103 — Covenant Law Via The Words Of Christ, Part 2
The Sermon On The Mount
Also known as “The Beatitudes”, the Sermon on the Mount makes the case of Psalms 1…
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Eternal, and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for YoHeWaH knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.” Psalms 1:1–6
The word “Beatitude” hails from the Latin word “beatus”, meaning “blessed” or “happy.” Notice the use of the word “Blessed” in the opening of the Sermon on the Mount.
“Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see The Almighty.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of The Almighty.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:1–12
Now compare the two passages. Psalms 1 and Matthew 5. What is the key to being blessed? Take a close look at Psalms 1 for the answer to this question.
but his delight is in the law of the Eternal, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalms 1:2
Clearly, Christianity has missed the answer to this question, which is “Blessing comes through the knowledge and obedience to YoHeWaH’s Covenant Law”. The fact is, Christendom has failed to even ask the right question concerning the Beatitudes… And trust me on this, the shortsightedness, void of critical thought, is one willingness to be ignorant, fat, dumb, and stupid.
Lest you think I am being a little too hard on the Christian world, let’s quickly examine Luke’s account of the Beatitudes, then tell me I’m off base.
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of The Almighty.
“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
“Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.
“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.” Luke 6:20–26
So, let’s examine each of these Beatitude statements from Yeshua’s sermon on the mount.
1 — Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
What is the keyword in this text? The word “poor” is interesting for sure, for it means to be without, but its roots are fear or terror. In other words, to be without, and literally terrified of anything that is not without or that which is rich. Low self-esteem is a significant factor, as evidenced by the reading between the lines. However, in my opinion, this is not the keyword in the statement.
As we have already witnessed several times throughout this series, the use of the Greek word pneuma, translated as “spirit,” leads to some of the most misguided teachings within the Christian world. The use of this word in the Beatitudes is no exception.
The word pneuma is used seven different ways in the New Testament. They are:
1 — πνεῦμα — 160 Occurrences. — YoHeWaH’s Spirit and Man’s Spirit joined together, yet imperfect, as of yet…. A work in progress.
2 — πνεύμασι — 2 Occurrences — YoHeWaH’s Spirit perfected, either totally righteous or totally evil… And yes, YoHeWaH’s Spirit can be evil. He is the creator of both.
3 — πνεύμασιν — 3 Occurrences. — YoHeWaH’s evil Spirits, imperfect in evil, in subjection to true righteousness. Minor evil spirit.
4 — πνεύματα — 18 Occurrences — The Plural of YoHeWaH’s Spirit, whether righteous or evil in nature, but being subject to YoHeWaH’s power, directly from YoHeWaH, only.
5 — πνεύματι — 92 Occurrences — YoHeWaH’s Spirit standing alone, apart from being joined to man’s Spirit.
6 — πνευμάτων — 11 Occurrences — The Plural of YoHeWaH’s Spirit, whether righteous or evil in nature, but being subject to YoHeWaH’s power, working in man.
7 — πνεύματος — 97 Occurrences — In fullness of the indwelling of YoHeWaH’s Spirit, in full character, perfected in righteousness and loyalty.
In the above statement, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”, the word spirit falls into category number 5, “YoHeWaH’s Spirit standing alone, apart from being joined to man’s Spirit.”
Thus, the text can be understood, “Blessed are those (poor) void of YoHeWaH’s spirit apart from being joined to man’s spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Wait… What? Blessed are those who DO NOT have YoHeWaH’s Spirit? That makes no sense. Well, just be patient and let’s see if it does or doesn’t. We’ve just gotten started, and there is a running theme that has obviously been badly missed by scholars, in my opinion. Remember, this is the opening message to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. The introduction to what Yeshua’s ministry is all about.
2 — Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted
The word translated “mourn” is only used in one section of scripture in the same tense as it is used in Matthew 5 in the above-quoted verse. The context tells the story. You’ll recognize it instantly. It hails from Revelation 18 concerning the fall of Babylon.
“The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and MOURNING aloud,
“Alas, alas, for the great city
that was clothed in fine linen,
in purple and scarlet,
adorned with gold,
with jewels, and with pearls!
For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.”And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning,
“What city was like the great city?”
And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and MOURNED, crying out,
“Alas, alas, for the great city
where all who had ships at sea
grew rich by her wealth!
For in a single hour she has been laid waste.Revelation 18:15–19
A commentary from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon concerning the word used in this text states this:
In the Septuagint, πενθέω renders Hebrew terms for lamentation over death (Genesis 37:34), NATIONAL CALAMITY (Isaiah 19:8), and personal sin (Joel 2:12). This background supplies the prophetic texture heard in New Testament calls to mourn, linking grief to COVENANT VIOLATION and anticipation of divine comfort. Bible Hub, Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
Again, the implication from the statement “Blessed are those who mourn, for they should be comforted” isn’t that Believers should be walking around in mourning, downtrodden, and humbled to no end because that is the state YoHeWaH wants us to be in. Mourning for the state of personal sin, only to be saved by Christ’s shed blood, which sums up the gospel of personal salvation…
Fact is, while it is very true that Christ’s shed blood does begin the process of personal deliverance, His ministry is so much greater than your little individual salvation. It speaks more abundantly to the redemption of a nation and a government, as well as the preparation of Believers to be trained to serve in righteousness within a redeemed administration of YoHeWaH’s coming Kingdom.
3 — Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
We have a lot to discuss within this vast text of scripture. Firstly, it must be noted that Christendom doesn’t miss the mark when it comes to defining the word MEEK. However, I would like to take a moment to drive home a point I have continually made throughout this series… That being, The Assemblies of Yeshua, Believers that are qualifying and training to hold office positions within His coming Government, are anti-typological effects of a chased, righteous woman or WIFE, as in the WIFE of YoHeWaH, The Father, the Woman of Revelation 12:1.
Please note the following three passages to which we can glean much in this vein.
“Likewise, WIVES, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external — the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear — but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a GENTLE (meek) and quiet spirit, which in The FATHER’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in The Almighty used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.” 1Peter 3:1–6
A MEEK and Quiet Spirit defines this “wife” of YoHeWaH in typology, along with all the other qualities listed here by Peter. It is also worth noting that the word “spirit” in this text falls into category number seven listed above.
7 — πνεύματος — 97 Occurrences — In fullness of the indwelling of YoHeWaH’s Spirit, in full character, perfected in righteousness and loyalty.
It also must be noted, Yeshua himself, in the flesh, was an equally perfect example of this gentle, meek, quiet spirit. Out of Yeshua’s own mouth, concerning himself, we read…
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am GENTLE (meek) and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28–30
And concerning the infamous Triumphal Entry of Christ into Jerusalem in the Passion Week, we read these words describing Yeshua’s fleshly existence, a quote from the Prophet Zechariah
“Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
HUMBLE (meek), and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” Matthew 21:5
I must interject another key element of Scripture that I have tried to drive home over the years… The coming governmental structure of YoHeWaH’s Kingdom is a two-throned system, which mirrors the husband-and-wife relationship established by The Almighty as the perfect form of family government. It is a King and Priest system, with the King playing the role of the husband and the Priest fulfilling the role of the woman or wife in the equation.
