The Scriptural definition of faith along with an example of it is found in Hebrews 11:1-3;

 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of [Elohim], so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

 There are actually two definitions in verse one. First, faith is “the substance (foundation) of things hoped for”. Throughout Scripture we read of various promises made by our Creator such as the forgiveness of all our sins; a resurrection from the dead unto eternal life; the coming of the Messiah; the coming of Yahweh’s Kingdom on earth, etc. Faith is a confident expectation/belief of these promises coming to pass. 

The second definition of faith is “the evidence of things not seen”. In the example given, we did not see the worlds (universe) being created by Yahweh speaking them into existence. By faith we believe this to be true because we believe the Scriptures to be true. 

On the other hand, those who don’t believe there is a Creator who created the universe choose to believe in the “Big Bang” theory. They did not see the Big Bang take place, nor is there any evidence of it. They simply choose to believe BY FAITH the words of the scientist that came up with that theory.

 So then, those who believe in a Creator do so by faith and those who don’t believe in a Creator do so by faith. Where will you put your faith; in the Creator spoken of in Scripture (the Bible) or in a scientist in his theory of how the universe came to be?

Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to [Elohim] must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Do you believe that Yahweh Elohim exists and that He rewards those that seek Him? If not, then it is impossible for you to live a pleasing life in His sight. All of creation testifies of the existence of a Creator.

Romans 1:18-20 – For the wrath of [Elohim] is revealed from heaven against all wickedness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of [Elohim] is manifest in them; for [Elohim] has showed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and deity; so that they are without excuse:

Do you hold the truth in unrighteousness by rejecting it and believing scientists that say there is no Creator? If so, you need to stop and examine the glory of all that fills our planet. Consider the human eye and brain; the flowers of the field; the variety of life; the way all things work perfectly together to support life, etc. Then ask yourself if all this came to be by a lifeless speck of dust. Then ask yourself where that speck of dust came from and who created it? There is no doubt whatsoever that a Creator exists. Accept it by faith instead of accepting the theories of man by faith.

Why it is important to have faith

Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of [Elohim]: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Yahweh saves people from eternal death by His grace (unmerited kindness). Yet, that grace is not given except “through faith”. When we put our faith in Yahweh and His Son Yahshua, we will be saved and granted eternal life. We cannot earn our salvation by working for it (by doing good deeds, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, etc.). Salvation is a gift given by grace through faith. 

Colossians 1:21-23 – And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Once we believe the gospel (good news that Yahshua died for our sins, arose from the dead, ascended into heaven) by faith and continue in that faith, we will stand before our Creator and His Son Yahshua without any charges that can be brought against us. We will be without blame come judgment day.

Ephesians 6:16 – Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Faith is a shield to protect us from our enemy’s attempts to cause us to fall or sin. When we are being attacked or tempted to sin, we remember the promises and commandments of our Creator and hold fast to them through faith. When we are tempted to commit adultery, steal, covet or any other sinful action, we exercise faith in our Creator’s words to not do those things and we remember the promises He made to those who obey Him.

1 Peter 1:5-9 – Who are kept by the power of [Elohim] through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in sorrow through many temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Yahshua Messiah: Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

As we go through life, we will face many trials,  tribulations and temptations. These all test our faith and refine it into its purest state. Then, when our Savior Yahshua returns whom we have never seen, we will receive the reward of remaining faithful, that is, salvation unto eternal life.

Romans 1:16-17 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Messiah: for it is the power of [Elohim] unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of [Elohim] revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Once again, salvation is the reward of those who live by faith.

The consequences of having no faith

Romans 11:20-23 – Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Be not high minded, but fear: For if [Elohim] spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not you. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of [Elohim]: on them which fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness: otherwise you also shall be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for [Elohim] is able to graft them in again.

Israel is spoken of as an olive tree. Those Israelites that did not have faith and did not believe the gospel are branches that were cut off of the tree. The Gentiles that believed the gospel by faith were grafted onto the natural olive tree. It does not matter if you are a natural born Israelite or a Gentile. If you have faith, you will remain part of the tree. If you walk in unbelief (a lack of faith), you will be cut off, wither and die.

Hebrews 10:38-39 – Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

We MUST have faith and live by it or our Creator will not be pleased with us and we will not receive salvation.

How do we get faith?

Romans 10:13-14, 17 – For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Master shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of [Elohim].

Once a person hears the good news about Yahshua the Messiah and what he has done for them by dying for their sins and resurrecting from the dead to pave the way for them to follow him in the resurrection unto eternal life, they will hopefully believe by faith and receive him as their Savior.

John 3:14-18 – And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man (Yahshua) be lifted up: That whosoever believes (has faith) in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For [Elohim] so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For [Elohim] sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of [Elohim].

Conclusion

You, dear reader, have heard the good news through this blog and other blogs on this site if you are a regular reader. You must now make the most important decision of your life. Will you continue to believe by faith the scientists that tell you there is no Creator and that we evolved from monkeys or will you believe by faith that there is a Creator who sent His only begotten Son to die for your sins so that you can be forgiven and live forever with Him in His Kingdom on earth?

To believe the good news by faith is to receive eternal life. To reject the good news through unbelief (no faith) is to receive eternal death. That was an easy choice for me to make 25 years ago. I have not regretted that decision since then. I have faith that all that Yahweh has said in His word, the Bible, will come to pass. Much of it has already come to pass and much is yet to come. I can face my future with a firm assurance that I will be saved by Yahweh’s grace through faith. How about you? Do you know what your future holds? Do you know where you are headed after you die? Have faith in Yahweh and His Son Yahshua and you will live forever.

John 11:25-26  – Yahshua said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?

Satisfying the flesh

Proverbs 16:26  He that labors labors for himself; for his mouth craves it of him.

Ecclesiastes 6:7  All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

Proverbs 18:20  A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

We work long hours at our daily jobs to provide food for ourselves and our family. Yet, we are not content to eat only that which preserves life. We have to experience all the pleasure that food can provide by buying a wide assortment of snacks, breakfast cereals, microwave meals, desserts, etc. It just doesn’t seem to satisfy us to just eat an apple. Instead, we have to have apple pie, apple turnovers, apple strudel, apple jelly, apples in our oatmeal or stuffed in our turkeys, etc. The list of creative ways to eat apples is endless. The same holds true with all other fruits and vegetables. Of course, eating basic foods prepared in a variety of ways is not sinful. What is sinful is to allow our lust for food to eclipse our love for Yahweh.

Philippians 3:18-19  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Messiah: Whose end is destruction, whose [Elohim] is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

While these four verses of Scripture concern the physical self satisfaction of our mouth (appetite), it can be applied to every area of our lives, especially satisfying the lust of the flesh for drugs and sex. Mankind works hard at satisfying his flesh.

However, the Scriptures give us a word of warning:

Galatians 5:19-21  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of [Elohim].

