whoever loves and practices a lie” will not have access to the tree of life.

Now do you see why I said this is really awful?
Nobody wants to hear this.  It is a terrible, terrible premise.

Am I sure about this?
Well, in Yeshua’s Revelation, He tells us who the remnant of the church is in Chapter 12 Verse 17
“And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

Again in Yeshua’s Revelation, He tells us who the Saints are (14:12)
“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Yeshua.”

Are you seeing a consistent theme in the words of our Messiah? Direct quotes of the man and deity who died for you?  Will you believe Him?

He says to keep the commandments.
Not some generic commandments.
He says to keep the commandments of God.  Where do we find those? They are given to us in the Torah, commonly referred to as the law.

If none of this matches what you’ve been taught your whole life, please study it and pray about it.
The consequence of not understanding Peter’s warning about Paul’s writings (and the rest of scriptures) is our destruction.
It is worth taking some time to study.

But still, am I sure about this?
Look at these verses in scripture:
John 3:36
He who trusts in the Son has eternal life. He who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

1John 2:3-4
Now we know that we have come to know Him by this—if we keep His commandments. ⁴ The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1John 2:5-6
 But whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God is truly made perfect. We know that we are in Him by this— ⁶ whoever claims to abide in Him must walk just as He walked.  (How did Yeshua walk? In accordance with the Torah law).

1John 3:4
Everyone practicing sin also practices lawlessness—indeed, sin is lawlessness.

1John 3:7-8
Children, let no one mislead you! The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Yeshua is righteous. ⁸ The one who practices sin is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.

1John 3:24
The one who keeps His commandments abides in God, and God in him.

1John 5:2-3
We know that we love God’s children by this—when we love God and obey His commandments. ³ For this is the love of God—that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

1John 5:18-19
We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; rather, the One born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot touch him. ¹⁹ We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

2John 1:4
I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we received as a commandment from the Father. (commands of the Father = truth)

2John 1:6
Now this is love: that we walk according to His commands. This is the commandment—just as you heard from the beginning—that you walk in love. (refer back to John 14:15 to find out what love for Messiah is)

Hebrews 10:26-31
For if we keep on sinning willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but only a terrifying expectation of judgment and a fury of fire about to devour the enemies of God. ²⁸ Anyone who rejected the Torah of Moses dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. ²⁹ How much more severe do you think the punishment will be for the one who has trampled Ben-Elohim underfoot, and has regarded as unholy the blood of the covenant by which he was made holy, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know the One who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “Adonai will judge His people.”  ³¹ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Are you starting to see a different picture in scripture?
A different picture than the one our churches show us, [mis]using the writings of Paul?

Do you see why the warning given to us by Peter is so very important?
Please pray about these things…

Do I believe that Yehova (God) told us to keep His commandments?
Yes, I do.
Do I believe that the prophets told us to keep His commandments?
Yes, I do.
Do I believe that Yeshua (Jesus) told us to keep His commandments?
Yes, I do.
Do I believe that the Apostles taught us to keep His commandments?
Yes, I do.

Do I believe we keep the His commandments to earn salvation?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Salvation is a gift that comes through faith, so that no man should boast.

I believe we keep the commandments because that is how Yeshua says to love Him and love our neighbor.
Just like Messiah told us:
If you love me, keep My commandments.

We keep the commandments because we love our Savior.

Today’s population of Israel is 8 million.
Estimates say there are 15,000 Messianic believers in Israel today. That is 0.19 percent.

That means, of the people living in Israel today, less than one quarter of one percent believe in Messiah.
Does that sound like a gathering of the people of YHWH?

Yeshua (Messiah, Jesus) tells us who the remnant of the church is:
Revelation 12:17
So the dragon became enraged at the woman and went off to make war with the rest of her offspring—those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Yeshua.

Yeshua (Messiah, Jesus) tells us who the saints are:
Revelation 14:12
Here is the perseverance of the kedoshim—those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Yeshua.

Do these statements by Messiah describe those gathered in Israel today? 

I’m working on a study that is awful.
If you read my posts here, prepare your minds for a difficult idea coming soon.

If you want to get a head start, read the following scriptures:
2 Thes 2:1-12
1 John 3:4
Matthew 7:21-23
Matthew 13:41
2 Cor 6:14
Matthew 24:12
John 14:15
John 14:21
John 15:9-10
Matthew 7:13-14
Matthew 5:17-19
2 John 1:9
1 John 2:3-6
Rev 12:17
Rev 14:12
Rev 22:14-15
2 Peter 3:14-18
Malachi 3:6
Hebrews 10:26-31
John 1:14
Hebrews 13:8

That should give you an idea of where I’m headed.

Whether you are watching the best athletes in the world compete in the Olympics, or if you are attending a middle school track meet, you will find one similarity…
People going all out, giving their best effort to win.

