Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
John Chapter 15
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. The prophets depicted Israel as a vineyard or vine planted by God in order to produce the fruit of righteousness and justice that delights Him. Jehoshua is the new covenant vine that the Father Jehovah planted. In this parable the Messiah presents Himself as the true Israel. Whereas joining the nation of Israel was the way to be in covenant with Jehovah God in the old testament, being in Messiah is the way to be in covenant with Jehovah in the new testament. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Those professed Christians that do not bear fruit are removed from the vine by the Father which shows the error of the once saved always saved doctrine and that are works don't play a part in salvation. Those that endure are disciplined (purgeth) and bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. This verse is key in understanding the importance of keeping the teachings of the Son of God. Many churches today are teaching that the commandments of Jehoshua are only for the Jews. However, it is the very words of Jehoshua that wash us clean and His words are what husbands wash their wives with. This includes all of the King of Israel's teachings which are summed up in the sermon on the mount. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. Jehoshua exhorts us to abide in Him and this we must do in order to produce fruit. What does it mean to abide in the Messiah? It is not merely believing that Jehoshua is your Saviour and having an emotional attachment or a mere mental ascent in knowledge of who He is, but rather it is keeping the words that Jehoshua taught i.e. His commandments. Just believing with your mind that Jehoshua is Saviour doesn't produce fruit but rather following His teachings which is clear from verse 3 and will be clearer as we continue in this study. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Jehoshua restates that He is the vine of Jehovah and that as His branches we must abide in Him in order to produce fruit. Without abiding in Jehoshua we cannot do anything. No profession of faith is worth it's salt if it is not accompanied by abiding in the Son of God. Again, to abide in the Son of God is not merely a profession of belief in Him but rather to be His disciple and keep His sayings. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. Those that merely profess a belief in the Messiah but not actually keep His commandments do not bear fruit and are cast off the vine (Jehoshua). They then wither and at the judgment they will be cast into the lake of fire. This parable of the King of Israel refutes easy believism and once saved always. This parable clearly shows that these ones cast off were once actually part of the vine (Jehoshua). 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. This verse clearly shows what it means to abide in the Son of God. Abiding in Jehoshua is evidenced by having His words in you meaning you keep His words which is demonstrated by your actions. His words are His commandments i.e. the sermon on the mount. This again easily refutes the evangelical churches teaching that a Christian need not keep Jehoshua's sayings but only Paul's. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. The Father is glorified when Christians don't merely believe (mental ascent) in Jehoshua but actually follow Jehoshua's doctrine (commandments). Only by keeping the teachings of Jehoshua do we have a right to call ourselves His disciples. Only disciples will enter into the Kingdom of the Father. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. How the Father loves Jehoshua is how Jehoshua loves us. The next verse will tell us how we continue in the love of the Son of God. John 15:10 "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love." The Father loved Jehoshua because Jehoshua kept the commandments of the Father. This is how the Son abides in the Father in that He keeps the Father's commandments. This is exactly the biblical definition of love i.e. keeping the commandments of God (1 John 5:2-3). Biblical love is not based on sentimentality but rather obedience to God's commandments. Guess what? This is exactly how we are loved by the Son in that we keep His commandments (sermon on the mount). There is an "if" in terms of abiding in the Son's love and that "if" is based on our obedience to the Son of God's teachings. Jehoshua's words directly contradict the evangelical notion that Jehoshua loves us no matter how we live and that we abide in His love no matter what because He died on the cross. There are conditions to abiding in the love of Jehoshua and those conditions are keeping His commandments (John 14:15). Verse 11 of John 15: "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." This parable about the vine and the branches is not one of legalism as the evangelicals try to imply but rather it is a message of joy because those who keep the commandments of the Son of God will remain in relationship with Him and also have the peace that surpasses all understanding. There are blessings that come with obeying the Messiah. The joy of the Son is that He abides in the Father's love by keeping His commandments. When we follow the obedient example of the King of Israel then we will have the same joy Jehoshua has. Verse 12 of John 15: "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." Just as the Father's commandments are rooted in love (1 John 5:2-3), the Son of God's commandments (sermon on the mount) are rooted in love. Jehoshua up's the ante in how we are to love each as brethren. We are to love each other as Jehoshua loved us which is a self denying sacrificial love. The whole sermon on the mount was about denying self for the benefit of others. This love that Jehoshua talks about is not a wishy washy sentimental Churchy type of love promoted by the evangelical churches but rather a type of love that causes one to lay down his life for his friends as noted in verse 13 of John 15: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." While the evangelicals will say "see Jesus commandments are only that we have to love each other". They say this trying to get out of having to obey His actual teachings and thinking that there once a week fellowship at a church building putting on a smile and being nice is the type of love Jehoshua is talking about but they are wrong. The type of love that is equated to keeping the Son of God's commandments is the love that will literally lay down it's life for the brethren as Jehoshua Himself did. Verse 14 of John 15: " Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." Another conditional promise, we are only Jehoshua's friends if we keep His commandments. Our relationship with Jehoshua is based and rooted in keeping His commandments. His commandments are summed up in the sermon on the mount and also include everything He taught. Today's evangelical will say they are friends of Jehoshua and at the same time say that we don't have to actually Keep His commandments. They are self deceived. Our friendship with the eternal Davidic King is exactly based on our obeying His commandments. Verse 15 of John 15: "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." This is a very important verse to comprehend. Jehoshua did not hide anything from His apostles and in turn they did not hide anything from us. This eliminates any possibility of post biblical revelation. Everything we need to know is written in scripture. This eliminates the false belief that the trinity was progressive revelation after the apostles died. Jehoshua clearly said He made known unto the apostles everything that He heard from the Father. If God was a trinity Jehoshua would have taught it. Same thing regarding the Sabbath, if it was no longer relevant Jehoshua would have said so and this includes Sunday as the supposed "Lord's day". The fact that Jehoshua mentions none of these things eliminates these doctrines from being true. Also, the virgin birth is hurt by this because nowhere in scripture does Jehoshua or His apostles teach this and yet the Son of God said He kept nothing from the Apostles. Verse 16 of John 15: "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." It is the Father that initiates the salvation process and His Son, working in union with Him, also elects us. This shows that ultimately salvation comes from God and comes through His Son. The Father and Son are one in Spirit, plan and purpose (John 10:30). Understanding this eliminates any pride we can have in our salvation. When we are chosen by the Son of God, we are then ordained as kings and priests via the Holy Spirit. This takes place at our conversion which involves faith, repentance and baptism. From the time of our conversion we are then to bear much fruit for the Kingdom. Our fruit will remain as our righteous works will follow us (Revelation 14:13). These righteous works will be rewarded on judgment day (Revelation 11:15-19). If we bear fruit for the Kingdom then we can boldly ask anything of the Father in the name of the Son of God and expect to receive it. This of course isn't a license to treat God as a Santa Claus but rather ask according to His will. Verse 17 of John 15: "These things I command you, that ye love one another." All of the Father's and Son's commandments are rooted in love. Many use this verse to eliminate the need to actually keep the specific commandments of God and His Son by saying "all we have to do is love". This ignores the truth that to fulfill the commandment to love one another includes actually following the specific instructions given by God and His Son Jehoshua. When we look at the actual commandments given by the Son of God on the sermon on the mount, we see that love is at root of them. Keeping the teachings of the Son of God, given on the mount, is practicing love because those sayings are instructions on how to love people. This statement in verse 17 takes us back to verse 12 where Jehoshua says "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." So while the evangelical Christian tries to excuse himself from actually keeping Jehoshua's teachings and uses this verse (17) to do so, he runs into the problem of verse 12 where the command to love another is to love one another the way Jehoshua did. We must ask ourselves, how did Jehoshua love us? He laid down His life and died for us. He washed the feet of His disciples. He gave instruction with patience. Even though He was the King of Israel He didn't seek to be served but rather served others. He allowed Himself to be reviled and beaten without striking back. The command to love one another is not a passive emotional feeling but rather an active sacrificial self denying type of love. This is where the teachings of Jehoshua come into play as they lay out the specifics of what that love looks like. Verse 18 of John 15: "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." This is the comfort of those of us Christians who experience hatred from those in the world. The same people who hate Christians today would have hated the Messiah if they lived in the first century or if He was here now. Verse 19 of John 15 "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." This again shows the sovereign election of God through His Son as we are chosen by them to be taken out of the world and translated into the Kingdom (Colossians 1:12-13). Because we are no longer of the world we are not loved by them. Just as the world hated Jehoshua they hate us. This is because Jehoshua's ways are in absolute contradiction to the ways of the world. The ways of Jehoshua's Kingdom expose the evil ways of the world's kingdom. Darkness does not like to be exposed by the light and the subsequent reaction of those in darkness is hatred and reviling. Verse 20 of John 15: "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." Many Christians often forget about this, just as Jehoshua was persecuted by those in the world, we as His servants will also be persecuted by those in the world. Many Churches place themselves above the Messiah by teaching that Christians don't have to go through persecution in order to truly follow the Son of God. This is false as going through tribulation and suffering is actually a sign that we are worthy of the Kingdom (2nd Thessalonians 1:4-5). Verse 21 of John 15: "But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me." Why does the world persecute Christians? It's simple, because they don't know God. They do not have a relationship with Jehovah God the creator of this world. Verse 22 of John 15: "If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin." The Messiah's ministry in Israel, like the preaching of the gospel in various nations today, removes the excuse of men's ignorance and provokes their antipathy. Verse 23 of John 15: "He that hateth me hateth my Father also." Many people claim to love God but they reject Jehoshua. You find this in many religions, notably Judaism which claims to worship the God of Israel but yet rejects it's Messiah. No one who rejects the King of Israel Jehoshua gives true worship to God no matter how devoted he may be to his own religion. Verse 24 of John 15: "If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father." Jehoshua was unique in that He did works which no other man did. Now that Jehoshua has been made known throughout the world via the gospel men do not have any excuse for rejecting Him. To reject Jehoshua is to hate Him and His Father. This includes the Messiah rejecting Jews and their Rabbi's. Verse 25 of John 15: "But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause." This quote comes from Psalm 69:4 which David wrote. Just as King David was hated and had many enemies, his offspring Jehoshua was hated even though He was sinless. Psalm 2 was, in it's immediate context, about King David and his persecution by the rulers of this world yet it was ultimately fulfilled in Messiah. The same applies to Psalm 69:4. Jehoshua only did good to mankind but for all His love and kindness they hated and crucified Him. Verse 26 of John 15: "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me" The Comforter was to come to the Church after the Messiah ascended to heaven. It would be the Son who would send it (Acts 2:33). The Comforter would originate from the Father, being sent from Him. This is the Holy Spirit which is called the Spirit of truth. Keep in mind that Jehoshua is also called our Comforter in 1 John 2:1 (advocate, same Greek word as Comforter). Jehoshua as says He is the way, the TRUTH and the life one chapter earlier in John 14:6. The Holy Spirit is the very Spirit of the Son of God as Romans 8 states. It is also the Spirit of the Father. The Spirit of the Father and Son testify of Jehoshua Messiah. The evidence that someone has the Holy Spirit is if they testify that Jehoshua is the Messiah of God and Son of the living God. Verse 27 of John 15 "And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning" The apostles were to take the message of Jehoshua to all the nations (Matthew 28:19). This is the definition of prophecy from a new testament perspective. Prophecy in the new testament is testifying of Jehoshua. This includes what He taught during His earthly ministry, who He is in identity as well as the speaking of the old testament prophecies about Him. The book of Revelation says that the testimony of Jehoshua is the Spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). Many churches today leave out the testimony of Jehoshua by not teaching His commandments and what His true identity is, which is being the seed of David according to the gospel (2 Timothy 2:8). Revelation 12:17 says that the remnant Church would keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jehoshua Messiah.
