This issue of YAHSHUA'S
WITNESS MAGAZINE
was published for MARCH-APRIL 2006
Inside This Issue
FROM THE EDITOR
HAMAS
– PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT
A Comparison of Kings
by Jerry Healan
The First Month Focuses On Yahshua
by Jerry Healan
Yahweh’s Passover Deliverance
by Jerry Healan
EDITOR:
Frances
Healan, Jerry Healan, John McCarty
For comments or inquiries please write to YEA, P. O. Box 31,
Atlanta, TX 75551.
HAMAS
– PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT
The
election and exaltation of Hamas to primary influence and power among the
Palestinians is a very important sign of the times for us to look at. I was
forwarded portions of the Covenant of the Islamic Resistance Movement formulated
August 18, 1988. This covenant is the covenant of the party called Hamas. Here
are some of its tenets and goals:
· To
raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine (Article 6)
· The
Day of Judgment will not come about until Moslems fight Jews and kill them.
Then, the Jews will hide behind rocks and trees, and the rocks and trees will
cry out: 'O Moslem, there is a Jew hiding behind me, come and kill him (Article
7)
· Israel
will only exist until Islam obliterates it as it has all others before it (Preamble)
· The
land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf [Holy Possession] consecrated for future
Moslem generations until Judgment Day. No one can renounce it or any part, or
abandon it or any part of it.
(Article 11)
· Palestine
is an Islamic land... Since this is the case, the Liberation of Palestine is an
individual duty for every Moslem wherever he may be. [Peace] initiatives, and
so-called peaceful solutions and international conferences are in contradiction
to the principles of the Islamic Resistance Movement... Those conferences are no
more than a means to appoint the infidels as arbitrators in the lands of
Islam... There is no solution for the Palestinian problem except by Jihad.
Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are but a waste of time, an
exercise in futility.
(Article 13)
· The
day the enemies usurp part of Moslem land, Jihad becomes the individual duty of
every Moslem.
In the face of the Jews' usurpation, it is compulsory that the banner of Jihad
be raised. (Article 15)
· Egypt
was, to a great extent, removed from the circle of struggle [against Zionism]
through the treacherous Camp David Agreement. The Zionists are trying to draw
other Arab countries into similar agreements in order to bring them outside the
circle of struggle. ...Leaving the circle of struggle against Zionism is high
treason, and cursed be he who perpetrates such an act. The HAMAS regards itself
the spearhead and the vanguard of the circle of struggle against World
Zionism... Islamic groups all over the Arab world should also do the same, since
they are best equipped for their future role in the fight against the
warmongering Jews.
(Article 32)
This covenant and these
articles of it prove that Hamas is dedicated to the violent overthrow of the
modern day Jewish state of Israel. Furthermore, one would have to conclude that
if and when the articles of this covenant are fulfilled in Palestine, then their
next objective would be to exalt Islam over the rest of the earth, since they
speak of the struggle against WORLD ZIONISM.
The fact of the matter is that the ascendancy of Hamas is a fulfillment
of prophecies made by Yahshua. He stated, “And as it was in the days of Noe,
so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank,
they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered
into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it
was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they
planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained
fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in
the day when the Son of man is revealed,” Lk. 17:26-30. (See also Mt.
24:37-39)
But
what else do the Scriptures reveal concerning what was going on in the days of
Noah? “The earth also was corrupt before Elohim, and the earth was filled with
violence.
And Elohim looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had
corrupted his way upon the earth. And Elohim said unto Noah, The end of all
flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence
through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth,” Gen. 6:11-13.
From
the very beginning of the Scriptures we learn that as the earth corrupted,
violence increased. In Luke, Yahshua not only referred to the days of Noah, but
also the days of Lot. Sodom and Gomorrah had become so corrupted, especially of
a sexual nature, that they, the plain wherein they were located, and all
adjacent cities suffered the violence of destruction from the hand of Almighty
Yahweh.
