Parables are given to hide meanings rather than to reveal (Mt. 13:10-17). We learn that the Priesthood, tabernacle, sacrifices, vessels and appointed service were parables (Heb. 9:1-9, especially v.9. The word "figure" comes from the Greek word "parabole" translated elsewhere as "parable"). Even though these "parables" were given to Israel as a possession they only served the purpose of blinding the great overall majority (Ro. 11, especially verses 7 and 25).

During His Olivet discourse YAHshua gave several parables. The first parable He gave was of the fig tree, "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors," Mt. 24:32-33.

YAHshua said that we must LEARN the parable. To "learn" means to get knowledge of (a subject) or skill in (an art, trade, etc.) by study, experience, instructions, etc. (Webster’s New World Dictionary).

How are we going to learn this and all parables? First we must repent and be baptized in the only name under Heaven whereby we must be saved (Acts 2:38, 4:12). Then we must receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands by the ministry (Acts 2:38, 8:12-18). The Holy Spirit, which is the Comforter, will teach us all things, leading us into the truth (Jn. 14:26, 15:26, 16:13). Finally, we must study the Scriptures, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).

Now where should we begin to learn of this parable? The best place to begin learning about anything is to go to the beginning. Going back to the beginning takes us back to the garden of Eden and the account of Adam’s and Eve’s disobedience.

Eve was deceived by the serpent into thinking that if they took of the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they would become as Elohim, knowing good and evil (Gen. 3:1-5). She took of the tree and ate, giving to her husband also who followed her example (reversal of roles) and ate (Gen. 3:6).

Heretofore, they had been naked but not ashamed (Gen. 2:25). Now their eyes were opened to their stark nakedness. They sewed fig leaves into aprons in order to cover their nakedness. This act reveals a change in their psyche.

The whole creation, which includes Adam and Eve, had been pronounced good by Elohim (Gen. 1:31). As long as Adam and Eve lived within the ramifications of YAHWEH'S commands, they were at peace with YAHWEH, one another, and the creation. There was nothing to be ashamed about.

Then disobedience set in. As said there was a change that took place in their psyche, their mind. This change was spiritual in nature, but the only way the man and woman could determine to deal with it was physical. They sewed fig leaves into "aprons." The man and woman realized that they needed a "covering" for they had sinned against their Creator, YAHWEH.

Isn’t it interesting that YAHshua spoke of the parable of the fig tree and leaves of the fig tree are one of the first things dealt with in Scripture. As we continue on, we will find out that the significance is ominous.

In the beginning the man and woman were naked and not ashamed (Gen. 2:25). The Hebrew word translated "ashamed" here carries a deeper idea with it than what it has been translated. The Hebrew word is "buwsh" and means to pale, to be ashamed, disappointed or delayed. It has been variously translated as: (be, make, bring to, cause, to, put to, with, a-) shame (-d), be (put to confounded (-fusion), become dry, delay, be long. As we can see, one of the meanings can be confound (-ed) or confuse (-sion). [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance]

The word confound means: [to pour together, confuse] 1. to mix up or lump together indiscriminately; confuse. 2. to make feel confused; bewilder. 3. to damn: used as a mild oath. 4. [Archaic] to cause to fail; defeat or destroy. 5. [Archaic] to make feel ashamed; abash - SYN. see PUZZLE (Webster’s New World Dictionary).

Confuse means: 1. to mix up; jumble together; put into disorder. 2. to mix up mentally; specif., a) to bewilder; perplex b) to embarrass; disconcert; abash. c) to fail to distinguish between; mistake the identity of - SYN. see PUZZLE (Webster’s New World Dictionary).

Puzzle means: to perplex; confuse; bewilder; nonplus - vi. 1. to be perplexed, etc. 2. to exercise one’s mind, as over the solution of a problem. etc., etc.

When Adam and Eve took of the forbidden tree their eyes were "opened." The Hebrew word for "opened" is paqach. It means to open (the senses, specially) the eyes; fig. to be observant.

All of a sudden they were bewildered, confounded, confused. They were observant to the senses and, behold, they were naked and ashamed of that which, heretofore had been good. They wanted to cover themselves because of their shame, their sin, their bewilderment, their confusion. They sewed fig leaves into aprons (a network if you will) to cover themselves.

Their action with the fig leaves reveal the confusion that had set in. What good are fig leaves for a covering? Anyone who has ever picked figs will realize immediately that contact with fig leaves on bare skin imparts stinging, itchy, burning sensations.

The next point about fig leaves is that while on the tree they are firm, pliable and lush, but as soon as they are picked, the life-giving flow of sap is cut off. They begin the process of drying out, withering and soon become desiccated to the point that they are brittle and simply crumble to pieces.

Israel committed similar actions for YAHWEH declared, "For My People have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water," Jer. 2:13. Water is a type of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 7:37-39). A cistern is a reservoir for holding water (spirit). Therefore Israel had turned away from YAHWEH as Adam and Eve had done and the Spirit was lacking in their form of worship.

Adam and Eve’s actions prove that they had become more than ashamed. They had become confounded, or confused to the point that they had thought that fig leaves could effectively cover their nakedness, their bewilderment, their sensuality, their confusion, their sin.

Adam’s and Eve’s act of disobedience and subsequent feeble attempt at covering themselves reveal that they knew they needed a covering for their wrongful action. But was their choice of covering acceptable?

