Rabbi’s Reflections -Saturday, September 18, 2021
Shabbat Shalom,
Hope 16 – Then Comes The End by David Harwood
Special Note of Clarification: Most of the time, when we refer to “the Resurrection” we are referring to Yeshua’s resurrection on the third day following the crucifixion. However; in this “Hope 16” lesson, when David Harwood refers to “the Resurrection” he is making reference to the Resurrection of the Saints (Believers in Yeshua). When that resurrection takes place is not the issue for us today (people have differing ideas). That there is a resurrection of the Saints is our issue today and it is that resurrection to which David is referring. End SNOC.
The promised gift of the Ruach ha-Kodesh in this life is the present down payment for a longed for and anticipated future. If you experience the indwelling of the Ruach then you possess the certainty of a blessed eternal existence. Not to be overlooked, the fellowship of the Spirit of God will be with us in heaven. Just consider these verses!
Then I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—14:17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he resides with you and will be in you. (John 14:16–17 TLV)
The Messiah said, “that He may be with you forever”!
We can expect to experience the Spirit when we’re in Heaven. What we shall experience with the Ruach ha-Kodesh in Heaven will be like a down payment for the fullness that will be ours after the Resurrection. Age after age it keeps getting better.
This is really amazing… The substance of the Creator resides in us. His own Spirit is joined to us, uniting us to Himself. That is eternal life.
From what I understand, eternal life is experienced throughout three phases: our born-from-above life in this present age, life in heaven, and life after the resurrection. One thing each phase has in common is this: eternal life is relational. The Lord said:
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Yeshua the Messiah, the One You sent. (John 17:3 TLV)
Eternal life is an immediate reality we experience.
He who trusts in the Son has eternal life. He who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36 TLV)
Eternal life is a promise we expect.
Now this is the promise that He Himself has promised us—eternal life. (1 John 2:25 TLV)
The following magnificent verses are enough to enliven hope, and stir the heart of any disciple:
He will transform this humble body of ours into the likeness of His glorious body, through the power that enables Him even to put all things in subjection to Himself. (Philippians 3:21 TLV)
That is the giant step forward that God is going to take in establishing our ongoing experiences of everlasting life. It is the beginning of the final phase which, as far as we know, endures through succeeding ages.
Yeshua’s resurrection was a holy, unmistakable demarcation of our Messiah’s victory over the powers of darkness. It is the foundation of our salvation and the current, and future, reign of God. In like manner, our resurrection is a major aspect of the Messiah’s warfare with, and victory over, the powers of darkness.
As with eternal life, Yeshua’s Lordship is also manifest in phases.
Herein is a present reality.
God placed all things under Messiah’s feet and appointed Him as head over all things for His community— 23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22–23 TLV)
Within the framework of the Messiah’s communities Yeshua has been appointed as “head over all things”. That reality is stressed in Ephesians 1.
At the end of Ephesians we read an emphasis upon spiritual warfare we must wage to make His positional reality our, and His(!), experiential reality. The Complete Jewish Bible interprets the Greek like this:
Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength! 11 Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary. 12 For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. 13 So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing. (Ephesians 6:10-13 CJB)
We can anticipate victory in this life, and that victory paves the way for the victorious life to come.
Yeshua’s victory is final and in process. We have been delivered, are being delivered, and shall be delivered. He is positionally Lord, is expanding His Kingdom, and shall ultimately manifestly reign. And this is all part of a progression of goodness that has an end in view which shall be a new beginning. On the way there is the phase following the resurrection of the dead and the renovation of the rest of creation.
As a matter of fact, there will always be a material creation.
Always.
Forever, the Messiah Yeshua is resurrected, immortal, glorified flesh. He is raised up, glorified clay, and the material creation is raised up in Him. As the Head of Creation He reveals what the material realm is destined to become. Yeshua is what matter is supposed to be like. The children of God will experience what Yeshua the Resurrected Man experienced. All creation will come into the liberty of the children of God.
For the creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly but because of the One who subjected it—in hope 21that the creation itself also will be set free from bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22For we know that the whole creation groans together and suffers birth pains until now— 23and not only creation, but even ourselves. We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Ruach, groan inwardly as we eagerly wait for adoption—the redemption of our body. 24For in hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, then we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (Romans 8:19–25 TLV)
The word translated “anxious longing” (ἀποκαραδοκία apokaradokia) has to do with a type of anticipation that is straining to glimpse the fulfillment of promise. Romans 8:19–25 is a prophecy of the creation being brought to a whole other level of beauty and strength.
There will always be a material creation. The cosmos is slated for future glory. It shall be transfigured and our freedom-glorification is the coming catalyst that shall spark it. That is an amazing hope. What nature knows instinctively – Glory is Coming – we get to embrace through Scripturally given revelation. Let’s exercise our faith that this is coming and wholeheartedly anticipate that Day.
Wonderful
Paul wrote of the anticipation of eternal life.
the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, (Titus 1:1b–2)
This everlasting life begins now, continues in Heaven, and reaches its apex in the Resurrection. All who have been brought out of this current darkness, and brought in to the Light, know how wonderful that is. We have a future wonder to joyfully expect.
In the same way we experienced a new birth, so departing this life and being present with Adonai will be like a rebirth. It will be wonderful. The believer’s resurrection will be a similar experience.
Romans 5 begins with these powerful verses:
Therefore, having been made righteous by trusting, we have shalom with God through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. 2Through Him we also have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand and boast in the hope of God’s glory (Romans 5:1–2 TLV)
We have something wonderful to anticipate: the glory of God.
It is in the light of this expectation that Paul pronounced this blessing:
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and shalom in trusting, so you may overflow with hope in the power of the Ruach ha-Kodesh. (Romans 15:13 TLV)
Cultivate biblical expectation. Meditate. Anticipate. Celebrate.
Ask God to heighten your hope.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat 18 Sep 2021 12th of Tishrei, 5782 Parashat Ha’Azinu
De 32:40-52 2 Sam 22:1-51 Rev 15:1-4