While it is true that there have always been wars, the entrance of the
world into the so-called 20th century, with its corresponding excessive
corruption, has brought about some of the most violent wars known to man. They
were called World Wars and the increase of knowledge and technology has brought
forth the most violent and destructive weapons known to the generations of
mankind.
But there is another movement that has arisen in these last days whose
purpose is to deal death and destruction to all infidels. That movement is named
“Hamas.” Now, it is interesting that the Hebrew term for “violence” is
“hamas.” Not only was the world of old violently overthrown by Yahweh for
its corruption and violence, and also Sodom and Gomorrah, but both of the houses
of Judah and Israel were “violently” overthrown for their infidelity to
their word and their promise and covenant made with Yahweh.
We can trace the houses of Israel and Judah throughout the world today
and the fact of the matter is that they have corrupted themselves once again.
Many of the peoples of Western Europe, Britain and the Unites States are known
to be descendants of the so-called “Lost tribes of Israel.” Many of the
Jewish peoples have never lost their identity, albeit there are others of
non-Jewish descent who dwell among them claiming to be Jewish. But the fact of
the matter is that both of the houses of Israel (Judah and Ephraim) have become
excessively corrupted in these last days. Because of this corruption, Yahweh has
raised up a group in the land called Palestine, which has taken the name “Hamas.”
Their covenant declares the “violent” overthrow of Judah and the Zionist
world.
Hamas is not alone. They are in league with all of the terrorist
organizations throughout the world. Yahshua’s prophecy is coming true. We are
in the days which are as the days of Noah. We are living in the last days. We
have entered the days called “the end of the age.” Most people call it
“the end of the world.” Violence (hamas) is going to increase because
corruption is increasing at a rapid pace. The only way to stave it off would be
for all of our peoples to realize what is happening, repent, confessing their
sins, embrace Yahshua, the Salvation of Yahweh, be baptized and prepare
themselves for the end. But the Scriptures reveal that the great overall
preponderance of the houses of Judah and Israel will not repent until they are
destroyed, “And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but
understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this
people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with
their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and
convert, and be healed. Then said I, Master, how long? And he answered, Until
the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the
land be utterly desolate, And Yahweh have removed men far away, and there be a
great forsaking in the midst of the land,” Isa. 6:9-12.
Israel will be forced to eat of the fruit of their (our) doings.
Scriptures reveals that they will again be overthrown with violence in the
latter days. Obadiah reveals that one of the main perpetrators of violence (hamas)
against Jacob will be Esau, Edom.
Just as the habitation of the lost tribes of Israel are generally hidden
from view, so are the habitations of the descendants of Esau. But we can
discover the habitations of Esau in these last days.
Obadiah
declares, “How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things
sought up! “Searched out” is translated from the Hebrew word “chaphas”
which should have been translated as “concealed.” Esau is concealed, hidden
in the nations of the world.
But verse two declares his habitation is “high.” “High is
translated from the Hebrew word “marowm.” Breaking the word into two
syllables we get “ma” and “rowm.” “Ma” simply means “from,”
while “rowm” means “high place.” The fourth kingdom of Daniel chapters 2
and 7 is Rome. Rome gets its name from the city of Rome which means “high
place.”
Historically, there were three Romes. Old Rome, New Rome at
Constantinople and the third Rome which is Moscow, Russia.
In these last days Moscow has become the center of the “red” doctrine
of Communism. This “red” doctrine was sold to the peoples of Russia by two
Jewish men named Marx and Engels.
History repeats itself. Jacob bought Esau’s birthright for a bowl of
“red” beans. Thus, Esau became known as “Edom” (Red). His modern day
descendants have once again been sold out for a “Red” doctrine (Communism).
Moscow has become one of the chief headquarters and supporters of terrorist
organizations around the world.
Remember that Esau married one of the daughters of Ishmael which caused
his descendants to have very close relationships with the Ishmaelites
(Arabs/Muslims). Both groups hate Jacob and his descendants with a perpetual
hatred. Both groups want the children of Israel to be destroyed. (Judah and
Israel)
Esau and Jacob struggled in the womb. Their descendants are struggling in
the world today. That struggle has to do with world supremacy and rulership.
