Nazarene Israelite Two House Congregation of Port Elizabeth

What is man’s destiny?

Very few people alive today realize that there is more to this life than what most believe or think. Don’t you ever wonder about the purpose for mankind to be on earth? What is our ultimate destiny? The theory of evolution claims to show the ‘pre-history’ of mankind and how we came into being, but it failed dismally to show any purpose for man’s existence.  Most religious leaders have no idea, when it comes to answering these important questions and scientist desire to determine and understand the purpose of life.

Christianity and most other religions believe ‘heaven’ to be the reward of the saved and as a result billions of people came to believe this falsehood. But most of those who believe so have never given much thought to what they will do when they get to heaven. To them eternal life is depicted as an imaginary paradise awaiting those who pass the so-called ‘pearly gates’, to enter a never ending rest, beholding the face of Elohim. But if that is truly the reward of the saved, many elderly retired people already know the boredom, frustration and unhappiness of doing nothing all day. About 3000 years ago, king David asked questions about our existence, but also that of the planets in Psalm 8: 3 & 4, saying: “When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; (4) what is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for Him?”Rav Shaul answers the questions King David asked in Psalm 8, in Hebrews 2, describing in detail in verses 8 to 11 how YHVH planned it all, by saying:‘“THOU HAST PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.” For in subjecting all things to him (lower case h, meaning mankind), He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. (9) But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Yahshua, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of Elohim He might taste death for everyone. (10) For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. (11) For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.’  Rav Shaul was further inspired to write about man’s awesome destiny in Romans 8: 16 & 17, saying: ‘The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of Elohim, (17) and if children, heirs also, heirs of Elohim and fellow heirs with Messiah, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.’ It was Elohim’s intention from the beginning for mankind to eventually inherit the universe under Messiah’s authority.

 

Because Messiah Yahshua overcame during His ‘human life’ and was born again as the Son of Elohim by His resurrection as per Romans 1: 1- 4[1], He is presently seated on His Father’s throne, as He told Yochanan in Revelation 3: 21, saying: ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.’ We see the reverse of what we read earlier in Hebrews 2: 8 happening to Yahshua right now in 1 Peter 3: 22, in this way: ‘Who is at the right hand of Elohim, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.’ We see from Revelation 19: 16 what Messiah’s title will be when He returns to earth one day soon, as follows: ‘And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND MASTER OF MASTERS.’ We see further about Yahshua’s reign from Isaiah 9:  7, in this way: ‘There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace.’ Rav Shaul also witness how great the authority Messiah already inherited is, in Hebrews 1: 1 – 2, saying: ‘Elohim, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, (2) in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.’ But, from what we have read so far, we understand that if we have become true Believers, we are now the spirit-begotten “children” of Elohim and are joint-heirs with Yahshua Messiah to inherit everything YHVH has created!The awesome destiny of mankind is rulership of the entire vast universe under Yahshua Messiah. But not until we have qualified and been “born again” as sons of Elohim. Thus far only Yahshua Messiah, the “firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8: 29), has received this power. He alone has received the power and glory we shall receive when we too, are born of Elohim at the resurrection as Rav Yochanan described in 1 John 3: 1 & 2, saying: ‘See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of Elohim, and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. (2) 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.’This was confirmed by David in a prayer in Psalm 17: 15, saying: ‘As for me, I shall behold Thy face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Thy likeness when I awake.’ Are you beginning to grasp the enormity of these promises of Elohim?

 

As our Savior and elder brother Yahshua Messiah, “the firstborn among many brethren” has already qualified for the highest office under Elohim the Father in the coming Kingdom of Elohim.  No one else can ever receive the position of rulership the Father has promised Him. However, certain other individuals have also been promised particular positions of responsibility in Elohim’s Kingdom. We read firstly about the promise to Abraham from Romans 4: 13, in this way: ‘For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.’ Abraham’s children through Isaac and Jacob who remained loyal to the covenant they made with the Father at Mount Sinai, namely Torah observant Jews, will inherit the Promised Land eternally. But those of us from the lost ten tribes who came to believe that we are Gentiles only in the secondary sense, since we still have a little Israelite blood in our veins and are Gentiles who are called by Elohim’s name, i.e. Israelites (as identified by Acts 15: 17) and are now being called to return to the covenant we made with YHVH, through Abraham’s one seed Yahshua, become Abraham’s heirs according to the promise once again, as witnessed in Galatians 3: 7 – 9,  13 – 16 and 27 – 29, as follows: ‘Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. (8) And the Scripture, foreseeing that Elohim would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS SHALL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” (9) So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. (13) Messiah redeemed us from the curse (or punishment due to us for our sins) of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE” – (14) in order that in Messiah Yahshua the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (similar to the way Brother Judah gets it through obedience). (15) Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. (16) Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed, He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Messiah. (27) For all of you who were immersed into Messiah have clothed yourselves with Messiah. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Messiah Yahshua. (29) And if you belong to Messiah, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.’

