Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
What does it mean when Jehoshua said His Kingdom is not of this world? In modern Christendom the idea of Christians nor engaging in the political process, government positions including military service seems strange however at one time that's exactly how the early Christians viewed such matters.
Today the phrase "not of this world" is plastered all over cars and t shirts of professing Christians yet many of them participate and entangle themselves in the affairs of this life just like those who do not profess the faith. In this study I want to view scriptures that show us that Christians are indeed not to be of this world meaning they don't engage in the affairs of this life which includes the political system as well as military service or positions in government. John 18;33-36 33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Jehoshua was indeed King of the Jews and In fact all of Israel, however He did not come sit on an earthly throne in the Geo-political Israel of that day. Jehoshua told Pilate that His Kingdom was not of this world (kosmos). The word Kosmos (Strongs 2889) means "orderly arrangement, government, constitution, heavenly hosts, arrangement of the stars, inhabitants of the earth, circle of the earth, universe, human race, world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly." Jehoshua's Kingdom is not of this orderly arrangement of human affairs on this earth. He says that if His Kingdom were of this world that His servants would fight and not let Him being handed over to the Jews. He uses this fact that His Kingdom is not from this earth and from somewhere else. What is the significance of Jehoshua's statement regarding His Kingdom not being of this world for Christians? We need to look to the apostolic church and see how they viewed the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah as well how they viewed the Kingdoms of this world. In Acts 2 Peter preaches the first public sermon after the resurrection of the Messiah and he focuses on the Davidic covenant being fulfilled in Jehoshua's resurrection and ascension into heaven. The sermon is focused on the Kingship of Jehoshua. It is also the most successful sermon in the history of Christianity. Hebrews 1 also shows us the enthronement of Jehoshua in connection with His ascension into heaven. Something significant took place at Jehoshua's resurrection and ascension. It was the beginning of the new creation the inauguration of the Son of God's Kingdom. Both Paul and John tell us that the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah was a present reality in the book of Colossians (1:12-13) and Revelation (1:8-9) respectively. One thing is clear when reading the new testament is that Jehoshua was already King and His Kingdom had already begun in the first century. So what does this have to do with whether or not we are to engage in political, military and government affairs? Well, let's remember the words of the Son of God? Matthew 12:25-26 25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand. Although here Jehoshua is talking about infighting within a Kingdom bringing it to desolation, it could also apply to divided loyalties. In fact, I submit that if one has divided loyalties between the Kingdom of Jehoshua and the affairs of this life it will cause infighting within the Kingdom. Why is this? Because inevitably those divided loyalties will pit Christian against Christian. Take for example the split between American Christians in regards to the democrat and Republican parties. This has caused major infighting in the Church to where fellowship has been broken. It is shameful that Christians have actually fought with their brothers and sisters over which party is better and more in tune with Godly principles. This is actually Satanic and these Christians have traded in the Kingdom of God for the Kingdoms of this world. Christians in America getting involved in politics has ruined their witness among those in the world and has rendered the mainstream church ineffective in turning the world upside down. Actually, in terms of the mainstream Church, their witness due to the obvious hypocritical support of Donald Trump has likely been ruined for at least a generation. "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." Paul says that Satan is the god of this world. All the Kingdoms of this world have been given to him by Jehovah God as he had permission to offer them to the Messiah: Luke 4:5-8 5And he led him up, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.6 And the devil said unto him, To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.7 If thou therefore wilt worship before me, it shall all be thine.8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, It is written, Thou shalt worship Jehovah thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. During Jehoshua's 40 days in the wilderness Satan offered Him the Kingdoms of this world. Satan said that they kingdoms of this world had been given to him to give to whoever he (Satan) wills. Jehoshua did not dispute this fact but simply rejected Satan's offer and refused to worship (honor) him and quoted Deuteronomy 6:13-14 which says: 13Thou shalt fear Jehovah thy God; and him shalt thou serve, and shalt swear by his name.14 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples that are round about you; This shows that when people desire rulership in the Kingdoms of this world they are in effect bowing down and honoring (worshiping) Satan. They are going after other gods which in this case is Satan who is the god of this world. See, we as believers in the Son of God have our own Kingdom in which we are kings and priests. Once we seek to be a king in the Kingdoms of this world then we no longer are a king in the Kingdom that truly matters. Satan made it clear that the Kingdoms of this world have been given to him and of course they have been given to him by Jehovah God. The Father has set apart a people for His own possession, a Kingdom of priests and kings. 1 Peter 2:9 "But ye are a elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [God`s] own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" God has purchased us as His own possession from darkness into His marvelous light. What is the darkness He purchased us from and what is the light He brought us into? Paul answers that for us in Colossians 1:12-13 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: The power of darkness is Satan's kingdom which the kingdoms of this world are a part of. The light is the Kingdom of God's dear Son where we reign as kings and priests. Let's look at Ephesians 2 for a perfect example of this dichotomy of the two Kingdoms: Ephesians 2:1-6 (KJV) 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: In time past before being begotten by the Spirit of Jehovah God we walked according to the course of this world according to the prince of the power of the air, Satan. Remember, in 2nd Corinthians Satan is called the god of this world by Paul as He is the prince of this world and it's Geo-political kingdoms. Those who are still walking according to the course of this world are referred to as children of wrath and disobedience as they are children of the god of this world i.e. Satan. However, when we are begotten from above by the Spirit we are raised up together in Jehoshua to sit in the heavenly places with Him. The heavenly places refers to the holy of holies in the heavenly sanctuary. What is Jehoshua doing in the holy of holies? He is reigning as King and High Priest on the throne of David (Zechariah 6:91-15). If we sit together with Him in the holy of holies then we are also reigning as kings and priests with Him as 1 Peter 2;9, Rev 1:5-6 and Revelation 5:9-10 also state. Ephesians 1;3 states this as well: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" The spiritual blessings that we have been blessed with in Jehoshua is the offices as kings and priests. Ephesians 2 is actually similar to 1 Peter 2:9 in that God purchased us from being children of wrath by begetting us from above and raising us up to sit in heavenly places with Messiah reigning as a Royal priesthood. When we were walking according to the course of this world then it was natural for us to seek the things of this world that it's kingdoms has to offer. This includes political office or entanglement in it's affairs. When we are children of this world then we have a stake in who is president and we also have a stake in our country being powerful hence the willingness to join the military and fight wars on behalf of our country. When we are begotten by God we leave these desires of the Kingdoms of this world behind as we are now new creations in the Son of God. We now are kings and priests of a heavenly Kingdom which is based in New Jerusalem (Hebrews 12). When we go back to entangling ourselves with the affairs of this life then we trade in our kingship and priesthood for the world. Make no mistake we can't have both as Jehoshua said one cannot serve two masters: Matthew 6:24 "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" Mammon is specifically speaking about riches but the principle is still the same, you cannot serve two masters. If the Kingdom of God's dear Son is not of this world then trying to serve in the Kingdoms of this world via politics, war etc. is trying to serve two masters, which Jehoshua says cant be done without hating one of them. In fact, Paul reiterates Jehoshua's sentiment in 2 Timothy: 3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jehoshua Messiah.4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. Let's look at this verse by verse as Paul says some key things that are mostly overlooked by the institutional Church system. Verse 3, he says that we are soldiers of Jehoshua Messiah. Anyone who has been in the military knows that it would not be tolerated for you to join up with a military of another country while at the same time part of the military of the country you are from. If this principle is true in earthly carnal Kingdoms how much moreso in the Son of God's Kingdom? As soldiers of Jehoshua Messiah we should be 100 percent loyal and dedicated to His Kingdom. There is no room for allegiance to the Kingdoms of this world in any way whatsoever. In the natural if you were to have allegiance to any other countries military while In the U.S. military you would be guilty of treason. Why wouldn't the same be true of an even more important heavenly Kingdom? The Son of God tells us that we are to be single minded about the Kingdom of God: Matthew 6:22 "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light" Jehoshua says that if we are single minded about the Kingdom of God then our whole body will be full of light (the holy Spirit). The context of the above statement in is regards to serving money and building treasures here on earth but applies to any aspect of life. Devotion and allegiance to any other than the Kingdom will cause us to be filled with darkness (Matthew 6:23). The pressures and the allure of the world can easily distract a believer and there will be pressure from those in the world to conform with worldly ways and not be so devoted to the Kingdom, however Paul exhorts us to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jehoshua. The reason why many professing Christians deny picking up their cross and be good soldiers of Jehoshua Messiah is because they don't want to endure the hardness that comes with it. As any soldier knows there is a certain amount of hardness one must endure. Verse 4 of 2 Timothy 2 "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." Paul is clear here in that as soldiers of Jehoshua Messiah we are not to entangle ourselves with the affairs of this life. Ask yourself this, is politics and war the affairs of this life? Any honest Christian would say "absolutely". If this is the case then why are the majority of American Christians yoked up to politicians most notably Republicans and the Neo Conservative movement? Better yet, why do American Christians encourage the country to go to war against it's enemies and even encourage the young members of the church to join and fight in those wars? The simple fact is that mainstream Churchianity and even many of the non mainstream ones have completely disobeyed Paul's words and instead have chosen the Kingdoms of this world over the Kingdom of the Son of God. Many ex military folks know that when you join the military there is a definite single mindedness that is needed in order to be a good soldier. You have no time to be worrying about things going on in the outside world. This is ten fold when you are deployed during war time. We must ask ourselves, as Christians are we at war? Again, any honest Christian would have to answer with a resounding "YES"! If you as an American soldier allow yourself to be entangled with the affairs of civilian life while at war you will have to answer to your superiors such as the Seargent, commanding officer etc. They will not be pleased with