Why does the mainstream Christian hardly if ever teach about the Tabernacle of Moses? After all, everything in it points to Yeshua/Jesus the Messiah, the cross and the gospel message. Moreover, the Bible declares that, “Your way, O Elohim, is in the sanctuary [or Tabernacle of Moses],” (Ps 77:13). Studying the tabernacle reads like a multidimensional, all human senses involved, heaven and earth inter-relational gospel tract shows humans how to go from a state of sin and unholiness into a holy and righteous personal relationship with their Creator that will last into eternity. Learn about this and much more in this video. For a fuller study on the Tabernacle of Moses, go to https://www.hoshanarabbah.org/pdfs/ta… for a free article.
The tabernacle (Heb. mishkan)was constructed circa 1450 b.c. at the foot of Mount Sinai. It took about a year to build.
Hebrew Names for the Tabernacle
Mishkan means “tabernacle, dwelling or habitation.” Mishkan is from the root word shakan meaning “to dwell, abide, settle down, reside, tabernacle.”The word shechinah derives from shakan and refers to the manifest light or presence of YHVH among his people(Exod 25:8–9).
Ohel(as in tent of the congregation/meeting) means “a nomad’s tent, dwelling, home, habitation”(Exod 29:42).
Miqdash means “sacred place, sanctuary, holy place”and is from the primitive root qadash and means “to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed or set apart, be separate or holy” (Exod 25:8).
Kodesh or the sanctuary because it was set-apart ( or kadosh) to Elohim (Exod 30:13).
Ohel haeduth means “the tabernacle or tent of the testimony or witness”since it contained the ark of the covenant housing the Torah-law given to Moses, which was an abiding witness of Israel’s covenant with YHVH (Num 9:15).
Mishkanhaeduthmeans “tabernacle of the testimony” (Num 10:11).
Examples of YHVH Tabernacling With His People
The children of Israel have just left Egypt and are now trekking through the wilderness en route to the Promised Land. Within a couple of months, YHVH gives them their first assignment. In Exodus 25, he tells them to build a tabernacle. Why? He says to Moses, “And let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them” (Exod 25:8). From the beginning of time, in the Garden of Eden, Elohim has wanted to “hang out” with man. Elohim’s desire to dwell or tabernacle with man is a theme that runs from Genesis to Revelation. We see this idea repeated in the Testimony of Yeshua (the New Testament).
John 1:14,“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” The word dwelt (Gr. skenoo) means “tent or tabernacle.” The Greek word skenoo most likely derives from the Hebrew word shakan meaning “to dwell, abide, settle down, reside, tabernacle”and is the root word for mishkan, which is the main name for the Tabernacle of Moses.
Luke 2:7, The baby Yeshua was laid in a “manger.” This may have been a sukkah or tabernacle, which is the flimsy little hut that Israelites build during the biblical feast of Sukkot or Tabernacles as commanded in the Torah (Lev 23:33–43). We see the connection between manger and sukkot in Genesis 33:17 where Jacob built booths (or tabernacles; Heb. succot or sukkot, sing. sukkah) for his livestock showing us that the Hebrew word sukkot can also mean “livestock barn or manger” as well as a temporary habitation where Israelites dwell during the biblically commanded festival of Sukkot. This raises the possibility that Yeshua was born in a festival sukkah during the feast of Sukkot — not just an animal barn. The LXX Greek word for sukkot in Gen 33:17 is skenas meaning “habitation, dwelling or tabernacle” and is the same word used in John 1:14 and Revelation 21:1–3 in reference to Yeshua tabernacling with his people. Putting all the pieces together, Yeshua was likely born in a sukkah-manger most probably on the Feast of Sukkot with a human sukkah (or body, of which the physical sukkah during Sukkot is a metaphorical picture) in order to redeem man from sin, so that Yeshua might tabernacle with redeemed men forever in the New Jerusalem.What an amazing Truth picture is presented before us when we put all the pieces of the puzzle together!
