ENTER THE KING AND THE KINGDOM

Matthew chapter 3







Today we are walking in: Enter The King And The Kingdom







Numbers 24:7




He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom H4467 shall be exalted.







KINGDOM





Today we look to the word-KINGDOM- H4467 mamlâkâh, (mam-law-kaw') -dominion, (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm):—kingdom, king's, reign, royal





The Torah testifies...............




Exodus 19:6




And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.




Numbers 32:33




And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom H4467 of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom H4467 of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about.




Deuteronomy 17:18




And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, H4467 that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:






The prophets proclaim..................




1 Samuel 10:18




And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, H4467 and of them that oppressed you:





Isaiah 9:7




Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.






Jeremiah 18:9




And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom H4467, to build and to plant it;









The writings bear witness...........................





1 Kings 9:5




Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom H4467 upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.





1 Chronicles 17:11




And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom H4467.




Psalm 145:13




Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.




CHAPTER THREE- ENTER THE KING AND THE KINGDOM

THE BIRTH OF THE KINGDOM ANNOUNCER

Today as Vice President Joe Biden goes to visit different places in the U.S. if you were to travel where he goes you would find an unusually large crowd clogging the airport. It would look like a war zone. There will be police, security and army officers everywhere. For a moment you may think some terrorist act has occurred. If you ask one of the Army officers the reason for so much security activity. His answer would shock you. After warning you that traffic throughout the whole city will be heavy, he will tell you, you should be prepared to have your vehicle searched anytime, anywhere that day. The reason, he would explain, for the heightened security is that the Vice President of the United States is coming in three days. All of this commotion for a man who is not even in town yet, who is not arriving for three days! You can ask the officer why all this activity so far in advance. He would say, “We are preparing for the coming of the Vice President.”




The same thing happens in other parts of the world. This is the very thing that occurs in all kingdoms when royalty is expected. In Great Britain, whenever the Queen or any member of the royal family are scheduled to visit the territory, preparations begin months in advance. The streets are swept, streetlights cleaned, schools painted, flags hung and so much more—the principle being, whenever a sovereign is to arrive, it is announced and preparations are made far in advance. Even the people have to be prepared.




This was the role of John the Baptist, the announcer of the King. John was keeping Kingdom royal protocol. His job was to prepare the people, the nation and the way for the coming of the King who would bring the Kingdom. The scripture describes John in this way,




IN those days came Yahuchanon the Baptizer, preaching in the wilderness of Yahud, And saying, Repent ye: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Yesha`yahu, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the Way of Yahuah, make his paths straight. MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 3:1-3 את CEPHER.

John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the Way of Yahuah, as said the prophet Yesha`yahu. YOCHANON (JOHN) 1:23 את CEPHER.

Please note that John’s message was not about a religion, but the Kingdom of heaven. It is important to understand that John was the most unique prophet of the entire Bible. In fact, Yahusha stated that John was the greatest of all the prophets that had ever lived.

Amein I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than Yahuchanon the Baptizer: notwithstanding he that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 11:11 את CEPHER.




Why does John hold such a prominent position among the prophets? Because all the prophets before John spoke only of the coming of the Messiah King and the coming of the Kingdom, while John had the privilege of announcing, presenting, meeting and baptizing the King of the Kingdom.




UNDERSTANDING OUR ROLE AS KINGS




The birth of Yahusha was announced as the birth of a king, not a priest. This is very important because it emphasizes the primary focus of the mission of Yahusha and His purpose for coming to earth. Hear His words concerning His purpose for coming. His priesthood was His redemptive function, but to be king was His eternal disposition.

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Pilate therefore said unto him, Are you a King then? Yahusha answered, You say that I am a King. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the Truth. Everyone that is of the Truth hears my voice. YOCHANON (JOHN) 18:37 את CEPHER.

And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Yahudiym cried out, saying, If you let this man go, you are not Qeycar's friend: whosoever makes himself a king speaks against Qeycar. YOCHANON (JOHN) 19:12 את CEPHER.

And he said unto them, I must preach the Kingdom of Elohiym to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. LUQAS (LUKE) 4:43 את CEPHER.




WHAT WAS THE MISSION AND PURPOSE OF YAHUSHA?

