THE KINGDOM OF GOD - THE PROCLAMATION OF JESUS CHRIST

 

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1.14-15

 

Jesus began his ministry by proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is at hand. He was talking about the establishment of the kingdom in Jerusalem at the end of what we call the “church age.” The first step is to repent and believe in the gospel, which means, “Good News.”

 

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  John 3.3 A person must accept Jesus as savior and Lord before they can even begin to “see the kingdom.”

At the end of the age when Jesus returns he is going to set up His governmental headquarters in Jerusalem and rule the nations with an iron rod. This is the millennial kingdom for which all his saints are being prepared for here on earth. This government will be headed by Jesus and those who have believed in Him down through the ages will rule and reign with him. Our job at that time will be to teach all the nations the ways of God. Zechariah 14.16-19, 14.6-9, Rev 20.4-6

 

This kingdom’s first principle is love. It operates on giving, rather than getting.

28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”
29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 30 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
32 So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. 33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
But after that no one dared question Him. Mark 12:28-34

 

This kingdom does not operate on envy, murder, lust, greed, coveting, lying, stealing, and dishonor, but rather on the fruits of the spirit. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5.22-24

 

“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Jeremiah 31.31-33

 

The New Covenant is God writing His law upon our hearts. We will love God so much that we will not want to disobey His commandments. As we see in the above verses from Jeremiah--the commandments will be written on our hearts. We will cheerfully obey them, know, and understand them. “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119.11 This is the beginning of the government of God in our hearts.

 

The millennial kingdom will operate on these principles. Those who rule and reign with Christ will be teaching the nations about the Lord and operating on these love principles. They will be teaching the nations the Law/Torah. The law is a code of conduct. This is the law God gave Moses. The only way the code is truly obeyed is from a spirit of love. If we love God, then we obey His commandments. 1 John 5.1-3

 

Jesus sent his disciples out to preach the kingdom of God; Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9.1-2

 

There will be a government; And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke 22.29-30

 

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1.6

 

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9.6

Laws of the Kingdom of God

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3“ Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Psalm 51.17; Proverbs 16.19; Isaiah 57.15

4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted. Isaiah 61.2; Joel 1.9; Psalm 30.11

5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth. Numbers 12.3; Psalm 37.11; Isaiah 11.4

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled. Isaiah 65.13; Psalm 35.28; 37.6; 48.10; 96.13

7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy. Psalm 41.1; Psalm 37.26; Psalm 119.58

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God. Proverbs 15.26; 20.11; 21.8; 30.15

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God. Psalm 144.3; Proverbs 3.1; 3.11-12; 5.1

 

The beatitudes that Jesus spoke of on the mountain are all laws written in the Old Testament. He was the living word and was reminding us of the law as a code of conduct for our lives. This is how we are to live in the kingdom of God.

GOD AND GOVERNMENT

As we go forward in these end time crises things are going to get worse in the world and in governments around the world. Controversy, financial shaking, and confrontation are going to increase everywhere around us. We are going to have to live and function within this frame work as a church and community.

 

The more oppressive world government becomes the more we will be tempted to rebel and react in an ungodly manner. Everything we do in the future should be directed by godly desires and righteousness worked in us by the Lord. The Lord does not want us to falter due to the lawlessness that will surround us.

 

God’s interpretation of government is shown to us as an eternal pattern. Isaiah 9:6-7 God’s purpose in His government is to uphold His standards of justice and righteousness in society. In Eccl 10:2 we see God’s thoughts on the politics of the right and the left! Ha!

 

In reality often times leftist thinkers tend to lead toward unrighteous communistic, socialistic government that enslaves the population by doing away with personal property and civil rights. Often times a government built on conservative values have platforms that are more respectful of the people’s rights. We are not highly political, however, because we are citizens of God’s Kingdom. Jesus in not a republican or a democrat, He is a high priest, Torah observant Jew!

 

GOD’S THREE FOLD STANDARD OF GOVERNMENT

God’s standards are always righteous and just:

1. Imputed righteousness--God’s salvation always was through blood sacrifice. Salvation even in ancient days was not achieved thru the law, but by the blood sacrifice for sin when the law was transgressed. Imputed righteousness is through the blood of Yeshua. Saved by grace through faith in Jesus. The sacrifices prior to Jesus were to point us to the coming way that He would be making. Lev 4:20,26,31,35 sacrifices. Romans 3:21-26 complete salvation in Yeshua. 1 Peter 1:22-23 Born again.

