One Torah For All

One Torah shall be to him that is home-born, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
Exodus 12:49

"Behold,
I have told you in advance."

Chapter 8:
Where Do I Fit?

Where do I fit? (puzzle)

Where does the disciple fit into the family of YHWH?

For the disciple in Messiah to keep his relationship with Yeshua vital, he needs to know where he fits into the family of YHWH. There are several ways that this can be done. The method used to find one’s place is not nearly as important, as that it be done.[12]

The Body of Messiah

The word of YHWH has much to say on this subject. To give the reader a good grasp of this aspect of the righteous life, only a few verses will be looked at here.
To become a part of the body of Messiah, the first requirement is that a person confess Yeshua as YHWH and his own personal Savior.

This is done by repenting of the sins in his life. When a person does this, YHWH imparts forgiveness of sins and salvation to him (remember the illustration of the drowning man given earlier). Salvation bestows the ability to live a holy and righteous life in the here and now.

Romans 10:13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of YHWH shall be saved.

Salvation is by the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the disciple, who applies the Blood of Messiah, forgiving, justifying, regenerating, and adopting. This then enables the person receiving Yeshua to call Him “Master.”

Qorintyah Aleph (1 Corinthians) 12:3
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of YHWH calls Yeshua accursed: and that no man can say that Yeshua is YHWH, but by the Holy Spirit.

It must be pointed out here, that it is only by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, that a person can say that Yeshua is YHWH. This truth becomes more pointed when dealing with the popular teaching mentioned earlier, that at some time in the future, the world will come under the Old Covenant again and people will be saved under that system. Since within that popular thought the Holy Spirit is removed from the earth at that time, no person would be able to be saved. Those teaching this position seem not to understand that even those living under the old covenant (before Messiah), were also saved by the grace of YHWH through faith.

That teaching discounts the reality of this verse. The truth of the matter is that even under the old system of Law, the Holy Spirit was present and active in the lives of YHWH’s people. Even under the Law, salvation was through faith, not by works. If the Holy Spirit would be removed from the earth and could not minister in a person’s life, it would then become a spiritual and physical impossibility for any person to be saved.

After a person has received the gift of eternal life, he then becomes a part of YHWH’s family. YHWH now has a special place for him, although this new life in Messiah does not guarantee that everything in his life will now be good and perfect.

Romans 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

However, YHWH has a place for those who endure[13] to the end that will far surpass any hardship, suffering, or unpleasantness that he is called to endure in this life. Furthermore, the glory He has reserved for those who call upon the name of Yeshua unto salvation, far surpasses any glory, magnificence, or pleasure one can find and partake of in this life.

Presently, YHWH has a unique place for each and every person. He has designed His kingdom in such a way that each person has a special place YHWH made just for him or her.

Qorintyah Aleph (1 Corinthians) 12:11
But all these work that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.

Qorintyah Aleph (1 Corinthians) 12:18
But now has YHWH set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased Him.

The plan that YHWH has for each individual is very specific. It is also for His purpose, which is the building of the Kingdom of Heaven. While it may be true that the general ministry YHWH has for each person may be done by someone else if he fails to accomplish that which YHWH has called him to do, it is not true that someone else can reach and minister to each and every person that is in that person’s circle of influence. However, YHWH is still sovereign and He will see to it that the message is brought by someone else. In fact, He will have to delegate to many other people, the ministry of the person who does not walk in the fullness of YHWH’s will. This
is pointed out, not to put one under bondage, but rather, to point out the importance of walking in the fullness of His Spirit.

Paul, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, teaches about the need to stay close to YHWH by obeying Him. One’s continual obedience to the Holy Spirit ensures his continued relationship with the family of YHWH.

Romans 11:20-22[14]
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: For if YHWH spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not you. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of YHWH: on them which fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness: otherwise you also shall be cut off.

It is imperative that each disciple understand that, while there are choices, eternal choices, which one makes every day, it is YHWH who reserves the right to determine the consequences of those eternal choices that each person makes. As the Children of Israel discovered at Kadesh Barnea, as they came up to the Promised Land, it was because of their disobedience and unbelief, that YHWH would not allow them to enter His promised land. (See Hebrews 3:16-19; 4:6.) They were still His children, as He still led them in and through the wilderness. He led them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. What they received was some very severe discipline from YHWH as a result of their disobedience. Nevertheless, they were still His people. What they failed to do was to walk in His grace through faith. They tried to do it by sight. This resulted in unbelief and disobedience. To avoid this type of discipline, obedience to YHWH is required. This is not to say that a person earns, or can earn, his way into eternal life, but that YHWH will do whatever is necessary to ensure that those who belong to Him, will be in eternity with Him.[15] This promise is further addressed in Romans 8.

Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Messiah? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day-long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of YHWH, which is in Messiah Yeshua our YHWH.

In the above passage, there are several things listed which deal with what or who might try to separate the follower of Yeshua from His love. The first question deals with “who.” The next question deals with circumstances. In all of these things, disciples don’t just conquer, but overwhelmingly conquer. That is some very good news! It is possible to live a victorious life in the here and now!

The list that follows in the above passage, deals with all the things with which His disciples deal, and which affect them daily. Beginning with the physical (“death, nor life”), the passage of Scripture continues with the spiritual (“angels, nor principalities”), then the time given to them (“things present, nor things to come”), then the authority they have or the authority over them (“powers”), then the spatial reality they live in (“height, nor depth”); and then he concludes with a very profound truth. “Any other creature” (created thing) implies at least two principles. The first, is that the previously mentioned items that cannot separate His followers from the love of Messiah are all created things. Upon examination of that list, this is found to be true. Secondly, anything absent from that list which is created, cannot separate a person from the love of Messiah.

Sin is what separated man from YHWH in the first place and brought about the necessity of a Savior. Sin is what separates men from YHWH now, and it is the only thing that can separate men from YHWH. Sin is not created, rather it is rebellion against YHWH; thus, its absence from the list in the above verse. Furthermore, if one does not confess and repent of his sin, it will always separate him from YHWH. If a sinner is unrepentant, then separation, final and eternal, will occur. However, the sacrifice Yeshua paid for the sins of mankind is more than sufficient to deliver each and every person from sin. When a person repents of his sin, sin is no longer one’s master, rather Yeshua is now one’s Master; that is, with the understanding that one is now keeping His commandments.

The Marriage of the Lamb

The misunderstandings surrounding the Biblical concept of the marriage of the Lamb are many. In this section the true meaning of Scripture concerning the marriage of the Lamb will be examined.

The first Scripture is found in all three synoptic Gospels.

Marqos (Mark) 12:25
For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. Also Matthew 22:30; Luke 20:35

One of the plain truths of Scripture, is that Yeshua (Messiah) taught, that after a person is resurrected, they neither marry nor are they given in marriage. In that culture, at that time, it was the man who was married and the woman who was given in marriage. And how this applies to the marriage of the Lamb, is that once those who have repented of their sins are resurrected, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. This must certainly include not only to each other, but also to the Lamb Himself (who was the one speaking at this moment).

Then in John 2 (verses 1,2,11) we find this recorded for our edification.

Yochanan (John) 2: 1, 2
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Yeshua was there:
And both Yeshua was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

Yochanan (John) 2:11
This beginning of miracles did Yeshua in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and
his disciples believed on him.

In verse 11, we find that this was the “beginning of miracles,” or literally, the “beginning of signs.” And what is a sign? Look at the “sign of Jonah” as an example of a sign. This was a historical fact that was used to teach an event coming in the future. A sign is something that has happened in the physical world and will happen again in the physical world but with a spiritual context.

This is the “beginning” of those signs (John lists seven signs in his Gospel.). It was the third day on which this wedding took place. It was the third day[16] on which Messiah arose from the grave. Moreover, who were “called” to the wedding? Verse two says that it was Yeshua (Messiah) and His disciples. So also, it was Yeshua and His disciples who were wed on the third day, the very moment at which He arose from the dead.

What is seen in these verses, is that the wedding took place when Messiah arose, and all His disciples were called to the wedding. Please note, that the actual celebration of this union does not happen until later, when all people will be gathered together, on the “third day,” (in the third millennium). Right now, we are at the very beginning of the third millennium.

Gilyana (Revelation) 19:7
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

One important note here, is the use of the word “wife” instead of the word “bride,” indicating that the Lamb and the “wife” are already wed at the time of the marriage supper of the Lamb. To answer the question of why this must be, one only needs to look into the book of Ruth and learn the story of redemption. Ruth’s husband had died and Naomi, Ruth’s widowed mother-in-law, and Ruth went back to Israel. Naomi instructed Ruth to go and glean from a certain field which belonged to one of her nearest kinsman (of her late husband). She did so, and as a result, she met Boaz. However, he did not have the first right of redemption, but he secured it legally in the gate of the city. Boaz then redeemed Ruth. This meant that they were married. In this context, “to be married” and “to be redeemed” mean the same thing.

