Most Christians know the story of the prodical son, but may never have understood it's underlying message regarding Israel's destiny. As with all of Yeshua's parables, it was two-fold. There was the simple, yet inspiring story of a father's unconditional love, but within it lay a hidden meaning below the surface.
The key players in the story are the father (God), the oldest son (Judah) and the youngest son (Israel). The Bible speaks at length concerning how the children of Israel became two separate nations. Ten of the tribes rejected Solomon's son as their king and formed their own nation north of Jerusalem, with Samaria as their capital. Judah, or the Jews, along with the Levites and at least a portion of Benjamin, remained "at home", with Jerusalem as their capital. This is Mt. Zion, the city of God, the holy city from which the law of God shall spring forth in the last day.
When Israel rejected Jerusalem and set up their own government and their own king, they also rejected the commandments of their God. Over time, they followed after the gods of the pagans dwelling in their midst. They turned from the Sabbath and were guilty of idolatry. They ignored the holy seasons, the annual festivals of their God, in which all males were to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem according to the commandment.
Over time they lost all knowledge of the true worship of God. Despite repeated warnings from their prophets, they continued on in their apostasy until they were completely destroyed by an enemy, the Kingdom of Assyria. Most of those who were not killed were led away as captives to foreign lands, where they would set down roots and their offspring grow up as Gentiles, retaining no knowledge of their heritage. These were, indeed, prodical children. However, over time, teachers came to them with the story of Yeshua, the Messiah who died for their sins. Many began to repent and turn from the evil ways they had adopted. They were given access to the word of God and began to long for His righteousness. In every land they migrated, they brought this knowledge with them. As they traveled further and further northwest from their original homeland, some found their way to a new land, America. They built their government on the principles laid down in the word of God and adopted Christianity as their new religion. However their culture began to change. Their religion became segmented and divided, with numerous denominations and factions. Through the years, they have enjoyed many blessings and much prosperity in their new land, but their greed and increasing immoral behavior is moving them closer to losing it all. Like the prodical son in Yeshua's parable, they are about to hit rock bottom.
Judah only remained in their homeland yet, as time marched on, they too followed in the footsteps of Israel. Years after Israel had been removed from the land, Babylon came with a vengeance and destroyed their land, their homes and their beloved temple. For seventy years they served in Babylon until Persia overthrew Babylon and the new king, Cyrus, allowed the Jews to return home. Although many did not choose to return, having begun new lives in this foreign land, others returned and rebuilt their homes and, more importantly, their temple. Unfortunately, they closed themselves off from the world, separating themselves in order to remain "holy" before their God. Never again would they be removed from their land. The Pharisees enacted numerous laws (takanot) to keep the masses in line. They laid heavy burdens upon the people, oral laws and traditions, to control the people. They accepted none of other cultures unless they were willing to convert to Judaism. They were the older son in Yeshua's parable.
The prophecies tell of a time, yet in the future, when the prodical son, Israel, will lift up his eyes in a foreign land and look to Jerusalem. He will realize what has become of him and he will make his way home again. The older son, Judah, will not be happy that his brother is returning and will not readily accept him. He is a Gentile in his sight. He doesn't follow the "laws" of their religion nor obey the oral traditions of the elders, the Talmud. He is now a hated "Christian" who believes strange doctrines and practices different customs. He will be jealous of him and of the Father's joy in seeing His son return to the fold. However, both sons have a lot to learn. Neither has learned the lessons that they must. The Father will have to teach both how he wishes to be worshipped and how they can truly have abundant lives.
Many prophecies give a detailed account of these future events. The Father will yet join these two houses together once more and enter into a renewed covenant with them. He will place his laws in their hearts and minds. They will become one nation in his hand and serve him in his righteous kingdom.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Faith in Action
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith (persuasion, moral conviction) is the substance (support) of things hoped for, the evidence (proof) of things not seen.
Our English language is made up of numerous abstract terms, i.e. love, hope, faith, trust, grace, that have no concrete meaning other than how we as individuals define them. Their meanings vary depending on each person’s experiences.
