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THE KILLING OF HOMOSEXUALS

1 Peter 1:17-21

“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; ¹⁸ knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. ²⁰ He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you ²¹ who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

2)      Today our Holy God is calling every type of individual listed in Leviticus 20, and others from every walk of life, out of the kingdom of darkness. He is delivering souls from those things that separate them from Himself, by His Holy Spirit – if they will come to the place of repentance (turning from their sins and abominations and back to Him).

·         All three of the synoptic gospel accounts record that Jesus said, “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Matthew 9:10-13 

“Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. ¹¹ And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

¹² When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Mark 2:15-17

“Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. ¹⁶ And when the scribes and  Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”

¹⁷ When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Luke 5:27-32

“After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” ²⁸ So he left all, rose up, and followed Him.

²⁹ Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. ³⁰ And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

³¹ Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ³² I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

·         We are not called to come as we are and stay as we are. We have been granted repentance and forgiveness of our sins – not one apart from the other. Refer to Disciple Projects Bible study titled Instructions for life.

·         John 3 does not start by saying:

John 3:16-17

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

Jesus first declares:

John 3:3b, 5b-6

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God... Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

3)      3) We are to warn the wicked to repent in order “to save his life”:

Ezekiel 3:16-19 

“Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ¹⁷ “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning ⁽²⁰⁹⁴⁾ from Me: ¹⁸ When I say to the wicked ⁽⁷⁵⁶³⁾, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning ⁽²⁰⁹⁴⁾, nor speak to warn ⁽²⁰⁹⁴⁾ the wicked from his wicked ⁽⁷⁵⁶³⁾ way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity ⁽⁵⁷⁷¹⁾; but his blood I will require at your hand. ¹⁹ Yet, if you warn ⁽²⁰⁹⁴⁾ the wicked ⁽⁷⁵⁶³⁾, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked ⁽⁷⁵⁶³⁾ way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.”

·         We are to warn, not condemn.

Jude 22-23 

“And on some have compassion, making a distinction;  ²³ but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

Iniquity – 5771 `avon aw-vone' or oavown (2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 51:5 (7)) {aw-vone'}; from '`avah' (5753); perversity, i.e. (moral) evil:-- (Translated in King James Version as) fault, iniquity, mischief, punishment (of iniquity), sin.

5753 – `avah aw-vaw' a primitive root; to crook, literally or figuratively (as follows):-- (Translated in King James Version as) do amiss, bow down, make crooked, commit iniquity, pervert, (do) perverse(-ly), trouble, X turn, do wickedly, do wrong.

Warn/Warning – 2094 zahar zaw-har' a primitive root; to gleam; figuratively, to enlighten (by caution):-- (Translated in King James Version as)  (Translated in King James Version as) admonish, shine, teach, (give) warn(-ing).

Wicked – 7563 rasha` raw-shaw' from 'rasha`' (7561); morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person:-- (Translated in King James Version as) + condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.

7561 - rasha` raw-shah' a primitive root; to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate:-- (Translated in King James Version as) condemn, make trouble, vex, be (commit, deal, depart, do) wicked(-ly, -ness).

·         We are to be like watchmen, not judges.

4)      4) If anyone goes from giving the Word of God to enlighten, instruct and warn, to using the Word of God to condemn someone to death and the lake of fire, they make themselves out to be a “judge” and not a “watchman.”

The difference –

·         A watchman warns the wicked (evil, immoral) to repent (turn from their wickedness) in order for them to save their life.

·         A judge renders a sentence based on all the evidence presented against a person.

