Program 16: The Sabbath: Revealing Yah’s Character

The Sabbath is a gift that reveals a deeply buried longing in the Father’s heart: He longs to spend time with us!

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: The Sabbath – Revealing Yah’s Character

Miles Robey: Welcome to WLC Radio where you will always find messages from Yah’s word on important topics you need to know to get ready for the Saviour’s return. I’m you’re host, Miles Robey. And with me is Dave Wright.

Dave Wright: Hello! We’re glad to have you with us!

Miles: Today, we’re going to be discussing a topic to which most Christians never give much thought. If they do, it’s merely a curious doctrine of antiquity easily shrugged aside as no longer binding. Today, we’re going to be talking about the Sabbath.

Dave: You know, Miles, in discussing the topic, a lot of people will argue over whether or not the Sabbath is still binding, when it starts, what you can or cannot do during the hours of the Sabbath, that sort of thing. But today, I want to take it from an angle that’s a bit different. I’d like to see if we can discover Yahuwah’s purpose for giving us the Sabbath. If we can do that, I think it will become self-evident whether or not the Sabbath is still binding. And, in doing that, we will gain a glimpse into the very character of Yahuwah.

Miles: I’m looking forward to it because that’s one angle I’ve never heard addressed before.

Before we get into that, though, I’d like to just take a moment to clarify something you just said for our first-time listeners. You mentioned “Yahuwah’s” purpose for giving us the Sabbath and I want to explain who we’re talking about.

“Yahuwah” is actually the personal name for the Father. In most Bible’s, the title “Lord” has been substituted in lieu of His actual name. However, as explained in a previous program, we believe it is important to use the Father’s actual name, rather than a title.

The Son’s name is similar. It’s Yahushua.

Dave: If you missed the program where we discussed why it’s important to use the actual names of the Father and Son, you can still listen. Go to our website, WorldsLastChance.com, and click on the radio episode entitled “Why Yahuwah & Yahushua.”

Miles: You can also listen to it on YouTube.

Okay. Sooo . . . why did Yahuwah give us the Sabbath? I mean, aside from reading in Genesis two, where it says He rested and blessed the Sabbath day because that’s when the work of Creation was ended, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of another reason beyond that as to why He consecrated one day out of seven. I’ve heard that it’s a memorial of Creation, but that’s about it. But you’re saying there’s another reason?

Dave: There is. And once you hear what it is, you’ll never look at Sabbath observance the same way again.

You see, most people not only do not know the true purpose of the Sabbath, but their understanding of the entire subject is actually incorrect. To them, the Sabbath is just this old requirement, given to the Jews at Sinai, and done away with at the cross.

Miles: So what you’re saying is, they view Sabbath-observance as part of some legalistic requirement.

Dave: Exactly. And since Yahushua died, they say, “Oh, we’re under grace now! We’re no longer under the law.”

Miles: Sure! I’ve heard ministers preach we’re under the dispensation of grace now.

Dave: And they’re sincere. They truly believe that. But that argument is based on a misunderstanding of Colossians 2.

Most pastors themselves don’t know that it’s wrong because they don’t understand the true purpose of the Sabbath. If they did, they’d never again preach that the Sabbath was nailed to the cross.

Miles: So than, what is the true purpose of Sabbath observance?

Dave: The true purpose of the Sabbath is what gives us a beautiful view of Yah’s character, and that is: true Sabbath-keeping is all about relationship. That’s it! It’s all about Yahuwah’s desire to have a close, personal, intimate relationship with every single one of His children.

The Sabbath was given at Creation. Now, when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, they lost the Sabbath because, as slaves, they no longer had the freedom to keep it. The Sabbath was not established at Sinai. In fact, Scripture suggests it was re-established prior to the Exodus!

Miles: Really. Where does it say that?

Dave: In Exodus 5. You’ll recall when Moses returned to Egypt and told Pharaoh to let Israel go, it was for the express purpose of giving the people an opportunity to “serve” or worship Yahuwah their god.

Miles: Right.

Dave: Why don’t you read it for us? Exodus 5, verses 1 to 4.

