2025 Late Biblical Accounts

Notes from Pastor Andrew J. Manuse upon reading "The One Year Chronological Bible" reading plan, from Tyndale House Publishers (https://tyndalebibles.com). This commentary is not a comprehensive line-by-line interpretation, but rather a collection of interpretations that stuck out from the reading for each day studied.

Mark 1:1, Luke 1:1-4, John 1:1-18, Matthew 1:1-17, Luke 1:5-38

Pay attention to Luke's statement here: "it seemed best to me also, because I have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, to write for you an orderly record ... so you may know for sure the truth of the words you have been taught.” The passages that follow spell out John the Baptist's conception and birth followed by Yeshua's supernatural conception by the Holy Spirit of God. By comparing what we know about the Priestly Order of Abijah, which is Zechariah's order, as well as the orderly account in Luke, it is fair to place Yeshua's birth on the First Day of the Feast of Tabernacles. John confirms: The Word of God, who was God, and who was with God, came to "tabernacle" among us. The word choice is both specific and spiritual all at once. As prophesied by Isaiah, God Himself had come to dwell with His people. He is Emmanuel in that God came to dwell in the flesh with men as the Son of God, and He is Yeshua in that He came to save men from their sins by living as one of us, the Son of David, as Matthew points out, but without sin. This was always God's plan even before He created the Heavens and the Earth. Yeshua is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Of note from Yeshua's genealogy are His female ancestors noted here:
Tamar who played the harlot with Judah to claim her rightful due as a widow in Israel and thereby gave birth to twins;
Rahab the harlot who surrendered to the LORD and helped Israel spy out the Promised Land, thereafter convincing her family to also surrender to God and come into her house of faith;
Ruth the Moabite woman who surrendered everything, including her family and her entire way of life, to give her life to God and His people, not knowing what would come of her life; and
 Miriam who humbly accepted the Word of the LORD into herself to bring God Himself into the world, even risking her own life and potential false accusations of harlotry against her.
The women of Yeshua's lineage all showed surrender to God without concern for what would happen to them because of it. This is also how the people of God, who are represented by seven women, ought to react to grace and truth that God has given us.

Luke 1:39-80, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-40

Miriam was indeed blessed among all women to ever live because she gave birth to God in the flesh, Immanuel, "God with us." She indeed was more blessed than Eve who was created perfect, and in her sin and fall from grace she was given the promise of the coming Seed of redemption. Miriam was more blessed than Sarah who conceived Isaac miraculously in her old age, providing a prophetic template for the Messiah, who was yet to come. Miriam was the most blessed among women because she herself carried and gave birth to the promised Seed, of which God said to Satan: "I will put animosity between you and the woman—between your seed and her Seed. He will crush your head, and you will crush his heel." And this is what we see in the prophesies of Zechariah, Elizabeth, Miriam, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna, who were all "filled with the Holy Spirit" prior to the Shavuot/Pentecost when the Spirit fell upon all flesh who believed following the resurrection. This is important to note, for the Holy Spirit had always been available to those who confessed Yeshua and obeyed God, even from the very beginning.

Elizabeth said: "Who am I, that the mother of my LORD should come to me?," acknowledging that God had come to be born among men. Miriam said, referring to the spiritual realm: "God's mercy is from generation to generation to the ones who fear Him. He has displayed power with His Arm. He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down rulers from thrones and exalted humble ones. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent away the rich empty handed." This fulfills the prophesy of the Seed, who would crush the head of Satan though He himself would suffer in the flesh. Zechariah said about his son John: "For you will go before Adonai to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people through removal of their sins." This prophesy that John would announce the coming Son of God would give God's people, he said, the opportunity "to serve Him, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days." Joseph acted on the angel Gabriel's message, taking Miriam as his wife and calling her son's name "Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ)," which means salvation in Hebrew, "for He will save His people from their sins." Simeon explained that Yeshua would save ALL people, Jews and Gentiles, in his prophetic word that Yeshua would be "A light for revelation to the nations’ and the glory of Your people Israel." And yet he also explained that many, Jews and Gentiles alike, would oppose Him. For even Miriam herself, he said, "a sword will pierce through your soul," for the Word of God redeems us all from sin, even Miriam, who was blessed! Anna did not hesitate to make known the coming of God's promise. Even the shepherds, who heard the Truth, did not hesitate to worship this babe as God Most High.

Matthew 2, Luke 2:41-52, Mark 1:2-8, Matthew 3:1-12, Luke 3:1-18, Mark 1:9-11, Matthew 3:13-17, Luke 3:21-22

The Magi from the east were possibly students of Daniel in Babylon/Media-Persia who were taught by the prophet and his students about the time when the Messiah would come. Yeshua would be a Savior for all people. In those days, time was determined by the sun, the moon and the stars, according to the order God created in Genesis 1, and these Magi followed a star. This idea, though we can't prove it, is consistent with Scripture and makes sense of the Magi story, since Daniel himself had been the chief Magi in the court of the eastern kings. How else would these Magi know to look for a Messiah if Daniel had not written: “So know and understand: From the issuing of the decree to restore and to build Jerusalem until the time Mashiach, the Prince, there shall be seven sevens and sixty-two sevens. It will be rebuilt, with plaza and moat, but it will be in times of distress. Then after the 62 weeks Mashiach will be cut off... (Daniel 9:25-26a). Also worth pondering: Were the gifts these Magi brought to Yeshua a part of Daniel's legacy, since Daniel did not have any children? The gifts were prophetic: gold for the King of kings, frankincense for the High Priest, and myrrh to anoint the one-time sacrifice for burial. They knew Yeshua's ID.

The Magi came from a court and so the custom was for them to go to the court of Herod and announce their arrival on what might have been approved state business. But Herod was not rightfully king, being of Judah and of Edom, and thus his jealousy outweighed expectation for the prophesied Messiah. Filled then with Satan's pride, which had always occupied the hearts of Esau and his children, he sought to murder the Savior of the world before he could even speak a Word. God, through prophetic dreams given to Yosef and to the Magi, protected His Son. Miriam and Yosef fled with Him to Egypt, and upon Herod's death, the prophesy would be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called My Son." We often gloss over the evil that Herod committed in trying to destroy the Messiah to preserve his pride. This unsuitable king literally murdered all of the children in Bethlehem who were toddlers and younger, much like Pharaoh in Egypt murdered the sons of Israel, and both acted out of fear for his throne. We must remember that these kings were responsible for evil, for all sin originates from the wicked hearts of men, and God works out all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Vengeance belongs to God; He will repay.

Another prophesy was fulfilled following this time, when Yosef settled Miriam and Yeshua in Natzeret (Nazareth); namely, "Yeshua shall be called a Natzrati." This prophesy comes from Isaiah 11:1-5, which reads: “Then a shoot will come forth out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch will bear fruit out of His roots. The Ruach of Adonai will rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and insight, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Adonai. His delight will be in the fear of Adonai. He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor decide by what His ears hear. But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the poor of the land. He will strike the land with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked....” You see, the "branch" that would bear fruit from out of the roots of Jesse, the Son of David, would be Messiah Yeshua. The word branch is "Netzer (נֵ֫צֶר)," meaning tender shoot or offshoot," and this is the word for which Nazareth was named. It is also why Nathanial asked in 1 John 45: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” A tender shoot, a basic town, a humbled God would indeed come from such a place, which Nathanial would quickly confess.

Miriam and Yosef went each year to Jerusalem to the Passover, because they were righteous people who obeyed the Word of God, as we should also do following in Yeshua's example. The is why God chose Miriam and Yosef to raise His Son. We should not question whether Yeshua erred by staying behind to teach the teachers in the temple, because Yeshua was perfect and without sin. He did not err! We read that Miriam and Yosef "didn't know" Yeshua had been left behind, and it was indeed their responsibility to know where he was as his parents. We parents often make mistakes with our children like this, but God is merciful and gracious, as He was here: “Why were you searching for Me? Didn’t you know that I must be about the things of My Father?” In wisdom and grace the LORD would continue to prepare for His ministry on the earth. We too ought to grow in wisdom and grace by studying the Word with one another in our meeting places, especially during the Holy Days of God.

Now in adulthood, John was the messenger sent before Yeshua in the Spirit of Elijah to call the people away from their depravity, best reflected by what the prophet said in 1st Kings 18:21: "'How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Ba'al, follow him.' But the people answered him not a word." Likewise, the religious leaders would not answer John a word when he explained they were trees without the fruit of righteousness about to be cut off and thrown into the fire. But the people of Israel were being baptized into repentance to prepare their hearts for the coming of the King, and Yeshua would baptize with refining fire, burning off the dross of sin so we can walk in righteousness. Those who deny Him will burn up like chaff, and only ashes will be left for God's people to tread upon. In Yeshua's water baptism, we have an example we must follow, for Yeshua said "follow Me," and He was calling our names in saying this. All righteousness is fulfilled when we repent and receive burial in the waters of baptism, rising up to new life, just like He showed us. The Son of God, with whom the Father delights, has shown us the Way and He led us by first doing what He would expect from us.

Mark 1:12-13, Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-15, John 1:19-51, John 2

Yeshua said in Matthew 10:24, "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master." Like Yeshua, we too will be tempted by the devil in this wilderness, and we ought to follow our Master's instruction to overcome these attacks. We ought not be tempted by fleshly desires, but rather seek satisfaction in God's Word. We ought to understand our victorious position in Messiah as adopted sons and daughters and not doubt the LORD's protection and provision. We ought to put the LORD and His Way first in all that we do, not falling victim to false pursuits or syncretistic worship that God despises.

John the Baptist testified concerning his role to announce the Son of God, the Passover Lamb of God who came to take away our sins. Yeshua started taking on students who recognized Him and desired to follow Him, understanding that He was the Way, the Truth and the Life. We too must be careful who we choose to invest our time with.

What would we do without our mothers calling us to excel and step out of our comfort zone. Yeshua enjoyed a blessed mother who encouragsssed him to present his first sign. No longer would God's people ritually purify themselves with water, but now with the blood of the New Covenant. The New Wine was superior in every way, and Yeshua's disciples would experience His glory by it.

Many people believe Yeshua drove out the money changers from the Temple during Passover because they were greedily taking too much for the sacrificial animals, but this was absolutely not the problem. It was appropriate for people to exchange money for sacrificial animals at the Temple, according to Torah. The problem was they set themselves up in the outer court, which was a place designated for Gentile believers and women to come and worship. This is why He said, "Stop making My Father's House a marketplace." Church should never be a place to buy or sell, and neither should we buy or sell on the Sabbath. Our days of worship ought to be fully devoted to coming in near to experience our intimate relationship with the LORD, whether male or female, Jew or Gentile. Now that Yeshua IS the Third Temple  in which the Holy Spirit dwells, risen up on the third day, we can take our place in this Body among the many saints He is calling to Himself.

John 3, John 4:1-45, Luke 3:19-20

When Yeshua said we must be born again to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, he was explaining the purpose of baptism by water and fire. The water washes away our sin of our former man that we surrender to God, who is buried under the water as Yeshua was buried after the crucifixion. Our old man ought to die with baptism. We come up from the water a new man, cleansed of our former sins, and we receive the Holy Spirit to help us learn the law and go and sin no more. As a Spirit-led follower of Yeshua, we then ought to obey Him "as the wind blows where it wishes and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes." Like the cloud by day and fire by night led Israel through the wilderness—they stayed in place when the cloud/fire did not move and they picked up everything and followed the cloud/fire when the cloud/fire moved—we also must do the work in front of us while the Spirit leads us and then move to do the work the Spirit shows us elsewhere as directed. We have to be ready to drop everything and obey, each and every moment of every day.

Nicodemus, a Pharisee, did not understand these basic truths, which the LORD explained were the matters we needed to consider as we live in this world. Yeshua wondered how Nicodemus might understand heavenly matters if he didn't understand these elementary principles of the faith, but then He proceeded to teach a related, heavenly matter: "No one has gone up into heaven except the One who came down from heaven—the Son of Man." This is still true today, and it will be true until Yeshua comes. We don't go to heaven when we die, as Yeshua will tell us over and over again in His Word. Our soul sleeps in the grave until the Last Day. Yeshua said repeatedly: "I will raise you up on the Last Day."

In saying that the Son of Man came down from Heaven, He is identifying Himself as the Son of Man, which is a prophetic title for the Messiah. The Messiah is the Son of God, also, who is one-in being with the Father, because: "Hear O' Israel, the LORD your God, the LORD is One!" Yeshua is God! This is what He was saying, and only God and His angels come down from and go up into Heaven. Having established His identity, He then explained His coming death and resurrection. He would be lifted up, not just on the cross, but from the dead, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that anyone who looked upon it did not suffer death from the serpent's bite. We too do not suffer from the poison of sin, which is death, even though we may be bit by the serpent when we sin and must suffer the consequences of our sin in this life. Through Yeshua's resurrection (not His death only), we are victorious over sin and death and can inherit eternal life.

John 3:16 is often displayed on signs at football games. It's a wonderful verse when properly understood in context! However, this verse is commonly taken out of context. When we read "For God so loved the world..." it actually means: "For God loved the world in this manner," referring back to the death and resurrection of Yeshua so that those who trust in Him will live. The rest of the context bears out a very serious message from the LORD that we ought to take to heart. God desires we turn from sin and follow Yeshua so that we can live by Him. Prophesy indicates that Messiah will come to destroy sinners and raise up the righteous, and He absolutely will do this when He returns. However, God sent His Son into the world ahead of this to offer grace to all people. He so desires us to choose Him and His Way. Now that the light (Yeshua) has come into the world to shine in the darkness and expose sin, we must come to the light by turning from sin and embracing the righteous law of God. This is godly sorrow, and it leads to repentance. Many won't do this because they prefer the darkness, and the light exposes their sins, which they cannot turn from, and this fills them with worldly sorrow. These will be destroyed when the Son returns.

The end of John 3 is something I hadn't noticed before, and John 3:26 begins what seems to be an inclusio that ends with John 4:1-2. An inclusio is like bookends that contain an important message. So here are the bookends: John 3:26 reads: “They came to John and said, “Rabbi, the One who was with you beyond the Jordan, the One you testified about—look, He is immersing, and all are coming to Him!” Here's John 4:1-2: "Now Yeshua knew that the Pharisees heard that He was making and immersing more disciples than John. (Although Yeshua Himself was not immersing, His disciples were.)" Here we see two things clearly communicated: 1) Yeshua was baptizing new believers in water just like John, and he was instructing His disciples how to do this. He was leading by teaching others how to lead. 2) Those with a worldly mindset were contemplating how Yeshua and John were in a competition to obtain the most followers, but as the text in between shows, both were serving God and doing His Work while upholding the work of the other as righteous and good.

More specifically, the conversation between John and his disciples, who were confronted by a Judean, is in between these two verses about Yeshua practising baptisms through his disciples. His disciples were worried that some among them were going to Yeshua and leaving John, and John corrected them powerfully right up front by explaining: "I am not the Messiah" "I am sent before Him." John then explained that this Messiah is the "Bridegroom," and the "bride," which is His disciples, belong to Him. John called himself the best man, who was there to support the Bridegroom, who is God in the flesh. This is why John asserts: "my joy is complete" and "He must increase, while I must decrease!" While we might prophetically understand that competition among churches is of a worldly mindset and we ought to focus on serving God, in this particular instance John explained that God Himself is now leading His people, and who is he to even contemplate standing in the way. His specific role, for which He was called, was to point to Yeshua as the Messiah and then step out of the way so that all can follow Him.

Another prophetic message is that you and I must decrease—something we accomplish in our baptism when we bury our old man in the water—so that Messiah can rise in us when we come up from the water. He must increase in us, and John again is pointing to this Truth as it pertains to his own role to point to Messiah. John explained: The One who comes from above is above all." This was a direct assertion that Yeshua is God, and that John must submit to Him. He then says: "The one who is from the earth is of the earth, and of the earth he speaks." Specifically, this is the one concerned about followers leaving John to go after Yeshua. It is a worldly mindset, but it's also applicable to us. Are we worried about where followers go to receive the Truth? Are pastors worried about how many come to hear us preach, comparing themselves to others with larger congregations? They are also of the earth, and this worldly mindset is not life-giving. We ought to be concerned only that people are truly following Yeshua, in word and in deed.

John repeats: "The One who comes from  heaven is above all." We just heard in Yeshua's conversation to Nicodemus in verse 13: “No one has gone up into heaven except the One who came down from heaven—the Son of Man.” John the writer is now making this connection through John the Baptist's words. He was giving us a testimony of two: Yeshua is God! He has come down from Heaven. We ought to listen to and follow Him alone! Indeed, "What He has seen and heard, He testifies to that..." "He" is Yeshua. He is the Messiah. He is "the One who comes from heaven" who is "above all." And yet, John said: "no one receives His testimony." God forbid! ... Thank God John continued, saying, "Whoever receives His testimony has certified that God is true." Indeed!

So what John's saying is that those complaining about disciples leaving John to pursue Yeshua have not received the True testimony of God. But those who were leaving John to pursue Yeshua are confirming that God is true—the prophesy about the Messiah is true—the prophesy that John has given that Yeshua is the One who came from Heaven is true. And, "the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God." Yeshua is the Word of God who became flesh, as John the writer explained in Chapter 1. Now He's saying that this Word speaks. My reaction: O' to hear the sound of His Voice! But thank God he has left His Word for us to study so that we can do this very thing! And God gives His Holy Spirit without limit to those who hear His Word and do it. Why would we want to limit the Spirit of God to earthly matters and concerns, such as who is following who? Paul says something similar in his 1st letter to the Corinthians, verses 3-5 and surrounding: "For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the LORD gave to each one?"

Indeed, "the Father loves the Son and has given everything into His hand" AND "He who trusts in the Son has eternal life." This is the Way that the Holy Spirit leads God's people. This is why John directed all of his followers to follow Yeshua. He desired their salvation, not their adoration, and Yeshua is the only one who saves for He is God. Thus we must trust in Yeshua—what He accomplished on the cross and His victory through resurrection—in order to receive the grace of God and inherit eternal life. But then John took this further. He said: "He who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” It is not enough to say we trust Yeshua for salvation—to say we accept His "grace," but we must also do what He commands because He is God. If we do not obey God's commandments, we cannot make it into the Kingdom of Heaven, even though we might "say" we honor the Son. It's hypocrisy. We must both trust and obey to inherit life, and God's wrath will come upon all who don't have this testimony. Thus, the very purpose of baptisms is not for us to "call disciples after ourselves," as wolves in sheep's clothing desire, but to call disciples after Messiah, who will both trust and obey Him all of their days.

Yeshua's travel to Samaria is unprecedented, for the Jews hated the Samaritans and the Samaritans hated the Jews. They had been at war since Jeroboam led the 10 northern tribes into idolatry, and this just grew worse with many events since then, including Assyria's assimilation into the northern tribes. The text indicates Yeshua "needed to pass through Samaria." There was a road around Samaria. Yeshua's need to pass through Samaria was specifically to meet this Samaritan woman and the people of Samaria, and to bring them back to God. Yeshua's conversation with the Samaritan woman deserves deep study, but the key point I want to stress today is this: Yeshua made a declaration about how the law would be applied when it comes to worship, and this is living water: “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming—it is here now—when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people as His worshipers. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

When God told David his Son would build the temple of God, there was certainly a near-term fulfillment in Solomon's Temple, but even Solomon acknowledged that God could not be contained in the Temple he built. Messiah Yeshua is the Son God was truly pointing to in His conversation with David, and now Yeshua confirms: "God is Spirit"—He can't be contained in a temple. "Those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and Truth." Not in Jerusalem. Not on Mt. Gerizim. But anywhere and everywhere we happen to be in the world. The law now has spiritual application. This does not mean that we can worship whenever we want. God has appointed times, such as the weekly Sabbath and the Holy Days when He commanded us to worship Him. But when He commanded this, He said: "at the place where I choose to set My name." Yeshua has now said that He places His name upon us. He comes to dwell within us! And so the commandment is for us, the temple that He is building, to come together to worship Him on His Appointed Days. It's not just Spirit, it's also Truth, and the Truth is the Word of God, which is God's commandments. We now apply them in Spirit and in Truth. Salvation came from the Jews through Yeshua, and now we worship Him on His Holy Days.

Again, John the writer confirmed that Yeshua is the Messiah, and thus He is God who can also interpret His own law properly. He showed us here that the law doesn't just apply to the Jews, but also the Samaritans, who were of mixed race. Later, He would open up His Truth to Gentiles who desire to follow Him more than the world. When we follow Yeshua and hunger and thirst for the Truth of God's Word as the Holy Spirit directs us more than any food or drink the world can provide, we will know that we are on the right path in our faith. We ought to look around us at others who have this mindset, for these are white and ready for harvest. They're the ones we ought to bring in, baptize, and disciple to follow Yeshua. But in doing this, we also ought to be humble. As Yeshua advised, "Others have worked hard, and you have joined in their work.” While we who have joined their work much later will receive the same wages in the Resurrection, we must not be envious of those who worked before us and laid the groundwork for us in which to do our work. The parable in Matthew 20:1-16 comes to mind, but neither the early workers or the latter workers should envy one another. We both ought to simply follow Yeshua and direct others to do His work.

Mark 1:14-15, Matthew 4:12-17, Luke 3:23-38, John 4:46-54, Luke 4:16-30, Mark 1:16-30, Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:21-28, Luke 4:31-37, Mark 1:29-34, Matthew 8:14-17, Luke 4:38-41, Mark 1:35-39, Luke 4:42-44, Matthew 4:23-25

As John was imprisoned for speaking the Truth, fulfilling his words that he must decrease while Yeshua increases, Yeshua went out with the next stage message as the announced Messiah. Even still, Yeshua preached with the same underlying call for repentance: "Turn away from your sins—the Kingdom of God is at hand"—this is the Message of the Gospel and all of Scripture. He taught in the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, in the Galilee, fulfilling prophesy. He healed the sick and cast out demons, but only among those with faith in His identity. The demons knew who He was, but He commanded them to remain silent and they obeyed. This fulfilled prophesy. When He explained His identity to His own townspeople, they rejected Him and tried to drive Him off a cliff. In His escape from their murderous grasp, we can see that Yeshua was in full control over His life and ministry, and indeed He would later lay down His life willingly. When Yeshua called His first three disciples—Peter, James and John—they came willingly, laying down their lives to follow Him. Andrew may have joined around the same time.

On the Sabbath, Yeshua was in the meeting place teaching, casting out demons and healing, as we also ought to do, according to Luke 4:31-37. Yeshua desires us to come in to be with Him on the Sabbath and to wash one another's feet, which means to help our brothers and sisters cast off the stain of the world that they are carrying with them. After the service was over, they went into the homes of fellow believers and enjoyed one another's company, doing even more healing, as the necessity presented itself. The Sabbath is meant for healing, both spiritual and physical. It wasn't until after sunset, which is after the Sabbath, that Yeshua went out to do specific ministerial work—healing all the multitudes, according to Mark 1:29-34.

After giving all He had to the people who followed Him, Yeshua went to a quiet place to pray. We too must find a time to refresh ourselves each day outside of the weekly Sabbath. When folks were looking for Him to continue showing them the same example, He sought new groups to reach. One of Yeshua's purposes for coming was to announce His Gospel to as many as He could reach, just as we too ought to move out to reach whoever has ears to hear and eyes to see. It's important for people to learn and apply the lessons they learn from Scripture, and Yeshua was seeking those who would do this among every people group. Those who followed Him from every region were dedicated, but would they endure? Likewise, we will see many fall away, but we must endure until the end to be saved.

Luke 5:1-11, Mark 1:40-45, Mark 8:1-4, Luke 5:12-16, Mark 2:1-12, Matthew 9:1-8, Luke 5:17-26, Mark 2:13-17, Matthew 9:9-13, Luke 5:27-32, Mark 2:18-22, Matthew 9:14-17, Luke 5:33-39

Yeshua got into Simon's boat deliberately. Simon would hear all that Yeshua spoke to the crowds after a long night's work that produced nothing. When finished, Yeshua tested his faith, and Simon obeyed the LORD having heard the Truth from His mouth. When Yeshua gave Peter abundant blessing in this life, he expressed great humility, recognizing Yeshua's identity: "Go away from me, Master, for I am a sinful man!" But the LORD wants humble men like Peter, and called him further, saying, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will be catching men." Peter, who had been a man of the world, left everything, including the greatest catch he ever had, and followed Yeshua, now a man pursuing heavenly things. This is what it takes to be a disciple.
   
Yeshua was willing to heal; He was willing to forgive. He came to save sinners by calling them to repentance. He healed the leper, but was sure to instruct him to follow the law of cleansing by showing himself to the priests in obedience to the commandments.

Yeshua slipped away and prayed often, as we must also do.

The rabbis were right in their ignorance to call Yeshua a blasphemer for telling the paralyzed man his sins were forgiven him, for ONLY GOD can forgive sins. What they didn't realize, and should have, is that God was standing before them. They should have known for sure when He said: "So you may know that the Son of Man has authority to pardon sins on earth ... I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home!” They never saw anything like it, because never before had God walked the earth as a man. Those who believed with courage in the Truth that was before their eyes were saved and they were healed. Those entertaining evil thoughts opposed to the good God was doing would experience the woe prophesied against them.

Yeshua called Levi/Matthew to follow Him, and all it took was the request. He prepared a banquet and invited others to come. He who is forgiven much, will love much. I thank God for the Gospel of Matthew, which is my favorite.

When Yeshua ministered, His followers didn't fast, but Yeshua said we would fast after His ascension. Wednesday sunset to Thursday sunset is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which is a fast day commanded by the LORD. With the blood of the New Covenant shed, we now fast to humbles ourselves before Yeshua, just as Peter had done. This is how we grow in our relationship with God.

John 5, Mark 2:23-38, Matthew 12:1-8, Luke 6:1-5, Mark 3:1-6, Matthew 12:9-14, Luke 6:6-11, Matthew 12:15-21

It's notable that some Bible translations omit John 5:4, saying it was inserted later by scribes trying to explain the superstitious reason the invalid man was lying by the pool Bethzatha, but I think that reason is pertinent to proper understanding. The TLV version I'm reading this year skips it, with VS3 reading like this: "In these a crowd of invalids was lying around—blind, lame, disabled." The next verse is 5: “Now a certain man had been an invalid there for 38 years.” What about 4? For context, here's the NASB 1995, which includes the noted text for VS4 in brackets, but also inserts an interpolation that is hotly debated: “In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.]” In the Greek, the text for verse 4 includes "ἄγγελος" for angelos, which means angel or messenger, but there are no Greek words that can be translated "of the Lord." Whether omitting Vs. 4 or adding the interpolation "of the Lord," the message becomes highly controversial.

The NKJV presents the best translation available for Vs. 4: “For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had." I would use the word "messenger" in the translation instead of "angel,' though, and I present 2 Corinth. 12:7 as my evidence. That's where Paul wrote that "a messenger ["angelos (ἄγγελος)"] of Satan was sent to buffet" him. "Messenger" is more appropriate in John 5:4. It becomes more clear that verse 4 is appropriate in the translation when we consider verse 7, which in all translations explains that the water was indeed stirred up. Here's the TLV, for reference, where the invalid explains the reason he was by the pool: “Sir, I have nobody to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up. While I’m trying to get in, somebody else steps down before me!” All English translations are ostensibly the same for verse 7, so we can conclude that the man was waiting for the waters to be stirred up, and that he shared the superstition that a "messenger" offered healing to the "first" one in the water when the water was stirred up. This is validly displayed in the text.

So why does this matter? Because Yeshua offered the invalid man an alternative to the stirred up waters for healing. First, Yeshua asked the man: “Do you want to get well?” When the man explained his false hope in the waters, Yeshua healed him to show him a better way; namely, faith in Yeshua. He commanded the man: “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk!” If the man didn't believe Yeshua had the power to command this, he could not have gotten up and walked. But he did get up and walk, which is evidence of the man's faith. He experienced instantaneous forgiveness on account of his instantaneous repentance. He literally turned that moment to put His faith in Yeshua, even though he didn't know His name. Later, when Yeshua found the man in the temple, this interpretation is confirmed. Yeshua told the man, "Look, you’ve been healed! Stop sinning, so nothing worse happens to you.” What was his sin? It certainly wasn't sin for him to pick up his mat and walk on the Sabbath, a point I'll get to in a moment. His sin, in one interpretation, was for him to trust in the superstition that getting into the stirred up pool would heal him. Here, his sin was idolatry, which was remedied when he looked to the Son of God to heal him.

If the man kept trusting in demons, as he had been doing at the pool in this interpretation, "something worse would happen" to him. What could be worse than being an invalid? Perhaps death, or more accurately, the second death. It's evident that this man had a conversion of faith simply by the Word of Yeshua. And while it is also evident that Yeshua wanted to heal this man and then reveal Himself to Him for the man's individual salvation, directing Him toward righteous living according to the law, Yeshua also used the opportunity to prove a point to the Scribes and Pharisees; namely, it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Yeshua made this point repeatedly. He healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath in Mark 3, Matthew 12, and Luke 6, noting that the Rabbis even permitted herders to pull their sheep out of a ditch on the Sabbath. If it is lawful to save a sheep, how much more lawful is it to heal or save a man on the Sabbath! It is the very purpose of the Sabbath—in fact—to heal the faithful. Likewise, Yeshua taught that it was lawful to pick the heads off of grain while strolling through a field—they weren't harvesting grain. The traditions of the elders had gotten out of hand, and Yeshua, the LORD of the Sabbath, was setting the record straight.

When the Jewish leaders said to the paralytic: "it is not permitted for you to carry your mat" on the Sabbath, they were not citing the law of God, for God's law doesn't have anything to say on the matter. Instead, they were citing their own human traditions, something exposited quite well by Matthew 15 and Mark 7. Yeshua also excoriated the Rabbis in Matthew 23 for this same legalism. They were holding up their own traditions higher than God's law. God's law is easy. It's not burdensome. It's straightforward. But these rabbis made such heavy burdens for people based on their own suppositions that they were angry at Yeshua for healing people—the very people they were themselves instructed to care for! We should ponder: How was the man at the pool of Bethzatha waiting for the water to be stirred? Why did the Rabbis permit such idolatry? God forbid the man pick up his mat and walk! The Gospels aim to point out the hypocrisy of those who were supposed to be upholding the law, but were failing to do this and were instead holding up their traditions. Yeshua's example of David eating of the shewbread is another example of how preserving and restoring the life and health of human beings trumps any other consideration on the Sabbath day.

Another consideration Yeshua brought to the table in this whole exposition is how He and the Father are One. The Father rested on the Seventh Day, and so we also ought to sanctify the Sabbath. So when Yeshua explained, "My Father is still working, and I am also working...Whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise," His purpose is to show His unity with the Father, for the Father and the Son are One. We have One God, and Yeshua is One in Being with the Father and the Spirit. Additionally, as we learn in the Book of Hebrews, Yeshua assumed the eternal role of High Priest after the Order of Melchizedek. The priests of God, as He pointed out, always work on the Sabbath. They have to preach and teach, they have to serve the people; there is priestly work for the Sabbath, and this is lawful and good. Thus, the saying, "the Son of Man is LORD of the Sabbath," is a statement meant to equate Himself with God. As God in the flesh, Yeshua came to show us how to keep the law according to God's own heart—He desires "mercy, not sacrifice." But in His mercy, we ought to seek His Truth. We read in Psalm 85:10: "Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed." This is the Way of God. Yeshua's life showed us His Truth.

Going back to the John 5:4 controversy, there is another interpretation consistent with the NASB interpolation that "an angel of the LORD" stirred up the waters. In this interpretation, the position considers Josephus's account that the Rabbis rejected the Romans bringing their state imagery into Jerusalem, so they never would have tolerated a pagan practice right next to the Temple. This may be true of the time period, for the Pharisees of Yeshua's day were so extra careful not to violate the law that their oral fence laws bordered on the level of the ridiculous. We may be tempted to question this due to Israel's syncretistic history, but it's true that in this time period any pagan element would have been soundly rejected. The account of Nehemiah upon Judah's return from Babylon supports this thought. In this interpretation, the angel's healing work on the waters was a unique miracle of God, like so many others that present themselves in Scripture. The man's sin that was forgiven was his individual conversion moment. Just like with the paralytic man lowered on the mat into the room through the roof for healing, Yeshua demonstrated His ability here to forgive sins as the Son of God with this paralytic man, also.

Mark 3:7-19, Luke 6:12-16, Matthew 5:1-12, Luke 6:17-26, Matthew 5:13-48, Luke 6:27-36, Matthew 6:1-4

The demons were startled when they came across Yeshua. They said, "You are the Son of God," and He commanded them to be silent. As the Creator God who had come in the flesh, He had authority over all His creation. We might wonder why the demons were startled, though. Matthew 8:29, which jumps ahead in the text, seems to answer this question. There the demons said: “What have we to do with You, Yeshua, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” Like the unbelieving Jewish leaders, these demons did not expect the Messiah to come the first time as a suffering Servant, but had always assumed He would come as a conquering King. He would indeed come as a conquering King, but not yet. He had come first to save sinners and to offer the narrow path of redemption to those with faith. The demons had their power stripped and God's people would have the right to drive them out before them, just as Yeshua had done.

Yeshua called His 12 apostles out from among his disciples: Simon-Peter, Jacob-James and his brother John, sons of Zebadee, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, Jacob-James, son of Alphaeus, Judah-Thaddaeus son of Jacob, Simon the Zealot and Judah from Kriot, the traitor. Simon-Peter, Jacob-James and John would be His closest three, and each of these three would have had his own three to disciple under Yeshua, making 12. From them, Yeshua's assembly would be built.

Yeshua's Sermon on the Mount was the best exposition on Torah ever given, and I can't quickly do it justice. He explained that the humble and contrite, those who seek God's righteousness and show mercy while making peace will enter the Kingdom of God. We should expect persecution, even death, and we will be blessed by it. Those full of themselves, seeking worldly comfort will not make it. Disciples of Yeshua ought to sprinkle the ground with salt, which preserves, fertilizes, flavors, seasons, and heals, so that fruit of the Spirit can grow from it. Overdoing the salt can make ground fallow. Disciples ought to shine the light of God outwardly, not just studying the Word without any action. The Word of God is a light to our path and a lamp to our feet, and by doing the Word, we glorify God. Yeshua came to fulfill the law and the prophets, which means that He showed us how to perfectly keep the law. He then said "follow Me," asking us to repeat the Way that He modeled for us.  Those called least in the Kingdom are those who won't make it. Only the angels and God reside in the Kingdom now, and we do not want to be called least by them, for this leads to death. We want to be called great by keeping and teaching the law of God.

The law of God has nuance and purpose well beyond the letters that we read. While the law says "do not murder," we can't even hate our brother in our hearts lest we be found guilty. Yeshua commanded us to make things right with our brothers so that we can be in good standing with the Father. The law explains: "do not commit adultery," but Yeshua said not even to look at a woman with lust, lest we be guilty. Seeking sexual gratification outside of marriage in any way is sin that leads to death. God hates divorce, just like He said previously, for a man and woman become one flesh in marriage and ought not be separated. While our oaths ought to be fulfilled, Yeshua said to simply say "yes" and "no" and follow through. He taught us to bear persecution and even death to turn the offender toward the Truth. We ought to love not just our neighbor, but also our enemy, and we love all people by keeping and teaching the commandments of God. But we ought not boast in this, for God rewards those who remain humble and we are all saved by grace.

Matthew 6:5-34; Matthew 7:1-6; Luke 6:37-42; Matthew 7:7-20; Luke 6:43-45; Matthew 7:21-29; Luke 6:46-49

Our prayers ought to be persistently offered first to give praise and thanksgiving to God, to acknowledge Him as our eternal Creator and Redeemer, and to surrender to His will. We ought to ask for the LORD to guide us by His Word and His Spirit, to lead us into repentance while we forgive others and offer them God's Way, first seeing to it that our own Way is set straight according to God's will. We ought to pray for protection from the evil one and his many temptations, knowing in faith that the LORD always gives us a way of escape and that He has explained that we ought to take every thought captive. We ought to finish with praise and thanksgiving again, knowing that the promised Kingdom of God and our inheritance is as sure a thing as the breath we breathe so long as we live, and everlasting life awaits us all who faithfully obey God in relationship with Yeshua, our LORD and our God.

Our prayers, our fasting, our good works, and everything we do for the LORD ought to be for His glory, and not our own. We ought to be generous and not worry about provision, for the LORD provides us with what we need out of His eternal abundance when we put His Kingdom first in our lives. We must put our relationship with Yeshua above all else in this life, lest we stumble and even fall into a way that leads to death. He is life, and to enjoy the Life we have to both believe in Yeshua and also do what God has commanded. We ought not judge others' eternal disposition, for this is reserved for Yeshua alone, but we certainly ought to examine ourselves and repent from any sin, after confession, and then we can lead others to obedience to the righteous Word, discerning between good and evil. We ought not focus our time on those who are scoffers and reject the Word of God completely, but instead live peaceably with all men and trust the LORD to sort out their path. If we're following Yeshua, we will do and say what He did and said, and we will experience what He experienced to some degree.

When seeking the LORD, we ought to seek Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and He will reveal Himself to us when we do. We will recognize others who are doing this by the fruits of the Spirit they produce (see Galatians 5). We ought to understand that the Way into God's Kingdom is very narrow; only the saints who persist in obedience to God's commandments and faith in Yeshua will make it. Those who say LORD, LORD, but disregard the law of God, will not make it into the Kingdom, while those who do the will of the Father, which is His commandments, are going to make it. We are saved by grace so that we might do what the LORD showed us. False teachers will be recognized for preaching a different Gospel than this, and the bad fruit that comes from false teaching will result. Good teachers will lead others to righteousness, and this will be evident in their lives. Those practicing God's testimony of two will confirm their foundation on the solid rock that withstands all tribulation, while those who do not have their faith based in Yeshua's grace and the commandments of God will be washed away when times get tough.

Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-17, Matthew 11:1-19, Luke 7:18-35, Matthew 11:20-30, Luke 7:36-50

We know that faith is not simply intellectual but moves actively in the world and puts real lives and limbs at risk with total humility before the LORD, just like the Centurion who explained his own authority in the physical realm and trusted that Yeshua had the same authority to move in the spirit realm to heal his servant, if He so chose to move. There is a confidence in his faith uncommon to man that knows God's will is good and trusts completely in Yeshua and His will.

John's question is peculiar, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" I believe the translation is not correct. John prophesied that Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. He knew exactly who Yeshua is. His question when understood in historical context makes more sense. Most Jews were expecting the Messiah to be a conquering king, but John the Baptist was a better prophet than all who came before, as Yeshua Himself testified. John was asking whether Yeshua's coming was the prophesied Messianic Age or whether the people ought to expect a second coming. In this context, Yeshua's response also makes sense: "Blessed is the one who is not led to stumble because of Me.” He came to call sinners for repentance through His death and resurrection. He came to turn people's hearts toward the LORD to walk righteously so they would make it into the Kingdom. If people reject Yeshua and His message, there is no hope. John prophesied the Messiah's arrival. He was the greatest prophet ever born, but the angels in Heaven are greater; so even John would need to check his heart condition before death. Yeshua would vindicate the Wisdom of Torah through His ministry, and all who surrender to Him and do His will would be saved.

Many among the communities of Israel and Judah were rejecting the Messiah, despite the miracles they witnessed Yeshua doing. His generation has the greatest opportunity for salvation as any before it, and yet most rejected it. But the humble and contrite received Him, and they would surely be saved. God the Father revealed Himself through the Son, and the Son is the only way to the Father. We ought to come to Yeshua to rest, especially when He invites us to come near, and He will give us rest.

I have found that it is very true that those with many sins forgiven by the LORD love much, while those with few sins forgiven tend to love very little. We all ought to humble ourselves before the LORD of Hosts, for we all have much that needs to be forgiven and we don't know it. How much more will we serve the LORD when we know how much His mercy truly endures forever for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Luke 8:1-3, Mark 3:20-30, Matthew 12:22-45, Mark 3:31-35, Matthew 12:46-50, Luke 8:19-21, Mark 4:1-9, Matthew 13:1-9, Luke 8:4-8, Mark 4:10-20

Yeshua healed Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna of evil spirits and infirmities, and then they provided from their abundance for the ministry.

