August 2020
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 45
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!
We ended last week with those who were blessed to participate in the first resurrection. “Over them the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him for a thousand years.”
At the end of this thousand years, for reasons that are the exclusive domain of YHWH Elohim, (don’t even try to work it out), Satan is amazingly released from the ‘bottomless pit’. Whereas he had earlier been allowed access into the heavenlies, prior to his downfall, on this release from the ‘bottomless pit’ he is confined to the earth only. And that for a specific time and purpose. We do not know how long he will be allowed, but his purpose is the same as now. “A leopard does not change his spots” says the proverb. Again Satan engages in deception. He will be allowed to go to nations that extend to the far corners of the earth. Then for reasons that are inexplicable, he presumably will find multitudes (the Bible describes the number of them “as the sands of the seashore”), who, having lived throughout the thousand year reign of Messiah Yeshua, can still be deceived into entering into battle with Him.
The description is concise, and the result conclusive. “They (those who were deceived by Satan) went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city (Jerusalem). And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.” But Satan, the deceiver, has a different end. “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet (already) are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Selah. As at this time, there will be THREE identities in that lake of fire. The beast, the false prophet, and the devil. As we proceed with this ‘reflection’ we will find that there are yet more to join them! It is the final ‘cleansing’ of the earth’s population. All opposition to the reign and rule of Messiah Yeshua will finally be numbered and dealt with.
John, in his vision, was then witness to an awesome event which is to take place in the future. He saw “The Great White Throne” on which the Judge of all the earth, the Judge of all those who have inhabited the earth, sits. No-one will be able to look upon that Throne, such is the Might and Majesty of Him who sits upon it.
Look carefully at this next phase of events. It is absolutely vital that we all understand this. John said “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God.” These are NOT resurrected. They are the dead. And what did John see? The BOOKS were opened. What is that again? BOOKS? Do you mean that there is a record of MY life … written in a book? O NO!! O yes my friend, and those books are opened by the Judge. We are even told the basis of that judgment. According to the vision John saw, “the dead were judged according to their WORKS, by the things which were written in the books.”
But there is another book. It is called “The Book of Life” (sometimes referred to as “The Lambs Book of Life”). A friend of mine once described this heavenly scene in layman’s language. The picture is that of a person standing before that Throne and being asked the question by the Judge as He looked to take that person’s book from the shelf. “And who are you?” Then Yeshua steps forward and gently speaks to the Father. “He is with Me Father.” So the Judge says “Come in, well done good and faithful servant.” That is what having one’s name in the Book of Life might look like.
But there is no such comfort for others. Death and Hades gave up their dead for judgment. No advocate to stand before the holy Judge pleading the case. Alone, with the books opened. Judged according to one’s works.
The final words of this ‘reflection’ need no further comment.
“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.” Thus joining the beast, the false prophet, and the devil. But that is not the last of it. “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was (also) cast into the lake of fire.”
Sounds like the end of a very bad experience doesn’t it? And it is. But it need not be. The blessing of God, given to us in this horrible description of these future events, is that there is still time for you to have your name written in that Book of Life.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 44
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!
An interesting comment to begin this account of events which will bring us closer and closer to the millennial reign of Yeshua on this earth. John saw an angel coming DOWN from heaven. Have you ever wondered where ‘heaven’ actually is? Is it a place? Is it somewhere just ‘in the presence of God’? Well, of course John had been given a guided tour hadn’t he? So it must have a physical location, and now we know it is UP. And the angel who comes down is holding a large chain, and a key. This angel must be powerful, acting with the complete authority of YHWH Elohim, because he will take hold of Satan, bind him with the chain and cast him into that bottomless pit. John is here given a vision of this momentous future event. Satan bound, restrained, powerless, locked in that bottomless pit for one thousand years (or is it two thousand?). And right here we are given a glimpse of that moment when this earth becomes free from satanic influence. But this is NOT the end of Satan, it is NOT the lake of fire, into which, at this stage, the Beast and his prophet will have already been cast. That comes later. Much later.