The greatest tragedy in life is not death: It is life without a purpose. The most important discovery in life is the discovery of purpose. Purpose is defined as the original intent or motivation for something. Purpose is also defined as the reason or desired result for the initiation or an action of production of a thing. Simply put, purpose is the “why” of a thing. Without a clear understanding of purpose, life becomes an experiment. Where purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable. Without purpose, activity has no meaning and time and energy are misused. Purpose determines what is right. Purpose protects us from doing something good at the expense of the right. Purpose is the predetermined, established, intended result of a thing.

The great king of Israel, Solomon, expressed the critical importance of the concept of purpose in his Book of Proverbs this way,

There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of Yahuah, that shall stand. MISHLEI (PROVERBS) 19:21 את CEPHER.

This statement implies the priority of purpose as compared to a plan of action. It suggests that the most important interest of the Creator is His original intent for His actions and creation.

This is why we must seriously and carefully consider, when discussing the most important subject of The Most High Yah’s purpose and plan for humanity, that we revisit the purpose, message, and assignment of Yahusha Hamachiach.




THE ORIGINAL MISSION OF YAHUSHA




The controversial movie of 2004, The Passion, produced by actor/producer Mel Gibson, stirred the whole world about the life and death of Yahusha Hamachiach. There has been much controversy and debate down through the years over the life, message, death, and resurrection of Yahusha Hamachiach, especially within the religious community. There are many views and opinions as to what His real mission was. Scholars have dissected, examined, reviewed, revised and written volumes on these subjects. Yet many are still confused as to what His mission, message, methods, and purpose were for coming to earth.




However, for us to discover the original purpose and mission of Yahusha, it should be obvious that we must consider His own declarations concerning His purpose and assignment for coming into the world. Let’s read a few of them from the records of His close friends in the gospel narrative.




His first public statement was made at the beginning of His earthly mission, when He was 30 years old, after being baptized by His cousin John the Baptist, and completing 40 days of fasting, during which He overcame satan’s temptations to compromise His assignment:




From that time Yahusha began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 4:17 את CEPHER.




The word near, in some translations rendered “at hand,” simply means “has arrived.” In other words, His first declaration was the introduction and arrival of a kingdom, not a religion. In essence, He brought a government to earth. Let’s look at some other declarations by Yahusha concerning His purpose and mission on earth.




And as ye go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 10:7 את CEPHER.




But if I cast out devils by the Ruach Elohiym, then the Kingdom of Elohiym is come unto you. MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 12:28 את CEPHER.




Therefore is the Kingdom of Heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 18:23 את CEPHER).




And this Besorah of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 24:14 את CEPHER.




And he said unto them, I must preach the Kingdom of Elohiym to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. And he preached in the synagogues of Galiyl. LUQAS (LUKE) 4:43-44 את CEPHER.




AND it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the good news of the Kingdom of Elohiym: and the twelve were with him, LUQAS (LUKE) 8:1 את CEPHER.




And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spoke unto them of the Kingdom of Elohiym, and healed them that had need of healing. LUQAS (LUKE) 9:11 את CEPHER.




But rather seek ye the Kingdom of Elohiym; and all these things shall be added unto you. LUQAS (LUKE) 12:31 את CEPHER.




Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you את the Kingdom. LUQAS (LUKE) 12:32 את CEPHER.




The Torah and the prophets were until Yahuchanon: since that time the Kingdom of Elohiym is preached, and every man presses into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the Torah to fail. LUQAS (LUKE) 16:16-17 את CEPHER.




Amein I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of Elohiym as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. LUQAS (LUKE) 18:17 את CEPHER.




And I appoint unto you a Kingdom, as my Father has appointed unto me; LUQAS (LUKE) 22:29 את CEPHER.




Yahusha answered, My Kingdom is not of this world: if my Kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Yahudiym: but now is my Kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Are you a King then? Yahusha answered, You say that I am a King. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the Truth. Everyone that is of the Truth hears my voice. YOCHANON (JOHN) 18:36-37 את CEPHER.




These are only a few of the declarations made by Yahusha concerning His mission, purpose, and message and it is obvious that His intent was to declare, establish, and invite all men to enter the Kingdom of The Most High Yah.




This is in direct contrast with the focus on religious activity and religion’s preoccupation with going to heaven. It seems as if the message and priority of Yahusha was the occupation and reclamation of earth, rather than designing an escape hatch to heaven for mankind. There is a verse of scripture that has challenged my thinking for years and perhaps it may shed some light on this issue for you also.




Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 5:5 את CEPHER.




It is interesting to note that the promise is for the inheritance of earth rather than heaven. Also His dominion of earth and its environment was declared by Yahusha as the return of the Kingdom of The Most High Yah to earth.