The Hebrew language, on the other hand, is made up of concrete terminology and it’s definitions are well-defined and built on a solid foundation. For instance, let’s take the word “faith”. We tend to think of faith only in terms of belief. When we read in a modern English bible that we are saved by grace through faith, we think strictly in terms of the mind. We tend to think that our salvation is secured by a belief system, an acceptance of Christ as our savior.
For the patriarchs of old, faith was far more than that. In their language, faith was something tangible, evidenced by action. Faith was proved by how they lived their lives. Remember James’ words in James 2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the “faith” chapter. It catalogs a list of some of the greatest believers of all time. They all have one thing in common. Their faith was witnessed by their actions.
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel OFFERED unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, MOVED with fear, PREPARED an ark to the saving of his house.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, OBEYED.
Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, OFFERED up Isaac.
We learn of Moses, Joseph, Sarah, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, Rahab, David, Samuel, and the prophets. Hebrews 11:33-34 tells us these are those who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Others were tortured for their faith and some gave up their very lives. Their assurance of the future resurrection and the world to come, resulted in lives lived in anticipation of the glory that awaited them.
Heb 11:35-40 “Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”
These all died and are at rest until the day of the Lord, the day in which our savior will return for his saints, both living and dead. Perfection is the reward of those from all ages who have put their faith in the Lord and have obtained a “good report” through faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”.
We each have our own race to run, even as these had theirs. Their example lives today for us, that we might follow in their footsteps. We also have the example of our savior who gave himself for us. He certainly exemplified faith in that he put his eternal life on the line for our salvation. From the very foundation of the world, he looked far into the future and determined that, through mankind, he would bring forth children for the kingdom, that he would share his glory with us on into eternity. We can certainly see that his faith (persuasion, moral conviction) was the substance (support) of things hoped for, the evidence (proof) of things not seen.
Our English language is made up of numerous abstract terms, i.e. love, hope, faith, trust, grace, that have no concrete meaning other than how we as individuals define them. Their meanings vary depending on each person’s experiences.
The Hebrew language, on the other hand, is made up of concrete terminology and it’s definitions are well-defined and built on a solid foundation. For instance, let’s take the word “faith”. We tend to think of faith only in terms of belief. When we read in a modern English bible that we are saved by grace through faith, we think strictly in terms of the mind. We tend to think that our salvation is secured by a belief system, an acceptance of Christ as our savior.
For the patriarchs of old, faith was far more than that. In their language, faith was something tangible, evidenced by action. Faith was proved by how they lived their lives. Remember James’ words in James 2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the “faith” chapter. It catalogs a list of some of the greatest believers of all time. They all have one thing in common. Their faith was witnessed by their actions.
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel OFFERED unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, MOVED with fear, PREPARED an ark to the saving of his house.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, OBEYED.
Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, OFFERED up Isaac.
We learn of Moses, Joseph, Sarah, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, Rahab, David, Samuel, and the prophets. Hebrews 11:33-34 tells us these are those who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Others were tortured for their faith and some gave up their very lives. Their assurance of the future resurrection and the world to come, resulted in lives lived in anticipation of the glory that awaited them.
Heb 11:35-40 “Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”
These all died and are at rest until the day of the Lord, the day in which our savior will return for his saints, both living and dead. Perfection is the reward of those from all ages who have put their faith in the Lord and have obtained a “good report” through faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”.
We each have our own race to run, even as these had theirs. Their example lives today for us, that we might follow in their footsteps. We also have the example of our savior who gave himself for us. He certainly exemplified faith in that he put his eternal life on the line for our salvation. From the very foundation of the world, he looked far into the future and determined that, through mankind, he would bring forth children for the kingdom, that he would share his glory with us on into eternity. We can certainly see that his faith (persuasion, moral conviction) was the substance (support) of things hoped for, the evidence (proof) of things not seen.
The Renewed Covenant
The Bible is filled with duality, shadow pictures and symbolism of that which is yet to come, that which is perfect. Hebrews, chapters 7-10 offers us a detailed account of the role and purpose of the tabernacle and Levitical priesthood as a pattern of the heavenly.
