HIS REALITY IN YOU

March 12 1999

What makes us Messianic? What is it that constitutes the life of a believer in Yeshua?

Sometimes we take things for granted and assume that we know what the life of faith is all about. We wear labels and focus our identity on the nature or character of the group that we belong to. But what is our scriptural reality? If we believe the truth of the Gospel, then we must admit and confess “that we have been crusified with Messiah”1 therefore, “we have died and our life is hidden in the Messiah in Elohim”2 It does not say “we will be”, future tense. No, this here is a definite fact, preceded by "we have". Faith agrees with the work of Grace and brings us into the revelation knowledge of truth. Thus we know beyond a shadow of a doubt, “that our old man was crucified with him.”3 However, we not only have died, we have been buried with Him through our baptism in water4, and therefore we have been raised with Him into newness of life.
“If then you were raised with Messiah, seek those things which are above, where Messiah is, sitting at the right hand of YHVH. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”5

Now the question is, where is this new life? The answer is obvious “in Messiah Yeshua.” Where is the Messiah? In heavenly places. Where are those heavenly places? What does it mean to set our mind on things above? Is it somewhere beyond the stars and far in the galactic outer space, somewhere in this universe? No! Paul, or Rav. Shaul, challanges us to “examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith, for do you not know this about yourselves that Yehshua the Messiah is IN YOU.”6 “Do you mean to say that those heavenly places are IN ME? Yeshua is seated in me?” Oh yes, if we are in the faith we must recognize this about ourselves: that “greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.”7 One of the reasons why it is so difficult to see this reality is because many have not had the Torah to explain or give the picture of this truth to them. Yehshua said , “if you would believe Moses you would believe me for he spoke of Me.”8

When our forefathers arrived at Mount Sinai in the third month, just around the Feast of Firstfruit or Pentecost, an amazing thing happened; YHVH descended like fire on that mountain in the wilderness; His voice was heard; the mountain shook; the Torah was given; a marriage took place, and the tabernacle in the heavenly was seen and described in great detail. Paul tells us that these things happened to them for our instruction or example9, and thus we are to pay close attention to these details.

In light of this, let us take a look at only one from among the phenomena of Mount Sinai, "the Tabernacle". What does the Tabernacle or sanctuary have to do with us? The Apostle writes, "For you are the sanctuary of the living Elohim. As YHVH has said, ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people’."10 "Do you not know that you are the sanctuary of Elohim and that the Spirit of YHVH dwells in you? If anyone defiles the sanctuary of Elohim, YHVH will destroy him. For the sanctuary of Elohim is holy, which you are."11? "Or do you not know that your body is the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from YHVH, and you are not your own?”12

As living stones we are being built corperately into a temple, but while in this wilderness journey we individually look like the tabernacle. "Behold, the tabernacle of YHVH is with (in) men, and He will dwell with (in) them, and they shall be His people. YHVH Himself will be with (in) them and be their Elohim.”13 With the picture of the tabernacle we have a revelation of what we look like on this earth, or wilderness. Without going into great detail, the emphasis is on the fact that our Heavenly Father is IN us, and the Messiah is IN Him and our spirit man is HIDDEN IN the Messiah. This is what our holy of holies looks like; it is full of His nature of life and light. However, our soul, which is a picture of the holy place, is in the process of being restored that it might reflect the glory of the nature of the Spirit of Elohim.

"For this reason we bow our (soul) knees to the Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant us according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Messiah may dwell in our hearts through faith; that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Messiah which passes knowledge; that we may be filled with all the fullness of Elohim”14

Yeshua is in us and His desire is to be merged with our soul. Thus He
is standing at the door of the heart of the believers and knocking (see 15), asking them to repent or turn around. Why? Because His people have been worshiping out at the front gate, looking east, into the wilderness of this world’s religious systems. The soul must turn around and look to the holy of holies within the tabernacle and "worship in spirit and in truth."16

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the congregation by Messiah Yeshua to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."17

Ephraim

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity…for in this YHVH commands the blessing "life eternal"18

1Gal. 2:20, 2 Col. 3:3 3 Rom 6:6 4Rom.6:4 5Col.3:1-2 62 Cor. 13:5 71John4:4 8John 5:46 91Cor.10:11 102 Cor 6:16 111 Cor.3:16-17 12 1 Cor 6:19 13 Rev 21:3 14 Eph. 3:14-19 15Rev. 3:20 16John 4:23 17Eph. 3:20-21 18 Ps. 133

REAL-A-STATE

March 5, 1999

The expression "Jack of all trades, master of none" is a familiar one. This saying, with all due respect, fits YHVH,’s ‘professions’, although He is undoubtedly not only a “Jack of all trades” but a Master of them all. Many people today are dabbling in real estate to earn a little extra money on the side. Well, wouldn't you know it, YHVH is into that business also! He is first seen creating the property that He will own, and then taking possession of it. Psalm 24:1 states: "The earth is YHVH's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” In Psalm 89:11, we read: "The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all its fullness, You have founded them”. 1Corinthians 10:26 says: "The earth is YHVH's and all its fullness."