Neither is it the end of John’s vision. Because John was then shown “thrones” with people sitting on those thrones. They were powerful people to whom “judgement was committed.” That is very high office. BUT who are the “they” sitting on those thrones? At the risk of ‘throwing a spanner into the works’ regarding the teaching of sincere Christian doctrine regarding the resurrection (otherwise known as “the rapture”), there is no support for such doctrine in this scripture! We may speculate about the identity of those who sit on those “thrones”, but that is all. My speculation was that it was the ‘martyrs’ from the ‘great tribulation’. But that cannot be because we are immediately informed that John then saw ‘the souls of those martyrs’. They were not bodily resurrected. But they lived and reigned with Yeshua Ha’Mashiach for a thousand years.
Friends, avoid the temptation to argue this point. We simply do not know. God knows. The wise among us will be content to stick with scripture. Be cautious to remember both the blessings and the curses which accompany this Book, about adding or taking away from it. The blessings declared at the beginning, and the curses clearly enunciated at the end.
What we do know however, is that those who are alive during this tumultuous period of time, which is referred to as ‘the great tribulation’, will be rewarded with privilege for their faithfulness. That is clearly stated in this passage. “They will live and reign with Christ for a thousand years.”
The very next verse in our Bible is a ‘conversation stopper’. “But the rest of the dead (have a think about that) did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.” “protos anastasis” in Greek. Now you have to do some fancy word manipulation to read anything into that other than what it actually says. BUT, I hear, Paul said in his letter to the Thessalonian “ekklesia”, “The dead in Christ shall rise first etc etc.” Yes he did. But the only conflict there is related to what we have been taught that to mean. It is a comforting teaching. It teaches that the “church” is removed from the earth, and so avoids the great tribulation. But as we have just seen, there are a number of ‘saints’ beheaded for their faith in that tribulation period. Where did they come from? They are the very ones whose souls “live again and reign with Christ for a thousand years” aren’t they? Be very careful to understand the actual words used in the scriptures!
If that isn’t enough, look at what comes next. There is immense comfort in these words. “Blessed and holy (set apart) is he who has part in the first resurrection (protos anastasis). Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”
Here commentators are divided on this period of ‘a thousand years’. Is there ONE period of ‘a thousand years’ or are there TWO distinct periods. In the scheme of things, it really doesn’t matter does it? What does matter however, is that those of us who live today are informed about these events, The key issue, about which we should all be concerned, is that we place ourselves into that situation where “the second death has no power.” There is little we can do to avoid the first death. But there is plenty we can do to be part of the “first resurrection”. Selah.
Shabbat Shalom.
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 43
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 amazingjohn is shown 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!
John returned to the vision of the risen Saviour, now riding on a white horse, followed by the armies of heaven, clothed in fine linen, also riding white horses. An awesome sight for sure. The description is not as full as the one John gave us in chapter 1, but there is no doubting the Person he described. But now, His garment is “dipped in blood”. The battle is described in some detail in Ezekiel 38:18-23 and again in Zechariah 14. The major factor being the very presence of the One who Himself engages in that battle so that His garments are bloodstained.
To add to the revelation, John is shown His Name, which, he said, no-one previously knew. That name is called “The Word of God”. However, John had also told us at the commencement of his gospel account of the life of Yeshua, that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” and a little later that “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Could it be that John felt that he was uniquely privileged in that he was the only one previously entrusted with this knowledge?
In verse 15 he described the dominance of Yeshua in the battle. Our previous knowledge of Him on His earthly sojourn was of a man of great patience, tender, loving, gentle. Even refusing to speak in His own defence before the Chief Priest in the face of false accusations about Himself, until the High Priest ‘put Him under oath’ in Matthew 26:63. It was at that point, if He had He remained silent, He would be considered guilty as charged (albeit falsely). Look at Leviticus 5:1 for the reason He was forced to respond!
But the Yeshua John now described was very different. Now we are introduced to Yeshua, “King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.” Mighty in battle, ruling nations with a rod of iron, executing the righteous judgement of YHWH Elohim. As I write, I am reminded of the famous Hymn, written by Francis Ridley Havergal about 150 years ago.
Who is on the Lord’s side?
Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers,
Other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world’s side?
Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord’s side?
Who for Him will go?