It was a blasphemy against the Holy Spirit to say Yeshua was casting out demons by the power of Satan, because the Holy Spirit gives us the power to testify about Yeshua's identity as the Messiah, the Son of the living God, and only this confession can save us from our sins. It was by "the Spirit of God" in Matthew 12:28 and the "finger of God" in Luke 11:28 by which Yeshua cast out demons. The Gentiles of Nineveh and Sheba responded better to prophets bringing the Truth of God's Word than God's own people Israel responded to God coming to dwell among them in the flesh Himself and doing the most mighty works of all. They would face judgement on this account.

Those who do the will of God are the ones we ought to spend our time with in this life, because these will be the ones we spend eternity with if we endure in our faithfulness with them.

Yeshua spoke in parables, such as the Parable of the Sower, so that those who had received the Holy Spirit and surrendered to Him would understand and change their lives to follow Him, while those who were stuck on fleshly desires would miss the point and fall away. The same truths play out for those who hear the Word today. Some hear enough of the Word to be tantalized, but never really develop a relationship with Yeshua and therefore do come to true faith. Others may appear to understand and even get excited about the Word, but when things get difficult (their job is at risk, they may lose friends or family members, they realize they have to change their lifestyle, or worse), they lose heart and return to the world. Those who care about the world and its pleasures more than Yeshua cannot be His disciples. Only those who fully surrender to Yeshua and His Way can become disciples who bear lasting fruit for the Kingdom.

Matthew 13:10-23, Luke 8:9-18, Mark 4:21-29, Matthew 13:24-30, Mark 4:30-34, Matthew 13:31-52, Mark 4:35-41; Matthew 8:23-27, Luke 8:22-25

To bear fruit for the Kingdom, we ought to share the Truth of God's Word widely, without fear of persecution or tribulation. All things, internal or external, will come to light regardless. The way we judge others is how we will ourselves be judged, so we ought to take heed that we ourselves are indeed doing what God has commanded.

The enemy is coming to sow evil in men while God works out our salvation in us, and only at the end will we all be judged according to what fruit we produce in our field.

The Word is as straightforward and simple as a mustard seed is small, and even with a little faith can the Word grow into a fruitful tree that bears the weight of others. Just a little bit of the Word can develop an entire body of people.

The Kingdom of Heaven has more value than anything else and we ought to be willing to trade everything to obtain it. Not all who come in near to follow after Yeshua will make it there, but only those who produce value for others.

Yeshua calmed the storm of the sea, as He will remove all upheaval against the multitude of His people on the Earth and bring peace to all nations who fear Him. We ought to have trust in Him that He will accomplish this, even in our lives.

Mark 5:1-20, Matthew 8:28-34, Luke 8:26-39, Mark 5:21-43; Matthew 9:18-26, Luke 8:40-56

In the region of Gerasenes, Yeshua met a man (or two men, depending on the retelling of the account), who was possessed by a legion of demons. He was so bad he was living in a cemetery and hurting himself and others. We may encounter people like these in our lives, and the solution is the same. We must appeal to Yeshua—with prayer and fasting—to free those in bondage from their possession.

The demons themselves helped to identify Yeshua as the Son of God. They knew their Creator God. But like the religious leaders of the time, they didn't expect Him yet—they knew the season He was coming, and they knew it wasn't yet. And yet, He had come as He had planned, and now He would command them as their creator to leave His image bearer in peace.

The demons asked to go into the pigs rather than be thrown into the abyss, and Yeshua obliged, but it seems as though they went into the abyss anyway. The unclean animals ran over a cliff and drowned in the lake far below. Isaiah 66:17 indicates Yeshua will consume (with fire) those who eat swine flesh when He returns. We are called to be holy as God is Holy, according to Leviticus 11.

Meanwhile, when Yeshua rose Jairus's daughter from the dead, He told the man not to tell anyone. He wasn't quite ready for His ministry to go full scale, but He did want to show people His identity so they could recall these stories later. Only God has power over death.

The woman healed from blood loss reached out and grabbed the corners of Yeshua's garments, and she was healed by her faith. Her faith was in God, who had come in the flesh, as well as the commandments He taught His children to follow. The corners of His garments are representative of God's commandments, per Numbers 15:37-41.

Matthew 9:27-34, Mark 6:1-6, Matthew 13:53-58, Matthew 9:35-38, Mark 6:7-13, Matthew 10, Luke 9:1-6

In Isaiah 5:20, the LORD said "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil," and those Pharisees who said Yeshua drove out demons by the prince of demons were bringing such woeful judgment onto themselves. Those who had faith in Yeshua's identity as the Son of God and Messiah received healing from Him. Such is also the case today.

Yeshua taught in the synagogues (meeting places) on the Sabbath, just as He still does today. But only those with faith in His identity as God can learn from Him. To come near without faith is an intellectual exercise in futility.

The LORD has compassion for His people—there are so many without a shepherd who can direct them properly. We ought to pray that the LORD will continue to raise up shepherds who can teach God's people properly through humble service to Yeshua and His Word. Pray for their Holy Spirit guidance to rightly divide the Word of Truth.

Yeshua selects His teachers on His own, and He sends them out to do HIs work, which is to call sinners to repentance, to free the captives from evil influence and direct them properly according to God's will, to call back those without faith, and to teach them the commandments of God. Teachers ought to do the work without concern of provision, for God will provide through those who receive God's blessing that they bring.

We ought not concern ourselves with persecution, torture, or even death, because God Himself suffered when He came in the flesh and we ought to follow Him. We may even face opposition by family and friends, but we must press on to do what God has commanded, putting Him first. We ought to fear God and not men. We need to follow Yeshua in all that He did, and never look back, for this is the path to life everlasting.

Luke 9:7-9, Mark 6:14-29, Matthew 14:1-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-15, Mark 6:45-52, Matthew 14:22-33, John 6:16-21, Mark 6:53-56, Matthew 14:34-36

Herod was confused about John's teachings, but his heart was tugging at him to hear what the preacher had to say. It's unfortunate he didn't surrender to the Truth. The King did not care for all of John's teachings because John pointed out the unlawful nature of his adulterous affair with Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. While Herod himself tolerated this teaching and protected John in prison, Herodias could not bear to have this subject rebuke her life choices publicly. Like Charlie Kirk's assassin, she sought John's death and took the opportunity when presented at Herod's birthday party. Some people so reject the Truth, that it leads them to murder, and we ourselves have to be ready to face this possibility of persecution in our own walk of faith. Herod, having promised his step-daughter whatever she wished on account of her pleasing dance, could not go back on his word and fulfilled her request to eliminate John.

After hearing about John's death, Yeshua went to an isolated place to mourn, but He was followed. Instead of further isolate, He came out and gave a great blessing from His Word to myriads of people. We ought to understand that it is better to give rather than receive, and become blessing givers in our times of mourning help us through these difficult moments. In a desolate place, Yeshua gave both manna from Heaven, the Word that captivated so many, and then He multiplied literal bread so it was enough to physically satisfy all involved. The LORD always provides what we need, even in our most desperate moments when provision seems impossible, and we only need to trust Him. Yeshua's involvement of His disciples to distribute His abundance really showcases our own call to serve our brothers and sisters with all faith and trust in God.

I gave a sermon on Yeshua's walking on water account for Corner Fringe Ministries, which you can view here: https://youtu.be/aUrYjqH92bA?si=fEw_D5sUuVUQ0hWE.

In short, the episode shows that we ought to trust in Yeshua, keep our eyes on Him, and understand that He is God and all things are possible with Him. We can't let the world or tribulation distract us, lest we begin to sink. The episode also shows that Peter had amazing faith that we ought to emulate. We all ought to trust that Yeshua will make the impossible paths possible when He is the one calling us out.

People reaching out to touch Yeshua for healing understand that to be healthy with God we ought to keep His commandments.

John 6:22-71, Mark 7:1-23, Matthew 15:1-20

We must take Yeshua's sacrifice into ourselves as the one-time sacrifice that saves us from our sins, and we must accept the New Covenant with God poured out by Yeshua's blood, lest we be lost forever in darkness. Yeshua, who was God in the flesh, taught us the Way of life, and He showed us by example how to do it. We were literally taught by God. His Words were "Spirit and life," for God is Spirit and He came in the flesh to die on our behalf, and then rise back to the place He was before. Those who miss the point and read His words literally will eventually walk away from Him when His Truth becomes too difficult for them, but those who understand who He is, why He came, what He taught, and why we follow Him will understand, like Peter, that there is no other way that provides everlasting life than faith in Yeshua and faithfulness to His Word.

The Scribes and Pharisees had developed many "fence laws" that were meant to protect people from even getting close to violating Torah, but these laws themselves became anathema to Torah and were contrary to God's intent. We ought to read Torah with a mind to God's own heart and seek to please the One who desires to bless us by it. The Pharisees had set up a fence law that people ought not eat bread with unwashed hands, but there was no such law in Torah. Yeshua said we ought to obey the commandments of God, and not the commandments of men. He said that eating bread with unwashed hands does not defile a man, but speaking evil or doing evil is what defiles a man. In either case, doing righteousness or doing evil originate with a heart condition that has either surrendered to God or still holds up idols above God. We have to pick a side. God's law is Truth, and Yeshua showed us how to do it and said He would help us do it. Man's law gets in the way of God's law and prevents us from coming to know Yeshua. We ought to keep faith in Yeshua and obey the commandments of God and forget the rest of what anyone tells us to do.

Mark 7:24-30, Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:31-37, Matthew 15:29-31, Mark 8:1-10, Matthew 15:32-39, Matthew 16:1-4, Mark 8:11-21, Matthew 16:5-12

As a man of Israel, Yeshua was to have no part with unbelieving Gentiles, and neither should we as His followers. Yeshua met with sinners (to heal them), but not with unbelievers. He walked by them, demonstrating His identity, and so should we walk out our faith as a testimony to the world. Like Naomi tested Ruth and Orpah and Ruth passed the test with her statement, "Your God shall be my God, and your people, my people," Yeshua tested the faith of the Syrophoenician woman. She was not hesitant to humble herself before the LORD, desiring even the crumbs that the children didn't eat, and she called Him LORD, demonstrating her faith in His identity. Ruth likewise gleaned on the corners of Boaz's fields and sought the God of Israel. It is this intense desire to be grafted-in among the children of Israel that true followers of Yeshua among the Gentiles ought to demonstrate in order to be healed by the power of our God, who is also a Jew. Yeshua healed this woman of faith, who by her faith demonstrated she was actually a Jew. Yeshua truly did come ONLY to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. Gentiles must be grafted-in to Israel through faith in Messiah Yeshua (Romans 11, Ephesians 2) to be saved.

The LORD healed the deaf and dumb man by spitting and touching his ears to open them. He is the God who spoke and created the heavens and the earth. Here is an example of Yeshua doing things differently, for He will never follow religious formulas to bring healing and faith into the life of His children. Each person will have a unique experience with the King.

Yeshua often sought quiet places to pray, and so should we. But when the people come around us to engage in the Word of God, like Yeshua, we ought to be willing to drop everything and minister to them. When God heals through our faith, we ought to give God all of the glory!

The LORD provisions His people in otherwise impossible ways. We ought to trust in His provision. He will never send us away hungry—spiritually or physically, when we trust in Him.

The sign of Jonah is wonderful, and while it has spurred controversy, it shouldn't. Read the prophetic Word in Jonah 2 (specifically Jonah's prayer)—it speaks of Yeshua's ministry, death, and resurrection from the dead. This whole progression is what would take three days and three nights to fulfill. No other sign would be given than this, and all must believe in the heart that Yeshua rose from the dead to be saved.

As Yeshua was speaking in metaphor and spiritually as He ALWAYS did, His disciples were taking His words literally and falling short because of it. When Yeshua said to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, He wasn't talking about not having enough bread. Yeshua multiplied a few loaves and fed thousands with it. God provides for our physical needs. But Yeshua was and always is more concerned about the spiritual matters of His heavenly Kingdom. Here in Mark 8, He was warning His disciples to beware of the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. In Paul's letter to Titus 1:11, the Apostle warned his disciple to "stop up their mouths" and not let them speak when it comes to their oral tradition. Their idle talk and deceptions will destroy Yeshua's pure and simple teaching. Yeshua desires that we have spiritual eyes and ears to understand His provision and teaching is eternal and brings eternal life to the faithful.

Mark 8:22-30, Matthew 16:13-20, Luke 9:18-20, Mark 8:31-38, Mark 9:1, Matthew 16:21-28, Luke 9:21-27, Mark 9:2-13, Matthew 17:1-13, Luke 9:28-36

Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, and this is the foundation on which the ecclesia (kingdom of believers) was built. Everyone who believes this becomes an adopted son of God who follows Yeshua as a disciple into His everlasting Kingdom. Without such faith, there is no hope.

People believed Yeshua was a resurrected John, Elijah, or Jeremiah because He preached repentance from sin, He did many miracles and spoke boldly with authority, and He preached against the leaders of Israel who were sinning against God in hypocrisy and spoke in support of God's Holy Word and commandments. And, He was better than these prophets. He is the one these prophets preached about and the source of all prophesy, and He is the One who would call a people to Himself for His everlasting Kingdom.

When Yeshua gave the keys of the Kingdom to His followers who would declare His identity as the Messiah and Son of God, He gave authority to bind up evil spirits and send them away and to loose their prisoners from the bondage of spiritual oppression. Now all could be free indeed through faith in Messiah Yeshua!

Our confession of Yeshua's identity is simply the beginning of our faith, and Peter's example shows this to be true. Even though He was saved by His verbal confession and heartfelt faith, Peter was still working out his salvation with fear and trembling. His flesh patterns remained and his own intellect led Him to question the LORD's Word about his pending crucifixion and resurrection. Whenever we question the Truth of God's Word, we become adversaries to God and good Christian brothers and sisters ought to rebuke us, as the LORD did Peter. We need to be mindful of this important Truth always: God's Word is 100% correct, and with it there is no variation. Whenever we find ourselves arguing against it for our own convenience or desire, we are opposed to God and working against His will for us and our lives. Whenever we are corrected and realign ourselves with God's Word, we will walk in His blessings and enjoy both joy and peace. But as He often does, Yeshua takes things further and explains that confessing His identity and obeying His commandments ought to come first, even before our own lives. We ought to be willing to sacrifice everything to follow Him.

After Peter's confession of Yeshua's identity, Yeshua revealed His glory as God in the spiritual realm to His inner circle—Peter, James and John. Elijah and Moses appeared with Him, pointing forward to the resurrection of the dead according to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15. Elijah, who had been taken up alive, and Moses, who died but was risen, appeared together with Yeshua as a type of what we can expect on the Last Day, when Yeshua will raise us up together with Him into His Kingdom. In doing this, Yeshua showed Peter, James and John a glimpse of His Kingdom. This is fulfillment of prophesies in Ezekiel, Revelation, and Daniel, also, where Yeshua appeared in radiant white. God the Father here also confirmed the identity of God the Son, as Peter had just confessed before they ascended the mountain together. There they also declared God's Kingdom at the very spot where the fallen angels conspired to rebel against God—the top of Mt. Hermon. The gates of Hell were beginning to crumble and would eventually fall on account of Yeshua's work. The cross and resurrection were next, and in this Yeshua would declare eternal victory over sin and death.

Yeshua also identified John the Baptist as coming as the Spirit of Elijah, the one who would both announce the coming of Messiah and call for repentance from sin and a return to righteousness. This Spirit of repentance makes a way for the LORD to come into our lives, and this very thing is experienced by each of us in our baptism.

Mark 9:14-29, Matthew 17:14-21, Luke 9:37-43, Mark 9:30-32, Matthew 17:22-23, Luke 9:43-45, Matthew 17:24-27, Mark 9:33-37, Matthew 18:1-6, Luke 9:46-48, Mark 9:38-41, Luke 9:49-50, Mark 9:42-50, Matthew 18:7-35

With faith in Yeshua and the courage to wait on and do His will, we can cast out demons, tear down strongholds, and heal paralytic and severely impaired people. All healing is according to God's will and for His glory, and will not be accomplished any other way. Prayer, fasting, and persistence in prayer are needed.

Yeshua told His followers He would be crucified to death and then rise, but they didn't believe Him.

Even though Yeshua did not have to pay the temple tax as the Son of God, He paid it anyway as to not cause offense. Sometimes we ought to do things we don't believe are just so as to win souls to the LORD through our gentleness.

The greatest among us are people who fully submit to God's will, keep His commandments, and trust in Him with awe and wonder.

Those who harm the innocent will suffer the consequences of their actions and will never escape them in this life. Forgiveness does not excuse the consequences of sin.

All who seek to serve the LORD are working for the LORD, even if they don't serve among us.

There is nothing of more value in this life than the Kingdom of God, and we ought to forsake all in this life to receive our inheritance with God.

God seeks out His lost sheep and forgives their sins, but He will not forgive those who do not forgive others.

John 7:1-9, Luke 9:51-56, Matthew 8:18-22, Luke 9:57-62, John 7:10-53, John 8:1-20

We read in John 7: Yeshua's "hour had not yet come." Yeshua said pointedly in John 10:17: "I have the power to lay it [My life] down, and I have power to take it up again." The Feast of Tabernacles was upon them; it was the time for God to dwell among His people, and it wasn't going to be until the coming Passover that Yeshua would lay down His life for His friends as the Lamb of God whose blood was shed for the sin of the world. In addressing this issue, note what Yeshua said to His human brothers—James, Joses, Simon, and Judas (Matt 13:55)—who had urged Him to go to the feast. He said, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always at hand." Indeed, the Son of Man will return like a theif in the night. The day of our death will come when we do not expect it. Moses advised: "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). What must we do THIS DAY to be saved? This ought to be the primary thing always on our minds. To know Yeshua and to do His will is to inherit eternal life, and yet we sometimes think, as Yeshua's brothers did, that we know better than God what needs to be done. Yeshua kept the feast as He commanded others to do, but He observed it on His own terms to advance His ministry.

Some folks may believe they will follow the LORD, even those who both know Yeshua as the Messiah and trust in the Word of God, but when trial, persecution, or tribulation comes to pass, they won't follow Him. Self-sacrifice and willingness to give up everything, even corporal life, is necessary to follow Yeshua. We can't put anything before the LORD, for proclaiming the Kingdom of God is the most-important thing of all. If we start following Yeshua and even teaching by "ploughing seeds," but then back away, we are not fit for the Kingdom of God.

When Yeshua made it to the Feast of Tabernacles, He taught with the authority of God and sought the glory of God. He taught that we ought not judge by appearance or even the lip service that people give to God, but by the righteousness that people do—their fruit, which aligns with God's commandments. If we hunger, we ought to seek His Word, and if we thirst, His Spirit, and then we will ourselves flow with the living waters of God that brings nourishment to the roots of others trees that are meant to bear fruit. As the wise Nicodemus noted, we ought to judge a man based on His words and actions and how they align with the law of God.

The woman caught in adultery was caught by whom? The men accusing her? How did they catch her? Were they themselves guilty of this adultery? Whatever Yeshua was writing convicted these men who were accusing the women and they walked away just as guilty as she, but the woman herself sought the LORD's favor. He granted forgiveness, but also commanded: "go and sin no more." As Yeshua later noted, those forgiven much love much. This woman's future was bound to be bright indeed.

John 8:21-59, Luke 10, Luke 11:1-13

If we look for Yeshua and do not find Him, we will die in our sin. But if we know He has been risen from the dead, we will inherit eternal life. We must believe that He is the Great I AM and abide in His Word, which is the commandments of God. We must "do the works of Abraham" to be counted among God's children. "He who belongs to God hears the words of God."

Yeshua sent apostles ahead of Him to announce His coming, and He is looking for many workers today to do the same. We're to go looking for men of peace to welcome us and feed us physically while we feed them spiritually with the words of Truth. A workers is worthy of his wages. Those communities that do not welcome the Gospel will be turned to ashes in the judgment, which is why even the dust on our feet will bear witness. Those who reject Yeshua, reject God, but those who trust in Yeshua have a share in His Kingdom. When we follow Yeshua, He gives us authority to cast out demons and do wonders in His name, but we ought to be sastisfied that our names are written in His book. We ought to rejoice to have the glory of His living example. To love God and love one another as we love ourselves is the summary of all commandments, and all of this breaks down to obedience to God and faith in His Word. The Good Samaritan story shows us that love means doing the will of God in the lives of all men, and not just those who please us personally. Like Mary, we ought to be learning from our LORD and resting on the Sabbath Day, rather than worried about all the things that should have been taken care of before His visit as Martha was.

Here's an overview of Luke 11:1-13 that Gary Durham Sr. and I put together on 9/3/2025: God gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to those who are persistent in prayer, and the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). Here are some finer points:
* From Luke 11:1-13 (your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven): Pray persistently for God's kingdom and will in our lives and God will deliver His Holy Spirit unto us: love ("If you love Me, keep My commandments, and I will give you another helper = Holy Spirit (John 14:15-18); Love one another, and this is love, that you keep God's commandments (2 John 1:4-5)); joy and peace are the result of such persistently prayerful obedience (John 15:10-11, Isaiah 32:17, Philippians 4:4-9); self-control leads to persistence and then godliness, and godliness is achieved through persistent prayer in faithfulness according to God's goodness, which is identified by His commandments (2 Peter 1:4-11, but particularly verses 4-6). Pray persistently against self-centeredness, and focus on God's will to be done in our lives. His will is that we keep His commandments.
* From Luke 11:1-13 (give us our daily bread): Praying persistently to the LORD will result in all of our physical and spiritual needs being met.  Because of persistence God will give everything needed. Seek and keep on seeking, ask and keep on asking, knock and keep on knocking and don't give up until you receive what you need.
* From Luke 11:1-13 (forgive us our sins for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us): "Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word." (Isaiah 66:1-2), "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15); "Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." (Matt 18:21–22)
* Luke Luke 11:1-13 (lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one): Pray persistently in humility and trust in the LORD: "So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord." (Deuteronomy 8:3). "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." (Prov 3:5–6)

Luke 11:14-54, Luke 12:1-34

God's house is not divided, but rather united in His Word. Yeshua acted by the finger of God, which is His Holy Spirit. Yeshua instructed us to bind up demons so we can gather lost souls together with Him. We have to be careful to present freed souls to God so they can receive His Spirit, lest worse spirits come and occupy a recently cleaned house.

Yeshua corrected a person seeking to venerate Mary by redirecting them to God's Word, which prohibits elevating human beings to positions of idolatry. He said: "Rather, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it."

The sign of Jonah would be given to Yeshua's generation. He would rise up on the third day, just as Jonah had done. The Queen of Sheba, the men of Nineveh from Jonah's generation, and even Solomon himself, would rise and judge wicked men. Yeshua declared their salvation, even through their deaths, because of the faith they had for God. We have to shine the light of Messiah Yeshua in our lives, lest we be accused of hiding our faith.

The Scribes and Pharisees held up the teachings of men above the commandments of God, and thus Yeshua condemned them by their own actions. We must be hearers and doers of the Word, not hearers only. We have to be willing to give up everything for the Truth of God.

The Holy Spirit teaches us what to say and helps us understand that Yeshua is the Son of God who took away our sin at His cross and resurrection. We can walk in the newness of life. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit denies these truths.

We ought not seek to store up treasures on the earth, but instead in Heaven. Everything we hold of value here will be burned op outside a true faith in Yeshua!

Luke 12:35-59, Luke 13:1-21, John 9

We ought to always be ready for the return of Yeshua. If we are alert and ready, watching and warning, He will let us in when He comes. He's coming at an hour we don't expect, and therefore we ought to be in service to Him and His people, no matter how delayed He may be. If we beat each other up, we will ourselves be sent away by the LORD. We ought to prepare and act as if we are living in the Kingdom of God today. We ought to make ourselves ready and prepare for the wedding feast of the Lamb! But we ought never expect peace in this life for our efforts, but rather persecution. We ought to pray for those who persecute us and thereby pull down the strongholds holding them captive. There will be opposition within each family, but we ought to remain steadfast in our faith. We will prepare for the season of His coming by changing the ways in us that are wicked and repenting before God. We ought to forgive others so we can be forgiven.

Our lives ought to bear fruit for God's Kingdom.

It is righteous to heal, to teach, and to bring blessing to others on our path during the Sabbath. Yeshua was without sin, and so He did not actually violate the Sabbath according to God's law.

Just a little bit of faith will remove strongholds and multiply God's Kingdom.

People in Yeshua's age believed those who died young or were otherwise socially awkward or disabled were cursed, but Yeshua showed that His glory would be made perfect in weakness, and He healed a blind man to show an example of God's unfailing love for His children. This man rightly testified: "We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners; but if anyone fears Him and does His will, He hears this one.” Only God heals sinners, and He heals those who are humble before Him and repent.

John 10, Luke 13:22-35, Luke 14:1-24

The only way into the Kingdom of God is through Yeshua, the Good Shepherd, who is God. There is no other way. It's very important that we communicate this to those who believe otherwise, so they might be saved. The sheep know the voice of their Shepherd, which is His Word. Any voice or message contrary to the law of God is not from Yeshua but from the Adversary. The LORD gives life through His Word and by trust in His Name. Yeshua cares about His sheep. There is One flock and One Shepherd, not two. Jews and Gentiles are both saved through faith in Yeshua alone. The Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep, and then He takes it up again to lead His sheep to pasture.

During Hanukkah, Yeshua walked into the temple and declared that He is the God the Jews worship. He alone gives eternal life to those who have faith in Him. He quoted Psalm 82, which explains the moment when Yeshua sat at the head of the divine council in Heaven and judged the angels who rebelled against God by explaining they would die like men. He said this to show that He indeed is God and to point out that it isn't blasphemy to call Himself the Son of God. The works He did—healing, opening the eyes of the blind, raising the dead—are works that only God can do.

Yeshua said that the Way into His Kingdom is narrow, and only those fully devoted to Him will be saved. Those who try to enter without doing what God commanded will not be able to enter, because this will show their faith is not authentic. Those who do evil—meaning, those who violate God's commandments—will be shut out. Those who keep the commandments and their faith in Yeshua will sit with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob forever in God's Kingdom at the resurrection of the dead on the Last Day.

Yeshua was not afraid of the governor Herod, and even called him a "fox." Yeshua knew no one had authority over Him, and He would die at the appointed time—Passover—and not a day before. Those who came before—the Scribes and Pharisees—and denied Him would be left with a desolate house. Their leadership would be stripped and given to the Apostles and their followers instead. But the Jews who cry out, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD," that is "Baruch ha'ba b'shem Adonai," Yeshua Ha'Mashiach, these will be saved. When Israel cries out to Yeshua in this way, He will return to them, and to all who follow Him.

It is good to heal on the Sabbath. This is what the Sabbath is for! This is why we gather together as a community on the LORD's Day (Saturday) to worship God; literally, for healing and rest. We ought to humble ourselves on the Sabbath and make sure we are taking care of the needs of our brothers and sisters. The Sabbath convocation should never be about what we can get out of it, but what we can do for others. Who can we help? The parable of the banquet is all about Sabbath. Are we making excuses about why we can't come in to be with God? Are we showing up at the banquet hall on the wrong day? Or do we put God first and prioritize His invitation to come in near to Him when He has invited us by His commandment? The way we treat the Sabbath is a reflection of our heart for God. Those who come in as God has commanded will experience God's presence and blessing with joy!

Luke 14:25-35, Luke 15, Luke 16, Luke 17:1-10, John 11:1-37

We have to love God first before any person in this world, even our closest family members or our very own life. We can't love others if we don't love God first, and we love God by keeping His commandments. This obedience to God is then the very same way that we show love to others. We have to bear the burden, the suffering, and the persecution of doing what God has commanded, even when everyone else is telling us we're crazy for doing so. We ought to count the cost. From a worldly perspective, we will lose out on a lot of things in this world that we used to enjoy. But God's way is better, it brings more joy, and it leads to everlasting life. It is worth giving up everything for. While we have a choice to make on whether or not to follow Yeshua in this way, only one Way leads to life. To be with God, it is essential that we put Him and His commandments first. It isn't a suggestion. We have to renounce everything this world offers and take on Christ alone!

Salt is good for healing, flavor, taste, sacrifice, preservation, and fertilizing soil to grow crops that produce fruit. It has to be used properly, or it's good for nothing, and too much salt can also do harm. Discernment is needed.

Yeshua went out to eat with tax collectors and sinners to try and bring them into His fold. He invited them to follow Him. The LORD desires that all sinners repent. This doesn't mean we should welcome active sinners into our churches. This doesn't mean sinners may continue to sin, either. Matthew, for instance, forsook his career and followed Yeshua. When we come in to follow Yeshua, our sin is forgiven and then we ought to walk the way He walked. This is what causes the Shepherd to rejoice—when the lost sheep is found and returns to walk with the rest of the flock that follows the Shepherd. That being said, God expects us to walk righteously. Our righteousness doesn't earn us any grace from Him. Righteousness is what God expects from all of His sheep. While the righteous may be among Him—a blessing—the greater joy is taking a sinner away from sin. The Parable of the Prodigal Son shows us that the LORD desires all wayward people to return to Him, no matter how far they have fallen, and He will welcome us back into His house to live righteously. But those who are righteous and reject the repentant will be left outside. The LORD sent His righteous to make disciples, and so our joy in bringing in sinners should be the same as His.

The LORD is going to try us in small things before He gives us more difficult tasks to do for His Kingdom. The more challenges we overcome, the bigger challenges He will give, and this is how the Kingdom grows. We ought to embrace challenges and overcome obstacles, because this is how God knows He can trust us to do His will. Also, what the LORD gives us in this world belongs to Him. What we do with our wealth and how we use it for His Kingdom is a sign for what we can expect with our inheritance in God's Kingdom. We ought to store up treasure in Heaven where it endures!

The parable of Lazarus and the rich man is very personal to me. Yeshua used this parable to show me I was excluded from His Kingdom because I was living in sin. The story is too long to explain here, but it involved a wedding I was invited to for which I accepted the invitation to attend, but I was excluded from the wedding because I hadn't done the work needed to reserve my spot— literally. I watched people attend the wedding from the outside and could not get in—literally! I confessed my sin and repented and God called me back by explaining the changes I needed to make to live according to His will! He goes after His lost sheep and rejoices when we return! This past week, I attended a wedding with very similar imagery and the LORD showed me that I am now welcome inside the wedding and reception. The bride said to me, "Thank you for coming to my wedding." I wept while participating in the proceedings and felt the hand of the LORD upon my shoulder! To live is to live for Christ and to die is gain! I am eternally grateful to the LORD for showing me this spiritual reality! We have Moses and the Prophets and we ought to obey the Word they recorded, and we have Yeshua who rose from the dead, and we must believe in Him to be saved.

We have to be careful not to cause a brother or sister in the faith to stumble. If a brother sins, we ought to rebuke him. Don't skip over this part. It's essential. Read Ezekiel 33. But if he repents, we ought to forgive him. No matter how many times a person sins against us, if they truly repent, we must forgive them. We ought to pray for the LORD to increase our faith, for faith the size of a mustard seeds will help us tear down strongholds and do seemingly impossible things that are only possible with God.

The parable of the slave plowing or tending sheep explains to us the purpose of obedience to God's commandments. It is not to earn our salvation, but rather it is what the LORD expects us to do as a baseline. If we don't do it, how can we expect to even dwell in His house? But if we do keep the commandments, we ought to understand that we are still unworthy and worthless to God outside of the grace offered through Yeshua our Messiah.

The story of Lazarus does two things: It teaches us that Yeshua is God who knows when and how people will live and die and also that He has the power to raise the dead, and it shows us that the Resurrection of the Dead will come only through faith in Yeshua when He calls us by name to come out of the grave, we will come forth into everlasting life. The example of Lazarus was meant to show us a precursor of what this would look like on the Last Day and also serve as a sign for those who were following Yeshua of His true identity. Martha in this case showed that she knew the teaching her Master had given her about the resurrection of the dead—after all, it is an elementary principle of Messiah Yeshua. Lazarus likely died again and now waits the resurrection on the Last Day with the rest of us. His soul was sleeping in the grave when Yeshua came to show us this example, just as all of our souls will sleep when we die until Yeshua comes to raise us up at the Last Day.

John 11:38-57, Luke 17:11-37, Luke 18:1-8

Caiaphas the High Priest rightly prophesied about Yeshua that "it is better for you that one man die for the people rather than for the whole nation to be destroyed." John added: Yeshua would not die only for the nation, but all of the scattered children of Israel, Jew and Gentile alike. They sought to kill Him for this purpose, but what was their intent? Was it to preserve themselves from the Roman conquerers?

When 10 are healed by Yeshua, only one turned back to give praise, honor and glory to God, showing his gratitude for his salvation. While the other nine were healed, they walked away unclean because they rejected the calling that follows salvation. So too must we turn to live in the Way Yeshua taught us because we have been saved by grace.

The Kingdom of God is not going to be in another place. It is going to be right here on the Earth, but not in the present condition of the Earth. The Earth will be refreshed by fire, and all that is not holy will be burned up. The Son of Man will come like lightening flashes—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. As in the days of Noah and the days of Lot, the coming of Yeshua will separate the sheep from the goats immediately and without warning. Those with half-hearted faith like Lot's wife will not endure the Judgment of God. But the dead in Christ will be raised by God's angels and will dwell forever with Him on the Earth.

We ought to be persistent in prayers for our Father will hear us and administer justice for all of His children on the Last Day. But will there be any alive remaining when He comes? Considering the tribulation of the Last Days, it's likely most will be martyred by the time of Yeshua's return.

Luke 18:9-14, Mark 10:1-12, Matthew 19:1-12, Mark 10:13-16, Matthew 19:13-15, Luke 18:15-17, Mark 10:17-31, Matthew 19:16-30, Luke 18:18-30

Our righteous acts are expected by God and yet earn us nothing. In the midst of our righteousness, we ought to humble ourselves before God as people who have fallen short, for none of us is perfect without Messiah's grace.

God's design for marriage was for one man to marry one woman and for them to live together as one flesh until death. Any departure from this is sin. On account of sexual immorality, divorce is one possible option, but in this case sin adds upon sin. God desires righteousness from His people, and the marriage bed should remain undefiled. Those who can remain unmarried and devoted to God without sin choose a good thing, but those who marry also please God.

Children ought to be welcomed into our fellowship and prayers, for they are a model of how we ought to joyfully obey our Father's commandments and innocently go about our days with peace and joy in our hearts.

When asked what to do to inherit eternal life, Yeshua answered: keep the commandments of God. It's more than blind obedience; however. We have to be willing to give up everything we have to follow Yeshua in the way He taught us to keep the commandments of God. All things are possible with God, for He said He would help us obey Him if our hearts' desire is to put Him first. When we do this, we can't even imagine the blessings that will overflow upon us.

Matthew 20:1-16, Mark 10:32-34, Matthew 20:17-19, Luke 18:31-34, Mark 10:35-45, Matthew 20:20-34, Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43, Luke 19:1-27

We ought to appreciate the LORD's work in the lives of others and accept God's timing for each person's redemption. Whenever a person confesses their sins and repents, they earn the same Kingdom that we are promised. Should we not rejoice in this?

In Mark 10:32-34, Yeshua explained precisely what would happen to Him in His suffering, crucifixion, death and resurrection. They didn't hear Him until after it was finished.

Those who lead others ought to be their servant rather than their master, for we have one Master, who is Yeshua, the one who opens the eyes of the blind.

Like the blind man, we ought to call out consistently and persistently for the LORD to help us to see, and then follow Him down the road. In the flesh, we are blind, dumb and deaf and cannot understand the Word of God, but in the Spirit, the Word takes on life and gives us instruction to live eternally with God. When Yeshua says, "Go," we ought to go out with Him down the road.

Zacchaeus the sinner repented and pledged to make restitution, according to Torah, for all the wrongs he did to others. Yeshua explained that "salvation" had come to His house on account of this!

The LORD has called us to go forth and make disciples, baptize them, and teach them the commandments of God, and He has given us talents by which to do this. We had better act on the spoken command of our risen LORD lest we burn up in the second death.

Mark 14:3-9, Matthew 26:6-13, John 12:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, John 12:12-19, Luke 19:41-44, John 12:20-36

It appears that Lazarus and his sisters were reclining with Yeshua at the home of Simon the Leper when Miriam poured spikenard over his head to an extent that it covered his feet. She then wiped his feet with her hair, an act of total submission in service to the King. This act of faith is remembered even to this day, for she so loved and trusted her LORD that she was willing to give Him this anointing worth several years wages prior to His death. She had heard her LORD's testimony about what was coming regarding His death, burial, and resurrection, she believed Him, and she desired to prepare Him for it more than anything else. In this passage Yeshua made clear that we will always have the poor with us and acts of charity and alms are always available to us. What's better than charity is to love and honor the LORD God who redeemed us by His blood, giving Him everything we have, and surrendering to do His will. Paul said the same in 1st Cor. 13:3: "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor ... but have not love, it profits me nothing." The faith is first about love and obedience to God before anything else.

Jerusalem was in anticipation of their coming King Messiah, and they honored Him with a prophesied triumph as He entered the city. They cried out: “Hoshia-na! Baruch ha-ba b’shem Adonai! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!” Even the rocks would have proclaimed His Identify had His people refused, but they knew who He was. How many of these would become the first century believers once they realized His throne was in Heaven? We know that 3,000 were saved at Pentecost/Shavuot. But so many would fall away first, scattered when their Shepherd was crucified. They expected an earthly King, but Yeshua would be King of the Universe instead. He rode on a donkey into the city, fulfilling the prophesy of the suffering servant, Messiah ben Yosef, but also illustrating His role as Messiah ben David, for David's son Solomon had been coronated after riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. The Jews expected two Messiahs for these roles, but Yeshua showed that He was the One and Only Messiah, who was coming at two different times.

In the "The Babylonian Talmud: A Translation and Commentary." Vol. 16., Neusner, Jacob. 2011, Sanhedrin, 11:100, we can see the misguided interpretation of the Rabbis:

A. Said R. Alexandri, “R. Joshua b. Levi contrasted verses as follows:
B. “It is written; ‘in its time [will the Messiah come],’ and it is also written; ‘I [the Lord] will hasten it.’
C. “[What is the meaning of the contrast?]
D. “If [the Israelites] have merit, I will hasten it, if they do not, [the messiah] will come in due course.
E. “ ‘It is written, “And behold, one like the son of man came with the clouds of heaven” (Dan. 7:13, and it is written, “Behold your king comes to you … lowly and riding upon an ass” (Zech. 9:7). [What is the meaning of the contrast?]
F. “ ‘If [the Israelites] have merit, it will be “with the clouds of heaven” (Dan. 7:13), and if they do not have merit, it will be “lowly and riding upon an ass” (Zech. 9:7).’ ”

They saw two Messiahs rather than two visitations, but now we know. Did the Rabbis of Yeshua's day not want to admit they were unworthy and therefore rejected Him? It seems likely to me. John reports that even “His disciples did not understand these things at first. But when Yeshua was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that the crowd had done these things for Him.”

Yeshua wept over Jerusalem, all well knowing it would be destroyed because her leaders rejected Him. They didn't want to acknowledge the time of Yeshua's visitation because of what it meant about them and their prophesied future of doom. Those who continued to stumble because they doubted Yeshua would fall in Bar Kopkha's revolt of AD 133-135. It was at that time that the Romans destroyed the city, changing the province's name from Judea to Palestinia, and exiled the Jews from it. The Messianic followers of Yeshua would have left the city on account of their Master's prophesy concerning this time period. Yet, it was also around that time that weak bishops in the early church renounced Judaism to save their own skin. They allowed Messianic followers to be persecuted while distancing themselves from the authentic faith. This set off about 1800 years of ignorance, but today the Truth is resurfacing and many are returning to the First Century roots of the faith in Messiah Yeshua, which was a Jewish faith in which gentiles were grafted-in.

Yeshua came to die and then rise up. Like wheat that has to die in order to seed the next year's crop, so too did Yeshua have to die and rise so that His followers could also die and then rise on the Last Day. The Father glorified the Son, which shows us that we are dealing with One God with a complex unity, for God Himself said He would never give His glory to another. At this moment, when Yeshua triumphed over the grave, Satan was defeated forever and was exiled from Heaven. Yeshua would draw all His followers to Himself, and no longer could the Accuser keep faithful men away from God. Yeshua would be lifted up to the throne He came down from, while Satan would be cast down from his exalted place in Heaven to be destroyed upon the Earth. The people didn't yet understand: “We’ve heard from Scripture that the Messiah remains forever." He would indeed remain forever indwelling the hearts of His faithful followers, but He would not remain in the way they expected. We must believe in the light so we can become sons of light, shining forth until He comes to bring us into His Kingdom.

