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 18:
Physical Preparedness

Man balanced on ladder

The particular issue of preparing physically or materially is one that seems to be shunned by many, and in some cases, outright denouncement by others. It is an area that needs to be openly and honestly discussed within the body of Messiah to provide leadership and guidance to the members of the body. Many feel insecure, or perhaps, even threatened by this issue. But YHWH is big enough to handle it; one just needs to but face it, and test the spirits.

Many well-intentioned disciples, pastors, and preachers, hold to the “pan-theory.” The reader may even have heard about it. It will all “pan out” in the end. It is usually said half in jest. A “wait and see” attitude is a good way NOT to be ready. For the person who holds to that mindset, one of ease, going with the flow, don’t rock the boat, does not fully understand how radical the ministry of Yeshua was in His day, nor even today. The eternal spirits of men and women hang in the balance; can they afford a wait and see attitude? Yeshua warned His disciples for a very good reason; He expected action (obedience) upon what He said. What He taught, whether one is dealing with His second coming or something else, was not idle chatter, nor was it for information only. No, Yeshua expected those who follow Him to act upon His word in complete obedience; and not just obedience to those things which one chooses, but rather to His word in its entirety. Won’t you allow the Holy Spirit to examine your heart and see what your attitude is towards His return? It may be that He needs to do some heart changing.

One may ask, “I thought YHWH was going to take care of me?” On the other hand, “Where does my faith in YHWH fit into this?” These are questions that need to be asked and answered. Yeshua said that His coming would be “just like the days of Noah.” Let’s begin by examining the days of Noah.

The Days of Noah

One might do well to pause here long enough to turn to the book of Genesis and read the story of Noah to refresh your memory. It is in Chapters 6-9. The people were multiplying upon the earth. They were marrying and giving in marriage (6:1-2, 4). They had a carefree attitude in living (6:5); i.e., “do your own thing”, “if it feels good do it,” and “I’m okay, you’re okay.” This is a picture of their everyday living; people going about their lives as though everything would continue as it always had. Violence was so prevalent that it had filled the earth (6:11). Wickedness and evil were the order of the day (6:5, 12). The people showed no restraint or self-control. They were so out of control that YHWH was sorry He had made man (6:6). YHWH felt it necessary to do something about the wickedness and evil. He would destroy the earth and all of mankind.

However, YHWH had a friend (6:8). His name was Noah. Noah was a righteous man (6:9). He was a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5); he lived his life the way YHWH wanted him to live. YHWH warned Noah of what was going to happen (6:13). YHWH told Noah what to do about it. Noah listened and obeyed the word of YHWH (6:22). Noah prepared for what was going to happen.

The world did not listen to this preacher of righteousness. They did not heed the warning of what was to come. They did not understand until it was too late, until the flood came and swept them all away in judgment (7:21-22). There were none left, except for righteous Noah and his family.

Genesis 7:23
And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.

Turn now to what Yeshua taught concerning the days of Noah. He says that His coming would be “just like the days of Noah.”

Just Like the Days of Noah

Matthew 24:37-42 (NAS)
“For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, they were marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. Then where shall be two men in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Master is coming.”

At the time when Yeshua comes again, the people will have a carefree attitude of “eat, drink, and be merry.” They will be marrying and giving in marriage, multiplying upon the face of the earth. The earth will be filled with violence (Matthew 24:7-10). There will be much wickedness and evil (Matthew 24:12); the people will be out of control. They will exercise no restraint or self-control. The order of the day will be, “If it feels good do it.” They will continue to do this until it is too late. They will not understand, until the day that Yeshua returns, and then they will all be swept away in judgment. “Just like the days of Noah,” only righteous Noah was left after the flood of judgment. Therefore, so will the coming of the Son of Man be, the wicked will be swept away in judgment, and the righteous shall shine forth.

As in the days of Noah, YHWH has warned the inhabitants of earth. Have you heard His warning? Have you listened to that warning? What are you doing about it? Nothing? Maybe you haven’t heard the warning? What do you suppose would have happened to Noah had he not acted upon the warning that YHWH gave? He would have drowned! Are you going to drown? Only this time YHWH will judge with fire. Are you going to burn? Are you preparing for the coming tribulation (flood)? If not, why not? Maybe you don’t believe the warning? You say you believe, and that YHWH will take care of you? What if Noah would have said that, and not built an ark? (Physical preparation!) Clearly, YHWH has issued a warning. Will you heed His warning? Will you prepare for what is coming?

Will only those who hear and heed the warning endure to the end? It is only he who endures to the end who will be saved (Matthew 24:13). Where does faith fit into all this talk of getting ready? Do you think it takes more faith to do something, even though it may seem illogical (such as building a big boat that is not even close to water, and preparing for a flood), or to do nothing? At times YHWH calls His children to do things that the world ridicules and makes light of; but one only needs to obey His Voice, not worry about what the world thinks. YHWH holds Himself responsible for the consequences of one’s obedience to His will.

This can only happen if one’s faith rests solely and completely upon Yeshua. If one’s faith is in anything else, he will not be able to act in accordance with the word of YHWH. Ask YHWH to reveal to you where your faith is. If it’s not in Yeshua, and Yeshua alone, then change it right now, before it becomes too late.

The subject of physical preparation is not a popular one to teach and preach. Nevertheless, this goes along with the spiritual preparation that one makes for eternity. One may ask why there is a need for this type of preparation. There are at least two valid reasons to prepare physically for what is to come. The most obvious is what YHWH Himself has said about the subject, and one’s obedience to the “word of YHWH!” The second is closely related to the first, and deals specifically with the great commission. It is as one prepares physically, in obedience to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit, that the world stops for a bit to inquire about what is going on. It is at this point, that the obedient servant of the Almighty will have an opportunity to tell about Yeshua. Plainly stated, physical preparation can, and will, lead to an opportunity to witness and to warn of the coming judgment.

This is what was going on in righteous Noah’s life as he built the ark. In the 100 years that it took him to build the ark, the world came to Noah to see what this “radical” was doing. As the world paraded through Noah’s yard, he would stop for a while to address the crowd. He would warn them of the coming rain, flood, and judgment. Of course, the people of the world ridiculed him, as they have every righteous person.

Do not think that anyone will be any different. Yeshua has taught that because the world has persecuted Him, so they will persecute His disciples (John 15:20). This is what His disciples need to be about in these days, as they quickly hasten to the day of the return of Master Yeshua Messiah. Prepare for the coming tribulation, and thus prepare to witness.

There is one other truth about Noah’s day that should be considered. Out of the entire population of the earth during Noah’s day, only eight people were saved. Now, one cannot know the exact population, but whatever it was, it is not a very high percentage of people who were saved. Then apply that to what Yeshua said about His return being “just like the days of Noah,” and a very unsettling truth begins to emerge. Is it any wonder that Yeshua asked the question, “When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8 KJV). He also said that the way is narrow that leads to life and few who find it. On the other hand, He also said that the way was broad that led to destruction and many who find that way (Matthew 7:13-14).

It is important to consider these truths when considering the physical side of getting prepared for the return of Yeshua. For, in reality, there be very few who are actually making this type of preparation. Why? For us to obey YHWH in this manner, it takes an extra measure of faith. It also goes contrary to what the vast majority in the body would teach today. But then, the Scriptures teach, that in the days just prior to His return, many would be apostate (2 Thessalonians 2:3). It is better to believe YHWH’s word, which is never in error, than to believe some apostate preacher. But then, don’t take this writer’s word for it; check it out in the Scripture for yourself.