The Three-Day Fast

Obtaining and Walking in Resurrection Power:

Becoming a Recipient of the Latter Rain
by Craig Wm. Peters

Come and let us return unto hwhy; for He has torn and He will heal us;
He has smitten and He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the
third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight. So let us know, let us follow
on to know hwhy; His going forth is as certain as the morning, and He will come
to us as the rain; as the latter rain that waters the earth.
Hosea 6:1-3

A short preface to introduce our study …
About 28 years ago the author read a book
regarding the resurrection power available to
Messianic believers. Although it claimed to deal
with the release of spiritual power for victorious
living, upon finishing the book, I was still
puzzled as to how this great—and reportedly
blessed—phenomenon was supposed to occur. It
was disappointing the book had failed to offer
tangible help in attaining that which was sought,
and, in retrospect, it is clear money had been
spent for that which was not food. Isaiah 55:2
Thanks be to hwhy the Father that, over the time
since then, He has given clear instruction from
His eternal word regarding a most legitimate,
profound, and heavenly-ordained way to drink of
the Spirit; and this way literally costs nothing.1
The Word of hwhy teaches us how to seek Him so
that He will break up the fountains of the deep
and open the windows of heaven 2 allowing the
living waters of His Spirit to well up from within3
and to be poured out from above 4 giving
substantial, efficacious power and fruitfulness to
every believer whose heart and flesh long for
fellowship with the Living Elohim.5 Those who
fast and pray are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, and they shall be satisfied.6
Fasting and prayer constitute the essential, first
step in seeking hwhy with the whole heart.7
Fasting results in the wholehearted “sacrifices
of Elohim:” a broken and a contrite heart. The
1 9
Isaiah 55:1, Revelation 3:18, 21:6, 22:17
2 10
Genesis 7:11
3 11
John 7:37-39
4 12
Proverbs 1:23, Isaiah 32:15-17, Joel 2:28,29, Zechariah
12:10, James 3:17
5
Psalm 42:1,2, 63:1, 84:1,2
6
Matthew 5:6
7 14
Jeremiah 29:13
latter rain of His Spirit will surely be poured out
upon all those who discover fasting with prayer
is the ultimate means by which we fulfill the
Torah requirement of the whole, burnt offering.
Death to Sin
While the apostle Shaul writes of our death to
sin 8 and of our freedom from sin,9 why are so
few believers walking in the blessed reality of
this death and freedom? Why do most
professing believers spend their entire lives
defeated in the struggle with carnality when our
Messiah came to destroy the works of the
Devil?10 Through faith in the shed blood of the
Messiah, we can leave the defeat expressed by
Shaul in Romans 7 11 and progress to the solid,
spiritual victories of which he testified in
Romans 8.12 If the resurrection power of eswhy
is available,13 then why have so few acquired the
spiritual strength which would qualify them to
stand before hwhy as “young men” who are
strong enough in the Spirit to remain victorious
even in the face of the Adversary’s fiercest,
death-besetting temptations?14 If we claim these
are just nice-sounding words on the pages of
Scripture and that victory is not possible, we are
also claiming ourselves to be unable to do what
hwhy has already commanded. Those who do
this are setting Him forth as a liar.
8
Romans 6:2,6,7,11
Romans 6:7,18,22
Hebrews 2:14, 1John 3:8
Romans 7:14-24
Romans 7:25, 8:1-4,7-9, 14-16
13
And it is! Those who teach or believe anything less are
setting themselves (and others) on a course heading
towards apostasy and destruction. 2Timothy 3:5
1John 2:14, Hebrews 12:4
The Lack of Power
At first, one might think we should commend
those who teach sin is always inevitable: “After
all, we are only human,” they say. Many
believers talk about the “finished work of the
Messiah,” but if that “finished work” is not
helping them to overcome sin and the world,
their religion is only an outward show which
provides them with no power to walk in victory.
2Timothy 3:1-5 As we will see, those who teach
it is impossible to gain victory over sin are the
modern-day counterparts to those unbelieving
spies who made the hearts of nearly all Yisrael
fail by telling them it was not possible to take the
Promised Land in the days of the Exodus. In this
light, we will soon see such defeatist teachings
are not commendable in any way, shape, or form.
On the contrary, as sincere as such folks might
be, teachings of this nature only reveal an “evil
heart of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:7-19 There is
simply no way to gloss over this serious issue.
Those who truly stand in the counsel of hwhy
will cause His people to turn from their wicked
ways. Jeremiah 23:22 We assert eswhy the
Messiah did (and does!) this very thing more
than any other prophet who ever lived: by His
Spirit, the Messiah continues to destroy the
works of the Devil15 in the lives of those who
seek Him as He empowers them to turn “from
darkness to light, and from the power of Satan
unto Elohim, that they may receive forgiveness of
sins, and inheritance among them which are set
apart/purified by faith” in Him. Acts 26:18
To know the reality of death to sin and
freedom from sin, we must both understand and
appropriate the finished work of the Messiah.
This is the only way to succeed if we desire to
walk in victory. The problem is: the finished
work of the Messiah leaves the majority of
mainstream believers lazy and content16—
content to “just believe,” yet living a life without
those works which display and prove we possess
true faith.17 The “just believe” slogan becomes a
cop-out for excusing sin and for placing no
personal responsibility on the believer to
progress spiritually and to acquire the strength in
15
Hebrews 2:14, 1John 3:8
16
Amos 6:1, Revelation 3:17
17
Ephesians 2:10, 2Corinthians 13:5, James 2:17-26
2
the Spirit so as to overcome sin and personal
weaknesses. Neither James nor any of the
apostles would agree with such thinking.18 It is
very clear the first leaders of the believing
assemblies were extensions of the Messiah’s
teachings that His followers should “go and sin
no more.”19 Let us seek to better understand the
finished work of the Messiah, and then we will
proceed to study how to appropriate that
finished work so it operates in our lives
increasingly.
Entering the Promised Land vs. Unbelief
If we have believed on the Messiah’s Name,20
and if we understand His finished work on our
behalf, then we are on “square one” for
beginning our entrance into the promised
inheritance of the abundant life which eswhy
came to give us. John 10:10 However, most
believers fail to understand the finished work of
the Messiah because they fail to realize the life,
death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of
eswhy leaves little more for hwhy to do on our
behalf; this is just as the prophet Isaiah has
spoken:
“What could have been done more to My
vineyard that I have not done in it?”
Isaiah 5:4
The implied answer to this question is,
“Nothing!”21 And this implied answer explains
the following objection—which came forth from
hwhy when Yisrael failed to obey the Torah and
to bring forth good fruit for the honor of His
Name:
Why then, when I waited for the yielding
of grapes, did it yield rotten ones?
Isaiah 5:4, ISRV
Because hwhy had provided all things for ancient
Yisrael, He was certainly being just when
18
James 2:26, Romans 1:5, 2:13, 3:31, 16:26, Ephesians
2:10, Titus 2:11,12, Hebrews 5:9, 1Peter 1:14-22, 1John
5:2-3, Revelation 12:17, 14:12
19
John 8:10,11, John 5:14, 1Peter 4:1-3
20
John 1:12, 20:31, Acts 4:12
21
See Isaiah 5:1-4. There was nothing more which hwhy
which could have done for Yisrael! He had blessed them
with “all things!” So much so, He warned them not to
forget Him in their abundance! Deuteronomy 6:10-12, 8:7-
19, 32:13-18
expecting them to bring forth good fruit. The
apostle Kepha/Peter confirms Messianic
believers—just like ancient Yisrael—have been
given everything they need to serve and to please
hwhy in this life:
Seeing His Elohim-derived power has
given to us all things pertaining
to life and reverence … 2Peter 1:3
It is through belief in eswhy—who came to give
us the abundant life by destroying the works of
the Devil 22—that we are given all things. The
apostle Shaul stated this amazing fact as well
when he declared to the Romans it was through
the Messiah that we have been given everything
we ever have needed or ever will need:
He that spared not His own Son,
but delivered Him up for us, how shall
He not with Him freely give us all things?
Romans 8:32
We see both apostles quoted above23 are
reaffirming the “abundant life” which eswhy
came to give us. But this is where most,
modern-day believers encounter a disconnect in
their experience: if we have been given all
things (and we have!), why is there such a lack
of power and victory over sin? Why is there
such a lack of spiritual strength and
understanding? Why is there such a lack of
unity? This writer is convinced the lack which
many believers suffer24—spiritually and
otherwise—is due to the lack of asking, seeking,
and knocking. Matthew 7;7,8 If properly
understood, “asking, seeking, and knocking”—as
taught by the Messiah—are all fasting related.
This is better seen when the full context of “The
Sermon on the Mount” is more clearly
understood. Fasting was a major part of the
Savior’s great teachings at that special time and
22
John 10:10; in contrast to the thief (i.e., the Devil), the
Messiah’s deliverance from sin (Hebrews 2:14,15, 1John
3:18) ends our separation from hwhy (Isaiah 59:2,
Ephesians 2:17,18) and brings us the abundant blessings
which come from His light-filled Name/Presence (Psalm
89:15-18, Numbers 6:23-27).
23
Peter (2Peter 1:3) and Shaul (Romans 8:32).
24
Many believers suffer this lack, and perhaps, it is
actually the majority who do so (at least in this country).
3
in that special place.25 The reality which
believers must internalize is that we are, indeed,
“freely given all things” with eswhy.26 But the
Savior is clear that we must be with Him and in
Him to reap these promised blessings:
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot
bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no
more can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the
vine, you are the branches: He that abides in
Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much
fruit: for without Me you can do nothing. John
15:4,5
In the above Scripture, eswhy was teaching we
may only bear the fruit of the Spirit if we abide
in Him and He abides in us. hwhy is with us, but
only if we are with Him.27 The question which
each individual must determine is: “Am I really
with Him?” We feel the problem today is that
too many people assume themselves to be “in
Him” or “with Him” when, in fact, they are only
partially so, or perhaps even nominally so.28
25
For many thoughts from the Scriptures which provide a
fuller understanding of the great topic of fasting (along
with its full context in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew
5-7), see the article, “Humble Yourselves in the Sight of
hwhy,” at: http://www.yahuyahweh.org/iah This was a
special time and special place because eswhy was on the
mountains of Yisrael as He preached the Good News of
peace. In doing so, He fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah
52:7!
26
Romans 8:32
27
2Chronicles 15:2, James 4:8. And “if” may be the
biggest two-letter word in the English language!
28
In Revelation 3:17, eswhy rebukes believers who say
they are rich, yet they do not know they are “poor,
wretched, pitiable, blind, and naked.” Until one deals with
nakedness, the blindness cannot be fully removed. And
this is the state of things today as immodesty of dress is a
rampant, assembly-wide problem. After eswhy cast the
demons out of the Gadarene demoniac, he was found
sitting “clothed and in his right mind.” Mark 5:15 Most
believers in our day (men included) fail to be fully clothed,
physically, bringing upon themselves and others the curse
of nakedness. Consequently, the majority are not in their
right minds concerning the truth of Scripture. Nakedness
and blindness are clearly associated! Believers who fail to
be properly clothed, physically, may well find themselves
without the wedding garment which clothes them in the
righteousness of eswhy. Matthew 22:11,12 Being properly
clothed—both physically and spiritually—is key to sober-
mindedness. Luke 8:35, Ephesians 6:13-17, Philippians
2:1-5, 1Thessalonians 5:6-8, 1Peter 1:13, 5:5 Being fully
clothed, physically, is a step towards being fully clothed in
the righteousness of eswhy, and being fully clothed in the
Each individual must seek and pray about what
his or her particular case might be in this serious,
all-important matter. 2Corinthians 13:5,6 If the
Yahudim/Jews descended from Abraham had no
room for complacency29 then neither does
anyone else!30
So we have been given all things with eswhy,
but these many provisions have been given in the
form of promises which remain conditional.
eswhy is the Author of life to the Messianic Age,
but only for those who obey Him.31 Just as
Yisrael was already given the land of promise,32
but nevertheless, they needed to exercise faith
and obedience to enter Canaan.33 So it is
today.34 Our entrance into the Kingdom may be
abundant,35 or it may be one in which loss of
great reward is suffered.36 The majority of
religious sectors across the landscape of
righteousness of eswhy will surely lead one to being fully
clothed, physically. To those who will lamely object that
outward dress is of little import since hwhy looks on the
heart, we can only say that a true change in heart will also
bring a true change in the appearance. (Further, the
context of 1Samuel 16:7 is dealing with the physical
features of face and stature, it is not a reference to the
manner in which one dresses.) A true, inner change of
heart will most certainly result in an outer manifestation
which reflects that inner transformation. The issue of
nakedness is just one of the many examples in which the
majority of believers—Messianic and otherwise—assume
themselves to be “in Him” when they are still in need of
great change. Other major cases would involve these
issues: walking as eswhy walked by observing the
Sabbath and Feasts of hwhy (1John 2:6), honoring the
Name of hwhy (Matthew 6:9), “ministries” of
judgment/condemnation and “boss-man” overlords
(Ezekiel 34:1-4, 20-22, Matthew 7:1-5, 20:25-28, 23:4),
the various and subtle forms of gluttony (Psalm 69:22; this
would include not eating the flesh of unclean animals,
Revelation 18:2), the gossip and slander which sow
discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:14,16,19, James
4:11,12, 1Peter 2:1,2), and love for this present world/age
(Jeremiah 10:1,2, Romans 12:1,2, 1John 2:15-17).