 

2. Behavioral righteousness--How are we to live after receiving salvation? We are held accountable 1 John 3:7.

The righteous practice righteousness. To walk in righteousness we must have the Torah written on our hearts. All 

scripture is good for instruction in righteousness. 2 Tim 3:16-17  The commandments of God reveal His righteousness. There are standards of behavior.  Ps 119:172 The character and nature of God is revealed in the Torah. Ps119:123 God is calling us to a holy lifestyle, His judgments are righteous. Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of righteousness is a tree of life. The life of God saves and the just live by faith. Habakkuk 2:4

 

3. Community righteousness--Our walk has a affect on our relationships. If we are walking righteously we should have good relationships within our community/church. This requires accountability on everyone’s who is part of God’s community. This also means we are accountable to governmental authority within the church. We must show/live justice among ourselves. We need a justice system to function properly.

 

THREE ASPECTS OF GOD’S DIVINE NATURE

Three aspects of God’s divine nature oversee community righteousness, accountability, and judgment. Everything that goes on in heaven and earth are in these three. The Lord is Judge, Lawgiver, and King. Isaiah 33:22

These three also represent our form of government in the United States which is a Constitutional Republic. They are the Judicial, Legislative, and Executive branches. Our founders where seeking God when they set up this government. The Constitution was designed to be the spirit behind any laws that would be written. Men were guaranteed basic “natural laws” which were considered to be foundational laws of the Creator.

 

The Tabernacle/Temple design also showed God’s form of government:

1. Ark of the Covenant--Held the laws of God and was inside the Holy of Holies.

2. Altar--House of the King was the altar--we receive salvation at the altar, learn how to minister to God and to one another. The Ten Commandments: 1-4 ministering to God and 5-10 to one another.

3. House of Justice (Beit Din) The House of Justice was a rabbinical court made up of three rabbis who resolve business disputes under Jewish law and determine whether a prospective convert is ready for conversion. They made judgments and administered justice within the community.

To keep society civil we need to have courts and judges. Ex 18:13-27 We must walk according to the Torah and behave righteously to be blessed. Deut 6:18-20

 

POOR CHOICES

When Adam ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil he literally moved out of God’s house. He transgressed the commandment of God and received judgment for doing so. Gen 3

 

Israel wanted a King in order to be like all the other nations. 1 Sam 8:4-6 They did not want to obey God and be special as God desired. Men want Kings to rule them not God. God gave them what they desired. They were no longer a pure Theocracy when Saul became king. Saul did things the way he thought was right and disobeyed God.

 

Later in the history men developed the doctrine of Divine Right of Kings--they ruled and acted as though they were divine. They were above the law. This was, and is not, God’s form of government. God will often allow us to do things our way in order to teach us His way. His patience endures forever!

 

God’s outline of government is found in Ex 21 and 23. These chapters outline the formal structure, general guidelines for judges, fair and equitable justice, need for investigation and  reliable witnesses.

 

THE TORAH SETS THE STANDARD

God’s judicial process is outlined clearly in the Torah. Most western nations have laws and a judicial structure that is based on the Torah. Most kings and governments write laws that reflect the law written in the Bible. Everything goes back to the Bible. In ancient times civilizations had kings and laws pertaining to the kingdom. The Torah was the first set of laws that were for a nation that had no king but God. A careful reading of the Torah introduces us to an incredibly just and righteous set of laws. These laws forbid charging interest, provided food for the poor, treated strangers with respect, preserved inheritance, and insisted on treating your neighbor as you would yourself.

 

How laws are interpreted and punishment is meted out is also clear in the Torah. Some punishments required death because in those times an adulterer or idol worshipper could cause a whole community to lapse into rebellion. Idolatry in most cases, for instance, included sexual practices which could cause disease and death. Therefore punishment by death could keep disease from breaking out and killing hundreds of people. These harsh laws at that time were in reality protection for the community.

