Excerpts from the sermon given by Yisrayl Hawkins on 1/08/94
Shalom everyone! May the peace of Yahweh be with each and every one of you.
If you remember, we were in Romans 1. We were talking about the keys to the Kingdom in this series of "Going On To Perfection." The editors name the tapes, and sometimes they don't name them what I would, but if I was going to name this sermon and last week's sermon, I would name them, "The Keys To The Kingdom."
Yahweh gives us the keys. He gives us a banner, a flag, a badge, like the badge that we use to come to the Passover, a white robe, whatever you want to call it, He gives us this power, this strength to get into the Kingdom.
We saw in Yahchanan 1:9-12 that as many as He chooses, He also gives power to become the sons of Yahweh. Today, we are going to cover some Scriptures showing the deciding factor on how Yahweh actually knows whether you will turn back into following Baal, or Zeus, or if you won't. He actually knows this. He tells us, in no uncertain terms, how He knows this. He gives you the deciding factor in this. Yahweh willing, we will get up to, and cover that part, that Scripture.
We covered Romans 1:16 last week. For I am not ashamed of the message, for it is the strength… That is the message of Yahweh is the strength. If you compare Exodus 19:5-6, it says the same thing. If you will obey, then this gives you the power to become the sons of Yahweh. Yahweh always brings the negative with the positive; He brings both of them together. He says, "This is the great way, this is the power."
Verse 18 shows the judgment of Yahweh is against certain ones. For the judgment of Yahweh is revealed from heaven against all unholiness and unrighteousness of men… Or women. …who suppress the truth… Or suppress the Law. …in unrighteousness… Or in unrighteous judgments.
The judgments of Yahweh are set forever. He says, this is a proven way. This is the way the universe is going to be judged. The ones He's calling now, are going to judge all matters. You should qualify to judge the matters. Don't you know, you're even going to judge the malakim, very soon now, when the Kingdom is set up? All judgment is given to the Son, Who is judging His House, His bride-to-be, the 144,000 priesthood. These are the only ones who He is judging at this time.
At that time, Yahshua is going to be giving this authority to His wives, as I said last week. When we marry Yahshua, as brides, we're going to be empowered with these same promises that were made to Him. We are going to be equal with Yahshua, in ability, not in rank, He's always going to be over us in rank, Praise Yahweh. He deserves it. That is His privilege, and none of us should ever seek to take that away from Him. The way you show that you would take it away from Him is by rebelling against the authority over you today, whoever that authority is.
Yechetzqyah 18:9. If he has walked in My statutes… That's one of the "if's," just to be able to live and obtain eternal life. …and has kept My judgments… What do you think this is? This is judging according to His judgments that He has already laid down for us. It's not making up our own minds as to what is right and wrong. He says that stupidity is as filthy rags to Him. You think He is going to allow those filthy rags in His Kingdom? It's His judgments you have to learn, and it's His judgments you have to go by, if you want to live. That's the requirement He puts here.
…My judgments, to do them… To make them part of your life. …he is just… This makes this man a just man. This makes this woman a just woman.
Yahseph was considered a just man because he did not break the Laws governing loving your wife, or loving your neighbor as yourself, when it concerned a woman who he was going to marry. He thought she had committed adultery; remember that? Yahweh said, Yahseph was a just man and he was not willing to put her to open shame, but was going to put her away quietly. This shows that he loved that woman. Even though he thought she had sinned, and he decided he didn't want her for his wife, he still loved her, and wasn't willing to put her to open shame.
When you break the Law, when you are not just, then you can put your husband, wife, or children to open shame. Are these things sinking in? Are you making them a part of your life? These are Yahweh's judgments. He tells us how to be just.
…He will surely live!… He will not surely live if he doesn't. That is plain from that Scripture. …says Father Yahweh…
Yechetzqyah 20:16. For they despised My judgments… Why? Because the teaching of Baal was so indented in their lives that they just couldn't get it out of their lives. Jealousy was so thick, they couldn't find a way to overcome it. What is it? Because this disease, called stealing, was in their minds, they couldn't find a way to break it. I've suffered all of those things, and I've overcome them, so I know that the weakest one can overcome them too.
Last week, we covered the excuses. People always have an excuse. They always want to blame someone else, besides themselves. The fact is, you have no one else to blame. No one controls this mind, up here, but you. Yahweh opens it, but He just opens it to understanding. It's you who has to make up your mind to control your body, control all actions of your body, and your way of thinking.
…For they despised My judgments… Yahweh said because of this, He rejected them. He said, "They did not walk in My statutes, and they polluted My Sabbaths, because their hearts went after their Gods," after Zeus, or Baal, or whoever it was who had the world in its clutches, as the Christians have the world today.
