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Question- Why do some Christians now observe certain elements of the First Covenant Torah?

This question is addressed to people who called themselves Christians in the fashion that Jesus is their Lord and Savior.   Why do you now observe certain elements of the First Covenant such as the Holy Festivals and Sabbaths?  I am speaking to saints who formerly observed mainstream protestant or catholic doctrines and traditions which excluded First Covenant traditions.

What motivated and influenced your change of observances and traditions?   What revelation did you receive that encouraged you to see these things as relevant and sacred? 

This post is not addressed to Christians who do not observe these traditions, but feel free to join in the discussion.  I am trying to see how others came to this same point in their walk with Jesus as I did.


I personally see the Torah in a differently light now.  I see it through the spiritual eyes now, for it is no longer of the flesh.  I observe the Holy Feast Days and Sabbath in the newness of spirit, not in the letter of the old physical Torah.  I now see and respect my circumcision of the heart and Torah that was spiritually written on my heart.  Hence it has changed location from physical scrolls to the human spirit.  Now it is to be observed as a memorial and celebration of Jesus; and, it is the means to love both God and neighbor. 
I started this path in 1995 when I started to reading the history of Christianity and matching it with today’s culture.  I started to see some of the reasons for all the divisions and schisms in the Body of Christ.  It was caused by what Paul said was carnality.  Carnality by means of human traditions, thoughts, and biases had infiltrated Christianity and became a part of various believers’ traditions.  I went into active rebellion because no one could provide me with good answers as to how and why things where the way they were.  Christianity had wide holes in its theology and traditions, but most leaders seem comfortable leaving things at rest.  I was looking for a way out of carnality for myself.  However, all I did was fine myself in trouble in the churches I attended, became more carnal myself, and became discouraged.  I wanted to know the truth at all cost so I thought.  Hence God led me to a church unknown to me that was heading in the same direction. 

It began 1998 with the pastor teaching on paganism within Christian traditions.  Then He taught on various subjects to include the need to be a community, identity, purpose, and aspects of the ancient Hebrew culture.  Then in 2002 he begins to teach and observe the Jewish Festivals.  This was not forced upon the members however.   So, I begin to look into this matter myself through independent sources.  Now, by witness and inspiration of the Holy Spirit I have come to observe and worship in the manner of the Holy Days and Sabbaths.  We observe Sabbath on Friday after sundown as a community and still worship on Sunday as a community as well.  I have learned elements and truths about Christ that I could have never understood independent of this transition.

Now I observe Spiritual Torah not in the old letter of the law that my carnal man was subjected to but could never accomplish, but in spirit and truth as I am now spiritual.  I can in no fashion earn my own justification for salvation, righteousness, and reward; but I can emulate my Lord who is Torah in spirit as led by the Holy Spirit.  I observe the Holy Days and Sabbaths as memorials with the same motivations of other Christians worship and observing Easter. 

Like I have always said, todays Christianity is closer to Judaism than it is to New Testament Christian theology.

EZEKIEL 44  ~  ZADOK PRIESTHOOD

Aaron - Eleazar (Lazarus) - Phinehas - Zadok

1 Chronicles 6:3-15 KJV
3. And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
4. Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua,
5. And Abishua begat Bukki, and Bukki begat Uzzi,
6. And Uzzi begat Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begat Meraioth,
7. Meraioth begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
8. And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz,
9. And Ahimaaz begat Azariah, and Azariah begat Johanan,
10. And Johanan begat Azariah, (he it is that executed the priest's office in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem:)
11. And Azariah begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
12. And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Shallum,
13. And Shallum begat Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begat Azariah,
14. And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak,
15. And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the L-rd carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

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Ezekiel 44:15-18 KJV
15. But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the L-rd G-d:
16. They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and they shall keep my charge.
17. And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen (HSN#6593 pishteh) garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.
18. They shall have linen bonnets (turbans) upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird (HSN#2296 chagar) themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.