29
Matthew 3:9,10, Luke 3:8, John 8:31-37
30
1Corinthians 9:24-27, Philippians 3:7-14
31
Hebrews 5:9, Acts 5:32, Matthew 7:24,25
32
Genesis 15:18-21, Numbers 14:8, Deuteronomy 34:4,
Yehoshua 1:6
33
Numbers 14:9, Yehoshua 1:7,8, Hebrews 3:17-19
34
Matthew 10:22, Hebrews 3;6, 4:14, 10:23, Revelation
2:25, 3:3,11
35
Psalm 19:11, Hebrews 10:35, 2Peter 1:11
36
Matthew 5:19, 1Corinthians 3:14,15, 9:27, Revelation
3:11
4
Evangelical Christianity (and even most
Messianic congregations) have failed to discern
the difference between our initial salvation 37
and the works which will follow those who are
producing the fruit of the Spirit because they
have received favor unto salvation. It is this fruit
which we are expected to bear38 as true sons and
daughters of hwhy, and it is the amount of such
fruit that we allow the Spirit to produce within us
which shall determine our reward.39 To be sure,
our Messiah continues to intercede for us: we
are saved by His life!40 He promises the Spirit
will lead us into obedience to all truth.41 His
heavenly messengers are even sent to administer
to us the word.42 Yet all these things are done in
response to our faith and deeds: hwhy requires
us to ask, seek, and knock.43 If we fail to
exercise this initial, all-important step of faith,
we will fail on all other fronts as well.
Let us be abundantly clear: our intent in this
study is not to judge anyone, but rather, to prove
fasting-derived affliction and humility is the
means by which we remain faithful to hwhy
thereby making our calling and election sure.44
If each believer can be better edified as to how
we are to press on to spiritual maturity in the
manner ordained by hwhy, the writer rests
assured the Spirit will orchestrate any changes in
heart and life which are necessary. So hwhy will
freely give us all things to the degree that we are
with Him—meaning to the degree that we are
wholeheartedly with Him.45 More than anything
else, fasting and prayer in all sincerity will fulfill
the requirement of the “whole burnt offering”
37
Which is a free gift obtained without works. John 10:28,
Romans 6:23
38
Matthew 3:10, John 15:1-6,8,16, Romans 7:4, Galatians
5:22,23, Ephesians 5:9, Hebrews 12:11, James 3:17,18
39
Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 19:11-27, Romans 2:7,
Galatians 6:7-10
40
Romans 5:9-10, Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 7:25,
Revelation 1:17-18
41
John 16:13, Ezekiel 36:26-27, Romans 8:14, Hebrews
8:8-12
42
Daniel 10:10-19, Matthew 4:11, Luke 22:43, Hebrews
1:13,14
43
Matthew 7:7,8, Hebrews 4:15-16, Revelation 3:8, 4:1
44
2Peter 1:10, Psalm 18:27, Revelation 17:14
45
Deuteronomy 4:29-31, 6:5, 11:13-15, 2Chronicles
31:20,21, Jeremiah 29:13, Mark 12:33
and will “assure our hearts before Him.”46
Fasting and prayer yields a broken, contrite heart
thereby fulfilling the Torah requirement of the
whole, burnt offering.47 Fasting and prayer will
result in the wholehearted sacrifice which hwhy
both deserves and expects from our lives.
The “Promised Land”48 has been given to us
in the form of promises which are seen
throughout the word of hwhy, but these promises
can only be inherited by faith and deeds.
Promises are the yet-to-be-fulfilled word of
hwhy. The following question looms large over
any and every promise which is seen in His
word:
Will we access the Presence of hwhy and inherit
His promises through faith and deeds by the
power/fire/zeal of the Spirit which He willingly
imparts, or will we lose our reward and have to
be saved/purged by passing through the fire?
Romans 2:8-9, 1Corinthians 3:13-15
This is just as it was with Yisrael in the days of
old: they had already been given the promised
land of Canaan,49 nevertheless, they were
required to proceed with faith and obedient
action to enter in and personally
acquire/obtain/appropriate the promised
inheritance. Yet many failed to enter the land
which had been promised to them. So who was
at fault? Did the promises of hwhy fail?
Not at all. While those Yisraelites had been
promised the Land, they were still required to
fulfill their responsibility before receiving their
inheritance. Although hwhy did promise them
the Land, those who sinned fell short of entering.
The Promised Land came with a condition of
obedience. And we take special note: those
Yisraelites who failed to enter the Land, failed
because they sinned with flagrant violations of
the Torah. And why did they sin? Because of
their unbelief.50 Lack of faith in the
46
Mark 12:33, 1John 3:18-24
47
Psalm 34:18, 51:15-17, 69:29-31, Luke 7:37-38, Acts
20:31
48
Of eternal life (more correctly, “life to the Messianic
Age” or “Age-abiding life”): Philippians 3:11, 1John 2:25,
Revelation 20:4-6
49
Genesis 15:18-21, Numbers 14:8, Deuteronomy 34:4,
Yehoshua/Joshua 1:6.
50
Hebrews 3:17-19, 4:6, Romans 9:31,32, 11:20,21
5
word/promises of hwhy led to unbelief and sin. It
is no different today. Lack of faith leads to sin.51
This is why we cannot countenance the teaching
of unbelief so prevalent today. This teaching
asserts sin is unconquerable and is always the
inevitable. This teaching is tantamount to the
unbelief of the spies of old. This is the unbelief
which not only keeps one from entering into the
Promised Inheritance, it is a contagious unbelief
which keeps others out of the Kingdom as well.
eswhy rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for
being guilty of this very thing:
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for you shut up the Kingdom of
Heaven against men: for you neither go
in yourselves, neither do you allow those
who are entering to go in. Matthew 23:13
Those who teach the people of hwhy that sin
cannot be overcome are doing the very thing
mentioned just above by eswhy: they are
teaching the “giants” cannot be conquered even
though hwhy has given His word and His
promise52 to the contrary. Such unbelief is
shutting up the Kingdom of Heaven against
many in our day. So the things we are freely
given with the Messiah are given in the form of
promises—promises which can only be obtained
by faith/deeds and patient endurance, Hebrews
6:11,12, 2Peter 1:3-11.53 We can seek hwhy and
be filled with faith in His word, or we can
degenerate spiritually into unbelief and sin. If
we do the former by faith in the Messiah’s blood,
we will overcome sin54 and enter the Kingdom;
if we do the latter, we will fail to gain the
Promised Inheritance.
51
Romans 14:23, Hebrews 11:6, 1Peter 4:19
52
Romans 4:20-22
53
For those who will object that ‘in Him all the promises
of hwhy are “yes”’ (2Corinthians 1:20), we say once more:
“in Him” means if we are abiding in Him and His word is
abiding in us. John 15:4,6 The fulfillment of the promises
of hwhy is still conditional on whether or not we are
abiding in the Vine.
54
Revelation 12:11. Faith in His blood is required
because it is through the blood of eswhy that we draw near
to the purifying Presence of hwhy, Ephesians 2:13,
Hebrews 10:19-23. By continually drawn near to the
Presence of hwhy, we are strengthened to overcome the sin
of this world/age as hwhy fulfills His promises in our lives.
Romans 8:1-4,10-14,31-39, 1John 5:2-5
 Let us return to our comparison and contrast
surrounding the unfaithful spies sent by Moses to
spy out the Land. These spies claimed they (and
all Yisrael) were unable to enter the Land and to
conquer the giants dwelling in Canaan. Those
spies are the counterpart to modern-day believers
who claim victory over sin is not possible. In
this analogy, the giants would, of course, be the
supposedly unconquerable enemy called “sin.”
Like the spies of old, these contemporary
believers think themselves to be grasshoppers
before unconquerable foes. Not having faith and
not knowing victory,55 they further dishearten
other believers and teach it is impossible to drive
out the sons of Anak.56 We oppose such
teachings because those Yisraelites who listened
to the falsehood of old subsequently failed to
enter the Promised Land. Equally so, those
believers who subscribe to this falsehood in our
day will also be shut out of the Kingdom and
shall fail to overcome in the manner eswhy
requires after having made it possible for us to
do so. Romans 8:1-4 eswhy is the Author of life
to the Messianic Age, but only for those who
obey Him.57 Those who fail to keep His Father’s
Torah shall not partake in the first resurrection
and shall lose their part in the “great reward”
given to those who keep His commandments.58
Although there are those who teach error and
unbelief in regards to overcoming sin,59 attaining
55
2Timothy 3:5
56
That is, the giants. Numbers 13:32-14:1
57
Acts 5:32, Hebrews 5:9, Revelation 2:26-28
58
Job 19:25-27, Psalm 19:11, Matthew 5:12, Luke 6:35,
Hebrews 10:35, Revelation 11:18
59
Such teachers will even use Scripture out of context in
an attempt to “prove” their point. A common text which
has been used over the years by those who have never
experienced enduring victory is found in the first epistle of
the apostle John:
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves
and the truth is not in us.” 1John 1:8
Some teach this to mean the believer will always be
plagued by sin. But how can this be the case since those
who practice Law-breaking will not inherit the Kingdom?
Matthew 7:21-23, 1Corinthians 6:9-11, Galatians 5:19-21
If studied in context, the 1John 1:8 Scripture is simply
saying the following: failure to confess known sin and
rejecting one’s conscience is the spirit of harlotry and self-
deception. We read of the very same thing in the Book of
Proverbs:
6
victory is possible if we have a heart to follow
the word of hwhy as did Caleb and
Yahoshua/Joshua.
So we have seen the faith of those who are
inspired to enter the Promised Land contrasted
with the unbelieving who deny we are able to do
as hwhy has commanded us. But our main intent
is not to dwell on the unbelief of the “ten spies”
who teach obedience to be impossible.60 We
must now leave the unbelief which led most of
the spies to bring back an evil report of the Land
and give our fullest possible attention to the
positive steps a believer is to take for acquiring
the spiritual strength to “stand” “in the evil day”
and to “endure to the end.” 61 If a weight lifter is
able to progress, physically, over time so as to
hoist increasingly greater weight, can we not also
progress, spiritually, so that the sins which once
so easily beset us62 no longer plague our hearts
and minds with such veritable ease? The
Scriptures tell us such victory in the Spirit is
certainly possible. Such victory is not only
possible, but even expected. Those who fail to
“This is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and
wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done no wrong.’”
Proverbs 30:20
Committing deeds of harlotry (James 4:1-4), yet claiming
to have done no wrong, is precisely the spirit against which
the apostle John was warning in his letter. The believers
were exhorted not to deceive themselves by failing to
confess known sin so they could start on the road to
victory! So this text by the apostle (i.e., 1John 1:8) is not
teaching that sin is inevitable; it is teaching that known
sin should be confessed and forsaken. Proverbs 28:13
What most fail to understand or acknowledge from
Scripture is that true forgiveness is a springboard to greater
and lasting spiritual victory. Psalm 130:3,4, John 8:10-12
Accordingly, the very first words of instruction which
immediately follow John’s teaching in this matter are
words which show sin must increasingly be the exception
and not the rule: “My little children, I write you these
things so that you may not sin; and if any man sins, we
have an Advocate with the Father: eswhy the Messiah, the
Righteous One. ” 1John 2:1,2 Although we must strive for
perfection our entire lives, John was not teaching sin to be
the inevitable! When one enemy in our lives is overcome,
the Spirit will call us to drive out others.
60
In reference to Philippians 4:13, one sister wisely says
most believers today say they can do all things through the
Messiah who strengthens them. Then she adds
parenthetically, “Except keep the commandments.”
61
Ephesians 6:13, Matthew 10:22, Revelation 2:26
62
Hebrews 12:1-4
bear good fruit,63 we are warned, shall be cut
down and cast into the fire for purging.64
Overcoming is required, yet so few seem to
understand the simplicity with which the whole
process works.65 Let us proceed, then, to better
learn how to “spy out the land” with eyes of faith
and hearts of love so that we may return to our
brethren and encourage them with words of faith
as did Caleb of old; let us hear his words of
belief which he spoke in regard to possessing the
Land of Promise:
Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are
well able to overcome it. Numbers 13:30
Through fasting and prayer in the Name of hwhy,
we will be strengthened to give the very same
words of encouragement to our brethren.