you and rightfully so. How much more true is this when it comes to the army of the Son of God? Paul says that we must avoid getting entangled with the affairs of this life in order to please Him that chose us to be a soldier. Paul here is speaking of the Father Jehovah God as the one who chose us for His Son's army. Verse 5 2 Timothy 2: "And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." This verse above is in the context of being a good soldier of Jehoshua and not entangling ourselves with the affairs of this life. To strive lawfully in our walk with the Son of God we must avoid entanglement with politics, military service and other worldly affairs so that we get the crown on judgment day. Many Christians will find out the hard way that day that their love of politics and there support of war and encouraging Christians to participate in it will keep them from getting the crown of the eternal Kingdom. See, we do not take up the weapons of this world in our war with the enemy. Look what Paul says in 2nd Corinthians as matches up with the motif that we as Christians do not fight for the Kingdoms of this world: 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Paul says that we do not war after the flesh, meaning we do not fight as the world does with physical weapons but rather we have spiritual weapons to fight a spiritual war. Paul says our warfare is not carnal (in the flesh) even though we ourselves our in the flesh. In fact, the weapons that we have as Christians is more mighty than any fleshly weapons as Paul our weapons are mighty and pull down spiritual strong holds. These spiritual strong holds are the demonic forces of Satan's kingdom. When we disobey the words of scripture and pick up carnal weapons then we forfeit our right to the spiritual one's. We will then become powerless to wage war against the devil. We have a heavenly Kingdom (New Jerusalem) a heavenly King (Jehoshua), we are part of a heavenly army and we use spiritual weapons. Ephesians 6 gives us a detail of the weapons that are at our disposal: Ephesians 6:11-13 1Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Paul again emphasizes that we do not wrestle (fight) against flesh and blood but rather against the forces of Satan (prinicipalities and powers). This is why he exhorts us to take up the whole armour of God in our fight against Satan as carnal weapons will be of no use. It is only by taking up the armour of God that we will be able to stand in the day of trial. Let's now briefly look at the weapons at our disposal: Ephesians 6:14-17 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Unfortunately, many professing Christians they have opted for carnal weapons of war such as guns. Why choose those when we have these awesome spiritual weapons mentioned by Paul? First off, we have the breastplate of righteousness. This righteousness comes from obeying the teachings of the Son of God which ironically speaks against fighting and striving for worldly kingdoms. Christians, by picking up carnal weapons actually disqualify themselves from having the breastplate of righteousness as Jehoshua teaches to love our enemies and to turn the other cheek. The gospel of peace, one of the most devastating weapons against Satan's kingdom is the gospel of the Kingdom. Interestingly, this weapon against Satan is a weapon that is described as "peace". The gospel of the Kingdom brings peace and healing to those who believe in it and have faith in it. It's by the preaching of the gospel that people get spoiled (stripped away) from Satan's kingdom and are translated into the Kingdom of God's dear Son (Colossians 1:12-13). Next, we have the shield of faith and without faith it is impossible to please Jehovah God.(Hebrews 11:6). Hebrews 11 details the amazing faith of the patriarchs and matriarchs of the old testament. It was faith that allowed them to subdue kingdoms, to recieve their dead with the hope of the resurrection promised by Jehovah God and not accept deliverance. Faith is what allowed them to endure the most severe trials. The author of Hebrews says this about those who overcame by faith: Hebrews 11:37-39 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: What the world esteems highly God esteems lightly and what the world esteems lightly God esteems highly. Those who are persecuted for the sake of the Kingdom yet endure through their faith are more worthy than the world and those the world esteems highly. Even when saints have to dwell in the caves of the earth and walk about in tattered clothing or sheepskins the world is not worthy of them. What a powerful weapon against Satan! This is why throughout history that the Church has always grown stronger when Christians are being martyred as faith of one dedicated sold out saint inspires others. Then we have the helmet of salvation which assures us of our covenant relationship with the Father and the Son. We also have the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. What is meant here by the word of God is not a 66 book canon but rather the gospel of the Kingdom of which Jehoshua is the living example of that, His manner of life and His doctrine (teachings). These are the weapons we bring to the fight against Satan and his forces. The true Christian realizes this is a spiritual war and does not engage in the wars of the Kingdoms of this world nor uses it's weapons. We have examples over and over from the bible where the believers did not strike back at their enemies. This is because they knew that this world was not theirs to fight over and their weapons were spiritual not carnal. Philippians 3:18-20 18 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ:19 whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and [whose] glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.20 For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul laments former professors of the faith because they failed to continue in the upward call of God in Jehoshua Messiah by forgetting those things which are behind (worldly things) and pressing forward in the Kingdom in order to reach the prize (eternal life in the Kingdom).(verses 13 and 14 of Philippians 3). These apostates have traded in God for the false god of pleasure and luxurious living (whose god is their belly). Paul says they mind earthly things which in context is pleasurable and luxurious living. He then says but our (Christians) citizenship is in heaven. This is what it truly means to not be of this world which means you don't mind earthly things such as political affairs, involvement with military, striving after corporate success and soft and luxurious living. Our citizenship is in heaven and that's why we don't mind earthly things because our hope and salvation comes from New Jerusalem where Jehoshua will come down from to consummate His Kingdom.
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It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. What this really means and how mainstream Churchianity has twisted this verse to justify their materialism and building their treasures here on earth.
Luke 18:18-30 18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?19And Jehoshua said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.20Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.21And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.22Now when Jehoshua heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.23And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.24And when Jehoshua saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!25For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.26And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?27And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.28Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.29And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,30Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. The passage of scripture is severely twisted by the institutional Church system to promote several false doctrines. Let's take a look at what it means in terms of a rich man not entering into heaven. Verses 18 and 19, Jehoshua quickly corrects the rich young ruler and clarifies that only God is good showing that He Himself is not God as He says only One not three is good. In answering the rich young ruler about inheriting eternal life Jehoshua quotes 5 of the 10 commandments showing that keeping the decalogue is required if one wants eternal life in the Kingdom. This already exposes two false doctrines of the Protestant/Evangelical/Orthodox/Catholic churches which is the trinity and the idea that the 10 commandments are not entirely applicable for the new covenant and in fact are a requirement to gain eternal life. Jehoshua makes the 10 commandments part of the eternal life equation which wouldn't make sense if He was about to do away with them through His death. Verses 21 and 22, certainly keeping the 10 commandments itself does not bring eternal life because Jehoshua told the rich young ruler he still lacked one thing and that was that he needed to sell all that he had and give to the poor and follow Jehoshua so that he would have treasure in heaven. This actually was normative in the apostolic church being part of their doctrine and not isolated just for the young ruler as the 501 C 3 Church system teaches, see Acts 2:40-47. Keeping the 10 commandments doesn't save you as you still need to forsake all and follow Jehoshua. Picking up one's cross is a requirement for salvation. Of course upon hearing this, like so many religious people, the rich young ruler went away sorrowful as he had great possessions (verse 23). We have a choice in this life, treasure here on earth or treasure in heaven but you can't have both. As Jehoshua Himself said you cannot serve God and mammon (money). Verses 24 and 25, now Jehoshua makes the statement that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of an needle than for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God. After reading this passage, many Christians who love this world and have built their treasures on earth likely have a similar response to the rich young ruler i.e. one of sorrow. Don't fear rich Christian, the next couple of verses seemingly give you and out and your Pastor is more than happy to provide you that with a false worldly lukewarm interpretation. Verses 26 and 27, the disciples ask rhetorically "Who then can be saved?" They likely somewhat felt the heavy sorrow that the young rich ruler felt and possibly were impressed by him, as we often are impressed by religious people who seemingly have it all together on the outside including worldly success. Now, here is the rescue passage for the Pastors of Christendom and their earthly treasure building church members. Jehoshua says: "The things which are impossible with with men are possible with God" Now all you rich earthly treasure building Pastor's and Church folk can take a sigh of relief as apparently you just got a "get out of jail" free card by Jehoshua. Hold on though, Not so fast my friends! See the Messiah does not contradict Himself as He taught explicitly that we are not to build our treasures here on earth: Matthew 6:19-21 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. In order to keep this post brief I"ll just point out that all throughout Jehoshua's ministry He spoke against accumulating material possessions and riches. This is also warned against by Paul, James and Jude. Even Peter refers to gold and silver as corruptible things. Here in Matthew 6 without controversy Jehoshua points out that that we are not to build treasures here on earth but rather build your treasures in heaven. In the passages that follow the above verses Jehoshua equates being full of light with being single minded about the Kingdom of God which happens when we follow His instruction not build your treasures here on earth but rather in heaven. That is the context of His statement regarding being single eyed about the Kingdom. He says that you if are not singleminded about the Kingdom of God then you are full of darkness and again the context is about where you build your treasures. So then, what is possible with God that Jehoshua refers to? The exact thing that the young rich ruler would not do, which is sell all he and give to the poor. See , that is what is impossible with men but is possible with God which is to sell what you have and give to the poor and pick up your cross and follow the Son of God. That narrative is all over the teachings of the Son of God the command to forsake all and follow Him, denying yourself unto death. So sorry lukewarm rich earthly treasure building Christians and Pastors, you don't have the out you think you have. Narrow is the gate to the Kingdom of heaven and few be that find it. Here we will go through Revelation 20 verse by verse. This is the key chapter in terms of deciding eschatology. How we understand this chapter will determine whether we subscribe to Premillenialism or Amillennialism. You might think what does it matter, isn't this a secondary issue?
