Part 2 of my study on the feasts

Part 2 of my study on the feasts

Acts 3:20-21 (KJV)

20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

We are told in Acts 3:21 that the restitution of all things will take place prior to the Messiah's return. This is how we can know that we are in the last days because the divine institutions of Jehovah's appointed feasts have been restored to the Christian Congregation. Also, the truth about Jehovah's only begotten Son Jesus Christ being a literal Son.

Luke 1:13-17 (KJV)

13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Notice, that part of John's ministry was in turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. The disobedient are the children, the just are the fathers. In these last days, God is using a faithful few, who in the power of Elijah, are turning the disobedient children to the wisdom of the just, the patriarchs and prophets of old who upheld Jehovah's law. More people than ever in Christianity  have forsaken the traditions of the church and are returning to the law of Jehovah including the feast days.

Some may scoff at the feasts being part of the restitution of all things but let's go to the pen of Jehovah's messenger Ellen White:

"In the time of the end every divine institution is to be restored. The breach made in the law at the time the Sabbath was changed by man, is to be repaired. God’s remnant people, standing before the world as reformers, are to show that the law of God is the foundation of all enduring reform and that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is to stand as a memorial of creation, a constant reminder of the power of God. In clear, distinct lines they are to present the necessity of obedience to all the precepts of the Decalogue.Constrained by the love of Christ, they are to co-operate with Him in building up the waste places. They are to be repairers of the breach, restorers of paths to dwell in.[PK 678.2, Ellen White]

She says "every divine institution is to be restored". The Seventh-day Sabbath was the primary subject here but remember she says "every divine institution" so there must be more that she is alluding to. With Malachi 4:4 in mind, this must include the statutes (set times) which the feasts are by definition.

Back to 2 Chronicles chapter 30, in verse 7 Hezekiah warns the people not to be like their fathers and like their brethren who have trespassed against Jehovah. The way that people trespass (sin) against Jehovah is by breaking His law.

1 John 3:4 (KJV)

4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

We just read in Malachi 4:4 that we are to remember the law of Moses which is also the law of Jehovah. Part of this law was keeping the appointed feasts. In context of 2 Chronicles 30 is the call to keep the passover and feast of unleavened bread.

In verse 7 and 8, the call from Hezekiah is to not be like our fathers who are stiffnecked. Many people have put more trust in their leaders and traditions of their denomination than in Jehovah’s word. Many say "our leaders and church say that we don't need to keep the feasts, so we don't need to". This type of thinking is what caused Israel to fall or stay in apostasy many a day. It is very dangerous thinking. Our trust should not be in the arm of man but rather in the plain word of God. While we have thousands of  denominations throughout Christendom all teaching different doctrines the bible plainly teaches that there is only one doctrine. This one singular doctrine is the law of Jehovah. If you don't believe me, read the words of the Son of God:

Matthew 5:17-19 (KJV)

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

The word "fulfill" is from the greek pleroo meaning to make full, to cause to abound, to render perfect, to carry out. We also fulfill Jehovah's law by obeying it.

Romans 8:4 (KJV)

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

We can fulfill the righteousness of the law when we walk after the Spirit. Those who disobey God's law are not walking after the Spirit but rather after the flesh. Walking after the Spirit will cause us to fulfil the law by making it abound and magnifying it. Jesus magnified the law by keeping it the way it supposed to be kept which is in the Spirit. Jesus law keeping blessed those around Him. Jesus kept the Sabbath so those who want to magnify the law like Him must keep the Sabbath. Jesus also kept the feast days so we also must keep them in order to magnify and complete the law the way Jesus did.

Many today where t shirts and wristbands that say "WWJD" yet they don't want to do what Jesus did, which is to keep His and His Father's commandments.

Contrary to what most Churches teach, the gospel of Jesus Christ wasn't a lawless gospel, in others words a gospel that did away with the law.

Romans 3:31 (KJV)

31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Paul confirms that faith doesn't make the law void. Paul said him and the other brethren establish the law meaning to make the law stand still, stand erect.

Fulfilling the law doesn't mean the doing away of it but to the contrary the carrying out of it according to it's proper definition.

Back to 2nd Chronicles 30, in verse 9 we find that when we turn to Jehovah He will not turn away from us. By keeping His law which includes His appointed feasts we return to Him. When we return to Jehovah we find compassion.

In verse 10, we see that just like today the call to return to Jehovah by way of His appointed feasts invites scorn and mockery from the professed people of God. There is almost a satanic hatred of Jehovah's feasts and those who keep them. This hatred most of the time comes from those who profess to know God.

In verse 11, we see that nevertheless there was a remnant out of the mocking tribes that heeded the call to keep the passover meal and feast of unleavened bread. The verse says that this remnant "humbled themselves". Today history is repeating itself, while most of Christendom mocks those who keep the feasts there is a faithful remnant that has humbled themselves and have decided to return to Jehovah by way of keeping His appointed feasts.

Verse 12, this verse is powerful for it says that "Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of Jehovah."

Those who turn to the word of Jehovah and thereby keep His commandments are given "ONE HEART". True unity in the faith is only obtained by hearkening unto the call to keep Jehovah's commandments including the set feasts. God's last days remnant are returning to the full truth of Jehovah's word and are being given one heart. This is why you see such beautiful fellowship at the feasts as those who gather have one heart and it is a heart that desires the law of Jehovah. When we accept the call to keep the feasts, it is evidence that the heart that we have to do so was given to us by Jehovah God himself.

Verse 13-14, one of the effects of heeding Jehovah's call to keep His feasts is a stronger desire to have nothing to do with false worship. We see in the two verses (13 and 14), that the people who assembled at Jerusalem to keep the feast of unleavened bread took away all the altars for incense that were for false gods and cast them into the brook Kidron. Often times when Christians start keeping the feasts they then want nothing to do with the false feast days of the Catholic Church such as Xmas, feast of circumcision (New years day) good friday, Easter, Whit Sunday etc. There is something about returning to true and pure worship that causes one to want nothing to do with the counterfeit.

In verses 15-17, we see the protocols of the passover, the killing of the lamb, the bringing in of burnt offerings into Jehovah's house, the sanctification of the Levites, and the Levites sanctifying the people who were not clean.

 This passage below shows the absolute mercy and kindness of Jehovah God

2 Chronicles 30:18-21 (ASV)

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 every one 19 that setteth his heart to seek God, Jehovah, the God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according 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.

Here we see the intercession of King Hezekiah for the people who had not cleansed themselves and had eaten the passover other than it was written. This is type of ministration of the Son of God in the most holy place as He pleads for us to the Father. Hezekiah prayed that Jehovah would pardon these people. Although they ate the passover other than it was written, they had prepared their hearts to seek Jehovah God.

Even though we don't always do things according to the letter of the law in our worship of the Father, when we prepare our hearts to seek Him there is pardon and healing that come from that. The Father hearkens to our prayers of intercession for those who prepare their hearts to seek Him. Oftentimes we criticize other people's walk with God yet it is interceding for them that brings pardon and healing. We may criticize others who don't worship God the way we do or who aren't living and worshipping according to the letter of scripture yet we are to love them and intercede for them as Hezekiah did for those unclean ones who ate of the feasts.

The key is to prepare our hearts to seek Jehovah, this is something He honours. Even when our walk with Him is not perfect, if we prepare our hearts to seek Him forgiveness and healing follow.

The sweet fellowship of the brethren keeping the feast of unleavened bread with great gladness and praising Jehovah with loud instruments. Oftentimes, Churches refrain from exuberant worship but we see the importance of music in our worship of the Father. This worship is to exalt and glorify God and Christ. Do you see how these feasts are not just days for sacrificing animals? They were times of worship and times of fellowship. We see this same sweet type of fellowship in the early Congregation. Many today in Christendom reject the feasts on the premise that they were for the express purpose of offering meat, drink and burnt offerings. Yet this passage clearly shows these appointed feasts were also times of worshipping Jehovah by instrument and times of sweet fellowship of the brethren. Let's take a look at Acts Chapter 2 for an example of this sweet fellowship in the early Church.

Acts 2:42-46

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Much like the early Church, those who came to Jerusalem for the celebration of passover and unleavened bread had sweet fellowship with each other and had gladness in their hearts. Those who are keeping the feasts today experience that same sweet fellowship of the brethren that quite honestly is hard to find within the institutional Church system. It's no wonder the devil hates the feasts and inspires many Christians to persecute their brothers and sisters who want to celebrate them. Satan knows that if Christians start keeping these Holy days then the Church would become powerful just like it was in Acts Chapter 2. Remember, it was on a feast that the early rain came (outpouring of the Holy Spirit). It was the feast of weeks (Pentecost) that the early rain fell on the Church.