Revelation 21:1–3, “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from Elohim, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of Elohim is with men, and He will tabernacle with them, and they shall be His people. Elohim Himself will be with them and be their Elohim.’” The word tabernacle in verse three is skenoo in the Greek, the same word used in John 1:14.
Examples of YHVH’s People Tabernacling With Him
The talithe (also talit) or prayer shawlworn by Jewish men is an examples of YHVH’s people tabernacling with him. The word tal-ithe means “little tent.” Each Hebrew man has his own little tabernacle, tent or prayer closet to pull over his head whenever he wants to tabernacle or commune with his Elohim. When a talit is spread out with one’s arms it resembles a bird with wings. This represents YHVH’s “wings” forming a protective shield or brooding over his people. Such a place becomes a place of refuge (Ps 91:1,4). The Spirit of Elohim brooded over the waters of the earth at creation (Gen 1:2). Yeshua spoke of his desire for Jerusalem as a mother hen spreads out its wings and gathers together its young (Matt 23:37). In ancient Mideast culture, a man would cast his outer garment over his wife-to-be as an act of claiming her for marriage. In Ezekiel 16:8, YHVH spread is “wings” (Heb. kanaph meaning “edge, extremity, wings, bird’s feathered wings”) over his bride, Israel, to cover her nakedness. The Jewish wedding canopy or chuppah represents this.
Constructing the Tabernacle — All Israel Was Involved
All Israel contributed to the building of the tabernacle (Exod 25:1–7), yet YHVH chose two Israelite artisans, Bezalel and Aholiab (Exod 31:1–6), filled them with the Spirit of Elohim “in wisdom, understanding, knowledge and in all manner of workmanship…” This teaches us that the work of YHVH is a joint effort of the entire body of YHVH-Yeshua, but that YHVH will endow certain individuals with unique gifts of the Spirit in order to accomplish his specific plans and purposes (Eph 2:22; 4:11; Rom 12:4–8; 1 Cor 12 and 14).
The Israelite Encampment Around the Tabernacle
The Israelites camped around the tabernacle (Num 2:1–34). On the east side were Judah, Issachar and Zebulun; on the South side were Reuben, Simeon and Gad; on the west side were Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin; and on the north side were Dan, Asher and Naphtali. According to the numbers of the fighting men given in Numbers 2, we see that the encampment of Israelites around the tabernacle formed a perfect Paleo-Hebrew letter tav, which looks like a cross or our small letter t. This is amazing when added to the fact that everything in and around the tabernacle pointed to Yeshua the Messiah, to his redemptive work on the cross and the steps of each person must take to be reconciled to Elohim and eventually to inherit eternal life. Moreover, the Levites camped around the tabernacle forming a protective perimeter between the Israelites and the tabernacle itself (Num 1:53), even as Yeshua provided the five-fold ministry of apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd or pastor and teacher to surround the church, to edify the body of Yeshua and to bring them into the unity of the faith (Eph 4:11).
A Quick Tour of the Tabernacle
The Altar of the Red Heifer (Num 19:1–11)
See the article toward the end of this teaching on the red heifer where we discuss how it relates to Yeshua’s death at the cross. It is necessary for each saint to visit this altar representing the cross, which was located just outside the tabernacle, before being allowed into the tabernacle as the writer of Hebrews informs us (Heb 13:12–13).
The Outer Curtain (Exod 27:9–19)
The tabernacle’s outer court was approximately 150 feet long by 75 feet wide (or 11,250 square feet, which is about one-fourth of an acre) in size.
The curtains of the outer court (Exod 27:9–19) were made of fine white linen and was seven-and-a-half feet tall. The linen curtains speak of robes of righteousness the bride of Yeshua will wear on her wedding day (Rev 19:8).
