Me, wear what?

Messiah came to show us how to become children of Elohim.

What did Yahshua mean when He told His disciples in John 14: 6, saying: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one (of the lost sheep of the house of Israel) comes to the Father, but through Me.” Yahshua came to earth as the Son of Man, when He as the word of YHVH became a flesh and blood human being, to become our kinsman Redeemer – Abraham’s promised one seed through whom the lost sheep of the house of Israel are allowed to return to the covenant our ancient forefathers made with YHVH together with the house of Judah at Mount Sinai as explained in Galatians 3.

After Yahshua’s resurrection from the dead, three days and three nights after His death and burial on Passover in 31 CE, late on the fourth day of the week (Wednesday), He was resurrected late on the Sabbath afternoon, just before sunset, after which according to the Scriptural way of determining days on erev Yom Rishon (the evening of the first day of the week – Sunday not Saturday evening as we call it today because of the incorrect way the Roman calendar determines days and time) the two Miriam’s came to look at the grave (as recorded in Matthew 28: 1). We continue reading further in Matthew 28: 2 – 10, in this way: ‘And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of YHVH descended from Heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. (3) And his appearance was like lightning, and his garment as white as snow; (4) and the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. (5) And the angel answered and said to the woman, “Do not be afraid; for I know you are looking for Yahshua who has been crucified. (6) He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. (7) And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and behold, He is going before you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” (8) And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. (9) And behold, Yahshua met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. (10) Then Yahshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they shall see Me.”’ Continuing in Matthew 28: 16 & 17, we see that His disciples obeyed, as follows: ‘But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Yahshua had designated. (17) And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.’

Next we see according to Acts 1: 1 – 3 that Yahshua spend another forty days before His ascension to heaven, teaching His disciples about the coming Kingdom of Elohim, as follows: ‘The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Yahshua began to do and teach, (2) until the day when He was taken up, after He had by the Set-apart Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. (3) To these He also presented Himself alive, after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of Elohim.’ But then we pick up some missing information about what happened during the final forty days that Messiah spent on earth from Rav Shaul, writing to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 15: 1 – 6, saying: ‘Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, (2) by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. (3) For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Messiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (4) and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (5) and that he appeared to Kepha, then to the twelve. (6) After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep.’ This was the first public appearance of the Messiah to the “twelve” disciples and “to more than five hundred brethren at the same time” that took place on the mountain of Galilee. Why did He select the mountain of Galilee to make such an appearance to so many people at once? It was in the area of Galilee that one can find Nazareth, His boyhood hometown and the Prophet Nahum's village - Capernaum, but also His home as the Son of Man. It was also in Galilee where Rebbe Yahshua spent most of His earthly life in exile along with the rest of the descendants of David. It was in Cana of Galilee where Yahshua performed His first earthly miracle, changing the water into wine. It was also on this same mountain that Rebbe Yahshua preached the Sermon on the Mount in which He gave us His stricter way of walking out Torah in Matthew 5: 17 - 20, saying: “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. (18) For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished. (19) Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (20) For I say to you, that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.” It was also in Galilee where Rebbe Yahshua found most of His disciples and it was in here where He was transfigured to show His innermost disciples what His glorification would be like along with a vision of Moses and Elijah, as witnessed in Matthew 17: 1 – 9, in this way: “And six days later Yahshua took with Him Kepha and Yaa’cov and Yochanan his brother, and brought them up to a high mountain by themselves. (2) And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. (3) And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. (4) And Kepha answered and said to Yahshua, “Master, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (5) While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” (6) And when the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were much afraid. (7) And Yahshua came to them and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” (8) And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Yahshua Himself alone. (9) And as they were coming down from the mountain, Yahshua commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.” Messiah’s transfiguration was one of the main reasons why Yahshua wanted to show Himself to so many disciples, now in Galilee.