Galatians 6:8  For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Satisfying the eyes

Proverbs 27:20  The grave and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Ecclesiastes 1:8  . . . the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

Satisfying the eyes has become big business. Hollywood started out by making black and white films that catered to one’s mind or heart via comedies or love stories. Now we see films that are not only packed with adventure, thrills, incredible special effects and color, but in 3D as well. We also see films that are revealing more and more skin as the actors are clothed without modesty. Of course, Hollywood would not be complete if they did not also cater to our lust to see violence and sex.

We also satisfy our eyes by buying the coolest looking cars, the most beautiful houses, wearing the most attractive clothes, gazing upon beautiful women or handsome men, etc.

However, the Scriptures give us a word of warning:

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

Satisfying the desire for wealth

Ecclesiastes 5:10  He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

Proverbs 15:27  He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates gifts [bribes] shall live.

Proverbs 21:25-26  The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labor. He covets greedily all the day long: but the righteous gives and spares not.

Many poor people desire to be rich and many rich people desire to be richer. They have a notion that the more wealth they attain the happier and more secure they will be.  It is usually the case that as one’s wealth increases so does their lust for it. It is never satisfied. Most people are simply not content where they are financially, but strive to attain more via increasing their goods or their bank accounts.

However, the Scriptures give us a word of warning:

Mark 10:24-25  And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Yahshua answered again, and said unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of [Elohim]! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of [Elohim].

Our riches may indeed bring us happiness and security, but only temporarily unless we do not allow them to draw us away from Yahweh.

Luke 12:16-21  And he [Yahshua] spoke a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But [Elohim] said unto him, You fool, this night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be, which you have provided? So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward [Elohim].

Yahweh gives people wealth, but we must choose to handle it righteously by not hoarding it for ourselves, by sharing a portion of it with those in need, by using it to further the Good News of Messiah, etc. If we handle it unrighteously, we will be the subject of James 5:1-3:

Go to now, you rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth eaten.

Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. You have heaped treasure together for the last days.

 

True satisfaction

Psalm 22:26  The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise Yahweh that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

Those that are “meek” (poor, humble and/or afflicted) who put their trust in Yahweh and who praise His name will not only be satisfied with their daily bread in this life, but will be satisfied with abundance in the next life after they are resurrected unto eternal life. They will, at the appointed time, inherit all things from Yahweh who loves them.

Psalm 37:18-20  Yahweh know the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.  They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of Yahweh shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

Are you an enemy of Yahweh? You can become one of His children through believing on His only begotten Son Yahshua and receiving him as your Master and Savior:

John 1:12  But as many as received him (Yahshua), to them gave he power to become the sons of [Elohim], even to them that believe on his name:

Another way to assure you are satisfied in the things that matter most is to fear Yahweh.

Proverbs 19:23  The fear of Yahweh tends to life: and he that has it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

To “fear” Yahweh means to reverence Him and to have a “quake in your boots” kind of fear at the knowledge of Yahweh’s mighty power over your life. When we have those kinds of fear, we begin to have wisdom and knowledge.

Psalm 111:10  The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endures for ever.

Proverbs 1:7  The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Friend, if you desire to live a satisfied life in this world, do not seek that satisfaction through the things that man creates or from man himself, but seek satisfaction through the Creator of all things, Yahweh. He gave you life and He is the only one that can truly fulfill the desires of your heart. It is in His mighty power to provide food, clothing, shelter, transportation, employment, a spouse, wealth, and salvation unto eternal life for you. He is the only one that can truly provide you with intellectual, social, psychological, physical and spiritual satisfaction.

Psalm 145:14-21  Yahweh upholds all that fall, and raises up all those that are bowed down.

The eyes of all wait upon you; and you give them their food in due season.

You open your hand, and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

Yahweh is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works.

Yahweh is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.

He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them.

Yahweh preserves all them that love Him: but all the wicked will He destroy.

My mouth shall speak the praise of Yahweh: and let all flesh bless His holy name for ever and ever.

To the assembly at Ephesus:

Revelation 2:7 – He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the assemblies; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of [Elohim].

The word “overcomes” comes from the Greek word “nikao” meaning, “to subdue (literally or figuratively): – conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.” The promise is made to those who belonged to the Ephesus assembly. The word “assembly” is the Greek word “ecclesia” meaning, “a calling out”. The assembly at Ephesus was comprised of those who were called out of the darkness of this world.

The “tree of life” refers to the tree mentioned in Revelation 22:2.

Revelation 22:2 – In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

It also refers back to the same tree that was in the midst of the Garden of Eden. Yahweh allowed Adam and Eve to eat of it until they sinned by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. From that moment on, access to the tree of life was forbidden.

Genesis 3:22-24 – And Yahweh Elohim said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore Yahweh Elohim sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Those who overcome will be permitted to eat from the tree of life and live forever. They will also be permitted to enter the Garden of Eden (the “paradise of Elohim”) once again since that is where the tree of life is located.

To the assembly at Smyrna:

Revelation 2:11  – He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the assemblies; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.

The “second death” is defined in Revelation 21:8:

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

The first death is when you die like everyone else does; old age, car accident, illness, etc. The second death occurs after you are judged and found guilty of all your sins and are thrown into the lake of fire terminating your existence forever. This second death can be avoiding by believing in and receiving Yahshua as your Savior. His death on your behalf pays the death penalty that you should receive. His shed blood cleanses you of all sin so that you will stand before the Almighty in a state of innocence. 

To the assembly at Pergamos:

Revelation 2:17 – He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the assemblies; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it.

It is not clear what this “hidden manna” refers to. It certainly calls to mind the manna that fell from heaven in the wilderness which sustained Israel on their journey to the promised land. That manna was “hidden” under a layer of dew. A bowl full of that same manna was put inside the Ark of the Covenant, hidden from view. I, however, suspect the following meaning.

Manna is “bread” from heaven. The words of Yahweh are also bread/food for us.

Deuteronomy 8:3 – And He humbled you, and suffered you to hunger, and fed you with manna, which you knew not, neither did your fathers know; that He might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh does man live.

The “hidden manna”, therefore, may refer to Yahshua feeding the overcomers with food from Yahweh’s Word that has been hidden from it’s readers. Our understanding would be opened to see and eat of things that were hidden in the Word (the Scriptures) for centuries.

The “white stone” may be a reminder to the overcomer as to how he overcame; the stone representing our “rock” Yahshua (1 Corinthians 10:4) and white representing his righteousness.  The overcomer was clothed with Yahshua’s righteousness and stands on the firm foundation of the Rock, Yahshua. The overcomer’s new name written on it would not only represent Yahshua’s righteousness upon him, but the intimate relationship between Yahweh, Yahshua and the overcomer as a result of being adopted into the family of Yahweh.

To the assembly at Thyatira:

Rev 2:26-28 -  And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.

Here we see that overcomers must keep Yahshua’s works until the end. What are the “works” that Yahshua expects from an overcomer?

John 14:15 -  If you love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:21 -  He that has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

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

John 15:12 -  This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you.

We show our love for one another by obeying Yahweh’s commandments. If we steal, bear false witness, murder, commit adultery, etc., we show we do not love the person we are transgressing against. If we commit idolatry, take Yahweh’s name in vain, break His Holy Sabbath, dishonor Him, etc., we show that we don’t love Yahweh.