Those who are simply waiting for the latter rain without striving for it will not get it. Part of this striving for the latter rain is to come together with other brothers and sisters in sweet fellowship. The feasts provide this atmosphere as the brethren abide together for a number of days and partake in meals together. Love not theory will be the precursor to the latter rain falling on the remnant. This is what many feast opposers don't realize about their brethren who partake in these holy days, it is the giving and receiving the  love of the brethren that attract many to keep the feasts. The latter rain will not fall on those who are waiting to get it by  osmosis. Look at the below passage in Acts 2 and how the brethren were all together in one place and in accord prior to the falling of the early rain outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:1-4 (KJV)

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The greek word for "accord" is "homothumadon" (Strongs 3661) and means "unanimously: - with one mind"

The outpouring of the latter rain will not fall on a divided Church. It will fall on those who come together in unity and love. I'm not talking about a false ecumenical untiy but a unity based on truth. What truth is this? Let's go to verse 42 of Acts 2

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."

This unity must be based on the truth of the apostles doctrine not the doctrines of institutional Churches. Part of the apostles doctrine was the upholding of Jehovah's law (Acts 7:35-38, Romans 3:31, 1 John 5:1-2). Part of the law are the holy feast days of Jah. The apostles kept the feasts after the cross. Acts Chapter 2 is one example of the feasts being kept by the Church after the cross. Many people falsely claim that the cross nailed the feasts days but yet here the Church is keeping the feast of weeks (Pentecost).

Let's go back to 2 Chronicles chapter 30, in verse 22 we see that part of the feast of unleavened bread is making confession to Jehovah. Many feast opposers say the feast were instituted for the express purpose of animal sacrifices yet we see here that worship was an intricate part of the feasts.

The Hebrew word for "confession" is "yadah" (Strongs 3034) and means "especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensely, to bemoan (by wringing the hands): - cast (out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank (-ful,-s, giving)."

The Levites as well as the others at the feast worshipped (confessed) Jehovah, the God of their fathers. The feast days were (are) appointed times to come together and worship Jehovah. That was the main intent of the feast days. The meat, drink and burnt offerings were part of this worship but they were not the whole of it. Since we no longer offer these type of sacrifices (meat, drink and burnt offerings) due to the cross then our feast keeping today is minus these type of offerings. Does that mean we altogether do away with Jehovah's feasts because a change in the law in regard to the sacrifical system? Absolutely not!!! In fact, we are still to offer sacrifices at the feasts however they are no longer animal sacrifices but rather spiritual ones.

1 Peter 2:5

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Romans 12:1

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

We see from the above two passages that it is possible to offer sacrifices to God without the killing of animals. Our sacrifices are now of a spiritual nature and include the giving of our bodies to righteous living.

Verse 25-26, the feasts, exceptng the day of atonement, are times of rejoicing. Is it any wonder satan hates these days and even uses professing Christians to come against those that keep these holy days. All the congregation of Israel rejoiced and there was great joy in Jerusalem which had not been since the time of King Solomon. This joy was the result of the people heeding Hezekiah's call to come and celebrate the passover meal and the feast of unleavened bread. By celebrating these holy days they were infact worshipping the God of Israel. When we worship Jehovah the result is that we have great joy. As you can see from this passage, that the feasts were not just days to sacrifice animals for the forgiveness of sin but also to worship God and fellowship with each other. The feasts are holy times of worship and fellowship.

Many don't want to acknowledge that the feasts are for today as they consider keeping them an inconvenience.  Yet how can we with a straight face call Jehovah's appointed times of worship inconvenient? We wouldn't tell a spouse that spending time with them is an inconvenience, how much more should we not say that to God.

In verse 27 we see that the prayers of the people came up to Jehovah's holy dwelling place in heaven. The beauty of this should strike a cord in us as Christians to honour the Holy appointed times of Jah. It is because of the people's obedience to keep the feasts in honour of The God of Israel that their prayers went up to Jehovah's holy dwelling place. Nothing has changed, when we come together as believers to keep the feasts and offer up our prayers they have a direct path up to the sanctuary in heaven. Our prayers aren't just heard on the feast days but there is something special about offering up worship and prayers on Jehovah's holy days.

Ezekiel 45

21 In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.

22 And upon that day shall the prince prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bullock for a sin offering.

23 And seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt offering to Jehovah, seven bullocks and seven rams without blemish daily the seven days; and a kid of the goats daily for a sin offering.

24 And he shall prepare a meat offering of an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and an hin of oil for an ephah.

25 In the seventh month, in the fifteenth day of the month, shall he do the like in the feast of the seven days, according to the sin offering, according to the burnt offering, and according to the meat offering, and according to the oil.

This passage in Ezekiel 45 is in relation to the vision of the new temple. Many believe this is talking about a future temple still to come however the application seems to be more literal and that this new temple was contingent upon Israel having a spiritual reformation after their return from exile. After the expansion of the new covenant promises that include the Israel of Jehovah God, which is made up of both Jew and Gentile who have faith in the Son of God, the vision of the Temple will still be fufilled. It will be in harmony with the outworking of the last day "gathering" promises made to Israel. Ultimately there will be a fufillment of this vision of Ezekiel's temple in the millennium and new earth.

Part of this vision was the keeping of the passover memorial meal and the feast of unleavened bread along with the new moons and the sabbaths as well as the other feasts. If this vision is to have a fufillment in the millennium and the new earth then the feasts will also be kept. We have other scriptures that show the feasts will be kept in New Jerusalem. In regards to the passover, Matthew 26:29, Mark 14:25, Luke 18:22 state that we will drink of the vine with Jesus in the Kingdom of Jehovah. We will keep the passover with Jesus in New Jerusalem. In fact, according to the above scriptures Jesus has not kept the passover since He was here on earth.

This shows that although Ezekiel's vision wasn't fufilled at the time of the return from exile it will be fufilled in ultimately in the millennium and new earth. Again, keeping the feasts were part of this vision. Of course, there won't be a need for animal sacrifices as Jesus was our once and for all sacrifice.

2 Chronicles 35:1-19 (ASV)

1 And Josiah kept a passover unto Jehovah in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. 2 And he set the priests in their offices, and encouraged them to the service of the house of Jehovah. 3 And he said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, that were holy unto Jehovah, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; there shall no more be a burden upon your shoulders. Now serve Jehovah your God, and his people Israel; 4 and prepare yourselves after your fathers’ houses by your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son. 5 And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the fathers’ houses of your brethren the children of the people, and let there be for each a portion of a father’s house of the Levites. 6 And kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare for your brethren, to do according to the word of Jehovah by Moses.

7 And Josiah gave to the children of the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all of them for the passover-offerings, unto all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king’s substance. 8 And his princes gave [c]for a freewill-offering unto the people, to the priests, and to the Levites. Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, the rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover-offerings two thousand and six hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen. 9 Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethanel, his brethren, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, the chiefs of the Levites, gave unto the Levites for the passover-offerings five thousand small cattle, and five hundred oxen.

10 So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites by their courses, according to the king’s commandment. 11 And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood which they received of their hand, and the Levites flayed them. 12 And they removed the burnt-offerings, that they might give them according to the divisions of the fathers’ houses of the children of the people, to offer unto Jehovah, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen. 13 And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: and the holy offerings boiled they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and carried them quickly to all the children of the people.14 And afterward they prepared for themselves, and for the priests, because the priests the sons of Aaron were busiedin offering the burnt-offerings and the fat until night: therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron. 15 And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer; and the porters were at every gate: they needed not to depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.

16 So all the service of Jehovah was prepared the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer burnt-offerings upon the altar of Jehovah, according to the commandment of king Josiah. 17 And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.18 And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did any of the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.

Here is another passage about a King that made a call for Israel to a return of keeping the passover memorial meal and feast of unleavened bread. It's important to read the previous verses in chapeter 34 to see what prompted Josiah to call Israel back to the feasts.

2 Chronicles 34:22-33 (ASV)

22So Hilkiah, and they whom the king [had commanded], went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the second quarter;) and they spake to her to that effect.23And she said unto them, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel: Tell ye the man that sent you unto me,24Thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah.25Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore is my wrath poured out upon this place, and it shall not be quenched.26But unto the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of Jehovah, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel: As touching the words which thou hast heard,27because thy heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and hast humbled thyself before me, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith Jehovah.28Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof. And they brought back word to the king.29Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.30And the king went up to the house of Jehovah, and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, both great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of Jehovah.31And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before Jehovah, to walk after Jehovah, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book.32And he caused all that were found in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand [to it]. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. 33And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were found in Israel to serve, even to serve Jehovah their God. All his days they departed not from following Jehovah, the God of their fathers.

