"Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of Yahweh your Elohim, which I command you this day; and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of Yahweh your Elohim, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other elohim, which you have not known." (Deuteronomy 11:18–28).

"See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil; in that I command you this day to love Yahweh your Elohim, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances, that you may live and multiply, and that Yahweh your Elohim may bless you in the land which you go in to possess. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but shall be drawn away, and worship other elohim, and serve them; I declare to you this day, that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land, which you pass over the Jordan to go in to possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse: therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your seed; to love Yahweh your Elohim, to obey his voice, and to hold fast to him; for he is your life, and the length of your days; that you may dwell in the land which Yahweh swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them." (Deuteronomy 30:15–20).

Each day of our lives, everyone must make choices. We habitually make value judgments on various things that relate to our lives. In a more serious reflection, we base our ethical judgments on a moral code that we have been taught from our youth. For many people that moral code is the Ten Commandments, or the sacred Scriptures in general that contain all the commandments of Yahweh.

Each individual on the face of this earth desires life. He or she does not wish to do anything that might interfere with the duration of a long life. Paul says in Ephesians 5:28–29, "Even so ought husbands to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loves his own wife loves himself: FOR NO MAN EVER HATED HIS OWN FLESH; BUT NOURISHES AND CHERISHES IT, even as the Messiah also the assembly."

Furthermore, he says in Philippians 4:8–9, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK ON THESE THINGS. The things which you both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the Elohim of peace shall be with you."

These instructions from the sacred Scriptures direct us to make correct choices that will lead to blessings, rather than to trouble, turmoil and distress.

About a month before this particular section of "Prophetic Trends" is being written, Shalom Academy (a Jewish institution) on the west side, Manhattan, in New York City prohibited the observance of, or mention of, Mother’s Day. A challenge was brought to the educational institution by two individuals of the same sex (male), to demand that since they were raising a child, their home had no female representation; therefore, Mother’s Day was an erroneous observance. The school administration capitulated and decided to prohibit observance of, or mention of, Mother’s Day, but also to exclude Father’s Day. The individuals who were in charge of this institution (the school administration) were apparently apprehensive about getting involved in a law suit.

Can we change the simple fact that each human being on this earth needs a father and a mother in order to be born? (The geneticists intend to change that, but up to this point, it is not yet possible.) Therefore, lifestyles can change, but the facts are unalterable since Almighty Yahweh has created an established system of reproduction. Would it not then be a wrong choice if people become homosexual?

In a recent issue of the Jewish Press, there appeared an excellent op-ed page by Ida Nudel. She was a former prisoner of conscience who had been living in Russia and was unable to immigrate. The situation in the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was quite restrictive and the Jews were unable to immigrate to Israel, until Natan Sharansky and others put forth a determined resistance against the regime, gaining release.

Ida Nudel began her comments by showing that the founding of the State of Israel attracted a very dedicated group of Jews who were determined to make a life in what was then known as Palestine. As the nation began, the Jews were forced to fight for their very lives. She comments, "Today, the standoff between Arabs and Jews has achieved a resolute moment. Islam is ripe for a war with Jews due to its unprecedented strength."

She goes on to comment that nations such as America and the countries of the European union depend overwhelmingly on Arab oil, and this has brought the world’s political institutions, including the United Nations, to the Arab side. "Anti-Semitism," Ms. Nudel comments, "is as widespread across the world today, almost to the same degree as before World War II."

She continues explaining that Israel helped Arafat to create his army and then transferred funds to Arafat’s personal account, even going to the point where Israel destroyed its own agriculture so that Arafat’s economy would face less competition. Israel has even taken high-interest loans to invest the money in Arafat’s enterprises.

When the current intifada began on September 28, 2000, it was obvious that Yasir Arafat, Palestinian chairman, wanted to achieve complete domination over the entire area once known as Palestine, but which is currently occupied by Israel.

Ezekiel chapter 18 bears a message from Almighty Yahweh to all the sinners. It is not an extremely long chapter, but very significant as Yahweh says, "…the soul that sins, it shall die" (verse 4). He begins verse 20 in exactly the same way. Then he concludes the chapter, "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, says the Sovereign Yahweh. Return and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies, says the Sovereign Yahweh: therefore turn yourselves, and live." (Ezekiel 18:30–32).

Yahweh has no pleasure in judging people and bringing death to the sinners. He would prefer to bless rather than pour out his judgment. He concludes the chapter, "…therefore turn yourselves, and live." Yahweh plainly calls for repentance and He implies that He will forgive sin.

Everyone must make daily choices. Those choices can be ethical, moral, spiritual, or temporal. Each moment of our lives determines whether we are on Yahweh’s side, or opposing Him.

No one is strong enough to oppose Yahweh and emerge victorious.

Throughout the Scriptures the Word of Yahweh leaves no doubt that those who violate His covenant law will suffer eternal death for their sins. Dogmatic statements such as Psalm 37:9–10, are certainly plain enough for all to understand. "For evil-doers shall be cut off; but those that wait for Yahweh, they shall inherit the land. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yes, you shall diligently consider his place, and he shall not be."

Too many people today imagine that Yahweh is love exclusively and that He will tolerate all kinds of evil conduct. Some day Almighty Yahweh will manifest Himself in judgment, and those who have rejected Him and His laws will pay the ultimate penalty.

Only recently the execution of Timothy McVeigh was carried out in the Terre Haute federal prison. Here is a perfect example of making a wrong choice. McVeigh could have worked to herald the good news of the coming Kingdom of Yahweh, to prepare the way for the Messiah’s return. Instead, he chose to fight against the United States government and he killed (or helped to kill), 168 people, 19 of them children. This is the reason he died in the execution of justice. The world cannot allow such a monster to live. McVeigh had the same thoughts many people have, but he chose to fight against the United States government—and there is no future in doing that!

Why not join with the Assemblies of Yahweh in fulfilling Isaiah 40:3–5? May we help you to learn the Kingdom way of life so that Yahshua, the Messiah, will accept you when He returns? You will never regret doing so!