The covenant that God made with the children of Israel at Sinai included the establishment of an earthly tabernacle and priesthood. It was ordained by God that the tribe of Levi would occupy the priesthood, dedicated to the service of temple worship on behalf of the nation. When the children of Israel entered the promised land, each tribe was given a portion of land as their inheritance. Levi’s inheritance was the Lord, and as such, their brethren were instructed to bring their tithes and offerings to the storehouses throughout the land for the support of these Levites who served in the temple.
Malachi 3:10 “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Both the temple itself and the priesthood were patterned according to God’s specific instructions. Hebrews 8:5 “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.”
Hebrews 9:2-4 “For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant.”
The priests went daily into the first room, where they performed their temple service. Only the high priest was allowed entry into the inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies, once each year on the Day of Atonement. He brought with him a blood sacrifice, for himself as well as for the nation as a whole. These rehearsals were carried out year after year, generation after generation. Hebrews 9:9-10 “Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience. Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.”
These were only figures, shadows of the sacrifice of our savior as our eternal High Priest. These earthly sacrifices could not cleanse mankind from sin or a guilty conscience. They were instituted as a substitute until he appeared, whose eternal priesthood they foretold.
His coming ushers in a change in the priesthood. He serves in a heavenly tabernacle, not made with hands. Because his life has no beginning and no end, he is our faithful High Priest forever. He offers the perfect sacrifice, his own body, which is able to cleanse once and for all those who trust in him.
The old covenant is set aside for the new. The shadow fades as the reality appears. There is no longer a need for earthly priests to continually offer the blood of bulls and goats to picture the remission of sins. The perfect sacrifice has been presented, once and for all. Through him we enter into a new (renewed) covenant.
Hebrews 10:16-17 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”
The renewed covenant supercedes the old one that had been written on tables of stone, but does not nullify it. The problem was not with the torah, but with the hearts of the people. Hebrews 8:8-10 “For finding fault with THEM, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people”. Paul tells us in Romans 7:12 “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”
God’s law is perfect. The problem lies with mankind, who does not have a heart to keep it. Our savior and High Priest has opened the way for us into the Holy of Holies, behind the veil that once separated mankind from the Father, We now have access to him through the blood of Yeshua. We can enter into the renewed covenant now by allowing him to put his laws in our hearts and minds. Isaiah prophecies of a day when the Kingdom of God reigns on this earth.
Isaiah 2:3 “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”
The covenant that God made with the children of Israel at Sinai included the establishment of an earthly tabernacle and priesthood. It was ordained by God that the tribe of Levi would occupy the priesthood, dedicated to the service of temple worship on behalf of the nation. When the children of Israel entered the promised land, each tribe was given a portion of land as their inheritance. Levi’s inheritance was the Lord, and as such, their brethren were instructed to bring their tithes and offerings to the storehouses throughout the land for the support of these Levites who served in the temple.
Malachi 3:10 “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Both the temple itself and the priesthood were patterned according to God’s specific instructions. Hebrews 8:5 “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.”
Hebrews 9:2-4 “For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant.”
The priests went daily into the first room, where they performed their temple service. Only the high priest was allowed entry into the inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies, once each year on the Day of Atonement. He brought with him a blood sacrifice, for himself as well as for the nation as a whole. These rehearsals were carried out year after year, generation after generation. Hebrews 9:9-10 “Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience. Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.”
These were only figures, shadows of the sacrifice of our savior as our eternal High Priest. These earthly sacrifices could not cleanse mankind from sin or a guilty conscience. They were instituted as a substitute until he appeared, whose eternal priesthood they foretold.
His coming ushers in a change in the priesthood. He serves in a heavenly tabernacle, not made with hands. Because his life has no beginning and no end, he is our faithful High Priest forever. He offers the perfect sacrifice, his own body, which is able to cleanse once and for all those who trust in him.
The old covenant is set aside for the new. The shadow fades as the reality appears. There is no longer a need for earthly priests to continually offer the blood of bulls and goats to picture the remission of sins. The perfect sacrifice has been presented, once and for all. Through him we enter into a new (renewed) covenant.