 

CIVIL LAW TODAY

One of the main controversy’s in the church today revolves around which civil laws should or should not be obeyed and how far the authority of the church should go. According to the Bible God works through civil law to achieve His will and accomplish His plans. Romans 13:1-8 We are also told to pay our taxes, even when this is difficult or possibly unfair. Matt 22:15-22

 

When Israel decided to reject God and desired a king like all the other nations (even though God had told them they were to be a separate and special people) God allowed them to set up a civil government. He told them that now they would have to live with it and obey it. 1 Sam 8:4-20

 

Civil authority is set up to punish unrighteousness and keep society orderly. If we are to be righteous then we need to walk righteously and obey. In order to have a functioning civil government we must have taxes. If we understand this we will know how to pray for our government and our leaders during the difficult times ahead.

 

In Jesus’ time tax collectors were hated because they took extra for themselves. Luke 3:12-14 In this short passage Jesus tells individuals to obey the law and do their jobs righteously. Even Jesus paid the temple tax. Matt 17:24-27

If we submit to God He will provide the money we need. As believers we need to benefit the society we live in. We also want to keep things going well as long as possible in difficult times.

 

CHURCH GOVERNMENT

The church also has governmental issues and we need to deal with these things in house. Matt 18:15-20 This is the Beit Din or House of Judgment in the Hebraic model. Anything that concerns the church should be dealt with in the church and not in civil court. If someone in the church committed murder that, of course, would be handled within the civil court. Matt 18:15-20 deals with disagreements between those in the church. The Lord told Peter He would give Peter the keys of the kingdom. Matt 16:16-19 This is government in the church. In the Beit Din (House of Judgment) binding and loosing means to permit or forbid. This refers to church government.

 

A couple of examples:

 

A man or woman in an adulteress affair must be disciplined within the church, even though in the civil world it may not be an offense. If we allow it then the “gates of hell” are prevailing against us.

 

Same sex marriage may be OK in the world but not in the church. 1 Corinthians 5 and 6

 

Changes are occurring in the world today that will have profound effects on the church. We will be hard pressed to obey God’s laws. These two examples are areas where we will have to obey God and not man. Now is the time to prepare--mentally, physically, and spiritually.

PASSOVER LAMB OR EASTER HAM?

The notes below are from a video produced by Mark Biltz of El Shaddai Ministries on the prophetic shadows of Jesus in the Passover ceremony. If you are teaching your kids about bunnies, eggs, and chocolate you are doing them a great disservice. Passover has great truths about Jesus hidden in the ceremony. Enjoy!

 

Jerusalem in Jesus’ time was about 600,000 population. At Passover it is estimated that as many as 2.5 million people came to the city for the feast.

 

Lev 23.1-2...And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts. Appointed = mo’ed = appointment.

 

Gen 1.14...Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; Signs and seasons, days, and years. The word for seasons is the same word as feasts, signals.

 

Convocations = mikrah = dress rehearsals.  Proclaim = call out, publish.

 

Same meaning as Matt 22.3-4...and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.” Call those bidden=come.

 

Lev.23.5-6...On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the Lord’s Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; seven days you must eat unleavened bread.  Applying the blood of the lamb. Unleavened Bread begins 7 day feast. Yeshua a sinless sacrifice.

 

Lev 23.10-11...“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest.  He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.  Spring barley harvest…waving the barley sheaf…Yeshua is the first fruit of the coming eternal harvest.

 

Lev 23.15-17...And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the Lord. You shall bring from your dwellings two wave loaves of two-tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven. They are the first fruits to the Lord.

Counting 50 days to the Feast of Weeks, Pentecost, and the summer harvest that began at the giving of the Holy Spirit.

 

Deut 16.16...“Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.” The three times of the year all to go to Jerusalem to celebrate the feasts of the Lord.

 

Numbers 9.2-3...“Let the children of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time. On the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, you shall keep it at its appointed time. According to all its rites and ceremonies you shall keep it.”

The word “appointed times” means dress rehearsal…understanding the times and seasons.

 

Ex 12.15...Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses. For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel.

Ex 13.7...Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days. And no leavened bread shall be seen among you, nor shall leaven be seen among you in all your quarters.

The exercise of cleaning out our homes reminds us of how easy it is to sin knowingly and unknowingly.

 

Sweeping leaven from our “house” in context of our bodies being the temple:

Psalm 119.105...Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 91.4...He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. Sweeping with a feather.

 

1 Peter 2:5...you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

 

1 Cor 3.16-17...Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

 

1 Corinthians 5:7-8...Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Purge out sin in our lives.

 

Jesus is examined four days and found without blemish…Aviv 10-14:

Ex 12.3-6...Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household.  And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. 4 days from creation to Jesus’ death = 4,000 years.

