Truth must be lived to be understood.  When we observe and rehearse Truth on a daily basis then we understand that Truth isn't an intellectual exercise in systematic theology.  It's a way of living and a journey.  This applies to the "authority" structure that we place ourselves under.  We must examine how we give authority to our leaders.  This is extremely crucial for spiritual growth.

There is a woeful amount of "non-Messiah" based “authority” operating within Jewish, Christian, Messianic, Two House, and Israelite congregations around the world.  Many think of cult leaders when thinking of "false authority", but the reality is that all “religious” institutions are magnets for cult-type, one-man-show leadership.  And, there's no lack of opportunity within the Torah observant community either.  It's commonplace for many leaders to demand a hierarchical veto "authority" as they move from one "expression of faith" to another.  They seem to demand control at the helm, steering the congregation “ship” from their own unique vision, always maintaining a captain or owners position on the voyage.  For some leaders, Torah or "Messianic" simply evolved into a new religious identity, like putting a new sail on old Rabbinical (Pharisee) or Christian thinking. At the core there remains a weak structure, a vessel in which the old “authority” model is held.  Ultimately, it's a shipwreck waiting to happen. One must ask... Can the voice of a prophet be heard in the congregation?  Is the council of Elders considered? Are the goals of the organization set by the Will & Spirit of YHWH or a smaller self willed vision?

    And of course Mashiyach Y'shua taught us a much more excellent way. So let's examine the consequences of “false authority”, the type that strong arms the body of believers.

     Frustration & failure is the natural outcome of giving one human being ultimate veto authority over the Body of Faith.  We can all think of examples of this type of leadership. Not only does it quench the organic, Spirit led growth of a congregation, but in matters of morality and conduct, the one-man-show judgments are the essence of carnal, non-Scriptural leadership.

    The one experience that really defined false authority for me happened in 1997 while attending a Messianic Congregation in Vancouver B.C. Canada.  Myself and many others witnessed firsthand how religious authority plays itself out, putting a ceiling on the growth of the congregation and stunting the growth of the leader.  Most of us assume that everybody, including the leadership, knows that YHWH values each of us equally:

    There are many verses in Torah and in Mashiyach's teachings, that establishes equality for all souls, but not everyone believes this enough to apply it.  YHWH does everything according to Order.  His Justice and Mercy doesn't play favorites with people.  You can ask any Rabbi how many dead high-priests were pulled out of the Holy of Holies feet first.  The reality is that those who serve or minister the things of Father YHWH are held to a higher place of responsibility.  All the religious games and politics came to an end when the High Priest entered the Kadosh Kedoshim (Holy of Holies) on Yom Kippur.  It was "Truth-time".  And so it is "truth-time" when we are praying and desiring to hear the Father's voice, but the heavens are like brass if we are not obedient children.  Oftentimes it's the leadership that makes up clever, alternative, religious ideas as to why YHWH doesn't answer our prayers.

     It's extremely important that we apply YHWH's principles according to His structure of authority, and not pander to the popular versions, and certainly not cover up the ministry of the Ruach (Spirit) with a religious social club blanket.

     I discovered the congregation in Vancouver had a leadership style that demanded veto authority over all spiritual and practical matters.  It was being operated via the one-man-show "authority" model, complete with informants and gestapo-like control.  Anyone caught voicing ideas not “authorized” by this "authority" was a threat.  "Authority" belonged to the leader, and no one else dare question the hierarchy of command.  Such Abimelech style of leadership takes the center of power for him or herself, then installs light and vain men (Ahabs) to uphold it and provide ongoing "reports" to maintain tight control.  The sad thing is, many who lack understanding of Mashiyach and Torah actually believe this to be a normal and acceptable policy/procedure. But no, it's carnal and destructive, there's a much more excellent way according to the Kingdom of Heaven.

     For decades the leadership of the only Messianic congregation in Vancouver was able to quench any other Messianic "competition" by mounting slander campaigns and character assassinations against any other potential "Messianics" who weren't coming under his "authority".  Comparatively, every other city in North America with a similar population has 5-10 times more Messianic congregations and hundreds more Jewish and non-Jewish congregants.  By stifling those who attended "unauthorized meetings", one leader was able to use his "authority" to quench the potential ministries of many others.  People were fearful of being suspected as traitors by "the authority", which would bring the terrible embarrassment of being kicked out of the fellowship and publicly chastened.  This hierarchical authority structure can be traced back to the harlot "church" system of Nimrod "the great", Babylon's first father who point blank opposed YHWH's Authority.

