GOD IS NOT ABOVE THE LAW

And it shall be when he (the King) sits upon the throne of his kingdom that he shall cause a copy of this second law to be written in a book in the presence of the priests the Levites;

 and it shall be near unto him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them,

 so his heart be not lifted up above his brethren and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand or to the left, to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his sons, in the midst of Israel. Deuteronomy 17.18-20

The Bible says all of God’s judgments are righteous. There are at least 71 references to this fact. https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/God,-Righteousness-Of

Yahweh is all about justice, righteousness, and truth. He gave mankind His law at Sinai. The ancient sages carefully interpreted His law and determined that the Torah contains 613 laws. All of which hang on loving the Lord God and our neighbor. http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm

It is interesting to read all 613 laws as written or commanded in the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. You will see that most of the commands are common sense rules in getting along with others. There are also more than 130 laws on how the priests should dress and do their jobs. These are of course no longer relevant because after Yeshua’s resurrection there is no need for animal blood sacrifice. Yeshua became the lamb that was sacrificed for the sins of the world.

Yeshua was God’s only begotten son. He came to do the will of the Father and became our Lord and savior by giving his life’s blood for our sins. He had to die.

God’s law says there is no atonement for sin without the shedding of blood (Leviticus 17.11). Animal sacrifice was a shadow of the coming Messiah who would shed His blood for our redemption. God’s righteousness demands a blood sacrifice. There is no way to circumvent this law.

Therefore God came to earth in the form of a man, in the person of His own son, to fulfill the demand of the law which He wrote. This is the mystery of the cross. God the Father was not above the law. The creator of human life came and died for His creation. Yeshua was equal to God because He is from God.

The Hebrew word for one is “Echad” which means “a unity of one”. God is Echad.

The only way the Father could fulfill the law was to sacrifice a family member that was dear to Him—His very own son. Yeshua came from God, is equal to God, and became human to die in fulfillment of the Law.

God required the King of Israel to write a copy of the law. One for himself and one for the people. This was to remind the highest authority in the land that he was not above God’s law. Yahweh never, ever, requires anything of us that He himself will not obey. God is not above His own Law!

Yeshua said in Matthew 5.17-20 that He came to fulfill the law. He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill the law. We, too, are to walk accordingly. We worship Him because he saved us from the curse of the law in order to fulfill the law.

The laws which Yeshua was challenging the Pharisees and Sadducees on were laws which they had made up and added to the Torah laws. These were called “takanot” which means laws of the rabbis. These were laws which they added to the written Torah to suppress the people. The Pharisees and Sadducees did not even obey them. They devised loopholes for themselves.

We have been saved by the grace of a mighty King. This King is so righteous that he allowed His son to die for us in order to fulfill the Torah/Law. This is why God is righteous and all His judgments are righteous. Our God is truth and grace, righteous and just. Totally amazing!

He is worthy of all praise. Every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus the Messiah is Lord. He paid the price which His Father demanded. When every enemy is defeated (death) Yeshua will bow to the Father and the Father will sit upon the Throne of the Universe.

Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.  For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.  The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.  For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He (the Father) who put all things under Him is excepted.  Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. 1 Corinthians 15.24-28

RAPTURE?

This is a brief post on this controversial subject. We as believers must be diligent to seek the truth as written in the Bible. We need to allow the WORD to interpret itself and seek the Father in prayer to reveal truth to us.

The topic of the rapture always produces intense discussion. Today we’ll discuss if Christians are raptured to spend eternity in heaven with the Lord---OR—are they resurrected from the dead to spend eternity on the earth? We will allow the Bible to interpret itself, here we go!

Daniel 7.23-27 explain the fourth and final kingdom on earth and the rise of Anti-Christ. Verse 27: And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

The righteous saints are handed over for a time, but in the end the kingdom is given to the people of the saints. This is an earthly kingdom. If the righteous have been raptured to heaven to whom is the kingdom being handed over to? Who is ruling? Aren’t we to rule and reign with Yeshua?

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.  And I will give him the morning star. Rev 2.26-28

To him who overcomes will be given rule over earth and power over the nations. That’s us isn’t it? “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Rev 5.9-10

So why are we being raptured to heaven? The Bible says: no man has ascended into heaven. No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. John 3.13 and Acts 2.34

John 5 and 6 are centered on our resurrection from the dead when we meet the Lord and enter the Millennial Kingdom.