Moscow’s chief enemy is Washington and London (to a lesser degree).
Ishmael’s chief enemy is Judah (the modern day nation of Israel) and
(secondarily) the United States.
Esau and Ishmael have established a confederacy against Israel and the
U.S. They are seeking the destruction of both.
A confederacy is revealed in Obadiah 7, but the principal ones involved
in this confederacy is revealed in Psa. 83, “They have taken crafty counsel
against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said,
Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may
be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent:
they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom (Rome/Germany), and
the Ishmaelites (Arabs/Muslims); of Moab (Iraq/Iran), and the Hagarenes (Egypt);
Gebal (Freemasons), and Ammon (Jordan), and Amalek (Russia with Chinese
Communists); the Philistines (Palestinians) with the inhabitants of Tyre
(Lebanon); Assur (Syria) also is joined with them: they have holpen the children
of Lot,” vv. 3-8.
Obadiah condems Esau for his violence (HAMAS) against Jacob. HAMAS (the
violent ones) came out in the open in 1988. They are now in control of the
Palestinians (Philistines). HAMAS (violence) begins in Jerusalem and will spread
from there to the whole world.
We are now very close to the end of the age. Yahshua’s prophecy is, of
course, coming true. Are you Ready?
JH
There is much to learn from the saga of Saul and David and a
comparison of the two.
By Jerry Healan
Samuel had been established as a priest
and judge in Israel because of the unfaithfulness of Eli and his sons. But when
Samuel was old, his own sons weren’t faithful to walk in his ways turning
aside after lucre, taking bribes, and perverting justice (1 Sam. 8:1-3). The
elders of Israel came to Samuel complaining about this and demanding a king to
judge them like all the nations around them.
This displeased Samuel and He prayed to
Yahweh concerning the situation. Yahweh told Samuel, “Hearken unto the voice
of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee,
but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the
day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have
forsaken Me, and served other elohim, so do they also unto
thee,” 1 Sam. 8:7-8.
Notice that Yahweh said that Israel had
forsaken Him since the day He brought them out of Egypt unto that very day that
they demanded a king.
In verses 9-18 Samuel told Israel what
this king would do in taking their sons and daughters, land, tithes (taxes) etc.
Samuel warned the people in accordance with Yahweh’s words, but the people
replied, “Nay; but we will have a king over us; 20 That we also may be like all the nations;
and that our king may judge us, and go out before
us, and fight our battles.”
22
And Yahweh said to Samuel, ‘Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king.’
And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, ‘Go ye every man unto his city,” vv.
19-22.
Later, Yahweh told Samuel that Saul was
the one who He wanted to reign over the people (1 Sam. 9:17).
Saul is introduced in 1 Samuel, chapter 9
thusly, “Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the
son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah,
a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.
2
And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and
there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his
shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people,” vv. 1-2.
The name “Kish” is very revealing in
itself. It is number 7027 in the Hebrew Lexicon of Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance
and is defined as “a bow.” It comes from another Hebrew word “qowsh”
which is number 6983 being defined as “a primitive root; to bend; used only as
denominative for 3369, to set a trap.”
A search into the name “Aphiah” also
reveals that in its primitive origins, it has to do with bringing into a snare!
The name Saul actually means “asked.”
The people asked for a king to rule over them and Yahweh gave them what they
asked for. There is a commercial that says, “You asked for it, you got it.”
Such is the case for Israel.
Yahweh told Samuel that the people
hadn’t served Him since He brought them up out of Egypt. Now that the people
were rejecting His rulership over them, He was going to set a trap or lay a
snare for them.
The
answer is, In order to fulfill the Biblical pattern of first and second. Paul
effectively answers the question, “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 Yahweh 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. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam
was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not
first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is
spiritual. 47 The first man is of the
earth, earthy: the second man is the Sovereign from heaven.
