I do however believe that Yahshua, the disciples, and YHWH Himself do not want us eating unclean meat.
YHWH does not change. Therefore, what displeased YHWH in the beginning, displeased YHWH now. What once was seen as an abomination by Him, will not be seen as acceptable just because of forgiveness.
Israel was promised a savior, Yahshua is that savior. He is the root of the good olive tree. That olive tree is Israel. We're (because of faith) grafted into that said olive tree. Making no distinction between Jews or Greeks (Gentiles) in Yahshua.
Yahshua is a shepherd, and He Himself even tells us that He only comes for the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 15:24
The disciples don't mention clean and unclean meats, because they're Jewish, to them it's basic knowledge. They don't write to the gentile churches regarding them, because again, they are Jewish, and taught them how to live. If you teach first graders the alphabet, when they're then in 4th grade, you don't waste time teaching them the alphabet again, you just give them books to read.
Before you read this verse, realize that he wrote to gentile churches, that lived amongst and were surrounded by - gentiles. They were being judged BY gentiles. I will highlight certain words and talk more on them.
In Colossians 2:18, He says: Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Meat: They were gentiles, living amongst other gentiles. Why would gentiles then judge them according to what meat they would eat? Gentiles don't care. They eat whatever they want. They'd only be judging if by being a Gentile believer, they DIDN'T eat certain meats.
Drink: For pretty much every gentile celebration, not only is and was it rooted in paganism, but there was the use of MUCH alcohol. The feast of saturnalia being one example (the origin of christmas). They had the feast of saturnalia at this time, and had it for quite a long time. There were drunken orgies in the streets, mobs would kill people, and you could get away with killing or maiming people without punishment. There's much more, but it's not the point. And yes, it's the origin of Christmas. Christmas was actually banned in the US early on in it's establishment because of the dangers the festival posed. I digress though.
Holyday: Can man make a day holy? No. YHWH and YHWH alone makes things holy. He made His days holy, for His children (Israel) to keep, "for ever". His Moadim (holy days)
New Moon: The gentiles observed observed a calendar that didn't line up with that of YHWH's calendar. As He states in Genesis at creation, the sun moon, and stars will be for signs of times for His people. Israel was, and is to have a new month, at each "new moon". The "new moon" is literally the start of a new month in their calendar. The gentiles, didn't have this. We still don't. I digress. The important one however, is the next word Paul mentions.
Sabbaths: Note, it's plural. Israel, didn't just have one Sabbath to observe. There are several throughout the year, and this is something that gentiles did NOT observe, and we still don't.
If Paul didn't know, and didn't understand that the people he was writing to were his brothers in Yahshua, and thereby Israel, there'd be no point to write about any of the things I highlighted. Being as, gentiles didn't observe new moons, sabbaths, holy days, and wouldn't have judged them regarding their eating of meats and drinks anyway. Unless they weren't partaking of meat and drink, in that case the gentiles they were living amongst WOULD have judged them.
Just as YHWH mentions in the OT, strangers that wish to reside among Israel, can do so. Given, they are circumcised (physical back then, spiritual and of the heart now) and follow his Torah. We don't follow the Torah FOR salvation. It's not FOR salvation, it's BECAUSE of salvation. His laws are written on our hearts. His laws, can't be written on your heart, if you don't know, and don't desire to follow them. Makes no sense. That, and circumcision was what showed that they were meant to follow the Torah. If we're then circumcised by the heart, and inwardly Jews, how then do you all not see this connection?
Ignore the OP, I just thought it was neat considering that the word could be used to translate into insect, and the meanings of the other words as well. Like I said, I was in no way condemning eating meat, and just wanted a different perspective. I like looking into things a lot. Probably more than I should, but I digress. Food and drink, is not the kingdom of heaven, I agree. But, YHWH himself says that He will destroy those who eat swine flesh in the time of judgement. In the time of judgement, there's no mention of grace overlooking that. If you desire to eat swines flesh, more than you desire to obey His commands, His law isn't written on your heart.