Enoch and Elijah were translated to another location. They did not ascend into heaven. Read Hebrews 11. It talks about men of faith. Verse 5 says Enoch was translated. The Greek means “to transfer.” The verse does not say “to heaven.”

Hebrews 11.13 says this after listing the men of faith, including Enoch: These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Elijah also was transported to another location. The verse 2 Kings 2.1, says he will be taken up into heaven/sky. He was taken up to the heavens and relocated. That is why the sons of the prophets went looking for him. Not enough?

In 2 Chronicles 21 Elijah sends a letter to King Jehoram. This occurred after the taking up into the heavens/sky.

If the Bible says no man has ascended to heaven these explanations should be enough for us.

In 1 Thessalonians 4.15-18 it says we will be with the Lord forever when we are resurrected from the dead. It does not say “heaven” is where we will be. Look at Revelation 21.3: And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Then Rev 20.6: Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. This is prior to the new earth and New Jerusalem. We will be on earth with Yeshua—not in heaven.

If you read Matt 13 about the wheat and tares and then Yeshua’s explanation to the disciples you will see both the tares and wheat are gathered at the same time! The tares are burned in the fire—the wheat is gathered into the barn.

What is the barn? Could it be the Temple? Look what Malachi 3.10: Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

The righteous are gathered into the Temple—God’s dwelling place—the barn/storehouse.

Read Psalm 37. In this Psalm it says 6 times that the righteous will inherit the earth! The earth has been given to man and we will inherit the earth when He returns to establish His kingdom! Rev 21.3…the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them…

Psalm 115.16 - The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

More verses: Jeremiah 23.5; Revelation 11.15

We will be gathered to Yehovah! Matt 24.29-31; Mark 13.24-27

We are grafted into Israel and will rule and reign with Yeshua on EARTH!

Finally, you will see in Psalm 37 and countless other passages that the Lord will no forsake the righteous. There is a certain protection. Some will be martyrs for His sake, some will be hidden under His wings.

There are places of safety in the Bible. There is also persecution and death. At this time as I write more than 50 countries are severely persecuting our fellow believers. The servant is not greater than the master. We can expect tribulation—but we are not destined to the wrath of God…1 Thess 5.1-10.

For more on this subject check out this link: https://www.betemunah.org/rapture.html

Let’s be searchers for the truth. Not everything we have been taught in church is true…seek the WORD diligently.

PROPHETICALLY UNDERSTANDING ISRAEL IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, GRATED IN, AND INHERITANCE

When reading through the OT (Old Testament) it is easy to get confused with all the names which refer to Israel. In          1 kings 11 and 12 we read about a civil war in Israel. The ten northern tribes split from the southern tribe of Judah in these chapters.

Because of King Solomon loving many strange women, a type of false religions, due to the many gods of his many wives, Yehovah tore the kingdom of Israel from him. Jeroboam, an Ephraimite, from the tribe of Ephraim, was anointed to be king over the northern ten tribes.

Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, was to remain king over the southern tribe of Judah due to Yehovah honoring His promise to the throne to David. David was from the tribe of Judah as was Yeshua/Jesus.

The Kingdom of Israel split due to Rehoboam telling the nation he would be harsher on them than his father had been. This is the result: The ten northern tribes split away from the southern tribe of Judah.

From this time on the north will be called Israel and the south Judah—two separate kingdoms. Just as in the American Civil War there was north and south, Union and Confederacy.

Now, here is the key. The northern tribe of Israel will now be referred to in additional names. They are: Ephraim, Israel, and sometimes Joseph. King Jeroboam was from the tribe of Ephraim and the capital of Israel will now be located in the territory of Ephraim in the city of Bethel.

The occasional name of Joseph will refer to the northern kingdom because Ephraim and Manasseh were his two sons who were grafted into the tribes in Genesis 48 when Jacob blessed them.

Ephraim and Manasseh were born in Egypt and when Jacob blesses them he puts his name on them. They are a type of the Gentiles being grafted into the “Commonwealth of Israel” in Ephesians 2.

