Program 79: The Messianic Jewish Lie

Many Christians today look to the Jews for advanced light. This is a mistake. The Jews rejected Yahuwah and the truth millennia ago.

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Welcome to WLC Radio, a subsidiary of World’s Last Chance Ministries, an online ministry dedicated to learning how to live in constant readiness for the Savior's return.

For two thousand years, believers of every generation have longed to be the last generation. Contrary to popular belief, though, Christ did not give believers “signs of the times” to watch for. Instead, he repeatedly warned that his coming would take even the faithful by surprise. Yahushua urgently warned believers to be ready because, he said, “The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” [Matthew 24:44]

WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.

Part 1: (Miles & Dave)

Miles Robey: Hello and welcome to WLC Radio. I’m your host, Miles Robey.

Dave Wright: And I’m Dave Wright. Thanks for tuning in!

Miles: If you’ve joined us before, you know on WLC we prefer to us the actual, personal name of the Creator, which is Yahuwah, or Yah. It comes from a form of hayah which means, literally, “to be.” So the Creator’s name is, itself, a verb of being.

It’s so perfect for the Self Existent One who is now, always has been, and ever shall be.

Dave: It’s rich with promise, too. The very name is a promise that the Creator of all shall be whatever you need Him to be!

Miles: Yes. This is why, I believe, Scripture repeatedly tells us to “Call upon the name of Yahuwah.” Actually, in most translations it says “Call upon the name of the Lord,” but that’s because they substituted generic titles for the Father’s actual name. The original Hebrew says to “Call upon the name of Yahuwah.”

I think we’re to do that because the name itself is a promise our faith can cling to.

Dave: I like the name of the Son, too. His name is Yahushua. It’s also a promise because the name “Yahushua” means “Yahuwah saves.” Isn’t that beautiful? I really like that.

Miles: It’s faith inspiring. It really is. Knowing, getting used to using, the divine name is so important, that when we read quotes from Scripture or writings of other authors that use the generic titles, we substitute the real names of the Father and the Son.

So. You told me that today you’re going to be talking about a scam? What. You discovered that some Nigerian prince really won’t send you 1 million pounds as a small thank you just for being allowed to use your bank account to transfer his money out of Nigeria?

Dave laughs: Scams and hoaxes really have proliferated with the Internet, haven’t they?

Miles: Oh, yeah. They really have. You hear that one about billionaire Bill Gates giving out free money to whoever forwards an e-mail?

Dave: No, haven’t heard of that one. But I’ll tell you about one I encountered first hand. I’m going to date myself a bit here by letting you know this was pre-Internet days. Back when if we wanted to send a message to someone, we had to put a stamp on a piece of paper and mail it.

Miles: Which was then carried by man on horseback?

Dave: Oh! You remember him, too?

Miles: Not quite. Not quite. So what happened?

Dave: Well, this was back in university days. The story went round that there was a very sick little boy in some village in Scotland, if I’m remembering correctly, and an appeal was made to help him achieve his goal of getting in the Guinness Book of World Records for receiving the most postcards before his inevitable death.

Miles: Sounds like a scam for sure!

Dave: Well, yes. Today we’d recognize it as such. But back in the days of snail mail, this wasn’t anywhere near as common. Anyway, some kind soul that worked in the Registrar’s office put up lots of notices across campus on a number of bulletin boards. It gave the mailing address and invited any students who wished to participate to bring postcards in to the office. The university was going to put them all in a box and mail them all at once.

Miles: Oh, dear!

Dave: Exactly. About a week later, new notices appeared. The post office in Scotland had written back, explaining it was a hoax and begging the university to help spread the word because their little village post office was being literally inundated with postcards from all over the world.

Miles: I’m sure it wasn’t very funny for the people in Scotland!

Dave: No. But people really believed there was a dying child in Scotland. They sincerely believed this! So, being basically kind at heart, they wanted to do what they could to help.

The problem is, just because you believe something is true, doesn’t actually make it true. And that’s what I’m wanting to talk about today. There are a lot of very sincere Christians who’ve fallen for a scam. Not all of them get involved to the same degree, but there is this belief out there, particularly among more conservative Christians, that the Jews today are Yah’s special people.

Miles: How is this a scam?

Dave: Well, for one thing, they’re not! The Jews rejected Yahuwah clear back when they chose a human king to reign over them. You can read about it in 1 Samuel 8, verse 7.

