PART II—TRACING ISRAEL
THE BLESSINGS OF ISAAC AND JACOB
Now that we have established the importance of
the dew, also identifying what it is and what and to Whom it relates; we can now
utilize this same item in order to discover where and who the Israelites are.
Isaac blessed Jacob
with the dew of heaven, “And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now,
and kiss me, my son. And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell
of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the
smell of a field which Yahweh hath blessed: Therefore Elohim give thee of the
dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: Let
people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and
let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee,
and blessed be he that blesseth thee, Gen. 27:26-29.
This blessing was the
blessing of birthright, which was passed down from Abraham to Isaac. Isaac
passed it down to Jacob. Jacob, in turn, passed it down to the sons of Joseph,
Ephraim and Manasseh, “And it came to pass after these things, that one told
Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh
and Ephraim. And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto
thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed. And Jacob said unto
Joseph, El Shaddai appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed
me, And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and
I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed
after thee for an everlasting possession. And now thy two sons, Ephraim and
Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee
into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. And thy issue,
which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the
name of their brethren in their inheritance,” Gen. 49:1-6.
“And Israel beheld
Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these? And Joseph said unto his father, They
are my sons, whom Elohim hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I
pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them. Now the eyes of Israel were dim for
age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed
them, and embraced them. And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see
thy face: and, lo, Elohim hath shewed me also thy seed. And Joseph brought them
out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. And
Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and
Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto
him. And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head,
who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands
wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn. And he blessed Joseph, and said,
Elohim, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the Elohim which fed
me all my life long unto this day, The Angel which redeemed me from all evil,
bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers
Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of
Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from
Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head. And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my
father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. And his
father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a
people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be
greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. And he
blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, Elohim make
thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh,” Gen.
49:8-20.
Furthermore, when he
blessed all of his sons, he blessed Joseph with a special blessing, “Joseph is
a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the
wall: The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But
his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the
hands of the mighty Elohim of Jacob; (from thence
is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:) Even by the Elohim of thy
father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above,
blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts,
and of the womb: The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings
of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be
on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate
from his brethren,” Gen. 49:22-26.
Notice that it says that the Shepherd, the stone of Israel would be found in Joseph. He also blessed him with the blessings of heaven, from whence comes the dew, a type of Yahshua, and the blessings of the deep (compare Prov. 3:19-20).
MOSES’ BLESSING ON
JOSEPH
Before his death,
Moses also blessed the children of Israel by their tribal names. He was inspired
to place a special blessing on Joseph, “And of Joseph he said, Blessed of
Yahweh be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that
coucheth beneath, And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for
the precious things put forth by the moon, And for the chief things of the
ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills, And for the
precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him
that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon
the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren. His glory is
like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns:
with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they
are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh,” Dt.
33:13-17.
Moses especially
placed the blessing of the dew upon Joseph and his land!
We have learned that
the dew is a type of Yahshua in His capacity to cover Israel and all flesh. We
know that the manna, the bread of heaven came with the dew. It was the
combination of the dew and manna that led the Israelites to the rest of the
seventh day Sabbath.
WHICH TRIBE?
Yahshua was born of
the tribe of Judah. He was a descendant of King David who was of the house of
Judah, not Joseph, not Ephraim, not Manasseh. But in his blessing, Jacob stated,
“from thence (Joseph) is the Shepherd, the stone of Israel. What does this all
mean?
We know that the tribe
of Judah has been very instrumental in the preservation of the Scriptures that
we call the Old Testament. Many have even gone so far as to sacrifice their
lives in order to keep these documents preserved. For this sacrifice, we must
stand in admiration of them.
However, they have
refused the truth concerning Yahshua and His covering, His atoning blood that
was sacrificed for us. As John writes, “He came to His own and, and His own
received Him not,” Jn. 1:10. Even though some did receive Him. The overall
great preponderance of His own tribe have denied Him.
So who is it that has
also been instrumental in preserving the Old Testament Scriptures, as well as
the New Testament Scriptures, which witness to Yahshua the Messiah? Hasn’t it
been the English-speaking world? Many of our own people have also given their
lives in order to make both of the Testaments (Old and New) available to their
own kin and the rest of the world. Both Testaments witness of Yahshua, the
Shepherd and Stone of Israel, the True Bread from Heaven, Which comes with the
Dew! The Scriptures that are preserved by the house of Judah witness that the
blessings of the dew, as well as the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel are with
Joseph, specifically Ephraim and Manasseh!
The English-speaking
world has become the pre-eminent and primary peoples in today’s world who have
been tremendously blessed above the rest of the earth. Those blessings have come
upon them as they have been instrumental in not only preserving, but publishing
a specific book called “THE HOLY BIBLE!”
So much of the world has also been blessed through the English-speaking world,
which has not only been colonized by them, but has shown itself friendly to
them. Generally, those who have embraced the teachings of the Bible have also
been greatly blessed.
Many might say, How
can you say this while you stand adamantly against many of the words that have
been utilized in the Scriptures such as, God, the LORD, Jesus, Christ, etc.?
This question must be addressed.
What does the book of
Psalms proclaim? “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain
thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel
together, against Yahweh, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their
bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us,” Psa. 2:1-3.
Who rage? Isn’t it
the heathen? Who or what are the heathen? According to Webster’s New World Dictionary,
the “heathen” are 1.
orig., and in the Old Testament, a member of any nation or people not worshiping
the [Elohim] of Israel 2. anyone not a Jew,
Christian, or Moslem; esp., a member of a tribe, nation, etc. worshiping many
gods 3. a person regarded as irreligious,
uncivilized, unenlightened, etc.
These definitions are
the modern day world’s understanding of just what the heathen are. However,
the Hebrew term that is translated as “heathen” is “goyim.”