Sixty pillars supported the outer curtain. They were set in heavy bronze (or brass) bases topped by silver capitals. These pillars represent redeemed humanity wearing robes of righteousness. Wood symbolizes humanity, while bronze symbolizes judgment against man because of sin, and silver represents redemption or Elohim’s ransom price for man’s sin.
The Door to the Tabernacle (Exod 27:16–17)
The door of the outer court curtain contained three colors woven into white linen fabric: blue, purple, crimson, and white. These four colors speak of different attributes of Yeshua, whom Scripture likens to the door of salvation (John 10:1–18). These four colors combine to form a full picture of Yeshua, the Redeemer and Savior of Israel. Only through him can man come to the Father, have salvation, eternal life and inhabit the glorious New Jerusalem pictured by the glory cloud over the Holy of holies in the tabernacle. The four colors also correspond to the four faces of the living beings around the throne of Elohim (Ezek 1).
Crimson symbolizes the human aspects of Yeshua, for red is the color of man and red clay from which YHVH created man (adam). Some Bible commentators believe this points to the Gospel of Mark, which reveals the nature of Yeshua at the pashat (the simpleor plain level) of biblical understanding. Some see this as corresponding to the ox cherubim and the tribe of Ephraim, which had on its banner an ox. According to Hebrew roots commentator and linguistic scholar James Trimm, “Mark presents the Messiah as the servant (the servant who purifies the Goyim in Isa 52:13, 15) the “my servant the Branch” of Zech 3:8 who is symbolized by the face of the Ox in Ezekiel 1 (the Ox being a servant, a beast of burden). Mark does not begin with an account of the birth of Messiah as do Matthew and Luke because, unlike the birth of a King, the birth of a servant is unimportant, all that is important is his work as a servant which begins with his immersion by [John]. Thus Mark’s simplified account omits any account of Yeshua’s birth or preexistence and centers on his work as a servant who purifies the [people of the nations].”
If you have spent anytime in the mainstream Christians church, you have heard taught that the law of Moses (YHVH Elohim’s Torah-law) was “done away with” or words to that effect. Is this what Yeshua the Messiah and his apostles really taught? How do those who teach that the law of Elohim has been annulled, replaced by the New Covenant and is thus, to a large degree, no longer applicable to Christians reconcile this view with the plethora of Scriptures that say otherwise? They cannot.
No! The false teachers in the Christian church who teach that the law or commandments of Elohim have been done away with have spread before the people of Elohim a table full of vomit and are encouraging, no brainwashing, the people to eat of their fare.
These doctrines and teachings of the mainstream church are nothing more than the traditions of men by which the clear, unchangeable and indisputable Word of Elohim has been made of none effect, which is something for which Yeshua castigated the religious leaders of his day (Mark 7:8–13; Matt 15:3–9), which is a stern warning to every so called follower of Yeshua today.
Yes, as Paul astutely wrote and is as true now as when he penned these words, “the carnal mind is enmity against Elohim; for it is not subject to the law of Elohim, nor indeed can be,” (Rom 8:7). The prophet Jeremiah had something similar to say about the carnal, rebellious and sinful nature of man as well especially when it comes to obeying the Creator’s commandments: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jer 17:9).
Yes, sadly, a long time ago, the leaders of the mainstream church chose to follow the inclinations of their evil hearts and contrived cunningly devised and pernicious justifications, philosophies and unbiblical doctrines of men to circumvent many if not most of the commandments of Elohim. These doctrines of men by which the Word of Elohim has been made of none effect were then codified into theologies, institutionalized into catechisms and doctrinal statements, and then taught in their institutions of education to be passed onto successive generations of deceived people. How sad and vile!
This has been a vast calumny against the clear Word of Elohim orchestrated by Satan the devil himself, who was the first one to question the Word of Elohim at the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden, thus deceiving the first humans to believe the lie that YHVH did not mean what he said when he gave them commandments to obey. This lying deception led to the first sin and man being cut off from Elohim.