Back to the statement, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth…”
When we analyze the meaning of “inherit,” what we find is nothing short of esoteric information. Remember the meaning of esoteric? A hidden mystery, very difficult to understand.
The word is tied directly to race, and what’s more, it is also tied to being broken. A broken race of Adamkind, being prepared to govern in YoHeWaH’s coming Kingdom. The word is used three other times in the Greek New Testament in the exact same tense that it is used here in Matthew’s account of Christ’s Beatitudes. Let’s examine the texts.
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not INHERIT the kingdom of YoHeWaH? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will INHERIT the kingdom of YoHeWaH. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Yeshua, The Christ, and by the Spirit of our Father.” 1Corinthians 6:9–10
And
“But if you are led by the SPIRIT, you are not under the (Levitical Priesthood) law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not INHERIT the kingdom of God. But the fruits of the SPIRIT are, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no (need for the added punishment of the Levitical Priesthood) law. And those who belong to Christ Yeshua have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:19–24
The use of the word ‘inherit’, referring to an inheritance tied to offices held in the coming government of YoHeWaH, adheres to certain Covenant Law stipulations that define righteousness. Remember, righteousness is defined by scripture itself:
“My tongue will sing of your word,
for all your commandments are righteousness.” Psalms 119:172
Teachable moment: In furthering the ways in which “pneuma” is used throughout the New Testament Greek, in the above passage from Galatians, we find this word used twice, and yes, it is used in two different ways, lending us two very different meanings.
The text opens with the words, “But if you are led by the SPIRIT,” and later, we find this word pneuma used again, denoting a very different level of spiritual existence. “But the fruits of the SPIRIT are…”.
The first use of pneuma is: 5 — πνεύματι — 92 Occurrences — YoHeWaH’s Spirit standing alone, apart from being joined to man’s Spirit.
The second use of pneuma is: 7 — πνεύματος — 97 Occurrences — In fullness of the indwelling of YoHeWaH’s Spirit, in full character, perfected in righteousness and loyalty.
So, plug this information into what you are reading within the Beatitudes. Again, Yeshua is delivering a message that is so much greater than what Christendom has laid upon it. It speaks to the much larger goal of government, and the Covenant Law righteousness required to qualify for an office within the administration of YoHeWaH.
The Beatitudes continues:
4 —Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
The case was based on Psalm 119:172… All of YoHeWaH’s commandments (Covenant Law) define righteousness. I could leave this fourth Beatitude right there… Nuff Said. However, there is quite a bit more that we must address concerning what it means to hunger and thirst.
If I may, just one of any number of examples that I could bring forth from the early years of America’s constituted period, a massive list of commentators on the Beatitudes found within the Sermon on the Mount. See if you can pull out a concise theme at work concerning this text from Joseph Benson’s commentary on Matthew 5:6.
“That, instead of desiring the possessions of others, and endeavoring to obtain them by violence or deceit; and instead of coveting this world’s goods, sincerely, earnestly, and perseveringly desire universal holiness of heart and life, or deliverance from all sinful dispositions and practices, and a complete restoration of their souls to the image of God in which they were created: a just and beautiful description this of that fervent, constant, increasing, restless, and active desire; of that holy ardour and vehemence of soul in pursuit of the most eminent degrees of universal goodness which will end in complete satisfaction: For they shall be filled — Shall obtain the righteousness which they hunger and thirst for, and be abundantly satisfied therewith.” Joseph Benson, Methodist Pastor, Published 1811, commentary on Matthew 5:6.
A compact review of the above comments from early American Biblical Scholar Joseph Benson, concerning Matthew 5:6 indicates to me that He is telling Believers to never become satisfied with the status quo. To never become STAGNANT in your spiritual growth and certainly not in your knowledge.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
because you have rejected knowledge,
I reject you from being a priest to me.
And since you have forgotten the (Covenant) law of your Mighty One,
I also will forget your children.” Hosea 4:6
To hunger and thirst for righteousness to seek a perfect understanding of YoHeWaH’s Covenant Law, fulfilling the meaning of Matthew 5:6.
5 — Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
As a critical thinker within my studies of scripture, I am constantly questioning the ethos of the translators. Does a passage resonate with the rest of scripture? On the surface, the above statement, which basically states that anyone who is merciful to others will receive mercy, sounds plausible and structurally sound. However, this understanding pushes a one-way agenda. It’s all about what a Believer “GETS” out of the equation. The Believer gets mercy if they lend mercy to others.
Now, to be fair, the Beatitudes are about blessings which are obtained as the end result. So, please do not take me the wrong way here. I’m certainly not saying the stated surface principle is incorrect in any way. I am stating that I believe there is more to the passage than meets the eye.
First, let us address the first keyword in the text, which is translated as “merciful”. The best way to come to grips with its meaning is to consider the only other place in the New Testament where this word is used.
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore, he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a MERCIFUL and faithful high priest in the service of The Almighty, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:14–18
The point here is that Christ had to become like us to relate to our circumstances before He could truly know mercy. Once He did know that kind of mercy, because of the compassion developed in His flesh, He was worthy and able to then properly sit as High Priest. In other words, the level of compassion and the ability to be merciful must be built and developed through life experiences. Another statement of the preparation process that YoHeWaH is leading us through for the express purpose of bringing Believers to the place of righteous governance.
That explains what it means to be merciful. Now, let us deal with the latter — obtaining/receiving mercy.
There is a passage that clearly states the surface understanding. From the verses below, we can ascertain what tense of the word mercy should be used if Christ was speaking solely of the receiving of mercy. First, I will explain the passage, then proceed.
“Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment of YoHeWaH: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath OBTAINED mercy of YoHeWaH to be faithful.” 1Corinthians 7:25
The Greek word translated “OBTAINED mercy” in the above text is ἠλεημένος.
The word translated “RECEIVED mercy” in Christ’s words from Matthew 5:7 is ἐλεηθήσονται.
It is interesting. These are the only two places where the exact tenses of these words are used accordingly. Usually, when this situation arises, it creates an opportunity to fully distinguish between the two as distinct opposites. Clearly, Paul is referring to the time when he received mercy from YoHeWaH. The opposite of receiving mercy would be lending or giving mercy, which again, fits hand in glove with the theme of preparing Believers to be able to judge and/or govern in the coming Kingdom, in righteousness. Thus, the text can be understood as:
“Blessed are those who have developed mercy, for they will be worthy to give mercy.”
6 — Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see The Almighty
Pure, Heart, and See are all keywords that have to be properly defined and compared correctly to other passages if we are going to see the true intent of this Beatitude.
What comes to mind when you consider the word “pure”?
I assure you, the universal Christian world would lose their minds if they were in this study right now. The depths of Christ’s words from this passage of Scripture introduce a major concept of Covenant Law that we will see repeated throughout His words, which we will address in this study.
In modernity, the subject of race has become a taboo topic, especially when it comes to scripture. We have addressed the following passage already in this series, but it’s profitable here to lend a re-telling.
