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Review of previous installment Go directly to Message Now blogging here Snyder Bible Home All Sermons We Are In the Millennium Now Why I Believe that Yahshua has Secretly Returned |
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What Everyone
Should Know About the Roman and Hebrew Calendars |
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Praise to you, Yahweh Elohim, king of the
universe, and all esteem to your name. I
praise you and thank you for calling me to proclaim your word to your beloved
people. Open the hearts of all who
worship with us, so that they may hear your voice when I read. Let nothing in my life or manner disturb your
people or close their hearts to the action of your Spirit. Cleanse my heart and mind, and open my lips
so that I may proclaim your esteem. All
praise to you, heavenly Father, through the Sovereign Yahshua in the Set-apart Spirit,
now and forever. Amen.
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Luke 1:8-17 Now while [Zechariah] was serving as
priest before Yahweh when his division was on duty, 9. according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by
lot to enter the
Revelation
16:15. “Lo, I am coming like a thief!
Blessed is he who is awake, keeping his garments that he may not go naked and
be seen exposed!”
Revelation 20: 1. THEN I saw an angel coming down from heaven,
holding in his hand the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2.
And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who
is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3. and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over
him, that he should deceive the nations no more. 4.
Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom judgment was
committed. Also I saw those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Yahshua
and for the word of Elohim, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image
and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to
life, and reigned with Messiah a thousand years. 6.
Blessed and set-apart is he who shares in the first resurrection! Over
such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of Elohim and of Messiah,
and they shall reign with him a thousand years.
A REVIEW OF
THE PREVIOUS INSTALLMENT
Believers of all ages since the first
have understood their generation to be the last before the return
of Yahweh to rule over the united earth.
Consider the words of John in his first letter: 1 John
2:18. Children, it is the last hour; and
as you have heard that antimessiah is coming, so now many antimessiahs
have come; therefore we know that it is the last hour. In the
previous installment of this message, we pointed out that it’s been the last
hour all this time, through the lives of countless generations. But in the past, the biblical signs of the
“last hour” have been missing – especially two of the prophetic oracles of
Yahshua regarding his return; they are, the “signs of the times” (Matthew 16:3) and the completion of the “times of
the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24). In our day, the signs have been posted and
are clearly read – with a few coming to the conclusion that Yahshua
could really, really be “at the door” in our day – maybe even through
the door. We outlined that, like the seven-day
creation, salvation history in the Bible consists of seven prophetic days of a
thousand years each. The Bible deals
only with these seven thousand years, no more, no less. We believe that the 7th thousand
year stretch is the Millennium mentioned in Revelation 20:4, in which Yahshua
will return to reign for that last thousand years
before turning a recreated earth back to his Father. We discovered that, according to the Hebraic
calendar, a little more than 6000 years have passed from Adam unto today, which
places us in time at the beginning of this seventh and final
thousand-year period. We discovered a fulfilled prophecy of
Yahshua in Luke 21:24 that we can actually date – the year that the Gentiles
lost rule of “They came to
life,” says the prophet (Revelation 20:5,6), “and reigned with Messiah a thousand
years. Blessed and set-apart is the
person who shares in the first resurrection!”
Amein. A prophetic generation is 40 years in
length, which, if added to the restoration of How can that possibly be? Well, didn’t Yahshua say numerous times both
in the flesh and as the Risen Savior that he’d return as a thief in the
night? And didn’t Paul, Peter and
John use the same metaphor over and over – that if a person were aware that the
thief would steal in at a certain hour, the householder would be
prepared to catch him? And didn’t the
angel tell his few disciples that the way he ascended will be the way he’ll
return – to just a few witnesses? That
he was preparing a little flock for his coming, a flock waiting in
expectation and faith? And mightn’t we
be better to refrain from asking, “Where IS he?” and ask instead, “Where am
I? Am I alive? Am I prepared? Is my mind open? Can I hear what the spirit is saying to the
assembly?” One important conclusion: we mustn’t overlook the obvious. Yahshua didn’t mean for the signs of his return to be difficult to decipher. What could be easier than looking at a given date then adding a generation? Despite whether you’ve followed my reasoning in this short review or not, whether you believe it or not, it’s still our sworn duty as the seeing generation to be alert, watchful and keep our clothes on so that we might not be ashamed.
THE MESSIANIC PROXIMITY 2 – THE FALSE
PROPHET
Now consider a new sign: The
Bible warns that in the centuries leading up to Messiah, there’ll be many antimessiahs and a particular false prophet that will lead
many astray. This movement away from
true worship has been called “The Great Falling Away.” Popular Bible teachers would have us to
believe that the falling away is in the future. But consider that what we know today as the
Arab Block was the first great mission field for the first great
missionaries, the Apostles. Historians concur that whole kingdoms in that
region were converted to the Apostolic faith in the
lifetimes of the Disciples. Still today,
in
What makes a prophet an antimessiah?