The so-called early fathers starting in the second century A.D. fell for the same Satanic deception and bought into the same lie as Adam and Eve. These lies were largely institutionalized in A.D. 325 at the famous Council of Nicea as led and orchestrated by the pagan Roman Emperor Constantine. This was the nascence of the Roman Catholic Church, which has subsequently passed this false teaching on to all of her harlot daughters and to the spawn that has flowed therefrom.
So why can’t more people see the fact that the mainstream church is incongruent with the biblical Truth they claim to follow? Especially, why can’t the religious leaders with their vast amount of education and advanced degrees including knowledge of biblical linguistics see this? As the saying goes, this is not rocket science! There are many answers to the question why so many Christian leaders are blind to one of the most obvious aspects of biblical Truth. We have already answered this question in part above. Additionally, for many, if not most, its the love of money, or power, or fame, prestige, and the social acceptance that comes from not questioning the status quo. But there is another reason to consider why the erudite have failed to comprehend obvious biblical Truth. It is this: YHVH declared that he would use the foolish and base things of this world (like your author) to confound the wise. Why? That no flesh may glory, and that all the glory should go to Elohim. As we read,
Because the foolishness of Elohim is wiser than men; and the weakness of Elohim is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but Elohim hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and Elohim hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath Elohim chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Cor 1:25–29)
Moreover, those people who are Truth seekers and who go against the prevailing current of the mainstream Christian church and begin to study YHVH’s Torah-law, guess what? According to David, the study of the Torah makes one wiser than one’s enemies and teachers. This includes all of the doctors and professors in all of the Christian seminaries who teach that the law was done away with! Says David of those who study YHVH’s Torah,
Oh, how I love Your Torah-law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts. (Ps 119:97–100)
The psalmist’s prediction was realized when the non-formally educated disciples of Yeshua were arrested and hauled before the Jewish religious elite of their day. In the Book of Acts it is recorded,
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Yeshua. (Acts 4:13)
What were the apostles’ only credentials? They had sat at the feet of the Yeshua the Messiah—a Torah teacher.
What does this mean for the saints of Elohim in our day?
It is now time for the true saints of YHVH Elohim and the disciples of Yeshua to wake up to the hard cold fact, as hard to believe and as unpopular as such a realization may be, that they have been deceived and have inherited lies from the church system, and that they need to come out of the harlot system of the whore of Babylon (Rev 18:1–4). It is high time to get back to the Bible in preparation for the coming of our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah, who will judge us all on the basis of the whole counsel of his Word including his Torah-law (Matt 5:19).
The following is a list of phrases that the teachers in the mainstream church continually vomit forth to supposedly justify why YHVH’s Torah-law is no longer relevant to the New Testament saint. Read through this list, and then go on and see what Yeshua and his apostles taught on this subject. Then ask yourself this question: Who is right: the church or the Bible? Then go and do the right thing.
We are not under law anymore; we are now under grace.
The law was nailed to the cross; it was done away with.
Christ fulfilled the law for us so that we don’t have to do it.
Christ is the end of the law.
One is either under law or under grace; law and grace are mutually exclusive terms; when it comes to law and grace it is “either or,” “not both and.”
We have been freed from the works of the law.
We are saved by grace, not by the works of the law; therefore, we do not need the law anymore.
The law was against us.
We are obligated to keep the moral aspects of the law, not the ceremonial aspects of the law.
It is a curse to keep the law.
The Epistle to the Galatians offers a convincing argument against the law.
Love is the fulfilling of the law. All we have to do know is to walk in love.
The curse of the law.
We’re dead to the law.
If we keep the law, we have fallen from grace.
The law was for the Jews, not the Gentiles.
Since we are not justified by the works of the law, we don’t have to keep the law.
