The wicked one attempts to mock the Creator and His creation at every opportunity. One example is that he has orchestrated a diminished importance of the Law of YAHUAH which teaches the way of righteous works. While he, himself, has worked to instill an often unbalanced focus on grace. As a result, new Bible readers are often discouraged from reading the Bible starting with the first five books. Instead, they are advised to read the book of John first, the 43rd book of the Bible and 4th book of the New Testament. The result of this is that they do not get an early opportunity to see YAH’s plainly written Law in the first five books of the Bible.
Here is the enemy’s mocking in this. Throughout the first four books of the New Testament, but especially in the Book of John, YAHUSHA, the Messiah both taught and demonstrated works. He refers to work or works in the book of John more than in the other first three books of the New Testament combined. His works were clearly connected to the Law of YAHUAH. Additionally, he admonished his Hebrew disciples (and by extension all who believe on Him) to do works as He, Himself, did.
As the recommended book of John is read, new Bible readers see (but don’t see because of religious programming) that righteous works based on His Law are significantly important to the Creator. Eventually, this grace, grace, grace doctrine is solidified and sealed in the soul. Only YAH’s transforming Word which is like a two-edged sword cuts away this veil, this mist, the scales over the eyes, this covering over the mind (Heb. 4:12).
Work Faith Balance
I do believe that we only need to have faith in the Messiah for redemption and justification. Yet, righteous works (as established by YAH’s Law), are evidence of saving faith. The Apostle James describes the connection between works and faith:
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? James 2:14
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, James 2:15
And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? James 2:16
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. James 2:17
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. James 2:18
Thou believest that there is one Elohim; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. James 2:19
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? James 2:20
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? James 2:21
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? James 2:22
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed Elohim, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of Elohim. James 2:23
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. James 2:24
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? James 2:25
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26
James did not write about the works of the man-created laws. These burdensome works of the law were tacked onto YAHUAH’s righteous law. Messiah vehemently opposed them (Matt. 15:1-9).
YAHUSHA worked righteous works. Likewise, we are expected to do the same (DWYD). The Messiah connected our relationship with Him to our doing righteous work.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you (emphasis added). John 15:14
YAHUSHA’s Work
YAHUSHA’s last direct reference to work is in John 17. This chapter is referred to as the Messiah’s High Priestly prayer. In it, He prayed this:
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. John 17:4
Notice that YAHUSHA did not say, “I have finished works (plural).” He also did not say, “I have finished a work (nonspecific).” Both versions would not convey the specificity that the article “the” implies.
Further in John 19:30 he declared THE work that he came to do as completed:
When YAHUSHA therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ruach (emphasis added). John 19:30
Again, let us carefully examine all the pronouns to see what YAHUSHA did not say. He did not say:
I am finished. You are finished. He is finished. She is finished. We are finished. They are finished
No, instead, he specifically said, It is finished. The pronoun, “it” is singular. It refers to one thing, not more than one like the pronouns, “we,” “they” and sometimes, “you.”
These two verses show that YAHUSHA was singularly focused on one assignment, one mission, one commission. The question then becomes, What is THE Work that YAHUSHA spoke of in John 17:4. A related question is, What is the “it” (the work) that is finished?”
The Sin of the World?
The next day John seeth YAHUSHA coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of Elohim, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Here, John proclaimed THE work that YAHUSHA came to do. Prior to this study, I assumed that John said that YAHUSHA was focused on all the people of the world.
Yet, John referred to the Messiah as a Lamb. YAHUSHA died at Passover. The Passover Lamb is chosen on the 10th day of the first month and Passover is the 14th day . Two goats for the atonement of the sins of the House of Israel (not lambs) were chosen for the Day of Atonement. While YAHUSHA did indeed die for atonement for our sins, John did not have the Day of Atonement in mind when he referred to YAHUSHA as the Lamb of Elohim.