1 John 2:21. I write to you, not because you do not know
the truth, but because you know it, and know that no lie is of the truth. 22.
Who is the liar but he who denies that Yahshua is the Messiah? This is
the antimessiah, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23. No
one who denies the Son has the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father
also.
The prophet Mohammad arose in the
seventh century, preaching a very flattering message about Yahshua to Believers. In his Koran, he affirmed that Issa (Yahshua) was born of a virgin to be a prophet in the
footsteps of Moses; that Yahshua had the words of life, that he died and
ascended, and that he would return in our age to judge. Mohammad and the Koran are also very specific
about the relationship between Allah and Issa – Elohim
and Yahshua. Mohammad said (and Muslims believe): The Believers call Issa the son of Elohim. That is a saying from their mouth.
They imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah’s curse upon them (Sura at-taubah, 30).
This saying proclaims that Islam denies the Father and Son, and that
anyone who affirms the Son is cursed.
This qualifies Muhammad as a false prophet: “You’ve heard that antimessiah
is coming. This is antimessiah,” says John, “is he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father.”
Indeed, Revelation tells us that the whole world will be stirred to war
by the demonic hordes of a false prophet, and that the blood of the saints
through the ages is upon his hands.
Regarding Believers and Jews, the false prophet has decreed,
Fight and
slay the pagans (i.e. non-Muslims) wherever ye find them, and seize
them, beleaguer them and lie in wait for them.
Fight those who believe not in Allah and his apostle, nor acknowledge
the religion of truth [even the] people of the book [i.e. Jews and Believers],
until they pay with willing submission, and feel themselves enslaved (Sura 9:29).
Yahshua said that in the years preceding his return, there would
be wars and rumors of wars in diverse places.
He said that Matthew 24:9-13 “They will deliver
you up to tribulation, and put you to death; and you will be hated by all
nations for my name’s sake. Many will fall away, and betray one another, and
hate one another. And many false
prophets will arise and lead many astray.
And because wickedness is multiplied, most men’s love will grow
cold. But he who endures to the end
will be saved.” Do you realize that, in the midst of this global terror campaign, the ayatollahs, the imams, the sheiks and the clerics and their hordes of demonic destroyers are killing over 300,000 Believers every single year over all the world? The chalice of martyrs’ blood is at the brim, for Apollyon’s hordes have been let loose on those who must endure until their end. Messiah must soon come, for the whole earth has been mustered to the kind of war that’s never been experienced before. |
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THE SEVEN-FOLD MINISTRY OF
PREPARATION, 2
Unlike the dear martyrs that die all the day long for their faith, we’re
the fortunate sons and daughters of
John the Baptist was charged with a mission: to prepare a people for
Messiah with the words, “Repent, for the 1)
“John Will Be Great” – We Must Be a Great People
What makes a people great?
Greatness is often equated with wealth or fame. But the best meaning of “great” for us is
just plain old “big” – a people are great if their hopes, dreams and faith are
big. We learned that we’re in the human
resources business. We make
disciples who are prepared. But we’re
also in the spiritual resources business. Our greatness goes beyond that of those antimessiahs who carry bombs and machine guns, “for the
weapons of our warfare aren’t carnal but they’re
mighty to the pulling down of strongholds.”
If we could only be a great, magnanimous and wider-visioned people, a spiritually gifted and active
people, a more compassionate people, we could defeat any bloody enemy with the
sword of His mouths and all prayer.
If we want to be great, we can.
We just must decide that’s what we want and go for greatness. The sky’s not the limit when you have
an invincible faith and an almighty El.
Shall we be great in the eyes of Yahweh (John 1:15) and be called the children of the Most
High? Yes, if we will, we shall!
2)
“John Shall Drink No Wine” – We Must Be a Serious (Sober) People
¿What does our mission have to do with drinking? I mentioned that “he shall not drink” is a
technical phrase meaning that John discarded his rightful place as a priest in
the great temple, which was his inheritance.
He chose instead to receive the inheritance of his Heavenly Father – a
bed of skins in an arid desert, a plate full of bugs – and an exciting and
dangerous mission: preparing a people for the advent of the greatest person
“who ever lives to make intercession for you.”