     In contradistinction to both the corporate business world and most religious systems of today, the Kingdom of Heaven requires that each of us is involved in all form of leadership for our optimum spiritual growth.  Historians tell us that in the days of Y'shua Mashiyach there were approximately 480 synagogues in Jerusalem.  When you visit Jerusalem today you can find hundreds of synagogues that serve the needs of each local neighborhood.  Having small and intimate places of worship provides opportunity for men and women to develop their leadership skills and participate in their communities.  Sadly, the Hellenistic and pagan model of leadership wants big synagogues and big churches, elevating the leader as an icon.  Sometimes the man with the biggest ego builds the biggest organization.  Attendees can come and go like they do the movies, be entertained, be exhorted and be part of the nameless, faceless mass.

     To understand how false authority operates we need to learn how the spirits of Abimelech, Ahab, Jezebel, Balaak and Bilaam played instrumental roles against YHWH's kings, prophets, judges and teachers.  The real reason there is so much division and false teaching within the Body of Mashiyach today is simply because leaders are not held accountable for their religious "authority" games.  Only a fool thinks that he or she is sufficient within themselves, but this is what the pride of super intellectual people does to themselves.  They think they know it all, they believe themselves to be sufficient in their own knowledge and they see others as less sufficient and less qualified.  Even if a man is a great Torah teacher, extremely knowledgeable and insightful in the Truth, even a genius, he is only a vessel, nothing more or less than one among the other pots. 

     In the corporate world you can acquire ultimate control over a company, but this is fatalistic when it comes to the Kingdom of Elohim.  The Kingdom of Heaven is structured by YHWH's election of those who uphold the Word of YHWH and the code of conduct He prescribes in Mashiyach.  Y'shua made "disciples" not "members" or "memberships".  Y'shua raised up common men. He gave them authority according to the Ruach haKodesh (Set Apart Spirit) and Truth.  He sent them out to give other men authority according to the Spirit of YHWH.  However, religious institutions generally follow the worldly, corporate model of authority, and qualifies men according to systematic theology and popularity.  Within such a structure, neither prophetic intervention nor the shlichim (messengers) of YHWH are permitted a voice.  For the leader to change something he or she was previously doing, means to admit their fallibility.  Each micro hierarchy pits itself against all the others, and the trickle down effect of such a pagan style of leadership welcomes the Abimelech, Ahab, Jezebel, Balaak and Bilaam models that demands veto authority. And, operating out of “limelight” benefits can be very bitter fruit.

     The 33,800 or so Christian denominations out there are all micro hierarchies, most fall under a more macro headship either Catholic or Reform movement from whence they've grown.  However, the ultimate authority within most congregations resides with the rabbi, priest or pastor and many are oblivious to the reality that these guys are simply overseers who have an up-line that pulls the strings.  If we investigate the models in both church and state, the "up-lines" converge into one big "authority" structure that Scripture tells us is, "the beast" or the "anti-Messiah".  People are way too quick to assume they are under a YHWH established authority, because many never investigate the tell tale signs of false authority. The false leadership wants us to believe that YHWH has given them authority to change the very structure of His Kingdom.
 
     Everyone knows that YHWH (Yahweh) revealed Himself from the beginning of time in His Name.  You and I also have a personal name that is the most basic and foundational element of our own sovereignty.  If someone came along and gave us different names, and convinced our families and friends to call us by a name they chose, that would be crass invasion of our sovereignty, our personal property and our identity.  Rabbinical authority changed the Name of YHWH to "HaShem", Christian authority changed the Name of YHWH to "the LORD", in so doing the religious "authority" has installed itself over YHWH's authority.  Religion dictates the Name of YHWH according to a certain tradition, but YHWH tells us that speaking His Name is a prophetic act, that His Name is Truth.
 
     Scripture also shows us how the Name of YHWH is inextricably connected to Mashiyach.  “Yehoshua” means that Yahweh is Salvation, and what we don't find in Scripture is Y'shua usurping His Father's authority.  Herein is another methodology that false authority has usurped authority for itself by fractionalizing YHWH's authority and suggesting that His Son wrote a bunch of new laws and commandments that abrogated the "Old Commandments", again... that's paganism.
 
     Regardless of how we are criticized by others, we are required to honor and respect each soul equally, speak openly and honestly in love to one another.  How do we know if YHWH has sent us to speak the truth to someone for the salvation of their soul, or indeed to prove us to see if we will sanctify His Name, or both?  How do we know if YHWH has sent a messenger into our congregation or personal lives, if we can't even hear the messenger?