Actually it does matter, it determines how we understand the gospel and thereby preach it. It also helps to steer clear of false end time prophecies. It has an effect on ekkelssiology which is the doctrine of the Church. Also, it has an effect on how the Church views itself in terms of their sorjourn on the earth during this life. So lets start: Revelation 20:1-3 1And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.2 And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,3 and cast him into the abyss, and shut [it], and sealed [it] over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time. The word abyss (Greek word "Abusso") or bottomless pit is where Satan and the demons are confined subsequent to them being cast down out of heaven after their war with Michael the archangel (Revelation 12:7). It is clear that this abyss or bottomless pit is somewhere in the earth. Satan and his angels are confined to the earth during the millennium. The meaning of the word "abussos" is similar to meaning of the Hebrew word used to describe the earth being without form and void in Genesis 1:2. Revelation 12 verses 7 through 17 describe the war between Michael and Satan and its resulting effects. This is important to understand because it helps us understand the first 3 verses of Revelation 20. Verses 7 though 8 say that Satan and his angels were cast down to the earth having no more access to heaven in order to accuse the brethren. This fits perfectly with the angel coming down out of heaven, chaining Satan to the abyss. (earth). We need to keep in mind that verses 7-17 of Revelation 12 are subsequent to the ascension of the Messiah into heaven. If Rev 12:7-12 parallels Rev 20:1-3 then we can determine that Revelation 20 does not follow chapter 19 in chronology but rather is a recapitulation of the events following the ascension of the Son of God into heaven. Let's look at an important truth related to the ascension of the Messiah and Satan being cast down to earth: Revelation 12:10-11 10 And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying, Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuseth them before our God day and night.11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death. The resulting effects of Satan being cast down to earth is the arrival of the Kingdom of God and His Messiah. So even while Satan will now dwell on the earth, being confined there, this does not negate that the Son of God's Kingdom has arrived on the earth as a result of His ascension into heaven and being enthroned as the King of Israel on the throne of David (Rev 12:5; Hebrews 1; Acts 2:29-36). Verse 3 of Revelation 20 says that Satan will not being to deceive the nations any more during the thousand years. May read this and cannot believe that this thousand years refers to the inter advent age due to Satan not being able to deceive the nations. However we must understand what "not being able to deceive the nations entails". Without going to deep into it, it is the mystery of the gospel which was once hid that now shines as marvelous light to the nations (world). Satan can no longer deceive the nations in terms of salvation. Paul talks a lot about the mystery of the gospel now being made manifest in these last days. Notice that in Revelation 12 the resulting effects of Satan being cast to the earth is that he persecutes the church. Nowhere in chapter 12 does it say that Satan went about deceiving the nations. Another alternative understanding of Satan deceiving the nations after the thousand years are finished is His ability to gather the nations for a final assault on the church as we read later in chapter 20. Until then, Satan is restrained from launching a full worldwide assault on the Church. See 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 for the restrainer. Revelation 20:4 "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jehoshua, and for the word of God, and such as worshiped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Messiah a thousand years." This is a key scripture in this chapter and understanding it correctly determines whether there is a future millennium after the second advent or whether this speaks of the new covenant church age. While many Amillenialists in the modern day speak of this as the saints reigning in heaven with the Son of God in the so called intermediate state, traditional Amillenialism posits this reign of the saints with Messiah as being earthly during the new covenant church age. Premilllennialists teach that this refers to a future 1,000 year reign of Jehoshua subsequent to His second advent. Let's first dismiss the modern Amillennialist teaching that this reign is heavenly. Revelation 5:9-10 9 And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood [men] of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,10 and madest them [to be] unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon earth. This is symbolic of the prayers of the saints which are contained in golden bowls full of incense which speaks of the altar of incense in the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. The saints praise the Lamb Jehoshua and confess that He has made them kings and priests and that they reign (present tense) on the earth. This is vital to how we understand Revelation 20:4. The reign of the saints is on the earth not in heaven in some disembodied state. In fact, the bible does not teach that we go to heaven when we die in a disembodied state. Revelation 5:9-10 refutes the heavenly millennium idea whether of the modern day Amillennialists or the Adventist version of the future heavenly millennium. The reign of the saints with Messiah is earthly without controversy and it is present tense not merely future. It was spoken as already going on when John wrote this in the 1st century. Revelation 1:5-6 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Jehoshua by shedding His blood on the cross for our sins hath (present tense) made us kings and priests. John says this as a present tense statement all the way back in the 1st century. To make this be something 2,000 years later is really twisting the text. It also agrees with Revelation 5:9-10 where the redeemed sing to Jehoshua and thank Him for making them kings and priests by way of His ransom sacrifice and they are currently (1st century) reigning upon the earth. Revelation 1:9 "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." Again, John makes a present tense statement that the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah was already a reality in the 1st century. John says that he is a brother and companion to those who are suffering tribulation in the Kingdom of the Son of God. He says that they are "in the Kingdom" as a present tense reality. He doesn't say they "will be in the Kingdom" as a future thing. 1 Peter 2:9 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" Another witness, this being Peter, says that we are already (1st century) a royal (king) priesthood. Here's another witness, Paul the apostle Ephesians 2:4-6 4 but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), 6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly [places], in Christ Jesus: Verse 4 and 5 are obviously speaking of our conversion experience, in that the merciful God of heaven made us alive through spiritual resurrection from being dead in our sins. As a result of our spiritual resurrection we are raised up with the Messiah and sit with Him in the heavenly places. Oftentimes, the reference to raising up means to be anointed with the Spirit of Jehovah and sent on a mission. When the kings of Israel were anointed to be king it was the same as being raised up unto Israel. Also, note that Paul says we are sitting (present tense) with Messiah in the heavenly places. Heavenly places refers to the holy of holies in the heavenly sanctuary. This is key to understand, what is Messiah doing in the holy of holies right now on the throne of David? He is functioning as both a King and a Priest (Zechariah 6:9-15). In fact, it was prophesied by Zechariah that the counsel of peace was to be between the offices of king and priest held by the Branch of David. This means that if we are sitting with Jehoshua in the heavenly places then we are also operating as kings and priests just as Peter and John say we are. Paul confirms the witness of the apostles. In Ephesians 1:3, Paul says this: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" Do you see this? We are not just sitting with Messiah in the heavenly places for nothing, we are actually blessed with every spiritual blessing that the heavenly places has to offer specifically the offices of king and priest which Jehoshua has. Our kingship is under the Davidic covenant and our priesthood is under the Melchizedek order. Hebrews 1 details the enthronement of Jehoshua as King having received the sure mercies of David at His resurrection and ascension (Acts 13). Hebrews 5 talks about the oath Jehovah God made to Him as a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. As far as judging on these thrones, Jehoshua gave the keys to the Kingdom of heaven to His apostles (Matthew 16:19) which then are given to those who would follow after them. He says the same in Matthew 18:18. I have proved that we are currently reigning as kings and priests in the new covenant church age and 1 Corinthians 5 as well as 1 Corinthians 6 says we as believers are to judge matters in the church. It is true that we will still be kings and priests when Jehoshua comes and brings in the new heavens and new earth and we will also judge the world according to Paul 1 Corinthians 6:2. This does not eliminate the present reality of us sitting on spiritual thrones as kings and priests reigning on the earth and judging matters concerning the restored Davidic Kingdom (Acts 15) which James says was being restored via the Gentiles entrance into the faith back in the 1st century. Revelation 3:7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth" The key of David references rulership over the Davidic dynasty (kingdom). The one who has the key is a nail in a sure place and shall be a throne of glory to his father's house (Isaiah 22:22-23). This key of David held by Jehoshua, the Davidic King, was given to the apostles who then bestowed upon those who followed after them. The keys are used to judge matters concerning the Davidic Kingdom i.e. Kingdom of heaven. So obviously we reign with Messiah now and also take part in judging matters concerning the Kingdom but now let's tackle another item regarding Rev 20:4-6 and that is the that these one's (some) who reign with Messiah are beheaded. Please note that John does not say that all those who reign with the Messiah are beheaded but just says "the souls that had been beheaded" noting that some or many of the one's who reign with Messiah for a thousand years will suffer that fate. They were beheaded for their testimony of Jehoshua. Obviously they didn't worship the beast nor his image nor received his mark. Note the wording in verse 4 "and such as worshiped not the beast..." it appears that John goes from those who are beheaded to now include all who didn't worship the beast by stating "and such as". The phrase "and such as" after describing those who were beheaded denotes either a different group of people or an enlargement (including all believers regardless how they die) of who he previously identified as those who were beheaded. Because it says they did not worship the beast or take the mark, many think this passage is talking about saints who live just prior to the second advent. This is due to the futurist view of eschatology. However, their is no biblical warrant for the mark of the beast being technology, whether some rfid chip or tattoo. Many people believe the mark of the beast will be a computer chip because of the influence of sensationalistic end times movies that are based in futurist eschatology. The mark of the beast scripturally has to be the opposite of the seal of God. Revelation 14:1 says the seal of the living God is the Father's name and of course it is a spiritual seal not a literal tattoo or anything like that. Deuteronomy 6 says to have Gods law on the frontlets between our eyes (forehead) and on our hand. This is exactly where the mark of the beast is supposed to be. Deuteronomy 6 is speaking of course metaphorically in that God's law is to be on our mind constantly and our hands denote our actions which should result from keeping His law. Obviously, the mark of the beast must then also be spiritual and it is having the name of the beast spiritually on your forehead that is the mark. To have the name of the beast denotes that you are not God's because you break God's commandments. The seal of God is the keeping of His commandments and the mark of the beast is to break His commandments. This shows us that the mark of the beast has been around since the beginning of time in a sense. More specifically the mark of the beast has been here since the beast as you cannot have a mark of the beast if there is no beast. Identifying the beast of Revelation 13 is key in understanding how long the mark of the beast has been around. Futurists identify the beast as an end time (right before a rapture) empire with a political leader who will be the antichrist. This is where futurism fails, clearly the beast that John saw was the Roman empire. The fourth beast in the book of Daniel that followed Grecia obviously had to be the Roman empire as Rome came right after Greece. For futurists to detach the fourth beast from the third beast by the space of 2,000 years is unbiblical and actually a bit ridiculous. The futurists continually have to do this, throwing events that obviously apply to history 2,000 years into the future. So if the Roman