12/13/2002 Sabbath Meeting Transcript

In tonight's study we are going to dispel some myths by reading the plain teaching of scripture

The common notion exists in certain forms of Christianity that our future is going to consist of floating on clouds and playing harps with a halo over our heads

Thus, we are floating around in 'heaven' for all eternity while bad people are going to burn for all eternity in hell

Such a notion hides Yahweh's plan on the earth and in a subtil way.. hides the truth that Yahweh is going to reign from Jerusalem with all of Israel

In Isaiah we see a vision of what the future will be like for Judah and Jerusalem. What takes place is going to dramatically affect the whole world.

Today, Israel is a place of great turmoil and controversy

Within this chapter, there are at least 12 characteristics of what it will be like in the future.

They are..

* The mountain of Yahweh's house shall be established in the top of the mountains

* The mountain of Yahweh's house shall be exalted above the hills

* All nations shall flow unto the mountain of Yahweh's house

* People shall go and say, "Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh to the house of the Elohim of Jacob and we will walk in his paths"

* Out of Zion shall go forth the Torah/law

* The word of Yahweh shall go forth from Jerusalem

* Yahweh shall judge among the nations

* Yahweh shall rebuke many people

* People shall beat their swords into plowshares

* People shall beat their spears into pruning hooks

* Nation shall not lift up sword against nation

* Nations will not learn war any more

Clearly, these things have not happened

But knowing that Yahweh's word is true... we can be assured that they will

Isaiah 2:1 - the word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

Isaiah 2:2 - And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of YAHWEH's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

Psalms 2:1 - Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

Psalms 2:2 - The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against YAHWEH, and against his anointed, saying,

Psalms 2:3 - Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

Psalms 2:4 - He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: YAHWEH shall have them in derision.

Psalms 2:5 - Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Psalms 2:6 - Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

Psalms 132:11 - YAHWEH hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

Psalms 132:12 - If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.

Psalms 132:13 - For YAHWEH hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.

Psalms 132:14 - This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

2Samuel 5:6 - And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.

2Samuel 5:7 - Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

2Samuel 5:8 - And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

2Samuel 5:9 - So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

There is a "holy hill of Zion" also known as Mount Zion.

There is scholarly debate as to what or where that exact area actually is within the city area, but for the future we see in scripture that there will be some serious landscaping going on anyway.

For that, let's look at Zechariah 14:

Zechariah 14:1 - Behold, the day of YAHWEH cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.

Zechariah 14:2 - For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

Zechariah 14:3 - Then shall YAHWEH go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

Zechariah 14:4 - And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Zechariah 14:5 - And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and YAHWEH my Elohim shall come, and all the saints with thee.

Zechariah 14:6 - And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:

Zechariah 14:7 - But it shall be one day which shall be known to YAHWEH, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.

Zechariah 14:8 - And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

Zechariah 14:9 - And YAHWEH shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one YAHWEH, and his name one.

Zechariah 14:10 - All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses.

If we think about how it will actually look, it is quite remarkable. If one were to stand many miles away from Jerusalem, they will still be able to see the mountain of Yahweh's house from afar.

Especially, if coming from the area of Egypt

Rimmon is 20-30 miles south (and also a little west) of Jerusalem.

It shall all be flattened into a plain, and Jerusalem shall be lifted up

So let's again look at Isaiah 2:2

Isaiah 2:2 - And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of YAHWEH's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

Zechariah 14:16 - And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, YAHWEH of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Zechariah 14:17 - And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, YAHWEH of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.

Zechariah 14:18 - And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith YAHWEH will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Zechariah 14:19 - This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

There would be this "Christmas" foolishness going on in those days. Yahweh's Torah will be the enforced way of life

Correction

There wouldn't be this "Christmas" foolishness going on in those days. Yahweh's Torah will be the enforced way of life

Isaiah confirms that the Torah will be taught:

Isaiah 2:3 - And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of YAHWEH, to the house of the Elohim of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of YAHWEH from Jerusalem.

Isaiah 2:4 - And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Micah 4:1 - But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of YAHWEH shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

Micah 4:2 - And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of YAHWEH, and to the house of the Elohim of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of YAHWEH from Jerusalem.