0 Comments
Back to the book of Revelation 13, verse 3: "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast" Many believe this verse was fulfilled when General Berthier of the French army captured the Pope and put him in prison. This severely hurt the civil power of the papacy. Also, another event that gave the Papacy a deadly wound was the Protestant reformation. In these two events the Papacy received both a deadly religious and deadly civil wound. However, the wound of the beast heals causing the world to wonder after him. In 1929, the Lateran concordat was signed between the Papacy and the Vatican giving the Vatican sovereignty. Also, over the last 50 years the Papacy has made tremendous inroads into the Protestant churches signing many covenant agreements with them most notably on the 500 year anniversary of the Protestant reformation on October 31st, 2017. This agreement between the Catholic Church and the Protestant denominations effectively ended the 500 protest against the Catholic Church by many of the major Protestant denominations. This is not too mention the increasing civil power that the Papacy has gained over the years including Pope John Paul II working with Ronald Reagan to bring down the Soviet Union. Both appeared on the cover of Time magazine with the title "Holy Alliance". Pope Francis visit to the U.S. in 2015 was historic on many fronts as he visited the White house, spoke at the U.N. and conducted interfaith services. The Vatican flag was featured prominently at both the White house and the United Nations. Not only has the Papacy united with many of the Protestant churches but he also has gone on a whirlwind tour worldwide to make covenants with the various religions of the world including the eastern Orthodox Churches. At this point in history the world is wondering after the beast as Pope Francis has become the religious leader of the world. Verse 4 of Revelation 13: "And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" Ultimately loyalty to the beast (Papacy) is akin to worshipping Satan. The Papal led Catholic Church ran the holy Roman empire for over a thousand years and killed over 50 million Christians during that time frame. Verse 5 of Revelation chapter 13: "And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months" The 42 months covers the interadvental Church age. Verse 25 of Daniel 7 fits verses 4 and 5 of Revelation 13 as this beast of Revelation 13 does the same thing as the little horn of Daniel 7 in that they both wear out the saints through persecution and both speak blasphemous words against the most high God. This beast is given power to continue his reign during the whole of the new covenant Church age. Just a superficial research on the various quotes by the various popes throughout church history reveal several damning blasphemies. Verse 6 of Revelation 13: " And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven" Here I want to focus on the little horn antichrist as blaspheming God's tabernacle and those that dwell in heaven.In Daniel 8 we see similar language said about the antitypical little horn Antiochus IV Epiphanes: 10And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.11Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.12And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. Antiochus Epiphanes IV is in view here and it describes his defilement of the worship system of Israel. At that time, Israel was in the old covenant and its system of worship was centered on the temple, Levitical priesthood, feast days and the law of Moses in general. Antiochus descreated this system for about 1260 days until the Macabees rose up and retook the temple and cleansed it. Lets go through these verses and identify the parallels between what the old testament little horn (antiochus) and the new testament little horn (papacy) did and continues to do. In vese 10 it says that Antiochus cast down some of the hosts and stars to the ground. This is a symbolic reference to God's people. Hosts can mean army as well. Certainly Antiochus had to defeat Israel's army to gain control of the temple. Antiochus also had to cast God's people (stars) to the ground (persecution). While many modern American Christians are looking to some future fulfillment of this in Geo-political Israel the truth is that this already took place nearly 1700 years ago and even beyond that. If we understand the Papacy to be the new testament little horn, then we easily see the above description about what Antiochus did to Israel of the old covenant fit into what the Papacy did to the new covenant Israel i.e. the Church. The hosts of Jehovah God in the new testament is His church which is the Israel of God (Galatians 6:12-16). Paul describes believers in Jehoshua Messiah as His soldiers: 2 Timothy 2:3-4 3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. In Ephesians 6 we are exhorted to put on the whole armor of God so that we can battle in spiritual warfare. So how did the Papacy cast the hosts (believers in the Son of God) down to the ground? By brutally persecuting the saints that refused to take the Papal mark of authority and by refusing to take part in the Catholic Church's counterfeit system of worship. Over 50 million Christians were killed by the Papal led Catholic Church during the age where the Catholic Church ruled over europe. Stars in the book of Revelation are said to be angels i.e. messengers. Many believe this refers to actual Bishops of the seven churches and not spirit angels. During the Catholic Church's rise to power in Christendom the true Bishops who kept the purity of the Christian faith were maligned, ex-communionicated and even martyrd at the hands of the Roman Catholic Church. As early as the 2nd century this was happening as pope Victor of Rome thundered excommunications after the asian churches refused to keep easter Sunday instead choosing to honor the apostolic tradition of observing passover on the 14th of Nisan and resurrection day subsequently on first fruits which fallse on the 16th of Nisan. This was the early days of what would evolve into the Roman Catholic Church setting up a false worship system thinking to change God's times and laws. The Roman Catholic Church stamped God's true remnant church to the ground continually from the 4th century all the way up to the 18th century and even to a lesser extent today. In verse 11 it says that the old testament little horn magnified Himself to the prince of the host. This alludes to Antiochus considering himself to be eqaul to God hence his nickname Epiphanes which means "God manifest". The new testament little horn the Papacy has done the same thing exalting himself to be eqaul with God and His Son. Many titles have been given to the popes such as "holy Father" and "vicar of the Son of God" for example. The Papacy has also claimed to be the sole head of the Christian church (primacy of the bishop of Rome). For one, Jehoshua said to call no man father except our Father in heaven. Second, while all Christians are representatives (vicars-plural) of the Son of God, the title "vicar" indicates a theocratic superiority of the Papacy over the rest of Christianity. Vicar means vice regent so in other words the Papacy claims ultimate headship and authority over the Church. There are a number of problems with Papacy claiming this title for themselves. For one, there is nowhere in the new testament that anyone is given this supremacy. Infact, Jehoshua said the opposite in that those who desired to be the greatest in the Kingdom must be the servants of all: Matthew 20:25-28 25But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.26But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;27And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. This description of how we are to be as Christians in that even the supposed greatest in the Kingdom has to serve the brethren and basically be a servant rather than chief. The Papacy has done the exact opposite of this. Also, if any church was the central Headqaurters of Christianity it was the Jersusalem church not the Roman church. James the brother of Jehoshua was the Bishop of the Jerusalem Church and yet we see in Acts 15 that he humbly heeded Peter's testimony in helping him (James) give the decree that the Gentiles did not have to keep the law of Moses. Acts 15 shows that the Jerusalem Church was the centerpoint of early Christianity yet they did not excercise an authoritarian control over the various churches that were being established by the apostles. Once the Jerusalem Church ceased to exist in its original form, the Church did not have one singular central place of authority. There is no vice regent (vicar) of the Son of God on earth today except the Holy Spirit which represents the Messiah and leads and teaches the Church in His bodily abscence. This is