Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
Ezekiel 34:20-24
20 Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah unto them: Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.21 Because ye thrust with side and with shoulder, and push all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad; 22 therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.24 And I, Jehovah, will be their God, and my servant David prince among them; I, Jehovah, have spoken it. Jehovah prophesies that He will give Israel a Davidic King that will be their shepherd. David was Israel's shepherd during His kingship and all the Davidic kings were to walk in this role. However, this passage is about the future and Jehoshua fulfilled this prophesy. Notice the distinction between Jehovah God and the Davidic shepherd in verse 24 where Jehovah says He will be Israel's God and the Davidic descendant will be their King. These are two distinct beings, one is the God of Israel, Jehovah and one is the King of Israel, Jehoshua Messiah. Jehovah declares the gauarantee that this will happen as the covenant He made with David was unconditional (2nd Samuel 7). This future Davidic King will feed the sheep of Israel precisely as Jehoshua did and still does. 2 Samuel 5:1-4 1Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.2In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was thou that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and Jehovah said to thee, Thou shalt be shepherd of my people Israel, and thou shalt be prince over Israel.3So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Jehovah: and they anointed David king over Israel.4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. The king as shepherd was a common image of sovereign rule throughout the old testament. David was charged with feeding (shepherding) the nation of Israel by Jehovah God. This was the primary function of the Israelite King. David being a commander over Israel was given this responsibility. The Israelite King is to be the shepherd of Israel and the Kingship is covenanted to the bloodline of David (2 Samuel 7). The elders of the 12 tribes of Israel made a covenant (league) with David to be their shepherd and king and anointed him. 2nd Samuel 7;7 "In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?" David was commanded by Jehovah God to be Israel's shepherd and feed them. Psalm 78:70-72 70He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:71From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.72So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands. "Fed" literally "shepherd" a pastoral image of ruling them in justice and love as a good king and Jehovah's representative. This commission to be the shepherd of Israel was divinely covenanted to the royal offspring of David. Ezekiel 37:24 "And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them" This is a prophesy of Jehoshua being the ideal David who is servant, King and shepherd over the Israel of God which in the new covenant consists of both believing Jews and Gentiles. Again, this shows that being the King of Israel is inherently linked to be it's shepherd and Jehovah's servant. The Davidic dynasty is to be the shepherd over Israel from the time of David until the promised seed should come who will fulfill the covenant forever. To be the Davidic King over Israel is to be it's shepherd. John 10:1-2 1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. In order to be in the sheepfold of Israel one must first be in covenant with it's shepherd. The shepherd of Israel is the door of the sheepfold. The Davidic Kingship is the only rightful shepherd of God's people per Ezekiel 34 and 2nd Samuel 7. Jehoshua, as the Davidic King, is explaining that unless one goes through the shepherd then they are thieves and robbers. John 10:3-5 3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. The porter here is God and He opens the door to the Messianic Davidic King who only has the right to be shepherd of God's people. The Son of God calls the sheep and they hear Hom and follow Him. True followers of the Messiah do not hear the voice of strangers who are false prophets. These stranger false prophets try to add to or distract from the Messiah's message or attempt to change His identity as truly being fully human of the seed of David. John 10 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. Jehoshua is the shepherd of the sheep fulfilling Jehovah's prophecy in Ezekiel 34 that the Davidic King would be set over Israel as it's shepherd and feed them. The thieves and the robbers are the pharisees and other false prophets who try to sneak in privily with their false teachings. The one who relies solely on the Davidic Messiah as their shepherd will find Sabbath rest. Many men today try to claim the title of Pastor (shepherd). They are indirectly trying to take this office from Jehoshua who is the only Pastor (shepherd) of the church. This is the enemies attack on the sheep, in that he tries to use men to get the sheep's attention away from Messiah as the true and only Pastor (shepherd). John 10:10-11 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. The false teachers whether Judiazers or otherwise come to bring men into bondage but the Davidic King Jehoshua comes to give us life and abundant life at that having no fear of death and walking in resurrection power. Jehoshua does not exploit people but rather serves them and He ultimately gave His life for the people. The thieves and robbers seek to kill, steal and destroy. Jehoshua is the good shepherd as the King of Israel and the fruit of David's loins. As the Son of David and only begotten of God, Jehoshua is the only King of the church. Oftentimes in the world, kings and queens take advantage of the