As long as they were only in each other’s presence, it seemed acceptable to them. But as soon as they heard YAHWEH'S voice in the garden calling out to them, they ran and hid themselves from Him (Gen. 3:8). Why did Adam and Eve hide themselves? Adam said, "I heard Thy voice in the garden and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself," Gen. 3:10.

But, why was he naked? He and Eve had made aprons of fig leaves to cover themselves! Herein lies the type that the fig leaves represent. They are a type of man’s own self made religions. Religion is for the purpose of covering man’s sins. It serves the purpose of pointing man to the promised seed, who would crush the serpent’s head (Gen. 3:15), delivering man from the curse of death brought on by the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

As long as man is worshipping in his own religion, and is only among men, every thing seems to be fine. But when YAHWEH comes, then man will realize that the false way he has been following is not the right religion or covering after all. They will want to flee and hide from Him as Adam and Eve did.

YAHWEH had promised that there would be enmity between the serpent and the woman and between the serpent’s seed and her Seed, also promising that the woman’s Seed would crush or bruise the serpent’s head while the serpent would crush or bruise the heel of the promised Seed.

After they were expelled from the garden of Eden it is written, "And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, ‘I have gotten a man from YAHWEH," Gen. 4:1.

Now consider, the fact that Cain was her firstborn son and her seed. By her very statement we can see that Eve believed that Cain was the one who was promised. She said," I have gotten a man..." The word man is translated from the Hebrew word "ish" in this instance and has several meanings. Some of those meanings include, champion, a certain man, man of high degree, great man, mighty man, worthy, etc.

Notice also that she said he was from YAHWEH, and she named him Cain which means: fixity; a lance (as striking fast). The accompanying picture reveals an Egyptian goddess in the process of striking a serpent in its head. This is a hieroglyphic depicting Eve as the goddess, Cain as the lance; and the deceiving serpent’s head being crushed or bruised. The other picture reveals the Indian god, Crisna crushing the serpents head.

The religious world has persisted in worshipping a trinity consisting of father, son and holy spirit (mother). It may surprise you to find out that the original trinity consisted of Adam-father, Eve-mother, and Cain-son.

The serpent had told the woman "Ye shall not surely die: for Elohim doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as Elohim knowing good and evil." Adam and Eve were deceived into thinking that they were now Elohim. The idea is recorded in Gen. 3:22 where we read, "And YAHWEH Elohim said, ‘Behold, the man is become as one of us (WNM,mi), to know good and evil..."

The Hebrew word translated as "of us" is found elsewhere in Gen. 2 and 3. They are: Gen. 2:17, "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it (WNM,mi): for in the day that thou eatest thereof (WNM,mi) thou shalt surely die." "Of it" and "thereof" are translated from the same Hebrew word "of us" is translated from.

Gen. 3:3, "But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, Elohim hath said, ‘Ye shall not eat of it (same word) neither shall ye touch it lest ye die.’"

Gen. 3:5, "For Elohim doth know that in the day ye eat thereof (WNM,mi, same word), then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as Elohim, knowing good and evil."

Gen. 3:11, "And He said, ‘Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of (WNM,mi, same word) the tree, whereof I commanded thee thou shouldest not eat?’"

In order to be consistent with Scripture and interpretation, Gen 3:22 should read, "Behold the man is become as one from it (the tree), to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the Tree of Life, and eat, and live for ever:-"

Thus man has continued to be confused into thinking that he had become like unto Elohim when the truth of the matter is that man became like the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which is a confusing mixture. On the one hand man and his civil and religious systems appear "good," but on the other hand, with a little in-depth research one finds evil.

The trinity, therefore, is traced back to Adam, Eve and Cain. Eve believed Cain to be the "Ish" (hero, champion, mighty man) who would crush the serpent. Cain would have been raised all his life thinking that he was the promised seed, the savior of all mankind.

Adam and Eve had been given dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:26). The Hebrew word for sovereign, ruler, controller, master, lord, or owner is "adon." From this word adon comes the Spanish title "Don" which means master, lord, etc. The Latin word "madonna" is feminine for the Hebrew "adon." It simply means "my lady, lord, master, etc." The Greek name "Adonis" also comes from this Hebrew word "adon."

Adam and Eve were the first "adon" and "madonna." Cain, Adam’s first born son was expected to be the heir, the seed who would restore man to the paradise lost. By Eve’s own words, we can see how important she thought his birth was (after all they had become confused).

Cain lived into adulthood believing and being taught that he was the promised seed, that he was the master and sovereign (adon) over the whole earth. He, like Adam and Eve, believed Satan’s lie that he was like elohim. Thus the first man, woman and child considered themselves worthy of worship from others.

"And she again bare his brother Abel," Gen. 4:2. The Hebrew reads thusly, "And she continued to bear his brother Abel." Cain and Abel were twins. The name "Abel" proves how highly Eve thought of Cain and how little she regarded Abel for Abel means emptiness, vanity, transitory, and unsatisfactory.

Abel became a shepherd while Cain became a farmer. In the process of time both Cain and Abel brought offerings to YAHWEH, Cain bringing of the fruit of the ground, the earth, while Abel brought his from the firstlings of the flock. YAHWEH had respect to and accepted Abel’s sacrifice while He did not respect nor receive Cain’s. Why?

