The true test of Faith and commitment to YHWH and His Torah begins when an individual chooses to serve Mashiyach within the local community.  Yeshua sent out 70 men, Luke 10:17 "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Master, even the devils are subject unto us through your name."  Active and progressive leadership refines our understanding of the Malchut (Kingdom) of Elohim by putting us in real life situations that require the leading of the Ruach HaKodesh to guide us in the righteousness of Mashiyach and His Torah.  Leadership in Mashiyach is the highest calling anyone will embrace in a lifetime, along with the great joys and victories are the battles against the wiles of the enemy.  Each soul in the Malchut Elohim is endowed with individuality, liberty, and property according to the Will of YHWH.  We have a glorious opportunity to know Mashiyach and walk in Torah, before life as we know it comes to an end.  Every soul who enters into the Malchut Elohim is called to live and demonstrate YHWH's Covenant within the community and the world.  We are called to live according to the purpose for which we have been created, YHWH establishes His Word and authority in us for the benefit of ourselves and all others.  Authority comes from YHWH through His Mashiyach and then to each of His people, each one has the authority according to Covenant to live a life that is pleasing to YHWH.  Authority that is established by YHWH, is committed to uphold Torah, which is the Word of YHWH, but false authority upholds religion and man's own ideas.  In his day Abimelech appointed hirelings and claques unto himself for his own selfish purposes, similarly today religions appoint leaders to advance their own value systems, the Malchut Elohim in most cases is the furthest thing from their minds.

     A few days before His suffering when Yeshua was making His way up to Jerusalem, He cursed a fig tree saying, "Let no fruit come forth from you forever", in so doing He showed the Sanhedrin (house of judges) had become utterly corrupt.  Corruption begins when men in leadership walk as hirelings, following an agenda based on their own private, religious or institutional mandates, these are "light and vain souls" with self interests which degenerate the life, liberty and property of each one in the community.  Yeshua gave distinct instructions on how to establish reconciliation within the Household of Faith and protect each soul.  Matthew 18 Yeshua says, "where two or three are gathered" He would be in their midst to establish righteous judgments.  "Two or three are gathered", refers specifically to a Beit Din establishing halacha.  Men are required to gather together in the authority of Mashiyach to apply Torah and establish YHWH's righteous directives for the congregation.  Two or three gathered means they are equals, each one is equally vested and valued by one vote, they are not a hierarchy where one man has veto authority over the rest.

     In Hellenistic and pagan society the liberty, life and property of the individual is the property of the state, during the height of the Roman empire over 70% of the men were slaves whose shaved heads showed their status.  Today men go to churches, synagogues, mosques and all form of religious institutions and give their life, liberty and property to a religious "state", the moment they cross a threshold into an institution of man, they surrender their authority and come under mans authority, this is paganism and anti-Torah.  Torah requires that each man takes an active role in their family and in the greater community and walk in the authority of YHWH and His Torah, but the institution of man castrates men so as not to reproduce the values of Torah and Mashiyach within the community.  This is why Yeshua cursed the fig tree, because the Sanhedrin brought a curse upon themselves when they became men pleasers, rather than pleasers of YHWH.

     True authority comes about in men who walk in Torah and experience the discernment of the Ruach HaKodesh, age or intellectual ability does not automatically provide man with the wisdom and authority of YHWH.  A well-aged man or a group of aged men may have much life experience, according to Torah they must be honored for their grey heads.  But age itself is not a prerequisite for walking in YHWH's authority, young men or even a child may carry YHWH's authority when he is are able to hear from YHWH and know His Voice.  Being a leader endows a man with authority given to him by his "followers", but his authority may come only by popularity or necessity for organization, not from YHWH.  Authority from YHWH is not necessarily something that makes one popular, having a large vibrant congregation is no guarantee YHWH is with the leader, "although multitudes of wicked may join hand in hand, they shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered".  There is a great danger in following a multitude, it is much wiser to seek approval from YHWH.  There is another great danger of being an island unto oneself, many men desire to be active in leadership but are proud, arrogant and refuse to be accountable to others, they keep their word only when it suits them, and their "ministry" is centered on their own "teaching".  A mature leader understands that people are not coming to listen to him alone, they come together make a connection with YHWH and His people, and attend meetings to increase their experience and "anointing" in the Ruach HaKodesh, man's own ideas and religion generally opposes the things of YHWH.