This passage in Chapter 34 is important, because it shows how that when Josiah was convicted of keeping God's commandments after reading the book of the law, one of the first things he did was call Israel to a return to keeping the feasts. First Josiah had the abominations removed from the countries that pertained to Israel. Next he called Israel to worship Jehovah and to serve Him (Jehovah).

After the removal of the abominable things, Josiah then callled Israel to return to the feasts which are Jehovah's holy days. Look at the progression:

Reading the word which is the law of Jehovah.

Obedience to the word by removing the abominable things out our life according to the law and testimony.

Then worshipping and serving Jehovah God according to the law and testimony.

As a result of a desire to be obedient to Jehovah's law, is the keeping of His feast days.

Part of worshipping Jehovah is keeping His Set Apart days. The Feasts are worship days not just days to sacrifice animals. Today, many Christians will speak ill of feast keepers and almost show a hatred towards the feast days yet they celebrate unbiblical abominable holidays such as halloween, XMAS, New Years day, Valentines day, good friday and easter. Many of these Christians believe the law is done away with and lawlessness is sin (1 John 3:4). When we have a lawless gospel, the natural consequences are a sanctifying of the unholy and the doing away with the holy.

These Christians can do this with no qualms because they believe that the law is not for today, so unlike Josiah, they will be hard pressed to be convicted to keep Jehovah's commandments which include His feast days. Josiah had a heartfelt desire to serve Jehovah and honour Him. Huldah the prophetess sent word to Josiah that because his heart was tender and humbled himself, due to his desire to serve Jehovah, that he would go to his grave in peace and not see the evil that would fall on the transgressors. Josiah even wept and rent his clothes because of Israel's disobedience to Jehovah.

What a far cry this is from today's professed Christian Churches!! Today's Churches seek every possible loophole from the requirements of the law including the feast days. Men like Josiah will be a witness against those who deny the law of Jehovah and lessen it's requirements in so much as they pertain to the new covenant.

In verse 31 of chapter 34, Josiah made a covenant before Jehovah to walk after Jehovah and to keep His commandments, and His testimonies, and His statutes with ALL his heart and with ALL his soul.

As noted earlier in this study the hebrew word for statutes is "choq" and means " an appointment of time, law, task, set time".

Are we to keep the statutes today? Remember the end time prophecy of Malachi chapter 4? In context, it concerns the advent of our Jehovah Jesus Christ and how we are to remember the law of Moses and keep it prior to the great and terrible day of Jehovah.

Malachi 4:4 (ASV)

4Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, even statutes and ordinances.

Josiah, by having a desire and willingness to keep the commandments of Jehovah with all his heart and soul was being obedient to Deuteronomy 6:4-8.

Deuteronomy 6;4-8 (ASV)

4Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah:5and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.6And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart;7and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.8And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes.

When we have a desire to serve Jehovah with all our heart, the natural thing to do is hearken to all His commandments. It goes hand in hand, a desire to serve Jehovah with all ones heart and obeying the commandments. You can't have one without the other. One of the first acts of Josiah was a call for Israel to return to keeping the feasts. This was after removing the abominable things from countries pertaining to Israel.

Psalm 19:15

Psalm 19:1-14 (ASV)

The works and the Word of God.

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament showeth his handiwork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech,
And night unto night showeth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language;
Their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoiceth as a strong man to run his course.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heavens,
And his circuit unto the ends of it;
And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul:
The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart:
The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring for ever:
The ordinances of Jehovah are true, and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned:
In keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors?
Clear thou me from hidden faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me:
Then shall I be upright,
And I shall be clear from great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in thy sight,
O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer.

Verse 1-5, The atheist has all the evidence he needs, the heavens declare the glory of Jah. The stars, the sun and the moon show the craftmanship of the Father and Son. The work of the Father's hands go throughout all the earth. He placed everything in the firmament of space perfectly. He set these things in the firmament to be a tabernacle for the sun.

When the Sun of Righteousness, Jehovah Jesus Christ, comes out His Chamber (the Most holy place) it's as the light that shines from the sun. The Sun of Righteousness will bring healing in His wings for those that fear the name of Jehovah. The firmament is the tabernacle of the sun and as the brightness of the sun leaves the tabernacle of the firmament to shine it's light on the earth, the Son of God will leave His tabernacle in heaven to shine the glory of the Father upon the earth. This will be when the day of atonement (judgment hour) is over.

Verse 6, the eyes of Jehovah go throughout all the earth, the Father and Son are everywhere present by their representative the Holy Spirit. Nothing is hid from Jehovah's presence.

Verse 7, the law of Jehovah is perfect and restores the soul. Man's wisdom denigrates Jehovah's Royal Law and minimizes it's importance, however the word of the psalmist exalts the law of God and says it's "PERFECT". The testimony (commandments) of Jehovah is "SURE", they are unmovable, fixed, solid as a rock. Man can attempt to change them but Jah's word Stands "STILL".

The wisdom of man is foolishness and makes learned and wise men foolish. The law and the testimony of Jehovah make the simple wise.  The simple man who loves God's law confounds the learned philosopher of this age.

Verse 8, The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart. Truly those who are sons and daughters of God rejoice at the reading and hearing of Jehovah's precepts. His law is to bring gladness to our hearts. The unregenerated bristle at the hearing and reading of the law of Jehovah. We know we are in right communion with the Father when we are glad at the hearing of His law.

Verse 9, the fear of Jehovah is clean and it is the beginning of wisdom. When we fear God it shows we have a clean heart. This clean heart can only be given to us by the new birth experience. Even Jesus had the fear of His Father Jehovah (Isaiah 11).

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (KJV)

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

The fear of God leads one to keep His commandments.

Many people don't like to talk about the fear of God but the text here says that the fear of Jehovah is clean (pure). The  ordinances of Jehovah are true and righteous altogether.

Romans 3:4 (KJV)

4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Man in his arrogance has thought to change the law of God. This has most notably manifested itself in the Churches of Christendom. In Daniel 7:25, we read

"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time."

Jehovah's law is eternal and stands upright. His law is a law of love (1 John 5:2). In fact according to verse 10, we are to desire the ordinances of Jehovah more than riches of gold and silver. We are to desire them more than position in this life. How many in Christendom today can say this about themselves? Most Christians make every excuse in the world to not keep Jehovah's commandments and statutes.

Verse 11, the law serves as a warning to us as keeping it brings blessings and not keeping it brings curses. There are rewards for those who keep the law of God. The ultimate reward is everlasting life and eating of the tree of life (Revelation 22:14).

Verse 12 and 13, our sins are blotted out in the most holy place as we go to the Father in the name of Jesus. Christ is our High Preist and mediator and blots out the record of our sins as He advocates for us to the Father. Christ can keep us from falling (Jude 24).

Verse 14 and 15, our prayer should be to have a pure heart before our God and to mediate on His law. Our words need to be edifying in order to be acceptable before Jah. Our words need to express God's love. A right spirit within us should be our desire, the heart of a child should be in us. Let's be like little children in our innocence and simplicity in the things of God. Lets think on lovely things.

Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

The Priesthood of Jehoshua Messiah continued

Continuing my study on the priesthood of Jehoshua our King

Hebrews 10:1--39

1For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.3But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.5Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.7Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.8Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;9Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;13From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.15Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;17And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;21And having an high priest over the house of God;22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.28He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.32But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;33Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.34For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.35Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.36For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

37For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.39But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Verse 1, Messiah is the fulfillment of the sacrifices which were connected to the old covenant institutional system. He alone makes us perfect when we come unto God by Him. Jehoshua is the very image of the shadows. We need not look anywhere else for perfection. This is why we as Messianics don't heavily focus over the intricacies of the written law but rather our focus is always on the Messiah who is the living law. This is why Paul says the letter killeth but the Spirit gives us life.

2 Corinthians 3:3-6 (KJV)

3Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.4And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Paul describes perfectly the what the new covenant is about, it's not about focusing and living according to the letter of the law but it's having the law written on our heart. As Messianics we are living epistles being ourselves "written messages" (epistles) of the gospel. Our trust is solely in Messiah who makes us perfect before His Father. Trusting in our law keeping is error as it is only the finished work of Messiah that brings us nigh unto God. When we realize this then we can more fully receive the Spirit which then leads us to living a life of righteousness. The law is good, just and holy, however only by the Spirit and not the letter can we walk in it.

The new era of Torah ministries often miss the whole point of the new covenant which is a fuller ministration of the Spirit, which is life giving, which then will prompt us to keep the law naturally not as a list of do's and dont's but rather as a natural result of our love for God and His Son. Remember scripture says that Jehoshua is a life giving Spirit:

1 Corinthians 15:45 (KJV)

45And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Jehoshua was made a life giving Spirit upon His resurrection having received the absolute fullness of the Father's Holy Spirit when He rasied from the dead. When we confess that Jehoshua is the Son of God and Messiah of God then we receive this life giving Spirit directly from Jehoshua Himself.