48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly,
such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the
earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly,” 1 Cor. 15:35-49.
This pattern flows throughout the
Scriptures. There was the first world before the flood and the second world
after the flood; the first Adam, the second Adam, the first heavens and earth,
the new heavens and earth, the first covenant, the second covenant, the first
Israelite kingdom, the second Israelite kingdom (yet to come), the first
circumcision, the second circumcision, the first natural, physical, carnal,
corruptible, mortal body and life that we live and the second spiritual,
glorious, honorable, incorruptible, immortal life. There is a first death and a
second death, first birth and second birth, etc., etc.
Saul was chosen to be the first king of
Israel as a type of the first man of the earth, which is sown in corruption,
dishonor and weakness. He was a son of the tribe of Benjamin. Yahweh knew that
he would fail. The true kingly line would come out of Judah, as prophesied.
They are of the tribe of Judah. There was
a conflict going on between Jacob’s wives, Rachel and Leah, for his affection.
Yahweh had opened Leah’s womb and allowed her to bring forth four sons because
He saw that she was hated. Each son is named with a purpose in mind. Leah’s
firstborn was Reuben, which means “see, a son.” Her second son was named
Simeon which means “to hear intelligently,” or simply, “to hear,”
because she called out to Yahweh in her plight and He heard her. Her third son
was named Levi, which means “unite,” or “united,” because she considered
that since she had three sons, her husband would be united more closely to her.
When she brought forth her fourth son, she named him Judah for she said, “Now
will I praise Yahweh.” Judah has to do with the “praise of,” or “to”
Yahweh!
But looking at the name more closely in
the Hebrew alphabet certainly adds even greater understanding. Judah in Hebrew
is hdwhy.
The name of the Creator Yahweh in Hebrew is hwhy. Comparing the two, we find
only one difference which is the “dalet” (English “D”/Hebrew “d”)
in Judah.
Interestingly, the Hebrew letter
“dalet” (d)
is an hieroglyphic for a door. Isn’t it interesting that even the English word
“door” begins with a “D,” which is equivalent to the Hebrew “dalet”
(d)?
Is it any wonder that the second kingly line was chosen from the tribe of Judah?
Is it any wonder that Yahshua, the door (Jn. 10) would be born of the tribe of
Judah?
The kingly line of Judah is the second
dynasty to rule over the children of Israel. This line represents the eternal,
spiritual, incorruptible, immortal kingly line of Yahshua the Messiah, of the
tribe of Judah, through Whom Yahweh is truly praised.
When are we men going to come to
understand that the Scriptures are the inspired word of Yahweh? When are we men
going to learn that the Scriptures were put together by a mind and intellect
that is so far superior to man that there is no comparison? When are we men
going to turn to our Creator and give Him the honor, praise and obedience that
only He deserves, and desires?
David is introduced in 1 Samuel chapter
16, “And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There
remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth
the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we
will not sit down till he come hither. 12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now
he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And
Yahweh said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. 13 Then Samuel took the horn of
oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit Yahweh came
upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Rama,” vv.
11-13.
Isn’t it interesting that the animals
associated with Saul are asses, while the animals associated with David are
sheep? Could this be Yahweh’s way of prophesying their character? An ass
typifies an obstinate, stupid, silly, foolish attitude. Isn’t that pretty much
the character that Saul exhibited? After all, he does typify the first Adam who
foolishly took of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil bringing sin,
corruption, mortality, and death not only on himself, but his posterity. Through
Adam’s act of disobedience and rebellion, he and his posterity were forbidden
access to the tree of life. Through Saul’s acts of disobedience and rebellion,
his posterity were forbidden access or right to reign over Israel.
Sheep were associated with David. Sheep
can also be considered as a dumb, stupid animal and David, who considered
himself on one hand, to be a sheep of Yahweh (see Psa. 23), did make some
grievous mistakes. But sheep were and are considered to be clean animals because
they chew the cud and split the hoof, while an ass is unclean. We must keep in
mind also, that David was a keeper or shepherd of sheep, which puts him in a
much greater capacity.