Verse 17, Nevertheless, My eye spared them from destroying them… That is, He spared them from destruction at that time, although He did not choose them for His Kingdom, and He plainly says so in Hebrews and other places. …I did not make an end of them in the wilderness.
We have to accept Yahweh's Laws into our lives, both men and women. We can't suppress the truth, as these people did, and expect to have the keys to this Kingdom of Yahweh.
Romans 1:19. For that which is known about Yahweh is manifest to them… Yes, we are getting it everyday. It was preached to them, Yahweh says, as it is to us. …because Yahweh has shown it unto them… Preaching, sending them a messenger here, and a messenger there.
Verse 20, For since the creation of the world, the invisible things of Him are clearly seen—His eternal power… Now, remember what Yahweh's power is, we covered this last week. Yahweh's power is His Laws. This is brought forth in Malakyah 4, and also by Shaul, who said, "If you will accept it, this is the strength of Yahweh."
Shaul said in verse 16, that he is not ashamed of this message, because it is the power of holiness.
Verse 20, …His eternal power and holiness… Power, that is, authority, His authority as always being the Head and the Father over all. He will always have that honor. He should have that honor in everyone's eyes. Those who will not honor Him as such will not be there. How do you honor Him? You show honor by doing what He says.
Authority means supreme nature, the supreme headship, Father or supremacy. That's what that word means.
Verse 20, …and holiness—being understood by the things that are written… Written for us. These are the things we are reading right now. …so that they are without excuse… Did you get that? You have no excuses. You cannot blame someone else.
Verse 21, Because that, when they knew Yahweh… They knew Him, because He revealed Himself through His Laws, statutes and judgments. …they did not glorify Him as Father… As the supreme Head in following His Laws, statutes and judgments.
Children, who are still in your parents' households, are you listening to me? When you disobey your parents, do you know that you're dishonoring Yahweh Himself because He has set this authority over you?
I want all you children from nine to ninety to listen to this. Yahshua said many times, "If you do it to one of the least of these, My brothers, you do it unto Me." He is your Head right now, Yahshua, and Yahweh is His Head. Yahshua gets His leadership from Yahweh. So if you reject Yahshua, which many have, the whole world has, everyone except The House of Yahweh, then you reject Yahweh Himself.
Exodus 20:12. Honor your father and your mother… How do you honor your father and your mother? By obeying them, in Yahweh's Laws. As they teach you the Laws of Yahweh, then you are to obey them. Honor your father and mother by obeying them. That should be just as plain as the nose on your face.
So if you dishonor your mother or your father, who are you really showing dishonor to? Yahweh, your supreme Head. That is what He is saying here, "They rejected My judgments."
Romans 1:21. ...they did not glorify Him as Father… If they had glorified Him as the supreme Head, they would have obeyed His Laws, statutes and judgments.
…nor were thankful… Colossians 3:15 says we're called into one body, and that's a command to be thankful always. Always give thanks to Yahweh. What do we give when we murmur, backbite, bicker, and pass judgments against the Elders who are actually going through embarrassment to try to teach the Laws of Yahweh?
…but became idolatruos… This is when you don't honor Yahweh, when you don't honor your mother, or when you don't honor your husband by showing him respect, and putting yourself in submission to your husband, as Yahweh's Laws say. When you do this, you are a Godworship-per, and no better than the world you are trying to come out of. You will not receive any more reward than they will. The only promise given to you then, is the promise of death in the hell-fire. That is not profane language, it's what it is, hell-fire.
…they became idolatrous… They became Godworshippers, worshippers of Gods. ..in their reasoning… Because their reasoning was not according to Yahweh's judgment, neither were they thankful for the judgments and Laws that were taught to them. …and their senseless minds were darkened… In other words, Holy Spirit starts to leave them, and they start becoming foolish, again, in the ways of the world.
Verse 22, Professing themselves to be wise… Thinking that they were wise in their stupidity. …they became fools… To Yahweh. They became as Godworshippers to Yahweh.
Verse 23, And exchanged… The wonderful glory that we talked about last week, the keys to the Kingdom. The wonderful Kingdom is going to be given to us, that is promised to us, and our seed, as Shaul said.
I had a dream the night before last; I had two dreams, in fact. In the first dream, Satan was dragging a white sheet through The House of Yahweh. There were several who were on this sheet. The Elders were saying, "Get off! Get off!" I was screaming at the top of my voice, and I just knew when I woke up everybody must have heard me screaming. I don't know if I even made a racket or not, but I was certainly doing some screaming in the dream. The ones on the sheet were saying, "But it's white," and I was saying, "No, it just looks that way to you. Get off that sheet, she's taking you out of Yahweh's House. There were two men and two women who never got off the sheet. They continued on that sheet that Satan was dragging out of The House of Yahweh. I woke up in tears from that dream.