empire was the beast that John saw rise out of the sea then this means the mark was around at that time as well. The Waldenses, Reformers and Anabaptists all believed that loyalty to the Papacy was the mark of the beast. The Papacy is a continuation of the Roman emperors and the Catholic Church of Rome is a religious continuation of the Roman empire. Of course, this does not eliminate techo-currency from playing a big role in compelling people to give their loyalty to the beast system as that has always been the case. Groups outside the mainstream Church in history were persecuted and excluded from participation in the buying and selling of the economic system. The image of the beast is a representation or resemblance of the Papal Church. The Papal Church is noted for not just being a religious institution but also a political one. The image of the beast then is the same type of institution, religious-political. The second beast of Revelation 13 came up out of the earth, meaning a sparsely populated land. This beast has two horns like a lamb meaning it has a Christian veneer yet it speaks like a dragon meaning it speaks against God's law. The obvious is that speaks of American Protestantism in that they created a State-Church system especially during the first few hundred years of the country in which there were many religious laws. Now in the present time, the evangelical churches are yoking with Donald Trump and the Republican party in order to push legislation that is Christian based. In other words, they are forming an image to the Papal Church which is a State Church that pushes "Christian law" as the law of the land. True believers are to have no association with the evangelical-protestant state churches as they are the image of the beast. Worshiping the image of the beast means you follow their man made commandments such as trinity worship, Sunday keeping and honoring their false holy days such as XMAS and easter. One last item regarding verse 4, the "thousand" in the thousand year reign is plural. "Thousand" comes from the Greek word "chiloi", a plural of uncertain affinity; a thousand: thousand." Obviously this reference to reigning with Messiah for a thousand years is not talking about a literal thousand years but rather denotes a time period that is uncertain but definitely more than a thousand. So far we are going on 2,000 years reigning with the Messiah since the time of His ascension into heaven. Peter equates the day of salvation to a day (in Jehovah's mind) which to us is a thousand years. This is similar to the reigning with Messiah in that the thousand years spoken by Peter is the day of salvation and the thousand years of our reigning with Messiah is a result of us being spiritually resurrected during the day of salvation, making the day of salvation and the thousand year reign one and the same: 2nd Peter 3:8 "But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." Psalm 90:4 "For a thousand years in thy sight Are but as yesterday when it is past, And as a watch in the night." Psalm 50:10 "For every beast of the forest is mine, And the cattle upon a thousand hills." The above verses show that the number "thousand" is often used symbolically to represent either a uncertain duration of time or a multitude in number. Let's now move on to verse 5 of Revelation 20: "The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection." This is an important verses to understand in terms of the millennium debate. What is the first resurrection? Well it was just explained in verse 4, the result of being part of the first resurrection is that you sit on thrones and judge and you live and reign with Messiah for a thousand years. The question is, when does the first resurrection take place? For a premilllenialist the first resurrection takes place at the second advent of Jehoshua and ushers in the millennium. However, if the millennium is actually the new covenant Church age then the first resurrection takes place within it, meaning it does not take place at the second advent. Why should we understand the first resurrection to be different from the last day resurrection? Because scripture always posits one resurrection at the last day and then the judgment for all mankind, so there is no first and then second resurrection that take place a thousand years apart. With that being the case, this "first resurrection" must be something other than the last day resurrection which is all inclusive resurrection of the sheep and the goats. Obviously, this first resurrection is for believers only as verse 6 says blessed are those who are part of the first resurrection. Also, verse explains those that are part of the first resurrection do not have the mark of the beast nor worship the image of the beast and the reign with Messiah as kings and priests. The first resurrection is our "begotten from above" experience i.e. when we enter into the Kingdom via faith, repentance and baptism. John 3:3-5 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. To be begotten from above means you have entered the Kingdom of God. To be begotten of water refers to our baptism and to be begotten of the Spirit refers to us receiving the holy Spirit. Being begotten of these two things allows us to be spiritually renewed and thus part of the Kingdom of God. Jehoshua here speaks of spiritual resurrection. Even baptism is a symbol of the death and resurrection of the Son of God, so that when we are baptized we are signifying the resurrection of Jehoshua by being spiritually resurrected to newness of life. Romans 6:4-5 4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.5 For if we have become united with [him] in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of his resurrection; Paul says that when we are baptized and come out of the water we are untied with Messiah in the likeness of His resurrection showing that our "begotten from above" experience publicly shown by baptism is a spiritual resurrection. This is why Paul says we walks according to the power of Jehoshua's resurrection: Philippians 3:10 "that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death" Paul says that by having the righteousness of faith that he can know the power of the resurrection of Jehoshua. This shows that Paul was identifying with the resurrection of the Son of God by having faith in Him and fellowshipping in His sufferings. To have righteousness of faith means to walk in newness of life via being raised from spiritual deadness and experiencing the resurrection power of Jehoshua. These passages clearly show that we as believers experience a spiritual resurrection upon being begotten into the Kingdom which is sealed by baptism. Again, baptism symbolizes the death and resurrection of Jehoshua so that when we come out of the water we experience a spiritual resurrection into the Kingdom of God as this what baptism does, bring us into the Kingdom. Ephesians 2 "And you [did he make alive,] when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins," Another passage that clearly shows that when we are begotten from above it.is likened unto being made alive from the dead i.e. resurrection. Ephesians 2:5-6 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved),6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly [places], in Christ Jesus: Just a few verses later, from verse 1, we see that before we came into the faith we were considered spiritually dead but God made us alive, i.e. resurrection, by saving us. Paul says in verse 6 that God raised us up (resurrection) with Messiah again showing that our begotten from above experience is a type of resurrection and it identifies us with the resurrection of the King of Israel. Amazingly, this verse relates to Revelation 20:6 in which the first resurrection results in us reigning with the Messiah for a thousand (plural of uncertain affinity). Here in Ephesians 2:5-6 our being raised up by God results in us sitting together in heavenly places in Messiah Jehoshua. My study on the second advent of Jehoshua Messiah part 1
In this study we will look at the second advent of Jehoshua Messiah. We will look at the timing of it as well as what it will look like and the results it will produce as well as the signs that will precede it. In popular American Churchianity the rapture is at the forefront in terms of when Christians will be rescued from this earth and taken to heaven. There are varying views regarding the rapture, pre trib, mid trib, pre wrath and post trib. The one commonality is that none of these is the actual biblical view concerning the return of our King as well as the timing and the results of it. The bible actually teaches a far different scenario than posited by the rapture crowd. Once we are done with this study, the second coming of the Son of God should be understood much clearer and the results of that coming should cause us to be joyful and less confused. Also, dispelling the rapture myth will help to give the Church a healthier and less sensationalistic view of eschatology (last things). 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 13 But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope.14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him.15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep.16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first;17then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Notice that Paul is comforting the Thessalonians that there loved ones who have died (fallen asleep) with that the fact that they will be resurrected before those alive when Jehoshua comes back. This flies in the face of the immortal soul doctrine which teaches that once believers die they go to heaven as disembodied souls. If this was the case then Paul would have comforted the Thessalonians with that. Also, when understanding the return of our King Jehoshua Messiah we must realize that all those in the Kingdom will be gathered to Him. There is not seperate resurrections. Notice that in verse 14 the risen saints "will God bring with Him" meaning that they dont go up to heaven when they are resurrected but they are brought back to earth. The glorious appearing of the Son of God will accompany the voice of Michael the archangel and the trumpet of God. The Son of God's return to this earth is not secret nor quiet, it is noisy. Paul says that we who are alive at the 2nd coming of Messiah will be gathered with those who were asleep in the clouds and then forever be with Him (Messiah). This statement by Paul about us being caught in the clouds to meet with Jehoshua and the be forever with Him has caused many people to mistakenly think he was saying that we are going to go up to heaven at Jehoshua's return. However, you will notice that Paul doesn't say that the saints will be caught up to heaven but rather he says the air (clouds). This leaves us with the question of where do we go once we are caught up to Jehoshua in the air? This much we know, Paul says that we will be with Him forever more. One clue that was mentioned earlier was Paul saying "will God bring with Him" meaning the sequence is that we get caught up to the clouds with Jehoshua and then God will bring us back here on earth. It Isn't spelled out exactly like that so that's wjy we will look at other passages to determine where we go subsequent to the Messiah's return. So from the passage above we can determine that the sequence follows as such: 1) Jehoshua will come back noisely 2) The dead in Messiah will rise first and then those who are alive will be translated 3) Both the dead in Messiah and those alive will be caught up to the clouds with Jehoshua 3) God will bring the saints back to earth once they are caught up in the clouds with Jehoshua 4) We will forever be with Jehoshua after that. The great part is that we have a lot of other passages to glean from in terms of the return of our King Jehoshua Messiah. Matthew 24:26-27 26 If therefore they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the wilderness; go not forth: Behold, he is in the inner chambers; believe [it] not. 27 For as the lightning cometh forth from the east, and is seen even unto the west; so shall be the coming of the Son of man. Jehoshua warns people not to believe reports that He is in the wilderness or has come secretly but that His coming will be visible to all. This statement by the Son of God exposes the secret pre trib rapture doctrine which teaches that Jehoshua snatches the church up to heaven secretly. It also exposes the Jehovah witness view that Messiah will reign invisiblly from heaven beginning in 1914. Jehoshua is clear His arrival will be visible and noisy as Paul stated in Thessalonians. Everyone whether in the east or the west will see it. Matthew 24:28 "Wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together." This is about the great supper of Jehovah where the birds of the air will feast on the bodies of the wicked described in Revelation 19:17-18: 17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;18That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. Jehoshua's statement puts the great supper of God in connection with Him coming visibly and as we see in Revelation 19 the great supper of God is in the context of the Son of God's arrival to the earth to wage war against the nations. When Jehoshua speaks of His coming in Matthew 24 it is in connection with the judgment being poured out on the nations leading to the great supper of God. There is nothing secret about His second coming and the church does not get taken up to heaven while the destruction of the nations takes place. Matthew 24:26-28 is parallel to Revelation 19 which has to do with the Messiah's return to earth. As you can see there is no rapture in either chapters and the arrival of the Son of God is visible and noisey. Jehoshua's