John 12:37-50, Mark 11:12-14, Matthew 21:18-22, Mark 11:15-19, Matthew 21:12-17, Luke 19:45-48, Mark 11:20-33, Matthew 21:23-27, Luke 20:1-8

All men, Jew or Gentile, leader or laity, will be judged on the Last Day by the Word of God, which Yeshua spoke directly. He, being the Word who became flesh, also lived out an example that we will also be judged by. Many Jewish leaders did come to believe Yeshua to be the Messiah, but they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God and therefore their belief did not flourish into salvational light. Only those Jewish leaders and others who give up all worldly honor to follow Yeshua and boldly shine His light will inherit the promised Kingdom. A fig tree representing the Levitical priesthood and leadership of Israel did not produce fruit, and thus God shriveled up that order to never produce fruit again. Only faith in Yeshua can yield the fruit of righteousness for those grafted-in to Israel, for He is a priest forever after the order of Melchi-zedek.

Yeshua threw out the moneychangers from inside the Temple because the LORD's house was meant to be called a house of prayer for all the nations. The problem was not that these people were exchanging money or selling sacrificial animals, for this is prescribed by Torah. The problem is where they were doing this. They were inside the Temple in the court of the Gentiles and women, effectively preventing the gentiles and women from worshipping God without being distracted by commerce. They should have been outside the temple walls so as to allow pure worship of God by all nations inside the Temple. This is yet another example of how Israel's religious leaders failed to live up to the commandment to be a light to the nations.

Yeshua taught in the Temple, fulfilling the prophesy of Isaiah 54:13: "all your children shall be taught by Yahweh, and great shall be the peace of your children." Those who were sons of the devil sought to destroy Him, but those who hung on His words would be given new life by Him. He taught under the authority of God, because He was God who came in the flesh. John baptized under the authority of God also, and pointed out the way to the LORD when He baptized Yeshua and called Him the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Only those with faith can see the Truth and live it.

We ought to pray persistently with no doubting, and our prayers will be answered. We ought choose to forgive all who have wronged us so that we can be forgiven by the Father in Yeshua.

Matthew 21:28-32, Mark 12:1-12, Matthew 21:33-46, Luke 20:9-19, Matthew 22:1-14, Mark 12:13-17, Matthew 22:15-22, Luke 20:20-26, Mark 12:18-27, Matthew 22:23-33, Luke 20:27-40

The parable of two sons is a retelling of Ezekiel 18, for the righteous one saved by Yeshua who then turns away from God's commandments will be lost, but the one who is lost and repents, turning later to love Yeshua and keep God's commandments will be saved.

The Parable of the Vineyard comes from Isaiah 5, and it is a scathing rebuke of the Levitical priesthood and order of human kings. The LORD planted His vineyard in Israel, expecting good fruit to come from His people whom He redeemed out of Egypt, but the leaders of the nation failed God and His people repeatedly and even killed the prophets sent to correct them. Ultimately, they would even kill God's Son. When Yeshua rose from the dead, He replaced the Aaronic priesthood with His eternal priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, and He also became the King of kings, mediating forever for God's people. He also sent His Apostles and their disciples to keep His vineyard until His return according to His doctrine that explains the Torah according to God's own heart. The vineyard would produce fruit for God's glory, for God's Word does not return to Him void—He accomplishes His good pleasure.

The Wedding Feast is a prophetic picture of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and it also explains the LORD's attitude toward His Holy Saturday Sabbath Day and the Passover celebration. He invites all who love Him to come in, but most people disregard His invitation, believing it to be anachronistic. But God's Fourth Commandment and Holy Feast Days are forever and how we celebrate them really expresses our attitude to how we view our eternal relationship with God. Some people ignore them, looking to go about their business instead and other people persecute God's people who are keeping the LORD's Day Holy. The King Yeshua is furious when His people do not accept His invitation to come to Him and rest at His feet, learning from Him and enjoying His company. But He also will not accept those who come in with a cavalier attitude and do not regard His day as Holy. Those who are not living righteously ought to get themselves right with Yeshua before they come in to celebrate His feast.

When Yeshua said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and give to God what is God's," He wasn't saying we should pay taxes, though He didn't say not to pay taxes either, and that was the brilliance of His reply. The fact is, the Pharisees and Herodians were using blasphemous denarius coins that had an inscription declaring Caesar's divinity on them. Yeshua's teaching was to give Caesar back his blasphemous coin and to give God absolutely everything else, because all things belong to God, including our very own lives. This silenced His critics.

The Sadducees brought a story from the book of Tobit to Yeshua to ask him about the resurrection of the dead, which they doubted. Yeshua responded by citing the Book of Enoch, which expresses that in the resurrection, souls neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels in Heaven. He explained that the Sadducees had blinded themselves to God's Word by restricting their understanding only to the Torah (the first five books of Moses); they were missing the power of God that the LORD gave to His people in the Prophetic works and the Apocrypha, which Yeshua may have also called Scripture. In fact, most Messianic passages are found in the Prophets and in the Book of Enoch. Nevertheless, even in Torah we can see that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are going to be risen up into God's Kingdom, for God, their God, is God of the living. He is the living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and He doesn't rule over a population of death. The Sadducees understanding had literally led them astray from Truth.

Mark 12:28-34, Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:35-37, Matthew 22:41-46, Luke 20:41-44, Mark 12:38-40, Matthew 23:1-12, Luke 20:45-47, Matthew 23:13-39, Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4

The greatest commandment, according to Yeshua and the prevailing leaders of first century Judaism, is from Deuteronomy 6:4-5, and it sums up the first four of the ten commandments in Exodus 20:1-11 and Deuteronomy 5:6-15, which explain how to love God. We must love God first before we can even consider loving others, because if we don't obey God's commandments it is impossible to love other people. Thus, the second greatest commandment is subservient to the first. That commandment, to love one another as we love ourselves means that we ought to both do and teach God's commandments, specifically as it pertains to our interactions with others. It also means that we can't love others if we don't first love ourselves, which again, means keeping the first commandment. This second commandment, from Leviticus 19:17-18, sums up the fifth through 10th commandments from Exodus 20:12-17 and Deuteronomy 5:16-21, but it also gives additional instruction. To love others, we have to both rebuke them when they are sinning by teaching them the commandments of God and also leave vengeance to the LORD to repay, not taking vengeance into our own hands. Thus, to love our neighbor includes loving our enemies, also. All of the Torah and the Prophets explain these basic principles. If we do these things, and trust in Yeshua as our LORD and savior, we will inherit eternal life.

Our Messiah Yeshua was also David's LORD. We ought to consider this when reading David's story, for David was an archetype for Yeshua, and yes, also his biological ancestor through Mary. Understanding that David lived out the Gospel in every way, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite, helps us to understand the Gospel better. By asking these rhetorical questions, Yeshua also meant to point out that the Messiah is the Son of God.

Yeshua warned us to watch out for people who do religious acts for show. There ought to be evidence in the lives of all Pastors and Teachers that they are living out the Gospel in their lives. What is their fruit? This is how we know them. In terms of the role, church leaders ought to view it with humility.

Many confuse the meaning of Matthew 23:2-3, when Yeshua explained that the Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses's seat, and thus we ought to do what they tell us, but not what they do. The meaning is simple: When they sit in the seat of judgment and judge an individual situation according to the Law given by Moses, we ought to obey them. But these men were hypocrites who expanded Scripture and created many rules to get around keeping certain parts of God's law, and thus we should not copy their extra-Biblical pronouncements.

The biggest problem with Scribes and Pharisees, the precursors to today's Rabbis, was their oral traditions, which Paul often calls the "law" in his letters. These added to and took away from Torah and the prophets, which Paul always upheld in his letters. Matthew 15 and Mark 7 give additional details on this, but Matthew 23 gives a great overview of how these Jewish leaders went wrong. Yeshua's point is that we ought to keep God's law and not the laws of men, and we ought to honor God and not men. We ought to build a relationship with Yeshua and follow His Way, and not create religion that leads men astray. The greatest leaders are those who serve others.

Yeshua finished this rebuke of the Jewish leaders by explaining that the whole Tanakh (the Old Testament), from Abel to Zechariah son of Berechiah, Genesis to Chronicles (the Jewish order of the Old Testament), will judge all people, and this generation of Rabbis would be found lacking. He said in John, "I will not judge you but my Word will judge you." He's saying the same thing here. We ought to make sure we get ourselves right with God's Word so we can stand in the judgment. We have to call out, "Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD, Messiah Yeshua," in order to stand in the judgment.

The wealthy would make it known how much they were putting into the collection box, but the widow's contribution was discreet—the sound would have been tiny. Yeshua, being God, knew the heart condition and status of everyone there. Our heart ought to be that God deserves our all, just like the widow's heart.

Mark 13:1-23, Matthew 24:1-25, Luke 21:5-24, Mark 13:24-31, Matthew 24:26-35, Luke 21:25-33

Peter, James, John and Andrew questioned Yeshua about the matters of the End Days, which began at Yeshua's resurrection, and He responded to them quite directly in a way that we can map to actual historical events that have already occurred as well as to some final events yet to come. His advice is also timeless, in that we ought to watch out for false teachers and false messiahs, expect wars between nations and people groups as well as natural disasters, famines, and persecutions. We can expect betrayal, familial schisms, and unwarranted hatred against us, but our duty is to reach all people groups with the Gospel message regardless. The LORD will teach us what to say and He will speak through us when it matters. When we endure to the end in our faithfulness, we will be saved. This is the end of our own natural lives or the Last Day, whichever comes first. We endure by faithfully following the example of Messiah Yeshua and trusting in His identity as our God who died and rose for our atonement and our deliverance.

The abomination of desolation is standing in the Holy Place presently. The Dome of the Rock sits where the Temple once stood and on its walls is an inscription that exclaims the blasphemy: "God has no son." There is nothing more desolate! Nothing! Separately, those in Judea who did not flee to the mountains during the Bar Kopkha revolt of 133-135 AD were slaughtered—2 million Jews died on Passover that year at the hand of a formidable Roman army. Passover is a time of deliverance for those who have faith in Yeshua, but a time of destruction for those who don't. The faithful who listened to Yeshua were spared to spread the faith into all the regions of the earth. There was no other time like this when tribulation was worse for the Jews. They were literally removed from the Holy City for more than 1000 years, unable to return by laws that were strictly enforced. Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Is that time near? The LORD proved to be a true prophet like unto Moses, just as was foretold.

After the tribulation so described, after the time of the Gentiles completes—when the Jews call out, "blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD," the sun will darken, the moon will not give light, the stars will fall from heaven, and Yeshua will return on the clouds of Heaven. He will send His angels to resurrect the faithful who sleep in the grave, and this is also when those alive in Messiah will be caught up together with Him in the clouds. The wicked will hide from the LORD, knowing their destruction is at hand. The fig tree that gives forth leaves in the summer also bears fruit in a first harvest, and so it is in the summer when we will see the signs of His coming. He will come at the Last Trumpet (the feast at the beginning of Fall)—and no one knows the day or the hour of the Feast of Trumpets since it is a New Moon. This prophetic Word will endure into eternity, when the LORD will bring a new heaven and a new earth, and God's people will descend with the LORD from the clouds to inhabit the New Jerusalem forever. The Israel of God—those saints with faith in Yeshua who keep the commandments of God—these are the people who comprise the New Jerusalem.

Mark 13:32-37, Matthew 24:36-51, Luke 21:34-38, Matthew 25

Because we do not know either the day of our death or the day of the LORD's return, whichever comes first, our duty is to watch daily. What that means is to endure in our faithfulness to Yeshua and obedience to God's commandments, even in the midst of hardship or tribulation. We also ought to continue to reach others with the Gospel and live out Yeshua's example in our lives, without wavering. Noah was obedient to God, even building the equivalent of a cargo ship in a dry land with no rain, and then the day came when all but those on the ark were destroyed. Likewise, fire will rain from heaven and burn up the heavens and the earth and everything in them, except those sealed by the Holy Spirit through faith in Messiah Yeshua. Let us be found not just hearing but also doing the Word of God when the LORD returns. We need to be in prayer, asking God for strength to endure until the end, not carousing, getting drunk nor concerning ourselves with worldly pursuits. Our call to pursue Yeshua is life or death.

The NIV translation of Philippians 2:6 is not accurate. It's a bad translation. The NKJV has it right: "who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God," He was indeed equal with God, but also subservient to the Father's will, especially in the flesh. Just like your hand obeys the will of your mind, so too did the visible Son obey the will of the invisible Father. Yeshua is "the image of the invisible God." So why did Yeshua not know the day or the hour? It's actually another parable that refers to Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets, which occurs on the New Moon of the seventh month and prophetically points to the coming of the Messiah on the clouds of Heaven. From the flesh on the Earth, no one knows the day or the hour, because the sighting can occur during a period of two or three days. Only the Father from His perspective in Heaven could see that day. The Son, now glorified, also knows the day and the hour. There's another level: Yeshua was explaining the logistics of His return in the context of a Galilean wedding. Only the Father of the Bridegroom knew the day and hour he would send his son for his bride. I could explain further, but rest assured: Yeshua and the Father are ONE.

All 10 virgins believe in Yeshua as their Savior, but only five have oil for their lamps. They all have lamps: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). The oil is symbolic for the Holy Spirit on the basic level, for we all must know and apply the Spirit of the law and not only the letter. Psalm 1 shows us that the "blessed Man" delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on it day and night. The blessed also bear fruit in its season, regardless of conditions. That's love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Paul wrote in 2 Tim 4:2: "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." Yeshua said in Mt. 28: make disciples, baptize them, teach the commandments. Now, the fruit of the olive tree produces oil for the lamps, but only when it is crushed. The wise virgins thus endure persecution, not giving up faithfulness, while the foolish virgins give lip service but don't act on their faith. As in Matthew 7, the foolish cry out LORD, LORD, but He will say to them: Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness. Only the wise who do the will of the Father will inherit heaven.

The English word "talent" literally comes from the Parable of the Talents. While on the surface, the "talent" is a unit of currency, it metaphorically means the gifts and blessings the LORD has given to each one of us. The meaning the word "talent' has taken on in English comes from this metaphor. The LORD expects His children to take whatever He has given us and multiply it for His Kingdom purposes, and not for our own selfish interests. Thus, when He returns, He not only expects his talents back, but also their multiplication. Those who do not do anything with the faith, knowledge and spiritual gifts the LORD gives us will not make it into the Kingdom, even if they started with true faith and salvation. The LORD expects us to take our salvation and run with it. Our salvation comes with instructions that we ought to follow, lest we be caught holding on to the what we've been given not able to use it for any good. Think of our salvation as a gift for an awesome toy that has to be assembled. It accomplishes nothing if we don't assemble it, but it provides great joy if we read the instructions, assemble it, and then use it for its purpose.

To hammer home the point, the LORD also explains that He will return to separate sheep from goats, made up from "all the nations," including the Jews. Sheep and goats are both clean animals, again likening them to believers of two different types. Sheep generally follow the shepherd and heed His voice, while goats are stubborn and wander off on their own, not coming when they're called. The sheep feed others with the Word of God and pass on the living waters of the Holy Spirit; they invite in those who don't know the LORD with the Gospel message of repentance; they clothe sinners with an invitation to put on the righteousness of Yeshua; they visit the fainthearted to offer them hope and encouragement to endure in the faith; and they lead those caught in the bondage of sin, those held captive by evil spirits, and those stuck in strongholds to a new freedom in the mercy and righteousness of Messiah Yeshua. The goats fail to live up to this calling. The sheep will inherit the Kingdom of God, while the goats will be cast into the fire of eternal destruction. Whatever we do for others in this life, we do for Yeshua, for in John 17 He prayed that all of His followers would be One with Him just as He is One with the Father.

Mark 14:1-2, Matthew 26:1-5, Luke 22:1-2, Mark 14:10-11, Matthew 26:14-16, Luke 22:3-6, Mark 14:12-16, Matthew 26:17-19, Luke 22:7-13, John 13:1-20, Mark 14:17-26, Matthew 26:20-30, Luke 22:14-30, John 13:18-30

It was about to be Passover and Yeshua was about to become the Passover Lamb of God who frees all men and women who surrender to Him from bondage to sin and death so we can be with Him in His Kingdom if we follow Him there. Yeshua had said, "My time has not yet come," but now the appointed time had indeed come, and we are now reading about the preparation for it.

Judas sought to betray Yeshua, but not out of disbelief or hatred. In my interpretation, Judas wanted to force Yeshua's hand into the preconceived and expected role of a conquering Messiah who would defeat Rome and take over as King of Jerusalem forever. Little did Judas know that he was part of the plan for Israel's redemption, but not for his own good. His betrayal would bring about the final sacrifice to end all sacrifices that would eternally restore the relationship of faithful men and women with God, and this Kingdom would never end. Judas continued to seek worldly pursuits even while thinking he was doing God's will. He thought he knew better than God. How many people have you met who fall into this trap also? I wonder whether he thought he deserved payment for his work? Luke reports that Satan entered into Judas; therefore, at the very least we can be assured of who is always behind such motives for power, fame, and wealth. Judas later dipped his bread at the same time as Yeshua, which symbolizes his heart's belief that even he was equal with God.

Yeshua told His disciples where to prepare the Passover evening meal called the Seder that takes place between the 14th of Aviv/Nisan leading up to sunset and the 15th of Aviv/Nisan at and beyond sunset, which is contemporaneously the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread until sunset on the 15th. The Passover lambs are typically killed on the 14th before sunset, but Yeshua was crucified on the Feast Day at 3 p.m. the next day, which was a Friday, and this illustrates just how eager the Jewish leaders were to eliminate Him. Yeshua's strong desire was to keep the Passover Seder with His disciples, and He would later command us to keep the Passover Seder also in memory of not just the Exodus from Egypt but also our exodus from sin and death through Yeshua's death and resurrection. The disciples followed Yeshua's peculiar instructions to ready the Upper Room for this purpose—surely only the Son of God could see the events that were about to unfold. He gave flawless instructions for preparation of the Feast.

At the Seder meal, Yeshua showed us by way of example that our leaders should be servants of their disciples. By washing the feet of the disciples,  Yeshua metaphorically showed us that we ought to remove the stain of the world from our lives prior to coming in to celebrate this Memorial Feast, and we ought to help one another do it. Peter had no need to wash his whole body, for he had already been baptized, but he had picked up the sin of living in the world by walking around in it on his feet, and this Yeshua washed clean. Likewise, we ought to be careful to come in to the Passover Seder with pure hands and pure hearts. Since the weekly Shabbat is a microcosm of the annual Seder, both representative of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb that is yet to come, we also ought to cleanse ourselves with the help of our brethren before going in to worship God each Sabbath Day. Truly, to help one another through our confession of sins and repentance is what it means to wash one another's feet, and Yeshua is ultimately the only one who can offer forgiveness in this. When we receive Yeshua for the forgiveness of sins and remember His sacrifice on Passover like He commanded, we enjoy fellowship with the Father and the Holy Spirit at the Feast.

When Yeshua offered bread and wine, this was a traditional part of a Passover Seder meal, but He gave the ceremony new meaning that has been prophesied from old. The third cup of the Seder meal is the cup of salvation, and Yeshua said it would now be offered from that point forward as a remembrance of the blood He shed for the atonement of our sins so we would not face the second death. It was the cup that established the New Covenant in Yeshua's blood. Again, this ceremony was also symbolic of a wedding, when a Galilean bridegroom offered his covenant to his proposed bride. If she drank the cup, the covenant was confirmed, but if she pushed it away, then the wedding is off. We each have this choice to drink from the cup of the New Covenant by accepting Yeshua's sacrifice on our behalf and His resurrection to the throne on High where He now intercedes for us as a High Priest forever after the Order of Melchizedek. Every year when we celebrate the Passover we memorialize this amazing one-time event and look forward to its complete fulfillment in the Kingdom of God.

Yeshua also said He would not drink the Fourth Cup during the Seder meal, which is the Cup of the Kingdom, because that part of Passover's meaning is yet to come. As noted already, both the weekly Sabbath and the annual Passover are rehearsal dinners for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, which will take place when Yeshua brings the living and the dead into His Kingdom on the Last Day. We will literally drink that cup together with Him at that time. This is why He said: "I will not drink of the fruit of the fine until the day when I drink it anew in the Kingdom of God." He offered the bread that was broken, as it is traditionally done during the Passover Seder, to represent His flesh that was broken and executed on our behalf. Yeshua became the unleavened bread raised up for us after living His life without sin. He asked us to remember His sacrifice by keeping this tradition at Passover forever as we look forward to the coming Kingdom. He also said in Luke: "I will never eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." Passover still has a future fulfillment. Thus, we rehearse, and sing the Hallel blessing after the feast, which is Psalms 113-118, just as Yeshua and His apostles did.

In John, Yeshua added: "He who receives the one I send, receives me, and he who receives Me, receives the One who sent Me." This is a powerful support for anyone who is doing the work that Yeshua sent us out to do, and especially for those called to leadership positions by the Holy Spirit. Yeshua establishes by His Spirit His Body in every generation, and we know who truly belongs to Him because they both teach and practice the Word of God.

John 13:31-38, Mark 14:27-31, Matthew 26:31-35, Luke 22:31-38, John 14, John 15:1-17

When Yeshua said "A NEW commandment I give to you, that you love one another," some people say this is a "renewed" commandment, because God said in Leviticus 19:18, "you shall love your neighbor as yourself." They say the same of the "NEW Covenant;" calling it "renewed" rather than "NEW." Emphatically: This idea does not hold up to the magnitude of what Yeshua said, the power of His ministry, Who He is, nor what He established. Yeshua indeed gave a NEW commandment as part of the NEW Covenant, which is: "as I have loved you, that you also love one another" in the NKJV. Remember John 13:15: "I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." This statement refers to the feet washing example before the Passover Seder, but it also speaks to Yeshua's "NEW" commandment. New is "kainos (καινός)" in Greek, meaning "fresh," "recently made," "novel," "unprecedented," "given for the first time," or "unheard of." Never before had God Himself come in the flesh to teach us His commandments by His example, but now Isaiah 54:13 was perfected. It reads: "All of your children shall be taught by Yahweh." Yeshua repeated this in John 6:45. "Everyone who has heard and learned" from Yeshua's example now ought to do what He taught.

Yeshua, explaining the parable of the sower to His disciples in Matthew 13, said, "But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”  He said the same in Luke 10:23-24. Indeed, now that the Son of Man is glorified, and God has glorified Yeshua in Himself, as Yeshua glorified the Father in Himself, we can love one another as He loved us, so long as you and I know Him intimately. He said in Matthew 13:11: “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them[—that is, those who don't know Him—] it has not been given.” To obey the NEW commandment of God, we have to know and follow Yeshua. He said, "You cannot follow Me now, but you will follow Me later." Only Yeshua could lay down His life for us, but now that He has done this, we can lay down our lives for Him, and He has commanded us to do so. Nothing in this life ought to separate us from doing what He did and teaching what He taught. He has accomplished the work needed for our reconciliation with God, and so long as we follow Him, we can be reconciled with Him.

Yeshua had to go to the cross alone. No man could go with Him. Only God Himself could reconcile His people to Himself. He is perfectly Holy, and cannot abide with those who have sinned. He is also perfectly Merciful, and so He had to come to restore those who were lost through His own sacrifice, because He alone is unblemished. His followers had to be scattered until He rose from death, for then we would be empowered to follow Him on the path that He Himself had restored for us to Himself—through confession, repentance, and trust. He has gone to prepare a place for us, so that we can be in the presence of God with God through Yeshua alone, for only God can reconcile us to Himself through His completed work. We must put our whole faith and trust in Him and in no other. We know the Way (His example), the Truth (His law/commandments), the Life (total surrender to Him and sacrifice of our self), and it is through Him that we can inherit the land that He has promised to eternally dwell in with us. We know God and see God through the Son—for "He is the image of the invisible God" (Col 1:15). If we love God, we will keep His commandments (all of them). The Holy Spirit—Who is One with the Father and the Son—will dwell with us and help us.

The LORD prunes His people as a vinedresser prunes a vine. He trims (chastens) the branches (people) that bear fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23)—goodness, righteousness and truth (Eph 5:8-9)—holiness, mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering, endurance, and forgiveness (Col 3:12-15)—faith (John 15:16)—knowledge, discernment, excellence, sincerity, righteousness (Phil 1:9-11). Those parts of us not producing fruit are removed, while those parts producing fruit remain, though not without pruning. He cuts off those branches that do not bear fruit. If we abide in Him—surrendering to Him wholly—we can produce fruit. If we wait on Him, and live a life of trust in Him—through faith in His identity, His accomplishments, and His promises—we produce fruit. If we don't have Yeshua in us, we cannot produce fruit and we will die the second death. We cannot do anything of any lasting value apart from Him. When we produce fruit, we glorify God and experience joy. When we put God first, even before ourselves, we express the greatest love possible, just as Yeshua did. We can accomplish this by loving God and loving one another—obedience, just like He taught us.

John 15:18-27, John 16, John 17

The LORD explained that His followers would be hated by those in the world without a cause, just as worldly minded Rabbinical leaders hated Yeshua without a cause. "A servant is not greater than his Master." The Holy Spirit, nevertheless, will help us testify concerning Yeshua and the Truth that He taught us. We will be persecuted as He was, and if we endure in it, we will be glorified as He was. But those who persecute followers of Yeshua don't know Him nor do they know the Father, and their hour will come also—they will be thrown into the eternal fire that is the second death.

It was to our advantage that Yeshua died, rose and then ascended, because in the flesh we would all have to be with Him in person, but now in the Spirit we can all be with Him wherever we are in the world. And with Him in us, the Spirit will use us to convict the world about sin, righteousness and judgment. This is the Gospel: Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. In other words: stop sinning, look to Yeshua for forgiveness and redemption, start obeying God's commandments with the Spirit's help, because God's Kingdom is coming and without repentance you will join the ruler of this world in destruction.

The world rejoices when Yeshua and His followers are persecuted and killed, and it is a mournful thing for us to see, but we will rejoice later knowing that eternity with God awaits the faithful. Like a woman in labor, the earth will give birth to her dead, and the Kingdom of God will replace this heaven and this earth that are passing away. We will want of nothing in the Kingdom. Even now in the world our peace comes from knowing Yeshua, but our peace will be greater still, for Yeshua has overcome the world.

John 17 is perhaps the greatest example of Yeshua being One with God that there is in Scripture. Don't be confused by Him praying to the Father, for He did this for two reasons: 1) As a witness to us, and 2) as a confirmation of the Word He spoke from the will of the Father. We can think of Yeshua's words being the direct expression of the Father's will. God-only statements include: "Glorify Your Son so the Son may glorify You." We have eternal life in knowing the Father and the Son through the Spirit—our One God. "Father, glorify Me together with Yourself with the glory which I had with You before the world came to be." God explains in Isaiah 42:8: "My glory I will not give to another." Yeshua spoke in harmony with this. He says: "All Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I have been glorified in them." Can a man say such a thing? Absolutely not! He spoke these words so that we may experience the joy of Yeshua fully within ourselves! He gave us the Word, and God desires that we become holy by the Truth He gave, which is the demonstrable commandments of God. He sent forth HIs disciples to become holy by the Truth, so they might also multiply God's people by their words, which are the Word of God. In the End, we who hear them will be One with God, just as Yeshua is One with God, for we will all dwell together as One to the glory of God. Let us be perfected in the unity of God, as Yeshua prayed!

John 18:1-2, Mark 14:32-42, Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46, Mark 14:43-52, Matthew 26:47-56, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:3-24

Yeshua went to the Garden of Gethsemane as usual per His many visits to Jerusalem, but this time was different. He brought His three closest disciples to pray with Him during His greatest time of need. The God who created heaven and earth and everything in it got down on His knees to pray—Humility is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. So, what should we do? The weight of the world's sin was upon Him at that time, a burden that no one but He could bear, and it nearly broke Him. But in His prayers, He was strengthened. Peter, James and John were overburdened by witnessing Yeshua suffer and they could not stay awake. This is a warning for us, so that in our darkest hour we endure through suffering while we wait for Yeshua, not falling into temptation to submit to the world. The LORD submitted to the Father's will, embracing the joy of victory that was on the other side of His suffering, and this is the model for us to follow. He willingly submitted to persecution and even death, loving His enemies, just as we are called to do.

Judas brought an army with priests, scribes, and elders with him to turn over the King of kings and Lord of lords to the hypocrites. Our faithful LORD was blameless in His ministry, so Judas did not bring blessing but curses with his entourage. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful," we read in Proverbs 27:6. Yeshua handed Himself over willingly, and all but Peter and John abandoned Him, but Peter would also deny Him. If we take up arms against aggressors, we will die by the same. We ought to bless those who persecute us and pray for those who spitefully use us, just like the LORD showed us. The power of love overwhelms the strength of the enemy. The power of truth infuriates the enemy, but it also leaves them powerless against us.

Mark 14:53-65, Matthew 26:57-68, Mark 14:66-72, Matthew 26:69-75, Luke 22:54-65, John 18:25-27, Mark 15:1, Matthew 27:1-2, Luke 22:66:71, Matthew 27:3-10

The High Priest put Yeshua under oath, and the LORD answered his question truthfully, saying "I AM," a declaration that He is God, and "You shall see 'the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Almighty' and "coming with the clouds of heaven'," both prophesies about the coming Messiah on the Last Day. He declared Himself equal with God and the coming Judge of Heaven and Earth who will resurrect the righteous into eternal life and the unrighteous into eternal damnation. This was the moment! But instead of embrace Him, the High Priest called what Yeshua said "blasphemy." Considering Yeshua's words objectively, what He said certainly was blasphemy if He was not telling the truth, but Yeshua WAS telling the Truth. Did the High Priest know what Yeshua spoke was true? We can't know his heart, but we can discern that he did not like the implications of what Yeshua was saying. The High Priest was an extremely learned man. He understood prophesy. He didn't want to give up his authority to the Messiah as the prophets had foretold, so Yeshua had to be rejected.

That being said, when the High Priest tore His clothes, he actually violated Torah, which is likewise typical of the Jewish leaders of the day. They upheld manmade traditions and taught and lived inconsistently with God's law. Now God Himself had come to directly challenge them and they would not accept His correction. Here's the law in Leviticus 21:0: "He who is the high priest among his brethren, on whose head the anointing oil was poured and who is consecrated to wear the garments, shall not uncover his head nor tear his clothes;" and here is the law in Leviticus 10:6: "And Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons, 'Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the people...'" Isn't this ironic? The High Priest and Jewish leaders were looking to put the Messiah to death for speaking the Truth and what they themselves were doing was actually worthy of death! This is amazing to me! This High Priest and the Jewish Leaders will receive justice, whether already in this life or definitely at the resurrection.

Peter's denial of Yeshua was serious. Yeshua said in Mt 10:32-33: “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." Without redemption, Peter was lost. He had been such a man of faith—he was literally the only man besides Yeshua to literally walk on water. If Peter, who walked with Yeshua and experienced miracles could fall into such weakness, then so can you and me. God forbid we ever find ourselves falling similarly. Yeshua said that Peter would fall in this way, and it had to happen. Peter was not meant to save or redeem us. He was just a man. We follow Yeshua! We do not follow any man. We may imitate Peter or Paul AS they follow Messiah (1 Corinth 11:1), but not when they don't. The same goes for our pastors and other spiritual leaders. Only Yeshua could save and redeem us by His blood and make a way for us through His resurrection. And He would make a way back for Peter, also, because Peter humbled Himself before God: God said in Isaiah 66:2: "But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My Word." Peter "wept bitterly." He was forgiven.

When the sun came up on Passover morn, the First Day of Unleavened Bread, the Jewish leaders tied up Yeshua and led Him away to be slaughtered by Gentiles.

Was it on account of the Feast that Judas had second thoughts? Did he hear a sermon? Did he see that Yeshua was not using the opportunity to take the throne? Did he finally get it? Whatever his reason, he sought to remove the stain of his sin, which he now recognized, but the Jewish leaders couldn't do that for him and so they turned him away. They didn't have the authority to forgive sins. Rather than turn to Yeshua for forgiveness, who he should have known had such authority, he hung himself. Perhaps he still hadn't learned Yeshua's true identity? Meanwhile, the Jewish leaders bought a field with the money to make a cemetery for Gentiles, as prophesied, and the field still stands as a witness today.

Mark 15:2-5, Matthew 27:11-14, Luke 23:1-12, John 18:28-40, Mark 15:6-15, Matthew 27:15-26, Luke 23: 13-25, John 19:1-16, Mark 15:16-20, Matthew 27:27-31

While Caiaphas wanted to know Yeshua's status in relationship to the faith, but denied the Truth He heard, Pilate wanted to know Yeshua's status in relationship to civil government. "Are you the King of the Jews?," he asked. Yeshua said "yes." But Pilate didn't care about this—it was a matter internal to Israel, and Rome was the governing authority over Israel's kings from PIlate's perspective. But Rome didn't rule over the faith, and on this Pilate seemed to agree. He said, "Take Him yourselves, and judge Him by your Torah." Yeshua refused to answer baseless accusations against Him from the religious leaders of Israel in front of Pilate for this reason, and Pilate was amazed. Why did Israel's leaders look to Rome to settle religious disputes? Yet again, the priests were sinning against God and rebelling against their own God-given authority, committing a form of idolatry to Rome. For Pilate, the Priests' squabble with Yeshua was a distraction and annoyance. He sent Yeshua to Herod, who had jurisdiction under Rome's system to try Him. Yeshua wouldn't answer Herod, because he was half Edomite and half Jew, and thus lacked authority to judge.

Back before Pilate, the governor looked Truth in the face and found no fault. He sought to release Yeshua, God's Son, the suffering Savior, but the Jews called for the release of Yeshua BarAbba, for he was their revolutionary who wanted to overthrow Rome. The Jewish leaders made their choice of Messiah—a rebel and murderer—and would be judged for choosing the son of their father the devil over the Son of God who promised to redeem all people to Himself. While Pilate washed his hands of Yeshua's blood, he allowed the crucifixion to take place and became culpable regardless. He had Yeshua scourged and mocked. And then we read: "He handed Yeshua over to be crucified." Yet, the ones who handed Yeshua over to Pilate, who had authority from God, had the greater sin. Indeed, they even said, "We have no king but Caesar!" They chose a pagan man claiming to be God over God Himself, the Messiah who fulfilled many prophesies. Yeshua was crucified by Jews and Gentiles, because He would also rise up to make one new redeemed man from both Jews and Gentiles who believed.

Mark 15:21-24, Matthew 27:32-34, Luke 23:26-31, John 19:17, Mark 15:25-32, Matthew 27:35-44, Luke 23:32-43, John 19:18-27, Mark 15:33-41, Matthew 27:45-56, Luke 23:44-49, John 19:28-37

Notice that a multitude of people and women followed Yeshua to Golgotha and they sang dirges for Him, mourning His pending death. The Jewish people as a whole did not want Yeshua's crucifixion, only the Jewish leaders who were supported with Roman agreement. These and their cadre are also the ones who sneered at Him and taunted Him to save Himself. He would ultimately do so, but not like they expected—just like with everything else He did. He prayed for His persecutors—for their forgiveness—just as He had instructed us to do.

Knowing His time of glorification was near, Yeshua advised the women following Him to weep for their children who would be persecuted and hated and cast out of Jerusalem. It's possible Yeshua also prophesied about the women of our own age who celebrate feminism, abortion and childlessness—who say, 'blessed are the barren...the wombs that never gave birth...the breasts that did not feed—for the next thing He spoke spoke was concerning Judgment Day, when the wicked will say to the mountains "fall on us." On that day, the wicked will seek to hide from the Son of Man who is coming on the clouds of Heaven, but will not be able.
 
Yeshua carried his own cross in John 19, though the other Gospels explain Simon of Cyrene helped Him. It is likely both—the Romans beat Him so cruelly that He lost strength to physically carry the cross beam all the way.

Pilate wrote in Hebrew, Latin and Greek, the three predominent languages of the day and region, "Yeshua Ha-Natzrati, the King of the Jews." Why not Aramaic? It was a language of commoners, but not for official business, like Spanish or French in America today. Greek was likely predominant in all of Rome, like English globally today, while Latin was the official language of the empire and Hebrew the official language of the Temple.

Yeshua had two criminals crucified with Him, one who jeered at Him and another who humbled Himself and begged for Yeshua's mercy, fully trusting in Him. Just like the tax collector in Yeshua's parable who prayed, "Have mercy on me a sinner," walking away justified, so too was this second condemned man saved in His confession and humility, when he said: "We're getting what we deserve for our actions, and rightly so—but this One has done nothing wrong...Yeshua, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Yeshua explained: "You shall be with Me in Paradise." On the Last Day, when Yeshua raises the just to eternal life, this man will be among them, while the other one who tested the LORD with scornful doubting will be resurrected into eternal judgment. How could a man about to die not fear God? Some people will sadly not surrender their hearts of stone, and they will indeed be judged for it.

Even in dividing Yeshua's clothing prophesy was fulfilled.

Yeshua asked John to care for His Mother, which is peculiar because Yeshua had four physical half-brothers. At this time, His brothers, James, Joses, Simon, and Judas, according to Matthew 13:55, were not faithful followers of their half-brother. They would later be.

When darkness fell over the whole land from the sixth hour to the ninth hour, noon to 3 p.m., this was not just an eclipse but a supernatural darkness like we read about in Exodus. It marked the beginning of a new day, so to speak. It is also one interpretation for how we get three days and three nights from the beginning of Yeshua's persecution and death to His resurrection on the third day.

The wine mixed with gall they offered Yeshua was unclean, which is why He didn't drink it. He tasted the sour wine on a hyssop branch to fulfill prophesy as the Passover Lamb, for the blood of the lamb was spread on the doorpost via a hyssop branch.

When Yeshua called out "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?," this may NOT have been a literal abandonment as is often explained in mainstream interpretation. Yeshua is the Son of God—He is One with the Father and thus can't be abandoned—and so we have to consider that a literal forsaking may not be on the table. It's possible, as the Son of Man, He may have felt forsaken at His moment of death—for death is a separation from the Father. At the same time, Yeshua was without sin, and only sin can separate us from the Father. Yes, He took on our sin, but not as His own. He died innocent for our sin. There are other interpretations we could explore. The most likely understanding is Hebraic and matches the style of Yeshua's teaching. From the cross, right before He died, Yeshua referenced Psalm 22 by citing its first verse—and this is common Jewish practice. Read the whole Psalm (https://ref.ly/Ps22.title-31;nkjv) and you'll see it shows Yeshua's trust in the plan He had laid out with the Father from the beginning even in this last moment of His earthly experience. This brings a type of clarity of interpretation that doesn't leave room for an apparent contradiction, and so it's likely the right way to think about this statement.

The curtain of the Temple was split in two, from Top to Bottom at Yeshua's death, and the "middle wall of separation" was destroyed by the great earthquake that followed. These are hyper-specific and verified events that demonstrate God's removal of any distinction between Jew and Gentile. Read also Romans 11 and Ephesians 2. In Messiah Yeshua, all faithful followers of Yeshua become One New Man, grafted-in to the Israel of God, called to follow God's law because of our salvation. This is the New Covenant. Even Roman soldiers could admit: "This Man really was the Son of God!" God would pour out His Holy Spirit on all flesh.

The resurrection in Matthew 27:52-53 was a prophetic template for the Last Day resurrection. These isolated resurrections were meant to testify to Yeshua's resurrection, just like Lazarus from a few days prior. It's likely these folks would die again (an exception to the rule) and still await the final resurrection. Paul seems to reference this event 2nd Timothy 2:16-18, where He instructs: "shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some." God did a new thing, as He often did, and more poignantly, this was the only time when He would sacrifice Himself and rise from the dead! This isolated resurrection was meant to be a witness for Yeshua—to add to the faith of those who had been in His company. It served its purpose, but we are warned by Paul not to misinterpret such things, for we all await the Resurrection of the Dead on the Last Day.

When Yeshua said, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit," it's clear He was not talking about His soul. When created, God breathed His Spirit into the dust of the earth and created a Living Being—a soul—a nephesh. When we die, the Spirit/breath (not us) returns to God. Yeshua "breathed His last" and this was the result. For us, the flesh decays, and yet Yeshua would not see corruption as David prophesied in Psalm 16:10: "For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption." Yeshua's soul/nephesh went to sleep in the grave until the resurrection, just as our soul (this is who we are) will sleep in the grave until the Resurrection. Evidence for this interpretation for Yeshua Himself is in John 20:17, where we read about the resurrected Yeshua explaining to Mary: "“Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father." Yeshua explains multiple times regarding our own resurrection in John 6: "I will raise you up on the Last Day. Paul explains in 1 Corinth 15:23, we will all rise up in order: "Messiah the firstfruits, afterward those who are Messiah’s at His coming."

