CLEAN OR UNCLEAN?

by Craig Peters

After these things I saw another messenger coming down

out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was
lightened with his splendor. And he cried with a mighty
voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and
has become a habitation of demons, and a hold of every
unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean and hateful
bird. Revelation 18:1-2
Has the Word of hwhy 1 regarding clean and unclean
animal flesh ever been changed? There is a teaching
common today which claims all animal flesh was made
clean by the Offering of eswhy the Messiahthe King
of Israel and the Savior of the whole world. With
absolutely no Scriptural authority, this viewpoint teaches
that the death of the Savior has now made detestable
animal flesh acceptable for human consumption. But
does such a theory actually hold up under any amount
of close scrutiny? Worse still, does such speculation
actually contradict clear statements of Scripture which
appear even in the New Covenant Writings? We will
see this contradictory teaching does, indeed, oppose the
Messiah Himself. The Messiah was, and is, the splendor
of His people Israel,2 and He taught there is a clear
difference between clean and unclean animal flesh.
Further, we will see the Savior made this distinction
both before and after His death and resurrection.
eswhy declared Scripture cannot be broken:3 it is
the bed-rock of all inviolable truth, and over any
teaching, we must seek a biblical interpretation which
leaves no contradictions. When declaring Scripture
cannot be broken, eswhy was asserting the immutability

hwhy is the unchanging, memorial Name of the Creator of

Heaven and Earth. Exodus 3:14-15, Numbers 6:22-27, Micah
6:9, Malachi 1:11, Matthew 6:9, John 17:6, 11-12, 26,
Philippians 2:9, Hebrews 2:11-12, Revelation 7:1-3, 11:18,
14:1, 15:4, 22:4 Though many scholars believe the Memorial
Name is pronounced, Yahweh, further Hebrew scholarship
gives support to the three-syllable form, Yahuweh.
Although this great and awesome Name has been brought into
disuse and ill-repute, the Word of hwhy stands unbroken: this
is His Name to all generations. Exodus 3:14-15 The short
form of the Name, YAH, is seen in the world renowned
exclamation of praise and worship, Hallelu-YAH!a word
which means, Praise YAH!
2
Luke 2:30-32
3
John 10:34-36

of the Torah.4 Yet this was not the only time the King of
Israel declared the enduring Torah to be age-abiding:
He said the very same thing in His world-famous
Sermon on the Mount;5 He said the very same thing in
His words to the rich, young ruler;6 and He said the very
same thing when directing His followers to keep the
Torah even as He had kept it.7 Shaul,8 Yaacob,9
Kepha,10 and Yochanan11 also upheld the immutability
of the Word of hwhy given in the Torah and Prophets.
And rightly so, since eswhy had declared to His
followers just before His betrayal, suffering, and death:
believe in Elohim, believe also in Me.
John 14:1
With these great words, the Messiah was teaching His
brothers to keep the commandments of hwhy (Believe in
Elohim) and to keep the testimony of eswhy (believe
also in Me). In many other places, the apostle
Yochanan/John would later write of this very same
thing.12 The testimony of eswhy refers to the
testimony given by His life of faiththe very faith
which results in a Spirit-led life of obedience to the
commandments of the Torah.13 This is the same
testimony (of faith and obedience) left by the lives of the
men of old.14

He was quoting Psalm 82:6 as His basis for authority when

referring to the unchanging decrees of the Torah and the
Prophets.
5
Matthew 5:17-20
6
Matthew 19:16-19
7
John 15:10, 17:17, Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3
8
Romans 2:13, 3:31, 1Corinthians 14:32 > Isaiah 8:20 >
1John 4:1
9
(i.e., James), see Acts 15:13-18.
10
(i.e., Peter), see 1Peter 1:24-25. In regard to the immutable
Torah, Peter was quoting the words of the prophet Isaiah. See
Isaiah 40:8.
11
(i.e., John), see 1John 2:7, 3:11-12. John was citing Genesis
1:1 when referring to the Word which you have heard from
the beginning. So even John taught the Torah to be the Word
upon which we must build a house of faith and obedience in
regard to the Messiah. Genesis 1:1, John 1:1-5,14
12
1John 2:7-8, 5:3-5, Revelation 1:2,9, 6:9, 12:17, 14:12
13
Matthew 5:17-20, Romans 2:13, 3:31, 8:1-4, 7-8, 14,
2Timothy 3:15-17 (All Scripture meant, the Law and the
Prophets.)
14
Hebrews 11:4-6, 39 (this verse uses the same Greek word
which is translated as testimony when referring to Enoch in
11:5). Abraham walked by faith, and the ending summary
spoken over his life by the Most Highindicates this faith led