arrival doesn't take place in two stages, one where He rescues the church and one where He destroys the wicked and subsequently they are fed to the birds of the air. Clearly from both Matthew 24 and Revelation 19, the second advent is connected with the destruction of the wicked and the great supper of God. Matthew 24:29-30 29But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:30and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Jehoshua's second advent will be after the tribulation not before as the pre trib, mid trib teach. Also, it is important to understand when the tribulation is, which helps us determine the nearness of Messiah's coming. It is noteworthy that in Revelation 1, John the apostle described that the tribulation was already taking place in the first century: Revelation 1:8 "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." John shows that the tribulation was already going on in the early history of the church. Let's look at what Paul says in Acts 14:22 "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Paul says that the tribulation is a part of every believer's life if they want to enter the Kingdom of God. In Revelation 7 we see that the great multitude came out of great tribulation: 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. In context, this is speaking of the great multitude being resurrected and now before the throne room of God. Mistakenly many people think the great multitude is speaking of a last days group of people that get saved. This is a false view as we have to remember that all throughout scripture, including the words of Jehoshua and Paul, that there is only one resurrection which includes both the dead and living saints. Many Christians believe that the 144,000 and great multitude are two seperate groups and that both these groups are seperate from the dead saints that will rise from the grave. This is simply confusion. The scriptures clearly teach only one resurrection which is at the last day and includes all saints, whether dead or alive. This is important to understand because if the great multitude comprises all the saints who ever lived and the passage states that they came out of great tribulation then this shows us that the great tribulation isn't limited to a specific time period but rather covers the whole new covenant church age. Even the old testament saints, which are included in the great multitude, came out of great tribulation (Hebrews 11). This means that there is no pre trib, mid trib rapture as every believer must go through tribulation. There is also no pre wrath rapture simply because there is no pre anything as the resurrection is at the last day meaning that any wrath poured out on the wicked will take place on the same day that the resurrection takes place. Of course, the saints will be resurrected right before Jehovah God pours out His final wrath on mankind but nonetheless the resurrection is at the last day not anytime before. Let's continue to look at Matthew 24 verses 29-30 now. It is clear that the second advent of Jehoshua will be preceded cosmic signs in the sky hardly making it a secret event or quiet event. Verse 30 of Matthew 24 lines up with the 6th seal in Revelation chapter 6:12 "And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;" The opening up of the 6th seal and the cosmic signs in the sky leads up to the day of Jehoshua's wrath: Revelation 6:15-17 15And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Right after the cosmic signs, will be seen the sign of the Son of man coming on the clouds in power and glory. This will cause all the tribes of the earth to mourn as noted in verse 30 of Matthew 24 and also above in Revelation 6:15-17 as it says that the mighty men of the earth will desire death rather than face the Lamb of God. This shows that the cosmic signs lead to the visible appearing of Jehoshua Messiah in which causes all tribes of the earth including the mighty men to mourn and seek death rather than deal with the Son of God and His wrath. There is nothing quiet about this event and nothing secretive about it as all men will see the arrival of the Son of God which lead to Him pouring His wrath on the wicked. For the pre trib or mid trib rapture this is a devasting blow being that they believe the rapture is quiet and secretive and is separate from the destruction of the wicked. Matthew 24:31 "And he shall send forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." Immediately following the sign of the Son of God appearing in heaven which takes place after the tribulation and the cosmic signs will be the gathering of the elect of God. Jehoshua will send His angels to gather the elect all across the plane. This proves that there is no seperate rapture's or resurrection's for different groups of believers as it all happens on the final day which is after the great tribulation and accompanies cosmic disturbances. This perfectly matches the timing of the book of Revelation in terms of when the saints get gathered. Revelation 14:14-16 14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.15And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.16And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. Remember, Jehoshua said He would come on the clouds of heaven with power and glory. The golden crown is His Davidic Kingship and He will reap the harvest of the earth i.e. the first fruits of the resurrection (Revelation 14:4). This includes the dead and living saints as Paul the apostle confirmed in 2nd Thessalonians. Farming language is used here just as it was when Jehoshua resurrected as He was called the first fruits of the resurrection by Paul as He resurrected on the feast of first fruits. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 20But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.22For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.23But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ`s, at his coming. Jehoshua is the firstfruits of those that are asleep (us). How do we become alive to eternal life? The same way Jehoshua did which is by resurrection hence we are also called firstfruits in Revelation 14. Paul refers to Jehoshua being the firstfruits of the resurrection. Again, its important to understand that saints will all be resurrected and translated at the same time not in different groups. John 5:25 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live." There is only one resurrection and in the last day the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and live. Jehoshua makes it clear here that all the dead will come alive when they hear His voice, He makes no mention of seperate resurrections or raptures for different groups of people. John 5:28-29 28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Jehoshua now specifically says that ALL that are in the graves will hear His voice and shall come forth. Every single person who has ever lived will be resurrected when they hear the voice of the Son of God, Jehoshua makes that crystal clear. And it will not just be the saints who are resurrected but also those who have done evil. This shows that the idea of seperate resurrections and raptures is a false doctrine whether it is a pre trib, mid trib rapture or even a post trib rapture with a future millennium. The Son of God teaches that ALL will be resurrected some to everlasting life (the saints) and some to eternal damnation (the wicked). In John chapter 6 Jehoshua reiterates that He will raise the saints at the last day John 6:39-40 39And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.40For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. Jehoshua makes it clear that all who believe on Him will be raised up at the last day. In verse 39 Jehoshua says all that the Father has given Him will be raised up at the last day. In verse 40, Jehoshua says that everyone who beholds abd believes on Him will He raise up at the last day. There is no wiggle room here, every single saint will be raised up together at the same time on the last day of this age. Jehoshua makes no option for plural resurrections or raptures. John 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day." Jehoshua again reiterates that He will raise up those who the Father gave Him on the last day. John 6:54 "He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day." Again Jehoshua says that He will raise up the saints at the last day. John 11:23-24 23Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.24Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. This is in the context of Lazarus death and Martha desiring for Jehoshua to heal her brother. When Jehoshua said that Lazarus shall rise again Martha immediately understood this to be referring to the last day resurrection. This means that it was understood by the Jews that the resurrection takes place at the last day. Of course, Jehoshua brought Lazarus back to life right then and there but eventually Lazarus died again and is currently awaiting the last day resurrection. Revelation 11:15 "And the seventh angel sounded; and there followed great voices in heaven, and they said, The kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Messiah: and he shall reign for ever and ever." When the seventh angel sounds his trumpet, the same trumpet that Paul talks about in 2nd Thessalonians 2, the kingdoms of this world will be dashed to pieces like a potters vessel and they will become the Kingdom of God and His Messianic King. This will be the day that Daniel prophesied when: "But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever." Daniel 7:18 Daniel 7:21-22 21I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;22until the ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. This passages is parallel to Revelation 11:15 as the saints are given the judgment deed to the earth in order to possess it forever as the earth will become the home of the Kingdom of God and His Messiah. Daniel 7:26-27 26 But the judgment shall be set, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.27And 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: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. The Kingdoms under heaven which are the Kingdoms on this earth will be given to the saints of Jehovah whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom. These passages in Daniel fall right in line with Revelation 11:15. The fact that the saints are given the Kingdom at the last day is proven the further we go down Revelation 11: 18And the nations were wroth, and thy wrath came, and the time of the dead to be judged, and [the time] to give their reward to thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear thy name, the small and the great; and to destroy them that destroy the earth. Notice that the Kingdoms of this world being given to the saints correlates with the time that the dead should be judged and rewards given to the prophets and servants of Jehovah God. It will also be a time of destruction for those who destroy the earth. Notice that all these things happen at the same time, that is: ☆ The sounding of the seventh trumpet ☆ The time of judgment for the dead which means they will be resurrected both righteous saints and the wicked. ☆ The giving of rewards for the saints and destruction for the wicked ☆ The Kingdoms of the world become the Kingdom of God and His Messiah As Jehoshua stated over and over again in John chapter 5 and 6 this takes place at the last day. Part 3 of my sermon on the mount study, the constitution of the Kingdom
Matthew 7:1-2 1Judge not, that ye be not judged.2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you. Jehoshua here is not getting rid of "judging" all together but rather judging in hypocrisy as we shall see in the following verses. Jehoshua's words here should cause to always examine ourselves first before we seek to examine our brothers and sisters. Matthew 7 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother`s eye. If we judge others and yet have a beam of sin in our own lives then we will be guilty of what Jehoshua is talking about and we will be judged at the last day with the same measure of judgment that we meted out. Matthew 7:6 "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest haply they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you." Jehoshua says not to cast pearls of knowledge to those who have no respect to that knowledge. He says that they will turn and tear you to pieces likely meaning they will will rail against you. That which is holy is the gospel of the Kingdom taught by Jehoshua. Matthew 7:7-8 7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:8for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Jehoshua eliminates any idea of Calvinism and says that it is those who seek, knock and ask that shall find the blessings of the Kingdom. There is clearly free will taught here. Jehoshua was not a Calvinist. Matthew 7:9-10 9 Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone;10 or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? This is a very important analogy because shows the goodness of the Father. There are so many misrepresentations about God's character in the churches as many denominations make Him out to be a tyrant yet Jehoshua reveals His true character. We, being evil, as human fathers to not hesitate to give good gifts to our children yet we should expect much more from our Father in heaven who is good and is love. By the way many Christians represent God they unintentionally make Him more unrighteous than us human fathers. Again, this shows that Calvinism is false as men can ask God and they will receive. Matthew 7:12 "All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets." This sums up the law of Jehovah to do to others what we would want done unto us. Many in the Hebrew roots