The overcome will receive power over the nations that are alive during the 1,000 year after Yahshua returns from heaven. Just as Yahweh gave Yahshua the power to rule as King over the nations, Yahshua will give overcomers the authority and power to rule with him.

As for giving overcomers the “morning star”, we read in Revelation 22:16:

I Yahshua have sent my angel to testify unto you these things in the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Yahshua is the morning star. He will give himself to the overcomer so that the two will become one as a husband becomes one with his wife. This intimate relationship of love will continue throughout all eternity.

To the assembly at Sardis:

Revelation 3:5 -  He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels.

We are told in Revelation 19:8, that white clothing represents the righteousness of the saints.

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Their garments have not been soiled or stained by sin for Yahshua’s shed blood is constantly washing them clean. They are clothed with the pure and spotless righteousness of Yahshua, the only sinless man to ever live.

Overcomers will not have their name blotted out of the Book of Life which contains the names of everyone that will receive the gift of eternal life.

Revelation 20:12 -  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before [Elohim]; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Revelation 20:15 – And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

When Yahweh hears Yahshua confess the names of the overcomers, He will grant them eternal life.

To the assembly at Philadelphia:

Revelation 3:12 -  Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my [Elohim], and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my [Elohim], and the name of the city of my [Elohim], which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my [Elohim]: and I will write upon him my new name.

As we see in this passage, Yahshua has an Elohim. His name is Yahweh. Yahshua is not his own Elohim, but Yahweh is. Overcomers will be pillars in Yahweh’s temple. Yahshua is its foundation and the overcomers give it stability and strength as a stone pillar would do.

The names of Yahweh and Yahshua will be written on their foreheads as they were on the 144,000 of Revelation 14:1:

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his name and his Father’s name written in their foreheads.

Just as each overcomer will have a new name, so will Messiah Yahshua. His new name will be written on overcomers as well.

To the assembly at Laodicea:

Revelation 3:21  – To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

To sit on the throne of Yahshua means the overcomer will rule the Kingdom of Yahweh along with Yahshua. There will be many nations that enter into the millennium. They will be the subjects of the Kingdom. Overcomers will be the rulers of that Kingdom on earth. 

What will overcomers be overcoming?

They will overcome:

1) evil:

Romans 12:21  – Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

2) the world:

1 John 5:4 – For whatsoever is born of [Elohim] overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.

3) Satan:

Revelation 12:9-11 – And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our [Elohim], and the power of his Messiah: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our [Elohim] day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

4) the flesh:

Romans 8:13 – For if you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify [put to death] the deeds of the body, you shall live.

4) Sin:

1 John 1:7 – But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Yahshua Messiah his Son cleanses us from all sin.

5) Death:

1 Corinthians 15:52-57 -  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to [Elohim], which gives us the victory through our Master Yahshua Messiah.

Conclusion:

Revelation 21:7 – He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his [Elohim], and he shall be my son.

Friend, if you desire to be an overcomer and receive all the blessings that overcomers will receive, then put your trust in Yahweh to save you through faith in His only begotten Son, Yahshua the Messiah.

When a person breaks Yahweh’s laws (their Creator’s laws) and tries to keep it hidden from others it is a “secret sin”. It could be a husband committing adultery behind his wife’s back, a woman who secretly steals a necklace from the local store, a child who lies about breaking a vase, or a man who deletes the history on his computer so his wife will not find out about his addiction to pornography. The number of possible ways a person can sin and attempt to keep it hidden is endless.

While attempting to hide secret sins may succeed in fooling a spouse or parent, for example, it cannot fool Yahweh. He sees exactly what is being done in secret. He hears exactly what is being said in private. He knows exactly what is taking place in our minds and imaginations. Whatever is done in secret now will be exposed in the future.

 . . . for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.  Matthew 10:26 

For [Elohim] will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14

Yahweh sees secret sins

For now You number my steps: do You not watch over my sin?  Job 14:16 

For His eyes are upon the ways of man, and He sees all his goings. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.  Job 34:21-22 

For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.  Jeremiah 16:17 

Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? Says Yahweh.  Do not I fill heaven and earth? Says Yahweh.  Jeremiah 23:24 

The eyes of Yahweh are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3  

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:13 

Do not think for a moment that you will get away with the sins you keep hidden from the eyes of man. They will be exposed in Yahweh’s timing.

. . .  behold, you have sinned against Yahweh: and be sure your sin will find you out.  Numbers 32:23 

 Yahweh hears secret sins

And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. And they said, Has Yahweh indeed spoken only by Moses? Has He not spoken also by us? And Yahweh heard it.  Numbers 12:1-2

And Yahweh spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against Me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against Me.  Numbers 14:26-27 

And you shall know that I am Yahweh, and that I have heard all your blasphemies which you have spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume. Thus with your mouth you have boasted against Me, and have multiplied your words against Me: I have heard them. Ezekiel 35:12-13 

It does not matter if you whisper concerning you extramarital affair (adultery) or whatever sins you may be hiding. Yahweh hears every word you speak.

Yahweh knows your heart

If we have forgotten the name of our Elohim, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; Shall not Elohim search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart. Psalm 44:20-21 

Search me, O Elohim, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:  Psalm 139:23 

I Yahweh search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.  Jeremiah 17:10 

O Elohim, You know my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from You.  Psalm 69:5 

And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.  Deuteronomy 31:21 

Not only does He see and hear your secret sins, but He knows about them before you even commit them; as you are yet considering committing them in your heart and mind. Do not follow the error of Israel in thinking that you can hide you sins from Yahweh or that He does not see your secret sins.

Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from Yahweh, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who sees us? and who knows us?  Isaiah 29:15 

Then said He unto me, Son of man, have you seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? For they say, Yahweh sees us not; Yahweh has forsaken the earth.  Ezekiel 8:12 

The day of judgment is coming upon this world. Your hidden sins will be exposed before all and you will be given a just reward for your evil deeds done in secret.

Ah Adonai Yahweh! Behold, You have made the heaven and the earth by your great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for you: You show loving kindness unto thousands, and recompense the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty El, Yahweh of hosts, is His name. Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for your eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:  Jeremiah 32:17-19 

There is hope for you

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Yahshua Messiah.

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that [Elohim] is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Yahshua Messiah His Son cleanses us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:1-10 

Consider your ways friend, and consider your future. If you desire to live forever in the Kingdom of Yahweh, then you must receive His Son Yahshua as your Savior. His shed blood will then cleanse you of all your sins done openly or in secret.

But as many as received him (Yahshua the Messiah), to them gave he power to become the sons of [Elohim], even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12

For anyone who has a great love for the name “Yahweh” and who wishes to restore it to their own Bibles, please consider the following information which comes to us from The Companion Bible, Appendixes 30 and 32;

“All the oldest and best manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible contain on every page . . . a varying number of lines of smaller writing, distributed between the upper and lower margins. This smaller writing is called the Massorah Magna or Great Massorah, while that in the side margins and between the columns is called the Massorah Parva or Small Massorah.”

