Tag Archives: Second Coming

The Cosmic Struggle Between Elohim and elohim as It Relates to the Saint (Pt 5)

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To understand the context of what is written below, it is essential to read  the previous parts of this series. — Natan

What can the saints do in response to this tidal wave of evil that is sweeping across the planet and engulfing everything, or descending that is descending upon the earth like a giant, sticky spider web?

First, the saint must recognize the enemy and the problems we face. Ignorance is not bliss! Ignorance of what is going around us is still ignorance! It is folly to simply pull the covers over our heads and go back to sleep hoping it will all go away. Denial doesn’t change the facts on the ground.

…lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. (2 Cor 2:11)

Second, we must resolve to stand and to fight. This is something each of us must determine to do based on a deep and committed resolve. Most people defer to others. This is cowardice and dereliction of the duty Yeshua gave us when he commanded us to stand and to fight for him.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:11–12)

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1Tim 6:12)

What would YHVH have you to do? What part in the battle do you play? Ask him, and he will tell you. Doing nothing is not an option. He’s not looking for capability; he’s looking for availability. He’ll take our weaknesses and inabilities and turn them into abilities and strengths for his glory. He’s looking for a willing heart to obey him. A slothful and unprofitable servant is not a servant of Yeshua!

Third, we must know what we’re fighting for.  In a war, soldiers are fighting for an objective: a hill, a city, a country, an enemy stronghold or an ideology. If they don’t know what they’re fighting for, they will lose morale and the resolve to continue fighting. The saint is fighting for the advancement of the kingdom of Elohim—for the light of his truth to be spread across the earth. He is fighting for truth and righteousness. Anything that is opposed to that is the enemy of YHVH and the saint. If this is not clear in the mind and heart of the saint, then he, like the ancient apostate Israelites, will fall prey to the allurements of the demon-gods/elohim of the heathen nations around them.

This evil people, who refuse to hear My words, who follow the dictates of their hearts, and walk after other elohim to serve them and worship them, shall be just like this sash which is profitable for nothing. (Jer 13:10)

And it shall be, when you show this people all these words, and they say to you, “Why has YHVH pronounced all this great disaster against us? Or what is our iniquity? Or what is our sin that we have committed against YHVH our Elohim?” then you shall say to them, “Because your fathers have forsaken Me,” says YHVH; “they have walked after other elohim and have served them and worshiped them, and have forsaken Me and not kept My Torah-law.” (Jer 16:10–11)

Fourth, fortify your faith with the following promises from the word of Elohim. In these perilous times, the Word of Elohim will be our rock and fortress! We must know it well and have it deeply entrenched in our minds and hearts. Now, not then, is the time to prepare ourselves spiritually in this regard. Here are some wise instructions and promises from the Word of Elohim to the last days saints that will strengthen and encourage us in the dark days just before the second coming of our Messiah.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:33–36)

Seek YHVH, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of YHVH’s anger. (Zeph 2:3)

But now, thus says YHVH, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. (Isa 43:1–2)

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for YHVH your Elohim, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. (Deut 31:6)

Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which YHVH has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. (Deut 31:7)

And YHVH, He is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed. (Deut 31:8)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Ps 23:4)

For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him. (Ps 32:6)

YHVH of hosts is with us; the Elohim of Jacob is our refuge. Selah (Ps 46:7)

A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave. Be merciful to me, O Elohim, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. (Ps 57:1)

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. (Ps 91:15)

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. (Lu 21:12–18)

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. (1 Pet 4:12–13)

Here is what the saints must do to prepare for the end times. It is imperative that you take these admonitions seriously; your  physical and spiritual life will depend on it. Preparedness is essential to not only surviving, but to thriving in the final days of this age. Now is the time to saddle for battle! Don’t allow yourself to fall into a false sense of secure, apathetic complacency as most will do. Peter warned us against this natural human tendency.

Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Master and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” For this they willfully forget: that by the word of Elohim the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. YHVH is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of YHVH will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of Elohim, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless… (2 Pet 3:1–14)

Here are some practical things each saint must do in light of the perilous times we are now facing.

