340 Are we Nazarene first fruit Bikkurim

Are we Nazarene first fruits (Bikkurim)?

Messiah ben Joseph’s ministry commenced after His immersion by Yochanan the Immerser in 27 CE.The first Nazarenes consisted of mainly Torah observant Jews, who also believed that Y’shua was Messiah ben Joseph. They were originally known as ‘the Way’ (as may be seen from Acts 19: 9 and 24: 14) and eventually became known as ‘Nazarenes’ as witnessed in Acts 24: 5, in this way:‘For we have found this man (Shaul) a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.’The transliterated Hebrew word for Nazarene is ‘Notsrim’, meaning branches. The Hebrew word for ‘first fruit offering’ is (בּכּוּרים) transliterated as ‘Bikkurim’. We know that many prophecies in the Scriptures used the word Netzer or branch to refer to Messiah as per the following Scriptures:

Isaiah 11: 1,
Isaiah 60: 21,
Jeremiah 23: 5,
Zechariah 3: 8,
Zechariah 6: 12,

It is believed that many of the believers in Messiah ben Joseph quoted these verses regularly and became known as ‘branch people’ or ‘Notsrim’. They like the Pharisees who lived during the time of Messiah ben Joseph, believed in a Messiah, the resurrection of the dead, angels, spirits, and Satan. They accepted all the customs of Judaism, but in addition believed that Y’shua was Messiah ben Joseph.

These Nazarenes were simply Jews who also believed that Y’shua was Messiah ben Joseph, similar to the Messianic Jews of today, as is also evident from Acts 15: 5, in this way: ‘But certain ones of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.”’ Today we refer to ourselves as Nazarene Israelites because not all of our members are Jewish, but are now as believers in Messiah ben Joseph, part of the commonwealth of Israel, as witnessed in Ephesians 2: 11 – 16, 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, having no hope and without G-d in the world. (13) But now in Messiah(ben Joseph)Y’shua you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Messiah. (14) For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, (15) by abolishing in His flesh the enmity(punishment of the law), which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, (16) and might reconcile them both in one body to G-d through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.’Galatians 3: 28 & 29 puts it in this way: “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 Y’shua. (29)And if you belong to Messiah, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” Even though some use these Scriptures to preach against Torah observance, the last verse implies that if we are offspring of Abraham and heirs according to the promise, then we will honor the covenant that HASHEM made with Abraham and his (male) descendants throughout their generations and be circumcised in the flesh, but also obey all the Torah given to all Israel as a perpetual statute.Now that we know what or who Nazarene Israel is, I would like to ask the following question: If you call yourself a Nazarene Israelite, after our Master (Ben Joseph) Y’shua, are you good examples of what Nazarenes should be? Are you a true follower of the way of the Nazarene? Think about it. Once you accept Messiah ben Joseph namely Y’shua as your Savior and are immersed in His Name, you accept a tremendous responsibility. We become representatives of Y’shua on earth; we become Ambassadors of Messiah and the Kingdom of G-d, as proclaimed by Messiah ben Joseph in Mark 1: 14 & 15, as follows: ‘And after Yochanan had been taken into custody, Y’shua came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of G-d, (15) and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of G-d is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”’We know that Y’shua was an example for us, as He told His disciples in John 13: 15, saying:“For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.”A second more obvious witness to this may be found in 1 Peter 2: 21, as follows: ‘For you have been called for this purpose, since Messiah also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.’ All of us, but especially our elders and Teachers should follow His example, setting an example for new believers and outsiders, like perhaps non-believing spouses and children, but also to people in the world.

