The Kingdom of God's dear Son

We are now in the Spiritual Kingdom of God's dear Son Jesus Christ!

Colossians 1:12-13 (KJV)

12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

The Father has made us fit (meet) to be inheritors of the saints. When we became born again we were delivered from darkness by the Father and translated into the kingdom of His dear Son. Note the term of endearment used in relation to the Father and Son. This can only be understood to describe a bond between a real Father-Son relationship.

Also, we see a beautiful truth that as Christians we are now (present tense) in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. The word translated in the greek is rendered "methistemi" (Strongs 3179) and means "to transpose, transfer, remove from one place to another".

We were once subjects of satan's kingdom, even if just nominal subjects, however the Son of God bound and spoiled the strong man's house by defeating death. The Father then called us who are saints out of satan's kingdom of darkness into the marvelous light of His dear Son's Kingdom.

 Matthew 12:28-30 (KJV)

28But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.29Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.30He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

The above verse notes how Jehoshua Messiah bound satan and brought Jehovah's Kingdom at His first advent.

Revelation 1:18 (KJV)

18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Risen from the dead, the Messiah had authority over the forces of death.

Revelation 5:5 (KJV)

5And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Here we see that Jehoshua has conquered the world (prevailed, which is the same word as overcome). The greek word for prevailed and overcome is "nikao" (Strongs 3528) and means "overcome, conquer, prevail, to get the victory, to carry off the victory".

John 16:33 (KJV)

33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Jehoshua overcame the world as he obediently went to the cross and died for our transgressions, and then was  raised up the third day by the Father and ascended to heaven 40 days later where he cast out satan and the fallen angels.

Revelation 12:7-9 (KJV)

7And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,8And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

The immediate context of this passage is the ascension of the Messiah and His enthronement on the right hand of the Majesty on high. The Son of God now reigns as King of His Church on earth. The Church on earth is the Spiritual Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah. We await entrance the physical Kingdom of God and Messiah however we are now in their Spiritual Kingdom.

The war of the angels shows the effect of the Son of God's exaltation upon satan and his forces. Jehoshua's atoning death redeemed His people from sin and His presence in heaven answers all charges against them.

Romans 8:33-34 (KJV)

33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

The Messiah's intercession for us as High Priest blots out our transgressions done after the cross. Jehoshua's death and resurrection and ascension gave Him the legal right to be our High Preist. Satan's accusations are now baseless against the elect as it is Jehovah God that justifieth us.

1John Chapter 2

1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

We are exhorted by John not to sin and he also reminds us that if we do sin that we have the Son of God as advocate with the Father.

John 12 :31 (KJV)

31Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.32And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.33This he said, signifying what death he should die.

The death, resurrection and ascension of Christ facilitated the casting out of satan from heaven. Christ resurrection spoiled satan of subjects for his kingdom as it was Christ's resurrection that drew all men to Himself as the Father called those who He predestined to be delivered from darkness into the Kingdom of His dear Son. Remember, before the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ, the gospel went out primarily to the lost sheep of Israel however it was long after the ascension of Christ that the gospel went out to the uttermost parts of the earth.

John 16:7-11 (KJV)

7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:9Of sin, because they believe not on me;10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

The last verse is what I want to highlight, "of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged". Do you see this beautiful truth, satan has already been judged. Although satan may be the god of this world, our God is Jehoshua and we are now loyal subjects of His Kingdom. Satan has been judged unfit and his sentence to death in the Lake of Fire is sure.

Revelation 2:7 (KJV)

.7He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

The Son of God exhorts us to overcome satan's kingdom (the world) so that we have entrance into paradise.

Colossians 2:14-15 (KJV)

14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Jehoshua spoiled the principalities of darkness and triumphed over them at the cross of calvary. The Messiah's death conquered the spiritual powers of evil. He made a shew of them openly. Jehoshua's death was a public showing of the defeat of satan and the powers of evil, exposing and disgracing them before all. It was the The Son of God's death on the cross and subsequent resurrection that drew all men into His Kingdom at the calling of the Father.

Hebrews 2:14-15 (KJV)

14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Jehoshua's death on the cross destroyed the power that satan had over those who all their lives were subject to the bondage of sin. The Messiah's death provides the means by which we can be delivered from satan's kingdom (this world) to the Kingdom of the Son of God. That's how significant the cross is, it is the very means by which satan's grip on death was destroyed. All men and women everywhere now have the right to the free gift of salvation and eternal life and thereby entrance into the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah.

2 Peter 2:4 (KJV)

.4For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

Jehoshua has judged and limits satan's forces.

Jude 6 (KJV)

6And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

Satan and his brigade of angels are being reserved for the final judgement of the great day at the end of the millennium.

Romans 8:28-32 (KJV)

28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

This is one of my favorite bible passages, we as Christians have been called according to God's purpose. The word "called" comes from the Greek word "kletos" (Strongs 2822) and means "called, invited, divinely selected and appointed"

We as Christians have been divinely selected and appointed by Jehovah God to His purpose and will.

In verse 29 it says that whom Jehovah "foreknew" which comes from the Greek word "proginosko" (Strongs 6267) and means "to have foreknowledge beforehand, foreordain, know before, of those whom God elected to salvation, to predestinate."

We who have accepted Jesus as the Son of God were foreordained and predestined by the Father to be conformed to the image of His Son. It is the God the Father who initiates the salvation process not us. It is important to always remember that. Jehovah God predestinated us to the restoration of the image of His Son in us. Adam and Eve had the image of God and His Son in them before the fall and then it was lost. While there were men and women of faith in the old testament times that had the image of God and His Son in them, the full restoration would not be realized until the first advent of Christ and his subsequent life, death, resurrection and ascension.

Verse 30, so those who the Father predestinated he called (invited, divinely selected and appointed). Predestinated comes from the Greek word "proorizo" (Strongs 4309) and means "predestinate, ordain, determine before, predetermine, decide beforehand, appoint beforehand."

Those whom he called (divinely appointed beforehand) He justified. This passage proves that it is God and His Son alone that get the glory for our salvation and that it is nothing of ourselves. The Father initiates the process of salvation by choosing and calling us and His Son is the means, through His death on the cross, by which salvation is obtained. How are we justified? By confessing and having faith that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 4:15, 1 John 5:4-5, Acts 8:37).

The word "justified" comes from the Greek word "dikaioo" (Strongs 1344) and means "be freed, justifier, be righteous, to render righteous, to declare, pronounce, one to be just or righteous, to show, exhibit one to be righteous."

When we heed the divinely appointed calling of the Father and confess and have faith that Jesus is His Son we are rendered righteous by Him without having done any works.

Those who are justified by faith in the Son of God are also glorified by the Father. The word glorified comes from the Greek word "doxazo" (Strongs 1392) and means "glorify, honour, magnify, make glorious, full of glory, to celebrate, to cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged, clothe with splendor."

Do you realize this applies to us as the saints of the Most High? God the Father has glorified us by rendering us righteous (Justification) and glorifying us by clothing us with splendor in the righteousness of His Son's pure spotless garments. The Father bestows honour upon us as a result of the free gift of salvation. This glorification happens at our born again experience and then ultimately again at the second advent of Christ.

Verse 31, we can now have confidence, because of the work of the Father's divine predestination of us, that no one can be against us and prosper in their attacks of us as we have the Almighty Jehovah that is for us. The Father is on our team and any attacks from satan or the subjects of his kingdom  (whether angels or wicked unbelievers) don't stand a chance.

Verse 32, How much does God love us? He spared not His literal only begotten Son so that we can have eternal life. If the Father did this for us how, shall He not give us freely all things according to His will?

Many false teachers deny the beautiful record that God gave of His Son and say that the Father-Son relationship between Jehovah and His Son Jehoshua is a metaphor. I leave you this passage:

1 John 5:9-15 (KJV)

9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.10He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:15And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Righteousness by Faith in the Son of God

Jude 24-25 (KJV)

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

These are the last two verses of the bible before the book of Revelation. This is significant because as the events of the last days unfold it will be Righteousness by faith that will keep the saints from falling. The three angels messages are about Righteousness by faith. Let's read from the pen of Jehovah's messenger:

"Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel's message, and I have answered, “It is the third angel's message in verity.” The prophet declares, “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.” Brightness, glory, and power are to be connected with the third angel's message, and conviction will follow wherever it is preached in demonstration of the Spirit. How will any of our brethren know when this light shall come to the people of God? As yet, we certainly have not seen the light that answers to this description. God has light for his people, and all who will accept it will see the sinfulness of remaining in a lukewarm condition; they will heed the counsel of the True Witness when he says, “Be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

The Church is presented as standing in a self-satisfied, pleased, proud, independent position, ignorant of her destitution and wretchedness. By her attitude she says, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” How many who claim to be keeping the commandments of God are in this position today! The charge against the Church is, “Thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot.” But while many may be satisfied with their lukewarm condition, the Lord is far from pleased, and declares that unless you are zealous and repent, he will spue you out of his mouth. But he warns you, he entreats you. He says, “Thou knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.”

The gold that Jesus would have us buy of him is gold tried in the fire; it is the gold of faith and love, that has no defiling substance mingled with it. The white raiment is the righteousness of Christ, the wedding garment which Christ alone can give. The eye-salve is the true spiritual discernment that is so wanting among us, for spiritual things must be spiritually discerned.

To our brethren who are standing in this self-confident, self-satisfied position, who talk and act as if there was no need of more light, we want to say that the Laodicean message is applicable to you. Many professed Christians are without Christ because they refuse to weave his principles of truth into their life. The word of God declares, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.”  [EGW, RH April 1, 1890]

Ellen White confirms as she was led and filled by the indwelling Jehovah that the message of Righteousness (Justification) by faith had the same purpose and focus as the three angels messages. Righteousness by faith is central the everlasting gospel (Three Angels messages).

There are many counterfeit gospels out there in the world of Christendom. One of the big ones is that we can't stop sinning. This teaching pervades most of Christendom and has even crept into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. What does the bible teach regarding this?

Going back to Jude 24-25, we are told that Jesus Christ can keep us from falling  and present us faultless before the presence of the Father's glory.

Isn't this what the High Priest ministration of Jesus Christ all about? Blotting out our transgressions and presenting us to His Father as righteous saints. As our walk with Christ enters into the most holy place by keeping the commandments, we then can be presented as blameless to the Father. Many will scoff at the idea of being blameless and consider it an impossibility but what does scripture say?

Luke 1:5-6 (KJV)

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Do you see this? These two verses alone destroy the idea that we can't stop sinning and that we can't be blameless before Jehovah. Both Elisabeth and Zacharias walked in ALL the commandments and ordinances of Jehovah. The False Protestant denominations teach contrary to this verse and tell Christians that they are doomed to a life of falling over and over again. This is what the bible calls false doctrine.

Of course, we cannot keep the commandments in our own strength. However, we have a hope that is rich that will lead us to living a life of righteousness.

Colossians 1:27 (KJV)

27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

It is Christ in us that is our hope for leading a victorious life. Only by the indwelling Son of God can we overcome the world. Overcoming is a requirement to inherit the Kingdom of Jehovah.

Matthew 24:13 (KJV)

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Revelation 2:7 (KJV)

7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Revelation 2:11 (KJV)

11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Revelation 2:17 (KJV)

17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Revelation 2:26-29 (KJV)

26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

28 And I will give him the morning star.

29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:4-5 (KJV)

4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 3:11-13 (KJV)

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 3:21-22 (KJV)

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Only overcomers will be allowed in the kingdom of Jehovah God. Jesus says that we must keep His works. Jesus also says that those who keep the commandments will have entry into paradise.

Revelation 22:14 (KJV)

14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

This passage above mirrors Revelation 2:7 where it says if we overcome we will eat of the tree of life in the paradise of God. In Revelation 3:21 Jesus said that we must overcome the way He did in order to sit with Him on His throne in the millennium. If we overcome we will be given the right to judge the world.

Revelation 14:12 (KJV)

12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

The last verse of the three angels messages says that the saints will have the faith of Jesus. There is no way around it, without the faith of Jesus we cannot overcome which means we will be found wanting in the judgement hour. The faith of Jesus is the only way we can overcome.

The faith of Jesus that we must have is that He is truly the literal Son of God.

1 John 5:5 (KJV)

5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Matthew 16:13-20 (KJV)

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

We can see from above that only those who believe in the literal Sonship of Christ will overcome and not be swallowed up by the gates of the grave.

We can't get around the simple beautiful truth that in order to have Righteousness by faith you have to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Not a role playing Son of God but the real only begotten (only born, brought forth) Son of God.

Many in Christendom deny the literal Sonship of Christ thereby they disqualify themselves from Righteousness by faith.

1 John 5:9-13 (KJV)

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

How important is it to believe in the literal Sonship of Christ? We'll, it's eternal life!!! He that hath the Son hath life. There is absolutely not one scripture that even hints that Jesus Sonship is metaphorical. If we believe that Jesus is the Son of God we have witness in ourselves and we acknowledge the record that God gave of his Son.

We are to believe on the name of the Son of God to have eternal life. Nowwhere in the bible does it say eternal life is in a trinity god. Rather eternal life is believing that the Father is the one true God and Jesus Christ is His Son (John 17:3).

Now back to Colossians 1:27, only by the Son of God living in us can we overcome. Without the indwelling Christ we have no hope. With Him in us we have hope to overcome the world and it's temptations. When we try to overcome by our own strength we will quickly lose hope as we cannot possibly do it. Look at what the author of Hebrews says concerning faith:

Hebrews 12:1-2 (KJV)

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Remember, the passage above comes right after Chapter 11 which is known as the Hall of Faith. The author tells us to lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us. It requires faith to do this as noted in Chapter 11. How do we do exercise the faith to lay aside every weight and the sin so easily besets us? It's actually so simple but something most Christians struggle to do. The writer of Hebrews tells us:

"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith"

When we focus on our problems and on the sins that so easily beset us then it is impossible to live a righteous life. It's only by looking to Jesus that we can overcome and run the race set before us with patience. This is where many Christians fall. When they struggle with sin instead of looking up at Christ, they focus more on the actual sin they are struggling with. By doing this, they make their sin an almost insurmountable mountain. Yet if they would put their eyes on the Son of God and His righteousness by beholding they would become righteous as well.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)

18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

This scripture in 2 Corinthians is powerful and confirms what the author of Hebrews says, that only by beholding the glory of Jehovah can we be changed into the same image (likeness or resemblance). Glass means "to see reflected, to mirror oneself, behold as in a glass (Greek word Katoptrizomai).

We are predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ who is our Jehovah. That means that God the Father foreknew that He would call us to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ. In this process He conforms us to the image of His Son as He appointed us to this transformation of character. However, it is only by looking to Jesus that we become conformed to His image meaning His resemblance and likeness. Isn't this beautiful!!! It is the Father who calls us and He also foreknew that He would call us and not only that He predestined (appointed beforehand) us to be conformed to His Son's image. This is all about having the character of Christ. Without the Son of God's character in us we cannot see the kingdom of God nor can we live a righteous life.

Romans 8:28-29 (KJV)

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Only be beholding the Son of God and the Father can we be transformed and live righteous lives. When we put our focus on anything else we will fall. Satan wants us to focus on people and problems and not to look to the author and finisher of our faith.

Romans 4:1-25 KJV

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? [2] For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. [3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. [4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. [5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. [6] Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, [7] Saying , Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. [9] Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only , or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. [10] How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. [11] And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: [12] And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. [13] For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. [14] For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: [15] Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. [16] Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, [17] (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. [18] Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. [19] And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: [20] He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; [21] And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. [22] And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. [23] Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; [24] But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; [25] Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Righteousness by faith is an old testament doctrine. We see here that Abraham wasn't justified by works but rather by faith (verse 3) and it was credited to him for righteousness. When we try to work for our salvation, our reward is actually debt. Why is this? Because we are trusting in our own merits rather than the merits of Christ. It is actually a slap in the face to what Christ did on the cross when we try and work for our salvation. After coming to salvation in Christ, we then labour because we have faith and are accounted righteous not because we are trying to earn it.

In verse 5, it says that those who believe on Jehovah and that He justifies the ungodly, that their faith is counted for righteousness. This is a powerful verse, it's that simple!

The greek word for believeth is "pisteuo" and means "to have faith in (in, upon or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well being to Christ): - believe, commit (to trust), put in trust with. To be persuaded of, place confidence in of the thing believed. Have confidence in a moral or religious reference.

Belief in the context of this passage isn't just a mental ascent in knowledge but rather having full confidence in the thing or person you say you believe. When we have this belief in Jehovah even without doing any works, He credits righteousness to our faith.

The greek word for counted is logizomai and means "imputed, estimate, conclude, number, reason, reckon, suppose."

Jehovah imputes righteousness to us when we have faith in Him as One who justifies the ungodly. Righteousness is reckoned to our account and nothing we did as far as works go earned it. It is a free gift. We have a clean slate without having done any works. Why is this so important to Jehovah that we have belief in Him rather than trying to earn righteousness? Because when people think they can earn righteousness, it results in a trust in the flesh and in their own goodness rather than the goodness of God.

Even keeping the commandments do not earn us righteousness. Keeping the commandments is a fruit of true righteousness. Abraham was righteous by faith however he also kept the commandments:

Genesis 26:4-5 (KJV)

4And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;5Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

Do you see that because Abraham obeyed and kept the commandments of Jehovah that he was given the promise to be the Father of many nations and that his seed would be blessed. Faith came first as Abraham was deemed righteousness without works. Abraham's faith produced obedience to God's commandments. The passage below in Hebrews 11 confirms this.

Hebrews 11:8-11 (KJV)

8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God

Think of it this way,  as children of our earthly parents (in the ideal healthy family), we do not have to earn their love however that doesn't mean we don't obey their rules. Our parents love us without having done anything to earn it, yet that doesn't give us a free pass to disobey them.

Jehovah loves us without us having done anything to earn it, yet He has commandments for us to follow and when we disobey them it displeases our heavenly Father.

Verse 6-8 of Romans 4, David, a man after Jehovah's own heart spoke of righteousness by faith.

Psalm 32:1-2 (ASV)

1Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.2Blessed is the man unto whom Jehovah imputeth not iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no guile

The hebrew word for imputeth has roughly the same meaning that it does in the greek. David says here that those who have their sins forgiven by Jehovah are reckoned and accounted righteous by Him. This is without any works of the law being done. When we come to the throne of grace to ask forgiveness of sins, it is faith that Jehovah will forgive us that accounts us forgiven and thereby righteous. Nothing we do can earn us forgiveness other than having faith that our Heavenly Father is merciful to forgive us our iniquities when we confess them.

Trying to earn forgiveness actually shows a lack of faith in God. When we try to earn forgiveness we are relying on our own merits rather than the merits of Christ. Without faith it is impossible to please God. One must believe in the mercy snd forgiveness of our Father in heaven to please Him. That's how we obtain righteousness, when we exercise faith that Jehovah is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

Verse 9 of Romans 4, Paul makes it clear that the blessedness of righteousness by faith came not only upon the jews but also the gentiles. Abraham before being circumcised was reckoned righteous due to having faith. This goes to show that without having ever kept the law, when we come to faith in Christ as the Son of God we are deemed righteous by Jehovah God. The question today is, do we believe Jehovah that Jesus is His only begotten Son?  No law keeping can impute to us this righteousness. Keeping the commandments is a fruit of righteousness by faith not the other way around. Let's look at Genesis 15:6 where Abraham was deemed righteous:

Genesis 15:6 (ASV)

1After these things the word of Jehovah came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, [and] thy exceeding great reward.2And Abram said, O Lord Jehovah, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and he that shall be possessor of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?3And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.4And, behold, the word of Jehovah came unto him, saying, This man shall not be thine heir; But he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.5And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and number the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.6And he believed in Jehovah; and he reckoned it to him for righteousness.

The hebrew word for "believed" is "aman" (Strongs 539) and means "to render firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain, assurance, bring up, establish, be faithful (of long continuance, stedfast, sure, surely, trusty, verified), trust, turn to the right."

The word believe in Hebrew and Greek is not simply a mental ascent in knowledge but rather a full trust in the thing or person that you say you believe in. Abraham had full trust and assurance that Jehovah would fufill exactly what He told Abraham, that his seed would be innumerable as the stars of heaven and that he would be given a heir of his own loins.

Verse 6 of Genesis 15 says that Jehovah counted Abraham's belief/faith as righteousness and imputed this righteousness to his account. Remember,  the true meaning of belief and faith is not a simple acknowledgement by word or thought but rather a long continuance of stedfast trust in the thing or person that you say you believe and have faith in.

Many today in Christendom teach a false definition of faith. This false definition of faith teaches that obedience to Jehovah's commandments isn't necessary. They use Abraham to support their lawless doctrine of pseudo faith. As noted already, Genesis 26:5 shows that Abraham kept Jehovah's commandments. Did Jehovah just leave Abraham off the hook with a faith that only required mental and verbal acknowledgement? Let's look at Genesis 17 for the answer:

Genesis 17:1-14 (ASV)

1And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, Jehovah appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be thou perfect.2And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.3And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,4As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations.5Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for the father of a multitude of nations have I made thee.6And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.7And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.8And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land of thy sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.9And God said unto Abraham, And as for thee, thou shalt keep my covenant, thou, and thy seed after thee throughout their generations. 10This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee: every male among you shall be circumcised.11And ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of a covenant betwixt me and you.12And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any foreigner that is not of thy seed.13He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.14And the uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

Jehovah appeared before Abraham and told him "walk before me and be thou perfect". Faith doesn't end at a mere verbal acknowledgement or mental ascent but true faith results in walking in the commandments of Jehovah God Almighty. Jehovah tells Abraham that He will make a covenant with him conditional on Abraham's obedience.

In verse 7 of Genesis 17, Jehovah tells Abraham that the covenant He is making with him is an everlasting covenant between Himself and Abraham's seed throughout the generations. As Christians, we are the seed of Abraham due to righteousness by faith. This righteousness by faith is in believing that Jehoshua is the Son of God and the Messiah of God (Galatians 3:29, 1 John 4:15, 1 John 5:5, John 3:16). Just as Abraham's faith produced obedience our faith will produce obedience. The seed that came was the Messiah Jehoshua. The Abrahamic covenant was rooted in righteousness by faith. We are now in the Jehoshuaic covenant which is also rooted in righteousness by faith. Physical circumcision was the seal of one's faith in the Abrahamic covenant. Now it is baptism that is the seal of one's faith in the Jehoshuaic covenant. However we are justified by faith prior to being baptized just as those in the Abrahamic covenant were justified by faith prior to being physically circumcised.

This covenant made be Jehovah and Abraham is a covenant of grace and righteousness by faith. This covenant is eternal and those who are Messiah's continue in this covenant of faith and grace (Galatians 3:29).

 Galatians 3:5-7 (KJV)

5He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.7Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

It is those who are of righteous by faith that are Abraham's children. Those who try obtain righteousness by the law are not of faith and are not Abraham's children no matter their ethnicity. This is the problem still plagueing many of the Jews as they are trusting in their law keeping for righteousness instead of faith in the Messiah Jehoshua. All who have faith that Jehoshua is the Son of God are the children of Abraham whether they be Jew or Gentile. Those that don't are not Abraham's children whether they be Jew or Gentile.

Galatians 3:12-16 (KJV)

12And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.15Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.16Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Paul says here that the law is not of faith. Keeping the law without first having fath in Jehoshua as the Son of God avails nothing. Faith must come first without reliance on keeping the law. Trying to keep the law to earn Jehovah's favor doesn't show faith but actually shows that you are relying on your own righteousness and not the righteousness of Christ. We cannot in any way being justified by keeping the law apart from faith. We can however be justified by faith without having kept the law.

Verse 13 of Galatians 3, Jehoshua has redeemed us from the curse of the law which is the instant penalty of breaking it. Jehoshua provides His blood for us so that we have forgiveness of past sins and He now makes provision for us in the most holy place for forgiveness of our future sins. Remember,  sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). Through Jehoshua we find justification from the punishment of breaking the law and  an opportunity to obtain grace.

Verse 14 of Galatians 3, the blessing given to Abraham by Jehovah (Genesis 12:3) was to come on the Gentiles through the Son of God Jehoshua so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. What is it that deems one worthy to receive the Holy Spirit? Is it law keeping? Absolutely not!! Many legalists today strive for outward piety yet demonstrate very little of the fruit of the Spirit. It is faith!! What kind of faith enables one to receive the Spirit of promise? Let's look at 1 John 4:15:

" Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God."

It's that simple, those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God by faith are qualified to receive the Holy Spirit of promise receiving the same blessing given to Abraham.

1 John 5:4-5 (KJV

4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Righteousness by faith is rooted and grounded in the belief that Jesus is the Son of God. Without faith in this divine truth one cannot be righteous by faith. The one who denies the literal Sonship of Christ is not of the seed of Abraham nor receives the blessing given to him by Jehovah nor receives the Holy Spirit of promise.

My study on the feasts part 1

Genesis 1:14 (KJV)

14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

The Hebrew word for seasons is "mow'ed" (Strongs Hebrew 4150) and means "properly an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically a festival;  conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand): - appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synagogue, (set) time (appointed).

We can see from the above definition of seasons (mow'ed) that it refers to Jehovah's appointed times. The purpose of Jehovah establishing lights in the firmament of heaven was to divide the day from the night to be for signs, seasons (appointed times, festivals) and for days and years.

Psalm 104:19 (KJV)

19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.

Jehovah appointed the moon for seasons - the word "moon" is derived from the Hebrew word "chodesh", referring to the new moon crescent. The word "seasons" as noted above is from the Hebrew word "mow'ed" meaning "festival" or "assembly". The new moon crescent was established to mark the old testament feasts (Genesis 1:14, Exodus 12:2, Leviticus 23:4-44).

Genesis 17:21 (KJV)

21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this time set time in the next year.

The phrase "set time" comes from the same Hebrew word that seasons comes from which is "Mow'ed" meaning "appointed time".

Let's see the establishment of the first feast which is the passover and feast of unleavened bread.

Exodus 12 (DNKJB)

12 And Jehovah spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying,

2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.

3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.

5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.

9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.

10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.

11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is Jehovah's passover.

12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am Jehovah.

13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

16 And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.

17 And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.

18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.

19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.

20 Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.

21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.

23 For Jehovah will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, Jehovah will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.

25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which Jehovah will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.

26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?

27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Jehovah's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.

28 And the children of Israel went away, and did as Jehovah had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.

29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the Jehovah smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.

30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve Jehovah, as ye have said.

32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.

33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.

34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.

35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:

36 And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.

38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

Exodus 12:39-51 (KJV)

39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.

40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.

41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of Jehovah went out from the land of Egypt.

42 It is a night to be much observed unto Jehovah for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of Jehovah to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.

43 And Jehovah said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:

44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.

45 A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.

46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.

47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.

48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to Jehovah, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

50 Thus did all the children of Israel; as Jehovah commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.

51 And it came to pass the selfsame day, that Jehovah did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

The Passover memorial and feast unleavened bread were to be celebrated in the first month of the year according to the calendar established by Jehovah. The passover meal was to be celebrated with a lamb without blemish typifying Christ who is spotless the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. On the fourteenth day of the month the Congregation would kill the lamb that they each took according to their household. They were then to eat the lamb with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. They took the blood of the Lamb and put it on their door-posts prior to partaking of the meal.

The blood of the Lamb typified the blood of Christ shed on the cross. The meal was to be partaken on the fourteenth day of the month at even. The Israelites were to eat the meal in haste with their loins girded and their staff in their hand. Verse 11 says that this memorial meal is "Jehovah's Passover". This is a divine institution of Jehovah.

Verse 12, Jehovah passed through the land of Egypt and smote the firstborn, both man and beast. Jehovah executed judgment against the false gods of Egypt.  There was also a trinity god among these false gods. History will repeat itself when Jehovah returns at His second advent and smites Babylon along with it's false trinity god. Jehovah passed over the houses of the Israelites that had put te blood of the Lamb without blemish on their door-posts. In the last days before Jehovah returns, we must have the faith of the Lamb of God to be spared when he does return.

The Jehovah that destroyed the firstborn of the Egyptians was the Son of God. Remember, there are two Jehovah's, one is the Father and one is the Son (Genesis 19:24). The Father doesn't deal directly with humanity since the fall so this Jehovah was likely the preexistent Messiah.

In verse 14, we are told that the passover meal was to be a memorial as a feast to Jehovah throughout the generations. This verse says that we are to keep it as a feast forever.

Are we still to celebrate the passover today in the new covenant? Let's go to the very words of the Lamb of God:

Luke 22:16-20 (DNKJB)

16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of Jehovah.

17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of Jehovah shall come.

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Verse 16 and 18, Jehoshua will not celebrate the passover meal again until the Kingdom of Jehovah come in the city of New Jerusalem.

In verse 19 and verse 20, the Messiah tells His disciples that they are to celebrate the passover in remembrance of Him from henceforth. Clearly we are to still keep the passover meal albeit without a literal lamb as Christ is now our passover lamb. We still eat unleavened bread and drink the unfermented wine (grape juice). Even if we have this memorial meal more than once a year we are still to keep it on the proper memorial day which is the fourteenth day of the first Jewish month.

In regards to the wine being fermented or unfermented courtesy of the Restoration Study Bible from Yahweh's Restoration Ministries:

The fruit of the vine - The word "fruit" comes from the Greek "gennema" and means "the fruit of the earth," referring to the pure blood of the grape (Deuteronomy 32:14). According to Dake's Annotated Reference Bible, "there is no proof that it was fermented and intoxicating, for it is called 'wine' while in the cluster (Isaiah 65:8)". Numerous verses speak of the winepress even though only grapes were put in it. In addition, the OT prohibits all leavening from the passover memorial (Exodus 12:18, Deuteronomy 16:3), and wine has been fermented by yeast.


The shedding of Jehoshua's blood ratified the new covenant. We no longer need to put the blood of a literal lamb on our door-posts as Christ is our passover lamb and shed His blood once for all on the cross of calvary. The unfermented wine represents the blood of our Saviour. The unleavened bread represents His body that was crucified. His blood shed on the cross removed the need for putting blood on our door-posts.

1 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)

7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Backto Exodus 12, we are to keep of passover for ever throughout the generations of the Congregation of Israel which is now a Spiritual Congregation of all who accept Jehoshua as the Son of God. We also keep the passover in the Kingdom of Jehovah in New Jerusalem as told by the Messiah Himself in Luke 22.

Verse 15, following the memorial meal of passover we are to then celebrate the feasts of unleavened bread for seven days, which are bookended by two Sabbaths. The first day of unleavened bread is on the fifteenth day of the first Jewish month. We are to not eat unleavened bread during this feast. Leaven represents sin. During this feast we are to make an examination of ourselves and remove any false doctrine and sin from our lives. We are to do this daily but the feasts is an especially introspective time in which to do this.

Verse 16, the first and seventh days of this feast are High Sabbaths, they are holy convocations. The Hebrew word for "Convocation" is "Mikraw" (Hebrew Strongs 4744) and means "something called out, i.e., a public meeting." We are to gather together with other saints on these holy days.

Galatians 5:9 (KJV)

9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

Even seemingly "small sins" permeate our whole being.

Verse 17, Jehovah tells the Israelites that they are to observe the feast of unleavened bread throughout their generations for ever. Being that the Christian Congregation is the Israel of God this then would apply to us today.

Galatians 6:16 (KJV)

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

James 1:1 (KJV)

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

As we can see from the above two passages, the Nation of Israel was never discontinued nor was a seperate Church ever established. The Nation of Israel that was in the old covenant has continued into the new covenant with a grafting in of Gentiles into the olive tree of Israel. In order to be part of Israel in the new covenant one must accept Jehoshua as the literal Son of Jehovah God. The Jews who rejected the Son of God were cut off from the Israel of Jehovah. The Jews who accepted the Messiah remained a part of the Nation of Israel. A mass of gentiles were then grafted into the olive tree, the Israel of God. Jehoshua Himself said He came to make twain one new man out of Jew and Gentile and to make one sheep fold out of the two sheep folds.

Ephesians 2:15 (KJV)

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

John 10:16 (KJV)

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

As we can see from above, Jesus didn't start a new Church but rather reconciled Jews and Gentiles into one Church that already existed. This one Church goes back to the Nation of Israel in the old covenant. The requirement for the Jews to remain in this Church was that they believed that Jesus was Jehovah's only begotten Son. If they rejected the Messiah, then they were disfellowshipped from the Church so to speak (cast off the olive tree). The Gentiles in order to be grafted into this Church had to confess that Jesus was the Son of Jehovah as well and then they were grafted into this Church.

Numbers 9:1-9 (ASV)

9 And Jehovah spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2 Moreover let the children of Israel keep the passover in its appointed season. 3 In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in its appointed season: according to all the statutes of it, and according to all the ordinances thereof, shall ye keep it. 4 And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover. 5 And they kept the passover in the firstmonth, on the fourteenth day of the month, at even, in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that Jehovah commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.

Appointed season, Mow'ed in the Hebrew (Strongs 4150) "a fixed time or season, specifically a festival. A set time, a feast, assembly, congregation." The Passover is one of Jehovah's appointed feasts. There is a set time for it and it is on the fourteenth day of the first Jewish month. It is to be done at even. Aslo, it is to be done with others as "Mow'ed" also means  "assembly and congregation."

Numbers 9:6-14 (ASV)

 6 And there were certain men, who were unclean by reason of the dead body of a man, so that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day: 7 and those men said unto him, We are unclean by reason of the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer the oblation of Jehovah in its appointed season among the children of Israel? 8 And Moses said unto them, Stay ye, that I may hear what Jehovah will command concerning you.

9 And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, 10 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your generations shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be on a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto Jehovah. 11 In the second month on the fourteenth day at even they shall keep it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs: 12 they shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break a bone thereof: according to all the statute of the passover they shall keep it. 13 But the man that is clean, and is not on a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, that soul shall be cut off from his people; because he offered not the oblation of Jehovah in its appointed season, that man shall bear his sin. 14 And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto Jehovah; according to the statute of the passover, and according to the ordinance thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one statute, both for the sojourner, and for him that is born in the land.

Verse 6-11, There was a provision for those of Israel who couldn't keep the passover at it's appointed time for the reason of uncleanness due to a dead body and being on a long journey. They were allowed to keep it on the fourteenth day of the second month. This allowance shows us that Jehovah is a merciful God and an understanding one. However, other than these two reasons, all were expected to keep the passover at it's appointed time.

Verse 12, "nor break any bone" this was fufilled by Jehoshua the Messiah (John 19:33-36).

Those given provision to keep passover on the fourteenth day of the second month still had to follow all the other ordinances of the passover memorial.

Verse 14, "one ordinance"- The laws regarding passover wereto be applied eqaully between Israelite and stranger. Both required circumcision (i.e., immersed) into Jehoshua's name.

Colossians 2:12 (KJV)

12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Operation "energiah" in the greek (Strongs 1753) and means "efficency, (effectual) working."

Buried with Him in baptism - the act of baptism or immersion symbolizes a burial. The Greek root for "baptism" is baptizo and means, "to submerge or to overwhelm." The act of baptism means dying to the old, sinful nature and rising as a new creation in Messiah (2nd Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15).

 In the new covenant, one must be baptized into Jesus Christ in order to partake of His memorial meal.

Below is a beautiful passage about Jehovah's mercy and grace. Hezekiah sent a decree for Israel to return unto Jehovah and keep the passover and feast of unleavened bread on the second month. Even though it wasn't the first month and not everyone was clean Jehovah honoured their heart

2 Chronicles 30:1-27 (ASV)

1 And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto Jehovah, the God of Israel. 2 For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the assembly in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month. 3 For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves in sufficient number, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem. 4 And the thing was right in the eyes of the king and of all the assembly. 5 So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto Jehovah, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem: for they had not kept it in great numbers in such sort as it is written. 6 So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may return to the remnant that are escaped of you out of the hand of the kings of Assyria. 7 And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, who trespassed against Jehovah, the God of their fathers, so that he gave them up to desolation, as ye see. 8 Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were; but yield yourselves unto Jehovah, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever, and serve Jehovah your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you.

9 For if ye turn again unto Jehovah, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that led them captive, and shall come again into this land: for Jehovah your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.

10 So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them. 11 Nevertheless certain men of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem. 12 Also upon Judah came the hand of God to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by the word of Jehovah.

13 And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great assembly. 14 And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the [d]altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron. 15 Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought burnt-offerings into the house of Jehovah. 16 And they stood in their place after their order, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood which they received of the hand of the Levites. 17 For there were many in the assembly that had not sanctified themselves: therefore the Levites had the charge of killing the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto Jehovah. 18 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it is written. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, The good Jehovah pardon [e]every one19 that setteth his heart to seek God, Jehovah, the God of his fathers, though he be not cleansedaccording to the purification of the sanctuary.20 And Jehovah hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. 21 And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness; and the Levites and the priests praised Jehovah day by day,singing with loud instruments unto Jehovah. 22 And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that had good understanding in the service of Jehovah. So they did eat throughout the feast for the seven days, offering sacrifices of peace-offerings, and [f]making confession to Jehovah, the God of their fathers.

23 And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days; and they kept other seven days with gladness. 24 For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the assembly for offerings a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the assembly a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves. 25 And all the assembly of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the assembly that came out of Israel, and the sojourners that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced. 26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem; for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem. 27 Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy habitation, even unto heaven.

Hezekiah sent a decree for Israel to return to the house of Jehovah to keep the passover and feast of unleavened bread. This passage goes to show that it is our hearts that Jehovah has always. Even though many at this time were not clean and couldn't keep the passover as it was written, Jehovah healed the people as Hezekiah interceded for them as they did eat the passover other than it was written. The power of intercession is seen here as well as the mercy and kindness of the Father.

In verse 6 of this passage, we see that the posts (runner, footman) brought the decree from King Hezekiah and the princes saying: "Ye children of Israel, turn again unto Jehovah God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.

And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against Jehovah God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see."

Notice, that part of returning to Jehovah was keeping His passover memorial meal and the feast of unleavened bread. These were not just times of offering meat, drink and burnt offerings but also divine appointments to worship our Creator and to fellowship with each other.  The sacrifical offerings were part of the worship on these appointed feasts but they didn't encompass all the worship that was offered during these holy convocations.

In verse 6, in the decree from Hezekiah, he tells Israel that if they return unto Jehovah, then He (The Father) will return to the remnant of them that escaped of the land of the Assyrians.

Remember, this decree sent forth from Hezekiah was a call to return to Jehovah God by means of keeping the appointed feasts. Could it be that Jehovah is calling the remnant today to return unto Him by way of keeping His appointed feasts days?

Isn't there a prophecy in Malachi 4 about the last days message of Elijah being a call for the children to turn to the fathers and vice versa?

Malachi 4:1-4 (ASV)

1 For, behold, the day cometh, it burneth as a furnace; and all the proud, and all that work wickedness, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith Jehovah of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I make, saith Jehovah of hosts.

4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, even statutes and ordinances. 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Jehovah come. 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers; lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

In connection with the great andterrible day of Jehovah (second advent of Christ), we are told to REMEMBER THE LAW OF MOSES with statutes and judgments.

The Hebrew word for statutes is "choq" (Strongs Hebrew 2706) and means "an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage): - appointed, bound, commandment, convenient, custom, decree (-d), due, law, measure, necessary, ordinance(-nary), portion, set time, statute, task."

The law of Moses is the Torah, the first five books of the bible. As you can see from the definition of "Statutes" above, one definition of statute is described as a "set time, an appointment" which is exactly what the feasts (Mow'ed) are. More and more Christians are keeping the feasts now,  this is a fufillment of the above end time prophecy of Malachi 4.

King Hezekiah's decree for the remnant at that time, to return unto Jehovah by way of keeping His appointed feast days, is applicable in these last days for God's remnant people.

In verse 6 of Malachi 4, this prophetic statement of returning of the children to their fathers and the fathers to their children has a two fold application of literal restoration of family relationships but also significantly of God's people returning to the teachings of the fathers or patriarchs, which was obedience as taught by Moses and Elijah. The feast days are a part of this restoring of biblical teachings from the patriarchs.

John the Baptist was a partial fufillment of this prophecy and would have been the full fufillment of it had Israel accepted the Messiah. Jehoshua will not return until a restitution of truth has been made.

Where is the millennium? Part 1

Isaiah Chapter 11:1-16 (ASV)

1And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit.2And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah.3And his delight shall be in the fear of Jehovah; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither decide after the hearing of his ears;4but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.5And righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins.6And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.7And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.8And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder`s den.9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea.10And it shall come to pass in that day, that the root of Jesse, that standeth for an ensign of the peoples, unto him shall the nations seek; and his resting-place shall be glorious.11And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord will set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, that shall remain, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.12And he will set up an ensign for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.13The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and they that vex Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.14And they shall fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines on the west; together shall they despoil the children of the east: they shall put forth their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.15And Jehovah will utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his scorching wind will he wave his hand over the River, and will smite it into seven streams, and cause men to march over dryshod.16And there shall be a highway for the remnant of his people, that shall remain, from Assyria; like as there was for Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

The above passage is one of the texts used to support a earthly millennium as we see a time of peace described between animals, animal and man and the knowledge of Jehovah covering the earth. We see the gathering of the remnant of Jehovah's people together and that Jehoshua will be set up as an ensign i.e. a banner, standard, something lifted up and a signal for the nations. We see the reconciliation of Israel as well. There will be a highway for the remnant to Mount Zion.

This passage prophesies of the Messiah's baptism which endowed with the fullness of His Father Jehovah's Spirit. The resulting effect of Jehoshua receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit is judging with righteousness and equity. This was a hallmark of Jehoshua's ministry during his time on earth. Those in the earthly millennium camp will say this passage refers to Jehoshua judging during the millennium.

Of course, the Messiah's righteousness judgment and equity will be apparent during the millennium but where is the millennium? Jehoshua is judging as we speak in the most holy place as the records of the dead and then the living come up the antitypical day of atonement. Jehoshua's judgment is righteous as He was tempted in all points like us and can sympathize with our frailties yet He also knows that we can overcome like He did being that He was on the flesh.

Does this time of peace between man and animal and mankind with each other prove that there will be a 1,000 year utopia on earth?

Isaiah 65:17-25 (ASV)

17For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.18But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.19And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people; and there shall be heard in her no more the voice of weeping and the voice of crying.20There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days; for the child shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner being a hundred years old shall be accursed.21And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.22They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree shall be the days of my people, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.23They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for calamity; for they are the seed of the blessed of Jehovah, and their offspring with them.24And it shall come to pass that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.25The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox; and dust shall be the serpent`s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith Jehovah.

In verse 25, we see the same language as used in Isaiah 11:6 and this does not refer to a millennium but rather the actual new heaven and new earth. Isaiah 65 is clear regarding this and there is no confusion. The new earth and new heaven come after not during the millennium. Remember, the millennium is described in Revelation 20 and the new heaven and new earth is described a chapter later in Revelation 21 which comes about as a result of the conclusion of the millennium. They are not one and the same, the millennium precedes the new heaven and new earth. Isaiah 11 and Isaiah 65 are clearly speaking of how the environment will be for man and animal during the new heaven and new earth not an earthly millennium.

In order to believe in an earthly millennium you have to believe that there will be two renewals of the earth, one after the second advent of the Messiah and another after the final rebellion at the end of the millennium. However, no where in scripture does it speak of two renewals of the earth. Scripture attests to only one renewal of the earth and that is actually at the conclusion of the millennium. This gives us a strong that possibly the millennium is not on earth but somewhere else. What is the state of the earth after the second coming of Jehoshua. Let's go to Isaiah 24 to see:

Isaiah Chapter 24:1-23 (ASV)

1Behold, Jehovah maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.2And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the creditor, so with the debtor; as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of interest to him.3The earth shall be utterly emptied, and utterly laid waste; for Jehovah hath spoken this word.4The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the lofty people of the earth do languish.5The earth also is polluted under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.6Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are found guilty: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.7The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merry-hearted do sigh.8The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.9They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.

10The waste city is broken down; every house is shut up, that no man may come in.11There is a crying in the streets because of the wine; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.12In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.13For thus shall it be in the midst of the earth among the peoples, as the shaking of an olive-tree, as the gleanings when the vintage is done.14These shall lift up their voice, they shall shout; for the majesty of Jehovah they cry aloud from the sea.15Wherefore glorify ye Jehovah in the east, even the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel, in the isles of the sea.16From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs: Glory to the righteous. But I said, I pine away, I pine away, woe is me! the treacherous have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous have dealt very treacherously.17Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.18And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble.19The earth is utterly broken, the earth is rent asunder, the earth is shaken violently.20The earth shall stagger like a drunken man, and shall sway to and fro like a hammock; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it, and it shall fall, and not rise again.21And it shall come to pass in that day, that Jehovah will punish the host of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.22And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison; and after many days shall they be visited.23Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for Jehovah of hosts will reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his elders shall be glory.

Isaiah 24 provides a vivid description of judgments in the last days and the resulting effects thereof. Verse1 makes it clear that Jehovah will make the earth empty and waste. In verse 6, the few men left are the 144,000 who were translated to glory. This eliminates the teaching there will be a great multitude who will be translated at the second advent of our Jehovah. Jehoshua Himself said it will be as the days of Noah (8 people were saved). Even if the 144,000 is a symbolic number the number of men and women alive at the second advent who have the seal of Jehovah will be few especially in comparison to the rest of the world.

“When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)

Pretty sobering words from the Son of God.

Verse 3, again Jehovah declares that the earth will be utterly emptied after He judges the earth with plagues of destruction.

Verse 19, the state of the earth after the plagues will be one where the elements are dissolved and the earth will be utterly broken down. The bible is clear that renewal of the earth doesn't happen until after the millennium. The earth will be  uninhabitable after Jehovah burns it with fire and everything is dissolved, and it is utterly broken down (mountains, hills ,cities). This is why the text says that the earth will be utterly emptied. The inhabitants of the earth at the time of the Messiah's return will be burned with fire and dissolved along with the elements thereof.  Many will die prior to the Messiah's advent due to the plagues.

Verse 22 describes what happens to the law transgressors after the Messiah's advent. They are shut up in the prison i.e. the pit.

The hebrew word for pit is "bowr" and means "a pit hole, cistern, fountain, dungeon, pit, well."

They are prisoners? How can this be if they have just been destroyed? We know that the dead are unconscious after death so they are shut up in the pit i.e. prison of this desolated earth which is described as an abyss when it is without form and void. The description of the earth prior to the work of creation is described as an abyss. After it's destruction at the hands of Jehoshua, the earth will once again bean abyss and without form and void (utterly broken down and emptied and dissolved). The dead bodies of the transgressors destroyed at the time of recompense will not be buried but will be strewn from one end of the earth to the other (verse 1).

After the advent of Jehoshua, the earth will be as one big prison for a period of time. Satan will even be chained to it b ya set of circumstances. The same goes for the wicked who were destroyed during the plagues and burned at the Messiah's return (verse 6). Verse 7 of Revelation 20 reveals that Satan will be loosed out of his prison. The bible teaches that this earth will be as a prison for a period of time in between the second advent and the new heaven and new earth. The prison that Satan is in, prior to being loosed, is the earth. This is the same prison for those destroyed during the plagues and burned at the second advent of our Jehovah. The earth after the second advent is one big prison and one big pit. The prisoners of earth will be visited after a number of days, how many days is the question. The answer is simple, a thousand years as that is what the bible teaches regarding the time period between the second advent and the the second resurrection which is also called the second death in which the wicked will be cast into the lake of fire.

The prisoners will be visited as a result of their resurrection as they will be conscious again. Satan will gather them and deceive them once more for final desperate battle against Jehovah.

How will there be few men left if the earth itself will be utterly emptied and broken down and dissolved? Because the remnant will be translated after the dead in Messiah rise from the graves and they all meet each other in the air to make their ascent to Heavenly Jerusalem. It won't be until the resurrection and translation happens that the final judgement of the earth and the inhabitants thereof takes place (1st Thessalonians 5:9). The 144,000 escape the dissolving of the elements of the earth which include the law transgressors as they also are burned and destroyed.

However, we also see in verse 22, that the prisoners (law transgressors who were destroyed at the second advent) will be revisited after a number of days, how will this be if they were killed during the plagues and the burning of the earth? This is what is called the second resurrection which is also called the second death (Revelation 20:6).

The bible does not teach that there are unbelieving mortals who survive the outpouring of Jehovah's wrath to dwell in a earthly millennium ruled by the Messiah. Infact, Jehoshua says plainly that one must be born again to see the kingdom of Jehovah.

John 3:3 (KJV)

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (KJV)

 [9]Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10]Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [11]And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Is not the millennium part of the kingdom of Jehovah? So why would end time unbelievers be allowed to enter the millennial Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah?

The bible teaches that by the time Jehoshua returns that all those on earth either have the seal of Jehovah or the mark of the beast. There is no third neutral party.

Revelation 13:16-17 (KJV)

16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

All whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life will receive the mark of the beast. This because all who receive this mark, will worship the beast.

The bible teaches that ALL who dwell upon the earth will worship the beast whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life. Do you see here what the bible says? There is no neutrality in the last days, you either worship Jehovah or worship the Papal beast!

Revelation 13:8K (KJV)

8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

The teaching of an earthly millennium depends on the teaching that there will be unconverted survivors of the outpouring of Jehovah's wrath, when His Son returns, and that these survivors will live on in the earthly millennial Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah. Afterall, the Saints aren't going to reign and rule over each other so there has to be mortals that survive the utter destruction of the earth in order for this earthly millennium to be tenable.

The problem with this theory is that as a result, it unintentionally teaches that one receive the mark of the beast and still be given a second chance in the millennium. Does the bible teach this?

Revelation 14:9-11 (KJV)

9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

See, when we compare scripture with scripture the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. The bible without any confusion teaches that ALL who are not written in the Lamb's book of life will worship the beast and receive his mark. There is no neutral group of people in the last days. The bible also clearly teaches that these people who worship the beast and take his mark will be no given absolutely no second chances and instead suffer the vengeance of eternal fire. These people will drink the full cup of Jehovah's wrath. This is in harmony with Isaiah 24 in that the earth will be utterly emptied of the inhabitants thereof as they are destroyed by the judgements and plagues and burned with fire at the Messiah's advent. Only a few men will be left which are the 144,000.