When reading the OT Prophets the northern kingdom called Israel or Ephraim most of the time. They are referring to the northern kingdom of Israel.

NOTE: Prior to the split the entire nation including Judah was called ISRAEL.

After the split the southern kingdom is always called JUDAH. From 1 Kings 12 onward this is how they are called. JUDAH will eventually become known as a “JEWS” to the world up through the present time. They will be Judah throughout the rest of the OT.

Not to confuse you more--but there is one more thing. When the OT uses Jacob as a description of the nation from 1 Kings 12 forward it means all of his sons. His sons DO NOT INCLUDE EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH. We know this because in Genesis 49.1 Jacob blesses his “sons.” He already had blessed Ephraim and Manasseh in Genesis 48. After Jacob blesses his sons, it says in Genesis 49.28, “These are the 12 tribes of Israel.”

Ephraim and Manasseh were grafted in to the tribes of Israel/Jacob. This was Joseph’s double portion. This is why we do not see tribe named Joseph. Ephraim and Manasseh become his representatives.

The tribe of Levi became the priesthood and received no land inheritance. So Ephraim and Manasseh will receive a land inheritance when they go into Canaan in place of their father, Joseph and Levi.

Remember, Yehovah changed Jacob’s name to Israel when he wrestled with the angel at Bethel (Genesis 32.24-32). In the OT Jacob or Israel is interchangeable—the same person.

REVIEW: The united kingdom of Israel divides into two separated nations—Israel (10 tribes) in the north and Judah in the south. The Levites stayed with Judah.

The northern kingdom is now referred to as Israel or Ephraim. Occasionally called Joseph when referring to Ephraim and Manasseh. Because Ephraim was the capital territory the north is often called Ephraim. It is like when we say “Washington” people know it also means USA. Ephraim means “northern kingdom.”

Judah is called Judah and they will eventually be known as “Jews” throughout the world.

PROPHECTIC UNDERSTANDING

Eventually the nation of Assyria will conquer the northern kingdom because of their idolatry and they will be scattered throughout the nations and forget their true identities. Ref: the Book of Hosea. These people will become known as the “Lost Tribes of Israel.”

Judah will later be taken captive to Babylon for 70 years and will be allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. When this temple is destroyed by the Romans in 68 AD the Jewish people will redesign the Jewish religion to function without animal sacrifices.

In 135 AD they will rebel against Rome and again banished from Jerusalem and the Holy Land by the Romans. They will now always be called Jews. They will not return until the 20^th Century to the land.

Now we have both branches of the former united nation of Israel which broke into two separated kingdoms scattered throughout the known world. We have the “lost tribes of Israel” and the Jews.

EZEKIEL 37.15-28 – Read this chapter carefully and you will see how in the latter days Yehovah will reunite the two kingdoms back into one kingdom—two sticks coming together—“Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick and write upon it, ‘For Judah and for the children of Israel, his companions.’ Then take another stick and write upon it, ‘For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel, his companions.’ And join them one to another into one stick, and they shall become one in thine hand. Ezek 28.16-17

This represents both Jew and Gentile becoming one new man in Yehovah’s hand: Remember that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

 But now in Christ Jesus, ye who once were far off have been brought nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that He might make in Himself one new man out of the two, so making peace, and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. Ephesians 2.12-16

REVIEW

The Lost Tribes of Israel are made up of Israelites who have lost their identities and mingled with Gentile Nations over the past two millennia. There are other Gentiles besides these, but the vast majority of current Gentiles are those whom have lost their identities. They are mostly known as “Christians” but have no idea who they really are!

Judah became the modern Jews who now live in a nation named ISRAEL. When they named this state Israel in 1948 US President Harry Truman was surprised. He was sure they would name the newborn state Judea. Was it not prophetic that the new state was named Israel? Yehovah is going to reunite us as the United Kingdom Israel when Messiah Yeshua returns and restores all things!

This is the mystery of the Gospel. Yehovah is going to reunite Jew and Gentile into one new man when His son Yeshua returns. This is what Paul the Apostle was talking about. He may not have understood what and how it would happen but now we know!

This also explains why in this day many Christians are rediscovering the Hebrew roots of the Christian faith. Sadly, many Christian denominations and Roman Catholics refuse to accept any of this.

