275 How should believers in Messiah live

How should believers in Messiah live?

Having studied how YHVH called Abraham to come out of the life which he lived with his family for about 75 years, we learned that he was promised to live in the Promised Land with his descendants for an everlasting possession. When reading from Hebrews 11, the faith chapter, we see that even though Abraham lived in the Promised Land, he did so as an alien dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob and despite the fact that they gained Elohim’s approval by showing their faith through their works (or obedience), they have not as yet received what was promised, as explained in Hebrews 11: 39 & 40, in this way: ‘And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, (40) because Elohim had provided something better for us (those latter day descendants of Abraham whom YHVH is now calling out of the religions of the world to follow Him and His way), so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.’

The people who will be in the first resurrection with our father’s in the faith will be in a better resurrection as witnessed in the last part of Hebrews 11: 35, as follows: ‘In order that they might obtain a better resurrection.’ Yes, those in the first resurrection will be born-again as spiritual children of Elohim, as confirmed in Revelation 20: 6, in this way: ‘Blessed and holy is the one who has part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of Elohim and His Messiah and will reign with Him for a thousand years.’ This is in agreement with what we read from first Corinthians 15: 20 – 24, as follows: ‘But now Messiah has been raised from the dead, the first fruit(s) of those who are asleep. (21) For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. (22) 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 fruit(s), after that those who are Messiah’s at His coming, (24) then comes the end (ones), when He delivers up the kingdom to the Elohim and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.’ The end ones spoken about here are the ones who will be in the second resurrection after Messiah’s millennial rule as confirmed in the first part of Revelation 20: 5, in this way: ‘The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed.’ We also read about this time from Isaiah 25: 7 – 9, where Isaiah wrote: ‘And on this mountain (Elohim’s Kingdom) He will swallow up the covering which is over all peoples, even the veil which is stretched over all nations. (8) He will swallow up death for all time, and YHVH Elohim will wipe tears away from all faces, and He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; for YHVH has spoken. (9) And it will be said in that day, “Behold, this is our Elohim for whom we have waited that he might save us. This is YHVH for whom we have waited; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”’ We know that this will only happen after the great white throne judgment mentioned in Revelation 20: 12 – 14, since we know that it will be only at that time that death and Hades (the grave) will be thrown into the lake of fire.

Knowing all this should be a real motivating force for us to make YHVH King in our lives and start following His will and way until Messiah returns one day soon, or until we die believing in Messiah. In fact this is exactly what Rav Shaul tells us in the book of Hebrews in chapters 12 & 13, saying in verses 1 & 2 of Hebrews 12: ‘Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) fixing our eyes on Yahshua, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of Elohim.’ Continuing in verses 3 - 8 of Hebrews 12, we read: ‘For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart. (4) You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; (5) and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF YHVH, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; (6) FOR THOSE WHOM YHVH LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.” (7) It is for discipline that you endure; Elohim deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? (8) But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.’ If you believe your life as a believer will be easy without any testing or trials and the necessary discipline at times, you are definitely in for a shock. We read about the way YHVH cares for us as His children in Deuteronomy 8: 5 & 6, in this way: “Thus you are to know in your heart that YHVH your Elohim was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son. (6) Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of YHVH your Elohim, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.” The point is, even if we grow and bear fruit, the Father sometimes has to prune us to ensure that we bear more fruit as Yahshua told His disciples in John 15: 2, saying: “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.”

Rav Shaul wrote further in Hebrews 12: 9 – 13, saying: ‘Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? (10) For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. (11) All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. (12) Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, (13) and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.’ It is our duty as believers to encourage those who are ill amongst us. We are promised healing, and even if some of us die as the result of an incurable disease, we have the assurance that we will be healed when we are resurrected at Messiah’s return. In verse 14 Rav Shaul continues to admonish us to live and let live, even if others do not agree with the way of Elohim that we are following, as we are the ones called out of the world at this time and need not always have the support of those we chose as partners before our calling, saying: ‘Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Master.’ We need to be careful not to become bitter towards our community and those who teach us, or we could lose our salvation because of immoral deeds as Rav Shaul wrote in verses 15 - 17, saying: ‘See to it that no one comes short of the grace of Elohim; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; (16) that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. (17) For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit a blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.’ Yes, it takes a single act for those of us who are following Elohim’s way as first fruits, to lose our birth right to be born again as spiritual children of Elohim! This is why we also read from Hebrews 10: 23 – 27: ‘Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; (24) and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, (25) not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (26) For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, (27) but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.’