Yeshua died on the Day of Preparation for the Sabbath during the Holy Week of Passover/Unleavened Bread, and they removed Him from the cross before sundown because Torah instructs in Deuteronomy 21:22-23: 
“If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God." As Paul said in Galatians 3:13: "Messiah has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.'" He didn't remove the law from us, for as Paul aptly pointed out a few verses earlier in Galatians 2:17, "Messiah is not a minister of sin." On the contrary, Yeshua removed the curse for violating the law, which is death. This is grace indeed. As Paul wrote elsewhere and relatedly in Romans 3:31: "Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law." It is a blessing to follow Yeshua even unto death by keeping His commandments, for in doing this we show that our faith is not dead.

Mark 15:42-47, Matthew 27:57-61, Luke 23:57-61, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42, Matthew 27:62-66, Mark 16:1-8, Matthew 28:1-7, Luke 24:1-12, Mark 16:9-13, John 20:1-18, Matthew 28:8-15

Mark confirms Yeshua was crucified on Preparation Day, the day before the Sabbath, which is a Friday.

Pilate was amazed Yeshua died so quickly—He had been brutally beaten!

Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin who was also a disciple of Yeshua, gave Yeshua the burial He deserved as the Son of Man, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, and this fulfilled prophesy. Even some of the Jewish leaders believed in Him!

Later, the Roman tomb guards who witnessed the resurrection were paid off and told to explain that Yeshua's disciples stole His body, a lie still told to this day. How large would the payoff have to be for a man to sell his soul? Matthew explains that they followed through, which is a terrifying thought. Certainly the Rabbis did much of the work to spread this rumor, but even still we see Judas-like men among the Roman soldiers who defied their very own eyes for money. How sad for them and how significant a warning for you and me who have not seen and still believe. We have to make sure our faith cannot be sold out to protect our livelihood, for there is no excuse that can cover over such idolatry.  

The women disciples noted where Yeshua was buried so they could bring spices to further anoint His body following the Sabbath, according to the synoptic Gospels. There wasn't time for them before sundown on Friday to complete the job, and God's law prohibits work on the Sabbath as well as any contact with the dead. Like their Master Yeshua, these women obeyed God's law regarding the Sabbath and prioritized it above Jewish customs. John's gospel indicates Nicodemus provided a mixture of myrrh and aloes to anoint Yeshua's body, and he and Joseph of Arimathea wrapped Yeshua's body in the spices with linen before the Sabbath. It's possible that both accounts are true. It's also possible that the spices were bought and provided prior to Sabbath, but not brought to anoint Yeshua's body until Sunday morning when they found His body missing. This is one example of a difference in the accounts that actually verifies the story is true. When criminal investigators interview witnesses of a crime, they expect variants in less important details like this in accurate memories of the event. If the stories are too consistent, they are more likely to be made up and corroborated. This is actually evidence for the Truth of the Gospels.

We read in Mark and Luke that it was after Shabbat when the two Marys and Salome brought spices to anoint Yeshua's body. They arrived at the tomb when the sun had risen on Sunday morning, the "FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK." They noticed at that time that the stone had been rolled away and a young man, an angel, or two angels, depending on the account, announced to them the LORD's resurrection. Matthew specifically indicates it was "after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week" that an angel came and rolled away the stone following a "great earthquake." This was a highly emotional and unprecedented occasion. Again, it is both expected and warranted for variances in the Gospel accounts. This helps to prove their veracity. More importantly, all accounts agree that the resurrection took place and was observed on Sunday, and this is very important because Sunday was the Holy Day known as Firstfruits, when the first barley offering was waved before the LORD in thanksgiving and trust for the harvest He would later bring. Paul notes in 1st Corinth 15 that Yeshua is our "firstfruits." He is the first to be resurrected among many brethren. We memorialize Yeshua with Passover, the Feast and Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits.

Anyone inventing a story about Yeshua's resurrection would not have used women to testify about it first. Luke illustrated that even the Apostles didn't believe their account, even after Yeshua Himself testified that He would rise on the 3rd day. Peter and John ran to the tomb to see for themselves, they found it empty, and then they marveled. John explained that he himself believed at seeing the grave clothes lying folded up, but understanding came later. Yeshua appeared to two of them on the road to Emmaus, Mark explained, and even their story wasn't believed.

When Yeshua appeared to Mary at the tomb, she didn't recognize Him. Was it because He was in a resurrected body, a different form than the flesh we now have? He could eat and be touched with this body, and yet He could also appear in locked rooms. Paul explains in 1st Corinth 15 that it is a different type of body that we receive in the resurrection. It wasn't until Yeshua called Mary by name that she recognized Him. He will call us all by name at the resurrection, and we will come forth from our graves to join Him in His Kingdom—His sheep hear His Voice and know Him. Before He appeared to the Apostles, He ascended to appear before the Father as the Firstfruits offering.

Luke 24:13-43, Mark 16:12-13, John 20:19-23, Mark 16:14, John 20:24-31, John 21, Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:44-49

The story of the two men who saw Yeshua "in another form" on the road who Mark identified are detailed in Luke's Gospel—they were on the road to Emmaus. While Emmaus is still unidentified, one possibility is El-Qubeibeh, which according to the Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible is "about seven miles northwest of Jerusalem on a Roman road passing by Nebi Samwil. Its identification with Emmaus dates back to AD 1099, when the Crusaders found a Roman fort there named Castellum Emmaus." Luke identifies Emmaus as 60 stadia from Jerusalem, which is about 7.5 miles. On their way to the village on Firstfruits, the two men did not recognize Yeshua, who explained to them the necessity of the Messiah's suffering prior to His glorification, citing the prophets. Yeshua also explained "the things written about Himself in ALL the Scriptures." What a glorious walk that would have been to hear about Yeshua on every page of the Tanakh! Their hearts "burned" with longing for the LORD! Being His disciples, they showed this stranger the love their Master taught them and welcomed Him in to dine. Only when He broke matzah and gave a blessing did they recognize Him, and then He vanished.

These disciples had walked 7.5 miles, but the vision of Yeshua drove them back again to Jerusalem to the Apostles. It was "nearly evening" when they ate with Yeshua in Emmaus, but they must have made it back to Jerusalem before sundown for Yeshua appeared to the Apostles toward the end of the First Day of the week. It's about a two-hour, 20 minute walk, so I imagine they went rather quickly. When Yeshua appeared to the Apostles, He said "Shalom Aleichem," which is "peace be with you," to relieve their fears. They touched Him. They saw the wounds in His hands and feet. He had "flesh and bones." He ate a piece of fish. And yet He also vanished and reappeared. Paul explained the "mystery" of the resurrection in 1st Corinth 15:35-55, where we read: "All flesh is not the same flesh ... There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body ... However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual ... And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man ... flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption ... we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."

According to Mark, Yeshua rebuked His followers for not believing those who had seen Him and believed. John gave details regarding doubting Thomas, who was absent during Yeshua's original appearance and desired to touch Him himself. Eight days later, Yeshua appeared again and gave Thomas the opportunity, causing him to proclaim His faith. After Thomas exclaimed, "My LORD and my God," Yeshua replied, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed? Blessed are the ones who have not seen and yet have believed!” Believed what? It's evident that Yeshua was speaking about Thomas's statement: "My LORD and my God." Paul explained in Romans 10:9 that when we confess that Yeshua is Yahweh and believe that God has raised Him from the dead, we are delivered from condemnation to death on account of our sin. So many things have been written about Him so that we may believe that He is the Messiah and Son of God, but so many more are yet to discover in our very own lives through the power of the Holy Spirit and in alignment with the Word of God.

Yeshua had told the women He would appear in Galilee, and after His initial appearances in Jerusalem, He revealed Himself later at the Sea of Tiberias, which is the Sea of Galilee. Just as at the beginning of His ministry, so too at the end: Peter and his brothers were fishing, not catching any fish, and Yeshua commanded them to cast their nets to the other side of the boat. Obeying His Word, they could not contain the fish caught and they knew it was the LORD. At the breaking of bread and the multiplication of fish, Yeshua revealed Himself to them and Peter raced toward Him. He then offered grace to Peter, directing him to feed his lambs and sheep, testing him. "Do you love Me," Yeshua asked twice, using the word "agape," which refers to self-sacrificial love. Peter replied with an affirmation of "philo" love, which could be analogous, but usually refers to friendship. Yeshua asked the third time whether Peter even had "philo" love for Him, but then declared that the Apostle would indeed give his life for the LORD, an expression of "agape" love. Yeshua then commanded Peter: "Follow Me!" without regard for what others might do or experience. We must do the same.

Though John would not receive a martyrs death like the others who followed Yeshua, he certainly was tortured, according to historical accounts. He lived to old age and wrote the Revelation from prison on the Isle of Patmos. He was even later released to finish his life teaching disciples who taught Polycarp, Polycrates, and eventually even St. Patrick. John's Messianic faith carried on for quite some time, and it is His model we can see in historical Ireland and Scotland, where Sabbath and Feast keeping was prevalent until the Roman church conquered the region. Books indeed cannot contain all the Truth and Mercy that Yeshua taught by His example, but the Word records enough for those who are truly seeking. When Yeshua gave the Apostles their commission that they ought to pass on to all generations of believers, it's clear we're all called to make disciples for Yeshua from every people group, baptize each believer who confesses their faith in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to teach the commandments of God to all who confess so they can follow Yeshua as He instructed. The Holy Spirit will help open our minds to understand the Torah, the Prophets and the Psalms so that we can walk blamelessly before our God.

Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1, Acts 2

The LORD showed Himself to be alive through "many convincing proofs" and appeared for 40 days speaking about the coming Kingdom, and then He ascended into Heaven, for His Holy Spirit would be more powerful in all His followers as they multiplied globally than He would be in person with a select number of followers. He sent His angels to urge them out—"why do you keep standing here staring into Heaven?" Yeshua would return at the appointed time in the same way He left, but in the meantime we cannot stand idle waiting for Him. We must go forth to make disciples, baptizing new believers, and teaching the commandments of God. Thus, after the LORD ascended into Heaven to sit at the right hand of God, the disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit went out to do what the LORD commanded, and God was with them in this confirming His Word through various signs. They even went into the Temple and synagogues to continue the work that Yeshua had done there, for where else would they go? Eventually, the LORD would spread them further through persecution, for His Gospel was meant for Jerusalem, yes, but also Samaria and all the nations of the earth.

Why did the LORD appear to His disciples in Jerusalem first, and then in Galilee, and then ultimately Jerusalem again at the Mt. of Olives? Without an understanding of Scripture, we might wonder why there was so much back and forth—even whether it makes sense. Well, Exodus 23:14-17 explains it: three times per year all of Israel is to gather "in the place where the LORD has chosen to put His name" to celebrate Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. The followers would have headed home to Galilee following Passover, even with the events of the crucifixion and resurrection, and then they would have returned for Pentecost, which is exactly 50 days after Firstfruits. They went after 40 days, and so they were to remain in Jerusalem praying leading up to the 50th day, when they received the Holy Spirit. Today, we assemble together "in Spirit and in Truth" during these Holy Convocation days, just like the LORD taught us in John 4, for He has chosen to put His name on us. But Jerusalem will also be the place the LORD returns—on the Mt. of Olives, the same place where He ascended and in the same manner, just like He said: "You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

While they waited for Pentecost/Shavuot, they elected Matthias to join them as Apostles who would formulate the early church. It is the doctrine and practices of this group that we ought to follow today, because this is what Yeshua commanded. Peter cited the Book of Psalms, “Let his dwelling place become desolate, and let there be no one living in it’ and ‘Let another take his position" as justification for this move. The 12 Apostles thus are those, defined by Peter, who "have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Yeshua went in and out among us— beginning with His immersion by John until the day He was taken up from us—must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” Paul, called to a special mission by the LORD directly, lived contemporaneously to the Apostles but was not among them until later, which is why He wrote in 1st Corinthians 15: "Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain..."

On Shavuot/Pentecost, they were honoring the commandment of God by coming together in one place. The Holy Spirit fell like tongues of fire upon them after the sound of a mighty rushing wind. This was a reversal of the curse at Babel, when the Holy Spirit confused all of the languages of men for their disobedience. Now, the Holy Spirit would help men understand all of the foreign languages that are spoken so that men could communicate the glory of God in Messiah Yeshua. This is also another Sinai experience, a fulfillment of Joel's prophesy when the Holy Spirit would fall upon all flesh. The law that had been written on tablets of stone would now be written on the hearts of all men and women who confess their authentic trust in Yeshua as Yahweh who came in the flesh to die for our sins and rise from the dead to deliver us from this world of sin and death into His Kingdom of love and light. The Holy Spirit used the occasion to bring in 3,000 men gathered for the feast from many nations, and another curse was reversed. Though 3,000 died for worshipping a golden calf following the Sinai appearance, now 3,000 were reborn for worshipping the One True God in Spirit and in Truth. Peter's sermon is epic and ought to be studied profoundly.

Acts 3, Acts 4, Acts 5

At 3 p.m., a time of prayer, Peter and John went together into the Temple and met a lame man asking for financial support. Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you—in the name of Yeshua the Messiah of Nazereth, get up and walk!” The man was healed by the power of our Risen God, and He stood up healed praising God. We learn: alms are not necessarily financial, and if we can help someone get back on their feet, it is better for everyone involved. It's even better if we can bring someone back from spiritual or physical bondage through healing, but it's critical that we note the source of all power: Yeshua the Messiah! We do NOTHING of value by our own strength. NOTHING! All the glory belongs to God!

Peter's sermon is amazing—perhaps the best ever given by man, outside the Sermon on the Mount given by the Son of God. The Jewish leaders "killed the Author of life" and asked for a murderer to be freed, instead. Put your head around that statement! Pilate even wanted to release Yeshua. But God raised Yeshua from the dead—death could not hold Him. And now by His power all life has hope through Him. The LOVE of Yeshua is evident here when Peter says, "Now brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance." This echoes Yeshua's "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." He urged them: "repent, therefore, and return—so your sins might be blotted out." The LORD's mercy endures forever! But God's people have to turn to Yeshua, before the end, lest they be cut off forever. No human soul that does not hear Yeshua can live in God's Kingdom. Only when you call upon the name of the LORD can you be saved!

The Jewish leaders did not quell a rebellion by crucifying Yeshua, but rather they fueled a movement that persists to this day. You'd think they would have heeded Gamaliel's advice by now. The Jewish followers of Yeshua spread significantly on account of the courage and persistence of His followers. We need to follow their example. We ought to obey God, rather than Man. We ought to do God's will, no matter what the cost. It is by Yeshua the Messiah that we do anything of value; it is by HIs power and His will that we bring life into the lives of others. We can hope others say of us what the leaders said of John and Peter: "these men had been with Yeshua." There is absolutely no other way that we might be saved, other than through faith in Him. This ought to be our attitude in promoting the Gospel ALWAYS!: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you decide. For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

When Joseph gave all that He had from land that He sold to the early Church, Ananias and Sapphira were jealous. They wanted the acclaim also, so they sold their land and kept proceeds for themselves while saying they gave all of their gains to the church. They lied, and in their self-seeking they died. Just as the man who picked up kindling on the Sabbath, against the law of God, so too did these two die for seeking their own way in opposition to the will of God. Their deaths were a warning to the early church to make sure their hearts were right with God. The Spirit of God did great signs and wonders, greater than Yeshua had done, to bring in many children for God's Kingdom. They healed the sick, cast out demons, and stood against falsehood with all faith. The Jewish leaders tried to stop the spread of the Church, but they were fighting against God. It was not possible to contain the Holy Spirit of God. “Peter and the emissaries replied, “We must obey God rather than men.” With God, all things are possible. Even if we face persecution for teaching Yeshua, we ought to praise God!

Acts 6, Acts 7, Acts 8:1

The Apostles were focused on prayer and studying the Word of God daily, and it was not right for them to leave that work to serve tables. Likewise, pastors and teachers should be focused on studying the Word of God. The elders appointed seven reputable men, filled with the Holy Spirit, to serve as deacons who could help care for the widows. Likewise, pastors ought to appoint deacons to care for the physical needs of each church. We ought to lay hands on new church leaders to pray over their new commission.

Note that Hebrew-oriented Jews and Hellenistic Jews both came together as part of the early church. These had been very separate within Judaism prior. With their union in Messiah Yeshua and their prayerful and Scriptural division of labor, the church grew and even Jewish leaders were joining the new Nazarene sect.

Just as people accused Yeshua falsely, there were Jews who hated the wisdom God was speaking through Stephen, and they seized him also and levied false charges against him, saying he planned to harm the temple or the law of God. Clearly, the faithful followers of Yeshua intended nothing of the sort. Yeshua said His followers would face the same persecution that He did, and it was already beginning to happen. Stephen gave a wonderful sermon to the High Priest after being arrested, explaining the history of Israel and how Messiah Yeshua fits in with it. Just as Israel wandered off after pagan gods and rejected the prophets God sent to correct them and restore them back to Torah, so too did Yeshua come to correct false teachings and bring Israel back to the law of God, but they murdered Him just as they had murdered the prophets so they could continue wandering off in their own way. God continues to call His people to return to Him, and so many times we reject Him. Thank the LORD for His grace. Too many times man, whether among the children of Israel or not, cover their ears when God speaks His Word. It is our calling in Yeshua to listen to and obey Him.

Stephen, like Yeshua, asked the LORD Yeshua to receive His spirit. As I noted earlier about Yeshua, the same is true of Stephen. His spirit was not him. His soul went to sleep in the grave and his body decayed, and the breath that gave him life returned to God. Significant here is that Yeshua is the one Stephen asked to receive his spirit. In saying this, Stephen declared that Yeshua is God who could receive back his breath. He also prayed, like Yeshua, "Do not hold this sin against them!" Let us be so bold to love our enemies in the face of death like this! Great persecution followed, and Saul at this time was among the persecutors.

Acts 8, Acts 9

The Apostles were able to remain in Jerusalem in the persecution that followed Stephen's execution, but most of the early Messianic community was scattered. Read Hebrews 12:3-13. God chastens sons and daughters to help us better fulfill His will. He allowed persecution against His children to scatter them so that His Gospel might spread. He had commanded in Matthew 28: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...," and yet they tarried in Jerusalem. The time had come for them to obey, and in their disobedience God chastened them and spread them out.

Indeed, God even used Saul (His Hebraic name), whose Greek name was Paul, to persecute His people, knowing how He would later call Him to repent. He said: "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” This was also a test of the early followers' faith in Him.

Yeshua said: "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Now Philip (not the Apostle, but the Hellenist deacon), who was among those scattered, was going to Samaria as the LORD commanded.

The man Simon is "regarded by all the Church Fathers as the great heretic from whose school and teaching sprang all the later motley heresies of Christianity; and inasmuch as his system contained Gnostic teaching, Gnosticism itself was ascribed to him, and a Gnostic figure was seen in his alleged wife Helena." (Singer, Isidore (ed.). 1901–1906. The Jewish Encyclopedia: A Descriptive Record of the History, Religion, Literature, and Customs of the Jewish People from the Earliest Times to the Present Day, 12 Volumes.)

Irenaeus Bishop of Lyons, in his "Five Books of S. Irenaeus against Heresies," explained that Simon began a Gnostic sect rooted in witchcraft that used exorcisms, incantations, alluring charms, calling upon familiar spirits, dreams, and other "curious arts," including "love potions." The Romans, having used his witchcraft, are said to have made a statue of him in the figure of Jupiter and Helena his wife in the image of Minerva, for adoration. The sect of the Simonians was succeeded by Menander and led to much of the Gnostic apostasy of the Second Century.

That being said, it's clear that Philip in his ministry was helping people to escape from the bondage of Simon's witchcraft in Samaria and freeing them in the liberty of Yeshua. Philip was so successful in his ministry to convert and baptize Samaritan believers into the faith in Yeshua that Peter and John visited the region to lay hands on the true believers so the Holy Spirit would come upon them. This in itself is a miracle, considering how much the Jews and Samaritans had hated one another. But Simon, noticing his followers were leaving him for Messiah Yeshua, sought to regain them through deception. The old adage, "if you can't beat them, join them," explains the heart of Simon, who was for all intents and purposes a "wolf in sheep's clothing." The Holy Spirit of God brings discernment to true believers, and thus Peter saw right through the deception, rebuking Simon soundly for seeking to "purchase" the Holy Spirit, which He could not receive due to his lack of true faith and his heart full of "the poison of bitterness and the bondage of unrighteousness." Sadly, we can see that Simon did not repent, despite Peter's warning. The only hint the text gives is Simon's reply to Peter's rebuke: “Pray for me, so that none of what you have said may come upon me.” A true man of God would get down on his knees to repent and pray himself for God's mercy. That's not what Simon did and thus his heresy continued. The wheat and tares were growing up together, just as Yeshua prophesied.

Next, we can see Philip continue to obey the LORD's commandment, for the Holy Spirit directed him to leave Samaria in the north and travel all the way to the road south of Jerusalem leading to Ethiopia. He met an Ethiopian God fearer, who had been worshipping in Jerusalem, presumably for one of the feasts. The eunuch had been reading Isaiah 53 and very likely beyond it into Isaiah 56 where God explains that eunuchs and foreigners who keep the Sabbath will be brought into His Kingdom with God's faithful children among Israel. Having received this good news, the eunuch struggled to understand the identity of this suffering servant that God would send for his redemption. Enter Philip, whom God sent to answer the question. He explained the Gospel to the eunuch through Isaiah, and the eunuch sought baptism immediately. Three important things emerge from this story: 1) we need someone to explain the Truth of the Word to us, and once we understand and believe with all our heart in the Word, that Yeshua is the Son of God, 2) we need to be baptized into the faith. Baptism is an urgent matter. Finally, as new believers in Yeshua, we 3) ought to keep the Sabbath as the LORD instructs, for those eunuchs and foreigners who do so will dwell among the children of Israel forever in the Kingdom of God. Philip, for his part, was found next at Azotus, where he continued obeying the LORD's commands.

Saul, for his part, was about to have his life changed forever. Seeking zealously to defend against the rising Messianic community, he left for Damascus with authority of the High Priest to arrest followers of Yeshua. But Yeshua appeared to Him in a blinding vision, asked why Saul persecuted His people and sent him off to the city where he met Ananias. Ananias had also had a vision of Yeshua, who told him to visit Saul and heal him. Through faith, Ananias acted in obedience, despite his fear, and Paul was both healed and saved. With the Holy Spirit, Saul's training as a Torah scholar at the feet of Gamaliel became deadly powerful for expositing Yeshua as the Son of God according to the Scriptures. Some of the best Torah scholarship we have on Yeshua's divinity comes from Paul's understanding. As he wrote in 2nd Corinthians 3:14-16, "For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Messiah. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the LORD, the veil is taken away." Saul turned to the LORD, the veil of understanding was taken away (a veil was literally taken away from his eyes), and he could now see Yeshua all throughout the Scriptures, which He promptly taught to others as we must also do. Yeshua said: "You will know them by their fruit." How much fruit have we seen from Saul of Tarsus?

Peter continued to walk in faith and not by sight, healing the sick and the paralyzed, proving the Word of Yeshua that His followers would do mightier works than He. This is still true this very day for those who have true faith in Yeshua and act according to the Father's will by the power of the Holy Spirit. He heals those who, like Tabitha/Dorcas, are full of obedience to God's commandments and act in the righteousness of Yeshua, for His specific purposes. Tabitha had died, and her community was asking Peter to raise her up, much like leaders had previously sent servants to Yeshua for the same purpose. Peter, knowing he did not have this power in himself, sought the LORD in prayer to discern the LORD's will. He must have received confirmation from the Holy Spirit, because he turned toward Tabitha and said, "Tabitha, get up." The LORD intends to act through those who truly obey Him in all faith and act solely according to His will in prayer. He absolutely still does things like this today, and I have been a witness to some of them. You can see that many came to believe in the LORD through this miracle, and that is the very reason He still does miracles today. Such events happen for no other reason.

Acts 10, Acts 11, Acts 12:1-5

The Roman centurion Cornelius was a God fearer, meaning that he worshipped Yahweh with the Jews, but hadn't been circumcised to become a proselyte (a converted Gentile). He was devout, meaning that he kept the commandments of God, and he gave generously to the synagogue and prayed to God regularly. The LORD, ready to bring Him in to the full knowledge of the Truth, sent him a vision to call on Peter, who would teach him. Peter would not have received him, because the Jews did not interact with Gentiles on a personal level—they would never go into their homes. It was forbidden by Halacha (oral tradition). But God sent Peter a vision of unclean animals being lowered on a tapestry, symbolizing the Gentiles. This piece of the vision was a fulfillment of Isaiah 43:20. When God told Peter, "kill and eat," he said "certainly not," which is a fulfillment of Ezekiel 4:12-15, when Ezekiel refused to cook on human dung and the LORD, passing a test. The LORD tests us to see if we will violate His commandments. See Deuteronomy 8:2 as one example. Peter passed the test, and he also understood the vision, which established God's law for welcoming in the strangers and foreigners among Israel. See Numbers 15:15–16 as one of many examples.

God rebuked the Pharisees oral tradition as He had done while walking the earth, saying "what God has made clean, you must not consider unholy." Peter puzzled over the vision, but ultimately understood it when Cornelius's men called for him to go with them. The Spirit told him to go with these three men, corresponding with the three times the tapestry was lowered in his vision. He entered Caesarea and entered Cornelius's home, declaring in Acts 10:28: “You yourselves know that it is not permitted for a Jewish man to associate with a non-Jew or to visit him. Yet God has shown me that I should call no one unholy or unclean”, and in Acts 10:34-36, 43: “Then Peter opened his mouth and said, “I truly understand that God is not one to show favoritism, but in every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him. You know the message He sent to the sons of Israel, proclaiming shalom through Messiah Yeshua—He is Lord of all. ... “All the prophets testify about Him—that everyone who puts his trust in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” Cornelius and his household accepted Yeshua as Yahweh, that He had died and risen, and they were baptized in water, and they received the Holy Spirit (the circumcision made without hands). The Jews, who heard about Peter's vision, were astonished and glorified God.

Meanwhile, Barnabas sought Paul and they ministered together in Antioch, building a massive Messianic community there. The name "Christian" was given to them there, which is Greek for Messianic, the Hebrew form. These brothers supported the Apostles in Jerusalem. During this time, James, the brother of Yeshua and head of the Christian counsel in Jerusalem, was executed horiffically. Later, the Jews said their persecutions were on account of what they did to James. This was a major blow for the early church. They sought Peter also, but through prayer he was released.

Acts 12:6-25, Acts 13, Acts 14:1-20

Note this story in Acts 12 of Peter's miraculous release from prison compared with the story in Acts 16 of Paul and Silas's miraculous release from prison. Was Peter wrong to leave and head for safety? Were Paul and Silas wrong to remain and call out to the guard to let him know they were still there? Did Paul and Silas learn from Peter's experience, when Herod executed the guards for missing the miracle? My personal interpretation is that these two stories differ in outcome to show us that God never does the same thing for the same reason, and it's important to trust Him in the moment, obey His voice, and do what He commands us to do. Peter was right to flee to continue building the early Messianic community, for his death was certain had he remained, while Paul was right to stay because God intended to save the prison guard and his family. Just like Yeshua, who escaped from many precarious situations such as near stoning and public arrests, but was ultimately arrested and crucified (to be then raised), so too are we designed to expire at a particular day and hour that no one knows but the Father. We need to be mindful of the LORD's will in all things, for He is the vine and we are the branches and without Him we can do nothing.

Barnabas and Saul had been ministering in Antioch with John Mark, who was Barnabas's cousin, and now they returned to Jerusalem. Was it for a feast? In any case, Acts 13 discusses the work they had just completed in Antioch, which they presumably reported in Jerusalem, and then it seems that the Apostles laid hands on them to send them out on a new mission together in Seleucia, then Cyprus, and beyond. In Pathos, a sorcerer called "Son of Yeshua," who was also associated with the Magi and known as Elymas, sought to stymie Paul and Barnabas's work to convince the proconsul to follow Messiah Yeshua. Saul literally cursed him with blindness, calling him full of deceit and trickery and an enemy of righteousness. Think about that for a moment. What does it actually mean to love our enemy in this context? Paul and Barnabas were commissioned by the Apostles to this work. Paul wasn't erring. When we encounter wolves in sheep's clothing who seek to distract, disrupt, or destroy the work of the Gospel, it is essential to remove them completely from that influence. Paul's rebuke of the man and the curse of blindness was a mercy. Perhaps the man would repent? At the very least, the proconsul believed in Messiah Yeshua because of what he saw.

In Antioch of Pisidia, they went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and were asked to give a sermon. Paul spoke to the men of Israel, the Gentile God-fearers who were there, and the sons of Abraham—all of them who were there. He gave them the Gospel message from Torah, explaining that Yeshua is the prophesied Son of David. He said the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem condemned Yeshua to the cross, as prophesied, and then He rose from the dead. He explained the good news; how the Promise given to the fathers had now come, and Yeshua's resurrection was foreknown and predestined. His sermon sounded very much like Peter's and also Stephen's, who was stoned to death. Through Yeshua we have salvation from our sins which were explained by Torah, and by trusting in Him He will teach us righteousness. He warned them to beware not to repeat the sins of the Jerusalem Rabbis. When he finished, even the Gentiles begged that he would preach again the following Sabbath, and that Sabbath Day, the whole city came—Jews and Gentiles alike, to hear the Word of God. Again, it was only Jewish leaders who opposed the message of Truth, and these were able to dissuade some, but the faith grew regardless and the Apostles rejoiced in their persecution.

The same thing happened in Iconium where they went next. In other words. They went into the synagogue on the SABBATH, and Jews and Gentiles who were there listening to them both believed. Jewish leaders who opposed the Message stirred up unbelievers to disrupt the following. Regardless, Paul and Barnabas remained and opposed them as long as possible, until a plot to kill them forced them to move on.

Next, in Lystra, the Holy Spirit used Paul to heal a paralytic, and this drove the Gentiles who were there to call Paul and Barnabas gods, even the incarnate Zeus and Hermes. They wanted to offer sacrifices to them. Unlike what a false prophet would do, Paul and Barnabas corrected them, explaining that their idols and false gods were worthless but the living Creator God sought to correct their paganism and turn them away from it in repentance toward Yeshua. In fact, they were almost stoned to death for standing so strongly against the gods, but the LORD spared them to preach another day. They headed next for Derbe.

Acts 14:21-28, Galatians 1, Galatians 2, Galatians 3:1-23

Paul and Barnabas traveled between Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, and they made trips to other communities as well such as Pisidia, Perga, and Attalia. Antioch became a home base for their ministry, where God took care of their own needs. Galatia was certainly an encompassing region for Paul's overall travel structure, but it is quite unclear and hotly disputed whether Paul's Acts 14 trip involved towns in the Galatia he wrote to in his letter. Antioch seems to be more associated with Syria, for instance. More importantly, Acts 14 shows that Paul and Barnabas, as overseers of overseers, handpicked elders for each community to lead (also as overseers) in each community, and then they went throughout these towns to "strengthen" and "encourage" them, stating plainly that endurance in faithfulness through persecution is how Christians enter the Kingdom of God. Yeshua had said: "those who endure until the end will be saved."

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul first made it clear that our One God exists eternally as both the Father and the Son. He next solidified that the Gospel he proclaimed was the Truth he was sent by Messiah Yeshua to teach, and everything he taught was meant to serve God and not men. This set up the purpose for Paul's letter to the Galatians, which was to make a distinction between the law of God, which we ought to keep, and the religious law of men, which we ought to disregard. Pharisees taught from their oral tradition that circumcision was needed for salvation, and God taught no such thing through Moses. Jewish believers taught a separation between Jews and Gentiles, and Yeshua said He would be One Shepherd over one flock of people, all saved by Yeshua and circumcised in heart by the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote to set the record straight: All Truth came forth from the revelation of Yeshua the Messiah. He went out to teach this to all who would listen, and he only went for the blessing of the other Apostles three years after his own conversion. He saw Peter and James. All the other Hebrews praised God only that He turned to promoting Yeshua's Way rather than trying to destroy it.

Paul, in visiting Jerusalem (Acts 15), was concerned about Jewish believers who were attempting to enforce the Rabbis' oral tradition, which required circumcision for all new converts and otherwise separated Jews from Gentiles. Paul's mission was successful, and Peter, James, and John blessed Paul and Barnabas with a letter of support. But tradition dies hard. When Peter later visited Paul, he practiced the oral teachings he grew up with by distancing himself from Gentile believers during meals. Paul rightly rebuked him for violating Torah, which commands unity among believing Jews and strangers. He also showed that no one leader has complete authority over the others and all leaders are meant to hold one another accountable. He confirmed how our salvation comes from the grace offered through Yeshua alone, and not by any righteousness we achieve. This by no means discounts the need to pursue righteousness, but shows that doing so doesn't earn right standing with God. We're expected to obey the law, because Messiah is not a minister of sin. This means that the one who is forgiven and continues to sin in the same way afterward, without repentance, no longer enjoys salvation. By turning to follow Messiah, our trust in Him redeems us.

Galatians 3 is widely misunderstood, but refers specifically to the human commandment of circumcision for conversion. Paul's rebuke directly addressed Gentiles who were seeking circumcision as part of their salvation, when true salvation comes through faith in Yeshua and obedience to God's commandments, which brings the Holy Spirit. Just like Yeshua said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments, and I will send you another Helper, the Spirit of Truth..." Similarly Abraham, who believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness, acted on the promises of God and did what God commanded, as James later points out. Likewise we are redeemed through faith so that we can do what the LORD commands us to do. "The righteous live by faith." When we trust that Yeshua offers us salvation by His blood, we then change our lives to reflect His, for He commanded us to follow Him. Torah is not against the promises of God; rather it foretold them and explained why we ought to obey God. Torah shows us God's desires and also convicts us of sin, for which we need a Savior. And now He had been given for the world—for those who trust in Him.

Galatians 3:24-29, Galatians 4, Galatians 5, Galatians 6, Acts 15:1-21

To be under the law means to be in violation of it. As traveling 90 in a 65 mph speed zone may cause condemnation if you are pulled over—causing you to be held accountable under the law—, so does traveling 65 in a 65 mph speed zone allow you to freely move throughout the country—freeing you from any concern of being held accountable under the law. The Holy Spirit helps us to travel 65 mph, so to speak. In other words, the Holy Spirit helps us to be faithful to God on account of God's faithfulness to us. Because He saved us, we faithfully obey His law. This applies now to all people, Jew and Greek alike.

The guideposts in Chap 4 are the oral traditions of the fathers, which were designed to protect men from violating the law. Now that Yeshua freed us from condemnation to walk righteously with Him, we have the Holy Spirit as our guidepost helping us keep the law. In particular, Paul is still condemning circumcision as a Pharisaical requirement for conversion. He's also concerned some of the Gentiles are holding onto pagan traditions. He's calling them to walk freely in Messiah Yeshua. In his metaphor using Abraham and his two wives and sons, Paul compared Hagar to Mt. Sinai in Arabia and the present day Jerusalem, and this referred specifically to the Old Covenant temple sacrifices and procedures brought forth as a model of what was in Heaven. Now we have the miraculous sacrifice of Yeshua and resurrection to replace all sacrifices of old, which He compared to the miraculous birth of Isaac through Sarah. Yeshua now sits as Mediator in Heaven and High Priest over all creation. Our promises are to partake at the actual altar. There is no need to keep the earthly system of mediation, with its High Priest and sacrifices in the Temple. We are children of promise in Messiah Yeshua, called to a better covenant in Him by His Holy Spirit.

In Chap 5, Paul continued to explain that circumcision for conversion is spurious. If we pursue circumcision for conversion, we forsake Messiah and the circumcision made without hands; namely, His Holy Spirit. Pursue circumcision, then the temple sacrifices and Rabbinical law remain. But why would one do ritual when a better Covenant has been given? We have the Holy Spirit through faith in Yeshua who helps us walk righteously according to God's commandments. We express our faith through love, which is obedience to God's commandments and teaching our neighbor to do the same. If we have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control, we are driving 65 mph in a 65 mph zone, so to speak. In other words, we are already obeying the law, so it governs us without condemnation. If, on the other hand, our fruit is lawlessness, such as sexual immorality, witchcraft, rage, selfish ambition, inebriation, and the like, then we do not know Yeshua, and are still subject to condemnation. That's like getting caught going 90 in a 65 mph zone. Yeshua said: You will know them by their fruit, and our fruit is how soundly we obey the commandments. If we walk in the Spirit, He will help us do righteousness.

If someone is acting against the law, our calling is to correct them gently while making sure we ourselves do not fall into sin. We ought to hold others up and keep them from falling, helping them through the persecutions, the trials, and the tribulations of life, which are guaranteed. We cannot allow our own righteousness to blind us, for we always ought to proclaim "Have mercy on me a sinner." It's not through circumcision that we have salvation or any hope or have any greater standing, but it is knowing Messiah Yeshua that saves us and makes us new. So let us remain humble, for He saves us all. It is through Messiah's sacrifice alone that we are saved. In knowing this, we had better not sin against God's commandments, for God is not mocked and a man reaps what he sows. Let us endure, therefore, in doing good.

Acts 15 likely occurred before Paul's letter to the Galatians, for the first letter to the Galatians is included in the text toward the end of this chapter. Paul noted that he went before Peter, James and John in his letter, and I believe he was referring to this occasion. He used the letter as a platform by which to write the Galatians. Some scholars disagree. In any case, the questions are the same: Do Gentiles have to keep the commandments of God and do they have to get circumcised to be saved. These are two questions, and the answer to the first is "yes," while the answer to the second is "no." James, who was head of the Messianic court in Jerusalem gave the verdict. All new converts ought to immediately cut off any sexual depravity, and they ought to avoid eating food sacrificed to idols, meat from animals strangled, or blood— such things that Gentiles often did—and then they ought to come to the synagogues each Sabbath Day to hear Moses preached so they can learn to keep the commandments of God. Both Jews and Gentiles are saved by Yeshua through grace so that we can both go out and do what God commanded.

Acts 15:22-41; Acts 16; Acts 17:1-15

The Apostles letter to the area around Antioch has been called the first letter to the Galatians, which was later followed up by Paul's letter. It's important to recognize that Gentiles were not God fearers; meaning non-Jews who already knew and loved God and then came to know Yeshua. The word Gentile in Acts 15 means non-Jews who were also heathens. These were pagans practicing paganism and doing horrible pagan things. The Apostles thought it was important for them to stop doing pagan things when they became followers of Yeshua, hence the so-called "burdens" instructed by the letter. Additional burdens, such as circumcision for conversion, had been imposed by the Rabbis, and the Apostolic leaders found such oral law unnecessary for these converts. As James had said internally, these new believers would attend synagogue every Sabbath and learn the laws of Moses. The Holy Spirit would convict them and sanctify them toward obedience at His own pace, and this ought to be good enough for other followers of Yeshua who themselves had come along their own path of sanctification. This is the gentleness and long-suffering Paul later called Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas regarding John Mark's half-heartedness initially broke the two up in their ministry work. John Mark was Barnabas's relative, so this probably added to the passions involved, but from Paul's perspective, John-Mark was not ready to do the work of an evangelist. We have to be mindful of these types of things in ministry, for they are critical for mission success. There are human factors that come into play in the faith, and this account in Acts 15 shows that even faithful powerhouses suffer from such failings. In Mark's case, he needed to be discipled and spiritually developed before he could be further used for Kingdom work, and Scriptural evidence suggests this happened. God would use all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. Barnabas and Mark would team up in ministry, while Paul would team up with Silas, and through this the Word of God would spread even further. It's evident that Barnabas was successful in discipling Mark, also. According to 2nd Timothy 4:11, Paul wrote: “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me for the ministry.” He must have thought Mark had matured and was now ready to do ministry work. Hallelujah!

In 1st Cor 9:19-23, Paul explained how he mirrored and matched the people he ministered to in order to remove obstacles to their conversion. In this light, He had Timothy circumcised, even though his father was Greek, so he would be counted among the Jewish unbelievers Paul and he were trying to reach and not discounted in the synagogues. Next, Paul and Silas waited for the Holy Spirit to direct their ministry, and they were sent to Philippi. There, they found a Sabbath gathering by the river, and Lydia, a God-fearer, heard the Gospel from them and welcomed them into her home to teach. This may have been the birth of the Philippian church? A demon-possessed woman who practiced soothsaying against God's law disrupted Paul and Timothy's regular ministry by exposing their intentions before they had a chance to connect relationally with people. Having enough of this, Paul commanded the evil spirit to leave her in Yeshua's name and her handlers became furious and had the group arrested. This is when Paul and Silas experienced the Holy Spirit inspired prison break in the same way Peter had earlier, but in their instance the Spirit directed them to remain for the benefit of the prison guard and all his household, who became Christians.