why Jehoshua said: John 16:13 13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. We dont need the Papacy as the voice of the Son of God on earth (another claim) when we have the Son of God's Spirit to lead us into all truth. Verse 11 of Daniel 8: "Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down" Lets now talk about the daily sacrifice being taken away, this refers to Antiochus stopping the continual burnt offering as part of the sanctuary worship system that Jehovah established. How do we correlate this with the new testament and the little horn of our day. We know that in the new covenant we do not offer animal sacrifices anymore as Jehoshua was our once and for all perfect sacrifice. However, we still do offer spiritual sacrifices as stated by the apostle Peter in his 1st epistle: 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jehoshua Messiah. And this verse above is the key to understanding exactly what the little horn of the new testament accomplished for centuries. He put an end to the daily spiritual sacrifices offered by God's people directly to the holy of holies in the heavenly sanctuary through the High Priest Jehoshua and instead cast his own sanctuary down and commanded that all worship had to be done through the Catholic Church via its ritualistic Mass. The Catholic Church system became the temple and sanctuary by which worshippers were required to offer their sacrifices. No longer was direct access to the most holy place in the heavenly places allowed but rather the Catholic Church set itself up as the conduit in which all worshippers were required to go to offer their sacrifices and recieve forgiveness of sins. Not only that but the Catholic Church denied the priesthood of all believers as stated by Peter above and later John the beloved apostle (Rev 1:5-6; 5:9-10). Only men ordained by the Church were allowed to forgive sins and carry out priesthood functions directly contrary to what Peter the apostle stated. The Roman Catholic Church set up a counterfeit worship system with counterfeit sacrifices and a counterfeit temple as they brought down everything from New Jerusalem to Rome. Revelation 13:7 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. The sea beast will be given power to make war with the saints and overcome them. The Roman Papal Church did this very thing from the 4th century until the 1700's persecuting Christian groups throughout Europe that fell outside their domain. The tentacles of the Roman Catholic Church spreads throughout the world. More than ever, the Roman Pope wields incredibile influence in the world both in the religious spector as well as the secular. Revelation 13:8 8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Only those who hear the voice of the Son of God will refuse to bow down to the Papal antichrist. As ecumenism grows, more and more Christians are being asked to honor the Pope and give him respect as a true religious leader. True Christians however will not give their allegiance to the man of sin. Those who call the Pope holy father show that there names are not written in the lambs book of life. Revelation 13:9-10 9If any man have an ear, let him hear.10He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. Many prophecy students believe that this passage refers to the capture of Pope in 1798 by General Berthier of Napoleons army as he was led into captivity as the Papacy received a significant wound to their civil power. See the entry from Wikipedia below: "General Berthier marched to Rome, entered it unopposed on 10 February 1798, and, proclaiming a Roman Republic, demanded of the pope the renunciation of his temporal authority. Upon his refusal, Pius was taken prisoner, and on 20 February was escorted from the Vatican to Siena, and thence to the Certosanear Florence. The French declaration of war against Tuscany led to his removal (he was escorted by the Spaniard Pedro Gómez Labrador, Marquis of Labrador) by way of Parma, Piacenza, Turin and Grenoble to the citadel of Valence, the chief town of Drômewhere he died six weeks after his arrival, on 29 August 1799, having then reigned longer than any pope." Revelation 13:11 11And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. Now lets talk about the false prophet. Most Christians focus on the first beast when talking about prophecy. I believe there is actually a reason for this as most Churches and their Pastors almost ignore the false prophet and his/its possible identity. If the "sea" represents a multitude of people then the "earth" reasonably represents a sparsley populated area. In the bible "sea" oftens represents multitudes of people. Its likely the reference to "earth" is meant to connotate the exact opposite of the "sea" which is that the earth beast rises out of a sparsley populated area. So why would Churches and their Pastors not give too much attention to the identity of the false prophet? Because it is obvious from the description of the earth beast that it is a professed Christian system. How do we know? Because it has two horns like a lamb. This is a clear reference to the Son of God Jehoshua. So this false prophet can in no way be Muslim or any other religious system as they do not believe Jehoshua is the Lamb of God. The question is, what Christian system qaulifies as the false prophet? This is what the Churches and their Pastors are scared too death of. If the earth is a reference to a sparsley populated area and the description of the false prophet is a Christian institution then it is obvious that the American Christian Church is sqaurely in view. They can deny it all they want but the proof is not only in the scriptures but also in how majority of American Church is full of false antinomian doctrine and compromise with the world. This false prophet is Christian in veneer only as it speaks as a dragon. The lamb like horns give it a Christian appearance but the mouth speaking as a Dragon shows its true character. This does not refer to all American Christians nor all American Churches but rather the institutional 501 C 3 Church system and many Independent ones as well. So how has the American church spoken as a dragon? From day one American Christians rejected the teachings of Jehoshua to love their neighbors as well as their enemies and they slaughtered the native Americans without mercy. Christians even killed each other, Puritans persecuting Baptists. The civil war saw Christians killing Christians. Pastors from their pulpits have endorsed American wars even speaking against anyone who called for peace. The American church continues to endorse ungodly men as Presidents denying the teachings of the Son of God who said that His Kingdom is not of this world otherwise His servants would fight for it. Slavery is another black eye for the American Church who mostly endorsed the practice. Christians in America continually yoke themselves to political parties and are big promoters of the American military who have bombed many countries and their civillians. They have called this a Christian country thereby thinking that God endoreses the Killing of their enemies. This is not too mention the false doctrines taught by the Church in America. The Church in America has become largely lawless (antinomian). They continually speak ill about Jehovah's law and deride anyone who has a desire to keep it. They even now say we dont have to keep the Son of God's commandments on the sermon on the mount as that is supposed to be for Jews only. They have gone so far as to say that no matter how you live you cannot lose your salvation. The list goes on an on for the false doctrines taught by the Church in America. There are too many to mention. I believe the speaking as a dragon is a direct reference to the false prophet speaking against Jehovah's law. This is precisely what the American church does, they malign God's law and those who have a desire to keep it. The trinity is the number one false demonic doctrine of the American Church as it goes against the most important commandment according to Jehoshua (Mark 12:28-34) andthe first commandment of the decalogue. Revelation 13:12 12And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. The false prophet wields the same power that the first beast (Papacy) does. The Protestant Church in America is powerful and has heavy influence in Washington D.C. and also in the world through missions and church plants and membership in the World Council of Churches. The ultimate goal for the false prophet is to lead men to worship the Papal antichrist. This is exactly what is taking place right now in the Protestant/Evangelical/Orthodox Christian world. The American church is front and center in leading the Church to Rome and the Papacy. The number of ecumenical events in recent years between Evangelicals and The Roman Catholic Church