Yahweh reveals in Scripture that He is a
Shepherd (Isa. 40:10-11) and Yahshua reveals Himself as the true Shepherd (Jn.
10). David is truly in the best of company.
His
son Jonathan smote a garrison of Philistines in Geba, but Saul blew the trumpet
throughout the land declaring that he, Saul, had smitten the garrison (1 Sam.
13:3-4). When the Philistines gathered a huge army against Israel, Saul and his
few men trembled in fear (vv. 5-7). Saul waited for Samuel seven days and when
Samuel failed to appear, Saul took upon himself the role of the high priest,
offering a burnt offering to Yahweh (8-10). When Samuel confronted him
concerning this, Saul excused himself (vv. 11-12). Samuel prophesied that the
kingdom wouldn’t continue under his leadership (v. 14). It appears that this
disqualification came after only serving as king over Israel for a brief period
of two years.
Saul’s son Jonathan began another
conflict against the Philistines, which culminated with Yahweh’s intervention
causing the earth to quake and sow such confusion among the Philistines that
they began to lift up their sword against each other (1 Sam. 14). Saul and his
men had been cowering in fear, but when they saw the tumult they entered into
the fray. He then made a foolish declaration, “Cursed be the man that eateth
any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies,” 1 Sam. 14:24.
The people became so weak and faint that at the end of the day they flew upon
the spoil immediately slaying sheep, and oxen eating them with the blood (v.
32). Of course, Saul did rectify the situation, but his own proclamation brought
about the circumstance.
Later Saul was commanded to eradicate the
Amalekites for their attack against Israel while they were wandering in the
wilderness, but Saul spared their king Agag and the choicest of the sheep and
oxen. When questioned by Samuel, Saul placed the blame upon the people. (1 Sam.
15). Samuel told Saul that he had been rejected as king over Israel for this
rebellion and that the kingdom would be given to a neighbor who was better than
him (1 Sam. 15:26-28). It is after this episode that David was anointed as king
over Israel (1 Sam 16).
The Philistine army gathered against
Israel in Ephes-dammim. Both armies showed themselves in battle array, but the
Philistines had a great champion named Goliath whose height was six cubits and a
span (1 Sam. 17:1-4). Goliath challenged any of the Israelites to a one on one
duel. If any Israelite would fight with and overcome him then the Philistines
would become their servants, but if He slew the Israelite then they would become
servants of the Philistines. Saul was the king of Israel. He was at least a head
taller than any of them. Israel had wanted a king to fight their battles for
them. He should have been the one who took the challenge to fight with the
Philistine but he was dismayed and greatly afraid (1 Sam. 17:5-11).
When Saul learned that David was willing
to take the Philistine’s challenge, he discouraged him by saying, “Thou art
not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a
youth, and he a man of war from his youth,” 1 Sam. 17:33.
But David revealed something concerning
his character, “Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion,
and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: and I went out after him, and
smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I
caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant smote both the
lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them,
seeing he hath defied the armies of the living Elohim.’ David said moreover,
‘Yahweh That delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of
the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.’ And Saul
said unto David, ‘Go, and Yahweh be with thee,” 1 Sam. 17:34-37.
Look at David’s attitude! He was a
shepherd of his father’s sheep. A lion came to satisfy his hunger with one of
his father’s sheep. Most shepherd boys would run for their lives and allow the
lion to have his way with the flock. After all, the reasoning would be, these
are only animals. I am my father’s son and worth much more to him than these
sheep. I will preserve my life so that my father will not be saddened by the
loss of his son. Besides, I want to live and my own life is worth much more to
me than the lives of these sheep, these animals. This was not David’s
attitude. David’s name means loving or beloved. He loved his father so much
that he was not willing that his father suffer loss of his sheep. He was willing
to put his life on the line for his father’s sake and for the sake of the
sheep. He faced the lion and the bear with a courage that is rare at any time in
history.