After King Saul rebelled against Elohim, YHVH made Jesse’s son David king over the united Israel, as is confirmed in 2 Samuel 7: 8, in this way: “Now therefore, thus you shall say to My servant David, ‘Thus says YHVH of hosts, “I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be ruler over My people Israel.”’”  We also see from verses 15 & 16 that King David’s throne will be established eternally, as follows: “But My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. (16) And your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” We see further from a prophecy about Messiah’s millennial rule that King David will once again rule over both houses of Israel  in the Kingdom of Elohim in Ezekiel 37: 21 – 24, as follows: “And say to them, ‘Thus says YHVH Elohim, “Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; (22) and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king will be king for all of them; and they will no longer be two nations, and they will no longer be divided into two kingdoms. (23) And they will no longer defile themselves with their idols, or with their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. And they will be My people, and I will be their Elohim. (24) And My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances, and keep My statutes, and observe them.”’” Elohim first anointed Saul to be king over Israel, because the people wanted a human king to rule over them. If King Saul yielded to Elohim and obeyed His Commandments and overcame the temptations of the flesh, he would have qualified to hold the same office in the Kingdom of Elohim during the millennium. However, Saul rebelled against Elohim and instead of repenting he blamed others for his mistakes, thereby disqualifying himself from maintaining his position. This was when Elohim chose David, a man after His own heart, to rule in place of Saul. Even though David also made some serious mistakes and sinned shamefully against Elohim, his repentance was very sincere and he acknowledged that he was to blame for it, promising to obey Elohim from the heart in future. He strove to overcome and qualified to rule in Elohim’s Kingdom. No one else can receive the office of king over Israel, because David is promised that function.

In addition to King David, we see that Yahshua also promised rulership positions in the Kingdom of Elohim to His disciples in Matthew 19: 27 - 29, in this way: ‘Then Kepha answered and said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” (28) And Yahshua said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (29) And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, shall receive many times as much, and shall inherit eternal life.” The apostles will rule over each of the twelve tribes of Israel under King David. Obviously Judas Iscariot failed to qualify for his position and Yahshua chose another man, Matthias, to replace him (as recorded in Acts 1: 15 – 26). Inaddition to these, many other overcomers mentioned in Scripture have qualified for specific responsibilities in Elohim’s ruling family, butthese positions will only be made available after Messiah’s return. We also read from 1 Corinthians 6: 1 – 3 that we the modern day believers should already in this life learn to judge, as follows: ‘Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? (2)  Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? (3) Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, matters in this life?’Each one of Elohim’s spirit-begotten children is busy qualifying for a position of great responsibility under Yahshua Messiah in the Kingdom of Elohim.  These positions are the rewards Elohim will bestow on those of us who eventually qualify, in addition to the giftof eternal life (as per Romans 6: 23). However, to receive a reward, each of us must overcome our own human nature, Satan and the world, but also develop our abilities to judge and rule during this age.

In order to avoid any confusion regarding the “rewards” and the “gifts” YHVH promised to give His children, let’s notice the difference between them. Most working people understand the word “reward” when an employee is “rewarded” with a bonus for outstanding work, or when a citizen earns a “reward” for supplying information to the police which lead to the arrest of a criminal. Most people also understand when a parent gives a child a gift. But why is it, that when it comes to what we read from the Scriptures regarding these two terms, people get confused? We are given the reason in Revelation 12: 9, in this way: ‘And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.’ SinceSatan has led Adam and Eve astray in the Garden of Eden, he is diligently working to deceive the rest of mankind, keeping them confused about Elohim’s plan and purpose for mankind. As a result the majority of professing believers confuse the gift of eternal life with the rewards Yahshua will bring His true followers at His return. We read firstly from Romans 6: 23 what the gift of Elohim is for those who return to Him through Yahshua Messiah, as follows: ‘For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of Elohim is eternal life in Messiah Yahshua our Master.’ Continuing in Ephesians 2: 7 – 9 we learn that Elohim’s gift of eternal life comes by His grace and favor, in this way: ‘In order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Messiah Yahshua. (8) For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of Elohim; (9) not as a result of works, that no one should boast.’  Yes, there is absolutely nothing we can do to earn it.