                It is recorded that Jesus said,

John 5:21-22 

“For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. ²² For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,”

Disciples of Christ are to make disciples according to His command:

Matthew 28:18-20 

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore  and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.^”

We must teach “all” Jesus commanded, not just the pleasant things or just  rebuke:

John 3:16-21 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

¹⁸ “He who believes in Him is not condemned ⁽²⁹¹⁹⁾; but he who does not believe is condemned ⁽²⁹¹⁹⁾ already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. ¹⁹ And this is the condemnation ⁽²⁹²⁰⁾, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. ²¹ But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Jesus Christ also commands those that are already His (Christians, followers, disciples):

Matthew 7:1-5 

“Judge ⁽²⁹¹⁹⁾ not, that you be not judged ⁽²⁹¹⁹⁾. ² For with what judgment ⁽²⁹¹⁷⁾ you judge ⁽²⁹¹⁹⁾, you will be judged ⁽²⁹¹⁹⁾; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. ³ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite ⁽⁵²⁷³⁾! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Luke 6:37 

“Judge ⁽²⁹¹⁹⁾ not, and you shall not be judged ⁽²⁹¹⁹⁾. Condemn ⁽²⁶¹³⁾ not, and you shall not be condemned ⁽²⁶¹³⁾. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

John 8:15-16

“You judge ⁽²⁹¹⁹⁾ according to the flesh; I judge ⁽²⁹¹⁹⁾ no one. ¹⁶ And yet if I do judge ⁽²⁹¹⁹⁾, My judgment ⁽²⁹²⁰⁾ is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.”

Condemn – 2613 katadikazw katadikazo kat-ad-ik-ad'-zo from kata - kata 2596 and a derivative of dikh - dike 1349; to adjudge against, i.e. pronounce guilty:-- (Translated in King James Version as) condemn.

1349 - dikh dike dee'-kay probably from deiknuw - deiknuo 1166; right (as self-evident), i.e. justice (the principle, a decision, or its execution):-- (Translated in King James Version as) judgment, punish, vengeance.

Hypocrite – 5273 upokrithV hupokrites hoop-ok-ree-tace' from upokrinomai - hupokrinomai 5271; an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e. (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite":--(Translated in King James Version as)hypocrite.

5271 - upokrinomai hupokrinomai hoop-ok-rin'-om-ahee middle voice from upo - hupo 5259 and krinw - krino 2919; to decide (speak or act) under a false part, i.e. (figuratively) dissemble (pretend):-- (Translated in King James Version as)feign.

Judge/Condemned – 2919 krinw krino kree'-no properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish:-- (Translated in King James Version as) avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.

Judgment – 2917 krima krima kree'-mah from krinw - krino 2919; a decision (the function or the effect, for or against ("crime")):--(Translated in King James Version as) avenge, condemned, condemnation, damnation, + go to law, judgment.

Judgment/Condemnation– 2920 krisiV krisis kree'-sis decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice (especially, divine law):-- (Translated in King James Version as) accusation, condemnation, damnation, judgment.

The following was also recorded for those of us who follow Jesus Christ, our example:

John 8:1-12 

“But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

² Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. ³ Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, ⁴ they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. ⁵ Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned.  But what do You say?” ⁶ This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

⁷ So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up  and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” ⁸ And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience,^[ went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. ¹⁰ When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned ⁽²⁶³²⁾ you?”

¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn ⁽²⁶³²⁾ you; go and sin no more.”

¹² Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Condemn – 2632 from kata - kata 2596 and krinw - krino 2919; to judge against, i.e. sentence:-- (Translated in King James Version as) condemn, damn.

·         Verse 3 – If you recall in Leviticus 20, adulterers were to be put to death – both the man and the woman. However, as is often the case in various religions, in the above account, only the woman is condemned.

Leviticus 20:10 

“‘The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death.”

·         Verse 11 – Jesus does not condemn the adulteress; however, He tells her to “sin no more.”

·         Verse 12 – Jesus tells His followers that we are not to walk in darkness. We are to walk in the “light of life” - Jesus Christ.

John 1:1-5 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

John 5:24-30 

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. ²⁵ Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. ²⁶ For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, ²⁷ and has given Him authority to execute judgment ⁽²⁹²⁰⁾ also, because He is the Son of Man. ²⁸ Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice ²⁹ and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation⁽²⁹²⁰⁾ . ³⁰ I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge ⁽²⁹¹⁹⁾; and My judgment ⁽²⁹²⁰⁾ is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.”

·         It is God, our creator, who determines what is good and what is evil. It is our responsibility to line up with what He has established.

5)      5)It’s not up to us to pick and choose who we want to see in front of a firing squad. However, it is important that we warn others that greater penalties, than those listed in Leviticus 20, await the person who will not repent.