How many of you actually share the gospel with others on a regular basis? This is not a popular topic, even though Yeshua/Jesus commanded us to do so in the Great Commission. Why are you afraid to point others to the gospel? You are missing out on one of the greatest blessings in life, when you share Yeshua with others. How is this? In this video, Nathan shares how to overcome the fear of being a “fool” for Yeshua, so that you can become a river of life blessing to those around you and receive heaven’s blessings on your own life as well.
Do YOU really think that if Yeshau (Jesus) returned today you would be ready to meet him? What about the Scriptures that say that our righteousness is as filthy rags, that the righteous are scarcely saved, that without holiness no one will see Elohim, and that we are lukewarm in our faith and need to go through the refiing fires of YHVH’s loving judgments to burn out the wood, hay and stubble from our lives? To be sure, Yeshua is not coming back for a bride with spot and wrinkle. So what to we need to do to get our lives ready to meet our Maker? Watch this video to learn the answers.
2 Samuel 6 :1–2, 14–23,Bring up the ark…David danced…Michal…despised him. Some people who are purveyors of dead, stale and fossilized religious systems may turn their noses airward in diffidence at the tokens or symbols of YHVH’s presence. On the other hand, there are those of equally petrified and lifeless religious systems that look to religious icons and tokens to somehow breathe life into that which is spiritually dead. Such can easily become nothing more than thinly veiled idolatry and relic worship. Neither of these situations was the case with David when he sought the return of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. The ark was, for the Israelites, the symbol of Elohim’s blessed presence among them. With passionate zeal from a heart of worship, David longed for the ark’s placement in Jerusalem in a place of honor, and YHVH honored David’s desire. Yet there were those, even in David’s own family, who in an effort to keep old dead systems alive, despised the anointed presence and David’s zeal for it.
As physical humans, YHVH knows that we need points of contact to aid us in connecting to the deeper things of life—especially to those things of the heavenly realm. In the physical realm, a cherished photo of a loved one, a wedding ring, a souvenir from a trip, a gift from a friend or a family heirloom may serve to refresh our memories and to stir the emotions reminding us of the people, places or events behind the keepsakes. A souvenir is something we purchase while on a trip to remind us of good memories when we return home. The word souvenir is a direct borrowing from the French word of the same spelling meaning “to remember.” The power of keepsakes, heirlooms or souvenirs over one’s mind and emotions can be so strong that they can cause us to shed a tear, go into a depression, or bring us great joy. Our emotional attachments are so strong to them that often they will be the things that we will retrieve before anything else from our burning home. These things serve as points of contact with important events that have happened in our lives.
In our spiritual lives, we have similar points of contact. It could be a favorite Bible or another token of our faith and devotion to YHVH. The Bible reveals that anointing oil or an anointed cloth can be a point of contact with YHVH the Healer. Communion and baptism are both points of contact to higher spiritual truths. It is heresy, possibly even idolatry, to say that the water of baptism actually spiritually cleanses the sinner, or the bread and wine become the actual the body and blood of the Savior. But they are important in that they are a physical representation of deeper spiritual truths or realities.
Perhaps now we can appreciate better David’s zeal over the ark of the covenant’s return to Jerusalem. Embodied in that box was the very heritage and future of Israel, for it represented YHVH’s divine presence in the midst of his people. David recognized this and knew that, like Moses, unless YHVH was with him (Exod 33:14–15), the future looked bleak and he despaired about going forward without YHVH’s presence among them.
What are the points of contact in your spiritual life that serve as points of reference, contacts, milestones, road signs, or souvenirs either reminding you of or pointing you toward YHVH’s grace in your life?
David literally danced for joy before the people when the ark of the covenant paraded into Jerusalem. Do we have a similar emotional tenderness, enthusiasm and exuberance about spiritual things that we too, like David, can worship our Creator with total abandon? Or do we, like Michal, the daughter of King Saul and wife of David, criticize those who, like David, did so? In reality, everything in that ark pointed to Yeshua—the Living Word of Elohim. No doubt David, a spiritually attuned man after YHVH’as own heart, recognized the deeper symbolism of the ark and its contents, and he would have loved every bit of it unreservedly as evidenced by his zeal at the ark’s return. Similarly, do we still possess such a love for Yeshua, or have we lost it? (Read Rev 2:4–5.) What did YHVH-Yeshua threaten to do to the assembly at Ephesus if they did not reignite the passions of their first love for him?