With a sober determination and a calculated choice, John passed up that
which was convenient and profitable for a Kingdom he couldn’t even see – the
3)
“John Will Be Filled With The Set-apart Spirit” –
We’re to Be a Spirit-filled People
John the Baptist, the Forerunner, attested, “I have baptized you with
water but he will baptize you with the Set-apart Spirit and fire.” And the Risen Yahshua reiterates this same
message to his disciples at the time of his ascension:
Acts 1:4,5. Yahshua charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for
the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me, for John baptized
with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Set-apart
Spirit.” We’re to be a spirit-filled people
¿but how can we be unless we’ve experienced the deep move of Yahweh
inside? When the Set-apart Spirit
descended on the men, women and children in the upper room on this Pentecost
day in Christian year 33, the Jewish year 3793 and the Hebraic year 4033, those
awaiting him were not disappoint when he arrived! Hardly!
There was a rushing wind, flames of fire, tongues of the nations,
inspired speaking and a condition that appeared as drunkenness. My friend, if you’re spirit-filled and
baptized in the fire, you know it.
There’s evidence of it in you.
Boldness! Authority! Fruits!
Gifts! Discernment! And a deep, deep inner witness and love for the
Baptizer. In times like these, you must
be baptized in the Set-apart Spirit in similar fashion as they were in the
upper room at Pentecost. Ask, then tarry in his presence until you receive the empowerment
that he will love to give you.
4)
“He Will Turn Many To Yahweh” – We Must Likewise Be an
Evangelical People
The work of evangelization is the work of reconciliation – bringing
together elohim and human – and human and human. The goal of the entire endeavor of preparing
a people for Yahweh is atonement and unity – not the kind of
strained unity achieved by church councils and conferences, where liberal and
conservatives find enough common ground to protect their financial and
intellectual investment. No, this is theocratic
unity – we subordinate our wishes to Yahweh and his Law for His purposes;
and we teach others to do likewise so that when Yahshua comes out of hiding in
a couple months, he’ll find faith – a people prepared! A people at one. A people who are veterans
in fighting the spiritual battle against all forces that destroy peace. And a generation of
spirit-filled young children to carry on.
John was baptizing out at Bethany Beyond Jordan
– that’s on the West Bank outside
Those were the days, my friend.
In our land of plenty, in our rich churches, in our metropolitan
communities, there’s too much competition for the mind and body. Too many ball games. Too many great TV specials. Too many so-called
spirit-filled churches where entertainment is king. Too many hospitals – the
center of entertainment for many.
Too many substitutes for the real thing. Too many replacements for
that inner void. Too many foul spirits to fill in where they have no business. Oh, if we were an impoverished people – if we
were given the gift of paucity – if our community was afflicted with penury
– if we found ourselves suddenly in poverty, then they’d come out, come
out of Babylon to where there’s living water.
Because we live in the golden age of our society, our task of
evangelization is made all the more difficult.
But people may still come out to see a miracle. This fellowship has the makings of a miracle
ministry if somebody will get excited.
That’s another characteristic of John’s prophetic ministry. 5)
“John Will Go In The Power Of Elijah” – We Can Be a
Powerful People
Yahshua proclaimed John the Elijah of his day. The first Elijah worked during the reign of
King Ahab, who mixed the worship of Yahweh with that of Asherah
and Baal. Ahab made a graven image of
Yahweh in the form of a golden calf; then he married Yahweh off to Asherah, the Christmas Tree. Read about it in 1 Kings 16:30ff.
Jezebel came along from Sidonia and brought
her own goddesses and priests. Ahab
proclaimed that Yahweh and Baal were the same god – a “god of many names” –
married to Asherah, the Christmas Tree. The name “Jezebel” means, “Yahweh is
Baal.” Obviously, Elijah had to minister
the true word in quite a lonely fashion within a perverse but so-called
“inclusive” environment of exciting worship services and religious
celebrities. As a lone voice in the
wilderness of sin, he challenged the absurdity of these pontifical
pronouncements and took on the ecclesiastical and political establishment of
his day. You know his story. Elijah won great victories, but ended up in
the fetal position of fear in the belly of a dank cave.
John also took on the Ahab and Jezebel of his day – King Herod and Queen
Herodias. Herodias had been married to Herod’s brother Philip, but
now Herod had her. This was a blatant
break with the Law that Herod himself had established. He put himself above his law and above that
of Yahweh, and John denounced him publicly as a profaner of true worship and an
impostor. John was not only a religious
giant, but a political challenger.
Elijah was known for his overt miracles.
When he mastered the prophets of Baal, fire flew from heaven. On the other hand, John wasn’t a miracle
worker in that sense. He had a different
gift. He was able to persuade people of
every stripe to repent and believe – an Elijah-type performing internal
miracles.
Elijah went off with Yahweh. John
died. Power has a different meaning in
our dispensation than in that of Law.