But Yahuwah didn’t yet reject them. He loves us! He didn’t give up until finally, several years after Yahushua’s death, the Jews turned on the early believers and started slaying them.

Miles: I remember. Stephen was the first Christian martyr. So, yeah. It seems counter-intuitive to turn to the Jews for new light, or to continue to insist that you have to send money to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, or whatever, just because, at one time, they were Yah’s people.

Dave: But they aren’t any more! So why are we turning to them to learn what’s truth?

Miles: Well, it’s easy to assume they’ve got more light to share. Just like some Christians accept the word of their priest or pastor as to what’s truth. They refuse to study anything that doesn’t have their spiritual mentor’s “stamp of approval.”

It’s the same mentality that leads people to set the Jews up as modern spiritual authorities. It’s really a subtle deception because Scripture itself was written by the ancient Israelites. So, yeah. I can see why that assumption would be made.

Dave: We need to see this for the deception that it is. Satan’s got lies crafted for every mind. This particular deception appeals to mainstream evangelicals, as well as more conservative Sabbatarians.

But Scripture warns us about these tricks of the devil. In 1 Peter 5, verse 8 we’re told, quote: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

The reason for the devil’s increased anger is given in Revelation 12, verse 12.

Believers who are looking for the Saviour’s return are vigilant.

Remember the parable of the wise and the foolish virgins? Okay. You know the parable. Like the wise virgins, sincere believers have paid attention to the call that the bridegroom is coming. In their love for Him, they have trimmed their lamps, seeking to bring their whole lives into conformity to Him. This is as it should be.

The problem is, many sincere and conservative Christians have been diverted from the real issues by the teaching that there is saving merit in all things Hebraic – in being (or becoming) as Jewish as possible and supporting the nation of Israel as Yah’s chosen people.

Miles: You remember Corrie Ten Boom? She was the Dutch Holocaust survivor that preached forgiveness? Even she fell for this. She said, and I quote: “You can’t love [Yah] without loving the Jewish people.”

Dave: Exactly! Sermons are preached and millions of dollars are sent to support Israel. John Hagee, senior pastor of an 18,000-member congregation, is one well-known advocate of this belief.

I printed off a quote from CUFI.org. That stands for “Christians United for Israel.” Their whole focus is on supporting Israel. Would you read this for us?

Miles: This one? Okay. Quote:

In February, 2006, Pastor John Hagee, Founder and National Chairman of Christians United for Israel, decided the time had come to create a national grassroots movement focused on the support of Israel. He called upon Christian leaders from across America to join him in launching this new initiative. Over 400 Christian leaders each representing a denomination, mega-church, media ministry, publishing company, or Christian university answered the call and Christians United for Israel was born.

Dave: I don’t want to come down too hard on these Christians. I do believe they are sincere.

Miles: But it is possible to be sincere, while still being sincerely wrong.

Dave: Yes. Some send their tithes and offerings to organizations that give to Israel. Others, in a sincere desire to be as holy as possible, adopt many of the rabbinical practices in dress and other areas.

They pepper their vocabulary with Hebrew words and phrases. Have you ever encountered anyone who does this?

Miles: Oh, yeah! Sometimes they use so many Hebrew words and phrases it’s hard to even understand what they’re talking about. I honestly find it a bit frustrating. Communication isn’t happening if I can’t understand what you’re saying! It’s like they’re trying to undo what Yah did at the Tower of Babel or something.

Dave: Much of what they do is good. I’m not denying that. Besides raising money for the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem they pay for the building of bomb shelters in Israel, or whatever. This is a major diversion that becomes a very subtle salvation by works.

Miles: Not to mention that it plays into that mentality of being part of a larger group, all believing as you do, all doing as you do. We like having that assurance. It tells us we’re doing the right thing.

Dave: But there’s danger in that. Turn over to Joel, chapter 3, and read verses 12 to 14 when you find it.

Miles: “Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;
For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, go down; for the winepress is full, the vats overflow—for their wickedness is great.”

Dave: This is judgment language. It’s time now for Yahuwah to judge the nations. So, what’s going on in the minds of people? Read verse 14 now.

Miles: “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!
For the day of Yahuwah is near in the valley of decision.”

Dave: That’s where we are right now! In their daily lives, people are making decisions and choices that will determine their eternal destiny and they don’t even know it.

Miles: It’s a very solemn time in which to be living.