  • As the children of Israel in Egypt got under the blood of the lamb and YHVH passed over them sparing them from his most severe judgment against the first born, so the end time saints, too, will overcome the evil one by appropriating the blood of the Yeshua the Lamb of Elohim (Rev 12:11). From this place of safety, they will be protected from evil’s onslaught because they have the seal of Elohim on their foreheads (Rev 7:3). It is true that some saints will be martyred by the demonic forces of the antichrist (Rev 20:4), but the evil one can kill the body, not the soul and spirit of man.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matt 10:28)

  • Repent of sin, so the Satan the accuser has no legal grounds upon which to accuse you before Elohim (Rev 12:10).
  • Walk in righteousness (i.e. obedience to his commands), so we’ll be close to YHVH and under his covering or protection.
  • Pray, pray and pray for YHVH’s wisdom, guidance and direction.
  • Learn to hear and obey the voice of Elohim.
  • Walk in the power of Yeshua.
  • Know the Word and will of YHVH. Pray and live it.
  • Know who you are in Yeshua and align yourself with that before taking a stand against the enemy.
  • Submit to Elohim, draw near to him, repent of sin and from that position of strength you can successfully resist the devil and he will flee from you (Jas 4:7–8)
  • Take every evil thought captive to the Word, will and Spirit of Eloihm whereby you will not come under the control of the evil one (2 Cor 10:4–5).
  • Do spiritual warfare by knowing and quoting the Scriptures and using them to oppose the devil as Yeshua did when he was tempted in the wilderness (Matt 4:1–11).
  • Love not your life unto death (Rev 12:11). Have no fear of anything, but walk in love, the supernatural power of the Spirit with a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7; 1 John 4:18). The devil’s only power over us is fear of death. If we’re in Yeshua, we’ll have no fear of anything.
  • Learn to walk by faith.

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of Elohim, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. (Heb 10:35–39)

Heed the threefold message or the everlasting gospel of the three angels of Rev 14:6–12.

Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth–to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—saying with a loud voice, “Fear Elohim and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of Elohim, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the [Torah] commandments of Elohim and the faith of Yeshua.

 

The Cosmic Struggle Between Elohim and elohim as It Relates to the Saint (Pt 3)

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To understand the context of what is written below, it is essential to read  the previous parts of this series. — Natan

Interestingly, in this Isaiah 42 passage, YHVH Elohim demands that the heathen demon-gods present themselves to us “that we may consider them, ”  “or declare to us” (v. 22; also v. 23 where we occurs twice). Who is the we and us in these verses? It is referring to the Heavenly Counsel of Elohim—the same Elohim in the Shema Passage of Deut 6:4, and the same Elohim who created the heavens and the earth in Gen 1:1. While there is a true Elohim-Godhead, there also is a cadre of false elohim who feign to be the true Elohim, and who are not only deceiving the heathen nations, but who are attempting to draw YHVH’s treasured people away from him or out of covenant relationship with him. As Isaiah 42 indicates, these idol demon-gods, false elohim promise much, but deliver nothing, even as the people of Israel discovered in Elijah’s confrontation with Baal and his followers on Mount Carmel. This is why YHVH Elohim calls them nothing and their work nothing in Isa 41:24. Elohim holds these false elohim accountable, and even calls them in to his heavenly courtroom on occasion (e.g. Job 1:6–12; 2:1–7), and will ultimately pronounce full, final and eternal judgment upon them for the evil they have done on the earth (Matt 25:41; Rev 20:10). As Isaiah meant for this truth to be an encouragement to the downtrodden and discouraged people of Israel, even so, in our day, YHVH’s oppressed saints need to hold fast to the ultimate and irrevocable righteous judgments of YHVH Elohim against those who persecute and oppress them in these last days, and against the demon-god or false elohim behind these evil-doers.

In the mean time, we see in other Scriptures where YHVH Elohim through his prophets sets himself in opposition to these false idol, demon-gods of the nations. In Isaiah 46, the prophet contrasts dead idols with the living Elohim by lampooning the idols of the heathen, and at the same time Elohim passionately attempts to reason with his stubborn and rebellious people to choose him and obedience to his Torah-laws over fall prey to these worthless idols. The psalmist expresses similar sentiments in  Psalm 115:3–8.