Strong's Ref. #6593
Romanized  pishteh
Pronounced pish-teh'
from the same as HSN6580 as in the sense of comminuting; linen (i.e. the thread, as carded):
KJV--flax, linen.

Strong's Ref. #6580
Romanized  pash
Pronounced pash
probably from an unused root meaning to disintegrate; stupidity (as a result of grossness or of degeneracy):
KJV--extremity.

Strong's Ref. #2296
Romanized  chagar
Pronounced khaw-gar'
a primitive root; to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.):
KJV--be able to put on, be afraid, appointed, gird, restrain, X on every side.

The linen garments are to be loose fitting, not binding, a relaxed or "degenerated" material, as flowing, and not causing any sweat like as would be caused by wool, (also wool being a rough and irritable material to the skin). The word translated as "gird" (chagar) might better be understood more appropriately as "to bind about" (with fearfulness implied in the meaning of the word). What would cause "a priest" to come before YHWH with an improper kind of fear? What would cause "a priest" to sweat? In other words the linen garments we are to wear, when we come before YHWH, should not cause any distractions, should not be constricting in any way, and most of all should not cause one to "sweat" due to an improper kind of FEAR (not the proper "godly fear" out of respect but rather "a fearfulness" coming from guilt and causing us to draw away, bind up, spiritually "sweat").

In other words the garments are the CONSCIENCE. The supernal-spiritual understanding undoubtedly speaks of spiritual linen garments which are devoid of any lingering guilt from a guilty conscience, (caused by the "wool of sin" in a garment analogy which is similar to the "leaven of sin" bread analogy).

Acts 24:14-16 KJV
14. But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the G-d of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15. And have hope toward G-d, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward G-d, and toward men.

Hebrews 10:21-22 KJV
21. And having an high priest over the house of G-d;
22. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

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Ezekiel 44:19-20 KJV
19. And when they go forth into the utter court, even into the utter court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments; and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments.
20. Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads.

1 Corinthians 11:14 KJV (the Nazarite Vow had been fulfilled)
14. Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

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Ezekiel 44:21 KJV
21. Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

Ephesians 5:17-18 KJV
17. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the L-rd is.
18. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.

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Ezekiel 44:22-23 KJV
22. Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away: but they shall take maidens of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow that had a priest before.
23. And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

2 Corinthians 6:14-17 KJV
14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16. And what agreement hath the temple of G-d with idols? for ye are the temple of the living G-d; as G-d hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their G-d, and they shall be my people.
17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the L-rd, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

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Ezekiel 44:24 KJV
24. And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.

Acts 13:14-16 KJV
14. But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
15. And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
16. Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear G-d, give audience.

Acts 13:42-44 KJV
42. And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
43. Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of G-d.
44. And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of G-d.

Acts 17:1-3 KJV
1. Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
2. And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
3. Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

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Ezekiel 44:25-27 KJV
25. And they shall come at no dead person to defile themselves: but for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister that hath had no husband, they may defile themselves.
26. And after he is cleansed, they shall reckon unto him seven days.
27. And in the day that he goeth into the sanctuary, unto the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he shall offer his sin offering, saith the L-rd G-d.

Only with our own immediate physical family members are the saints authorized by Scripture to have the nearness of fellowship with, convene with, congregate with, dine with, entertain with "the dead" (meaning of course "the spiritually dead").

1 Corinthians 5:11-13 KJV
11. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13. But them that are without G-d judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

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Ezekiel 44:28 KJV
28. And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession.

"Ye see how wise a lawgiver was Paulos …"

Peace-Shalom
In Yeshua

Seudah  ~  The Festive Meal

The greatest of all of the prophets to come before Yeshua HaMashiyach was of course John the Baptist. John was not only the forerunner of The Christ but he also had the privilege of announcing the New Covenant of Betrothal and the arrival of the Holy Bridegroom!