subjects they rule over. However, the King of kings Jehoshua gave His life as a ransom for many in a stunning exchange. The good shepherd is the Son of God and King of Israel. John 10:12 "But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep." Men who try to take a position (Pastor) that doesn't belong to them as the sheep are not theirs end up abandoning the sheep during crucial situations. They do this because the sheep truly do not belong to them. Modern religious leaders in Christendom (Catholicism, Evangelicalism and Protestantism) are known for their soft and luxurious lifestyles and their apathetic attitudes towards the least of these. John 10:14-15 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. Only Jehoshua is the good shepherd. As the new David He is charged with shepherding the sheep of His Father Jehovah. He is in close intimate relationship with His sheep. Being known by the Son of God and knowing Him is more than just having the right information about Him, but it is actually having an obedient faith-love communion (fellowship) Him. John 10:16 "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." There is no separate Jewish Church and Gentile Church, that is a false doctrine from satan. According to the Son of God there is only one sheepfold who have one shepherd. That one sheepfold is Israel and the other sheep are the Gentiles who are grafted into the commonwealth of Israel. Jehoshua is the only shepherd of Israel which consists of both believing Jews and Gentiles. There is no separate shepherd, one for Jews and one for Gentiles. The true sheep of Jehoshua hear His voice, which is His teachings that He gave during His ministry summed up in the sermon on the mount. Those who are not His sheep reject the teachings of the Son of God, which the bible calls the doctrine of Messiah (2 John 9-11). Jehoshua as the ideal David shares in a legal Father-Son covenant relationship that Jehovah established with the royal seed of David. Jehoshua laid down His life for His brethren who are His sheep that He feeds giving them Sabbath rest.
0 Comments
1 John 5:1
"Whosoever believeth that Jehoshua is the Messiah is begotten of God: and whosoever loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him." No theological complicated understandings of Jehoshua are needed for salvation but simply to believe He is the Messiah of God. The definition of what and who the Messiah would be is found in the old testament and reiterated in the new. Messiah means Davidic King i.e. the Son of God. This is what we need to believe about Jehoshua to receive the Spirit. The evidence that we love God is if we love those begotten of Him which includes Jehoshua and the brethren in the Church. Verse 2 of 1 John 5 "Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do his commandments." The evidence that we love God is when we keep (do) His commandments. You cannot the love of God apart from His commandments as that is how God's love is defined. The 10 commandments are a transcript for loving God and our neighbor. Jehoshua's sermon on the mount and sermon on the plain further explain to how keep God's commandments. Verse 3 of 1 John 5 "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." Again, love is defined by God's commandments and nothing else. The mainstream Church has changed the definition of love into some romantic type of mushy love in that Jesus died on the cross so that we can go to heaven without keeping God's commandments or denying ourself. Yes, Jehoshua dying on the cross was a sign of God's love for us but not in some mushy romantic way where we are now free to disobey God and get into heaven. Jehoshua dying on the cross for us was so that we can enter into covenant with God and have His commandments written on our heart and actually do them. Also, Jehoshua died so that He can be our sympathetic mediator to receive grace in the time of temptation so that we can overcome sin. Verses 4 and 5 of 1 John 5: 4 For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith.5 And who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jehoshua is the Son of God? Those who are begotten of God are those who believe that Jehoshua is the Messiah (anointed one) of David's seed. It is these one's alone who will overcome the world as their key to victory is their faith. However, there is only one faith that will overcome the world and that faith is solely based on believing that Jehoshua is the Son of God. The titles Son of God, Messiah are eqauted to being King of Israel and are rooted in the Davidic covenant in which Jehovah promised to David an eternal King of the fruit of his loins. Verse 6 of 1 John 5: "This is he that came by water and blood, even Jehoshua Messiah; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood" Water refers to the baptism of Jehoshua which is when His ministry began. The blood refers to the cross which is when Jehoshua shed His blood for our sins. Verse 7 of 1 John 5 "And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is the truth." The Holy Spirit bears witness to the baptism of Jehoshua as that is when it fell upon Him in it's fulness, fulfilling the prophecy about the Messianic Branch of David being anointed with Jehovah's Spirit (Isaiah 11). The Holy Spirit also bears witness to the death of Jehoshua where He shed His blood as it was by the Spirit of holiness that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 1:4). Verse 8 of 1 John 5: "For there are three who bear witness, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and the three agree in one." As stated the above the Spirit bears witness to the water baptism of Jehoshua where it said of Him" "Thou art my Son; This day have I begotten thee" The Spirit also bore witness to the death of Jehoshua