Look at verse 31 and 34 in Acts 16 for a very important Christological proof. To be saved, Paul said in verse 31: "Believe in the LORD Jesus" and then in verse 34, Luke explains that the whole household rejoiced because the jailer "had believed in God." This shows clearly that Luke, at least, believed that Jesus is God, and so did Paul since Luke was with Paul.

Note how Paul responded to the police who had arrested them. Just like Yeshua taught, he and Silas turned the other cheek, seeking an audience with the officers directly not allowing them to get away with injustice. Being a Christian does not mean that we become door mats for everyone else. Yes, we ought to accept whatever persecution we receive, but we also ought to use whatever means available to us to pursue righteousness.

In Thessalonica, Paul attended the synagogue on the Sabbath for three weeks in a row and reasoned with the Jews about the advent of Messiah using the Old Testament Scriptures as His source. I would have loved to hear this powerful teaching—so help me Holy Spirit! Some of the Jews, the God-fearers (non-Jews), and the women were persuaded by his teaching—isn't this more than we can hope for? But the unbelieving Jews became a problem for their continuing ministry and used unethical means to stop them, even appealing to the rule of Caesar above the rule of God. In Berea, the Jews received the Truth of Yeshua more eagerly in the synagogue, and they examined the Scriptures daily to discern what Paul and Silas were teaching. This Berean approach should be the same that we all take, and this is how we ourselves ought to come to a better knowledge of the Truth. The unbelieving Jews of Thessalonica made it their mission to stop the message of Yeshua and followed them to disrupt the work of God. Beware! These same anti-missionaries are out there today, and I have seen brothers fall away at their hands. They are persuasive, but ultimately speak blasphemy. If it were possible, even the elect would fall away, but thanks be to God for His grace!

Acts 17:16-34, Acts 18:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 1, 1 Thessalonians 2, 1 Thessalonians 3, 1 Thessalonians 4, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

I've been in situations where observing idols provoked my soul within me, just like Paul observing the many statutes to false gods in Athens. There's a feeling of spiritual oppression to some degree as well as an inability to concentrate on the Holy Spirit. Like Paul, I would retreat to a more austere locale, such as a synagogue (meeting place for believers) to recharge, so I could go out to the marketplace and evangelize.

In Corinth Paul met Priscilla and Aquila, a powerhouse couple that worked alongside Paul to bring many into the faith. My wife Jen and I aspire to do ministry as they did, so help us God.

When Paul was invited to the Areopagus (the governing council of Greece), he used what he observed around him—their altar with an inscription "To an unknown God"—to bring forward the Truth the Holy Spirit put on His lips regarding the Gospel of Yeshua. He didn't parse words. He said plainly that they were ignorant in their worship, and he said that he was going to present them with the Truth they needed; namely: the God unknown to the Greeks is actually the true God, the creator of the spiritual realm and the physical realm who does not dwell in temples or interact through statues or fancy buildings, and He is not served by us but rather serves us by giving us life, and breath, and everything we need, including the salvation from our sins that separate us from Him. God has overlooked the times of our ignorance, but now He calls on men of every nation to repent, because He is coming to judge the living and the dead through Messiah Yeshua, the One He rose from the dead. Idolatry and other acts opposed to God's law must come to an end, and we can accomplish this by following the righteous Way Yeshua showed us. Some sneered, some wanted to hear more, and others believed, and we should expect the same whenever we evangelize the Gospel.

Stuck in Athens, Paul wrote a letter to the Thessalonians and sent Timothy to bring it to them after the disciple had returned to the Apostle with a good report. Within the letter Paul explained how the people there ought to imitate what they learned from him, a Jew, who obeyed the commandments of God and followed Yeshua. He said something similar in 1 Corinth 11:1. Paul was pleased that they understood and kept the Word, which is the commandments of God lived out in faith. These men actually turned from the idolatry of their pagan upbringing to serve the living God and wait for the return of Yeshua, who will rescue all the faithful from God's wrath that is coming. The Thessalonians didn't adopt the teachings of men—neither from the Jews nor their pagan fathers—but they accepted and embraced the Word of God alone. Paul was pleased. He continued by exhorting the Thessalonians to endure through tribulation within their hearts and in their words and deeds, because God is a witness and He examines us. The Thessalonians suffered persecution from Rome and from their pagan leaders in a similar fashion to how Paul had experienced persecution from the Jewish leaders. God's wrath will punish all who don't repent, and reward all who endure.

Paul continued in chapter 4 to commend the Thessalonians for walking in a way that pleased God, but said they ought to excel in their sanctification and grow even closer to Yeshua. Paul gave a couple examples of what he wanted them to look out for; namely, sexual immorality, fraud, and strife. He exhorted them to love their brothers more so, to live a quiet life and mind their own business, work with their hands, and treat outsiders kindly.

Next, Paul shifted to eschatology—they must have been asking about it through Timothy. In brief, Paul taught that when we die our souls sleep in the grave, but because of Yeshua's resurrection we too have hope of resurrection. When Yeshua returns, the last trumpet will sound (a reference to the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah)), and Yeshua will raise the dead and lift up those who are alive at His coming to be with Him forever. Though Paul doesn't speak of the Kingdom that comes after, Scripture in its fullness teaches that the LORD then descends with His people onto the Earth as the "New Jerusalem," and we will dwell with Yeshua here on a refreshed Earth into eternity. We ought to comfort one another with this Truth. When will this all occur? The LORD comes as a thief in the night—when we least expect it. The world will be preaching peace and safety, perhaps even uniting under a new global leader, and then they will be destroyed in an instant. Those who know Yeshua will not be caught off guard, but will rather be watching and understanding the signs of the times and doubling down in obedience to God. Our salvation through Yeshua awaits us so long as we endure in our love and faithfulness.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28, 2 Thessalonians 1, 2 Thessalonians 2, 2 Thessalonians 3, Acts 18:4-23

We ought to regard church leaders highly in love, especially because we are called to correct sinful behavior or bad doctrine. It's challenging to bring the Truth of God's Word to hold another person to account, especially when they don't want to hear it, but we must do it regardless. I enjoy edifying others with the Word, but to rebuke is not pleasant. Nevertheless, Paul instructs leaders to "correct the unruly," where "unruly (ἄτακτος | ataktos)" means insubordinate or undisciplined. This is the hardest type of person to correct, especially when pride is involved. It often requires separation. Easier to correct are those who are simply undisciplined in "rightly dividing [interpreting] the Word of Truth," to quote Paul in 2 Tim 2:15, especially when they are humble and teachable. Much more enjoyable are those who are fainthearted, because the Word of God is powerful to lift up those who are struggling in their faith but desire God regardless. Nevertheless, we must be patient with all, return good for evil, rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and always give thanks to God, for He gives us all things. We ought to live righteously, listen to prophesy, but test it according to the Word of God, and keep away from all lawlessness.

The faithfulness of the Thessalonians grew further, even amidst persecution and trouble, and they were an example to other communities. Paul encouraged them a second time by explaining how the rebellious and hateful will be judged by God on the Last Day, while the saints who endure will be glorified. He warned against false teachings that the end had already come, stating that it would not come until the lawless one was revealed inside the church, teaching that God's commandments no longer apply and proclaiming himself to be god who knows what is good and evil. While the mystery of such lawlessness within the church was already occurring—in the sense that there have always been false teachers—there would come a time when such false teaching would take hold and the people of the church would fully embrace it. I think that time is happening now unlike any other time in history, with pastors teaching the commandments are irrelevant, that prosperity is the fruit of faith, that drugs are spiritual tools, that God supports LGBTQ+ and abortion, among other heinous evils. All who support such wicked deception will be burned up with fire when Yeshua returns. Only those who love Truth, which is the Word of God, leads to salvation in Yeshua.

We are saved through the Gospel and the glorification of Messiah Yeshua, which demonstratably leads to sanctification by the Holy Spirit through obedience to God. Likewise, we ought to learn from the teaching of the Apostles, and never listen to anyone who speaks against Scripture. We ought to be comforted and strengthened in "every good deed and word." Our prayers ought to be focused on the work of our brethren who are doing good work; specifically that they might be rescued from evil people who seek to disrupt their ministries. When he wrote: "May the LORD direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Messiah," he was teaching "keep the commandments and the faith of Yeshua," just like Rev 14:12. This testimony of two is needed by all saints. He then leveled up, explaining that we ought to stay away from so-called Christians who are irresponsible with the commandments of God and the principles of following Yeshua taught by the Apostles. We ought to imitate the Apostles, he wrote again, as they imitated Messiah. There is no apostolic succession. The Apostolic source is the only Way of Truth and it is described solely in Scripture. We ought to endure and not grow weary in doing good, obeying God always.

Acts 18:4 indicates plainly: “And [Paul] was debating every Sabbath in the synagogue, trying to persuade both Jewish and Greek people.” The Gentiles were not worshipping on a different day. Both Jews and Greeks came together as One New Man on the Sabbath in the synagogues, because our faith is Jewish and we worship a Jewish Messiah, as Yeshua said Himself to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. Now, the Jewish leaders rejected the Gospel message, and thus Paul went out to Justus's home. He was a God-fearing non-Jew who lived next door. They continued to meet on the Sabbath to the point that Crispus, the synagogue leader, put his faith in the LORD and many were baptized into the faith. Having received a direct message from the LORD, Paul continued to teach in the city for a year and a half until the Jewish leaders caught up with him and accused him of violating Torah. This was a false accusation, in the same way the Jewish leaders falsely accused Yeshua. Like Yeshua said, "If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also" (John 15:20). In Ephesus, the Jewish leaders heard him and even sought to continue learning, but he set sail to continue spreading the Word in other lands.

Acts 18:24-28, Acts 19:1-20, 1 Corinthians 1, 1 Corinthians 2, 1 Corinthians 3

Apollos was a powerful and enthusiastic force with faith in Yeshua, and he was out preaching accurately the Way of Yeshua, guided by the Holy Spirit in all that he did. Still, he didn't know the whole story—he had missed some key components, including the need to be baptized in the name of Yeshua in adulthood. What comes next shows his teachable and humble spirit that all true men and women of God possess. When Priscilla and Aquila came along, they took him aside privately (so as not to embarrass him), and taught Him about the need for baptism. He embraced the new teaching and grew in his understanding, now going out blessed by the early Messianic leaders to demonstrate Messiah Yeshua through the Scriptures. Pride leads to a fall, but those who are humble shall be exalted by the LORD! We always have more to learn!

As Paul taught the brethren in Corinth, we also ought to be wiling to respond to sound doctrine by throwing out the misconceptions of the faith we have learned from undisciplined men. We ought to be baptized in the name of Yeshua, meaning that our cogniscent adult baptism ought to be accompanied with our confession in Yeshua's unity with God and understanding that He died for our sins and rose from the dead to the right hand of Power. When we truly believe in our hearts and bury our old man under the waters, we come up new men and women to be baptized in the fire of God's Spirit. As we encounter people who won't budge on their faithlessness, we ought to move on to a place where people respond to what we're teaching. We ought to expect the name of Yeshua to have spiritual power, but only when it is backed up by faith. Men who are pretending will not believe in or do miraculous things, and they may even get hurt. When we are truly following Yeshua, everything we used to hold valuable that God hates has to be discarded. These men brought pagan books to burn in a heap worth 50,000 pieces of silver. If ounces worth $50 each today, that's $2.5 million worth of books and materials. What idols do we hold onto that ought to be destroyed?

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul started out by teaching that we ought not be divided by which teacher we follow, but we ought to be united in Messiah Yeshua. We might have found ourselves boasting about who baptized us, or what preacher we enjoy the most, or which worship songs are played each week, but in such disputing the cross of Messiah becomes void. This is why Paul notes he's pleased he didn't baptize any of them—he didn't want anyone boasting about him, but only about Yeshua. Our purpose in following Yeshua is to make disciples for Him, not for ourselves. And yet, the message of the cross will not resonate with intellectuals or mystics, because they seek worldly things and not the pure relationship with the LORD that is needed. It doesn't matter what our background, heritage, or interests happen to be, what matters is that we know Yeshua. He is the wisdom, righteousness, holiness, redemption, and power of God for all who fully trust in Him and therefore follow Him. What do we have to say to anyone except to follow Christ in the wisdom of God that He taught us by the power of the Holy Spirit? We must embrace the mind of Messiah to discern the Truth and to know God.

As the letter continues into chapter 3, Paul began to rebuke the brethren in Corinth for their immaturity in the faith. What a devastating letter it would have been to hear read as a member of that church! Did they not understand how teachers all contribute wisdom to our understanding of God, but God is the one who helps us apply that knowledge ourselves and bear fruit? The only foundation is Yeshua—not any denomination, not any church, and especially not any teaching that comes from men and contradicts the Word of God. When we do work for the Kingdom of God, it will be tested for its motives, and it will only be built up into a place for God's Holy Spirit if it supports multiplication and spiritual growth by holding up those who come after. If the work is not pure or self focused, our only gain will be the refining fire that helps us begin again. We ought to operate at all times knowing that our individual bodies and collective body is meant to embrace the Spirit of God. Our true wisdom in this life comes not from men nor from worldly sources, but only from God.

1 Corinthians 4, 1 Corinthians 5, 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Corinthians 7

As pastors, teachers, prophets and evangelists—and even the first-century Apostles themselves—our job is to be trustworthy builders of Messiah's church and stewards of God's revealed Word. Even if men judge us for what we do, it doesn't matter, for ultimately Yeshua will judge us and declare our hearts' true motives before His Kingdom. If anyone is to be praised for their work, it ought to come from God. None of us ought to be puffed up in the work that we do for the LORD, for our only job as leaders is to teach what is written. Any disciples ought to be careful not to stray beyond God's Word either. Let us all become slaves for Messiah's sake, allowing ourselves to suffer in whatever poor treatment results. Christian leaders are the target of every kind of ire, and in this we ought to rejoice and respond with kindness and love. Paul taught this to the whole church in Corinth so they would be warned against questioning the Godly authority over them, as they had been doing. Only ungodly leaders ought to be called to account, and then only with two or three witnesses to their sin (1 Tim 5:19). We shouldn't be concentrating on this, but on learning from those God has put over us and producing the fruit of God's power in our lives.

In Chapter 5, Paul shifts gears to speak about a matter that he brought to the whole church as a general rebuke. It's important to note that this is NOT a model for all church discipline, for only the elders should be involved in most disputes per Matthew 18. In this case, the entire church was involved in the sin of tolerating a brother who was committing adultery with his father's wife, and so the entire church needed to be rebuked within the context of this letter (See Romans 1). Adultery is a sin that leads to death not just for the man and woman committing it, but also for every single person who knew about it and tolerated it. We must remove grievous sinners like this from our congregations, unless they humble themselves, confess their sin and repent, and that begins their faith journey back into God's grace, and so help them God! This man did not have any shame, and neither did the church, and so Paul instructed them to cast the man out from among them so that Satan could have his way with him. Only a man who hits rock bottom when willfully sinning has a chance of truly changing his heart. This ought to be our most heartfelt prayer for those who fall away and need to be separated.

Paul used a Passover metaphor concerning leaven by equating it with sin, for even one bit of yeast would make unleavened bread leavened. In like manner, one tolerated sinner in the church can turn the whole body to lawlessness. In an aside, Paul instructed the Corinthians to keep the upcoming Passover feast with "the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth," which is a direct admonition to get the sin out of the camp and out of their own hearts so they could come into the Feast with the right attitude toward one another and obedience toward God. This is serious, as Paul will make clear in chapter 11. Returning to the subject, Paul made a distinction between the Messianic community and the rest of the world, which is full of ungodly people. He said we ought not worship, pray, and attend our Sabbath or Holy Feast services with other so-called believers who are living intentionally in sin, but clearly that does not keep us from going out to meet with sinners in the world, for how else would we share the Gospel with them? People who come to worship with us should be "all-in" for the LORD, and we ought to make sure of this so that we can then go out to do the work of the LORD together with washed feet, clean hands, and pure hearts.

Paul then moved into a rebuke of the church for going to the Gentile courts to settle disputes among brothers. Internal disputes should never be brought outside the walls of the church if the church can handle said disputes, and everyone attending ought to be in agreement that they will abide by the judgment of church leadership. Clearly we're not talking about weightier matters such as murder, which must go before the unbelievers' law courts, but we shouldn't be imagining such acts even contemplated among brethren. Here Paul asks rhetorically, "Don't you know that we shall judge angels?" I point this out as an aside to note that this comes from the Book of Enoch. Paul, Peter, Jude, and Yeshua Himself all quote from this inspired work, and we ought to regard it as such. Back to the point: Paul is clear that unrighteous sinners—those who willfully violate God's law—will not make it into God's Kingdom, for this demonstrates lack of faithfulness to Christ. He then gave examples. Only those who turn to the LORD Yeshua and endure in faithfulness to the commandments will make it. Our bodies are temples of His Holy Spirit and sin quenches the Holy Spirit, thus we ought to be joined to the Spirit of God, not the spirit of lawlessness.

Sexual immorality is specifically bad for our souls because it binds two souls together as one. These are spiritual bonds that are not easily broken, and in marriage they endure until death and play a large role in our own spiritual walk with God. Thus, to prevent this, Paul urged Godly marriage between one man and one woman alone, where each edifies one another and keeps one another from sin. We ought not marry unbelievers, but if we find ourselves with one we ought to endure in such a relationship, praying for their heart to change. Our own walk will be hindered by this, however. Paul remained unmarried to devote his entire life to the LORD, and he thought this best, even advocating for it, but clearly it is not required of anyone, pastor or layperson, for God commanded a man to marry his wife and multiply. During this time, much persecution plagued the church, and this factor also weighed in to Paul's teaching here. In any case,  a Godly marriage ought not be separated, but all reconciliation ought to be fully pursued. We ought to marry or remain single as God directs us, and in whatever way we have been called, we ought to remain as God directs and not worry ourselves with the circumstances, but only in serving Christ.

Paul also indicated new believers ought to remain uncircumcised, for "Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing—but keeping God’s commandments matters.” Let that very line resonate. It is man's commandment for men to be circumcised for conversion into the faith—not God's commandments—for God circumcises our hearts by His Holy Spirit. We ought to keep the commandments of God, as Paul said quite plainly. This is also relevant for the discussion on Passover, for an uncircumcised man can't eat of it. Again, whether physically circumcised or not, we are circumcised by the Holy Spirit and may partake when our hearts are faithful.

In all things we ought to put the LORD first, and He must come first even before our spouse and children. Thus, it is easier to remain unmarried, but for those who are with a spouse, they should live first for Christ and then their spouse and children.

1 Corinthians 8, 1 Corinthians 9, 1 Corinthians 10, 1 Corinthians 11:1

Paul moved on to the topic of eating food sacrificed to idols in chapter 8, and his point is straightforward: Idols are dumb, deaf and blind; made of wood and stone; and they have no power unless we give them power. We worship God the Father, for whom we exist, and Yeshua our LORD, through whom we exist, and they are One. Because not everyone understands this Truth or submits to it we ought to be mindful of their weakness and avoid giving any honor to earthly things, whether idols or foods sacrificed to them. We don't want to give anyone the false idea that we honor false gods or worship our God with syncretism. Our abstaining from foods sacrificed to idols will ultimately benefit those who don't know better, and it will benefit us, too, because our lives are given to God. Later in Chapter 10, Paul explains that we ought to eat the clean meats set in front of us with gratitude, but if we are told or come to understand the meat was sacrificed to an idol, we must not eat it for the sake of the person serving it to us and for the sake of their conscience. He explained: It is less offensive to refuse unclean food than to eat it and offend God as well as the other person who would then be caught up in confusion about righteousness.

He continues, returning to the first theme of his letter and the worldly issues that were dividing disciples to follow one apostle over another, instead of Yeshua. Issues of whether to marry, how often to fast, and whether to take money for the work of the ministry were coming up for debate, rather than the more important matters of the Kingdom. When Torah commands: "You shall not muzzle an ox while it is threshing," Paul explained how God was more concerned with the tithing benefit due to ministers who are planting the seeds of the Gospel and witnessing the fruit of their labors than He was concerned about oxen. And yet, Paul spoke of a greater reward in heaven, which is superior to any material compensation, and the hearts of leaders ought to be to harvest people rather than dollars. This is the very reason Paul empathized with every group he was with, trying to fit in with their culture in order to win hearts and minds for Messiah Yeshua. Paul's competition—His purpose—as ours ought to be—is to win souls for God and seek the prize of eternal life with Yeshua. We do this not aimlessly, but with discipline and submission to the will of God so we do not ourselves fall away.

We have to beware of falling away, for the Fathers of Israel were baptized with water and fire, just like us; the Sea of Reeds crossing separated them completely from their prior bondage and the Holy Spirit led them as the cloud by day, fire by night. They ate the Word and drank living water from the firm foundation, which is Messiah Yeshua. Still, their example was one of disobedience and rebellion, and God struck most of them down because of it as He will us if we also crave evil things. We can't be idolators, commit sexual immorality, or put the LORD to the test through doubting hearts, and we had better not grumble. God deserves thanksgiving and praise! Paul warns: if you think you stand in Christ, watch out that you don't fall the same way they did! We'll all be tempted, and God has told us what is good so that we can avoid temptation. Paul said "flee from sexual immorality" prior, and now he exhorted us to "flee idolatry," both sins that lead to death. With Passover coming up, Paul brought up the body and blood of Yeshua to note that we cannot eat at the Passover Seder and also eat food sacrificed to idols, which represent demons. We ought to seek what helps and builds up our neighbor, and not feed our own selfish desires.

1 Corinthians 11, 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Corinthians 13

When Paul wrote, "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Messiah," he certainly could be referring to the previous text. But his next line: "Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firm the traditions just as I passed them on to you" indicates that these "traditions" are the emphasis of what we ought to "imitate," and the Corinthians were doing well. What traditions? The rest of the chapter bears them out. He's referring to how to keep the Passover Seder in memory of Yeshua, just as Yeshua said. Most of the Philippians were Gentiles, so they wouldn't know how to keep Passover. Paul had taught them, and they were doing it well. That's what this whole chapter is about, and it's actually the context for Paul writing this entire letter we know to be 1st Corinthians. The letter's purpose was to prepare the Corinthians' hearts for Passover by instructing them how to get the leaven out of their hearts so the body would be unleavened and ready to keep the Feast. This is why his first instruction relative to the feast is how men and women ought to be attired to come before King Yeshua at His feast. The Passover Seder is meant to be treated with great reverence, for it is the Day now given in remembrance of Yeshua!

Paul next emphasized how the reverence needed is not just in external appearance, but also in behavior and in the internal intentions of the heart. The divisions noted earlier were also manifesting at the Passover Seder and at other gatherings. They were treating the Seder ceremony itself as if it were just a meal—we could imagine people scarfing down unleavened bread to satiate their appetites and drinking the wine to get drunk. That's not what Yeshua showed us! Rather, He broke the unleavened bread explaining that it would be eaten in memory of His sacrifice on the cross for our atonement and He offered the cup with the fruit of the vine explaining that to drink from it confirms our agreement and participation in the New Covenant made by His blood. We ought never eat or drink the Passover as unbelievers, and certainly not with irreverent uncircumcised hearts that lack understanding. Celebrating Passover without full understanding of its purpose can bring judgment and condemnation, which manifests as sickness or even death. Exodus 12:48 teaches that no uncircumcised male may eat the Passover, even among strangers. Paul taught that the circumcision of the heart by the Holy Spirit must be present before engaging in this Holy Day.

Moving on in Chapter 12, Paul explained that spiritual gifts also ought to be used in reverence according to a certain order, and every person does not possess every spiritual gift, but the body together manifests the gifts in order for edification. The only spiritual gift we all possess is faith in Yeshua as LORD. We might possess wisdom, knowledge, faith in a particular area, healing, workings of miracles, prophetic interpretation, discerning of spirits, and speaking unknown languages so they might be understood and interpreted by one who is present, all for edification. We are part of the Body of Messiah, whether Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, and we each contribute the gifts that God has given us for the good of the whole. There ought to be no separation in Yeshua, only a cornucopia of God's abundant riches made by His creative power and offered up for His glory. We ought to be mindful of one another, those who are able helping those less fortunate financially and also those less connected spiritually, so that all can come together with joy and peace. Though we are equal in Yeshua, the LORD has lifted up leaders to keep His order, and with all that said, there is still one thing that unites us best:

Love, which is obedience to God's commandments, is what connects all of us together in Yeshua, who saved us from our sins. We love God by keeping His commandments, and we love one another by doing and teaching God's commandments. We can speak in many languages, give powerful prophetic teachings, have faith that tears down every stronghold around us, give everything we have away, and even sacrifice our lives entirely for God, being burned on one of Nero's pyres, but if we're not loving God and loving one another, nothing else matters. The Saints endure by keeping the commandments of God and faith in Yeshua. In everything, our love ought to be exercised with patience, kindness, gratitude, humility, goodness, submission to God, long-suffering, and forgiveness, offering correction to those erring and rejoicing to those living righteously. Our love ought to endure through all hardship and persecution, always believing God's Word and hoping in His promises, because love never fails. Yeshua said: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will by no means pass away." We only have a part of God's revelation, but when He returns for us we will have its fullness.

1 Corinthians 14; 1 Corinthians 15

Returning to the topic of spiritual gifts, Paul noted that prophesy is the most relevant to our faith, and prophesy is not foretelling the future, but comprehending the Word of God and being able to internalize and communicate its purpose in our life and the life of others. This is why prophesy builds up, encourages and uplifts the entire church community. Meanwhile, speaking in tongues has very little impact other than for the person speaking in an authentic foreign language and the person who understands that language. The practice has divine roots, and I've witnessed its authentic use, but most modern expressions of speaking in tongues are probably just as false as they were in Corinth. Paul dedicated a whole section of his letter to this rebuke against speaking in tongues, which indicates it was a major problem for the Corinthians, probably because it was rooted in syncretism with the "mystery religions" of the region. Ecstatic speech had roots in the Cybele-Attis Cult, the Dionysian Cult, and Apollo worship, though the Dionysian Cult was the most likely influence. It emphasized intoxication, frenzied dancing and ecstatic speech. Paul taught that speaking in tongues ought to be done in an orderly fashion, it ought to be intelligible language, spoken by one person at a time, and only when there is an interpreter. More than this, sharing revelations, knowledge, prophesy, a teaching, or a psalm for edification has far more benefit for the church than speaking in tongues ever will, and so these things should be the focus of a mature Christian community. A foreign language ought to be communicated so that it can be understood and only so that others might be edified by it. And let the spirit of the prophets be subject to the prophets who wrote down what we know today as the Holy Scriptures. No Word of prophesy should ever contradict the Word of God. God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. Likewise, women ought never to speak against the Word given by a man at church, she ought to rather speak to her husband about her concerns at home for him to address. This rule is meant to prevent gossip.

See reference: https://daretothink.info/christianity/tongues-and-the-mystery-religions-of-corinth-a-theological-and-historical-analysis/ 

Moving on to speak directly about the Gospel message, Paul defined it as this: "Messiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to many. His Resurrection is fundamental to our faith, as is His promise of the Resurrection that is to come. Yeshua was raised as our Firstfruits offering, for He rose from the dead on the Firstfruits Holy Day and presented Himself alive before the throne of Heaven. On account of His own Resurrection, He will return to Resurrect the Dead on the Last Day, and all with faith in Him will be made alive with Him forever. He will destroy death at the very last before the advent of the New Heaven and the New Earth, in which He will rule forever, and we with Him forever. On that Day, God will be One and His Name will be One, just as we read in Zechariah 14:9. We ought to stay away from people who don't understand the mystery of the Resurrection of the Dead, for it is foundational to our faith. Upon our death, or at our change at Yeshua's coming, at the last Feast of Trumpets, we will all be raised into new bodies, similar to the new incorruptible body Yeshua was resurrected into. Flesh and blood does not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, because the Kingdom is not of this world. Our Spiritual bodies will be united with Yeshua forever in a Spiritual Kingdom. Thus, our labor for the LORD is not in vain—we ought to comfort one another with this Truth.

1 Corinthians 16, Acts 19:21-41, Acts 20:1-6, Romans 1

Paul taught that the people of Corinth should put their first and best aside on the first day of the week for a tithe in 1 Corinth 16:2 “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come." And this is precisely what Torah commands in Exodus 22:29 and Deuteronomy 26:2. See straightforward interpretations of this, which Paul was clearly drawing from, in Ezekiel 44:30: "The best of all firstfruits of any kind, and every sacrifice of any kind from all your sacrifices, shall be the priest’s; also you shall give to the priest the first of your ground meal, to cause a blessing to rest on your house." And also in Proverbs 3:9-10: "Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine." Many people take this verse out of context to try and say that Paul was telling the people to meet on Sunday, or that he would be there on a Sunday. There is no basis for this interpolation whatsoever in the text. As with the rest of this letter, Paul was writing it ahead of a desired visit to Corinth, which is what he means by "when I come." He even said he might stay for several months, but first wanted to celebrate Shavuot/Pentecost in Ephesus. Beware of false teachers! The rest of the letter is also about his request for a tithe to be collected for the apostles in Jerusalem and the people whom he trusts.

While remaining in Ephesus, Paul had taught against the idols sold that were dedicated to Artemis, who was one first century iteration of the pagan "Queen of Heaven" false deity who was later assimilated into some syncretistic Christian worship to defame Yeshua's mother Miriam. Now, Miriam is blessed among women, but she is now awaiting her resurrection in the grave just like anyone else who has died. Any worship of her or prayer to her is false religion. Here in Ephesus, the artisans were losing sales on account of Paul's work to the point that they caused an uproar in the city to try and stop the bleeding. How many idols generate such revenue for similar artisans today and how much do they cling to their false idol worship and promote idolatry to maintain their cash flow? This is a SERIOUS problem in modern Christianity. Try to tell a Mary worshipper that they're wrong. Won't they cry out all day in similar fashion: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" Idols must be destroyed and idol worship must be stopped! We can read the artisans' complaint against Paul here: “Paul has persuaded and perverted a considerable crowd, saying that handmade gods are not gods at all.” Was it a perversion? Far from it! The very first and second commandments in Exodus 20, explained again in Deuteronomy 5, prohibit such idolatry as well as syncretism.

Take note of Acts 20:6. Paul seemed to make it to Philippi for Passover after all. We read that they sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread. It seems he had followed up on his letter to the Philippians and returned there to celebrate the Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread with them and make sure all things were being done properly. Take note of how Paul finished his letter to the Philippians: “If anyone does not love the LORD [Yeshua], let him be cursed." These aren't words that suggest "all are welcome" or that we ought to engage in syncretistic worship practices. Paul was teaching obedience to the commandments of God and faith in Yeshua, just like all the other Apostolic writers. And, he was actually going to places where there were problems so he could set things straight.

Writing to Messianic converts in Rome, both Jews and Gentiles, Paul laid out a strong case for the faith in Messiah Yeshua. He sought out this community most, considering it was in the heart of the empire and the faithful there had access to reach into every nook and cranny of the known world. He desired to share the Gospel with them, for "it is the POWER OF GOD for salvation to everyone who trusts—TO THE JEW FIRST and also to the Greek." The righteousness of God is revealed through Messiah Yeshua, because He showed us how we ought to interpret Torah by His own example.

Paul next moved into a warning, which is: All ungodliness and unrighteousness that suppress the Truth brings about the wrath of God, and this is to say quite emphatically that lawlessness (or Torah-lessness) leads to death. God has made His Way plain to all since the very beginning of time, and all ought to know Him—even His complex nature as Father, Son and Holy Spirit—but many willfully reject Him. Those who reject God claim to be wise, maybe even claiming "Science" as the superior knowledge—and in so doing they become fools. People do this not because Science has answers, but because they desire to violate God's law and feel OK about themselves in their depravity. Paul's long list of sins such people fall into are simply Torah violations, such as idolatry, sexual immorality, greed, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, disobedience to parents, pride and many other forms of evil, but this list ends with a warning for us all: "...knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, [these types of people] not only do the same [sinful acts] but also approve of those who practice them.” Beware: It is sinful to affirm the sins of others and such affirmation carries the same fate.

Romans 2, Romans 3, Romans 4

"We know that the judgment of God is according to Truth against those who practice such [lawless] things.". Let us not be hypocrites by judging others while doing what we accuse them of doing, but rather seek God with humility, confession, and repentance and surrender to His Way. God gives to each person the fruit of his or her deeds—eternal life to those who patiently pursue God's goodness and eternal life through faith, and indignation and wrath to those who are self-seeking and disobey God's law, doing evil. It matters not whether we are Jews or Gentiles—the same principles apply, for there is no partiality with God. The hearers of the law will not be justified; only those who do it, whether or not they have read the Book. The LORD judges whether our hearts are in alignment with His Truth. More so, those who know the law but violate it blaspheme God, while those who do the law regardless of their heritage are living in accordance to God's will, whether or not they have gone through the steps the Pharisees had laid out for Jewish conversion. True circumcision is when the Holy Spirit removes the fleshly desires and practices previously held dear so that the human will surrenders in obedience to God and holds Yeshua most dear.

The Jews have much advantage over Gentiles, because they have held onto the prophetic Word of God and preserved it. Indeed, God's faithfulness to the Jews will endure, despite their unbelief.

In Romans 3:7-8, Paul wrote that he had been falsely accused of saying the law no longer applies, but those who live in this way are worthy of condemnation. He added in verses 9-18 that he himself was no more or less justified by his actions than those falsely accusing him, because we all fall short of God's glory, whether Jew or Greek. In this he showed love and forgiveness.

The law indeed condemns all because we are all guilty of violating it, and this is why the law cannot save us—it solely gives us knowledge of what is right and what is wrong. The righteousness of God in the life of Yeshua the Messiah has now been revealed to us; indeed: Yeshua lived a perfect life and showed us how to be obedient, and the Tanakh prophesied this would happen. Because He also offered Himself freely for our redemption, propitiating our sins through His blood of the New Covenant, we are justified through faith in Him, regardless of whether we are Jew or Gentile. On account of our faith in our redemption through Yeshua, we ought to gratefully obey the law.

Nevertheless, we are all blessed through faith in Yeshua because the LORD forgives sin, and it matters not whether we are of Jewish heritage or not. More than this, it certainly doesn't matter whether we have gone through the rites of conversion into the Jewish religion according to the Rabbis, which includes circumcision. Abraham is our proof, for he was justified prior to his circumcision and was even sealed with the Holy Spirit, and in this way he became the father of all who would come to faith toward God, regardless of their heritage. But just as Abraham moved to perform the commandments of God on account of His faith, even offering his son Isaac as a burnt offering, so too ought we move forward in obedience on account of our salvation, for this faithfulness is also what God will account as righteousness. Yeshua died to forgive our sins, and rose so that we would follow Him in righteousness.

Romans 5, Romans 6, Romans 7, Romans 8:1-17

Because of our faith in Yeshua's redemptive act on the cross, we are justified before God and can have peace with Him. We can stand at the judgment because of God's grace. Because of this, we ought to persevere through every hardship until He comes, enduring in hope.

This is powerful Truth: "While we were yet sinners, Messiah died for us." We ought to recognize God's intense love for us and desire to have our company in this very Truth. How much more will He help us endure!  He wants us to be with Him, but we have to do things His Way. Though we all were subject to this fallen world on account of Adam's sin, and all doomed to die on account of our own sins, we all have opportunity to redemption through Yeshua's victory, and life everlasting when we endure in our faith, which is lived out through righteousness.

To make sure we understand what he's saying, Paul asked rhetorically: "Are we to continue in sin so that grace may abound?" He answered: "Certainly not!" If we die to sin in Messiah Yeshua, we must turn away from sin. We are baptized into our faith in Yeshua to wash all former sins away so we can sin no more when we rise from the waters as new men and women pursuing eternal life. If we are in Messiah, we no longer yield to sin or lawlessness, but walk in the grace that has set us free. We ought to be literal slaves to righteousness, seeking to obey God in all things, so that we can be holy as God is holy and inherit the place He's prepared for us in His Kingdom.

Giving an example, Paul noted that we are only adulterers if we remarry while our spouse is alive, but when they die we remarry and do not commit adultery. In this same way, when Yeshua died our sins that condemned us under the law were removed from us so that they are no longer accounted to us. And because of this, we ought to live righteously by the power of the Holy Spirit according to the Spirit of the law to bear fruit for God. Paul confirmed: "The Torah is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good." Its purpose is to expose and define sin and to teach righteousness, but we ought to understand it spiritually. As Paul noted: "We know that the Torah is spiritual;..." He also said: "I agree with the Torah—that it is good." Thus, to walk in the Spirit is to obey Torah according to the good way God intended, which He taught us through the example and teachings of Yeshua. Our flesh wars against our will to follow Yeshua, but Yeshua and His victory is ever-present to help us overcome the flesh.

If we are living IN Messiah Yeshua, meaning according to the Way He showed us, then we are no longer condemned in our sins. When we surrender to the Holy Spirit and walk according to God's law, we are no longer subject to our fleshly desires that lead to death. The law, though its instruction is perfect, can not in itself help us to overcome our fleshly desires, but with the Holy Spirit offered through our faith in Messiah Yeshua, we can indeed walk according to the law. When we take on the new mind of Messiah Yeshua in ourselves, we receive true peace and the promise of life. It is the fleshly mind that does not submit to the law of God, and thus those who succumb to their flesh cannot please God, but those who have the Holy Spirit of God in them can live according to the righteous law and even grow in obedience through sanctification. Willfully ignoring or violating the law leads to death, while if we live according to the Spirit and live according to the law we will inherit eternal life and become adopted sons and daughters of God who will dwell with Him forever.

Romans 8:18-39, Romans 9, Romans 10, Romans 11

All of creation groans, and we believers even join the rest in awaiting our glorification when Messiah Yeshua returns. And yet we hope for what we have never seen through faith and perseverance, and the Holy Spirit helps us through moments we don't even understand according to God's will.

In Paul's section on predestination, it's important to discern that God had not predetermined which of us will be saved and which will not, for He gives us all the opportunity to repent and believe. Indeed, Peter in 2nd Peter 3:9 writes that God does not will that anyone perish, but that all ought to come to repentance. These writings must be consistent, and they are. Certainly God is All Powerful and He has no weakness in Him at all, so how then would His will not align with what actually happens? Because God has willed for us to have a free will as He does (we are created in His image), so that we might choose Him freely and desire Him willingly. Thus Paul's writing in Romans 8 assures us that God has predestined a people for Himself through Messiah Yeshua to be called, justified, and also glorified through the predestined work of Messiah Yeshua. This elect group of people choose to surrender to God's will in this, and His love for His people will never fail. Nothing will or can take us away from God's love except our own free will choice to turn our backs on Him. May our hearts never leave Him.

A new section of Paul's letter begins in Romans 9 and ends in Romans 11, and it is worth discussing it together, for it handles the current question as to the Jews and the Gentiles and how God considers each. Paul, who was a Jewish Benjamite, explains that the Jews have been given adoption, glory, the covenants, the Torah, the Temple services, the promises, the Patriarchs, and even Messiah Yeshua, who Himself was a Jew. However, not all genetic descendants of Jacob are among the Spiritual house of Israel, and in like manner, not even all the genetic descendants of Abraham, Gentiles included, are part of Abraham's promise. Just as Isaac was born miraculously as the promised son of Abraham, and Ishmael came about through a fleshly and sinful act, so too do we become children of Israel through the miraculous promised Son, and not by bloodline. Likewise, Rebecca had twins, and yet one of her sons pursued the Word of God and the other the way of the world, and God knew even beforehand that He would bring the Son of promise through Jacob whose heart pursued God and not Esau whose heart pursued the world. How could we question God, for we are moulded clay and He is the one who shows mercy toward those He desires, Jew and Gentile alike.

Continuing in Romans 9, it's clear that the people of Israel in the flesh would number as many as there are grains of sand in the sea, but only a remnant of these people would be saved—those with faith who also obey God. Why did many Jews stumble while many Gentiles were brought near to God? It's because they failed to pursue the Torah of God and sought their own understanding. It was this self-seeking intent that caused them to miss the very embodiment of Torah Himself, who is Messiah Yeshua. He became a stone of stumbling to them and an offense, because they did not seek God in His Word but rather their own justification. We risk falling into the same trap. But whoever believes in Yeshua (and acts accordingly) will not be put to shame.