The promise to say nothing of the transfiguration until “the Son of Man has been raised from the dead” cannot be connected to any other appearance until this appearance “to more than five hundred.” Messiah left a great number of disciples in sorrow in Jerusalem. But here in Galilee “more than five hundred” were openly waiting and pondering His life’s ministry and many had not yet heard of the appearance of the resurrected Messiah. The reality of the “resurrected transfigured glorified body” had to be shown abroad starting in Galilee. This appearance was appointed by Yahshua on “the mountain (in) Galilee” because it was high and lifted up away from the clanging cymbals of mankind’s hustle and bustle so that his disciples could look upon the resurrected transfigured glorified body of their beloved Savior, Yahshua the Messiah. The peace and silence of the mountain, its elevation and majesty, a locale rising up toward Heaven, the cool, purifying breeze, all combine to make this a perfect place for a most remarkable revelation. This appointment was so important that He told them about it the night before He died in Matthew 26: 31 & 32, saying: “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.’ (32) “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” The appointment was reiterated by the angels after the resurrection in Matthew 28: 7, saying: “…He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going before you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” Messiah also restated it to the women at the tomb in Matthew 28: 10 (quoted earlier). This appearance to more than five hundred was the largest gathering of Nazarene believers immediately after the resurrection. Before this, all appearances were private. The reason for this appearance was it was the clearest evidence that Messiah had been resurrected and his body was transfigured from being flesh and blood to Spiritual.

This is in fact what Rav Shaul testified about in 1 Corinthians 15: 42 – 49, saying: ‘So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; (43) it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; (44) it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. (45) So also it is written, “The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. (46) However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. (47) The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. (48) As is the earthly, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. (49) And just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.’ The first Adam was just a basic life form until the exact image of Elohim breathed His spirit (mind power) into him. Messiah Yahshua – the final Adam – was a living Spirit being at the beginning and is the one through whom we are given a portion of the Set-apart Spirit at immersion. We see another reason why Messiah came to earth given in Hebrews 2: 14 – 18, in this way: ‘Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; (15) and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. (16) For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. (17) Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to Elohim, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (18) For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is also able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.’ As explained earlier, just as we have borne the image of “the earthly man,” we shall also bear the image of “the man from heaven.” Rav Shaul gives further details in 2 Corinthians 3: 17 & 18, saying: ‘Now Adonai is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of Adonai is, there is liberty (freedom). (18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of Adonai, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from Adonai, the Spirit.’ As we read from verse 44 of 1 Corinthians 15, “it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.”

Here on this mountain, Messiah’s disciples could see the Glorified Yahshua in broad daylight. He could say to them as recorded in Luke 24: 36 - 39 (NIV): ‘While they were still talking about this, Yahshua Himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” (37) They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. (38) He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? (39) “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I Myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” Yahshua wanted to assure His disciples that even though He is now a Spiritual Son of Elohim and His appearance is different to when they knew Him as a human being, He is still able to communicate with them. In the same way, those of us who will if we qualify to become Elohim’s spiritual children, be able to speak to other human beings, even if we will be covered in light they will still be able to recognize us, as we read from verses 40 - 43 of Luke 24, in this way: ‘And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. (41) And while they still could not believe it for joy and were marveling, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” (42) And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; (43) and He took it and ate it before them.’ Now because of this “in the open” appearance to His disciples consisting of more than five hundred Nazarene Believers He could boldly proclaim the “resurrection & transfiguration” with all confidence. Rav Shaul, who was only later personally called and trained by Yahshua after His ascension to heaven, could use this testimony in his proclamation to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 15 : 6 saying that they can go and verify what he was preaching with the “more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now.” It is interesting that this appearance caused some to “worship Him; but some were doubtful.” If there had not been a transfiguration there would not have been such a response. If he looked like He always did, they would have thought He had escaped the executioner.

Since Messiah Yahshua had sealed the lips of Kepha, Yaa’cov and Yochanan from revealing the truth of the transfiguration until after the resurrection it was to be expected that some of the disciples would be confused unto doubt, since He looked a little different covered in the light of His glory. We see a good description of what He looked like then and when He spoke to Yochanan giving Him a prophecy of what was still the future in Revelation 1: 14 & 15, as follows: ‘And His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire; (15) and His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been caused to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters.’ Was this radiant “life” and “the light of men” mentioned in John 1: 4 truly the gentle and humble Son of David? Can you imagine once the seal was off the three disciples lips and they proclaimed to the more than five hundred how Messiah while speaking to them was enveloped in a bright cloud and a voice from heaven said to them (in Matthew 17: 5): ‘This is my beloved Son, whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!’ Those full of the Spirit of Truth would have fallen down and “worshiped him” just as Yochanan did as witnessed in Revelation 1: 17 & 18, in this way: ‘And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, (18) and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.’ While those that thought He should have the same appearance would have been confused and doubted. If he had a glorified body beforehand there was no need for a transfiguration.

