An Unfinished Work of Art--Tsiyon Dawn

Tsiyon Dawn
Part 5 of 5

For now, we must endure hard times. Yet, there is a soon coming day when those that afflicted our souls will reap their due recompense. For them, it will be as David said in Psalms 37: 10. “For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more.”

In harmony with David, the author of Hebrews writes in 10: 37, “For yet a little while, and HE that shall come will come, and will not tarry”—rendering judgment. Yet, for the diligently faithful, it will be as David wrote in Psalms 30: 5. “For, His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

For HIS true believers, it will be the dawn of a new day and new life—a Tsiyon dawn of eternity. What a grand day that will be! ALL the enemies of Messiah Yeshua and HIS chosen people will be dispatched into eternal oblivion, while we are left to experience the beauty and majesty of Adonai, without obstruction.

It will be a day as described by Moses in Deuteronomy 15: 6. "For Adonai your Elohim will bless you just as HE promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you.”

Father says through Micah in 4: 6-7, "'In that day,' says the LORD, 'I will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast and those whom I have afflicted; I will make the lame a remnant, and the outcast a strong nation; so Adonai will reign over them in Mount Tsiyon from now on, even forever.'”

We will reign with HIM in Jerusalem for a thousand years as prophesied in Revelation 20; 6. “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of YHVH and of Messiah Yeshua, and shall reign with HIM a thousand years.”

From there, we will reign with HIM on into eternity in the new Jerusalem as spoken of in Revelation 22: 5. “There shall be no night there: they need no lamp nor light of the sun, for Adonai Elohim gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.”

As I have heard it said, “the ball is now in our court”. Who will reign in our hearts? Will it be YHVH and an implicit following of HIS ways? Or, will we choose a mixture of HIS ways with our own, or even outright reject HIM? Paul conveys this truth in 2 Timothy 2: 12. “If we endure (hold to Father and HIS ways), We shall also reign with HIM. If we deny HIM (discard HIS Torah), HE also will deny us.”

Yes, our “Tsiyon dawn” is drawing nearer by the day. When that day arrives, I pray HE finds us doing “the will of YHVH” as Hebrews 10: 36 says. HIS will is summed up in the two greatest commandments—love YHVH and love neighbor. In so keeping, one keeps the heart of the Torah and obeys the teaching of Yeshua, the Seed of the “promise of Abraham”, and central focus of Torah as spoken through Moses.

An Unfinished Work of Art--Eternal Promise: A Work Completed

Eternal Promise—A Work Completed
Part 4 of 5

What Father has spoken He will also cause to happen. By the simple utterance of HIS voice all things came into being, each coming with special purpose. Truly it is written of HIM in Psalms 90: 2, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are YHVH.”

Of HIS Word, Isaiah says in 55: 11, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Of HIS secure resolve, Jeremiah writes in 1: 12, “Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am ready (watching over) to perform My Word".

As a potter takes a lump of clay and works it into a beautiful vessel, so our Master Potter takes our lump of flesh, smooths out the rough spots, and molds us into a vessel capable of completing HIS purposes. Sadly, many will not rise to the occasion, fulfilling HIS purpose in their lives.

Unlike many of us, Father YHVH completes what HE sets out to do. HE says through the prophet in Isaiah 40: 8, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of YHVH stands forever.” Peter echoes the prophet in 1: 24 of his first epistle and adds, “Now this is the Word which by the gospel was preached to you.”

You are the special creation of HIS hand. Witness to this truth was given to Jeremiah in 1: 5. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” No matter the purpose for which you are created, you are a precious child of the King. HE will fulfill that purpose in you! Be encouraged and live accordingly!

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An Unfinished Work of Art--A Work In Progress

A Work In Progress
Part 3 of 5

There is no work we can do to obtain His mercy and grace. Yet, redemption from the “law of sin and death” , and glorious transformation according to the “law of life in the Spirit”, doesn't mean we can sit on our “blessed assurances” while all around us “goes to hell in a handbasket”. We are works in progress, showing our gratitude for HIS redemptive work and hope of salvation through obedience to HIS Torah.