Micah 4:3 - And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more

Micah 4:4 - But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of YAHWEH of hosts hath spoken it.

Micah 4:5 - For all people will walk every one in the name of his elohim, and we will walk in the name of YAHWEH our Elohim for ever and ever.

An important thing to note here is that Yahweh's law/Torah will go forth from His dwelling place.

This is also evidenced by the keeping of Yahweh's feast of tabernacles.

For many mainstream Christians who believe that His law has been abolished, this is very difficult to believe.

But His standard of righteousness was right to begin with. It still is right and it will always will be right.

He didn't make a mistake

But when it is preached that Yahweh's Kingdom is at hand, few really recognize what this kingdom will even be like.

We see another parallel to these passages in Isaiah 66:

Isaiah 66:15 - For, behold, YAHWEH will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.

Isaiah 66:16 - For by fire and by his sword will YAHWEH plead with all flesh: and the slain of YAHWEH shall be many.

Isaiah 66:17 - They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith YAHWEH.

Let's keep reading:

Isaiah 66:18 - For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

Isaiah 66:19 - And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

Isaiah 66:20 - And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto YAHWEH out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith YAHWEH, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of YAHWEH.

Isaiah 66:21 - And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith YAHWEH.

Isaiah 66:22 - For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith YAHWEH, so shall your seed and your name remain.

Isaiah 66:23 - 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 YAHWEH.

Isaiah 66:24 - And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. .

All flesh will come to worship before Yahweh on the Sabbaths and on the New Moons.

Surely the Torah will go forth from Jerusalem.

With all that is going on right now in Jerusalem and the surrounding area, think about this.

Suicide bombers

Palestinians fighting for land they think is theirs

Prime ministers

political parties

elections

the kissing and bowing down to idols

people visiting their "Holy sites"

churches set up everywhere

It ALL WILL CEASE

The land of 3 religions will become the dwelling place Yahweh and His remnant. Yahweh will flatten everything out and dwell on high in Zion where the Torah will be the standard and rule for all the world.

Yes, HIS law will be the THE LAW! No more idols and no more futile wars. Brethren, this is the kingdom! This is the kingdom that is at hand!

Therefore:

1John 2:15 - Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1John 2:16 - For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.

1John 2:17 - And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of YAHWEH abides forever.

Continuing in Isaiah:

Isaiah 2:5 - O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of YAHWEH.

Psalms 119:105 - Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Proverbs 6:23 - For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

Ephesians 5:13 - But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.

John 8:12 - Then spake Yahushua again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 9:5 - As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Matthew 5:11 - Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Matthew 5:12 - Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 5:13 - Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Matthew 5:14 - Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Matthew 5:15 - Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:17 - Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Matthew 5:18 - 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.

Matthew 5:19 - 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.

We read that the law of Yahweh is a light, His commandments are a lamp.

His light manifests evil. His word is a lamp to our feet.

Yahushua is also called the "light of the world".

This is because He is the Word:

John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The Word, the Light was Yahushua. He was the light. He was the Torah, which is the Word of Yahweh.

Those who believe can have Yahushua, the Light, the Torah dwelling in them:

2Corinthians 13:5 - Test yourselves whether you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Yahushua the Messiah is in you-- unless indeed you fail the test?

Brethren, let Yahushua shine through you! Keep His Torah! Put not out the light!

For all that is in the world, "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" will be wiped out in that day.

We are to have His word in us, in our hearts and in our innermost being. Therefore let's abide in Him!

John 15:4 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

John 15:5 - I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

John 15:6 - If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

John 15:7 - If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

John 15:8 - Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

John 15:9 - As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

John 15:10 - If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

John 15:11 - These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Let's keep His commandments and abide in His love as Yahushua kept the Father's commandments and abode in His love.

When we keep His commandments, the coming Kingdom of Yahweh is manifested to all. For righteousness will be the rule there

But we cannot bear fruit of ourselves. We need the light, the Word, the Messiah, the Torah in us.

When it is, Torah observance will reflect on our outer layer.

When it is, we are ready.

We are ready to rule and reign with Messiah for a thousand years, where the Torah will be the law and Yahweh will be KING.

May we be found worthy, in Yahushua's name. And may Yahweh bless you and have mercy on us all!