The simple answer is "yes" but with some important qualifications.

The Messiah (Christ) makes it very clear what will happen to me if I don't observe Torah: "Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt.5:19-20, NKJV). Simply put, my status in the next life is clearly tied to my obedience or lack of it.

He also made it clear that He has not come to abolish the Torah, as nearly all Protestants teach, but to bring it to completion: "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled" (Matt.5:17-18, NKJV).

There really is no argument here. The Messiah (Christ) tells us to observe Torah. Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Protestants and others often try to wriggle out of this by saying that these sayings were only applicable before the cross, but the apostles taught exactly the same thing: "He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him" (1 John 2:3-5, NKJV).

The issue is one of truth vs. error. If you don't obey the commandments and yet claim to be a follower of the Messiah (Christ) you are a liar - not being truthful. And we're told by the apostles that liars have no place in the Kingdom of Heaven (1 Tim.1:10; Rev.21:8).

The usual response of those who refuse to be obedient is to quote other scriptures that give the impression, when taken out of the context of the whole, that we do not need to obey Torah. But the moment you start setting one set of scriptures against another you are showing a partisan and a cultic spirit for you are declaring - perhaps without realising it - that the Bible contradicts itself. It doesn't. The Bible is perfectly harmonious. Any doctrine or teaching which makes the Scriptures appear contrary is by definition a false teaching IF you believe that the Bible is the whole Word of God. The one and only true biblical doctrine is that which harmonises all the scriptures.

Lest we be in any further doubt, the end-time church/assembly is defined has having two principal characteristics - FAITH and OBEDIENCE - faith in the Messiah (Christ) and obedience to Torah:

"And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God (Eloah) and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Yah'shua the Messiah) (Rev.12:17, NKJV).

"Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God (Eloah) and the faith of Jesus (Yah'shua)" (Rev.14:12, NKJV).

"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. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie" (Rev.22:14-15, NKJV).

Can there be any doubt? As far as I am concerned, the debate as to whether we are to obey the commandments/observe Torah is over, since it is a matter of partaking of the tree of life and entering the New Jerusalem or not.

But this leaves us with two important issues:

• 1. Which commandments?
• 2. How do we observe them?