Hebrews 10:16-17 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”
The renewed covenant supercedes the old one that had been written on tables of stone, but does not nullify it. The problem was not with the torah, but with the hearts of the people. Hebrews 8:8-10 “For finding fault with THEM, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people”. Paul tells us in Romans 7:12 “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”
God’s law is perfect. The problem lies with mankind, who does not have a heart to keep it. Our savior and High Priest has opened the way for us into the Holy of Holies, behind the veil that once separated mankind from the Father, We now have access to him through the blood of Yeshua. We can enter into the renewed covenant now by allowing him to put his laws in our hearts and minds. Isaiah prophecies of a day when the Kingdom of God reigns on this earth.
Isaiah 2:3 “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”
The Overcomers
In my last post, I said that Yeshua is our eternal high priest and the one who daily makes intercession for us before the throne of God.
Speaking of the Levitical system, we read in Hebrews 5:1-4 “For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.”
In like manner, Yeshua did not take this honor unto himself. Hebrews 5:5 “So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.”
Yeshua is God’s Son, yet….Hebrew 5:8-9 “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”
Hebrews 6:1-2 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”
We are told that these are the foundation of our faith, the starting point. In the previous verses, the writer tells his readers that they are dull of hearing and unable to understand the “meat” of the word. They are content to stay with the “milk” and are not equipped to handle solid food. Hebrews 5:13-14 “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
We are to grow in our faith and become skillful in the path of righteousness, following the example of our savior. If we fail to grow in our walk with Yeshua, we will be tempted to turn back into the life we left behind.
Hebrews 6:4-6 “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
Isn’t that what Israel did after their deliverance from Egyptian bondage (a picture of sin)? We already learned that their disobedience resulted in their not being able to enter into the rest that God promised them. What admonition is the believer given in light of their example? Hebrews 2:1 “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” Again, Hebrews 2:3 “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him?”
The apostle Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 9:27 “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” He compared the life of the believer to a race. 1Corinthians 9:24-25 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” Hebrews 12:1b “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.“ Those who seek to master any discipline must be dedicated and single-minded, laying aside all distractions, that they may perform at the highest level. Paul said he kept his body in subjection.
Eight times in the book of Revelation, we are told that it is the overcomers who will receive the reward of eternal life.
Re 2:7 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Re 2:11 He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Re 2:17 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Re 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Re 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Re 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Re 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Re 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Believers often quote Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast“. Do we, however, read the very next verse? Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
It is not our works that will bring us into our rest, but the works that Yeshua has prepared for us." Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform(finish) it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
The “works” and “gifts” that the believer possesses are not resident within himself/herself, but those that Yeshua has provided. Ephesians 4:12 “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: For our part, we need to yield ourselves to him and learn to be obedient to him in all things. He has given his “Torah”, instructions for righteous living and eternal life. May we all consider our ways, that we may be granted access into his glorious kingdom.
Revelation 22:14 “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.”
Speaking of the Levitical system, we read in Hebrews 5:1-4 “For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.”
In like manner, Yeshua did not take this honor unto himself. Hebrews 5:5 “So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.”
Yeshua is God’s Son, yet….Hebrew 5:8-9 “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”
Hebrews 6:1-2 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”
We are told that these are the foundation of our faith, the starting point. In the previous verses, the writer tells his readers that they are dull of hearing and unable to understand the “meat” of the word. They are content to stay with the “milk” and are not equipped to handle solid food. Hebrews 5:13-14 “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
We are to grow in our faith and become skillful in the path of righteousness, following the example of our savior. If we fail to grow in our walk with Yeshua, we will be tempted to turn back into the life we left behind.
Hebrews 6:4-6 “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
Isn’t that what Israel did after their deliverance from Egyptian bondage (a picture of sin)? We already learned that their disobedience resulted in their not being able to enter into the rest that God promised them. What admonition is the believer given in light of their example? Hebrews 2:1 “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” Again, Hebrews 2:3 “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him?”
The apostle Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 9:27 “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” He compared the life of the believer to a race. 1Corinthians 9:24-25 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” Hebrews 12:1b “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.“ Those who seek to master any discipline must be dedicated and single-minded, laying aside all distractions, that they may perform at the highest level. Paul said he kept his body in subjection.
Eight times in the book of Revelation, we are told that it is the overcomers who will receive the reward of eternal life.