As part of the lost sheep of the house of Israel, we are referred to by HASHEM as His first-born in Jeremiah 31: 9, in this way: “With weeping they shall come, and by supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk by streams of waters, on a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is My first-born.” Those of us from the lost ten tribes whom HASHEM is busy calling out of the churches of this world are in fact first fruits of the Spirit, as witnessed in Romans 8: 23, 28 & 29, as follows:‘And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons (and daughters), the redemption of our body. (28) And we know that G-d causes all things to work together for the good to those who love G-d, 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(from the dead) among many brethren.’ Galatians 3:29 witnessed to the fact that we are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. We read accordingly from Hebrews 11: 9 & 10 that Abraham: ‘By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents(or temporary dwellings like we do during the Feast of Tabernacles) with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; (10) for he was looking for the city (the New Jerusalem) which has foundations, whose architect and builder is G-d.’ This tells us that our fathers in the faith, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob believed in eternal life and the coming kingdom of G-d. However, according to verse 39 of Hebrews 11 they have not received their promise yet. The reason for this is given in verse 40 of Hebrews 11, as follows: ‘Because G-d had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.’So,we see that they are waiting for us, before all those who have fallen asleep in Messiah are resurrected or changed.Rav Yaa’cov tells those of us called at this time,who follow the ‘Way of the Nazarene’ in James 1: 18 that we are first fruits in the harvest of human souls to be harvested at Messiah’s return, together with all the first fruits who were called throughout the ages, saying: ‘In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures.’ We read a second more explicit witness from 1 Corinthians 15: 20 – 23 ‘But now Messiah has been raised from the dead, the first fruit 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, after that those who are Messiah’s at His coming.’Rav Shaul also confirmed this in 2 Thessalonians 2: 13, saying: ‘But we should always give thanks to G-d for you, brethren beloved by HASHEM, because G-d has chosen you from the beginning for salvation(the foot note in the New American Standard Bible reads: Some ancient manuscripts read ‘first fruits’) through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.’

We read about the temporary blinding of the minds of our Jewish Brothers to the identity of Messiah ben Joseph and Him being the root of the olive tree from Romans 11: 2 – 16, as follows: “G-d has not rejected His people(the house of Judah) whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with G-d against Israel? (3) ‘HASHEM, THEY HAVE KILLED THY PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN THINE ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.’ (4)But what is the divine response to him? ‘I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.’ (5)In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to G-d’s gracious choice. (6)But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. (7)What then? That which Israel is seeking for, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; (8)just as it is written, ‘G-D GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY.’ (9)And David says, ‘LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP, AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM.’ (10) ‘LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT, AND BEND THEIR BACKS FOREVER.’(11)I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. (12)Now if their transgression be riches for the world and their failure be riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! (13)But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, (14)if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them.(15)For if their rejection be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? (16)And if the first piece of dough be holy, the lump is also; and if the root be holy, the branches are too.”This is essentially telling us that if the first piece of dough (in this case Messiah as the first of the first fruits) is Set-apart, then we the branches (or those who returned to the covenant we made with G-d together with the Torah observant house of Judah at Mount Sinai) are also Set-apart to assist Him in establishing G-d’s kingdom on earth. In agreement with 1 Corinthians 15: 20, where Rav Shaul showed that Messiah was the first fruit of those who have fallen asleep, we read a second witness from Colossians 1: 18, in this way: ‘He is also head of the body, the congregation; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything.’ Messiah became the Son of G-d through His resurrection to show us how we are also able to become sons (or children) of G-d. As part of the first fruits we will, if we qualify to be in the first better resurrection with our fathers in the faith Abraham, Isaac, Jacob to become kings and priests ruling under Messiah, as witnessed in Revelation 20: 6, as follows: ‘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 G-d and of Messiah and will reign with Him for a thousand years.’