“However, you may slaughter and eat meat within any of your towns, as much as you desire, according to the blessing of YoHeWaH your Mighty One that he has given you. The UNCLEAN and the CLEAN may eat of it, as of the gazelle and as of the deer.” Deuteronomy 12:15
It is a shocking revelation to many that scripture is clear… There are classes of human beings listed racially as clean and unclean. Adamites are clean. Non-Adamites are unclean. What’s more, Adamites can become unclean via any of the various anti-covenant law actions that we have addressed already, such as race mixing, sexual perversion, religious divergence, and even tattoos. Anything that perverts the flesh or the DNA of the flesh can lend a disqualifying status to any given Adamite toward that of firstfruits.
Have you ever wondered about this passage?
“Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, FOR THEY ARE VIRGINS. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for YoHeWaH and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.” Revelation 14:1–5
None of us is pure. After 6K years of the tainting process, we call living life. We have all been defiled by the traps The Enemy has laid for us to be born into. I once had a Methodist pastor anoint me with his finger, placing a cross on my forehead with oil. I am an adulterer, having been married more than once, and I could go on and on about my own misgivings… All of which fall at the feet of the stake that Yeshua hung on.
But what does it mean to be “pure” IN HEART?
The heart is best understood as one’s intent.
“Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of YoHeWaH is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and INTENTIONS OF THE HEART.” Hebrews 4:11–12
The two words, Heart and Intent, are not just synonyms for one another; they are twins of the same nature… a pregnancy test of the highest order.
The desire to see YoHeWaH is written on all our DNA. Moses desired to see His Creator but was only granted half the blessing, as YoHeWaH allowed him to view His backside.
“One thing have I asked of YoHeWaH,
That will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of YoHeWaH
and to inquire in his temple (government). Psalms 27:4
And
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called offspring of YoHeWaH; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are The Almighty’s offspring now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because WE SHALL SEE him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as HE IS PURE.” 1John 3:1–3
Settled a layer or two down beneath the surface, much like fine gold, is a statement of regeneration that basically states… Only the purity of an Israelite developed into the perfected, loyal saint can be rewarded with the full visual knowledge of YoHeWaH’s true nature.
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of The Most High and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of The Most High and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. THEY WILL SEE HIS FACE, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for The Sovereign YoHeWaH will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:1–5
7 — Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of the Almighty
Before addressing what constitutes a peacemaker, I must first address straightaway the profound truth concerning the structure of the YoHeWaH family.
Any given family has a living patriarch. Of course, the patriarch of the YoHeWaH family is the One Yeshua came to reveal, The Father. No mystery there. However, despite what Christendom may tell you concerning the limited structure of the Trinity of God, the family of YoHeWaH is a revolving door of life, ever growing and ever creating. There appear to be levels of salvation, placing the overcomer in a kind of election, with the goal being the birth of more sons into the family of YoHeWaH.
Not all overcomers in the flesh earn the right to bear children for YoHeWaH, The Father. This seems to be a dividing stipulation between the Revelation 12:1 Believers and the Revelation 12:17 Believers. Consider the following passage as the sect of Judaism known as Sadducees came to Christ, trying to stump him according to their own (correct) understanding:
“There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. And the second and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. Afterward the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.” Luke 20:27–32
Please know, the Sadducees believe exactly as I do concerning regeneration as opposed to resurrection. Christ’s answer to their trick question satisfied their own understanding perfectly, as He also disseminated truth to the depths, multiple layers down.
“And Yeshua said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of The Almighty, being sons of the resurrection. But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Sovereign Mighty One of Abraham and the Mighty One of Isaac and the Mighty One of Jacob. Now He is not Mighty One of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” For they no longer dared to ask him any question.” Luke 20:34–40
When Yeshua speaks of the resurrection, there is no way he is speaking of the kind of resurrection that most Believers who reject the heaven and hell doctrine believe in. One major difference between the Sadducees and Pharisees was based upon this very topic of the nuts and bolts concerning exactly how a person who has died a physical death was brought back to life once again. The Pharisees believe in the ludicrous theology that says a resurrection occurs when the graves are literally opened and the dead skeleton of a body comes back to life. In my opinion, the Sadducees had it right. That type of resurrection was not in the cards, and it was a great debate at the time, and still is to this very day.
The point here is this… YoHeWaH is constantly refining the soul (life) of his creation. The ultimate goal is not to be a son or offspring born of YoHeWaH, but to become worthy of a marital Covenant relationship with Him, able to see him for exactly what He is… All of Him. Even some of those who overcome and obtain eternal life fall short of this highest of all honors. I’m sure some will be offended to hear me teach that being called a son of YoHeWaH is not the highest honor Our Creator bestows on Believers.
Now concerning the other keyword in this text… The Peacemakers.
In my detailed study of this word, translated as ‘peacemakers,’ I am unable to draw any exegetical conclusions. There is not much to go on.
This is the only instance in the entire Bible, encompassing both the Old and New Testaments, where this word is used. The key is not defining peace, but defining what it takes to MAKE peace. The last two letters in the word may aid in determining the answer to that question…
The word translated peacemakers is εἰρηνοποιοί in Greek.
οί is often used in Classical and Biblical Greek as a cry of pain, grief, or lamentation. This brings to mind this passage, which ties directly to the Day of Atonement.
“Cry aloud; do not hold back;
lift up your voice like a trumpet;
declare to my people their transgression,
to the house of Jacob their sins.
Yet they seek me daily
and delight to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that did righteousness
and did not forsake the judgment of their Mighty One;
they ask of me righteous judgments;
they delight to draw near to YoHeWaH.” Isaiah 58:1–2
8 — Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The keyword in the above statement is obviously translated as “persecuted”; however, just as with the other key words in the Beatitudes before this one, this word is a rare bird, with multiple possible layers of meaning. Notice the two words that could be understood as:
1 — Persecuted
2 — Pursue
One is an adverse action, to be persecuted, and one is a positive action, to pursue. So, which is it? On the surface, any Believer could fully understand why the passage is translated the way it is. YoHeWaH would bless anyone who is persecuted for righteousness’ sake. However, it makes just as much sense that those who pursue righteousness would be granted an office or position within the coming Kingdom or Government of YoHeWaH.
It might even be stated that the passage could be translated either way, but have you ever heard it translated using the word pursue? Yeah, me either. You know why? Because to pursue righteousness is an active vocation toward earning your salvation… A definite no-no in Christianity.
If I had to choose which way this passage should read, the next verse answers that question. Verse 10 and verse 11 both use the Greek word Dioko (G1377), however, the tense of the word differs greatly. In this Beatitude, the word dediōgmenoi is used. Now, notice the same base word used in the next Beatitude, which denotes a persecution of the Believer. Reason says it is implausible Yeshua would repeat Himself in two straight Beatitudes.
9 — Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
As stated above, the blessing for being persecuted is seemingly repeated in this Beatitude. However, I lean toward the interpretation that the last Beatitude’s meaning is to pursue, and the blessing for taking persecution for righteousness’ sake falls within this, as stated in verse 11. The keyword used in this text is also G1377, but the tense of the word is diōxōsin. It must be noted that the rest of this passage is translated correctly. Revile and utter and evil against you are all good likenesses for the Greek words used, and these words certainly fit with the persecution of a Believer.