I went back to sleep, and I had another dream right after that one. I could have never imagined any such thing as I saw in that dream. I have never seen it in paintings, read about it in books, seen it in movies, or anything. I was in Yahweh Shammah, and I was at the wedding supper. I could hear everyone talking, like I can see everyone sitting here in this Sanctuary now. There were a number of people, and I could hear their individual voices talking to me. I never missed a thing.
The House of Yahweh was seated at Yahshua's right hand. There was a long, long table. I had my left hand to Yahshua, and I was facing the table, which had every kind of food you can think of. I was facing it, and I was looking at everyone in The House of Yahweh who was with me, behind me, but with me. I could see every individual. I had eyes in all directions; I mean, I only had two eyes, but I could see in all directions.
In my dream, I said, this is what Yechetzqyah meant. I still don't understand it, but I'm getting there. The far end of the table looked like it was miles away, but you could see it clearly. You could see everything, because of the light particles that were coming to the eyes that Yahweh gave us, although things were miles away, I could see every face to my right hand side. It was like my vision was coming out, and around, seeing every face. I asked, who is that at the far end of the table? A voice said, "You know," and I said, that's Abel, isn't it? I was rejoicing.
In front, across the table there were multitudes, as the sands of the sea. They didn't go too far. It wasn't the distance that would cut them off like it would now. We were sitting above the earth, but we were like in a story of that building. I don't know if it was the top story or what, but you could see the earth. You could also look up. You could see through this building. Even though we were inside a room, we could see through it, and we could see all the planets individually. There was one huge planet that was passing by us, at this time, and it looked like you could just reach out, and touch it.
Now, I have never had an imagination like this in my life. I have never seen this at any other time, or imagined it, or read about it in comic books, or anything like what went on in that dream the night before last. I praise Yahweh for it.
We can throw all of this away, Yahweh says, by not accepting His judgments, not living according to His judgments, not taking them into our lives, and not glorifying Him in what He has promised He can bring us. Not believing Him, in other words.
Verse 23 says, we can exchange this glory that belongs to the uncorruptible Father for images that we dream up in our own minds, and our own way of thinking. The human mind is capable of doing this. We can exchange Yahweh's way for these images that we muster up. …made to resemble corruptible man… That is, we can reject Yahweh's judgments for Zeus, or Baal, or whatever judgments have been taught to you from your childhood up.
Verse 24, Therefore, Yahweh also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own minds… He gave them over to this. Because they cannot overcome lust, He said He would give it to them.
King David was inspired to write about this. He said, "You don't like the blessings, then let them all be taken from you." That is exactly what Yahweh is saying here through the Apostle Shaul. If you don't like the blessings Yahweh promises, you won't get them.
Verse 25, Who exchanged the truth... The Law. ...of Yahweh for the Lie; Lords (Baalim), Gods, Goddesses (Elohim)… They have many at this time. ...and worshipped and served the creation… That is, they obeyed the creation. To worship and serve mean to obey. Remember, do you not know to whom you yield yourselves as servants to obey, his servants you are. Any dictionary will tell you that worship is service. …and worshipped and served the creation… That's mankind. Mankind is the one who Satan uses to bring forth all these stupid teachings, rather than following the Laws of Yahweh.
Verse 26, For this reason… What we have just read. …For this reason, Yahweh gave them up to degrading passions… Look over to Hebrews.
Hebrews 3:16. For some, when they had heard, rebelled… They had already heard the message preached to them, but they rebelled anyway. …But not all… Not all who came out of Egypt, through Mosheh, rebelled.
Verse 17, But with whom was He grieved forty years? Was it not with those who sinned... Those who would not obey His voice. ...whose corpses fell in the wilderness?
Verse 18, And to whom did He vow that they would not enter into His rest, but to those who did not obey?… So we see that they could not enter in, because of their unbelief, because they did not believe Yahweh, and what His Laws will bring you by practicing them.
Romans 1:26. For this reason Yahweh gave them up to degrading passions: for even their women exchanged the natural use into that which is against nature… You can stack up any kind of sins you want on that one.
Verse 27, And the men did the same thing: leaving the natural use of the woman…
They had a special issue of Inquirer this past month, reflecting back on 1993. It showed all the homosexual activity that was taking place. It showed many different people. The sins have increased, and they were showing it. They think this behavior is wonderful, but try to teach them a Law of Yahweh, and they think you're some kind of stupid idiot. This is the twisted world that we are living in today.