It is recorded that Jesus said:

Matthew 10:28 

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

John records in the Book of Revelation:

Revelation 20:11-15 

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. ¹⁴ Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. ¹⁵ And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Revelation 21:6-8 

“And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. ⁷ He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. ⁸ But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Revelation 22:8-15 

“Now I, John, saw and heard  these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.

⁹ Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For  I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” ¹⁰ And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. ¹¹ He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous  still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

¹⁴ Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. ¹⁵ But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”

Christians are not exempt:

Hebrews 6:1-6 

“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, ² of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. ³ And this we will do if God permits.

⁴ For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, ⁶ if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.”

Hebrews 10:26-31

“For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. ²⁸ Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ²⁹ Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Through Jesus Christ, salvation is available to any and everyone who is willing to repent and come to Jesus Christ on His terms – not ours.

Revelation 22:12-17 

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

¹⁴ Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. ¹⁵ But  outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

SIDE STUDY - ABOMINATIONS

The King James Version (KJV) translated various Hebrew and Greek words as “abomination,” “abominable” and “abominably.”

The word “abomination” was used 142 times in the King James Version (KJV). The word “abominable” was used 23 times and the word “abominably” once.

The Strong’s Concordance defines these words as follows:

Old Testament –

Abomination/ Abominable/Abominably – 887 ba'ash baw-ash' a primitive root; to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally:-- (Translated in King James Version as) (make to) be abhorred (had in abomination, loathsome, odious), (cause a, make to) stink(-ing savour), X utterly.

Abomination/ Abominable/Abominably  – 2194 za`am zaw-am' a primitive root; properly, to foam at the mouth, i.e. to be enraged:-- (Translated in King James Version as) abhor, abominable, (be) angry, defy, (have) indignation.

Abomination/ Abominable/Abominably – 6292 pigguwl pig-gool' or piggul {pig-gool'}; from an unused root meaning to stink; properly, fetid, i.e. (figuratively) unclean (ceremonially):-- (Translated in King James Version as) abominable(-tion, thing).

Abomination/ Abominable/Abominably  – 8251 shiqquwts shik-koots' or shiqquts {shik-koots'}; from 'shaqats' (8262); disgusting, i.e. filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol:-- (Translated in King James Version as) abominable filth (idol, -ation), detestable (thing).

8262 –  shaqats shaw-kats' a primitive root; to be filthy, i.e. (intensively) to loathe, pollute:-- (Translated in King James Version as) abhor, make abominable, have in abomination, detest, X utterly.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Abomination/ Abominable/Abominably  –  8263 sheqets sheh'-kets from 'shaqats' (8262); filth, i.e. (figuratively and specifically) an idolatrous object:-- (Translated in King James Version as) abominable(-tion).

Abomination/ Abominable  – 8441 tow`ebah to-ay-baw'  or tonebah {to-ay-baw'}; feminine active participle of 'ta`ab' (8581); properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol:-- (Translated in King James Version as) abominable (custom, thing), abomination.

8581 - ta`ab taw-ab' a primitive root; to loathe, i.e. (morally) :-- (Translated in King James Version as) (make to be) abhor(-red), (be, commit more, do) abominable(-y), X utterly.

New Testament –

Abomination/ Abominable  – 111 aqemitoV athemitos ath-em'-ee-tos from a - a 1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of themis (statute; from the base of 5087); illegal; by implication, flagitious:-- (Translated in King James Version as) abominable, unlawful thing.

Abomination/ Abominable  – 946 bdelugma bdelugma bdel'-oog-mah from bdelussw - bdelusso 948; a detestation, i.e. (specially) idolatry:-- (Translated in King James Version as) abomination.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Abomination/Abominable  – 947 bdeluktoV bdeluktos bdel-ook-tos' from bdelussw - bdelusso 948; detestable, i.e. (specially) idolatrous:-- (Translated in King James Version as) abominable.

Abomination/ Abominable/Abominably – 948 bdelussw bdelusso bdel-oos'-so from a (presumed) derivative of bdeo (to stink); to be disgusted, i.e. (by implication) detest (especially of idolatry):-- (Translated in King James Version as) abhor, abominable.