Teachable Moment — I talk quite a lot about the boxes that have to be checked for the complete Saint to manifest into a Spirit Being at the 1Corinthians 15:50–52 moment. I’m pretty sure all of us have experienced far greater persecution than anything we will experience in this lifetime, already. I have spoken to Believers who desire to be martyrs for Christ. I’ve never understood that. The principle of laying down one’s life should never be viewed through the eyes of what such an action does for YoHeWaH, like The Almighty would be pleased if we lay down our lives for Him. The pursuit of laying down one’s life should be viewed through the eyes of benefiting others, not YoHeWaH, and indeed not any feather in the Believer’s cap.
Before we move on to Yeshua’s other teachings on the Mount, let’s quickly visit Luke’s witness to the Beatitude lessons.
“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of YoHeWaH.
“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
“Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.
“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.” Luke 6:20–26
We hear it all the time from great Bible scholars and teachers in any given denomination… “Context is everything”. Yet, it is always noticeable that these same would-be educators of the scripture never address the depth of the context; it’s always a shallow surface understanding of the passage in study. At any rate, here is Luke’s recording of the Beatitudes, we find a classic example of a profound typological contextual lesson to consider, leading up to what Luke heard Our Savior teach that faithful day.
The first thing I want to bring out is the double Sabbath Day example Luke uses to set the stage for the rest of the chapter, especially the Beatitudes.
“On a Sabbath, while he was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands. But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?” And Yeshua answered them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of YoHeWaH and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those with him?” And he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” Luke 6:1–5
There are two quick points I would like to make concerning the above text.
1 — The principle of “lording over” by the religious institutions is not a new concept. The all-seeing eye regulating our walk in Christ and with YoHeWaH is not limited to the government. There is a “Big Brother” within the church as well.
2 — Whether you know it or not, there is a behind-the-scenes battle that takes place between the King and Priest throughout scripture. The best example of this friction has to be viewed through the spiritual specs of understanding from the Revelation of the Old Testament… The book of Zechariah.
“And the word of YoHeWaH came to me: “Take from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon, and go the same day to the house of Josiah, the son of Zephaniah. Take from them silver and gold, and make a crown, and set it on the head of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. And say to him, ‘Thus says YoHeWaH of hosts, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of YoHeWaH. It is he who shall build the temple of YoHeWaH and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, AND THE COUNCIL OF PEACE SHALL BE BETWEEN THEM BOTH.”’ And the crown shall be in the temple of YoHeWaHas a reminder to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah.” Zechariah 6:9–14
The following article explains this governmental arrangement in fine detail, just in case this principle of a two, in fact three throned government has escaped your understanding thus far.
The Woman of Revelation 12 Sitting Between King And Priest | by Joey Thompson | Medium
The point being, the matters of the King, as in David’s needs at the time in the political moving and shakings of ancient Israel, took precedence over the substructures of the Priesthood. The best example of this for clarity would be the relationship between a husband and a wife. When push comes to shove, the final decision belongs to the husband in the relationship, although the woman’s input must always be heavily considered with wisdom. In this case, exemplified from 1Samuel 21, where Christ is quoting from, the future King of Israel’s needs at the time won the day over the regulation of the Priesthood.
The second Sabbath reference also holds governmental implications.
“On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose RIGHT HAND was withered. And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, “COME AND STAND HERE.” And he rose and stood there. And Yeshua said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” And after looking around at them all he said to him, “STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND.” And he did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Yeshua.” Luke 6:6–11
1 — It must be noted that the RIGHT HAND is where the mark of the Beast is located. Revelation 13:16. YoHeWaH’s mark or sign does not signify which hand His mark is placed on. See Deuteronomy 6:8 and Exodus 13:16. The point being, the reference to the right hand, the hand of one’s oath, shows an allegiance to the system one serves under. In the first Sabbath reference, we see a divide between King and Priest… i.e., government. Here, in the second reference, we see a right loyalty to which system one serves. The Mark of The Beast or The Mark of YoHeWaH.
2 — The Sabbath has long since been understood as a typology of the coming Millennium of YoHeWaH. Healing on the Sabbath Day holds profound significance to the restoration of all things within the future administration of Our Savior.
3 — The reference to “doing harm” on the Sabbath Day cannot be overlooked. The story behind the six plus one equation that is the Millennial week of time, culminating in the Millennial Sabbath, is that YoHeWaH has given man six thousand years to prove that Adamkind is entirely unable to govern himself in righteousness apart from YoHeWaH’s instructions… “Doing harm” to himself and society in general. Again, a subtle governmental reference for those with eyes to see.
That said, the lead-up to Luke’s version of Yeshua’s words concerning the Beatitudes is not complete. The Physician continues to set the stage…
“In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to The Almighty. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.” Luke 6:12–19
Again, let’s bring out some visual representations buried within this text.
1 — A Mountain in scripture is a typology of government, and a prayer is rightly defined as a set of petitions made to a higher authority. The time setting is at night or as your spiritual mind should reason within a typological look, at winter or the period when YoHeWaH’s Festival season is dormant… A period when all Believers need aid from the darkness of society. Personally, I always factor in Jeremiah 6:4–5 when the word night is presented in any given text, concerning the Ezekiel 38 attack on our nation, and our government needs aid as well.
2 — Any list of the Apostles, like here in this text, should also bring readers to the scriptural governmental tie to the following passage…
“Truly, I say to you, in the new world (The Millennial Reign), when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:28
And
“You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom… that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke 22:28–30
3 — Did you catch the “level place” reference? “And he came down with them and stood on a level place”. I have taught for some time now that Yeshua is a forerunner for an even higher fulfillment of the Son of Man. That is to say, there is a duality to the whole “Son of Man” reference throughout the gospels. Yeshua always met the people where they were. There was never a gulf between the two. Today, the fulfillment of the typology that is the Son of Man in prophecy does not currently “come down from government to meet the people on a level place”. However, it is my opinion that circumstances will one day avail the typological fulfillment of this statement.
4 — And the people being addressed when that does occur in these last days will be who? Answer — “a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the SEACOAST of Tyre and Sidon”.
I frequently discuss how scripture comes alive for the reader when typology is applied. This passage is a classic example of that statement. The reference to the seacoast should call to mind the numerous references to the Sea, the sand of the sea, the waters of Admiralty Law and Regulatory Code, etc. That system is bolstered by the guns and jail cells of the ship of Tyre, our judicial system where commercial code law begins, complete with the banks of Sidon in typology. It is a direct reference to the Beast System of Crony Capitalism backed by a corrupted judicial system, legislated by the deceived people of Judah and JerUSAlem. What’s more, they are all sick, “troubled with unclean spirits”.
Now, with all of this information in mind, as Luke has delivered to us an esoteric context to consider, we can properly delve into the various aspects of the Beatitudes recorded by Luke, which are broken down into a set of blessings and then a set of curses.
“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.” Luke 6:20–23
The statement, “he lifted up his eyes on his disciples” is used four other times in the New Testament. The Greek word here is simply the eyes; however, when we look at the tense of how this exact Greek word is used, the implication is: One who lifts up His eyes from a stance of mourning. It must also be noted that Yeshua directed these Beatitudes toward His disciples, not toward the crowd who were listening in.