The TV shows are where the education is really brought forth. All the evil that mankind can produce is brought forth on these shows. I was reading about this new book that is coming out in the public schools this year. They said the public finally let their officials and teachers know that they want their children to be taught "safe sex." They don't want their children suffering from AIDS. All the world will go along with it. They said if you don't want your child taught, you can pull him or her out of that class. They never teach a Law of Yahweh, but it's a wonderful thing to them to teach children how to sin safely.
This is a turned-around world that we're living in now. When a simple Law of Yahweh comes out, it is hated. Not only is it hated, they want to burn the one who brings it, and run off after Satan, on a sheet they think is white. They will find out it isn't too white later.
Verse 27, ...they burned in their lust… Yes, they burn in their lust, and they will burn in their bodies later on. That is promised to them if they don't overcome.
…men committing shameful acts with men, and suffering in their own bodies the penalty of their error, which is their fitting reward.
Verse 28, And so, since they did not like to retain Yahweh in their knowledge… That is hold onto Yahweh's power and authority as the only Lawgiver. He is the one and only Lawgiver. As Yaaqob said, "There is one Lawgiver Who is able to save and to destroy." Unless we submit ourselves to His authority, we will burn. That's the promise made to us.
Verse 28, And so, since they did not like to retain Yahweh in their knowledge… To follow His Laws, statutes and judgments. ….Yahweh gave them over to a reprobate mind… Back to the carnal mind.
Verse 29, Being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual impurity, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife… Notice that word, strife.
That is one thing I've been pounding on, because it hits us in our home: strife between husband and wife, mother and child, sister and brother. Yahshua even said it occurs between mother and daughter or mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. This is the mirror Yahweh sets in front of you to show you how to get this out of your minds. It is strife against the Elders, and even practicing deceit and malice.
…They are gossips… The gossipers who go, and find some other weak one to gossip with, so they can get on this sheet with Satan, and flow away with her.
Verse 30, Backbiters; slanderers, haters of Yahweh… You love Him until certain Laws like "Keep the Sabbath" or "Keep His Feasts" come out.
There was one time when I brought a sermon on the holy garments, and we lost two-thirds of the congregation at that time. I praise Yahweh I was tested with that because I proved then to Yahweh that I would never bend concerning His Law. I will never bend, I will never yield one iota to Satan. May Yahweh ever keep me from doing so.
These people turned in absolute hatred against Yahweh, because of the holy garment Law that was brought out in Yahweh's House. They turned in hatred. They loved Him up until that. One man said, "I just want to run out in the street, stop the traffic, and tell them, come in here and listen to what this man has to say." The next moment, he was burning his holy garment in his front yard, and making out like it was a wonderful thing to do. Because of that, Yahweh says, "He will never enter My rest. You want to reject the things that are holy, then I'll take them back from you, and give you back the reprobate mind. You will think you are right in what you are doing until you are burned, and gotten out of the way."
I will make anyone a bet of everything I have, against a hole in a doughnut, that when the time comes when they're binding you, hand and foot, and getting ready to cast you into outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, that the lust you lusted after, all disappears. I bet there is not a bit of lust in you. I bet the jealousy that you're experiencing now, and the strife, all disappear out of your mind.
It's a horrible thing, and a pitiful thing that people would throw their lives away, and the wonderful promises that we have, so they can hang onto hatred, or any of the other things He mentions here. Yet, it reigns in Satan's people. It looks white and beautiful; it looks wonderful. It looks like this is the righteous way to go, but it's not, my friends. In fact, it is the most selfish way of living on the face of the earth.
You may have seen on the news where they were showing some property that used to belong to me, in Abilene. They had their cameras down there in this wooded area. I believe this was Thursday or Friday. They were showing all the homeless people. They were talking to one man, in particular, who had some posts he had cut from some trees, and had some cardboard packed up around him for a shelter. Then, there was a tarp over the top of it. He was telling them about his little heater he had there, which was a five gallon bucket with some wood in it. He said this was a blessing to him. He was convinced that he could live comfortably in there, even in below zero temperature weather; it wouldn't bother him at all. He was so thankful that he had found clothing in the trash cans. He was just as thankful as he could be to have what he had.
I thought, boy, how wonderful this is to have that kind of attitude. This is like the attitude that the Apostle Shaul had.
People reject Yahweh's ways and they turn to what they can imagine in their own minds, or what Satan teaches them. They turn against Yahweh and become this way.
…Backbiters; slanderers, haters of Yahweh, despiteful, arrogant, and boastful… That is, they think themselves wise in their decisions. …They are inventors of evil things… They go about inventing evil things with more people who have the same weaknesses. …disobedient to parents.
Verse 31, And without understanding. They are covenant-breakers… Yes, they break the covenant, the vow they made to Yahweh. …without natural affection, implacable; trucebreakers, and unmerciful.