Continuing in Romans 10, Paul confirmed that many Jews never submitted to the righteousness of God, despite knowing it well. They gave God lip service, but sought their own path. Thus they missed God's intent for His Word, which was realized in Messiah Yeshua. Nevertheless, both Jews and Gentiles have salvation available to them, for anyone who calls upon the name of the LORD shall be saved. Our mouth must declare and our heart must also trust that Yeshua our LORD and God came in the flesh, died for our sins, and rose from the dead to sit at the Right Hand of Power, so that we might be justified and delivered into eternal life, regardless of our heritage. Knowing this, what kind of people should we be who know Yeshua's identity, accomplishments, and promises? Should we keep this for ourselves and seek our own glory, or do we have a responsibility to convince every Jew and Gentile we encounter their need for an intimate relationship with Yeshua? I pray the Jews are no longer disobedient and contrary and the Gentiles are no longer ignorant, so that both can understand God's purposes. As prophesied, God now uses Gentiles grafted-in to Israel who know Yeshua intimately to provoke the Jews to jealousy so some of them might be saved.

With all that being said, Gentiles might conclude that God has rejected the genetic Jews, and many do declare this even today, but Paul launched into Romans 11 assuring us that God has certainly not rejected His people Israel. God knew the Jews beforehand and even used them to bring knowledge of Messiah Yeshua to all the world—for all 12 apostles and even Paul himself were born from among the tribes of Israel. The early congregations of believers were mostly, if not all, Jewish. Thus God had indeed used a remnant of His Jewish people to proclaim Yeshua, while many Jews were also hardened in their hearts in disbelief, because their desires were not for God but for themselves. This misstep also led to the Gospel's spread among the Gentiles, so that—again—the Gentiles intimate relationship with Yeshua might provoke the Jews to jealousy and more of them might be saved. If Gentiles have now experienced the richness of God, they ought to seek out Jews who will obey God in faith for redemption in Messiah to further glorify God.

As Romans 11 continues, we ought to understand that Paul drew from a prophetic metaphor that positions Israel as an olive tree and the LORD Yeshua as the root of the tree that supplies the whole tree's nourishment. It's true, branches native to Israel were broken off due to disbelief in Yeshua, and wild branches of the Gentiles were grafted-in to Israel through their faith. Through that process the tree took on a new nature in Yeshua. But all who are branches of the tree in Yeshua, whether Jew or Gentile, must not think of themselves more highly than the Jews who were broken off, because all of the branches are supported by Yeshua and our alignment to the tree's purpose, which is to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God and shine the light of Yeshua in the world—from the olive oil pressed from the olives. All existing branches of the Olive Tree can be cut off if we do not bear fruit worthy of the Kingdom, which is to live out the commandments of God. And even more than this, Jewish unbelievers who are no longer among the Israel of God can be grafted right back into the tree again through faith. God's kindness endures for those who endure in the calling of God to keep HIs commandments and our faith in Yeshua, even until the Last Day.

As Romans 11 concludes, Paul presented a spiritual reality all modern Christians need to grasp. There is coming a time when the Gentiles will be hardened, right before Yeshua returns. Gentiles will no longer turn to Yeshua for salvation and they will even turn against physical Israel. Thus, Israel at this time will call out to Messiah Yeshua, just like He said to the Jewish elders: "You will not see me again until you say 'Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD.'" Every Gentile nation will turn against Israel, and this is when "the Deliverer shall come out of Zion. He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." "All of Israel shall be saved!" Anyone who rejects God's chosen people or God's given commandments will be turned away when Yeshua returns to save His people Israel. Yeshua will take away the sins of all those Jews who call out to Him. "The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable!"—that is, the promises given to the physical descendants of Israel. Just as Gentile Christians were called while sinning and saved through the death and resurrection of Yeshua, so too will the Jews who trust in Yeshua be shown the same mercy. The Mercy of God is available to all, but it also must be grasped to be realized through faith.

Romans 12, Romans 13, Romans 14

On account of our hope in Yeshua, we ought to offer our entire lives on this earth as a living sacrifice to the Father, doing what He has called us to do with the help of the Holy Spirit of Messiah Yeshua. We cannot live in the flesh according to the ways of this world, but renew our minds to reflect the mind of Yeshua. Even in doing this, we must be humble, knowing that it is God's grace that justifies us in Messiah Yeshua, and not anything we might do. Nevertheless, we ought to act according to the gifts God has given us, and we all have different gifts. Among them are prophesy, service, teaching, exhortation, generosity, leadership, and comfort. But most of all let our love be without hypocrisy, for to love God and one another is to keep God's commandments. We ought to hate what is lawless and hold fast to God's good Word. Our zeal must be unwavering, even enduring in distresses through prayer and service of others. We ought to bless our persecutors and do good to them, rejoice always, comfort those mourning, trust in the Word of God rather than in our own heart, and live at peace whenever possible. Let us leave vengeance to the LORD; He is the judge. Let our heart offer the blessing of repentance to all people through Christ.

In Romans 13, we learn that we ought to submit to our church leaders, and yes, even the authorities of the world, for they all have been given authority from God and steer us back to Him, even in our persecutions. In both cases, we must only submit to authority aligned with the Word of God, and we ought to be willing to suffer the consequences of disobeying ungodly authorities, for in doing so gladly we serve as a witness to them. Especially when our leaders wield the sword, which is the Word of God, we ought to yield to them. Our tithes support Godly leadership. Our taxes support government that God has ordained. Our role is to love one another by keeping Torah. Our glorification is nearer now than ever before, so let us be ready for Messiah's return at every hour, putting on the life that Yeshua taught us.

In Romans 14, we learn tolerance over disputable matters, and the particular subjects Paul brings to the table are regarding fasting days, which were in contention in his day, as well as whether to eat clean meat or only vegetables, another contention in his day. Many Christians falsely interpret this section to say we can now eat any type of meat or worship on any day and no longer need to keep God's Sabbath or Holy Days, but this takes Paul's letter out of context and turns him into a false teacher. As he noted many times in Acts, it was a false accusation against him that he taught against Torah. On the contrary, he taught that certain matters that aren't covered by Torah ought to be left to our own conscience rather than the controlling rule of the rabbis. When we eat (feast), we give honor to the blessings of God that He's given us, and when we do not eat (fast), we also give honor to God and submit our flesh to His will. Both are blessings to God. No matter what we do ought to be done in alignment with God's will, which is explained by His Word and exemplified by Yeshua! This is the very reason Messiah died for us, and then rose, so that we might be washed clean to live in the Way of Christ. After all, we will all be judged by God. Every knee will bow before Yeshua, and we will all give an account. Let us not cause a brother to stumble by adding any burdens God has not commanded. God's Kingdom is about His righteousness and peace in Him, so let us walk in this manner.

Romans 15, Romans 16, 2 Corinthians 1, 2 Corinthians 2:1-4

Just as Messiah Yeshua stood for the Truth and walked it, despite external pressure against Him, so to should we surrender to the will of God and bear with the poor behaviors of others toward us who do what is right. In this, we also ought to help one another. We ought to accept others into our fellowship who are repentant, just as Yeshua did. He is the LORD and God over all the earth, Jew and Gentile alike, and we ought to be willing to spread His Gospel to all who will hear and obey it.

Toward the end of his letter, Paul indicated he intended to head to Jerusalem to bring an offering there to the Apostles, and then head to Rome and through Rome to Spain. Based on what we'll read in Acts, it does not seem like Paul ever made it all the way to Spain, but he does make it to Rome. Nevertheless, he sent his letter with a host of faithful disciples, who he names in Romans 16. He warned against those causing divisions and stumbling blocks over doubtful things, as he previously discussed. He exhorted the Romans to do good and reject evil while enjoying the grace of our LORD. According to 16:22, Tertius wrote the letter that Paul dictated. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are to be worshipped and praised as our One God, and we ought to follow His commandments, all for His glory!

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul makes clear the people of that city only understood in part what he had previously taught—thus a second letter was needed. He had hoped to come again in person, but he could not do so. Their faith was strong, but they were failing in obedience, and if he came again it would be to correct their errors. All of his correction was done in the love of God and the love of his fellow man, as Messiah instructed. So too should ours be.

2 Corinthians 2:5-17, 2 Corinthians 3, 2 Corinthians 4, 2 Corinthians 5, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

It's discouraging when church members have to be disciplined and removed; it causes sorrow for all, but it's for the best. If the person repents, he or she can be brought back in, forgiven, and encouraged to endure in faithfulness, with love. I believe Paul is referring to the man from 1 Corinthians 5, but there's no way of knowing this for sure. We can't hold grudges or harbor resentment, for this gives room for Satan to divide.

In 2 Corinth 2:14-17, Paul speaks about an aroma given off by those who are redeemed and those condemned, and he's referring directly to whether they have eaten from the Tree of Life, who is Yeshua, or the Tree of Knowledge, which is Satan. This is a reference to 1 Enoch 25:2-5, where we read: "And as for this fragrant tree, no mortal is allowed to touch it until the great judgment, when He will take vengeance on all and bring everything to its consummation forever. It will then be given to the righteous and holy. Its fruit will be food for the elect: it will be transplanted to the holy place, to the temple of the Lord, the Eternal King. Then they will rejoice with joy and be glad, and they will enter the holy place; its fragrance will be in their bones, and they will live a long life on earth, such as your ancestors lived: and in their days, no sorrow or plague or torment or calamity will touch them.' Then I blessed the God of Glory, the Eternal King, who has prepared such things for the righteous, and has created them and promised to give them to them."

In Chapter 3, Paul encouraged his disciples in Corinth, who seem to have improved their faithfulness, to continue to demonstrate their faith through their actions. He exhorted them to become living letters, having internalized the commandments of God through the teachings of Yeshua and the Apostles. People ought to be able to observe our behavior and know that we know Yeshua, and all of our goodness comes from His indwelling Holy Spirit. Without faith in Yeshua, there can be no true comprehension of the Old Testament, but when we know Yeshua, the Tanakh takes on full meaning and we can apply it to our lives. In fact, it becomes like a mirror that we can read and comprehend to compare ourselves to the image of Messiah. It is a law of liberty, as James wrote, when we know Christ. Paul wrote that it brings freedom when we read the commandments and possess the Holy Spirit of God.

Our ministry, which depends on God's mercy, renounces the sinful ways that violate God's law, and anyone who teaches differently is false, because the followers of Christ both live and walk in the Truth of God's Word. The Scriptures are only veiled to those who are perishing because they do not know Yeshua. Those of us who know Yeshua have a responsibility to shine our lights in the darkness by being obedient to God's commandments, and in our example we hope to help redeem some of those who are lost, even if we must face persecution as a result. Our hope is in the resurrection of the dead, which we can expect because Yeshua was risen from the dead. In this hope, we offer thanksgiving to God! Our hope is in the eternal Kingdom of God, and not anything in this world.

As Paul continued into Chapter 5, he exhorted the people to look forward to our eternal home. While we are in this world, we suffer persecution, torture and even death, but one day we will enjoy Resurrection into new spiritual bodies that endure in the presence of God forever. God has given us the Holy Spirit as a downpayment for the fullness of the Spirit that will be given at the Resurrection of the Dead. Because of this, we walk by faith in the Kingdom that is coming, and not by the sight of this world around us. While we may prefer to be with the LORD eternally, we ought to be pleasing to Him always and serve Him in this life while we remain here. One day, we will stand in judgment and will receive either eternal life or condemnation depending on whether we've lived in faithful righteousness or fallen away in rebellion. It is in the fear of Eternal Judgment that we ought to persuade people to know Messiah Yeshua, for there is no other salvation than through Him. In everything we ought to live for Christ and become a new creation in Him, doing everything for the glory of God. We are His ambassadors living in a foreign country here on the Earth.

Paul warned believers not to receive God's grace in vain, for we are justified by grace, but we have to then live according to the Way of Christ in order to endure in our salvation through righteous living, truthful speech, and the power of God.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 2 Corinthians 7, 2 Corinthians 8, 2 Corinthians 9, 2 Corinthians 10

When Paul says, "do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers," he's certainly referring to marital relations and business relations, but more important than either of these, he's instructing us not to welcome unbelievers into our Christian communities. It's impossible to worship God with people who don't believe that He is. It's impossible to worship and pray to Yeshua among people who think He's not God. Never did any Apostle or Christ Himself interact with sinners while engaged in Sabbath or Holy Day worship, but always at their homes and outside of the meeting place. In 1st Corinthians 5, for instance, Paul instructed the people to cast a sinner outside the congregation. Not following this one principle has led MANY Christian churches into ruin. We must ensure those we worship with are all on the same page in their hearts' desire to love God and keep His commandments, or they should not be among us. Unbelievers are the ones who bring in paganism, syncretism and all manner of evil. We MUST "come out from among them and be separate" when we come into Christian community. It is an essential principle of true faith toward God, so that we can come in and get near to Him and He to us. Then, after our Sabbath rest, we can go out to convict unbelievers and call them to repentance. In all of this, we too must also be cleansed from any and all defilement of our bodies and spirits, as instructed by God in His Torah, through the witness of the prophets, and by the example of Christ.

Paul confirmed in Chapter 7 that Titus returned to him from Corinth with a good report that the Corinthians had heeded Paul's previous instruction, and so this second letter is more of commendation than a condemnation. Nevertheless, we know it didn't last. Clement wrote a letter recorded in the Ethiopian Bible, often called Clement 1, which continues to rebuke the church of this city. The church at Corinth did not endure in following God's instruction. I wonder if this was due to its heavy influence in Greek paganism or its worldly riches? It seems similar failures to what Paul describes in his letters are pervasive in the Catholic and Protestant churches today, and yet we still persist in bringing our brothers and sisters in those denominations the instruction of God's Word with gentleness and patience as Paul showed us how to do. Paul also explained that teaching the Truth through written rebuke is difficult and causes pain, but nevertheless this pain is necessary for both the giver and receiver because faith toward Yeshua and repentance for eternal life is at stake. Sorrow that leads to repentance and joy in doing God's will leads to eternal life, while sorrow in having to abandon pagan and worldly customs for God does not lead to salvation because it is not authentic. The Word of God ought to result in diligence, fear of God, and longing for His Way, zeal to teach it, and rendering justice in the faith community to ensure it is upheld.

In Chapters 8-9, Paul commended the Corinthians for giving freely to the collection he had previously asked for. Such tithing does not  lead to salvation, but it is evidence of a heart geared toward serving God and His people, and as God said in Malachi 3:8–10, God will bless those who give. In tithing with willing hearts, Paul reminds us that we ought to remember how Yeshua Himself, having all of the riches of the eternal Kingdom of God, purchased His people with His blood. How then can we cling to our earthly riches while disregarding the needs of God's Kingdom? In saying this, we ought not judge what another gives as a measure of their faith, for our provision is relative. Remember the widow who gave two mites! At the same time, Paul noted it was right for the Corinthians to give from their financial abundance so the council in Jerusalem could continue to give back in their spiritual abundance and instruct the Corinthians in righteousness. Paul noted he would be sending saints back to continue to minister to them, including Titus, and would likewise take up another collection—so his boasting is not in vain—and bring with it yet another report. In all of this, all praise, glory and thanks is due to God, who gives the increase.

In Chapter 10, Paul went to war against false doctrine, which was clearly a problem in Corinth. It is our duty as believers to tear down false arguments and proud people who refuse to hear God's Word. Even our thoughts have to become captive to the Truth of Scripture, for this is what helps to defeat our spiritual enemies who seek to kill, steal and destroy. In all of this, it's critical that we submit to true Godly authority in the men God has called to lead our congregations, so long as they themselves submit to the Word of God. Our leaders should teach with strength and obedience to the Word alone from the pulpit and in all written communication, but in dealing with people's issues in person, all pastoring should be done through example and with gentleness. Leaders should also consider teaching and preaching within whatever spheres of influence the LORD leads them into, and not in any way shrink back from their duty to obey the Holy Spirit of Yeshua. A pastor-teacher may have a local community to shepherd, but he must also evangelize outside of it as God shows him to do. It's not to build up their own reputation, but to boast in Yeshua and commend the work of the LORD and His Word in that work.

2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 12, 2 Corinthians 13, Acts 20:7-12

Paul was concerned, according to chapter 11, that the Corinthians would tolerate a different Yeshua than the one preached in the Gospels, the one who said "follow Me" and "If you love Me, keep  my commandments" and "No one comes to the Father except through Me." This is the Yeshua that Paul preached, and yet many Corinthians doubted his teaching. He was right to be concerned about self-seeking imposters. Throughout the ages, false prophets have preached a "greasy grace" Gospel devoid of any change of heart and desire to obey God, a Gnostic Gospel where we can all become gods, a traditions-of-men Gospel that gave more authority to errant church fathers than Messiah Himself, a prosperity Gospel that taught about financial gains in this world rather than the next, and even a Satanic Gospel that promoted evil and called it good in the name of Jesus, among many other heresies I'm omitting for lack of space and time. The worst part of it is that False Prophets will appear to be Christians and will use all the words and all of the archetypes of the faith within the church, while leading everyone around them to Hell. This is the Spirit of Antichrist.

On the other hand, Paul noted his own ministry was full of self-sacrifice, pain and sorrow, and no personal gain could possibly be involved. He gave up everything so he could inherit the Kingdom!

Continuing in Chapter 12, Paul noted what I believe to be his Damascus experience again—saying he was caught up to the third heaven (God's throne room) and shown the Truth, so that in blindness he could see. And yet in his conversion into the faith, Paul was often reminded of his past misdeeds against Christians; "A thorn in the flesh," which is to say, "a messenger of Satan" or "a demon," was sent to keep him humble, even in the revelations he received from the LORD. This is why the LORD told Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" rather than remove the demon from Paul's path. The LORD was calling Paul to rise up against the demonic accusations against Him in faith that he had been set free in Christ from those former deeds. The accuser always attempts to destroy our spirit, but in the grace of Christ we are victorious in His salvation. And in this Paul reassures himself as well as the faithful followers in Corinth that he would continue to suffer gladly for righteousnesses sake, so that he could try to convince some of them to follow suit.

Announcing a planned third visit, Paul noted another rebuke would be due for those who doubted the Truth he taught them. He was concerned they would fall away into their former lusts yet again, and if he found them that way, he would need to remove them from the community himself. He implored them to examine themselves in the faith according to the Word of God, to see if Yeshua was truly in them.

Paul intended his instruction to edify rather than to tear down, and so he finished the letter with an exhortation for the people to live in peace, with one mind, so that that they might grow toward completion, which will only come in the Resurrection.

In the segment from Acts 20, verses 7-12, Paul had been teaching in Troas for a week. He traveled such so he would be with the brethren on the Sabbaths (Saturdays) and travel only on the first days of the week (Sundays). On the Sabbath (Saturday) before his departure, he taught well beyond sunset so they remained together for the evening meal, which is considered the first day of the week (Sunday) from a Hebraic perspective (it was actually Saturday night from an American perspective). He taught even past midnight, so that a man fell out of a window and died, but the tragedy didn't last for it was meant to show the power of Christ also dwelt within Paul, who called the man to rise from the dead in Yeshua's name. After the sun came up on Sunday morning, he departed from them.

Acts 20:13-38, Acts 21:1-36

Paul was hurrying to make it to Jerusalem by Shavuot/Pentecost, for this was a Holy Convocation of the LORD and the Temple still stood in Jerusalem. Today we still congregate, now in Spirit and in Truth, with our local congregations on God's Holy Days, per His commandment. In the midst of his travels, Paul called the elders of Ephesus to Miletus to have a joint meeting of the elders there, and there he gave one of his most important messages for followers today to note; he explained what it means to follow Yeshua. Paul served the LORD with humility through trials and tribulations, but boldly proclaimed the Truth of the Gospel, which is repentance to obey God's law and faith in Yeshua for salvation. He obeyed the Holy Spirit in all ways, even if it didn't make sense to him in the flesh. Now he sent his own students out to be shepherds over the flock, guarding the sheep from wolves that would come in among the congregation and attempt to take out the flock with false doctrine and perversion of the law. They also ought to proclaim the grace of God in Yeshua alone, while giving everything of themselves as was needed to those around them.  

It's always hard to leave brothers and sisters in the LORD, and in Acts 21 the idea that Luke and Paul tore themselves away from the elders there is something I've experienced. It's awful to leave, but leave we must to do the work the LORD has called us to do. One day we'll all be together for eternity and these parting moments will not be so difficult. Arriving in Caesarea on the way back to Jerusalem, they stayed with the Philip who had converted the people of Samaria and then the Ethiopian Eunuch, who was one of the seven Hellenistic Jews originally called to serve tables. But from that calling, he went on to be an evangelist and while doing the work of the LORD he had a family. His four young daughters, in the Spirit, along with a guest named Agabus warned Paul he would suffer if he returned to Jerusalem. But this life is not meant to be preserved, and Paul was sent for a purpose. We must boldly face danger knowingly when the LORD sends us into it, for it is often through persecution we promote the Gospel. Back with the Apostles, they marveled over all the things God was doing among both the Jews and the Gentiles through faith in Yeshua.

The Apostles urged Paul to obey Torah and end his Nazarite vow with four others in the prescribed manner, to show the Jews caught up in the teaching of the Rabbis that he still honored the law. It wasn't enough. They trumped up charges against him that he was violating Torah, which wasn't true, and completely lied about him bringing Gentiles into the Holy Place, which was forbidden. They seemed most upset about Paul's bringing of the faith of Israel to the Gentile nations as Yeshua had commanded His disciples to do, and as God prophesied would happen. The Jews, by their oral tradition, had nothing to do with Gentiles—yet they were not following the law with this tradition. This was more of the hypocrisy that Yeshua had taught against. The Pharisaical Jews began attacking him, as they had previously mobbed Stephen, but a Roman soldier broke up the violence and prevented Paul from being stoned.

Acts 21:37-40, Acts 22, Acts 23

Paul, now under arrest, asked to speak to the mob, and the Roman commander quieted them and made them listen to him on the account that he was a Roman citizen from Tarsus of Cilicia, which is in modern Turkey on the Mediterranean coast. He was also Jewish, according to his own word, which is a significant thing to note because his ancestry was of the Tribe of Benjamin not Judah. Of course, Benjamin had become a part of Judah, and yet there was still some distinction. He spoke in Aramaic, the common language of many Jews in the First Century who had come out of Babylon. Hebrew was still the official language of the educated Jews, but Paul intended to reach all of the Jews, so he spoke Aramaic. He didn't speak Greek, which was the most widespread civil language of the Eastern Roman Empire during that time, and so his speech was not immediately directed for a wider audience. He didn't speak Latin, which was the official language of Roman government and military proceedings, but much less prevalent at that time. He spoke specifically to his Jewish brothers and fathers, and began by declaring the same reality about his heritage to the crowd, adding even that he was trained as a Pharisee by Rabbi Gamaliel.

This was the same Gamaliel who expressed wisdom in Acts 5:34-39, saying that the Way would fade if it was not from God but would otherwise endure. Gamaliel's work is recorded in the Mishnah and is consistent with the highly regarded wisdom he expressed in Acts. Paul cited his training by Gamaliel in the Torah to express his faithfulness to the Word of God. He then shifted gears saying that he wrongly opposed the followers of Yeshua's Way, a testimony that set the stage for Paul's conversion story. We ought to learn from his example and do likewise amidst all who will listen. Paul's retelling of Ananias's prayer over Paul is worth noting: "The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the LORD.’” This is not just for Paul, but for all who believe; it is an elementary principle of the faith (Hebrews 6:1-3). Next, Paul related that he fell into a trance in Jerusalem, and Yeshua appeared to Him in the Temple explaining that he had to preach to the Gentiles.

This statement, that Paul was to teach the Gentiles, caused contention and upheaval. Even though God repeatedly explained that the Gentiles would be grafted-in to Israel among them to worship God with them into eternity, and that they were chosen by God to bring the Truth to all the Nations, the Jewish leaders had created an oral tradition that excluded Gentiles and forbid intermixing. This is why these Jewish leaders were upset with Paul and the entire Gospel message of Yeshua, who came to save all who repent and trust in Him. They sought to kill him so the commander removed him to be roughly interrogated. But Paul, being wise, cited his Roman citizenship and used it to avoid rough Roman treatment. He would go to trial, instead, and God would use the whole experience for His Glory—to teach the Truth even within the Roman courts. First, he preached the Truth to the Rabbinical Sanhedrin, even rebuking the High Priest (unknowingly) for violating the Torah. He apologized upon discovering this. Next, he appealed to the known conflict between the Pharisees and Sadducees, regarding the "Resurrection of the Dead." Yeshua said: "You shall be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves," and Paul was living this Truth by his example.

Through a turn of events that could only be orchestrated by the Holy Spirit, Paul was brought before Governor Felix, and in this experience we can also see the laws of Rome and the power of God in action. Felix would not hear from Paul until his accusers also arrived so he could face them in court. This was the court of man. But the court of heaven would also weigh the situation. The Roman soldiers explained that the matter of Paul's arrest was regarding "issues of their law, but charged with nothing worthy of death or imprisonment." Yeshua, knowing Paul's innocence in the matter, would use this whole wrongful arrest and imprisonment to bring His Gospel into Provincial Roman courts and then Caesar's own court in Rome itself. The Jews accused Paul relative to their oral law, not the Torah. We know this because Paul makes this very case repeatedly in this section of Scripture. For his part, Paul simply obeyed God, suffered for doing so, and sought to save all those who were persecuting him.

Acts 24, Acts 25, Acts 26

Ananias the High Priest gave glory to the Roman governor rather than to God, and he and the elders also denied Yeshua. They accused Paul of being the "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes," and Paul certainly was a leader of this new Jewish group that followed Yeshua. Nevertheless, they lied about his actions, saying he defiled the Temple—and this was not true. And Paul redirected their claim that he was part of a "sect." Instead, he said, he followed "the Way"—and indeed, Yeshua is the ONLY Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one gets to the Father except through Him. There can be no respect for any other way, for it is false, and all must come to repentance to follow Yeshua according to what is written in the Torah and the Prophets in order to be saved. Paul also explained the hope for the Resurrection of the Dead and the Final Judgment, for these are elementary principles of the faith that always ought to be taught to everyone who will listen. It is the Gospel message. It is the very reason anyone might come to faith in Yeshua, to live with a clear conscience justified in faith and obedient in word and deed.

Felix desired to know more about the Way of Yeshua, and on account of some foreknowledge he gave Paul freedom as he awaited a trial before Lysias the commander. He sought to hear Paul's preaching with his Jewish wife Drusilla. In this we find an absolutely terrifying reality. Paul taught the Gospel, defined as faith in Yeshua, righteousness toward God according to His commandments, and self-control in word and deed on account of the coming Judgment. You'll find that these are elementary principles described in Hebrews 6:1-3. Here's the terrifying part: We read: "Felix became afraid and said, 'Go away for now! When I find time, I will summon you.'” Would he ever find time? Felix was no different than the scribe in Matthew 8:18-23, who said he would follow Yeshua until the LORD explained that He was not building an earthly kingdom. Then the man said he wanted to bury his father first, meaning that he would follow Yeshua later after his father died. Yeshua's disciples got into the boat with Him to sail across the sea, while the dead in spirit would remain behind, perhaps forever. Do not be like Felix or the Scribe who put off an authentic life seeking first the Kingdom of God, for a day will come when it will be too late to repent.

Paul testified honestly before Festus, saying: "I have committed no offense against the Torah of the Jewish people, or against the Temple, or against Caesar.” He then appealed to Caesar, which enabled the Gospel to multiply. He trusted what Yeshua had commanded and acted accordingly, not worried about his own life, but only about the promised kingdom. Before sending Paul to Rome, Festus invited King Agrippa and Bernice to determine his charges, but Paul had not broken any laws. Paul reported rather which "Jewish customs" he had thwarted. He stood upon the promise of God to the 12 Tribes of Israel; namely, that Messiah had arrived, He died, and had risen for the healing of the nations. Yeshua Himself sent Paul on a mission to open the eyes of those who didn't know Him, "so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of satan to God, that they may receive release from sins as well as a place among those who are made holy through trusting in [Him].” Because of this, all people ought to repent and turn to God, performing deeds consistent with repentance. Those who hate God so they can obey their own desires oppose Yeshua's ministry of life everlasting. Agrippa, in considering whether to believe, found no fault in Paul.

Acts 27

On his way to Rome, Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement)—referred to as "the Fast" in Acts 27:9—had passed by, meaning winter weather was approaching and the seas were unstable. The LORD gave Paul intuition that the ship would be wrecked, but their lives would be spared. Nevertheless, they sailed on, not heeding Paul's advice. When the men were losing hope, Paul assured them through a message of God He received that no life would be lost so long as they ran aground on an island. After 14 days, Paul took bread, blessed it and gave it to the 275 others on the ship. They ate and were encouraged by Paul's faith. Later, the centurion who guarded Paul prevented the soldiers from killing the prisoners and they all made it safely to shore. It's important for us to be attentive to the intuition of men of God and take it to prayer and the Word of God for counsel. We also ought to be in prayer ourselves, always mindful of the ways in which God directs us. Each and every moment of every day ought to be governed by the LORD—even which shirt you put on each day. We must surrender to the LORD's will in our everyday lives.

Acts 28, Ephesians 1, Ephesians 2

The Holy Spirit led Paul and company to a land where he would preach the Gospel to an unlikely group, but their disposition was already suited to receive the Word. Because they witnessed miracles of faith—Paul surviving a venomous snake bite and healing many of their neighbors—the people sought to help Paul and his crew. We know—at least—seeds of the Gospel were planted.

Later, arriving in Rome, Paul did according to his calling and custom: he went first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. He explained that it was for the hope of Israel—the advent of Messiah—that He was sent to Rome in chains. Explaining from the Torah and the Prophets, Paul preached Yeshua to the Jews and some believed. How could they not? The evidence is abundantly clear for those with eyes to see and ears to hear. But most did not hear, for God made them blind and deaf on account of their obstinance, like Pharaoh. Only the remnant that sought after God were saved. He also made occasion to reach the nations through the obstinance of the Jews, as prophesied.

The book ends explaining Paul's persistence in boldly preaching the Gospel of Yeshua and the coming Kingdom, which we can imagine he did until his death at the hands of Nero—and so too should we.

Ephesus was a coastal city on the western shores of what is modern Turkey, opposite Greece, and it was also the home base of the Apostle John after he was released from prison on the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote Revelation. The city also would have been in the path of Paul's regular travels. No one Apostle had dominion over any particular city, but each of them poured into the elders in each place as the Spirit directed.

Paul's first message to the Ephesians was simple: Be holy and blameless before God, keeping His commandments, and trust in Yeshua, who had come at God's appointed time to save all who believe from their sins when they repent and believe in Him as the One who was promised from the beginning. God intended even before creation to save His people through the blood of His Son, our Eternal King, High Priest and Deliverer. Yeshua came forth to bring all of God's people into One Body through the Holy Spirit so that they could dwell with Him forever. This is the promised inheritance of Israel, and it is built up in Messiah Yeshua, whose name is above every other name. This means one thing alone; that Yeshua and the Father are One with the Spirit—we have one God.

When we were dead in our sins, captivated by the ways of the world, we indulged in fleshly desires and deserved God's wrath. But God had mercy on us, even while we were His enemies, and His love abounded toward us so that He offered up Messiah Yeshua by His grace that we don't deserve to cleanse us from our former sins. Now Yeshua sits on the throne in Heaven as the visible God to intercede for us and help us walk in righteousness by His Holy Spirit until the Kingdom is ready.

We are saved by grace through faith, meaning that we do not earn our salvation through any works of obedience, but rather are saved through Yeshua's work alone. Yet on account of our salvation, we ought to show our faithfulness by doing the works of God, which are His commandments. How could we who have been saved return to a life of sin and insult the spirit of grace? We ought to live in righteousness just as Yeshua showed us, lest we be destroyed on account of rebellious hearts. The LORD does not save sinners who will not repent, but only those who turn to do His will.

This salvation of Yeshua applied not just to Jews, but also Gentiles, who are grafted-in to Israel as fellow citizens of Israel through faith in Yeshua. Before Yeshua, Gentiles had no hope in the world. Only those who literally converted to Judaism to serve the God of Israel had any hope of salvation, and how many were even exposed to the Word of Truth? But now in Yeshua, the LORD has sent His disciples out to the whole world to call Gentiles near, and all who follow Yeshua and the commandments of God can become a part of the Israel of God. No longer is there any separation between Jews and Gentiles according to the false interpretations of men (the code of commandments according to the regulations of the Rabbis), but in Yeshua a true interpretation of Scripture has now been conveyed that welcomes Jews and Gentiles together to be brothers and sisters in Messiah Yeshua. Yeshua broke down the middle wall of separation in the Temple to make complete peace, and now there is no difference between the two; all who believe in Yeshua and do God's will are being built together into a spiritual temple of God that will endure forever. We have become one new man in Yeshua, and He is the head of the body—the cornerstone of the Temple.

Ephesians 3, Ephesians 4, Ephesians 5:1-14

The mystery of Yeshua—that Gentiles are joint heirs and fellow members of the SAME body as Israel through Yeshua—is "good news" for Gentiles indeed. This news had been hidden in the Tanakh (Old Testament) for ages, and this was largely to keep the details from the "rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." These rulers and authorities are demons, nothing more and nothing less, and they had to remain ignorant of the plan for Yeshua's crucifixion and resurrection so they could not disrupt it. Now they are defeated. In Yeshua's victory, all people who had previously been held captive by the evil ones, have the potential for spiritual freedom and an intimate relationship with God Himself.

On account of this salvation we have in Messiah, we ought to think, speak and live according to His teachings. More than this, we ought to pray for and embrace the spiritual gifts the LORD gives according to His will. We ought to be mindful of bad doctrine and reject it, speaking the truth of God's law with the loving desire that all learn to live by it with the Holy Spirit's help, led by Yeshua on the throne in Heaven. Paul insisted: "Walk no longer as the pagans do, stumbling around in the futility of their thinking." These are ignorant of God's Way, and seek lawlessness, but Yeshua's Way is to seek the Truth, and God's law is Truth. We ought to renew the spirit of our mind (to match Yeshua's) and put on a new identity in Messiah, "created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." We ought to speak the truth of God's commandments, because we build one another up in this way. We ought to forgive one another and avoid all evil thoughts, words, and actions toward one another.

We ought to be imitators of God, Paul said in Eph 5:1, and walk in love just as Messiah showed us, he said in Eph 5:2. Here, he equates the two. Rather than course, obscene and foolish conversations, we ought to focus on thanksgiving and praise. Anyone greedy, immoral or indecent is an idol worshipper, he said, and these will not inherit the Kingdom. WARNING: "Do not let anyone deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's judgment comes on the children of disobedience." In other words, let no one say they follow Jesus and also say God's law no longer matters. They are deceived. We are not to be partners with them in this, but rather seek what is pleasing to the LORD, which He identified in His law. We ought to expose sin in the body and never tolerate it.

Ephesians 5:15-33, Ephesians 6, Colossians 1:1-23

We ought to live wisely (according to God's commandments) and use our time for God's purposes and God's will, because the world is evil around us. Rather than fill our minds and bodies with intoxicants, we ought to be filled with the Holy Spirit and seek to bless the LORD with everything we say and do.

Feminism has been one of the worst evils of the 20th century, leading to divorce, adultery, fornication, pornography, various other sexual perversions and ultimately abortion, which sheds innocent blood on the land and leads to God's judgment. The curse suffered by women has always been their desire to usurp the authority God gave to their husbands when it is better for both husband and wife and their children that the husband leads his household spiritually and otherwise, with the same love, patience, kindness self-sacrifice, and gentleness of Messiah Yeshua toward His church. This is a deep spiritual mystery that ought to be fully embraced at every level by all Godly people. In brief, Yeshua is the model for husbands, and faithful wives as described in Proverbs 31 are a model for the Church, and ultimately Yeshua is returning to take His Bride.

The metaphors and real-life applications of God's Word don't stop with the husband-wife parable of Ephesians 5, but extend into children obeying their parents in Ephesians 6, for we all have a Father in Heaven we ought to obey.  Fathers have a responsibility to discipline their children without causing resentment by teaching them the Truth of God's Word. Notice how Paul, Peter, James and others speak about being bondservants of the LORD at the beginning of some of the epistles as we continue. And so, Paul speaks about slaves obeying their human masters and slave masters treating their slaves as brothers in order to further illustrate the spiritual reality we ought to adhere to. Rather than use "slave," we might think of an "employer-employee" relationship today, and the same lessons apply. But even more so, Paul is teaching us to put others' needs before our own in all cases, for to do this also puts God first in our lives.

Paul is clear: even when we face difficulties in this life, we don't war against other people, but against all of the spiritual forces of wickedness in the spiritual realm—whether demons, principalities or other dark forces that are rebelling against God by trying to destroy His people. Paul in no way is  speaking about governors, presidents or other human authorities here. To endure in this life until God's Kingdom, we need to have the Truth of God's Word, a righteous mindset and lifestyle, the peace of God's authority as we seek to do His will and teach it to others, and the faith to believe in Yeshua's accomplishments and His promises that have already defeated the spiritual enemy. We block evil thoughts and ideas with the salvation promised to us, and we fight every spiritual battle with the Truth of God's Word alone, in prayer and with perseverance in the Way Yeshua showed us.

As Paul begins his letter to the Colossians, his concentration is on the good news of God's grace spreading and bearing the fruit of righteousness in the lives of the saints. Note in verse 7 Paul called Epaphras "our dearly beloved fellow slave," and refer to what I wrote concerning Ephesians 6. We only serve Christ properly by fully submitting to God's will and surrendering our own will to Him. Some wonderful truths follow: Yeshua is "the image of the invisible God," and like John, Paul wrote that everything was created by Yeshua, through Yeshua, and for Yeshua. In brief: God wanted our company, and so He made us for this purpose and then He set out to ensure the people who chose Him would also please Him, and these are the ones He chose. He came in the flesh to provide His people with His image—so that we could follow the example He set—and so that the chasm that disobedience made between life and death could be reconciled forever with His own sacrifice and victory over sin and death. He was the firstborn in the resurrection, the only begotten from death to life, so that we could follow Him in all things for the same outcome.

Colossians 1:24-29, Colossians 2, Colossians 3, Colossians 4

It is for the purpose of teaching the unifying work of Yeshua—to bring together all who love Him and keep His commandments—that all true followers ought to give everything, as Paul exemplified.

We ought to teach Messiah Yeshua as fully God and fully man; that He is King of kings and LORD of lords,  died and risen for us, and in our reverant faith our hearts are circumcised by the Holy Spirit; meaning that evil thoughts, desires and passions are cut away and our actions change accordingly. Through Yeshua's atoning sacrifice, all of the ways we violated the law are no longer held against us; Yeshua defeated sin and death on the cross. We are not beholden to Pharisaical tradition (nor Catholic or Protestant dogma, which is the same thing) regarding how to keep God's commandments, for we do not worship God's human messengers (improperly translated angels) who puff up all manner of human rules and regulations to govern our behavior. Evidence of meaning is in "do not handle, do not taste, do not touch," the go-to terminology that sums up the oral tradition of the Pharisees. These human religious dogmas—ancient and modern—are false and do not prevent men from the sins of the flesh. Rather, we ought to follow Yeshua's example and keep God's commandments the way He taught us with the Holy Spirit, for He is our Rabbi and our strength. We increase in faith and faithfulness when we simply follow Christ, because we love Him.

Col 3:1 Yeshua is sitting at the right hand of God. Think of the concept like this: We are made in the image of God. Our mind, while invisible, controls the actions of our hands, which do the visible work that our mind devises, and neither live and operate without the animating Soul, which is our life force. The mind represents the Father and the right hand (usually the useful one) represents the Son, and the soul represents the Holy Spirit. Now the Mind and the Right Hand and the Soul are of One Body, and yet they are distinct. Use this metaphor to explain how we worship One God, who is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The idea that Yeshua is "sitting at the right hand of God" means that He is resting in His role as the One and only everlasting God who created everything, spiritual and physical, and who endures forever. These are the things we ought to focus on in our faith, for the All Powerful God who spoke and created all things can speak again and do anything He wills. He has invited us to an intimate relationship with Him so that we might align with His will. How could we possibly do anything other than put that relationship first in our lives when we understand this and what it means for us. It is glorious! Our faith in Yeshua is what ought to drive our own victory over worldly and fleshly evils that slowly destroy those held captive leading to spiritual death, and we ought to be grateful for every victory He provides leading to life everlasting.