When Abraham was blessed by Yahweh, he was promised that he would be a father of
nations (goyim) in Gen. 17:5. Sara
was also blessed by Yahweh to become a mother of nations (goyim) in Gen. 17:16. Sarah’s only child was
Isaac. Thus, Isaac was to become a father of nations (goyim). Isaac’s birthright was passed down
to Jacob, the father of the Israelites, therefore, the Israelites are also “goyim” (nations).
That same birthright
blessing was passed down to Ephraim by Jacob who attested that he would become a
“multitude of nations” (goyim).
(Gen. 48:19)
Psalms 2:1 would have
better been translated as, “Why do the nations rage…” The book of Acts
reveals that the Israelites were to be included in this term for we read, “And
being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief
priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up
their voice to Yahweh with one accord, and said, Yahweh, thou art
and earth, and the
sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said,
Why did the heathen (goyim/nations)
rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings
of the earth stood up, and the rulers
were gathered together against Yahweh, and against his Messiah. For of a truth
against thy holy child Yahshua, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod (the king),
and Pontius Pilate (the Governor), with the Gentiles (goyim/nations/heathen, etc.), and the people of Israel, were gathered
together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be
done” 4:23-26.
Who has been
instrumental in publishing the most popular version of the Bible that has ever
been known? Wasn’t it KING
JAMES? Isn’t it called the KING
JAMES VERSION?
Did KING James and his cohorts stand up against
Yahweh, even though they also stood up for His word? Absolutely!!!!! First and
foremost, they took the true name of the Heavenly Father and Yahshua the Messiah
out of the Scriptures replacing them with the names and titles that they were
used to utilizing in their previous days of paganism. The Anglican Church, which
King James headed and declared to be his religion, as the Catholic Church,
declares that the law has been done away. They worship on Sunday, the first day
of the week, rather than the seventh day Sabbath. They have been instrumental in
continuing the policies of observing the heathenish, pagan ritual and holidays
rather than the commanded days (feasts) of Yahweh, etc., etc.
The kings, rulers,
heathen and even Israelite rulers of Yahshua’s and the apostle’s day
gathered together against Yahweh and His Messiah. The same thing happened during
the day of King James and the rulers of that day. It continues to this day.
THE GOLDEN CALF
The instance of the
golden calf, which Israel made in the wilderness will clue us in as to why the
descendants of Israel are steeped in modern day idolatry. While Moses was up in
the mount receiving the instructions and tables of the covenant, Israel fell
into the worship of the golden calf. (Ex. 32)
When Moses came down
from the mount he saw what the children of Israel were doing and became
exceedingly angry with them (v. 19). “…He took the calf which they had made,
and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to power, and strawed it upon the water,
and made the children of Israel drink of it,” Ex. 32:20.
More was taking place
there than generally meets the eye. Water is a type of the Spirit, “In the
last day, that great day of the feast, Yahshua stood and cried, saying, If any
man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the
scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But
this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for
the Holy Spirit was not yet given; because that Yahshua was not yet
glorified.),” Jn. 7:37-39.
Moses burned the
golden calf, ground it to power and cast it into water making the Israelites
drink. This is a type, parable, metaphor. Moses was causing the disobedient and
rebellious Israelites to drink of the waters of idolatry. Israel would have a
tendency to turn to idolatry rather than stay on the strait and narrow path.
History bears this out.
After Solomon’s
reign, the kingdom of Israel was split into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom
was named Israel because they were ruled by Ephraimite kings. They turned away
to idolatry placing golden calves in Dan and in Samaria. They were eventually
defeated by the Assyrian kings, taken into captivity and removed to the area
around the Caucasus Mountains.
The southern kingdom
was named Judah because their kings were descendants of the patriarch Judah.
They also fell away into idolatry and were eventually defeated by the Babylonian
Kingdom under Nebuchadnezzar. This took place around 130 – 140 years later.
Both kingdoms were destroyed because of their rebellion against Yahweh and
subsequent descent into idolatry. The pattern that Moses established worked.
While modern day
Judaism is greatly respected by many for seemingly embracing obedience to the
Scriptures and walking in the ways of righteousness, the problem is that in most
cases, they respect the works of the Talmud and Kaballah rather than the pure
words of Scripture.
Looks can be
deceiving. Modern day Christianity utilizes the Bible which contains both the
Old and New Testaments. It is made to appear as if they are upholding the
principles of the Bible when they simply are not. The same thing goes for modern
day Judaism. While they appear to uphold the Old Testament, the truth of the
matter is that they are not. If they were, then they would believe the writings
of Moses as he witnesses of Yahshua (Jn. 5:39-47). All Israel has fallen away
into idolatry and remains there unless Yahweh calls them to repentance and the
truth.
THE WITNESS OF THE
TABERNACLE
The placement of the
Israelites around the tabernacle is quite revealing. There was only one opening
in the linen wall that surrounded the tabernacle. That opening or gate was in
the east. The door to the tabernacle and the veil into the holy of holies was
also in the east. Judah, Issachar and Zebulon were placed in the east. Judah was
the main
The levitical tribe of
Gershon was placed in the west as a buffer between Ephraim, Manasseh and
Benjamin and the tabernacle. Ephraim and Manasseh were under the banner of an
ox.
Now, let’s learn of
some amazing things concerning the layout of the tabernacle and the placement of
these tribes. The ox was an animal of sacrifice. The offerings and sacrifices
are mentioned in the book of Leviticus beginning with chapter one. The first
offering was the holocaust and the bullock of the ox was the primary and chief
offering. This offering was also for an atonement (Lev. 1:4).
Yahweh purposely
blinded the Israelites, especially Ephraim and Manasseh (Ro. 11:7-15), casting
them away as a sacrifice. Joseph was the one who was hated and despised by his
brethren. While his brothers didn’t slay him, they did sell him into slavery,
which is a type of death. They also deceived their father Jacob by slaying a kid
of the goats (another animal utilized for atonement, [Lev. 16]), dipping
Joseph’s coat in its blood and presenting it to their father who thought some
evil beast had slain him. The whole story is one of sacrifice. It was magnified
in Ephraim and Manasseh, the northern kingdom of Israel.