Re 2:7 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Re 2:11 He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Re 2:17 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Re 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Re 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Re 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Re 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Re 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Believers often quote Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast“. Do we, however, read the very next verse? Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
It is not our works that will bring us into our rest, but the works that Yeshua has prepared for us." Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform(finish) it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
The “works” and “gifts” that the believer possesses are not resident within himself/herself, but those that Yeshua has provided. Ephesians 4:12 “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: For our part, we need to yield ourselves to him and learn to be obedient to him in all things. He has given his “Torah”, instructions for righteous living and eternal life. May we all consider our ways, that we may be granted access into his glorious kingdom.
Revelation 22:14 “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.”
Our Eternal High Priest
I previously spoke of the “eternal rest” awaiting those who are faithful and obedient to God. The children of Israel who departed Egypt were unable to enter their rest, that being the promised land, because of unbelief and disobedience to their calling. Their example has been given to us as a warning lest any of us should fall short of reaching the soon-coming rest that awaits us at the end of days. We have been admonished to make our calling and election sure. However, we are all sinners and have fallen woefully short of the glory of God. We cannot obtain his mercy and grace by our own efforts. How then can we make our calling and election sure?
We are more than able, through faith in our savior, who has paved the way for us with his blood, having paid the penalty for our sins, and who now sits at the right hand of the majesty on high as our eternal high priest. He daily makes intercession before his father on our behalf. Hebrews 4:14-16 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
He knows our weaknesses, our faults, and the temptations that bombard us on a daily basis. He laid aside his heavenly robe in exchange for a fleshly body such as ours and tabernacled among us. He can be merciful because he has experienced our physical journey and knows the path laid out before us.
There are many today that feel unworthy to approach that throne of grace. False religion has made them believe that an earthly intercessor is still necessary, be it a minister or priest as a go-between, someone “worthy” enough to approach God’s heavenly throne. Many are encouraged to confess their sins to this earthly intercessor, who will pray for them. This is not what scripture teaches us.
Yeshua, at his crucifixion, broke down the barrier between God and man. During the time he walked the earth, this barrier was the holy of holies in the temple at Jerusalem. It housed the ark of the covenant, a representation of the throne of God, and could only be accessed once a year by the high priest on the Day of Atonement, when he made intercession first for his own sins and then for the nation as a whole.
Upon Yeshua‘s sacrifice, the veil that covered that most holy place was rent in two from top to bottom, symbolically providing direct access for every believer to God’s throne. We no longer need an earthly priest to intercede for us. Our eternal high priest has provided the way to God’s throne, where our prayers are received.
Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you are not worthy to pray directly to your heavenly father. Yeshua shed his blood to open up the way for the believer to humbly and reverently approach our God in heaven. We can go to him anytime, anywhere and know that he hears us. However, we must approach him in faith, coupled with obedience. Hebrew 11:6 tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”.
We are more than able, through faith in our savior, who has paved the way for us with his blood, having paid the penalty for our sins, and who now sits at the right hand of the majesty on high as our eternal high priest. He daily makes intercession before his father on our behalf. Hebrews 4:14-16 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
He knows our weaknesses, our faults, and the temptations that bombard us on a daily basis. He laid aside his heavenly robe in exchange for a fleshly body such as ours and tabernacled among us. He can be merciful because he has experienced our physical journey and knows the path laid out before us.
There are many today that feel unworthy to approach that throne of grace. False religion has made them believe that an earthly intercessor is still necessary, be it a minister or priest as a go-between, someone “worthy” enough to approach God’s heavenly throne. Many are encouraged to confess their sins to this earthly intercessor, who will pray for them. This is not what scripture teaches us.
Yeshua, at his crucifixion, broke down the barrier between God and man. During the time he walked the earth, this barrier was the holy of holies in the temple at Jerusalem. It housed the ark of the covenant, a representation of the throne of God, and could only be accessed once a year by the high priest on the Day of Atonement, when he made intercession first for his own sins and then for the nation as a whole.
Upon Yeshua‘s sacrifice, the veil that covered that most holy place was rent in two from top to bottom, symbolically providing direct access for every believer to God’s throne. We no longer need an earthly priest to intercede for us. Our eternal high priest has provided the way to God’s throne, where our prayers are received.
Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you are not worthy to pray directly to your heavenly father. Yeshua shed his blood to open up the way for the believer to humbly and reverently approach our God in heaven. We can go to him anytime, anywhere and know that he hears us. However, we must approach him in faith, coupled with obedience. Hebrew 11:6 tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”.
The Sabbath Rest
Hebrews, chapters 3 and 4 give us the example of Israel, who failed to stay faithful to God’s calling. They continually tried his patience during their wilderness wandering and the adults who departed Egypt never entered the promised land God had prepared for them.
Numbers 26:65 “For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.”
Notice the verses that tell us why they were not able to enter into the land. Verse 10, “They do always err in their hearts, and “They have not known my ways.” Verse 12, “An evil heart of unbelief”. They entered not in because of unbelief, personified by sin and disobedience. We are told that the word preached to them did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. They hardened their hearts against their creator through the deceitfulness of sin.
To those who sinned in the wilderness God swore “They shall not enter into my rest”. Hebrews 4:1 opens with an admonition for the believer, “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.”
Although those to whom the promise was first given did not enter that rest because of unbelief, that rest still remains and some will enter in. Heb 4:6, 8-9, 11 “Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”
The Bible is filled with duality, a former fulfillment and a latter fulfillment. The children of those who died in the wilderness did enter the promised land, a physical rest. This was a foreshadow of the eternal rest awaiting us today. This was God’s plan from the foundation of the world. Hebrews 4:4 “For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works”. Hebrews 4:9-10 “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his“.
The previous scriptures speak of God’s rest by referencing the seventh day of creation week. That may seem strange to those of us who have been raised with a Gentile, Western mindset which has no concept of God’s reckoning of time. Because we have exchanged much of the original teachings of the Bible with man-made concepts and ideas, we have lost the keys that are vital to our understanding of God’s plan for mankind.
Dedicated students of the word of God recognize the patterns he uses to fulfill his purposes. As God worked six days during creation week and rested the seventh, he has given man six thousand years to do all his work, the seventh thousandth being the Sabbath rest of the Messiah. 2Peter 3:8 “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day“. God placed intermediate fulfillments between the two. The seventh day of each week is to be a Sabbath rest for the people of God. Every seventh year is to be a rest for the land and a release of debt.
Annually, the day of Pentecost is calculated by weekly Sabbaths. Leviticus 23:15-16 “And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days.”
The Jubilee year, likewise, is calculated by annual Sabbaths. Leviticus 25:8-10 “And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years. Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family“.
Yeshua came to earth and tabernacled with man four thousand years in the span of human history. Two thousand years have elapsed since that time. We are approaching the thousand year Sabbath alluded to in the book of Hebrews. This is the rest that awaits those who are faithful to their calling in Messiah.
Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years”.
Revelation 20:5 “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished”.
I can’t help but wonder. Hebrews 4:9 says “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” This is interpreted as “a keeping of the Sabbath”. Is it possible that those who honor God’s holy Sabbath now will enter their eternal rest when the thousand year Sabbath appears? Could it be that those who have replaced God’s seventh day Sabbath with Sunday (the day of the Sun God) do not rise until the Sabbath is over? It is certainly food for thought. One thing is sure. The Sabbath will be kept in God’s Kingdom on into eternity.
Isaiah 66:23 “And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.”
It behooves us all to consider our ways now, whether we will follow the traditions of men or the word of God. Hebrews 4:1 “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.”
Numbers 26:65 “For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.”
Notice the verses that tell us why they were not able to enter into the land. Verse 10, “They do always err in their hearts, and “They have not known my ways.” Verse 12, “An evil heart of unbelief”. They entered not in because of unbelief, personified by sin and disobedience. We are told that the word preached to them did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. They hardened their hearts against their creator through the deceitfulness of sin.
To those who sinned in the wilderness God swore “They shall not enter into my rest”. Hebrews 4:1 opens with an admonition for the believer, “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.”
Although those to whom the promise was first given did not enter that rest because of unbelief, that rest still remains and some will enter in. Heb 4:6, 8-9, 11 “Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”
The Bible is filled with duality, a former fulfillment and a latter fulfillment. The children of those who died in the wilderness did enter the promised land, a physical rest. This was a foreshadow of the eternal rest awaiting us today. This was God’s plan from the foundation of the world. Hebrews 4:4 “For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works”. Hebrews 4:9-10 “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his“.