The differences in the offerings reveals the differences in attitude and understanding held by Cain and Abel. Cain’s offering was of the fruit of the ground. When YAHWEH began refashioning the earth He said on the third day, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth;" and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and Elohim saw that it was good (Gen. 1:11-12).

On the sixth day YAHWEH said, "Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind:" and it was so. And Elohim made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and Elohim saw that it was good. (Gen. 1:24-25).

Notice the differences; in the first account Elohim said, "Let the earth bring forth," and the earth brought forth. In the second account Elohim said, "Let the earth bring forth," and Elohim made.

Paul explains it, "And so it is written, ‘The first man Adam was made a living soul,’ the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is from Heaven," 1 Cor. 15:45-47.

Cain, his religion, worship and offering were earthy, of the earth, natural. Cain was like Adam in that Adam was the first man, of the earth, earthy. Cain was the firstborn son and inherited Adam’s inheritance. It was the inheritance of the first man, an earthy inheritance which included sin, corruption and death.

Abel, his religion, worship and offering were acceptable for he offered an offering of the firstfruits (firstborn) of the flock. The flocks and cattle were also of the earth, but they were made by YAHWEH'S hands. Blood was shed revealing that Abel was not confused as the others for his offering revealed that he understood that the Messiah was yet to come. His offering revealed that he understood that the second Man, the Messiah would come from YAHWEH, out of Heaven, being the Firstborn Son of YAHWEH through the power of the Holy Spirit. Abel’s religion and inheritance was of the second Adam, a spiritual inheritance.

Look at the difference between the earthly plants and animals. Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air and expel oxygen. We can call this a "breathing" process, but it is entirely different from that of animals which breath air, oxygen through the mouth into the lungs where the lungs introduce the air into the blood and the blood carries the oxygen throughout the body. Both man and animals expel carbon dioxide.

Furthermore, the life of all flesh is in the blood and the blood was forbidden to be eaten (Lev. 17:10-14). No such requirement is given for plants.

Oxygen or air is a type of the spirit. The Hebrew words "neshemah" and "ruwach" as well as the Greek word "pneuma," are all variously translated as "spirit" meaning breath, air, to breathe, wind, etc.

Abel’s sacrifice was a spiritual sacrifice which prophesied of the coming true Messiah. Cain’s offering was an earthly, bloodless offering revealing that he was confused and blinded as to the truth about the Messiah. He thought that he was the anointed one, the messiah.

When Cain saw that his offering was rejected, he became very angry (wroth). He was crestfallen (his countenance or face fell). He was warned by YAHWEH that sin was crouching at his door desiring to overcome him, but he should rule over it (paraphrased from The Hebrew Interlinear Bible).

Yet Cain continued unrepentant in his anger and jealousy rising up against Abel and slaying him when they were in the field. Cain, therefore continued to follow the actions of Adam and Satan for Satan is a murderer through lies (Jn. 8:44) and Adam, through his sin, brought death upon all (Ro. 5:12).

Cain also exemplifies an unrepentant attitude for when asked of Abel’s whereabouts by YAHWEH he retorted with a lie saying, "I know not: am I my brother’s keeper?" Gen. 4:9. When YAHWEH revealed that He knew what had happened and passed His judgment on Cain, all Cain could do is feel self pity. There was no remorse exhibited for his evil deed.

Cain was banished from the face of YAHWEH, having also the pride of his strength cursed, for Cain had prided himself in his farming prowess. He was able to force the earth to yield bountifully. The earth had been cursed to bring forth thorns and thistles (weeds) because of Adam’s sin (Gen. 3:17-19). Cain, however, had been able to bring forth from the earth in its strength. Now Cain had this ability taken away. He was to be a fugitive and a vagabond.

Cain went out from YAHWEH'S presence and dwelt in the land of Nod (wandering) on the east of Eden (Gen. 4:16). But Cain did not wander as a fugitive and vagabond for very long. His wife conceived and bore him a son naming him Enoch.

Instead of following YAHWEH'S direction by wandering as a vagabond and fugitive, Cain built a city and named it after his son Enoch. Enoch means teaching, initiation, dedicated, disciplined, or to train up.

Cain and Enoch began to teach a mystery, sun worshipping religion into which one had to be initiated before he could have the secrets revealed.

Mackey’s Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry has this to say about Enoch, "Though the Scriptures furnish but a meager account of Enoch, the traditions of Freemasonry closely connect him, by numerous circumstances, with the early history of the Institution.

In the very commencement of our inquiries, we shall find circumstances in the life of this great patriarch that shadow forth, as it were, something of that mysticism with which the traditions of Freemasonry have connected him. His name, in the Hebrew language, Henoch, signifies to initiate and to instruct, and seems intended to express the fact that he was, as Oliver remarks, the first to give a decisive character to the rite of initiation and to add to the practise of Divine worship the study and application of human science.

The years of his life may also be supposed to contain a mystic meaning, for they amounted to three hundred and sixty-five, being exactly equal to a solar revolution. In all the ancient rites this number has occupied a prominent place, because it was the representative of the annual course of that luminary which, as the great fructifier of the earth, was the peculiar object of divine worship.

The Babylonians supposed him to have been intimately acquainted with the nature of the stars; and they attribute to him the invention of astrology.

The Greek Christians supposed him to have been identical with the first Egyptian Hermes, who dwelt at Sais. They say he was the first to give instruction on the celestial bodies; that he foretold the deluge that was to overwhelm his descendants; and that he built the Pyramids, engraving thereon figures of artificial instruments and the elements of the sciences, fearing lest the memory of man should perish in that general destruction. Eupolemus, a Grecian writer, makes him the same as Atlas, and attributes to him, as the Pagans did to that deity, the invention of astronomy.