Miles: All right. Umm . . . okay: “Then afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, Thus saith Yahuwah the god of Israel, Let my people go, that they may celebrate a feast unto me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, Who is Yahuwah, that I should hear his voice, and let Israel go? I know not Yahuwah, neither will I let Israel go. And they said, We worship the god of the Hebrews: we pray thee, let us go three days’ journey in the desert, and sacrifice unto the Yahuwah our god, lest He bring upon us the pestilence or sword. Then said the King of Egypt unto them, Moses and Aaron, why cause ye the people to cease from their works? Get you to your burdens.”

Dave: It is reasonable to deduce that the way in which Moses and Aaron “caused” the people to “cease from their works” was by teaching them of the perpetually binding nature of Yah’s law, which includes time set apart to worship Him every week.

Miles: I’m glad you said that last bit, Dave, because a lot of people say worship on the Sabbath is unnecessary because they worship every day. What would you say to someone who told you that?

Dave: I’d say, “Good for you! We should worship every day!”

But the 4^th commandment is more comprehensive than that. It says that no work is to be done on the seventh day, and that work is to be done on the six other days. Now, if you’re not setting aside a specific day on which to worship the Creator, are you abstaining from work one day out of seven for the express purpose of investing time into your relationship with your Creator?

How many people who say they worship every day actually set aside one-seventh of their time to abstain from work while working the other six days?

Miles: Hm. Good point. From what I’ve observed, the lines tend to blur. They don’t really set aside labor and devote one day exclusively to worship.

Dave: And that worship, that time to devote to spending one-on-one time together, is what the Father is longing for.

A few months after the exodus, Yah instructed Moses to direct the Children of Israel in building the tabernacle. Now this instruction, which is given in Exodus 25, contains two very important points.

Read verses 2 and 8 for us, would you please?

Miles: Verse 2: “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.”

Dave: Notice the first thing Yah says is that this is to be a free-will offering. This wasn’t legalism! It was not compulsory. Only those who wanted to give were given the opportunity to do so.

Now verse 8?

Miles: “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.”

Dave: That, right there. That’s the key. That’s the secret to a joyful, non-legalistic observance of the Sabbath. Yahuwah wanted them to build Him a sanctuary so that He might draw near and “dwell among them.” They were specifically forbidden to put in steps. They weren’t to try to lift themselves up to Yah. Rather, He would come down to them and dwell with them.

And that’s the whole purpose behind the Sabbath. Spending time with Yah because you love Him.

Miles: That takes it out of the realm of works, and puts it squarely in the realm of the interpersonal.

Dave: Yes. And this is why people who insist that the law was somehow “nailed to the cross” are missing the whole point of the Sabbath.

Miles: How so?

Dave: Well, Satan obviously doesn’t want anyone entering into the joy of a personal relationship with the Creator. So this special time that is designed for focusing on each other, is somehow twisted into being viewed as a works trip.

Miles: I like that: focusing on each other. Reminds me of when my wife had our first baby. About, I don’t know . . . nine months after the baby was born? Sometime around then, we realized we were drifting apart.

The day our child was born, we’d felt so close. Here was the real, flesh-and-blood manifestation of our love for each other!

And yet, somehow, in the weeks and months following, we’d begun to lose that.

Dave: Those first few months are very exhausting.

Miles: Are they ever! We were bleary eyed, exhausted, snapping at each other. Anyway, we realized we didn’t like where we were headed so we decided to go on a date night once a week. We’d get a sitter, and go out to spend some us-time, focusing on just the two of us.

In reality, it ended up being more like once a month, but that night was so important!

Dave: I can imagine.

Miles: Yeah, it really revitalized our relationship. We’d talked before, sure. But it was more just the passing of information. It wasn’t investing in our own relationship.

And what you’re describing as true Sabbath observance is like, well, a date-day with the Father every week! Sure, we can pass along information when we pray, but the Sabbath is when we can lay aside the stresses of the week and really focus on Him and the individual, personal relationship we have with Him.

Dave: Exactly. And it’s that understanding most people miss when they insist that the Sabbath was given to the Jews and besides, they don’t need it since they worship every day!

But there’s more. When you stop and think about it, when you carefully compare Scripture with Scripture, you realize that it is actually impossible for the divine law to be done away with!

Miles: How’s that?