“. . . it contains the information necessary to those into whose trust the Sacred Text was committed, so that they might transcribe it, and hand it down correctly.” “This had been the work of the Sopherim.Their work, under Ezra and Nehemiah, was to set the Text in order after the return from Babylon; . . .”

“It [the Massorah] does not contain notes or comments as such, but facts and phenomena . . . for the set purpose of safeguarding the Sacred Text, and preventing the loss or misplacement of a single letter or word.”

“When the Hebrew Text was printed, only the large type in the columns was regarded, and the small type of the Massorah was left, unheeded, in the MSS. from which the Text was taken. When the translators came to the printed Hebrew Text, they were necessarily destitute of the information contained in the Massorah; so that the Revisers as well as the Translators of the Authorized Version carried out their work without any idea of the treasures contained in the Massorah; and therefore, without giving a hint to their readers.”

Among the most critical information that the Massorah provides is the location of 134 instances where the ancient custodians of the Hebrew Text substituted “Adonai” in place of “Yahweh” out of extreme (but mistaken) reverence. These, in the A.V. and R.V., are all printed “Lord”.

The following list contains the 134 places were the substitutions were made. If you wish to restore the Sacred Name of “Yahweh” to your Bible, simply highlight or underline the word “Lord” and read “Yahweh” when you come to it.

Genesis 18:3,27,30,32;19:18; 20:4: Exodus 4:10,13; 5:22;15:17; 34:9,9; Numbers 14:17; Joshua 7:8; Judges 6:15; 13:8; 1 Kings 3:10,15; 22:6; 2 Kings 7:6; 19:23; Ezra 10:3; Nehemiah 1:11; 4:14; Job 28:28

Psalms 2:4; 16:2; 22:19,30; 30:8; 35:3,17,22; 37:12; 38:9,15,22; 39:7; 40:17; 44:23; 51:15; 54:4; 55:9; 57:9; 59:11; 62:12; 66:18; 68:11,17,19,22,26,32; 73:20; 77:2,7; 78:65; 79:12; 86:3,4,5,8,9,12; 90:1,17; 110:5; 130:2,3,6

Isaiah 3:17,18; 4:4; 6:1,8,11; 7:14,20; 8:7; 9:8,17; 11:11; 21:6,8,16; 28:2; 29:13; 30:20; 37:24; 38:14,16;49:14; Lamentation 1:14,15,15; 2:1,2,5,7,18,19,20; 3:31,36,37,58; Ezekiel 18:25,29; 21:13; ; 33:17,29; Daniel 1:2; 9:3,4,7,9,15, 16,17,19,19,19; Amos 5:16; 7:7,8; 9:1; Zechariah 9:4; Micah 1:2; Malachi 1:12,14

 To these may be added the following, where “Elohim” was treated in the same way:

2 Sam.5:19-2; 6:9-17 – Where the A.V. has “LORD”.

1 Chr. 13:12; 14:10,11,14,16; 16:1; Ps.14:1,2,5; 53:1,2,4,5; – Where the A.V. and R.V. it still appears as “God”.

(All these substitutions were done in addition to the vowel markings of “Adonai” being applied to the four letters forming the tetragrammaton [YHWH].

Women will also spend hours in front of a mirror putting on all sorts of makeup to beautify their facial features. Even women who I would consider beautiful without makeup will still put on makeup to look more beautiful or to cover up what they view as the unattractive parts of their appearance.

Then there is the clothing factor. In order to fully accentuate their beauty, just the right kind of clothing must be worn. The wrong color may detract from one’s beauty. The wrong skirt or dress length may not fully reveal the beauty of their legs. Just the right accessories (scarves, jewelry, belts, etc.) will certainly, in their mind, enhance their beauty. Men can be just as meticulous in their clothing selection as women.

Of course, one’s beauty is only temporary as we all know and as the Bible teaches.

. . . and their beauty shall consume in the grave . . . Psalm 49:14

Death befalls us all and our beauty will fade away as our body turns to dust.

Death is not the only thing that can destroy one’s beauty. Car accidents, sickness, diseases, self mutilation, and a host of other physical traumas can mar one’s appearance.

Inner beauty

However, there is a beauty that cannot fade away or be destroyed. It is the inward beauty of a meek and gentle spirit; one that fears Yahweh; one that walks in the beauty of holiness; one that submits to the authority that Yahweh has placed over them.

Likewise, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of [Elohim] of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in [Elohim], adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands. 1 Peter 3:1-5 

We read the following concerning the results of Israel’s sins against Yahweh.

How has Adonai covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in His anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not His footstool in the day of His anger! Lamentations 2:1

Israel was beautiful in Yahweh’s sight as long as they kept His covenant and obeyed His laws. After their grievous sins against Him and His chastening hand upon them, they lost their beauty.

We also see this in Psalm 39:11:

When you with rebukes corrects man for iniquity, you make his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity.

While Yahweh’s correction and chastening upon us because of our sins consumes our beauty, all His chastening is for our good in that it restores us to a right relationship with Him and places us once again on the path of obedience.

One’s outward beauty is no guarantee that life will go well for us as can be seen in the life of King David’s son Absalom.

But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 2 Samuel 14:25 

Although Absalom was physically beautiful he allowed sin to enter in by having his brother Amnon killed for raping his sister Tamar. Absalom also tried to usurp the throne of his father David and committed adultery with his father’s concubines.

Ironically, Absalom’s beautiful head was his downfall.

And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. 2 Samuel 18:9 

How does one develop and inner spiritual beauty?

Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears Yahweh, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30 

This does not only apply to women, but a man who fears Yahweh is beautiful in Yahweh’s sight as well.

For Yahweh takes pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation. Psalm 149:4 

Meekness is a character trait of the Savior of the world, Yahshua.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29 

In order to be beautified with salvation, one must believe in the Master Yahshua.

For [Elohim] so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For [Elohim] sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17 

After a person receives Yahshua as his/her Master and Savior they must begin walking in holiness. That is, to live a life of purity and detachment from the world and all its lusts.

O worship Yahweh in the beauty of holiness: fear before Him, all the earth. Psalm 96:9  

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Master: Hebrews 12:14 

If you belong to Yahshua, you belong to a greater body of people known as the church (those believers that were called out of the darkness of this world into the glorious light of truth through Messiah Yahshua).

Husbands, love your wives, even as Messiah also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.   Ephesians 5:25- 27 

This is only possible through the cleansing blood of Yahshua. His shed blood on the cross continually washes away our sins when we confess them to Yahweh.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 

Man can only look upon the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks upon the heart. What does He see when He looks at your heart? Does He see the blood of His Son Yahshua upon you cleansing your sins and making you clean or does He see a person whose focus in life is upon outward beauty?

May you begin to develop a beauty that will not fade away or be consumed by age or death. May you begin to develop the inward beauty of a meek and gentle spirit that fears Yahweh and keeps His commandments and faith in his Son.