Of Dogs, Demons, and Swine

The Messiah clearly stated that dogs and pigs were
unclean as He warned His brothers not to cast their
pearls before swine and not to give that which is set
apart to the dogs.15 The truth of the Word is of great
value, and we must use discretion when imparting it to
others. The truth is far too precious to speak amongst
proud scoffers who will chide and rebel. eswhy would
later cast out some 2000 demons from a man sending
them into a herd of swine.16 This remarkable incident
provides us with another view as to His estimation of
their worth: something like the pigwhich can double
as a garbage dump for unclean, rebellious demons
will never be fit for consumption by those who have
been created in the image of the Almighty.
Gnaturally Good?
The Messiah clearly taught that gnats and camels
were unclean as He rebuked the lawyers for figuratively
straining out a gnat all the while they were swallowing
an entire camel!17 If these creatures had been clean and
acceptable for human consumption, the Saviors words
would have had no meaning or importance. But on the
contrary, eswhy used the authority of the Torah to draw
a spiritual analogy from the physical principles behind
long-established, unchangeable truth: the gnat and the
camel were creatures forbidden as food by the Word of
hwhy through Mosheh and Aharon in Leviticus 11:1-44.
Finally, we point out that eswhy was actually covering
the entire list of unclean creatures in His mention of the
gnat and the camel: in Deuteronomy 14:7-19, the camel
is the first-mentioned animal, while the gnat falls into
the last-mentioned categorythe category of flying
creatures which also move on four legs (i.e., gnats,
beetles, roaches, flies, and so on). None of these
forbidden creatures will ever be gnaturally good for
human consumption.
The Fly and the Prince of Demons
The Messiah also indicated flies were unclean when
He referred to the Prince of the Demons as the Lord of
the fly!18 If the fly was a clean, edible creature, this
analogy would have been absolutely ridiculous, and the
Messiah would have been a nonsensical imposter.
to the patriarch walking in the commandments, statutes, and
laws of hwhy. See Genesis 26:4-5.
15
Matthew 7:6
16
Mark 5:1-14
17
Matthew 23:24
18
Matthew 12:24-32. Note: Baal-zebub means Lord of
the fly.

Unclean Frogs Describe Unclean Spirits

For those who wish to teach all animals were made
clean at the moment of the Saviors death on the tree, we
request you to sincerely contemplate the contradictions
which that view introduces. We say this because the
Book of Revelation is instruction for us which comes
directly from the Messiah long after His resurrection
and ascension. 19 Yet in this book, the Messiah clearly
stated frogs were still unclean many years after His
death and resurrection! He did so by giving Yochanan
this prophetic word from Heaven itself:
And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and
out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the
false prophet, three unclean spirits, as it were frogs: for
they are spirits of demons, working signs; which go
forth to the kings of the whole world, to gather them
together to the war of the great Day of El Shaddai.
Revelation 16:13-14
If frogs had actually been made clean by the Messiahs
sacrifice, this Scripture would be absolutely
contradictory and meaningless. But as it is, frogs are
still unclean even as the immutable Torah declared them
to be centuries before the Savior ever walked the earth.20
Scripture cannot be broken. Hence, unclean frogs were
used to describe unclean demons in Revelation.
Unclean Birds Dwell in the Habitat of Demons
The Messiah clearly teaches certain birds were still
unclean long after His death and resurrection. We see
this in the following prophecy which He gave to John:
After these things, I saw another angel coming down
out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was
lightened with his splendor. And he cried with a mighty
voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and
has become a habitation of demons, and a hold of
every unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean
and hateful bird. Revelation 18:1-2
This word was spoken some 30 years after the suffering,
death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of eswhy; yet
this clearly shows certain birds were (and still remain)
unclean.
If all animal flesh had been cleansed on the cross
(as so many today falsely claim), then there is simply
no way these birds could have been called
unclean. However, they were declared
to be unclean by the Savior Himself.
19
20