Wait (Oriental Antiquities) quotes a passage from Bar Hebraeus, a Jewish writer, which asserts that Enoch was the first who invented books and writing; that he taught men the art of building cities; that he discovered the knowledge of the Zodiac and the course of the planets; and that he inculcated the worship of God by fasting, prayer, alms, votive offerings, and tithes. Bar Hebraeus adds, that he also appointed festivals for sacrifices to the sun at the periods when that luminary entered each of the zodiacal signs; but this statement, which would make him the author of idolatry, is entirely inconsistent with all that we know of his character, from both history and tradition, and arose, as Oliver supposes, most probably from a blending of the characters of Enos and Enoch." Vol. 1, p.p. 329-330.

The blending Oliver is speaking of here is not that of Enos and Enoch, but that of Cain’s son Enoch and the righteous Enoch in the lineage of Seth. Scripture reveals that Cain was the city builder. To be a city builder requires one to be a Mason. Scripture says nothing about the righteous Enoch being a city builder for he, as Abraham, was looking for a city whose builder and maker is YAHWEH (Heb. 11:10).

The book of Jude warns of the way of Cain, "But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core," v.v. 10-11.

It is obvious that Adam, Eve and their descendants were to be farmers and ranchers, so to speak. They were to dress and keep the garden of Eden from which they were expelled, and the original purpose was to multiply and replenish the earth. Eden was to be the birthplace of humanity and the center from which all men would be able to trace their origins and look to for guidance.

Cain exhibited his mastery over the ground until that power was removed from him by YAHWEH, because of his evil deed committed against his brother, Abel. He was then to be a fugitive and vagabond in the earth. Cain was driven from the presence of YAHWEH, but he continued to exhibit his contempt for his Maker and Creator and His edicts for He built the city "Enoch" named after his son.

Why build a city? Because a city provides a tremendous power base for its builders. Walls can be built which keep activities hidden from those outside, plus serve as protection from danger. A populated city provides a power base for growth and economy. City dwellers eventually become so urbanized that the agrarian society and lifestyle is contemned. Throughout history, cities are where the great conquering armies come from. Cities, with their concentrated manpower are easily able to overpower the scattered population of the surrounding countryside.

Mackey’s Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry says that the descendants of Cain, Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal-cain were the founders of the sciences. Jabal founded geometry, carried flocks of sheep and lambs into the fields, and built the first houses of wood and stone. Jubal founded the science of music and songs of the tongue, harp and organ. Tubal-cain founded smith-craft, of gold, silver, copper, iron, and steel.

He writes that these children knew that Elohim would take vengeance for sin, either by fire or water, wherefore they wrote the sciences that they discovered, on two pillars that they might be found after Noah’s flood. One pillar was marble, while another was made of clepped laterns so that they would escape the destruction of fire and water" (Vol 2, p. 1059).

Mackey further reveals that Tubal-cain is none other than the Roman god Vulcan as is thusly related, "Hephaistos, it will be observed, is the Greek of the god who was called by the Romans Vulcan. Hence the remark of Sanconiatho, and the apparent similarity of names as well as occupations, have led some writers of the last, and even of the present, century to derive Vulcan from Tubal Cain by a process not very devious and therefore familiar to etymologists. By the omission in Tubal Cain of the initial T, which is the Phenician article, and its valueless vowel, we get Balcan, which, by the interchangeable nature of B and V, is easily transformed to Vulcan" (p. 1060).

He further writes, "It might seem that Tubal is an attribute compounded of the definite particle T and the word Baal, signifying Lord. Tubal Cain would then signify the Lord Cain. Again, Dhu or du, in Arabic, signifies Lord, and we trace the same signification of this affix in its various interchangeable forms of Du, Tu, and Di, in many Semitic words" (Ibid.).

Mackey further reveals that it was Tubal-cain who made the sharpened instruments of warfare.

Cain’s way and the way of his descendants is the way of unrepentant belligerence. It is the spirit of murder, warfare and acquisition through force of arms. It is the way of initiation into the deep dark secrets of Satan’s corrupt religion. It is the worship of the host of Heaven, the Zodiac, the sun, moon and stars, etc.

The prophet Isaiah associates the worship of the host of Heaven with the fig tree, "Come near, ye nations (Heb. = goyim, also means heathen, pagans) to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. For the indignation of YAHWEH is upon all nations, and His fury upon all their armies: He hath utterly destroyed them, He hath delivered them to the slaughter. Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcasses, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood. And all the host of Heaven shall be dissolved, and the Heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll; and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling from the fig tree. For My sword shall be bathed in Heaven: behold it shall come down upon Idumea and upon the people of My curse to judgment. The sword of YAHWEH is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for YAHWEH hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea. And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. For it is the day of YAHWEH'S vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion," 34:1-8.

Once again the poetic and prophetic language must be understood.

In verse one Isaiah speaks of the nations. All nations, other than Israel, were gentile, pagan, heathen. Their worship was a worship of polytheism. They worshipped the host of Heaven, the sun, moon, stars, zodiac, etc. They also worshipped earthly deities, as well as deities of the underworld. Many of their deities were originally men or local earthly deities who were eventually raised into the Heavens, having stars or constellations named after them.