There is a hidden storyline to these blessings and curses listed within this portion of what is called the Sermon on the Mount… And make no mistake, it is directed at His Disciples, typologies of The Woman of Revelation 12:1. The lesson is this… Pay attention to the governmental aspect of this gospel. Do not fall into the trap that is solely religion.
There is also a particular third-person aspect to this section of the Beatitudes that was not conveyed in Matthew’s account. Let me break it down for you. All three persons are in the scene.
First person — Yeshua, the speaker.
Second person — The Disciples being spoken to about the state of the third person in the equation
Third person — The people of Judah and JerUSAlem, who either currently run the government of the UNITED STATES or are vastly affected by the Beast System of the Deep State in power today.
Matthew’s telling of the Beatitudes shows the effect that YoHeWaH’s coming government will have on the people of the land. Luke’s account spells out the impact the future government will have on His Disciples directly, while showing the plight of the people at that time.
Matthew’s account can be understood, “Blessed are (everyone in general, believers and non-believers alike).”
Luke’s account can be understood like so… “Blessed are you (my Disciples who follow my ways) for yours will be such and such a blessing.” Now, with this deeper distinction in mind. Let’s look closely at the curses side of the equation.
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
“Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.
“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.” Luke 6:24–26
It is essential to fully understand that the various layers applied to this text affect us all. On the surface layer, yes, the rich and well-to-do have a particular obstacle to overcome, which is trust in the god of money. Yeshua also stated, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of YoHewaH.” That statement, too, has more than one meaning. However, on a much broader plane, Yeshua’s words here apply to those who have been given knowledge and maybe even a governmental position in the Church age. This mindset is conveyed later in Christ’s second ministry through the hand of John.
“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of The Almighty’s creation.
“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I AM RICH, I HAVE PROSPERED, and I NEED NOTHING, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:14–22
At the heart of the matter is the development of self-righteousness, which has nothing whatsoever to do with money. I mean, there is a self-righteousness tied to the gain of money, but on the level that matters, that’s not even in the ballpark of salvation or service within Our Father’s government. Self-righteousness has a very close cousin, which is always causing trouble within the Bible community… Pride that comes before a fall. The fall is the curse that Yeshua is speaking of within this warning element of the Beatitudes.
At this moment, within the Sermon on the Mount, Yeshua has lent to us a context of what is expected, both from us as Believers, and what is expected to transpire when YoHeWaH’s government is established. From this moment forward in the message, we see the insertion of the missing ingredient into the failed equation that is YoHeWaH’s six-thousand-year experiment with Adamkind. The unseen necessity and essential component would be the core topic of this curriculum… Covenant Law.
My wife is an expert at sampling a prepared meal and pointing out the missing ingredient needed to make the meal perfect. Whether it’s salt in the beans or a side that goes with the main course… She nails it every time.
In the same vein, please make no mistake, from this point forward, Yeshua nails it. Covenant Law is detailed in applicable ways for any given society, but especially for the community of Believers who are being trained to serve in YoHeWaH’s coming government.
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods, do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” Luke 6:27–31
Tell you what, let’s start a list of the various aspects of Covenant Law that can be gleaned from these words Christ conveys just within the Sermon on the Mount. From the above passage, I would place the heading of these words as “Selflessness”. So, that’s number one on the list. We will add to this list as we move forward in the message Christ gave on the level plane of the mountain.
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13–16
When switching between Luke and Matthew, remember to pay attention to who Christ is speaking to and about. In Matthew’s gospel, there are only two persons: the speaker and those spoken to, who are the people and the disciples included in that group. However, in Luke’s gospel, there are three persons. In the above text from Matthew’s first look into Covenant Law aspects, the directive is a national element involved.
Question… What color is salt? It’s a valid question and one that reflects the message of Christ.
Teachable Moment: Salt is a clear crystal, individually. In other words, a grain of salt, when viewed through a microscope, is transparent, void of color whatsoever. However, when gathered together, various crystallites of salt begin to refract light in such a way that the color white appears. If you didn’t know… When you combine all seven colors of the rainbow, the color you get, even when mixing paint, is white…
And yes, this ties directly to the racial aspects of regeneration. We will get to the details of this topic within Yeshua’s message later in the gospels, but for now, just know, He is talking to the nation of Israel about Israel’s role in the world, nationally. The city that has to be set on a hill is America, the biblical, end-time city of JerUSAlem.
Again, there are layers of understanding within all these points of Covenant Law. One such surface understanding is on a personal level to which each Believer should aspire to attain, which is to be a light for YoHeWaH and His ways. My goal within this series is to point out the various aspects of Christ’s words that are esoteric and hidden from most of Christendom, lending a deeper understanding of our Savior’s words.
So, let’s categorically add aspect number two to our list of headings defining Covenant Law from Christ’s words above. How about National Responsibility?
Our current Covenant Law list looks like this:
1 — Selflessness
2 — National Responsibility
Matthew continues:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17–20
Who is Yeshua speaking to, again? All of Israel. Not just the Disciples, who would have known this fact perfectly, except for that last part about the “righteousness exceeding that of the scribes and Pharisees,”. I assure you that part was new to the Disciples.
We also must rightly separate Covenant Law from Levitical Priesthood Law in this text. Separate them, yes, but abolish them, no. Neither is abolished until all is fulfilled. Question… Did Israel become converted and build a set-apart, righteous character when Yeshua was on the stake? The process began toward that point for Believers, rendering the aspects of the Levitical Priesthood unnecessary, but as far as physical Israel is concerned… In the Millennium, there will be a need for a reinstatement of the Levitical Priesthood once again, as a punishment for Israel to serve under, as the infancy of their character and spiritual development begins.
The point being… Neither set of laws is abolished. Not one aspect of them, at that time, was done away with. These words define “Education”. Our List looks like this:
1 — Selflessness (From Luke)
2 — National Responsibility (From Matthew)
3 — Education Concerning Law (From Matthew)
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons (offspring) of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:32–38
The perfectly balanced teeter-totter of faith defines Covenant Law perfected. What makes The Almighty’s Law the Law of Liberty is the equilibrium between Justice and Mercy, with Faith as its fulcrum. Notice how Yeshua puts it, within a condemnation of the Edomite Pharisees later in His ministry.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: JUSTICE, MERCY, and FAITH.” Matthew 23:23
Earlier, Luke showed hints of justice in recording Yeshua’s words… The cursed side of the Beatitudes. Here, right after pronouncing the selflessness aspect of Covenant Law, the first quality on our running list, Luke records the other side of the stability of Covenant Law… Mercy. It must also be noted that selflessness is a direct synonym for rock-solid faith. Thus, within the opening words of the Sermon on the Mount, Yeshua has correctly identified the foundation of Covenant Law from an individual leadership point of view. Justice, Faith, and Mercy.
I also need to convey a clear understanding of the word Justice. Justice is not judgment. Judgment is an offspring of Justice. Likewise, Justice has another offspring called Discernment. The two lads of Justice, Judgment, and Discernment are the cornerstone of one side of Covenant Law.