1 John 4:15 (KJV)

15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

God dwells in us by His Spirit. God sends His Spirit through His Son:

Galatians 4;6 (KJV)

6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

God the Father sends us the Spirit of His Son to us which then causes us to cry out to God as "our Abba". In Revelation 5, we see a verse that shows clearly that in the new covenant that the Holy Spirit is sent through the channel of Jehoshua Messiah.

Revelation 5:6 (KJV)

6And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Jehoshua sends forth the Holy Spirit into all the earth which He receives from the Father. During Jehoshua's life on earth He was promised this by the Heavenly Father:

Acts 2:32-33 (KJV)

32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

So now in the new covenant the Holy Spirit comes comes to God's people through the administration of the Son of God and the Spirit comes to us via the very being of Messiah as the Godhead dwells fully in Him bodily (Colossians 2:9).

Verses 2-4, the blood of animals cannot take away sins yet the blood of Messiah indeed forever cleanses the conscience of sin (Hebrews 8:12). His blood is the ratification of the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). The Investigative judgement does dishonor to the blood of Jehoshua by saying His death on the cross was only a partial atonement for sins. The bible teaches the exact opposite:

Romans 5;11 (KJV)

11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

This is a present tense statement by Paul that through our Lord Jehoshua we have received the atonement.

The word atonement comes from the Greek word "katallage" (Strongs 2643) and means "exchange, i.e. restoration to (the divine) favor: - atonement, reconciliation."

By Jehoshua's death on the cross, we have been atoned for meaning to be restored in right relationship with God the Father. We are in God's favor and also reconciled to Him through the precious blood of His Son. The Investigative judgement denies that Jehoshua's blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat in the most holy place at His ascension into heaven when He showed Himself to the Father as the firstfruits of the resurrection. In their view, the blood of Messiah was applied to the first apartment of the holy place until 1844 and the antitypical day of atonement. Then since 1844, the registers of each saint comes up in reveiw to see if they are worthy of the blood of Messiah being applied to them. Brethren, this is downright blasphemous!

Let's see what scripture says:

Romans 3:24-25 (KJV)

24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Jehoshua was sent by the Father to be a propitiation for those who have faith in His blood. The word "propitiation" comes from the Greek word "hilasterion" (strongs 2435) and means "an atoning victim, or the lid of the ark of the covenant (in the temple): - mercyseat, propitiation"

Paul says in verse 25 of Romans that Jehoshua was the mercyseat for our sins which means that the day of atonement was fufilled at the death, burial and resurrection of Jehoshua. Remember only of the day of atonement would the blood of the animal sacrifices being sprinkled on the mercy seat in the most holy place. This sprinkling of blood on the day of atonement reconciled Israel to Jehovah God. The Hebrew word for "mercyseat" is "kapporeth" and means "to cover or purge in the sense of reconciliation or atonement. This usage indicates a covering (Genesis 6:14).

In other words, Jehovah sent Jehoshua to be the mercyseat for our sins which could only be true if Jehoshua indeed provided full atonement and went directly to the most holy place when He presented Himself as the firstfruits of the resurrection. Jehoshua fully reconciled us to God the Father through faith in His very blood and it's ability to fully atone for us without qualification. Infact, Paul elsewhere says that he and the apostles received the ministry of reconciliation or atonement. It was their mission to preach a reconciliation message to people so that they can be adopted as sons and daughters of God.  If Messiah's blood provided anything less than full atonement then Paul and his brethren were false prophets.

So who is the false prophet, Paul or Ellen White? Ellen White clearly is and infact she tramples underfoot the blood of the Son of God by reducing His blood to the blood of animals by saying it had to be applied in the Holy place for 1800 years before it could be applied in the most holy place. Infact, she makes His blood even less than the blood of animals as their blood would only have to wait for one year before being sprinkled in the most holy place whereas Messiah had to wait over 1800 years before His blood could be sprinkled in the most holy place.

What's worse is that it would only take one day for the animals blood to reconcile Israel back to God whereas the Investigative judgement covers a period of at least 171 years (since 1844) to cover sins for the redeemed. And this is even if those who had faith in Jehoshua's blood qualify to receive atonement, as even a misdeed or ill spoken word can disqaulify them according to Ellen White. So what The Seventh day Adventists are really teaching is that the blood of animals is powerful enough in one day to atone for the myriad of sins that the nation of Israel committed but that the Messiah's blood isn't powerful enough in a period of over 171 years to atone for a misdeed or ill spoken word if somehow the person forgot to confess those specific incidents.

Brethren,

This is outright blasphemy and satanic! Here is a warning for those preaching the Investigative judgement doctrine:

Hebrews 10:29 (KJV)

29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Let this warning sink in, the above verse in context speaks of those who sin willfully after receiving the atonement, however it can also apply to those who minimize the power of Jehoshua's blood to fully atone for sins once for all and that His blood wasn't good enough to sprinkled in the most holy place at His ascension when He presented Himself as the firstfruits of the resurrection.

My Adventists friends, it's too late for Ellen White but not for you, repent of the wicked Investigative judgement doctrine and preach the gospel that Paul preached lest you be accursed:

Galatians 1;8-10 (KJV)

8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.10For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Many of the Seventh day Adventist doctrines are the result of Ellen White's visions and angelic visitations. Infact, many SDA's glory that Ellen White being visited by angels is a proof of her prophetic ministry yet Paul says that the opposite can actually be true.

Paul says that even if an angel comes to you and preaches any other gospel than the one taught by the apostle that they are to be accursed.

Notice that Paul not only says the angel who preaches this false gospel will be accursed but also the man/woman who preaches it. The angel who preached the false gospel to Ellen White is accursed and so is Ellen White who preached it. Adventists, do you want to be accursed for repeating Ellen White's doctrines of devils?

Please don't be offended as Paul says:

"do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Messiah"

I seek to be the servant of the Son of God which includes exposing false gospels and false prophets even if it offends a multitude of people. Ellen White and her investigative judgement doctrine counts the blood of Jehoshua an unholy thing not even being good enough to be sprinkled on the mercy seat for over 1800 years and even then over the course  of over 171 since 1844 to do it's full work. And even then, that blood is only applied if every ill spoken word or deed was specifically confessed. Brethren, this is just as bad as the Catholic churches concessional booth ministry. Both denominations have created a false "Jesus" and preach another "Jesus" who's death on the cross and blood wasn't good enough to give us who have faith in Him (Jehoshua) the full atonement.

The Jesus of Ellen White is not the Jesus of the bible as her Jesus blood wasn't sufficient to be the mercyseat for sins of Israel once and for all. Infact, in her view even the Apostles still have to go through the Investigative judgement to see if they qaulify for the atonement of Messiah's blood. What satanic blasphemy!

Jehoshua contradicts this outright when He told the apostlea this:

Luke 22:29-30 ( KJV)

29And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;30That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

According to Jehoshua, the apostles were already ordained to inherit the kingdom of Jehovah to sit at the very table of Messiah and to judge the 12 tribes of Israel. This is in clear contrast to the Investigative judgement teaching which teaches that even the apostles will pass into a judgement review to see if they are worthy of the blood of Messiah unto eternal life. Jehoshua clearly says that He Himself appointed the apostles inheritance in HisFather's Kingdom as rulelrs. What a far cry from not even being gauranteed eternal life.

The word "appoint" comes from the Greek word "diatithemai" (strongs 1303) and means "to put apart,  i.e. (figuratively) dispose (by assignment, compact, or bequest): - appoint, make, testator."

In other words, Jehoshua made a compact and covenant with the apostles that they would inherit very important positions in the coming Kingdom of God. Just as the Father's covenant that He makes with the House of Israel cannot be broken, His Son's covenant with His chosen 12 cannot be broken. For ellen white to teach that these 12 men have to pass an investigative judgement reveiw before being given eternal life is to call Jehoshua a liar and make Him a false prophet. Jehoshua made a testament with these 12 men which cannot be broken.

Ellen White not only troddens underfoot the blood of the Son of God but also impugnes His character by contradicting His very promise to His apostles. Not only that but she contradicts what He says about anyone who believes on His name:

John 5:24 (KJV)

24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Condemnation in the greek means "to pass into judgement" and Jehoshua says that those who beleive on Him have everlasting life and do not pass into judgement, the very opposite of what ellen white teaches. Brethren, who do you believe Jehoshua or Ellen White? You cannot have it both ways! Ellen White teaches that you shouldn't say you are saved, Jehoshua says that you are saved (passed unto life) if you beleive on Him.