Just as he wrote to the Ephesians, Paul also wrote to the Colossians concerning the proper order of our relationships. Husbands ought to provide headship to their wives, not lording over them, but leading with self sacrifice as Yeshua did, protecting them and guiding them in righteousness, while wives ought to submit to their husbands, providing them with praise, service, support, and blessing. Children ought to obey their parents as we all ought to obey God's commandments. Fathers ought to be long-suffering, just like our Father in Heaven, and gently lead children toward righteousness with gentleness and kindness. Slaves/employees ought to obey their bosses, doing the work diligently as unto the LORD, while masters/employers ought to humbly love and care for their workers and provide for their needs, for without them they have nothing. In all things that we do, regardless of our role, we ought to offer up everything to the LORD and communicate with Him as we face each new challenge through prayer. Our speech ought to understand grace—that we all fall short—but it also ought to have salt, which is that pure Word of Truth that does not compromise, but rather fertilizes, purifies, and adds flavor to life.

Philemon, Philippians 1, Philippians 2:1-11

Paul, acknowledging his authority to be righteously bold toward Philemon, stated his intent to use a gentle appeal instead to plead for the freedom of Onesimus, Philemon's slave. Paul, who had benefited from the comfort of Onesimus in prison as a brother, sent the runaway slave back to his master so that Philemon could decide what to do according to his own free will. Paul expressed a need for Onesimus's fellowship and offered to pay for any losses from the time Onesimus was away, but he also requested that Philemon receive Onesimus back as a brother rather than a slave and do according to his conviction. His hope was for Philemon to send Onesimus back to him willingly.

Separately, it's very sad to see Demas listed here among the brothers, because he would later fall away and leave behind his salvation. Demas is sadly an example of a man who was once saved, but who was not always saved. On the contrary, it is wonderful to see Mark here listed as a brother, for Paul had previously sent him away in Acts 13 causing the rift between Barnabas and him. Mark had repented and returned to the ministry, hopefully through the discipleship he enjoyed under Barnabas.

Philippi was a northern Greek mainland city to the east of Thessaloniki, and Paul opened his letter to the church there in verses 3-11 with one of the most blessed prayers that could be prayed for any budding church community. Praise be to God this prayer has been prayed over First Fruits Ministries also, and to this prayer I say "yes!" and "Amein!" to all who are likewise pursuing Messiah Yeshua with all hope and diligence.

Like Paul, whether we are free to go out or confined in chains for the Gospel we preach, we ought to rejoice when we have the opportunity to preach the Gospel and cherish the prayers of others who are spiritually supporting our ministry. Our life is in preaching Messiah and His Way, bearing fruit for the Kingdom, and if we lose this life doing it, we gain the Kingdom. In both, we have eternity with Yeshua. We ought to live lives worthy of the Gospel, not fearing man but fearing God, always doing His will.

We ought to have the same selfless humility and love as Messiah Yeshua, thinking of the needs of others before ourselves, while also recognizing the unique nature of our Messiah—that we are not and won't ever be God as He was, He is, and He will forever be. Yeshua, being in the form of God, understood and embraced His equality; it was "not robbery" for Him to state His identity as One in Being with the Father. But we still learn from Yeshua's example. Even though Divine, He came in the form of a man and emptied Himself of all His Divine right to the point He was willing to suffer and die on our behalf in the most heinous way possible reserved for the most hardened criminals and rebels. How much less do we have to give up than this? And God gave Yeshua the name above every name as a result of His finished work. His name is HIGHER than ANY OTHER NAME! Can this be said of anyone other than God Himself? That is, higher than Yahweh, higher than Yehovah, higher than El Shaddai, which is God Almighty, and El Elyon, which is the Most High God. Every knee under the earth, on the earth, and EVEN IN HEAVEN will bow before Him, because He is God, and all will profess Yeshua is Yahweh, and the Father will be glorified in this.

Philippians 2:12-30, Philippians 3, Philippians 4

In our faith in Yeshua as our ONE God who came in the flesh to die for our sins, we ought to work out our salvation with fear and trembling by obeying God's commandments, not just when others are looking, but also when we're alone. God will work this obedience in us through the power of the Holy Spirit when our heart is to follow Messiah Yeshua. We ought to shine as lights, gently and humbly going about God's business in the world, holding firm to God's Word. This exhortation, combined with the rest of the letter, appears to be what the Philippians needed to hear most—where they were lacking.

Paul explained that he intended to send Timothy to Philippi to minster to the congregation there, and then he wrote something somewhat troubling in Philippians 2:20-21, where we read: "I have no one else like him who will genuinely care about you—for all seek after their own interests, not those of Messiah Yeshua." If this is fully true, this is a sad reality indeed. Can anyone be saved if they do not share the interests of Messiah Yeshua? Honestly speaking: I don't believe so. Was it possible that Paul in prison was facing a similar depression to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:10, where the prophet running for his life from Jezebel said: “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” God corrected Elijah, indicating that He had reserved a remnant of 7,000 who hadn't knelt to Ba'al, the god of this world. It might be that Paul's note was a slight rebuke of the Philippians themselves, for Epaphroditus, whom they had sent to him, got sick and recovered and now would return this letter to the people there saying that their service to the LORD's community was lacking.

The rebuke was short-lived. Returning to exhortation quickly, Paul urged them to both "rejoice in the LORD"and to beware of the cult religions, the evil workers, and the Pharisaical Jews who each lead men astray from the Truth, and so false teachings and syncretism might have been the root cause of the problem in Philippi. We who live according to God's Truth on account of the Holy Spirit are truly becoming circumcised in our hearts, and God is removing all that is evil, including false religion. Our heritage, religious upbringing, and blind obedience do nothing for us, but obeying God wholeheartedly on account of our trust in Messiah Yeshua leads to everlasting life. Paul had not yet obtained this end, and nor have we either, but we continue striving toward the example of Yeshua each and every day until He comes. We ought to be mature in our faith, humble in our station, and follow the pattern set for us by Yeshua Himself and His Apostles, Paul included. Rather than cling onto fleshly pleasures like unclean foods and false worship practices, we ought to set our mind on God's Kingdom and throw off the things in this life that God hates so when He comes He will glorify us with Him in the resurrection as He was first glorified.

As Paul's letter concludes, it appears his momentary depression had been lifted by the Spirit, and while he turned to gently correcting some and lifting up others, he also exhorted the people to rejoice no matter what came their way. Euodia and Syntyche needed to mend their relationship. Clement was noted as a fellow worker who could help. Rather than anxiety, saints ought to do everything through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, offering all requests joyfully to God, and this itself ought to bring complete peace. We ought to contemplate what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, virtuous and praiseworthy, such as Messiah Yeshua Himself and His wonderful Word, and practice the things that He taught. We ought to learn to be content in all situations, for Messiah Yeshua will strengthen us. The people of Philippi had sent Paul a gift, which he appreciated, but as I believe he noted earlier, he sought their hearts of service more than their alms.

James 1, James 2, James 3

James, or more accurately Jacob, who was the biological half-brother of Yeshua Himself and the Ruler of the Jerusalem Counsel, wrote to the 12 tribes of Israel, and this is a hugely important point of focus. He wasn't writing to the Jews, but to the united nation of Israel all throughout the world, which had been united by Messiah Yeshua, the one who came to bring peace between Judah and Israel, as prophesied (for example in Jeremiah 31:31-34). But not only this, he was also writing to the Gentiles who had been grafted-in to Israel all over the world, for as Paul wrote in Ephesians 2 and Romans 11, there are not two parts of the Body, but one, and as Yeshua said Himself in John 10:16, "There will be one flock and one Shepherd." In brief, James was writing to all people who follow Messiah Yeshua as their LORD and their God. His letter is one of the most important writings of all the Apostles for its clarity and unity with the whole of Scripture and the teachings of Messiah Yeshua. It is unmistakably clear how we ought to live in Christ on account of these exhortations.

Right out of the gate James echoed Paul's exhortation to rejoice always, even in the midst of trials, testing, and persecution. When we endure through such trouble, the LORD will always provide what we need, even eternal life. If we lack wisdom to see God's will, we ought to ask for it without doubting and God will give it. If we give lip service to our faith and doubt what God said in His Word, we are not saved and are heading for destruction. The humble start from a better position than the lofty, for all lofty pursuits that don't glorify God will ultimately fail. God may test us by allowing us to face difficulties, but He will never tempt us to do evil in the midst of these trials. If we sin in the midst of testing, it is because our fleshly desires were greater gods to us than Yeshua. God will deliver us from this present darkness if we think, speak and act according to His Word, which offers blessing and light to those who live by it. When we listen to others and graciously accept their failings, offering righteousness with kindness and gentleness, we demonstrate God's law has been internalized in us by the Holy Spirit. It is by living in this Way that Yeshua taught us that we can have true freedom.

We can't treat any class of people differently than any other, for God shows no partiality and neither should we. The royal law of God, our King, is to love God and love one another, and when we show favoritism we violate Torah. But this is not the only law we ought to consider. If we violate any law of Torah, we are transgressors, and so we need to be mindful of the whole law. Ultimately, we shouldn't fixate on the violations and the punishment due for the lawless, but on obedience and the blessings and freedom God promised to the faithful. Mercy triumphs over judgment, for we have one judge and that is Christ. Let us exhort one another to follow Him. Even still, we can't imagine God's promise for eternal mercy annuls the law, for if we say we have faith but don't demonstrate it through obedience we have nothing at all. Faith without works is dead. Even the demons believe in Jesus, but they tremble because they won't follow Him and know their ultimate destiny is destruction. Let none of us be deceived into thinking we can give lip service to Christ without following through on what He taught. While faith is certainly the beginning of our salvation, we can only enter heaven if we do the will of the Father because of that faith.

Because the faith-works balance is difficult to teach, not many should become teachers, for false teachers violate the third commandment of God (Exodus 20:7) and bring eternal judgment on themselves. When we open our mouths and say one thing against God's Word we are in danger of the judgment. How much worse a whole sermon message that influences others to walk the broad path toward hell? And even if we speak rightly and teach obedience to the commandments and faith in Christ, we had better also walk righteously before our God so that we are not hypocrites. Whether in word or deed, if we steer people wrongly, the implications can be eternal. Teachers must be wise and understanding of God's law so they can demonstrate the Word with the gentleness of wisdom in their conduct. Wise teachers have no motivation other than God's purposes; they desire peace for all involved, listen to other points of view, show mercy toward those who are truly repentant, explain righteousness with gentle reminders from the Word, demonstrate no hypocrisy, and treat everyone the same. Teachers driven by jealousy or ambition do not know God, but are rather possessed by demons whose fruit is disorder and sin. Righteousness is sown in peace with peace.

James 4, James 5, 1 Timothy 1, 1 Timothy 2

Conflict among the congregation comes from fleshly passions and ungodly motives, and God does not answer prayers motivated by sin. If we put any worldly pursuit before the will of God, we are at enmity in our relationship with Yeshua—we do not know Him, even if we try to deceive ourselves into thinking we do. But even in our worst moments, the LORD offers us grace when we repent and return to Him in humility. When we resist the devil and surrender to God's will, He welcomes us back completely, but we can't be double-minded. We ought not gossip about others who are sinning, for we will be judged by the same measure that we judge others. We ought to make sure we ourselves are right with God and encourage others to do the same. Rather than plan too far ahead, we ought to rely on the LORD and seek Him in prayer for our day-to-day activities. Any boasting about a potential future blessing is evil, for we ought to be grateful for what we have. If we rely on our possessions, we will lose them as well as our lives. If we are stingy against those who help us, their complaints against us reach the ears of God and we fatten ourselves for Judgment Day.

We ought to be patient, waiting for every good thing as the LORD provides and endure through every difficulty. Our hearts toward one another ought to be full of grace rather than grumbling. The LORD always provides what we need when we wait on His timing; He is very compassionate and merciful. We ought to live according to our word, keep the Word of God, pray through every struggle, confess our trespasses, and turn back when we do wrong, helping our fallen brothers to turn back also.

Back to Paul and his letter to his disciple Timothy, who is also an overseer of many church communities. His concern was false doctrines, concerns over genealogies and other distractions. Instead, our teaching ought to focus on God's commandments that we ourselves are also faithfully keeping so we are not hypocrites. If we seek to teach the law, we ought to first understand God's key to understanding all of it is love. If we use the law as a weapon against others, we are deceived; rather we ought to use the law to lead sinners to repentance. We ought to approach our teaching ministries knowing that we ourselves have escaped sin worthy of death, and thus we teach others with long-suffering using our own walk as an example for others. That being said, as overseers, we have to be willing to remove those who are rebellious and leading others into sin. Regardless of where disciples are in their faith, we ought to pray for them; we also ought to pray for people in government and church leaders in general.

Our own lives should be dedicated to living peaceably with godliness and reverence, giving a godly example also. God desires all men to be saved and to receive the knowledge of the Truth, and to this end Yeshua came to die and rise from the dead, and now we preach the good news of the grace He offers all who trust Him. Let all men choose to follow Him for salvation. We ought to pray diligently for God's will to be done without any doubting. Congregations should be led by men who prevent gossip within their communities, and all women leaders ought to serve under the authority of male overseers.

1 Timothy 3, 1 Timothy 4, 1 Timothy 5, 1 Timothy 6:1-10

On the surface, it seems that Paul offered encouragement for men to become a "bishop" in 1 Timothy 3, which is to say "overseer," "pastor," or "shepherd," from the Greek "episkopos (ἐπίσκοπος)," while James had discouraged men from desiring to become "teachers—didaskalos (διδάσκαλος)" in James 3:1—because such teachers will receive more scrutiny from God and from man. A Pastor-Teacher is usually one position. In Ephesians 4:11-12, the conjunction "and" or "kai" used twice in English and Greek suggests this is one role as part of a longer list of roles that Yeshua Himself appoints: "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Messiah,..." Nevertheless, there is no contradiction between Paul and James. Paul encouraged it, but was clear about the qualifications for such a church leader, and in this way provides the same caution. For the record, this "ἐπίσκοπος" is the role that I fill as lead pastor of First Fruits Ministries, and it is a role that Yeshua Himself called me to using the word "pastor." I heard his voice clearly and audibly say: "IT'S YOU," in response to my question, "Who is THIS PASTOR in NH so I can go to his church?" I was referring to Pastor Daniel at the time. This doesn't disqualify me from filling other roles as needed, but clearly appoints me to the one.

Within the role, Pastors/Teachers must be blameless, "above reproach," or "irreproachable." This refers to someone who cannot be criticized according to a right interpretation of the Scriptures in their present state and as they continue in the ministry. Clearly, pastors will be criticized for everything, including what they did prior to becoming Christians, because the enemy is coming for them, so this instruction can only refer to righteous criticism—that the pastor is not obeying the Word of God presently. Righteous or right criticism against a man would caution us against him filling this role.

Pastors have to be "the husband of one wife," meaning that the position of a person with this authority must be filled by a man, and not a woman. I don't believe this instruction disqualifies a man who has been divorced, so long as he was divorced for Biblical reasons and has sought repentance or was divorced prior to coming into the faith. The instruction, based on the whole of Scripture, is more geared toward selecting men as pastors who have good, faithful and stable marriages where the wife will be a helpmate in the ministry. See Genesis 2:18: "And the Lord God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.'” I believe selecting unmarried men for this position is suspect, though Paul himself was unmarried, and so such a man certainly couldn't be disqualified. The point is that a married man with a good and stable marriage and a wife eager to help in the ministry is preferable.

The three next requirements are linked. A pastor must be "temperate," and "sober-minded" or "sensible," and "respectable" or of "good behavior." This means that a drunkard or drug user is out, as is anyone who has any addiction whatsoever. Porn addicts, gamblers, or really any vice you can think of would fit into this prohibition. On the positive side, a person must be able to think straight and handle controversies without anger. The person must be able to control himself in all situations in alignment with the Word of God.  

The pastor must be hospitable, meaning that they open up to strangers and welcome them with the same treatment as they would give someone they know and love dearly, implying impartiality. It also means putting the needs of others before themselves and ensuring others' needs are met.

The pastor must be "able to teach," which ties together what I said earlier relative to Ephesians 4:11-12. A Pastor-Teacher is one role, not two. The shepherd who runs a congregation must also rightly divide the Word of God, interpreting it with wisdom and truth, and not bring false interpretations forward. The person must also be skillful in teaching, meaning that when other people hear them there is no confusion but rather understanding. God is not the author of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinth. 14:33), and so a pastor must bring knowledge and the encouragement to apply it to everyday situations. Teachers ought to help disciples live according to God's Word. Teachers who bring forward false doctrines or elevate the opinions of men above the Word of God ought to be disqualified.

Continuing in his list, Paul repeats concepts from before using different words. A pastor can't be a drunkard or drug user, they certainly can't be addicted to wine, either. He can't be "pugnacious," meaning violent with words or actions, and he certainly cannot "lord over" others, but but rather ought to be a "servant" bringing instruction with clarity and truth, but also "gentleness" and "kindness" and "peace." His guidance ought to reflect his own character and behavior. This doesn't preclude handling wolves in sheep's clothing—those bringing false doctrine or actions—with prompt correction, but still the correction must be gentle and kind.

A pastor cannot love money, and while this should be very clear, it could use some clarification. I don't believe this prohibition precludes a pastor from being paid for running a church or ministry, for we cannot muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain (Context of Deuteronomy 25:4 in 1 Corinth. 9:9 and 1 Tim. 5:18). However, per Yeshua and Paul's own example, it is better that the role is not exclusive to other work. Yeshua was a builder (Mark 6:3) and Paul himself was a tent-maker (Acts 18:3), and so they both sought sustainance from other vocations outside the ministry. Peter continued to fish in the midst of the ministry (John 21:3). Whether this was continuous is unclear. The ministry certainly supported the Apostles, including Paul (see: 1 Corinthians 9:3–18), and so it is certainly acceptable and even good to have paid ministers. This prohibition clearly suggests that a minister must not seek compensation for its own sake, and certainly not from the church. Thus, the prosperity Gospel that some ministers preach today, full of covetousness and greed, is evil. This is what Paul's exhortation prohibits. Our only desire as pastors should be for food and clothing, which in the north includes shelter, just like Jacob and Peter expressed, and service to God and His people should be primary.

A pastor ought to lead his own household well, which is where the shelter piece comes in, and both his wife and children ought to be submitted to him in a dignified manner. Ephesians 5:21-6:9 explains this dynamic very well. He clearly ought to lead his wife and children as Messiah Yeshua led the church, with gentle and patient love and self sacrifice. If he can do this in his own household, then he can surely do the same for the congregation God gives him. If he can't run his household this way, then he certainly shouldn't be running a congregation either.

The pastor should not be a novice, meaning a new convert to the faith, but ought to be someone solidly faithful with all trust in Yeshua who has been trained up and discipled by men who are already pastors. A pastor can't lead and teach if he himself has not been led and taught by the LORD and brought to the place where everything Paul already expressed is already true. A new convert doesn't understand the law nor how to teach it, and while he may have faith in Yeshua, he hasn't been sanctified by the Spirit to the point where his former flesh patterns are completely removed from him and he may still be puffed up in pride, rather than taught through experience in the faith to be humble. These things take time. I'd argue based on Leviticus 19:23-24 that a man must be baptized, seeking and embracing the LORD fully, and daily reading and applying the Word for five years before he can become a pastor. Not coincidentally, I had been following the LORD since receiving the Holy Spirit in the very late 1990s, but the LORD commanded me (through a series of clear events) to be baptized on April 5, 2015, and then I launched my home church as a steward in April of 2020, and then Yeshua called me to be a pastor with His own voice in November of 2020. This is in the spiritual territory of "You can't make this stuff up," to quote Pastor Daniel.

Finally, the pastor ought to have "a good reputation with those outside," and I don't think this means those who are in the world, though it certainly doesn't have to exclude them. To have "a good reputation" does not mean that the person is well liked or well known from a worldly perspective, but it means they are well known to be obedient to the Word of God, not just in Word, but in deed. Paul explains in 2nd Corinthians 3:2-3: "You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart." James explains in James 1:22: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." Yeshua Himself starts each of the messages to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 with "I know your works." Thus, the pastor must have works that every eye can see and recognize as reflecting the Torah, the Prophets and the Gospels. He cannot be a hypocrite.

There are other leaders in the church called "deacons—diakonos (διάκονος)," who are servants of the "pastors/teachers/overseers—episkopos (ἐπίσκοπος)," under God, of course. These people serve under the authority of the pastors and may be appointed by him or removed by him. These are also men only, but otherwise have the same qualifications as a pastor other than the pastor must first test them to ensure they are ready for this role. Women who take on service roles, as is permitted here under the authority of the overseers, must be dignified without expressing backbiting words, and they too must be clear-minded and trustworthy. Nevertheless, only men who are grounded in healthy marriages can take on official service roles with authority.

Now that leadership roles have been neatly defined, Paul explains that some leaders will rise up and follow deceitful spirits; they will be hypocrites, they will have seared consciences (meaning they don't know or care about the difference between good or evil), and they will teach false doctrines, such as those that forbid leaders to marry and abstain from eating meat. Both of these false doctrines were being practiced at the time by men in the Gnostic tradition, and both survive today to some degree amidst churches preaching unmarried clergy (Catholic) or vegetarianism (Seventh Day Adventists). Clearly, these are just examples, and any false doctrine not based in the Word of God ought to be a red flag. We know Paul preached against those requiring vegetarianism here from historical accounts, but also from the plain language of the verse: “who ... advocate abstaining from foods which God created to be shared in with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” The only truth we can know is the Word of God, and the only meat that can be sanctified by the word of God and prayer is found in Leviticus 11. Paul does not contradict the law in any sense. We ought to point these things out to brothers and sisters with faithful and gentle instruction based in the sound teaching that both Yeshua and Paul taught.

We ought to avoid godless myths and old wives tales, not embrace them and  add them into our church dogmatic practices. Syncretism is idolatry, and any pagan traditions that have been adopted into our own Christianity ought to be discarded completely; instead, we ought to train ourselves in godliness according to God's Holy Scripture. While we might benefit from physical exercise, we benefit far more from spiritual exercise according to the Word of Truth, for obeying God's Word in faith leads to blessing in this life and everlasting salvation in God's Kingdom. Our hope, nevertheless, is in the living God, who is Yeshua the Messiah, and our faith and trust must reside in Him alone. As pastors, we must insist on and teach these things alone. We ought to read Scripture publicly, encourage people by it, and teach people based on what it says alone, while employing the spiritual gifts God has given us to do so. When we practice all that Paul instructed to Timothy as pastors, and persevere in it, we will both save ourselves and those we are teaching in the Word of Yeshua.

Pastors ought to regard older man as fathers, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, so that our teaching can be pure in the LORD. Harsh words do not become a good pastor. We ought to be mindful of women (and in today's world, also men) who feign helplessness, especially those who are in the world, and only provide alms to those who are faithful followers of Yeshua and truly in need. Those women (and men) who have families to care for them ought to turn to their family for help before the faith community. If any seek self indulgence and also help from the faith community, they ought to be turned away. Those faithful who do not take care of their family members cannot claim to be true followers of Messiah Yeshua. True widows are older women who are known believers and faithful to the Word. Younger women should serve Yeshua and his people first, and marry to avoid sexual sins and devote herself to her husband, children and household needs. Women who are idle, gossipers, or worried about other people's business should be rebuked and stopped.

Pastors who lead well should be held in high honor by the people of the congregation, but certainly should not elevate themselves by lording over others. Those who work hard should be compensated by their congregation. No accusation should be made against an elder unless there are two or three witnesses who would stake their own reputation to testify against him, and the accusation had better be founded in the Word of Truth. When an elder is sinning and refuses to turn from it, he must be rebuked in front of everyone, which warns other leaders who might be engaged in similar sins. Nothing we do as leaders ought to be done due to favoritism or partiality, but we ought to treat all people the same. Pastors ought not elevate someone to leadership too quickly, for this may even bring cause for rebuke upon ourselves. There are good and evil deeds that are obvious, and ought to be easy to address, while some are more subtle and require close observation.

Pastors also ought to be mindful of masters/employers and slaves/employees that attend the same congregation, not allowing work-related issues to come into the community, but rather encourage service and love from all. Pastors need to be mindful of those who oppose Yeshua's instruction and the Word of God, for they are often full of pride and understand nothing. We will know them because they cause envy, strife, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction—they are enemies of godliness and must be rebuked. Those who pursue godliness with contentment will benefit every community, though Pastors ought to be aware of those putting on a show of godliness falsely for their own gain. All within the community ought to have an understanding that this world is nothing, and everything we do is for our life in the Kingdom of God. "Having food and clothing, with these things we shall be content." Seeking wealth in this world will always lead to the trap of harmful desire and will lead to ruin and destruction. To love money is to abandon the faith in Yeshua.

1 Timothy 6:11-21, Titus 1, Titus 2, Titus 3, 2 Timothy 1

The end of Paul's letter to Timothy exhorts Timothy himself and every pasotr to flee from lawlessness and seek righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, perseverance and gentleness, which are all fruits of the Holy Spirit that are in alignment with God's Torah law. This will be a battle—not easy, which began at baptism when we make a public confession of faith. We must endure in our obedience to God until the return of Yeshua, or until He returns, which ever comes first—and certainly into eternal life. Yeshua is the only one who has immortality, for He is God who now dwells in unapproachable light; He is the Only One with eternal dominion who is worthy of thanks and praise. All of our attention ought to be focused on God and doing His will in our lives. We must avoid the pointless chatter of false religion, for this is sin.

Paul's letter to Titus is similar to his letter to Timothy—both were disciples, and both were overseers of overseers—pastors with authority over other pastors. This is a letter of instruction to them personally as well as to all pastors. His greeting shows faith in the Father and the Son as one God who has revealed Himself through the Son, our Savior.

Paul had sent Titus to Crete to appoint elders in every city, as we also ought to do. This word presbyteros (πρεσβύτερος) for "elder," refers to "a person of responsibility and authority in matters of socio-religious concerns, both in Jewish and Christian societies," according to the Louw-Nida lexicon. The word is synonymous with "episkopos (ἐπίσκοπος)," or pastors/overseers, as he makes clear in verse 7, where we read "for the overseer [episkopos (ἐπίσκοπος)] must be blameless...," and from there he explains the same qualifications as he described to Timothy in 1st Timothy 3. Paul's emphasis to Titus is for the teacher to encourage disciples with Torah instruction and convict those opposed to it, especially those among the Jewish leadership who try to push the oral tradition of the Rabbis on new believers. Paul could not be more opposed to the rules of men, and so too should we be opposed to all dogma invented by men that opposes the Word of God. We also ought to oppose the failures of the Gentiles to turn away from paganism and the evil such false religion promotes, such as laziness, lying and gluttony. In any case, pastors can identify true disciples from deceivers by their words and deeds.

Continuing, Paul confirms that pastors ought to speak only from the sound instruction of God's Word, but he also indicates that we ought to encourage and correct others with complete authority given by God and our own overseers. More mature believers ought to be role-models for younger believers. Men ought to teach disciples self-control, faithfulness, love and patience, a true covering for their wives and families, while women ought to teach their disciples to love, serve, and cherish their husbands and children. All ought to speak and behave in such a way that shames anyone trying to criticize them. As we wait for Yeshua, we ought to be found doing the work He commanded us to do according to the Scriptures, knowing that Yeshua has washed us clean from our former sins.

Pastors ought to remind members to submit to leadership, for God appoints overseers to instruct members in righteousness according to the Torah. While I believe the authorities Paul noted here are primarily faith leaders, he may also be referring to secular leaders, for by treating all people in authority according to the love of God, we witness the truth to them and give them a reason to consider the faith. This was the case with all of the Roman governors he interacted with. With all people, we ought to remember our own salvation came by grace through the finished work of Yeshua, and so we appeal to all men and women to seek this same grace for salvation so they too can turn to walk with Messiah according to the Way He demonstrated. Those who come to trust in God through Yeshua ought to devote themselves to obedience. But disputes about how to interpret Torah are not profitable for the community, for we all love Yeshua—if we love Yeshua—and ought to obey Torah according to that love and the instruction of our church leaders, so long as they are truly following Christ. People in the community who want to quarrel about the right or wrong way to obey God ought to be rejected, for by doing this they reject God's appointed leaders.

In Paul's second letter to Timothy, the Apostle seems to be sending encouragement to his disciple, who was likely facing discouragement in ministry based on the context. Discouragement is one of the devil's greatest tools to destroy God's good work. Rather than sink back in timidity from the attacks of false teachers and other naysayers, we ought to rise above such attacks with the power of Yeshua, with love and self-discipline. In standing strongly in the testimony of Yeshua and His Word, we pastors often share in the suffering of Yeshua. In this, we remember His grace covers our weaknesses and perfects us by the power of His Holy Spirit. The power of condemnation and death has no power over us when we stand in our faith. No matter what trouble we face, we must stand firm in teaching the Apostle's Doctrine in Messiah Yeshua seeking to please God, not wavering from it to please men. As people in ministry turned away from Paul, who stood steadfastly by the right doctrine of Yeshua and the commandments of God, so too must we stand firm no matter what pressure we face to compromise. Compromise is NEVER an option in the faith, for we seek to please God and not men.

2 Timothy 2, 2 Timothy 3, 2 Timothy 4

As pastors, our role is to strengthen disciples Yeshua has entrusted to us so that they also will disciple others who will likewise disciple others. Our focus ought to be on this effort, enduring all difficulty and avoiding all worldly distraction. Like an athlete competing for the height of human achievement in competition, we ought to strive to perfection in the faith, living by the rules God gave us. If these metaphors escape you, look to Yeshua's example and to Paul's, and rely on the LORD to teach what is still unknown. The call of the faithful is to reach all who the LORD puts in our path with the news of salvation, for we will live eternally with Him when we do. Let's not fight over nuance, or lose focus to faulty doctrines, but rather walk righteously and cleanse ourselves to be used for God's honorable purposes. We ought to teach with humility and kindness, even in the face of those who are in opposition, tolerating harsh treatment against ourselves by guiding them back to God's Word.

In these last days, people love themselves and money, they praise and honor themselves while dishonoring God and His commandments, thinking they know a better way than Him. They are ungrateful and lawless, not willing to change their minds, seeking to hurt those who try and correct them by teaching them what is good. They seek pleasure and behave recklessly, not willing to forgive those who won't join them in their worship of evil. These may speak about being "spiritual" or even give lip service to "a higher power," and they may even confess "faith in Jesus," but they don't know the peace, freedom and victory that comes only from knowing and following Messiah Yeshua. These seek knowledge, they impress women with wit, and yet their corrupt hearts blind them and they only grow worse in their deception, bringing others with them. The saints will follow the example of Yeshua and Paul, live with the Kingdom of God in focus, and patiently and faithfully obey God through it all. All Scripture, which is inspired by God, is useful for teaching, rebuke, restoration, and training in righteousness, for it defines what is good and prepares us for doing God's will.

Our duty is to proclaim the Word of God, for judgment is coming upon the Earth. Paul said this: "confront, rebuke, encourage," for we are not permitted to stand by and watch people defame the LORD. People seek to surround themselves with teachers who make them feel better about their sins, but true encouragement rebukes sin and directs people to live like Christ. Sound instruction can only be derived from obedience to God's commandments. Many will follow myths, imposing Jesus's name on them to dull their consciences, but we are called to have a clear mind that understands and lives out God's Truth, rejecting the false teachings of men.

Paul, for his part, was ready to die, his ministry nearly complete. We learn that Demas had left for Thessalonica having loved the world more than service to God. Once saved, he was not always saved. Mark, we read, had returned to the faith and was useful for service, for those who turn from the world can return to the LORD. When standing for the Truth amidst all opposition, Paul witnessed his disciples scatter from him. Very few men can stand up to the enemy in the light of Messiah Yeshua in the Spirit, and few can even bear to hear the Truth. The road is very narrow indeed.

Hebrews 1, Hebrews 2, Hebrews 3, Hebrews 4:1-13

Hebrews is among my favorite Apostolic expositions for how we ought to understand the work of Messiah Yeshua, our LORD and our God, as well as the institution of the New Covenant. Before Yeshua came into the world, God spoke through the prophets, but now He speaks through His Son, the very image of the living God and the expression of His eternal glory. He came to purify the humble from sin and then He returned to sit at the right hand of the Majesty. He rests in His eternal identity as the visible and active manifestation of the Almighty. He is the Firstborn in that His resurrection opened the door for all of humanity from the beginning to the end to enter through and follow Him into resurrected life. And He is God, who sits on the throne and receives worship, not just from us but from angels also. And God said, "You shall have no other God before Me," and so there can be no mistaking Yeshua's identity as God, one in being with the Father. He is the Creator, the Redeemer, the Deliverer, as well as the Judge and the Everlasting Life! When we surrender to Yeshua's identity and calling, God invites us to dwell with Him forever.

Because of the grace God offered us in Yeshua, we ought to stand firm in the Truth that God spoke to us that is recorded in the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. If we neglect God's commandments, we also reject the Son who embodies them. For our eternal Creator God humbled Himself even to death on a cross so that we could follow Him and dwell in His eternal company. It was always God's desire to dwell with His image bearers who truly bear His image, and so He came to make a way for us out of bondage to sin and death, and to demonstrate the Way of God that we ought to follow so that we can be with Him.

Yeshua is the High Priest to end all High Priests, the one who made atonement for us once and for all. Let us never seek another man to fill this role, for God grew angry at the children of Israel when they sought a king to replace Him. He will do the same if we seek to take away the eternal Honor that He paid so heavily to secure. We are the House of God, the Holy Temple that Yeshua Himself built to dwell in, and God is the builder of all things. Moses had served God by providing a witness for the prophetic reality Yeshua would embody, for "if we believe Moses, we also ought to believe Yeshua," but belief in what Moses wrote must come first. This is why the writer leads into the prophesy, "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness." If we know Yeshua and trust what He accomplished for us, then we have to obey what He taught us and not rebel against the Word as the people who followed Moses once did. Unbelieving hearts do evil works that rebel against God, while those who are faithful enter the rest of the LORD through willful obedience, and He will help us by His Holy Spirit. Today is the day of decision, so let us encourage one another to righteousness.

The fear of God ought to live in us through Christ, for it is God's eternal rest that He promises to all who fully embrace Him through faithful obedience. And while Yeshua's atoning work was planned from before Creation, only those who choose to follow Him faithfully according to His example will experience the complete peace and blessing that comes from willful obedience. Those who willfully disobey the commandments of God naturally do not enter into His rest, because they become rebels against the Word of God just as those who died in the wilderness. His yoke is easy and His burden is light, so let us honor His Sabbath invitation and come in near to rest with Him at His appointed times as a rehearsal for the everlasting Kingdom to come. Our desire to obey God's Sabbath reflects our desire to dwell in His eternal Kingdom with Him, and His invitation extends to us all. God's Word exposes our true desires and intentions, and no one can lie about their devotion to the Most High. Likewise, we will all stand completely naked before Him, and only He can cover us by His grace if we accept it. Thanks be to God that He has given us free will to choose Him, so that we can know Him with true love that can only come voluntarily.

Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 5, Hebrews 6, Hebrews 7

Yeshua is now our High Priest in the eternal Holy of Holies in the Kingdom of God, and we need no other. To Him we ought to surrender our complete allegiance, especially because He not only knows what is in our hearts individually, but also because He Himself experienced what it is like to live in this world, tempted in all the same ways as us while remaining True. We approach His throne in boldness knowing that we have victory in His accomplishments as well as in His promises while He offers us mercy and help as needed. Still, we also must remember that drawing near requires us to trust in Him without doubting and to walk in the Way that He walked.

In contrast to the Levitical high priests who were called by God to offer gifts yearly on the altar in the earthly Tabernacle on the people's behalf for sin, but who first had to make an offering for their own sins, God sent Messiah Yeshua into the world to become a High Priest forever after the order of Melchi-Zedek, and He learned obedience through His suffering here on Earth to prove Himself perfect so He could become the one-time sacrifice for sins—and in His perfect sacrifice we have eternal salvation.

And while there is a lot to say about the order of Melchi-Zedek and Yeshua's fulfillment of ancient prophesies, these things are beyond most believers who fail to make it past the most elementary principles of the faith. Those ready for more complex ideas have solidified their understanding of the basics and are trained to both discern what is good and evil and to walk only in righteousness, but others fail to grasp the need to obey God on account of their salvation and need to be constantly reminded that salvation comes with instruction. There is a call to maturity beyond the elementary concepts of repentance from sin and faith toward God in Messiah Yeshua, the baptisms by water and the Holy Spirit that follow basic instruction and understanding, and the promise of the Last Day resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment, which ought to encourage all believers to endure and grow in their faith through the power of the Holy Spirit until Yeshua returns. These are the basics, and yet the church today doesn't know them. Consider my sermon series on these topics on the YouTube page for First Fruits Ministries or the similar series from Pastor Daniel at Corner Fringe Ministries to learn more about them.

If, having experienced the Holy Spirit that comes only through true faith and salvation in Messiah Yeshua, we turn away and return to a life of sin, perhaps even week after week, there is no hope of salvation—that hope is lost. Jesus does not save the unrighteous ones who practice lawlessness—He is not a minister of sin—and we cannot make a mockery of Yeshua's suffering by living in a way God hates. Those who taste and see that the LORD is good must continue to live in the righteous way that He taught us, bearing fruit of righteousness for the Kingdom of God. Let us be imitators of Yeshua Himself and the Apostles, so we can walk with confidence concerning salvation. Yes indeed, we can lose our salvation if we turn away. Proverbs 24:16 reads, "For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity." Humility and repentance are the difference.

God swore by His own name that Abraham's descendants would be blessed, and then He again guaranteed that promise through an oath made by the Son in His own name (see John 8:18), and we thus have hope and encouragement in Yeshua as an anchor for our soul, for He forever intercedes for us at the throne of God as a High Priest in the order of Melchi-Zedek.

This Melchi-Zedek, King of Righteousness and King of Peace, received a tithe from Abraham while blessing him, and the Levites who came from Abraham owe this same allegiance so they can receive the same blessing. While the Levites were given an order to serve as a model for us here on the earth, a new order has replaced theirs in Yeshua, who was not a Levite but rather a Jew. The first order was for temporary atonement, while Yeshua's order is for indestructible life. This priesthood in Yeshua is part of the better everlasting Covenant God promised to Israel. Unlike the Levites who died, Yeshua still lives making intercession for us. His sacrifice was sufficient for our atonement once for all time, meaning that no further sacrifice is needed. This does not mean, as previously discussed, that we can continuously cycle through the same sinful patterns and feign repentance. On the contrary, it does mean that we can have victory over sin in His one-time sacrifice and go and sin no more. There is power in the resurrection life provided through Yeshua, and in Him we are called to throw off our former sins and walk righteously from then on. We ought to obey God willingly, willfully, and winsomely because we know and love Yeshua.

Hebrews 8, Hebrews 9, Hebrews 10

When the writer starts: "Now this is the main point of the things we are saying," we ought to take heed: Yeshua is our High Priest in the New Covenant, and He is ministering to us in the Heavenly Tabernacle in the Holiest of Holies, having made eternal atonement for our sins. He sits at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty, which makes Him equal with God from a Hebraic perspective. The right hand represents our words and actions, and thus Yeshua is the Word and the Power of God—the visible form of the invisible Father. And as High Priest, we can also ask Him to intercede for us with the Father through the Spirit so He helps us walk uprightly. The High Priest in the Levitical order served while this letter was written, but the physical Tabernacle and Holy of holies was a model for what would be done by Yeshua in the Heavenlies. At the time of this writing, God was transitioning from the Old to the New Covenant. The Old Covenant, now broken by Israel, had been replaced by a better Covenant for both Israel and Judah, enacted on better promises. The LORD now writes the law on our hearts and minds so we can act on the internalized Word of God by the Power of the Holy Spirit by living according to God's commandments for blessing.