Fasting and Prayer:
the Initial Step of Faith
Fasting and prayer may be likened, at least in
one sense, to “spying out the land:”66 not only
will we see a closer view of our spiritual
inheritance as we dwell in the Presence of
hwhy,67 but we will be transformed68 and, at the
end of our fast, we will come back out of the
land carrying great gifts; we will be like Caleb
and Yehoshua—men who were ready to conquer
Canaan with deeds of faith and acquire even
more of what hwhy had already promised them in
His word. Fasting and prayer will give clarity of
mind and zeal of Spirit to do those things which
are necessary to please hwhy. When we draw
near to hwhy, then hwhy draws near to us as well:
His Light-filled Presence will drive away the
powers of darkness, clothe us with the armor of
His light,69 and give us the spiritual might and
victory we need to please Him, to do His will,
and to serve others in the Good News. The
apostle Shaul wrote, “And now belief,
expectation, and love remain—these three. But
the greatest of these is love.” 1Corinthians 13:13,
63
That is, the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22,23,
Ephesians 5:8-10, Colossians 1:5,6
64
Matthew 3:10, 7:19, 1Corinthians 3:15, Hebrews 6:7,8
65
Matthew 18:3, Mark 10:15, 2Corinthians 11:3
66
Numbers 13:17
67
Psalm 36:9
68
2Corinthians 3:17,18
69
Psalm 104:1-2, James 4:8, Romans 13:12-14, Ephesians
6:10-18
7
ISRV Perhaps more than anything else, fasting
with prayer is the truest and fullest expression of
these three, faith-essential elements: belief,
expectation, and love.
Belief
Fasting expresses faith in hwhy … belief that He
exists and that He will reward those who seek
Him. Hebrews 11:6 “Seek” is a fasting-related
word.70 However, the rewards sought during
seasons of fasting are not selfish ones; for when
our delight is in hwhy, our greatest desires are in
alignment with His perfect will. Psalm 37:4,5
Our greatest desires center around that which
hwhy wants the most for His Kingdom: namely,
His righteousness. We will also find our
personal desires are met “exceeding abundantly”
beyond all that we can ask or think71 for it is
only in Him that we live and move and have our
being.72 Simply put, the Creator knows what is
best for His creation, and it is only after our
hearts are aligned with Him, spiritually, that He
can give us those “tailor-made,” temporal things
which best meet our inner longings. While
seeking hwhy for personal, spiritual needs is
completely commendable, there are will also be
many times when our fasting and prayers are
directed towards helping others to receive
various blessings from the Presence of hwhy.
Our concern for the well-being of others will
grow as we progress spiritually.
Expectation
In fasting, we turn from the life-sustaining
sustenance of physical food. As we do so, we
are (or should be) symbolically turning from
everything this world has to offer. We die to the
world and identify with death as our soul cleaves
to the dust73 from which we came (and to which
we will return at death).74 This causes our spirit
to return, in type, to hwhy who gave it.75 Turning
from the world and towards hwhy expresses our
70
For clear evidence regarding this, see the article,
“Humble Yourselves in the Sight of hwhy,” at:
http://www.yahuyahweh.org/iah
71
Ephesians 3:20
72
Acts 17:28. Paraphrased, this indicates we will never
reach our fullest potential until we are in Him.
73
Yehoshua 7:6, Job 1:20,21, Psalm 44:25, 119:25,
Lamentations 3:28,29, Philippians 3:7,8
74
Genesis 3:19, Ecclesiastes 12:7
75
Ecclesiastes 12:7
expectation in Him alone because only He can
bring forth resurrection from the dead/dust.
Turning to hwhy in this manner expresses our
deep need/poverty, but it also expresses our
expectation in His power to resurrect from the
dust in times of trial, tribulation, and seeking.
We are in expectation for those things promised
in His word although not seen as of yet: the
salvation, the deliverance, and the working of
hwhy in our lives and in the lives of those around
us. Seasons of fasting with prayer and vigilance
fully place our expectation in hwhy and in His
word alone.76
Fasting is a time for silent expectation
because fasting is a time for reflection and
anticipation. Unless we are praying, silence,
meditation, and introspection are the order of the
day as we draw near to Him and abide in the
Presence of hwhy. When fasting, we present
ourselves before hwhy in quiet submission: we
are silent as we ready/prepare our hearts to hear
and to obey His voice. We are well on the way
to fulfilling “the Shema” 77 in an all-important,
extremely essential manner. Deuteronomy 6:4,5
When fasting before hwhy, we are dwelling in
“the secret place of the Most High.” Psalm 91:1
This is the “secret place” to which both the
psalmist as well as eswhy the Messiah referred.
Matthew 6:6,18 During such times, we should
wait before hwhy in silent submission to hear
whatever His Spirit will speak. Habakkuk 2:1,20
We should wait before hwhy in silent expectation
for whatever He will do in response to our
fasting and prayers. The Hebrew text of Psalm
62:1 reads:
Only unto Elohim is my soul silent,
from Him is my salvation.
Psalm 62:1
Regrettably, this verse is often translated in a
fashion similar to the King James Version:
“Truly my soul waits upon Elohim:
from Him comes my salvation.”
76
Psalm 119:25,28, 130:5-8
77
Deuteronomy 6:4,5. While “the Shema” is first seen in
Deuteronomy, we are taught by the Messiah that it is the
greatest of all Torah commandments. Mark 12:28-30
8
The poor translation omits the truth of
silently/quietly expecting the salvation of hwhy
during times of fasting. Lamentations 3:26,28,29
Such a translation fails to convey the deep
reverence of silently waiting before the Most
High. It should be emphasized, however, we do
not here speak of an idle silence, but rather, a
reverent silence—a silence which emanates from
a heart which is returning to and resting in
Elohim, a silence which emanates from a heart
which is returning to and resting in hwhy, a
silence which emanates from a heart which is
filled with quietness, confidence, and awe over
the sovereignty, power, and foreknowledge of
hwhy:
For thus says the Sovereign hwhy, the Qadosh
One of Yisrael: “In returning and rest shall
you be saved; in quietness and in confidence
shall be your strength” … Isaiah 30:15
Silent times of complete trust and deference to
the will of hwhy during a fast are truly some of
the most powerful and faith-building seasons in
the life of a believer. From this silence, should
emanate the restful assurance which comes from
the confidence in knowing hwhy will always and
ultimately do those things which bring Him the
greatest splendor and exaltation:
Be still, and know that I am Elohim: I will be
exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in
the earth. Psalm 46:10
This Scripture conveys the silent expectation and
assurance which we are to have before hwhy
when fasting. It was a life given to such fasting
and prayer which gave Mosheh the faith to speak
these words before all Yisrael in a time of utmost
danger:
Fear you not, stand still, and see the salvation of
hwhy, which He will show to you to day: for the
Egyptians whom you have seen to day, you shall
see them again no more for ever. Exodus 14:13
Upon which, hwhy opened the Sea of Reeds and
Yisrael passed through on dry ground. The faith
which can be still and confident before hwhy in
fasting and prayer is also the faith which can be
still and confident in the face of great danger and
adversity. Times of fasting and prayer are
special appointments for us to “be still” and to
know that He is Elohim in many profound and
powerful ways. We are either fulfilling the
Shema by waiting in silent expectation,78 or we
are fulfilling the Shema by times of prayer and
petition before hwhy. We now move on to
consider this second aspect of the Shema.
Love
Proper fasting expresses love for hwhy in the
highest form—in the form expressed when one
keeps the greatest commandment of the Torah:
the Shema. This is a love which places hwhy
first and which quietly listens79 to hear the voice
of His Spirit saying, “This is the way, walk ye in
it.” Isaiah 30:21 This is an important part of
what it means to wait upon hwhy. Isaiah 40:31
However, when we are not worshipping through
silent expectation during times of fasting, we
should be praying and actively setting our love
upon hwhy in a very special way as we both
profess (confess/utter) and believe the Shema—
the command to hear hwhy and to love Him with
all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. If we do
this, hwhy promises to set us on high:
Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore
will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because
he has known My Name. Psalm 91:14
We assert when one believes and confesses the
Shema with wholehearted faith, that one is also
setting his love upon the Name of hwhy80 as seen
above in the 91st Psalm. Since the Messiah
declared the Shema to be the greatest
commandment in the Torah,81 we believe loving
hwhy by presenting ourselves before Him with
open ears and open hearts must also be His
greatest longing.82 Loving the Name of hwhy, by
presenting hearts ready to hear and to obey His
word, is the means by which we trust in His
Name:
78
For a number of texts regarding silence before hwhy
during our times of fasting, see: Psalm 62:1, Isaiah 30:15,
58:4,9,13, Jeremiah 8:14, 15:17, Lamentations 3:26-29,
Job 42:1-6/Romans 3:19/Habukkuk 2:1,20, Zechariah
2:13/Zephaniah 2:1-3/Isaiah 26:20,21
79
Psalm 46:10, Isaiah 30:15, Zechariah 2:13
80
Psalm 5:11, 69:36, 119:132, Isaiah 56:6
81
Deuteronomy 6:4,5. While “the Shema” is first seen in
Deuteronomy, we are taught by the Messiah that it is the
greatest of all Torah commandments. Mark 12:28-30
82
Jeremiah 7:22,23
9
The Name of hwhy is a strong tower; the
righteous runs into it and is set on high.
Proverbs 18:10
The words of Solomon in this Proverb are simply
rephrasing what was seen just above in the 91st
Psalm. Having such love for hwhy, we are
taught, results in our being set on high above all
our enemies.83 While hwhy has already set each
believer on high through the resurrection and
ascension of eswhy, most have not learned the
reality of their position in the Messiah because
they have simply failed to set their love upon His
Name during times of fasting, prayer, and
worship.84 Through fasting and prayer, we will
begin to know and experience the reality of
being “set on high.” While it may be in
ignorance, many have taken honor to themselves
by failing to give honor to His Qadosh Name.85
We believe honoring the Name is key to walking
in the blessed reality which eswhy came to give
us. We must become doers of the word86 and
love the Name of hwhy to appropriate the reality
of our position with eswhy in the heavens. So
we may see the Promised Land as we read the
many promises given unto us in the word of
hwhy, but it is only through fasting and prayer87
that we are actually empowered to begin
exercising the faith and deeds necessary to “take
the land” as did Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, and
Yehoshua, the son of Nun. True prophets are
“mighty in deed and word before hwhy and
83
Ephesians 1:17-23, 2:4-6 Being set on high—far above
all power, and authority, and dominion, and every name
that is named—is the absolute key to power and victory for
every believer. So it is through fasting and prayer that we
experience the powerful reality of what eswhy has already
done for us in having passed through the heavens far above
all things! Psalm 97:9, Ephesians 4:8-10, Colossians 3:1-3,
Hebrews 4:14, 7:26
84
The things of which we speak are things which we
should be doing continually, and they constitute powerful
obedience and worship even if we are not fasting!
However, nearly every spiritual activity is more powerful
during our special seasons of fasting even though it will
seldom feel so! 2Corinthians 5:7 Further, fasting will give
us more love, strength, and humility in those times of
worship which follow our times of fasting and seeking
hwhy.
85
Psalm 115:1,2, Malachi 1:6, Matthew 6:9, Revelation
15:4
86
The word seen in Psalm 91:14 and Proverbs 18:10.
87
Which will be followed by other deeds.
before all the people.” Luke 24:19 And we note
the order revealed by this Scripture: might in
deeds must come before might in words; might
in the Presence of hwhy88 must come prior to
having might “before all the people.” This leads
us to briefly consider how continually drawing
near to the Presence of hwhy in prayer is so
essential to overcoming sin.89
True Prayer: Our Greatest
Need Becomes our Greatest Desire
Scripture is clear that spiritual completion and
victory are conditional: perfection and victory
are only for those who draw near to the Presence
of hwhy through the blood of eswhy by faith and
prayer.90 Yet we read elsewhere, “Behold, those
who are far from Thee shall perish.” Psalm
73:27 In contrast to a life of faithful obedience
which comes forth from those who are given to
true, reverent prayer, the last-quoted text shows a
spirit of harlotry and unfaithfulness inspires
those who have no desire for prayer and the
Presence of hwhy. One once wrote: The
sluggard in prayer in faith, in deeds … is
overrun with choking weeds.” The saying is
true.91 Those who are sluggish in prayer are
those who pray only because they feel duty-
bound to do so, and they are failing to
understand a number of simple, but profound
things.
• Those who pray only because they feel duty-
bound to do so, are also failing to realize the
depth of human, spiritual poverty which
implicates our great, continual need for the Spirit
and Presence of hwhy. Matthew 5:3 The prophet
Job knew this poverty and realized he needed the
word of hwhy even more than his necessary food.