Ezekiel 47.21-23 is a passage about the coming Millennial Kingdom. It speaks of the “strangers” living among the tribes being given a land inheritance in the tribe to which they have joined themselves. This indicates that in the Millennial Kingdom those of us who have been risen from the dead will become inheritors of land in united ISRAEL! What an incredible promise!

ADDITIONAL READING:

https://burningbush647.blogspot.com/2019/02/thegospel-of-kingdom-of-god-and-this.html

https://burningbush647.blogspot.com/2018/01/one-new-man-in-aprevious-post.html

https://burningbush647.blogspot.com/2018/01/who-was-abraham-who-is-jew-what-is.html

https://burningbush647.blogspot.com/2019/03/a-review-of-kingdom-of-god-and.html

CELEBRATING SUKKOT 2020 - THE CORONATION OF KING YESHUA

We’ll look to the British Coronation for clues in celebrating Sukkot because their coronation is based on 1 Kings 1.32-40 when King Solomon was installed as King during a coup attempt by his brother Adonijah to steal the throne.

In England (an Ephramite nation) when the reigning sovereign dies, and a time of mourning has been observed, the King ascending to the throne is coronate in a joyous public ceremony. Keep in mind we are “grafted into Israel” as we celebrate.

The English Coronation is based on the Biblical account. In brief the English ceremony is conducted by the Arch Bishop in Westminster Abby. Silver trumpets are blown (Numbers 10), passages from the Bible are read announcing this coronation to the four corners of the earth (http://www.oremus.org/liturgy/coronation/cor1953b.html), the Sovereign is anointed with oil under a canopy (as in a Jewish wedding service), and the Sovereign is seated on a wooden throne commissioned in 1296 AD under which is the “stone of destiny” which legend says Jeremiah brought from Egypt to Ireland. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronation_Chair).

The coronation ceremony of the kings and queens of Great Britain goes back to the year 732 A.D. The similarities between today's ceremony and that of the kings of the house of David are amazing.

https://burningbush647.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-bible-in-theenglish-coronation_2.html

Entry of the king into the abbey – blowing the silver trumpets announcing the sovereign calling the assembly

The king is received at the door of Westminster Abbey by political and ecclesiastical dignitaries and is then led inside. The choir sings Psalm 122 - written by King David. Sound of silver trumpets – Numbers 10:1-10

Presentation of the king

The Archbishop of Canterbury presents the new king to the people. He is announced to the four corners of the world. With each announcement, the people give their consent with the exclamation   "God save the king!" The people of Israel shouted the same words for Saul, their first King (1.SAM 10:24).

 Anointing with oil

While the king is seated on the coronation seat the Archbishop recites the following prayer: "O Lord, Holy Father, Who by anointing with oil didst of old make and consecrate Kings, Priests and Prophets to teach and govern Thy people Israel: Bless and sanctify thy chosen servant   (Name), who by our office and ministry is now to be anointed with this oil, and consecrated King of this Realm. Strengthen him, O Lord, with the Holy Ghost the Comforter; Confirm and stablish him with thy free and princely Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Government; the Spirit of Counsel and Ghostly Strength; the Spirit of Knowledge and true Godliness, and fill him, O Lord, with the Spirit of thy Holy Fear, now and forever. Amen."

At that moment, the choir begins to sing the hymn "Zadok the Priest" by Handel. The hymn talks about Solomon being anointed king by the priest Zadok in 969 B.C. (1.KING 1:34, 35-39).

 Handing over of the royal insignia Swords:

The king is girded with two swords: the sharp sword of spiritual righteousness and the blunt sword of mercy (compare with ZECH 7:9).

Bracelet:

This insignia goes back to King Saul (see 2.SAM 1:10). It shows the king to be the military head.

Orb:

When the orb is handed over, the Archbishop points out to the king that Jesus Christ is the actual ruler of this world, the

King of kings and the Lord of Lords. Those who do not obtain His authority, nor keep His commandments, will not be able to rule with a joyful hand.

The Robe:

The king receives a priestly garment just like the high priest Aaron did in Exodus 28:4. This shows his role as head of the church.