movement have forgot this simple command have put the other things of the law before it. Matthew 7:13-14 13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. This is one of the most ignored passages in scripture and that is remarkable being that they come out of the mouth of the Son of God. We are told to enter the strait (narrow) gate in order to find eternal life. The word "strait" comes from the Greek word "stenos" (strongs 4728) and means "narrow (from obstacles standing close about): - strait". Jehoshua's statement here indicates that there will be obstacles in our path to the Kingdom however we are commanded to avoid those obstacles, squeezing ourselves into the strait and narrow gate that paves the way to the Kingdom. This means that obstacles will always be close to us as we walk out our faith and will attempt to get us off that narrow road. What's alarming is that those obstacles are very near to the narrow gate showing that they can easily distract us from the Kingdom. What's amazing and alarming at the same time is that the Son of God says very few people will find the narrow gate hence few will find eternal life in the Kingdom. This goes in stark contrast to what the pulpit preachers of Christendom teach. The pulpit preachers and their followers completely disobey Jehoshua by teaching that as long as you say a sinners prayer you don't have to obey Jehoshua in order to inherit eternal life but that you now have a free pass to heaven no matter how you live your life. They even teach you can never lose your salvation i.e. the deadly once saved always saved doctrine. They pretty much open the door to the Kingdom to people that Jehoshua has shut the door on. These are the people that do not pick up their cross to follow the actual commandments of the Son of God. The Pastor's of Christendom give these one's a free pass by saying that salvation is by faith alone and that keeping the commandments of Jehoshua is not a salvation requirement. Even the so called fundamentalist groups completely ignore Jehoshua's command to pick up their cross as American Christians promote building wealth and moving up the corporate ladder and even shame the poor who are the very one's Jehoshua came to preach the gospel to. The Pastor's themselves live lives unworthy of their calling as they have no problem living rich off the gospel so it behooves them to make the narrow gate a wide one. Revelation 3:7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth." The denominations of Christendom including their heroes like Martin Luther have no right to open the door that Jehoshua shuts yet they have attempted to do this very thing by stating that obedience to the commandments of Messiah are not required to enter into the Kingdom and all you have to do is have "faith" which in their understanding is a mental ascent in knowledge and a belief in the heart. How does one enter into the strait gate? In the context of Jehoshua's statement about the narrow gate the sermon on the mount and following it's instructionsns is how one enters. Do you now see why Jehoshua says few be that find it? It's because few want to deny themselves in order to keep the tough sayings that Jehoshua gives here. It would mean that these Western American Christians would have to give up building wealth, chasing corporate success, taking people to court to fight for what is theirs, defending their property and rights including their own person. The wide road is found by many and the Pastor's of Christendom have made that road wide disobeying the Lord Jehoshua. Matthew 7:15-16 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Notice that Jehoshua's warning of false prophets come right after His statement on the strait and wide gate. He is obviously making a connection with false prophets and the wide road indicating that false prophets will make the road to the Kingdom a wide one. This implicates most of Christendom in America including their Pastors and theologians. The false prophets do not bear fruit but rather thorns and thistles. The fruit here that Jehoshua mentions is connected with the sermon on the mount teachings which are the requirement to enter into the Kingdom by the strait gate. These false prophets will not bear the fruit of Jehoshua's teachings as they will not obey them and because of this they will make the gate to the Kingdom a wide one by teaching others that they also don't have to obey the teachings on the sermon on the mount. Hence they their fruit will be thorns and thistles due to their false "faith alone" doctrine. John 2:9-11 applies to these false prophets 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. However, it isn't just the faith alone teachers that are false prophets but this also includes the Hebrew roots movement who teach that you don't have to follow the literal teachings of Jehoshua because you need to understand them in light of Moses thereby you have a right to defend yourself physically, a right to defend your property with physical force, take people to court and build wealth. This also applies to denominations like Jehovah Witnesses, Seventh day Adventist ls and Mormons who put their respective prophets teachings on par with those of the Messiah and many times even disregarding teachings by the Messiah in order to agree with their prophets. What do all these movements have in common? They have to set aside certain teachings of Jehoshua that are not conducive to their organizational structure in order to prop up what their false prophets teach. Matthew 7:17-20 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Good trees are those that teach and follow the instructions of the Son of God taught here on the sermon on the mount. Their fruit will be the result of obeying those instructions. The bad trees are those who disobey the sermon on the mount instructions and teach others to do so. Those trees are bad no matter how much bible they know and how often they go to Church or if they were raised as a Christian. The sermon on the mount is absolute standard in terms of being a good tree that bears fruit. What happens to these fruitless or rotten fruit trees? They don't enter the Kingdom just because they said a sinners prayer and say "faith alone", they actually are cut down and burned in the fire which is an obvious reference to the lake of fire. Jehoshua makes it clear that unless you obey His teachings here on the sermon on the mount you will absolutely not have eternal life. Matthew 7:21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Again, the context of Jehoshua's statement is in regards to the commandments He is giving here on the sermon on the mount. These ones above are those who didn't not enter in at the strait gate by following Jehoshua's self denying commandments here in the sermon on the mount. Instead, they decided to listen to their Pastor's that salvation is by faith alone and that tryjng to actually follow Jehoshua's teachings is legalism. These will be they that relied on the sinners prayer and once saved always saved doctrine. The ones in verse 21 are professing Christians. Matthew 7:22-23 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. These false professing Christians did many seemingly mighty works in the name of Jehoshua yet the chose the wide road of denominational man made doctrines rather than the self denying commandments of Jehoshua Messiah. When you look at today's Church world in America you see mega churches, celebrity Pastors and theologians. They boast of their Church membership numbers, their seminaries, their huge ministries but unless they actually lived out the teachings of Jehoshua and taught others to do the same they will end up being told by Jehoshua that He never knew them as they practiced iniquity (lawlessness). In the context of this passage and the overall sermon lawlessness is defined by those who don't keep Jehoshua's sayings outlined in chapters 5-7. The next several verses prove that it is Jehoshua's sermon on the mount teachings that are in view in terms of what defines lawlessness. Matthew 7:24-25 24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. It's those who actually do the teachings of Jehoshua that will be among the wise virgins that enter into the Kingdom when the Bridegroom comes. Their spiritual house will be built upon a rock. Not only is Jehoshua our rock but His teachings are also our rock. The false prophets Jehoshua mentioned earlier will tell you that it is not necessary to follow Jehoshua's teachings especially for salvation, however the Son of God completely refutes them. What's scary is that these false prophets are generously littered throughout Christendom whether they be of the mainstream denominations or so called independent churches. To hear and do the sayings of Jehoshua is eqauted to being wise and building your spiritual foundation on a rock. Remember, it is the sayings of Jehoshua that are the standard here not the writings of Paul nor Moses. Being a Hebrew roots person will not mean anything if you don't keep the commandments of Jehoshua in a literal way. Using Moses as an excuse to strike back your enemies, take people to court, swear oaths and build your treasure here on earth by building wealth will get you an appointment in the lake of fire. Conversely, using Paul to dismiss the commandments of Jehoshua will also get you into the lake of fire. Matthew 7:26-27 26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. Do you see what Jehoshua is saying here? He says that those who hear (or read) His sayings here in the sermon on the mount and don't do them are foolish hence they will be the foolish virgins who did not have oil in their lamps and will be shut out of the Kingdom at the parousia of the Son of God. Although its easy to pick on the antinomian evangelical churches as the foolish ones this also implicates the Hebrew roots movement that uses Moses to contradict the literal teachings of the Messiah. Both the antinomian party and legalist party will be the foolish virgins who did not keep the actual instructions of Jehoshua because they decided that Paul and Moses were to be adhered to over the Son of God. Matthew 7:28-29 28And it came to pass, when Jehoshua had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:29For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Many Christians and Hebrew roots people miss this important statement in verse 28. Matthew says that the sermon that we just read i.e. the sermon on the mount is the Son of God's doctrine (instructions) and that the people were astonished at it. This tells us alot, for one that the sermon on the mount is the core of the gospel of the Kingdom. Leaving out this sermon from the gospel message leaves the gospel without much meat. The prophesies of the Davidic King and His death, resurrection and ascension and Kingship wrap the gospel neatly around the core teachings of the sermon on the mount. Yes, it's important that we know who Jehoshua is and of course His death, resurrection, ascension and second advent are very important but without a constitution in which to live out these truths the Christian, Messianic faith is reduced to an intellectual head knowledge. Also, the fact that the sermon on the mount is referred to as Jehoshua's doctrine helps us understand 2 John 9-11: 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. The above passage is one of the most misunderstood and mangled parts of scripture by professing Christians. The above scripture commands us to not recieve those who bring not the doctrine (instructions) of Messiah. Mistakenly the Hebrew roots think this is talking about the law of Moses and mainstream Christendom think this is talking about Orthodoxy, however as we learned in Matthew 7 the doctrine of Messiah are His actual teachings from the sermon on the mount as Matthew says they were astonished at His doctrine after finishing the sermon. This is why John talks a lot about the commandments of God in his epistle's because those commandments were the very one's given by the Messiah in the sermon on the mount. Moses prophesied that Messiah would speak the commandments of Jehovah God (Deuteronomy 18:15-21). John the Baptist confirms that Jehoshua was speaking the very words of God (John 3:33-36). John the beloved speaks of God's commandments not being burdensome and that God's love is defined by His commandments. This leads up to his statement in 2 John 9-11 regarding the doctrine of Messiah because that doctrine is the commandments that God gave Him to speak and Matthew 7:28 confirm that the doctrine being spoken of in 2 John is the sermon on the mount. Verse 29 of Matthew 7, Jehoshua didn't teach as one of the scribes as they teach primarily from an intellectual mindset but rather He taught as one having authority. This is because unlike the religious leaders of His day He didn't complicate the commandments of God with all kinds of speculations and systematic theology but rather spoke plain words that wer direct and powerful. Just as today when we preach the doctrine of Messiah i.e. the sermon on the mount we preach with the authority of the Son of God. Today's pulpit preachers in Christendom by minimizing the teachings of the Son of God are akin to the scribes of Jehoshua's day. Matthew 6:1-4 1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. When we give to others we are not to boast of it or even speak of it. If we follow this commandment of Jehoshua then we will be rewarded on judgment day. If we do make it known then our reward is the pat on the back from men. The concept of Christian's giving to the church and then reporting it on their taxes is unbiblical and their reward is the tax break they get from the IRS. Matthew 6:5-6 5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. We are not to make a