Verse 32, Who, knowing the righteous judgments of Yahweh… Yes, they have been taught the righteous judgments, which say, "Please study, please make these a part of your lives." …that those who practice such things deserve death… It's a promise. …not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.
We'll hurry because I want to get into the one that shows in no uncertain terms how Yahweh knows when to seal you.
Psalm 1:1. Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the unrighteous… That is what we've been talking about and what Shaul was talking about. It is the counsel of the Christian people. As Revelation 14:4 says, the forbidden assemblies, the Gods they worship, the Baal and the Zeus, that bring forth the teachings that the Christian world follows today.
…nor who stands in the path of sinners… Who stands in the way. As Revelation also says, "Come out from among them." This means, bring your mind out from following those ways. I Yahchanan 3:7 says, they belong to Satan.
…nor who sits in the seat of the scornful… Those who will scorn the Elders, their teachers, or the supremacy of Yahweh.
Verse 2, But his delight… He's bringing forth both sides here. …his delight… Who doesn't follow these other ways, but has delight … is in the Law of Yahweh… This is where our delight should be, in His Laws, statutes and judgments. ...In His Law, he meditates day and night... Not in Zeus' teachings, or Baal's teachings, which is what you were brought up with, but in the things that Yahweh shows you in His holy Word, not in men's teachings, not in men's counsel.
Verse 3, He shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not whither… In other words, it's forever. …whatever this man does will succeed.
Verse 4, The unrighteous are not so! They are like the chaff which the wind drives away… These are more of the inspired words of King David. These are promises that he was inspired to write to those who will not believe.
Verse 5, Therefore, the unrighteous shall not continue after their sentencing, nor will sinners remain in the congregation of the righteous… It will be too late to change then. Now is your time of testing, of trials. Now is the time to make the changes. Now is the time to get rid of the hatred and strife that are in your life.
Verse 6, For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous… Yes, He's the One Who wrote it out for you in detail to follow. Yahweh submits to these Laws, statutes, and judgments, and He asks you to do the same thing to become a part of His family.
…but the way of the unrighteous will perish… The way of the unrighteous, and those who follow the unrighteous will perish.
Psalm 2:1. Why do the heathen rage, and the people plot vanity; empty schemes?
Verse 2, The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsel against Yahweh and His Anointed… It says in Revelation 13, that the world blasphemes the Name of Yahweh and His House. Why do they do this against Yahweh's anointed? Why do people rise up in doing this even in Yahweh's House? Why would they rise up against Yahweh's anointed, the anointed Elders, who Yahweh says are watching for their very souls? Why would this ever take place in anyone's life?
Verse 3, Let us break their bands asunder… They say to each other, "Let's form a committee. Since we all hate this Law, let's get together, form a committee, stand firm in it, and figure out ways that we can gossip, backbite, and destroy those who might bring this Law forth." …Let us cast their yoke of bondage from us.
Verse 4, He Who sits in the heavens will laugh them to scorn... It's not as if Yahweh needs us. We need Him desperately, but He doesn't need us. He could take the concrete we're standing on, and make individuals to serve Him, easily. He has that power.
On the other hand, bringing forth both sides, He offers life, joy, and peace, which last forever, which have no end at all. They are eternal. They are unlike the human body, which will perish with the lust we carry. Yahweh's way is forever; His promises are forever. You will have powers unlimited.
What I saw in that dream, the night before last, I know Yahweh has this power. Yahweh can see and hear everything He chooses to see and hear, all at the same time. I've never dreamed something like this up in my mind. This came to me, firsthand, and I think from Yahweh Himself. You will have that power one day. You will see Yahweh as He is, because you will be like Him, and like Yahshua.
This is only if you don't resist. Remember, He lays both choices out, side by side. His Word is written here a little, and there a little.
Verse 6, I set My King on Mount Zion, My holy hill… There is where you are going to burn. You could have been a part of this. You could have been a king, but you passed it up so you could hang onto hatred, lust, or whatever it was that was in your life that you just couldn't overcome. You just couldn't resist taking something that didn't belong to you, whether it was money, gold, silver, land or whatever.
Verse 7, I will proclaim the decree Yahweh declared; Yahweh said to Me: You are My Son… Or sons. …this day I have begotten you.
Verse 8, Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations… That's what He's saying to you now. He's willing to do so. …for Your inheritance… Everyone sitting here. …The ends of the earth will be for Your possession.
Verse 9, With a rod of iron the nations will be broken; They will dash themselves in pieces like a potter's vessel… All those who resist Yahweh, you're going to have the power to bring them under control, and teach them a way of peace, joy and love.
Verse 10, Be wise, therefore… You're a fool now, if you don't believe this. You're letting this foolishness reign in your life; a foolishness that Yahweh says will destroy you. He's begging you, with outstretched hands, to overcome. He says, "All day long, I've begged these people, and they turn their backs on Me. They resist Me always to My face." Are you one of those?