Well, the truth is, that He does not seek our help in this battle. He is more than capable of defeating these oppressive foes on His own. And He surely will. And the result of that conflict provides the fulfilment of the prophetic writing of Ezekiel two and a half thousand years ago (Ezekiel 39). The feast of the birds. The Lord told Ezekiel to prophesy to the birds of that great feast day which would occur. The Lord also told him that after this great battle, the people would be ‘cleansing’ the land by burying the remnants of the dead for seven months after the battle had ended. They would need to search the land for bones left behind by the birds in order to commit them to the ground in burial.
But not everyone in opposition armies will be killed by the sword. Two persons are singled out for a different end. ‘The beast’, that man of peace who appeared seven years earlier to make the treaty with Israel. And the one identified as his ‘false prophet’, the one who deceived the people with his miraculous powers. The one who deceptively caused people to accept the ‘mark of the beast’ on their bodies. Both will be taken alive, and cast unceremoniously into the ‘lake of fire burning with brimstone’.
Yet this is still not quite the end! But it is the beginning of the end. The forces arraigned against Israel in the last days will have been defeated. It will be the end of the tribulation years. It will mark the time when “all Israel will be saved” as the Apostle Paul wrote. It marks the time when Israel will “look on Me, whom they pierced, and mourn for Him as one mourns for an only son.” (Zechariah 12:10) It marks the time when “the world will know that I am the LORD.” The prophetic fulfilment of Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets, has at last occurred..
So what is left? Satan is still to be dealt with, and Judgement Day, that day, still prophetically unfulfilled, Yom Kippur, lies ahead. This vision given to John leaves nothing unrevealed, but we need to ready ourselves.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 42
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!
It seems that the worst is over doesn’t it? Babylon has fallen. Conquered. Destroyed. “Her smoke rises up for ever and ever”. Perpetually desolate. The hosts of heaven join in loud praise. “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honour and power belong to the Lord our God!” In the throne room of heaven, the 24 Elders and the 4 living creatures which are full of eyes, fell down in worship, adoration and praise. It will be, because we are still looking at a future situation, a triumphant, yet personally distressing few years for the faithful, as Satan and his disciples resist their inevitable end. Beginning with the appearance of ‘the man of peace’, and ending with the fall of the system we identify as ‘Babylon’.
So the proclamation from the throne of heaven saying “Praise our God, all you His servants, and those who fear Him, both small and great!” The response from the multitudes in heaven is loud and clear. “The Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
We should take a moment or so to find out who this “wife” is. Most people will quickly identify that “wife” as ‘the church’ (whatever we think that to be). That very word ‘church’ is widely misunderstood today because it has been so commonly used to describe a building on the corner of the local High Street. Additionally, there are several different groups identified with that word, even though their understanding of discipleship and servanthood varies enormously.
In the gospels, the only mention of the bride and the bridegroom in the same sentence is John the Baptizer in John 3:29. Elsewhere only the bridegroom is mentioned. By inference there has to be a bride if there is a bridegroom! Paul, writing to the Ephesian “ekklesia” about the order in families, compares a husband as head over the wife, to Christ being the head of the “ekklesia’. This is the single most quoted reason for thinking that the “ekklesia” IS the bride. However, we will see when we ‘reflect’ on Revelation 21 that John is shown "the bride, the Lamb’s wife”. It is clear, unequivocal, and described in great detail.
John is again dumbstruck in his vision of the things he was shown, so that the angel conducting him around the heavenlies had to remind him to “Write”. This is so important. “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” We know from other places in the Scriptures that there will be many disappointed folk on that day. Probably the most condemning verses in all the Scriptures are found in Matthew 7:21-23. I have pondered what they declare many times as I review my own walk with the Lord. And I respectfully encourage you to do likewise. It is that important. I especially encourage anyone interested enough in their future to come to terms with the last phrase of verse 23. What does it mean to “practice lawlessness.” Remembering that “law” is an incorrect translation of the Hebrew word “Torah” in our Bibles. Selah.