In like manner, Liberty is not Freedom. Liberty is the father of freedom. Liberty is the free moral agency to act with responsibility in tow. Freedom is the actions of free moral agency void of responsibility in tow. Liberty does have a righteous offspring, called Independence, and Independence requires self-governance under Covenant Law.
Our current list now looks like this:
1 — Selflessness, which is true Faith (From Luke)
2 — National Responsibility (From Matthew)
3 — Education Concerning Law (From Matthew)
4 — Justice and Mercy (From Luke)
Matthew has a thing or two to say about Justice as he continues to record Yeshua’s words that day. As you read these words, there’s another factor of Covenant Law that becomes interwoven into Christ’s teaching here.
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to the judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to the judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.” Matthew 5:21–26
Question… What is at the heart of the words recorded above? I mean, besides judgment. We could indeed discuss further the words “the judgment,” which is a direct reference to the afterlife. Or we could teach the second layer of judgment, down from the heavenly one, after one’s death, which is before a jury of his peers. Alternatively, we could discuss the judgment on the final day. However, if we were to do so, you might miss the next aspect of Covenant Law to which Yeshua is speaking.
Self-control, which is based on self-responsibility, is the following attribute from Covenant Law that Yeshua is preaching on. During the weeks leading up to Passover, we say along these lines with words such as “to examine yourself” and “looking inwardly”. In other words, always be willing to see yourself for who and what you are and then get control of that wayward aspect and overcome it. If not, you can be sure some form of judgment is heading your way.
Our current list now looks like this:
1 — Selflessness, which is true Faith (From Luke)
2 — National Responsibility (From Matthew)
3 — Education Concerning Law (From Matthew)
4 — Justice and Mercy (From Luke)
5 — Self Control (From Matthew)
Luke chimes in with a parable from Christ’s message.
“He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone, when he is fully trained, will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” Luke 6:39–42
The governmental theme continues from Luke’s account. Many today would agree that our government and churches are a good example of the blind leading the blind… Straight into the pit of hell. What’s more, if the teachers are blind, will their disciples not also be blind? I am quickly reminded of a passage we have turned to again and again throughout this curriculum.
“About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of The Almighty. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:11–13
It is worth noting that Matthew also records the principle of leading by example, which involves overcoming both in-character and knowledge deficiencies, before attempting to lead your brother out of the traps set by The Enemy. When we see both authors recounting the same principle, that principle is tantamount to both the individual and collective body.
With all of that in mind, please also consider the principal occupation that you, as a Believer, are training for… To become a teacher of righteousness, which defines Covenant Law. “when he is fully trained, will be like his teacher.” and “For though by this time you ought to be teachers.”
Our growing list now looks like this:
1 — Selflessness, which is true Faith (From Luke)
2 — National Responsibility (From Matthew)
3 — Education Concerning Law (From Matthew)
4 — Justice and Mercy (From Luke)
5 — Self Control (From Matthew)
6 — Brotherly Kindness Exampled by Character and Knowledge (from Matthew and Luke)
For the next while, we will solely be addressing Matthew’s account until we catch up with Luke’s account, which has run ahead of Matthew.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.” Matthew 5:27–30
The broad, vast majority of Christendom reads this passage and the ones to follow, concentrating all their teaching abilities on the action of lust or hatred, or all of the surface symbolism they can glean, while sprinkling in just a little judgment for good measure, failing to address any of the details to such judgment, and why. So, allow me to cut to the chase concerning the sin of adultery. Then, I’ll address the hidden portion of this text that holds a much larger meaning at hand.
First of all, let me be clear. Adultery is mixing. It is not thinking evil thoughts or looking at a woman with lust. It is the action of DNA mixing. What’s more, it is a one-way street. A woman is the only one who can take on the DNA of multiple men. Men do not take on the DNA of various women. A man can cause a woman to commit adultery by lying with her, then failing to take her as wife.
The action of lust can lead to the action of adultery… And that is the point. The first reference to committing adultery in the above text is a direct quote from the LXX in Exodus 20. However, the second reference in the text is an elevated understanding of the action of adultery… One that goes to the spiritual context of confusion and mixing but does not define the physicality of the act of lust.
The point being… One does not instantly reach the level following this command upon conversion. Some never attain the height of spiritual self-control. Lust is a natural human tendency that has to be overcome. It is not a simple process and should be viewed in terms akin to that of a high school athlete who aspires to become a professional athlete. That aspiration is a work in progress.
The real implication of this text reveals the esoteric implications of judgment… And not the kind of judgment you might think.
The word translated “hell”, as in “For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell” is a direct reference to the Valley of the Son of Hinnom. The word in the Greek is G-1067
Grennan, and it is defined as valley of (the son of) Hinnom or ge-henna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, {used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment}.
“For the sons of Judah have done evil in my sight, declares YoHeWaH. They have set their detestable things in the house that is called by my name, to defile it. And they have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into my mind. Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares YoHeWaH, when it will no more be called Topheth, or the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter; for they will bury in Topheth, because there is no room elsewhere. And the dead bodies of this people will be food for the birds of the air, and for the beasts of the earth, and none will frighten them away. And I will silence in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, for the land shall become a waste.” Jeremiah 7:30–34
During the first century when Christ lived, Gennan was where the dead bodies of men who were deemed as worthless were thrown and burnt, along with the daily garbage from Jerusalem. That’s the surface understanding of the matter. However, there’s much more to this often-used word in Christ’s sermon here.
Careful research of the words “Son of Hinnom” reveals no reason why the words “son of” are added to the name of the Valley… It’s a great mystery. My speculations are that it has to do with the cursed regeneration of the soul into a lesser/darker race of man, but I can not prove that. It must also be noted that this valley is where Canaanites and Israelites actually brought their sons and daughters to be sacrificed in the fire to Molech. And one more fact that needs to be addressed… This valley was the border between the land allotted to ancient Benjamin and Judah, right in the middle of the House of Judah.
You might be asking… Why would that last fact be pertinent to our discussion?
In America, the so-called Bible Belt is made up of physical descendants of the House of Judah. Both tribes have adopted the practices of Paganism, drawing from the Molech and Baal worship tendencies of their ancient ancestors, albeit in a modernized form. Christendom would never see this because Christianity carries these same customs… But here is the kicker.
The text quoted above from Jeremiah 7 is a direct reference to the results of the Ezekiel 38 attack upon Christian America and the UNITED STATES government. The point being that modernity is shown to have never come to the elevated place of overcoming sin in the way Christ spelled out in the Sermon on the Mount. Please see the correct judgment YoHeWaH puts in place for the rejection of His Covenant Law in lieu of worthless practices of paganism.
Yeshua continues His message on the mount…
“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Matthew 5:31–32
There are very few of us Believers who have not committed adultery. After six thousand years of man’s time on the plane of the earth, it’s a wonder this issue is not worse than it actually is. At the core of the 8th commandment is mixing. Mixing DNA within the carriers of men’s DNA, to be born in that woman’s children, which pollutes the land…
“If a man divorces his wife
and she goes from him
and becomes another man’s wife,
will he return to her?
Would not that land be greatly polluted? Jeremiah 3:1
Matthew continues…
“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to The Eternal what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of The Almighty, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” Matthew 5:33–37
The ninth commandment holds various implications in light of the other nine commands.