Dave: Well, when you think about it, the divine law is a transcript of the divine character. Malachi 3:6 states: “I am Yahuwah, I change not.” He doesn’t change! And if He could change, than He wouldn’t be perfect, and He wouldn’t be Yah.

Now, a lot of people quote from the writings of Paul to prove that the law was somehow “nailed to the cross,” but that’s not what Paul was talking about. In fact, Paul himself makes this clear in Romans when he says that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. [Romans 7:12]

The divine law cannot be changed precisely because it is holy, and just, and good. It’s perfect! To change it or set it aside would be to degrade it into a law that is unholy and imperfect.

Miles: That makes sense. If the Law could be changed or set aside, it would mean that there was something wrong or unjust about the Law.

Dave: And, by further implication, this would mean that there was something wrong or unjust in the Lawgiver. Many sincere Christians worship on Sunday, believing the Law was “nailed to the cross” but in fact, the cross is the biggest proof that the Law is eternal and cannot be “done away with”!

Miles: Huh. That’s a good point.

Dave: Consider this for a moment: if the divine law could be changed, Yahushua would not have needed to die.

This is a profound point. Romans 6:23 states: “The wages of sin is death but the gift of Yah is eternal life through Yahushua our Lord.”

Eternal life is a gift! It’s not something to be taken for granted. It’s a gift we don’t deserve. What we deserve, as sinners, is death.

Now if the law could be changed, it would have been so that sinners could be forgiven without the need for anyone to die in just punishment for their sins.

It was because the law is perfect, and just, and holy, that it cannot be changed.

Miles: All right. Hold that thought. We’re going to take a quick break and when we come back, I want to talk about this some more.

* * *

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* * *Part 2: The Sabbath – Revealing Yah’s Character

Miles: Aaaaaand welcome back! I’m Miles Robey. Today, we’ve been talking about the Sabbath. In our previous segment, Dave shared with us how the Sabbath is not some legalistic requirement given to the Jews but actually provides a glimpse into Yah’s character of love.

Dave: That’s right, Miles. It demonstrates His love and His heart’s yearning to spend time with His children. Us!

See, we get all focused on the legalistic side of it. Sunday-keepers dismiss it all as nothing more than a works trip. And they miss the whole point entirely of spending time with our Maker on the Sabbath.

But then, admittedly, Sabbath-keepers themselves can become very legalistic in what they think is allowable on the Sabbath. They often have these long lists of what they can do, and what they can’t do; what’s appropriate and what’s not.

In fact, when I was a teen, my friends and I griped to each other that there were basically three standards our parents used for determining what was forbidden on the Sabbath:

• Anything fast;
• Anything loud; or
• Anything fun was not allowed on the Sabbath.

It’s funny now but it wasn’t then and I’ll tell you, Sabbath was boring. The adults would take naps—

Miles: Unless they heard you doing anything fast, loud, or fun!

Dave: Right. And even though we worshipped on the Sabbath, we were totally missing the point of it as well!

Miles: I can see that. If Satan can’t get us off one way, he’ll always try another, won’t he?

Dave: He doesn’t care which way he gets us off the straight and narrow, just so we’re off.

Getting back to what we were talking about before the break, people claim the law was done away with at the cross, but you don’t see anyone out killing their neighbor, or stealing, and trying to use that as a defense. You don’t see Christians committing adultery and then claiming there’s nothing wrong with it because the law was nailed to the cross. They target only the 4^th commandment – the one that gives us a chance to demonstrate our love by worshipping Him.

Miles: All right, I hear what you’re saying but I have a question for you. One I think a lot of our listeners would like to hear addressed as well, and that is simply this: if the Sabbath is about our relationship, if it’s not just a requirement intended only for the Jews, how do you interpret Yahushua’s words in Matthew 5?

Give me a moment while I look it up, because this is a primary text used to support the argument that the law was nailed to the cross.

It says: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” [Matthew 5:17]

Wouldn’t this verse mean that the law was . . . maybe not “done away with” at the cross, but at least fulfilled? Like a legal contract. Once the terms are fulfilled, the contract is null and void. It’s been fulfilled.