Dave: It’s human nature to want a spiritual “guru,” whether that’s a shaman, priest, pastor or rabbi, to tell you what to believe. But Yahuwah hasn’t assigned anyone this role! We’re all to come directly to the Saviour to receive the water of life and learn from Him.

Miles: So where did this idea come from that the Jews are so special?

Dave: Well, there are a number of verses that promise great blessings to the Jews. For example, turn to Zechariah 2, verse 8. Let’s take a look at that.

Miles: “For thus says Yahuwah of hosts: ‘He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.’ ”

Dave: So, based on this, and other similar texts, many people believe that if they can become as Jewish as possible in life, and dress, and practice, they will please Yahuwah. What they don’t understand, though, is that much of what they adopt are the man-made traditions of the Pharisees.

Miles: You’re equating modern Judaism with the traditions of the Pharisees that Yahushua denounced.

Dave: I’m not making that connection! The Jews themselves proudly admit it!

Here. Let me pull this up on my screen really quickly. It was written by a Jew.

Go ahead and read it.

Miles:

With the destruction of the Temple (70 A.D.) the Sadducees disappeared altogether, leaving the regulation of all Jewish affairs in the hands of the Pharisees. Henceforth, Jewish life was regulated by the Pharisees; the whole history of Judaism was reconstructed from the Pharisaic point of view, and a new aspect was given to the Sanhedrin of the past. A new chain of tradition supplanted the older priestly tradition . . . Pharisaism shaped the character of Judaism and the life and thought of the Jew for all the future.

Unquote. Wow. That’s … that’s amazing. This was written by a rabbi?

Dave: Yep. A world-renowned rabbi, Dr. Louis Finklestein in his book, The Pharisees: The Sociological Background of their Faith.

My point is: the Jews are not spiritual authorities we should be turning to for “new light”!

Miles: Okay. Hold that thought. We’re going to continue after we take a quick break.

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* * *Part 2: (Miles & Dave)

Miles: Okay, you just shared with us a quote from a Jewish rabbi that admits modern Judaism is the spiritual descendant of the Pharisees!

Dave: Right! The Saviour’s most cutting rebukes were directed at the Pharisees. He called them:

• Blind guides
• Fools and blind
• Serpents and,
• A generation of vipers

And this is all from a single chapter in Matthew. It’s not counting the other times He called them various other things scattered throughout the Gospels. He saw them clearly for what they really were, and it wasn’t anything good.

Miles: I’ve got Matthew 23, verse 27 here. Listen to this. It says, quote: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.”

Ouch! That’s got to be one of the most cutting denunciations in Scripture.

Dave: It’s not the only one!

Here’s the thing I want our listeners to see: many sincere Christians today believe the Jews are still Yahuwah’s special people because the Jews say they are.

Miles: But saying it’s so, doesn’t make it so.

Dave: No, but it can gather in millions of dollars in support from the Christians who think you’re special.

Remember: Modern Judaism has no more saving merit than its ancient pharisaical counterpart. Those who look to the Jews for confirmation of light are taking man-made traditions and exalting them to be on an equal footing with divine commands.

This is seriously dangerous for one’s soul. You’re already there in Matthew 23. Read verses 13 to 15. Yahushua clearly warned of the end result for all who turn to this source for learning truth.

Miles:

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Huh. Quite the denunciation.

Dave: It’s serious!

Modern Judaism is Pharisaism. It consists of man-made laws and traditions. The Jews have thousands of laws, but Yah says He “hates” these traditions.

Turn to Amos 5. Read verses 21 to 23 when you get it. This should lay to rest forever any idea that we should go to the Jews and adopt their traditions.

Miles:

I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.

Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.

Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

Okay. Now I’m confused. I believe that Yahuwah’s feast days are still to be kept. And I know you do, too. Is this saying we shouldn’t be keeping them?

Dave: Not at all.

These were “holy convocations” established by Yahuwah Himself! And yet, their manner of observance had become so weighted down with man-made rules and laws that they destroyed the spiritual essence of what Yahuwah intended them to be!

Miles: I can see that. For example, you’ve got Day of Atonement. A sunset-to-sunset Sabbath observance isn’t Biblical. That was reserved exclusively for Day of Atonement.

Dave: Exactly. But, in an overly zealous attempt to “guard the edges of the Sabbath” the sunset-to-sunset observance of Day of Atonement was extended to cover weekly Sabbath observance as well.