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” Exodus 20:16
The above command might be understood in the following ways:
1 — Having other Mighty One before the one true Mighty One denotes a false witness against the greatest of all neighbors, YoHeWaH.
2 — Idolatry is the bold-faced witness against that same Mighty One.
3 — To say you are called by His name, but speak other deity names furthers the lie of the first two.
4 — The oath or sign of YoHeWaH’s Sabbath is an allegiance toward The Almighty that you acknowledge who He is to you. See Exodus 31:13–16
5 — The second greatest neighbor anyone has is their parents. To dishonor one’s parents bears false witness to the family name.
6 — As with all corporal punishments, murder is usually covered up by some form of a lie.
7 — The same comment for events of adultery.
8 — To take your neighbor’s, usually done in secret, is the silent false witness against your brother.
9 — The only thing worse than number 8 is to steal from your neighbor in your mind, for only YoHeWaH knows that lie.
The statement, “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’” shows the integrity of the truth. When it is stacked up against the ninth commandment, if it measures up, then it is truth.
Swearing an oath stacked up against anything else, either by heaven or earth, or by the hair on your head, or even on YoHeWaH Himself, is not the measuring stick The Almighty desires. It is based upon His Covenant Law solely.
Let us again update our running list of headings to each one of these points, adding a new point which covers the last eleven verses of Matthew 5…
1 — Selflessness, which is true Faith (From Luke)
2 — National Responsibility (From Matthew)
3 — Education Concerning Law (From Matthew)
4 — Justice and Mercy (From Luke)
5 — Self Control (From Matthew)
6 — Brotherly Kindness Exampled by Character and Knowledge (from Matthew and Luke)
7 — Going above and beyond the Ten Commandments (from Matthew)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” Matthew 5:38–42
Brother Luke has already addressed these words quoted by Matthew, and I have commented upon them earlier in this lesson, but a few other thoughts couldn’t hurt.
The human nature in all of us pushes hard against the above words from Our Savior… Why?
Well, because we are all fighting a battle against Self… One of the three S’s. Satan, Society, Self. Synonyms of Self are easy enough to ascertain. It’s the antonyms that make the case.
Selflessness, Faith, Liberty, as opposed to Freedom, Responsibility, Servant, and the Fear of YoHeWaH, all make the list… However, the greatest antonym of all to the word self is Agape Love — The ability to lay down one’s life for his fellow man.
Matthew continues recording Our Savior’s message:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” Matthew 5:43–47
Again, human nature is tested at every turn of life. Yeshua makes it seem so easily overcome with His words of clarity… However, let me be clear. Don’t kid yourself and get rid of the Protestant theology that all of us were raised in that says, “Love is just generated from the shed blood of Christ, and all who are in Christ should be able to obtain this level of life, immediately.” Now, I’m paraphrasing, of course, but the following words out of Yeshua’s mouth tie in directly to what I am saying.
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48
What is perfection? What is the one quality that our Heavenly Father has that we certainly can obtain and even master?
Think along the lines of long-suffering. Think along the lines of keeping covenant, even when it avails Him nothing. Think along the lines of selflessly taking a slap in the face, reviling not. Think along the lines of faithfulness.
Perfection is loyalty to YoHeWaH, just as YoHeWaH is loyal to your perfection. The text could just as easily read:
You therefore must become loyal, as your heavenly Father is loyal to you.” Matthew 5:48
Remember, the first sin was being unloyal to YoHeWaH through pride, turning from His Covenant. It was committed by HaSatan. It set the stage for perfection from that time forward. Perfection is Loyalty.
Matthew continues into chapter 6…
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 6:1
The man of wisdom said it this way:
In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing. BE NOT OVERLY RIGHTEOUS, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? Ecclesiastes 7:15–16
The warning against self-righteousness is impossible to miss; however, it must also be noted, true humility always passes through a stage of self-righteousness. Sometimes, that self-righteousness destroys the Believer, if there is no wisdom to recognize it for what it truly is… The worst state a Believer can be in.
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:2–4
There’s no way I can add to this text… And it is so easy to follow. Just act and say nothing. It’s a two-part command.
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:5–15
Prayer is simply a petition. When you petition a higher power, you are asking for that higher power to act on your behalf. It is simply a conversation, and I think that is the point of this text. That said, allow me to jump on my soapbox for just a moment.
The emptiness of repeating the so-called “Lord’s Prayer”, word for word… Or the futility and vanity of repetition of words like “Father God, Father God, Father God…” Or saying three “Hail Marys” for sins committed is the worst kind of self-righteousness. There is a reason this passage follows the warning against self-righteous vanity to open this chapter.
So, let’s update our running list of headings to each one of these points within the Sermon on the Mount.
1 — Selflessness, which is true Faith (From Luke)
2 — National Responsibility and the action thereof. (From Matthew)
3 — Education Concerning Law (From Matthew)
4 — Justice and Mercy (From Luke)
5 — Self Control (From Matthew)
6 — Brotherly Kindness Exampled by Character and Knowledge (from Matthew and Luke)
7 — Going above and beyond the Ten Commandments (from Matthew)
8 — Graduation from Phileo Love to Agape Love is a must.
9 — Be able to properly identify what true Agape Love actually is…
10 — Agape Love is mastered via the perfection of Loyalty toward YoHeWaH.
11 — That perfection is never worn on the sleeve. Humility is the fruit of perfection.
12 — When perfection is obtained, then our petitions are heard by the One who can answer in His own loyalty.
Does anyone see a theme to this running list of qualities from the Sermon on the Mount? Look at the list again. Study it.
The Process Of Salvation. Chapter 27 of “The Book Of The… | by Joey Thompson | Medium
This theme continues through the end of the Sermon on the Mount, delivered by Yeshua to the people of Israel who were prepared to hear the depths of YoHeWaH’s words.
There is an avenue to expedite one’s spiritual growth if it is used in the correct vein.
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:16–18
Fasting is like a spiritual cleanse, clearing the relational pipeline between you and The Most High. All spiritual growth comes at a price. There is a deal struck between The Father and The Enemy in the throne room in heaven concerning each level of our spiritual growth. Because of our own shortcomings (sins) already extant in our lives, the legal ground against us lends ammunition for The Enemy to hold against us. In the process of setting the record straight, you will pay for the blessings afforded by the blood of Christ. Two actions cover a multitude of sins. They are Agape Love and the virtue of correct fasting. Fasting is a proactive work that leads to the reaction of natural flowing Agape Love. Fasting works to alleviate the legal ground that The Enemy holds against you.
Notice the words of Isaiah concerning this concept:
“Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment (Covenant Law) of their Mighty One; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to The Almighty. They say, ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to YoHeWaH?
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and YoHeWaH will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And YoHeWaH will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.” Isaiah 58:1–12
Yeshua continues…
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth (horses) and rust (food from flocks and cattle) destroy (via a hidden corruption) and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19–21
There is always a fine line between rightfully receiving the blessings of Abraham and crossing over to a mindset of esoteric corruption through lust. Money is not the evil that binds us, but the love of money does so. Again, going back to the above-quoted passage from Isaiah addressing fasting…
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Isaiah 58:6–8
“Not to hide yourself from your own flesh” is an exact “hidden corruption” within our own selves, defining where we place our trust.