Colossians 1:12-14 (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:14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

This is another passage that destroys the false investigative judgement doctrine.  Whereas Ellen White teaches that beleivers have to pass a future investigative judgement before being given eternal life and entrance into the Kingdom of Messiah, Paul the apostle says the exact opposite.

In verse 12 Paul says that it is the Father who makes us fit (meet) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Paul uses family language here, denoting that upon being born again by the gospel seed, one becomes a rightful heir to the family fortune. This shows that we are truly begotten children of God the Father as Paul confirms this elsewhere.  Jehovah God has no foster children, meaning that once He brings you into the Family by means of the precious blood of His Son you have part in the will and testament of the Father's estate which is His Kingdom.

The saints comprise the Family of Jehovah who is the light

1 John 1;5 (KJV)

5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

If we walk in the light of God then we have fellowship with Him and His Son Jehoshua Messiah.

1 John 1:7 (KJV)

7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

John the beloved disciple echoes Paul's language of family relationship within the Godhead family. If we as saints walk in the light which is God the Father, we will have relationship with Him and His Son Jehoshua Messiah who is the light thereof (Revelation 21:23). It's by walking in the light of God the Father that the blood of His Son cleanseth us from all sin.

This pasaage in first John parallels Colossians 1:12-14 and they both refute the implications of the Investigative judgement doctrine.

Continuing in Colossians, we see that all glory for our salvation goes to Jehovah God as it is He that made us fit to be partakers of His Son's Kingdom. How did He make us fit? Jehovah foreknew, predestinated, called, justified and glorfied us to be conformed to the image of His Son. Paul here removes all boasting that man could ever hope to do in regards to salvation or kingdom inheritance. This is a swift rebuke to the legalists who take pride in their diets, dress, and even their version of Sabbath keeping in which they often add their own man made rules.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (KJV)

18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

We see above that the salvation experience of a believer starts with God the Father who works through His Son via the Holy Spirit and also uses the ministers of the Church in this process. God the Father is the initiator of the salvation process. Unfortunately, many Seventh day Adventists have made the salvation process about works and adherence to post biblical creeds (28 of them). In other words, for the SDA GC denomination, being saved has more to do with mental ascent in knowledge to a prescribed set of beliefs rather than Jehovah God's sovereignty. The investigative judgement is an essential part of this gospel misunderstanding that Adventists have.

Back to Colossians 1, verse 13 says that God the Father delivered us from the kingdom of darkness (satan). The word for "delivered" in the greek is "rhoumai" and means "to rescue, deliver, to rush or draw (oneself)."

Do you the significance of what this means? Jehovah actually delivered us and rescued us from our captivity in satan's kingdom. In other words, Jehovah came on a rescue mission for us when He sent His only begotten Son to the world. This is why the Investigative judgement doctrine is blasphemous because it basically says that Jehovah God and His Son failed in their mission to rescue us from the clutches of Satan.

Can you imagine a national park ranger team going out on a search and rescue for lost campers, only to find them and save them but later telling them that they are not really saved and that they will have to pass one more test out in the mountains? This is basically what the Investigative judgement doctrine teaches which is that Jehovah God ultimately failed in fully delivering us from Satan's kingdom. It also  speaks evil of the precious blood of His Son Jehoshua by saying that it being shed was only a partial atonement for sins.

Continuing in verse 13, Paul says that not only did Jehovah God rescue us from the kingdom of darkness which is amazing enough but He upped the ante and translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son Jehoshua Messiah.

The word translated comes from the Greek word "methistemi" and means "to transfer, i.e carry, depose or (figuratively) exchange, seduce: - put out, remove, translate, turn away."

The above definition of the word "translate" shows us that God actually made a transfer of us from one kingdom (satan's) to another Kingdom, that of His beloved Son. Jehovah God made an exchange and removed us from darkness to His light.

The Son of God with power part 4

My study on the Son of God with power part 4

Luke 4:19-20 (KJV)

20And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.21And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

Jehoshua confirms that His anointing by the Lord Jehovah for the work of the ministry was fulfilled that day on the Sabbath where He spoke in the synagogue. This shows that prior to His baptism He hadn't been anointed by Jehovah for the work of the ministry yet. Remember this event where Jehoshua quoted the passage from Isiaah took place shortly after His baptism. The time from Jehoshua's birth to His baptism was His preparation time for the work of the ministry in which He learned obedience to the Father and increased in the Spirit. By the time of His baptism, He had showed Himself approved to God thereby making Him worthy of recieving the Holy Spirit in it's fullness and hence be anointed to be Messiah.

Jehoshua was foreordained to be the Messiah of Jehovah God, however He still had to prove Himself before being entrusted with the gospel ministry of His Father's Kingdom.

1 Peter 1;19-20 (KJV)

19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Jehoshua was predestined to be the Messiah and King of Israel. The passage below in 2 Samuel shows that He would still have to go through a sanctification process during His life as clearly Jehovah says that there was a possibility He could commit iniquity yet Jehovah would have mercy on Him and not forsake Him. Jehovah's word is sure and He knew that His Son would overcome and build His (Jehovah's) temple and establish the Kingdom of David forever.

2 Samuel 7:12-17 (ASV)

12When thy days are fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, that shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.13He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.14I will be his father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men;15but my lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.16And thy house and thy kingdom shall be made sure for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.17According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

Jehoshua was the promised Messiah that Jehovah spoke of to king David. He was the promised seed out of David's bowels that would establish the Kingdom of Israel forever. The house that Jehoshua would build was His Congregation which He has been building since His first advent continuing the house that was established in the old testament times. The Congregation of Jehovah is the temple of the new covenant and it is Jehoshua who is it's builder and chief cornerstone. This temple is not one of brick and mortar but is made up of people. Jehoshua is the King of Israel enthroned after His ascension being anointed by the Father. His throne is an everlasting throne. We are in the first phase of Jehoshua's Kingdom which is primarily a spiritual Kingdom. Jehoshua's Kingdom and the ultimate fulfilment of this prophecy given to David will be fully realized in the Messianic age after His second advent.

In the prohecy spoken by Samuel to David we learn that Jehovah will be a Father to the promised Messiah (verse 14) and that the seed will be Jehovah's Son. It is interesting then to see what the requirement is to be part of Jehoshua's Kingdom as confessed by Peter

Matthew 16:13-20 (KJV)

13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.17And 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.18And 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.19And 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.

In verse 16 and 17 we see that Peter's confession of Jehoshua's identity of being God's Messiah and Son is approved by Jehoshua as being inspired by our Heavenly Father. This exactly what is prophesied to David by the mouth of the prophet Samuel in 2 Samuel chapter 7, regarding the identity of the promised seed of David that would establish the Kingdom of David. Confession of Jehoshua's Sonship and Messiahship are prerequisites to gain entrance into the Kingdom of heaven also known as the Kingdom of Jehoshua. Of course it goes without saying that we also must confess the Kingship of Jehoshua.

Jehoshua told Peter that his confession would be the rock that the Congregation i.e. Temple of Jehovah would be built upon. Peter's confession of course being that Jehoshua was the Messiah of Jehovah God and the Son of Jehovah God. Infact, Jehoshua said that the gates of hell would not prevail against the Congregation that was established and rooted in the confession of truth that Jehoshua is the Son of God and Messiah of God. It is the Congregation that hold firmly to what Peter confessed that has the keys to the Kingdom of heaven i.e. the Kingdom of the Son of God. It is this Congregation alone that has the authority to excercise discipline in the body of Messiah.

The Congregation is called the temple of Jehovah (the Father) but it is Jehoshua who bears the glory which is why He is the cheif cornerstone of the temple and why confession of His Sonship and Messiahship are the foundational rock that the temple would be built upon. For proof that Jehoshua would bear the glory of the Father's temple let's go to Zechariah 6:

11yea, take [of them] silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest;12and speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, saying, Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: and he shall grow up out of his place; and he shall build the temple of Jehovah;13even he shall build the temple of Jehovah; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

The above passage in Zechariah prophesies of the coming Messiah who is called the Branch which means "a sprout" and that this Branch would grow up out of His place denoting that the Messiah would be fully human and grow up in every way including spiritually as the new testament confirms that Jehoshua increased in wisdom and waxed (increased) strong in the Spirit. As told in 2 Samuel 7, we learn that Jehovah's anointed Son would build the temple of Jehovah. Not only would He build Jehovah's temple but He would bear it's glory. This is why entrance into the Kingdom cannot be obtained unless one confesses Jehoshua is King, Messiah and Son of God. This is precisely why we are to honour the Son as we honour the Father. This is also why every knee will bow and tongue will confess that Jehoshua is King to the glory of God the Father.

This is why one cannot go to the Father without going through His Son Jehoshua. Jehoshua bears the glory of His Father's temple. Let's look at the hebrew definitions of the words "bear" and "glory".

