Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
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.
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