Now contrast these sporting events with a fund-raising 5k.
You will see a few athletes competing to win, but you are much more likely to find non-athletes shuffling along in groups, or even walking.
Why would they be there?  To support a cause with their friends, and to get the event t-shirt, of course!!

When it comes to your spirituality, how will you be described at the end of your race?
Will you be a well-conditioned, seasoned spiritual athlete?
Or will you just be one among the crowd, participating more for the pot luck dinners than anything else?

Don’t get upset if the latter describes your motivation.  My point is not to make accusations or to hurt anyone’s feelings.
My point is that we are expected to run our spiritual race well, going all out.

1Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. ²⁵ And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.²⁶ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Run your race to win, so that you might hear these words:
“Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
That would be much more exciting than hearing, “You made it. Barely, but you made it.  What’s your name again?” (Yes, I made this part up – it is not in scripture). But you get the gist of it right?

Engage.
Prepare.
Condition.
Be passionate about your race.

While we are on the subject, it is also important to know the route that your race will follow. Yeshua (Jesus) tells us this:
Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.¹⁴ Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

It doesn’t matter if you are shuffling along or racing at a full sprint, if you are in the wrong race.
If you find yourself going down the wide path with the majority, don’t be afraid to recognize that you are off course (based on what Messiah has said!). Don’t take comfort in finding yourself in a massive crowd, shuffling along, all doing the same thing.

Be set apart. Stand out from the crowd.
Get on the narrow path, and run to win.

Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

John 15:19
If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Luke 12:51-53
Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. ⁵² For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. ⁵³ Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

It is a sad thing to show a friend the very words of Messiah, and have them say, “No thanks.  I like what my church teaches better.”

Consider this thought…
If Yeshua/Jesus/Messiah/Savior stood before you in your presence and told you something…

1- Would you listen to Him?
2- Would you accept what He says?
3- Would you do what He says to do?

If you answered yes, then why do so many people read direct quotes of Jesus in scripture and say, “No, that’s not what my pastor says”?

Makes me sad…
But I’m planting seeds.
Maybe some will take root.
Will you guys help me plant seeds, or come along afterward and water them??
Pray for people who do not have eyes to see nor ears to hear…

When Yehova revealed the truth of His Torah to me, it was an exciting time.  Scripture became absolutely fascinating!!
I was so excited to share with anyone and everyone…

I have learned that most people do not share my excitement.
I have learned that most people reject what scripture says in favor of what their church teaches them.
And why wouldn’t they?
Educated religious leaders have been teaching us a consistent message for generation upon generation.

Here is the problem, though…
Malachi 3:6 tells us one aspect of the nature of Yehova (God):

Do you understand the significance of this?
God does not change.
Not in ancient times.
Not now.
Not in the future.
The nature of God is unchanging.

We are told that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Word become flesh:
John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”

And Hebrews 13:8 tells us this about Yeshua (Jesus):
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

If Jesus is the Word, and Jesus is the same in the past, present, and future, then that means the Word is the same in the past, present, and future.

God never changes.
Jesus never changes.
The Word never changes.

So how is it possible that the church leaders teach that the Word has changed?
How is it possible that the church leaders teach that God has changed?

It is because they begin developing doctrine using the New Testament, while seeing the Old Testament as obsolete.

But that is not what scripture says. In fact, scripture tells us the exact opposite.

Before we do anything, we have to understand the very basic and simple concept that God does not change, Jesus does not change, and the Word does not change.

It is impossible to understand the writings of Paul without knowing this basic premise.

Why do I bring up the writings of Paul?
Because church leaders use the writings of Paul to teach a new doctrine, one that forces God to change, Jesus to change, and the word to change.

How can this be, when we know from scripture they do not change??
We are warned not to make this mistake:

2Peter 3:14-18

Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; ¹⁵ and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, ¹⁶ as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
¹⁷ You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; ¹⁸ but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

This bit of scripture has some bite to it…
“…people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.”

Making this mistake is not something to brush off, and just say ‘oh well.’
Did you catch the part about “their own destruction”?
Let’s zero in just a bit more:  “DESTRUCTION”

Anytime scripture mentions our possible destruction, it is HIGHLY imperative that we evaluate and understand the warning.
Please evaluate the things that Yehova (God) said in the Torah (first five books of the bible).
He said some things are forever, never-ending, perpetual, and for all generations.

The mainstream church message tells us those things are:
NOT forever
NOT never-ending
NOT perpetual
NOT for all generations

Houston, we have a problem…
Actually, the problem is world wide, and it spans across many centuries, and has affected many millions of people.
Church leaders are teaching what they were told in seminary.
What they are saying makes Yehova (God) a liar and makes the Word a liar, which makes Yeshua (Jesus) a liar by association, since He is the Word become flesh.

Who will you believe?
Scripture?
OR
Your pastor?