Interestingly, even
the Levitical tribe of Gershon is a witness in this matter for their
responsibility in the tabernacle was to take care of and transport the
COVERINGS, the various skins, etc., which covered the framework of the tent,
etc. The tabernacle and the placement of the tribes of Israel around it, reveals
that the descendants of Joseph were the one, who would be associated with
covering and atonement.
One other thing that
we must point out is that the lion slays and eats the ox. The priests also slew
the sacrifices. Judah under the banner of the lion, was speaking of the world
today wherein the international bankers, who are primarily Jewish, are working
to eventually decimate and destroy the English-speaking world, especially and
specifically America (Israel/Ephraim). Even the remnants of the Levitical
priesthood are included in this conspiracy. Joseph, under the banner of the ox,
will once again be slaughtered for the good of the whole world. But Yahshua,
their Dew, will raise them from the grave.
CONCLUSION
The dew is given to
cover the grass. All flesh is as grass. Yahshua is the One Who will cover the
sins of all flesh. He is the Dew.
Ephraim and Manasseh,
the sons of Joseph, were blessed with the dew of heaven. They are the ones who
have been so tremendously blessed in the world, especially and specifically in
the last days. They have been blessed with the dew of heaven. This has to do
with both physical and spiritual blessings. They are the ones who are involved
with publishing the message of both Old and New Testaments. The English-speaking
peoples of the world, especially the United States and Britain are the ones who
are instrumental in publishing and distributing volumes of Bibles and associated
literature to the rest of the world.
The blessings and the
prophecies are sure. Yahweh is the Elohim of Israel and His word does not fail.
Whether you believe what is written here or not, it is presented in the light of
Scripture and the Spirit of Yahweh and Yahshua. May He open your eyes to see the
wondrous blessings that He has reserved for those who trust and believe in Him.
HalleluYah!!!!!
iWisdom = #2451 = hmkx chokmah,
khok-maw'; from 2449; wisdom (in a good sense):--skilful, wisdom, wisely,
wit.
#2449 = Mkx
chakam, khaw-kam' = a
primitive root, to be wise (in mind, word or act):--X
exceeding, teach wisdom, be (make self, shew self) wise, deal (never so)
wisely, make wiser.
iiFounded = #3245 = dsoy
yacad, yaw-sad'; a primitive
root; to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to
sit down together, i.e. settle, consult:--appoint, take counsel, establish, (lay
the, lay for a) found(-ation), instruct, lay, ordain, set, X sure.
iiiUnderstanding = #8394 = Nwbt
tabuwn, taw-boon'; and
(feminine) tbuwnah {teb-oo-naw'}; or towbunah {to-boo-naw'}; from 995;
intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice:--discretion,
reason, skilfulness, understanding, wisdom.
#995 = Nyb
biyn, bene; a primitive root;
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand:--attend,
consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform,
instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent,
regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have)
understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man).
ivEstablished = #3559 Nwk
kuwn, koon; a primitive root;
properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up,
in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare,
apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous):--certain(-ty),
confirm, direct, faithfulness, fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed,
frame, be meet, ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self),
provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright, fast, forth), be
stable, (e-)stablish, stand, tarry, X very deed.
vKnowledge = #1847 te[d
da`ath, dah'-ath; from 3045;
knowledge:--cunning, (ig-)norantly, know(-ledge), (un-)awares (wittingly).
#3045 = e[dy
yada`, yaw-dah'; a primitive
root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of
senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including
observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,
punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise,
answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-)awares, can(-not), certainly,
comprehend, consider, X could they,
cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with,
familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be
(ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come
to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make
self) known,
+
be learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X
prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill,
be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), X
will be, wist, wit, wot.
viDepths
= #8415 Mwht t@howm,
teh-home'; or thom {teh-home'}; (usually feminine) from 1949; an abyss
(as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the
subterranean water-supply):--deep (place), depth.
#1949
= Mwh huwm,
hoom; a primitive root (compare
2000); to make an uproar,
or agitate greatly:--destroy, move, make a noise, put, ring again.
#2000
= Mmh hamam,
haw-mam'; a primitive root (compare
1949, 1993); properly, to
put in commotion; by implication, to disturb, drive, destroy:--break, consume,
crush, destroy, discomfit, trouble, vex.
#1993
= hmh hamah,
haw-maw'; a primitive root (compare 1949); to make a loud sound like
Engl. "hum"); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to
rage, war, moan, clamor:--clamorous, concourse, cry aloud, be disquieted, loud,
mourn, be moved, make a noise, rage, roar, sound, be troubled, make in tumult,
tumultuous, be in an uproar.
viiBroken
up = #1234 = [qb baqa`,
baw-kah'; a primitive root; to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or
open:--make a breach, break forth (into, out, in pieces, through, up), be ready
to burst, cleave (asunder), cut out, divide, hatch, rend (asunder), rip up,
tear, win.
viiiClouds
= #7834 = qxv shachaq,
shakh'-ak; from 7833; a powder (as beaten small): by analogy, a thin vapor;
by extension, the firmament:--cloud, small dust, heaven, sky.
#7833
= qxv shachaq,
shaw-khak'; a primitive root; to comminate (by trituration or
attrition):--beat, wear.
ixDrop
down = #7491 = P[er ra`aph,
raw-af'; a primitive root; to drip:--distil, drop (down).
xDew
= #2919 = lj tal,
tal; from 2926; dew (as covering vegetation):--dew.