In these scriptures it is evident that YHVH has never lost the title deed of ownership of the earth to any devil. However, we do see Him dividing it up and giving it to men. "Then Elohim said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth’" (Gen.1:26).

According to these scriptures, it is evident that man, "Adam" (both male and female), had an equal role in overseeing, ruling, or subduing all living things. Subduing does not mean exploiting, but actually just the opposite - imparting life and light to the living creatures. However, nothing was said about property rights until after the nations (goyim) where divided. We read in Genesis 10:32: "These were the families of the sons of Noah, according to their generations, in their nations; and from these the nations were divided on the earth after the flood." Genesis 10:25 says: "To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided." And, "When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel" (Deuteronomy 32:8). Now why would the Creator do that? Israel was not even around at the time of Peleg (or was it?). Peleg was the son of Eber, whose name is carried by the Israelites – Hebrews - and is one of the forefathers of Abram (a firstborn).

Right from the start Elohim began to put in order the true intent of His plan, which is seen later in the covenant that He made with Abraham the father of Israel. "Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are--northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land [eretz] which you see I will give to you and your descendants forever. I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth [eretz]; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk on the land [eretz] through its length and its width, for I give it to you" (Gen.13:14-17). Ownership was given simply by being the one that YHVH would chose and then to be present or take up residents on that property. This is somewhat like the old Ottoman (Turkish) law that determines that planting trees or putting up buildings on a given piece of land entitles one to ownership of that ground.

Abram was living somewhere between Ai and Bethel when YHVH spoke those words to him. I would like to take the liberty to expand the meaning of this blessing based on its context. "Arise walk in the earth through its length and its breath and I will give it to you." The Hebrew word "eretz" can be translated earth, land, field, or ground. It is legitimate for a translator to use any of these English words at their discretion according to the context. My understanding of the context, in light of the massive blessing of multiplicity, is that the seed would be as the dust of the earth (“eretz”), and dust, as we know, usually covers everything. I believe that the Holy One did not limit this blessing to Abraham only and to a specific land (Canaan), but also to his seed and to the entire earth. YHVH’s intent was to sow the seed into all the earth (“eretz”), thus continuing the blessing that He made with Adam and with Noah, "to fill the earth and rule over it [or subdue it]."

Later on in the life of Abraham we hear YHVH saying that his seed would be like the stars of heaven. (ref. Gen.15:5). Again, He is talking in terms of numbers, but here also of position, as the stars were put there to rule the night, along with the moon, and to be for signs and for seasons (stars can be seen in the night skies from any one point on the face of the earth).

Abraham was also told that he would be a nation (“goy”), in the form of his own multiplied seed, and that this goy would be a goy made up of kings and priests. “And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel…” (Exodus 19:6): "YHVH will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath” (Deut. 8:13). The irrevocable destiny of the life of the forefathers was to have dominion and to subdue and rule this planet earth.

The Patriarchs are very much alive today in their progeny, whether their children know it or not. For did not YHVH say that He is the "Elohim of Abraham, Isaac an Jacob, the Elohim of the living" (Matt. 22:32)? This is why we need to have our eyes open to present truth, or reality.

YHVH is a covenant-keeping Elohim, and in this generation we are the witnesses to that faithfulness, loving-kindness and mercy. That being so, not just by what we say, but more so by whom we are. Worshiping in spirit and in truth is being who Elohim has created us to be, and recognizing ourselves to be this incredible living truth - "the work of YHVH." “But when he [Jacob] sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, they will worship by hallowing My name, hallowing the Holy One of Jacob, and fearing the Elohim of Israel”. We are His living stones, hewn from the rock, which is made up of "Abraham our father and [of] Sarah who gave birth to us in pain" (Isa. 51:2). "For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The counsel of YHVH stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations… Blessed is the nation whose Elohim is YHVH, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance" (Ps. 33:9,11-12 8). "Because YHVH loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, YHVH has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of [spiritual] bondage” (Deut.7:8). Why did He do that? That we might be filled with His Spirit, and be that channel of His life and light to the creation. What good is a star if it has no light?

We, in this generation of the seed of Abraham, are incredibly blessed to not only have Yeshua as our Messiah, but to be a witness to the restoration of the nation that will be His light to all the nations and to the earth. Biblical prophecy is being fulfilled right before our very eyes, as the Spirit of Elohim is restoring the second stick or nation of “Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim” of Ezekiel thirty-seven.

"Look among the nations and watch -- Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you” (Hab.1:5). Not many believed that the first stick (Judah) could be gathered by YHVH and restored as a national entity on this earth. But now that it has, the nations far and wide are taken aback. Judah/Israel is like a thorn in their side. But while they are still deliberating on how to solve this one dilemma, there is still another nation to be gathered; and this one is even more difficult to recognize as it has been hidden. In Ezekiel thirty-seven YHVH says that these dry bones of the lost tribes are in their graves of non-recognition. That means that they will only be seen when YHVH raises them up through resurrection power. “Awake O Israel put off your slumber, and the truth will make you free…”

Nation of Ephraim, are you wakening up to your national identity? Are you, as the first fruit/firstborn of the new creation, willing to be your brother’s keeper? We can only be that to another nation if we ourselves are the resurrected/re-gathered brother/nation. YHVH wants to make one nation out of the two, but first He wants two nations, two trees, in His hand.