So also, it means the same thing in the context of a person repenting of his sins, and then believing and accepting Yeshua as his personal Savior. When Yeshua redeems a person, he is then wed to Him at that moment. Redemption and salvation, while not exactly the same thing in Scripture, are very close.

The Creator intended that the union of a man and a woman produce offspring in abundance. But this was to be done in the context and confines of the marriage relationship. Otherwise, any offspring would be illegitimate and ineligible to enter the assembly of the congregation (see Deuteronomy. 23:2).

And how does this affect “when” the wedding took place? If it has not already taken place, then the spiritual offspring of YHWH and the bride are illegitimate. But they are not! Please take note of the following verses.

Galatians 4:19
My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Messiah be formed in you.

Notice that Paul, a man, is in travail as a woman. This is so, because all of redeemed mankind is likened unto that of a woman (wife/bride of the Lamb) in the spiritual realm, because they are wed to the Lamb. (See also 2 Thess. 3:8) This does not make all disciples women; it is only a comparison, teaching us a truth that seems to be seldom understood. Furthermore, in Ephesians 5:31,32, we find that this union has taken place, and that Messiah and the body have become “one flesh.”

Also, Messiah indicates in John 16:20-22, that this concept applies to all disciples, and that they are in travail, and will be so engaged until He returns, at which time they will be past the “childbearing” years.

One quick note: there is a difference between a wedding feast, which takes place at the time of the actual wedding ceremony, and a marriage supper, which can be at any time after the wedding. In fact, today in our society, we would call a marriage supper, an anniversary celebration. It is a time of commemorating a lifetime together and looking forward to more good years. So when we find in Scripture these words:

Gilyana (Revelation) 19:9
And he saith unto me, “Write, ‘Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he saith unto me, “These are the true sayings of YHWH.”

We know that it is referring to a celebration of something that already exists, namely, a relationship between Yeshua and His bride.

So the conclusion is this: The wedding has already taken place, but the marriage supper is still future tense.

The Bride of Messiah

The body (Yisrael) is the bride (wife) of Messiah. It will be at His return that Yisrael will be called forth to take her place at the side of Yeshua.

Matithyah (Matthew) 25:6
And at midnight there was a cry made, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.”

Who: There are certain character traits which should be cultivated in this life. The first of these, which is mentioned in this passage, is that of being watchful.

Matithyah (Matthew) 25:13
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Since it is not known the exact day Yeshua is to return, one needs to be ready always. It is important that one live his life in such a manner that it will always be edifying to others and glorifying to YHWH.

Yeshua admonishes His disciples earlier in this discourse, that it is the person who lives his life all the way to the end of the tribulation who shall be saved. This is the end of the age, at which time Messiah returns. However, since one does not know when this tribulation time will begin, it is important to have the attitude of enduring at all times.

Matithyah (Matthew) 24:13
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

The endurance of the disciple during the tribulation hinges upon his ability to fix his eyes upon Yeshua, by faith; not allowing all the many distractions of this world to draw his attention away from the race, which is set before him.

Ivrim (Hebrews) 12:1,2a
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Yeshua the author and finisher of our faith;

Closely tied to these characteristics, are the two about which Yeshua teaches in the parable of the talents. The two mentioned here seem to go together and complement one another.

Matithyah (Matthew) 25:21
His master said unto him, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy master.”

While the prominent characteristic displayed by the slave is that of faithfulness, this would not be to the slave’s advantage unless he was a good slave. It is possible to be faithful in things that are not righteous. Therefore, the need to be good and faithful becomes evident.

Yeshua teaches His disciples, then and now, that it is the one who loves Him, who keeps His commandments (keeps Torah) (John 14:15, 21). His disciples prove their love for YHWH by obeying Him. Without this obedience in their lives, there is nothing for them to show that they truly love YHWH.

The opposite of the obedience in the life of a disciple, is the disobedience in the life of the “non-disciple.” Disobedience has very serious implications. When Yeshua returns, one thing that He will do, is to pay to those who do not know YHWH, and to those who do not obey YHWH, their just rewards for the evils they have done.