This created burdens Yah never intended people to carry. Turn back to Matthew 23 and read verse four. Here, Yahushua was denouncing this Pharisaical habit of adding on extra rules and regulations.

Miles: “For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”

Dave: Many sincere believers today have no idea that the practices they are adopting are founded upon man-made rules and traditions. They think, we’re rejecting the bad and going back to the Hebrew Roots. In fact, that’s a phrase you hear commonly: “Hebrew Roots.”

The problem is, the “roots” don’t extend beyond Babylon! Using Hebrew words doesn’t magically create righteousness in your mind. Wearing tzit tzit, head coverings or prayer shawls under your clothes doesn’t create righteousness in the life. Sometimes you’ll hear people speak of moving to Israel, but that has no salvational merit, either. At Babel, Yah scattered the people for a purpose and He’s never rescinded that.

Modern Jews are not the ultimate authority on what is pleasing to Yah. Most are secular and those who aren’t, rely on works for their own salvation.

Miles: I’m glad you’ve brought this out. When you’re devout, when you’re a conservative Christian, it’s easy to get focused on the externals. Our “works” can tend to serve as a barometer of our inner spiritual life, but that’s not what Yah wants.

Dave: Character development is not solidified by the clothes you wear or the Hebrew words you add to your vocabulary or some Hebrew name you call yourself. It’s a gift given to all whose faith lays hold on the precious promises.

Miles: Even in the early days of Christianity, there was a tendency among Jewish believers to place a high value on the beliefs, practices and traditions of the conservative class, which were the Pharisees. Paul repeatedly had to address that, didn’t he?

Dave: Yes. In fact, I wanted to address that. Here—read this. It’s from the first chapter of Titus.

Miles:

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

. . . Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

They profess that they know Yah; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. [Titus 1:10-11, 13-14, 16]

Dave: This is a warning for anyone who looks to the Jews as the depository of divine wisdom. By making Jews The Final Authority on spiritual matters, believers are led to reject the same truths that the Jews have rejected.

Miles: I can see that. Take, for example, the true Sabbath. Under the intense persecution following the Council of Nicæa, the Jews set aside the Biblical Sabbath when Hillel II “reformed” the calendar.

Jews, today, worship on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, not the ancient Sabbath.

Dave: And as a result, millions of Christians assume that Saturday is the Biblical Sabbath for no other reason than it’s the day observed by the Jews and, of course the Jews would never worship on anything but the true Sabbath.

Miles: So, the test comes and it will be rejected for no other reason than the assumption that the Jews must have truth because they are Jews.

Dave: But that assumption is false. Neither the Jews of ancient times, the Jews of Messiah’s time, or the Jews of today, keep the divine law in the manner Yahuwah intended. They were always backsliding and they do to this day.

Let’s take a look at 2 Kings 17:13-16. This message is repeatedly throughout Scripture and holds just as true today as when it was originally written.

Miles:

Yet Yahuwah testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets.” Nevertheless they would not hear, but stiffened their necks, like the necks of their fathers, who did not believe in the Yahuwah their Eloah. And they rejected His statutes and His covenant that He had made with their fathers, and His testimonies which He had testified against them . . . So they left all the commandments of Yahuwah their Eloah . . . .

Dave: Keeping man-made traditions doesn’t sanctify you.

Miles: They just make you feel superior to those who don’t hold the same practices.

Dave: Which is, itself, a sin: spiritual pride. Yah’s law doesn’t need add-ons.

Psalm 19:7 says: “The law of Yahuwah is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of Yahuwah is sure, making wise the simple.” Man-made traditions merely complicate the divine law. The divine law is simple and straightforward.

Miles: Yahushua really clarified this. He rejected the “traditions of the elders” in favor of the simple, clear divine law. Let me read Matthew 22:35-40. It says:

Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

Yahushua said to him, “‘You shall love Yahuwah your Eloah with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

The divine law is simple! It’s clear! Micah 6:8 says: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does Yahuwah require of you? But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your Eloah.”

See? Simple!

Dave: Paul frequently warned new believers not to return to Jewish traditions. In 2 Corinthians 11:3, he wrote: “I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Yahushua.”

Miles: I think people who turn to the Jews, wanting to claim the promises given to them, are forgetting, as you mentioned earlier, that divine promises are always conditional.