After Y’shua’s resurrection and prior to His departure to heaven, He taught His disciples one last time about the kingdom of G-d (as per Acts 1: 3). The disciples believed in Him and asked Him in Acts 1: 6when He will restore the kingdom of Israel? Then in Acts 1: 7 ‘He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.”’It seems that HASHEM kept these secrets to be revealed at our time, prior to Messiah ben David’s coming from heaven on the Feast of Trumpets (or Yom Teruah), in the foreseeable future as Rav Shaul explains infirst Thessalonians 5: 1 – 8, saying: ‘Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. (2) For you yourselves know full well that the day of HASHEM will come like a thief in the night. (3) While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; (5) for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; (6) so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. (7) For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. (8) But since we are of the day, let us be sober (self-controlled), having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.’It is certain that the patriarchs as well as the apostles were also to become first fruits. They were set apart and were the early first fruits and therefore the first faith-filled branches or Nazarenes. We are all branches and share the same root, namely Messiah ben Joseph.We share the same testimony, reality and substance and like them, we from both houses are grafted in and counted as faithful first fruits when we like they did,exercise saving faith.By studying the Scriptures we will learn about the examples set for us by our fathers in the faith. O yes, they were also human and sinned, but they certainly have overcome those momentary lapses of faith. We read from Genesis 12 that Abram, where his name was changed to Abraham – in Genesis 17,prior to his covenant relationship with HASHEM, he lied to Pharaoh about Sarai his wife(also before her name was changed to Sarah), saying that she was his sister. However, we read from Genesis 26: 4& 5 where HASHEM spoke to Isaac, saying: “And I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, (5) because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws.” From these Scriptures we know that Abraham repented from this lie and that HASHEM has forgiven him accordingly. If we are to follow in the example set by our father Abraham, we better make sure that we obey HASHEM and keep all His commandments, statutes, and laws, given in His Torah.

Our fathers in the faith followed the teachings (or Torah) of HASHEM our G-d. Messiah, who is the salvation of HASHEM our G-d, is the embodiment of Torah. We know that He did not transgress Torah throughout His life on earth, as is confirmed in Hebrews 4: 15, as follows:‘For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.’In fact,Y’shua assured His followers that He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to make it more binding, as we witnessed in Matthew 5: 17 – 48.We know for a fact that Y’shua kept the Sabbath, as is witnessed in Luke 4: 16,in this way: ‘And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.’ We also know from the four gospels that He observed all the Set-apart days and festivals commanded with His Jewish Brothers and family in Leviticus 23. John 7 to 13 recounts the final festival period prior to His final days. We see Y’shua’s words in the Temple when attending the Last Great Day of the Feast of Tabernacles during the evening (erev) of this day in John 7: 37 & 38, as follows: ‘Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Y’shua stood and cried out, saying, “If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. (38) He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living waters.’”The events recorded in John 8 to 10occurred prior to and during Chanukah or the Feast of Dedication, as recorded in verses 22 & 23 of John 10 as follows: ‘At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem; (23) it was winter, and Y’shua was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon.’Reading carefully from John 6 to 13, we see that this is a continuous sequence of the final days of Y’shua’s life, from Passover to Passover. It is clear therefore that Y’shua kept all the Feast days of G-d, including the minor festival of Chanukah.

The standard, by which returnees should measure themselves, is Messiah ben Joseph, as is confirmed in Galatians 5: 13 – 26, in this way: ‘For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (14) For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” (15) But if you bite and devour one another, take care lest you be consumed by one another. (16) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (17) For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. (18) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the(punishment or curses of the) Law. (19) Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, (20) idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, (21) envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of G-d. (22) 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. (24) Now those who belong to Messiah Y’shua have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (25) If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (26) Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.” Our standard is Messiah ben Joseph, and we should not compete against our fellow Nazarenes. We need to compare our actions with that of Messiah ben Joseph and overcome our shortcomings;else we will not be in the kingdom of G-d.We, the first fruits called by G-d are being judged during this age as witnessed by Rav Kepha in 1 Peter 4: 17, saying:‘For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of G-d; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of G-d!” O yes, brethren we need to shape up or ship out.

Even though we are certain that our Father HASHEM has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light, if we do not measure ourselves against His standard,Messiah ben Joseph and return to Torah, we will not enter the kingdom of G-d, as Y’shua told His disciples in the parable of the wedding feast (the Feast of Tabernacles) recorded in Matthew 22: 2 - 14, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king, who gave a wedding feast for his son. (3) And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. (4) Again he sent out other slaves saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatted livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.”’ (5) But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, (6) and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. (7) But the king was enraged and sent his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and set their city on fire. (8) Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. (9) Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.’ (10) And those slaves went out into the streets, and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests. (11) But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw there a man not dressed in wedding clothes, (12) and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes? And he was speechless. (13) Then the king said to the servants, “Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (14) For many are called, but few are chosen.” This is indeed very scary, fellow believers. It tells us that we need to be extremely careful how we live as the first fruits of HASHEM, because we could still because of reckless living lose our crowns. As mentioned before and as is recorded in 2 Corinthians 5: 20, as follows: ‘Therefore,we are ambassadors for Messiah, as though G-d were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Messiah, be reconciled to G-d.’