where He shed His blood as it was the Spirit that Jehoshua was raised from the dead where He was declared the Son of God with power (Romans 1). All three of these elements bear witness of the Davidic Sonship of Jehoshua. Verse 9 of 1 John 5: "If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for the witness of God is this, that he hath borne witness concerning his Son." What did God witness of His Son? Let's go back to Luke 1: 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and Jehovah God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:33 And he shall reign over the house of Israel for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. At the announcement of Jehoshua's birth was that Jehovah God would give Him the throne of His father David and reign over the house of Israel forever. Jehovah bore witness that Jehoshua was the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7). Also, at Jehoshua's baptism God witnessed that He was the anointed King of Israel: "Thou art my Son; This day have I begotten thee" This is from Psalm 2:7 and is a coronation hymm of an Israelite King. The word "begotten" in Hebrew can also mean "to declare pedigrees". At Jehoshua's baptism, the Father declared His pedigree as Son of God and King of Israel. This is why we see that two days after Jehoshua's baptism Nathaniel declare Him to be the Son of God and King of Israel (John 1:49). At the transfiguration (Matthew17:5), the Father also declared that: "While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him" The Father bore witness that Jehoshua was His Son and also that the Son was well pleasing to Him. The Sonship, Kingship and Messiahship that the Father bore witness to concerning Jehoshua have their roots in the Davidic covenant in which the Father bore witness to David that one of His descendants would establish the throne, crown and Kingdom of David forever. Verse 10 of 1 John 5: "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son" Those who believe on the Son of God have the witness that God gave concerning the Davidic covenant promise dwelling in them. This is Messiah in us the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). In other words, we will have the Davidic Messianic Spirit living in us. To believe on the Son of God denotes not just a mental ascent but rather obedience to His commandments (John 14:15). To believe on someone is to believe not only in their person (who they are) but also to believe in their authority, identify and character. To believe on them means to have a loyalty to what they say i.e. teach and to follow their commands. Those who deny that Jehoshua is the Messiah (anointed one) have made God a liar as He (God) has actually declared Jehoshua to be the Messianic Davidic King. Verses 11 and 12 of 1 John 5 11And the witness is this, that God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12He that hath the Son hath the life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not the life. The testimony of God is that He provided the gift of eternal life to those who would believe in His Son. Eternal life is found only in the Son of God as this was given to the Son when He was baptized as that was the beginning of the gospel. One cannot go directly to the Father for eternal life without going through Jehoshua. John is very clear that those who are in covenant with the Messiah have this eternal life dwelling in them. Those who don't have the Son of God do not have eternal life. Verse 13 of 1 John 5 "These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God" The very purpose of John's epistle is to assure those who believe on the name of the Son of God have eternal life. Believing on the name of the Son of God does not refer to mere mental ascent of who Jehoshua is but rather to believe in His identity, character and authority, thereby obeying His doctrine (teachings). The name "Son of God" refers to Him being the Messianic Davidic King of Israel. To believe on Jehoshua means to Have loyalty to Him which is centered on obeying Him as the King. It is only those that do this that can have the assurance of eternal life. Verses 14 and 15 of 1 John 5 14 And this is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us:15 and if we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him. The key is to ask God according to His will not ours. This is not license to treat God like a genie or Santa claus. Faith is also the key ingredient in our prayers to the Almighty Jehovah in that we must know that He hears our prayers. Faith gives us the boldness to approach the throne of grace. Verses 16 and 17 of 1 John 5: 16 If any man see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and [God] will give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: not concerning this do I say that he should make request.17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. We are to intercede for our brothers and sisters that fall into sin. Our prayers will be heard by God and He will give them grace so that they can overcome sin. There is a sin unto death though and we are not to pray for that. In the context of John's epistles it is fair to say that the sin unto to death is to deny that Jehoshua is the Messiah and the Son of God. This sin leads to death because it is unbelief i.e a loss of faith. Hebrews 4 highlights the that those in the wilderness who didn't have faith didn't enter into the promised land of rest back in the old testament. They entered not in do to unbelief (Heb 4:2,6,11). Hebrews 6 also shows that those who were once enlightened with the gospel and then fall away (apostasize) there is no more sacrifice for sins for them. The sin that leads to death that no one should pray for seems to be apostasy, a falling away from the faith of Messiah. Verse 