Far too many follow the lead of their Christian teachers and pastors and stop at this tenet, becoming victims of “greasy grace” or “sloppy agape”. In so doing, there is little or no reason to change life styles. Surface changes may be made, but“self” is usually still on or around the throne of our lives. Such thinking tends to make Father into a genie that blesses personal choices and whims.

James, the eldest brother of Yeshua, said in 1: 22, “But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves”. For those that believe redemptive faith alone can garner favor with Elohim, they should consider the words of the Apostle in 2: 17, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Certainly, we are set free from the “law of sin and death” by His grace. Yet, such profession of faith by itself is worthless. James wrote in 2: 19, “You believe that there is one Elohim. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” The key to the Apostle's premise is found in v. 18, “and I will show you my faith by my works”.

John writes in 2: 4 of his first epistle, “He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments (Torah of Moses), is a liar, and the truth is not in him”. If you have truly made a profession of faith in Yeshua as Messiah, then be a willing and gracious “work in progress”.

Be greatly encouraged by showing heartfelt gratitude in heeding Yeshua's Words according to John in 14: 15 of his gospel. "If you love Me, keep (pursue from the heart) My commandments (Torah of Moses),” and be “loved of the Father” as He said in v. 21.

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An Unfinished Work of Art--Humble Beginnings

Humble Beginnings
Part 2 of 5

Isaiah writes in 44: 24, “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and He Who formed you from the womb: 'I am the LORD, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself'”.

From our birth, HE began a great work. From before the beginning of time, we were chosen for a special purpose in this life. Paul writes to the Ephesians in 2: 10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah Yeshua for good works, which YHVH prepared beforehand that we should walk in them”.

For some, that purpose and calling is known and followed. For many others, that purpose is veiled. A reason for lack of clarity of HIS purpose could be because our purpose and desire (careers, pleasure, etc.) has been chosen over HIS purpose and desire for our lives.

I have heard it said, “every move we make becomes prophecy fulfilled when we are in the center of HIS will”. If we are in HIS will—pursuing Torah—then our purpose will become more known. Subordinating our will to HIS erases the clouds of doubt that swirl around and within our lives.

Whether or not we crucify our own fleshly desire, whether or not we choose to conform our lives to the image of Messiah Yeshua, HIS purpose will most certainly be accomplished. If we fail to rise to HIS high calling for our lives, that calling and purpose will pass to another while we perish in our self-centeredness.

This same ideal was spoken by Mordicai to Esther in 4: 14. "For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Don't short circuit the work HE has begun in you. Rise to the occasion and be a blessing to all with whom you come in contact. Begin your great adventure with an immersion in HIS Holy Torah. For, it is the basis of ALL good works, as is taught by Moses, the Prophets, Yeshua, and the Apostles.

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An Unfinished Work of Art--Foundation of Faith

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Messiah Yeshua:” Philippians 1: 6

Foundation of Faith
Part 1 of 5

To express his confidence in the Philippian “fellowship in the gospel”, Paul used the word “peitho” which is a primary verb meaning “to convince”. Certainly, he was secure in mutual fellowship from the beginning of their relationship. Yet, there is a deeper, underlying foundation for that fellowship I wish to discuss.

The writer of Hebrews says in 11: 6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to YHVH must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”.

The confidence of the apostle was strong and certain concerning human fellowship because his faith was even stronger in the Divine foundation supporting that relationship. I share an equal reliance of inward certainty in the validity of HIS Word. I write according to the confidence poured forth by YHVH through the prophet Isaiah.

He quotes Father in 55: 10-11. "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

It is this confidence in YHVH I wish to impart to my readers. In what appears to be the last few years before the return of Messiah, it is imperative we grab hold of HIS confidence. More than any other time in human history we need to strengthen our faith, thereby building confidence in Messiah and HIS pure Word. Our choice will determine whether we incur reward or suffer loss.

When we go through trials and endure suffering for the cause of Messiah Yeshua, or even become companions with those that are so treated, we will have great reward. So, I say as the writer of Hebrews in 10: 35, “Therefore, do not cast away your confidence”.

It's just yet a little while that we must endure. Then, Messiah will come quickly with the sound of a trumpet. Then, we will reign with HIM in Jerusalem for a thousand years, then into eternity. So, have faith, my friend, as the writer of Hebrews says in 10: 38. “Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

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