The word "bear" comes from the Hebrew word "nasa" and means "advance, arise, bear, armor, bring forth, contain, extol, hold up, raise, receive, magnify, regard, set up".

The word "glory" comes from the Hebrew word  "howd" (strongs 1935) and means " beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory , goodly, honour, majesy."

Jehoshua bears (raises, magnifies, extols) the glory (excellency, beauty) of the temple of Jehovah. Jehoshua is the door and gate of the Father's temple as no one can enter the temple unless they go through Jehoshua, God's only begotten Son. Remember when Jehoshua told Phillip the following:

"he that hath seen me hath seen the Father"

Jehoshua is the glory of God and hence the glory of God's temple which is the Church (Congregation) and Jehoshua raises the excellency of His Father's temple as an esign to the nations. The Father gave His Son this privilege that in all things Jehoshua would have the preeminence including of course the Church (Congregation).

Colossians 1:17-19 (KJV)

17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

This pasaage tells us what we have been looking at in Zechariah which is that Jehoshua is the head of the Church which is the Father's temple. It also clearly says that it was Jehoshua's resurrection from the dead that gave Him the preeminence in all things including the Church (temple of God).

Verse 19 is a powerful verse about the divinity of Jehoshua. This verse is important to understand because it shows that it is the Father who is the source of the Son's divinity. It also shows that it pleases the Father that the Son should have all the fulness in Him. The fullness dwelling in Messiah is in reference to the risen Messiah as that is the context that surrounds verse 19.

The word fullness comes from the Greek word "pleroma" and means "repeltion, completion, what fills (as contents, supplement, copiousness, mutlitude), or what is filled (as container, performance, period): - which is put in to fill up, piece that filled up, fulfilling, full, fullness".

So what is the fulness that fills up Messiah to the absolute full of his bodily container? Just one chapter later we are told by the apostle Paul:

Colossians 2:8-9 (KJV)

8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

So we have the answer to our question, it is the Godhead that dwells fully to the brim of Jehoshua's bodily container.

The word "Godhead" comes from the Greek word "theotes" (Strongs 2320) and means "divinity, godhead".

Godhead means divinity and if the Father is the one true God which He is, then obviously the Godhead is the Father's divinity. Jehoshua has the fulness of His Father's divinity in His bodily person. As we saw from the definition of fulness, the Father's divinity fills up to the absolute full the Messiah's body container. Meaning every ounce of Messiah is absolutely divine. This isn't His own divinity but is given to  Him directly from the Father's Majesty i.e. Godhead.

No matter your view on the Godhead (trinitarian, arian, Unitarian) Jehoshua is absolutely fully divine by means of His resurrection from the dead when He became the firstborn of the new creation. He was already the firstborn in terms of being chosen as the preeminent One by Jehovah from the foundation of the world and His birth, baptism and ministry were all evidences of Him being Jehovah's firstborn (chosen, preeminent) Son. His resurrection declared Him with power by the Spirit of holiness to be Jehovah's begotten firstborn Son. He is literally the firstborn from the dead as no one had ever been resurrected from the dead before. And because of His resurrection He is the firstborn Son of Jehovah meaning not a literal birth in eternity but being chosen by Jehovah to have preeminence in all things. He is literally the firstborn of Jehovah in terms of His literally being the first begotten (coming into existence) from the dead as Jehovah raised Him from being dead to having newness of life hence "born again".

Since all the fulness of the Father's divinity dwells in the body of Jehoshua then this means He is fully divine without controversy.

Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV)

9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

One of the most well know passages of scripture above shows how at some point (the judgement) all will bow and confess that Jehoshua is King (Lord) to the glory of God the Father. Why is it to the glory of God the Father? Because we see in verse 9, that God the Father highly exalted Jehoshua and gave Him a name that is above all names. The name Jehoshua (Jesus) is above every name under heaven. It's by this name whereby we must be saved. The significance of the name Jehoshua is shown in it's meaning which is "Jehovah is salvation" or the "salvation of Jehovah". The Son has the prefix of the Father's name within His name. Jehoshua is the very means by which Jehovah offers salvation. Let's go to Isaiah 53:

Isaiah 53:1-2 (ASV)

1Who hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of Jehovah been revealed?2For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Jehoshua is the arm of Jehovah. Jehovah saves men by His powerful arm which is manifested to us in His Son. The Son is the long arm of the Father's salvation so to speak. The word arm comes from the Hebrew word "zrowa" (strongs 2220) and means "the arm. (As stretched out), or (of animals), the foreleg force, help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength.

From the above definition we see that the word arm can be used figuratively for the might, power and force of someone. If Jehoshua is the arm of Jehovah then He is the strength and might of Jehovah. Scripture proves this elsewhere:

1 Corinthians 1:24 (KJV)

24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Paul echoes Isaiah and says that Messiah is the power of God.

Going back to Philippians 2, an argument can also be made that the name above all names given to Jehoshua is the name Jehovah itself. The truth is that Jehoshua has that divine name within His own name "Jehoshua" (Jehovah is salvation). This is the name that the angel of Jehovah told Joseph that his adopted Son would have.

Matthew 1:20-21

20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JEHOSHUA: for he shall save his people from their sins.

This is the name given to the Son of God by inheritance and it's meaning is stated above in which His very name means "salvation" i.e. "shua" and of course the prefix "Jeho" is a shortened form of the divine name "Jehovah". So one can rightly say that Jehoshua was given the divine name at His birth. He was given this name by inheritance as God's ONLY begotten Son and Messiah. He was predestined by God before the foundation of the world to be the Messiah and anointed King of Israel.

1 Peter 1:20 (KJV)

20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Just as an earthly son inherits his father's name, whether it's only the last name of the family or even the father's name in addition, the only begotten Son rightly inherits His Father's name "Jehovah".

Hebrews 1:4-9 (KJV)

4Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.5For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

6And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.7And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.8But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.9Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

This pasaage in Hebrew highlights the exaltation and preeminence given to Jehoshua by the Father. The context of Hebrews 1 is about the Messiah's resurrection and ascension to heaven to be enthroned as King of Israel. In verse 4 we see that as a result of the resurrection, the Messiah was made so much better than the angels. The word "made" comes from the Greek word "ginomai" (strongs 1096) and means "to cause to be (generate), become (come into being), arise, be assembled, be brought (to pass), grow, be made".

Jehoshua's being made so much better than the angels in this context is in regards to His resurrection from the dead and ascension. The word made as we see from the above definition means to be generated i.e. coming into existence. Jehoshua is called the first begotten from the dead in Colossians 1:18 meaning He came back into existence from being dead.

Verse 4 of Hebrews 1 goes on to say that by inheritance Jehoshua received a name more excellent than the angels. Inheritance denotes Jehoshua's true begotten Sonship as He was born with the prefix of the divine name within His own name. Also, this verse can speak of His ascension and exaltation by Jehovah in receiving a name that is above every name. This name can be in reference to being the King of Israel i.e. Lord (Sovereign) over all creation. However, there seems to be a possible reference to the divine name Jehovah. Let's look at Jeremiah 23:

5Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: Jehovah our righteousness.

Jehovah raised a righteous Branch from the lineage of David making Him King (Hebrews 1). Jehovah raised up Messiah from the stock of His Israelite brethren as prophesied by Moses. The complete fulfillment of verse 5 takes place during the Messiah's future reign on earth. It is during Jehoshua's Messianic Kingdom that He exceutes justice in the land as well as judgment. He reigns as King now from Heaven in the midst of His enemies however the full realization of the Kingdom is future.

The designation of Branch for Messiah is significant as it means "a sprout, branch, bud, that which grew, spring (ing). Hebrew strongs 6780 "tsemach". This denotes His true humanity having grown up into a man from a baby from the stock of David. Verse 6 denotes the future salvation of Judah and Israel at His second advent when He rescues them. Israel are all those regardless of ethnicity who believe in Jehoshua as the Son of God, Messiah of God and the anointed King of Israel.

We see that during the future Messianic Kingdom on earth that Jehoshua is called "Jehovah our Righteousness". Clearly Jehoshua is deserving of the divine name by inheritance of His begotten birth miraculously in the womb of Mary and also His resurrection as He overcame the world. This is why we can rightly call Him "Jehovah Jehoshua Messiah". In Revelation 3:12 we see that Jehoshua will have a new name in the future Kingdom.

Revelation 3:12 (KJV)

12Him 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.

Jehoshua having the name "Jehovah our Righteousness" ultimately points to Him as our Righteousness before God the Father.

In Zeceraiah 14 we see the name "Jehovah" applied to Jehoshua as this chapter is in regards to the second advent. In fact it says that Jehovah's name will be one, denoting the complete unity of the Father and Son as the Father is the divine eternal Jehovah who bestowed His name by inheritance upon His only begotten Son.