Job 23:12 While this Scripture may have its
ultimate fulfillment through fasting and prayer, it
also shows the attitude of zeal for prayer even
during times in which we are not fasting. In the
Presence of hwhy, we receive His word in the
88
2Corinthians 10:4,5
89
Wholeheartedly confessing the Shema before His throne
is important even when we are not fasting. He will set us
on high because we have loved, or known, His Name.
90
Hebrews 4:16, 7:25, 10:1,19-23, John 14:6, Psalm
73:27-28, Revelation 12:11.
91
Proverbs 24:30,31, Matthew 13:7,22, Hebrews 6:7-
8,11-12
10
Spirit, and we certainly need this spiritual
nourishment far above our necessary food.
Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4
• Those who pray only because they feel duty-
bound to do so, are also failing to ponder the
depth of our Creator’s great love for us; not
realized is His desire to be near to us, to be our
Father, and to reveal Himself to us and in us.92
Further, hwhy desires to see His image in us as
we forgive others, love our enemies, and pray for
those who persecute us. Bestowing His
goodness upon all is one of His highest aims and
hwhy will surely accomplish that very thing!93
• Those who pray only because they feel duty-
bound to do so, are also failing to consider the
desire of hwhy to use us for giving expression to
His will through prayer. Matthew 6:10 hwhy has
given us His written and Living word, and the
power of prayer is remarkably revealed in
relation to this word through a revelation
recorded by the prophet Isaiah:
For as the rain comes down, and the snow from
heaven, and returns not there, but waters the
earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it
may give seed to the sower, and bread to the
eater: so shall My word be that goes forth out of
My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it
shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall
prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah
55:10,11
People often fall into the deceptive thinking
which reasons as follows, “If hwhy is sovereign,
then why even bother praying? His will is going
to be accomplished anyway, so why pray?”94
92
Galatians 1:15,16, 2:20, John 3:30, Colossians 1:27
93
John 12:32, Romans 11:32-33, 1Corinthians 15:25-28,
Ephesians 1:10, Colossians 1:20
94
A similar deception and complacency can be bred by an
improper understanding of predestination. The wrong
understanding of the calling and election of hwhy led to
Presbyterians (who believed in predestination) being
labeled, “The Frozen Chosen,” since so many of their
number evidently threw up their hands in the air and said
something like, “Why even try, if it is all planned in
advance?” Apparently, they were not living lives which
exemplified followers of the Messiah. hwhy willing, the
improper thoughts which lead to such things—as well as
today’s false representation of predestination—will be
addressed in a forthcoming work entitled, “The Sign, the
Seal, and the Secret.”
Yet the above text from Isaiah shows us how Commandments in the Decalogue.101 In this
hwhy works through prayer to fulfill His eternal light, we realize bowing in reverent prayer is
and sovereign will: He has promised His word heartfelt obedience which is well-pleasing to
shall not return to Him void and that it will hwhy:
accomplish what He sent it to do. This reveals
I. The First Commandment speaks of
the power in prayer whenever the servants of
worshipping hwhy the Father, Exodus 20:2-3.
hwhy on earth return His word to Him in the
For hwhy, the Father, is over all:
heavens.95 The Isaiah 55 text explains the reason
our requests are assured us when we pray Have we not all one Father? Has not one Elo-
according to His will. If our prayers cause the him created us? Malachi 2:10
word of hwhy to return to Him in the heavens, we
But to us there is but one Elohim, the Father, of
can be sure His will shall be accomplished.96 As
whom are all things, and we in Him; and one
we partake in this great privilege, the word of
Sovereign, eswhy the Messiah, by whom are all
hwhy grows within us and we are transformed so
things, and we by Him. 1 Corinthians 8:6
as to become instruments of His will and vessels
of His Spirit. II. The Second Commandment speaks of the
Son, Exodus 20:4-6. In prayer, we bow before
• Those who pray only because they feel duty-
hwhy in the Name of eswhy—the One who is the
bound to do so, are also failing to know the great
True Image of Elohim, the One who stands in
joy which comes from the Presence of hwhy.
contrast to the false images of pagan worship.
This joy becomes known in the depths of our
Although this commandment relates negatively
being only after we progress in prayer from
to images of false worship, its positive and
seeking Him for our spiritual needs to simply
prophetic implications infer there is also a True
desiring His Presence above all else. But let us
Image which stands in contrast to those which
be clear: There is absolutely no wrong in
are false. And, indeed, eswhy the Messiah is
petitioning hwhy for the spiritual needs of
called by the apostle, “the Image of the invisible
ourselves or others;97 the now-popular “prayer of
Elohim”102 for every son is the image of his
Jabez”98 is one of many such prayers seen
father. As the True Image of hwhy, eswhy
throughout the Scriptures.99 However, as we
stands in contrast to the images of false worship
grow in seeking hwhy for the spiritual needs of
forbidden within the Second Commandment.
ourselves as well as others, we will discover His
While we are not to bow in worship before false
Presence has become our main, overriding, and
images of anything found in the heavens above,
all-encompassing need as well as our greatest
the earth beneath, or the waters under the earth,
joy.100
the day is coming when every knee shall bow
• And finally, those who pray only because they before the One who is the True Image of hwhy.
feel duty-bound to do so, are also failing to Comparing the Second Commandment
realize how this act of righteousness is the (especially Exodus 20:4) with the following
ultimate, spiritual fulfillment of the first Four words of Shaul to the Philippians (especially vs.
10), we see striking similarities which are far
more than coincidence:
95
Daniel 10:12, Luke 18:1-8, Revelation 8:3-5 9 Wherefore hwhy also has highly exalted Him,
96
1John 5:14-15 and given Him a Name which is above every
97
98
Matthew 5:3, Proverbs 18:23 name: 10 that at the Name of eswhy every knee
1Chronicles 4:9,10
99
The truths in this manuscript were revealed to the should bow, of things in heaven, and things in
author in response to much prayer and study in his long, earth, and things under the earth; 11 and that
spiritual quest for “the exceeding greatness of His power every tongue should confess that eswhy the
toward us who believe.” Ephesians 1:19 While the sojourn
continues, we rejoice when writing: “The path is getting
101
brighter.” That is, “The Ten Words,” commonly called, “The Ten
100
Psalm 16:11, 89:15,16, 1John 1:3,4, John 16:24, Commandments.”
102
Romans 14:17 Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:3, Yochanan/John 14:7,9
11
Messiah is hwhy, to the splendor of Elohim the
Father. Philippians 2:9-11, Isaiah 45:23
The Second Commandment forbids the worship
of any image representing any creatures in the
heavens above, or in the earth beneath, or in the
waters under the earth. Yet in Shaul’s reference
to the Second Commandment, we read his
indication the day is coming when all things in
heaven above, and in the earth beneath, and in
the waters under the earth will bow before the
True Image of hwhy, the One and only hwhy -
eswhy ha’Mashiach. He is the One who died
and was raised again and He is the One upon
whom was bestowed “the Name above all
names”—the very Name of hwhy.
III. The Third Commandment is fulfilled by
praying in the Name of eswhy. Matthew 6:9,
John 14:12-14 The intent of all prayer is that the
Name of hwhy receives honor, that His splendor
and Kingdom would fill the earth.103 The Third
Commandment teaches us to honor the Name of
hwhy, and we will see this speaks of the Spirit,
Exodus 20:7. For it is only through the Spirit
that we have both the Father and the Son:
Who is a liar but he that denies that eswhy is the
Messiah? He is the anti-Messiah, that denies the
Father and the Son. Whosoever denies the Son,
the same does not have the Father: he that
acknowledges the Son has the Father also. Let
that therefore abide in you, which you have
heard from the beginning. If that which you
have heard from the beginning shall remain in
you, you also shall continue in the Son, and in
the Father. 1John 2:24
The abode which the Father and Son make in us
is an abode of the indwelling Spirit:
eswhy answered and said unto him, If a man
love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father
will love him, and We will come unto him, and
make Our abode with him. John 14:23
In whom you also are built together for a
habitation of Elohim through the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:22
103
Matthew 6:9, John 15:8, Numbers 14:21, 72:19, Isaiah
2:4, 6:3, 11:9, Habakkuk 2:14
12
When we pray, “Set apart be Thy Name,”104
we are praying that hwhy will act for His Name’s
sake.105 He is moved to impart His Spirit to
bring honor to His great Name and to fill the
earth with His splendor.106 The one who prays
after this manner is not taking the Name of hwhy
in vain, but is, rather, stirring the heart to live a
life which brings honor to the Most High. Over
such prayers, hwhy is moved to do “exceeding
abundantly beyond” all that a believer asks or
thinks as the Spirit of power works within the
life, the mind, and the heart. Ephesians 3:20
And once more, this confirms the Name-Spirit
connection as it is only through faith in His
Name that we may receive the Spirit’s power for
becoming His sons:
He came unto His own, and His own received
Him not. But as many as received Him, to them
He gave power to become the sons of Elohim,
even to them that believe on His Name.
John 1:11,12
104
Matthew 6:9
105
Psalm 23:3, 31:3, Ezekiel 20:9,14,22,44
106
The Name-Spirit connection—the clear, profound link
between the Name of hwhy and His pure Spirit of power—
is seen throughout Scripture, and while this topic deserves
the attention of a complete article, studying the
relationship between the following texts will give
sufficient credence to the veracity of this great truth:
• Compare Exodus 20:7 and Matthew 12:31,32: the key
concept here is the phrase, “not guiltless.” See also:
Hebrews 6:4-6,10, 10:26-31.
• Compare Numbers 6:23-27, Isaiah 59:20,21, Revelation
14:1, and 22:4
• Compare John 17:12 and 1Peter 1:5
• Compare John 20:31 and 1Corinthians 15:45
• Compare Isaiah 42:8 and the apostle’s direct reference to
42:8 in Ephesians 1:12,13: the phrase, “to the praise of
His splendor,” refers to the honor due His Name; it is this
honor which hwhy brings about through those who love
Him with all their minds (Malachi 3:16, Mark 12:30) and
who are sealed in their foreheads with His Name/Spirit.
Revelation 7:3,4, 14:1, 22:4
• And five texts which show this truth even when standing
alone: Exodus 9:16, Psalm 54:1, John 1:12, Acts 3:16,
4:10.
Pentecostals who really want the power of the Spirit
should begin by honoring and calling upon His true Name!
Fasting and prayer in honor of the true Name is the only
way to authentically fulfill 2Chronicles 7:14—a
frequently-cited and favorite text among many of the
Pentecostal movement.
Those who desire to honor the Name of hwhy
will surely have His Spirit working within them.
For it is by the Spirit that hwhy is One; it is by
the Spirit that we are one with Him having been
sealed in His Name;107 and it is only by His
Name/Spirit that we are able to walk in the love
which brings true unity with our brethren. John
17:11,21,23,26
IV. The Fourth Commandment speaks of Rest,
Exodus 20:8-12. Those who have both the
Father and the Son also have His Spirit; because
they have His Presence, they have great rest and
peace as only the Spirit can give:
And He said, My Presence shall go with you,
and I will give you rest. Exodus 33:14
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on Thee.
Isaiah 26:3
And all your children shall be taught of Elohim,
and great shall be the peace of your children.
Isaiah 54:13
As a beast goes down into the valley, the Spirit of
hwhy made him to rest: so did You lead Your
people, to make Yourself a Name majestic.
Isaiah 63:14
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you:
not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your
heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27
The Spirit produces the fruit of righteousness
which, in turn, leads to peace; and only in
finding such peace can we truly be at rest.108
And so, with the first Four Commandments
and their fulfillment through prayer, we have:
I. The Father … hwhy El Elyon.
II. The Son … the Image of hwhy … the Image
of True Worship.
III. The Spirit … the Presence, the power and
the Name of hwhy which results in love and its
counterparts, peace and unity.109
107
John 17:11, Ephesians 1:13, 4:30, Revelation 7:2-3,
14:1-4, 22:4
108
Isaiah 48:18, Mark 9:50, Romans 14:17, Galatians
5:22, Ya’acob/James 3:18
13
IV. The Rest … true, continual rest is given to
those who cleave to hwhy in prayer.110 And the
resurrection power of hwhy ever swallows up
death in victory. Isaiah 25:8,9 The Sabbath Day
gives us much-needed, physical rest one day a
week, but the rest received in prayer gives us
continual, emotional and spiritual rest every day
of the week.111
In summary, the first Four of the Ten
Commandments reveal the Father, the Son, the
Spirit, and the Rest. Only when both the Father
and the Son make their dwelling in us by the
Spirit can we be inspired and empowered to walk
in loving obedience; and only then can we have
true rest and peace.112 Hence, the love expressed
109
Psalm 133, Zechariah 14:9, John 17:20-26, Philippians
2:1-9
110
Deuteronomy 4:3,4, 10:20,21, 11:22-25, 13:4, Isaiah
28:12.
111
Those who observe the Seventh Day Sabbath should
not be alarmed at a teaching which upholds the supremacy
of daily, spiritual rest and victory through reverent prayer.