 

Lazarus’ resurrection was 6 days before Passover…the 8^th of Aviv…John 12.1-2...Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.

The next day…9^th of Aviv…

John 12.12-13...The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!”

 

During the selection of the Passover lamb Psalms 113-118 are sung. These psalms are called the Hallel--songs of praise. This is where the word Hallelujah comes from.

 

Mark 11.9-11...Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!”  And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. Cleaning the leaven out of His father’s house! These four days the rabbis’ where inspecting Yeshua but found no blemish so they brought lying witnesses. Luke 23.4...So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”

 

Seder Service…Luke 22.12-34...children ask four questions. Why is this night different from all other nights?

Ex 12.7-10...And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire—its head with its legs and its entrails. You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire.

Instructions to eat…roasted because Jesus is the sacrifice. Picture the Seder plate:

   

 

 

Vegetable (Karpas)--the salt water represents the tears our ancestors shed during their years of enslavement. Yeshua was the salt of the earth.

Shank bone (Zeroa) / Roasted Beet--shank bone of a lamb reminds us of the tenth plague in Egypt, when all firstborn Egyptians were killed and also reminds us of the sacrificial lamb that was killed (Yeshua).

Hard Boiled Egg (Baytzah)--a symbol of mourning for the loss of the two Temples. Now we are the temple.

Charoset- represents the mortar the Israelites were forced to use while they built structures for their Egyptian taskmasters. Hard labor of sin.

Bitter Herbs (Maror)-remind us of the harshness of servitude.

Bitter Vegetable (Hazeret)--the bitterness of slavery to sin.

 

Four Cups of Passover:

 

1. The Cup of Sanctification…I will bring you out from the burden of the Egyptians…Ex 4.22-23

 

2. The Cup of Deliverance…I will deliver you from their bondage…Romans 6.6...He is our salvation.

 

3. The Cup of Redemption…Jeremiah 32.17...I will redeem you with an outstretched arm. Jesus’ arms were outstretched on the cross.

 

4. The Cup of Hope…the hope of His eternal kingdom (MK)…the coming of Elijah.

See the four cups in Ephesians 1.4-7...just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace….

 

The matzos is broken into three pieces. The center part put in a linen bag…just as Yeshua was wrapped in linen at His death. This matzos is called the Afikomen and is put in the Afikomen bag. Afikomen means = I came! The piece of matzos in the bag is hidden and the children seek it out. Just as the believers sought Jesus at the tomb and at first could not find Him.

 

Mark 14.26...And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Singing the Hallel, psalms 113-118.

 

Mark 15.21...Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. This was the 3^rd hour…9AM

 

Matt 27.45...Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 12 noon until 3 PM

 

John 19.30...So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. He gave up the ghost at the exact time of the sacrifice of the lamb at the temple…3 PM…the High Priest would say, “It is finished!” at this exact time.

 

John 6.25...And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. Bethlehem means = House of Bread. Jesus was born there…many of the sacrificial lambs came from there.

 

Hebrews 4.15...For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. He was unleavened and unblemished…just as required by the feast.

 

Gen 2.2-3...And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. Unleavened Bread is a seven day feast…symbol of entering God’s rest as the price for sin has been paid.

 

Matt 28.1...Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. Sunday was First Fruits…Jesus is first fruits raised from the dead…the priests at the temple wave the first sheaves of the spring barley harvest--the first fruits.

 

Psalm 126.6...He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Acts 26.23...that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

 

Deut 26.1-2...Deuteronomy 26:1-2...Offerings of First fruits and Tithes “And it shall be, when you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you possess it and dwell in it, 2 that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide.”

 

Matthew 27:51-53.. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;  and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

The Lord of the Harvest is risen! The spring barley harvest is Jesus as first fruits, the summer harvest at Pentecost is the harvest of those who have been sent to labor, the final fall harvest is the end of the age at Yeshua’s second coming symbolized by the Feast of Trumpets.

 

Luke 10.2...Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Amen!

