Shabbat Message of
Jer 2:1-19 Moreover the word of YHWH came to me, saying, (2) Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith YHWH; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. (3) Israel was holiness unto YHWH, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith YHWH. (4) Hear ye the word of YHWH, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel: (5) Thus saith YHWH, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain? (6) Neither said they, Where is YHWH that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt? (7) And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. (8) The priests said not, Where is YHWH? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit. (9) Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith YHWH, and with your children's children will I plead. (10) For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing. (11) Hath a nation changed their elohim, which are yet no elohim? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. (12) Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith YHWH. (13) For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (14) Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled? (15) The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant. (16) Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head. (17) Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken YHWH thy Elohim, when he led thee by the way? (18) And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river? (19) Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken YHWH thy Elohim, and that my fear is not in thee, saith The Master YHWH of hosts.
Introduction
Rev 1:19-20 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; (20) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
These teachings are relevant on 3 dimensions:
The Assembly of the Time
The Historical Assembly (Throughout 2000 yrs Time)
The Individual Believer
While History is interesting it is far more critical that we look into ourselves with each of these admonitions from YHWSHUA! (This is the "Mystery" that YHWSHUA spoke of)
We need to search out our lives and find where we are doing well, and where we fall short
If we fall short we must make corrections so that we are not excluded from the Kingdom!!!
Ephesus
Rev 2:1-7 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; (2) I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: (3) And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. (4) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (5) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (6) But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. (7) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of YHWH.
The Commendation
(2) I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: (3) And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.
Labor & Works
Mat 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Master, Master, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
YES I am preaching "Salvation by works" (so did YHWSHUA, James, John, & Peter!) "But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead (Worthless, Vain, Null & Void)?" (James 2:20 NKJ)
Joh 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Patience & Perserverance
Gen 32:24-28 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. (25) And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. (26) And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. (27) And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. (28) And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with Elohim and with men, and hast prevailed.
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Heb 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Mat 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
"We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of YHWH" (Acts 14:22) Since the Kingdom is within us, Armageddon is therefore not an historical event as we have been taught! Rather it is part of our spiritual growth as disciples of YHWSHUA searching for Truth
Detest False Teachers
2Pe 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying The Master that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
2Co 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Messiah. (14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Deu 13:2-4 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spoke unto thee, saying, Let us go after other elohim, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; (3) Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for YHWH your Elohim proveth you, to know whether ye love YHWH your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul. (4) Ye shall walk after YHWH your Elohim, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
Isa 9:15-16 The ancient and honorable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. (16) For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
Rom 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (18) For they that are such serve not our Master YHWSHUA Messiah, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Mat 7:13-15 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (15) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
The Problem
(4) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Jer 2:2-5 Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith YHWH; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. (3) Israel was holiness unto YHWH, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith YHWH. (4) Hear ye the word of YHWH, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel: (5) Thus saith YHWH, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
Caught up with the world...
1Jn 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of YHWH abideth forever.
Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
1Jn 4:7-21 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of YHWH; and every one that loveth is born of YHWH, and knoweth YHWH. (8) He that loveth not knoweth not YHWH; for YHWH is love. (9) In this was manifested the love of YHWH toward us, because that YHWH sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. (10) Herein is love, not that we loved YHWH, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (11) Beloved, if YHWH so loved us, we ought also to love one another. (12) No man hath seen YHWH at any time. If we love one another, YHWH dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. (13) Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. (14) And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. (15) Whosoever shall confess that YHWSHUA is the Son of YHWH, YHWH dwelleth in him, and he in YHWH. (16) And we have known and believed the love that YHWH hath to us. YHWH is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in YHWH, and YHWH in him. (17) Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (19) We love him, because he first loved us. (20) If a man say, I love YHWH, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love YHWH whom he hath not seen? (21) And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth YHWH love his brother also.
Heb 6:10-11 For YHWH is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (11) And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
The Solution
(5) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Repent for the Kingdom is at hand....
Open and unloose the mind to Truth.. Can only do this when we reject the falsehoods! We must unloose the mind from the doctrines and thinking of men that keep us chained to the world and it's system!
We must open our mind to the inner reality of the Kingdom - this can only be accomplished by living in obedience to the Commandments and Teachings of YHWSHUA
Change our mind and direction of our lives!
Be immersed again?!
Mat 7:13-15 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (15) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Luk 13:23-30 Then said one unto him, Master, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, (24) Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (25) When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying,Master, Master, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: (26) Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. (27) But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. (28) There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of YHWH, and you yourselves thrust out. (29) And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of YHWH. (30) And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
Regardless of what anyone (including some self proclaimed preacher) tells you, if you fail to enter the "narrow gate that leads to life, (Hard, Narrow, Only few ever find it") and enter the Kingdom within you (Luke 17:20-21) while still in this physical body, you are walking the broad way that will lead to your destruction.
Commendation
(6) But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
Nicolaitanes:
Anyone with a dominating, manipulating spirit.
They seek to influence and control others in very subtle ways.
They use religion, causes and numbers to pressure people into movements.
They say "We love you", and want only what is best for you. Be wary of feigned words.
"From such turn away" (2 Timothy 3)
Conclusion
(7) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of YHWH.
We must eat in THIS Life!!
Pro 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life...
Rev 22:1-16 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of YHWH and of the Lamb. (2) In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (3) And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of YHWH and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: (4) And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. (5) And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Master YHWH giveth them light: and they shall reign forever and ever. (6) And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Master YHWH of the holy prophets sent his Messenger to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. (7) Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the saying of the prophecy of this book. (8) And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. (9) Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship YHWH. (10) And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. (11) He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. (12) And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (13) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (14) Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (15) For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (16) I YHWSHUA have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.