But if I cast out devils by the Ruach Elohiym, then the Kingdom of Elohiym is come unto you. MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 12:28 את CEPHER.




This verse seems to indicate the return of the dominion power that Adam lost in his disobedience. Yahusha came to earth, not to bring a religion, but a Kingdom—the governing influence of the Kingdom of heaven on earth. The message proclaims the opportunity for all mankind to regain its lost dominion over earth and its environment through the reception of the Ruach HaQadesh of The Most High Yah and, consequently, the reconnection of earth with heaven. This is why it is called “good news” or gospel.




The message of the Kingdom of The Most High Yah is the most important news ever delivered to the human race. Yahusha came to earth to announce the arrival of this Kingdom and to establish it in people’s hearts through His death and resurrection. As the Son of The Most High Yah, Yahusha Hamachiach was the exact likeness of His Father and represented Him perfectly on earth. To all those who believed in and followed Him, Yahusha restored their citizenship rights in the Kingdom of heaven and imparted His Spirit, so that they could represent Him and the government of heaven on earth.




This representation is known as government diplomacy. The following statement is a political statement that is very common to all kingdoms, including our contemporary governments.




And I appoint unto you a Kingdom, as my Father has appointed unto me; LUQAS (LUKE) 22:29 את CEPHER.




This statement is always used at the appointment of an official representative of a government to other nations. This is the position of an ambassador. This is not a religious designation, but a governmental one.




HEAVEN’S AMBASSADORS ON EARTH




Every nation appoints ambassadors and envoys to represent its interests to other nations. The Kingdom of heaven is no different, as it is the prototype of kingdoms. The Most High Yah chose to communicate the message of His Kingdom throughout the earth: not through religious people, but through personal representatives. The Most High Yah’s chosen strategy for proclaiming His Kingdom was to employ ambassadors. An ambassador is a political appointee whose job is to represent and speak for his or her home government before the rulers of other countries. In the eyes of those rulers, the word of an ambassador is the word of the government that he or she represents. Good ambassadors never speak their personal opinions, but only the official policies of the government that appointed them.




In the same way, the people of The Most High Yah are His ambassadors on the earth. Scripture clearly teaches this. The Most High Yah chose Moses to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and then to represent Himself before them. Prophets represented The Most High Yah and spoke His messages of warning and judgment to a nation that had turned away from Him. In Second Corinthians 5:20, Paul writes, “We are therefore Hamachiach’s ambassadors, as though The Most High Yah were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Hamachiach’s behalf: Be reconciled to The Most High Yah.” As ambassadors of heaven, we represent our Father’s Kingdom on earth. If we are to be effective, it is important that we understand what we are talking about.




CHARACTERISTICS OF AN AMBASSADOR




An ambassador is a unique political creature in all kingdoms and his disposition must be understood fully, in order to appreciate the power and distinction of this revered position. Here are some very paramount qualities of an ambassador:

Appointed by the king, not voted into position;

Appointed to represent the state or kingdom;

Committed only to the state’s interests;

Embodies the nation-state or kingdom;

Totally covered by the state;

Is the responsibility of the state;

Totally protected by his government;

Never becomes a citizen of the state or kingdom to

which he is assigned;

Can only be recalled by the king or president;

Has access to all his nation’s wealth for assignment;

Never speaks his personal position on any issue, only his nation’s official position; and,

His goal is to influence the territory for his kingdom government.







All of these qualities and characteristics are embedded in the message and ministry of the Kingdom of The Most High Yah and are perfectly exemplified by our Chief Ambassador (Secretary of State) Yahusha Hamachiach.







All of these also apply to each citizen of the Kingdom of heaven who has been appointed by the government of heaven to represent heaven on earth. This is why Yahusha admonished us to not worry about anything concerning our lives, but to focus on the Kingdom; then everything we need for life and fulfilling our Kingdom assignment on earth will be provided by the government of heaven.







Here are some ambassadorial statements and references expressed by the King, Yahusha Himself, regarding His diplomatic duties in representing His heavenly government. These He transferred to you, who have submitted as citizens of the Kingdom of heaven.







But Yahusha answered them, My Father works hitherto, and I work. YOCHANON (JOHN) 5:17 את CEPHER.







Then answered Yahusha and said unto them, Amein, Amein, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees את the Father do: for what things soever he does, these also does the Son likewise. YOCHANON (JOHN) 5:19 את CEPHER.




I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me. YOCHANON (JOHN) 5:30 את CEPHER.