We know that Passover pictures redemption. Let me pause with a definition of redemption. The 1955 Oxford Universal Dictionary has these definitions for redemption:
1. Deliverance from sin and its consequences by the atonement of Jesus Christ. 2. The action of freeing a prisoner, captive, or slave by payment; ransom. late ME. Jewish Law. The ceremony of redeeming the eldest son by an offering (Num. xviii. 15) late ME. 3. The action of freeing, delivering, or restoring in some way 1470. b. That which redeems; a redeeming feature 1860. The action of redeeming oneself from punishment; way or means of doing this; atonement 1468. +b. A recompence BACON. 5. The fact of obtaining a privileged status, or admission to a society by means of purchase 1500. 6. The action of clearing off a recurring liability or charge by payment of a single sum 1494. 7. The action of redeeming or buying back from another in various applications 1548.
Not all of the definitions of this word apply to YAHUSHA’s finished work as the Lamb of YAH. Many of them do, though.
We know that the appointed times of YAH in ancient Israel and in John’s day, foreshadowed THE work of Messiah. However, the world around the Hebrews was not observing the Creator’s Feast Days which includes Passover. YAHUSHA, the Lamb therefore, could not have come to focus specifically on (as John correctly stated) taking away the world’s sin.
Consider again, YAHUSHA’s words in his High Priestly prayer:
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. John 17:9
Redemption
YAHUSHA, himself, makes a distinction, a division, a separation between those who are his disciples (Hebrews, the Children of Israel) and the people of the world (pagans, Gentiles).
Therefore, considering the Messiah’s own words in John 17, as well as in other places in Scripture, John’s proclamation has not its point that YAHUSHA’s work was focused on the pagan people of the nations.
He did not address idol worshipping Romans. Nor was he thinking of the institutional Church which did not exist until the 3rd century. John’s target audience, like his prophetic predecessors, was Israel and Judah. He baptized and preached to them.
John had in mind the redemption of the House of Israel. He and his disciples recognized that the set time had come. As the forerunner to the Messiah, his message prepared the Hebrew people for YAHUSHA’s arrival.
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, Matthew 3:1
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 3:2
Many Hebrews (not Romans) responded to the message of repentance and were baptized in preparation for their soon coming Messiah (Matt. 3:5-6; Mk. 1:5; Lk. 3:7-12).
Precept upon precept, line upon line of the whole counsel of Scripture points to the Truth that YAHUSHA’s finished work focuses on the House of Israel, not the world. YAHUSHA came to take away the sin of the world from the House of Israel, YAHUAH’s Bride. Again, THE finished work of YAHUSHA the Messiah, the Lamb of YAH, is redemption and thus, reconciliation of the House of Israel back to her husband, YAHUAH.
In the Old Testament, YAHUAH divorced Israel and put away Judah for her idolatry. He repeatedly pleaded with her through the messages of His prophets. But she refused to turn from her idolatrous ways. Here is one instance of YAHUAH’s exasperation (so to speak) with His Bride.
YAHUAH said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. Jeremiah 3:6
And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. Jeremiah 3:7
And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. Jeremiah 3:8
And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks. Jeremiah 3:9
And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith YAHUAH. Jeremiah 3:10
And YAHUAH said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah. Jeremiah 3:11
Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith YAHUAH; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith YAHUAH, and I will not keep anger for ever. Jeremiah 3:12
Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against YAHUAH thy Elohim, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith YAHUAH. Jeremiah 3:13
Turn, O backsliding children, saith YAHUAH; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: Jeremiah 3:14
Finished Work
YAHUSHA’s finished work as the Lamb of YAH made a way for divorced-and-now-fornicating-with-the-world-and-its-gods Israel and adulterous Judah to be legally reconciled back to her Husband by means of the death and resurrection of YAHUSHA. That was Good News to His Bride in the first century and remains Good News today. The prophet Isaiah foretold of the House of Israel’s redemption.
For thy Maker is thine husband; YAHUAH of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The Elohim of the whole earth shall he be called. Isaiah 54:5
For YAHUAH hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy Elohim. Isaiah 54:6
For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. Isaiah 54:7
In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith YAHUAH thy Redeemer. Isaiah 54:8
YAHUSHA came to die for HIS Bride, the House of Israel. She is His wife for eternal life. She is irreplaceable to Him, and He is eternally wed to her alone.
In Matthew 15:24, the plain words of YAHUSHA also reveal the work that he came to finish. He spoke to a Syrophoenician woman whose daughter was demon possessed:
…I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 15:24
While YAHUSHA did indeed have mercy on this woman and her daughter, she and the pagans around Israel and Judah were not his primary work.