Verse 10, Be wise, therefore, all you rulers; be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Verse 11, All of you serve Yahweh with reverence; you shall rejoice with trembling… That reminds me of something else from my dream. In the city at that supper, it was like what goes on here at Passover with the praising of Yahweh. It was going on and there was laughter, and joy everywhere. There was no silence.
There was joy, and gladness at this supper. I could hear each one of you, individually, praising Yahweh. HalleluYahweh! This was coming from all of you. I could hear every one at once; I could hear every individual voice at once.
….Kiss the Son… Kiss is word #5401 from Strong's and it means to join. Join the Son, that is, be obedient to the Son, be like Him, be submissive to Him. Become one with Him, that is what the word, kiss, means. Become one of the body, as Colossians says.
II Timothy 3:13. But evil men and imposters... Religious imposters. ...will grow worse and worse… This could go on, as Shaul said, with the so-called brothers in The House of Yahweh. King David was inspired to write, "If it had been a stranger, I probably wouldn't have trusted him, but since it was a brother, then we put our trust in him, and he let us down."
…evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse… That is a promise to us in these Last Days. …deceiving and being deceived… Hanging onto the deception of the world around them.
Verse 14, But as for you, continue in the things which you have learned… From the Holy Scriptures. …and have firmly believed, knowing from Whom you have learned them;
Verse 15, And that from a child you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation, through the faith which is in Yahshua Messiah.
Let's go to Acts 20. I quoted this last week. Shaul, before his departure, brought this sermon knowing he was going to be killed and knowing that his promise from the Savior was that he would. He knew he was going to give up his life, like all of the apostles were promised would occur.
Acts 20:29. For I know this, that after my departing, grievous wolves will enter in among you… This occurs all the time. These things are tried constantly. Before ninety percent of the congregation walked out because of the holy garments, these men were trying to persuade me to change. One of them said, "If you will just give a little, we will all stay." If I did that, I would still have them, but I wouldn't have Yahweh, would I?
…after my departing, grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Verse 30, Also among your own selves will men arise, speaking perverse things… These are things contrary to Yahweh's judgments, statutes, and Yahweh's Laws. …to draw away disciples after themselves.
Verse 31, Therefore watch, and remember, that for the period of three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
Verse 32, And now, brothers, I commend you to Yahweh… To the word of Yahweh. …and to the Law which He gave, which is able to build up The House of Yahweh and is able to give you an inheritance among all those who are saints… You must be sanctified too. Yahweh says not the hearers of the Law will be justified before Yahweh, but the doers of the Law will be justified.
Now, for the final key, let's go back to Psalm 119. What is this deciding factor, the final key that seals you into the 144,000 priesthood? I've read this to you probably a hundred times. I'm going to point out something that you probably didn't catch. I've asked some about it and they have all said they didn't get it.
There is a deciding factor that Yahweh uses that lets Him know that you will never change or become like Satan. Remember what Satan did, she tried to rise up above Yahweh. She resisted the authority, the headship, the supreme authority, as Shaul said in Romans 1. The spirit that she has is in the world, today. That is the spirit that we must overcome.
Psalm 119:165. Great peace… What does this mean? This word peace comes from #7965; it is the word shalom, which comes from #7999. You might understand now that this is what Shaul was speaking of in II Thessalonians when he said, "When they say true peace, then sudden destruction will come upon them."
These two words put together are shalom and shalam, which are spelled differently, but pronounced the same. They mean true peace when they are put together. This is what it means. This is what Yahweh promises you. …great peace… This is what you will have.
This first word, shalom, means you will be safe, you will be well, and you will be joyous. These are all meanings of this word. You will have health, you will live forever, you will have eternal health. You will have prosperity, you will have peace, you will be a true friend, and have true friends, as we will see later on who a true friend is, or who a true buddy is. Great health, righteousness, you will have righteousness. This word also means perfect. You will be perfect, and be at peace, able, holy.
Now, put that word, with all its meanings, with the other word. The other word, shalam, means to be safe in mind, in body, in a state, to be complete, to be perfect. That's what these two words mean shalom, shalam.
That's what was reported that I told you was on the TV screen when they announced this peace treaty. That's what they meant. The people who know Hebrew would know this instantly. When they saw the "Shalom, shalam!" they would know that this is what this was speaking of, all these things.
Wouldn't you like to have all those things right there? Yahweh says all these things …have they who love… Let me read you what this word love means. It means to have affection for. You know what it is like to have affection for a child, don't you? Every mother knows this.