Yahweh is also a Shepherd as we have
already learned and His people Israel are His sheep. David was willing to face
this giant of a man, Goliath, because He trusted in and loved the living Elohim
Yahweh. He was willing to put his life on the line for Yahweh’s sheep. David
had a Spirit, faith, confidence and courage that none other had in all of
Israel.
David faced the giant of a man, Goliath,
for the sake of Yahweh’s sheep. Yahshua faced the god of this world, the
prince of the power of the air, Satan, for the sake of Yahweh’s sheep. Do you
begin to get the picture? The battle between David and Goliath was a forerunner,
a type of the battle that would take place far, far into the future between
Yahshua and Satan. While David did put his life on the line, he did walk away
from the battle alive. Yahshua’s face-off was greater because He had to lay
down His life. Oh, He did do spiritual battle first in order to get the victory.
This face-off came immediately after He was baptized when He was driven into the
wilderness to fast and pray for forty days and nights. He had to get the initial
victory over Satan, but the final victory came when He poured out His breath and
blood on the tree, and was subsequently resurrected three days later.
Yahshua told His disciples, “If ye keep
my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's
commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you,
that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my
commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down
his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I
command you,” Jn. 15:10-14.
Yahshua is the True Shepherd! He is the
Greater Shepherd by far! He willingly laid down His life for us. He expects us
to exhibit the same spirit. He set an example for us that we should follow in
His steps. (1 Pet. 2:21)
Peter adds, “Who did no sin, neither
was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again;
when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth
righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that
we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were
healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going
astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of
your souls,” 1 Pet. 22-25.
Again, Paul writes, “Grace be to you and peace from Yahweh the Father, and
from our Sovereign Yahshua the Messiah, 4 Who gave
himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world,
according to the will of Elohim and our Father:
5
To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen
Look
at these terms again! We were sheep going astray. We were yet sinners. We were
Yahweh’s enemies because we were sinners. Yet, He was willing to allow His Son
to die for us. Yahshua was willing to lay down His life for us. What are we to
do now? Let’s allow Yahshua to begin the instructions, “A new commandment I
give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have
loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know
that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another,” Jn. 13:34-35.
“This
is My commandment, That ye love one another, as
I have loved you. Greater love
hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you,” Jn. 15:13-14.
Now
let’s allow a couple of the apostles to finish the thought, “But as touching
brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of Elohim to love one another,”
1 Thes. 4:9.
“For
this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 Not as Cain, who
was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because
his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. 13 Marvel not, my
brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death unto
life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not
his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a
murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of Yahweh, because he laid
down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and
shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of Yahweh
in him?” 1 Jn. 3:11-17.
David’s
name has to do with love. He exhibited the true love because he was not only
willing to lay down his life for his father Jesse’s sheep, but also for
Israel, Yahweh’s sheep. Yahshua became a descendant of David in the flesh. He
exhibited the greater love for He willingly laid down His life for His
Father’s sake and for the sake of the sheep (spiritual Israel).
Now,
it’s our turn. We are expected; we are commanded to lay our own lives down for
Yahweh’s and Yahshua’s sheep, the brethren. This present evil world with all
of its gidgets and gadgets, with all of its riches and pleasures truly puts
pressure on all of us to take our focus off of the true way and get more
involved with it. Also, when we look at other brethren, we can generally detect
certain specific problems, which seem to give us reason not to follow through
with this commandment. Then again, some will even seek to turn to become our
enemies. We can then justify ourselves in turning away from this command. But
David didn’t and Yahshua especially didn’t. They are our example.
It
is a fact that the overall preponderance of the Jewish community around the
world holds fast to the belief that it is an abomination punishable by death to
pronounce the Heavenly Father’s Sacred name. It is also a fact that
Freemasonry upholds the same idea and belief as the Jewish community. The Sacred
name is to them an ineffable (unpronounceable, unknowable) name. Whether you
know it or not, the great overall preponderance of those who are established as
leaders in this world are members of some branch or arm of Freemasonry.