A mountain, in Biblical terms, is a kingdom, country, nation, or government. The indignation of YAHWEH is His great wrath, which, when poured out on the mountains (kingdoms, countries, nations or governments) will result in the death of their armies, their peoples, their host. When the people die, the mountains are melted, so to speak, for without the people, the kingdoms do not exist, they simply disappear from the earth.

If we can identify Idumea it will go a long way toward solving the mystery or parable of the "fig tree."

The word "Idumea" is simply translated from the Hebrew word ~Ada/( (Edom). Edom was Esau, the brother of Jacob (Israel). Esau and Jacob were twins, born to Isaac (son of Abraham by Sarah) and his wife Rebekah.

Esau was the firstborn son of Isaac and to him belonged the birthright and blessings promised from YAHWEH to Abraham and Isaac. But Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field (earth), while Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents (Gen. 25:27).

Consider further, the importance of being the firstborn in the line of Abraham and Isaac. They were promised nobility, greatness, and blessings (Gen. 12:2; 17:16), descendants as numerous as the stars of Heaven (Gen. 15:5; 17:6), YAHWEH'S everlasting covenant and the land of Canaan (Gen. 17:7-8), power over all nations (Gen. 22:17-18; 26:3-4), and ultimately the Messiah, Who was to be the supreme ruler over all nations, was to come from his loins. Esau despised his birthright and sold it for a bowl of red bean soup (Gen. 25:33-34). From that time Esau was also called Edom (Gen. 25:30) or "Red" because of the nature of the red soup and his willingness to forsake such a glorious inheritance for only a meal.

We are warned, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness without which no man shall see YAHWEH: looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of YAHWEH; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears," Heb. 12:14-17.

"Fornicator" comes from the Greek word "pornos" which also means a (male) prostitute (as venal), i.e. (by anal.) a debauchee (libertine), whoremonger.

We all know what both female and male prostitutes do. They sell their bodies for illicit and immoral sex. This has to do with not only physical activities but also spiritual as well. Israel was known as a "harlot" in her day when she committed whoredom with the gods of the surrounding kingdoms. Then there is the harlot of the New Testament. It is shown to be a part of the New Testament Assembly if one correctly reads Rev. chapters 2 and 3. The Ephesian assembly loses its first love. Their love is the true Messiah YAHshua and His truth (Rev. 2:4).

Pergamos allows those in her midst who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication (pornos). They also had them who held the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which YAHshua hated (Rev. 2:14-15).

Thyatira allows a woman named Jezebel, who called herself a prophetess, to seduce His servants to commit fornication (pornos), and to eat things sacrificed unto idols (v. 20). He warned that He would cast her and those committing adultery with her into great tribulation if they repented not of those works (v. 23).

Remember the Jezebel of old. She was instrumental in promoting the religion of the Sidonians in Israel which included the priests of Baal and the priests of the groves.

Israel was condemned time after time for playing the harlot, committing adultery and fornication. Why? Because she was married to YAHWEH yet she continued to worship the deities of the nations surrounding her.

There was also a group who would come out of the New Testament who would be serving idols, and idolatry instead of being faithful to the true Messiah.

Let’s study the character of Esau a little deeper in order to get a more complete picture of him. "Pornos" means a (male) prostitute (as venal). VENAL is defined as 1. capable of being obtained for a price 2. that can readily be bribed or corrupted 3. characterized by corruption or bribery (Webster’s New World Dictionary). We get the word "venality" from "venal" which is defined as a state, quality, or instance of being venal; willingness to be bribed or bought off, or to prostitute one’s talents for mercenary considerations (ibid).

"DEBAUCHEE" is defined as a person who indulges in debauchery; dissipated person. Debauchery is defined as 1. extreme indulgence of one’s appetites, esp. for sensual pleasure; dissipation 2. orgies 3. a leading astray morally. (ibid)

"PROFANE" is defined in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance as #952 "bebelos" accessible ( as by crossing the door-way), i.e. (by impl. of Jewish notions) heathenish, wicked.

"HEATHEN" is defined as 1. orig., and in the Old Testament, a member of any nation or people not worshiping the G-d of Israel 2. anyone not a Jew, Christian, or Moslem; esp., a member of a tribe, nation, etc. worshiping many g-ds 3. a person regarded as irreligious, uncivilized, unenlightened, etc. SYN. see PAGAN (Webster’s New World Dictionary).

"PAGAN" 1. a person who is not a Christian, Moslem, or Jew; heathen: formerly sometimes applies specif. to a non-Christian by Christians 2. a person who has no religion SYN. pagan and heathen are both applied to non monotheistic peoples, but pagan specifically refers to one of the ancient polytheistic peoples, esp. the Greeks and Romans (emphasis mine), and heathen is applied to any of the peoples regarded as primitive idolaters.

Esau was willing to sell (merchandise) his talents and inheritance. The inheritance that he was born into was a tremendous inheritance both physically and spiritually. But Esau only lived for the moment, for the present. He had no vision of the future (Where there is no vision, the people perish [Prov. 29:18]).