We are reminded as descendants of the Israelites who stood at Mount Sinai when Moses received the Torah as a covenant from the hand of YHVH in verses 18 – 24 of Hebrews 12, as follows: ‘For you have not come to a mountain that may be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, (19) and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word should be spoken to them. (20) For they could not bear the command, “IF EVEN A BEAST TOUCHES THE MOUNTAIN, IT WILL BE STONED.” (21) And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I AM FULL OF FEAR and trembling.” (22) But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living Elohim, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, (23) to the general assembly and congregation of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to Elohim, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, (24) and to Yahshua the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.’ Here we have the assurance that after those of us who are called out of the world; who remain faithful until death, when our spirits which merged with the Set-apart Spirit of Elohim given us at immersion, will be perfected and will be returned to us when Messiah comes, as also witnessed in first Thessalonians 5: 23, in this way: ‘Now may the Elohim of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Master Yahshua Messiah.’

This tells us that as human beings we consist of three component parts, namely body, soul (transliterated in Hebrew as ‘Nefesh’meaning life) and the spirit in man (transliterated in Hebrew as ‘Neshamah’) as also witnessed in the last part Zechariah 12: 1, as follows: ‘Thus declares YHVH who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him.’ However, the spirit in man does not in any way give mankind eternal life, but it gives us understanding as Job witnessed in Job 32: 8, saying: “But it is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.” Yes, the spirit in man gives us mind-power to understand and remember things, but also helps us to make decisions so important for character building. Mankind does not have an immortal soul as Christianity and the Muslims (where the doctrine of an immortal soul originated) believe, as we are clearly told by Rav Shaul in first Timothy 1: 17, where he says: ‘Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only Elohim be honor and glory forever and ever. Amein.’ As human beings we are given a portion of the Set-apart Spirit of Elohim after repentance and immersion in Yahshua’s saving name (as per Acts 2: 38), and the laying on of hands by a teaching elder of the congregation of Elohim (as per Acts 8: 12 – 17). If we remain faithful to the end and continue in the way of Elohim until then, we will be resurrected as born-again children of Elohim, as Rav Shaul clearly shows in Romans 8: 11, as follows: ‘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 (eternal) life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.’ It is then also for this reason that Rav Shaul wrote in Romans 1: 19 & 20, saying: ‘Because that which is known about Elohim is evident within them (us); for Elohim made it evident to them. (20) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes (mentioned in first Timothy 1: 17 above), His eternal power (Yahshua the right hand and power of Elohim, as mentioned in first Corinthians 1: 24 and Jeremiah 32: 17) and divine nature (the Set-apart Spirit, of which we may also become partakers as witnessed in 2 Peter 1: 4), have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.’ We should therefore understand that like us, YHVH consist of three component parts namely a body or visible image[1] (Yahshua), a Spirit (the Set-apart Spirit) and a soul, with the exception that YHVH is eternal life as confirmed in first John 5: 20, in this way: ‘And we know that the Son of Elohim has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Yahshua Messiah. This is the true Elohim and eternal life.’

Continuing in verses 25 – 29 of Hebrews 12, we read: ‘See to it that you do not refuse Him (meaning Yahshua) who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less shall we escape who turned away from Him who warns from heaven. (26) And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised saying, “YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN.” (27) And this expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, in order that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. (28) Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to Elohim an acceptable service with reverence and awe;(29) for our Elohim is a consuming fire.”’ It will be only after we as first fruits have been resurrected as Spiritual children of Elohim at Messiah’s return (provided we remained faithful to Elohim to the end), and after the second resurrection when Satan will have been taken out of the way, that all who ever lived will be given their only chance to make an informed decision to follow the way of Elohim, or not. Those who decide to follow Elohim and His way will after a period that could last up to one hundred years, also be changed into spiritual children of Elohim. Those few who will decide against following YHVH, together with those who were called at this time and were given the full knowledge to attain eternal life in the Kingdom, but turned back to the ways of the world, will be destroyed in the lake of fire, as witnessed in Malachi 4: 1, in this way: “For behold the day is coming burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says YHVH of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” A second witness comes from Revelation 20: 14 & 15, as follows: ‘And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. (15) And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.’

