Whose names are written in the
Lamb's Book of Life from the foundation of the earth? Do the Scriptures give us
any indication as to who they might be?
Obviously a kinsman redeemer has to be a family member, an
elder and firstborn brother and one who possesses the birthrights. We have seen
in previous letters that Yeshua was the Father’s proven firstborn, and was
given full rights to redeem that which belonged to Him (i.e. to the
Father). Thus, the redeemed would have
to be kinsmen of Yeshua. But who is of the family of Yeshua? The Word tells us of His linage, especially
in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Yeshua was “adopted” into the family of David by Joseph who was of the
tribe of Judah ,
the latter being a son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham – who himself was
of the lineage of the firstborn. There
is only one people that fit this specific genealogy, and that is the people of Israel . The Apostle Paul describes this promised seed
very clearly in his letter to the believers in Rome :
“They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children
of Elohim: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this
is the word of promise, at this time will I come, and Sara shall have a
son. And not only this; but when Rebecca
also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac (For the children being not
yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God
according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calls); It was
said unto her, ‘the elder shall serve the younger’. As it is written, ‘Jacob
have I loved, but Esau have I hated’. What shall we say then? Is there
unrighteousness with God? God forbid” (Rom. 9: 8-14).
These people became YHVH's
inheritance by being called, chosen and elected according to the statute of
first fruit, or firstborn. It is also
worth noting that they were conceived in mothers whose wombs were dead and
barren. Thus “life from the dead”
already characterized and identified them from the beginning.
Since according to the Torah ordinance Israel belonged
to YHVH, they must be the recognized firstborn and the ones whose names are
written on the scroll. YHVH sealed this relationship by commanding Abraham to
circumcise all the firstborn males on the eighth day: “And he that is eight
days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations”
(Gen 17:12). Later the nation of Israel was
commanded: “You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce [fullness]
and your tears [that which is produced with labor pains]. The firstborn
of your sons you shall give to Me.
Likewise you shall do with your oxen and your sheep. It shall be with
its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me” (Ex.
22:29-30). “Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever open the womb
among the children of Israel
However, circumcision of the flesh was only a sign of whom
the firstborn belonged to, especially so since iniquity and sin still reigned
in their mortal bodies, preventing them from fulfilling their divine role as
king-priests according to Melchizedec. The latter status would only be made
possible through a future covenant, one that would take away the sin nature and
circumcise the heart. YHVH then would write His Torah on their hearts and would
give them His indwelling Spirit to enable them to fulfill their divine mandate
as a firstborn nation. As such they are to become the redeemers/saviors of the
rest of humanity, as YHVH gave them the nations/peoples for their inheritance
(ref. Isa. 54:3).
The Apostle Paul
describes this divine order in his letter to the believers in Corinth : “For as in Adam all die, even so
in the Messiah all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: anointed
first fruits, afterward those who are Messiah's at His coming [hidden presence]” (1
Cor. 15:22-23). The word translated for
“coming” is not referring to a physical appearance, but to His hidden presence
in a people, such as: “Messiah in you the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). The word in Greek is parousia (par-oo-see'-ah) and means “presence”. It does not mean a future coming, but the
hidden presence of Yeshua in those who have received His Spirit-life in their
innermost being. This “presence” in the
believer is the evidence of the New Covenant that was made with the House of
Israel and the House of Judah (ref. Jer. 31:31-34; Eze. 36:24-28).
The Messiah of Israel has come in the Spirit of Holiness,
and is in a continual process of revealing Himself in a people that have been
preordained (called and chosen)for this glory or light. This is only made possible through the
promises of the New Covenant that was made with His Father’s inheritance (that
is, with those who belong to Him who constitute the Firstborn nation). In order
for the Abrahamic seed to be a light of His glory to all nations, they had to
be first sown into the nations in the state of iniquity and sin, and remain
hidden until the time came for “the faith” of their father Abraham to be
revealed in them. Only then can they be declared as the “redeemed” who are
“returning” to Zion : “Therefore the redeemed
of YHVH shall return to Zion Zion
means that they were there sometime in the past. How? In the loins of their forefathers. How were their forefathers in Zion , the dwelling place
of YHVH? The answer takes us right back
to YHVH’s own declaration that the firstborn belongs to Him. They are His
possession, His inheritance. These forefathers did not only dwelt in the Land of Zion ,
but YHVH was also King over them and thus they also dwelt in a “spiritual” Zion (albeit the
relationship took on a more external aspect in the form of a tabernacle or
temple).
Nevertheless, YHVH gave them over
to iniquity, sin and unbelief that He might have mercy upon all. His plan, even from the beginning, was to
make the seed of Abraham into multitudes of peoples and nations. Before entering the Land as a nation they
were told that they would not be able to be righteous according to Law, and as
a result would be scattered like seed into the earth, later to be redeemed,
harvested and brought back (Deut. 30:1-6). There is not any one skin color, eye
color or hair texture that characterizes His people, only two attributes
identify them: the faith of their father Abraham and a love for the Torah (see
Rom 4:16). And, yes, there is one more significant element… their names are
written on the scroll with the seven seals (ref. Rev. 5:1).
It is for this reason that Peter,
when addressing a redeemed remnant living alongside the heathens, exhorts them
to conduct themselves
throughout the time of their stay (on earth) in fear; cognizant of the fact
that they are not redeemed with corruptible things, silver or gold, or by their
own aimless conduct, through performing the traditions of men, or that of their
fathers' traditions, but, rather, that they are redeemed with the precious
blood of Messiah, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Indeed, He was
foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last
times for them (ref. 1 Pet.1:17-20).
YHVH says that the nations are their/our
inheritance. What do you think it will cost them/us to redeem their/our
inheritance, "the nations"?
Again the Apostle writes: "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest,
hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation [the
unveiling of His hidden presences in you] of Yeshua the Messiah; as obedient
children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;
but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because
it is written, 'be holy, for I am holy'"(1 Pet 1:13-16). "For
to this [suffering] you were called, because Messiah also suffered for
us, leaving us an example that you should follow His steps: who committed no
sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not
revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself
to Him who judges righteously" (1 Pet. 2:21-23). Remember there is
still a creation that is groaning, waiting for the appearance of the sons of
Elohim! (ref. Rom.
8:19, Hos. 1:10).
We, who
are proclaiming our newly found identity as Ephraimites must become aware of
who we are as a firstborn and what our destiny is here on earth. Just as our Messiah was a lamb for a
sacrifice and yet a prince and priest, so we, of the lost sheep of the House of
Israel, have the same calling. YHVH
describes us best when He says: “' Thus says YHVH: ‘I will
also let the house of Israel Jerusalem Jerusalem .
The scriptures tell us what kind of sacrifice was taken to Jerusalem for those feasts; unblemished,
untainted, perfect firstborn!
The redeemed of YHVH shall come with singing:
"Worthy, worthy is the Lamb, the Almighty’s prevailing right hand, to take
the two redeemed families of Judah and Ephraim and make them one in His hand
and the Land."
Ephraim
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