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with [Yahweh] as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

[Yahweh] is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

But the day of [Yahweh] will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and piety, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of [Elohim], wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.  2 Peter 3:7-13 

This passage has traditionally been interpreted literally. Many believe Yahweh will destroy the heavens and the earth with literal fire and replace them with new heavens and a brand new planet earth. It is quite easy to interpret the passage in this manner, but is that what Yahweh intends to do or should this passage be understood in a figurative sense? We know that many prophecies throughout the Bible cannot be understood literally, especially those in Daniel and Revelation where they speak of assorted beasts rising up, strange locust-like creatures and even stranger horse-like creatures. The question is, is 2 Peter 3:7-13 one of those figurative prophecies?

Let’s begin our study by seeing what Scripture says about planet Earth and the various heavenly bodies.

Earth

And He built His sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which He has established for ever. Psalm 78:69 

Yahweh reigns, He is clothed with majesty; Yahweh is clothed with strength, wherewith He has girded Himself: the world [the earth; by extension, the globe] also is established, that it cannot be moved. Psalm 93:1 

Say among the heathen that Yahweh reigns: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: He shall judge the people righteously.  Psalm 96:10 

 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. Psalm 104:5 

 One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but the earth abides for ever.  Ecclesiastes 1:4 

These verses certainly teach about the everlasting existence of planet earth.

Heavens (including the sun, moon and stars)

Below are several passages that state directly or by implication the everlasting existence of the sun, moon and stars.

They shall fear you as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.

In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endures.

His name shall endure for ever: His name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in Him: all nations shall call Him blessed. Psalm 72:5-7, 17 

Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.

His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.

It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Psalm 89:35-37

Thus says Yahweh, which gives the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divides the sea when the waves thereof roar; Yahweh of hosts is His name:

If those ordinances depart from before me, says Yahweh, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Jeremiah 31:35 

How do the Scriptures stating the earth and the heavenly bodies will continue forever harmonize with Peter’s statement that, “the heavens shall pass away with a great noise”, “the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved”, and “the earth . . . shall be burned up”?

The heavens and the earth

The “heavens and the earth” certainly exist literally, having been created by Yahweh. However, the literal heavens and earth will continue forever. Is it possible there is another “heavens” and another “earth” that will pass away which has not been established forever and which can be moved and destroyed? I believe there is and will attempt to lay that out for you.

When will the heavens pass away? The following passage suggests it will occur at the opening of the sixth seal of Revelation.

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casts her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. Revelation 6:12-14 

However, in Rev 8:12 we see a third part of the sun, moon and stars smitten after the opening of the seventh seal.

And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

That tells us that either the sun, moon and stars are not included among the “heaven” that departed as a scroll or that the “heaven” that departed was not the literal heaven (sky, outer space, Yahweh’s dwelling place).

In the following verse, we see “the heavens” put for “the most High” Yahweh in that He rules over the men on it.

That they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever He will.

And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; your kingdom shall be sure unto you, after that you shall have known that the heavens do rule. Daniel 4:25 

When Yahweh gives the rule over men to someone else, they figuratively become the “heavens” to the men that are ruled over. The men that are ruled over figuratively become “the earth”.

Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;

And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. Haggai 2:21-22 

In this passage, to “shake the heavens and the earth” is to “overthrow the thrones of kingdoms” (the rulers – heavens) and to “overthrow the chariots, and those that ride them” (those ruled over – the earth).

How has Adonai covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger! Lamentations 2:1

Israel was the glory of all nations. They were in “heaven” while they were obeying Yahweh and walking according to His covenant. After breaking His covenant through idolatry and a myriad of other sins, Yahweh cast them down from heaven in His anger.

See that you refuse not him that speaks. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven:

Whose voice then shook the earth: but now He hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve [Elohim] acceptably with reverence and pious fear:

For our [Elohim] is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:25-29 

The purpose of the shaking is to remove those things that can be moved so the things that cannot be moved will remain. Anything that is built upon the foundation of Yahshua the Messiah will remain including his kingdom. Until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of Yahweh and His Messiah at the sound of the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11:15, they will continue to be ruled over by Satan.

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Sovereign, and of His Messiah; and He shall reign for ever and ever.  Revelation 11:15 

The seventh trumpet of Revelation is the “last trump” which signals the resurrection of the dead in Messiah. They constitute Messiah’s fellow rulers (Rev 2:26-27) or “the new heavens”.

That Satan and his fellow rulers (whether spirit beings or men) constitute the old heavens via their rule over the kingdoms of men can be seen in the following verses:

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 

And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. Luke 4:5-6 

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. John 12:31 

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Messiah, who is the image of [Elohim], should shine unto them. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 

Notice that just after the seventh trumpet sounds signaling Yahweh and Yahshua’s rule over all the kingdoms of the earth Satan is cast out of heaven. His rule is coming to an end in a short time. Once he is thrown into the bottomless pit, his rule will cease. What happens right after Satan is bound removing his rule over the nations?

Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of [Elohim] and of Messiah, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Revelation 20:6 

The saints in Messiah begin to rule with Messiah for a thousand years. It is after this new ruling government is put in place that John sees a “new heavens and a new earth” in Revelation 21:1. The ruling government of Messiah Yahshua is the “new heavens” and the people being ruled over constitute the “new earth”.

We do not see the tremendous fiery judgment spoken of by Peter being fulfilled in Revelation in a literal way. That is because Peter’s words speak of a figurative fiery judgment resulting in a change of rule over the kingdoms of this world and a total destruction of the way the world used to work and function. After Yahshua begins reigning things will be done according to Yahweh’s ways throughout the earth.

Now let’s look at how the people of the earth that are ruled over constitute the “old earth” and the “new earth”.

 And the word of Yahweh came unto me, saying,

Son of man, set thy face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them,

And say, You mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign Yahweh; Thus says the Sovereign Yahweh to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.

And your altars shall be desolate, and your images shall be broken: and I will cast down your slain men before your idols.

And I will lay the dead carcasses of the children of Israel before their idols; and I will scatter your bones round about your altars.

In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate; that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your images may be cut down, and your works may be abolished.

And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and you shall know that I am Yahweh.

Yet will I leave a remnant, that you may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when you shall be scattered through the countries.

And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations wherever they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which has departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall loathe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

And they shall know that I am Yahweh, and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them.  Ezekiel 6:1-10 

In this passage, the mountains, hills, rivers and valleys are figurative representing the rulers of Israel (mountains), the lowest of the people (valleys), and all positions of leadership in between (hills, rivers). They all form “the earth”.

Moreover the word of Yahweh came unto me, saying,

Also, you son of man, thus says the Sovereign Yahweh unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.

Now is the end come upon you, and I will send mine anger upon you, and will judge you according to your ways, and will recompense upon you all your abominations.

And my eye shall not spare you, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense your ways upon you, and your abominations shall be in the midst of you: and you shall know that I am Yahweh. Ezekiel 7:1-4 

In this passage, the “land” is figuratively used to represent all the people of Israel. They are the “earth” of Israel. The “earth” of the world would be figurative of all the people of this planet.

Let’s look at Peter’s prophecy in more detail.