As the living Father has sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eats me, even he shall live by me. YOCHANON (JOHN) 6:57 את CEPHER.




I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. YOCHANON (JOHN) 8:26 את CEPHER.




Then said Yahusha unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of A'dam, then shall ye know that I am he and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. YOCHANON (JOHN) 8:28-29 את CEPHER.




If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. YOCHANON (JOHN) 10:37 את CEPHER.




For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. YOCHANON (JOHN) 12:49-50 את CEPHER.




Yahusha said unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? he that has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you then, show us the Father? Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Amein, Amein, I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. YOCHANON (JOHN) 14:9-12 את CEPHER.




Then said Yahusha to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father has sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Ruach Ha'Qodesh: YOCHANON (JOHN) 20:21-22 את CEPHER.




I declare that we are also ambassadors of our heavenly government, representing our government’s mind, will, purposes and intent to the earth, so that His Kingdom can come and His will be done on earth just as it is in heaven. We are charged only to speak what our government speaks, not our own personal opinion or views. Therefore, whenever an ambassador is asked to comment on any issue, he is obligated to speak his government’s position. He simply quotes the constitutional (the Bible) position on all matters. Go and be an ambassador of the government of heaven, not of a religion. Study your constitution to know and understand your government’s position on all issues pertaining to life.




THE KINGDOM AND THE REPUBLIC




Most of us who are raised in a democratic society have trouble understanding the concept of a kingdom. For the same reason we also frequently have difficulty understanding the Bible, because the Bible is not about democracy. Since we live under a democratic system of government, we tend to assume that The Most High Yah is democratic. This is not so. Although many of the foundation stones of democracy are biblical, such as the principles of individual human rights, liberty, and dignity, democracy itself is not a biblical concept. Democracy arose in ancient Greece, a product of the thought of Greek philosophers like Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle. Democracy is an invention of man; it did not come from the Bible.




In our modern world, democracies usually take one of two forms: a republic or a parliamentary democracy. A republic is a democratic nation headed by a president elected by the people. Ultimate power in a republic lies with the citizens rather than with the leadership. The United States, Canada, Nigeria, England, Spain, Jamaica, Brazil or any other democratic form of government, or a parliamentary democracy, are all republics because they have elected presidents.




For example, in the Bahamas, which is a parliamentary democracy under a commonwealth of nations. The highest leadership position in our country is not an elected president, but an appointed governor, under whom is a prime minister elected by the people. The prime minister is the chief executive of the Bahamas and responsible for executing the mandates of the governor. After every election, the prime minister gives his governing plan to the governor who reviews and returns it. In a parliamentary democracy, the prime minister, although he is the chief executive, takes his orders from the governor, who holds the highest position. Symbolically, however, even the governor is not the ultimate authority because the Queen of England is, in name, the ruler of our country, even though she does not really govern anything. In the commonwealth of nations, she is the titular head of state.




Whether we live in a republic like the United States or in a parliamentary nation, the problem we face as citizens of a democracy is understanding what it means as believers to live in a Kingdom. This is a very important distinction. The Bible teaches about a Kingdom ruled by The Most High Yah. A kingdom is diametrically opposed to a democracy. Living successfully in the Kingdom of The Most High Yah will require of us a complete mental reversal. We cannot be effective citizens of the Kingdom of The Most High Yah and continue to think democratically.




DEVELOPING A KINGDOM THINKING




The first recorded words of Yahusha’ public ministry directly address our need to shift our thinking and acting into a Kingdom context. Yahusha, after being baptized by John in the Jordan River and spending 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by Hasatan, embarked on His earthly mission:




From that time Yahusha began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 4:17 את CEPHER.




Yahusha came into the world to introduce The Most High Yah’s plan for this planet, and the first thing He said was, “Repent!” In His very first statement to the world, Yahusha began by telling us that we need to change our minds. That is essentially what the word repent means. Perhaps a better way of saying it is that we need to change our thinking or our mindset.




Literally speaking, to repent means to stop, turn around, and go in the opposite direction. It is like walking down a road, realizing you are headed in the wrong direction, and turning around 180 degrees to head in the right direction. This suggests action, but action follows thinking. Before we can turn around, we have to decide to turn around.




Some might even find Yahusha’ first word to us insulting, because He is saying, “You’ve got wrong thinking. Everything you’ve learned is wrong, and you need to change.” For example, in our democratic environment we have been taught that governments operate by the will and vote of the people, even in choosing our own leader. In a democracy, every vote counts and every opinion is important. The majority rules. Not so in a kingdom. The vote of the people means nothing in a kingdom, and only one opinion matters—the king’s.




There is no vote in the Kingdom of The Most High Yah; His Word is supreme and absolute. We do not vote for our Leader; He is already in place and His is a permanent office. The Most High Yah’s tenure as King is eternal, a reign that will never end, neither by death nor by conquest. In The Most High Yah’s Kingdom, our opinion is of no importance. His opinion is all that matters; His will and His ways supersede all others. Majority does not apply in the Kingdom of The Most High Yah. Even though a majority of the earth’s population lives in ignorance of and rebellion toward The Most High Yah, He is and will remain the sovereign King of creation. There is no vote in the Kingdom of The Most High Yah; His Word is supreme and absolute.




CONTRASTING A KINGDOM WITH A DEMOCRACY




A kingdom and a democracy are two totally different worlds. That is why it is difficult for believers who were born in a democracy to live a strong Kingdom life. We want to debate the issues or interject our own thoughts and opinions. We try to reach consensus or compromise to keep everyone happy instead of simply recognizing that the King’s Word is law. If The Most High Yah says that adultery is a sin, that is the word of the King, and His Word is the law. The matter is not open for discussion. We can debate The Most High Yah’s words and decrees until we are blue in the face, but in the end all we will have to show for it are blue faces; His Word will still be the law. No matter what humanistic philosophy preaches from its pulpits in the schools and in our courts, The Most High Yah’s law is absolute.




In a democracy, citizens can gather to protest government policies and form committees and groups to lobby the legislative bodies to change laws. That does not happen in a kingdom. The Most High Yah’s Word is absolute in His Kingdom, because it is set down for all to see in the Bible, which is the “constitution” of the Kingdom of The Most High Yah. The King has decreed that adultery is a sin. This is recorded in the “constitution” in Article Exodus, Section 20, Subsection 14: “You shall not commit adultery,” and Article Leviticus, Section 18, Subsection 20: “Do not have sexual relations with your neighbor’s wife and defile yourself with her.” These decrees, and others like them, are stronger than stone because they are the words of the King. His Word is law and will never change.




If we claim to be living the Kingdom life, we cannot constantly be forming our own little groups to advance our own opinions or to challenge the Word of the King. As law, His Word is non-negotiable and immutable. We run into problems every time we try to carry our democratic mentality over into Kingdom life.




A LESSON FROM A MAN NAMED JOB




We would all do well to take a lesson from Job. A man greatly blessed by The Most High Yah in family and wealth, Job lost everything after The Most High Yah allowed Hasatan to test his faith. Through much travail and suffering, including the worthless advice of some well-meaning friends, Job desired to debate The Most High Yah because he believed he was being treated unfairly.




That’s when The Most High Yah stepped in to remind Job of his place and of the nature of their relationship:




THEN Yahuah answered Iyov out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now your loins like a man; for I will demand of you, and answer me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if you have understanding. Who has laid the measures thereof, if you know? or who has stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of Elohiym shouted for joy? IYOV (JOB) 38:1-7 את CEPHER




Here begins a dizzying barrage of questions that The Most High Yah puts to Job, running for four chapters and leaving him (and us) in no doubt regarding who is in charge. By the time it was all over, Job had changed his mind. He gained an entirely new attitude and a much humbler outlook:




THEN Iyov answered Yahuah, and said, I know that you can do everything, and that no thought can be withheld from you. Who is he that hides counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech you, and I will speak: I will demand of you, and declare you unto me. I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear: but now my eye sees you. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. IYOV (JOB) 42:1-6 את CEPHER.




Job repented. He had a change of mindset that changed everything else. He began to see his life from a Kingdom perspective. We need to come to the same place and realize that we cannot fool around with The Most High Yah. He is the King, not the president. We did not vote Him in, and we cannot vote Him out. We need to lay aside our democratic mindset and start thinking like Kingdom citizens.




RETHINKING THE END TIMES




A vital part of healthy Kingdom thinking is having a clear and proper understanding of what Scripture says concerning the return of Hamachiach and other apocalyptic themes. This is important because as Kingdom citizens we have a critical role in preparing for Hamachiach’s return. There is a lot of confusion and misinformation in the church on the issue of the end times. We have a responsibility to be well informed, based on what the Word of The Most High Yah actually says, and we must avoid at all cost the speculations and interpretations of today’s prophecy teachers.




One day Yahusha’ disciples put to Him a question that people throughout the ages have pondered:




And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the Talmidiym came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world? And Yahusha answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Mashiach; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because the transgression of the Torah shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this Besorah of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 24:3-14 את CEPHER.










WHEN WILL THE END COME?




This question seems to interest everyone, believers and nonbelievers alike. This passage from chapter 24 of the Gospel of Matthew is one of the favorite scriptures for those who are seeking information on the end times. It speaks of wars and rumors of wars, famine, earthquakes, false prophets, tribulation, hardship, and the increase of evil in the earth. Many preachers and teachers cite these events and point to current-day examples, and then proclaim, “The end is near! Do you see all these things happening around us?”




We need to be cautious and discerning when it comes to prophecies such as these and the people who proclaim them. Our generation is not unique; prophecy teachers have been around for centuries. Many of them are legitimate and are careful students of the Scriptures, but many others study the Word of The Most High Yah just enough to be frightening. They see “signs of the times” in every event, large or small. You hear them say: “Do you remember that earthquake in India? That means Hamachiach is returning soon!” “The The Most High said there would be pestilence and epidemics in the last days. With the scourge of AIDS spreading to so many people around the world, we know that Yahusha’ return is just around the corner.”




What these teachers often fail to mention and many believers fail to see are Yahusha’ cautionary words in these verses. He says there will be “wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” Famines and earthquakes are merely “the beginning of birth pains.”




The real key to understanding the timing of the return of Hamachiach and the end of all things is verse 14:




And this Besorah of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 24:14 את CEPHER.




The sign of the end of the age will be this: the preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom throughout the world. This verse reveals the timing of Yahusha’ return, but not the hour. It is quite clear that the “hour” is known only by the Father. Yahusha Himself said, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the messengers in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matt. 24:36). The end will come when the gospel of the Kingdom is preached “in the whole world as a testimony to all nations.” The Greek word ethnos (nations) refers to every people group, every culture, every race, every tribe, every tongue, every political system, and every national state. After the gospel of the Kingdom is preached to all of these, then the end will come.




Who will do this? The answer cuts to the very heart of our dominion mandate. It is we, the believers and followers of Hamachiach and the citizens of The Most High Yah’s Kingdom, who bear the responsibility of proclaiming the gospel to the world. That is the commission that Yahusha charged us with when He commanded, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Ruach HaQadesh, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20a). When will Yahusha return and the end come? When our commission is fulfilled. The specific hour of His return is in The Most High Yah’s hands, but the general timing of it is in ours.




It is sad that we have spent so much time speculating on the hour of the return and so very little time on fulfilling the real sign that will usher in His return.




A KINGDOM KEY—PREACH THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM




If Yahusha has not yet returned, it is because our commission to preach the gospel and make disciples in all the world has not yet been fulfilled. How many churches today are actively and conscientiously preaching the gospel of the Kingdom? They preach prosperity, they preach healing, they preach faith, they preach deliverance, they preach tongues, but how many preach the Kingdom of The Most High Yah? Not just any message will do. These are all legitimate themes but they are secondary when compared to the proclamation of the message of the Kingdom. Yahusha will return only when the message of the Kingdom has been proclaimed in all the earth, and that proclamation is the Church’s responsibility.




Generally speaking, the Church as a whole has fallen down on this responsibility. All we have to do is look around us to know this is true. Why do we have so many Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Shintoists, Scientologists, animists, atheists, and all of the other “ists” futilely searching for The Most High Yah? Why are there so many people who go through life with little or no knowledge of His Kingdom and what it can mean to them? It’s because the Church hasn’t done its job.




The Most High Yah knows what every person on earth needs and is looking for, even when we do not. The possibility of their salvation is contained in the Kingdom message. Throughout His earthly ministry, Yahusha focused on preaching and teaching about the Kingdom:




And Yahusha went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Besorah of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then said he unto his Talmidiym, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore Yahuah of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest. MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 9:35-38 את CEPHER.




WHERE ARE THE WORKERS?




Yahusha said that the harvest is plentiful. There is an abundant crop ripe and ready for the harvester’s sickle. He was surrounded and followed everywhere by crowds of people who were “harassed and helpless,” people who were wandering without hope or direction, people who were ripe for picking.




What was true in Yahusha’ day 2,000 years ago is still true in our day. Our world is filled with people searching for the truth, yearning for The Most High Yah, and stumbling in a gloom of spiritual darkness. There is nothing “wrong” with these people; they are still ripe for the picking. Whether they realize it or not, people want to get picked. Everyone wants to know that life has meaning and purpose and that they have a heavenly Father who loves and cares for them. We don’t have to “ripen” a Buddhist or a Hindu or a Muslim or anyone else for the harvest. They are already ripe, and have been for 2,000 years.




The problem lies not with the readiness of the harvest, but with the availability of harvesters. When Yahusha said, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few,” He was talking not only about quantity of workers, but quality of workers as well. A twofold problem exists: many believers who should be working in the harvest field are not, and many of those who are working are not doing a very good job. The entire world is ripe for the Kingdom of The Most High Yah, but we who are the citizens and representatives of that Kingdom are failing in our responsibility to bring in the harvest.




And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, MARQUS (MARK) 3:14 את CEPHER.




There is a time to sit at the feet of Yahusha and enjoy His presence but there is also a time when we are sent out to preach this gospel of the Kingdom. Now is that time.




Many people who come into the Kingdom mindset to get saved because they want “fire insurance.” They want to make sure they don’t go to hell. That’s why we see so many backsliders, or spiritual dropouts. Someone gets afraid of the fire and comes to a meeting where a preacher tells him how to avoid hell by turning to Hamachiach. Out of fear he runs to the front of the church, confesses his sins, accepts Yahusha, gets his fire insurance policy, and calls it “salvation.” After a couple of months he eventually becomes bored, frustrated, and depressed with this new “religion” thing and ends up going back into the world. Why? Because the world promises the very thing he expected to find in the Church but what the Church failed to deliver: power for living. The Kingdom of The Most High Yah is all about power, but many believers and others miss it because few churches truly teach it.




All of us want power in our lives. We all like to be in control. That is why we resist people’s attempt to dominate us. It is why we hate to owe people money, because whoever we are indebted to controls us. We are looking for the power to control our circumstances. Humanity’s quest for power is what makes the message of the Kingdom so appealing. The Kingdom of The Most High Yah represents power.




During His earthly ministry, thousands of people from all walks of life were attracted to Yahusha—drawn to Him— because everything about Him spoke “power.” He demonstrated power over sickness, power over nature, power over death, and power over sin. Everyone came to Him—rich, poor, it did not matter—because they felt powerless in their circumstances. Each one, in his or her own way, was looking for the Kingdom.




NICK AT NIGHT




Nicodemus, a respected Hebrew religious leader, came to Yahusha seeking the Kingdom. Yahusha told him that he needed to be “born again” (see John 3:3). A rich young ruler came to Yahusha seeking the Kingdom: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). He had money, but something was missing in his life. Yahusha replied that he should give his wealth to the poor and “come, follow Me” (Mark 10:21). A Samaritan woman who had been through five husbands did not even know she was looking for the Kingdom until she met Yahusha while drawing water from a well outside her village. There He told her of “living water” that He could give her that would satisfy her thirst forever and become “a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:10,14). She replied, “Sir, give me this water...” (John 4:15). In other words, she was asking, “How do I get into this Kingdom?”




People everywhere are looking for the Kingdom, even if they don’t recognize it by that name. That is why the harvest is ready. All they need is for someone to show them the way.

People are not looking for religion; they are looking for power, and the Kingdom offers power. The Kingdom represents the dominion we lost when Adam and Eve fell, and our nature drives us forward in a constant attempt to restore it. The harvest is ready. If we preach the gospel of the Kingdom of The Most High Yah, people will respond.




BALANCING LIFE, WHILE LIVING IN TWO KINGDOMS




Yahusha began His public ministry with the words, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matt. 4:17). As believers we face the daily challenge of living in two kingdoms at once: the Kingdom of heaven, where our citizenship lies, and the kingdom of this world, where we currently reside. The fact that these two kingdoms are often in conflict adds to the challenge.




As always, we should look to Yahusha for an example of how to balance life in two kingdoms. One day, some of the Jewish religious leaders who opposed Yahusha sought to trap Him with a question. It was a seemingly simple question that nevertheless could have backed Yahusha into a corner had He not clearly understood the two-kingdom reality and the relationship between them.




Then went the Parashiym, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their Talmidiym with the Herodians, saying, Rabbi, we know that you are true, and teach the Way of Elohiym in truth, neither care you for any man: for you regard not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What do you think? Does the Torah instruct us to give tribute unto Qeycar, or not? But Yahusha perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he said unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?They say unto him, Qeycar's. Then says he unto them, Render את therefore unto Qeycar the things which are Qeycar's; and את unto Elohiym the things that are Elohiym's. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 22:15-22 את CEPHER.