Before a child is even born, a mother knows what it is like to have affection for that child; this occurs even while the child is still in the womb. This even occurs in women who give up their children for adoption, and never see the children because they do not want to see them at the time. A woman will realize later in her life, "I should have kept that child. There's something missing in my life, I want that child back." A mother has affection for that child, even though she never saw the baby, because the attachment builds all the time the child is in the womb.
We are in the womb of Yahweh, so to speak, right now. The affection that Yahweh has towards us is building, if we are overcoming. That affection is going to turn into judgment against those who won't overcome.
The word love is actually having affection for, as a friend; love like a friend, in other words. Gesenius says to desire, to breathe after anything, the significance of breathing after, hints of longing for is proper in these syllables… That's what it's trying to get over to you here, what this word means. Yahweh wants you to have this for His Law. …to desire, to love, to show urgency for…
Psalm 40:8. I delight to do Your will, O My Father, and Your Law is within My heart… It is something that he can love.
Psalm 70:5. But we are afflicted and needy! Hasten quickly to us… This is showing the urgency in describing the love for Yahweh's Law. …Hasten quickly to us, O Yahweh! You are our help and our deliverer! O Yahweh, do not delay!… Do you see the urgency in this? This is what Gesenius is trying to describe in saying this is construed with a sensitivity towards this Law, this eagerness, this urgency in wanting Yahweh's Law in your life.
In the significance of understanding this word, love, let's go back to Leviticus 19:18. This verse is also used in describing this true love that Yahweh wants you to have for His Law.
Leviticus 19:18. Do not seek revenge nor bear a grudge against one of your own people… This is a command, one of the 613 Laws to guide you to perfection. He says don't bear this grudge or revenge. …but you shall love your neighbor; whether a brother or an enemy, as yourself. I am Yahweh… When Yahshua said, "Do unto others, as you would want them to do unto you," He was actually quoting this Law; He was referring to this Law of loving your brother as yourself. This is the true love that this word brings forth; it's for Yahweh's Law.
Leviticus 19:34. The stranger living with you must be treated as one of your native-born, and you shall love him as yourself… Nothing sexual about it, just true love, as you would want that person to do you, to show that love.
Go to I Samuyl 20. This is all describing what Yahweh wants, or the deciding factor, the key, to what He looks for in us, in affirming whether we are fit for the 144,000 priesthood or not. We are actually sealed when we come to this point.
I Samuyl 20:17. Yahnathan had David reaffirm his vow, because he loved him, even as he loved his own self... This is describing their friendship, but Yahweh wants this same love in you for His Law.
Look to Proverbs 18. This Scripture is also used in Gesenius, trying to describe this word, love. Proverbs 18:24. ...but a true friend… Notice this, a true friend. …is closer to him than a brother… That is, a blood brother. A true friend is actually closer to this Law than you would be to a blood brother. It would mean more to you than a blood brother would. This is still describing the love for His Law here.
You need to get this down. Get this tape and listen to it and study it until you can realize what Yahweh wants you to see.
Ecclesiastes 12:1. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you say: I find no pleasure in them.
Verse 2, Before the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars become darkened… Yahshua referred to this in His prophecy in Mattithyah 24, when He said the sun was going to be darkened, and the moon would not give her light. …and the clouds do not return after the last rain… In other words, the drought and famine.
Verse 3, In the day when the keepers of the house will tremble, and the strong men will bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and they who look out the windows see darkness.
Verse 4, When the doors will be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is hushed; when men will no longer rise up at the sound of birds, and all the daughters of music will be silenced;
Verse 5, When they are afraid because of danger from on high, and because of terrors in the way; when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper is a burden, and desire fails; because man goes to his everlasting home, and the mourners go about the streets.
Verse 6, Remember your Creator… Remember your Creator before all of this takes place, while you have this opportunity; this is what He is saying here.
Remember your Creator before all this trouble comes upon you. Brethren, now is the time when the trouble comes. The door is going to be shut to the 144,000 priesthood. That's going to be it. Yahweh says, "I will choose them, then the trouble will come." He says, "Remember this while you are being tested."
Verse 13, Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Reverence Yahweh… Reverence Him. …by observing; keeping, His Laws… By making them a part of your life. …for this is the whole duty of man.
Verse 14, For Yahweh will bring every work into judgment, including every secret; hidden, thing, whether it is righteous, or whether it is evil… You may have thought you were hiding these things, while you were whispering to your friends, backbiting, and gossiping, but they are not hidden from Yahweh. This is the conclusion that He says compares with this word, love.
Psalm 119:165. Great peace… Which means all of these things, the shalom, shalam. …have they who love Your Law… In this fashion: earnestly, urgently, in making everything a part of your life, the conclusion of the whole matter.