The Old Covenant's regulations for worship in the physical sanctuary were symbolic for the spiritual relationship we now have with the Father through the Holy Temple that Yeshua is building for His people to dwell in together with God for all eternity. When we read the Torah today, we ought to understand it in light of Yeshua by the power of the Holy Spirit, for not one jot or title of the law has been abolished. The gifts and sacrifices in the Tabernacle were never meant to make souls perfect before God, but to point out the ugliness of sin and point forward to the perfect sacrifice that would eternally offer redemption and call us to walk righteously with Him by sinning no more. By His physical death and shedding of blood, the Son of God alone could make atonement, for the eternal Spirit of God could not be held down by physical death. His blood instituted the New Covenant, and now we look to our risen Messiah as the High Priest of the eternal Temple He's building—that place He has gone to prepare for us, of which we are also being made a part through righteousness. He is also the Mediator of the New Covenant, inaugurated by His blood, because His death removes our condemnation under the law so that we can walk with Him.

Just as it was appointed for us to die once on account of sin, but then to rise up for eternal judgment, so too did Yeshua die once for our atonement, so when He returns He will gather together those who are waiting for Him. We wait for Him by doing the things He taught us to do, for He will not return to offer mercy a second time to those who revile Him.

When we read that the Torah is "as shadow of the things to come," we ought to recognize that our own shadow precedes us as we walk with the sun at our backs and reflects our very image, and so the Torah and its Temple, High Priest, Mediator, Sacrifices and regulations pertaining to atonement reflect the Truth, which is that Yeshua as Mediator is building an eternal Temple made up of His people whom He will minister to as High Priest, and His sacrifice is and ever shall be the only one needed for atonement so that we can follow the Law of God, now written by the Holy Spirit on our hearts, in the liberty of forgiveness and desire to please the one who saved us. If God does not desire sacrifices and offerings, and therefore offered up Himself to do away with them forever, what does He desire instead? It's both obedience to His law and mercy toward those who are in that manner working out their salvation with fear and trembling. He told us: "Follow Me." John wrote that we ought to "walk the way He walked." Just as Yeshua came to do God's will on earth as it is in Heaven, so too should we, knowing that He has perfectly cleansed us and still works in us to make us Holy like Him when we endure in our faith day-by-day until He comes.

On account of our salvation, we ought to boldly declare our faith, stir up one another to love and good works, and come into God's presence during His Appointed Times, which are Holy Convocations designed for us to gather together for praise, worship and spiritual encouragement. We are called to walk away from sin entirely, because if we willfully sin after accepting Yeshua as our savior, His sacrifice on our own behalf becomes nullified by our actions. When we willfully discredit, ignore or rebel against God's commandments, this is akin to rejecting Yeshua, and thus He will reject those who reject Him. We have been promised the blessings of Israel, but we cannot take them upon ourselves if we do not also accept the responsibility to follow Yeshua the same way He demonstrated for us to obey God. The blessings offered by grace must be followed up with faithfulness, because salvation comes with instruction.

If we reject Torah, two or three witnesses condemn us, but our punishment will be worse than those who dwelt in Israel if we call out to Messiah Yeshua for salvation while rejecting the very Word that He embodied. How could we so insult the Spirit of grace? God will judge those who practice lawlessness with eternal separation, a fire that cannot be quenched. Let our fear of God bring us nearer to Him, into the very presence of His protection, because we love His Word and therefore endure according to His will. We must not shrink back in timidity, but live in the righteous Way of Christ.

Hebrews 11, Hebrews 12

Faith must result in something of substance, and there has to be evidence that it is truly there, otherwise it is not authentic. This is why James writes that "faith without works is dead." Hebrews 11, the Hall of faith, showcases all of the Fathers and Mothers who demonstrated true faith through their actions. They are models for us to follow. The foundation of faith is our Creator God, the Word who became flesh, who made everything visible out of nothing. Abel gave of his first and best. Enoch pleased God through His works, but faith empowered his obedience—without such faith it is impossible to please God. We must believe that He is, and also that He rewards the obedient. At God's Word, Noah built an ark without a hint of rain, Abraham left an inheritance in this world for hope in an unknown land, Sarah conceived while barren, and Abraham willingly offered up Isaac, the son of his old age. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all wandered through the wilderness, knowing that God's eternal inheritance awaited them on account of their faith. Joseph knew he would be resurrected from the Promised Land. Moses left riches in disgrace to seek Messiah Yeshua and oversaw the miracles of God. The walls of Jericho fell down, and Rahab became a woman of Israel, among so many other examples. Yet none of them will be raised up before us, for we will all be raised up on the Last Day.

With so many solid examples of men and women of God, we ought to run toward Messiah Yeshua in the same way they did, willing to suffer whatever consequences for faith and righteousness that comes our way, even if it literally kills us. With our eyes on Yeshua, He will sanctify us in Him, for He is on the throne of God interceding for us. Let us not grow weary in doing good, but rather joyfully accept all discipline the LORD uses to perfect us and lead us in righteousness. If we do not go through trials and tribulations, we cannot have confidence that the LORD is actually working with us, which ought to cause fear. This ought to cause us to evaluate our relationship with the LORD and that we are walking in the Way He showed us. If we don't walk in righteousness and holiness, we risk falling short of God's grace. We ought to pursue peace and grace with others, while ensuring we do not affirm sin. We ought to embrace Yeshua fully, surrendering completely to His will, because He is faithful to welcome us when we do. Beware that we ignore His calling, for judgment day is coming when the unrighteous and unbelieving will be consumed.

Hebrews 13, 1 Peter 1, 1 Peter 2:1-3

Let love abound, show hospitality, remember prisoners (who are of the LORD), hold marriage in honor, be content and grateful, imitate pastors who live according to God's Word and support them financially, for Yeshua dwells in them and lives eternally in all of His people. Beware of strange doctrines and strengthen the heart with grace. Yeshua, suffered outside the gate, so let us go out to be with Him there, not ever finding ourselves comfortable in organized religion—our faith ought to cause others discomfort when they are apostate. We don't seek any earthly community or kingdom, but the Kingdom of God that is eternal and not of this world. Let us offer praise continually, giving thanks to Yeshua. Let us obey our pastors and submit to their godly leadership that is based in the Word of God, because pastors will be held accountable for the people they lead. Let pastors serve God with joy rather than groaning, so they will benefit from their service to God. Pray for all who are leading ministries who are of the faith. May Yeshua, our LORD and our God who enjoys eternal glory, offer peace to us as we seek to please Him.

Peter launches into His epistle acknowledging the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, our One God. We who know Yeshua are born again to a living hope, which is an incorruptible, undefiled and unfading inheritance in God's Kingdom. So let us continue to trust Him so He will help us endure in this life, rejoicing even in the midst of trials and tribulations, which are meant to refine us, removing any remaining impurities. We have not personally seen Yeshua, but we know Him and love Him, and in our faith we are filled with joy and salvation for our souls. The prophets foretold these days, but now we are living them, so we ought to brace ourselves for action and stay steady in our hope for the grace of Yeshua that He will offer His faithful followers when He returns. We ought to be holy as God is holy, fearing Him with godly fear, no longer living according to our former fleshly lusts. We were redeemed from the idolatry of our fathers by Yeshua's precious blood, and He was chosen before creation for this very role to glorify God. We are born again to obedience in the Truth of God's Word, and let our hearts be pure also, for humanity will be consumed in an instant, but the Word in us will endure. Let no ill will or evil speaking, hypocrisy or envy remain in us, but let us who have tasted the LORD's goodness long for even more.

1 Peter 2:4-25, 1 Peter 3, 1 Peter 4, 1 Peter 5:1-11

Yeshua, the very foundation of God's temple, is building upon Himself a temple made up of His faithful followers who offer up spiritual sacrifices to God, including thanksgiving and praise to the Father for saving us through faith in the Son. God is possessing this Temple He is building in His Kingdom. Thus, we ought to flee from sin and practice righteousness, so when we're accused by unbelievers of violating their social code of ethics, our Godly faithfulness can stand as a witness to them. God's will is for us to silence worldly fools through our good works, not using our freedom in Christ for sin, but in order to become slaves to righteousness. Like Paul, Peter taught that we ought to honor all men and all positions, putting our relationship with Yeshua above any mistreatment. Indeed, we ought to endure all mistreatment with joy, knowing that we honor God in this; but if we are mistreated for evil behavior, we actually dishonor God and gain nothing. Rather we ought to follow Yeshua's own example: "He committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth." Remember that "sin is lawlessness." And because of our salvation, we ought to "live for righteousness."

Like Paul, Peter explained that women ought to seek humility and grace in relationship with their husbands, helping them and holding them up with dignity and honor while putting their faith and trust in God. Men must treat their wives as equal heirs of the grace of eternal life, holding them up with protection and provision, spiritually, emotionally and physically. God will literally not hear the prayers of men who fail in this!  

All men and women ought to be humble, tender-hearted, thinking of others more highly than themselves, sympathetic, and harmonious, not repaying evil-for-evil, bringing blessing only. We ought to turn from evil and do good, seeking peace always. God will listen to the prayers of the righteous, who humble themselves and repent, but He will not hear lawless ones who rebel against His Word. We need to set Yeshua apart in our hearts, acknowledging that He is LORD, which is to say that He is Yahweh, and always be ready to defend our faith in all circumstances. Baptism into the faith and the confession that comes with it in Yeshua's identity, accomplishments and promises justifies us so that we can turn to Yeshua and serve Him always into eternity.

Are we ready to suffer in the flesh like Yeshua did? We must, so that we can do God's will in following Yeshua—to walk like He walked. We can't live like unbelievers in the world; we have to accept their criticism because we won't join them in their folly. They will give an account, and so will we. The Truth of God's Word and our redemption in Yeshua was proclaimed to all, so on Judgment Day no one will have any excuse. Because the End approaches, whether upon Yeshua's return or our natural death, we ought to turn to obedience to God, through self-control and sober-mindedness, loving one another always by doing and teaching the Truth, and offering hospitality to care for one another's needs. Everything we do and say ought to give God glory. I wonder whether Peter could emphasize persecution any more than he did? "DO NOT be surprised at the fiery ordeal taking place among you to test you." If we're not being tested, we ought to be afraid, for God tests all of those He loves. We ought to rejoice in testing—to share in the chastening of the LORD—for judgment begins in the House of God and God judges to keep us aligned with His Truth—His love for us is GREAT!

To the pastors, Peter wrote: lead willingly, eagerly, and as humble examples. To the flock, he wrote: Obey the pastors. Generally, he wrote: We ought to cast our cares on God, while also staying alert, because Satan seeks to destroy believers, not unbelievers whom he already possesses. We must remain humble! "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." We stand up to the Adversary with firm faith. God will restore, support, strengthen, and establish those who follow Yeshua.

1 Peter 5:12-14, 2 Peter 1, 2 Peter 2, 2 Peter 3

The true grace of God is the salvation He provides through Yeshua so that we can walk in obedience to God's commandments, no matter the circumstances.

Peter's second letter, like His first, explains that God gives us everything we need to inherit eternal life and live in Godly obedience through our knowledge of Yeshua, who has given us the only escape from our former corruption and evil desires. Because of this we cannot rest in faith alone, but ought to add to it a life seeking virtue through the Word of knowledge, and when we practice Yeshua's righteousness we move from self-control to patience and godliness, which necessarily lends itself to brotherly love and sacrificial love. We ought to strive for this so that we can bear fruit for the Kingdom of Yeshua, but more than this, through such real effort we make our calling and election certain so we can inherit eternal life. If we do not seek to emulate Yeshua's righteous life, we are blind and cannot rightly claim to be covered by grace.

Peter, an eyewitness to Yeshua's majesty, heard God proclaim Yeshua to be the Son, and saw Him transfigured into His eternal state on Mt. Hermon, and now filled with the Spirit he could proclaim Yeshua as the fulfillment of all prophesy, which we ought to heed. All prophesy—past, present or future—must align with God's Word, and all teachings of men that do not align with the Torah and the Prophets are false prophesies.

Just like Yeshua and Paul, Peter warned that false prophets would rise up among believers and call themselves Christians while bringing in destructive ideas that lead many people astray. Some of these men would deny Yeshua's identity as God, a heresy that always leads to death. Others would promote cessation of God's law so they can continue living in sin, which leads to widespread depravity. Others would use the church to pursue wealth or power for themselves, just like their father the Devil. God will not spare such evildoers of judgment, as the patterns of Scripture show, but He will rescue the godly from trials and ultimately from eternal death. There is a dichotomy between the proud who despise the LORD's authority explained by God's commandments and articulated by righteous pastors, and the humble who submit to both. The lawless are irrational and malign the righteous, they revel in deceit and pleasure, and seek to entice those who are unstable in their faith to follow their depravity. Anyone who was saved from such evil through faith in Yeshua who returns to such vomit and filth will be worse off than they were before.

Peter's purpose in writing such difficult words is to restore disciples to wholesome thinking, which is obedience to the commandments of God and the teachings of the Apostles through faith in Yeshua. We have to prepare ourselves to stand against scoffers who doubt the return of Yeshua, the story of God's creation and the days of Noah when He flooded the whole earth, and that sinners will be destroyed when they fail to repent of their sins. These scoffers do not want to face the reality that God is going to consume the whole heavens and earth with fire, leaving nothing behind but those souls protected by a demonstrable faith in Yeshua—and these will inherit a New Heavens and New Earth. The LORD's desire is for all to come to repentance, and so He is long-suffering and gives us all many opportunities to choose Him and His Way. Don't be mistaken by this, for the LORD also willed His people to choose Him, and this is why we need to be mindful to choose a life of holiness and godliness. We ought to live in peace, without sin, so that no one can accuse us of being in violation of God's law, trusting in Yeshua for His grace that covers our former sins.

Peter then specifically warned disciples to be careful with Paul's writings, because they are complicated and are easily twisted to mean the opposite of what they really say. We must be careful not to listen to lawless wolves who misread Paul, but grow in the grace and knowledge that Yeshua taught us, instead. Grace and knowledge are not two opposing ideas, but intricately connected, like faith and works, mercy and righteousness, and so on. They cannot be separated. We need this testimony of two to inherit God's Kingdom! Paul taught the same thing, as does the whole of Scripture, but we have to submit to God and surrender our own will to understand this. Without Yeshua's grace we are lost, but without surrender to God's will, which is obedience to the Son, we are also lost. The Son is the Word who became flesh, the very embodiment of God's commandments who lived them out flawlessly and commanded us to follow Him. We love God by doing this, and we love one another by living and teaching the same.

1 John 1, 1 John 2, 1 John 3, 1 John 4:1-6

John the writer of the Gospel and of the Book of Revelation also wrote three epistles, including this one. He began by declaring himself to be an eyewitness of Yeshua, who is eternal life for all who believe. We can have fellowship with John and all the Apostles through their testimonies, and their fellowship is with one another and also with the Father and the Son.

Because God is light and there is no sin in Him whatsoever, His followers must also walk in the light and remove sin from their lives through their faith in Yeshua's blood atonement and obedience to God's commandments. We cannot walk as though we are sinless, though. Rather, we must confess our sins and repent in all humility so we can be forgiven through the intercession of Yeshua. That doesn't mean that we should ever be comfortable in sin, but rather we ought to walk in righteousness.

If we truly KNOW Yeshua, we will keep the commandments of God. Those who say they've been saved in the name of Jesus but reject the commandments are lying about their relationship with Him. The LOVE of God is perfected in our obedience to God's Word, and to love God is the greatest commandment. We ought to think, speak and act in the same way that Yeshua did when He lived as a man. These commandments referenced are not new, but rather eternal and given to man from the very beginning in the Garden of Eden. And yet we now are called to love others as Yeshua demonstrated in the flesh, and this key helps us to unlock the meaning of God's law.  

The children are new believers, young men are immature, but eating solid food, and the fathers are those who are fully mature in their faith. It is important that we progress from newborn believers to faithful followers who cast off our bondage to the flesh and the world, and grow into men and women who know Yeshua intimately and emulate Him in all His ways.

People in bondage succumb to fleshly desires, worldly pursuits, and self aggrandizement, but these things are fleeting. Because of many false teachers, we need to be on guard and make sure we are not led astray by false ideas regarding salvation. When people leave us because we are following the Truth of God's Word, we know they are not among us as faithful followers of Yeshua. The Holy Spirit will reveal this, because all lies and liars will be exposed. Anyone who is antichrist denies the Father and the Son, our God who is eternally one. We must acknowledge Yeshua to know the Father, and if we don't accept Yeshua as God, we do not know God at all and cannot know Him.

We must live according to the doctrine that the Holy Spirit has taught us from the Scriptures, especially according to Yeshua's own example and by the Word of His Apostles, so that we can have confidence in our salvation. We know we are born again in Messiah Yeshua when we do what is righteous according to God's Word, and not by the words of men. When we are born again, we become God's adopted children. When Yeshua returns, we will become like He is now and live with Him in a new Heaven and New Earth. It is because of this hope that we purify ourselves to live according to God's commandments, and this is what it means to practice righteousness. However, when we practice sin, we practice lawlessness, because "sin is lawlessness."

No one who knows Yeshua keeps on sinning. If we practice righteousness, we are righteous like Yeshua showed us; and if we practice sin, we are not saved, but are rather still in bondage to the devil. Yeshua came to turn us away from sin so that we will no longer live according to our former ways before we came to believe nor according to the ways of the world. In doing this, we love God and love one another. We should not be surprised that worldly sinners will hate us when we live like Yeshua, because they hated Him. We can't just love with our words and our talk, but we have to demonstrate our love in what we do and how we live. And we ought to be willing to surrender all to God's Way, even our lives, especially when we are convicted by His Word. If our hearts are at peace in His Word (when we read the law), then we ought to have confidence in our relationship with God. His commandment is that we believe in the name of the Son, Yeshua the Messiah, and love one another, just like God commanded us. When we possess God's Spirit on account of our faith in the Son, we know we are living in good relationship with God.

We ought to test every spirit of man and every spirit in the spiritual realm according to the Word of God, for God's Word is the measure by which we know all Truth. When we confess and believe in God's incarnation as Yeshua, this confirms our alignment with God. Those who know God's true identity will listen to the Apostles who taught about Him, and not others. The spirit of antichrist denies the Son is one in being with the Father and they therefore reject the writing of the Apostles.

1 John 4:7-21, 1 John 5, 2 John 1, 3 John 1

We who acknowledge that Yeshua is the Son of God have God abiding in us, and we are born of God when we understand that He is the promised Messiah. God came in the flesh and gave Himself for us, and there is no greater love than this, as Yeshua said, so we too ought to love one another in the same way. If we say we love God, we also ought to love our brother. And we love our brother by keeping God's commandments, which we ought to see as a blessing rather than a burden, according to our faith in God. It is a curse to fall into the ways of this world, but we who know Yeshua can overcome those temptations. The Spirit, the Water and the Blood are One, and Yeshua is the one who poured out water and blood for us, and His testimony leads us to eternal life. When we ask for anything according to God's will, He grants it to us. God grants that we ask for brothers and sisters to repent from sins that do not lead to death, and even that we come alongside to help them walk away from sin, but we cannot rescue those who deny Yeshua is God, for only God can save them from this sin that leads to death. Yeshua is the One true God and eternal life, so we must keep ourselves from idolatry that separates us from Him.

In John's 2nd letter, the chosen lady and her children is the church, not some woman in particular. Only some of the children—those disciples who were taught by the Apostles—are walking in the Truth, but this is John's focus—he's elated about them. For those so walking, it's essential that we love one another, and the very definition of this love is to walk according to God's commandments. Deceivers deny that Yeshua has come in the flesh or deny the doctrine that Yeshua taught concerning the commandments. If anyone fails in either way, they do not know God, but those who know Yeshua and keep His Word know both the Father and the Son. We ought not welcome anyone into our homes or churches who do not share this faith.

In John's third letter, he wrote to Gaius directly. He is joyful to hear when brethren are walking according to the Truth, which is the Word of God, and welcoming strangers (Gentiles/non-Jews) into the Faith. Leaders ought to send Gentiles out so they no longer practice paganism or incorporate it into their faith, but instead to spread the Name of Yeshua and His Way so we can walk alongside them in Truth. All faithful followers ought to imitate what is good, and "there is none who is good, but God," as Yeshua said. Yeshua, God in the flesh, has shown us what is good. We ought to imitate Him so that we can see God.

Jude 1, Revelation 1, Revelation 2

Jude, like James, is a half brother of Yeshua, according to Mark 6:3, meaning that he is a son of Joseph and Mary who later came to believe his brother to be the Messiah. He presents himself as a slave to Yeshua, as should we all. He wrote the early church to encourage them to contend for the faith, for false teachers were developing doctrines that were contrary to what Yeshua taught. He gave examples of such deceivers, who come into the church and deny Yeshua's divinity or pervert God's mercy by using grace to provide a license to sin. This is the opposite of what ought to be embraced by faithful followers, as described in Revelation 14:12. Such false teachers will be judged, just like the angels who slept with human women and were chained up in the abyss, Sodom and Gomorrah living in total depravity, Cain who sought his own religion, Balaam who sought riches, or Korah who sought power. Deceivers use their imaginations to defile the flesh, reject Yeshua's authority and defame the Apostolic doctrine. True followers are careful even to rebuke evildoers, waiting on God's judgment, but when God's judgment comes such people will surely be destroyed. We ought to build up rather than cause strife, and wait on the LORD, Who is One—Father, Son and Spirit.

The Apostle John wrote Revelation from Patmos (an island off shore from Ephesus), which he was later released from, after he had a vision while meditating on the Sabbath. We ought to read the prophesy for blessing, but to understand this spiritual work, it is essential that we know Torah, the Prophets, their fulfillment in the Gospel, and the non-chronological Hebraic manner in which true prophesy is written. John wrote in particular to the seven churches in Asia, which is now modern Turkey, but his writing also ought to be interpreted as eschatological. I don't have time to detail every aspect of the prophesy, but will give summary of key points this year. John offered grace and peace from the Father, and then tied the Father's attributes directly to the Son, who is the eternal One. He is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him, because at the Resurrection of the Dead all who ever lived will be judged. The Ancient of Days is Yeshua; He holds the all-seeing power of Yahweh in His hand, and He dwells in the midst of the complete body of believers, represented by a Menorah, and He is the source light that shines through all who trust in Him. The leaders of His faith communities are in His right hand—they are now His action in the world, led by His Holy Spirit.

In Chapter 2, Yeshua begins to identify the attributes of His true faith community as well as its faults that need correction. Ephesus had endured through trial and tribulation, lived according to the commandments, and removed false prophets, such as the Nicolaitans who had brought in Gnostic teachings, but they had failed to embrace the fiery passion and love for Yeshua they had at first. We can't go through the motions, but must be fueled in everything we do by the love of God. Smyrna had suffered great persecution, had no worldly treasure, and were due to face even more suffering, and Yeshua simply urged them to endure through all of their testing to inherit eternal life, as He does us. Pergamum dwelled amidst severe pagan oppression and infiltration, but they held fast to faith in Yeshua throughout this time; yet they engaged in syncretism (mixing pagan traditions with Christian faith) for self preservation, and for these sins Yeshua called for them to repent. We must avoid thinking the traditions of men ever supercede the Word, and follow God's instruction instead. Thyatira had great love and faith, and therefore did many works of service to others in increasing endurance, but they turned to directly incorporate paganism into the church and taught that sin is acceptable within the church. Those churches that fail to repent of such evil will be destroyed with the transgressors, as well as all the churches branching off from her teachings. But those who repent and turn back to the instruction of God will be saved.

Revelation 3, Revelation 4, Revelation 5, Revelation 6

Continuing in Chapter 3, Yeshua condemned Sardis for being dead, even though they have the confession of faith in Yeshua. James 2:17 reads: "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." Their faith isn't complete due to arrogance; they believe they are saved regardless of what they do in this life. These need to humble themselves and repent to follow the commandments of God, which includes teaching the commandments to new believers and going after every lost soul with confidence that the LORD wills to save them, so long as they repent. Without obedience to God, no one will see God's Kingdom. These must remember the instruction of God, as those who have not stained their clothes with sin and therefore walk in the grace of Yeshua. The Philadelphians have kept God's Word and their faith in Yeshua with faithful endurance, despite trial and tribulation, as well as persecution from those seeking to force them under the doctrines of men. We ought to emulate them in their faithful obedience. The Laodiceans give lip service to Yeshua, and say they will follow Him but put their own interests before what the LORD has commanded them to do. These will not inherit the Kingdom without full repentance. True believers face persecution for their faith, which endures in God's righteousness, and without such tribulation we must wonder whether we're doing it right. The LORD tests His saints, who overcome all through faith in Yeshua.

In his vision, John was taken up to Heaven and saw the One seated on the throne, which resembles other descriptions of the all seeing, all knowing and all powerful Creator God. All the angels chanted Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD God of Hosts, who was and is and is to come, giving glory to God. The Lamb of God stood in the midst of the throne and was worthy to open the scroll, which is the mortgage deed to the earth; He purchased the lost dominion of man by His blood. The Lamb was all seeing, all powerful, and ever present, because of His unity with the Holy One of Israel, and He stood in Heaven interceding for the Saints by answering their prayers. He was creating a Kingdom of saints who would rule with Him upon the earth, and all in Heaven, in the earth, and under the earth worshipped Him, because He is equal with God.

When the Lamb opened the first four seals to the mortgage deed, God brought judgment upon the earth in the form of His four judgments: pestilence, war, famine, and conquest over a whole quarter of the earth. The fifth seal brought about martyrdom of the saints, and the sixth seal brought about the coming of the Son of Man on the Clouds of heaven. No one will be able to hide from Yeshua's wrath when He returns, except those who trust in Him and keep His commandments. No one will stand except the righteous.

Revelation 7, Revelation 8, Revelation 9, Revelation 10

The LORD's seal over 144,000 among the tribes of Israel represents the complete number of all who will be saved—12 is the number of completion—12 multiplied by a myriad (a very large number) from each of the 12 tribes. This is the number he heard. But when he looked, he saw a multitude from every nation. These are the same group of people, on account of Yeshua, who brought salvation to the Jews as well as the Gentiles, to create His great nation, a Kingdom of His people. Every eye will see Him, every tongue will confess that He is LORD. This is the marriage supper of the Lamb, the final culmination of both the Sabbath and the Passover Seder. This multitude represents those who were resurrected from the dead and those who were caught up alive at the second coming of Yeshua. This is a good opportunity to point out the last verse of chapter 7: "God shall wipe every tear from their eye." Look at Revelation 21:4 and see that it is describing the same event, just like Psalm 56:8, Isaiah 35:10, Isaiah 51:11, Psalm 126:5-6, among others, such as Is. 25:8: "He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken."

The seventh seal brings silence in Heaven, the calm before the storm. This is the moment the LORD shuts the door to salvation forever and enjoys His bride who He has brought home to be with Him forever, those who love Him and keep His commandments. It is the culmination of Sabbath rest that we have been rehearsing on Saturdays and Holy Days. This is the beginning of the Last Day. On that Day, God's wrath will fall upon the Earth, on those who remain. Tied to these events are the plagues brought upon Egypt on account of Pharaoh's hardness of heart while Israel dwelt safely in Goshen. Hail and fire came together, the sea turned to blood, the water was made undrinkable, there was darkness, locusts came forth, death fell upon a portion of the population, but the people of the Earth did not repent—they remained hard in their hearts—their murders, drug use, idolatry, theft, and stealing continued without remorse. The Seventh Angel and the Seventh Trumpet represent the end of all things. The New Kingdom comes to the Earth after He is finished. NOTE: Revelation is neither chronological and nor is it in order. It is a series of layered prophesies similar in nature to Genesis 1 and Genesis 2, which tell the same story different ways.

Revelation 11, Revelation 12, Revelation 13, Revelation 14

The theme of 3.5 years comes up in Rev. 11, when false believers will "trample the holy city." This time frame is repeated from the Book of Daniel, and whether 1,260 days or 42 months, it recalls the reign of Antiochus Epiphenes IV, an antichrist figure defeated by the Maccabees well before Christ after a 3.5 year tribulation. The timeframe is symbolic (not literal) for whatever ultimate Messianic fulfillment will take place in the end when the Saints will be persecuted again by the Antichrist but then delivered by Yeshua Himself. When the antichrist spirit of the end days rises up, he and his followers will trample the courts of God's holy city (this represents the Holy people of God—"don't you know you are the Temple of God"). The false teachers would rise up from among the Body of believers and lead many astray within the "church," and they would indeed worship falsely by falling victim to compromise. Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 1:12-13, "When you come to appear before Me, who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts?" The LORD explains: "I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting." True worshippers endure inside the inner sanctum and are sanctified by persecution to produce the holy fruits of righteousness.

The two witnesses prophesy for the same 3.5 years. Are they two men? Extremely doubtful! Jews and Gentiles? Maybe. The law and the prophets? Possibly. I think these two witnesses are Smyrna and Philadelphia from earlier (two of the seven lampstands, two olive trees/branches that bear fruit)—these are true Saints who endure through persecution by keeping the commandments of God and their faith in Yeshua. This testimony of two is found throughout Scripture. I strongly believe the two witnesses are believers who endure "tribulation" and demonstrate obedience to God and faith in Yeshua no matter what happens around them. The fire that comes out of their mouth is the Word, and it indeed consumes the enemies—we battle not against flesh and blood, but against the hosts of wickedness in the spiritual realm. Our miraculous powers? Yeshua said we would do "greater works than these," referring to His own, through faith in Him. The Devil has permission to test true believers, and he does indeed test us, and in some cases he overcomes and kills us. When this happens, the world will celebrate, even sending gifts to one another, but we will be resurrected from the dead. A complete multitude of such unbelievers (7,000) will die the second death.

Upon the resurrection, the Kingdom of the World will become the Kingdom of the LORD and Messiah Yeshua, who will reign FOREVER! He rewards the prophets and saints and those who fear God with eternal life, and though the nations were enraged, they will be destroyed for opposing the Son. Psalm 2 explains: "Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying: 'Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: 'Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.' ... Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him." Indeed, the KING shall appear in heaven and the temple of God will be revealed along with the eternal Ark of the Covenant, and according to Zechariah 12:10: "then they will look on Me whom they pierced"—indeed: every eye will see Him.

Revelation 12 moves on to a different vision—a different parable, if you will. There seems to be some astronomy involved here, as well as a prophetic retelling of history. The woman is Israel, and her child is the Messiah. The dragon is the Adversary and his forces of evil, who took one-third of God's divine beings with him in rebellion out of Heaven. Yeshua came, died, rose, and returned to the throne of God. The woman Israel was removed from the land for that prophetic 3.5 year period of tribulation. Daniel 9:27 explains this time will last "until the consummation." It's a non-disclosed time period. When Yeshua returned to His throne, He went to war with the dragon and cast him down the earth. Thus, Satan and his rebellious angels are now at this time roaming the earth, as we can evidently see, and he deceives all who don't know Yeshua. Meanwhile, on the throne, Yeshua has all power and dominion, and the Accuser no longer has authority to condemn those who trust in the blood of the Lamb Yeshua, the Word of God's testimony (the commandments), and who put the Kingdom of God first, even before their very own lives. The devil, now in a relatively powerless state, only gains power through deception (by convincing saints they are lost), and in this way he pursues Israel. Those who are true endure for that parabolic time of persecution, which enrages the dragon to pursue all the children of God who hold fast to the testimony of two. The devil stands on the shore of the sea, meaning the foundation of the world population, he is the "ruler of this world"—behind every evil.

As in Daniel, so too in Revelation 13 are the beasts representative of empires. The beast rising from the sea—the multitude of every nation—is a world power that dominates the whole earth by blaspheming God, His people, and His holy Way. The Adversary is ultimately the power behind this group of united nations, and when this power reaches its culmination, it will not seem possible to escape its global authority. In fact, many Saints who truly follow God will die on account of their faith under this global authority. All will worship the beast, unless they are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Saints will be imprisoned and will die for their adherence to the Word, and endurance in the faith will be needed. The beast from the earth will not come from the multitudes of nations, but rather from the very power of the evil one. This power will rise by promoting peace and security, but will bring death and evil. Whether one man or a caliphate, this beast will rule over the world power that came before it, will demonstrate god-like powers, though they will be counterfeit, and will create an image that the whole world will be commanded to worship. We can speculate whether certain modern technologies will develop into this oppressive force, but the reality is that we won't be able to buy or sell in regular society if we don't obey the laws of this beast (Shariah?), which will replace God's laws. His number, 666, is the imperfect number of man (man was created on the sixth day) tripled, a testimony of three, which represents man's best attempt to accomplish what God has promised, but without God (think Tower of Babel). God's number 777 represents the complete perfection of Heaven, and only the Saints with the testimony of two will experience it.

In Rev. 14, the Lamb will come on Mt. Zion with His Holy Ones, those who are blameless and resurrected in the first resurrection—the one we all want to be a part of. The LORD will send out messengers to warn the whole world one more time to obey God. His shout is prophetically represented by the Feast of Trumpets. This will be the last chance for anyone to repent on the Earth, for the Day of Atonement will have come, which is Judgment Day. Heaven will announce the destruction of the worldly system, represented by Babylon. Those who disobey God's commandments or disavow Yeshua—those who wear the mark of the Beast—will be destroyed in the wrath of God. Their torment will not literally last forever, but their fate will be sealed forever. They will not experience God's rest. But God's saints who persevere by keeping the commandments of God and their faith in Yeshua—the mark of God—will receive God's Rest in His eternal Kingdom. The Son of Man will appear on the clouds of Heaven and reap—He comes for His saints, but the angels who harvest the grapes will not be saved—these are those who will be crushed completely in God's wrath. This is why the One on the white horse will have a robe dipped in blood—it will flow 180 miles, 4-feet high. No wonder the kings of the earth ask the hills to fall on them!

Revelation 15, Revelation 16, Revelation 17, Revelation 18

Revelation 15 shifts to the scene in Heaven, a great multitude again (see Revelation 7) resurrected from the dead in the air (a sea of glass with the all-consuming fire of God that purifies), and they sang the song of Moses and of the Lamb accompanied by harps, as first explored in Exodus 15. In the End, Israel will watch as God conquers His enemies with the same fire that purifies His people, just as they watched God conquer His enemies with the same water that purified His people (we are baptized with water and with fire). The LORD is just and true—who does not fear Him? Let His Name be glorified, for He is Holy, He lives, and He will reveal the entirety of His plan.

The Temple in Heaven is ministered by God's Holy angels, and from the midst of thick smoke He sends His servants out to bring destruction on His enemies. Just as in Egypt, now on the Earth: painful boils, death of the animals, rivers and springs turned to blood—the wicked will drink the blood they once took from God's Holy People. Instead of praising God, the wicked will curse His name as He scorches them with intense heat, hail, and then darkness will cover the land. The rivers will dry up, preparing for the final battle, and false prophets will gather everyone still around to fight against the LORD, thinking they can beat Him. He will come like a thief in the night, during the complete darkness. Will He find faith on the Earth? The enemies will likely gather in the valley next to Mount Zion, which is potentially a better translation for Har, meaning mountain, and the root M'Gadad (גָּדַד), meaning from the cutting. Many attribute this scene to the mountain next to the valley of Miggedon (מְגִדּוֹן)—the Jezreel Valley—, but that spot may not align as well with prophesy as the Mount of Olives—the place where Yeshua left from and will return to (Acts 1), and the place that will be split in two into a valley upon His return (Zechariah 14:1-5). I am still pondering this. Revelation 16:19 indicates the "Great City" was split into three parts, which aligns to some extent. Is it already split into Jews, Christians, Muslims? The nations will suffer for opposing Israel.

Revelation 17 refers to the Great Prostitute who sits amidst the multitude of many nations, fueling sexual immorality and other lawlessness. The woman in the wilderness clothed with purple and scarlet, holding a cup of immorality, is the mother of everything detestable who sought to destroy those of true faith. It strikes me that this woman is a false religion and its many offshoots. She is described as sitting in Rome, and having dominion over the kings of the earth. But these kings will turn against her and ultimately destroy her. As we continue into Rev. 18, it seems that this worldly religious power called Babylon will be filled with demons, and God is calling His people to come out of her lest they face destruction along with her. In her self exaltation, she will be destroyed in a single day—the Day of Judgment. The Saints will rejoice in her destruction, because of how she had persecuted them. She deceived every nation through witchcraft and murdered the saints of God, and so she shall be no more.  

Revelation 19, Revelation 20, Revelation 21, Revelation 22

Here is a key concept to internalize and apply to everything: Salvation, glory, and power belong to God, and His judgments are just and true! When God brings the culmination of all things, there will be no one who can rightly speak against Him, even those destroyed totally by Him. He has told us everything we need to know. It is up to us whether we choose to believe and act on it. Halleluyah! If we hear and obey God, we will be among the multitude described yet again in Revelation 19 that participates in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The linens they wear are "the righteous acts of the saints." From the Marriage Supper, the Bridegroom will ride forth to vanquish His enemies and purify the Earth in righteousness. The blood on His robe is not His own, but that of the enemies He destroys. He is the Word of God—Yeshua, our Messiah. The name no one knows is from Zechariah 14:9. The sword from His mouth is the Word of God; His iron rod is a solid Shepherd's staff, unable to be broken. He is King of kings, LORD of lords, and His Word will separate the holy from the profane. The Beast and the false prophet were thrown into the "lake of fire," which is eternal destruction. The righteous will dwell with God forever.

Revelation 20 confounds me more than most. The 1000 years is possibly symbolic. As the Apostle noted in 2 Peter 3:8, "with the LORD one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day," and the Psalmist in Psalm 90:4: "For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night." With this interpretation, Satan is bound up during the Day of the LORD, the Last Day, when the Saints are set away in the LORD's pavilion following His feast and the LORD goes to make war with His enemies to destroy them, but then the Devil is released at the very end of the day to meet his destruction along with all those who have followed him. If there's to be a literal reign, then Yeshua Himself will rule over His Kingdom while the saints of the First Resurrection rule with Him, and those in the First Resurrection will not be at risk of falling away. Will there be others who have an opportunity to live in the Messiah's Millennial Kingdom that will still rebel against Him when Satan is released? I find this harder to imagine, but only because I love the LORD so much. Perhaps those who incorrectly believe God's commandments have been done away with will ultimately reject our King, because Yeshua will certainly uphold His commandments and destroy those who reject them. In any case, the Devil, the dead, both small and great, who are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life, will also be thrown into the lake of fire to be destroyed forever. Their souls will die, while the righteous will live with the LORD.

Based on the fullness of Bible prophesy, the old heavens and earth will be burned up/renewed by the consuming fire of God, much like silver or gold is refined by fire. The New Heaven and Earth will replace the one we dwell in now, and the spiritual and physical realms will be united once more like they were in the Garden of Eden. There will be no sorrow, death, pain, or suffering, because there will no longer be any sin. God Himself (Again, see Zechariah 14:9), will dwell among His people forever like a Husband and His Bride. This is the final fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles. The One seated on the throne is Yeshua, who is One with the Father. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Creator, the Redeemer and the Deliverer. Yeshua Himself calls Himself the Alpha and Omega just one chapter later, for consistency. To be clear and to emphasize, John writes that any lawless ones will not dwell with Yeshua in His Kingdom; these will be eternally destroyed. Next, we see the Bride described as a City, a great jewel, coming down from Heaven. This city is none other than the multitude of saints who were raised up in the first resurrection, and we will come down to dwell in the New Heaven and New Earth. The city's measurements are equivalent to what was described of the people earlier. This is Israel, made up of Jews and Gentiles who believe in and obey Yeshua. The Tribes of Israel will be the City's gates and the Apostles its foundation. The temple of the city is the Father and the Son, and God is also the light, and those redeemed also bring the light of Yeshua into the city and the temple.

The imagery of Revelation 22 continues to explain Scriptural prophesies. The river of life provides for trees bearing fruit, and all who dwell there live forever by enjoying the fruit and leaves of these trees. The Holy Spirit will help all of the faithful multitude to create life-giving fruit and healing, which is our service to God and the Lamb—we shall see His face! We will do His works. We will dwell in the light of God forever, and the dominion over the whole earth will be reestablished in our eternal relationship with God. If we understand that this promise awaits those who are faithful followers of Yeshua, we ought to be sure to live in a way that confirms this. The LORD is coming, and He will reward each of us according to our works—the righteous and believing to everlasting life and the wicked and unbelieving to everlasting destruction. We ought to be sure to make Him our covering by His blood so we can follow His instruction. Come LORD Yeshua!

It was a blessing to study the Bible with you this cycle. I pray the LORD has edified you with His Truth and the grace of His presence! The LORD lives! He is good, and His Mercy endures forever.

If you haven't yet, please join us as we study again next cycle together by following this link: 

https://bible.com/reading-plans/206/together/77651233/invitation?token=vS6eM_VS18xN9ZgI7E_b0g&source=share 


Blessings and shalom!