18 of 1 John 5 "We know that whosoever is begotten of God sinneth not; but he that was begotten of God keepeth himself, and the evil one toucheth him not." We have to read this in it's context as John above said to pray for a brother that falls into a sin that is not unto death. Many commentaries believe this refers to habitual (presumptuous) sin. Willfull sin is likely in view here. Willful habitual sin nullifies the effect of 1 John 1:9 in a believers life as it is confession of our sins and repentance from them in which the blood of Messiah cleanses us. Continual sin shows that we have not been cleansed thereby trampling on the blood of the Son of God. Versr 19 of 1 John 5 "We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the evil one" John categorizes people in two camps, those who are begotten of God and those who are of the devil. John says those in the apostolic faith are of God and the rest of the world is under the sway of Satan. Verses 20-21 of 1 John 5 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.21My little children, guard yourselves from idols. The purpose of the Son of God's advent was the give us an understanding of God, who is the Son's Father. This agrees with John 1:18: "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" Jehoshua has declared (explained) the Father. He did this so that people would know the true character of God. In 1 John 5:20 John identifies the Father as the one that is true. This is important to get because later in this verse he identifies the one that is true as being the true God. Trinitarians try to say the one that is true is the Son but that makes absolutely no sense when reading the verse because twice before John says "this is the true God" He identifies the Father as the one that is true and then identifies the Son as a completely distinct being from Him that is true. John says that we are in Him that is true. We know that this is speaking of the Father because then he says that we are in Him (the Father) that is true and even in His Son Jehoshua Messiah. John obviously makes a distinction between the one that is true and Jehoshua Messiah. Jehoshua is the Son of the one that is true. So in context John says the one that is true is the Father who has a Son named Jehoshua. John then says that this is the true God and eternal life. If John identifies the one that is true as the Father then when he says this is the true God he means that the Father who is true is the true God. This agrees with Jehoshua's own confession in John 17:3 "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jehoshua Messiah, whom thou hast sent" This mirrors John's statement in verse 20 that the one that is true is the true God and eternal life. Remember, earlier in this chapter that John said that God gave us eternal life and this life is in His Son. I believe the reference to eternal life is regarding faith in Jehoshua. To have eternal life is to believe that the Father is the only true God and that He gave us eternal life through His Son who is His apostle as stated by Jehoshua in John 17:3 The constitution of the Davidic Kingdom part, The sermon on the mount part 1
The beatitudes Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Blessed are those who see their need for a saviour as they will be the ones that enter into the Kingdom of heaven. The haughty and self sufficient will not be granted entrance into the Kingdom of God on earth. Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Sorrow over sin against God which produces repentance and a zeal for the Kingdom. Also, those in this life who mourn over lost love ones, lost spiritually or physically, shall be comforted by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Those who are humble and gentle and patient in doing good will inherit the new heavens and new earth which is the promised inheritance of the saints (Isaiah 65:17-18). Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." How sold out for the Kingdom are we? Do we seek it out with a determined singlemindedness? It is those who go into the narrow gate and press into the Kingdom with violence that show that they hunger and thirst after righteousness. Matthew 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." Only those who show mercy to others will obtain it from God most notably on the day of judgment where we will be in great need of that mercy as every word we have spoken as well as deed in the body will come under scrutiny. Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." To the pure all things are pure. We as believers in the Son of God should believe the best about our brethren. We should believe all things, hope all things and bear all things. Only those pure in heart can do these things. When we bear our brothers and sisters burdens we fulfill the law of Messiah.Being pure in heart is not about outward ceremonial practices but rather about inward sincerity in faith and love. Only the pure will see God in this life and the life to come. In this life close and personal fellowship with Jehovah God and His Son Jehoshua. In the next life we will see the face of God and dwell with Him in New Jerusalem for eternity. Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." In America, the mainstream Church supports war especially that of Geo-political Israel's enemies. They also promote military service as honourable. They also align with political parties who cause divisions among racial, gender and economic classes. We as believers need to stay away from endorsing politicians and war, both of which are antithetical to the gospel of the Kingdom. Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Living righteous is defined by keeping Jehovah's commandments. When people persecute us for doing this then we are blessed even though it may not feel like it at the time. It is those who suffer persecution that prove their loyalty is with the Son of God and not the world. Persecution is evidence that one is worthy of the Kingdom of God. Only those who suffer persecution for the gospel's sake will inherit the Kingdom when it comes down from heaven. Matthew 5:11 "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." Even when we are falsely accused we are to consider ourselves blessed. Many of the martyrs throughout history were put to death by way of false accusations from their enemies. When men revile us which is mocking and insulting. Jehoshua Himself was reviled but He reviled not. He is our example and when unbelievers mock and insult us we are not to return the favor. Matthew 5:12 "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." We are actually to rejoice when this happens as we will be rewarded in heaven and our reward will be accordingly to how much were persecuted for the Kingdom. Matthew 5:13 "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." Salt gives a strong flavor to that which it seasons and believers in Messiah are to flavor the world with the gospel of the Kingdom. In context, this would mean we live out the teachings here in the sermon on the mount. Messianics are to stick out from the world and not blend in with it. If we lose our savour then we become worthless and hence we will be cut off and cast into the lake of fire (trodden under foot of men). Malachi 4:1-3 1For, behold, the day cometh, it burneth as a furnace; and all the proud, and all that work wickedness, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith Jehovah of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.2But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.3And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I make, saith Jehovah of hosts. In the day of judgment the righteous will trod under foot the wicked for they will be ashes having been burned up in the lake of fire. Even those once part of the vine can end up under the foot of the wicked if they lose their salt and stop bearing fruit. Ezekiel 18 is a good chapter to read in connection with Matthew 5:13. Matthew 5:14-16 14Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.15Neither do [men] light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house.16Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. The whole idea of just living a quiet life and not being bold with your faith is unbiblical. The modern Church frowns on outward declarations of the Kingdom and encourages preaching to only be within the confines of a 501 C 3 building structure. Just as Jehoshua is the light of the world as the royal seed of David we too are the light of the world as kings and priests. The fact that we are the light of the world shows that the title as applied to Jehoshua doesn't mean He is God. Our light which is the gospel of the Kingdom is to be shined on the world in the good works we do and in our proclaiming the Kingdom. The idea of just keeping your beliefs to yourself or within your circle is unbiblical and contrary to the command of the Son of God. The ultimate goal of shining our light is so that people will glorify the Father not the trinity. Matthew 5:17-18 17Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished. These two verses have become lightening rods of controversy in the Church. For mainstream Christianity this means that Jehoshua came to do the law so that now it's completed and we don't have to keep it anymore. For the Hebrew roots movement this passage means that we are obligated to keep every jot and tittle of the law as heaven and earth have not passed away. So how should we understand the above passage? If we understand the way mainstream evangelical christians do then we would end up with a lawless gospel which contradicts the rest of scripture and the actual terms of the new covenant. If we understand it the way the Hebrew roots movement does then we will end up practicing things that are clearly abrogated through the death, resurrection and ascension of the Son of God. Obviously there are things from the law that we don't practice anymore such as animal sacrifices, the temple system of worship including going to the Levitical Priesthood with our offerings and sacrifices. This passage should be understood that Jehoshua came to fulfill the law in the sense of living out and teaching it's true intent. This is seen in the very sermon we are studying. The word fulfil denotes to bring something to it's perfection or completeness. Matthew 5:19 "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Jehoshua's statement that we are not to break the least of the commandments nor teach others to do so is largely ignored by most of Christendom. His statement that these ones will be called least in the Kingdom indicates that they will not be granted entrance into it, as Revelation 22:14 makes it clear that one has to keep God's commandments to gain entrance into New Jerusalem. So does this support keeping every jot and tittle of the law of Moses as the Hebrew roots movement states? No! If we read the context surrounding this verse then the commandments Jehoshua is referring to is the ones He is giving in the sermon on the mount. What's ironic is that the Hebrew roots folks by believing Jehoshua is referring to the law of Moses end up disobeying the very teachings of the Son of God. Jehoshua makes statements that go beyond the law of Moses in the letter where we have certain rights and demands a denial of self and one's rights in order to sacrificially love neighbor and enemy alike. Matthew 5:20 "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." The pharisees and scribes were adding man made teachings to the commandments of