Believers must be willing to test everything.

In the Torah, regarding spiritual things, we are told to 'test everything,' and 'hold on to the good' whether things are good or evil, beneficial or harmful. The Torah says:

1TH 5:19  Do not put out the fire of the Ruach haQodesh; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to what is of Towb. Avoid every kind of evil.

Why is testing in spiritual matters necessary? The answer is, because we are on a spiritual battlefield and each one of us is engaged in a life or death contest. Failure to recognize error could be fatal. Concerning this spiritual battle, the Briyth Chadashah writers say:

EPH 6:10  Finally, be strengthened in YHWH and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of 'Elohiym, that you will be enabled to stand against the devil's schemes. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against those of the first estate, against the superhuman, against the worldly rulers of this darkness and against the spiritual forces of evil that are against Shamayim.

Anyone who watches nature films on TV will know that at every level of life there are predators and potential victims. Even the gentlest creature, be it a worm, an insect or a gazelle, needs to be on constant guard if it wants to stay alive. Because lurking in the background, unseen and unheard are hungry predators waiting to pounce and devour. The Torah says:

1PE 5:8  Be sober! Be vigilant! For your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the Ne'eman, knowing that the same sufferings in the world are being accomplished in your brethren.

And how does haSatan work? After all, none of us have ever seen him or heard him speak. Does he even exist? And if so, where is he? How is it possible to wrestle with an enemy you cannot see or feel or hear? Who and where is this 'roaring lion' Peter is writing about? We find the inspired answer throughout Scriptures; but mainly in some TaNaKh experiences involving pagan religions and false prophets. The Torah says:

JER 23:13  "And in the nabiy' of Shomrown I saw foolishness: They will prophesy by Ba`al and lead astray My people from Aleph/Tav, Aleph/Tav of Yisra'el! And in a nabiy' of Yerushalayim I will see something horrible: He apostatizes and he lives in sheqer! And, they strengthen the ability of re`iym, so they do not turn a man from his ra`a. They are all like Cdom and her inhabitants to Me, like `Amorah." Therefore, this is what YHWH Tsba'owt says: "Concerning the nabiy'im, behold, I will feed them with cursing and give them to drink poisonous wasting, because instead of Aleph/Tav the nabiy' of Yerushalayim has spread filth throughout the land." This is what YHWH Tsba'owt says: "Do not listen to what the nabiy'im are prophesying to you; they lead you astray. Their heart will twist the chazown of your Aleph/Tav, it is not from the mouth of YHWH. They keep saying to those who spurn Me, `YHWH says: You will have Shalowm.' And to everyone who follows the stubbornness of his own heart they say, `No ra`a will come upon you.' But which has stood in the council of YHWH and will see or discern Aleph/Tav, His Word? Who will listen to His Word and discern it?

The amazing thing about this whole drama is that the general public loves to feed on this spiritual broth of paganism and falsehood. Currently there are many thousands of xtian sects, cults and groups with a registered membership. Add to them the millions from the other beliefs: Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, the Occult and New Age religions etc. and one is faced with a befuddling choice of beliefs, all claiming to be the truth! Some say: "Just believe what you think is best and do as you please. Select the faith that suits you best. They all lead to God anyway and what difference does it make." That's what many people think. The Torah says:

JER 5:30  An appalling and horrible thing will happen in the land: The nabiy'im prophesy in sheqer, and the koheniym rule in their own authority, and My people love this so. But what will they do in the end?

No doubt some will ask: "But why does 'Elohiym allow falsehood to continue, especially when it contains some truth? What is His Divine objective?" We find His answer in this Torah passage:

DT 13:1  If a nabiy', or a dreamer of dreams, arises among you and gives to you a sign or miracle, and the sign or miracle which he has foretold comes, says, "Let us follow gods of 'cheriym" (which you have not known) "and let us serve them," you will not listen to the word of that nabiy' or that dreamer of dreams! For YHWH, your 'Elohiym, your Aleph/Tav, is testing you to determine whether you will be lovers of Aleph/Tav- YHWH, your 'Elohiym, in all your heart and in all your nephesh. It is YHWH, your 'Elohiym, you will follow, and Him you will revere. Then, Aleph/Tav will keep you guarded in His mitsvowt, and you will listen attentively to His Qowl, you will serve Him and you will remain in Him. And that nabiy' or dreamer of dreams -- that one will be put to death for preaching apostasy against YHWH, your 'Elohiym, the One, your Aleph/Tav, who brought you out from the land of Mitsrayim, the One who redeemed you from the house of `badiym; he has tried to turn you from haDerek, who YHWH, your 'Elohiym, appointed you to walk in Him. You will purge the ra`a from your midst.

'Elohiym allows falsehood to exist in order to see whether or not we will wholeheartedly love Him and remain in Yeshuwah and listen to His Qowl.

Religious authorities react to truth in a variety of ways.

The first reaction is to fight it. "Forget about the rights and wrongs involved, this teaching goes against the popular beliefs of the masses, so it cannot be right. Fight against it! Stop it - immediately!"

The second is to ignore it. "Let's wait and see what happens. Let it run its course. Don't say anything. Don't make a decision, for or against. Just bide your time, be patient, be neutral, be quiet, then no one can blame you for being wrong." This is the easiest and most popular reaction to the truth. It seems to be the choice of the majority.

The third reaction is to study the Torah to see what the 'Elohiym of Yisra'el has to say about the truth.

JER 26:7  The koheniym and the nabiy'im and all the people of Aleph/Tav heard Yirmyahuw speaking of Aleph/Tav of the dbariym, these things, in Bayith YHWH. But as soon as Yirmyahuw finished telling all the people everything which YHWH had commanded him to say about Aleph/Tav, the koheniym, the nabiy'im and all the people seized him saying, "You must die! Why will you prophesy in the Name of YHWH, saying, "This Bayith will be like Shilow and this city will be destroyed and without inhabitant?" And the Qahal, from all the people, turned to Yirmyahuw in Bayith YHWH. So, then the prince of Yhuwdah of Aleph/Tav of the dbariym heard about these things, and they went up from the palace of the king to Bayith YHWH and they were seated in PetachSha`ar of Bayith YHWH, the Chadash. Then the koheniym and the nabiy'im spoke to the officials of the prince and all the people, saying, "This man is sentenced to Maveth, because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears!" Then Yirmyahuw spoke to all the officials of the prince and all the people, saying: "YHWH sent me to prophesy against this Bayith and this city of Aleph/Tav of all the dbariym, which you have heard. And now, you will make your way and your action acceptable and listen attentively in the Qowl of YHWH, your 'Elohiym. Then, YHWH will relent towards the calamity He has sworn against you. As for me, I see I am in your hands; do with me like Towb and like Yashar, as you see it. Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on its citizenry, for YHWH has sent me in 'Emeth to you to speak of Aleph/Tav of all these dbariym in your hearing." Then the officials of the prince and all the people said to the koheniym and the nabiy'im, "This man is not sentenced to Maveth! He spoke to us in the Name of YHWH, our 'Elohiym."

How we react to His ‘Emeth determines how 'Elohiym reacts to us. He does not sit back twiddling His thumbs doing nothing. He reacts to our actions. He blinds us, or gives more vision. He blesses, or curses. He walks with you, or He turns away! He always reacts to our actions. Fix that fact in your mind. Notice how He reacted to the chatta'ah of king 'Ach'ab.

1KI 22:19  He continued, "Therefore hear Dbar-YHWH: `I saw Aleph/Tav, YHWH, sitting on His Throne and all tsba haShamayim stood around Him on His right and on His left. And YHWH said, "Who will entice, for Aleph/Tav, 'Ach'ab that he will go against Ramowth-Gil`ad and fall?" One suggested this, and another that. Then, the ruach came forward and stood before YHWH to say, "I can entice him." YHWH asked, "By what means?" And he said, "I will go and be a ruach sheqer in the mouth of every nabiy' of his," Then He said, "That will entice him and, too, you are enabled. Go and do so." So now, listen, YHWH has put ruach sheqer in the mouth of every nabiy' of yours. So YHWH has decreed calamity for you."