The Messiah was to be in his lineage. What did YAHshua say? "And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, ‘Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the evangel’s, the same shall save it," Mk. 8:34-35. Esau thought he was on the verge of death, "And Esau said, ‘Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?’" Gen. 25:32. If Esau had possessed the true faith, he would have known that YAHWEH was not going to let him die until he had produced an heir so that the lineage could continue down to the Messiah. He didn’t have the "Promised Seed" first and foremost in his mind. Esau was like Adam and Cain. They were the first man, a man of the earth. To them only earthly things mattered. YAHshua was the second Adam, Abel was a type of the second Adam and so was Jacob. They had their minds set on Heavenly things, the promises of YAHWEH, the future. YAHshua's true followers must also be putting Heavenly things, the Father, the Messiah and their Kingdom first.

The Encyclopedia Judaica reveals that Rome was known as Edom, Esau, Amalek, Seir and Tyre in Rabbinic literature. It was also known as the wanton kingdom and was associated with the pig and the eagle.

It is well known in Scriptural and proven from secular history that Rome was the fourth kingdom of Daniel chapters 2 and 7. In chapter 2 it is revealed as a kingdom of iron which becomes a mixture of iron and clay and finally iron and mirey clay (v.v. 33, 41-43). In chapter 7 it is revealed as a dreadful, terrible and strong BEAST. This beast made war with the saints and prevailed against them until the Ancient of days came (Dan. 7:21-22, Rev. 13:7).

The book of Acts reveals the persecution that YAHshua's followers suffered at the hand of the Jews first and then the Roman kingdom. There are also historical books which reveal the nature of the persecution and martyrdom. Fox’s Book Of Martyrs is an excellent example.

But something happened along the way. When the followers of YAHshua were severely persecuted, even though many of them were put to death and others were grievously tortured, the numbers increased. When the persecution ceased the disciples grew lax, some fell away from the original love and others who held corrupted doctrines and practices were allowed to dwell in their midst. This led many down a wrong pathway to salvation.

Constantine, who is called "The Great" by many in the Christian world was a Roman Emperor who figured out a scheme to enter into the NT assembly and take over. It must have seemed like a grand accomplishment to the disciples at the time. It looked like the Roman Empire had been conquered even to the Emperor himself.

But Constantine employed a tactic of the Greeks. Remember when the Greeks went to fight against Troy? They attempted for years to overcome the city by force of arms. After so much time they concocted a scheme to construct a horse, hollow it out and hide some soldiers therein. The rest of the Greek army appeared to sail away in defeat. The hapless Trojans pulled the horse into the midst of their city and celebrated their victory with an orgiastic drinking bout. When all was quiet because the revellers were asleep from their excesses, the Greek soldiers inside the horse slipped out, opened the gates to the awaiting Greek army and the slaughter began.

Here is what Halley’s Bible Handbook says about Constantine’s (supposed) conversion, "Emperor Constantine (A.D. 306-337), when he became a Chr-stain, issued an Edict granting Everybody the right to choose his own Religion. Emperor Theodosius (A.D. 378-398), made Christianity the State Religion of the Roman Empire, and made Church Membership Compulsory. This was the Worst Calamity that has ever befallen the Church. This Forced Conversion filled the Churches with Unregenerate People. Not only so, Theodosius undertook the Forcible Suppression of all other Religions, and Prohibited Idol Worship. Under his decree, Heathen Temples were torn down by mobs of Christians, and there was much bloodshed. Chr-st had designed to conquer by purely Spiritual and Moral Means. Up to this time Conversion was Voluntary, a Genuine Change in Heart and Life. But now the Military Spirit of Imperial Rome had entered the Church. The Church had Conquered the Roman Empire. But in reality the Roman Empire had Conquered the Church by Making the Church over into the Image of the Roman Empire. The Church had Changed its Nature, had entered its Great Apostasy, had become a Political Organization in the Spirit and Pattern of Imperial Rome, and took its Nose-dive into the millenium of Papal Abominations. The Imperial Church of the 4th and 5th centuries had become an entirely different institution from the persecuted church of the first three centuries. In its ambition to Rule it lost and forgot the spirit of Chr-st." (p. 760)

Constantine had been a sun worshipper and follower of Mithras. The Encyclopedia Britannica 14th Edition has this to say about Mithras, "Mithraism was first transmitted to the Roman world during the 1st century B.C. by the Cilician pirates captured by Pompey. As late as the time of Augustus it was but little known in Roman territory, and gained a firm foothold in Italy only gradually, as a result of Rome’s increasing hold upon Asia. Towards the close of the 2nd century the cult had begun to spread rapidly through the army, the mercantile class, slaves and actual propagandists, all of which classes were largely composed of Asiatics. It throve, especially among military posts, and in the track of trade, notably at ports. The German frontiers afford most evidence of its prosperity. Rome itself was a favourite seat of the religion. From the end of the 2nd century the emperors encouraged Mithraism, because of the support which it afforded to the divine right of monarchs. The Persian belief that the legitimate sovereign reigned by the grace of Ormazd, whose favour was made manifest by sending of the Hvareno, a kind of celestial aureole of fire, resulted in the doctrine that the sun was the giver of the Hvareno. Mithras, identified with Sol Invictus, thus became the giver of authority and victory to the imperial house." (Vol. 15, p. 620)

Halley’s Bible Handbook says, "Silvester I (314-335), was Bishop of Rome when, under Constantine, Chr-stianity was virtually made the State Religion of the Roman Empire. The Church immediately became an institution of vast importance in World Politics. Constantine regarded himself as Head of the Church." (p. 769)

Wasn’t the Savior YAHshua the true Head of the Assembly? Constantine revealed his true arrogance by entering into the assembly and taking over declaring the power of the sun god Mithras over the believers. He appointed Sunday as the weekly day of worship and December 25th was set as the time of celebration of the Messiah's birth.