Coronation Ring:

The ring signifies the unity between the king and his people; his "marriage" to the nation (see JER 3:14). In old times, the ring was a symbol for power and honor (GEN 41:42; LUKE 15:22).

Two Scepters:

The two scepters go back to the time of the exodus of the people of Israel from Egypt. At that time, God chose Moses and Aaron to be the leaders. The scepter with the cross represents royal power. It corresponds to the rod of Moses which was a symbol of the power God had given him (EX 14:15-16).

 The scepter with the dove (= Holy Spirit) symbolizes righteousness and mercy. We repeatedly read in Exodus and Numbers that Aaron had a rod when exercising his office as high priest.

 With the death of Jesus (MATT 27:51) the giving of sacrifices and the laws about sacrifices were rendered invalid (COL 2:14). However, the national laws that contained the commandments, statutes and legal ordinances (DEUT 4:1; 5:31; 7:11; LEV 26:46) remained and still apply today (MATT 5:17; DAN 9:25).

 Jesus Christ will take up the throne of David on His return. He will hold both the scepters as King and High Priest and will rule over all the nations of the earth. At the end of the handing over Psalm 45:6-7 is quoted.

Coronation – receiving the Crown

The king, sitting on the coronation seat, receives the crown. The crown has a cross to symbolize that Jesus Christ is the actual king and ruler. Twelve big precious stones are set in the bottom rim of the crown. Their number and their color is of great importance; they are identical to those worn by the high priests of Israel (EX 28:15-21; ZECH 9:16-17).

 Presentation of the Bible

The king is handed a Bible covered in scarlet velvet with the following words:" Our gracious King: to keep your Majesty ever mindful of the Law and the Gospel of God as the rule for the whole life and government of Christian princes, we present you with this book, the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is Wisdom: This is the royal Law: These are the lively Oracles of God."

It was already announced to Moses that the kings of Israel should receive the words and statutes of God at their coronation (DEUT 17:14-19). Immediately after that the choir sings Psalm 21:1-3.

Confirmation of the king by the people

At the end of the coronation, everyone present gives their consent to the rightful election of the king by exclaiming repeatedly and with a loud voice: "God save the king" (1.KIN 1:39-40). The cheers are accompanied by the loud sound of the trumpets (2.KIN 11:14).

 As we can see, the various events of the coronation ceremony have their foundation in the Bible. God calls upon us to honor and respect the king or queen that He has set.

Coronation information by: CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLIES INTERNATIONAL, P.O. BOX 888, COFFS HARBOUR NSW 2450, AUSTRALIA

In 1727 George Fredrick Handel wrote the ceremonial music for the new king and queen, George II and Caroline, to be played and sung at George II’s coronation. This coronation anthem has been played and sung at every English Coronation ceremony since 1727! The words to Handel’s Coronation Anthem “Zadok the Priest” are as follows:

Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed Solomon king
And all the people rejoiced, rejoiced, rejoiced
And all the people rejoiced, rejoiced, rejoiced, rejoiced, rejoiced, rejoiced
And all the people rejoiced, rejoiced, rejoiced and said:

God save the king! Long live the king! God save the king!
May the king live forever
Amen, amen, alleluia, alleluia, amen, amen
Amen, amen, alleluia, amen
ㅤ
God save the king! Long live the king! May the king live forever
Amen, amen, alleluia, alleluia, amen, amen
May the king live, May the king live, Forever, forever, forever
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, amen, amen

https://www.amazon.com/Handel-Coronation-Anthems-George-Frideric/dp/B00005N6UE/ref=asc_df_B00005N6UE/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid={creative}&hvpos={adposition}&hvnetw=o&hvrand={random}&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl={devicemodel}&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583589102326217&psc=1

We will begin with communion and remember Yeshua’s sacrifice for us on the cross.

Then celebrate his coronation as King in the Millennial Kingdom. We’ll briefly review the similarities of the English Coronation and the Bible, and enjoy our dinner listening to Handel’s Coronation Anthems in the background.

During the meal anyone who wishes to give a Thanksgiving toast to the King, or anything relating, will tap their glass of wine or grape juice, stand up, and announce their toast, at which we will all say Amen!

It will be a great day celebrating our King.