Thisleaves us with the question: How do we as returning Israelites qualify for Elohim’s mercy, favor and pardon? We read the answer from Acts 2: 36 – 39, as follows: “Therefore let all the house of Israel (all ten tribes, excluding the house of Judah) know for certain that Elohim has made Him both Master and Messiah—this Yahshua whom you crucified (because of disobedience to Elohim’s Torah teachings). (37) Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Kepha and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do? (38) And Kepha said to them, ”Repent, and let each of you be immersed in the name of Yahshua Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Set-apart Spirit.  (39) For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as YHVH our Elohim shall call to Himself.”The phrase far off comes from Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9: 7, where he referred to the house of Israel as the ones who are driven far away in all the countries where YHVH has dispersed them, because of the unfaithful deeds they have committed against Him. We are also toldin Romans 6: 14 – 16 how to remain within Elohim’s mercy, grace and pardon, in this way: ‘For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace. (15) What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! (16) Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? Understanding that the phrase “under the Law” means being subject to the Torah’s penalties, allows this verse to make sense to us as Nazarene Israelites. If we are truly led by Elohim’s Set-apart Spirit we are not subject to the penalties or judgments of Torah and will not be led to disobey Elohim and be cursed. Rather, if we are truly led by the Spirit, we will obey our Heavenly Father and His commandments naturally and be blessed—as the Torah also tells us. We read further from 1 John 3: 22, as follows: ‘And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.’ The terms and conditions for coming within and remaining in  Elohim’s grace, by which He makes the precious “gift” of  eternal life available are that we repent of our sins, accept Yahshua’s sacrifice for our sinsand then live a life of obedience to His spiritual laws, which are the way to true happiness and prosperity, as also witnessed in Hebrews 9: 15, in this way: ‘And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.’

 

Now, let’s get to understand what is meant by the phrase ‘reward’ according to the Scriptures. What our occupation, rank or position will be during Messiah’s millennium rule is a matter of the ‘reward’ we will receive at Messiah’s return, as Yahshua 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.” Our “reward” depends on the zeal and effort we put forth during this present life as Nazarene Israelite believers after receiving Elohim’s Set-apart Spirit. The reward, our future position in the Kingdom of Elohim will be determined by our spiritual works. We see exactly how the rewards Elohim has in store for His children differ from His gift in 1 Corinthians 3: 13 – 15, in this way: ‘Each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. (14) If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. (15) If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire.’ We need to understand that each man will be rewarded according to his own work. Our reward, then, is something we earn. It is payment given to the man who earns it by his work. The truth of the matter is that we might even lose most of our reward and still receive eternal life by Elohim’s grace, as witnessed in 1 Corinthians 3: 15 above. The reward of the saved is therefore not the same thing as the gift of eternal life. Rewards will be paid to those who will have already received the ‘gift’ of eternal life. Consequently what are required is not grace or works, but grace and works. Grace will get us into Elohim’s Kingdom and give us immortality as Elohim’s gift and works will earn us a better office, an opportunity for greater service, for doing more good, once we are born into Elohim’s Family.We see from Romans 2: 6 – 10 that some will receive good rewards, whilst other will receive punishment according to their deeds, as follows: ‘Who WILL RENDER TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS; (7) to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; (8) but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. (9) There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, (10) but glory and honor and peace to every man who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.’ Yes, some will even receive the ultimate punishment as their reward, namely eternal death, as we read earlier from Romans 6: 23. Everyone has works, either good or bad. Those who do good works will receive good rewards, whilst those who do evil works will be punished, unless their evil deeds are repented of and covered by the blood of Messiah.  Un-repented sinners will receive the wages for sin which they have earned, namely, death for all eternity. The principle of reward and punishment isalso shown in Isaiah 3: 9 –11, in this way: ‘The expression of their faces bears witness against them. And they display their sin like Sodom; they do not even conceal it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves. (10) Say to the righteous that it will go well with them. For they will eat the fruit of their actions. (11) Woe to the wicked! It will go badly with him, for what he deserves will be done to him.’ Every person who is born of Elohim will receive exactly the same gift; eternal life and an eternal inheritance, but there will be different hierarchies of rewards given to the saved. Elohim promised to give rewards to both small and great, as Yahshua showed Yochanan in Revelation 11: 18, saying: “And the nations were enraged, and Thy wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to give their reward to Thy bond-servants the prophets and to the saints and to those who fear Thy name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.” Some Believers are worthy of greater rewards than others because they have produced greater spiritual works.