Dave: The fact that Yah bore long with the Jews even after their rejection of Him is summed up in the often-repeated phrase: “for My servant David’s sake.” But the divine presence won’t stay where it’s not wanted. It may linger, but eventually Yah will bow to the individual’s wishes and withdraw.

This broke the Saviour’s heart. Would you turn again to Matthew 23 and read verses 37 to 39?

Miles:

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of Yahuwah!’

Dave: Paul repeatedly warned of “Judaizers” and these sincere Christians perfectly fit the description!

They’ve fallen for the belief that there’s merit in becoming more Jewish, in sending money to Israel; they’ve built this entire eschatology around the assumption that Yahushua will not return until the Jews convert. And, in doing so, these sincere Christians have set themselves up to be taken by surprise when He returns unexpectedly without mass conversions by Jews.

Miles: In effect, they postpone just like the wicked servant in Yahushua’s parable that said, "My lord delayeth his coming."

Dave: The promises for ancient Israel are now available to spiritual Israel. Paul makes this very clear in Galatians 3. Would you read verses 26 to 29 for us?

Miles:

For you are all sons of Eloah through faith in Yahushua the Anointed. For as many of you as were baptized into Yahushua have put on Yahushua. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Yahushua the Anointed. And if you are Yahushua’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Dave: Salvation is still available to the individual Jew, of course, but the spiritual blessings are for all who will accept them and this holds true to the close of earth’s history. We don’t need to turn to the Jews. Salvation is a gift of grace!

Everyone who loves the Redeemer will want to honor Him with obedience that is free of man-made rules and traditions. Yahuwah invites those laboring under heavy pharisaical burdens to return to Him and He will give them rest.

Miles: Matthew 11:28: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

We’ll return in a moment with our Daily Mailbag. Don’t go away!

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You are listening to World's Last Chance Radio.

WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.

* * *Daily Mailbag (Miles & Dave)

Miles: We’ve got a really heart-wrenching question from our Daily Mailbag today, but it’s one I think we can all, sooner or later, benefit from. This letter is from Jillian Macaulay in Dundee, Scotland. She says: “My sister recently lost her first child. He was only five months old. I would like to share with her some promises to comfort and strengthen her faith. Are there any particular Bible promises you can suggest for a time like this?”

Dave: Well first, let me say, Jillian, how very sorry I am for the bereavement your family has suffered. There really are no words at a time like this, and I am very, very sorry for your loss.

Miles: Parents shouldn’t have to bury their child.

Dave: No. It will take time to heal, and everyone does that at their own pace and in their own way. There are some promises that speak directly to this, however. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Psalm 116, verse 15, says: “Precious in the sight of Yahuwah is the death of His saints.”

This little boy, barely any time to live, and yet he is precious in the sight of Yahuwah. He is remembered by Yah, and we can know from Scripture that he will be restored to his parents arms on the resurrection morning.

Miles: “He is remembered by Yah.” I like that. It’s something that’s easy to forget, and yet so important, at times like this. Yahuwah loved him, too. And no, I don’t think Yah loved him so much He decided to take the child away from His parents.

Dave: Yahuwah doesn’t work like that.

Miles: No, he doesn’t. But we are in a world of sin, and sometimes bad things happen to good people. I really like the promise in Romans 8, verses 38 to 39. It says: “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 Yah, which is in Christ Yahushua our Lord.”

Even death cannot separate us from the love of the Father! When one of His children is laid to rest, He misses them, too!

Dave: Romans 14, verse 8 declares: “If we live, we live to Yahuwah; and if we die, we die to Yahuwah. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are Yahuwah’s.”

What I like about this text is that it spells right out: whether we live, or die, we remain Yahuwah’s. We’re His! And He knows those that are His.

Miles: The great 19^th century, English preacher, Charles Spurgeon, said, quote: “When the time comes for you to die, you need not be afraid, because death cannot separate you from [Yahuwah’s] love.”

Dave: That’s good. One thing I find very comforting at such times is to remember that Yahuwah feels everything we feel. Literally. Hebrews 4, verse 15 says: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.”

Now, in English, we typically don’t have double negatives. Some languages do, but ours doesn’t.

Miles: Yeah. I remember my mum correcting our grammar when we were kids. She’d say, “Two negatives make a positive!”

Dave: So what it’s saying is, we do have a high priest who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. When we suffer, He suffers, because He literally feels everything that we feel.

Miles: Are there any promises specifically dealing with the resurrection you can share? Something for the faith to cling to?