#2926
= llj talal,
taw-lal'; a primitive root; properly, to strew over, i.e. (by
implication) to cover in or plate (with beams):--cover.
#2922.
alj
t@la', tel-aw'; apparently from
2921
in the (orig.) sense of covering (for protection); a lamb (compare 2924):--lamb.
#2921
= alj tala',
taw-law'; a primitive root; properly, to cover with pieces; i.e. (by
implication) to spot or variegate (as tapestry):--clouted, with divers colours,
spotted.
xiSpeak
= #1696 = rbd dabar,
daw-bar'; a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used
figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to
subdue:--answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name,
promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach,
tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, X well, X work.
xiiHear
= # 8085. e[mv
shama`, shaw-mah'; a
primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention,
obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather)
together, X carefully, X certainly,
consent, consider, be content, declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause
to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)
obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report,
shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth),
witness.
xiiiWords
= # 561. rma
'emer, ay'-mer; from 559; something
said:--answer, X appointed unto him, saying, speech, word.
#559
= rma 'amar,
aw-mar'; a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude):--answer,
appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, + (at the,
give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise, publish, report,
require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X suppose, talk, tell, term, X that
is, X think, use (speech), utter, X verily, X yet.
xivMouth
= # 6310. hp
peh, peh; from 6284; the mouth
(as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);
specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according
to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment),
X eat, edge, end, entry, + file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X
(should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk, tenor, X to,
+ two-edged, wish, word.
#
6284. hap
pa'ah, paw-aw'; a primitive
root; to puff, i.e. blow away:--scatter into corners.
xvDoctrine
= # 3948. xql leqach,
leh'-kakh; from 3947; properly,
something received, i.e. (mentally) instruction (whether on the part of the
teacher or hearer); also (in an active and sinister sense)
inveiglement:--doctrine, learning, fair speech.
#3947
= xql laqach,
law-kakh'; a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of
applications):--accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, X
many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing,
up), use, win.
xviDrop
= # 6201. Pr[e
`araph, aw-raf'; a primitive
root; to droop; hence, to drip:--drop (down).
xviiRain
= # 4306. rjm
matar, maw-tawr'; from 4305; rain:--rain
#4305
= rjm matar,
maw-tar'; a primitive root; to rain:--(cause to) rain (upon).
xviiiSpeech
= # 565. hrma
'imrah, im-raw'; or memrah {em-raw'};
feminine of 561, and meaning the same:--commandment, speech, word.
xixDistil
= # 5140. lzn
nazal, naw-zal'; a primitive
root; to drip, or shed by trickling:--distil, drop, flood, (cause to) flow(-ing),
gush out, melt, pour (down), running water, stream.
xxSmall
rain = # 8164. ryes
sa`iyr, saw-eer'; formed the same as 8163; a shower (as tempestuous):--small rain.
#8163
= ryes sa`iyr,
saw-eer'; or sabir
#8175
= r[es sa`ar,
saw-ar'; a primitive root; to storm; by implication, to shiver, i.e.
fear:--be (horribly) afraid, fear, hurl as a storm, be tempestuous, come like
(take
xxiHerb
= # 1877. avd
deshe', deh'-sheh; from 1876; a sprout;
by analogy, grass:--(tender) grass, green, (tender)herb.
#1876
= avd dasha,
daw-shaw'; a primitive root; to sprout:--bring forth, spring.
xxiiShowers
= # 7241. bybr rabiyb,
raw-beeb'; from 7231; a rain (as
an accumulation of drops):--shower.
#7231
= bbr rabab,
raw-bab'; a primitive root; properly, to cast together (compare 7241),
i.e. increase, especially in number; also (as denominative from 7233) to multiply
by the myriad:--increase, be many(-ifold), be more, multiply, ten thousands.
#7233
= hbbr r@babah,
reb-aw-baw'; from 7231; abundance (in number), i.e. (specifically) a
myriad (whether definite or indefinite):--many, million, X
multiply, ten thousand.
xxiiiGrass = #6212. bs[e `eseb, eh'seb; from an unused root meaning to glisten (or be green); grass (or any tender shoot):--grass, herb.
Most of us in this age who have been called by Yahweh to
follow His Son, Yahshua, to the kingdom have come out of one of the mainstream
religions of this present society. As Yahweh began to show us the truth in His
Word, we were overjoyed to leave behind the fallacies of
our past. Often times in doing this, we erect barriers in our minds that
clouds the true splendor and excitement of our calling.
By Dave Ganton
Let
me give you an illustration of one such area. When we learned the truth
concerning the holidays of this society we discarded them and grasped with
excitement, the festivals that Yahweh has instituted. In our fervor to please
Yahweh we sometimes over react. When we do we set up a barrier. I am one of many
that did this. The vast majority of brethren in my early affiliation would not
even read the “nativity” story in the evangels because of its relationship
that the world made with “Christmas.” We had put a barrier in our minds that
would not allow us to have anything to do with that pagan time of the year. We
would begin to read the evangels at a point past the “Nativity”. (I am using
those “terms” because that is how we related to these events mentioned in
scriptures.) This was not a conscious decision to avoid these parts of
scripture, but we just avoided them without contemplation.
It was a few years after my conversion that I was forced into pulling
down that barrier and finally read the story of our Messiah’s conception and
birth. In doing this the real truth concerning this time could finally come into
my mind. I had let my barrier rob me of a very beautiful part of our Messiah’s
life. It is amazing how many of us did this without even realizing it.
Another area is that of going to Heaven. We were taught by this
society’s churches that one went immediately to Heaven or Hell at death. For
those of us (I am one) who came out of the Catholic church we could also go to
Purgatory for a while for final purification. When we are converted, the truth
about death, the resurrection to eternal life, and the Kingdom of Yahweh, comes
as a wonderful surprise and relief. We grasp these truths with great joy and
cast aside the ethereal beliefs of the past. In doing this, we often erect
another barrier that blocks the whole, exciting truth from being revealed to us.
