March 2020
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 23
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
This is a part of Scripture which is avoided by many people because of its seeming complexity. It is the only book in our Bible attributed to Yeshua Ha’mashiach Himself. Written by the Apostle John late in his life during a visionary encounter with the Holy Spirit of God. At times John is prompted, even directed, by the Lord to write what he is witnessing. One can only guess at the amazing spectacle of being so directed. What he describes is sometimes very difficult to imagine. There are quite unusual events and situations, such as have never before been encountered by mankind, to be considered, evaluated, and reckoned with. But it all comes with a promise!
The One who wrote the letters to the seven ‘churches’.
When I commenced these ‘reflections’ I had not intended to include this one. However, I have been so impacted by the revelation of Yeshua from these letters that I consider this aspect to be worthy of further ‘reflection’. It constitutes a compilation of the attributes and weaknesses in the “ekklesia” which was observed by Yeshua.
The nature and character of the Author, Yeshua.
“I am the First and the Last”
“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.”
“I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”
“I hold the seven stars (the angels of the “ekklesia”) in My right hand.”
“I walk in the midst of the golden lampstands (the “ekklesia”).”
“I have the sharp two-edged sword.”
“I am the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and feet like fine brass.”
“I have the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars.”
“I am holy, and I am true. I have the key of David. I open and no-one shuts. I shut and no-one opens.”
“I am the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.”
Has there ever been a more complete description of the One who is the Only One qualified to “open the scroll and loose its seven seals”. (Rev 5:5) Each one of these descriptive salutations reveals the awesome majesty and might of our Saviour. Take time to ponder each one. Look carefully at the implication for every believer. “O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!” (Psalm 9:1)
There are commendations to be appreciated. “I know your works!”
“You labour patiently, and you cannot bear those who are evil. You have tested the teachers among you, and found them to be liars.”
“You hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”
“You don’t have wealth, but you are rich. You have exposed the fakes in your “ekklesia”.”
“You are faithful, and in the face of persecution you do not deny Me.”
“I appreciate your loving service, your faith, and your good works.”
“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will keep you from the hour of trial which is coming.”
“He who overcomes, I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and I will write upon him the name of My God.”
And there are faults to be addressed.
“You have left your first love.”
“You hold the doctrine of Balaam.”
“You tolerate false teaching in the “ekklesia”.”
“You are neither hot nor cold, so I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
“Your wealth has blinded you to your true spiritual state.”
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” This written to those inside the “ekklesia”, anticipating a return to true worship and obedience.
It is my fervent hope that any who read this will take time to go through each aspect of characteristic, each commendation of service, and each fault to be addressed. It is not difficult to make generalizations of each of these things, but what is required is for each one of us, individual believers, to carefully appraise our own position before our holy God in the light of these letters. There is blessing to be received, but there is much worse ahead for any who treat the words of our Lord and Master lightly.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 22
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
This is a part of Scripture which is avoided by many people because of its seeming complexity. It is the only book in our Bible attributed to Yeshua Ha’mashiach Himself. Written by the Apostle John late in his life during a visionary encounter with the Holy Spirit of God. At times John is prompted, even directed, by the Lord to write what he is witnessing. One can only guess at the amazing spectacle of being so directed. What he describes is sometimes very difficult to imagine. There are quite unusual events and situations, such as have never before been encountered by mankind, to be considered, evaluated, and reckoned with. But it all comes with a promise!
The letter to Laodicea. Possibly the most preached about of the seven letters contained in this book. And who is He that writes this letter? “These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.” Each salutation is unique, descriptive of the One who we will one day meet in the Throne Room of heaven. But this salutation is quite direct. Our Creator. We will take very careful note.
Laodicea has been extensively excavated in the last several years to reveal a thriving metropolis thought to have had about 100,000 residents in the first century. Close by is the famous Hierapolis, spectacular with its white waterfall of salt laden water overflowing from the hot springs there. And adjacent to that is Necropolis, a large burial place, cold and dark yet interesting. Laodicea was home to a quite large hospital, specializing in treatment of eye problems. Situated on the River Lycus, and about 10 Km. away on the same side of the river, was Colossae, from where the cold drinking water was piped. So the hot therapeutic water from nearby Hierapolis on the opposite side of the river, (the white salt laden deposits on the hillside clearly visible today from Laodicea) mixed with the river water close to Loadicea to produce a lukewarm water which was unsuitable either for drinking (which hence came from Colossae) or for medical purposes. This provided the metaphor which Yeshua used to describe the state of the “ekklesia’ there. Practical and easily understood.
The wealth of the people probably emanated from the numerous visitors attracted by the reputation of the city for its medical treatment facilities. And yet they were part of an “ekklesia” of believers. I suspect that most of us could readily identify similar issues today within modern day churches. The description of such is unflattering. “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ – and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” Unflattering is an understatement isn’t it? It is a shocking indictment, especially since it is addressed to those identified as believers.