Ephraim

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers [two nations] to dwell [shevet Achim] together in unity…in this YHVH commands the blessing life eternal” (Ps. 133:1,3b).

POTTER AND THE CLAY

February 5, 1999

In last week's letter we were developing the thought about the "work of YHVH" as seen from Isaiah 29:22-23; "Therefore thus says YHVH, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: "Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now grow pale; when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, they will hallow My name, hallow the Holy One of Jacob, and fear the Elohim of Israel." This week let's take a look at the another analogy “the potter and the clay."

"But now, O YHVH, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; and all of us are the work of Your hands."1 "The vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?" says YHVH. "Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!"2 "Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?"3 Are we not a mercy vessel, made from the same lump of clay, O house of Israel? Just because He has reshaped us, it doesn't mean that we have a different ancestry. No, we are still the same clay from the same lump!

"If you are of Christ (then this is proof positive) that you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."4 Being in Christ does not make you a seed of Abraham, it simply proves that you are already from that genus of faith. Paul says it quite clearly in his letter to the Romans "so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all"5. "For indeed He does not take hold of angels, but He does take hold of the seed of Abraham."6 We have all come from the same lump of clay. The first vessel that He made was for dishonor (no mercy) "Lo-ruhamah" (see Hos. 1:6). Why would a loving father do that? "For Elohim gave them all up into disobedience that He might show mercy on all"7. Thus, we see the potter Himself determining, according to His will, what vessel He will make for what purpose, and yet if He decides to change the design He can do so without obtaining our permission. "For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.'8 "So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of Elohim who shows mercy. Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens, that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory."9

What vessels did He prepare beforehand for His glory?

It is almost unbelievable that the Most High Elohim would create something corruptible, defilable, weak and without glory. That He would even chose a people, Israel, who could not be faithful, who learned from the heathens about idolatry. Being married to Yahoveh at Sinai, they played the harlot, and in turn, demonstrated to the heathens how to commit spiritual adultery. Why would Elohim form such impure vessels if through them He was to deminstrate His mercy and glory?

"But now, thus says YHVH, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him."10 "Thus says YHVH who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you: `Fear not, O Jacob My servant; and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen."11 Thus says YHVH, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb: "I am YHVH, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself."12

Luke (records and) sheds a ray of light on the identity of these people, who are called for "His name sake"out in the nations, when he describes the restoration of the fallen booth of David: "Simon has declared how Elohim at the first visited the Gentiles (nations) to take out of them a people for His name. With this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: `After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; so that the rest of mankind may seek YHVH even all the nations who are called by My name, says YHVH who does all these things. Known to Elohim from eternity are all His works."13 He knows the nations that He brought forth from the loins of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is His work, for His name sake and for His glory. Just think: you and I, who are of that unrighteous stock of Israel's race, have been redeemed through the blood of the Messiah and are recreated or reformed so that we can contain His righteousness, His Holiness, and the glory of His life! "Remember this, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me! I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you."14

How wonderfully comforting it is to know who we are, where we came from, and what His Word assures us of regarding our future. In the near future we will have a need for this revelation-understanding, as we, the redeemed of YHVH, will be joined into one stick, or like a bow and an arrow, become a mighty weapon in His hand.

The potter is well aware which vessels are for His glory, for He says to Jacob “His chosen” and to Israel “His servant”: “You, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions…`You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your Elohim. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."15 "Behold! My servant whom I uphold, My chosen one in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit in him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. I am YHVH that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them."16 "Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west; I will say to the north, `Give them up!' And to the south, `Do not keep them back!' Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth. Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed you, yes, I have made you."17

"When Jacob sees his children, the work of My hands…"18 and when Jacob's children see that they have been, and still are, the works of His hand, they will praise Him just as it its written: "All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your saints shall bless You."19. "O Lord Elohim, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what Elohim is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds?"20

When everything is said and done we will "sing the song of Moses, the servant of Elohim, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord, Elohim Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!"21

Ephraim

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell (shevet achim) together in unity…in this Elohim commands the blessing life eternal."22

1(Isa. 64:8). 2(Jer. 18:4,6); 3(Rom. 9:21); 4(Gal. 3:29); 5(Rom.4:16); 6(Heb. 2:16); 7(Rom. 11:32); 8 (Ex. 33:19); 9 (Rom. 9:15-16;18,23); 10(Isa.43:1,7); 11(Isa. 44:2); 12(Isaiah 44:24); 13(Acts 15:14-18); 14 (Isa. 44:21-22); 15(Isa. 41:8-10); 16(Isa. 42:1, 8-9); 17(Isa.43:5-7); 18(Isa. 29:23); 19(Psa 145:10); 20(Deut. 3:24); 21(Rev. 15:3); 22(Psa. 133).