     Religious hirelings and false authorities live off tithes and offerings that are meant to build the Kingdom of Heaven, they will not surrender their stranglehold over YHWH's people unless their money runs dry.  "The hireling flees, because he is a hireling, and cares not for the sheep."   Religious hirelings stay in power by pitting people against one another. They establish their "authority" by upholding religious discrimination and bigotry among YHWH's people for personal gain.  The opposite of false authority is a plurality of leadership authority that waits on YHWH, which is the faith held among elders who are accessible to everyone in the congregation.

     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. 

     By taking an active role in a Beit Din each man is better 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 for ourselves and others who have been made sick in this unregenerate dying world.  Many souls who are seeking the Kingdom of Elohim are being beaten down for exercising 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 YHWH's people isn't going to stop until Mashiyach returns, yet more and more souls are joining together in the high calling of Yeshua Mashiyach and living according to Torah.  YHWH is providing His authority to walk in Mashiyach and not be threatened by Babylon or Hellenism or by the many religious institutions that go against His Mashiyach. 

     We are each called to exercise YHWH's authority which is our individual sovereign alignment in Him, to walk as Mashiyach walked.  We are to speak the Name of YHWH, and oppose false authority, and command demons to flee, rather than make a retreat from battle.  As we seek two or more men to pray and establish YHWH's authority in our local communities we see the Arm of YHWH revealed and the victories coming to us on every side.  Let us each exercise our YHWH given authority in Mashiyach Yeshua.  Let us encourage each one to bring forth YHWH's teaching and the testimony of His Word, and each Wonderful insight the Ruach HaKodesh is putting upon our heart.

     Reject one-man-show leaders who glorify their own flesh.  They are carnal, proud, and a disgrace to the Name of YHWH and His Mashiyach.  They have no shame, no accountability, and no humility, but seek their own gain that is veiled by sentimental pride and religion.  It doesn't matter what religion a carnal man chooses to emulate, the carnal nature of man cannot be converted to a spiritually renewed man by a "religion".  Only when we remove the idols of religion and raise our eyes and our heads towards our Father YHWH and keep His Torah with delight, can we understand the difference between man's false religious authority and YHWH's Perfect authority over our lives and over the lives of those we fellowship together with.

     By observing Torah we can elevate the value of all souls whether Jew or Gentile, and refrain from making up false religious tiered systems that discriminate and prejudice people against each other.

     The truth is that YHWH's authority belongs to each one of us.  We are made in His Image and it is His authority that protects us. This is why we are instructed to "rebuke with all authority".  If you do a study on "authority" in Scripture you will discover the most commonly used term is rabba (“great”) which of course is the root of Rabbi which could mean "my great one" or "my teacher".  Either scenario can be very dysfunctional depending on how we view the rabbi.  If we don't see Mashiyach as our "Great One" and our "Great Teacher" then we're going to be headed for shipwreck.  Yes, I also happen to serve YHWH's people in the office of a rabbi, which simply means that I formally teach torah and minister to the needs of YHWH's people.  But, I'm not a "great one."  YHWH forbid that another human being would elevate me in their eyes so that I would displace their own Savior.

     Surely you know that elevating things other than YHWH is the propensity of carnal human nature.  Even for many Christians, Jews are elevated as "God's Chosen People" to the point that some Christians can't see that Israel is one of the most wicked countries on earth.  The government pays for abortions, and Israelis have a reputation around the world for being arrogant, rude, obnoxious, selfish, and dishonest.  It's very sad that people laugh about it.  Israel also has one of the most disproportionately held models of wealth on the planet, a handful of Jewish families (you can count them on both hands) own about 95% of all the wealth in Israel.  Israel is a secular Jewish state, and YHWH clearly said through His prophets that He will scrape the Torahless anti-Mashiyach Jews off the face of the earth... because He plays no favorites.

     Were the Jews chosen?  Yes indeed.  But so are you, in Mashiyach, and the Truth of the matter is that you will be given a name better than the sons and daughters of Israel (Isaiah 56:5), and an inheritance in Israel (Ezekiel 47:23) and in the world to come (Hebrews 9:15) if you return to YHWH and keep His Shabbat's and do what pleases Him (Isaiah 56:4).  So here's why I offer this... Be extremely careful of "Jewish" and all "religious" authority.  Many Believers have also been seduced under Rabbinical and Karaite cult-like leadership and didn't see it coming.  Mashiyach is the only King of Kings, not any rabbi, pastor, priest or "spiritual leader".