Gibson sums up this conflict between YHVH Elohim and the elohim of the nations as follows:

Other gods are threateningly real in the problems they pose both for [YHVH] and his people Israel; but he is King of heaven no less than of earth, and is as able to deal with other gods as he is [able] to deal with their human counterparts like Egypt and Babylon; and that is why he alone is worthy of Israel’s undivided allegiance. (Language and Imagery in the Old Testament, p. 32, by J.C.L Gibson)

YHVH Elohim as the sovereign Creator of the universe will deal with his evil opponents, but he alone chooses his the timing, place and manner of his battles. In accordance with his ineffable wisdom and according to his divine plan and will known only to him, he chooses when and whether to engage his rivals or not. From our earthly perspective as humans, we often wonder why YHVH doesn’t seem to stop the evil that is occurring on the earth more than he does. This is a question that righteous people have been asking virtually since the beginning. Nevertheless, at the end of the age, a final grand showdown will occur between YHVH Elohim and the false demon-elohim because it is written in his word. His prophetic word is the saints’ advance intelligence information as to what Elohim will do and when. This is why it is imperative that we study and know his word well. This final judgment will occur when he judges the nations at the end of the age. This final showdown between Satan and his demon-gods and Elohim will occur at the battle of Armageddon.

YHVH will be awesome to them, for He will reduce to nothing all the gods/elohim of the earth; people shall worship Him, each one from his place, indeed all the shores of the nations. (Zeph 2:11)

Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of Elohim Almighty. “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. (Rev 16:12–16)

After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to YHVH our Elohim! For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.” … Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.  His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of Elohim. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty Elohim. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great Elohim, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.” And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. (Rev 19:1–2, 11–21

Be assured, these devil-backed evil gods and their human counterparts won’t relinquish control over this earth willingly or easily with out a monumental fight. But YHVH Elohim will destroy them. Yeshua the Messiah is not coming to the earth this time as a babe in the manger, but as a Conquering King on a war stallion to destroy his enemies once and for all (read Rev 19)!

As YHVH Elohim judged the demon-gods of Egypt and that reduced to nothing that nation that had oppressed his people, so likewise in the last days, the Almighty Creator will bring judgment against the false elohim and their human counterparts who rule the earth who perpetrate evil far and wide, and who are in charge of every aspect of the life on this planet as they attempt to control all humans for their personal benefit—for the love of money and power. The system they have constructed for their greedy and nefarious purposes is slowly but surely becoming like a tightly woven web that is controlling nearly every human endeavor. The Bible calls this demonic system Mystery Babylon the Great. It’s a demonically inspired and controlled system that has at its core tenet the worship of Satan and rebellion against YHVH Elohim. Its end goal is the exploitation and ultimate elimination of humans and especially the destruction of YHVH Elohim’s plans and purposes here below as expressed and carried out by his people—the obedient redeemed saints.

 

The Tabernacle and the “Deification” or Theosis of Man

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The Tabernacle of Moses from its front to back represents one’s progression in their spiritual journey starting with their initial salvation leading to the glorification of the physical body and eternal life in YHVH’s eternal spiritual kingdom. This view is from man’s perspective looking into the tabernacle through the front gate.

From YHVH’s view inside the holy of holies above the ark of the covenant in the glory cloud looking outward, the perspective is different. We’ll discus this in a moment.

In the outer court of the tabernacle, all the rituals and furnishings pointed to death, judgment, to washing or cleansing. These prophetically foreshadowed salvation through Yeshua’s atoning death on the cross, with Yeshua being the door to salvation, acceptance of his death on the cross for one’s sins followed by baptism for the remission of sins. In the set-apart (kadosh or holy) place inside the tabernacle, everything pointed to life, light, food, fragrant incense, the fruits and gifts of the Set-Apart Spirit—or life in a spiritual relationship Continue reading →

 

Are you spiritual naked and unprepared for Yeshua’s coming?

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Mark 14:51, A certain young man…naked. The reason for the inclusion of this detail in the Gospel record has puzzled many commentators. For example, Matthew Henry suggests that it was added to show the barbarous nature of the Jewish gang that arrested Yeshua, and how narrow was the disciples’ escape from their hands.

There seems, however, to be a greater spiritual lesson to be learned from this story.

Previous to this, Yeshua, as he and his disciples were coming into the Garden of Gethsemane, admonished them to sit and pray with him (v. 32), to stay and watch (v. 34), to watch and pray so as not to fall into temptation because of the weakness of the flesh (v. 38). Instead, the disciples slept (vv. 37, 40). Elsewhere, Yeshua instructs the elect saints of the last days to endure tribulation and spiritual apostasy to the end (Matt 24:13), and to watch vigilantly and be ready for his second coming (Matt 24:42, 44; 25:13). These warnings are in the context of his Parable of the Ten Virgins. All slept while awaiting the bridegroom’s arrival. While five were spiritually prepared, five were not. Those who were unprepared were dubbed as foolish and weren’t allowed into the wedding. Likewise, in the end times, there will be believers who YHVH views as wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked because they have grown lukewarm spiritually (Rev 3:14–17).