John 3:27-29 KJV
27. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

The Marriage Proposal
1) Shidduch: "Matchmaking" - The meeting of the bride and groom.
Christ the Groom decides that He will give everything for His bride!
2) Vort: "Betrothal" - Some families sign a contract which is called Vort.
The "tenaim" (conditions) are signed which equates to a covenant.
Christ confirms the betrothal covenant "with many" - Pesach Seder - Last Supper.
3) The Mikvah: "Ceremonial washing"

The Wedding Day
Dedication-Sanctification - A Day of Atonement (and a fasting day until the arrival at the Cheder Yichud). The groom wears a white robe: a "kittel" which is much the same as what the High Priest wears on Yom Kippur. This is the same description as that of Yeshua in Rev.1:13.
1) Bedekin: "Veiling" - Performed in the Bride's Chamber before going to the "Chuppah" (Christ identifies His Bride before the final ceremony).
2) Chuppah: Seven Times the bride circles around the groom in the traditional ceremony. It is sometimes called the Ceremony of Lights. Again, the symbolism is of Christ in the midst of the Seven Candlesticks:
Rev. 1:13 ~ "And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And IN THE MIDST of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle"…

THE AGE OF THE GREAT CONGREGATION

3) Ketuvah: The opening and reading of the contract, which must be signed by the Two Witnesses, is legally binding, (Aramaic) and becomes the property of the bride. The Ketuvah-contract is opened in Revelation 6. The ceremony begins when the bride is in the heavenly Chuppah, (heaven is throne room of the mind). The contract is fully opened when the Seventh Seal is removed.
4) Kiddushin: The ring is placed on the right hand of the bride. The Two Witnesses must affirm. Betrothal blessings are recited by a Rabbi-Teacher. The first cup of wine is shared after the recital of the betrothal blessings. Yeshua HaMashiyach, the Nazarene, promised He would in no way drink of the fruit of the vine until He drinks it anew with us in the Kingdom of the Father. (Laodicea spewed out?)
5) Sheva Brachot: The Seven Blessings are recited, the second cup of wine is shared - both drink of the cup. In many ceremonies the groom traditionally "breaks the glass" after the Seven Blessings are recited. The Two Witnesses are sent out to proclaim their testimony.
6) Cheder Yichud: "Room of Privacy" - The Two Witnesses must affirm that the groom and bride went into the private chamber in order for the wedding to be official.
7) Seudah: "The Festive Meal" - Marriage Supper of the Lamb
"Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb". These are the "friends" or "children of the bridechamber" (also "ten virgins") and the rest of the family including the Warrior Friends of the King. "Go out into the highways and byways and fill the wedding banquet hall! Everything is furnished!" (BY THE FATHER IN HIS TANAK-WORD). Anyone found in the banquet hall without a gown will be cast out because everything was furnished and prepared for the guests and the required garment must be put on! (As we "put on Christ" Galatians 3:27).

Revelation 19:7-9 KJV
7. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of G-d.



IS THE EKKLESIA-CHURCH ("TEN VIRGINS") THE BRIDE?
PRAY ABOUT IT ~ FOR HOW DO YOU KNOW FOR SURE?

Matthew 21:4-11 KJV (Palm Sunday)
4. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5. Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an donkey, and a colt the foal of an donkey.
6. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
7. And brought the donkey, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
8. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the L-rd; Hosanna in the highest.
10. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
11. And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

Matthew 22:2-13 KJV
2. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3. And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6. And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12. And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Luke 12:35-42 KJV
35. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
36. And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
37. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
38. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
39. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
40. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
41. Then Peter said unto him, L-rd, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
42. And the L-rd said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

Revelation 3:19-20 KJV (Laodicea)
19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.



The Traditional Katuvah Document still in use for over 2000 years:
Traditional Aramaic Orthodox Text - English Translation
With the pertinent blanks filled in (color - parenthesis).