That barrier is that no one, at any time will ever go to Heaven, for any reason.
This belief is fostered mainly from two scriptures. John 3:13 No
one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. Acts 2:34
For David did not ascend into the heavens; but he himself says, ‘Yahweh
said to my Sovereign, Sit at my right hand 35
till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet.’
ACCESS TO YAHWEH’S THRONE
Sometimes we read things into scriptures that they do not say. It is true
that no one, including David, has ascended to heaven. However, neither these
scriptures nor any others mention that when our Messiah returns, and we are
changed to be like Him, that we will be restricted from access to the Heavenly
throne of Yahweh our Father. Scripture actually confirms that we will have full
access to our Father’s throne in Heaven.
This can be the most dangerous barrier because it blocks much of our true
destiny as members of the first fruits harvest of mankind. As an elder in
Yahweh's service I can assure you that this barrier is very prevalent amongst
the assembles to this day. I encounter it often in my dealings with various
brethren. Many of us came from this society’s churches into Sabbath, Holy Day,
law keeping groups minus the sacred names of Yahweh and Yahshua. However, it was
still a step that Yahweh used to bring us out of the world. When this happens,
scenarios are made concerning what happens at the return of Yahshua.
END OF THE AGE
SCENARIO
The scenario that is most prevalent is this; The last trumpet sounds and
Yahshua returns. Matthew 24:31, 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, The dead will rise as spirit beings at Yahshua's command and those who are
still alive will be changed instantaneously to Spirit and will be as Yahshua is.
1 John 3: 1-2
We shall rise to meet Yahshua in the air, 1 Thessalonians 4:16.
We then go directly to Jerusalem to begin our reign with Messiah Yahshua. Acts 1: 10-12, The apostles were told He
would return in the same way that He left. Yahshua left from the Mount of
Olives, thus He would return there and His feet would stand upon the Mount of
Olives once again, Zechariah 14: 4, and
our thousand year reign with Yahshua will begin, Revelation
20:1-4. Perhaps you are one of the vast majority that believe
this, as I had been for many years. This is an exciting and very true scenario, to a point. However the barrier
concerning no one ever going to Heaven at any time prevents us from seeing an
awesomely glorious part of our calling in this scenario. It is this barrier that
I pray will be removed in this study.
SCENE NOT COMPLETE
In the scene above there are two colossal events missing, the coronation
of Yahshua as King of Kings, and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The first
event we will cover is the marriage ceremony and how it must fit into that
scenario. In many places in the old testament scriptures, Yahweh used the
betrothal and marriage covenant as an analogy of His relationship with His
chosen people. He did this because it is a relationship that we as humans can
understand and value. Isaiah 54:5, Jeremiah 31:32,
Hosea 2:16
In the new testament Yahshua also used the betrothal and marriage
relationship as an analogy of His
relationship with us. He often taught in parables. Why did He do this? Matthew 13: 10
Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them
in parables?" And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know
the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
WEDDING INVITATION
When Yahweh issued the call to us to become followers of His Son Yahshua,
John 6:44, He
qualified us to be among those to whom it is given to understand. This call just
mentioned is something very special that may escape us if we allow this barrier
to remain intact. It is an invitation to a wedding!! The wedding of Yahshua His
Son to us,
selected by His Father and chosen to be His bride. Revelation 19: 7 Let
us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has
come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8
it was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and
pure"—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9
And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are
invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These
are true words of Elohim." We have been invited to the wedding and we need
to understand where this wedding will take place since we are the bride.
To begin to help us in this understanding we will turn to the parable of
the ten maidens in Matthew 25:1-13 Read
this parable until every detail is fixed in your mind. It is a very revealing
story. Now that it is fixed in our minds lets take note of something. The bride
is not mentioned. The Bridegroom is mentioned as are the Bridesmaids. Since this
scenario is likened to the Kingdom of Heaven, we can be sure that the groom is
Yahshua at His coming. Paul gives insight into the identity of the Bride. Ephesians 5: 31
"For this reason a man
shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall
become one flesh."32 This
mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Messiah and the
assembly; Note that Paul understands the marriage covenant is analogous of
Messiah and the ecclesia, the assembly. This would make the bride of this
parable the assembly of called out chosen ones. The maidens represent those
within the assembly and their state of readiness to meet the Groom at His
coming. We are after all, attendants of the assembly, the bride, as were the
maidens. Let us set this aside for now since I’m sure that we all understand
the concept.
To those of us in this modern western society the scenario of this
parable may seem a little strange, but to those of Yahshua's day it would be a
common scene played out often in their lives. Weddings in those days did not
happen as they do in our age and society. To get a grasp on this parable, and
it’s implications, lets examine the customs of Yahshua's day. There are some
very interesting things that may take us into some side bars but I will try my
best to stay on track.
BETROTHAL
It was customary for there to be a one year betrothal period prior to the
wedding. This can be evidenced by the betrothal of Yoseph and Miriam at the time
of Yahshua's conception. Matthew 1:18
Now the birth of Yahshua Messiah took place in this way. When his mother
Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be
with child of the Holy Spirit.
YAHSHUA’S BETROTHAL CUP
At the betrothal ceremony the bride and groom would share a glass of wine
together as a symbol of their commitment to each other. They would not share a
drink together again until the wedding ceremony, making the two into one. An
interesting point to note here is the cup that Yahshua drank at His meal with
the apostles, stating that it was the Blood of the Covenant, which He told them
all to drink with Him. Matthew 26: 27
And he took a cup, and when
he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you;
28 for this is my blood of the
covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Take note
that this was one cup which Yahshua shared
with all of the apostles. This was
the cup of betrothal mentioned above. The proposal was made and the
contents of the cup, symbolically Yahshua's
blood. We are, at this time,
betrothed to Yahshua. Notice 2 Corinthians 11: 2
I
feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to Messiah to present you as
a pure bride to her one husband. Yahshua
said that He would not drink of the cup again until He drank it new with them,
us, in the kingdom. Matthew 26:29
I tell you I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that
day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom." This cup in the
Kingdom is shared with us, the new bride, at the marriage supper of the Lamb. As
the first cup shared, sealed the betrothal, so the second cup shared will seal
the final coming together of the Groom and His bride.