     At least three times a year, each male is required to make a sacrifice to YHWH, which means to bring forth something of value that costs something.  Each one of us is to consider the goodness of YHWH to our souls and respond to Him from thankful hearts.  The greatest worship we can give unto YHWH is to delight so much in doing His Will, that we desire to also teach others about Him.  Each man is qualified and capable of doing this regardless of what level he may do it on.  Babylon has usurped mans authority by qualifying leadership on the basis of money, intellect, looks or popularity.  Carnal leaders show their credentials as affiliation with an institution, seminary etc.  Carnal leaders take on roles as speakers, teachers, visionaries or entertainers who are trained in the way of the institution, they conspire ideas that are acceptable to their denominations, not as unto YHWH.  Carnal men are highly esteemed as "men of G-d" based on their "teaching" or methods of delivery, however the Torah qualifies men based on righteous character and accountability to YHWH and others.  Any leaders who conspire and teach against Torah also teach against Mashiyach the Living Torah.

     Greedy dogs of course is referring to teachers who stand before the people of Israel and "dogmatically" teach paganism or Hellenism, they are shepherds that cannot understand, because they posture an identity that knows everything there is to know about G-d, therefore people go to them for answers.  An authentic shepherd will point a soul to Mashiyach and help them develop a relationship with YHWH instead of making people dependant on themselves.  False authority wants men to acknowledge their and respect their authority first, in other words if you don't agree with their authority or doctrines you are illegitimate to their cause, and their cause is really to have you comply to their religion.  The sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer refers to false shepherds who take authority from Babylon.  Babylon is the whore who readily hires herself out to all who will come into her, she is a Jezebel who hates Torah, Yeshua, and the people of YHWH.

     John identifies the anointing that each of the Talmidim of Yeshua received as they walked with Yeshua, verse 26 says "These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you", the enemy seduces souls into succumbing to the authority of men that teach against Torah.  Authority must always come from and belong to YHWH, not from men, we must never ascribe authority by our own person, but that we are called in YHWH to do His will.  The enemy tries to make men believe they are not smart enough, good enough or disciplined enough to receive an anointing from the Ruach HaKodesh, regardless of the Gift of the Ruach HaKodesh within you, the seducer wants you to be dependent on someone else rather that on YHWH.  The Word of YHWH is True Authority, but if you must rely on someone to teach you, then you are trusting in man rather than YHWH.  Men must NOT live in another man's anointing, you must seek YHWH for your own calling and anointing.  It's easy to be seduced by those who appear wise and capable, many people are seduced by Jews, or Cohen, or Levites who market themselves as wise and capable men of G-d, but may also be Hellenized Jews who speak evil of YHWH, Mashiyach and His Torah.  "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of Elohim: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."  1 John 4:1

     Each man must carefully choose who he gives his own authority to, each man has the power of vote and decision, by attending meetings we give authority to leaders.  By studying, learning and applying the Word of YHWH we are giving YHWH the authority to bring the Ruach HaKodesh into our Neshama.  The Word of YHWH is Eternal Truth, it must always be our ultimate Authority.

Speak the Truth in Love

     For several years in the early to mid 90's I attended Kehillath Tsyion Messianic Congregation in Vancouver B.C. Canada where I got first hand lesson on false religious authority.  The congregation was led by a Mr. Eli Nessim, a classic one-man-show with "side kick" Lionel Leslie the informant.  Anyone caught voicing ideas not authorized by the grand poohbah was considered a threat to the "leadership".  This Abimelech style leader makes itself the center of power by positioning light and vain men to uphold their authority before the claque.  For decades Mr. Eli Nessim and his claque were able to quench any startup Messianic groups in the Vancouver area by mounting gossip and character assassination attacks against all who would not come under his own "authority".  Those who attended "unauthorized meetings" were suspected of being dissidents to "Eli's authority".  This rigid hierarchical authority of groups such as operates within the Kehillath Tsiyon can easily be traced to the harlot church system of Nimrod.  The hierarchy of Hellenism are threatened by those who teach Freedom in Torah and Mashiyach.  Leaders of the religious sects embark on all form of defamation against those who "sprout" up to speak about deliverance from Hellenism.  This attitude of denial today reflects a modern day cry of "Israelites in Egypt", these would rather enjoy the cucumbers and leeks of Egypt and follow dead religion rather than seek the Malchut Elohim and be free in YHWH, and His Mashiyach.

     It is not good enough to attend congregations as though they are social clubs, then leave without actively participating in the development of the Malchut Elohim, we are required to "Speak the truth in love" and establish a witness according to the Word of YHWH.  False religion protects itself from truth, and insulates itself from allowing individual freedom of expression and relationship with YHWH and His Mashiyach.  False religion demands conformity and as in the Kehillath Tsyion in Vancouver there is generally a core group that will gossip and defame anyone who would bring a challenge against their loveless and pathetic social clubs.