Dave: Yes! Read 1 Thessalonians, chapter 4. The believers in Thessalonica had assumed that Yahushua would return sooner than He has. So, when some of their loved ones passed away, they were heartbroken, assuming they would never see them again. So, Paul wrote and explained that they would indeed see their lost loved ones again.

I personally find it one of the most comforting promises that we will see our departed friends and family again.

You have it? Read verses 13 to 18, please.

Miles:

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Yahushua died and rose again, even so Yah will bring with Him those who sleep in Yahushua.

For this we say to you by the word of Yahuwah, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of Yahushua will by no means precede those who are asleep.

For Yahushua Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of Yah. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet Yahushua in the air. And thus we shall always be with Yahushua.

Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Dave: Jillian, you will get to see your little nephew again. Your sister will get to hold her baby again, and cuddle him. This is what the death of Yahushua promises all believers.

Miles: There’s just one more passage I’d like to share really quickly. It’s the first four verses of Revelation 21 and it gives us a glimpse into the future. As I read this, I want to invite everyone listening, if you’re in a position where it’s safe to close your eyes, do that and just listen while I read this. Picture it in your mind. It says:

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from Yah, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of Yah is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. Yahuwah Himself will be with them and be their Eloah. And Yah will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

Dave: That’s beautiful. The greatest assurance that we have that we will again meet loved ones who have passed away, is the fact that there is an empty tomb in Jerusalem. The fact that Yahushua lived a perfect life, died, and was resurrected is our assurance that all who have died loving and trusting in Yahuwah, will be raised again. And our children who die before the age of accountability, will be raised again as well.

Miles: Amen. We really do enjoy hearing from our listeners. If you have a question or comment, send us a message. Go to our website at WorldsLastChance.com and click on Contact Us. We’d love to hear from you.

* * *Daily Promise

Hello! This is Elise O’Brien with your Daily Promise from Yah’s Word.

He may have been looking for a young lamb or kid that had wandered off. He may simply have been bored, but whatever the circumstances, Jum'a Muhamed discovered a cave he hadn’t seen before. It was a bit high, so Jum’a didn’t bother going up.

His cousin, Muhammid Ahmed el-Hamed, however, was interested enough to climb up … and promptly fell down inside. And that is how one of the greatest archeological discoveries of all time was literally stumbled upon by a young shepherd in the Wadi Qumran. Hidden in twelve caves and preserved in the dry climate of the Dead Sea, was a treasure trove of ancient manuscripts dating back two thousand years and more. They were, for some time, the oldest copies of Biblical text in existence.

But in 1979, another exciting discovery was made. Judith Hadley, a Villanova professor, was assisting archaeologist, Gabriel Barkay, at an excavation site in the Hinnom Valley in Jerusalem. In a burial cave, she spotted something tiny. It looked kind of like the metal cap on the end of a pencil. Upon closer inspection, Judith discovered that it was, in reality, a tiny, silver scroll. At first, no one knew how old it was. Clearly, though, it was very ancient.

Then another was found nearby! The archaeologists discovered that these tiny amulets dated from the time of the Hebrew monarchy seven centuries before Christ!

Of course, everyone was eager to know what they said, but they had to be patient. The scrolls were so fragile that it actually took several years to painstakingly clean and open them.

When they were finally unrolled, researchers found one of the most beautiful blessings ever recorded in Scripture, and the world’s oldest copy of a Biblical text. These words, recorded in Numbers chapter 6, verses 24 to 26, are a personal favorite of mine. When my kids were little, we sang them at the close of evening worship as a bedtime benediction.

The blessing goes: “Yahuwah bless you and keep you; Yahuwah make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; Yahuwah lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”

The word of Yah contains the power to do what it says, so the words of this blessing themselves contain the power to bless.

What is even more beautiful is when you read this blessing in context. Beginning at verse 22 and reading through verse 27 of Numbers 6, we discover something really exciting. It says:

And Yahuwah spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: “Yahuwah bless you and keep you; Yahuwah make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; Yahuwah lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”’

“So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”

This isn’t some psalm of David, written when he was in the mood to compose a bit of music. This isn’t even something written by Moses under inspiration. These words were dictated to Moses by Yahuwah Himself!

This is how much He wants to bless you. He delights in blessing His children!

We have been given great and precious promises. Go, and start claiming!