The previous scriptures speak of God’s rest by referencing the seventh day of creation week. That may seem strange to those of us who have been raised with a Gentile, Western mindset which has no concept of God’s reckoning of time. Because we have exchanged much of the original teachings of the Bible with man-made concepts and ideas, we have lost the keys that are vital to our understanding of God’s plan for mankind.
Dedicated students of the word of God recognize the patterns he uses to fulfill his purposes. As God worked six days during creation week and rested the seventh, he has given man six thousand years to do all his work, the seventh thousandth being the Sabbath rest of the Messiah. 2Peter 3:8 “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day“. God placed intermediate fulfillments between the two. The seventh day of each week is to be a Sabbath rest for the people of God. Every seventh year is to be a rest for the land and a release of debt.
Annually, the day of Pentecost is calculated by weekly Sabbaths. Leviticus 23:15-16 “And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days.”
The Jubilee year, likewise, is calculated by annual Sabbaths. Leviticus 25:8-10 “And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years. Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family“.
Yeshua came to earth and tabernacled with man four thousand years in the span of human history. Two thousand years have elapsed since that time. We are approaching the thousand year Sabbath alluded to in the book of Hebrews. This is the rest that awaits those who are faithful to their calling in Messiah.
Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years”.
Revelation 20:5 “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished”.
I can’t help but wonder. Hebrews 4:9 says “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” This is interpreted as “a keeping of the Sabbath”. Is it possible that those who honor God’s holy Sabbath now will enter their eternal rest when the thousand year Sabbath appears? Could it be that those who have replaced God’s seventh day Sabbath with Sunday (the day of the Sun God) do not rise until the Sabbath is over? It is certainly food for thought. One thing is sure. The Sabbath will be kept in God’s Kingdom on into eternity.
Isaiah 66:23 “And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.”
It behooves us all to consider our ways now, whether we will follow the traditions of men or the word of God. Hebrews 4:1 “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.”
The Household of Faith
As Abraham was called out to seek a home that God prepared for him, a land that he and his offspring would eventually inherit, so are believers called out of this world that we may one day enter our eternal home. By faith, Abraham obeyed God and lived out his calling, as did his son Isaac and grandson, Jacob. Jacob’s descendents left behind 400 years of slavery in Egypt and wandered in the desert 40 years before their offspring, by faith, entered their promised land. We wander in our own wilderness today. The world we live in is not our permanent home. We seek the resting place God has prepared for us and, by faith, we shall enter if we hold fast to the end.
Hebrews 3:1-6 “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after. But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”
2 Peter 1:10 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”
We are called to be the house (family) of God. 1 Peter 2:5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 2:19-22 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Philippians 2:12 admonishes us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. As I move forward, I hope to shed light on why the children of Israel who left Egypt, those who were literally redeemed by the blood of the lamb, did not enter their promised land. Their experience is an example for us today.
Hebrews 3:7-8 “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness.”
We have a calling. If we have accepted Yeshua as our Lord and Savior, we have the hope of salvation and eternal life. However, it is not to be taken lightly. Our salvation is something that is worked out over our lifetime, through faith and obedience. Those to whom the gospel was first preached did not enter in because of unbelief. May we learn from their experience, that we may enter into our rest.
Hebrews 3:1-6 “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after. But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”
2 Peter 1:10 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”
We are called to be the house (family) of God. 1 Peter 2:5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 2:19-22 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Philippians 2:12 admonishes us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. As I move forward, I hope to shed light on why the children of Israel who left Egypt, those who were literally redeemed by the blood of the lamb, did not enter their promised land. Their experience is an example for us today.
Hebrews 3:7-8 “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness.”
We have a calling. If we have accepted Yeshua as our Lord and Savior, we have the hope of salvation and eternal life. However, it is not to be taken lightly. Our salvation is something that is worked out over our lifetime, through faith and obedience. Those to whom the gospel was first preached did not enter in because of unbelief. May we learn from their experience, that we may enter into our rest.
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