Rabbi’s Reflections -Thursday, September 2, 2021
Shalom,
Crown Him King
The “Day of the Shout” (Yom Teruah, aka Rosh Hashanah) starts at sundown next Monday night. Shomair will have a worship service beginning at 7pm. I gave you details yesterday about what to bring (hint: shofar and cake). Yom Teruah is the first of the fall Feasts of the Lord. It looks forward to the return of Yeshua.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself shall come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the blast of God’s shofar, and the dead in Messiah shall rise first.
This is called “the Day of the Lord” throughout Scripture. Joel 2:1 Blow the shofar in Zion! Sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all living in the land tremble— for the day of Adonai is coming— surely it is near!
The “angel” (messenger) speaking to John at the end of Revelation takes on the first person (speaking as the Lord, about Himself), when we read this….
Revelation 22:12 Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to pay back each one according to his deeds. 13 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 How fortunate are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the Tree of Life and may enter through the gates into the city.
Let’s unpack these verses.
“Coming soon” is probably a poor translation, (or poor understanding on our part) as it has been about 2,000 years since these words were written. The correct meaning, that is clearly supported by many other verses of Scripture, is that Yeshua will come suddenly, instantly, or quickly.
Yeshua will “pay” each one accordingly. Scripture speaks of a system of rewards for those who believe. Jacob 1:12 Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love Him. That same crown of life is also promised in Revelation 2:10. But of what material will your crown be made? The Bible answers that question too.
1 Corinthians 3:11 For no one can lay any other foundation than what is already laid—which is Yeshua the Messiah. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear. For the Day will show it, because it is to be revealed by fire; and the fire itself will test each one’s work—what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.
In Revelation, John describes Yeshua as having eyes of fire. Revelation 19:12a His eyes are like a flame of fire. When Yeshua looks at you, what doesn’t burn will be gold, silver and precious stones used to make your crown. So Rosh Hashanah is not just to honor Yeshua at His coronation, but to honor you, His servant, as well.
What about the “right” to the Tree of Life? The right to the Tree of Life was first given and then taken away from Adam and Eve on account of sin. This was for their good; to keep them from living eternally in sin. That Tree of Life is euphemistic for eternity in the presence of God.
Hear the words of Yeshua. John 10:9 I am the gate! If anyone comes in through Me, he will be saved. He will come and go and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy. I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly!
Yeshua has come, and He’s coming again. He is at the gate. Please join me in prayer for the salvation of Jewish people. All of these fall holidays – in fact, all the holidays – are greatly misunderstood by historical and traditional Judaism. Why? Because to be properly understood, one must put them in the proper Messianic context, and without Yeshua, that’s impossible. Lord, open blind eyes, so that seeing they may “see the Son” (Reuben) and become themselves “sons of the right hand” (Benjamin). B’shem Yeshua. Amen.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu2 Sep 202125th of ElulAv, 5781
De 30:7-10Nah 32 Ch 20(Ac 13:1-25)Rev 6
Week 36
Memory Verse: John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Yeshua the Messiah, the One You sent.
176 8/26 Monday: Matthew 24:32-51
177 8/27 Tuesday: John 17
178 8/28 Wednesday:Matthew 26:47-27:31
179 8/29 Thursday: Matthew 27:32-66
180 8/30 Friday: John 19