For without such victory over sin, one cannot truly keep
the Seventh Day as we are required to do! The prophet
Jeremiah (7:9,10) warns our Sabbath worship is an
exercise in vanity if we are not walking uprightly the other
six days of the week. Thus, we must continually
remember the Sabbath throughout the first six days of the
week so as to keep that one, special Day of Rest truly set
apart.
112
While we have viewed what might be called the
ultimate, spiritual meaning (at least on this side of the
Millennium) of the first four of the Ten Commandments, it
should be emphasized none of these truths do away with
the importance of either the physical or the emotional
aspects of these weighty, Torah ordinances—ordinances
which comprise no small portion of the Decalogue. The
literal, physical, Seventh Day, Shabbat/rest is still of
immense importance if we desire to be set apart by hwhy
and to enter His greater rest, spiritually, Exodus 31:12,13,
Revelation 14:13. Emotional rest is equally as important:
we can be at rest, physically, while our minds are at war,
emotionally. Psalm 55:21 And when a person’s emotional
state is one of turmoil, we question just how wholesome or
how complete any physical rest they obtain might be.
Isaiah 48:18,22; 57:20,21 Meditation upon hwhy during
our times of prayer, and meditation upon His Torah
throughout the day, is the answer. Psalm 119:165, Isaiah
26:3 It is meditation upon the Torah which keeps our
minds from being blown about as chaff before the wind.
Psalm 1:1-4, Ephesians 4:14 Concerning the Second
Commandment: while we must honor and bow before the
True Image of hwhy in the spiritual realm, we must also
reject the worship of statues and other graven images in
the physical realm, Leviticus 26:1, Daniel 3:1-18. And
for hwhy in authentic, reverent prayer fulfills the
first portion of the Decalogue.113 Which
establishes a very important truth regarding
prayer:
Prayer is the beginning of all true faith
and obedience for every believer.
If our hearts are not right in prayer (or if our
attitude towards prayer is erroneous), then
neither will we be “doers of the word,” “doers of
the Torah.”114 Those who do not cleave to hwhy
in trust-filled prayer, have not even begun to
walk in the obedience which pleases Him the
most. Some have rightly taught that
“prayerlessness is sin,” yet this is often done
without much to substantiate the claim. From
the above, we have seen why “prayerlessness is
sin.” Violation of any of the first Four
Commandments is idolatry. So we say, “Yes,
prayerlessness is sin; moreover it is the sin of
idolatry—of not putting hwhy first. Where there
is lack of fasting and prayer, there is also a lack
of truly seeking hwhy. In such cases, there will
also be a lack of victory over sin and progress in
the faith. But for those who draw near with
broken, contrite hearts, victory is certain.115 Like
Yisrael of old, the responsibility to enter into that
which eswhy has already obtained 116 rests
largely with us.117 Based on His promises,118 we
yet, does the Second Commandment speak of physical
images alone? Certainly not. Many remain in bondage for
a lifetime to images of another form: mental or emotional
images which are allowed to be graven in the mind
effectively set up statues of lust and improper thoughts
which are, oftentimes, permanent. Many bow down before
graven images such as these throughout their entire lives
(Ephesians 2:1-3) and are never able to destroy such
mental/emotional icons of falsehood. The Law of hwhy
operates in all three realms: physical, mental/emotional,
and spiritual. Those who fail to cultivate obedience in any
of these three realms will fall short of receiving the
blessings which hwhy has for His people; and those who
ignore or reject any of these three realms are simply not
wise. Proverbs 9:12
113
And this is the only means by which we may ever
begin to fulfill the second portion of the Ten
Commandments!
114
James 1:22, 4:11,12, Romans 2:13
115
Hebrews 6:13-20, 7:25, Psalm 18:27, 32:6; compare
also Jeremiah 3:19 and Matthew 6:9.
116
Ephesians 1:19-23, Hebrews 4:14, 6:20
117
Philippians 2:12, Hebrews 2:3
118
2Peter 1:4
14
must now enter in and take the Land of
Promise.119 It is only through Elohim-given faith
that we can enter into the promised inheritance
of His eternal Kingdom. Deed-spawning faith—
not salvation—is the gift mentioned by Shaul in
Ephesians:
For by favor you are saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
Elohim, not of works lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8,9
Notice the apostle says faith is the gift of
Elohim.120 He says faith is not of ourselves:
faith is a gift given by the favor/grace of hwhy.
Most erroneously translate this text as meaning
“being saved” is the free gift. Elsewhere,
righteousness is called “the free gift,”121 while,
in another place, the Spirit is called a gift;122 and,
in still another place, salvation is called the free
gift, Romans 6:23. All of these things are related
and are clearly imparted by the Presence and the
gift of His Pure Spirit: the impartation of His
Name/Spirit is a gift of His favor123 which also
gives us the faith and the power124 to live
righteously. However, we contend the free gift
mentioned in Ephesians 2:8,9 is faith.125 By the
favor of hwhy, each believer has been given an
initial measure of faith.126 What each one does
with the measure of faith they have been given
will determine his or her reward. Our final
measure of faith—seen through our level of
loving obedience127 towards hwhy and our
service towards others—shall determine whether
our inheritance in the Kingdom is shameful and
119
2Peter 1:5-11
120
Each believer is given a measure of faith. Romans 12:3
121
Romans 5:15-17. The gift of righteousness was not a
new concept: Psalm 24:5, Isaiah 51:7-8; 54:17
122
Acts 1:4-8, 2:38
123
Numbers 6:22-27. This is the blessing which hwhy has
commanded! Psalm 133. This commanded blessing further
explains the text: “hwhy will command His lovingkindness
in the day time”… Psalm 42:6 This blessing imparts the
favor of hwhy apart from works. His favor is given in love
simply because we are His children.
124
John 1:12
125
Romans 4:16, 5:17, and 12:3 show the gift of faith is
imparted by, or through, the grace/favor of hwhy; this
concurs with our view of Ephesians 2:8,9: faith is a gift
granted us by His favor.
126
Luke 19:13-26, Romans 12:3
127
Since faith works through love, Galatians 5:6.
meager or whether it is abundant and full of
splendor.128 Too many believers think they can
“just believe” and then sit back on the couch,
watch TV and eat potato chips for the rest of
their lives, and, somehow, everything will turn
out okay. Let us be wise: careless ease is an
enemy; careless ease will breed the sins of
Sodom even as we are now witnessing in this
country.129 Ezekiel 16:49,50 But even among
those who—refusing to be at ease in Tziyon130—
are striving to walk by faith and to please the
Almighty, there is still lack of tangible, spiritual
progress, lack of victory, and lack of true,
resurrection power. For those who no longer
wish this to be the case when looking across the
landscape of the Messianic Faith, hwhy holds
forth the means for true rest and refreshing:
For thus says the Sovereign hwhy, the Qadosh
One of Yisrael: “In returning and rest shall you
be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be
your strength.” Isaiah 30:15
Let us take heart if we desire to see hwhy stir
Himself up to work among His people “as in the
days of old.”131 The three-day fast is His special
means for helping us to appropriate and to walk
in the reality of the Messiah’s resurrection
power—the real, tangible power which eswhy
came to give us for special help in times of need.
The Presence of hwhy in times of prayer never
ceases to be our greatest need, but blessed are the
poor in spirit for they will also hold forth His
Presence as their greatest desire!
Special Significance
of the Three-Day Fast
The Father of all lovingkindness and Mighty
One of all comfort132 has put in place a very
special way for His people to obtain victorious,
resurrection power133—in increments—as He
gives us the Land of Promise little by little.134
128
Matthew 5:19, 25:14-30, 2Peter 1:10,11
129
The USA is now taking its final plunge into
immorality. The prophet Amos warns destruction from
Above will soon follow. Amos 9:8
130
Amos 6:1
131
Isaiah 63:11-64:3, Habakkuk 3:1-3
132
2Corinthians 1:3,4
133
Romans 8:35-39, Ephesians 1:19, 3:20, Philippians
3:9,10
134
Exodus 23:29,30
15
This unique experience is the three-day fast—
which we will show can and should identify with
the resurrection principle in Scripture. By giving
eswhy the preeminence in all things,135 we also
believe the three-day fast should identify with
His life, His sufferings, His death, His burial, His
resurrection, and His ascension. Throughout the
Scriptures, we see many things occurred which
signify the Presence and life of hwhy being
imparted to His people on the third day. This is
not some imaginary, “new religion” as at least
one person has wrongly charged. This is the
revelation of a principle set in place by hwhy who
declares He never changes. Malachi 3:6 Let us
review the clear accounts set forth in the word of
hwhy which reveal His special working on “the
third day.” We will consider a number of true-
life accounts from Scripture which we believe
establish a faith-precedence behind the three-day
fast.
The Resurrection of
Yitschak/Isaac on the Third Day
Genesis 22:1-19
It was a three-day journey for Abraham and
Yitschak to Mount Moriah.136 hwhy had
commanded him to offer up his only begotten
son. It was a time of testing for the patriarch.
Would he be faithful to obey the voice of hwhy?
The writer to the Hebrews said this of the
incident:
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up
Yitschak: and he that had received the promises
offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was
said, That in Yitschak shall your seed be called:
accounting that Elohim was able to raise him up,
even from the dead; from where also he received
him in a figure. Hebrews 11:17-19
This records that Abraham received Yitschak
back from the dead even though his son was not
ultimately sacrificed. It also indicates Abraham
was accounting that hwhy would surely raise up
Yitschak from the dead as that would be the only
way the Almighty’s promise over Yitschak could
ever be fulfilled. We actually have clear
evidence in the word of hwhy which shows
Abraham believed that very thing; the patriarch
135
Colossians 1:18
136
Genesis 22:4
was truly anticipating Yitschak would be raised
up from the dead. Let us hear Abraham’s words
to his servants:
Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes,
and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said
unto his young men, Abide ye here with the
donkey; and I and the lad will go yonder and
worship, and come again to you. Genesis 22:4,5
Before offering up his son, Abraham had already
stated both he and Yitschak would return to the
awaiting servants. Yitschak was the son of
promise—a promise which Abraham knew
would be fulfilled even if it took a resurrection
from the dead, and that is exactly what this man
of faith was anticipating! On the third day,
Abraham received back his only begotten son
from the dead, even as hwhy would later do in the
case of eswhy.137
The Presence of hwhy Descends
Upon Mount Sinai on the Third Day
Exodus 19:10,11
Before He came down to give the Ten Words,
hwhy instructed Moses to command the people of
Yisrael to be prepared:
And hwhy said unto Moses, Go unto the people,
and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let
them wash their clothes, and be ready against
the third day: for the third day hwhy will come
down in the sight of all the people upon Mount
Sinai.
This was the command of hwhy to prepare His
people for a great occasion—giving of the Ten
Commandments. The people were to cleanse
themselves for three days. Comparing Scripture,
we see this cleansing may well have
implied/involved fasting.138 Many other
Scriptures clearly show the cleansing nature of
137
The location of this incident was Mount Moriah; some
believe this was the same site which would later be called
“Golgotha”—the very place where eswhy was impaled for
the sins of the world. Whether or not this was the case,
Yitschak was certainly a prophetic type of eswhy the
Messiah: Both had laid upon them the wood by which
they were to be offered up (Genesis 22:6, John 19:16-18),
and both were only begotten sons. Was Yitschak also 33
years old at that time?
138
Exodus 19:14,15, 1Corinthians 7:5
16
fasting and prayer.139 In any case, those who
prepare themselves for the Presence of hwhy with
a three-day cleansing through fasting and prayer,
will also find He does descend on the third day
and that He is dwelling near to them140 as they
hear His word,141 and experience the power of
His Spirit.
The Restoration/Healing
of Hezekiah on the Third Day
2Kings 20:8-11
Hezekiah wept bitterly when learning from the
prophet Isaiah he was going to die, and he turned
to hwhy with all his heart. Joel 2:12-14 He
sought and found hwhy who restored the king’s
life and health on the third day.
The Three-Day Fast of
the Yahudim for Queen Esther
Esther 3:1-5:3
In a plot to wipe out the Yahudim,142 a man
named Haman, was working to commence an
execution based on the king’s decree. Mordecai,
a relative of Queen Esther, was grieved when
hearing of this evil plan in which an all-out
slaughter of the Yahudim had been planned.
When the plot was discovered, Queen Esther
decreed all the Yahudim should fast and pray:
… “neither eat nor drink three days, night or
day,” she said. In response to this fasting, the
sovereignty of hwhy was made known through
the wisdom which He granted Queen Esther and
through the favor which He helped her find with
King Ahasuerus.143 She went to the king on the
third day and found favor in his eyes. The plot
was thwarted, Haman was hanged, and the
people greatly rejoiced.144 hwhy acted for His
Name’s sake to preserve His people and to
deliver them from death. Here we see the three-
day fast as contrary to widespread death and
tragic defeat; it resulted in the working of hwhy
to preserve life and to impart joy and great
blessings.