Elements

Let’s look a little deeper into this prophecy beginning with the word “elements” (Greek – stoicheion – something orderly in arrangement, that is, (by implication) a serial (basal, fundamental, initial) constituent (literally), proposition (figuratively): – element, principle, rudiment.) This word was used five other times in the NT.

Galatians 4:3  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

Galalatians 4:9  But now, after that ye have known [Elohim], or rather are known of [Elohim], how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage?

Colossians 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Messiah.

Colossians 2:20  Wherefore if you be dead with Messiah from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances,

Hebrews 5:12  For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of [Elohim]; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

As you can see, this word never refers to “elements” such as gold, silver, etc., found in the Periodic Table of Elements. Instead, the word “stoicheion” refers to things that are not physical, in particular the basic principles that this world operates under and from which believers in Messiah Yahshua have been delivered. It can also refer to the basic principles found in Yahweh’s Word which babes in Messiah feed off of until they become mature in him. Understanding this word correctly should cause us to consider the possibility that other aspects of this prophecy are not to be understood literally either.

Melts/Dissolved

Let’s examine the word “melt” (Greek root is “luō” – A primary verb; to “loosen” (literally or figuratively): – break (up), destroy, dissolve, (un-) loose, melt, put off.) This word was used about 4o times in the NT. It was primarily translated loose, destroy and break. The only time it was translated “melt” or “dissolve” is in 2 Peter 3:10-12. Assuming “melt” or “dissolve” is a correct translation, let’s see how those words were used in the OT Scriptures.

The mountains quake at Him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at His presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

Who can stand before His indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by Him.  Nahum 1:5-6 

For, behold, Yahweh comes forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.

And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place.  Micah 1:3-4 

Literal “mountains” and “hills” do not melt even if they are on fire. The “mountains” figuratively refer to rulers of a high degree and the “hills” or “valleys” figuratively refer to rulers or people of a lower degree. Their hearts melt with fear at the presence of Yahweh and His impending judgment upon them.

As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you.  Ezekiel 22:20 

Yahweh says He will “melt” people as metal is melted in a furnace. The people do not literally melt. They are tried in the fire of various situations that Yahweh puts them through.

The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered His voice, the earth melted. Psalm 46:6 

Peter said the “elements shall melt with fervent heat”.  In this verse, the heat is Yahweh’s voice. In Nahum 1:5, the heat is Yahweh’s presence. In both cases, the earth melting refers to the hearts of the people that will receive His judgments.

When Peter writes, “the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved”, “dissolved” in verse 12 is the same Greek word translated “melt” in verse 10 (luthēsontai). The word “dissolved” in verse 11 is a form of that same word (luomenōn).

Fire

Some would say the words “melt” and “dissolve” must be understood literally since Yahweh will use “fire” to judge the world. Let’s look at how “fire” was used figuratively in Scripture beginning with Peter.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 1Pe 4:12 

In this case, Yahweh will use a figurative fire to try His children. It is a figurative refining fire with intense heat produced by the circumstances that Yahweh places us in. (See also 1 Peter 1:7)

Return, we beseech thee, O Elohim of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;

And the vineyard which your right hand has planted, and the branch that you made strong for yourself.

It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.  Psalm 80:14-16 

The vine is Israel whom Yahweh brought out of Egypt (vs.8). He planted it (them) in the land of Canaan and nourished it (them). However, because His people (the vine) sinned greatly against Him, He sent them into captivity. The rebuke of His anger and judgment that He brought upon the people of Israel is spoken of as them being “burned with fire”.

Hide not your face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline your ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.

For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.

Because of your indignation and your wrath: for you have lifted me up, and cast me down. Psalm 102:2-3, 10.

The Psalmist’s bones were not literally burned. Whenever Yahweh is angry resulting in His judgment or chastening upon people, it is spoken of figuratively as a burning.

Behold, Yahweh makes the earth empty, and makes it waste, and turns it upside down, and scatters abroad the inhabitants thereof.

And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.

The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for Yahweh has spoken this word.

The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.

The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

Therefore has the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. Isaiah 24:1-6 

“Earth” in these verses is better translated “land” as in verse 3. It refers to the land of Israel that was left relatively uninhabited after Yahweh sent the people into captivity as a result of them breaking His covenant. Since the majority of people were taken into captivity (not burned) and the remnant that was left in the land were not literally burned, this burning should be understood figuratively. Yahweh’s burning wrath was poured out on them. His judgment left the people and the land dry and withering away. Isaiah writes about this again in Isaiah 42:24-25.

Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not Yahweh, He against whom we have sinned? For they would not walk in His ways, neither were they obedient unto His law.

Therefore He has poured upon him the fury of His anger, and the strength of battle: and it has set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.

At this point, the Jews were so hardened of heart by their sins that they did not realize they were being figuratively burned by Yahweh’s anger and rebuke.

Jeremiah says the same thing.

He has cut off in his fierce anger all the horn of Israel: He has drawn back His right hand from before the enemy, and He burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, which devours round about. Lamentations 2:3 

Let’s look at two passages in which fire is mentioned in the context of the Day of Yahweh’s future judgment as is the case in 2 Peter 3:10-12.

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Master Yahshua shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not [Elohim], and that obey not the gospel of our Master Yahshua Messiah:

Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Master, and from the glory of his power; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 

Notice this fire is only reserved for those that do not know Yahweh and who obey not the gospel. The fire does not burn the literal heavens and earth, but only those who are not Yahweh’s people. This is in keeping with 2 Peter 3:7 where the fire is reserved for wicked men.

For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, says Yahweh, so shall your seed and your name remain.

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, says Yahweh.

And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses 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. Isaiah 66:22-24 

This is undoubtedly an end time prophecy concerning events that will take place after the new heavens and new earth are in place. First, notice the moon and sun still exist (the Sabbath begins and ends at sundown). Second, when were transgressors put to death? Was it not prior to the new heavens and new earth? If so, and if the elements were subjected to such intense heat that they melted and dissolved, how is it that these carcasses survived that burning and continue to burn even after a new earth has come? Will Yahweh actually preserve and transport dead, unclean bodies onto His new undefiled, clean earth? I think not. More will be said about the new heavens and the new earth later.

Works … burned up

Let’s consider 2 Peter 3:10d:

“the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”

Are the “works” that will be burned up things like skyscrapers, bridges, roads, etc., that man has worked to make or do the “works” refer to something less tangible?

According to the grace of [Elohim] which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon.

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Yahshua Messiah.

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

If any man’s work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.  1 Corinthians 3:10-15 

This is how Yahweh will deal with the “works” of believers in Messiah Yahshua. This “fire” that He will use is obviously figurative fire. No literal flames will touch believers. The flames of Yahweh’s refining and purging fire will burn up works with no abiding foundation, but those works that were built upon the foundation of Messiah Yahshua will stand.

The Apostle Peter writes similarly:

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  1 Peter 4:12 

The “burning” question now is, how will Yahweh deal with unbelievers and their “works”?

2Pe 3:7  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of wicked men.