Power today means internal fortitude – spiritual authority –
supernatural ability. And for us, such
power comes only through our own surrender. For even when we’re at ebb, Yahweh’s at high
tide. We are a people of his pasture,
the sheep of his hand; and through his hand, we are a powerful,
miracle-working people no matter what our physical state. 6)
“John Will Turn The Hearts Of The Fathers to the
Children” – People Will Expect More From Us
I heard a psychologist recently say that the most valuable three words
she can offer some patients are: “Get over it!”
She said, “You’d be amazed how that works when spoken with
authority. Some even return to me
totally changed.” This psychologist
hands over her authority to the powerless patient. So through an objective strength and strong
permission, she’s empowered the weak.
People should come to expect that same from every spirit-filled believer
– a sharing of power.
In a very mystical way, Yahshua did the same thing with his disciples as
the culmination of their formal education: John 20:21-23. Yahshua said, “Be at peace. As the Father has sent me, I send you.” He breathed on them, and said, “Receive the Set-apart
Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any,
they are forgiven; if you retain them, they are retained.” To fulfill this kind of awesome
responsibility, these boys and girls had to “forget about themselves,
concentrate on him and worship him.” His
concerns became theirs. His responsibility
became theirs. His authority was
dispensed with his permission to use that authority.
To forgive sins was thought to be the auspices of Elohim only. Imagine the burden of this kind of
empowerment – and the illegality – the risk.
No matter their personal idiosyncrasies, hindrances, baggages,
oppressions, in light of the universal message of eternal salvation, they just
had to get beyond themselves. They had
to “get over it” so that they could get on to their mission.
I think of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate. Scripture says that when Peter and John came
past, he looked at them with expectation of receiving. And receive he did – but he didn’t get the
crumb he expected, he received much, much more.
Likewise, you and I, by the virtue of being together in this place,
receiving the word and sacrament, and going forth to serve, are labeled. We are a people called by the title of
Yahshua. Everybody knows who you
represent and what kind of person you claim to be simply because you sit in this
place. As a Believer, you owe everybody
a little something of you. Maybe it’s
time for you to get beyond whatever keeps you from being the fervent personal
witness that forgives and retains sins. People
are looking up to us, expecting something.
We should give them far more than they expect. We must give our petty problem and fleshly
thorns over to him and get on with our business of preparing the way. 7)
“John Will Turn The Disobedient” – Finally, We Must Be
a People of Righteous Judgment
When Yahshua spoke to the unconverted masses, he said, “Judge not lest
ye be judged” (Matthew 7:1). But when he spoke to the religious, he said,
“Judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). The ability to
forgive and retain sins is based on right judgment because the confessor
becomes an advocate between the sinner and the perfect Father in heaven.
Paul interprets judgment in an even more assertive way –
Ephesians 5:11-17 (excerpts). Take no part in the unfruitful works of
darkness, but instead expose them.
When anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything
that becomes visible is light. Look
carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the
most of the time, because the days are evil.
Do not be foolish, but understand the will of Yahweh. We must be judgmental and judge,
exposing evil at every turn. However, in
order to do this, we must first understand the will of the Most High.
In 2004 or 6004 by the Hebraic reckoning, the General Conference of the
Overt homosexuality in the pulpit may or may not be compatible with Christian
teaching – that depends on the vote.
Overt homosexuality in the pulpit is definitely incompatible with the
Bible, which should be the standard of morality rather than “Christian
teaching.” Those same ones who so
vocally affirm the letter of the Ten Commandments, who so vocally disdain the
practices of corrupt bishops and perverse clergy persons, these same are silent
when right judgment is required.
The
Millennium
We are to be a people who know right from wrong. My friend, if you stay the course and endure
until the end, ¿don’t you know that you’ll judge angels? We must put our minds to the Law of Yahweh
and learn of our mission when Yahshua makes his public appearance. Some here will be judges in that great
Millennium, others, legislatures. Some
will be teachers and preachers, lawyers and advocates, administrators and
theologians. Some will be the parents
and others will be children. It will be
a great day, and it’s coming soon, for if he’s not stolen in like a thief
already, he’s even at the door.
Are you a people preparing? A great and serious people?
A spirit-filled and evangelical people? A powerful people able to
bestow miraculous gifts? A people of righteous judgment? Are we a people prepared? Say, yes. Yes! Yes!
He’s coming in power! We’ll hail the blessed hour! We shall see the King when he comes!
LITANY: THE SEVENFOLD PRAYER FOR THE MILLENNIUM
Pray for: The Parousia
of Yahshua The Return of Torah All Saints and Martyrs Peace in The Nations of the Earth Equitable Justice for All Creation The Kingdom Manifest on Earth |
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