He came to this earth realm the first time for his unsubmitted and disobedient Bride. He will also return soon to receive His Bride that is without spot or wrinkle. Though difficult to accept because of religious indoctrination, the truth is that Messiah will not return for a replacement Bride.
According to the whole counsel of Scripture, the Church is not YAHUAH’s Bride. No matter how sincerely the Church attempts to woo Him with her Christmas and Easter holidays and her ham dinners, He eternally has eyes only for the House of Israel.
For YAHUAH’S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. Deuteronomy 32:9
He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. Deuteronomy 32:10
Marriage Covenant
We cannot view the Creator through the lens of the throwaway-marriage culture that we have been born and programmed into. The Most High Elohim is not a polygamist, fornicator or adulterer like His Bride, the House of Israel has been. He has made one and only one eternal marriage covenant with Abraham’s descendants.
Even to the death of the cross, He has seen to it that His first and only true love, His Bride, the House of Israel, can come back to Him. Greater love has not any false elohim than this!
Once she broke covenant with YAHUAH joining herself to the idol gods of this world, Torah states that she could not return to YAHUAH. Even though He desired His Bride and even if she came to her senses and realized her mistake, she could not reconcile. Deuteronomy 24 says this about marriage, divorce, and remarriage:
When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. Deuteronomy 24:1
And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife. Deuteronomy 24:2
And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; Deuteronomy 24:3
Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before YAHUAH: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which YAHUAH thy Elohim giveth thee for an inheritance. Deuteronomy 24:4
The centuries prior to the Messiah were like a tragic love story between the House of Israel and YAHUAH. Those who longed to return to their husband, YAHUAH, could only go so far and only do so much. Yet, they did not stop trying.
An example is the return of many of the exiles to Jerusalem in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Although they rebuilt the temple, there was no Ark of the Covenant in it. They had broken their marriage covenant. Therefore, they had no Ark of the Covenant.
When alienated from YAHUAH, the natural tendency for us all is to make up our own worship and service protocols apart from what He has already established in His Word.
This is speculation on my part, but it seems that the returning exiles compensated for their no Ark, broken-covenant situation by attaching numerous rules and regulations to the Torah as a means for redemption and justification.
Works of the Law
The man-conceived works of the Law written about in the New Testament were birthed in Babylon. They added more and more works to the Torah in efforts of self-expiation. Their traditions of men at least made them feel that they were in covenant with their Husband. Yet, those works of the (manmade) law could never have been enough.
On their own, no matter how many good works they performed; no matter how many safeguards they put in place to keep themselves from violating Torah, they could not undo what their ancestors had already done centuries earlier. They could not deliver themselves. Yet, even in Judah’s folly and Israel’s apostasy, YAHUAH remained merciful to them. Mercy is His way.
Required Death
Despite all this, YAHUAH never stopped loving the seed of Abraham. Yes, he divorced her and scattered her throughout the nations because of her uncleanness (her idolatry). Yet, He pleaded and pleaded with her before finally doing so. We can read the books of the prophets to see how longsuffering YAHUAH was with His Bride. The book of Hosea is a poignant illustration of the YAH’s heart for His Bride.
Legally, YAH’s hands were tied. Yes, He can do anything. However, “can” and “will” are two different helping verbs. YAHUAH will NEVER, EVER violate or contradict His Word. He had already established in Torah that once a divorced wife has joined herself to another, she cannot come back to her first husband.
Only by death could YAH’s Bride return to Him. When the Messiah said on the cross, “It is finished,” it was as if He was saying the period of estrangement is over. Yet, love takes two parties. Paul explains the legal terms for the return of the House of Israel to YAHUAH, her husband:
Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? Romans 7:1
For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. Romans 7:2
So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Romans 7:3
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Messiah; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto Elohim. Romans 7:4
For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. Romans 7:5
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. Romans 7:6
YAHUSHA has finished His work. He came. He shed His redemptive blood for His Bride. He died. He spoiled the wickedness that spoiled and soiled His Bride. He rose from the grave the third day. He ascended on high. Now, He waits for His Bride, the House of Israel, to die as well. YAHUAH waits for His Bride to choose Him.