Then the counsel of the Lord to make changes. “Buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be (truly) rich, and white garments (the symbol of spiritual purity) that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve (a clear reference to the medical facilities of the city in which they lived and the ready availability of the cure) that you may see.” These are the caring words of a loving Saviour. Yes, they are words of chastisement. Yes, they are words which many find hard to grasp because of self-righteousness. Yes they are obvious. But there are none as blind as those who do not wish to see. To those who are comfortable with the offerings ‘of the world’, oblivious, until told, that they are on a path which leads to death, the second death. They are words which require action, change, humility, repentance. But as the metaphor alludes, they are remedies which are close at hand and readily available to the willing. Yeshua put it better than I ever could. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”
The final appeal to these dear folk in Laodicea is so often misapplied by preachers today. “Behold I stand at the door and knock.” An appeal of the evangelist to the unsaved. There is nothing wrong with inviting the unsaved to become disciples of Yeshua. It is what we are all called to do. But these words before us today are specifically addressed to believers in the “ekklesia”. To you. To me. To the person sitting in the pew in front or behind you. It is the call of Yeshua to “Let Me in.” Don’t discard or discount what He is offering us. He desires to walk with us through life’s journey. To teach us things of eternal value, as He sees us waste precious time wallowing, almost aimlessly in the mundane affairs of this world. And to what end? There is a wealth of fulfilling joy available to all who, in faith, believe, and let Him in. But just like these folk in Laodicea, our own agenda often impedes our progress in the faith.
His promise? “If anyone hears My voice and opens the door (that’s positive action) I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne.” Just TRY to take that in. Ponder what is being promised here. If it doesn’t bring a tear to your eye … well it should. And all this is in order that we, the “ekklesia” of the Lord, be fully prepared for all the things which are ahead of us, which we are about to discover as the Lord Yeshua reveals them to John, and he to us.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 21
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
This is a part of Scripture which is avoided by many people because of its seeming complexity. It is the only book in our Bible attributed to Yeshua Ha’mashiach Himself. Written by the Apostle John late in his life during a visionary encounter with the Holy Spirit of God. At times John is prompted, even directed, by the Lord to write what he is witnessing. One can only guess at the amazing spectacle of being so directed. What he describes is sometimes very difficult to imagine. There are quite unusual events and situations, such as have never before been encountered by mankind, to be considered, evaluated, and reckoned with. But it all comes with a promise!
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write.” One of only two churches which did not receive a rebuke from the Lord. Known today as Alasehir, with about 50,000 inhabitants, and another 50,000 in the surrounding districts, it is about 105 Km directly east of Izmir, and just south east of Sardis. It was subject of a massive fire towards the end of the Greco Turkish war in 1922, so there is not much left from ancient times. It is famous today for its production of Sultana Raisons!
But it did have a thriving “ekklesia” there. Careful observation will reveal that the churches of Revelation are grouped, and are mentioned in that order, in an approximate clockwise circle of maybe 150 Km diameter. So what is the lesson today from this letter? The now well familiar “I know your works” is preceded by the description of the author. “He who is holy, He who is true. ‘He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts, and no one opens’.” As I read this I was immediately drawn to the story of Noah and those who entered the Ark. There was a door into the Ark. And that door was eventually closed by God Himself. When those appointed to enter were inside, God closed the door. No amount of appealing to Noah could cause that door to open. But here in the ‘ekklesia’ in Philadelphia, the door was open, whatever that door represented to them, possibly the efforts of their opponents to close them down, possibly the efforts of those ‘who say they are Jews but are not’, to take over the teaching. Whatever it was, God was in control and was supporting and strengthening them. Why? “You have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”
When God opens doors, no one can shut it. And at the same time, when God shuts a door, no one else can open it. Let that sink in. All the struggling and pushing, the pleading and the all the money in the world will not open a door that God has closed, nor close a door that God has opened. It is significant that this “synagogue of satan” is mentioned in close relationship to this ‘opening’ and ‘closing’ promise. Those who of this ‘synagogue’ will one day be made to recognize the faithfulness and love of those who “Keep My word, and have not denied My name.” They, (those of the synagogue of satan) will see the love of God for them, and says the Lord “they will worship before your feet.” That is a reference to a future date because it evidently did not happen in their lifetime. But there is more good news for this faithful “ekklesia”. “Because you have kept My command to persevere (to the end), I will keep you from the hour of trial which will come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”
Confirmation here that there is a “day of trial” ahead. It will be visited upon the whole world. Its purpose. To discern the ‘faithful’ from the ‘unfaithful’. The real from the counterfeit. But the faithful of this “ekklesia” are to be preserved from that trial. God is just, so we may conclude perhaps that others who belong to Him and ‘persevere’ to the end will be granted similar exemption from that ‘hour of trial’. And there is more. “He who overcomes, I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more (safe for eternity). I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem (which IS the bride of Christ (Revelation 21:9-11)) which comes down out of heaven from My God.” Then the crown of crowns for the faithful servant of the Lord. “And I will write on him My new name.”