Following is a list of “abominations.” The list is not exhaustive. However, the passages given are both timely and important.

Please, let’s not play the hypocrite by saying that most of the abominations listed do not concern us because they are Old Testament (Old Covenant) and under the law. If we strive for truth and holiness, we will not snatch homosexuality out of the list, to suit our own personal standard, and throw the rest away. Either it is all applicable or none of it is.

It is to our benefit to know the truth, to judge for ourselves if any of these things apply in our life and to “repent” if they do.

* To show everything in context, following is a list of associated Bible passages:

Leviticus 11  

“Now the Lord (Yehowah) spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, ² “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘These are the animals which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth: ³ Among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud—that you may eat. ⁴ Nevertheless these you shall not eat among those that chew the cud or those that have cloven hooves: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you; ⁵ the rock hyrax, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you; ⁶ the hare, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you; ⁷ and the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. ⁸ Their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch. They are unclean to you.

⁹ ‘These you may eat of all that are in the water: whatever in the water has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers—that you may eat. ¹⁰ But all in the seas or in the rivers that do not have fins and scales, all that move in the water or any living thing which is in the water, they are an abomination ⁽⁸²⁶³⁾ to you. ¹¹ They shall be an abomination ⁽⁸²⁶³⁾ to you; you shall not eat their flesh, but you shall regard their carcasses as an abomination⁽⁸²⁶²⁾ . ¹² Whatever in the water does not have fins or scales—that shall be an abomination ⁽⁸²⁶³⁾  to you.

¹³ ‘And these you shall regard as an abomination ⁽⁸²⁶²⁾ among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination ⁽⁸²⁶³⁾: the eagle, the vulture, the buzzard, ¹⁴ the kite, and the falcon after its kind; ¹⁵ every raven after its kind, ¹⁶ the ostrich, the short-eared owl, the sea gull, and the hawk after its kind; ¹⁷ the little owl, the fisher owl, and the screech owl; ¹⁸ the white owl, the jackdaw, and the carrion vulture; ¹⁹ the stork, the heron after its kind, the hoopoe, and the bat.

²⁰ ‘All flying insects that creep on all fours shall be an abomination  ⁽⁸²⁶³⁾ to you. ²¹ Yet these you may eat of every flying insect that creeps on all fours: those which have jointed legs above their feet with which to leap on the earth. ²² These you may eat: the locust after its kind, the destroying locust after its kind, the cricket after its kind, and the grasshopper after its kind. ²³ But all other flying insects which have four feet shall be an abomination ⁽⁸²⁶³⁾ to you.

Unclean Animals

²⁴ ‘By these you shall become unclean; whoever touches the carcass of any of them shall be unclean until evening; ²⁵ whoever carries part of the carcass of any of them shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening: ²⁶ The carcass of any animal which divides the foot, but is not cloven-hoofed or does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. Everyone who touches it shall be unclean. ²⁷ And whatever goes on its paws, among all kinds of animals that go on all fours, those are unclean to you. Whoever touches any such carcass shall be unclean until evening. ²⁸ Whoever carries any such carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. It is unclean to you.

²⁹ ‘These also shall be unclean to you among the creeping things that creep on the earth: the mole, the mouse, and the large lizard after its kind; ³⁰ the gecko, the monitor lizard, the sand reptile, the sand lizard, and the chameleon. ³¹ These are unclean to you among all that creep. Whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until evening. ³² Anything on which any of them falls, when they are dead shall be unclean, whether it is any item of wood or clothing or skin or sack, whatever item it is, in which any work is done, it must be put in water. And it shall be unclean until evening; then it shall be clean. ³³ Any earthen vessel into which any of them falls you shall break; and whatever is in it shall be unclean: ³⁴ in such a vessel, any edible food upon which water falls becomes unclean, and any drink that may be drunk from it becomes unclean. ³⁵ And everything on which a part of any such carcass falls shall be unclean; whether it is an oven or cooking stove, it shall be broken down; for they are unclean, and shall be unclean to you. ³⁶ Nevertheless a spring or a cistern, in which there is plenty of water, shall be clean, but whatever touches any such carcass becomes unclean. ³⁷ And if a part of any such carcass falls on any planting seed which is to be sown, it remains clean. ³⁸ But if water is put on the seed, and if a part of any such carcass falls on it, it becomes unclean to you.