3000+ Made the Choice
Over 3,000 readily chose YAHUAH on the first Day of Pentecost after the Messiah’s resurrection. They were at Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost because they were of the House of Israel. Although YAHUAH had scattered them to the nations, they never lost their identity as the seed of Abraham.
Peter’s sermon was what that their hearts longed for and were waiting for. Knowing their history, they understood the implications of the finished work of the Messiah. Now, they could abandon the works of the law (not YAH’s righteous Torah) without fear of religious retribution.
The requirement for redemption had been satisfied. They understood that they could be legally rejoined to YAHUAH in covenantal relationship through the blood of the Messiah. They did not have to perform all those burdensome manmade works of the law any longer! The House of Israel could freely by faith come home to her Husband.
This Good News is the true Gospel of the Kingdom of Elohim; not the “Good Spell” (I mean Gospel) that many seem to be under today.
But… First, due to the prohibition in Torah, to be rejoined with YAHUAH in covenant, death was required. They had to be made new creatures (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15). Peter told them just how to do so.
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that Elohim hath made that same YAHUSHA, whom ye have crucified, both Master and Messiah. Acts 2:36
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts 2:37
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of YAHUSHA Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Ruach Qodesh. Acts 2:38
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as YAHUAH our Elohim shall call. Acts 2:39
About 3,000 of the House of Israel died (through baptism) and were resurrected into a new life of redemption and reconciliation with YAHUAH (Acts 2:41). They were born again (John 3:3-6), following the Way of the Messiah. Through baptism, they were resurrected and made new. They were thus enabled to be rejoined to their husband, YAHUAH. Paul clarifies the way of new life in the Messiah:
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Romans 6:1
Elohim forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 6:2
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into YAHUSHA Messiah were baptized into his death? Romans 6:3
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Elohim was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Romans 6:5
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6:6
For he that is dead is freed from sin. Romans 6:7
Now if we be dead with Elohim, we believe that we shall also live with him: Romans 6:8
From the first century, until now, to His soon return, YAHUAH waits for more of His Bride to awaken to the finished work of YAHUSHA. He waits for her to deny the self-life of the world and to follow Him in the way of the cross through baptism and obedience to His commandments.
Invitation Extended
We have established through Scripture that YAHUSHA’s finished work is that He came for His Bride, the House of Israel. However, it is quite true, and wonderfully so, that all people of the world, the nations, do benefit from the finished work of YAHUSHA. When he prayed for his Hebrew disciples in John 17, by extension, He also prayed for whosoever would believe on him.
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. John 17:20-21
When YAHUSHA spoke the words, “That they all may be one…” and “… that they also may be one in us…” he did not have in mind a hive-mind secular, New-Age-like, Borg-like, global collectivism nor was he thinking of religious ecumenicalism. Rather, He had the ONE House of Israel in mind, united in YAHUAH Elohim by the blood of YAHUSHA, the Messiah.
Good News for All
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Genesis 22:18
And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Genesis 26:4
Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. Genesis 26:5
YAHUSHA’s finished work is also for all those who come out of the world and join themselves to the House of Israel by the Messiah’s death and resurrection. Revelation 7 reveals this inclusivity of the Good News:
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; Revelation 7:9
And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our Elohim which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Revelation 7:10
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped Elohim, Revelation 7:11
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our Elohim for ever and ever. Amen. Revelation 7:12
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? Revelation 7:13
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:14
Therefore are they before the throne of Elohim, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. Revelation 7:15
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. Revelation 7:16
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and Elohim shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelation 7:17
As part of the Good News to the House of Israel, all of mankind who chooses to come through the redemptive blood of the Messiah are engrafted into the House of Israel.
Thus saith YAHUAH, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. Isaiah 56:1
Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. Isaiah 56:2
Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to YAHUAH, speak, saying, YAHUAH hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. Isaiah 56:3
For thus saith YAHUAH unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Isaiah 56:4
Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. Isaiah 56:5
Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to YAHUAH, to serve him, and to love the name of YAHUAH, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Isaiah 56:6
Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. Isaiah 56:7
YAHUAH ELOHIM which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him. Isaiah 56:8
Regardless of skin color, YAHUAH sees all nations, peoples, tribes and tongues, who cross over from the world and choose Him over the slave masters of sin and iniquitous idolatry in the world as His House of Israel. He has regard for us as much as the natural born Hebrew people. However, we assimilate into the House of Israel; we do not replace the House of Israel.