is becoming to much to count. The Evangelical Catholics together document of 1994 was signifigant in that it brought both factions together agreeing not to evangelize each other. In 2011, famous Pastor Greg Laurie had a joint worship festival with the Catholic church diocese of Green Bay Wisconsin. In 2016, there was the Azusa Street revival featuring Lou Engel of the National Apostolic Reformation movement and a Bishop from the Roman Catholic Church. Both Lou Engel and the Bishop bowed down to each other and apologized for the Protestant reformation. In October 2017, the 500 year anniversary of the Protestant reformation was Commemorated after a year long celebration that saw Protestants uniting with Catholic ending with a signed agreement based on the eucharist, evangelism and the nicene creed. October 2017 was the official end of the Protestant reformation and it signified the healing of the deadly wound of the Papacy. Revelation 13:13 (KJV) "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men" The fire that comes down from heaven likely could be a counterfeit of the day of Pentecost when the apostles spoke in tongues which clearly were foreign languages. The context of Acts chapter 2 shows that the tongues spoken by the apostles were the languages of the Jews and proselytes that came to Jerusalem for the feast. The counterfeit promoted by The false prophet Evangelical/Protestant churches is the babbling tongues. These babbling tongues are especially promoted by the charismatic churches and Pentecostals. This is actually another point of agreement with Evangelicals and Catholics as the Roman Catholic Church has their own charaismatic renewal movement. The 1960's through 80's saw Catholics and Evangelical charaismatics unite and come together over these false tongues. Nowhere in scripture is there such a thing as babbling tongues where the Holy Spirit causes people to utter babel. All communication in the bible whether from God, Jehoshua, angels or God's people has spoken in words that could be understood by the hearers. Revelation 13:14 "And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live" The signs and wonders movement of the charaismatic churches along with their Catholic counterparts has decieved much of Christendom. At some point even those in the world will be decieved by the signs and wonders movement of the Evangelical church. The reference to all that dwell on the earth doesn't neccessarily have to mean every person but could specifically mean those who are part of the earth beast i.e. Protestant America. "The image of the beast", many have speculated on what this means with some thinking it could be a statue or literal physical image of some sort. First we have to understand what is the beast who had the deadly wound and did live. As we hsve discussed already, the Papacy is the first beast. Its not just the Papacy itself as an office but also the civil government that the Papacy ruled over. During the dark ages the Papacy ruled over the Roman empire at first and later on what became known as the holy Roman empire (basically Europe). It was a Church-State government. The image of the beast is a replica or copy of the union of Church and State that the first beast was. Ever since it was founded America has been promoted as a Christian nation by the Protestant/Evangelical Church. Since the founding of America religious laws have been put in place by the Puritans and other Christians. Penalties would be instituted for those who blasphemed the trinity or broke the sunday Sabbath. The penalties would be a fine and whipping and then jail and even more severe than that. Many of these laws are still on the books but lie dormant. Some states and/or cities still enforce Sunday observance such as Utah. The myth of America being a Christian nation is what drives the Protestant/Evangelical Church to immerse itself in politics as they are desperate to return America to Christian morals. This has caused Christians to endorse incredibly immoral men such as Donald Trump and men with non Christian policies and character such as George Bush Jr. and Ronald Reagan. Protestant and Evangelicals have proven they will sell out their morals and principles in order to gain political power. Although it is popular to say their is seperation of church and state in reality there is not as the American Church is heavily involed in the Republican party. Basically the image of the beast is a union of Church and State. Revelation 13:15 "And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed" The False prophet (Protestant America) gives life to the image of the beast (Church-State union) by its undying support of the Republican party and its presidential candidates. This also refers to Protestant America's strong support of Geo-political Israel and their union with that country. The image of the beast speaking refers to the Church-State union decreeing civil and religious laws. There is coming a day when those who don't adhere to the religious laws implemented by the image of the beast (Church-State union) will be put to death. As unrealistic as this seems to some there are already laws in place in the event of martial law for Pastors to act as Judas goats in turning in their own congregants for not obeying the government. This is called the "FEMA Clergy Response Team". Reports of ready to be activated FEMA camps along with black coffins and possibly guillotines housed there have been published. There also was a "Pastoral Care Crisis Packet" published by the Seventh Day Adventist church in the event of people being put into FEMA camps. Also, FEMA is working with the American Church denominations to prevent active shooter incidents. FEMA has instructed the Churches to put together "Tactical Assestment Teams" in order to root out possible trouble makers in the Church. These alleged "trouble makers" are ones who question things and don't go along with the program. Basically the beast system is using the harlot churches of America to act as Judas goats and betray the true body of Messiah. Revelation 13 "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads" It is the false prophet that causes all to receive the mark of the beast (Papacy). The mark will be given to all classes of society. This mark goes in the right hand and/or forehead. The identity of what the mark of the beast actually is has been the subject of tons of speculation. Most of the American church believes the mark of the beast to be a literal mark having to do with technology. We are on safer ground when we let scripture interpret scripture. We see in the very next chapter of Revelation (14:1) that the seal of God placed on the saints foreheads in Revelation 7 turned out to be the Father's name. This seal of God's name in the forehead of the saints is obviously spiritual and not a physical seal. If the seal of God is spiritual and not physical then we can safely conclude the same regarding the mark of the beast. However, we actually have more evidence that reveals the truth about the nature of what the mark of the beast is. Again, scripture not news headlines need to interpret scripture. Let's go to Deuteronomy 6: 4Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah:5and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.6And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart;7and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.8And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes. In context of this passage is the commandments of Jehovah God with the shema being the most important one (Mark 12:28-34). The shema teaches that Jehovah God is one singular person and Jehoshua teaches that this is His and our Father (John 17:3). The false prophet American Church is in violation of the most important commandment in the bible. All of Jehovah's commandments are in view as in Deuteronomy 5 the 10 commandments were given. The other instructions known as "the law of Moses" are also in view here. In the new covenant the "law of Messiah" sermon on the mount supercedes Moses instruction in terms of how we guard and keep the 10 commandments. In verse 8 of Deuteronomy 6, Moses says that we are to have Jehovah's law bound upon our hand and the frontlets between our eyes in other words our forehead. This is exactly where we are to have the mark of the beast, on the hand and forehead. So if the seal of God on our hand and forehead is His law then the mark of the beast must be the opposite, which is the breaking of God's commandments. The mainstream Church's focus on technology being the mark of the beast is simply a distraction to the real issue at heart, which is that mostof the church willfully teaches the breaking of God's commandments. If you proclaim that you keep God's commandments notably the Sabbath then you will be accused of being a legalist. Part 3 of my study Royal Davidic Messianism