God and were far more concerned with outward displays of religion than internal righteousness. Those who wish to enter the Kingdom must have internal righteousness. Matthew 5:21-22 21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Jehoshua intetnalizes commandment number six. While many could outwardly keep the 6th commandment, Jehoshua says that truly keeping it goes beyond literally not killing someone but to keep it is actually not having anger towards a brother without cause. To even call a brother a fool makes one guilty of breaking the 6th commandment. Matthew 5:23-24 23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. One cannot serve God while remaining in an unreconciled state with his or her brother. Matthew 5:25-26 25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. Jehoshua stressed the urgency of seeking reconciliation in terms of earthly legal judgments but with implications for heavenly and eternal judgment. Matthew 5:37-28 27Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Again, Jehoshua internalizes one of the 10 commandments specifically the 7th one. Many can outwardly keep this commandment but here Jehoshua commands people to keep it inwardly by not lusting after a woman. Matthew 5:29 "And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." We must be willing to take drastic measures to avoid sin. Specifically here is the sin of lusting with the eyes which refers to adultery and covetousness, 2 of the 10 commandments. We must be aggressive in terms of fighting against sin. Matthew 5:31-32 31It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. Jehoshua narrows the scope in which divorce is lawful and it is fornication (see Leviticus 18) that are the grounds for divorce according to the Son of God. To divorce for any other reason is to cause your spouse to fall into adultery of they end up getting "married" to someone else. Matthew 5:33-37 33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. Jehoshua forbids oaths of any kind. There is no gray area here. The Church has largely dismissed this and encourages members to sware all kinds of oaths in relation to being loyal to the government. Swearing on the bible at court is celebrated by the mainstream Church yet it is a direct violation of the Son of God's commandments. Matthew 5:38-39 38Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. For the first 3 centuries of the church this was understood literally. The early Church did not believe in participating in war and did not fight their persecuters but rather were willing to suffer for their faith. The Anabaptists also took this passage literally as did other groups throughout the new covenant Church age. This has been the dividing line between false Christianity and true Christianity. The groups that did not take this literally have been fine with joining the military and killing in the name of government. In the 4th century the Roman emperor Constantine lifted the ban on Christianity and shortly thereafter aligned the empire with the Church. The fruit of this union resulted in over 100 million murders of the Church's enemies namely 68 million Christians who were outside the Roman Church system. The Protestants followed the ideology of the Catholic Church and thought it okay to persecute and kill Anabaptists, Catholics, enslave and kill blacks and slaughter native Americans. This Church-state ideology of just war i.e. manifest destiny continues to plague Christendom today as Evangelicals have yoked themselves to the Republican party and cheer lead wars against Muslim countries. One cannot call themselves a true Christian if they do not follow Jehoshua's teachings in turning the other cheek. How do we know this is to be taken literally? Because Jehoshua Himself did not strike back at His enemies and we have been instructed to walk as He walked. Hebrews 12:2-4 2Looking unto Jehoshua the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.4Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. We are to look to Jehoshua as an example in how to handle the persecution of sinners. Did He fight them? No! He endured their insults and eventually at His passion, their beatings. Jehoshua despised the shame of the cross i.e. He was willing to endure the suffering that came with it. Jehoshua had the Davidic throne to look forward to as that was the joy set before Him. We too have this same hope as we endure to the end we have the blessed hope of New Jerusalem and to be sat with the Son of God on His throne (Revelation 3:21). Most mainstream deny the literal application of turning the other cheek yet the few times that the apostles sought vengeance they were sternly rebuked by Jehoshua. This verse in the sermon on the mount deserves an in depth treatment. Luke 9:54-56 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. This should be a warning to all those supposed "Christians" that when they call for war against their enemies that according to Jehoshua they are of another spirit. Jehoshua sternly rebuked John and James for their eye for an eye mentality and indicated that they had the spirit of the devil working in them by saying that. Jehoshua made it clear that His mission was strictly to save lives not destroy them. If this was His mission then it is ours too. Those supposed "Christians" who believe in fighting wars and the Church supporting politicians who fight them are of another spirit which is of the devil. Supposed "Christians" who cheerlead wars are of the devil. Let's go to the time Peter struck the high priest servant on the ear with his sword: John 10:10-11 10Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.11Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? Peter was told by Jehoshua to put his sword away. Jehoshua told Peter that