It was for this reason Yahshua the Messiah appeared to Thomas, as recorded in John 20: 25 – 29, as follows: ‘The other disciples therefore were saying to Him, “We have seen the Master!” But he said to them, “Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” (26) And after eight days again His disciples were inside, and Thomas with them. Yahshua came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst, and said, “peace be with you.” (27) Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand, and put it into My side; and be not unbelieving, but believing.” (28) Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Master and my Elohim!” (29) Yahshua said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” Notice that Yahshua did not castigate Thomas for calling Him Elohim, but instead said to him that we who have not seen Him like Thomas did, are indeed blessed, if we believe that He is our Master and Elohim. What had occurred before on this mountain right before the eyes of Kepha, Yaa’cov and Yochanan, was the transfiguration of an earthly body into a heavenly body and back again: “His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light (as per Matthew 17: 2). They also saw the personification of the Torah – Moses and the Prophets – Elijah which strengthened their faith. But when they heard the voice of YHVH, they were overwhelmed and “they fell on their faces and were much afraid (as per Matthew 17: 6). By the 42nd day of counting the Omer, Yahshua left His disciples after revealing Himself to a multitude to get them ready to preach the gospel of the coming kingdom of Elohim as a witness to all nations, into which the lost ten tribes of Israel were dispersed. They needed something to strengthen their faith and a testimony they could hold on to, as Rav Shaul wrote in Romans 6: 5, saying: ‘For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.” Yahshua confirmed this in Matthew 13: 43 (quoting from Daniel 12: 3), saying: “Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”

As the “more than five hundred” gazed upon the “resurrected transfigured glorified body” of Yahshua the Messiah, they could behold its heavenly beauty and brightness and receive the reality that awaited the faithful. No wonder some could not stand at such a visitation and had to bow, bend the knee or prostrate themselves and worshiped Him and join that Heavenly Chorus in Revelation 4: 8, saying: "Holy, Holy, Holy is YHVH ELOHIM, THE ALMIGHTY, who was and who is and who is to come.” Yahshua’s body had been transfigured into a glorified body covered in light. At His resurrection He came out of the linen burial cloths which he left folded, which both Kepha and Yochanan saw as recorded in John 20: 3 – 8, as follows: ‘Kepha therefore went forth and the other disciple, and they were going to the tomb. (4) And the two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Kepha, and came to the tomb first; (5) and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. (6) Simon Kepha therefore also came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he beheld the linen wrappings lying there, (7) and the face-cloth, which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. (8) So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb entered then also, and he saw and believed.’ Yahshua arose and came out of the tomb while it was closed. The guards did not see that, for the angel came and rolled the stone away only after the resurrection so that everybody might see the empty tomb. Miriam Magdalene and the other Miriam saw it (Matthew 28: 2-6), the disciples saw it (John 20), and all the people saw it afterwards. Of course the coming out of the risen body from the tomb is a proof that His body had changed, it was a glorified spiritual body. Yahshua entered the room amidst the disciples while the doors were shut, after His resurrection. It happened twice (John 20: 19 & 20 and 25 - 28), which likewise proves that His body was resurrected, transfigured and glorified appearing to the disciples and disappearing afterwards.

During Yahshua Messiah’s ascension He went up in glory, and a cloud received Him out of the sight of His disciples (as per Acts 1: 9). Naturally an ordinary body cannot go up. It is subject to earth’s gravity. He had to have a resurrected transfigured glorified body. With the same resurrected transfigured glorified body Yahshua the Messiah appeared to Shaul on the way to Damascus, for a light shone around him from heaven and he heard the voice of Adonai speaking to him. The men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one (as per Acts 9: 3-7). With the same resurrected transfigured glorified body Yahshua appeared to Rav Yochanan on the island called Patmos; His eyes were like a flame of fire, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength, so Yochanan fell at His feet as dead and the Master said to him: “Do not be afraid” (in Revelation 1: 12-17). Yahshua the Messiah will come as King of kings and Master of master at His second coming, to rule the world from Jerusalem as He told His disciples in Matthew 24: 30 & 31, as follows: “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. (31) And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER HIS elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” He will come on the clouds of heaven as He also told His disciples in Matthew 16: 27, saying: “For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and WILL THEN RECOMPENSE EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.” How important is this message? Rav Shaul knowing its importance continued his teaching about the resurrection of Messiah in 1 Corinthians 15: 12 – 21, saying: “Now if Messiah is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? (13) But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Messiah has been raised; (14) and if Messiah has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. (15) Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of Elohim, because we witnessed against Elohim that He raised Messiah, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. (16) For if the dead are not raised, not even Messiah has been raised; (17) and if Messiah has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. (18) Then those also who have fallen asleep in Messiah have perished. (19) If we have hoped in Messiah in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. (20) But now Messiah has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. (21) For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead.’ This is obviously talking about those who believe the dead are going to be raptured into heaven, to spend eternity sitting on a cloud beholding the face of Elohim forever.