We know from Romans 8: 11 that if we have the Spirit of HASHEM indwelling us, we could make it into His eternal kingdom, in this way: ‘But if the Spirit of Him who raised Y’shua from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Messiah Y’shua from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His spirit who indwells you.’. According to the second part of 2 Corinthians 5: 5, we are sealed with the Set-apart Spirit at immersion in Y’shua’s saving name in our hearts as a pledge, for the purpose of becoming immortal or obtaining eternal live.We only get given a small portion of the Set-apart Spirit as a deposit (or pledge) at immersion, as opposed to Messiah ben Joseph who as the embodiment of Torah, has the full measure of the Set-apart Spirit, as recorded in 2 Corinthians 4: 13 - 18 as follows: ‘But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe, therefore also we speak; (14) knowing that He who raised the Master Y’shua will raise us also with Yashua and will present us with you.(15) For all things are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of G-d. (16) Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. (17) For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, (18) while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.’We read further from Ephesians 1: 3 – 18: ‘Blessed be the G-d and Father of our Master Y’shua Messiah, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Messiah, (4) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love. (5) He predestined us to adoption as sons through Y’shua Messiah, to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, (6) to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. (7) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, (8) which He lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight(9) He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him (10) with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Messiah, things in the heavens and things upon the earth. In Him (11) also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, (12) to the end that we who were the first to hope in Messiah should be to the praise of His glory. (13) In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Set-apart Spirit of promise, (14) who is given as a pledge of our inheritance with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. (15) For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Master Y’shua which exists among you, and your love for all the saints, (16) do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; (17) that the G-d of our Master Y’shua Messiah, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. (18) I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened (understanding), so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.’ We need to constantly pray that our heavenly Father give us the necessary wisdom, knowledge and understanding when we study His word and apply it in our lives.

Finally, we read Rav Shaul’s words to the Philippians in Philippians 1:3 - 6, saying: ‘I thank my G-d in all my remembrance of you, (4) always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, (5) in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. (6) For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Messiah Y’shua.’ This is confirmed in 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 – 24, as follows: ‘Rejoice always; (17) pray without ceasing;(18) in everything give thanks; for this is G-d’s will for you in Messiah Y’shua. (19) Do not quench the Spirit; (20) do not despise prophetic utterances. (21) But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; (22) abstain from every form of evil. (23)Now may the G-d of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and your soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Master Y’shua Messiah. (24) Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.’Returning in Philippians 3: 17 – 21, Rav Shaul writes: ‘Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. (18) For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Messiah, (19) whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. (20) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Master Y’shua Messiah; (21)who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that he has even to subject all things to Himself.’

Let us therefor continue to grow in grace and knowledge by studying G-d’s word daily, but also ask Him to give us more of His Set-apart Spirit as Y’shua told His disciples to do in Luke 11: 13, saying: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Set-apart Spirit to those who ask Him?” Think about it!

Acts 19: 9, ‘But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.’

Acts 24: 14,“But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the G-d of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law, and that is written in the Prophets.”

We read from Romans 1: 1 – 4: ‘Shaul, a bond-servant of Messiah Y’shua, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of G-d, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of G-d with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the spirit of holiness, Y’shua Messiah our Master.’

Yom Teruah - discussed in 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 - 17: ‘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. For if we believe that Y’shua died and rose again, even so G-d will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Y’shua. 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. For the Master Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of G-d; and the dead in Messiah shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the cloud to meet the Master in the air (in a cloud on the Mount of Olives, just as when He ascended to heaven), and thus we shall always be with the Master.’

The footnote attached to the word sober, reads self-controlled.