We continue in Hebrews 13: 1 - 7, where we as believers in Messiah are told how we should live, as follows: ‘Let love of the brethren continue. (2) Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. (3) Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. (4) Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers Elohim will judge. (5) Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” (6) so that we confidently say, “YHVH IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT SHALL MAN DO TO ME?” (7) Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of Elohim to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.’ Those who teach Elohim’s people need to be knowledgeable enough to only teach truth coming from the word of Elohim, so as to not lead Elohim’s people astray, as Yahshua also warned about in Matthew 18: 6 – 7, saying: ‘But whoever causes one of these little ones (meaning new believers in the faith) who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea. (7) Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!’ Yahshua as YHVH in the flesh does not change and as Elohim in the flesh we can be certain that His character will never change, as also witnessed in verse 8 of Hebrews 13, in this way: ‘Yahshua Messiah is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.’

Continuing in verses 9 & 10 we are warned about non-Torah teachings and customs, as follows: ‘Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who are thus occupied were not benefitted. (10) We have an altar, from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.’ The reason for this is that Yahshua changed the atonement altar for a heavenly altar. The only way in which we have access to the Father is through Yahshua our Messiah, as confirmed in Hebrews 9: 8,where we read:‘The Set-apart Spirit is signifying this, that the way to the Set-apart place has not yet been disclosed, while the outer tabernacle is still standing.’ Here in this verse, the Set-apart Spirit is telling us that the Levitical priesthood did not provide the people of Elohim with direct access into His presence, but restricted them from entry, since access had to come by another way. It teaches that we cannot have access to the Father, without the death of Yahshua our Messiah, because there was no way for us who have forgotten what sin was to the Father via the sacrificial system, as also witnessed in Luke 23: 44 – 49, in this way: ‘And it was now about the sixth hour (12 o’clock in the afternoon), and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour (3 o’clock in the afternoon), (45) the sun being obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. (46) And Yahshua, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO THY HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” And having said this, He breathed His last. (47) Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising Elohim, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.” (48) And all the multitudes who came together for the spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, beating their breasts. (49) And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee, were standing at a distance, seeing these things.’

Similar to what happened to Yahshua our Messiah, we will not be born-again, or inherit eternal live in the kingdom of Elohim, before we die or are changed at Messiah’s return. This is essentially why He came as the Son of Man, to be able to die for the sins of the world and to be able to remarry His bride of Israelites from both houses. He came to show us the way; how we, like Him could become the Son of Elohim, after His resurrection. The quoted section from Luke 23, presents us with another myth-buster regarding the place where Messiah was impaledand proves the belief that Yahshua was impaled on Golgotha, to be false. Yahshua, similar to any sacrifice to make atonement, was killed ‘before YHVH’, meaning in His presence, at the doorway of the tent of meeting, as may be seen from Leviticus 1: 3 & 5. We read in confirmation of this from Hebrews 13: 11 & 12, in this way: ‘For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the Set-apart place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. (12) Therefore Yahshua also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.’ For this to be true, Yahshua had to be impaled on the Mount of Olives, opposite the gate of the temple. The reality that Yahshua was impaled in a place called the Skull simply shows that He was impaled on the head or summit of a mountain, since we all know that every mountain has a summit or peak - Golgotha simply means head or skull of a mountain. For Yahshua to be impaled outside the doorway of the Temple and before YHVH, He had to be impaled on the Mount of Olives, which was directly opposite the Temple, about a Sabbath day’s journey from the Temple (as per Acts 1: 12). Another also more suitable meaning of the word Golgotha, is that Yahshua was the ‘Gaol Galut’ meaning the redeemer of the exiles, as He confirmed in Matthew 15: 24, as follows:‘But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”’ But, how can we be certain, as it happened almost 2,000 years ago? The quoted section in Luke 23 makes it clear that the spectacle that people came to observe from the place where Yahshua was impaled, was the veil of the temple that was torn in two (verse 45), and despite the sun being obscured, they could see into the Holy of Holies in the light provided by the menorah (which had to burn continuously), since the Mount of Olives was due east from the entrance to the temple, at the time.