Luke 22 19And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.20And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you. The above is the new covenant that Jehoshua instituted. By His death Jehoshua instituted the new covenant which promises inner sanctification and covenantal knowledge of God based upon forgiveness of sins. The new covenant is the covenant of His Kingdom which was inaugurated shortly after His death and resurrection. This is the covenant that all those who belong to His Kingdom live by. The new covenant includes the law of the eternal Davidic King (Jehoshua). Luke 22:29-30 29 and I appoint unto you a kingdom, even as my Father appointed unto me,30 that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and ye shall sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. This is said by Jehoshua in the present tense and in the context of the Lord's supper which was the meal signifying the coming new covenant. The death and resurrection of Jehoshua instituted the new covenant and His ascension instituted His Kingdom. So first Jehoshua makes a new covenant with the apostles instituted by the shedding of His blood and then subsequently covenants (appoints) them a Kingdom. Is this Kingdom for a future millennium or is it for the church age? The whole context of the new testament teaches us that the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah was already a present reality in the 1st century Church. Also, Acts 2, Hebrews 1 and other passages show us that Jehoshua was set on the throne of David in heaven upon His ascension. When Jehoshua tells the apostles that He appoints (bestows) upon them a Kingdom He says this in the present tense as mentioned before. What does Jehoshua mean by "that ye may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom". Some think He is speaking about the marriage supper of the Lamb, however that is to take place when the Kingdom of God comes at the consummation and is already mentioned in verses 16 and 18. How do we know this? Because in verses 16 and 18 Jehoshua mentions Himself eating of the passover and the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God shall come. In verse 30 above Jehoshua just mentions the apostles eating and drinking at His (Jehoshua's table). There are some very subtle differences here. Although the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah is eternal, we have to remember that He hands over the Kingdom to the Father so that His Father will be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). This is what Jehoshua is talking about when He says "until the Kingdom of God shall come". 1 Corinthians 15:24-25 24Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. Paul clearly says that Jehoshua is currently reigning and he wrote this in 54 or 55 AD. When the end comes the Jehoshua will hand over the Kingdom to the Father at which time the Father being God will be all in all as He will now dwell with man. This is when the Kingdom of God comes to the earth and the marriage supper of the Lamb is fulfilled in which Jehoshua eats the passover and drinks the wine (fruit of the vine) with His bride (the church). Until that happens though Jehoshua is reigning and obviously in order to reign He has to have a Kingdom to reign over. Paul says the Son of God's Kingdom was already existing all the way back in 61 and 62 AD when he wrote Colossians 1: 12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Paul says that by virtue of the Father delivering us from Satan's kingdom that we are automatically translated (transferred) into the Kingdom of the Son of God. There is no way around it, for Paul the Son of God's Kingdom was a present reality brought into being by the ministry, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jehoshua Messiah. The Father was working in His Son to bind Satan and plunder His kingdom With this in mind lets go back to Luke 22 verse 29, notice that Jehoshua says the Father already appointed Him a Kingdom. The Kingdom of Jehoshua was already beginning as He was anointed as the King of Israel at His baptism being confessed as such two days later by Nathanael (John 1:49). This already present Kingdom is now being appointed (bestowed) upon the apostles. As the aforementioned verses show the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah was already in full effect during the apostolic church era. Revelation 1:9 "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jehoshua Messiah, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jehoshua Messiah" John the beloved apostle clearly says that he alongwith the other brethen were already in the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah which was evident by them suffering persecution (tribulation) which produces patience both of which are hallmarks of being in the Son of God's Kingdom. Lets now revisit Jehoshua's statement to the apostles in verse 30 of Luke 22 that they will eat and drink at Jehoshua's table in His Kingdom. Is this about the marriage supper of the Lamb which takes place in the new heavens and new earth? Remember 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 where Jehoshua is going to hand over the Kingdom to the Father? This means that the marriage supper of the Lamb takes place technically during the Father's Kingdom, when He is all in all, after the Son hands it over to Him. Since it is clear that the Son of God's Kingdom was already in full swing during the 1st century Church, then I submit that the eating and drinking at the Lord's table in His Kingdom takes place in this age not the next age. Let's prove this by scripture: Hebrews 13:10 10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. In view here is the temple system of worship and service by the Levitical priests along with the required animal sacrifices. The author of Hebrews throughout the whole epistle is contrasting the imperfect old covenant system with the perfect new covenant which is centered on the once and for all perfect sacrifice of Jehoshua Messiah. In the tabernacle ministry, the priests were allowed to eat the shewbread which was also called the bread of the presence. The bread represented the presence of Jehovah God or that the bread was to be there on the table continually in the presence of Jehovah God as His presence was in the holy and most holy place of the sanctuary. Note this from Wikipedia concerning the shewbread: "In the Books of Samuel, Ahimelek is described as asking for an assurance that David's men were in a ritually pure state, namely that they had not been involved in sexual activity with women, before handing over the old shewbread; biblical scholars view this as suggesting that the showbread was originally a sacrificial meal which was viewed as being shared with the deity" This is what the author of Hebrews is alluding to above in chapter 13. The priests in eating the shewbread were eating it as a meal that they were sharing with Jehovah God. It was not just a ritualistic remembrance meal but one where they believed Jehovah God was present with them sharing in that meal. What the author of Hebrews is saying is that the temple system of worship which includes the eating of the shewbread is now obselete and that these Levitical priests have no right to eat at the table (altar) that we (new covenant Christians) eat at. What table is this? Obviously it is the Lord's table. Just as the Levitical priests would eat at the table in the holy place, we as priests of the Melchizedek order eat at an altar which they have no right to eat. There altar consists of the animal sacrifices (bodies of those animals) whereas our altar consist of the perfect once and for all sacrifice of Jehoshua Messiah. We do not eat the literal flesh of Jehoshua of course but we eat bread which represents His sacrificial body. However, when we liken the eating of the bread representing the body of Jehoshua to the eating the shewbread by the Levitical priests then clearly more than a memorial meal is evident in the Lord's table. If the early Church was comparing what the Levitical priests did in eating at the altar and table in the old covenant system of worship with what they (early Church) were doing by eating at the Lord's altar (table) then we are right to believe that they believed Jehoshua's presence to be their during their breaking of bread at His table. But not only His presence being there but also that He (Jehoshua) was sharing the meal with them. Acts 2:42 (ASV) "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles` teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers" Whether this breaking of bread was the Lord's supper or table fellowship it is clear that for the early church sharing a meal together was a part of their worship service. This table fellowship consisted in