Dave: That’s a good question, Miles. And the answer is actually in that very same chapter of Matthew. You just have to keep reading. Listen while I read that verse again, as well as the three verses following it.

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

But then He goes on to say: “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

See, He’s not saying the law should not be kept. In fact, right here Yahushua is linking keeping the law with being called “great in the kingdom of Heaven.”

But it’s the next verse that really clinches it. Read verse 20 for us, would you?

Miles: “For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” [Matthew 5:17-20]

Dave: This last verse draws an interesting distinction. “Righteousness” is simply “right-doing.” Here Yahushua is saying, “Your right-doing, your keeping of the law, must exceed that the of the scribes and Pharisees.”

Now, the Pharisees were known for what?

Miles: Legalism!

Dave: Right! They were soooo careful in how they kept the law, but it was all superficial. It wasn’t heart-work with them. They were hypocrites!

Miles: So why would Yahushua appear to commend them and use them as an example?

Dave: He wasn’t commending their superficial hypocrisy. However, in trying to establish the importance of keeping the law, he simply used them as an example of careful keeping of the law. Now would he really do that if the law ended at Calvary?

Miles: No. It wouldn’t seem so. Especially when we remember that he was to be our example as well.

Dave: This point is clarified even more, later in Matthew. Chapter 23, verse 23 says: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”

He is saying, “Yes, you should be that careful in keeping the law, but you shouldn’t have kept it on the external level, leaving the weightier matters of the law—justice, kindness, honesty, generosity—undone.

Yahushua always taught the importance of keeping the law. But he saw that it was heart work. It was never about the externals!

The divine law in general, and the Sabbath in particular, has never been about going through the motions. It has always and ever been about growing into an intimate relationship with our Maker; spending that time with Yahuwah, as our Father, our best Friend. Our Beloved.

The only way to use Matthew 5 as evidence that the law was done away with at the cross, is if you take verse 17 out of context and ignore the following verses.

Miles: But what do you do about the little phrase in verse five that says “till all be fulfilled”? Yahushua said, “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Wouldn’t that suggest that, at some point in the future, the law will be “fulfilled”?

Dave: Certainly when there is a “new heaven” and a “new earth” as foretold by John in the Revelation, all Yah’s promises for the salvation and restoration of His children will be fulfilled. But it is a mistake to assume that the law—which, remember, is “holy, and just, and good”—will be declared null and void at that point.

In fact, Scripture teaches that, in the earth made new, the redeemed will still be worshipping the Creator every Sabbath. What a glorious time that will be!

Miles: Where does it say that?

Dave: In Isaiah. In fact, let’s turn there. Go to Isaiah 66 and read verses 22 and 23.

Miles: Isaiah 66:22 to 23 . . . says . . . “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith Yahuwah, so shall your seed and your name remain.”

Dave: I’m going to interrupt you right there, Miles, and point out that this prophecy is future tense. And not only is it speaking of a time yet to come, but it tells us when that time shall be! It’s when Yah has made a “new heavens and the new earth.”

So, this is after it’s all over, and yet the redeemed will still be worshipping Yahuwah on His seventh-day Sabbath. Read the next verse now.

Miles: “And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Yahuwah.” [Isaiah 66:23]

That’s really interesting. It definitely puts Sabbath observance in the future. And I noticed, too, that it reveals what calendar will be used for determining the Sabbath: the luni-solar calendar of creation, because you just don’t have “New Moon” days on the Gregorian calendar!

Dave: No, you don’t. But this isn’t the only place. It’s the clearest, but Revelation alludes to this same thing as well. Chapter 21. It’s a breathtaking passage. Listen to this:

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” [Rev. 21:1-3]

Here, we’re in the future, just as in Isaiah 66. A new heaven and a new earth have been made. And at that time, John sees something indescribable. He says:

“And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from Yah out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of Yahuwah is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and Yahuwah Himself shall be with them, and be their God.”

This is what the entire battle over every soul has been about! Yahuwah wants to dwell with us! He originally created a garden paradise as home for Adam and Eve where He would come and walk with them in the cool of the evening.

After the Fall, He tried again. He told Moses, “Let them build me a sanctuary that I might dwell—or “tabernacle”—among them. And here in Revelation we see His greatest heart’s longing is finally realized when the “tabernacle of Yahuwah is with men” and He can finally dwell with them.