Revelation 1:1-2, 10-20

Leviticus 11:1-47, Deuteronomy 14:1-20

We must, then, conclude the following: Those who

teach all animal flesh was cleansed by the sacrifice of
eswhy are also taking away from the prophecies of
Revelationsomething we are solemnly warned not to
do.21 For, if we teach all animal flesh was made clean at
the time of the Messiahs death, then we are also
teaching the prophecies of Revelation are not true; yet
these are prophecies which clearly state certain birds are
still unclean even today. Further, the Revelation
prophecy from the Messiah is in precise accordance
with one given many centuries earlier by the prophet
Isaiah:
Babylon would, most assuredly, become a roost for
many birds which the Torah had long-since declared
to be unclean: the cormorant, the bittern,
the owl, the raven, and the vulture.22
We should also be aware of Isaiahs later warning that,
in these Last Days, the wrath of hwhy will fall upon
those who eat unclean abominations such as the swine
and the mouse.23
A Few Closing Thoughts
In closing, we see all of Scripture must be believed
and obeyed, as a unit, or it must be rejected entirely.
Scripture cannot be broken.
All the prophets
including the Messiah and His apostlestaught there is
a clear difference between the clean and the unclean.
Those who teach otherwise introduce glaring
contradictions into the Scriptures, and such glaring
contradictions simply cannot coexist with the truth.
Salvation comes only through the blood Offering of
eswhy the Messiah. However, Torah observance is the
Messiahs definition of the mandatory obedience which
must follow the acceptance of His death on our behalf.24
eswhy solemnly warns every person: the disobedient
will lose their reward and will face the punishment of
hwhy for walking in lawlessness.25
We recognize that many of our readers have never
heard, or realized, the truth of this matter as scores of
unlearned Bible teachers misinterpret and misrepresent
the vision of the apostle Peter. But Kepha (Peter) never
interpreted this heavenly message to mean that it is now
21

Revelation 22:18-19
22
Isaiah 34:8-17, 13:19-22
23
Isaiah 65:2-7, 66:15-17
24
Matthew 5:17-20, 19:16-17, Romans 2:13, 3:31, James
1:22-25, 4:11
25
Matthew 5:17-30, 7:21-27, Deuteronomy 29:18-20 >
Revelation 3:5

acceptable for believers in the Messiah to eat the flesh of

unclean animals!26 hwhy never intended Peter to eat
unclean animals any more than He intended for Ezekiel
to eat food cooked over human dung!27 Sincere disciples
must obey the directive to continually grow in the favor
and knowledge of eswhy the Messiah:28 we must never
imagine we have learned all there is to know about the
Most High.29
And there is still more evidence that unclean animal
flesh was not cleansed at the cross! How many of our
readers have yet to hear the news regarding residents of
the deep south30 who unwisely ingested armadillo? In
ignorance, these poor souls violated the Scriptures and
contracted leprosy from all the toxins introduced into
their bodies.31 So we ask the question: Was all animal
flesh really made clean at the cross? 32 If the
sacrifice of the Messiah had made all flesh clean when
He was nailed to the Tree at Calvary, eating armadillos
would not cause leprosy, eating unclean shrimp and
oysters would not cause sickness, or even death, and
eating swine would heighten ones health. But as it is,
swine and other unclean creatures bring marked
degeneration and a host of other maladies upon the
human race, causing the Spirit of hwhy to warn:

and should not be ingested by those created in His

image.
We pray the information in this short study will be
the start of a new opportunity for many of our readers to
begin walking in the light of the Messiahs Word
regarding the clean and the unclean. His ancient paths
are immutable, and walking in His ways will bring great
rest and refreshing to the soul! 33

refuge and a shelter to all who call upon His Name and
who put their trust in Him.38 Only those who fear His
Name39 and who obey His voice will be well prepared to
see the Messiah at His appearing to rule over all the
nations of the Earth. May hwhy pour out His Spirit upon
all flesh so that many will see the ever-essential truth of
His unchanging Word at this most crucial time in the
worlds history.