2 Thessalonians 1:8
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not YHWH, and that obey not the gospel of our Master Yeshua Messiah:

The consequence of disobedience manifests itself by disqualifying a person from participating in the marriage supper of the Lamb, since one who disobeys is punished and not rewarded. A disciple who is watchful, patient (endures), keeps his eyes on Yeshua, is good, faithful, and obedient to His commandments and to His Voice, will be able to live as an overcomer, and his love for Yeshua will remain the first love of his life. If the love for Yeshua does not keep its prominent position of being first, then he will be like the five foolish virgins (Matthew 25) who took no oil with them, thus they could not enter.

Gilyana (Revelation) 2:4, 5
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Here is found the only remedy for sin. In order to be redeemed into that state of grace, that person must repent of his sins and call upon Yeshua.

Where: There are certain things that can be known about the bride (wife) of Messiah. One of these, is that after Messiah returns for those who belong to Him, they shall be where He is.

Yochanan (John) 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

One of the common assumptions made concerning this passage of Scripture, is that this will be in heaven. However, Yeshua did not say that. If He would have meant that, having spoken of heaven on other occasions, He probably would have used the term “heaven.” Since Yeshua will be on earth[17] when He returns, it may be more correct to say that His disciples will be there at His side. The significant aspect of what He is teaching His disciples here, is that wherever He is, that is where they shall be (i.e., on earth).

It is in this life that a person will accept or reject Yeshua as his personal Savior. If a person accepts Yeshua Messiah by repenting of his sins and asking His forgiveness, then He comes and makes His abode with him. He comes and resides in the heart of the penitent via His Spirit. Yeshua is with them. This will continue into the next life. It is in the heart of man, particularly a disciple, wherein is the eternal residence of an Almighty YHWH. Yes, there is a heaven, but when Yeshua returns to earth, He will not be in heaven. The important point here is not so much the exact location of the Bridegroom or the bride, but rather that they are together.

Yochanan (John) 14:23
Yeshua answered and said unto him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

Notice that this is spoken in the present tense. This is what will happen to a disciple when he repents and lives for Yeshua. Not at some vague future time, but right now, He will be with us.

When: The Bridegroom must come for His bride before the marriage supper can take place. It will be upon the return of Messiah that the bride is received unto the Bridegroom, and goes into the marriage supper.

Matithyah (Matthew) 25:10
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Those who are ready to enter the marriage supper when Yeshua returns, will be able to receive the promise of eternal life. Those outside the marriage supper when the door is closed, will be forever lost.

Matithyah (Matthew) 25:11, 12
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, “Master, master, open to us.” But he answered
and said, “Verily I say unto you, I know you not.”

It is important to note when discussing the “when” of Yeshua’s return, the placement of this event in the book of Revelation. It is in chapter 19 when He returns and His wife (bride) is complete.

[12] Most pastors and Bible teachers have access to a spiritual gifts test. These are also available at most Bible book stores. It would do the reader well to take one of these tests to discover what are the spiritual gifts that YHWH has given for the edification of the Body of Messiah. This should be done in a prayerful manner, depending upon the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and reveal what gifts you have, realizing that the test is only a tool to be used by the Holy Spirit. It is not the test which is doing the revealing. Here is a link for one such test on this web-site Spiritual Gifts Discovery Test..

[13] As the writer to the Hebrews puts it, “…what you have need of is endurance.” (Hebrews 10:36). James (1:4), Paul (Romans 5:3), and Peter (2 Peter 1:6), all speak of the need for endurance (perseverance) and the importance it has in the life of the follower of Yeshua.

[14] The context of this passage is dealing with the tame olive branches (the house of Judah) and the wild olive branches (the house of Ephraim). He is writing to those descendants of the wild olive branch, because they were separated from the tree and were being grafted back in. Paul is warning his readers to stay true to Elohim, or else He will break them off again, just as their fathers before them were broken off. The implication of being “cut off,” is that there will be severe pruning by YHWH, perhaps even unto death.

[15] There seems to be those cases in which a person is a child of YHWH, but because of his disobedience, YHWH disciplines him; and in some cases, that discipline is even unto death. This may be the only way by which YHWH can preserve that individual’s eternal life. But this is, of course, not to suggest that every person will be saved, or that every person who dies is saved, or that a person that seems to die early dies because YHWH is disciplining him. This is only dealing with those who have actually repented of their sins and have been “sealed unto the day of redemption.”

[16] It will be the third day on which Yeshua returns for His Bride (Wife).

[17] Read and study Acts 1:9-11 and Zechariah 14:4, both of which teach that His return will be to the Mount of Olives.