Miles: Beautiful. That’s so beautiful.

Dave: Listen to what it says next!

“And Yahuwah shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

“And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” [Revelation 21:4-7]

Finally, at long last, the Father’s goal is achieved when the earth is made new and populated with people who want to live with Him, as much as He wants to live with them, and dwell among them, and be their god.

Miles: And isn’t that the point of it all? Of Christianity itself? Being one with Yah. Living in His presence. Being able to look upon His face, understand that He knows every single thing about you, and loves you anyway.

Dave: Amen! The goal of every believer since Adam: to be restored to One-ness with the Creator. And that was Yahushua’s prayer for us, too! In one of His last recorded prayers just before He was arrested, Yahushua prayed that we all might be one with Him and with the Father. Here, read it for us from John 17.

Miles: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”

Dave: We do not keep the law, and worship on the Sabbath, to become citizens of His kingdom. Instead, we keep the law and spend time with our best Friend on His Sabbath because we are citizens of His kingdom, born again in Yahushua.

Miles: That’s beautiful. Again, it takes it out of the realm of what you do, and puts it firmly in the realm of the relationship. Choosing to do what pleases the one you love!

Dave: The earth made new will not be repopulated with immortal Law-breakers. Yahushua is our divine Substitute. With the price of redemption paid by Yahushua, Law-breakers—that’s you and me—may be gifted with cleansed and purified minds!

We then become Law-keepers.

Miles: And it’s always a gift. It’s got to be a gift because we can’t generate goodness and holiness within ourselves, out of our own merits.

Dave: That’s exactly the message of Hebrews. Chapter 4 says: “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”

See, that’s the works versus relationship we were discussing earlier.

“For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And Yah did rest the seventh day from all his works.” [Hebrews 4:1-4]

Miles: I like verses 9 and 10, too. It says: “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of Yah. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as Yah did from His.”

Dave: And the way we enter into that rest is by allowing Him to write His law upon our hearts. Hebrews 10 says:

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith Yahuwah, I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” [Hebrews 10:16, 17]

It’s all Him! He enables us to keep His law. Then, it’s no longer a works trip. We keep His law because we are ONE with Him.

Miles: Oh, don’t stop there! Let me read the next few verses.

“Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Yahushua, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of Yah; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” [Hebrews 10:18-22]

Dave: The blood of Yahushua not only forgives us. It enables us to come into perfect oneness with the Father. With His law written on our hearts, through faith in Yahushua, we reflect the divine image. We are one with Him. And we perfectly keep His law, not out of legalism, but because we are ONE with Him. His law, His character, is now ours.

Miles: As David said, “Teach me, O Yahuwah, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.” [Psalm 119:33-34, 44-45]

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* * *Daily Mailbag (Miles & Dave)

Miles: The time has come for our Daily Mailbag. Our question today comes from Elin and Steffen in Randers, Denmark. Huh! Never heard of Randers before. I like receiving these letters. It helps me learn the geography I was too bored to learn when I was in school!

All right, Elin and Steffen write: “Recently there was a series of meetings held by a visiting evangelist who was also a faith healer. Our neighbor claims that a friend of hers, who is a devout Christian, went and was healed by the faith healer. If this is true, this isn’t the only miracle that’s taken place among the churches which WLC says are fallen. Could you please shed a bit of light on this for us? How can miracles and healings take place if the churches truly are fallen?”

Dave: Thank you, Elin and Steffen. That’s a really great question and I’m glad you’ve asked it.

If your neighbor’s friend were truly healed, than let me say that I am genuinely pleased for her. That’s a wonderful thing to have occurred.

Miles: Do you think it was genuine?

Dave: Well. There’s no way to know. I sincerely hope so! Follow-up interviews on people who claim to have been healed by faith healers reveal that most so-called “healings” by faith healers are not genuine or, at least, lasting. However, I do believe there are some people that have been genuinely healed and this certainly plays into the question: How can someone be genuinely healed in a fallen church, how can someone be genuinely healed by a faith healer when, time and again, careful research has proven these faith healers to be charlatans?

Miles: So, what’s the answer?