If you are not a believer in eswhy, we pray you will

continue to seek and study, but most of all, that you will
continually pray to hwhy for spiritual vision and
guidance. Read the Evangel of John34 and learn more of
the One who died so that you might live an abundant life
of love, joy, and peace. The Devouring Fire is coming,
and there is only one way to prepare:

Postscript: A Final Appeal to Parents

Parents! Your children need you to be their spiritual
leaders and protectors! Deuteronomy 5:29 We pray you
are open enough to hear and obey the clear truth of
Scripture, and we pray you will possess the humility to
change upon realizing our Messiah never did away with
His Fathers Torah.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge

Hosea 4:6

14 The sinners in Tziyon are afraid; fearfulness has

surprised the hypocrites. Who among us will dwell with
the Devouring Fire? 35 Who among us shall dwell with
everlasting burnings? 15 He that walks righteously, and
speaks uprightly; he that despises the gain of
oppression, that shakes his hands from the taking of
bribes, that stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed,
and shuts his eyes from seeing evil. 16 He will dwell on
high: his place of defense will be the munitions of rocks:
bread will be given to him; his waters will be sure.
Isaiah 33:14-16

The medical and scientific communities have largely

failed to study, or to recognize, the benefits of eating
clean foods, and they have largely failed to warn about
the detriments of eating the unclean. But the Creator
knows His creation, and His Word tells us what should

The Messiah of Israel will return as a Lion, and in fiery

wrath, He will judge those who have nullified the Torah
of hwhy.36 Isaiah also tells us hwhy will punish those
who have partaken of unclean fleshincluding the
swine, the dog, and the mouse:

26

Acts 10:17. The context/storyline shows Peter eventually

applied this vision to the Gentiles! Acts 10:34-35
27
Ezekiel 4:9-15
28
2Peter 3:17-18. Even the apostle Shaul was always
pressing on to know more of the Messiah. Philippians 3:7-10
29
30

1Corinthians 8:2, Proverbs 30:1-3

In the USA, the deep south refers to those states in the

very lowest portions of the continent: Alabama, Georgia,
Florida, Texas, etc. This particular incident occurred in Texas,
if we remember correctly.
31
Talk about toxins! The writer came upon a few armadillo
carcasses during his time in Florida (likely killed by one of the
dogs on the farm). Of all the dead animals I have ever
smelled, the foul stench of a dead armadillo is, by far, the
worst. And even as this is being written, I am on the verge of
vomiting (and this on an empty stomach) when recalling that
indescribably repulsive odor!
32
As so many today claim to be the case.

PC

Personal Copyright, 2006-08, by the author.

(Revised on 7/23/2008 for tract publication.)

For further details on the far-reaching truth of this

critical matter, download the free book, Is All Meat
Meet to Eat?
https://www.scribd.com/doc/25247568//Is-All-Meat-Meat-to-Eat-4th-Edition

Also, be sure to read the article by Professor HansHeinrich Reckeweg, M.D. (a German medical doctor),
The Harmful Effects of Eating Swine, as this
provides confirmation regarding significant truths
behind the science of not eating the flesh of unclean
animals:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/46244561/Pork-Consumption-PDF
t s r q u p e o n m l k y j x z w h d g b a

Craig Peters is a Messianic author who ministers

the Word of hwhy, in part, through free articles
provided to feed the Messiahs sheep worldwide.
For those who seek hwhy, the Spirit reveals the
Hebrew misparim/numbersas given in the
inspired ALEF-BEITprovide us with the Most
Highs very own Commentary surrounding His
Elohim-breathed Word. Overwhelming evidence
shows us this Commentary is intricately woven into
the inexplicably miraculous and indescribably
remarkable fabric of His Eternal Word.

16 For by fire will hwhy execute judgment, and by His

sword, upon all flesh; and the slain of hwhy will be
many. 17 They that sanctify themselves and purify
themselves to go into the gardens, behind one in the
midst, eating swines flesh, and the abomination,
and the mouse, they shall come to
an end together, says hwhy.
Isaiah 66:16-17 37
While hwhy will soon execute His burning wrath upon
those who violate and nullify His Torah, He will be a

https://www.scribd.com/YHWH26Echad13
33

Isaiah 28:12, Jeremiah 6:16, Acts 3:19

The book following Mathew, Mark, and Luke.
35
Hebrews 12:28-29
36
Psalm 119:126, Isaiah 30:27, 66:15-16, Revelation 1:14, 5:5
37
For reference to the dog and for the full context of these
Scriptures, see Isaiah chapters 65 and 66.
34

38
39

Joel 2:32, Acts 2:19-21, Romans 10:13

Micah 6:9, Matthew 6:9