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Jesus fought a war against sins and died not on a beach with a rifle in His hand but with his bare hand gave willingly His life on the cross for our freedom. Shouldn't we remember Him in the manner He wanted to be remembered?
November 11th, in Canada and the United States of America, we pause all our activities for 2 minutes in remembrance of those who fought for our rights and our freedom. Our military personnel fought for justice and democracy in foreign countries.
“A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peace,” Ecclesiastes 3:8.
In a time of peace, we remember for whom our veterans fought; they fought for the next generation. They fought for our freedom from tyranny and oppression. They fought for our freedom to choose our destiny. They fought for our religious freedom. They fought for the freedom to work, the freedom to own property, and the freedom to make our own choices concerning our well-being.
Our veterans fought for our freedom to travel whenever and wherever we wanted to go within our borders. They fought for our freedom of speech and of writing commentary, even when disrespectfully challenged by others, which our opponents have the freedom to do. Today, we take this freedom for granted to the point where we take this freedom to sin evermore. Who would want to die for a sinful nation that pollutes the mind of our Christian children with the homosexual lifestyle behaviour in our school? Who would die for a sinful nation that allows murdering unborn babies for the sake of convenience? Who would die for the leaders of a nation who chose to serve the interest of Satan's agenda 'mystery Babylon' - a New Word in Dis-order?
This will surprise you to know that Jesus did. He died for the whole world over 2000 years ago.
Jesus overcame the world, died to take away the consequences of our sins, and was resurrected as proof that He was victorious. He appeared to over 500 people, including His apostles, (1 Cor 15:6). The apostles all died as martyrs except for John, defending their testimony of Jesus's resurrection. Why? So that you may also believe and in doing so, receive the gift of eternal life and more, become one with Jesus, (Jn 19:35, 1 Jn 5:10).
Jesus wanted us, believers, to remember Him. He would be physically absent for an undetermined time, therefore He asks His disciples to remember Him whenever they gathered for a meal. A picture would have been a good substitute to remember Him, however, cameras did not exist in those days. An object, a gift given to each one of them, would have been a good idea, but it could get damaged, lost, or worse, it could have been used as an object of worship. Jesus did not give the cross either as a symbol to be remembered by.
John wrote in chapter 6, a teaching of Jesus to His disciples. There were more than twelve then. As He was teaching it became more and more difficult for His disciples to understand. Only the original 11 disciples believed and stayed with Him. Judas did not believe, yet stayed because Jesus was profitable. You can read about it in the commentary title, “John 6:66, The Unbelievers”. What was so difficult to understand? What was so complex to comprehend and accept?
“And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst,” John 6: 35.
“Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him,” John 6:53-56.
The disciples believed without understanding. How about you, do you understand, do you believe it? Can you explain Jesus's teaching if asked? At one time, I did not understand. Now I do. I teach best what I need to learn most. This is what I learned; the meaning behind His request to be remembered which is the substance in the body.
“This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me,” Luke 22:19.
In this commentary, I will attempt to convince you to observe this simple act of remembrance that Jesus requested us to do. If you are already doing this, good for you, keep doing so. In addition, I will attempt to explain (Luke 22:19 and Col 2:17) in the simplicity, what it represents, and the importance of observing.
God Remembered Us
God remembered us, therefore why should we remember Jesus, and in the manner in which He wanted to be remembered? There are many examples of much-needed requests to be remembered in the Old and New Testaments. Those prayers centred on one’s special attempt to get God’s attention. In those moments of extreme anxiety, the words “Remember me” were used.
Joseph
There is Joseph son of Jacob/Israel who requested to be remembered by the butler:
“But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house,” Genesis 40:14.
Joseph pleads with the butler to remember him when he would be re-established as Pharaoh's servant. Yet, the chief butler did not remember Joseph but had forgotten him, (verse 23). Two years went by before the butler remembered Joseph. How do you think Joseph felt about not being remembered? Joseph was sold by his brothers, and then taken to Egypt as a slave; the Egyptian master’s wife accused Joseph of sexual assault. Joseph desperately wanted to get out of prison, (verse 15). How would you have felt if that were to happen to you... anger comes to mind, isn't it? God remembered Joseph. God had Joseph's destiny planned. God has planned yours also.
Samson
Then, there is Samson. He desperately cried out to be re-established by God.
“Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!” Judges 16:28.
Samson's pride brought him to despair. Blinded and chained, he was brought up to the Philistine temple as a trophy to their gods. He had forgotten that his strength was coming from God, not his hair. Samson did not fulfill God's calling as a judge for His people. "Remember me", Samson cried out. This kind of prayer is indicative of a soul in need. God answered Samson's prayer and gave him the strength to destroy the Philistine temple and kill those gathered inside worshiping idols. Some of us have experienced despaired situations in life. We realized that our selfish ambitions kept us from pursuing God’s will for us which is to bear fruit, (Rom 7:4). It is not too late to be re-established; go back to Him. God remembered us. God never left you nor forsaken you, (Heb 13:5, 1 Jn 2:17). Let me remind you that I teach what I needed to learn.
Hannah
Then there is Hannah, the wife of a polygamist. Peninnah, the other wife bore several children but Hannah was barren, (1 Sam 1:2). Peninnah belittled Hannah, (v. 7).
“And she (Hannah) was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head,” 1 Samuel 1:10-11.
