The Moon—Pockmarked Like Us

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Elohim made two great lights to shine in the darkness—the sun (the greater light) and the moon (the lesser light) (Gen 1:16). The sun is a spiritual picture of Yeshua whom the Bible calls the Light of the world (John 1:9; 8:12), the Sun of Righteousness (Mal 4:2), whose face shines like the sun (Rev 1:16), and who will be the light of the New Jerusalem replacing the physical sun (Rev 21:23).

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But who does the moon represent in this spiritual picture? If the sun is a picture of Yeshua, the Light of the World, then who has been tasked with the responsibility of reflecting Yeshua’s light into the spiritual darkness of this world? Of course, this is the job of the saints who Yeshua called to be a like light on a hill (Matt 5:14), or a menorah lamp stand (Rev 2:1).

Now think about this. Although the moon is a quarter of a million miles from the earth, because it has no atmosphere to absorb the sun’s light, it is able to reflect the sun’s light to this earth so that a person is able to see in the darkness of night. The amazing thing is that the moon’s surface isn’t a polished mirror. Rather, it’s a dull rocky surface. Not only that, it’s not even flat. It’s pockmarked—covered with huge craters, mountains, valleys and canyons. With such an uneven, gray and nondescript surface, it seems miraculous that it’s even able to reflect any light at all, much less all the way to the earth! This speaks to the unimaginable power of the sun to throw its light such a great distance through space and then to ricochet it off the moon earthward even though the moon’s surface is anything but reflective.

The moon is a perfect picture of each of us. We are nondescript in appearance, possess rough natures, stony hearts, gray dispositions, barren of spiritual fruit, possessing no power of our own, pockmarked by sin, covered by mountains of human pride, and etched with canyons of guilt and shame. In truth, YHVH has not chosen many wise or noble people to reflect the light of his Son, Yeshua, the Sun of Righteousness, but instead he has chosen the weak, foolish, despised and base things of this world to put to shame the things that are wise (1 Cor 1:26–28). As the lesser light, like the moon is to the sun, YHVH has called the saints to be his sons of light (Luke 16:8; John 12:36; Eph 5:8; 1 Pet 2:9) to shine the Light of Yeshua into the midst of a crooked and perverse world (Phil 2:15).

Since Yeshua has called us out of spiritual darkness into his marvellous light, let us embrace and demonstrate the fact that he calls us a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and his own special people by being ready and quick to proclaim his praises to everyone everywhere every time (1 Pet 2:9)!

 

Do You Go to Heaven When You Die?

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John 3:13, No one has ascended to heaven. Most Christians believe that when they die, they immediately go to heaven in spite of Yeshua’s clear statement in this verse.

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Some believers see this verse as referring to saints who died before his resurrection, but not true of those who died afterwards, even though Yeshua doesn’t say this. Therefore, they reason, this is why, according to Peter, David, who was born before Yeshua, is still resting in his grave awaiting the last days resurrection (Acts 2:29).

If what the majority of Christians believe on this subject is true, then the saints of old are second-class citizens and YHVH is a respecter persons (which he is not, see Acts 10:34; Rom 2:11) in that they have to wait for resurrection day and for their ultimate reward of eternal life, while saints born since Yeshua receive their glorified bodies immediately upon death.

Laying aside all the church traditions and doctrines of men, what does the Bible in the simplest and clearest terms say about the timing of the saints receiving immortality? Paul states that the resurrection of all the dead saints and their receiving immortality occurs not at the time of their physical death, but at the second coming of Yeshua at the last trumpet (1 Cor 15:51–54; 1 Thess 4:13–18 cp. Rev 11:15, 18).

Actually, men’s eternal inheritance isn’t heaven, but the New Jerusalem, which is coming down from heaven to the new earth (Rev 21:2).

 

The Feasts, Tabernacle, Man in 3D

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Exodus 23:14–19, Three times you shall keep a feast. Conventional Jewish wisdom teaches us that during the three pilgrimage festivals all the individuals of the nation are to appear out of all isolations personally in the presence of the one God of Israel in the festival circle (or chag) around the common sanctuary (where YHVH has chosen to place his name, Deut 16:2,11,15), thereby becoming conscious that each one is connected to all the other members of the nation, with YHVH Elohim, and with the Torah (The Pentateuch—Deuteronomy, p. 310, by S. R. Hirsch).

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But there is much more than this if we add Yeshua the Messiah of Israel into the picture. Each of the three feasts point directly to him. Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles all point to Yeshua, since the first three spring feasts point to Yeshua’s first coming, while the last fall feast points to his second coming. Each of these feasts represent milestones in the spiritual walk of the redeemed believer.

But it gets better. There were three sections in the Tabernacle of Moses: the outer courtyard, the holy place and the holy of holies. These correspond with the three parts of man: body, soul and spirit (1 Thess 5:23).

The feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread are the first two feasts we celebrate in the spring and represent the first steps in a new believer’s spiritual walk. This corresponds with the outer courtyard and relates more to the spiritual cleansing of the outer parts or body of man. It is here that one begins their spiritual walk and relationship with Yeshua, who is the Word of Elohim.