The Encyclopedia Britannica reveals that the sanctification of Sunday and December 25th were attributes of Mithras (p. 621).

The Savior declared, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil (obey, perform, do). For verily I say unto you, Till Heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven," Mt. 5:17-19.

Do the earth and Heaven still remain? Then has YAHWEH'S law been done away? YAHshua set the example for us by being obedient to the law, "For even hereunto were ye called; because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth," 1 Pet. 2:21-22.

Sin is the transgression of the law (1 Jn. 3:4), therefore YAHshua was perfectly obedient to YAHWEH'S commands and did not stray from them in any manner.

Sunday was attributed to the worship of the sun-god in paganism. December 25th was celebrated as the birthday of Mithras, Apollo, Horus and Nimrod.

The Encyclopedia Britannica says, "The typical bas relief, which is found in great abundance in the museums of Europe, invariably represents Mithras, under the form of a youth with conical cap and flying drapery, slaying the sacred bull, the scorpion attacking the genitals of the animal, the serpent drinking its blood, the dog springing towards the wound in its side, and frequently, in addition, the Sun-god, his messenger the raven, a fig-tree, a lion, a ewer, and torch-bearers....The birth of Mithras; then the god nude, cutting fruit and leaves from a fig-tree in which is the bust of a deity, and before which one of the winds is blowing upon Mithras." (14th Edition, Vol 15, p. 620)

Who was created nude? Who cut the leaves from the fig tree? Wasn’t it Adam? Is it possible that Mithraism is a religion dedicated to Adam which has had various facts and myths added to it throughout the millenia? I think so!

The Romans held the fig tree as sacred, "The sacred character of trees again is seen in the ficus Ruminalis (fig tree) and the caprificus (wild fig) of the Campus Martius and in the oak of Iuppiter Feretrius, on which the spolia opima were hung after a victory..." (Encyclopedia Britannica, 14th Edition, Vol. 19, p. 458).

Other religions also revered the fig tree. "Anuradhapura was the second and most famous capital of the ancient sinhalese kings...The city contains the famous Bo-tree, believed to be originally a branch of the very tree under the shade of which Gautama attained to Buddhahood, miraculously transported from India in 245 B.C." (Encyclopedia Britannica, 14th Edition, Vo. 2, p. 89).

"Bo-Tree or Bodhi-Tree, the name given by the Buddhists of India and Ceylon to the Pipul or sacred wild fig (Ficus religiosa). It was a tree of this species beneath which the Buddha is traditionally supposed to have attained perfect knowledge (emphasis mine)." (Encyclopedia Britannica, 14th Edition, Vol. 3, p. 951)

What was this "perfect knowledge?" Wasn’t it the knowledge of good and evil? The fig tree was sacred to the Buddhists, to the Persians in their worship of Mithras, to the Romans original pagan religion and finally to them through the worship of Mithras.

YAHshua had warned His disciples in Mt. 24 that deceptions would come, "And YAHshua answered and said unto them, ‘Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, ‘I am Messiah;’ and shall deceive many,’...And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many...For there shall arise false messiahs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very Elect," Mt. 24:4-5, 11, 24.

He followed the warnings of deception with, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from Heaven, and the powers of the Heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in Heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His Elect from the four winds, from one end of Heaven to the other," Mt. 24:29-31.

Immediately after these verses He gives the parable of the fig tree. Notice that He is speaking of the sun, moon and stars, the host of Heaven. He also speaks of the shaking of the powers of Heaven. What does this mean?

In Isa. 34:4 it is written, "And all the host of Heaven shall be dissolved, and the Heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree."

Since this scripture is speaking of the leaf falling off from the vine, why doesn’t this also mean a leaf falling from the fig tree? The word "fig" in italics is not in the original inspired Scriptures but has supposedly been supplied in order to clarify, but in this case it may not clarify at all, but muddle things up. After all, it was the leaves of the fig tree that Adam and Eve took and sewed together to make a covering for their nakedness.

Israel had turned to the worship of the host of Heaven. YAHWEH declared his judgment against such, "I will also stretch out Mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests; and them that worship the host of Heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by YAHWEH and that swear by Malcham; and they that are turned back from YAHWEH; and those that have not sought YAHWEH, nor enquired for Him, "Zeph. 1:4-6.

"And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of Heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other elohim," Jer 19:13.

Isaiah was inspired to prophesy, "And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and YAHWEH alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols He shall utterly abolish. And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of YAHWEH, and for the glory of His Majesty, when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth. In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of YAHWEH, and for the glory of His Majesty, when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth," Isa. 2:17-21.

Again he says, "The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again. And it shall come to pass in that day, that YAHWEH shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when YAHWEH of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before His ancients gloriously," Isa. 24:19-23.

Why will the moon be confounded and the sun ashamed? This is esoteric language. It has to do with the worship of the host of Heaven, the worship of the sun, moon and constellations (stars). Under the influence of the Roman Caesars and then the Roman churches (both Western and Eastern), the followers of the Messiah have been deceived into turning away from YAHWEH and His true Messiah YAHshua, while turning to the worship of Mithras and other deities of the nations of the world. This false worship is the worship of the host of Heaven, the sun, moon and stars.