He (Jehoshua) was to drink the cup of suffering that the Father had for Him. The cup of suffering was the passion leading up to His death on the cross. Guess what? We are commanded to drink that same cup of suffering: Matthew 16:24-25 24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. In order to be a true follower of Jehoshua you must be willing to pick up your cross which is the same cup of suffering He was given to drink. Picking up your cross and following Jehoshua means you endure persecution without striking back. Those who seek to save their lives by fighting back will lose it in the age to come. Those who are willing to drink the cup of suffering by losing their lives will gain eternal life in the Father's Kingdom. If we seek vengeance or fight back when persecuted then we place ourselves above the Messiah who did neither of those things: John 15:20 "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." Matthew 26:52 "Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." Matthew has Jehoshua telling Peter that those who take the sword shall perish by the sword. A stark warning to Christians who think they can take up arms against their enemies. Christians who take up weapons against their enemies bring their own destruction upon themselves. Revelation 13:10 "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." The patience and faith of the saints is that they don't take matters into their own hands by picking up the sword. The saints trust is to be in God not the carnal weapons of the world. There is a warning here in the book of Revelation that those who do pick up the sword will also die by the sword. These are the words of Jehoshua being relayed to John by the angel as the Revelation is called the "Revelation of Jehoshua Messiah". Matthew 5:40 "And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also." Unfortunately much of Christendom has ignored this verse as many Christians have no problem fighting in court for material possessions. Christians have no problem taking both fellow believers and unbelievers to court over some financial dispute. Or in some cases Christians are taken to court by unbelievers and will fight tooth and nail to win their civil lawsuit which revolves around money i.e. business. The words of the Son of God are powerful here as He says to let the person suing you have what they are asking for but not only that to also give them what they are not asking for. The Church will do everything to explain this away but there is no getting out of the commandment given here by Jehoshua as He means what He says. We see this being lived out by the Church in the new testament: Hebrews 10:32-34 32But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;33Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.34For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. The apostolic Church not only allowed their goods to be taken from them without a fight but they gladly accepted it. Do you see the power of Church back then? They had this power because they took the teachings of Jehoshua seriously. Matthew 5:41 "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." This verse likely refers to going the extra mile to help someone. Matthew 5:42 "Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away." We are not to turn people away when they ask us of our material posessions. There is no wiggle room here as we must not hold onto to our possessions as though they are ours. Matthew 5:43-44 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; This is probably the most or second most challenging statement in the sermon on the mount. This is exactly what the Son of God did when He walked the earth. Jehoshua takes the Leviticus 19:18 command even farther in that we are to love our enemies not just our neighbors. We are to bless those who curse us and pray for those who persecute us. Ultimately this is what defines true believers from false believers. This is what makes you a son or daughter of God: Matthew 5:45 "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." This what makes us children of the Father who also loves His enemies by making the sun rise on them as well. For us to be called children of God we must love our enemies, there is no getting around this. Those Christians who think it's okay to go to war and/or support it show that they are not children of the Father. This passage also shows that God loves His enemies too which dispels the notion of Calvinism which teaches that God does not love everyone. Matthew 5:46-47 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Even for unbelievers it is natural to love those who love them. What separates the Christian from the non Christian is showing love to one's enemies. Matthew 5:48 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." The very definition of perfection is to love our enemies Jehoshua says here. It is not by keeping a bunch of rules or keeping holy days perfectly it is by loving and saluting our enemies. So many Christians think they are perfect by simply having a mental ascent of Jehoshua but scripture contradicts intellectual belief as being enough. To be perfect one must love their enemies otherwise they are no better than an unbeliever On the other end of the spectrum, the Hebrew roots movement says perfection is in keeping the law of Moses yet they promote defending possessions, military service, not literally turning the other cheek and even support war especially against Geo- political Israel's enemies. The Hebrew roots folks disobey the very teaching of Jehoshua that makes one perfect. The bottom line is that we can be perfect and this perfection is defined by loving our enemies and thereby we become children of the heavenly Father Jehovah. |
Archives
November 2021
Categories |