139
James 4:6-10
140
Psalm 15:1-5, 24:3-5, Isaiah 33:14-16, James 4:8
141
Deuteronomy 33:3, Luke 10:39
142
“Yahudim” is the Hebrew word for “Jews.”
143
Proverbs 21:1, Esther 6:1-5
144
Proverbs 29:2
 The Resurrection of
Yisrael on the Third Day
Hoshea/Hosea 6:1-3
Our opening text for this article reveals a
prophetic event regarding the nation of Yisrael:
specifically, their restoration before hwhy “on the
third day.” We read this great text once more:
Come and let us return unto hwhy; for He has
torn and He will heal us; He has smitten and He
will bind us up. After two days He will revive us;
in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall
live in His sight. So let us know, let us follow
on to know hwhy; His going forth is as certain as
the morning, and He will come to us as the rain;
as the latter rain that waters the earth. Hoshea
6:1-3
If one day is taken as a thousand years,145 this
Scripture appears to be a prophetic indication
hwhy will raise up Yisrael on the “third day.”146
We assert this very same resurrection principle
applies to the three-day fast for every individual
believer in the Messiah. The three-day fast does,
indeed, result in the impartation of resurrection
power as hwhy pours out the latter rain of His
Spirit upon us147 which raises us up on the third
day.148 We also notice mention of healing which
occurs on the third day. hwhy associates healing
with fasting in other places as well.149 It is a
great privilege to seek hwhy through the three-
day fast, and those who do so will not only be
greatly blessed, individually, they will also
145
2Peter 3:8
146
If the ministry of eswhy began in 27 C.E., then the year
2027 will close out the “second day,” the second, 1000-
year period since His ministry announced the Year of
Jubilee. Luke 4:16-21 If we use one day as a thousand
years, the time period surrounding 2027 would be the start
of the “third day” since the Messiah’s coming (if one
begins counting from 27 C.E.). It is expected that around
that time (if not sooner) the Millennium will be
commencing. In regard to the creation, the Millennium
will arrive after 6 days (6,ooo years) and will be the
“seventh day” from the account given in Genesis. The
Millennium will be the “Seventh Day,” a 1000-year,
Sabbath rest for the people of hwhy. Hence, this writer
expects many great things will occur on or before that fast-
approaching time in our present-day history.
147
Hoshea 6:3, 10:12
148
James 4:10
149
Isaiah 58:6,8,11, Matthew 13:15
17
become an instrument of blessings to many
others.
The Restoration of
Jonah on the Third Day
Jonah 1:1-2:10
Jonah was a hard-headed prophet: he refused
the word of hwhy which directed him to preach
repentance to Ninevah. But where could he flee
from the Presence/Spirit of hwhy? Psalm 139:7-
12 After he set sail for Tarshish, his ship fell
into a terrible storm and Jonah knew he must be
thrown overboard. After this occurred, hwhy
saved Jonah by preparing a great fish to swallow
him where he remained for three days and three
nights. On the third day of his fast, he prayed to
hwhy and was spit up by the whale. Jonah’s
story is remarkable: a true account of the great
love and saving favor of hwhy. Great was His
love for Nineveh, to be sure, but great also was
His love for the prophet. Once more, we have a
clear case of resurrection, restoration, and
salvation on the third day. Jonah 2:9
The Resurrection of the
Messiah on the Third Day
Matthew 16:21, 17:22,23, 20:18,19
eswhy asserted He was to be raised up “on
the third day.”150 The third day is significant
because a dead body begins to decay after this
time period has lapsed.151 Since eswhy was
without sin, He could not be held in death’s grip;
both the justice and the word of hwhy required
He must be raised from the dead before His flesh
corrupted. Shaul wrote the power of hwhy
toward His people is in accordance with the
working of the strength of His might which He
invoked when raising eswhy from the dead and
causing Him to ascend into the heavens at His
Right Hand. Ephesians 1:19-23 His position in
the heavens as the Messiah and the High Priest is
“far above all power, and authority, and
dominion and every name that is named.”152
Shaul wrote that we are set with eswhy in the
Heavens, by faith, but we assert the reality of this
150
Matthew 20:19, Mark 9:31, 10:34, Luke 18:33, 24:7,46
151
Acts 2:24-31; Peter was citing the 16th Psalm which
indicated the flesh of eswhy would not undergo
decay/corruption, thus, requiring His resurrection “on the
third day.” Psalm 16:8-11
152
Matthew 28:18, Ephesians 1:21
position is especially learned, experienced, and
strengthened through the three-day fast.
Resurrection and ascension power is the power
which makes victory over sin and the world not
only possible, but expected, and it is this power
which one appropriates and experiences first-
hand through the three-day fast in the Name of
hwhy.153
The Healing and Immersion
of the Apostle Shaul on the Third Day
Acts 9:1-18
Following his encounter with eswhy on the
road to Damascus, Shaul remained blind and
continued in fasting and prayer for three days.
This very apostle would later teach immersion in
the Name of hwhy–Yeshua154 as being symbolic
of the Messiah’s death and resurrection.155
Given these truths, we now have yet another case
of resurrection “on the third day.” Through
immersion, Shaul was resurrected with eswhy on
the third day to, thereafter, live for and serve the
Mighty One of Yisrael.156 The timing of these
signal events not only reveals the veracity of
what we are saying throughout this manuscript,
but we also believe the details of Shaul’s
conversion were prophetic of what was to
follow. Following his immersion, Shaul
continued to seek “the power of His
resurrection” for the remainder of his days.
Philippians 3:10-14 This man of faith
exemplified a lifetime of diligently seeking hwhy,
and he was never found to be “at ease in
Tziyon.”157
t s r q u p e o n m l k y j x z w h d gb a
The above accounts corporately show us the
number three generally speaks of the life,
healing, restoration, and resurrection of hwhy
which accompany His Presence. Since we are
told elsewhere the resurrection power of eswhy
153
1Samuel 17:45
154
This is the compound Name used for immersion
according to the Aramaic Peshitta text; hence is explained
immersion into the Name of the Father, the Son, and
Ruach haQodesh, the Pure Spirit of hwhy. The Father and
Son are one in the Spirit. John 17:11
155
Romans 6:3,4
156
Romans 6:1-22
157
Amos 6:1
18
is something which must be sought,158 we also
conclude this power is not something which is
necessarily imparted—or at least, realized—in
its fullest measure when one first becomes a
believer in the Messiah. To be sure, there is
given to each one an earnest, a down payment of
the Spirit.159 However, most believers fail to
realize there is a greater blessing160 and fullness
which must be continually sought. This brings
us back to the problem posed at the start of our
inquiry:
Why aren’t more believers in the
Messiah walking in the power and victory
which eswhy came to give us?
Evidence is clear that many (if not most) do not
know how to seek for the promised blessing of
“greater favor”161 which shall certainly be given
as we continually progress “from faith to faith.”
Romans 1:16,17 And, so, we introduce the
three-day fast: a special way to prepare our
hearts for the Presence of hwhy to come down
with the revelation of His Law as at Mount
Sinai162 … a special way to seek His healing, His
renewal, and the promised, latter rain of His
Spirit163 … and a special way to seek eswhy to
the end we might “know Him and the power of
His resurrection.” If this intimacy and power
were things for which the apostle Shaul was
required to seek and find,164 we assert all other
believers in the Messiah must do likewise.165
The principle of the Presence, life, and power
of hwhy being especially manifested on the third
day, adds new significance to the Scriptures
regarding our burial with eswhy through
immersion and our resurrection with Him to
walk in newness of life:
158
Philippians 3:8-14, Jeremiah 29:13, Psalm 22:26,
69:32, Amos 5:4,6,14
159
2Corinthians 1:22, 5:5, Ephesians 1:13,14
160
James 4:6, Malachi 3:10-12. The latter text leads us to
wonder: “Where are the spiritual blessings which, if
poured out, cannot be contained?”
161
James 4:6, 1Peter 5:5
162
Exodus 19:10-20:20
163
Hoshea 6:1-3, Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2:18-19, Isaiah 44:3,
Hoshea 10:12 <=> Hebrews 6:7
164
Philippians 3:8-14
165
1Corinthians 11:1, Matthew 7:7,8, Hebrews 4:15,16
Therefore we are buried with Him by immersion
into death: that like as the Messiah was raised
up from the dead by the splendor of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:4
If all those who have been immersed into the
Name of eswhy have also been immersed into
His death, why does there seem to be so little of
“death to sin.”166 Why does there seem to be
such a lack of “newness of life?”167 We believe
walking in the reality of the Messiah’s death and
resurrection—which things bring death to sin
and newness of life—can only occur in the lives
of those who humble themselves before Him.
Only those believers who seek Him can fully
know the reality of the Messiah’s death and
resurrection. This is something which we must
learn over time, but the journey is a blessed one.
The resurrection power of eswhy is certainly
given to those who believe in His Name,168 but
to be fully appropriated by a believer and to be
manifested in its fullness, it is required that we
decrease so that the Messianic anointing of the
Savior may increase. 169 Failure to understand
this simple truth has led to all-out failure across
the landscape of believers who are dotting the
hillsides of the Messianic faith. Faith is based on
the word of hwhy. Romans 10:17 We have seen
the word of hwhy reveals a principle wherein a
special impartation of His life, His power, and
His Presence are granted on the third day to
those who have prepared their hearts through
fasting and prayer. Fasting and prayer are the
two major contributors to preparation of heart.170
Without fasting-derived humility, no believer
can progress from the defeat of Romans 7 to the
victory in Romans 8. It is not disputed the above
text from Romans 6:4 teaches we identify with
the death and resurrection of eswhy through
immersion into His Name,171 but immersion is
only the initial step of faith and obedience. Just
166
Romans 6:2,7,11,18,22
167
Romans 6:4-7, 7:6, 12:1,2, 2Corinthians 3:6,17-18,
5:17
168
John 1:12, 17:11, 1Peter 1:5
169
Personal decrease and the increase of eswhy will
remain incomplete apart from fasting and prayer.
170
See the article, “Humble Yourselves in the Sight of
hwhy” at: http://yahuyahweh.org/iah
171
Many will still refer to this as “baptism.”
19
like the apostle Shaul, if we desire to know “the
power of His resurrection,” we must diligently
seek hwhy during the lifetime which follows that
initial step of faith. Immersion is only the
beginning! The Scriptures are clear: what must
follow this great, initial act of conversion is a life
filled with deeds of faithful, commandment-
keeping obedience and service.172 But who is
sufficient for these things? For we did not, of
ourselves, produce the initial, special faith which
was given to us for salvation.173 Nor can we go
from “faith to faith”—growing in respect to
salvation174—without the continual watering of
His Spirit.175 Apart from Him we can do
nothing. John 15:4,5 And that is precisely the
key: apart from Him—apart from bearing His
yoke of fasting-derived meekness and
humility,176 apart from drawing near by the
blood of eswhy,177 apart from continually
bowing before His throne of favor and the light-
filled Presence of hwhy178—we can do nothing.
Yet the converse is also true: as we continually
draw near to the throne of favor, we will also
“grow in favor and in the knowledge of our
Sovereign eswhy the Messiah,” and nothing shall
be impossible.179 All deeds and actions of true
faith and love emanate from the life of a believer
who has just emerged from prayer in the
awesome, resplendent, light-filled Presence of
hwhy El Shaddai. Any who do this shall be
172
Romans 1:17, 2:13, 3:31, 16:26, 1John 5:3, Revelation
12:17, 14:12, 22:14. These texts all describe the
“obedience of faith” seen in any life which has
experienced “death to sin” and “newness of life.”