The Feast of Weeks or Pentecost is the next step one takes in their spiritual walk. The holy place speaks of bring the soul (the mind, will and emotions) into submission to the will of YHVH as one advances in their spiritual walk and learns about the fruits and gifts of the Spirit of Elohim, who they are as redeemed Israelites, and about worship and praise.

Finally, the holy of holies corresponds to the Feast of Tabernacles and the Eighth Day and the spirit part of man. This part of the tabernacle speaks more of man’s ultimate spiritual relationship with Elohim. It is here that man relates to Elohim, who is a Spirit, on a spirit to Spirit level (John 4:24; 1 Cor 2:10–13). This points to man’s ultimate destiny as glorified beings in the New Jerusalem as adopted members into the family of Elohim (John 1:12; Rom 8:14–15, 23; 9:4; 2 Cor 6:18; Gal 4:5–6; Eph 1:5; 1 John 3:1; Rev 21:7).

This is just the tip of the iceberg. I’m sure there’s much more to learn on this subject.

 

 

Blog Scripture Readings for 2/10 through 2/16/13

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Parashat Terumah — Exodus 25:1 – 27:19
Haftarah — 1 Kings 5:26 – 6:13 (12) *
Prophets — 2 Kings 22:1 – 25:30; Isaiah 1:1 – 4:6
Writings — Psalms 119:145 – 129:8
Testimony — John 3:22 – 6:71

Most of this week’s blog discussion points will be on these passages. If you have general comments or questions on the weekly Scripture readings not addressed in a blog post, here’s a place for you to post those. Just use the “leave a reply” link below.

The full “Read Through The Scriptures In A Year” schedule, broken down by each day, can be found on the right sidebar under “Helpful Links.” There are 4 sections of scripture to read each day. One each from the Torah, the Prophets, the Writings, and from the Testimony of Yeshua. Each week, the Torah and haftarah readings will follow the traditional one-year reading cycle.

Weekly Blog Scripture Readings for 2/10 through 2/16/13.

* Verse numbers in parenthesis refer to the verse number in Christian Bibles.

 

The Prophetic Implications of Water to Wine

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Yeshua’s First Recorded Miracle: Water to Wine

John 2:1–12— And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Yeshua was there, and both Yeshua was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. When they wanted wine, the mother of Yeshua said unto him, “They have no wine.” Yeshua said unto her, “Woman, what have I to do with you? Mine hour is not yet come.” His mother said unto the servants, “Whatever he says unto you, do it.” And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Yeshua said unto them, “Fill the water pots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said unto them, “Draw out now, and bring it unto the superintendent of the dining room.” And they brought it. When the superintendent of the dining room had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not where it came from (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the superintendent of the dining room called the bridegroom and said unto him, “Every man at the beginning does set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse, but you have kept the good wine until now.” This beginning of miracles did Yeshua in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples, and they continued there not many days.

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Prophetic Points to Analyze:

  • verse 1— and the third day
  • verse 1— a marriage
  • verse 1— in Cana of Galilee
  • verse 3— wine
  • verse 6— six water pots of stone
  • verse 7— water
  • verse 10— old versus new wine
  • verse 11— this was the first miracle of Yeshua’s ministry

“And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee …” The phrase “the third day” is a prophetic term meaning “in three thousands years” or “in the third millennia” (cp. Gen 22:4; Exod 19:11; Hos 6:2). In this passage, “the third day” is pointing to the time when there will be a marriage between Yeshua and his bride (the saints, Rev 19:7–9).

The wedding occurred at Cana of Galilee. Galilee is in the historic homeland of the house of Israel (Ephraim) or Northern Kingdom, yet in the time of Yeshua Continue reading →

 

Make No Mention

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Exodus 23:13, Make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of your mouth. (See also Ps 16:4.) Not only is YHVH against the worship of pagan deities and wants their names to be destroyed (Deut 12:3), but he says that he will take from the lips of his people the names of pagan deities (Hos 2:17), and eventually, he will restore a pure language (presumably one that is free of pagan names) to his people (Zeph 3:9).

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Living this Torah principle out today is difficult in view of the fact that such common things as the days of the week and some of the months of the year are named for pagan deities making normal communication without using these names difficult. Nevertheless, the redeemed righteous of YHVH will endeavor to be mindful of this command and speak as cleanly as possible.

In our modern society, only a few people worship ancient pagan deities. In our materialistic and secular society, people are more likely to worship themselves, money, the mind of man, pleasure, power, fame, sex, entertainment, education, possessions, success or whatever else is first place in their lives ahead of YHVH Elohim.

By the way, the name Jesus doesn’t derive from the name of the Zeus, the name of a pagan Greek god, as some have erroneously claimed.

 

New Video: Why Celebrate the Biblical Feasts?

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What’s so important about the biblical feasts? What’s their relevance to the redeemed believer in Yeshua the Messiah? Why are they crucial to your spiritual walk, to understanding the whole Bible, to your relationship with Yeshua, to your eternal spiritual destiny? Watch this video and find out.