2Pe 3:10  But the day of [Yahweh] will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

The same figurative “fire” that will burn up the non-physical “elements” causing them to “melt” will also burn up the intangible works of the wicked. Just as the intangible works of believers will be burned in a figurative fire that will not literally burn believes, a figurative fire will burn up the intangible works of unbelievers. Just as a literal fire totally destroys what it is burning, the figurative fire of 2 Peter 3:10-12 will totally destroy unbelievers. Their destruction will come via disease, famine, earthquakes, sword, etc.

Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of Yahweh’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy: for He shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land. Zephaniah 1:18 

Throughout this study we have seen how Yahweh’s presence, judgment, indignation, rebuke, anger, wrath and jealousy are figuratively portrayed as a fire that burns before Him. This is not to say that Yahweh does not literally burn people with fire under certain circumstances as He did with Sodom and Gomorrah. However, I do not believe 2 Peter 3:10-12 prophesies about the wholesale destruction of the heavens, the earth, and all unbelievers via a literal fire.

You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Yahshua Messiah. No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.  2 Timothy 2:3-4

Yahshua has chosen us to be his soldiers and fight his enemies until his return from heaven. We are to fight well as we concentrate on defeating our enemies rather than getting distracted and entangled in the affairs of this life.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through [Elohim] to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of [Elohim], and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Messiah; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 

Believers in Messiah Yahshua experience warfare on at least three fronts. In other words, the enemies of our faith will attack us from at least three sides. We need to be prepared for the spiritual warfare mentioned above by knowing our enemies and guarding against their attacks. We are not to use guns, knives, or any other type of physical weapon to fight our wars. Instead, we use spiritual weapons like pray and obedience to our Creator Yahweh and His Son, Messiah Yahshua.

Warring with Satan

And the Master said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: Luke 22:31 

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:  1 Peter 5:8 

To deny Satan’s existence and influence is to deny Yahshua’s teaching concerning him. It is clear from the Savior’s words that Satan desires not only to have his way with Yahweh’s people, but to destroy them.

From that time forth began Yahshua to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from you, Master: this shall not be unto you. But he turned, and said to Peter, Get you behind me, Satan: you are an offence unto me: for you savor not the things that be of [Elohim], but those that be of men.  Matthew 16:21-23 

Satan used Peter to speak words against Yahweh’s plan of salvation. In that plan, Yahshua was to die as a sin offering for mankind so that their sins could be forgiven through his shed blood. Yahweh would then resurrect Yahshua from the dead paving the way for all who believe in him to receive the gift of eternal life via their own resurrection from the dead.  Satan does not want that plan to be fulfilled which is why he has tried throughout the centuries to destroy Yahweh’s people and the Savior of the world.

Submit yourselves therefore to [Elohim]. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  James 4:7 

The devil, Satan, will continue to attack believers in an attempt to get them to sin and fall. We are to submit to Yahweh and His rule over us by obeying His commandments. By doing so, we resist Satan who will eventually flee from us knowing we choose only to serve Yahweh and that he has no power over us.

Warring with the world

The believer will also be attacked by the world in various ways. One way is by the world presenting itself as our friend. You have heard of the phrase “fraternizing with the enemy”. A tactic in the world of espionage is to use an attractive woman to get valuable secret information from a male enemy or vice versa. A similar attack takes place with believers. The world presents itself in such an alluring way that the believer falls prey to its delicacies whether they be sex, food, entertainment, money, power, etc.

You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity with [Elohim]? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of [Elohim]. James 4:4

The believer is espoused to Yahshua. He is our future husband. To choose the world, its company and what it has to offer that is contrary to Yahweh’s ways, is to commit spiritual adultery.

Believers in Yahweh and Messiah Yahshua are no longer to be of this world. We are not to be partakers of its spirit, principles or practices. It is because we will not live as they do that they hate us.

If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:18-19 

How does the disciple of Messiah Yahshua overcome the world?

For whatsoever is born of [Elohim] overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Yahshua is the Son of [Elohim]? 1 John 5:4-5 

Warring with our flesh

The last major battle ground resides within us. It is a war against our flesh or our old nature and is our greatest and strongest enemy.

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul; 1 Peter 2:11 

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Romans 7:23 

As long as we live in this body of flesh our old nature will be at war with our new nature given to us through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We are not to satisfy the flesh and give into its cravings and lusts. As time goes by, the world develops more and more ways to arouse our flesh and its lusts (forbidden sexual relations, forbidden foods, unrighteous entertainment, assorted schemes to produce great wealth, opportunities to acquire power, etc.). Those carnal desires must be crucified (put to death).

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one of another.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would. But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (quarreling), emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of [Elohim].

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Messiah’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:14-25

The following passage shows us all three major battle grounds and the way to be victorious.

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not. You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts.

You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity with [Elohim]? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of [Elohim].

Do you think that the scripture says in vain, The spirit that dwells in us lusts to envy. But He gives more grace. Wherefore He says, [Elohim] resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to [Elohim]. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Draw close to [Elohim], and He will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of [Yahweh], and He shall lift you up. James 4:1-10

When we humble ourselves and acknowledge that we are powerless against these enemies and ask for Yahweh’s help in overcoming them, He will stand and fight our battles for us through faith.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Master, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armor of [Elohim], that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Ephesians 6:10-12 

It is the power of our Master Yahshua working through us that will lead us to victory as we war, not against man, but against a spirit world of darkness ruled by Satan.

These words spoken by the Savior of the world are packed with truth. Follow along as I unpack them for you.

“I am the way”

A ‘way” is a path or road that one follows. To be a disciple of Messiah Yahshua is to follow his way; to walk as he walked (in obedience to his Father’s commandments), to believe the doctrines he believed, to trust in him as the way Yahweh provided for the salvation of mankind.

For [Yahweh] so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For [Yahweh] sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17 

Mankind is like a man lost in a forest who is trying to find his way out. Once he stumbles upon a path (Yahshua), he can follow it until it leads him to safety and eventually home (to his Creator, Almighty Yahweh).

The prophet Isaiah spoke of this path/highway that will lead to everlasting joy.

Strengthen you the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your Elohim will come with vengeance, even Elohim with a recompense; He will come and save you.
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
And the ransomed of Yahweh shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35:3-10

When Yahshua came to make a way for mankind to be saved, he opened blind eyes and deaf ears, he healed the lame, gave voice to the dumb, and even raised the dead. The “way of holiness” is through Yahshua who is also our “redeemer”.

For the grace of [Elohim] that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
Teaching us that, denying wickedness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and piously, in this present world;
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great mighty one and our Savior Yahshua Messiah;
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:11-14

Have you lost your way in this world? Are you aimlessly walking in circles with no meaning to your life? Your Creator has provided a way for you to have your fellowship with Him restored. That way is through His only begotten Son Yahshua.
“I am . . . the truth”

Yahshua said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”  John 17:17 

The word of Yahweh (the Holy Scriptures) are truth as are all the words Yahweh speaks, even those that have not been written down for our benefit.