In the Briyth Chadashah writings, we are told of how 'Elohiym reacts to people who, though knowing the marvels of His Creation, refuse to accept the fact that the universe came into being by His creation, not Evolution. The writer says:

RO 1:28  Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the da`ath of ha'Elohiym, He gave them over to a depraved intellect, to do what ought not to be done. They have been satiated with every kind of risha` – pornography, `avon and avarice; full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit and mischievousness; gossips, slanderers, haters of 'Elohiym, insulting, arrogant and boastful; inventing ways of torment; disobedient to their parents; undiscerning, treacherous, hard-hearted, ruthless and unmerciful. Although they know the chuqiym, that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Believe it or not, that is exactly what this generation is being handed over to. Like king 'Ach'ab of old, this generation is charging headlong to calamity.

RO 1:18  The wrath of 'Elohiym is revealed from Shamayim against all the risha` and `avon of men who suppress ha'Emeth in pesha`, as what may be known about 'Elohiym is plain to them, because ha'Elohiym has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world the invisible things of 'Elohiym are understood - both power and divinity of His `Owlam - so that they are inexcusable. For although they knew ha'Elohiym, they neither esteemed Him as 'Elohiym nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became worthless and their undiscerning hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became foolish, exchanging the Kabowd of the perfect 'Elohiym for a pecel of an image made to look like men and birds and animals and reptiles. So ha'Elohiym also gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They changed ha'Emeth of 'Elohiym into the lie, and revered and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen.

RO 1:32  Although they know the chuqqiym, that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

The Ecumenical Movement

In a desperate effort to be taken seriously by our 'couldn't-care-less society,' the xtian churches are now coming together in an 'Ecumenical Movement.' They are seeking world-wide unity! Alas, they are not uniting under the banner of 'Emeth and Tsdaqah, but under a hazy, watery constitution which allows everyone to believe what they want; so long as they 'love one another and keep the peace.' The laws and doctrines by which the Torah nabiy'im, shlachiym and shaptiym lived and died, are jettisoned in favor of smooth-sounding clichés which will eventually accommodate all the religions of the world! All will find repose under the so-called 'banner of love and peace!'
'But,' someone will say, 'isn't that a good thing? Shouldn't we be against bigotry? Shouldn't we unite under one banner? What does it matter if a few doctrines are jettisoned on the way and the Pope is accepted as the Head of the Christtian Church?'

Dr Martin Lloyd-Jones once told his congregation at Westminster Chapel in London:

'I remind you that the Protestant Reformers were not just bigoted zealots or fools. Their eyes were opened by the Holy Spirit; Luther, Calvin, Knox, all of them. They saw this horrible monstrosity depicted in the Bible and the warning against it. At the risk of even losing their lives they stood up and protested. They confronted Rome,... The Roman Catholic Church is a counterfeit, a sham, it represents prostitution of the worst and most diabolic kind. It is indeed a form of the antichrist; it is to be rejected and denounced, but above all, it is to be countered. And there is only one thing that can counter it and that is a Biblical, doctrinal Christianity. A Christianity that merely teaches "Come to Jesus" cannot stand before Rome. People who hold evangelistic campaigns and say, "Are you Roman Catholics? Go back to your church," are denying New Testament teaching. We must warn them." (Bible League Quarterly October/December 1981)

Speaking in the 1880s, Dr H Grattan Guiness voiced this staggering commentary on Apostasy in the xtian churches.