There is such a description here of that future day when God Himself, seated on that Great White Throne, will sit in judgement of mankind. There are those who teach that because God is merciful, kind, gentle, not willing that any should perish, He will overlook the sin and contempt of mankind. That is NOT in our Bible. Didn’t we read in Hebrews “it is appointed to man once to die, and after death the judgment.”? Well here it is again. YHWH Elohim, will require each of us to give account. Some will have “My new name” written on them said Yeshua in this letter, and some will not.
The wise, who receive the blessing promised to those who read this ‘revelation’ to John, will understand that there are conditions attached to entry to “the New Jerusalam”. The blessing is eternal life. Advance warning of the things to come. Sanctuary from the “hour of trial”.
Each letter to these seven ‘churches’ has its own message. Those who are wise will take careful note, and find eternal life.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 20
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
This is a part of Scripture which is avoided by many people because of its seeming complexity. It is the only book in our Bible attributed to Yeshua Ha’mashiach Himself. Written by the Apostle John late in his life during a visionary encounter with the Holy Spirit of God. At times John is prompted, even directed, by the Lord to write what he is witnessing. One can only guess at the amazing spectacle of being so directed. What he describes is sometimes very difficult to imagine. There are quite unusual events and situations, such as have never before been encountered by mankind, to be considered, evaluated, and reckoned with. But it all comes with a promise!
What an amazing introduction to this “ekklesia” in Sardis. It is difficult to imagine a more condemning accusation. Sardis, present day Sart (formerly Sartmahmut before October 2005) is situated about 75 Km south east of Thyatira and 100 Km east of Izmir. The city was destroyed by an earthquake in 17 C.E. but evidently the “ekklesia’ continued to function after that. Excavations conducted in the past 50 years have uncovered many fine building from Roman times, including a Temple to Artemis, together with what is probably the most impressive of all the Synagogues which have been excavated in Turkey. The work continues.
“I know your works” said “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars.” Then the statement of condemnation. “You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” There is nothing exceptional in the fact that Yeshua knew their works. He knows the works of us all. But that then highlights the next statement. In paraphrase, “You have managed to convince a lot of people that you have got things together, but I know that you are just putting on a show.” Is that what I am doing? Or you? Just putting on a show to impress my friends? It is a sure thing that if Yeshua knew, they also would know their own heart. Their motive in the type of actions and attitudes which were contrived to convey that impression. In their minds they thought it was working, and it probably was. But as God said to Samuel when David was chosen to be King over Israel, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.” Let us never forget that.
It may be profitable to ponder the difference between “being alive” and “being dead”. It may seem obvious, but in the “ekklesia’ it could mean more than the obvious. For example, you might hear someone referring to the number of additional members, the growth rate, in conversation about different “ekklesia”. Most would consider that to be a good sign. But the more important measure of an “ekklesia” would be the spiritual growth of individuals within that “ekklesia”. Many “ekklesia” today have very attractive (bands, sound effects, visual presentation etc,) services to encourage attendance. The focus is on numbers. Often the Word of God is rarely opened and read publically. The sermon begins with a scripture text which is them used as a launching pad for whatever social issue gets the best attention. There are other elements too which comprise great activity, but no “life”. No call of sinners to repentance. No call to live righteously before a holy God. Dead. Could that have been the condition of this “ekklesia” in Sardis? All froth and no bubble?
“Be watchful and strengthen the things that remain, that are ready to die.” In paraphrase, “You know what’s right, you’ve let that slip, don’t let that which is good die with the rest. Remember your early teaching, that which you had from the beginning, stir it up, hold on to it, repent of the things you have let go. Restore the life you once had.” Then what appears as a threat, but is really a promise. “Because if you don’t, there are no more warnings, I will come when you least expect it and ‘remove your lampstand’.” And then there is great encouragement to individuals within that, and any other, “ekklesia”. Just as Yeshua ‘knows the works’ of the “ekklesia”, He also ‘knows the works’ of the individual. There were those with ‘unsoiled garments’ in the Sardis “ekklesia”. Possibly they were frustrated by what they could see going on around them in the name of the “ekklesia”. You may be like that yourself. Well here is the good news. Remain faithful to the truth of God’s Word. Don’t compromise. Stick to what you know to be right. Why?
“You have a few names, even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” What a promise! “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” Eternity with “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars.” That is a rock solid promise. But, by inference, there will be some who will have their names blotted out of the Book of Life. The Apostle Matthew also provided this message in his gospel account didn’t he? Look at Matthew 7:21. “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” It is often said that one can do nothing to earn one’s salvation. Quite correct too. But evidently, there are things that can be done to maintain it!!
Shabbat Shalom
RS