Everything Yahshua said and did had deep spiritual meaning if we allow
Him to show us.
WEDDING INVITATION
It was customary at that time for the father of the groom to send out the
wedding invitations after the betrothal ceremony to those whom he and his son
had chosen to attend. John 15:16.
Another thing that is very difficult for us to fathom in our western society is
that the father usually chose the bride also. Compare with John 6:44 As mentioned above this betrothal time
was one year in duration. The invitations would mention the approximate time of
the wedding at the conclusion of the betrothal period, but the exact day and
hour was not established until the father had made all of the preparations
toward the end of the betrothal period. It is interesting to note that even the
groom did not know the exact day and hour of the wedding until he was told by
his father that everything was prepared. Is this why Yahshua told His followers
that it was not for us to know the day and the hour and that even He did not know the exact time of
His coming? I believe so. Mark 13:32
"But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in
heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. We can know approximately because of
the signs that Yahshua told us to watch for, as the end of our betrothal time
draws near. We will not know the exact time until we hear the Angel’s call
announcing His coming, 1
Thessalonians 4:16 just as the bridesmaids
would not know until the groom’s attendant announced it before him.
During this betrothal period the groom to be would be preparing a room
for him and his bride to live in following the wedding. They would live in the
father’s house until such a time as they decided to build their own home or
they might just build additions to the father’s house as their family grew. It
was a general custom at that time to do either. It is interesting to note that
Yahshua alluded to this in John 14:2
In my Father‘s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to
prepare a place for you? The next scripture is very important to
understanding the point of this study. Yahshua was soon to return to the Father
but the apostles did not understand what He meant. That is why Peter asked the
following question. John 13:36
Simon Peter said to him, "Master, where are you going?" Yahshua
answered, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow
afterward." They could not accompany Him at that time because the wedding
preparations had not all been completed. Where did Yahshua go? He went to His
Father’s house to prepare a place for us, His bride, as He said in John 14:2. His Father’s house is
presently in Heaven. Please take careful note that Yahshua said that we would follow afterward. The word “follow”
can also be translated “accompany”. We will come back to the location we
accompany or follow Yahshua to, later in this study.
WEDDING APPAREL
It was also the custom of
those days for the groom’s father to provide the wedding garments to those
that did not have one. There is an interesting point attesting to this in the
parable of the wedding feast in
Matthew 22: 1-14. Notice
in verse 12
one was found with no wedding garment and cast out. Now a logical question. How
did the father, the king, know this was not a wedding garment? Because it was
not the one that he had provided. This man was a wedding crasher, an imposter,
and was thrown out. Yahweh provides our wedding garments, washed clean and
spotless through His Son. Revelation 3:5 He
who conquers shall be clad thus in white garments, and I will not blot his name
out of the book of life; I will confess his name before my Father and before his
angels. Revelation 19: 7 Let
us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has
come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8
it was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and
pure"—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9
And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are
invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These
are true words of Elohim." Revelation 7:14 Only those whose garments had
been provided by the Father and have been washed in the blood of our great
Messiah will be allowed into the marriage feast. Notice verse 10 in the above parable.
The king finally sent his servants into the streets to gather any and all who
would wish to attend this wedding ceremony. These people would not be able to
afford wedding garments appropriate for the wedding of
the king’s son. The king therefore had to provide them as Yahweh, our
Groom’s Father does for us.
MARRIAGE FEAST AT THE FATHER’S HOUSE
It was also customary at that time for the marriage feast to be held at
the father’s house. Nearing the end of the betrothal period, perhaps during
the last few days, the bride would make herself ready for the groom to come for
her. Her bridesmaids would gather with her to keep watch. (The ten maidens.) If
night fell they would
have their lamps lit and ready so they could
go out to meet the groom when his attendant announced his coming. Since they did
not know the exact
time, they would take extra oil for their
lamps. They would meet him with lamps lit to guide him, and accompany him to
where the bride was waiting. After retrieving his bride they would all proceed
to the father’s house for the wedding ceremony. When the guests had all
arrived the doors would be locked and no one else was allowed to enter.
As we await the imminent
coming of our Bridegroom, we too are to have our lights burning brightly in
anticipation. Matthew 5:14-16, Matthew 6:22. This
is the light that our Groom will be looking for when He comes for us. We are
also reminded to keep awake and be alert because the time draws closer. Romans 13:11
Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to
wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; 1 Thessalonians 5:6 So
then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be alert.
THE TIME HAS COME
With all of the above in mind, Let’s
go on to understand where our beloved Groom will take us and where this wedding
and marriage supper will take place. The time has arrived, Revelation 19:7
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the
Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8
it was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and
pure"—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9
And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are
invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These
are true words of Elohim."
THE SEA OF GLASS
Let us look at a picture of heaven and the
Fathers throne. Revelation 4:1 After
this I looked, and lo, in heaven an open door! And the first voice, which I had
heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up hither, and I will show
you what must take place after this."
2 At once I was in the Spirit, and
lo, a throne stood in Heaven, with one seated on the throne! 3
And he who sat there appeared like jasper and carnelian, and round the
throne was a rainbow that looked like an emerald. 4
Round the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were
twenty-four elders, clad in white garments, with golden crowns upon their heads.
