There is a widespread belief that the Bible is divided into two distinct sections: the ‘Old Testament’ and the ‘New Testament.’ While this division is not mentioned in the scriptures themselves, it is commonly accepted as fact and serves as a foundation for the religion established by Papal Rome. This divided understanding of the divine word leads to the notion that the Yah of the ‘Old Testament’ differs from the one in the ‘New Testament,’ that the standards for living a life pleasing to Elohim have shifted, and that the church has replaced Israel. These ideas are often associated with dispensationalism, though they do not encompass the entire scope of this doctrine. In this article, we will turn to the scriptures to see what the Word of El Shaddai truly reveals.
Error of Dispensationalism: Yah Changed
“For I am יהוה, I shall not change…” (Malachi 3:6)
Being perfect, Yah has no need for change. Change is only necessary when something is imperfect. Think of your diet—when you change it, it’s because you’ve realized it lacks the nutrient-dense foods your body needs. A perfect diet, however, would provide all the essentials for a healthy life, making change unnecessary. In the same way, Yah, the Creator of all things, has no need to alter His ways. He is the perfect El, the perfect Father. Rather than conforming to us, we are called to conform to Him.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)
Even the Messiah, the perfect representation of the Father’s will, remains unchanging.
“Yeshua the Messiah is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
Error of Dispensationalism: The Torah Done Away
“Grass shall wither, the flower shall fade, but the Word of our Elohim stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)
Yah’s Word is His Torah—His instructions for living a righteous life—and it endures for all eternity. The Torah reflects the behavior of the Creator, written down for us to follow.
“And it shall be in the latter days that the mountain of the House of יהוה is established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills. And all nations shall flow to it. And many peoples shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of יהוה, to the House of the Elohim of Jacob, and let Him teach us His ways, and let us walk in His paths, for out of Zion comes forth the Torah, and the Word of יהוה from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:2)
The Torah is not a set of shackles—on the contrary, it is perfect, and within it is true freedom.
“But he who looks into the perfect Torah of freedom and continues, not being a hearer who forgets but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25)
Many claim that the Messiah did away with the Torah. However, as I discussed in the article “Yeshua's Sermon on the Mount: Rediscovering Torah and the Way to the Father,” Yeshua did not abolish the Torah; rather, He restored it to the people as it was originally intended. He clearly states that His mission was not to nullify His Father’s teachings.
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to complete. For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the Torah, until all things are accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17-18)
Even in the final chapter of the Bible, Yeshua blesses those who keep the commandments—the Torah.
“Blessed are those doing His commands, so that the authority shall be theirs unto the tree of life, and to enter through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14)
Error of Dispensationalism: The Church Replaced Israel
The Messiah did not come to establish a new religion, nor did He come to found "The Church." The belief that the Church replaced Israel originates from Papal Rome. I’ve discussed this extensively in “The Sabbath” and explored our identity in Messiah in the article “Grafted In.” To put it simply, Yeshua is the King of Israel, who will rule from Jerusalem and, ultimately, New Jerusalem—not the king of the Church ruling from Rome.
“For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will execute judgment on them there for my people, and for my heritage, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations…” (Joel 3-1-2)
“And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the set-apart Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), descending out of the heaven from Elohim, having the esteem of Elohim, and her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal, and having a great and high wall, having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve messengers, and names written on them, which are those of the twelve tribes of the children of Yisra’ĕl (Israel).” (Revelations 21:10-12)
Anyone can be counted as native-born in Israel—they simply need to follow the Messiah.
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)
Conclusion: One Elohim, One Messiah, One Torah, One Israel
The Bible is a unified, harmonious collection of books spanning thousands of years, yet its message remains consistent throughout. There is one Elohim, one Messiah, one Israel, and one Torah. The foundation of Yah’s Word has never changed, and neither has His purpose for humanity. As we delve deeper into the scriptures, we discover that His commandments, promises, and covenants are eternal, offering guidance for all who seek to walk in His ways. The truth of His Word transcends time, and it is through our understanding and application of this truth that we find our true identity in Him.
“Where there is no vision, the people are let loose, But blessed is he who guards the Torah.” (Proverbs 29:18)
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