The point of this discussion is this: If the disciples of Yeshua fail to maintain a state of spiritual preparedness (by watching, praying, keeping oil in their spiritual lamps, enduring to the end) while awaiting his return, they, like the young man in Gethsemane and the Laodiceans in the Book of Revelation, will be found to be spiritually naked lacking robes of righteousness on the day of his return and thus unprepared to meet him (Rev 19:7–9 cp. Matt 22:2, 11–12).

 

Insights from Matthew 24—the Olivette Prophecy

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The Mount of Olives in Jerusalem

The Mount of Olives in Jerusalem

Matthew 24:29, 31, Immediately after the tribulation…gather the elect. If no other verse disproves the pre-trib rapture theory, this one does. Here Yeshua clearly states that the gathering of the saints to meet Yeshua as he is coming in the clouds occurs not only after the tribulation, but after the great tribulation (v. 21). The tribulation and great tribulation are separate events from the wrath of Elohim, which John describes as being part of the seven trumpet and seven bowl judgments (Rev 6:17; 11:18; 15:1; 16:1).

Matthew 24:29, 30, Sun will be darkened…sign of the Son of Man. Here Yeshua tells us that certain harbingers of his second coming will occur first. These include phenomenon occurring in the heavens involving the sun, moon and the stars. After this, a miraculous sign in the heavens will occur, and then Yeshua will come. Between the signs of the sun, moon and stars and the final miraculous sign of his coming there’s a gap in time. Yeshua later revealed to John the cosmic disturbances involving the sun, moon and stars would correspond with the sixth seal (as part of the of the great tribulation that occurs before Elohim pours out his wrath on the earth) of Revelation 6:12–17. After this, Elohim pours out his wrath upon the earth (Rev 6:17; 11:18; 15:1; 16:1), and then the second advent of Yeshua occurs.

Does the sign of the Son of Man coming (Matt 24:30lp) occur before or after the wrath of Elohim? That’s hard to say, but since Yeshua states that between the two events that all men will mourn, perhaps this is a veiled reference to the wrath of Elohim that is to be poured out on unregenerate men during the seven trumpets, seven thunders and seven bowl judgments described in the Book of Revelation. Why else would men be mourning? The intervening time between the Continue reading →

 

What Is the Day of YHVH’s Wrath?

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The Day of YHVH’s Wrath

There comes a time in the chronology of end times events that accompany the return of Yeshua when YHVH will pour out his wrath upon rebellious men. The Bible refers to this as “the day of YHVH” or “the day of his wrath” — a phrase which occurs more than two dozen times in prophetic writings of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Zephaniah, Zechariah and Malachi. What is this day?

Is the “day of YHVH’s wrath” a literal day, or a time period, since the Hebrew word for day (Heb. yom) can mean both? The prophet Isaiah may give us a clue. In several places, he mentions “the day of YHVH’s vengeance” (or words to this effect). This is the time period when YHVH will judge the nations including Babylon the Great, which is in existence at Yeshua’s second coming (see Rev 17, 18 and 19). In three places, Isaiah indicates that the day of YHVH will last for one year (Isa 34:8; 61:2 and 63:4). Interestingly, in Isaiah 63:4, the prophet couples the idea of the day of YHVH’s vengeance being a year long with the jubilee year — “the year of my redeemed has come.” This occurs as the Messiah (the subject of Isa 63:1–6) judges the enemies of Israel (notably Edom) as he is at the same time about to redeem (i.e., regather and return scattered Israel to its Promised Land inheritance.) It appears that while Yeshua is judging Israel’s enemies at his second coming, he will at the same time begin regathering the lost and scattered 12 tribes of Israel in a major way. Yeshua seems to allude to this in Matthew 24:31

What Is the Wrath of YHVH/Elohim?

In the Book of Revelation, the term wrath of God/Elohim or similar language is found ten times in reference to YHVH’s fierce judgments against unrepentant and rebellious sinners. It is my belief that these judgments are yet to occur and are connected with the end times Continue reading →