 

Video:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=YouTube+Passover+Mark+Biltz&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq=youtube+passover+mark+biltz&sc=1-27&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&mid=495ACE7B41CFF45E78F5495ACE7B41CFF45E78F5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRUMP HAS NEW WORLD ORDER ESTABLISHMENT IN A PANIC

The closer Donald Trump gets to the number of delegates to win the Republican nomination the more panicked the Republican establishment is becoming. They are scared to death that the people of this country might take their power away and elect this man they cannot control.

I am not advocating Donald Trump for president but I am very amused by the goings on I am seeing.

You see, Donald Trump is not in the club of secret societies and elitists that run the United States. He has tapped into the anger that is boiling in many people about issues like border security and illegal immigration.

The fact is our borders are not secure. This is a dangerous situation when you see how terrorist groups can just come over our border at will. We may regret our lack of control of the borders when a terrible incident takes place.

As for illegal immigration the fact is we have no control over who enters the country. America has always been a nation of immigrants--my people were immigrants--but they came in legally. It is only common sense to vet people before they enter the country--check them out.

Allowing illegal immigrants also puts the country at risk. In the past 8 years we have had no reasonable approach to getting this problem under control. The issue is security and proper documentation. Most Americans have no problem with immigration per se.

Of course, none of these issues are discussed in an intelligent common sense way. Even Donald Trump doesn't discuss it in a common sense way--he just makes outrageous statements rather than explaining how he would do it.

Every liberal organization in the US is now planning to disrupt the political process by targeting the Trump campaign. Even George Soros is funding this effort. Both the Democratic and Republican "clubs" are out to stop Trump because like him or his policies or not, he will take action.

Our politicians have not addressed any of these and other problems for the past ten years. The Republicans promise and don't deliver. The Democrats just allow the problems to exist and they use no common sense at all to solve the issues.

America is heading for tremendous unrest this spring and summer. The nation is polarizing right before our eyes. We may experience a revolution as both sides release their anger on one another. American is being destroyed from within.

It is very important in this time of unrest to focus on Yahweh and his plan for us. We need to get into the Word of God, study, and pray that we will be ready when the SHTF. This is the day of our preparation. That is what this blog is all about...sharing the Word of God as it is written.

You may not agree with all the studies on this blog but they are honestly seeking the truth. The truth will smash the traditions of men. The truth will set you free.

The approach we use is as follows:

1. The Bible is the unadulterated Word of God, therefore it is true.

2. We search the Word and try to allow it to interpret itself by coming scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments--the whole word of Yahweh.

3. After applying both #1 and #2 we pray and seek understanding from the Lord.

4. If we don't understand something we don't make up an answer--we wait on the Lord and continue to seek the answer. It is OK to say I don't know.

5. Hear-say is not enough. If you have a disagreement or argument come prepared with scripture that backs up your belief.

As the storm clouds approach seek Yahshua's will for you life and prepare, prepare, prepare. The time to be the salt of the earth is fast approaching.

Blessings to you all!

POLITICS IS NOT THE SOLUTION

I believe it is a mistake to get on any “politicians bandwagon” as a Christian. Where did the Moral Majority get us in the long run? We should be praying for Yahweh’s direction for our country--but to back one individual can lead to many unforeseen problems. Like the current subject of violence at Trump rallies. His rhetoric is crude and inflammatory. I still question if he really wants to be president. He should be speaking in a calmer less confronting tone. Nevertheless, he has tapped into the anger in one half of the country and his message is resonating with many frustrated people.

 

I feel the Lord would have me pray for our country and ask for his mercy in the coming chastisement/judgment. We are going to be chastised severely for our sins. Trump could be the one who is elected, but just as the case is with Obama, I believe God gives the nation the leader they want/deserve. Our nation voted Obama in because we have changed. Our values and respect for law have eroded. Our attitudes towards work and social entitlements have changed.

 

If Trump gets elected that will also signal a change in attitude. His is the “in your face” reality TV, dumbed down, attitude. He himself was in a reality show. I often wonder why he doesn’t tone his rhetoric down some. It is so easy to misrepresent what he is saying because he makes it easy by the way he talks. He could be a good president but so far has not shown much statesmanship (Isaiah 3.1-4) in his approach.

 

Isaiah 1 – 5 details how God gives the nation what they desire as a form of chastisement for their sins. WE are heading for big time unrest no matter who gets elected. Christians are making themselves targets by backing a specific individual—it is a sly deception. Our job is to be the salt of the earth...when the SHTF our actions are going to be very important...we need to focus on Yahweh and what He is allowing to happen to this nation and why. Not on a specific candidate who may let us down. It will be very easy for the media to begin to call Christians intolerant and angry as they begin to jump on Trump’s bandwagon.