Freemasonry bases its teachings and beliefs on a work called the Cabala
(sometimes also referred to in the various renderings of Kabbalah or Qabbalah)
from whence Jewish mysticism also receives its own teachings.
Don’t
think for one moment that the establishment hasn’t been watching what has been
going on in the Sacred Name movement. One day soon, we could all wake up in a
world that will reveal itself hostile to those of us who cherish, love and cling
to the true names of the Father Yahweh and His beloved Son Yahshua. According to
the scriptures, there will be a persecution brought upon believers which will
culminate in the death of many, “And they overcame him by the blood of the
Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto
the death,” Rev. 12:11.
This
will be the time when we will all be tested as to our faithfulness to Yahweh’s
word of truth, the witness of Yahshua and our love for the brethren.
We
can even go so far as to compare Saul and David with two great figures in the
spirit realm, Satan and Yahshua. Satan always excuses himself while he accuses
everyone else. While Yahshua never sinned and therefore, never earned the
penalty of death, He willingly took that penalty upon Himself in order to make
excuses for others (through grace).
Saul
knew that the kingdom was to be taken from him and given to another better than
himself. He eventually discovered that David was anointed to replace him as king
over Israel. Saul pulled out all stops in order to destroy David even though he
knew that David was Yahweh’s anointed. David, on the other hand, even though
he had to run for his life, time, after time, after time, would not lift his
hand against Saul who was the first anointed king over Israel. David trusted in
Yahweh and waited for His appointed time to give him the kingdom.
Satan
is the god and prince of this present evil world. Yahshua has been anointed to
replace him. Satan sought to destroy Yahshua and still seeks to wage war against
Him and His disciples today. Yahshua, like David, is waiting for His Father’s
appointed time to give Him the throne and kingdom over this world.
Yahshua’s
disciples asked Him, “Master, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom
to Israel?” Acts 1:6. Yahshua replied, “It is not for you to know the times
or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall receive
power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses
unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the
uttermost part of the earth,” vv. 7-8.
We
are born into this world with the spirit of the first Adam, but we are lacking
in the Spirit of the second. At sometime in our lives, we must be called by
Yahweh, given the opportunity to confess our sins, repent, be baptized and
receive the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the second Adam, Yahshua. We must then
“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Sovereign and Savior Yahshua the
Messiah,” 2 Pet. 3:18. This means that we must not only have that grace and
knowledge, but we must put it to work in our lives. The study and application of
the Scriptures and the examples we find there are the best ways of doing this.
Yes,
we must examine ourselves, especially those of us who are called to be of the
household of faith. Are we truly walking in those oh so worthy footsteps? Are we
truly putting our lives on the line for our Heavenly Father, our wondrous
Savior, our brethren and even our enemies?
Then
there are those who are still walking around with only the spirit of the first
Adam. Are you committing grievous errors and excusing yourselves? Are you like
Saul who blamed everything on others or if you are caught doing wrong, dreaming
up some lame duck excuse in order to justify yourself?
Let’s
all compare ourselves to Saul and David. Then we can compare ourselves to the
first Adam and the second Adam. Finally, we can compare ourselves to the spirit
of Satan and Yahshua. If we are honest with ourselves, we will find so many,
many areas where we are lacking in following David and Yahshua. But it isn’t
too late to turn our lives around. As long as there is life, there is hope.
What
we should do is examine ourselves thoroughly, confess our short-comings and sins
to the Father Yahweh, ask for forgiveness and the strength and Spirit to make
drastic changes in our lives. We have the examples recorded for us, let’s
study them out and then follow through.
Let’s
exhibit the love and faith that will cause us to not only put our lives on the
line for Yahweh’s and Yahshua’s sheep, but be willing to lose our lives in
this day and age if need be.
We must set our goals on the
kingdom of heaven and the life to come. This present life perishes with the
using. Let us turn to Yahweh’s word, the Holy Scriptures, and learn to exhibit
the spirit of faith and courage to face all of the evil giants of this world.
The examples are replete in the Scriptures