For Elohim so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For Elohim sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (emphasis added). John 3:16-17
YAHUSHA is the door that we must go through (John 10:7,9). “Through him” is conditional. There is no alternative way to YAHUAH except through the finished work of the Messiah. Let me repeat Isaiah 56:4 again with emphasis:
For thus saith YAHUAH unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbath(S), and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Isaiah 56:4
While YAHUAH is indeed a merciful Elohim, He only extends reconciliation, redemption on His terms and not through an alternative work of the Church.
And in thy seed (through thy seed) shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice (emphasis added). Genesis 22:18
YAHUAH said seed (singular); not seeds (plural). The Messiah came through the seed of Abraham to do the specific work of reconciling the House of Israel back to YAHUAH.
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Elohim. Galatians 3:16
A Mixed Multitude
There is precedence for this conclusion in the first Passover in Egypt. YAHUAH commanded the households of the Children of Israel to place the seal of the lambs’ blood over their doorposts.
However, anyone who survived the destroyer and chose to believe in the Elohim of Israel was not left behind. Remember that Israel and a mixed multitude left Egypt.
And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. Exodus 12:37-38
Although the mixed multitude was probably not physically circumcised and could not partake in eating the first Passover, YAHUAH did not reject them. YAHUAH does have a significant regard for heart circumcision.
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. Deuteronomy 10:16
Circumcise yourselves to YAHUAH, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings. Jeremiah 4:4
The mixed multitude came as they were. By the next Passover, according to the commandment, they could not stay as they were if they wanted to partake.
The Prophet Hosea is again a great example. He married Gomer who was his covenantal wife, although her heart was not circumcised. She was called wife of Hosea. She was called in uncircumcision (so to speak). She was a prostitute when he married her. Yet, she chose not to circumcise her heart to receive the full benefits of her marriage covenant with Hosea.
The same applied for the mixed multitude that left Egypt. Though called in uncircumcision they could not remained in that state to be fully in the marriage Covenant with YAHUAH.
For many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14
There are different thoughts on circumcision post Messiah. I do not pretend to know all the nuances of this requirement and circumcision is not the main point of this writing.
My point is that regardless of their circumcision status in the beginning, YAHUAH did not exclude them from covenant. Circumcised, uncircumcised, various ethnicities or natural born. There is not an indication in Scripture that YAHUAH prevented the mixed multitude from entering into covenant with Him along with the circumcised natural born. Again, though, they probably could not remain as they were to be in the camp of Israel.
And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that YAHUAH hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which YAHUAH hath made with you concerning all these words. Exodus 24:7-8
All who journeyed to Mt. Sinai and who declared, “All that YAHUAH hath said will we do, and be obedient” were sprinkled by Moses with the blood of the marriage covenant made with YAHUAH. Notice that Moses sprinkled the blood of the covenant on the “people.” The term “Children of Israel” which is so often used in the Bible was specifically not used here. The Children of Israel were circumcised, the mixed multitude probably were not. Yet all the people were sprinkle with the blood of the covenant. They were all of the House of Israel at that point with the expectation to grow in righteousness.
Even as Hosea took Gomer as she was, YAHUAH took the mixed multitude as they were. Yet, they were expected to grow in the knowledge and application of His Ways as they abided with YAHUAH. The same applies to all today.
When YAH makes a covenant, as you know, it does not ever expire. Not even His own righteous Law can nullify or disannul a covenant that He has made.
And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of Elohim in Elohim, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. Galatians 3:17
Thus saith YAHUAH, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; YAHUAH of hosts is his name: Jeremiah 31:35
If those ordinances depart from before me, saith YAHUAH, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Jeremiah 31:36
Thus saith YAHUAH; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith YAHUAH. Jeremiah 31:37
YAHUAH covenanted with ONE people. Natural born Israel, engrafted in Egyptians or whoever else that departed Egypt became one people. They were all ONE in the eyes of the Most High Elohim. Their covenant was sealed in blood.
The same pattern continues today. There are no Gentiles in the House of Israel today. We are all one House, one people through the blood of YAHUSHA Messiah.