public display of praying. Our prayer time should be personal as intimate time with our Father in heaven. Of course, we can give thanks for meals as Jehoshua did when He fed the multitudes. Of course, in our fellowship gatherings we can do corporate prayer and pray for others within the assembly. Matthew 6:7-8 7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Prayers are not more powerful because of their length but it is the faith of those prayers that is powerful. Short prayers can be very effective when accompanied by faith. Our faith should be rooted in the fact that our heavenly Father knows what we need and rewards those who diligently seek Him. Matthew 6;9--13 9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.11Give us this day our daily bread.12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. This is the model prayer. In the Didache the followers of Messiah were instructed to pray this three times a day. The idea of the Kingdom of God is central to this prayer showing the centrality of the Kingdom in Christianity. We are to pray for the Father to bring His Kingdom to earth not only in the future consummation but also now in the present by His Spirit doing works through us. We are to ask forgiveness and forgive others. This is essential to be connected to God and His Son Jehoshua. Matthew 6 14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Forgiving others is the only way that we will ne forgiven by our heavenly Father Jehovah. Jehoshua is clear here and it is often forgotten by those who preach in the pulpit or those whi profess the faith. Matthew 6;16-19 16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Jehoshua continues with the theme of not doing things for show. When we fast we are fo do it secretly and make an effort not to show it visibly. Matthew 6:19-21 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. This is one of the most ignored commandments of Jehoshua in that American Christians see no problem with building wealth and obtaining posessions. In fact, many of the Pastor's themselves live very rich off the gospel. Jehoshua gives us wisdom here in that material posessions eventually rust and decay or can be stolen. The Son of God instead tells us to build our treasures in heaven. These treasures are detailed in the letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation. There is no question about it, so called Christians who build wealth and obtain posessions are less fervant for the things of the Kingdom and oftentimes downright cold to the faith even though they will do their religious duty and go to church once a week and tithe. Their heart is attached to their possessions and not on the treasures in heaven which is why you see no urgency in them spreading the gospel of the Kingdom. Those who refuse to build wealth and obtain posessions have their hearts sold out for the Kingdom and thereby build the Kingdom up which results in them having treasures laid hp for them in heaven. To disobey Jehoshua in this is to lose salvation or it shows one never had it. Matthew 6:22-24 22 The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness!24No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Verse 22, the reference to the eye being single is having a single mindedness towards the Kingdom of God. If we are single minded about the Kingdom of God then our whole body will be full of light. Verse 23, if our eye is evil meaning not single minded about the Kingdom and instead focused on building treasures here on earth then we will be full of darkness. This is the context of this passage, whether we build treasures on earth or build them in heaven. To be focused on the Kingdom means to be a child of light and to be focused on material gain means to be a child of darkness. Verse 24, Jehoshua makes it crystal clear, you cannot serve God and money. If you serve money and material gain you gate God. If you serve God you will hate materialism and being about money. Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious 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 the food, and the body than the raiment?" Because we seek His Kingdom and do not serve money we should not worry at all where our next meal comes from or what we will wear and how how we will be clothed. This is the seal of true faith towards God in that do we believe Her will provide if we put His Kingdom first? Matthew 6:26-27 26Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they?27And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life? Jehoshua is very practical here in that He says worrying cannot do anything to change our situation. If the birds of the air are taken care of by God then we should have faith that He will do the same for us. Matthew 6:28-30 28 And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:29yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.30But if God doth 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? Here Jehoshua rebukes those who are anxious for what they will wear and how they will be clothed. This shows that one has very little faith when they worry about such things. Matthew 6:31-32 31Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?32For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. This is a stunning rebuke to mainstream Christendom as they are caught up in chasing the things of this world and striving for them even getting stressed about their finances and their wealth. Unfortunately, the Pastors of mainstream Christendom teach their congregants that it is okay to be consumed with such matters and to focus on building wealth. However, the Son of God says that we are not to be anxious even for the basic necessities of life let alone wealth, inheritance and luxury. Those who are anxious about even the basic necessities of life are like the Gentiles (unbelievers). In fact, one can say that those who constantly worry about such things show that they are not truly begotten from above and are still in their sin. The word "anxious" is rendered from the Greek word "merimnao" (strongs 3309) and means "to be anxious about, to be careful, take thought" So clearly Jehoshua does not want us to take thought in what we will eat, drink and be clothed with tomorrow as to do so would be to do as the unbelievers do which is to worry. Those who worry often show their lack of faith and the possibility that they may in truth be an unbeliever. The Israel of God does not take thought for such things as Jehoshua says in the next two verses how true believers act: Matthew 6:33-34 33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.34 Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. True believers seek the Kingdom of God first every single day of their lives. If we do this Jehoshua says that all things will be added to us. The false mainstream Church will say that these "all things" include the luxuries of life. Again, this is more false teaching and compromise from the false church system to give their congregants an "out" so that they don't have to pick up their cross and deny themselves. When Jehoshua says "all these things" He is obviously speaking of the very things He said we are not to worry about which is food, drink and clothing. Jehoshua wants us to focus on one day at a time (verse 34) as each day has enough of its own troubles. The Davidic Kingship
Genesis 49:8-12 ☆ Jacob prophesies of Judah's Kingship 1 Samuel 15 ☆ Saul anointed as King of Israel by Samuel ☆ Saul disobeys Jehovah's commandment to destroy all the Amalekites ☆ Jehovah rejects Saul as King and rents the Kingdom from him. 1 Samuel 16:13-14 ☆ Samuel anoints David as King of Israel as he was taken from the sheepcote by Jehovah God, the Spirit of Jehovah comes upon David from that day forward 2 Samuel 2:4 ☆David is anointed as King over Judah after Saul dies 2 Samuel 5 ☆ David the shepherd (verse 2) ☆ David is anointed King over Israel (7 and half year reign over Judah and 33 years over Israel, total 40 years) 2 Samuel 6 ☆ The Davidic King is a worshipper of Jehovah God 2 Samuel 7 The promise ☆ the Davidic King as shepherd of Israel (verse 7) ☆ A Father-Son covenant relationship established with the royal seed of David (verse 14) ☆ The throne, Kingdom and crown of David to be established forever by a future descendant of David Psalm 2 The persecution and exaltation of Jehovah's anointed (Messiah) ☆ Davidic King anointed/installed as King and begotten as Son of God per the Davidic covenant and given a Kingdom (Psalm 2:7-8) ☆ The Davidic Kingdom rules the nations with a rod of iron (a shepherd's staff) ☆ worship of the Son of God is commanded (verse 12) Psalm 16 The Davidic King prays to Jehovah God ☆The Davidic King puts his trush in Jehovah (verse 2) ☆Jehovah is the portion of the Messiah (verse 5) ☆David prophesies of Jehoshua's resurrection Psalm 22 Psalm of the crucifixion ☆David cries out to Jehovah for deliverance as he trusts in the covenant Jehovah made with him but is experiencing abandonment. Also, this is a prophesy of the crucifixion of Jehoshua. Psalm 89 Commentary on the Davidic covenant, the Psalmist praises God for his covenant mercies and faithfulness to David and his Kingdom. ☆reference to the Davidic covenant (verse 3-4) and the eternality of the Davidic dynasty and throne. ☆Jehovah's election of David and his royal seed. Jehovah has exalted the holy vine of David. The seed of David is Jehovah's covenant servant. Anointing with oil, designation of David as Messianic (anointing) King. David was Jehovah's messiah (verses 19-20). ☆David's power/kingdom (horn) will be exalted in Jehovah's name. The Davidic King rules in the name (authority) of Jehovah and glorifes Him (verse 24). ☆ Jehovah is the Father and God of the Davidic King. God adopted the royal line of David as His Son (verse 26). ☆ "firstborn", not about literal birth but a designation of rank and privilege. This speaks of David's earthly Kingship (higher than the kings of the earth) and Jehoshua's resurrected Kingship.(Revelation 1:5-6). (Verse 27). ☆Jehovah expresses his covenant loyalty and love to the royal seed of David. Jehovah promises to keep His oath to David in that He will give David an eternal offspring who will sit on the throne forever (verses 28-29). ☆ Jehovah's covenant with David is unconditional and He said that He will not alter it in any way. The promise to David in 2 Samuel 7 has to happen exactly as Jehovah said meaning that the prophetic Davidic Messiah would have to come from the loins of David (male sexual organs). The throne and dynasty of David will be established forever. The Davidic throne will be a witness in heaven before Jehovah which prophesies that the throne will one day be in heaven and not on earth (verses 34-37). Psalm 110 The fulfillment of the covenant ☆David prophesies of Jehoshua's ascension into heaven and being installed at Jehovah's right hand as the King of Israel. Jehovah God installs the King (verse 1). ☆Jehovah God will empower the Davidic King to rule in the midst of His (Jehoshua) enemies. This speaks of Jehoshua's medatorial kingdom invading the kingdoms of this world (verse 2). Psalm 132 ☆Jehovah is the God of the Davidic King (verses 1-2). ☆ Jehovah God's covenant with David is irrevocable and this covenant is rooted in that the prophesied eternal Davidic King will come from the fruit of David's body (male sexual organs). ☆A promise made to us who keep covenant with Jehovah in that we will also sit on the thrones in the Davidic Kingdom (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:5-6; Ephesians 2:6; Ephesians 1:3; Revelation 5:9-10). ☆Jehovah will make the horn of David to blossom into a powerful Kingdom. "Horn" symbolizes the power of the Kingdom of David (verse 17). ☆the enemies of the Davidic King will be put to shame but the crown of David will prosper (flourish). This is happening currently in the millennial reign of Jehoshua Messiah (verse 18). Psalm 118 The triumphant arrival of the Davidic King into Jerusalem ☆the Davidic King is the cornerstone of Israel set up by Jehovah God. He is rejected by the elders of Israel but even that is in Jehovah's plan. The triumphal entry of the King is the day that Jehovah made, we are to rejoice and be glad in it (verses 22-24). ☆The arrival of the Davidic King was a sign of prosperity. The Davidic King comes in the name of Jehovah God not his own name. Jehovah is God and David is His Son. The Davidic King was a light unto Israel and also to the Gentiles. The installation of a Davidic King was akin to Jehovah giving His people light as the Davidic dynasty was to be a lamp unto them. Zechariah 6 The future Davidic King to be a high priest ☆the future King would be a Branch (vine) of David and would build Jehovah's temple (verse 12). ☆The Davidic King would bear the glory of Jehovah's temple. The Branch of David will be the banner of the Temple set up as an ensign for the people. The prophetic Davidic Messiah would not only be the King of Israel but also a high priest operating his priesthood from throne. The counsel of peace would be between both the Kingship and priesthood of the Davidic Branch (verse 13). Isaiah 11 The anointing of the branch of David ☆The Spirit of Jehovah would rest upon the the holy vine of David. The Spirit would give the Davidic Branch understanding, knowledge, counsel, might, wisdom and also it would give the Messiah a fear of Jehovah God. The Davidic King would fear his God (verses 2-3). Jeremiah 23 Jehovah raises up the Branch of David ☆Jehovah will anoint and raise up the Branch of David to rule as King and his Kingdom will be reigned by righteousness and justice (verse 5). ☆ Jehovah's people will dwell safely as sheep in the sheepfold of the Davidic King who is their shepherd. The Davidic King will be called "Jehovah our righteousness" as He will be the express image of Jehovah God in character and glory (verse 6). Ezekiel 34 Jehovah will set up the royal seed of David as Israel's shepherd ☆ the Davidic Messiah is God's appointed shepherd to feed Israel (verse 23). ☆ Jehovah is Israel's God while the Davidic Messiah is their King. This is the Father-Son covenant relationship between Jehovah and the royal seed of David. They together rule and shepherd the sheep (verse 24). Jeremiah 30 Jehovah delivers his people from Babylon and raises up a Davidic King to them ☆ the day of deliverance for the people of God results in them serving Jehovah as their God and serving David as their King. Israel's worship consisted of honoring and serving the Davidic King and worshipping Jehovah as their God. The theme of Israel being ruled by a Father (Jehovah God) and a Son (Davidic King) is a constant theme thoughout scripture (verses 8-9). Isaiah 55 The sure mercies of David ☆Isaiah hearkens to the covenant Jehovah made with David. The Davidic covenant was the hope of Israel throughout the prophets. The Davidic King was appointed as a commander and prince of Israel and a faithful witness of Jehovah God. Isaiah 9 The Davidic King is a mighty God ☆ A future King will be begotten who will be the Son of God and Jehovah's government would be placed on his shoulders. The Son will be a mighty God and wonderful counselor which describes his priesthood (verse 6). ☆ The Kingdom of the Son of God will be eternal and it will be one of peace. The Kingdom will be established upon the throne of David. The Kingdom will be executed by the King in righteousness and justice. Jehovah God will see to it that this takes place i.e. the eternal Kingdom of the Davidic Messiah (verse 7). 