 

Don’t get me wrong, I am not bashing Trump or any candidate...but I think we need to be focused on the KINGDOM to come. Political solutions are not the answer--only a repentant heart can change a person.

 

As for “prophets” speaking--some of our prophets are expressing their soulish desires. It is a very fine line. True Prophecy is the testimony of Jesus Christ. Prophecy is calling the nation back to God such as Jonathan Cahn does. Prophets are not future tellers! A prophet’s job is to warn the people to turn back to Yahweh---then we will have revival.

 

They should understand political events in light of God’s word. All the ancient prophets were politically aware—but they called the nation back to God—rather than political alliances.

 

Trump may be God’s man, so to speak, but he is God’s man based on the state of mind of this nation. No matter who is elected we are heading for worse times. This is the time we are to be the light of the world---not politicians or members of a political party. We belong to another kingdom which is to come.

 

Sorry for the preaching but we really need to focus on the word and the plan of God as it develops. I want to discern the times and know what to do, not get caught up in political activity that has a tide of its own that can sweep me away in the emotion of the moment. That is a very dangerous thing.

 

Instruction Concerning Discipleship - Luke 14.25-35

 

Great multitudes are following Jesus. He turns and tells them, “If any man come unto me, and hates not his own father, and mother, and wife, children and brethren, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Now, the rabbis even today say that Judaism teaches to love family and Christianity teaches to hate family. They know better, but will try to disparage Jews from following Yeshua. In the Hebrew culture to hate something is to not choose it, and to love something is to choose it. Jesus was saying we need to count the cost of following and choose His way even over following what our family wants us to do. ( I love that pair of shoes, but hate the other choices.)

 

We choose God, just as Abraham chose God and not his own family. Three lessons here:

1. Be willing to leave all.

2. Be willing to bear the cross and identify with His rejection.

3. How much of our resources are we willing to commit to God and to becoming a disciple--God demands all. Becoming a disciple means to think things over and commit totally to God’s way. Salvation only requires belief.

 

 Instruction Concerning God’s Attitude Toward Sinners - Luke 15.1-32

 

Now all publicans and sinners were drawing near to Jesus to hear Him. The Pharisees and scribes murmured about this. They had strict rules not to socialize with sinners. They taught to rejoice when a sinner is punished by God. Jesus knows this and tells three parables. The first is about the lost sheep. Sheep have a tendency to stray, but when the sheep is found the shepherd rejoices. This focuses on the work of God the Son.

 

The second parable is over the lost coin. Here the focus is on the searching. The coin is in the house but not immediately found. This focuses on the work of the Holy Spirit. When the coin is found there is rejoicing. This idea contradicts the Pharisaic mindset that sinners should be punished no matter what the case.

 

The third story is about the lost son (Prodigal Son). Here the emphasis is on restoration which is the work of God the Father. The Prodigal blows his inheritance that he receives while his brother stays home and works for the father. The Prodigal realizes he has lost his inheritance and decides to return home in a repentant manner and ask if he can be a servant to his father. The father watches for his son, and when the son is returning, the father sees him coming. He runs to his son and greets him warmly. The father gives him the best robe (sign of birthright), ring (authority in the household), and sandals (a sign of his sonship). There is great rejoicing in the household because the lost son has returned. The eldest son is upset because he has never gotten this treatment. The lesson is that rewards are not given mainly on merit, the way the Pharisees taught, but on mercy. The one that stayed never has had to be restored.

 

These three parables show the difference between the Pharisee’s self-righteous attitude towards sinners and God’s mercy toward repentant sinners. God does not rejoice over the death of a sinner, but towards those who return to Him. The Pharisees had forgotten what the Torah teaches about forgiveness.

 

Instruction Concerning Wealth - Luke 16.1-17.10

 

Jesus now teaches His disciples about stewardship and wealth in three parables. The background for these parables is a saying of the Pharisee’s: “Whom so ever the Lord loves, He makes rich!” Wealth in their view was a sign of divine favor. The church has fallen into the same trap with the health and wealth message.

 

 

Notes from: The Life of Messiah from a Jewish Perspective by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum