The Kingdom of God PART 1

^{Acts 1:6-11}

⁶ They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? ⁷ And he said unto them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath ^[e]set within his own authority. ⁸ But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. ⁹ And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white apparel; ¹¹ who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.

 

The Kingdom of God was taught for 40 days by Jehoshua to His apostles and at the conclusion they posed the question as to when the Kingdom would be restored to Israel. This shows that the concept of the Kingdom is essential to the gospel message for we cannot preach the gospel without the Kingdom idea attached it. We can also glean from above that Israel is the recipient of the restorative Kingdom. What constitutes biblical Israel will be touched on in this study.

 

It’s important to note the Messiah’s answer to the apostles’ question. Just like the question regarding His second advent the Son of God states that only the Father knows when the time of the restoration takes place. We can fairly conclude from this that the restoration of the Kingdom takes place in sync with the second advent of the Messiah. We learn from the above passage that in between the Son of God’s ascension and the restoration of the Kingdom that the apostles were to take the gospel of the Kingdom world-wide. Also, the return of the Messiah will be visible and will be Him coming on the clouds presumably to the Mount of Olives where the ascension took place. These are all key things to remember.

 

There is so much written and preached about the Kingdom of God with many false ideas, everything from the Hebrew roots, dispensationalist, Messianic Jews and biblical Unitarian camps that posit a future millennium where modern “Geo-Political Israel” reigns supreme over Gentile nations with animal sacrifices administered by the Levitical priesthood. This belief also posits a rebuilt third temple in this age that will carry over to the millennium.

 

The question of the apostles concerning the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel has been a long debated subject. Various views such as dispensationalism and heavenly Amillenialism and everything in between have clouded the truth of this subject. Adventism posits a 1,000 year heavenly millennium derailing the prophetic hope of the Kingdom of Israel on earth. The Mormons believe that the Kingdom will be restored to Israel in Missouri of all places. Heavenly Amillenialists have removed any earthly hope and made heaven in the sky the ultimate destination where saints as disembodied souls reign during the intermediate state.

 

Dispensationalism, Hebrew roots, Messianic Judaism and much of Biblical Unitarianism believes in an earthly Kingdom yet they ascribe this to modern Geo-political Israel with animal sacrifices, Levitical Priesthood and a rebuilt third temple as features of that Kingdom. These groups deny or greatly minimize the truth that the Kingdom is already a reality including that Jehoshua is already on the throne of David. 

 

Like many things, balance is the answer here. It is important to note that the apostles question is not rebuked by Jehoshua but rather He gives them an honest answer that it is in the Father's timing when this will take place. This is the same answer given when asked when His return will be. This shows us that the return of the Messiah brings about the fulfillment of the hope of the apostles which is that the Kingdom will be restored to Israel. 

 

With this being understood, a 1,000 year heavenly millennium is impossible. While many of the groups mentioned above will agree with my statement, in equating the second advent of Jehoshua with the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel, they fail badly on the nature of that Kingdom. 

 

Unlike what these groups teach there is no future 1,000 year millennium but what scripture clearly shows is that they arrival of the Son of God brings about the new heavens and new earth where New Jerusalem will be the capital city. 

 

As the book of Hebrews shows us there is no more need for animal sacrifices. Also, the Levitical Priesthood is abolished according to Hebrews. We also learn from that chapter that the heavenly sanctuary is the true sanctuary. Also, Israel as it's known today is not the Israel that the apostles have in mind when they asked Jehoshua this question. It is clear from scripture that the return of the Israelites to the land happens only after Messiah comes back not before. Also, scripture says that they come back in righteousness meaning they will be in covenant with Jehovah God. The modern state of Israel fits no prophecies of the old testament. They do however fit the prophecies of Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 i.e. the synagogue of Satan. 

 

The Israel that gets the Kingdom restored is the one Paul talks about in Galatians 6:12-16 i.e. those who glory in the cross of Jehoshua Messiah. Paul calls us the Israel of God. It is those who are the seed of Abraham which Paul says are those in Messiah.

 

Galatians 3:26-29 (KJV)

 

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

What a powerful message by Paul! The apostle removes any hope for ethnic, economic or gender pride but says that all who have put on Messiah through baptism are children of God and heirs of the promise given to Abraham. All believers whether Jew or Gentile are referred to as the seed of Abraham and thereby heirs of the Abrahamic land covenant which is now expanded to include the new heavens and new earth. 

 

Paul clearly lays out who is Israel in Ephesians 2:

 

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 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; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

 

Paul clearly refers to the Church as the commonwealth of Israel as His definition of the commonwealth are those in covenant with God through His only begotten Son. We as Gentiles were once aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and not partakers of the covenants of promise. The covenants of promise are the Sabbath, Abrahamic, Davidic and new covenants. These covenants belong to the commonwealth of Israel not the Catholic, Protestant or Evangelical Churches. Paul's definition of the commonwealth of Israel is not the "Geo-political state of Israel" either then or now but rather those in covenant with the God of Israel Jehovah. The thing that brings Gentiles into the commonwealth of Israel is the Son of God and His atoning sacrifice. Having faith that Jehoshua is the Son of God and what He did on the cross brings one into covenant with God.

 

In Galatians 6, Paul clearly lays out who comprises the Israel of God

 

¹² As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

¹³ For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

¹⁴ But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

¹⁵ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

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

 

Paul identifies the Israel of God as those who glory in the cross of our Lord Jehoshua Messiah which is the rule that those who desire to be the Israel of God must follow.

 

We must remember what was said by both John the Baptist and the Messiah Himself concerning the timing of the arrival of the Kingdom:

 

Matthew 3

 

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

² And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

 

Mark 1:14-15

 

14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

¹⁵ And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

 

John the Baptist preached, before the arrival of the Messiah on the scene, that the Kingdom of heaven was at hand. It would be hard to imagine that he meant 2,000 years later. The Messiah also preached that the Kingdom was at hand meaning near. Again, it’s hard to believe that this was meant to be understood as 2,000 years later. This brings us to the tension of the Kingdom. Acts 1 shows us that the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel coincides with the second advent of the Messiah which has not happened yet, so how are we to understand John’s proclamation?

 

Let’s remember these words by the Son of God:

John 18:36

³⁶ Jehoshua answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

 

When Jehoshua says His Kingdom is not of this world he is referring to the political nations of this earth. One day His Kingdom will be consummated on this very earth renewed, but in the meantime His Kingdom is not be identified with any of the countries in this system of things. Also, if the Kingdom of God is indeed a present reality as scripture states then we could rightly say that the Kingdom of God is here on earth now but not in the form that it will be when the Lord returns.  This statement above by Jehoshua eliminates any possibility that the modern Geo-political Israel has anything to do with God’s Kingdom or is a part of bible prophecy in any way. This statement also exposes the fallacy of America being a Christian nation. It also shows us that we are not to fight in the nations of this earth’s wars. Jehoshua’s servants do not fight for the kingdoms on earth because the Lord’s Kingdom is not from here.

 

The scriptures do teach that the Kingdom of God arrived nearly 2,000 years ago, but if the Kingdom is not from here then how do we understand the Kingdom as being a present already?

 

Luke 17:20-21

 

²⁰ And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

²¹ Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

 

Here is the answer to the above question, Jehoshua clearly said that the Kingdom does not come with observation meaning it is absolutely not a Geo-political military Kingdom like those of this world. No country can ever claim to be the Kingdom of God because as Jehoshua said, the Kingdom comes without observation meaning not seen visibly as earthly governments are. The Son of God said that the Kingdom that was established nearly 2,000 years ago is within us meaning it is a spiritual Kingdom. This statement by Jehoshua is despised by those that have not eyes to see because it refutes their dispensationalist, pre millennialism ideas and their false doctrine that we are NOT kings and priests now and that we are NOT under the leadership of our Davidic King who is NOT on that throne now. It attacks their false eschatology (end times), soteriology (salvation) and ecclesiology (doctrine of the church).

 

What does Jehoshua mean by a spiritual Kingdom? That God’s law would be written in your heart which would be evidenced in how you treat others including your enemies. In fact, the terms of the new covenant Kingdom would be that God’s law would be written on your heart:

 

Jeremiah 31:31-34

 

³¹ Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: ³² not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; ^[j]which my covenant they brake, although I was ^[k]a husband unto them, saith Jehovah. ³³ But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ³⁴ And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know Jehovah; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith Jehovah: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more.

 

Jehoshua equated the installment of the new covenant with the inauguration of the Kingdom:

 

Luke 22:28-29

 

²⁸ “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. ²⁹ And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, ³⁰ that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

 

We see that the apostles were appointed (covenanted) a Kingdom by the Son of God at the last supper. Since the apostles were to remain on earth after the Messiah’s resurrection, the Kingdom that they were appointed to was earthly. However, it wasn’t earthly in the Geo-political sense but rather the spiritual one for the Messiah said His Kingdom was not of this world (Geo-political). This Kingdom was the Church of the Messiah in which the apostles were to judge the 12 tribes of Israel. Remember, that Messiah gave the keys to the Kingdom to the apostles in Matthew 16:19; and in Matthew 18:19-20. The reference to the 12 tribes of Israel refers to the church as a whole, both Jews and Gentiles, as the lost tribes had been scattered throughout the Gentile nations. All throughout the new testament, prophecies and statements that applied to old covenant Israel are applied to the Church. We see this done by James, Paul, John and Peter.

 

Jehoshua is not telling the apostles that they will get a Kingdom some 2,000 years in the future but rather it is (present tense) being bestowed upon them on that very day. The eating and drinking at the table of the Kingdom likely refers to the Eucharist meal where the saints would break bread in honor of Jehoshua’s death and partaking of His doctrine as well as drink wine in honor of His shed blood and His Davidic lineage as they referred to Jehoshua as the holy vine of David.

 

The emphasis on the spiritual aspect of the Kingdom over the Geo-political is seen in Jehoshua’s conversation with Nicodemus in John chapter 3:

 ³ Jehoshua answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be begotten from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

⁴ Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be begotten when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be begotten?

⁵ Jehoshua answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be begotten of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

⁶ That which is begotten of the flesh is flesh; and that which is begotten of the Spirit is spirit.

⁷ Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be begotten from above.

⁸ The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is begotten of the Spirit.

⁹ Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

¹⁰ Jehoshua answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

 

This is a revolutionary statement by Jehoshua as He tells Nicodemus that the kingdom can only be seen by those who are begotten from above by the Spirit of Jehovah, proving undoubtedly that the Kingdom is spiritual and not Geo-political. Those who try and dismiss that the Kingdom has already been here for nearly 2,000 thousand years and that it is only a Geo-political kingdom centered in earthly Jerusalem in the distant future, are rebuked here sharply by the Son of God. He is emphatic that the Kingdom is spiritual in nature and is only seen by those who have born from above by the Holy Spirit. God’s Kingdom brought by His Son is not one that can be seen by human eyes as it takes spiritual eyes to see it. The Kingdom is one of spiritual treasures, in which its members enjoy the riches of heaven as a foretaste of eternity in the new heavens and new earth. Those who are still waiting for the Kingdom to arrive in some Geo-political format are the Nicodemus’s of the world who although being learned in the word of God lack the Spirit to see the true treasures of heaven. The true treasures of this Kingdom are not in wielding power to lord over others but rather to serve others in humility like the great King Jehoshua did during His earthly ministry.

 

To see the Kingdom spiritually is to appreciate the here and now of it and to pick up one’s cross and follow Messiah with all one’s heart. It’s to live out the principles of the Kingdom outlined in the Sermon on the Mount. Much of Christendom misses out on this as they are told that Kingdom isn’t here yet and thereby also negate the need to follow the Kingdom law as taught by Jehoshua.

 

To see the Kingdom now spiritually is to deny the riches of this world and the lust of it and instead build treasure in heaven. Essential to this Kingdom is the willingness to pick up the cross of Messiah and die for it. This is why American Christianity is lukewarm because they do not see that the Kingdom is here and now and thereby look at this world as their Kingdom and that God’s is only future. What a cost the Church has suffered by giving up the idea that Kingdom is the Church and instead await some Geo-political Kingdom ran by ethnic Jews.

Kingdom of The Son of God

This blog has gone through a few ideological changes and each time that change reflected a new outlook in how I view the faith. I have changed the outlook of this blog to a “Kingdom of the Son of God” motif. While this doesn’t seem like a big change because it still reflects the belief in our Lord, there are a couple reasons for it. First, I prefer to go back to the primitive form of Christianity, however I realize that someone coming across the blog may not be familiar with that nomenclature. I believe the ideological change to “Kingdom of the Son of God” motif is more closely how the early Christians looked at what we call ecclesiology (the doctrine of the Church).

 

The phrase “Kingdom of the Son of God” actually has a very important meaning in terms of prophecy, the identity of the new covenant church as well as that of the Messiah and His current function on the right hand of God the Father. Just two days after Jehoshua was baptized by John the Baptist, these words were uttered by Nathaniel to our Lord:

 

“Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.”

 

This very statement by Nathaniel was revolutionary and has gone over the head of most of Christendom. Jehoshua referred to Nathaniel as an Israelite without guile and responded to his confession with these words:

 

“Jehoshua answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.”

 

Jehoshua credited Nathaniel with believing i.e. having faith and this faith was rooted in Nathaniel’s confession of Jehoshua’s Sonship and Kingship. Those two titles “Son of God” and “King of Israel” are rooted in the royal seed of David and the Davidic covenant (2^nd Samuel 7:80-16).  This is why I say that most of Christendom has missed or ignored the significance of those titles and replaced them with a pagan understanding of what it means for Jehoshsua to be the Son of God. Peter makes a similar declaration in Matthew 16:

 

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

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

 

The title Messiah is equated to being the King of Israel as is ”Son of God”. Peter basically made the same profession of faith that Nathaniel did. Like Nathaniel’s, Jehoshua affirmed Peter’s declaration of who He (Jehoshua) is by saying that the Father revealed it to Peter.

 

These titles are rooted in the Davidic covenant as stated above. It’s important to realize that we don’t just serve a cosmic Lord in heaven but we serve an actual descendant of David who fulfilled the promises made to David by Jehovah God. The promise was that there would be an immortal King that would spring from the loins of the Davidic lineage. Our Lord doesn’t just sit on some nameless throne in heaven but the actual throne of David which in the old testament was also called the throne of Jehovah God. Basically, the Kingdom of the Son of God is also the Kingdom of David. For too long, the promises that have been made to those in Messiah have been robbed by those who call themselves dispensationalists and applied to a non-believing political entity that calls itself “Israel”. The Hebrew roots and Messianic Jews have done the same. Rabbinic Judaism has claimed these promises for themselves in the future as the aforementioned groups have gladly handed those promises of the Kingdom to them. The aforementioned groups have voluntarily made themselves second class citizens in the Kingdom to unbelievers who happen to claim that they are Jews of the flesh. In fact, the dispensationalists deny that Gentile Christians have any part in the Davidic Kingdom. Yet the bible contradicts their assertions, let’s read what James, the brother of our Lord says in Acts 15 at the Jerusalem council:

¹⁴ Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

¹⁵ And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

¹⁶ After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

¹⁷ That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

¹⁸ Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

 

James is quoting Amos 9:9-11 which was a prophecy about the re-establishment of the Davidic Kingdom and he is stating that the proof of this prophecy being fulfilled is that the Gentiles were being brought into the faith. The chronology is that Jehovah would return to Israel and this He did through His Son’s ministry and then He would rebuild the Davidic dynasty which also was promised to Mary by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26-36). The baptism of Jehoshua was the start of the setting up of the new covenant Davidic Kingdom as the anointing of the Messiah was similar to David’s anointing as king (1 Sam 16;13) in that they both received the Spirit of Jehovah powerfully. Both David and Jehoshua had to go through trials before actually sitting on the throne but during their tribulation time they were both acknowledged as the rightful King of Israel.

 

Once the establishment up of the new covenant Davidic Kingdom took place, then the Gentiles would seek after Jehovah being called by Him through the preaching of the Kingdom gospel. The Gentiles are not being called into some separate church or Kingdom but clearly from James words they are being called into the very thing that was being set up i.e. the Davidic Kingdom.

 

Ephesians 2:5-6

 

⁵ Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Messiah, (by grace ye are saved;)

⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Messiah Jehoshua:

 

These words are often overlooked by Christians but they are very powerful in terms of our identity in Messiah. We must ask the question, what is Messiah’s function in the heavenly places? Obviously, He is a King and a High Priest. Paul says that we are raised up (present tense) speaking of our begotten from above experience. After we are raised up then we sit with Messiah in the holy of holies in the heavenly sanctuary where the Messiah operates His Davidic Kingship and Melchizdek priesthood.

 

This shows that we share in the kingship experience of our Lord Jehoshua as well as His priesthood. 1 Peter 2:9; Rev 1:5-6 and Rev 5:9-10 all state that we are made kings, queens and priests by virtue of what the Son of God did on the cross. We cannot be these things if we have no actual Kingdom nor an actual King. John the apostle states that the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah was already a reality in the 1^st century and that he along with the other brethren were a part of it:

 

Revelation 1:

 

^“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jehoshua Messiah, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jehoshua Messiah.”

 

Clearly John identifies the Kingdom of Jehoshua as already being in existence and that going through tribulations was a mark that one was part of that Kingdom. While the dispensationalist and Hebrew Rooters mock the idea of Christians reigning now John the apostle says otherwise and indicates that reigning in this Kingdom means you suffer. The dispensationalists and Hebrew Rooters have ignored the very words of our King Jehoshua who said that those in His Kingdom who desire to be the greatest will be the servant of others. Jehoshua set the example that even though He was a King He washed the feet of theirs. Service is what makes one a king or queen in the Messiah’s Kingdom not ruling over others. In fact, Jehoshua said it was the Gentiles who lorded their authority over others. Paul said the same thing as John that the Kingdom of Jehoshua was already a reality in the 1^st century:

 

Colossians 1:12-13

¹² Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

¹³ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

 

Paul knows nothing of a Kingdom that starts in some future millennium but rather says that upon conversion we are translated (transferred) into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son. My brethren, know your identity in the Son of God, you are a king, queen and priest.

The Didache

The Lord's Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations.

Chapter 1. The Two Ways and the First Commandment. There are two ways, one of life and one of death, but a great difference between the two ways. The way of life, then, is this: First, you shall love God who made you; second, love your neighbor as yourself, and do not do to another what you would not want done to you. And of these sayings the teaching is this: Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you. For what reward is there for loving those who love you? Do not the Gentiles do the same? But love those who hate you, and you shall not have an enemy. Abstain from fleshly and worldly lusts. If someone strikes your right cheek, turn to him the other also, and you shall be perfect. If someone impresses you for one mile, go with him two. If someone takes your cloak, give him also your coat. If someone takes from you what is yours, ask it not back, for indeed you are not able. Give to every one who asks you, and ask it not back; for the Father wills that to all should be given of our own blessings (free gifts). Happy is he who gives according to the commandment, for he is guiltless. Woe to him who receives; for if one receives who has need, he is guiltless; but he who receives not having need shall pay the penalty, why he received and for what. And coming into confinement, he shall be examined concerning the things which he has done, and he shall not escape from there until he pays back the last penny. And also concerning this, it has been said, Let your alms sweat in your hands, until you know to whom you should give.

Chapter 2. The Second Commandment: Grave Sin Forbidden. And the second commandment of the Teaching; You shall not commit murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not commit pederasty, you shall not commit fornication, you shall not steal, you shall not practice magic, you shall not practice witchcraft, you shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill that which is born. You shall not covet the things of your neighbor, you shall not swear, you shall not bear false witness, you shall not speak evil, you shall bear no grudge. You shall not be double-minded nor double-tongued, for to be double-tongued is a snare of death. Your speech shall not be false, nor empty, but fulfilled by deed. You shall not be covetous, nor rapacious, nor a hypocrite, nor evil disposed, nor haughty. You shall not take evil counsel against your neighbor. You shall not hate any man; but some you shall reprove, and concerning some you shall pray, and some you shall love more than your own life.

 

Chapter 3. Other Sins Forbidden. My child, flee from every evil thing, and from every likeness of it. Be not prone to anger, for anger leads to murder. Be neither jealous, nor quarrelsome, nor of hot temper, for out of all these murders are engendered. My child, be not a lustful one. for lust leads to fornication. Be neither a filthy talker, nor of lofty eye, for out of all these adulteries are engendered. My child, be not an observer of omens, since it leads to idolatry. Be neither an enchanter, nor an astrologer, nor a purifier, nor be willing to took at these things, for out of all these idolatry is engendered. My child, be not a liar, since a lie leads to theft. Be neither money-loving, nor vainglorious, for out of all these thefts are engendered. My child, be not a murmurer, since it leads the way to blasphemy. Be neither self-willed nor evil-minded, for out of all these blasphemies are engendered.

Rather, be meek, since the meek shall inherit the earth. Be long-suffering and pitiful and guileless and gentle and good and always trembling at the words which you have heard. You shall not exalt yourself, nor give over-confidence to your soul. Your soul shall not be joined with lofty ones, but with just and lowly ones shall it have its intercourse. Accept whatever happens to you as good, knowing that apart from God nothing comes to pass.

Chapter 4. Various Precepts. My child, remember night and day him who speaks the word of God to you, and honor him as you do the Lord. For wherever the lordly rule is uttered, there is the Lord. And seek out day by day the faces of the saints, in order that you may rest upon their words. Do not long for division, but rather bring those who contend to peace. Judge righteously, and do not respect persons in reproving for transgressions. You shall not be undecided whether or not it shall be. Be not a stretcher forth of the hands to receive and a drawer of them back to give. If you have anything, through your hands you shall give ransom for your sins. Do not hesitate to give, nor complain when you give; for you shall know who is the good repayer of the hire. Do not turn away from him who is in want; rather, share all things with your brother, and do not say that they are your own. For if you are partakers in that which is immortal, how much more in things which are mortal? Do not remove your hand from your son or daughter; rather, teach them the fear of God from their youth. Do not enjoin anything in your bitterness upon your bondman or maidservant, who hope in the same God, lest ever they shall fear not God who is over both; for he comes not to call according to the outward appearance, but to them whom the Spirit has prepared. And you bondmen shall be subject to your masters as to a type of God, in modesty and fear. You shall hate all hypocrisy and everything which is not pleasing to the Lord. Do not in any way forsake the commandments of the Lord; but keep what you have received, neither adding thereto nor taking away therefrom. In the church you shall acknowledge your transgressions, and you shall not come near for your prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of life.

Chapter 5. The Way of Death. And the way of death is this: First of all it is evil and accursed: murders, adultery, lust, fornication, thefts, idolatries, magic arts, witchcrafts, rape, false witness, hypocrisy, double-heartedness, deceit, haughtiness, depravity, self-will, greediness, filthy talking, jealousy, over-confidence, loftiness, boastfulness; persecutors of the good, hating truth, loving a lie, not knowing a reward for righteousness, not cleaving to good nor to righteous judgment, watching not for that which is good, but for that which is evil; from whom meekness and endurance are far, loving vanities, pursuing revenge, not pitying a poor man, not laboring for the afflicted, not knowing Him Who made them, murderers of children, destroyers of the handiwork of God, turning away from him who is in want, afflicting him who is distressed, advocates of the rich, lawless judges of the poor, utter sinners. Be delivered, children, from all these.

Chapter 6. Against False Teachers, and Food Offered to Idols. See that no one causes you to err from this way of the Teaching, since apart from God it teaches you. For if you are able to bear the entire yoke of the Lord, you will be perfect; but if you are not able to do this, do what you are able. And concerning food, bear what you are able; but against that which is sacrificed to idols be exceedingly careful; for it is the service of dead gods.

Chapter 7. Concerning Baptism. And concerning baptism, baptize this way: Having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if you have no living water, baptize into other water; and if you cannot do so in cold water, do so in warm. But if you have neither, pour out water three times upon the head into the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit. But before the baptism let the baptizer fast, and the baptized, and whoever else can; but you shall order the baptized to fast one or two days before.

Chapter 8. Fasting and Prayer (the Lord's Prayer). But let not your fasts be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and fifth day of the week. Rather, fast on the fourth day and the Preparation (Friday). Do not pray like the hypocrites, but rather as the Lord commanded in His Gospel, like this:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily (needful) bread, and forgive us our debt as we also forgive our debtors. And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (or, evil); for Thine is the power and the glory for ever..

Pray this three times each day.

Chapter 9. The Eucharist. Now concerning the Eucharist, give thanks this way. First, concerning the cup:

We thank thee, our Father, for the holy vine of David Thy servant, which You madest known to us through Jehoshua Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever..

And concerning the broken bread:

We thank Thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which You madest known to us through Jehoshua Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was gathered together and became one, so let Thy Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Thy kingdom; for Thine is the glory and the power through Jehoshua Messiah for ever..

But let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist, unless they have been baptized into the name of the Lord; for concerning this also the Lord has said, "Give not that which is holy to the dogs."

Chapter 10. Prayer after Communion. But after you are filled, give thanks this way:

We thank Thee, holy Father, for Thy holy name which You didst cause to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality, which You modest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. Thou, Master almighty, didst create all things for Thy name's sake; You gavest food and drink to men for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to Thee; but to us You didst freely give spiritual food and drink and life eternal through Thy Servant. Before all things we thank Thee that You are mighty; to Thee be the glory for ever. Remember, Lord, Thy Church, to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect in Thy love, and gather it from the four winds, sanctified for Thy kingdom which Thou have prepared for it; for Thine is the power and the glory for ever. Let grace come, and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the God of David! If any one is holy, let him come; if any one is not so, let him repent. Maranatha. Amen.

But permit the prophets to make Thanksgiving as much as they desire.

Chapter 11. Concerning Teachers, Apostles, and Prophets. Whosoever, therefore, comes and teaches you all these things that have been said before, receive him. But if the teacher himself turns and teaches another doctrine to the destruction of this, hear him not. But if he teaches so as to increase righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord. But concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the decree of the Gospel. Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord. But he shall not remain more than one day; or two days, if there's a need. But if he remains three days, he is a false prophet. And when the apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread until he lodges. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet. And every prophet who speaks in the Spirit you shall neither try nor judge; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven. But not every one who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet; but only if he holds the ways of the Lord. Therefore from their ways shall the false prophet and the prophet be known. And every prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit does not eat it, unless he is indeed a false prophet. And every prophet who teaches the truth, but does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet. And every prophet, proved true, working unto the mystery of the Church in the world, yet not teaching others to do what he himself does, shall not be judged among you, for with God he has his judgment; for so did also the ancient prophets. But whoever says in the Spirit, Give me money, or something else, you shall not listen to him. But if he tells you to give for others' sake who are in need, let no one judge him.

Chapter 12. Reception of Christians. But receive everyone who comes in the name of the Lord, and prove and know him afterward; for you shall have understanding right and left. If he who comes is a wayfarer, assist him as far as you are able; but he shall not remain with you more than two or three days, if need be. But if he wants to stay with you, and is an artisan, let him work and eat. But if he has no trade, according to your understanding, see to it that, as a Messianic, he shall not live with you idle. But if he wills not to do, he is a Messiah-monger. Watch that you keep away from such.

Chapter 13. Support of Prophets. But every true prophet who wants to live among you is worthy of his support. So also a true teacher is himself worthy, as the workman, of his support. Every first-fruit, therefore, of the products of wine-press and threshing-floor, of oxen and of sheep, you shall take and give to the prophets, for they are your high priests. But if you have no prophet, give it to the poor. If you make a batch of dough, take the first-fruit and give according to the commandment. So also when you open a jar of wine or of oil, take the first-fruit and give it to the prophets; and of money (silver) and clothing and every possession, take the first-fruit, as it may seem good to you, and give according to the commandment.

Chapter 14. Christian Assembly on the Lord's Day. But every Lord's day gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one who is at odds with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord: "In every place and time offer to me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great King, says Jehovah, and my name is wonderful among the nations."

Chapter 15. Bishops and Deacons; Christian Reproof. Appoint, therefore, for yourselves, bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men meek, and not lovers of money, and truthful and proved; for they also render to you the service of prophets and teachers. Therefore do not despise them, for they are your honored ones, together with the prophets and teachers. And reprove one another, not in anger, but in peace, as you have it in the Gospel. But to anyone that acts amiss against another, let no one speak, nor let him hear anything from you until he repents. But your prayers and alms and all your deeds so do, as you have it in the Gospel of our Lord.