Conclusion
YAHUSHA has done THE work of dying for His Bride, the House of Israel. We, each of us, must do our work. In baptism, we die and are resurrected anew.
Therefore if any man be in Elohim, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
And all things are of Elohim, who hath reconciled us to himself by YAHUSHA Messiah Elohim, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 2 Corinthians 5:18
After being made new and joined in covenant with YAHUAH, what then is our continued work, you may ask? Our continued work is choosing. What, then, do we choose? We choose to walk. Where, then, do we walk? We walk the paths of righteousness. How, then, do we walk the paths of righteousness? Day by day, we walk the paths of righteousness revealed in YAH’s commandments? We do righteous works.
What are righteous works? His commandments define what is righteous and unrighteous. His commandments define what is holy and what is profane. We humbly admit that the heart of man in innately wicked and without the light of His commandments we will be deceived (Jer. 17:9). Simply look around at what is happening today for confirmation of this truth.
Well, isn’t it impossible to keep the commandments, the law? We will surely fall short, but our eternal High Priest (his shed blood of atonement (goat; not lamb)) ever lives and speaks on our behalf to remit the wages of our sin when we fall short.
That is, if we choose to repent. Abiding in the finished work of YAHUSHA is living a repentant life. We admit and we quit. We turn from our transgressions. We turn to YAHUAH, our Maker and our Husband by the blood of the Messiah.
In short, we also die daily.
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? Luke 9:23-25
Considering what I have written in this writing, let us examine 3:16 again. This verse is a contender for the most quoted in the Bible.
For Elohim so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Let’s also look at John 3:17-18. I placed emphasis on the bold words in these verses.
For Elohim sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:17
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of Elohim. John 3:18
I have already written about the importance of the words, “through him” in John 3:17. Now, let’s focus on “Believeth in him” and “Believeth on him.” These words are also key words in these verses. John 3:16-18 shows us that there is a connection between believing on and in the Messiah and salvation from perishing.
As Believers, we should think about and know what exactly we do believe. The nations are being shaken and therefore awakened out of their techno-induced slumber. Subsequently, they are beginning to ask questions. As Believers in and on the Messiah, the House of Israel, do we have the answers (not opinions, not soundbites, not political or denominational correctness) that they seek?
But sanctify the YAHUAH Elohimin your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1 Peter 3:15
In my opinion, the House of Israel, the Believers in Messiah, should at the very least believe the following:
1. YAHUAH is ONE. YAHUSHA is YAHUAH come in the flesh, in the form of mortal man (John 1:1). To legally exist in this visible earth realm, all who profess to be human must have flesh and bones. If we have flesh and bones, as humans (not glorified bodies yet), we automatically have blood.
And as they thus spake, YAHUSHA himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. Luke 24:36
But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. Luke 24:37
And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Luke 24:38
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Luke 24:39
And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. Luke 24:40
To finish the work of reconciling the House of Israel (and by extension whosoever) to Himself in this earth realm, YAHUAH had to be legal. Therefore He, YAHUAH the Creator, clothed Himself in human flesh.
As an aside, this is the reason we have authority over wicked spirits through the finished work of the Messiah. They are disembodied spirits and therefore they illegally do their dirty work in our realm. We, because of the power and authority given to us by YAHUSHA can bind and forbid their activities (Luke 10:19). Because of mankind’s ignorance of this spiritual legality, these wicked spirits wreak havoc (Hos. 4:6).
They continually try to inhabit human agents. This is the only way that they can legally perpetrate their dirty works. They try to enter mankind spiritually, energetically, medically, pharmaceutically, sexually, alcoholically, recreational drug-ly (not a real word, but makes the point) and by any other means at their disposal.
One of the benefits of being in covenant with the Most High, is that he gives us the legal right, power, and high ground to stand and resist the constant onslaught, barrage and war against us by these disembodied spirits (Eph. 6:10-20). We have assurance that YAHUAH has our back and backs us up.
2. YAHUSHA’s primary and finished work as the Lamb of YAHUAH was the redemption and reconciliation of the House of Israel to Himself. This is explained in the bulk of this writing.
3. YAHUSHA’s finished work is also Good News for anyone (whosoever) who joins themselves to the House of Israel through the blood of YAHUSHA. All who Biblically believe can come into covenantal relationship with YAHUAH regardless of their skin color. There is no difference. YAHUAH only sees the House of Israel by the blood of the Messiah, not individual skin colors or ethnic/culture groups.