"I see the great Apostasy, I see the desolation of Christendom, I see the smoking ruins, I see the monsters; I see those vice-gods, that Gregory V11, that Innocent 111, that Boniface V111, that Alexander V1, that Gregory X111, that Pius 1X. I see their long succession, I hear their insufferable blasphemies, I see their abominable lives; I see them worshipped by blinded generations, bestowing hollow benedictions, bartering lying indulgences, creating a paganized Christianity. I see their liveried slaves, their shaven priests, their celibate confessors; I see the infamous confessional, the ruined women, the murdered innocents; I hear the lying absolutions, the dying groans; I hear the cries of the victims; I hear the anathemas, the curses, the thunder of the interdicts; I see the racks, the dungeons, the stakes; I see that inhuman Inquisition, those fires of Smithfield, those butcheries of St Bartholomew, that Spanish Armada, those unspeakable dragonnades, that endless train of wars, that dreadful multitude of massacres. I see it all, and in the name of the ruin it has brought in the Church and in the world, in the name of truth it has denied, the temple it has defiled, the God it has blasphemed, the souls it has destroyed; in the name of the millions it has deluded, the millions it has slaughtered, the millions it has damned, with holy confessors, with noble reformers, with innumerable martyrs, with the saints of the ages, I denounce it as the masterpiece of Satan, as the body and essence of antichrist." (Romanism and the Reformation by H. Grattan Guinness, DD: Focus Christian Ministries, Lewes, Sussex, UK)

As Bishop J.C. Ryle once said:

"Unity without truth is useless. When Rome has repealed the decrees of Trent and her additions to the creed, and when she has formally renounced image worship, Mary worship and transubstantiation, then and not until then, will it be time to talk of reunion with her. Till then I call on all Christians to resist to the death this idea of reunion with Rome."

The Scriptural Litmus Test

To be sure the stunning array of church groups, now numbering several thousands, makes some form of unity seem desirable. But who does one unite or worship with? Which congregation or group should the sincere believer visit each Shabbat? With so many false prophets and semi-pagan groups about, where can the true believer safely worship 'Elohiym? The Torah gives us a sure formula for detecting the difference between Truth and Error. I refer to this formula as the 'Scriptural Litmus Test.' The 'Scriptural Litmus Test' never fails. It will tell you in a flash whether a nabiy' is true or false and whether 'Elohiym is with a group or not. The 'Scriptural Litmus Test' is found in this passage:

When men tell you to consult mediums and yid`oniym, tsaphaphiym and hagiym, should not a people inquire of their 'Elohiym? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? To the Torah and to the T'uwdah! If they do not speak according to this Word, they have no light in them. Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their King and their 'Elohiym. Then they will look toward the world and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.

In other words, apostate groups and false prophets can be identified by their aversion to the Torah of 'Elohiym and paganism is easily recognized in their services: image and idol worship, rosaries, repetitive prayers and counterfeit Shabbat days! These are all borrowed from the heathen religions of the world. Apostates use Torah Truths to dress up pagan practices. They are like prostitutes who dress up and pose as faithful, married women.

These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of human natural minds, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.

If you want to speedily recognize and rid yourself of deception and falsehood, then you must use the 'Scriptural Litmus Test.' If you want to 'prove all things and hold fast to that which is good' then you have no other option but to heed this verse:

To the Torah and to the T'uwdah: if they do not speak according to this Word, they have no light in them.

You must find the answers to these questions:

What do these false prophets teach concerning the Torah of 'Elohiym?

What do they make of the 'Aseret haDbariym?

And especially the 4th mitsvah concerning the True Shabbat?

Do they say it has been changed and replaced by Sunday?

Do they claim that the Torah of 'Elohiym is obsolete?

Do they mutter and chant like the pagans do? Do they say the same prayer dozens of times in a ceaseless, monotonous mumble? Do they babble and lose themselves in their many words?

These are questions you need to address before you risk losing chay l`owlam at the hands of religious charlatans. So be on your guard and do not dismiss this testimony as irrelevant. Yeshuwah haMashiyach plainly taught that every religious teaching that did not come from His Father will be pulled up.

Every plant that My Father in Shamayim has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into the Abyss.

This means that the doctrines and practices in the xtian churches that are not in line with the Torah are all scheduled for uprooting - by 'Elohiym! It is a terrifying prospect if ever there was one; and every minister should take note. Burning the Torah, or murdering the preachers who point out these facts, will never demolish Truth. That will only result in advertising the Truth. History tells us that persecution never eradicates the facts; it only helps publish them. And now you know the facts. You know how to identify Truth and error. You know about the Scriptural Litmus Test. Do not be slow to apply it.