On the __________ day of the week, the __________ day of the month of __________, in the year five thousand seven hundred ________________, as we reckon time here in ________________, the groom ________________, (Yeshua HaMashiyach) son of ________________, (YHWH) said to the bride ________________, (New Jerusalem) daughter of ________________, (Zion) "Be my wife according to the statutes of Moses and Israel. And I will work for, esteem, feed and support you as is the custom of Jewish men who work for, esteem, feed and support their wives faithfully. And I will give you ________________, (Eternal Life) and I will provide you food and clothing and necessities and your conjugal rights according to accepted custom." And the bride ________________, (New Jerusalem) agreed to become his wife. And this dowry that she brought from her ________________, (Wages of Sin) house, whether in silver, gold, jewelry, clothing, furnishings or bedding, the groom ________________, (Yeshua) accepted responsibility for all in the sum of ________________, (Wages of Sin) zuzim, and agreed to add to this amount from his own assets the sum of ________________, (His Death) zuzim, for a total of ________________, (His Death For Our Sins) zuzim. The groom ________________, (Yeshua) said: "The obligation of this ketubah, this dowry and this additional sum, I accept upon myself and my heirs after me, to be paid from all the best part of all my property that I now possess or may hereafter acquire, real and personal. From this day forward, all my property, even the shirt on my back, shall be mortgaged and liened for the payment of this ketubah, dowry and additional sum, whether during my lifetime or thereafter." The obligation of this ketubah, this dowry and this additional sum, was accepted by ________________, (Yeshua) the groom with the strictness established for ketubot and additional sums customary for the daughters of Israel, in accordance with the decrees by our sages, of blessed memory. This ketubah is not to be regarded as a formality or as a perfunctory legal form. We have established the acceptance on the part of ________________, (Yeshua) son of ________________, (YHWH) the groom to ________________, (New Jerusalem) daughter of ________________, (Zion) the bride, of this contract, all of which is stated and specified above, with an article fit for that purpose. And all shall be valid and binding.
___________________________________________ Witness
___________________________________________ Witness
(Must be signed by the TWO WITNESSES)

The Seven-Sealed document is completely opened in Revelation 8:1 with the opening of the Seventh Seal. The bride goes to the wedding during the Seven Seals and the Marriage Supper-Seudah always comes AFTER the wedding. The Seudah Festive Meal is for the "guests and friends" of the Groom. The Seven Trumpets (chronologically speaking) then would be as the call to the battle of the warriors, the sons of Zion, the army and Warrior-Friends of the King ~ "All Israel"…

Peace-Shalom
In Yeshua!

THE GREEK STOLE

A study of the garment called the "STOLE" (as opposed to the "CHITON" or "HIMATION"). The "stole" is supernal, introspective, (as is all Torah) and spiritual in meaning and concept. The "chiton" and "himation" are more generally used to describe the outer layers of clothing. In the supernal sense, the "stole" covers the soul, and the "chiton" and the "himation" concern the flesh, (even typologically speaking as "himation" is employed in both Rev.3:4&16:15 as the "garments" we are to "keep" from becoming soiled). The supernal meaning of the "stole of the soul" is born out when one does a word study beginning with the teachings of the Master in the Gospel accounts, (as always) and concluding study in the Book of the Revelation of Yeshua.

Matthew 5:40 KJV
40. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, (GSN#5509 chiton) let him have thy cloak (GSN#2440 himation) also.

Strong's Ref. #5509
Romanized  chiton
Pronounced khee-tone'
of foreign origin [HSN3801]; a tunic or shirt:
KJV--clothes, coat, garment.

Strong's Ref. #2440
Romanized  himation
Pronounced him-at'-ee-on
neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi (to put on); a dress (inner or outer):
KJV--apparel, cloke, clothes, garment, raiment, robe, vesture.