Zeceraiah 14:9 (ASV)

9And Jehovah shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall Jehovah be one, and his name one.

Jehoshua will reign over the earth after His second advent. He will come in His Father's name and in His Father's glory.

Matthew 16:27

"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."

John 5;43 (KJV)

43I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

Just as Jehoshua comes in His Father's glory and name (first and second advent) He also treads the winepress of His Father's wrath.

Revelation 19;15 (KJV)

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

When Jehoshua returns as detailed both in Zechariah 14 and Revelation 19, He will execute the wrath of His Father Jehovah doing so in the Father's name. In verse 9, we read that after the second advent of Messiah, that Jehovah will be one and His name one. In John 10:27-30 we read:

27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.30I and my Father are one.

In the above passage in the gospel of John we read that the Father and Son have complete unity in that they are one. Clearly from the context, their oneness speaks to their unity in the Spirit not meaning they are one in person. In the specific text above, their unity is in the plan of salvation. Of course, their unity extends to all aspects of the divine plan of Jehovah God. We also read in verse 9 that Jehovah's name will be one. This again shows that Jehoshua can rightly be called "Jehovah" as He will be ruling the earth during the millennium under the name "Jehovah our Righteousness".

Since everything Jehoshua does is in the Father's name and glory, He will not come to rule the earth in any other name than the name of His heavenly Father "Jehovah". This is how the name "Jehovah" will be one. In Jeremiah 30, we see that the both the Father and Son will jointly rule in the millennium hence the phrase in Zeceriah that "Jehovah" will be one and His name one.

Jeremiah 30;8-9 (KJV)

8And it shall come to pass in that day, saith Jehovah of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds; and strangers shall no more make him their bondman;9but they shall serve Jehovah their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them

After the second advent, Israel (the Church) will serve both Jehovah God and His anointed King Jehoshua, who is the ideal David. Jehoshua is Jehovah's covenant servant. Jehovah will fulfill His covenant with David through his offspring ( 2nd Samuel 7, Jeremiah 33:15-26).

Though both Father and Son will jointly rule in the millennium, it will be the Son in whom everything is executed and meted out. During this time, the men and women who populate the earth during the millennium will only have access to God the Father through His Son Jehoshua. After the millennium, men and women will finally have direct access to God the Father as the Son will then turn the Kingdom back to the Father so that He (The Father) will be all in all. Nevertheless, Jehoshua will still be the King and His Kingdom will never end.

Father and Son will jointly rule in the millennium and post millennium,however in the millennium there will only be direct access to the Son not the Father. Also, in the millennium there will still be a restoration process where the law will go forth out of Zion and justice and judgement meted out to the inhabitants of the earth who populate the millennium time frame. This is why the Kingdom will be directly under the Son's rule as He won't turn the Kingdom back to the Father until all things are subdued and the last enemy (death) is defeated. Death isn't defeated until the second resurrection and the casting of death and hades into the lake of fire.

1 Corinthians 15:24-28 (KJV)

24Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.27For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.28And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all

At the end of the millennium, Jehoshua when He finishes the task given to Him by the Father ,which is to eliminate evil from the universe, will then hand over a pure and undefiled Kingdom back to the Father. This is why Jehoshua has to be the direct and divine ruler of the Kingdom now and also in the millennium, because nothing impure can be in the Father's presence. Once the final rebellion at the end of the millennium has been put down by Jehoshua, then He will hand over the Kingdom to the Father because it will be a cleansed and pure KINGDOM without sin.

Yet, even though Jehoshua turns the Kingdom over to the Father, we are told He still sits on the throne in the new Jerusalem and we are told elsewhere that His Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom. These truths further show the absolute oneness in unity of the Father and Son.

The Son of God with power part 3

My study on the Son of God with power part 3

What other passages speak about Jehoshua being begotten? Let's go to the virgin birth as very few talk about Jehoshua being begotten in this manner but scripture clearly teaches that this is when Jehoshua was begotten.

Matthew 1:1 (KJV)

1The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Here in the fisrt gospel Matthew tells us that the account of Jehoshua's birth via Mary's womb is the "generation" of Jehoshua. The word "generation" comes from the Greek word "genesis" (strongs 1078) and means "nativity, nature, generation". The word genesis as we know it constitutes a beginning of something. Following a chronology of Jehoshua's "goings forth" i.e. family descent (Micah 5:2) from everlasting i.e. ancient days we come to the birth account of Jehoshua in Matthew 1:18-25.

Matthew 1:18-25 (KJV)

18Now the birth of Jehoshua Messiah was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JEHOSHUA: for he shall save his people from their sins.22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying 23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JEHOSHUA.

Let's look at the above passage and show that indeed Jehoshua was begotten miraculously through the womb of Mary.

Clearly in verse 18 of Matthew chapter 1, it says that this account is about the birth of Jehoshua. The word "birth" comes from the Greek word "gennesis" (Strongs 1083) and means "nativity, birth" which denotes a beginning. The root word of "gennesis" is "gennao" (Strongs 1080) and means "to procreate, figuratively to regenerate: - bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delivered of, gender, make spring." Let's dig a little deeper and see the root word for "gennao" which is "genos" (Strongs 1085) and means "kin, born, country, generation, kind -red), nation, offspring, stock".

The root word for "genos" is "ginomai" (Strongs 1096) and means "to cause to be  (generate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive): - arise, be assembled, be(-come, - fall, - have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), be made, be ordained to be."

With the meaning of these words we can cleary see that the meaning of birth denotes coming into existence, to be procreated, to be caused to be, a beginning, offspring, to be generated or figuratively regenerated, to be begotten and to be brought forth. We can truly say that this account of Jehoshua's birth via Mary's womb is Him being begotten i.e. brought forth, coming into existence and His gennesis (beginning) as noted at the beginning of Matthew 1 and as noted above due to the greek word for "birth" is "gennesis".

As we read the birth account we see that it was the Holy Spirit who powered the miraculous conception. This isn't a third separate person that is responsible for Jehoshua being conieved in Mary for then the Holy Spirit would be His Father and not God the  Father. Luke 1:35 confirms this as it says the following:

"And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God."

Here in Luke we see that the Holy Spirit is eqauted with being the power of the Most High God who according to scripture is the Father. So the Holy Spirit that caused Mary to be pregrant is the power of God the Father not a distinct being or person. This shows us that the Father and Son indeed have a real Father-Son relationship. Jehoshua was begotten from the womb of Mary who was found pregnant by the power of God the Father's Spirit. This is the principal reason why Jehoshua is the called the only begotten Son of God.

In verse 20 it says that Jehoshua was conceived in Mary of the Holy Spirit. The word conceived comes from the same greek word we mentioned above which is "gennao" (Strongs 1080) which of course means "beget, bring forth, be born" in other words "begotten". Here is the second time in this passage we see that Jehoshua was begotten by the Father via the virgin Mary supernaturally.

In verse 21 of Matthew 1 it says that Jehoshua will be brought forth from Mary. The phrase "brought forth" comes from the Greek word "tikto" and means "bear, be born, bring forth, be delivered, be in travail, to produce, literally or figuratively."

Again we see here that Jehoshua was begotten/produced from Mary's womb. Remember it was the Father that caused this to be so Jehoshua is the begotten Son of the Father according to the Spirit and the begotten Son of Mary according to the flesh (seed of David).

In verse 23 we see a fulfillment of prophecy mentioned taken from Isaiah 7:14. The same word "gennao" is used here to describe a virign bringing forth (gennao) a child denoting that this child brought forth would be begotten which of course is how all children come into this world. This further demonstrates that Jehoshua was begotten at His birth via Mary's womb by the power of God the Father. Let's touch on this prophecy from Isaiah 7 as there are a lot of misconceptions regarding it that have promoted a false "God in the flesh" doctrine.

Isaiah 7:1-25 (ASV)

1And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.2And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart trembled, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest tremble with the wind.3Then said Jehovah unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shear-jashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, in the highway of the fuller`s field;4and say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither let thy heart be faint, because of these two tails of smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.5Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have purposed evil against thee, saying,6Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set up a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeel;7thus saith the Lord Jehovah, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.8For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken in pieces, so that is shall not be a people:9and the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah`s son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.10And Jehovah spake again unto Ahaz, saying,11Ask thee a sign of Jehovah thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.12But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt Jehovah.13And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David: Is it a small thing for you to weary men, that ye will weary my God also?14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.15Butter and honey shall he eat, when he knoweth to refuse the evil, and choose the good.16For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land whose two kings thou abhorrest shall be forsaken.17Jehovah will bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father`s house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah-[even] the king of Assyria.18And it shall come to pass in that day, that Jehovah will hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.19And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the clefts of the rocks, and upon all thorn-hedges, and upon all pastures.20In that day will the Lord shave with a razor that is hired in the parts beyond the River, [even] with the king of Assyria, the head and the hair of the feet; and it shall also consume the beard.21And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall keep alive a young cow, and two sheep;22and it shall come to pass, that because of the abundance of milk which they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the midst of the land.23And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, shall be for briers and thorns.24With arrows and with bow shall one come thither, because all the land shall be briers and thorns.25And all the hills that were digged with the mattock, thou shalt not come thither for fear of briers and thorns; but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of sheep.