Dave: I believe there are two possibilities that explain why there would be healings within the fallen churches. And make no mistake: the churches are indeed fallen. However, we shouldn’t be surprised that there would be apparent miracles in them.

First, because signs and miracles are actually not a sign of truth. Generally, it is those who are seeking to “prove” error who rely on signs and miracles to bolster their claims. But do you remember what Yahushua said when He was asked for a sign?

Miles: “A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign.”

Dave: Right! And then He added: “But no sign shall be given it but the sign of the prophet Jonas.” [Matthew 16:4]

Truth doesn’t need miracles to “prove” its veracity! Because, ultimately, miracles don’t prove anything.

In His sermon on the mount, Yahushua warned: “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." [Matthew 7:21-23]

Miles: That’s a solemn warning. These are people who not only claim to have prophesied in His name, they not only claim to have cast out devils and done many wonderful works, but they’ve actually done it! He doesn’t deny that.

And yet, with terrible honesty he can rightfully say: “I never knew you.”

Dave: As we’ve been discussing in today’s program – it’s not what you do but who you know! They may have done all these things, but they didn’t know Yahuwah and Yahushua as it was their privilege to know them. So, they aren’t known by the Father and the Son, either.

This passage is actually a prophecy that a time would come when healing miracles would take place and yet, those who do them, are still regarded by Heaven as “iniquitous preachers” because they do the “work of iniquity.”

Paul also warns that before the time of the end, the man of sin would perform signs in order to deceive. In 2 Thessalonians he wrote: “[Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause Yahuwah shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." [2 Thessalonians 2: 10-12]

In Matthew 24, the Saviour again warned of this phenomenon. He said: “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” [Matthew 24:24]

A “miracle” by dictionary definition is simply: “An event that appears impossible to explain by the laws of nature” So, it’s believed to be supernatural in origin or an act of God.

Miles: So this brings us back full circle: why would miracles occur in fallen churches? If I’m correctly understanding what you’re saying, miracles can be seen in the fallen churches because Satan can perform miracles. At least, he has the power to do things that appear impossible to human eyes.

Dave: Exactly. And, as Scripture warns, these are lying wonders. He performs them for purposes to deceive, to get people deluded into thinking that they should stay in this or that particular church. The result is, they end up clinging to doctrines that are in error because they assume Yah is blessing their church!

Miles: You said there was another reason miracles could take place in the fallen churches.

Dave: Yes, and I know this may sound contradictory at first, but hear me out.

Miles: All right.

Dave: The second reason miracles can occur in the fallen churches is that we serve a Father who loves us with all His heart. He understands that we are but dust. Scripture says He “winks” (or over looks) our ignorance. If He sees someone in desperate need of help, He’s not going to refuse to give help simply because the one asking may not have all light or a correct understanding of every single doctrine.

Dave: Advancing in the light is an on-going process. Even in eternity, we will continue to learn and grow. So, yes. Yahuwah, as a loving heavenly Father, can read the heart. When He sees someone in need of His help, He’s going to give them that help even if their beliefs are imperfect or even incorrect on some points.

Miles: Well, yeah! John 14 says that if we ask anything in Yahushua’s name, our prayers will be answered. It doesn’t say: “If you have Correct Doctrinal Knowledge I will answer your prayers.” No! It simply says if we ask in His name and according to His will.

Dave: It just goes to show how much He loves us, doesn’t it? He knows that performing miracles within the fallen churches can easily be misunderstood. He knows it can be misconstrued as validation for that church’s theology. But the individual is always most important to Yah. He loves the individual. He’s not going to refuse a blessing because the person praying has an incomplete knowledge of truth.

Miles: Good point. I like how Yahushua put it in the sermon on the mount. He said:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” [Matthew 7:7-11]

There’s absolutely nothing in there that says “Don’t bother to ask if you’re in a fallen church or don’t know all truth!”

Dave: And that is precisely why miracles are never to be used as confirmation of truth. Whether the miracle is from Satan or from Yah, ultimately it does not matter because it’s not to be used as “proof” that This Church has all truth, and That Church does not.

Miles: Good point. That’s a really good point. So, there you have it. We’re to look to Scripture and the confirmation of the Spirit of Yah to know what is truth. Not external authorities, or miracles, or what have you.