     No man is an island unto himself, no man has all truth even though he may think and posture himself as though he does.  Regardless of how someone takes a bit of criticism or reproof we are required to honor and respect the souls of our fellow man, and this means to speak openly and honestly about how we are each being led in YHWH, Torah and His Mashiyach.  We do not know if YHWH has sent us to speak the truth in love to someone for the salvation of their own souls, or to prove us to see if we prefer Him over our own lives.

     Hirelings have no authority from YHWH, they only have authority by man because they are being endorsed by man, not by YHWH.  It is common among hirelings to say great swelling words of puffed up recognition to swell each others egos before their congregations, the people have been sold out to the membership of man, rather than the power of the Ruach YHWH. "The hireling flees, because he is a hireling, and cares not for the sheep."  Religion is the ideal entity to pit people against each other, it is full of esoteric ideas not easily judged by concrete facts, it is replete with ideas easily to manipulate for gain.  Religion has shown itself unclean and ruthless against the sheep, but Yeshua said, those who deny Him before men, He will also deny them before His Father who is in Heaven, each of us has a responsibility to uphold the values and teachings of Yeshua in the Malchut Elohim.

     Yeshua said, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be of Elohim, or whether I speak of myself." John 7:17.  Truth is not absorbed intellectually, to be understood Truth must be lived, observed, and rehearsed on a daily basis and this requires an element of suffering to self and producing sustained Love and Unity within the body.  By taking an active role in Beit Din, a man is able to access insights and discernment from YHWH through the Ruach HaKodesh to effectively serve the Body of Mashiyach.  There is no greater satisfaction than to join our efforts together to bring forth Justice and Righteousness to a sick and dying world.  Many souls seeking the Kingdom of Elohim have been harshly beaten down for their Faith, Yeshua said of those who follow Him that they "shall be hated of all men for my name's sake", the gossip and hatred against the people of YHWH isn't likely to stop any time soon, more and more souls are joining together in the high calling if Yeshua Mashiyach each day.  YHWH gives authority to walk in Mashiyach and not be threatened by Babylon, or Hellenism, or by the many religious ideas that come against Mashiyach.  "And the times of this ignorance Elohim winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent: Because He has appointed a day, when He will judge the world in righteousness by He whom He has ordained; YHWH has given assurance unto all men, in that He has raised Him from the dead."

     Exercise YHWH's authority, walk as Mashiyach walked, speak His Name and command demons to flee, rather than be an island unto yourself, seek two other men to pray with and establish YHWH's authority in your community.  Let each one in the congregation exercise their authority in Yeshua, encourage each man to bring forth teaching, testimony and whatever the Ruach HaKodesh has put upon their heart.  Reject the one-man-show style of leadership that glories in its own flesh, it is carnal and proud and a disgrace to the Name of YHWH and His Mashiyach.

*Chemarim are "black robed priests", men wore black robes as a way of showing their authority and instilling a fear of their authority toward others.  This tradition is still done in Rabbinical Orthodox Judaism, Christianity and many other religions, the basis of it is both evil and pagan.

**wine symbolizes teaching, "Neither do men put new wine into old wineskins: else they break, and the wine runs out, and the wineskins perish: but they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."  Matthew 9:17  Yeshua compared His teaching to "old wine"  Yeshua quotes Jeremiah 6:16 when he says "Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:28-29.  Jeremiah 6:16 "Thus says YHWH, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the Ancient Paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls."  Yeshua was stating that He was bringing the old wine, the ancient paths.  "Yeshua answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me.  If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of Elohim, or whether I speak of myself."  John 7:16,17.  Yeshua's teachings are from everlasting, they are the Ancient Paths, not the new wine of any contemporary teaching.

new cloth = new wine = fasting

old garment = old wineskin = ancient paths or ancient teachings of Mashiyach

     Yeshua was teaching that His doctrine is from everlasting, the old wineskin represents an teacher who is full of ancient wisdom.  There is a saying in Mishna Avoth 4:20 "he who learns from the young, unto what is he to be compared?  Unto one who eats unripe grapes and drinks wine from his vat, and he who learns from the old, unto what is he to be compared?  Unto one who eats ripe grapes, and drinks old wine...regard not the container but that which is therein, there is a new container full of old wine and an old container in which there is not even new wine."  Even a child who knows of the ancient paths (has the old wine) is considered wise, one does not look at the age of the person teaching, but what he is teaching.  An elderly man doesn't automatically have the old wine, he may not even have the new.