In Matthew 5:40 Yeshua uses chiton and himation in the physical sense, "if someone takes your chiton give him also your himation". The phrase exemplifies a purely non-violent physical kindness even to your enemies, (turn the other cheek, etc.). The same follows true throughout the Gospel accounts except for the "STOLE" which is always used in a supernal capacity. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes loved to make long prayers on the street corners and in the market places in their long stoles of the outward appearance. The first place where the word "stole" appears the passage clearly indicates that Yeshua spoke the words IN HIS DOCTRINE, (which is always supernal and spiritual in meaning).

Mark 12:38-40 KJV
38. And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, (GSN#4749 stole) and love salutations in the marketplaces,
39. And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
40. Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

Luke 20:46 KJV
46. Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, (GSN#4749 stole) and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

Strong's Ref. #4749
Romanized  stole
Pronounced stol-ay'
from GSN4724; equipment, i.e. (specifically) a "stole" or long-fitting gown (as a mark of dignity):
KJV--long clothing (garment), (long) robe.

The above two verses are two of the four places where the word "stole" appears in the Gospels and the word does not appear again after the Gospels until the Book of the Revelation. The other two places in the Gospels are as follows:

Mark 16:5 KJV
3. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
4. And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
5. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; (GSN#4749 stole) and they were affrighted.

So the question then becomes how do we acquire such a garment? Or is it already given to us automatically upon an initial confession and profession of faith in Yeshua? After all, we are indeed truly saved by grace through faith according to the Scripture. The last place outside of the Book of the Revelation where "stole" is found is in the passage containing the parable of the prodigal son, (who is the YOUNGER of the two sons in the parable).

Luke 15:17-24 KJV
17. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18. I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19. And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, (GSN#4749 stole) and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

The prodigal son finally comes to his senses after a change in his attitude and his mindset. His pride is broken and he realizes how foolish he has been squandering his inheritance, wandering in the "wilderness" and "desert" of his prodigal journey, and ends up feeding swine during a great famine. He then is willing to be counted as a "dog" under the table, waiting for crumbs to fall like the Canaanite woman of Tyre, (Mt.15:21-28) or as an equal with the hired servants at home instead of the son which he once was. And now that he is starving, (a spiritual "famine") where does he return to? He returns to THE FATHER. Only then is he given the STOLE, for he was dead, (to his father) but now he is alive again, and he was lost, and now is found. The actions which the prodigal son took were to repent, (change his mindset and the direction of his walk, path, or journey) and return to the Father.

In all of the passages of the Revelation where the saints are said to be given "white robes" (Rev.6:11) or are said to already have "white robes" (Rev.7:13) the word employed for robe is again stole. However, the one final place where the word is found changes the perspective of everything if one properly understands what is being said. The KJV (translated from the Textus Receptus) is in opposition to the GNT Morph Texts. The KJV and YGB are therefore posted first below because they both follow the Textus Receptus.

Revelation 22:14 KJV
14. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:14 YGB (Young's Literal Bible)
14. 'Happy are those doing His commands that the authority shall be theirs unto the tree of the life, and by the gates they may enter into the city;

The KJV and Young's say nothing of the "robe" or "stole" because they are both following the same manuscript. However, the Greek GNT Morph retains an entirely different phrase in Rev.22:14a.

Revelation 22:14 RSV (Revised Standard - GNT Morph)
14. Blessed are those who wash their robes, (GSN#4749 stole) that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.

Revelation 22:14 TUA (Transliterated Unaccented - GNT Morph)
14. Makarioi hoi plunontes tas stolas auton,{*} hinaestai he exousia auton epi to Xulon tes Zoes kaitois pulosin eiselthosin eis ten polin.

Revelation 22:14 LIT (Literal Bible w/Vertical Strong's Ref.#s)
14.
   |3107| Blessed
   |9999| {are}
   |3588| those
   |4150| washing
   |3588| the
   |4749| robes
   |0846| of them,
   |2443| so that
   |2071| will be
   |3588| the
   |1849| authority
   |0846| of them
   |1909| over
   |3588| the
   |3586| Tree
   |2222| of Life,
   |2532| and
   |3588| by the
   |4440| gates
   |1525| they may enter
   |1519| into
   |3588| the
   |4172| city.