173
Matthew 11:17, John 1:12-13, 6:44, 65, 15:16,
Ephesians 2:8,9
174
1Timothy 4:14,15, 1Peter 2:1-2, 1Peter 3:17-18
175
Isaiah 44:3-5, Hosea 6:3, 10:12, Joel 2:28-29,
Zechariah 12:10-13:2, Acts 2:19-20, Hebrews 6:7
176
Lamentations 3:27-29, Matthew 11:28-30
177
John 14:6, Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:19,25, 9:13-14,
Revelation 12:11. The last text shows that overcoming
Satan is only possible if we have drawn near to the
Presence of hwhy through the blood of eswhy. This is
what we must first do to be clothed with the armor of His
light. If we seek hwhy while He may be found, then we
will have “done all” just as Shaul has said: … “and having
done all, to stand” in the evil day. Ephesians 6:10-13,
Psalm 32:6, Isaiah 55:6
178
Psalm 36:9, 97:11, 104:2
179
2Peter 3:18, Mark 11:22-24, Ephesians 1:17-19
clothed with the armor of His light180 simply
from having drawn near.181
We are elsewhere instructed that we should
live our lives by walking with eswhy in the same
manner by which we received Him. Colossians
2:6 The manner in which we received Him and
the manner in which we walk thereafter are one
and the same: by faith.182 How many times did
our Savior say something similar to this: “So be
it unto you according to your faith?”183 In each
of those cases, blessings were bestowed because
someone did or said something which exhibited
faith prior to receiving life and restoration from
eswhy. If upon conversion, a believer receives
eswhy as the sin-removing Lamb184—and
through immersion into His Name identifies with
His death and resurrection—the question
remains: “How does a believer remember,
identify with, and appropriate the reality of the
Savior’s death and resurrection on a continual
basis? Remember, we are to walk with eswhy in
the manner in which we received Him; we
received Him by faith as we identified with His
death and resurrection and called upon His Name
at the time of our immersion.185 As we daily
draw near to His throne of favor, we remember
His example by laying down our lives and
submitting to His will so that we may be
strengthened to live for and to serve hwhy.186 We
further remember His death and call upon His
Name when partaking of the bread and cup.187
Since we are taught to walk with eswhy in the
180
Ephesians 6:10-18, Romans 13:12, Psalm 104:2
181
Exodus 33:12-18, 34:5-7,29,20,35, Luke 9:29, Acts
6:15, 2Corithians 3:18, James 4:8
182
Consider both A.) and B.):
A.) Receiving the Messiah by faith: John 1:12, 20:31,
Acts 15:7-9, 26:18, Romans 1:17, 5:1, Galatians 3:2,26,
Ephesians 2:8, 1John 5:13
B.) Walking with the Messiah by faith: Acts 26:18,
Romans 1:17, 3:31, 5:2, 16:26, 2Corinthinas 5:7, Galatians
3:5, Ephesians 3:11-12,17-20, Hebrews 10:38, chapt.11,
James 2:22, 1Peter 1:5, 1John 2:6, 5:2-5, Revelation 14:12
=> John 14:1
183
Matthew 8:13, 9:22,29, 15:28, Mark 2:5, 5:34, 10:52,
Luke 7:50, 8:48, 17:19, 18:42
184
John 1:12,35-36
185
Joel 2:29-32, Acts 2:21,36-41, 22:16, Romans 10:13-
15
186
Matthew 16:24-25, Luke 9:23-24, 1Corinthians 15:30-
31, 1John 3:16
187
Psalm 116:12-13
20
same manner as we received Him,188 this writer
further believes the three-day fast is another
occasion upon which the seeker of His Kingdom
and righteousness can exercise the faith to
continually identify with the great events
surrounding the sufferings, death, and
resurrection of eswhy. As a result, the believer
will:
1. Grow to know Him more intimately …
2. Begin sharing in the sufferings related to His
death. And, as a result of these things, will …
3. Commensurately receive “the power of His
resurrection” through the indwelling Spirit of
hwhy.
Compare these three points with the words of the
apostle in Philippians 3:10. A life given to
fasting and prayer will bring upon one affliction,
suffering, and reproach,189 but with such
tribulations, a commensurate amount of the
Spirit’s power is given as well.190 Humbling
ourselves in this very special way brings about
true, spiritual progress as we identify with His
death.191 On the third day, we then receive His
promise of exaltation: resurrection power. James
4:10192 Let us review the promise of being
“raised up” and restored by hwhy as recorded in
the prophet Hoshea:
188
That is, by faith in all that He has done! The finished
work of the Messiah involves: His unblemished life, His
sufferings, His sacrifice on the tree, His death, His burial,
His resurrection, and His ascension. This is what eswhy
and the apostle John meant when teaching that, to do the
will of hwhy, we must believe on the Name of the Son,
John 6:29, 1John 3:6,22-24. Proper faith in His finished
work will empower us to be overcomers. 1John 5:1-5
189
Psalm 35:13, 69:10, Isaiah 50:6, Jeremiah 20:2, 37:15,
Lamentations 3:26-30, Matthew 5:10-12, 39, 2Timothy
3:12. Fasting is the believer’s ultimate expression towards
hwhy of the desire to live righteously; it will eventually, if
not immediately, result in persecution and reproach from
the unfaithful populace.
190
2Corinthians 4:10, 12:9,10
191
By dying to hwhy for three days via fasting, Romans
14:8. The context reveals the reference here is to fasting:
to “regard the day” meant one was not eating and was
giving thanks to hwhy during the fast. Romans 14:6-7 This
becomes yet clearer when we contrast those who ate or
fasted and did not do so unto hwhy. Zechariah 7:5-6
192
The context in James 4:6-10 is clearly one of fasting
provided we understand the many terms James used—
afflicted, mourn, mourning, heaviness, weep, purify, and
cleanse—all relate to that very thing.
Come and let us return unto hwhy; for He has
torn and He will heal us; He has smitten and He
will bind us up. After two days He will revive us;
in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall
live in His sight. So let us know, let us follow
on to know hwhy; His going forth is as certain as
the morning, and He will come to us as the rain;
as the latter rain that waters the earth. Hoshea
6:1-3
A call to return to hwhy is certainly a call to
fasting and prayer. It is quite possible James was
referring to a three-day fast—and the very
Scripture seen in the prophet Hosea—with these
words to the twelve tribes scattered abroad:193
Humble yourselves in the sight
of hwhy and He will lift you up.
James 4:10
Only by learning to appropriate the resurrection
and ascension power of the Messiah can we
move on to maturity and say with Shaul at all
times, “Nay, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through Him that loved us.” Romans
8:37
The Results of Fasting-Derived Humility
We will reflect for a short while on the results
of fasting-derived humility. As a believer’s soul
is humbled to wait upon hwhy through fasting in
His Name,194 He grants the seeking heart His
favor and exalts the humbled mourner with
resurrection power by giving the comfort of His
Spirit195—poured out, indwelling, and
empowering.196 Just as eswhy was raised from
the dead “on the third day,” even so, we are
raised up on the third day by the power of
Elohim: we are strengthened to walk in
“newness of life;” we are cleansed and
empowered to “live in His sight”197 and to dwell
with the Consuming Fire. Isaiah 33:14-16
The three-day fast will also provide many
physical blessings. A personal experience
encountered by the author during three-day
193
James 1:1. Interesting that James wrote of twelve
tribes and not ten, yet many today are talking about “the
lost ten tribes.”
194
Exodus 33:18-34:28, 2Chronicles 7:14
195
Isaiah 61:1-3, 9-11, Matthew 5:4
196
Isaiah 40:1, 29-31, 1Corinthians 15:10, James 4:6,10
197
Hosea 6:2
21
fasts198 has been observed enough times to know
it is a blessed reality. During this time of
extended fasting, I have noticed being deeply
rested when awakening from afternoon naps
taken on the second and third days of the fast.
Although just a brief nap,199 such times of rest
feel equivalent to the 8-10 hours of rest gotten
when I was a little boy … extremely refreshing!
Acts 3:19 The ways of hwhy are the ways of
peace and rest: physically, emotionally, and
spiritually. Isaiah 28:12, 30:15, Jeremiah 6:16,
Matthew 11:28-30
We have separated the remaining portion of this
section into two, main subsections which address
different issues related to the results of fasting-
derived meekness and humility; the intent here is
to help explain both how and why a proper
approach to fasting will lead to life, victory,
health, healing, and the increased Presence of
hwhy.200
A Contrite and Broken Heart
While the eternal word of hwhy stands
without need of further proof, many have
testified of the power in a three-day fast, and of
the special blessings poured out on the third day.
To be sure, our Heavenly Father will honor fasts
which are of shorter or longer duration than three
days since He so loves for us to seek Him.
However, if we enter a three-day fast so as to
identify with the death and resurrection of
eswhy,201 He will reward us according to that
faith. And with each three-day fast, the believer
shall enter into increasing, progressive,
resurrection power.202 As we are humbled in the
Presence of hwhy, the three-day fast will result in
many spiritual blessings. On more than one
occasion, the author has taken a glass or two of
water on the third morning of the fast, and within
a short time after beginning to read the
Scriptures, the Spirit of hwhy was poured out.
198
During this time I drink only pure water … no food, no
juice. Taking juice is not fasting.
199
Usually around 1.5 or 3 hours in duration.
200
Fasting of most any duration will give great, spiritual
benefits. However, we still assert many of the things
talked about in this section are especially prevalent in a
three-day fast.
201
Philippians 3:10-11
202
Job 17:9, Proverbs 24:5, Philippians 1:6
These are special times in which the Spirit gives
“the washing of the water by the word:”203 the
Presence of hwhy floods the soul and breaks the
heart with many wholesome emotions:
• Reverence and awe at the truth and beauty of
His word.
• A sobering sense of our own unworthiness
apart from the sacrifice of eswhy through His
shed blood upon the tree.
• The removal of all condemnation204 which
leaves only wholesome joy and deep gratitude
for being called out of darkness into His
marvelous light.
• A great love and gratitude for hwhy and the gift
of His Son.
• All of the above are coupled with the greatest
assurance of His complete acceptance and His
abundant, enduring love.
These are the times when the word of hwhy is
truly fulfilled in regard to “a broken and a
contrite heart.”205 This is the brokenness which
hwhy desires and which the Spirit brings about in
our lives. And while others may misunderstand,
this brokenness will be carried forth with us after
the fast has ended. We will find ourselves
shedding tears of compassion, joy, humility, and
brokenness as we worship, as we speak His
word, and as we serve our fellow man.206 This
same brokenness was seen in the apostle Shaul—
who fasted often207—as he exhorted the brethren
day and night with tears. Acts 20:19,31 For in
such a state of humility and affliction it is nearly
impossible for a person to read the Scriptures, or
to pray, or to worship, without the heart melting
into absolute brokenness in the Presence hwhy.
This impartation of the Messiah’s anointing
softens the hardest heart208 and makes one weep
tears of joy, gratitude, reverent awe, and
contrition.209 This is an experience in worship of
which one never tires. May all believers
203
Ephesians 5:26, Zechariah 12:10-13:2, Revelation 1:15
204
Romans 8:1,33-34
205
Psalm 34:18, 51:17, 69:19-20, 147:3, Isaiah 57:15,
66:1-2, Matthew 5:3
206
Psalm 126:5-6, Acts 20:19,31, 1Corinthians 2:2-3
207
Matthew 9:14,15, 2Corinthians 6:4,5, 11:27
208
Matthew 3:9, Ezekiel 36:26,27
209
Psalm 2:11, Luke 7:37,38
22
everywhere find such rest and joy in Him as they
are anointed from on high.210
All of these things explain the wholesome,
reverent emotions, the contrition, and the
brokenness in those who:
… “rejoice with trembling.” Psalm 2:11
… “tremble at His word.” Ezra 9:4, Isaiah 66:2,5
… speak and conduct themselves “with fear and
trembling.” Luke 7:37,38, 1Corinthians 2:3,
Hosea 13:1, Acts 20:19,31, Philippians 2:12
We now proceed to consider our second
subsection which shows how fasting and prayer
are the ultimate fulfillment of the whole, burnt
offering required in the Torah.
The Ultimate Fulfillment
of the Whole, Burnt Offering
The word “sanctify” means “to set apart,” and
if entered into with all sincerity, the cleansing
nature of fasting and prayer will set apart our
hearts totally unto hwhy. Through fasting, we
purify our hearts211 and dedicate our lives wholly
to Him. To please hwhy the most in our lives, He
requires that we seek Him with all our heart;
fasting is the main means by which we express,
obtain, and maintain such wholehearted
commitment before Him. In the days of old,
ancient Yisrael would offer to hwhy whole, burnt
offerings. This symbolized giving hwhy all
things—all that one had and all that one was.
Through fasting and prayer, the worshipper
offers up the whole heart before hwhy. Offering
our whole heart is effectively offering to hwhy all
that we are and all that we possess. In this, we
are effectively saying, “Here am I, send me.”212
Hence, fasting with prayer is the spiritual
210
A note on brokenness: being broken in relation to our
circumstances and difficulties is one thing, but being
broken before our Creator and Redeemer is quite another.
It would appear that hwhy sometimes allows circumstances
to precipitate the former brokenness to bring us to a point
where He can accomplish the latter. Consider how this
very thing occurred in the life of the prophet Job. (cf. Job
chapters 1 and 2 with Job 42:1-6) Remember as you
study, the entire context of the book is fasting-related since
Job was fasting and mourning for most of its duration, Job
1:20, 2:8-13, Job 33:19-21.
211
Isaiah 1:16, Matthew 23:26, James 4:8
212
Isaiah 6:8, Acts 9:10
counterpart to the whole, burnt offering!213
Apart from fasting and prayer, the ongoing,
unchanging requirement of the ultimate, whole
burnt offering cannot be met in the life of a
believer. Romans 12:1,2 Our works will not be
perfected before Elohim if we lack fasting-
derived meekness and humility because we will
also fail to seek hwhy with the whole heart.214
The greatest commandment in the Torah is to
hear hwhy and to respond with wholehearted love
and obedience.215 Through seasons of fasting
and prayer, the Spirit prepares our hearts to hear
the voice of hwhy and to do His will. Genesis
26:4,5 In contrast, a person’s unwillingness to
hear the Torah, even makes that one’s prayer an
abomination. Proverbs 28:9 If our motives are
right, fasting is an act of submission to hwhy216
which shows our ears are open and our hearts are
seeking His truth as we await His guidance.