Chapter 16. Watchfulness; the Coming of the Lord. Watch for your life's sake. Let not your lamps be quenched, nor your loins unloosed; but be ready, for you know not the hour in which our Lord will come. But come together often, seeking the things which are befitting to your souls: for the whole time of your faith will not profit you, if you are not made perfect in the last time. For in the last days false prophets and corrupters shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned into wolves, and love shall be turned into hate; for when lawlessness increases, they shall hate and persecute and betray one another, and then shall appear the world-deceiver as Son of God, and shall do signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his hands, and he shall do iniquitous things which have never yet come to pass since the beginning. Then shall the creation of men come into the fire of trial, and many shall be made to stumble and shall perish; but those who endure in their faith shall be saved from under the curse itself. And then shall appear the signs of the truth: first, the sign of an outspreading in heaven, then the sign of the sound of the trumpet. And third, the resurrection of the dead -- yet not of all, but as it is said: "The Lord shall come and all His saints with Him." Then shall the world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.

The faith of the Son of God, what saves us!

The subject of faith is a running theme throughout the bible. For many people who attend church, faith is a passive ascent in mental knowledge about who Jesus Christ is. The bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

What kind of faith are we supposed to have in order to please God?  Let’s look at what scripture says:

1 John 5:4

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

The bible says we are to have overcoming faith. This type of faith overcomes the world and inherits eternal life. This is what we call victorious faith. The next verse in 1 John 5 gives us the answer in what this victorious faith is to be based on:

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

The overcoming faith that one must have to overcome the world and obtain eternal life is to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  This faith is not just an acknowledgment that Jesus is God’s Son for even the demons confessed this. This overcoming faith is in believing in His authority as the Son of God:

1 John 4:13

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.

A name in the Israelite culture represents someone’s character, identity and authority. To believe on the name of Jesus Christ is not just to believe that He existed and is God’s Son but rather to believe that has the authority to be the Lord of your life and give you commandments which to obey.  Many today would say they love Jesus Christ yet they deny His right to rule their life. How does Jesus determine if you really love Him? Let’s read what He had to say about this:

John 14:15

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

The name that we are to believe on has nothing to do with the pronunciation of Jesus name but rather the name we are to believe on is the title of “Son of God”. The name “Son of God” is a Messianic title given to the Kings of Israel. As Jehovah’s anointed King, Jesus is authorized to give us commandments. In fact, the prophets said that the islands would wait for the law of the then future Davidic King (Read Isaiah 42:4). The famous Sermon on the Mount is where King Jesus gave His law, which is the constitution of His Kingdom. Jesus said that if we follow His teachings, which are His commandments, then we will be like a house built on a rock.

                                                                                                                                                                                      

The 10 words that can change your life!

“Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee”

The above words from Psalm 2:7 are a coronation hymn of an Israelite King. It was at Jesus baptism that He heard these words from God. Two days after His baptism, an Israelite without guile named Nathanael confessed that Jesus was the Son of God and the King of Israel (John 1:49).

It was 5 days before the Passover and near the time of Jesus passion that many in Jerusalem welcomed Jesus as the King of Israel proclaiming “Hosanna, blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of Jehovah” (John 12:13).

Although many in Jesus time rejected Him, there was a remnant that had faith that He was indeed the promised eternal King that would establish the throne & Kingdom of David forever.

It was only a few days after this proclamation by these faithful Israelites that their anointed King would be crucified on a cross:

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” (John 19:30).

To some it may have seemed that all hope was lost as their King was put to death but God the Father had better plans. After three days in the grave, by the power of the God’s Holy Spirit, Jesus was raised from the dead:

“And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.” (Acts 13:34).

As a result of Christ being resurrected from the dead He received the sure mercies of David. What are the sure mercies of David? The first sermon recorded after the Son of God’s ascension by the apostle Peter answers this for us:

“ Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne” (Acts 2:29-30).

The sure mercies of David are his throne, crown and Kingdom, all received by the Son of God upon His resurrection and ascension into heaven. Let’s go to heavenly throne room to witness the enthronement of the Son of God, Jesus Christ:

“ But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.” (Hebrews 1:8).

The enthronement of Jesus Christ on the throne of David inaugurated His Kingdom. The question is friend, do you want to be part of it?  The sure mercies of David can be yours also!