* * *Part 3: (Miles & Dave)

Miles: This has been an interesting discussion today. I appreciate the points you’ve shared. You know, I’ve known people—Christians—whose practices and appearance are very … well, Jewish. I guess you’d call them Messianic Jews.

The men wear fringes that hang out beneath their coats; they wear skull caps, and I wasn’t entirely sure what to make of it.

I think it touches on a very human condition, and that is, we always like to look to another person as being an authority we can follow. Someone we can trust to tell us what to do.

Dave: I think you’ve really nailed it, Miles. We like the security of being told what to do. We like the assurance of surrounding ourselves with people who think like we do.

Miles: That’s it! We like the affirmation of being with the majority and having a consensus of opinion. Makes us feel secure in our beliefs. We don’t like standing alone.

Dave: But that’s the problem! We’re being called to stand alone. That’s the test. Will we remain faithful to Yah, keeping His commandments, giving Him our loyalty, love, and obedience?

If you’ve still got your Bible there, would you turn to Matthew, chapter 13, and start reading at verse 14. This is the parable of the tares and it really holds a lesson that applies to this situation of wanting to rely on external authorities to tell us what to do.

You have it? Go ahead, then.

Miles:

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

Dave: Let’s take a look at how this applies. First, the Father has insured that no matter where you live, no matter what your background, everyone has an opportunity to learn some degree of truth, which, if followed, will lead to still greater truth.

That’s the planting of the seed.

Now, obviously, Satan seeks to contaminate the truth. This means that wherever there is truth, you will also find error trying to corrupt that truth.

Miles: Yep. I’ve seen that. And the devil crafts his errors to countermand or make of no effect, whatever truth he’s targeting.

Soooo … who are the servants in this parable? Are they Yah’s people?

Dave: Actually, it’s angels. Later in the chapter, Yahushua explains the symbols used and He says they’re angels. But the thing that applies to our discussion today is what He tells the reapers. Read verse 30 again: just the last part where He’s talking to the reapers. What does He say?

Miles: “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Dave: Notice, this is just before the harvest. The wheat has matured. It’s ready for harvesting. But before that can take place, the tares must first be … what?

Miles: Gathered together and bound in bundles.

Dave: Yes. Satan controls people through a handful of influential leaders at the top. He wants people gathered together in groups. They’re easier to control that way, so he plays to the very human desire to be part of a group.

But it’s dangerous. Yahuwah is calling on people to have the courage to stand alone, and separate.

Miles: It gets right back to Revelation 18, doesn’t it? Where He says: “Go out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” [Revelation 18:4]

Dave: You can’t be looking to any external authority to know what is truth, folks! That’s what the devil wants! When we look to a church leader, or a group such as the Jews for advanced light, we play right into the devil’s plans. By controlling just a few, he can, by extension, influence many more.

Miles: I skimmed down and read Yahushua’s interpretation of His parable. Let me read it really quickly. Apparently, the disciples had asked Him to explain it. Starting in verse 37, this is what He said. Quote:

He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Unquote. I mean, wow! What more inducement do you need to steer clear of grouping yourself with others?

Dave: Even if that group, collectively, is the Jews. The Jews ceased to be Yahuwah’s special, chosen people when they rejected advancing light. That is the basis on which any organized religion is finally rejected of Heaven. It’s why we’re told to leave all the organized religions. We can certainly fellowship with others of like-minds, but even they must not dictate our beliefs.

I know we’re out of time, but I want to add one final thought: don’t be afraid of standing alone. Don’t look to external authorities or even fellow believers whose devotion to Yah you trust! Yahuwah is leading His people separately and it’s often for our own protection.

So don’t be afraid to stand alone. You’re not truly standing alone. When you side with Yah, all of Heaven stands with you.

Miles: And Yahuwah is always a majority!

Well, that’s it for today. We hope you can join us again tomorrow, and until then, remember: Yahuwah loves you . . . and He is safe to trust!

* * *

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This program and past episodes of WLC Radio are available for downloading on our website. They're great for sharing with friends and for use in Bible studies! They're also an excellent resource for those worshipping Yahuwah alone at home. To listen to previously aired programs, visit our website at WorldsLastChance.com. Click on the WLC Radio icon displayed on our homepage.

In his teachings and parables, the Savior gave no “signs of the times” to watch for. Instead, the thrust of his message was constant … vigilance. Join us again tomorrow for another truth-filled message as we explore various topics focused on the Savior's return and how to live in constant readiness to welcome him warmly when he comes.

WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.