In the parable of the sower in Matthew 13: 3 – 8 Yahshua shows that some believers will bring forth more fruit than others, in this way: ‘And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow; (4) and as he sowed, some seeds fell besides the road, and the birds came and ate them up. (5) And others fell upon the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. (6) But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. (7) And others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. (8) And others fell on the good soil, and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”’ Yahshua wants His followers to bring forth much and shows that we glorify our heavenly Father by the amount of fruit we bring forth in John 15:  5 – 8, saying: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. (6) If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (7) If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. (8) By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” Rav Shaul tells us in Romans 8: 9 & 10 how Messiah dwells in us, saying: ‘However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Messiah, he does not belong to Him. (10) And if Messiah is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.’ Bearing good fruit involves spiritual works and overcoming the works of the flesh.  It involves letting Messiah live in us by means of the Set-apart Spirit, allowing us to bear the fruits of the Spirit in our lives mentioned in Galatians 5: 22 & 23, as follows: ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.’Yahshua tells us in Revelation 2: 26 & 27 what one of the greatest rewards is that He will give those who overcome to the end, saying: “And he who overcomes,and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; (27) AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father.”In the Kingdom of Elohim there will be individuals having greater or lesser positions of authority and degrees of glory as Rav Shaul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15: 41 – 42, saying: ‘There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. (42) So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body.’ But every individual will have a great responsibility, a job function to perform, as an entirely new civilization must be built on earth and eventually throughout the universe, according to Elohim’s specifications.

These positions will be awarded tobelievers according to how much they grew and overcame spiritually in this life and how much good fruit they produced by spiritual works. Each one will receive a job in Elohim’s Kingdom commensurate with the level of spiritual character he has developed in this life, as aptly explained in the parable of the minas in Luke 19. In this parable Yahshua pictures Himself as a young nobleman going to a far country (heaven) to receive a kingdom and then return to earth (Luke 19: 11 & 12). But before He left, He delegated certain responsibilities to each of his ten servants (verse 13). These servants represent every converted true Believer to whom YHVH has given His Set-Apart Spirit. After He returned, having obtained the Kingdom, we see from verse 15, how He will judge His servants, as follows: “And it came about that when he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him in order that he might know what business they had done.”  Each pound or ‘mina’ contained an amount of silver worth several dollars in today’s money. This money is a symbol of spiritual value and represents the spiritual capabilities and opportunities Elohim has given to each believer to be used to serve others and to develop spiritual character during this age. We see from verses 16 - 19 that each servant will be awarded in direct proportion to the degree he developed and overcame, in this way: “And the first appeared, saying, ‘Master, your mina has made ten minas more.’ (17) And he said to him, “Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, be in authority over ten cities.’ (18) And the second came, saying, ‘Your mina, master, has made five minas.’ (19) And he said to him also, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’” True believers are the servants (or slaves) of Messiah as we’ve seen previously from Romans 6: 16. Some overcome more than others and accomplish more spiritual works with what they have been givenand therefore develop more spiritual character than others. They will be given rulership over many cities during the Millennium, whilst others will have qualified to rule fewer cities. Each will be rewarded according to his works and the reward you receive whether great or small depends on you alone! It depends on how much effort you expend in overcoming and growing spiritually. It depends on whether you always willingly let Elohim mold you into His character image, or whether you tend to resist His correction. Finally we see from verses 20 – 24 of Luke 19, what will happen to those who fail to overcome and grow even a little, who fails to increase their spiritual usefulness and effectiveness, as follows: ‘And another came, saying, ’Master, behold your mina, which I kept put away in a handkerchief; (21) for I was afraid of you, because you are an exacting man; you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.’ (22) He said to him, ‘By your own words I will judge you, you worthless slave. Did you know that I am an exacting man, taking up what I did not lay down, and reaping what I did not sow? (23) Then why did you not put the money in the bank, and having come, I would have collected it with interest?’ (24) And he said to the bystanders, ‘Take the mina away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ The slave who gained nothing in this present life; who did not have any good works and did not overcome or grow spiritually, was not given any position and even had what was previously entrusted to him taken away. Elohim gives us salvation so we may serve others and if we do not qualify to serve,even the salvation we thought we had, will be taken away, as Yahshua confirmed in verse 26, saying: “I tell you, that to everyone who has shall more be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.”