the eating of bread which the didache says the early Christians did in honor of Jehoshua's doctrine. Remember, Jehoshua says that He is that manna that comes down out of heaven. They also drank wine as part of their meal. The wine represented the holy vine of David i.e. the Royal Royal Davidic seed line which was manifested in Jehoshua Messiah. The breaking of bread here in Acts 2:42 appears to have been a sacred meal as it is in the context of their worship service i.e. learning the apostles doctrine, fellowship and prayers. Jehoshua said that when two or more are gathered in His name then He Himself is in their presence: Matthew 18:19-20 19Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven.20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Although church discipline is the direct context of the above verses Jehoshua clearly said that if two of His followers agree as touching anything that it will be granted to them by His Father. Then He says that where two or three are gathered in His name then He (Jehoshua) is in the midst of them. So when the church was gathering for fellowship, prayers, learning the apostles doctrine and the breaking of bread Jehoshua was in the midst of them. In essence, the apostolic church was having table fellowship in the presence of Jehoshua Messiah. They were eating at Jehoshua's table in His Kingdom. How can we say that they were eating in His Kingdom? Because they were gathering as the church (two or more) and the church is called the Kingdom of David by Jehoshua's brother James in Acts 15: 13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,16After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. As noted earlier, the above verses are in context of the Jerusalem council. Here James the brother of Jehoshua quotes Amos 9:9-11 as says that the bringing in of the Gentiles into the Way (the church) was a fufillment of prophecy that the tabernacle (Kingdom) of David would be rebuilt. James acknowledges that the Kingdom of David is being rebuilt in the 1st century. Jehoshua is the eternal David, being of His seed, and Paul says His Kingdom was already in existence (Colossians 1;12-13). When the church gathered together it was equivalent to the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah gathering together as the Church and the Kingdom are one and the same. So the eucharist meal was eaten in the Kingdom (church) of Jehoshua Messiah. Acts 20:7 "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight" Here is another example of the early Christians gathering together (fellowship) to hear the word preached to them (the apostles doctrine) and to break bread. This is another example of eating and drinking in the Son of God's Kingdom. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 23For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:24And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Again we have the same elements present as in Acts 2:42 and Acts 20. The brethren gathered together for fellowship as the church (Kingdom) and of course learning of the apostles doctrine and prayers were givens. Paul talks about taking communion in a worthy manner and then refers back to Jehoshua's words at the last supper in which said that as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. It appears that whenever the church gathered together and had bread and wine they were to do it in remembrance of the Lord's death. This definitely indicates a regular communion meal and not just a once a month or 4 times a year occurence. Notice also that wheb Jehoshua institutes the meal he prays and then brakes the bread. This is very likely what the term "break bread" means when we see it in Acts 2:42 and 1 Corinthians 11. The term "break bread" should be understood in how Jehoshua uses it at the communion meal which is a reference to the Lord's supper. This eating the Lord's supper at the table of the Lord in His Kingdom appears to be a regular part of the worship of the apostolic church. This very likely is the fulfillment of Jehoshua's words in Luke 22:29-30: 29And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;30That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Now what about sitting on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel? Some say this is for a future earthly millennium, however I believe this is fulfilled in the new covenant Church age. First we have to identify exactly who are the 12 tribes of Israel in the new testament. By this time the literal 12 tribes of Israel had been scattered and absorbed by the nations surrounding them. As quoted above James says that the Gentiles coming into the faith comprised the rebuilt Kingdom of David along with the believing Jews. In James chapter 1, the brother of Jehoshua gives a greeting to the 12 tribes of Israel: 1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James is not speaking to the literal 12 tribes of Israel as obviously they were lost by this point and many of them were likely practicers of other religions. Those that were not were likely not followers of the Messiah as they may have not even heard of Him by this point in history. It is clear from James greeting that he is speaking to those who are in the faith as he calls them brethren and says that they are in the faith. This couldn't possibly true of the lost 12 tribes as they were lost and untraceable to a great degree and many were likely outside the faith of the Messiah. James is likely referring to the rebuilt tabernacle of David that he mentioned in Acts 15. James included believing Gentiles in the new covenant Kingdom of David which in the old testament was equivalent to the Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom Of Jehovah. Peter echoes James sentiments in 1 Peter 2: 9But 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:10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. This is language used of the nation of Israel in the old testament. Peter is applying this language to the new covenant Church which comprise all those washed by the spotless precious blood of Jehoshua Messiah. The new covenant nation of Israel is not an ethnic nor Geo-political nation but rather a spiritual one. John the beloved apostle further proves that Peter is identifying Christians of all nations, tribes and tongues as the holy nation and Royal (king) priesthood: Revelation 5:9-10 9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. John says that the kings and priests of God are only those who have been washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. This has absolutely nothing to do with ethnic or poltical Israel but rather all those washed by the Lamb's blood of every kindred, tongue, people and nation. The Royal priesthood holy nation of Israel as confirmed by Peter and John is no longer ethnic and political Israel but instead a spiritual nation of all ethnicities. Back to 1 Peter 2, the context surrounding verses 9 and 10 further prove that Peter has the Christian Church in view. He refers to these he is speaking to as new born babes which is a reference to being begotten from above i.e. the new birth experience of those in Messiah. In verse 5 these ones (the holy priesthood) are offering up spiritual sacrifices in the name of Jehoshua Messiah. In verse 7 Peter says that this holy priesthood are the ones who believe in the Son of God as the chief cornerstone whereas the unbelieving Jews of the flesh are stumbling and offended at the elect precious peace stone of Zion. So obviously verses 9 and 10 are a reference to all those who have faith in Messiah regardless of their ethnic identity. Lets now go to the birth narrative of Jehoshua in the book of Luke which is rooted in Royal Davidic Messianism. Most Christians overlook this super important aspect of the Messiah's birth and instead focus on the virgin birth. Luke 1:26-27 (KJV) 26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. We see here that Joseph and Mary were already betrothed as husband and wife at the time of Gabriel's announcement to Mary. Its important that we remember this as we go through the text. In the betrothal process the bride legally already belonged to her Husband. This is also important to remember. For all pratical purposes Joseph and Mary were already married. This is also important to remember. Joseph was of the house of David and a rightful heir to the Davidic throne. Jehoshua is later known as the "Son of David (Luke 18:38-39). Its important to note that Mary is never said to be of the house of David. In order for Jehoshua to be the Son of David then He has to be the literal Son of Joseph. Jehoshua is later said to be a product of the fruit of David's loins (male sexual organs) and Joseph is indeed a male who has those parts. Lets skip now to verses 32 and 33of Luke 1; 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and