John was so impressed that he fell on his face before the angel to worship him. The angel roundly scolded him. “See that you do not do that!” Why? Then the angel said “I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Yeshua. Worship God! For the testimony of Yeshua is the spirit of prophecy.” The angel identified himself as an equal with John. Could he have been a Jewish believer who had pre-deceased John? Well we don’t know, but what we do know is that the clear message is that God alone is to be worshipped. Not Abraham, not Moses, not Elijah, not Paul, not Peter, or John, or any other proclaimer of the good news. Not one’s favourite TV evangelist, or preacher, teacher or commentator on the Scriptures.
Before anyone accuses of excluding our Saviour and Master. Yeshua from this list, I am mindful that Yeshua, during His earthly ministry, went to great pains to express His Unity with the Father God. I am mindful that we are told that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” That says it all doesn’t it? He is the One, that inexplicable part of our God, who left His heavenly abode to identify with humanity and pay the price for our eventual redemption. To Him be glory, praise and honour. But that is honour NOT to be given, or shared, with any other on earth or in heaven.
Blessing continues as we delve more into this unique view of the heavenly realm, which John was privileged to see in his vision.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 41
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!
Just like last week, we ‘reflect’ again on the fall of Babylon as we continue to look at the remainder of Revelation 18. It could be appropriate to title this passage “The great lament”. It focuses entirely on the dismay, the incredulity, the shock, and the swiftness, which the fall of Babylon will bring to the world of commerce and to those who do not heed the many warnings and opportunities to repent. The cry of those who lament can be heard “In one hour, in just one hour!” And that brings to mind the promise of God regarding the return of our Lord, brought to us by Paul writing to the Corinthian ‘ekklesia’ “In a moment, at the sound of the last trumpet, in the twinkling of an eye.” And at the risk of being charged with “adding” to the Scriptures, in my mind I hear other voices crying “Too late, too late.” But the good news for us is, that right now, it is not too late. The picture we are given is prophetic of still future events.
Last week we ended our ‘reflection’ with an image of the great harlot who rides the scarlet beast, representative of the excesses of Babylon and her wanton disregard of all things Godly, proudly proclaiming her arrogant invulnerability. “I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.” And this week, our Scripture passage opens with words which describe the prophetic vision given to John, “Therefore her plagues will come in one day – death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.” Completely humiliated, in one hour, for the whole world to see, and to marvel at, in reflection of the warnings of the faithful who had lost their lives in martyrdom.
‘The lament’ is the lot of those who benefited and grew rich from the excesses of “Babylon”. In some respects, that “Babylon” is all around us today. Rank commercialism, with which we are both absorbed and enamoured. It appears to dictate the idealism which is held in such high regard by so many of us in our present day world. It is in our clamour for more and more ‘stuff’. It is in the way we seem to care more about what we have, than who we are. And has little regard for where we are heading! And ‘in one hour’, as verse 19 of our text tells us ‘she is made desolate’. Gone for ever.
But that is only part of the story. That is the lament of those dispossessed of their former allegiance. The other side of the story relates to the faithful. To those who heeded the warnings. Including those who ‘came out of her’. Those who heard the alarm bells and escaped in time. Today, there is still time! The angel with the loud voice said “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her.” That sounds a bit like ‘gloating’ doesn’t it? But it is not. It is an observation of the holiness and faithfulness of God. It is God fulfilling another of His promises. What He says, He will do. Always. Perhaps not in our time scale, but in His perfect time. And as yet, we do not have that understanding. “Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore.” It is as certain as night follows day.
In emphasis of this event, we are shown a picture of contrast between what is, and what will be. A glimpse of the ‘desolation’ to come.
“The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft will be found in you anymore, and the sound of the millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of the bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore.”
Then the angels give us the reason for this desolation. We need to recall that this system which is to be removed, is the system of order in this world which is presently under the control and direction of Satan. We are being shown the result of that final battle, the battle which was won in the death and resurrection of Yeshua. It is a done deal.
“For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth (because of their faith).”
It is truly a horrible picture. This whole ‘revelation’ contains detail of horrible events. So horrible that many preachers won’t touch it with a proverbial ‘barge pole’. The more is the pity, because it is God’s timely warning for those wise in the Spirit to take heed. You will receive blessing as you do.
Shabbat Shalom
RS