Look at how we name our days of the week and certain months of the year. They are all named after paganistic deities. Thus the influence of Rome, which is Esau, Edom, has been tremendous. Rome has played the harlot and led the whole world into the same thing.

In the book of Revelation the Lamb is given a book that is sealed with seven seals (Rev. 5:1-7). The Lamb begins to strip the seals off of the book. The first seal reveals a white horse with one that had a bow. A crown was given to him and he went forth conquering and to conquer (Rev. 6:2). In the Mithraic iconography, Mithras was often depicted sitting on a running horse with a bow in his hand.

When the Lamb strips off the sixth seal very interesting things occur, "And I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of Heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the Heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. and the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him That sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?’" Rev. 6:12-17.

Herein is the crux of the matter, it is obvious that mankind has continued on throughout his existence turning to paganism and away from YAHWEH. But most have been turned away because they were beguiled or deceived by their own political and religious leaders, who themselves have also been deceived.

As long as YAHWEH remains in Heaven, man feels safe and secure in his own religion. The fig leaves that Adam and Eve sewed together represented man seeking to cover himself by the works of his own hands which is unacceptable to YAHWEH. Man has woven an intricate web of religion for himself, but when YAHWEH is revealed, then they flee and hide just as Adam and Eve did. The covering of fig leaves that Adam and Eve sewed for themselves looked good to them and satisfied them physically. But when YAHWEH came walking in the garden they ran and hid. Such will also be the case at the end of the age. Most men will be going about their business and lives thinking that they are in the true religion and have salvation therein. But when YAHWEH actually is revealed they will run and hide. It is then that they will realize that their covering that they trusted in was inadequate, but then it will be too late.

Scripture reveals that Satan the Devil has deceived the whole world (Rev. 12:9). That deception began at the beginning as revealed in the book of Genesis and continues throughout the whole history of mankind until YAHWEH intervenes to introduce His glorious Kingdom.

What are some of the key methods of deception waged by Satan? To begin with he has deceived the modern day world into thinking that YAHWEH'S law has been done away and is no longer viable for the New Testament believer. (Write for our free publication entitled, Is The Law Done Away?)

Another major method is to replace the original Holy Names of YAHWEH and YAHshua with the pagan titles of God, Lord, Jesus, Christ, etc. (Write for our free publications titled, What Does It Mean When We Say HalleluYah?, What Is His Name?, and What Is The True Name Of The Savior?)

Jude also reveals a device of Satan in order to deceive, "For there are certain men crept in unawared, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, impious men, turning (perverting) the grace of our Elohim into lasciviousness, and denying (contradicting) the only Sovereign YAHWEH, and our Sovereign YAHshua Messiah," verse 4.

Satan began contradicting YAHWEH'S word to Eve. That contradiction continues today. YAHWEH tells us to do one thing and Satan tells us we don’t have to do it.

YAHshua warned that deception, false prophets and false messiahs would come. Both Scriptural and secular history reveal that such has been done. The condition of the modern day world also reveals that such has been done.

YAHshua said, "Now learn a parable of the fig tree...," Mt. 24:32. Previous to this statement He had been outlining the ensuing history of mankind from His day until the day that He would return.

He spoke of the sun becoming as black as sackcloth of hair. The sun was a great light set in the Heavens by the hand of YAHWEH to give light to the earth. The pagans and heathen began to worship the sun as their elohim and savior. The sun is the light of this world. The light of the world to come is YAHshua.

The moon is the second great light that YAHWEH set in the Heavens to give light to the earth. The moon has no light of itself but only reflects the light of the sun. The true believer has no light of himself, the Messiah, YAHshua is his true light. Therefore the Assembly is to reflect the great light of the Savior.

Satan has very subtly deceived man into changing the true worship of the Savior into the worship of the sun, the light of this world. Therefore the sun has truly become darkened and the moon cannot give her light.

The branch of the fig tree (Mt. 24:32) is also a type of the false messiah. Isaiah was inspired to write, "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: and the spirit of YAHWEH shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of YAHWEH," Isa. 11:1-2.

Jeremiah was inspired to write, "Behold, the days come, saith YAHWEH, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name whereby He shall be called, YAHWEH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS," Jer. 23:5-6.

YAHshua is the true Messiah. The branch of the fig tree is the false messiah. The fig leaves cover the false messiah so that he cannot be easily seen with the naked eye and exposed. The fig leaves are the false covering that man employed to cover his sin and rebellion against YAHWEH.

YAHshua said, "When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh," Mt. 24:32. Summer is the time when the sun shines in its strength. The summer sun has the power to sear and scorch. The summer sun is a type of trials and tribulation.

The false messiah has been here for a long time. The world has not taken notice, but, rather, has been deceived to follow this false messiah. If one does not follow the false messiah (‘s) of this world, he is hated and persecuted. Many have been tortured and slain for refusal to follow the false messiah. Only the few of YAHWEH'S chosen flock have been able to understand these things.

Peter and the rest of the apostles were asked, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Acts 2:38. Peter responded, "Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of YAHshua Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as YAHWEH our Elohim shall call.’ And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this untoward (perverse) generation,’" Acts 2:38-40.

Yes, repent while there is still time and be baptised in the name of YAHshua the Messiah which is the only name given under Heaven whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

If this article and any of our other works have moved you to the point of repentance and you are desirous of baptism, please contact us by mail or by phone and we will gladly accommodate you rejoicing as we do.

By Jerry Healan