The Scriptures speaks a great deal about overcoming. We as Nazarene Israelites are specifically called to conform to the image of Elohim, Yahshua who came specifically to show us the way to become children of Elohim and to assist us to return to the covenant we made with YHVH at Mount Sanai, as Rav Shaul wrote in Hebrews 2: 17 & 18, saying: ‘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 able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.’ When Yahshua showed His disciples the way He walked or interpreted Torah for His followers in Matthew 5, He commanded them (including us His modern day disciples) to become perfect in verse 48, saying: “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  The word “be” in this verse should more correctly be translated “become.” Yahshua spoke of becoming perfect in character, a process which takes time. Each one of us has to overcome like Yahshua overcame and told His disciples in John 16: 33, saying: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” Yahshua Messiah became perfect through the trials and tests of human experience. He overcame the temptations of the devil, His flesh and the world around Him. In spite of opposition and temptation, He kept Elohim’s commandments perfectly. In so doing He developed the perfection of spiritual character which enabled Him to become our Savior and elder brother.No one can overcome forus; it is something each one must do for himself with the help of Yahshua Messiah living in him through the Set-Apart Spirit. And just as with Yahshua, our overcoming involves obedience to Elohim, service to others, personal sacrifice and struggle against sin. It requires putting forth effort to become the kind of spiritually minded person Elohim can use to rule the universe. By overcoming the pulls of the flesh, Satan and the world, we build the very character of Elohim. The more we overcome, the greater our character will become and the greater will be our reward. In Matthew 24: 45 - 47 Yahshua told His disciples that those who overcome to the very end, shall inherit Elohim’s Kingdom and receive a reward, saying: “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their (Spiritual) food at the proper time? (46)  Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. (47) Truly I say to you, that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”Yahshua will not be satisfied with just a little overcoming now and then. He desires continual, constant overcoming and the obedience it entails. There is never a time to let down or grow fainthearted.

Spiritual growth is the development of the very character of Elohim in us. We must gradually become more and more like Him in the way we act and do things. Elohim’s character is the ability to discern what is right from wrong, choose what is right and then do it regardless of pressures and circumstances to the contrary. It is the ability as a free moral agent to determine and direct one’s own actions always in the right direction, which is the way of righteousness – the way of obedience to Elohim, of giving, serving and helping others. It is the way which produces real and eternal happiness.This kind of character must be developed in Believers through independent free choice, combined with learning, experience, trials and tests. In addition to commissioning his disciples to immerse and teach new believers throughout the world in Matthew 28: 18 - 20, we also read Messiah’s instructions to Kepha but also to us in John 21: 15 – 17, saying: “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Master; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My Lambs (meaning to teach the children in the congregation, with care).” (16) He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Master; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep (guiding the men of the congregation to remain on course).” (17) He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Kepha was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Master, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Yahshua said to him, “Tend My sheep (teaching the ladies in the congregation with the same care as the children).” Rav Kepha knew exactly what Yahshua meant and therefore instructed us in 1 Peter 5: 1 – 3, saying: ‘Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Messiah, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, (2) shepherd the flock of Elohim among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of Elohim; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness.’ Elohim is providing called and chosen teachers in His congregation to feed the flock as Rav Shaul wrote in Ephesians 4: 12 & 13, saying: “For the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Messiah; (13) until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of Elohim, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Messiah.” Elohim’s teachers instruct, teach and council members of Elohim’s congregationand through Messiah’sdiscipleship program each believer is taught to ‘grow’ until he/shewill become a teacher him/herself, and to be born as the very sons and daughters of Elohim.

Those called and chosen at this time were born to rule; to become part of those governing, teaching and guiding survivors during Messiah’s millennial rule and to eventually assist Elohim in ruling the entire universe for all eternity after the great white throne judgment. That is the incredible destiny Elohim offers mankind. Each one of us needs to be preparing to eventually reach that goal.  We need to evaluate our own lives and characters honestly, to see if we truly obey Elohim. The point is: If you suddenly had great power in your control to direct a major city, would you be able to direct and exercise that power as you know Elohim would have used it? If you are currently directing the little powers in your control, such as your temper, your voice, your passions and emotions and your comparatively small income, then you will be entrusted to control a lot more in the kingdom.But, if you have not yet learned to control and constructively guide even these little powers Elohim has permitted you to use, then how could Elohim entrust you to handle awesome responsibilities in the Kingdom of Elohim? We need to ask Elohim for wisdom, knowledge and understanding so that you can rightly direct the comparatively little powers and responsibilities we now have. Ask Elohim for wisdom and help in properly exercising and using the abilities you’ve been given so you can be a faithful and productive servant. Strive to learn to be faithful over what Elohim has already given you, so that you mayone day hear Messiah’s words recorded in Matthew 25: 21, saying: ‘Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things , enter into the joy of your master.’ Praise Yah!

 

[1]Romans 1: 1 – 4: ‘Shaul, a bond-servant of Messiah Yahshua, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of Elohim, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born a descendant of David according to the flesh, 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.’