5 From the throne issues flashes of
lightning, and voices and peals of thunder, and before the throne burn seven
torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of Elohim; 6
and before the throne there is as it were a
sea of glass, like crystal. And round the throne, on each side of
the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: (Jasper gems are breathtakingly beautiful in different
shades of blue, blended in one stone. Carnelian gems are a shimmering,
translucent, vermillion red color. The rainbow like an emerald would be
semi-transparent green glow around the throne.)
The above is the Father’s
house where there are many rooms prepared and ready for the Groom and the
bride following the marriage feast. John 14:2
In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have
told you that I go to prepare a place for you? Let’s turn to Daniel for a
further description of events and the entrance of our Heavenly Father.
THE FATHER ENTERS
Daniel 7: 9 As I looked, thrones
were placed and one that was Ancient of days took His seat; His raiment was
white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool; His throne was fiery
flames, its wheels were burning fire. (if one checks the words “Fiery” and
“Flames”, one will see that this is the same sea of glass around the
Father’s throne mentioned in Revelation. Part of Daniel is written in Aramaic.
“Fiery” and “flames” in Aramaic is nuwr
and it means to shine or glisten. The phrase has the meaning of shining or
glistening like fire.) The Father has arrived for the ceremony. This will be a
beautiful double ceremony, a wedding and a coronation.
THE BRIDE IS READY
The bride is present and she has been clothed in clean, shining white,
and pure garments appropriate for the wedding of a King’s Son; Carefully note
the following; Revelation 15:2
And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those
who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing
beside the sea of glass with harps of Elohim in their hands. Revelation 19:7
Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the
Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8
it was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and
pure"—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9
And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are
invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are true words of Elohim." Note
that this beautiful bride is in Heaven before the Father’s throne, beside the
sea of glass. This resplendent bride is everyone reading this article who have
been called by Yahweh to walk with His Son to the Kingdom and have answered that
call.
THE GROOM
Now the Groom enters in all of His
This
is the marriage of the Lamb and His coronation as King of Kings. Yahshua was
born for this very thing. John 18:37
Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Yahshua answered,
"You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come
into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth
hears my voice."
Now note who receives this coronation along with Yahshua. Daniel 7:18
But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess
the kingdom for ever, for ever and ever.’ Daniel 7: 21 As
I looked, this horn made war with the saints, and prevailed over them, 22
until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of
the Most High, and the time came when the saints received the kingdom. Daniel 7:27
And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under
the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High;
their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and
obey them.’
What an awesome calling we have received! To be the bride of and be
coronated with our glorious Groom King of kings Yahshua, before the very throne
of our Father in Heaven. Will we be among this great multitude crying out with
uncontrollable joy and jubilation? Revelation
19:6 Then I heard
what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters
and like the sound of mighty thunder peals, crying, "Hallelujah!
For the Sovereign Elohim the Almighty reigns.”
The coronation and the marriage supper have concluded and notice where
they have traveled to. I would like to bring something to your attention here. A
son inherits his fathers name. Note what Yahshua said. John 5:43
I have come “in”
my Father‘s name,----. (The word “in” can also be translated “with”
and is translated as such 140 times in the new testament.) The bride in turn
inherits her husband’s name at the wedding and so the groom’s
father’s name as well. Note the following scripture and the name
written on the foreheads of those with Yahshua, His new bride. Revelation 14:1 Then I looked, and
lo, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand
who had his name
and his Father’s name
written on their foreheads.
KINGDOM
HEADQUARTERS
Notice also where they now are, Mount Zion, Jerusalem. This will be the
headquarters of the Kingdom with Yahshua as King of Kings. Isaiah 2:3
and many peoples shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the
mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the Elohim of Jacob; that he may teach us
his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth
the law, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem. He has returned to the same
place from which He left. Acts 1: 11 From the Mount of Olives to
the Mount of Olives.
Zechariah 14: 4
On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives which lies before
Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east
to west by a very wide valley; so that one half of the Mount shall withdraw
northward, and the other half southward.
When He returns to Jerusalem it will be as a great King, already
coronated and accompanied by His Bride. Revelation
19:16 On his robe
and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, King of kings and Sovereign of
sovereigns. Now let’s connect verse 5 of Zechariah 14 and see who comes with
Him. Zechariah 14:5
Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley
shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the
days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus Yahweh my Elohim will come, And all the saints with You. Remember Revelation 14:1 When
this King of Kings arrives on Mount Zion with His saints, His bride, the
marriage supper of the Lamb has already taken place as they have already
received their Groom’s name and
that of His Father.
When the evidence in scripture is weighed honestly with open minds the
truth will be plain. I pray that if a
barrier was erected in your mind concerning our relationship with our Groom’s
Father, and having free access to Him and the Heavenly realm from the time of
our change, that this study will begin to remove that barrier.
What we have been called to be a part of is very exciting. If we allow
any barrier to cloud the complete picture we will not feel the exuberant
excitement of our calling. We can easily see the trials and troubles of this
life and scripture tells us of the tribulation to come. Let us also look beyond
these things and see the glory and inexpressible joy that awaits us at the
marriage supper of the Lamb, before the very throne of our Heavenly Father as we
are wed for all eternity to our faithful Groom, Yahshua Messiah. HalleluYah!
May Yahweh bless your studies.
Our life in this world is surrounded with problems as we
struggle to satisfy all of our needs, especially in these fast changing times.
We can encounter afflictions and hardships at anytime or in anyplace, which
causes us to worry. Sometimes we face a series of seemingly unbearable problems
that cause us to feel helpless and miserable.
By Elder George Paña
Not
only are the poor and needy troubled by the harsh realities of life in this
world, but so are the rich and famous who have much greater resources under
their control. Some, because they are unable to cope with difficulties and
depression, take part in shameful and tragic actions. Many lose their will to
live and even take their own lives. We personally know of some personalities who
have amassed great wealth and fame in this world, only to commit suicide because
they suffered the loss of that wealth and fame. Many look for the easy way out,
but end up spending their last days in misery.