Isaiah 58:8,11 Fasting is the deepest possible,
spiritual expression of one’s desire to live
righteously!217 Those given to fasting have
determined to seek hwhy until He rains
righteousness upon them.218 Through fasting,
the fire of His Spirit ignites the zeal of hwhy
within our hearts and the desire for righteousness
burns stronger and stronger. As we burn with
this zeal, our very lives will become “offerings
made by fire.”219
213
We also note the following: in most offerings which
were brought to the Levites and presented before hwhy, the
one bringing the offering was allowed to eat a portion of
the gift. However, with a whole, burnt offering,
everything was given to hwhy; nothing was left for the
worshipper to consume! Like the whole, burnt offering,
when one worships hwhy through fasting and prayer, no
food is partaken of by the one presenting the gift.
214
Revelation 3:2, 2Chronicles 12:14
215
Deuteronomy 6:4,5, Mark 12:29-30 It is further noted
that Abraham fulfilled “the Shema” (i.e., Deut. 6:4,5) and,
as a result of hearing the voice of hwhy, he kept the charge
of hwhy: His commandments, His statutes, and His laws.
Genesis 26:4,5 (Shaul charged Timothy with the same
charge. See 1Timothy 6:13,14)
216
James 4:7
217
2Timothy 3:12, Matthew 5:10-12
218
Hosea 10:12
219
Leviticus 2:3,10; 4:35; 5:12; 6:17-18; 7:30,35;
10:12,15; 21:6,21; 23:18,37; 24:9, Numbers 29:6,
Deuteronomy 18:1, Acts 2:1-4, Revelation 11:3-5
23
From Faith to Faith
We have seen the importance of preparing our
hearts for the Presence of hwhy. We have seen
the significance of fasting and prayer and its
essential contribution to this preparation of heart.
In our affliction, the heart is humbled and we are
prepared to hear the voice of hwhy, to better
understand the Scriptures, and to more fully
become “doers of the word.” Fasting and prayer
bring into the heart and mind the overwhelming
beauty and reality of the word of hwhy and—
more than anything else—are the means by
which the Spirit reveals the Son in us. Through
preparation of heart, we decrease while eswhy
increases, and the Word becomes flesh in our
lives.220 Many Christian circles rightly perceive
the means for progressing to maturity in the faith
is found in a spiritual application of the words of
John the Immerser concerning eswhy:
He must increase, and I must decrease.
John 3:30
But seemingly few realize that dying unto
hwhy221 by fasting and prayer is the ultimate
means by which this Scripture is fulfilled.
Through fasting and prayer, the life and Spirit of
eswhy increases causing the “the old man”222 to
proportionately decrease. For it is only through
fasting and prayer that hwhy will bring to His
children (and, subsequently, to the whole world):
• The sobering, awesome reality of His word
which can only be known and proven through
obedience. Psalm 119:97-100, John 8:31,32,
Romans 12:2, Ephesians 5:17
• The greatest fulfillment of His promises.
2Corinthians 1:20
220
Romans 8:1-4, Galatians 1:15,16, 2:20, Hebrews 8:10
221
We commonly hear the phrase, …“die to myself.”
Dying to hwhy, however, is more accurate. Our death,
through fasting and prayer, is unto Him. We are better
enabled to fulfill His purposes as His resurrection life is
imparted to us during the period of figurative death which
fasting represents. Shaul wrote, “For none of us lives to
himself, and no man dies to himself. For whether we live,
we live unto hwhy; and whether we die, we die unto hwhy:
whether we live therefore, or die, we are for hwhy.”
Romans 14:7,8 This was written to contrast those who ate
and gave thanks with those who did not eat (i.e., who
fasted) and who also gave thanks. In either case, the
believers were doing all things “unto hwhy” by giving
thanks.
222
Romans 6:6

• The power of His Spirit over sin. Isaiah 58:6-7,
Romans 5:17, 1Peter 4:1-2223
• The magnificent splendor of His light-filled
Presence. Psalm 97:1-6, 99:1-5, Isaiah 58:10,
1Peter 2:9 The Presence of His Spirit will
enable us to better serve others by giving true
encouragement as we minister the reality of the
word of faith.
So key—so essential—is the need for fasting that
those neglecting this discipline are also
neglecting so great a salvation. Hebrews 2:3 For
where there is no fasting, there is no fear and
trembling; and where there is no fear and
trembling, there is no working out of one’s
salvation.224
In closing, we again emphasize fasts of any
duration will bring forth great blessings provided
they are Spirit-led.225 Fasting is not a
223
Through fasting-derived afflictions, we suffer in the
flesh and the bonds of iniquity are broken. It is just as
Peter wrote, “He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased
from sin.” The fast that hwhy chooses will … “break every
yoke.” Isaiah 58:6-7 Nothing is too difficult for hwhy.
224
Philippians 2:12, Revelation 3:1,2 A further note: the
author has actually heard the false theory put forth which
claims Isaiah 58 negates the need for actually fasting in the
physical sense of the word! Such a stance on this matter is
deeply erroneous. Matthew 9:14-15 The Isaiah prophecy
is not lessening the importance of fasting in any way; it is,
rather, a revelation of the true motives, deeds, and import
which surround authentic fasting as well as a reproof
against those motives which are false. Further, literal
fasting was enjoined because Yisrael had turned from the
Sabbath; they had forsaken the ordinance of Elohim
regarding the Day of rest. Isaiah 58:1,2,6,13,14 Therefore,
Isaiah was rebuking them and calling them to return to
hwhy through fasting and prayer. James did likewise with
those believers who had fallen into carnal strife. James
4:1-10 It is further noted that, like Isaiah, eswhy spoke of:
alms (Isaiah 58:7,10,12/Matthew 6:1-4), prayer (Isaiah
58:9/Matthew 6:5-15), and fasting (Isaiah 58:3-7/Matthew
6:16-18). When The Sermon on the Mount is understood
in its full context, we see that eswhy was proclaiming the
fast that hwhy had chosen. Isaiah 58:6 (These things are
more fully explained in the article, “Humble Yourselves in
the Sight of hwhy.”)
225
The greatest outpouring of the Spirit which the author
has ever seen occurred in a time of special need wherein I
and another brother in the faith (who was hundreds of
miles away) fasted and prayed together for only a single
day. A great empowering of the Spirit was given which
brought deliverance to his family in a time of special need.
24
marathon,226 it is a Spirit-led activity of profound
importance which yields equally profound
results. However, we have studied the special,
spiritual significance of the three-day fast: a
three-day preparation and humbling of heart as
one seeks closeness to hwhy and the latter rain of
His Spirit. If done with sincerity, the result of
such fasting will be the impartation of the
resurrection power of eswhy in some measure.
This power will be granted in whatever amount
hwhy sees fit to bestow, but one can be certain
something significant will result to advance the
Kingdom of hwhy and His righteousness. As we
decrease through fasting and prayer, the life and
power of the Messiah will be free to increase
within us.227 Such power will reveal eswhy the
Messiah at the times and in the ways of His
choosing. We will see the cords of sin’s
bondage and oppression broken by the power of
the Spirit.228 We will see great answers to our
prayers, and we will see many blessings come
upon our family, friends, and fellow believers.
We will see great manifestations of the Spirit’s
power—leading,229 working,230 and blessing in
many different forms. But most importantly, we
will know greater closeness and love for our
Creator and Redeemer, and our lives will bring
honor to His Great Name as His light vanquishes
the darkness which would otherwise hinder His
Kingdom and His righteousness. As we draw
near to hwhy through fasting and prayer, our
victory is certain because He has promised to
save an afflicted people. Psalm 18:27-28; 22:24
Through fasting-derived affliction and
humility,231 we shall progress: “from faith to
faith” … “from strength to strength” … and
from trust to trust.232 Through the blood of the
226
The writer will seldom answer when a question like the
following is posed, “What is the longest period of time you
have fasted?”
227
John 3:30, Galatians 1:15-16, 2:20, Philippians 1:21.
The biggest hurdle most of the time is just getting our will
out of the way, but this is precisely what occurs in fasting!
228
Isaiah 58:6, Matthew 9:32-33, 12:22, 15:22-28, 17:14-
21, 18:16, Luke 13:10-16, Acts 10:38
229
Romans 8:13-14, Galatians 5:25-26
230
Galatians 3:5
231
Psalm 35:13-14, 69:10, James 4:6-10
232
Romans 1:17, Psalm 84:7, Jeremiah 17:7 The first and
last text indicate we progress from an initial faith/trust to a
Lamb, we will have drawn near to hwhy
throughout our lives and we will have gained the
victory in His Presence. We will have been
saved by the light of His countenance233 as we
were strengthened to do valiantly through
Him;234 we will have been helped to fight the
powers of darkness, to stand firm in the evil day,
and to appear before Him in Tziyon … blameless
with great joy. Jude 24,25
May believers worldwide join with us in seeking
hwhy that the power of His Spirit will be poured
out as never before and that we might be vessels
prepared for His service. In this way, we shall
partake in the fulfillment of His promise to make
the latter splendor of His house greater than the
former. Haggai 2:9 May hwhy our Elohim stir
Himself up to work “as in the days of old.”
C.P.
Northridge, CA
7/1/2004
t s r q u p e o n m l k y j x z w h d gb a
This article is distributed under the following
copyright with the indicated stipulations:
PC
Personal Copyright
1991-2010, by the author.
This new article was edited and expanded based
on a shorter, previously printed version.
We believe most copyrights have been abused
worldwide in religious circles as false shepherds
and other merchants feed on the sin of the
people. These many abuses have filled the
worship house of hwhy with money changers
who hinder True Worship by robbing and
oppressing the poor. Zechariah 7:10 Many, if
not most, have turned reverence and the worship
of hwhy into a means of great, personal gain.
Micah 3:11, 1Timothy 6:5-10, 1Peter 5:2 We
assert such things were never meant to be, Isaiah
55:1,2, Mark 11:15-17. Hence, this copyright is
intended to allow for free distribution of the
complete, all-encompassing faith/trust which upholds
every aspect of our lives.
233
Numbers 6:22-27, Psalm 31:16, 67:1-7, 80:3,7,19,
2Corinthinas 4:6
234
Psalm 60:11-12
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word of hwhy with the following, minimal
limitations:
This article may not be included in any
publication—religious or otherwise—without
the author’s written consent.
This document may be copied and
distributed provided:
a.) it is left unaltered
b.) it remains in its entirety,
c.) it is given away at no cost.
Matthew 11:5, Luke 4:19, Galatians 2:10.
All peaceable correspondence is invited:
P.O. Box 280114
Northridge, CA 91328-0114
United States of America
For other free documents which are offered to
provide encouragement and edification from the
word of hwhy, please refer to the following
website:
http://www.yahuyahweh.org/iah
Note: ISRV is an abbreviation/acronym for,
“INSTITUTE FOR SCRIPTURE RESEARCH VERSION.”
The INSTITUTE FOR SCRIPTURE RESEARCH is an
organization of Messianic believers based in
South Africa. They have published an excellent
version of the word of hwhy which is entitled
“The Scriptures.” This present study refers to
“The Scriptures” as the ISRV. For those who
might be interested in obtaining this version, the
Institute’s web address is:
http://www.isr-messianic.org/
Postscript: The author assumes no responsibility
for those who are led to fast based on this
manuscript. Whether one undertakes fasting for
personal reasons, or whether one undertakes to
do so because of faith in the word of hwhy and
the leading of the Spirit, each person stands
alone before hwhy regarding the results and the
consequences of such fasting. Those with little
experience in fasting should read books offering
solid, practical advice on the topic—especially in
regard to the kinds of food which are best eaten
after a fast is completed. Those on medication
should first consult their Physician (and, very
possibly, a qualified earthly physician who
acknowledges the spiritual importance of
fasting). A fine book which gives highly
practical information on fasting is entitled, The
Miracle of Fasting, by Paul Bragg.

t s r q u p e o n m l k y j x z w h d gb a

Finally, a note for those who desire to fast but

who are simply unable to do so for physical or
medical reasons:
After realizing the great truth and importance of
fasting, those who desire to fast, but who simply
cannot, will find themselves in a dilemma. This
writer suspects such sincere believers will be
adequately afflicted simply by the thought of
being unable to do something which is so
essential to True Worship. We also trust this
desire (and the resulting affliction) will be
reckoned before hwhy as righteousness over this
matter. And this would surely be a case where
hwhy looks on the heart.

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