³⁹ ‘And if any animal which you may eat dies, he who touches its carcass shall be unclean until evening. ⁴⁰ He who eats of its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. He also who carries its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening.

⁴¹ ‘And every creeping thing that creeps on the earth shall be an abomination. It shall not be eaten. ⁴² Whatever crawls on its belly, whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has many feet among all creeping things that creep on the earth—these you shall not eat, for they are an abomination. ⁴³ You shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creeps; nor shall you make yourselves unclean with them, lest you be defiled by them. ⁴⁴ For I am the Lord (Yehowah) your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. ⁴⁵ For I am the Lord (Yehowah) who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

⁴⁶ ‘This is the law of the animals and the birds and every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth, ⁴⁷ to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten.’”

Leviticus 18  

 “Then the Lord (Yehowah) spoke to Moses, saying, ² “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘I am the Lord (Yehowah) your God. ³ According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances. ⁴ You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the Lord (Yehowah) your God. ⁵ You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord (Yehowah).

⁶ ‘None of you shall approach anyone who is near of kin to him, to uncover his nakedness: I am the Lord (Yehowah)  . ⁷ The nakedness of your father or the nakedness of your mother you shall not uncover. She is your mother; you shall not uncover her nakedness. ⁸ The nakedness of your father’s wife you shall not uncover; it is your father’s nakedness. ⁹ The nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home or elsewhere, their nakedness you shall not uncover. ¹⁰ The nakedness of your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter, their nakedness you shall not uncover; for theirs is your own nakedness. ¹¹ The nakedness of your father’s wife’s daughter, begotten by your father—she is your sister—you shall not uncover her nakedness. ¹² You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister; she is near of kin to your father. ¹³ You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister, for she is near of kin to your mother. ¹⁴ You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s brother. You shall not approach his wife; she is your aunt. ¹⁵ You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law—she is your son’s wife—you shall not uncover her nakedness. ¹⁶ You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife; it is your brother’s nakedness. ¹⁷ You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, nor shall you take her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness. They are near of kin to her. It is wickedness. ¹⁸ Nor shall you take a woman as a rival to her sister, to uncover her nakedness while the other is alive.

¹⁹ ‘Also you shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness as long as she is in her customary impurity. ²⁰ Moreover you shall not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife, to defile yourself with her. ²¹ And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord (Yehowah).  ²² You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination ⁽⁸⁴⁴¹⁾. ²³ Nor shall you mate with any animal, to defile yourself with it. Nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it. It is perversion.

²⁴ ‘Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you. ²⁵ For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants. ²⁶ You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations ⁽⁸⁴⁴¹⁾ , either any of your own nation or any stranger who dwells among you ²⁷ (for all these abominations ⁽⁸⁴⁴¹⁾ the men of the land have done, who were before you, and thus the land is defiled), ²⁸ lest the land vomit you out also when you defile it, as it vomited out the nations that were before you. ²⁹ For whoever commits any of these abominations ⁽⁸⁴⁴¹⁾ , the persons who commit them shall be cut off from among their people.

³⁰ ‘Therefore you shall keep My ordinance, so that you do not commit any of these abominable customs which were committed before you, and that you do not defile yourselves by them: I am the Lord (Yehowah) your God.’”

Deuteronomy 7:24-26

“And He will deliver their kings into your hand, and you will destroy their name from under heaven; no one shall be able to stand against you until you have destroyed them. ²⁵ You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination⁽⁸⁴⁴¹⁾ to the Lord (Yehowah) your God. ²⁶ Nor shall you bring an abomination ⁽⁸⁴⁴¹⁾ into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing.”

• Items 1 -4 – Clean and unclean meats were known long before the law was given to Israel:

Genesis 7:1-5

“ Then the Lord (Yehowah) said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. ² You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; ³ also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth. ⁴ For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made.” ⁵ And Noah did according to all that the Lord (Yehowah) commanded him.”