HAVING THE IMAGE OF A KING




Yahusha’ answer to His enemies’ question was simple yet contained profound truth. As a Kingdom man, Yahusha recognized that all governmental systems have legitimate claims and demands of their citizens. He simply said that we should give each kingdom its due. Every earthly kingdom has its own tax system. Because the coin used for paying the tax to Rome bore Caesar’s picture, it meant that Caesar claimed it as his own. He was the king, and he was simply calling for that which was his. Whatever bore Caesar’s image belonged to Caesar.




In the same manner, whatever bears The Most High Yah’s image belongs to The Most High Yah. As beings created in the image of The Most High Yah, we belong to The Most High Yah, and He can claim us in a way no earthly kingdom can. The human leaders of the nation where we live and work and hold our citizenship may make legitimate claims on our time, our money, and our labor, but they have no claim on our character. We bear a deeper image and answer to a higher claim because we belong to The Most High Yah.




If “Caesar” asks for our money, we should give it because paying taxes is one responsibility of citizens of a free country, but if he asks for our first allegiance, that is where we have to draw the line.




DANIEL AND THE KINGDOM




In the Old Testament, no one wrote more about the Kingdom than Daniel. Although a Hebrew exile, Daniel was also an important and high ranking government official in the Babylonian empire. At the same time, he was a problem for the government because he understood Kingdom principles.




Once, Daniel ended up in a den of lions for refusing to obey the king’s decree. The king demanded that the people pray exclusively to him for 30 days. Because Daniel worshiped and served The Most High Yah, he defied the king’s order and was thrown to the lions as a result. The Most High Yah preserved his life by shutting the lions’ mouths, and Daniel lived to serve his king for many more years. When the king overstepped his authority and demanded of Daniel an allegiance that was rightly due to The Most High Yah alone, Daniel quietly but deliberately refused. By his actions Daniel was saying to the king, “You command my time, my money, my labor, and, in matters of state, my allegiance, but you do not command my soul. My soul is stamped with a deeper image, the image of One who demands of me the highest allegiance of all.”




THREE HEBREWS AND THE KINGDOM




Daniel also wrote of three other Hebrew exiles who, like himself, were government officials and who also understood and obeyed Kingdom principles. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego steadfastly refused the king’s order to bow down and worship an idol he had set up. As a result, they were cast into a blazing furnace that was so hot that it killed the men who threw them in. The Most High Yah protected them and delivered them safely from the flames, and they continued to serve Him and their king for many years (see Dan. 3). Their testimony was the same as Daniel’s: In matters of the spirit, The Most High Yah demands undivided allegiance.




YOU AND THE KINGDOM




You may work in an office, and perhaps your boss comes to you asking you to do something that you know is not right. It may be unethical or even illegal. What should you do? If you are committed to Kingdom principles, you should respectfully but firmly remind your boss that although he can make demands of your time and your labor while you are on the job, he cannot make demands on your character. He may own the paper, the pencils, the paper clips, the computer, and even the company, but he does not own you. Stand up for what is right even if it puts your job at risk. Once you sell your character and integrity for the sake of your job, then your boss will own you. Remember that you have a deeper image on you and answer to a higher authority because you belong to another Kingdom.




Such is the challenge of living in two kingdoms. Each makes demands on us every day that require choices on our part. As long as those demands do not conflict, everything is OK. It is during the time when conflict arises that we show what we really believe and where our allegiance truly lies.




CHAPTER THREE PRINCIPLES

As ambassadors of Hamachiach, we represent our Father’s Kingdom on earth.

We cannot be effective citizens of the Kingdom of The Most High Yah and continue to think democratically.

Right thinking always precedes right acting.

We need to lay aside our democratic mindset and start thinking like Kingdom citizens.

The end will come when the gospel of the Kingdom has been preached throughout the world.

The specific hour of Hamachiach’s return is in The Most High Yah’s hands, but the general timing of it is in ours.

The problem lies not with the readiness of the harvest but with the availability of harvesters.

The Kingdom of The Most High Yah represents power.

People everywhere are looking for the Kingdom,

even if they don’t recognize it by that name.

As beings created in the image of The Most High Yah, we belong to The Most High Yah, and He can claim us in a way no earthly kingdom can.

In matters of the spirit, The Most High Yah demands undivided allegiance.