2 Samuel 6:3–7, The house of Abinidab.While in the house of Abinadab, the ark’s presence had become so commonplace such that, as Matthew Henry states in his commentary, the familiarity of it engendered contempt (or at least a casual disregard) for it. Perhaps an irreverence for YHVH’s set-apart things had gripped Uzzah’s heart prompting him to touch that which was forbidden to do so. In our modern culture, and Christianity is not exempt from this, there is very little respect for authority, one’s elders, the law or other’s property, much less holy or set-apart things. In YHVH’s order of things, this is unacceptable behavior. Scripture draws strict lines of demarcation between that which is holy (kadosh or set-apart) and that which is commonplace or profane. YHVH has designated certain times, places, things and even people to be honored and respected—even revered. Are we in danger of incurring Elohim’s wrath, as Uzzah did, for not properly recognizing this?
2 Samuel 6:16, [Michal] despised [David] in her heart. In reality, what was Michal despising—David or the ark itself? Often humans in actuality are despising the things of YHVH even though they misdirect their disregard and spite toward his human agents. Scripture reveals that the children of Israel’s rebellion against Moses was really against YHVH himself. Similarly, if the ark was a prophetic picture of Yeshua, then for whom was Michal really showing contempt? Yeshua is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to many people. Many Christians claim to follow Yeshua, yet they despise his Word and his messengers. They also despise those who are passionate devotees and worshipers of Yeshua referring to them as right-wing fanatics, extremists, unbalanced, Bible-thumpers, Jesus freaks and other derisive terms. How passionate for Yeshua and his ways are you? What does YHVH say about this attitude? (Read Rev 3:15–19.)
Are you hot, cold or lukewarm in your love for Yeshua the Messiah? It’s time to take your temperature!
Having recently celebrated Yom Teruah (the Day of Trumpets) and now finding ourselves between Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) and Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles), we need to ask ourselves some questions. Since these fall biblical festivals prophetically picture the return of Yeshua the Messiah, the establishment his millennial kingdom on earth, and his marriage to his higher level (wise virgin) saints, it is time for each of us to take our spiritual temperature. Does our heart still pound passionately for Yeshua, our Master and Savior? How much do we love him, and is he first place in our lives above all else? If not, then what can we do about it? This article offers solutions to the prevalent spiritual disease known as lukewarmitis.
Do you love Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) first and foremost above everything else in your life? Yeshua said, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of [i.e. deserving of or suitable for] Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matt 10:37–39). Do you love Yeshua more than anything in your life including your most cherished family members and even your own life?
To be worthy or deserving of or suitable for Yeshua, he demands that we put him first in our life above everything else. Yes, he loves everyone, but he will not grant eternal life and entrance into his kingdom to just anyone. Many are called, few are chosen (Matt 22:14). To gain eternal life and entrance into his kingdom, one must be worthy of it. After all, he wants to give us everything including eternal life. But in exchange, he demands that we give him everything we have. O how we fall short in this!
The question is this: How much do YOU love Yeshua the Messiah? Is he the first love of your life? This is an important question to answer. Those people in whose lives he is not in first place, even though they may claim to believe in and even obey him, to one degree or another, risk being excluded from his kingdom.
Do you think that you are automatically guaranteed of eternal life just because you give Yeshua some lip service, perform some religious activities, and do a couple of good things now and again when it’s convenient? Well think again. To the saints in Ephesus, Yeshua warned,
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. (Rev 2:4–5)
The marriage supper of the Lamb (Yeshua) is coming. Some people will be worthy to be part of this, others who thought that they worthy will not be found worthy.