However, Rav Shaul continues telling us about the resurrection in verses 22 – 24, saying: ‘For as in Adam all die, so also in Messiah all shall be made alive. (23) But each in his own order: Messiah the first fruits, after that those who are Messiah’s at His coming, (24) then comes the end (ones), when He delivers up the kingdom to Elohim and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.’ Next Rav Shaul tells the Thessalonians about the first resurrection in 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 - 17, saying: ‘But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. (14) For if we believe that Yahshua died and rose again, even so Elohim will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Yahshua. (15) For this we say to you by the word of the Master, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Master, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. (16) For the Master Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of Elohim; and the dead in Messiah shall rise first. (17) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Master in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Master.’ Now because those resurrected will immediately be changed, they will be able to move at will to meet the Master in the cloud on the Mount of Olives where He will return as the two angels told His disciples in Acts 1: 9 – 11, as follows: ‘And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. (10) And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them; (11) and they also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Yahshua, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

Rav Shaul also gives us a better idea of how our change from flesh and blood human beings will occur at Messiah’s return in 1 Corinthians 15: 50 – 53, saying: ‘Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of Elohim; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. (51) Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. (53) For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.’

Rav Yochanan who was also shown more detail about the first and second resurrection wrote in Revelation 20: 4 – 6, saying: ‘And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Yahshua and because of the word of Elohim, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Messiah for a thousand years. (5) The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. (6) Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of Elohim and of Messiah and will reign with Him for a thousand years.’

Before those who believe they are going to spend eternity in heaven and that this is talking about a heavenly reign, Rav Yochanan reminds us in Revelation 5: 9 & 10, saying: ‘And they (the four living creatures and the twenty four elders mentioned in verse 8) sang a new song saying, “Worthy art Thou (meaning the Lamb) to take the book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for Elohim with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. (10) ‘And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our Elohim; and they will reign upon the earth.” Rav Shaul quoting from Hosea 13: 14 for especially us from the lost ten tribes of the house of Israel, continues telling us how finally after we have been resurrected, the sting of death will have been removed for us in 1 Corinthians 15: 54 – 58, saying: ‘But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTOTY. (55) O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? (56) The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; (57) but thanks be to Elohim, who gives us the victory through our Master Yahshua Messiah. (58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Master, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Master.” If there was no difference in the body of our Messiah, there was no need to transfigure to show what kind of body we will have, and if there were no different body to see, He would have no need to keep appearing as His disciples count the Omer up to the 42sd day. He appeared to the Apostles to ready them to receive the immersion into the Spirit and the renewal of the Covenant on the 50th day. May we get a new vision of what the resurrection and transfiguration means to us, as we read about the main keys to eternal life for us from Romans 8: 11, in this way: “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Yahshua from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Messiah Yahshua from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.” Messiah the word of Elohim became the Son of Man in order to become our Redeemer and Savior and “who was declared the Son of Elohim with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the spirit of holiness, Yahshua Messiah our Master’ according to Romans 1: 4.

Yahshua our Messiah walked with His disciples step by step during the counting of the Omer teaching them about the reality of the Kingdom, because it was not an easy thing for them to receive the truth of His resurrected transfigured glorified body and our destiny to be like Him, as Rav Shaul also wrote in Romans 8: 28 & 29, saying: ‘And we know that Elohim causes all things to work together for good to those who love Elohim, to those who are called according to His purpose. (29) For whom He foreknew, he also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren.’ Finally, we read the fantastic assurance for those who remain loyal to Elohim in first John 3: 2 & 3, as follows: “Beloved, now we are children of Elohim, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. (3) And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” Think carefully about it!