4. YAHUSHA is the Word of YAHUAH made flesh. As such, we do not believe that the Word of YAHUAH in the Old Testament is nullified by the Word of YAHUSHA or the Apostles in the New Testament. If there seems to be discrepancies or contradictions, the inadequacy is in our lack of understanding and not in the Word of YAHUAH. YAHUAH Elohim is the same always and does not change.
5. We believe that YAHUSHA will return for His Bride, the House of Israel. As evidence of our belief and expectation of the return of our Bridegroom, we observe, keep, proclaim, celebrate His cycle of Feast Days as both remembrances of what He has already done for His Bride, the House of Israel, and as rehearsals of what He will do upon His return (Lev. 23).
We cannot separate believing on and in YAHUSHA the Messiah from His finished work. He came to take away the sin of the world from the House of Israel, His Bride. Because of His redemption, whether natural born or grafted in, all who believe are of the House of Israel.
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to Elohim by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; Revelation 5:9
To not fully embrace who we are, the House of Israel, through YAHUSHA the Messiah, the Redeemer, is to not to fully believe in and on Him.
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33
When we are born again, born of water and of the Ruach (Spirit), we are a new creature (Jn. 3:3,7). Old things are passed away (2 Cor. 5:17) (I believe old genes are passed away too. my opinion though). We now enter into covenantal relationship with YAHUAH and we move from His mercy realm (which is misidentified as grace) to the full benefits of covenant realm in the Kingdom of Elohim. We, the House of Israel, are His Bride.
You, me, we are not imposters. Nor are we usurpers. Therefore, we embrace our role as the House of Israel, Bride to YAHUAH, the Most High Elohim. We do not look back or draw back. We do what pleases our Husband, YAHUAH. Our life is no longer our own.
If ye then be risen with Messiah, seek those things which are above, where Messiah sitteth on the right hand of Elohim. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Messiah in Elohim. Colossians 3:1-3
Therefore, we seek to do what pleases YAHUAH and He has told us what pleases Him. We, the Bride of YAHUAH seek to be that Proverbs 31 woman who seeks to bring honor to her Husband and not shame His name. We do not bring our Husband things that we know (because we have read His desires in His Word) that He does not like.
If He has said that He does not like Christmas and Easter, then we do not try to force that on Him. If He has said that He does not like catfish, we do not pollute His temple, our born-again body that is His. If He says that He wants a date with us once a week on the day that is very special to Him, we do not ignore and neglect Him on that day. House of Israel, our Husband has shown us how to love Him.
If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15
He has been longsuffering with His Bride. He so desires to manifest His full abilities as the extraordinary Husband that He is. We have not seen the half of what He is both willing and able to do on behalf His Bride.
For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O Elohim, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. Isaiah 64:4
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which Elohim hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9
Our Husband (House of Israel-band) desires to wrap His arms around His House-House of Israel-to shield and protect His Bride from:
the terror by night; from the arrow that flies by day; from the pestilences that walk in darkness; from the destruction that wastes at noonday; from the evil plagues that try to enter His temple.
A willful and disobedient Bride will never experience the full benefits of covenant with her Husband.
Perhaps, you are someone reading this who is a wanderer in the world. You are outside of covenant with your Maker and thus outside the commonwealth of the House of Israel.
That at that time ye were without Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without Elohim in the world: Ephesians 2:12
You are seeking. Yet, you don’t quite know what you are seeking. You cannot put your finger on it. But you know in your heart of hearts something is missing. You’ve been deceived and led to believe that YAHUAH (God) is the issue. YAHUAH is not the issue. Religion is.
I want to let you know that relationship is also the issue. Being out of relationship with your Maker leaves you at the mercy of the unregenerate of the world whom the wicked one has deceived. The world has no true mercy.
Bottom line is that your heart is longing to be in right relationship with YAHUAH. Though you could not define your desire, He is the Truth that you have been missing.
As you plainly see in the world, end-time prophecy fulfillment is ramping up. You only have two choices. Agnosticism and Atheism are only illusionary choices. My advice is to choose YAHUAH. He is faithful to the end and will never break covenant.
And the Ruach and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17