If you have any questions or comments, know that we’d love to hear from you, too. Just go to our website at WorldsLastChance.com and click on Contact Us. Again, click on Contact Us on WorldsLastChance.com.

* * *Daily Promise

This is Elise O’Brien with your daily promise from Yah’s word.

Aren’t you glad that Yahuwah is who He is, and He’s not like us? Seriously! His loving-kindness and patience with us are truly divine.

The playwright, novelist, and poet, Oscar Wilde, wrote: “A man can’t be too careful in the choice of his enemies.” United States’ president, John F. Kennedy, concurred, saying: “Forgive your enemies . . . but never forget their names!”

I am so glad the Father doesn’t take that attitude, aren’t you? In Romans 5, the apostle Paul wrote:

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”

The Father does not view you as His enemy. You are His precious daughter; His beloved son.

In Isaiah 43, He tells you:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.

For I am Yahuwah your Mighty One,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I gave Egypt for your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
Since you were precious in My sight,
You have been honored,
And I have loved you;
Therefore I will give men for you,
And people for your life.
Fear not, for I am with you.”

Yahuwah is not your enemy; and you’re not His!

We’ve been given great and precious promises. Go and start claiming!

* * *Part 3: The Sabbath – Revealing Yah’s Character

Miles: I’ve enjoyed today’s discussion, Dave. I like that angle: that Sabbath observance is about a relationship with Yah.

Dave: It really is! That’s His heart’s yearning. He wants that one-on-one, intimate connection with each of His children. It’s not legalism. It’s love. You love Him, you’ll want to spend time with Him.

Miles: To know Him, is to love Him, and how are we going to get to know Him, if we don’t spend time with Him? Yes, studying His word; yes, praising His name; yes, speaking to Him in prayer, but more just . . . I don’t know, reveling in His presence!

Dave: That’s a beautiful way to put it. You stop and think about what life in the earth made new is going to be like. Some people have almost cartoonish ideas of sitting around on cotton candy clouds, playing harps all day.

Miles: Rather boring if you ask me!

Dave: Same here! And yet, in reality, life in the earth made new will be paradise, because of the presence of Yah. That is where our greatest joy will come from! Being able to listen to His voice, to speak with Him, to look upon His face. If you don’t enjoy spending time with Yahuwah here, you’re not going to enjoy spending time with Him there.

Miles: And the Sabbath is what gets us ready for that.

Dave: You’re right.

Miles: You look at the world around you, you look at the devastation . . . there’s so much, it’s not possible to keep up with it all! Earthquakes and other events that, in years past, would have made international headlines barely make a blip in the radar anymore simply because there is so much that is happening, there are so many disasters taking place all over the world, you just can’t keep up with it all. And that right there is a warning.

Dave: It really is. And it’s in the chaos and upheaval of a crisis that character is revealed. It’s not developed. It’s revealed for what it already is.

If we want to have the faith of martyrs, now is the time to develop it. To get to know Yah as it is our privilege to know Him. And the Sabbath is the time we are to set apart to fellowship with Him.

Miles: That’s very true.

Dave: Setting aside one day out of seven to spend time with our best Friend isn’t a burden. It’s a privilege! A joy! And it’s what allows Him to write His law on our hearts so that we’ll be ready for what lies ahead.

Miles: And remember: He has pledged to get us ready if we’ll allow it!

Well, our time is up for today. Please tune in again tomorrow. And until then, remember: Yahuwah loves you . . . and He is safe to trust!

* * *Advertisement

Have you heard of the promise contained in the name of Yahuwah? If you haven’t, you’re not alone. Satan has done his utmost to conceal this powerful truth from human minds.

He knows the power of the promise contained in the name of Yah! He knows that this knowledge, combined with the power inherent in the divine name, will unlock all the treasures of Heaven.

The most powerful promise in the entire universe is known to only a handful of people, but Heaven is just waiting to bless everyone who will call upon the promise in Yah’s name.

Learn how you can, too! Go to WorldsLastChance.com and click on the WLC Radio icon. Look for the episode entitled “The Most Powerful Promise in the Universe!” You can also listen to it on YouTube!

* * *

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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.