The Apostle John wrote the following about Yahshua:

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. John 1:14 

Yahweh spoke His Son into existence. His “word” became a flesh and blood man named Yahshua. Since the “word is truth” and the “word became flesh”, truth became flesh. The truth became embodied in a flesh and blood man. All Yahshua ever said and did was truth because he was full of grace and truth. In him was no lie.

Yahweh inspired the prophet Isaiah to write the following about Yahshua;

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Isaiah 53:8-9 

The Apostle Peter wrote of Yahshua as well;

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 1 Peter 2:22

The truth (Yahshua) sets people free from their bondage to sin.

Then said Yahshua to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free?
Yahshua answered them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin.
And the servant abides not in the house for ever: but the Son abides ever.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.  John 8:31- 36  

Not only is Yahshua truth, but he came to bear witness of the truth.

Pilate therefore said unto him, Are you a king then? Yahshua answered, You say that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice. John 18:37 

Do you hear the Savior’s voice? Do you hear him calling you to salvation through his death and resurrection? He loved you enough to die for your sins that you may be given the gift of eternal life in his Kingdom. All you need to do is believe in him and receive him into your heart as your Master and Savior.

“I am … the life”

“Life”,  in this verse, refers to everlasting life which becomes the possession of  everyone that believes in Yahshua the Messiah as their Master and Savior.

When comforting a woman named Martha who was grieving the loss of her brother, Yahshua said;

I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25-26 

Elsewhere, Yahshua said;

For [Yahweh] so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For [Elohim] sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of [Elohim]. John 3:16-18

While praying to his Father in heaven (Yahweh) Yahshua said;

And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true [Elohim], and Yahshua Messiah, whom you have sent. John 17:3 

The way to truly know Yahweh is to know the means/way that Yahweh has chosen to save the world and embrace it, that is, through believing in His only begotten Son Yahshua.

John the Baptist said of Yahshua;

He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of [Elohim] abides on him. John 3:36 

Refusing to believe in Messiah Yahshua had dire consequences for certain Jews living in Apostolic days.

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of [Elohim] should first have been spoken to you (Jews): but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. Acts 13:46

The Apostle John, a man filled with the Holy Spirit, wrote;

And this is the record, that [Elohim] has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of [Elohim]; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of [Elohim]. 1 John 5:11-13 

What about you friend? Do you believe in Yahshua the Messiah as your Master and Savior? Do you believe his shed blood on your behalf cleanses you of all your sins? Do you believe that he will resurrect you from the dead at his second coming? Do you believe you will live eternally with him in his Kingdom on earth? If not, I implore you to consider the Good News that the New Testament has recorded concerning Yahshua.

He truly is the way, the truth and the life and no man can stand before his Creator, Almighty Yahweh, except through Yahshua.

I apologize for not writing much for my blog lately. My mother had been ill for weeks and passed away recently. Her death has prompted me to write a short blog on the afterlife. She put her faith in the Savior of the world to someday raise her body from the dead and give her eternal life in his Kingdom. Her hope in a resurrection from the grave is founded on the teachings of the Bible. If you do not have such a hope, I encourage you to consider what the Bible says on the subject.

Is There Life After Death?

King David wrote the following words in Psalm 16:9-10.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
For you will not leave my soul in hell (the grave); neither will you suffer your Holy One to see corruption.

This was an obscure passage to many until it’s true fulfillment came through the resurrection of Yahshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ). The Apostle Peter gave it’s true meaning in the Book of Acts.

You men of Israel, hear these words; Yahshua of Nazareth, a man approved of [Elohim/God] among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which [Elohim] did by him in the midst of you, as you yourselves also know:
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of [Elohim], you have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
Whom [Elohim] has raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be held of it.
For David speaks concerning him, I foresaw Yahweh always before my face, for He is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
Because you will not leave my soul in hell (the grave), neither will you suffer your Holy One to see corruption.
You have made known to me the ways of life; you shall make me full of joy with your countenance.
Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day.
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that [Elohim] had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Messiah to sit on his throne;
He seeing this before spoke of the resurrection of Messiah, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
This Yahshua has [Elohim] raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. (Acts 2:22-32)

Yahshua was the first man to be resurrected from the dead unto eternal life. There are other references to people being raised from the dead in Scripture, but none who were raised unto eternal life as Yahshua was.

That Messiah should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. (Acts 26:23)

But now is Messiah risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Messiah shall all be made alive.
But every man in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits; afterward they that are Messiah’s at his coming. (1 Corinthians 15:20-23)

Messiah Yahshua was only the first person to be resurrected from the dead unto eternal life. When he returns from heaven many more people (those who belong to Yahshua through faith in him) will resurrect from the dead.

Here is what the prophet Daniel wrote concerning this resurrection.

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.  (Daniel 12:1-2)

Yahshua spoke of this resurrection as well.

I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26)

Truly, truly, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of [Elohim]: and they that hear shall live.
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:25; 28-29)

Everyone that ever lived will be resurrected from the dead. You will either be resurrected unto everlasting life or everlasting shame, contempt and damnation. Which group will you be in?

Here is how the Eternal Judge will decide which group to place you in.

The resurrection to everlasting life –

For [Elohim] so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (John 3:16) 

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.  (John 6:40)

And this is the record, that [Elohim] has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that has the Son has life; (1 John 5:11-12a)

The resurrection to damnation –

He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of [Elohim].
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:18-19)

He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of [Elohim] has not life. (1 John 5:12)

The way to eternal life is very simple. It is through believing in Yahshua the Messiah for salvation.

Yahshua said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.  (John 14:6)

Sadly, some people do not believe in a resurrection. The Sadducees, a religious sect in the time of Yahshua were among those who did not believe.

The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
And last of all the woman died also.
Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
Yahshua answered and said unto them, You do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of [Elohim]. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of [Elohim] in heaven. 
But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken unto you by [Elohim], saying,
I am the [Elohim] of Abraham, and the [Elohim] of Isaac, and the [Elohim] of Jacob? [Elohim] is not the [Elohim] of the dead, but of the living.
And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.  (Matthew 22:23-33)

Are you among those who err, not knowing the Scriptures? Now you know at least the Scriptures given above. How will you choose? Will you believe on the Master Yahshua the Messiah so he can resurrect your dead body unto everlasting life or will you choose to not believe and face everlasting shame, contempt and condemnation?

Here are some closing Scriptures to help you in your decision.

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Yahshua, and for the word of [Elohim], and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Messiah a thousand years.
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of [Elohim] and of Messiah, and shall reign with him a thousand years.  (Revelation 20:4-6)

Only those who are Messiah’s will be resurrected in the first resurrection unto everlasting life. The fate of those resurrected after the thousand years is uncertain.

But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Yahshua from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Messiah from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells in you. (Romans 8:11)

After a person believes in Messiah Yahshua as Master and Savior, he is given the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Without it there can be no resurrection unto everlasting life.

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahshua Messiah for the remission (forgiveness) of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as Yahweh our [Elohim] shall call. (Acts 2:38-39)

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of [Elohim] is eternal life through Yahshua Messiah our Master. (Romans 6:23)

Believe on Yahshua, dear friend, and you shall experience the joy of eternal life after death.