In times of affliction, we long for sound advice to comfort and lead us
on our way. No counsel can be of greater help to us than that of our Savior
Yahshua the Messiah.
BE NOT
ANXIOUS
Yahshua said to His disciples, “Therefore I say unto you, Take no
thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for
your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body
than raiment?... Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his
stature?” Mt. 6:25, 27.
Yahshua advised His disciples that they should not be worried concerning
their need in this present life. He told them not to be anxious about that they
were to ear, drink, or wear. He also said to them that being anxious would not
help one in solving his problems. Instead, it will worsen his condition, because
the stress caused by worrying can destroy one’s health and shorten his life.
Yahshua also told His disciples, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they
sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father
feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?... And why take ye thought for
raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither
do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not
arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if Elohim so clothe the grass of the
field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much
more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” Mt. 6:26, 28-30.
The Messiah carefully taught these meaningful truths to His disciples:
fowls (birds or sparrows) neither sow nor reap nor store food in barns, yet they
are able to survive because Yahweh feeds them. Yahshua explained this to His
disciples to let them know and understand that they are worth more than many
sparrows or lilies in the field or any living creature on earth. Therefore, they
should not be worried or anxious concerning life’s basic necessities.
Yahshua further explained that to give much concern about the material
things in this world is to follow the way of the Gentiles (heathen, pagans) or
those who don’t believe the true Elohim, “For after all these things do the
Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these
things,” Mt. 6:32.
Therefore, if we truly have faith in Yahweh our Heavenly Father, then we
should heed the advice of our Savior Yahshua the Messiah and not worry or be
anxious. After all, problems and troubles are set to come and get worse in these
last days, as a sign that the end is near. The Apostle Paul forewarned, “This
know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come,” 2 Tim. 3:1.
HOW TO BE
FREED FROM ANXIETY
According to our Savior Yahshua the Messiah, there is something that man
can do for himself to be freed from anxiety and worry. He admonishes us thusly,
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, what shall we eat? Or, What shall we
drink? Or wherewhithal shall we be clothed?...But seek ye first His kingdom and
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Mt. 6:31, 33.
The great holy Teacher teaches us that while it is important for man to
have food, clothing, and other material needs, acquiring these things should not
be his highest priority. Instead, he should seek first the kingdom and the
righteousness of Yahweh, so that everything else (that supply for man’s basic
needs) in life will be added to him as a blessing.
The kingdom that we must seek first to be freed from worry and fear is
that which will be given to the little flock, “Fear not little flock; for it
is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom,” Lk. 12:32.
This kingdom, where the saints shall dwell according to Yahweh’s
promises, is the kingdom of the only begotten Son of Elohim. To seek Yahweh’s
kingdom is to accept and believe Yahshua the Messiah as our personal
Savior
and King, and be among those whom He redeems by His precious blood.
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers
of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power
of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In Whom we
have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins,” Col.
1:12-14.
The flock, to which Yahweh was pleased to give the kingdom and which was
purchased by the precious blood of Yahshua is the assembly, the congregation of
Yahweh.
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the
which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the assembly of Yahweh
Elohim, which He hath purchased with His own blood,” Acts 20:28.
So, in order for us to be able to follow the Messiah’s command to seek
first the kingdom of Yahweh, we should be a part of the assembly which is the
body of the Messiah. By joining this little flock, we can hope to be liberated
from fear and worries in
THE
RIGHTEOUSNESS OF YAHWEH
While
it is essential to seek the kingdom of Yahweh, we should remember that Yahshua
specifically taught everyone to seek also His righteousness. The valiant Apostle
Paul expounds on the righteousness of Yahweh that we must seek, “For I am not
ashamed of the good news of the Messiah: for it is the power of Yahweh unto
salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, also to the Greek. For
therein is the righteousness of Yahweh revealed from faith to faith; as it is
written, the just shall live by faith,” Ro. 1:16-17.
Yahweh’s righteousness is the good news, which is also His power for
man’s salvation. Those who have found the kingdom of Yahweh, being a part of
the body of the Messiah, should diligently seek the saving power of the good
news of the Messiah. Paul declares how we can be saved through the glad tidings,
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the good news which I preached unto
you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are
saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in
vain,”
1 Cor. 15:1-2.
Those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Messiah should continue
to stand in the gospel and keep the commandments of Yahweh. By embracing firmly
to all the teachings of the Messiah, the members of the true assembly can ensure
for themselves a firm hope of deliverance in the day of judgment. One of
Yahshua’s teachings is that man should keep the commandments in order to be
saved, “And behold, one came and said unto him, Good Teacher, what good thing
shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto, Why callest thou me
good? There is none good but one, that is, Elohim; but if thou wilt enter into
life, keep the commandments,” Mt. 19:16-17.
Looking forward to the eternal life that Yahweh has promised to them,
those who have found the true faith and remain in Yahweh’s words do not worry
even though afflictions or troubles enclose them in times when trials come their
way. Even though they may be weakened at times, they will keep on standing
bravely to conquer the odds through the providence of the Heavenly Father. As
the brave apostle boldly proclaims, “We are troubled on every side, yet not
distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken;
cast down, but no destroyed;…While we look not at the things which are seen,
but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are
temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal,” 2 Cor. 4:8-9, 18.
The eternal kingdom of Yahweh is at hand. It will be established soon in
the world tomorrow. Whenever we have troubles, let us look, seek and hope for
His kingdom where sorrows and sighing will be no more. As the Prophet Isaiah
proclaims, “And the ransomed of Yahweh shall return, and come to Zion with
everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow
and sighing shall flee away,” Isa. 35:10.
The obedient people shall obtain everlasting joy and gladness in
Yahweh’s kingdom forevermore.