Then he said to his servants, “The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.” (Matt 22:8; and do not forget about Yeshua’s warning to the lukewarm Laodiceans in Rev 3:14–22)
Similarly, the five foolish virgins also thought they were worthy to enter into the marriage feast of the Lamb of Elohim, but were excluded because they did not love Yeshua enough to properly prepare themselves.
“Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them…Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” (Matt 25:3, 11–13)
Elsewhere Yeshua warned,
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matt 7:21–23)
Other Scriptures that speak of being worthy of Yeshua include,
[T]hat you may walk worthy [i.e. deserving or suitable] of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of Elohim… (Col 1:10)
[T]hat you would walk worthy [i.e. deserving or suitable] of Elohim who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. (1 Thess 2:12)
[W]hich is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of Elohim, that you may be counted worthy [i.e. deem entirely deserving] of the kingdom of Elohim, for which you also suffer… (2 Thess 1:5)
Therefore we also pray always for you that our Elohim would count you worthy [i.e. to deem entitled or fit] of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power… (2 Thess 1:11)
The following is a list of reasons to love Yeshua, so that he will become the first love in your life above everything and everyone else, and so that you will be counted worthy of him including deserving to receive his free gift of eternal life and inclusion in his kingdom.
Yeshua is your Creator; he gave you physical life (John 1:3, 10; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2, 10).
Yeshua is your spiritual Creator and offers you eternal life (immortality) free of charge if you will only love, serve and obey him.
Yeshua died and paid the penalty for your sins, so that you might live forever with him in his Father’s kingdom.
When Yeshua came to this earth as a man, he gave you an example that you can follow of how to live your life.
Like a light in the darkness, Yeshua has given you the Truth of his word (the Bible) to guide me through life.
Yeshua has given you his Set-Apart (Holy) Spirit as an internal spiritual dynamic force to empower you from within to want to follow and obey him.
Yeshua has revealed the Father and his love to you and desires to make you a part of the Father’s spiritual home (John 14:23).
Yeshua supplies all of your needs according to his riches in glory (Phil 4:19) and freely gives you all things (Rom 8:32).
Yeshua has delivered you from all charges and condemnation of the enemy (Satan, the accuser of the brethren) against those who belong to him (Rom 8:33–34).
Yeshua is seated at the right hand of Elohim the Father in heaven where he defends you against the charges of Satan your enemy in the court of heaven (Rom 8:34).
Yeshua has made you to be more than a conqueror (over the world, the flesh and the devil) (Rom 8:37).
Yeshua has given you power and authority over all the enemy’s demonic forces (Luke 9:1; 10:19).
Through Yeshua, you will be made rich (1 Cor 8:9). What price tag can you put on eternal life?
Yeshua gives you hope (1 Thess 1:3).
Yeshua has granted you his mercy which leads to eternal life (Jude 1:21).
Yeshua’s love roots and grounds you (so that like a well-rooted tree, the storms of life cannot topple you) (Eph 3:17).
The knowledge of Yeshua’s love passes all human understanding and causes you to be filled with the fullness of Elohim (Eph 3:19).
Yeshua is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you ask or think (Eph 3:20).
The Father answers our prayers when we ask him anything in Yeshua’s name (John 16:23).
Countless other reasons to love Yeshua could also be added to this list…
For these reasons, who can separate us from the love of Yeshua?
Who shall separate us from the love of Messiah? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Messiah Yeshua our Lord. (Rom 8:35, 38–39).
The bad news is that,
If anyone does not love the Lord Yeshua the Messiah, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! (1 Cor 16:22)
What is the curse that is upon those who do not love Yeshua? It is death, which is the result or wages of sin (Rom 6:23; Ezek 18:4). Yeshua will cast all of those who do not love him into the lake of fire (Rev 20:11–15). Simply stated, if they do not want him, then he will give them what they want—an eternity without him in the form of death—the extinguishing of life.