We read further confirmation from Hebrews 13: 13 – 16, in this way: ‘Hence, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. (14) For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come. (We like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are presently living in a temporary situation, but if we like them qualify by showing our faith through our works, we will also be given eternal life in the world to come. Our vision should therefore be similar to that of Abraham; looking for a city whose architect and builder is Elohim.) (15) Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to Elohim, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. (16) And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices Elohim is pleased.’ At this time we should show our willingness to obey Torah, since obedience is better than sacrifice, as YHVH told us through Jeremiah in Jeremiah 7: 22 & 23, saying: “For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. (23) But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your Elohim, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.’” Rav Shaul continues with his admonition, but also telling fellow believers to pray for one another, saying in verses 17 – 22 of Hebrews 13: ‘Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. (18) Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. (19) And I urge you all the more to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. (20) Now the Elohim of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Yahshua our Master, (21) equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Yahshua Messiah, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amein. (22) But I urge you, brethren, bear with this word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.’

The words in verse 22 confirms that Rav Shaul was in fact the author of the book of Hebrews, where he talks about Timothy who used to be his companion throughout his many journeys as an evangelist. Even so, it is important for us to pay heed to the exhortations of Rav Shaul, who was personally trained by Yahshua and like Yahshua went through much suffering because of what he taught. This is also the fate of other believers in Messiah, as He told the rest of His disciples as in John 15: 19 – 21, saying: “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (20) Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A Slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. (21) But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.” We who were ‘Far off’ need to remember that we were excluded from the commonwealth of Israel and as good as dead in our trespasses, but were brought near to YHVH once again after Messiah paid the punishment due to us for breaking the covenant we made with Elohim, together with the house of Judah at Mount Sinai, by our sins. This is confirmed by the parable of the prodigal son, but also in Ephesians 2: 11 – 19, as follows: ‘Therefore remember, that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Un-circumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—(12) remember that you were at that time separate from Messiah, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise (given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to live eternally in the Promised Land, but also to King David that his throne will be established forever like the moon), having no hope and without Elohim in the world. (13) But now in Messiah Yahshua you who formerly were far off(from the house of Israel) have been brought near by the blood of Messiah. (14) For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups (the house of Israel and the house of Judah) into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, (15) by abolishing in His flesh the enmity (punishment due to us for breaking the commandments), which is the law of commandments contained in ordinances (the punishment described for transgressing various commandments and statutes), that in Himself He might make the two (houses of Israel) into one new man, thus establishing peace, (16) and might reconcile them both in one body (or congregation) to Elohim through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. (17) AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY (us), AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR (the Jews); (18) for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. (19) So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of Elohim’s household.’Unless we come completely out of the Babylon of confusion taught us by Churchianity and start following the way of Elohim, we will die physically and eventually spiritually, because we have already been given a great deal of salvation knowledge, as Rav Shaul confirmed in Hebrews 6: 4 – 6, saying: ‘For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Set-apart Spirit, (5) and have tasted the good word of Elohim and the powers of the age to come, (6) and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they have again crucify to themselves the Son of Elohim and put Him to open shame.’

Ours is truly a lonely narrow road that leads to eternal life, since we will lose most of our friends and family, once we get serious about following the way of Elohim. This is also why Yahshua warned us in Matthew 10: 21 & 22, saying: “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. (22)You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.” Yahshua continued this same teaching in verses 34 -39, saying: “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. (35) For I came to SET MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; (36) and “A MAN’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD. (37) 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. (38) And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. (39)He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.’” YHVH must always come first in our lives, as much as Sabbath observance is more important to Him than us visiting family and friends, even if it means we have to miss their birthdays and other days which they regard as important. We can always visit them after the Sabbath, since Messiah definitely did not mean we need to hate our parents, siblings and children, but that we should love them less than the love we have for Him! Like with the prodigal son, we have to come to ourselves and return all the way to the Father and His will and way for us if we are truly interested to receive our eternal reward in the Promised Land or more specifically, the Kingdom of Elohim on earth. Our heavenly Father is always willing to receive us back as also shown by Yahshua in the parable of the prodigal son, as witnessed by the father’s answer to his eldest son when he questioned the father’s reason to celebrate in Luke 15: 29 – 32, saying: “But he (the eldest son representing the house of Judah) answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; (30) but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes (the churches of the world), you killed the fattened calf for him.’ (31) And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. (32)But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’” The house of Judah remained loyal to Elohim since their return from Babylon when Ezra and Nehemiah rebuilt the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem about 2500 years ago, whilst we were as good as dead before our return to the covenant relationship with Elohim!Let’s therefore continue with them in the way of Elohim until Messiah comes to rule us from Jerusalem. Think about it!

[1]We read about Messiah from Colossians 1: 15, in this way: ‘And He is the image of the invisible Elohim, the first-born (from the dead as confirmed in verse 18) of all creation.’