Revelation 22:14 WEY (Weymouth's New Testament - GNT Morph)
14. Blessed are those who wash their robes (GSN#4749 stole) clean, that they may have a right to the Tree of Life, and may go through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:14 DRB (Darby's Bible - GNT Morph)
14. Blessed are they that wash their robes, (GSN#4749 stole) that they may have right to the tree of life, and that they should go in by the gates into the city.

Which phrase then is the correct one?
The Scripture defends itself …

Revelation 7:14 KJV
14. And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, (GSN#4749 stole) and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 7:14 TUA
14. Kai eireka auto, "Kurie mou,{*} su oidas." Kai eipen moi, "Houtoi eisin hoi erchomenoi ek testhlipseos tes megales kai eplunan {*} tas stolas auton kai eleukanan autas en to haimati tou Arniou."

Revelation 7:14 (Textus Receptus & GNT Morph are in agreement)
"eplunan tas stolas auton"
"having washed the stoles of them"

Revelation 22:14
"plunontes tas stolas auton"
"washing (to wash) the stoles of them"

The entire phrase is missing from the Textus Receptus in Rev.22:14 and is replaced with: "doing his commandments". However, since nearly the same exact phrase appears in Rev.7:14, both in the Textus Receptus and the GNT Morph, we can be fairly confident that the Textus Receptus, (and therefore the KJV and Young's) are probably in error concerning Rev.22:14. The past-tense inflection of GSN#4150 "pluno" (to wash or launder clothes) in Rev.7:14 is the only difference from the present/future-tense of the same word used in the same phrase of Rev.22:14.

Why is this one single phrase of Rev.22:14 so absolutely critical? Because according to the passage the only ones who have the right-authority-privilege, (GSN#1849 exousia) to the Tree of Life and to enter into the gates of the holy city are those who wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb, and thus, making their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. It requires action on the part of the professing believer, actions which are based upon faith, prayer, and the daily washing in the water of the Word. Christ Yeshua is the Door, the Way, and the gate is the door-frame or body which the Door is placed inside of. And the gates of the city are the only entrances into the holy city New Jerusalem, (and each gate is of a pearl of great price). Everyone must be graffed into the Olive Tree of YHWH, by faith, even as the Canaanite woman of Tyre and the prodigal second son, (a change of thinking and mindset). And the Olive tree of YHWH represents the two houses: both the house of Israel and the house of Judah, ALL ISRAEL (Jer.11:16-17) and there is now only one fold and One Shepherd.

And the gates are the TWELVE TRIBES OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL

Revelation 21:12-13
12. And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve messengers, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel:
13. On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

Revelation 22:14-15
14. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.
15. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Shabbat Shalom!
In Yeshua!!

Hi Jarrod
Whenever I quote from a source outside of myself I will always provide a link. If it is a book I will state the author, title, and page number. However, the thinking which you have quoted is not necessarily my own but comes directly from the Word. The following is a small portion of what is to be found in the Scripture, (and I certainly do not claim to have found all of it either).

Daniel 7 is written in Aramaic and, unfortunately, the original Strong's definitions of the Aramaic words are not as concise and thorough as are the Hebrew Strong's definitions. There are certain words which have been somewhat skewed in their rendering, (more latitude was allowed to themselves with the Aramaic I suppose). For instance the word `iyr in Hebrew is town, city, outpost, watch, etc., but the very same word `iyr in Aramaic is translated only as WATCHER (i.e. Dan.4 is also written in Aramaic). The word "geshem" is another such word and we are blessed to have had this chapter of Daniel given in Aramaic, (perhaps this is a large part of the reason why).

Daniel 7:11 KJV
11. I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body (HSN#1655 geshem) destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

Strong's Ref. #1655
Romanized  geshem
Pronounced gheh'-shem
(Aramaic) apparently the same as HSN1653; used in a peculiar sense, the body (probably for the [figuratively] idea of a hard rain):
KJV--body.