Yeshua continues to drive home this point…
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve the Almighty and money.” Matthew 6–22–24
I’m tempted to address the physicality of the darkness spoken of by Christ in the above text, but the Demonic Left, as well as the Christian Right, would be quick to yell “Racist” … So, I’ll not digress in that way.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if the Almighty so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of YoHeWaH and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:25–34
As chapter 7 opens, Yeshua’s line of teaching morphs into a direct, more pure form of the details of Covenant Law. Remember, Covenant Law is broken up into commandments and judgments. Being able to rightly divide the word of truth and correct judgment, weighing condemnation with mercy, is the goal of each Believer.
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1–5
At the heart of the above words from Christ is the process of overcoming sin as well as false theology. Both are very much applicable to the refinement of the Believer. Again, we are talking about spiritual growth. The 2Peter 1:5–6 list of levels attained toward Agape Love, which is exemplified by teaching righteousness, which is the calling of all Believers, within His coming government.
Next, there is quite a discerning, point-blank statement from Our Savior.
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” Matthew 7:6
Four critical thought questions come to mind instantly upon reading this text.
1 — Who are the dogs? — Answer — Matthew 15:24–25 spells that out. Matthew 15 ESV
2 — What is holy? — Answer — Anything set apart, such as the truth to Israel.
3 — Who are the pigs? — Answer — Anything unclean.
4 — What are pearls? — Answer — Anything esoteric or hidden, see Deuteronomy 29:29. Deuteronomy 29 ESV
It is also interesting to contemplate where pearls come from. Oysters are an unclean thing. Thus, truth can hail from an unclean source if you have eyes to see.
I think the point being… The truth of the gospel was and is to go solely to the House of Israel, first, as in the church age, into the Millennium. Then later in the Great White Throne Judgment Period, through the process of regeneration to all other races of men. Thus, a Believer’s judgment can only apply to Israel, not to the various races accordingly. The only exception would be concerning a non-Israelite who has joined the House of Israel, physically. Then judgment can be rendered. It also must be noted, judgment does not always end in condemnation. Mercy is just as applicable a measure of judgment as condemnation.
Yeshua continues…
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:7–11
On the surface, this text is straightforward, holding only one meaning, but let’s look a little deeper. Again, let’s break down four questions.
1 — What is bread? — Answer — The true word of YoHeWaH, literally the teaching of Christ, the embodiment of Covenant Law.
2 — What are stones? — The letter of the law, void of the spirit. Literally, the second set of tablets that Moses was given, which only held a partial speaking of Covenant Law.
3 — What are fish? — The ancient symbol of Christianity.
4 — What is a serpent? — The direct symbol of healing.
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:12–14
What the heart and soul of the above words is “DETAIL”.
The DETAIL of Covenant Law is the narrow gate, for many forsake the detail of Covenant Law, attempting to enter in through a wide gate, which leads to destruction.
Those teaching a watered-down lack of detail concerning Covenant Law are addressed next…
“BE AWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15–20
You know who can quickly discern false prophets (Jeremiah 23 adherents) immediately? The uncalled, that who. Anyone who has not heard the calling of The Most High can sniff out a hireling faster than those nominal Believers who are already in the trap of deception. Now, the next passage from Yeshua’s words recorded by Matthew goes hand in hand with the above passage quoted here, but before we address the second half, which defines false prophets fully, I must address the reference to Jeremiah 23 and its time setting, which shows how Apostolic Christianity has morphed into that of the Pagan ways of Egypt.
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares YoHeWaH. Therefore, thus says YoHeWaH, the Mighty One of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares YoHeWaH. Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares YoHeWaH.” Jeremiah 23:1–4
The above passage is a sister explanation concerning Jeremiah 3:14–15 which states: “I will take you, one from a city and two from a family,
and I will bring you to Zion. And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding”, already quoted many times throughout this curriculum. An apt description of the story of the Pilgrims and Puritans coming to America and the shepherds given to Anglo-Saxon Israel in the pre-Revolutionary War period, preparing our Founding Fathers to have the faith to act on behalf of YoHeWaH’s directive establishing the infancy of His coming Government via these united States of America.
Then, in verses 5 through 7 in Jeremiah 23, we find an equally apt description of the establishment of that government as this sister chapter continues. But then, just as Jeremiah chapter 3 changes into a dark rejection of Covenant Law, via the words:
“And when you have multiplied and been fruitful in the land, in those days, declares YoHeWaH, they shall no more say, “The ark of the covenant of YoHeWaH.” It shall not come to mind or be remembered or missed; it shall not be made again”. Jeremiah 3:16
So too does Jeremiah 23 lend the detail of this dark period, spiritually, in our nation after the Founding Fathers’ generation died out.
“Concerning the prophets: My heart is broken within me; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, like a man overcome by wine, because of YoHeWaH and because of his holy words. For the land is full of adulterers;
because of the curse the land mourns, and the pastures of the wilderness are dried up. Their course is evil, and their might is not right. “Both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in my house I have found their evil,
declares YoHeWaH. Therefore, their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness, into which they shall be driven and fall, for I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment, declares YoHeWaH.
In the prophets of Samaria, I saw an unsavory thing: they prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray. But in the prophets of Jerusalem
I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his evil;
all of them have become like Sodom to me, and its inhabitants like Gomorrah.” Therefore thus says YoHeWaH of hosts concerning the prophets:
“Behold, I will feed them with bitter food and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone out into all the land.”Thus says YoHeWaH of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of YoHeWaH. They say continually to those who despise the word of YoHeWaH, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’”
For who among them has stood in the council of YoHeWaH to see and to hear his word, or who has paid attention to his word and listened? Behold, the storm of YoHeWaH! Wrath has gone forth, a whirling tempest; it will burst upon the head of the wicked. The anger of YoHeWaH will not turn back
until he has executed and accomplished the intents of his heart.IN THE LAST DAYS you will understand it clearly.” Jeremiah 23:9–20
So, let’s get back to Yeshua’s words in Matthew 7 to see if there is a matching bookend to Jeremiah’s words.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, YOU WORKERS OF LAWLESSNESS.’ Matthew 7:21–23
If you are one to correctly diagram your physical bible, you should draw a box around the words “BE AWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS” in Matthew 7:15 and a box around the words “YOU WORKERS OF LAWLESSNESS” and connect those two boxes with a line between them, as scripture will always define scripture. Those workers of lawlessness or those who teach Covenant Law has been abolished, are the false prophets of scripture, and the time setting is very clearly identified by Jeremiah in chapter 23:20.
Matthew records Yeshua’s close to the Sermon on the Mount via these words:
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24–27
At the core of “these words of mine” is the detail of Covenant Law, the laws written within The Book of The Covenant, which were embodied by Yeshua personally within His life in the flesh. He first introduced this topic in the “Beatitudes” and the Sermon on the Mount of Olives to open His ministry to Israel.
This concludes part two of “Covenant Law from the words of Christ,” “The Sermon on the Mount”. Up next, part three, “The Role of John the Baptist in Covenant Law”.