Jehovah God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:33And he shall reign over the house of Israel for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Everything here and in verse 31is future tense meaning Jehoshua is not yet the Son of the Highest as He has not been concieved in Mary's womb yet per verse 31: "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JEHOSHUA." In this appearance of the angel Gabriel Mary has not even conceieved yet meaning Jehoshua is not yet in her womb. The future tense of Jehoshua being called the Son of the Highest along with verse 31 shows that Mary is not pregnant yet. It also strongly hurts the preexistent view as there is nothing said by the angel that even hints of a preexistent divine Son being begotten in Mary. Infact, the reference to Jehoshua being called the Son of the Highest is specifically connected to Him being given the throne of His Father David by Jehovah God. Note that His Sonship is not being linked to any sort of preexistence nor His birth. This is consistent with how Jehovah God deemed Solomon His chosen son (1 Chronicles 28:5-6). Verse 33 of Luke 1 shows that Jehoshua is the one who will fulfill the Davidic covenant as He will rule over the houseof Israel forever and His Kingdom will be eternal (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Regardless of one's view of the virgin birth doctrine it is undisputable that the identity of Jehoshua's Sonship is specifically linked to Him being the prophesied Davidic King who will be given the throne of David by Jehovah God. Luke 1:67-70 67And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,68Blessed be Jehovah God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,69And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;70As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: Zacharias, John the Baptist father, praises Jehovah God for the fufillment of prophecy that Jehovah God was with His people Israel in giving them the promised Davidic King (Isaiah 7:14). In the birth of his son John, Zacharias recognized that he (his son) was the forerunner to the Messiah. "Horn of salvation" this was a common old testament phrase used to speak of a king's power. Here Zacharias speaks of the Messiah who is of the house of David (through Joseph) and will come in the kingly strength of Jehovah God and redeem His people from their enemies. Again this is all connected with the covenant that Jehovah made with David. The Davidic covenant is the root and foundation of the gospel. This is the gospel that has been ignored by mainstream Christianity and the so called restoration churches including the Sabbath and Hebrew roots movements. Psalm 132:17-18 17There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.18His enemies will I clothe with shame; But upon himself shall his crown flourish. Here David expresses His zeal for Jehovah God's ark and recollects the covenant that God made with Him. David is prophesying that in Zion, will the horn (symbol of power) of David's Kingdom bud (blossom) with life. The enemies of David's royal seed will be shamed but the crown of David will flourish. This is likely what Zacharias is referencing in Luke 1:67-69. This propeshy would find its ultimate fulfillment in Jehoshua Messiah who defeated Satan's kingdom at the cross thereby establishing His own and establishing the crown of David forever at His ascension into heaven causing it to flourish as the Kingdom of the Son of God has increaaed and conquered through the gospel message. The throne, crown and Kingdom of David was set by Jehovah God to be a light (lamp) unto the nation of Israel and to David specifically. This (the lamp) is an image of David's continuing dynasty by God's faithfulness to His covenant. The Royal seed of David is Jehovah's anointed (Messiah). Psalm 132:10-11 10For thy servant David`s sake Turn not away the face of thine anointed.11Jehovah hath sworn unto David in truth; He will not turn from it: Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. David was bold to call on Jehovah to remember His covenant with him (David). David acknowledged himself as the anointed of Jehovah God. David was confident in Jehovah's character in that He (Jehovah) would not repent from the oath that He made in that David would have from the fruit of his body a man to sit on his (David's) throne and establish it forever. Peter the apostle makes reference to this in Acts chapter 2: 29Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.30Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;31He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. In the first sermon after the ascension of the Messiah into heaven, Peter hearkens back to the Davidic covenant and that Jehoshua fulfilled the promise made to David that of the fruit of his loins one would be rasied up to sit on his throne. Peter applies the event of the resurrection and subsequent ascension of the Messiah into heaven as the fulfillment of this promise made by Jehovah God to David. Luke 2:4 "And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David" Bethlehem was the hometown of David and origin of the promised King (Micah 5:2). Those of the house of David had to go to Bethlehem for the tax decree made by Caesar Augustus. Joseph is said here in verde 4 to be of the house and lineage of David. It is noteworthy that Mary is never said to be of the house of David but Joseph is. This helps shed light on the validity of the virgin birth doctrine. The Messiah absolutely had to be of the seed of David in order to be legitmate. Joseph being the seed of David means that Jehoshua, in order to be the seed of David, had to come from Josephs body. Remember both the psalmist (David) and Peter speak of the Messiah being from the fruit of David's loins (body). Most importantly Jehovah God stated this about the Messiah. Paul also states this. Luke 2:11 "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Messiah the King" The newly born Jehoshua was the heir of the throne of the Kingdom. Saviour, a term for a powerful man or deity who rescues and preserves His people. The Davidic King's of Israel were to be saviours of Israel. The reign of a righteous Davidic King was a time of salvation and prosperity for the nation of Israel (Psalm 118). Messiah, the man anointed by God through the Holy Spirit as prophet, priest, and especially in this context, King. King, a term used of Jehovah God in the old testament as well as the Royal seed of David. The prophetic Messiah and Saviour of Israel was to be the ultimate Davidic King. Micah 5:1-3 1Now shalt thou gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us; they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.2But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.3Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she who travaileth hath brought forth: then the residue of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. The above passage is a prophecy of the birth of Jehoshua Messiah. Many use this passage to prove the preexistence of the Messiah, however it shows just the opposite. Bethlehem was to be where the future Messiah came out from. As we read in Luke 2:4,11, Jehoshua fulfilled this part of the Messianic prophecy. Coming from the tribe of Judah is also alluded to in verse 2 of Micah chapter 5, we know that Jehoshua fulfilled this as well. The future Messiah that was to be born in Bethlehem and come out of Judah was to be ruler over Israel. The angel Gabriel told Mary this very thing when announcing her Son's birth (Luke 1:33). The second part of verse 2 of Micah chapter 5 says that the future ruler of Israel would have "goings forth" from of old, from everlasting. The phrase "goings forth" in Hebrew mean "family descent". We know that scripture explicitly teaches that Jehoshua is of the seed of David and from the stem of Jesse, David's father. The reference to of old and everlasting in Hebrew means "from ancient days or times". The word "everlasting" does not need to mean "has always existed" as the trinitarians teach in regards to this passage and applying that to the Messiah. All throughout scripture the words "everlasting" or "eternal" are used and do not autmaticall mean always existed. Again, the Hebrew word for "everlasting" can simply mean "from ancient times". Bascically what the prophet Micah is saying is the future Messianic King of Israel's family heritage (descent) will be from ancient times (everlasting) specifically from the line of David just as all the prophecies in the old testament state. The new testament reaffirms that Jehoshua's family heritage is from the line of David. The genealogies in Matthew and Luke show the fufillment of this propechy of Micah as they detail Jehoshua's genealogy even going past David all the way to Adam. |
Archives
November 2021
Categories |