1 Chronicles 29 The Sonship and throne of David are connected ☆ Jehovah chose the holy vine of David to carry the Kingship of Israel. This election also begat Sonship of the royal seed of David (verse 4). ☆ To be Jehovah's Son is to be chosen to be King over the Kingdom of Jehovah God. The throne of David is synonymous with the throne of Jehovah God. The Kingship and Sonship are inherently linked (verse 5). ☆ Jehovah chooses Solomon to build the temple. Jehovah makes a Father-son covenant with Solomon in connection with installing him on the throne of David. The throne of David and the Sonship of Jehovah are connected. To be anoined or installed on the throne of David is to be begotten (adopted) as Jehovah's Son (verse 6). ☆ Jehovah promises to establish the Kingdom of Solomon forever which is conditional upon keeping the commandments. The overall promise to David is unconditional (verse 7). 1 Chronicles 29 The installment of Solomon as King ☆ the congregation of Israel worships both Jehovah God and King David per their respective identities and offices. Jehovah is God and David is the king of Israel. This shows the pattern of Israel's worship of a Father and a Son, the Father is God and the Son is the Davidic King (verse 20). ☆ The throne of David is also called the throne of Jehovah (verse 23). ☆ The congregation of Israel was required to submit themselves to the Davidic King (verse 24). ☆ Jehovah magnified Solomon the Davidic King exceedingly and bestowed upon him royal majesty unlike even Saul and David. Jehovah made Solomon very great (verse 25). Zechariah 3 and 4 The Messiah is the two olive trees that stands before God ☆ Joshua prefigures the future Davidic Messiah being anointed as High priest. Jehovah will bring forth His servant the Branch i.e. the holy vine of David in connection with his anointing which coincides with Jehoshua's baptism (verse 8 Zechariah 3). ☆ Zerubbabel as a type of Davidic King will be empowered by Jehovah's Spirit to ensure the completion of the temple despite opposition (verse 6 of Zechariah 4). ☆ The seven branch candlestick receives the oil from the two olive trees that stand before the God of the earth. The two olive trees are the anointed ones, the office of priest represented here by Joshua and the office of king represented by Zerubbabel. This prefigures the future Davidic Messiah as pouring out the holy Spirit upon his church which is represented by the seven branch candlestick (verses 11-14 of Zechariah 4). Jeremiah 33 The Davidic King is the Branch (sprout, shoot) of righteousness ☆ Jehovah God will raise up the royal seed of David to Kingship who will execute justice and righteousness in the land (verse 15). ☆ Even though David's throne would be empty for over 600 years, Jehovah ensures the continuation of a legitimate Kingship and priesthood joined together by the future Messiah Jehoshua (verse 17). ☆ The seed of David will be multiplied as the sand of the sea prefiguring the begetting of many sons and daughters into the new covenant Davidic Kingdom (verse 22). The new covenant Luke 1 The birth of the prophesied Davidic King ☆ Joseph the father of Jehoshua is of the house of David which is a requirement to be the legitimate Messiah (verse 27). ☆ Mary is not pregnant yet during this announcement and is told she will bring forth a son whose name is Jehoshua (Jehovah saves). The prophesied Messiah was to come in the name of Jehovah God not his own name (verse 31). ☆ The Sonship of Jehoshua is connected with him being given the throne of his father David. This again shows the inherent connection between the Sonship and Kingship (verse 32). ☆ the angel Gabriel reiterates the oath that God made with David and tells Mary that her Son will reign over Israel forever and that he will have an eternal Kingdom showing that Jehoshua is the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant (verse 33). ☆ Mary is astonished at the announcement by Gabriel being that by this time there hadn't been a Davidic King for over 600 years (verse 34) ☆ The holy Spirit would sanctify the birth of the Son of God (verse 35). ☆ Zacharias, John the Baptist's father, praises Jehovah God of Israel for visiting and redeeming His people by raising up a horn (power, king) of salvation from the house of David. Jehovah raising up a Davidic King was equivalent to bringing salvation and visiting the people of Israel. Zacharias posits Jehovah as the God of Israel and the Davidic King as His means of salvation and redemption. The theme of a Father and Son working together for the salvation of Israel continues in the new testament. They are not one being but two as the Father is Jehovah God and the Son is the seed of David (verses 67-69). Luke 2 The census ☆ Joseph is again mentioned as being from the lineage and house of David as that is the prerequisite for the Messiah (verse 4). Luke 3 The anointing of the Davidic King, the beginning of the last days ☆ Jehoshua is baptized as the Father quotes Psalm 2:7 and the Spirit comes upon Him. This is the anointing of Jehoshua as King of Israel and the begetting of Him as the only begotten Son (verse 22). ☆ Jehoshua is the son of Joseph who is the lineage and house of David (verse 23). Luke 4 Jehoshua begins His ministry ☆ For the first time Jehoshua is filled with the holy Spirit fulfilling the Isaiah 11 prophecy of the Branch of David being anointed by Jehovah God (verse 1). ☆ The devil tries to get Jehoshua to doubt His Sonship which is rooted in the Davidic covenant (verses 3 and 9). ☆ Jehoshua directs to worship to Jehovah God alone. Remember, the Davidic King is the covenant Son of God not God Himself (verse 8). ☆ The official launch of Jehoshua's ministry begins on the Sabbath day as he quotes Isaiah 61 (verses 16-21). ☆ The demons acknowledge the Messiahship and Sonship of Jehoshua. The titles of Messiah and Son are rooted in the Davidic covenant (verse 41). Luke 18 The blind man's faith in the son of David heals his sight ☆ the blind man twice calls out to Jehoshua as the son of David. Faith in the Davidic Messiah heals the man (verses 38-42). Matthew 15 A Caananite woman's faith in the Son of David heals her daughter ☆ Jehoshua praises this woman for her great faith and her daughter is healed that very hour. The fact that she called Jehoshua son of David shows that this is the identity he was known by and the identity that validated his claim to Messiahship and Sonship (verses 21-28). Matthew 12 The Son of David is understood as the servant of Jehovah God ☆ the prophet Isaiah is quoted acknowledging Jehoshua as the prophesied elect servant of Jehovah God. The people after seeing Jehoshua heal the blind and dumb man rhetorically ask "is not this the son of David?". This shows that the people were expecting a Davidic Messiah not a mystical trinitarian God man Messiah. Jehoshua's miracles were a proof to the people of Israel that He was the Davidic King (verses 17-23). John 12 The triumphal entry of Jehoshua as the King of Israel ☆ on the way to Jerusalem approaching the feast of passover and unleavened bread the multitude quotes Psalm 118 welcoming the King of Israel Jehoshua who was coming in the name of Jehovah God. The Davidic King ruled the Kingdom in the authority and name of Jehovah God not in their own authority (verse 13). ☆ Zechariah 9:9 is quoted as the King was coming on an asses colt. This shows the humility of the King (verse 14). John 1 The word of God becomes flesh in the anointing of the royal seed of David ☆ the word of God, which is the gospel of the Kingdom, was made flesh when Jehoshua was baptized by the Spirit of Jehovah becoming the only begotten Son of the Father. This goes with Psalm 2:7 which is a coronation hymn of a Davidic King (versr 14). ☆ Jehoshua as the only begotten (Son of inheritance via the Davidic covenant) is in the bosom of the Father sitting at His right hand on the throne of David in the holy of holies in heaven (verse 18). ☆ Nathaniel confesses that Jehoshua is the Son of God and King of Israel two days after Jehoshua is baptized. This shows that to be the Son of God is eqauted with being the King of Israel. It also shows that at Jehoshua's baptism He indeed was anointed as King of Israel (verse 49). Matthew 26 Jehoshua's trial ☆The high priest asks Jehoshua if He is the Messiah and Son of the living God. Both titles are connected to the Davidic Kingship (verse 63). ☆ Jehoshua acknowledges that He is indeed the Messiah and Son of the living God and refers to Daniel 7:13-14 which is a prophetic text about the Son of man receiving a Kingdom from the ancient of days. This prophecy is rooted in the promise that Jehovah made with David in that one of His descendants would be given an eternal Kingdom (verse 64). ☆ It is Jehoshua's acknowledgment that He is the Messiah and Son of the living God that causes the high priest to rent his clothes and accuse Jehoshua of blasphemy (verse 65). Matthew 27 Jehoshua brought before Pilate ☆ pilate ask Jehoshua if He was king of the Jews showing that it was the claim of being King of Israel that was the controversy during Jehoshua's ministry not Him claiming to be God (verse 11). ☆ the Roman soldiers mock Jehoshua by putting a crown of thorns on him and calling him mockinly "King of the Jews" (verse 29). ☆above his cross the moniker "King of the Jews" written in three languages showing that it was Jehoshua's claim to be King of Israel that got him killed hence this was the controversy that raised the anger of the Jews and Romans. No evidence that Jehoshua claiming to be God is what put him on the cross (Verse 37). ☆ Jehoshua mocked by passerby's for claiming to be the Son of God and yet hanging from the cross and about to die. This shows that it was Jehoshua's claim to be the Son of God that was known among the common people not any claim to be God. Again, the title Son of God is rooted in the Davidic covenant (verse 40). ☆ again, Jehoshua is mocked this time they rhetorically ask if he is the King of Israel why isn't he able to save Himself. This shows that being the King of Israel was who Jehoshua was claiming to be not God as the King of Israel must be a descendant of David (verse 42). ☆ Jehoshua is again mocked for claiming to be the Son of God and yet God is not delivering him. This shows that the title's Son of God and King of Israel are interchangeable terms. This reiterates that the controversial item regarding Jehoshua's identity had nothing to do with Him claiming to be God but rather the Davidic King who was also covenanted as God's Son (verse 43). ☆ Jehoshua utters the cry of David and calls out to His God. This shows that Jehoshua had a God just as his father David did. Their God is Jehovah (verse 46). ☆ a Roman centurion expresses faith that Jehoshua is the Son of God after he dies. Again, this shows that Jehoshua was known among the common people, soldiers, religous leaders and civil authorities as the Son of God or at least that he claimed to be in their eyes. The Sonship is firmly rooted in the promise Jehovah God made to David (verse 54). John 20 Mary Magadelene sees the resurrected Son of God ☆ Jehoshua tells Mary not to touch him yet as he has not ascended to her Father and His Father and her God and His God. This shows that the eternal Davidic King has a God who is His Father. This is per the Davidic covenant which is a Father-son relationship between Jehovah God and the royal offspring of David (verse 17). ☆ John's whole purpose for writing his gospel so that his audience would know that Jehoshua is the Messiah and Son of God. John says that if you believe in the name (identity, character and authority) of the Son of God you will have everlasting life. Again, the Messiahship and Sonship of Jehoshua are rooted in the Davidic covenant. Jehoshua's name which represents his identity, character and authority are tied into the covenant Jehovah made with David. Matthew 16 Foundation of the church ☆Peter confesses that Jehoshua is the Messiah & Son of the living God. Jehoshua says that the Father has revealed this to Peter (16-17) |
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