As we can see from the above passage in Isiaah that Jehovah would give Ahaz a sign that Syria and Ephraim would be plundered and that there confederacy against Judah would come to nought (verses 4-8).

In verse 8 Ahaz is told that Ephraim will be broken and not be a people within 65 years. We can see already that this passage in Isiaah has it's first application during the time of Ahaz. This is important to understand in regards to the birth of Messiah as we shall see.

In verses 10-16 we see that Jehovah wants Ahaz to ask for a sign that He (Jehovah) would be with him (Ahaz). After Ahaz declines to do so, Jehovah through the prophet Isiaah says that He (Jehovah) will give Ahaz a sign that a virgin (maiden, damsel, a lass) will give birth to a son and that his name will be "Immanuel" meaning "God with us". So clearly this is a sign for Ahaz and has an immediate application. This passage also has a distant application in regards to the birth of Jehoshua.

This means that a woman during Ahaz's time would bear a child that was to be a sign that Jehovah was with Ahaz and the people of Judah. Let's go back to verse 14 where it says this woman would be a virgin. We know from scripture that the only miraculous birth in a woman's womb in regards to being without normal sexual relations was when Jehoshua was born, so in the near application of this prophecy we have to understand the word "virgin" as defined by it's Hebrew meaning.

The word "virgin" comes from the Hebrew word "almah" (Strongs 5959) and means "damsel, virign, maid, a lass". The word almah (virgin) here doesn't neccessarily mean a woman who has never had sexual relations but also means simply a young maiden or damsel of marrying age regardless of whether she has had sex or not. The bible uses another word "betulah" when referring to a virign in the sense of a woman who has never had sexual relations. So in this case, the near application of this prophecy denotes a young woman having a child with no specification on whether or not she has had sexual relations before. We will shortly find out who this woman ended up being.

In verse 16, we see that before this child shall know to good and refuse evil that the prophecy will be fulfilled in that the land that Ahaz abhorred would be forsaken of both the King of Israel (Ephraim) and the king of Syria. In other words this prophecy had to be fulfilled in Ahaz's lifetime. This will be important to understand shortly as we proceed in this study.

In Isaiah 8 we see the birth of the child that would be a sign to Ahaz that Jehovah was with him and the people of Judah.

Isaiah 8:1-4 (KJV)

1Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.2And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.3And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.4For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.

In verse 3 of Isiaah 8, we clearly see that the immediate fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 "God with us" virgin bringing forth a son" takes place as Isaiah himself goes into (has sexual relations) the prophetess (his wife who is the virign i.e. young maiden of marrying age). In verse 4 of Isiaah 8, we see confirmation that this indeed fuflills the prophecy of Isiaah 7:14 as the child that the prophetess conceives is identified as the one, who before he has knowledge to cry (choosing good and refusing evil - verses 15-16 of ch. 7), is the one that is the sign that Damascus (Syria) and Samaria (Ephraim) would be plundered by Assyria. That is exactly what took place to Samaria and Syria before the child of Isaiah had knowledge to cry.

So it was Isaiah's child bore by the young prophetess maiden that was a sign that Jehovah was with Ahaz and the people of Judah fulfilling the prophecy of Isiaah 7:14. So why is this important in terms of Messiah's birth narrative? Because many wrongly attribute the "God with us" phrase in Isiaah 7:14 to mean that when Jehoshua was born that it was literally God coming down from heaven and taking on human form. Just as Isaiah's prophetess wife conceiving a son was a sign to Ahaz that Jehovah was with Judah, Mary conceiving a Son was a sign to Israel that Jehovah was with them. It doesn't mean that Jehovah literally came down and took on flesh. In both cases, Isiaah's son and Mary's Son were signs that Jehovah was spiritually with His people. In the case of Isaiah's son it was to bring to nought Syria and Ephraim. In the case of Mary's Son it was to reconcile the world unto Himself (Jehovah). Just to show that Jehoshua being a sign that God was with us does not neccessarily mean He (Jehoshua) was God Himself in the flesh let's go to scripture to see how exactly Jehoshua was "Immanuel" i.e. God with us.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (KJV)

18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Paul said that God was in Messiah reconciling the world unto Himself. This is exactly how Jehoshua can rightly be called "Immanuel" i.e. God with us in that God was in Him during His earthly ministry. How was God in Him?

Isaiah 11:1-4 (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.

We see here the prophecy that Jehovah would pour the fulness of His very own Spirit into His coming Messiah. Jehoshua is the fulfillment of this passage. When did this happen during the life of Jehoshua?

Matthew 3:16-17 (ASV)

16And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him;17and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

This is when Jehovah anointed His Son for the work of the ministry. Some of the ancient manuscripts qoute Psalm 2:7 in the above Matthew passage:

" I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee."

In the old testament when a King was anointed  by Jehovah to sit on the throne they were considered as being begotten by Jehovah to be His son and they were given Jehovah's Spirit.

At His baptism, Jehoshua was anointed by His Father to do the work of the ministry of reconciliation and to bring the Kingdom of God nigh unto the people as a precursor to be enthroned as King of Israel subsequent to His ascension to heaven. We see that prior to His baptism, Jehoshua had not yet had the fulness of the Father's Holy Spirit but rather was increasing in the Spirit as He learned obedience. Let's prove this from scripture.

Luke 2:40 (KJV)

40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Luke 2:51-52 (KJV)

51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

We see that even as a child Jehoshua had the Holy Spirit and it increased in Him as He increased in wisdom and in stature. However, the fulness of the Spirit hadn't come to Him yet otherwise we wouldn't see the emphasis here on Him increasing in wisdom and growing in stature and in favour with God. Jehovah was preparing His Son for the ministry and the Son was learning obedience as we see in the book of Hebrews.

Jehoshua had to go through a sanctification process before receiving the Father's Spirit in its fulness.

Hebrews 5;8-9 (KJV)

8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Jehoshua had to learn obedience like all of us do. Obviously, Jehoshua was already doing this as a child but it is at His baptism that we first learn of Him being filled with the Holy Spirit in its fulness.

Luke 4:1 (KJV)

1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Luke says that Jehoshua was full of the Holy Spirit having returned from Jordan where He was baptized.

Luke 4:14-18 (KJV)

14And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.15And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.16And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.17And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

After Jehoshua's wilderness experience we see that He returned from there in the power of the Holy Spirit and this is where His fame began to be spread as He started teaching in the synagogues on the Sabbath day. Notice that these verses of Jehoshua being filled with the Holy Spirit are right after His baptism whereas before this Jehoshua is described as increasing in wisdom and waxing strong in the Spirit. Obviously, Jehoshua was in the process of sanctification prior to His baptismal anointing as through learning obedience to the Father the Spirit increased in Him.

Back to Luke 2:40 where it says Jehoshua waxed strong in Spirit. Let's look at the definition of "waxed strong", this phrase comes from the Greek word "krataioo" (Strongs) and means "increase in vigor, be strengthened, be (wax) strong".

Waxing strong has the meaning of increasing in strength. To increase in something means that you didn't always have that thing you increased in at least to the level that you have attained that thing you have increased in. So prior to Jehoshua's baptism He was going through the process of increasing wisdom thereby the Holy Spirit was increasing in Him. It was after His baptism that we first read of Him being full of the Holy Spirit and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit inferring being filled to the full of the Spirit without measure.

Back to Luke 4 and the account of Jehoshua preaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath. In verse 18 Jehoshua quotes the prophet Isiaah chapter 61 where it says:

1The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening [of the prison] to them that are bound;2to proclaim the year of Jehovah`s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

Jehoshua quotes this shortly after His baptism where clearly He was anointed by the Lord Jehovah to preach the gospel of the Kingdom. Jehoshua makes it clear that Jehovah God anointed Him and that He didn't have this anointing prior. His baptism is the clear point in time that we could ascertain when Jehoshua was anointed for the work of the ministry as described in Isiaah 61. All the passages of Jehoshua being filled with the Holy Spirit to the full are after His baptism and the ancient manuscripts qoute Psalm 2:7 in the baptism accounts. To be begotten by God has the meaning of being anointed with His Spirit for ministerial work.