…and nothing will offend… No, nothing will offend them. The King James Version margin there says there will be stumbling blocks that they will stumble over.
Gesenius says about this stumbling block, against which anyone stumbles, a stumblingblock and points out Leviticus 19:14. Let's go there. This is what I like: when it refers back to Yahweh's Laws.
This is forever. This is what everything is based on. Remember what one of the apostles said, "Spirit is alive because of righteousness." Holy Spirit is only alive in you, as long as you follow Yahweh's Laws, statutes, and judgments. When you start to quench it, that is when you start worshipping Gods. Then, Yahweh turns you back to the reprobate mind and you go off thinking, "Yeah, I'm right in this, boy," even though you're following Zeus.
Leviticus 19:14. Do not curse the deaf or put a stumblingblock in front of the blind; but reverence your Father. I am Yahweh… This is what this is speaking of. It gives you several Scriptures, like Isayah 8:14. Maybe we should look at some of those Scriptures because they speak of stumbling blocks. Remember in Psalms, it said, "Nothing will cause them to stumble."
Isayah 8:14. Then He will be for a sanctuary. But He will be a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both houses of Israyl, and like a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Yerusalem;
Verse 15, Many among them will stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
Verse 16, Bind up the Prophecy… Wow, here is what it tells you to do. He is telling you that Yahshua will be a stumbling block to these people, or the Elders will be stumbling blocks to these people.
Verse 13, Sanctify Yahweh of hosts Himself, let Him be your fear; reverence, and let Him be your dread… Understand that word right there. The word, dread, is #2606 and means awe or entrance. The word, entrance, means refusing to compromise.
So this is saying, "Let Yahweh be the reason you refuse to compromise with the ways of the world."
This word, entrance, also means to abandon. Let this Law be something that you will never abandon. Set your heart upon it, in earnest love, as Yahweh shows you, and never abandon this. It means extreme position or attitude. Let Yahweh be this to you.
Verse 14, Then He will be for a sanctuary; But He will be a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both houses of Israyl, and like a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Yerusalem.
Verse 16, Bind up the Prophecy; seal the Law among My disciples… Among the disciples, only. The rest of the world doesn't have the Law. Yahshua said, "Who is My disciple? He who does the will of My Father is My disciple. If you love Me, do what I say."
This Scripture says, bind the Law. The Law is only bound among you here at The House of Yahweh; it's not bound among the world. The Law is bound among you, only. The world doesn't have the Law.
Verse 16, Bind up the Prophecy; seal the Law among My disciples.
Verse 17, I will wait on Yahweh, Who hides His face from the house of Yaaqob; and I will look for Him.
We're still speaking of stumbling blocks and those who love this Law. If you love this Law, the great peace, the shalom, shalam, with all the meanings of these words, you will have if you earnestly, and urgently, desire to make this love for Yahweh's Law your whole life. By doing this, nothing will cause you to stumble.
Yechetzqyah 3:20. Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity… Yahweh knows this man does not love His Law, like he is supposed to. This is the deciding factor on whether or not that man will get into the Kingdom.
When this righteous man, who has just been following along because he wants the reward, …turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity… Breaking Yahweh's Laws. …then there will be a stumblingblock before him and he will die… He will start thinking he's right when he rejects the Law, and then Yahweh turns him over to the reprobate mind.
This is what Shaul explains, that we just read in Romans 1. Yahweh is the authority, the Head, Who gives these Laws, statutes and judgments, and says, "You must judge according to My judgments, not your own way of thinking." When you reject this authority, no matter how much righteousness you have done in the past, as Yechetzqyah said, it is all going to be forgotten. On the other hand, you could have glory forever; you are going to have what He promises.
…because you did not give him warning… That is, Yechetzqyah did not give him warning. No one here has that excuse, because they have been given the warning week, after week, after week.
…because you did not give him warning, he will die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done will not be remembered; but his blood will I require at your hand.
Verse 21, Nevertheless, if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning; and you will have delivered your own life… Yes, if you warn the righteous, he could have the opportunity, in this training period, to jump off that sheet, and get back in the House. If not, he can ride on with Satan, being dragged off into the wilderness.
We will cover more on this the next time I speak. Read this again in Psalm 119:165. Great peace… That is all these things: the perfection, the peace, the friendship. You can be a friend; this is the way to be a true friend, and to have true friends, being with those who will not turn against Yahweh's Laws. Then, you will be all in one mind, just like Yahweh and Yahshua.
Great peace have all they who… Earnestly and urgently. …love Your Law… With this type of love. …and nothing will offend them… Cause them to stumble. Yahweh says this Himself. This is the way He knows when you develop this love for His Law. Then He says, "I know this; I know that you will never stumble."
May Yahweh keep you in His way. I will turn the services back to the song leader.