"Apparently" it is the same as the Hebrew #1653 geshem.

Strong's Ref. #1653
Romanized  geshem
Pronounced gheh'-shem
from HSN1652; a shower:
KJV--rain, shower.

Moreover, the Aramaic word is "BODY" with the inference of a "HARD RAIN". The Hebrew "geshem" is extant throughout the Scripture, (and in some really interesting places).

Isaiah 55:9-13 KJV
9. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10. For as the rain (HSN#1653 geshem) cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11. So shall my word be that goeth 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.
12. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the L-rd for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

"RAIN" therefore concerns the Resurrection "BODY"
(The saints never die but fall asleep like seeds which go dormant).

Joel 2:23-25 KJV
23. Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the L-rd your G-d: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, (HSN#1653 geshem) the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
24. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
25. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

We are like seeds according to the Scripture. And, in fact, agriculture taught these things for thousands of years before we all somehow got talked into being herded into giant cities and concrete jungles.

YHWH gives the seed its body accordingly as it pleases him:

1 Corinthians 15:35-44 KJV
35. But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
36. Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
37. And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
38. But G-d giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
39. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
40. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
41. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
42. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43. It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

Now therefore if we already understand that the holy city Jerusalem is the mount Zion and heavenly Jerusalem OF ABOVE (Gal.4:25-31, Heb.12:22-24) then perhaps we might properly understand the statement concerning the RAIN in Zechariah 14.

Zechariah 14:17-18 RSV
17. And if any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem (of above) to worship the King, the L-rd of hosts, there will be no rain (HSN#1653 geshem) upon them.
18. And if the family of Egypt do not go up and present themselves, then upon them shall come the plague with which the L-rd afflicts the nations that do not go up to keep the feast of booths. 
19. This shall be the punishment to Egypt and the punishment to all the nations that do not go up to keep the feast of booths.

All of it is symbolic according to the totality of Scripture: "Egypt" are those who live according to "the flesh" and therefore they shall receive "no rain" (no resurrection unto life everlasting). However, they do receive a "resurrection of damnation" (Jn.5:29) and in that place "their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched"…

Mark 9:43-48 KJV
43. And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of G-d with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
48. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Some say this passage is not supposed to be there:
However, I know for a fact it is …

Peace-Shalom
In Yeshua

Hi Jarrod
Perhaps the worm concerns the dormant spiritual seed of Jacob?
All Israel ~ called forth out from the nations by a purging fire.

Isaiah 41:13-14
13.  For I YHWH, thy 'Elohey, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
14.  Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith YHWH, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Regarding the Acacia it is of the legume family of trees, [beans and pea-pods]. The fruit of some varieties are sometimes called "locust" and others also produce "wild honey" [both produced from Acacia and the so-called "False Acacia" Black Locust trees]. These "locust" or those of the similar Carob are probably more likely what John the Baptist ate in the wilderness, [Mat.3:4, Mrk.1:6]. Here are a few reference links:

http://antipas.net/14faq.htm
http://www.sierrapotomac.org/W_Needham/BlackLocust_060515.htm

FOLLOWING LINK INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY
[I AM NOT CONDONING PSYCHOTROPICS OR FREEMASONRY]
""The Acacia is [also] used as a symbol in Freemasonry, to represent purity and endurance of the soul, and as funerary symbolism signifying resurrection and immortality. The tree gains its importance from the description of the burial of Hiram Abiff, the builder of King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. Several parts (mainly bark, root and resin) of Acacia are used to make incense for rituals. Acacia is used in incense mainly in India, Nepal, Tibet and China. Smoke from Acacia bark is thought to keep demons and ghosts away and to put the gods in a good mood. Roots and resin from Acacia are combined with rhododendron, acorus, cytisus, salvia and some other components of incense. Both people and elephants like an alcoholic beverage made from acacia fruit.[12] According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, the Acacia tree may be the “burning bush