·         It appears from this passage that Noah was already aware of the difference between clean and unclean animals.

·         What kind of birds, fish and animals did our God Yehowah deem unclean? Well, in today’s language we would call many of them scavengers (eats dead organic matter) and bottom feeders. As an old saying goes, “you are what you eat.”

·         Do you think the One who created us knows what is best for our bodies?

·         Many Christians assume the prohibition on unclean animals was lifted primarily based on two Bible passages – Acts 10:11-16 and

       Romans 14:14.

Acts 10:9-35

^“The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. ¹⁰ Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance ¹¹ and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. ¹² In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. ¹³ And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

¹⁴ But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”

¹⁵ And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” ¹⁶ This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

¹⁷ Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. ¹⁸ And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.

¹⁹ While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. ²⁰ Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”

²¹ Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?”

²² And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” ²³ Then he invited them in and lodged them.

On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

²⁴ And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵ As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. ²⁶ But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” ²⁷ And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. ²⁸ Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. ²⁹ Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”

³⁰ So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hourI prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, ³¹ and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. ³² Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.^[When he comes, he will speak to you.’ ³³ So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

³⁴ Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. ³⁵ But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. “

·         Peter did not assume he could run out and grab a ham sandwich or something else unclean to eat. He pondered over the vision. His conclusion is located in verse 28.

Romans 14:13-17

“Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

¹⁴ I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. ¹⁵ Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. ¹⁶ Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; ¹⁷ for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

·     It was also Paul who said it was okay to eat meats sacrificed to idols:

1 Corinthians 8:4-13

“Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. ⁵ For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), ⁶ yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

⁷ However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. ⁸ But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

⁹ But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. ¹⁰ For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? ¹¹ And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? ¹² But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. ¹³ Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.”

·   However, Jesus says, in the Book of Revelation, that He has a few things against those who teach and put “a stumbling block” before His people to “eat things sacrificed to idols.”

In Revelation 2:14 it says, to the /church of Pergamus:

“But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.”

In Revelation 2:18, to the Church in Thyatira, again we see:

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,

These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: ¹⁹ "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. ²⁰ Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.”

According to Strong’s Concordance, the meaning of “a stumbling block” is as follows:

Stumbling block - 4625 skandalon skandalon, — skan’-dal-on; (“scandal”); probably from a derivative of (2578) (kamptw - - kampto); a trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e. snare (figurative cause of displeasure or sin): — (Translated in King James version as) occasion to fall (of stumbling), offence, thing that offends, stumblingblock.

Since Paul was wrong about eating things sacrificed to idols, could he be wrong about eating things that are unclean? Who are we to believe, Jesus, the anointed of God, or Paul? You decide.

If you are interested in knowing more of Paul’s contradictions, please read the Disciples Project Bible Study

The Contradictions of Paul.

• Items 30-31, 45-47 – This is just a handful of examples regarding idols. Of all the abominations given in the Bible, the worship of idols appears at the top.  Today, many people believe we no longer worship idols or false gods. Well, according to some, we all worship the same god; but that’s a topic for another study.

However, I am concerned about the millions who worship “Mary, the Queen of Heaven.” I know, Catholics claim it is not worship but adoration. But honestly, should we squabble over the choice of words when there is so much at stake?  I am not condemning, just trying to inform. Each individual has to decide what he or she chooses to do with the information provided.

In this instance, I will concede to those with far more expertise on the subject. Whether you are a worshipper of “Mary, the Queen of Heaven” or not, I hope you will take time to read the below articles and watch the related videos.

MARY WORSHIP? – A Study of Catholic Practice and Doctrine, by Mary Ann Collins (A Former Catholic Nun)     

Mary Worship by Remnant of God

      Finally, following is the reason why knowledge of this list of abominations is important:

Revelation 21:1-8

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. ² Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

⁵ Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

⁶ And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. ⁷ He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. ⁸ But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable⁽⁹⁴⁸⁾, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Right now, thanks be to God, we have a choice. If you currently find yourself in verse 8, take heart, this outcome can be changed.  It starts with repentance.