Remember me, was a prayer she implored with desperation and of a broken spirit. God answered her request and gave her a son she named Samuel and more children after. Have you not experienced animosity from someone toward you in your life? No matter what you do to please, he/she puts you down. You never wronged them, yet they keep offending you. Do not keep this bitterness in your heart. Tell God what would make you happy.
Nehemiah
Nehemiah representing God’s people is another one who wanted to be remembered by God so that God would continue to bless the reconstruction of Jerusalem’s wall and the Temple, (Nehemiah 5:19, 13:14,22,31).
“Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people,” Nehemiah 5:19.
“Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services,” Nehemiah 13:14!
Ministers, pastors, and teachers who are God’s stewards, the example of Nehemiah is for you. You love God and want dearly to serve Him. You want to do more. I can assure you that God has not forgotten you. In due time He will answer your prayers.
Job
Then there is Job. In despair through physical pain and grief for his great losses looked at death for comfort. He asked God to take his life yet to remember him on the day of the resurrection:
“Oh, that You would hide me in the grave, That You would conceal me until Your wrath is past, That You would appoint me a set time, and remember me!” Job 14:13.
Are you suffering from an incurable disease? Is your health so bad, that you are restricted to bed and isolated from family and friends? Your body aches and pains, no one seems to know what to say to encourage you, and you desire death. God did not fail Job and remembered him. God has not forgotten you:
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you,”1 Peter 5:6-7.
David
David also pleaded to be remembered:
“Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness sake, O Lord” Psalm 25:7.
Have you done something that is so bad that you believe that no one, not even God would ever forgive the wrong that you did? Think again. God desires only that you admit your sins and He will forgive you, (1 Jn 1:9).
Jeremiah
Then there is Jeremiah’s prayer,
“O Lord, You know; Remember me and visit me, And take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In Your enduring patience, do not take me away. Know that for Your sake I have suffered rebuke,” Jeremiah 15:15.
Christians, you who are being persecuted, even at the risk of losing your life, do not despair. Jesus visits you. He gives you the strength to endure. Your reward is great in the Kingdom of God, (Matthew 5:10).
The Criminal
Another important example took place at Jesus' crucifixion. A request using these words, ‘remember me’ was used. One of the criminals who was hung adjacent to Jesus, in humility asked Jesus to remember him.
“Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom,” Luke 23:42.
What a great and wonderful example of the simplicity of the gospel; believing that Jesus is Lord, (Rom 10:9). How great was the way Jesus responded? Jesus did not reply saying that He must first die and resurrect before He remembered him. No, He answered:
“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise,” verse 43.
The gospel is not complicated. It is a simple decision in faith, to believe and to put your trust in the Son of God whose name is Jesus, (Jn 3:16).
“Jesus died for your sins, and was raised from the dead,” is the gospel. The only work you need to do to receive the gift of eternal life is to believe, (Jn 6:29). We are justified by faith, not from the deeds of the law, (Rom 3:28).
Cornelius
God never forget. In (Acts 10:31) Peter said,
“Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.”
God remembers everything, from eternity to eternity. He even writes everything in books, not for Him but for us, (Rev 20:12). It is proof that He takes great importance in everything we do and say. We need to remember that. As a father, I kept a treasure box to remember my children's crafts. They appreciate the memories. We can, therefore, go to God with confidence that He remembers us, and He is willing to listen to our plea.
While we pray, we want God to remember us. When we pray using those words, “Remember me, Lord,” it means, “Give attention to who I am in Your presence, Lord.” "I am one of many whom you Father has called to your Son Jesus, (Jn 6:37).”
“Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified,” Romans 8:30.
It is important to remember Jesus in the manner
In which He wants to be remembered.
Now that you have realized how much God takes importance to remember us, how important is it to remember Jesus in the manner He wants to be remembered? If you feel that, it is not important, or irrelevant because you are assuming that God is all love and that He doesn’t care about how and when we are to remember Him, consider the fact that you might have a mind like Cain, a spirit of Cain. What is the spirit of Cain? It is not taking Jesus by His word?
In James 1:22, we read:
In James 1:22, we read:
“But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves”.
In the ERV it is read in this manner, “Do what God’s teaching says; don’t just listen and do nothing. When you only sit and listen, you are fooling yourselves.”
Cain knew what was required to please our Lord yet he decided to do things his own way; a vegetable platter he offered as a sacrificial offering instead of a lamb. There was a prophetic meaning behind the offering of a lamb as there is a prophetic meaning behind Jesus’ manner to be remembered. Do you have a spirit of Cain? Does keeping God's word (teaching) matter? The spirit of Cain is about disobeying Jesus’ instructions. You can read the details about it in the commentary title, "Spirit of Cain - Is alive and doing well even within the churches."
Is it by celebrating Christmas, Jesus's birthday that Jesus wants to be remembered? Was Jesus born on the 25th of December? Find more by reading the commentary title, “The Truth About Christmas.” What about Good Friday and Easter? Is there a scripture in the bible that suggests or commands Christians to remember Jesus by observing these days?
What about converted gentile believers who live like Jews by observing the Jewish Feast Days? Does Jesus want to be remembered by keeping the Old Testament Covenant? In the Old Testament, there were special days that the Jews observed to remember God’s covenant made to the Israelites. They are:
The Feast of Unleavened Bread
Passover
Feast of The First Fruits
Pentecost
The Feast of Trumpet
The Day of Atonement
The Feast of Tabernacles
The weekly Sabbath
These Feasts were calculated by using the Hebrew calendar. It is based on the lunar cycle (lunisolar), the moon circling above the earth. The Julian calendar (today's Gregorian calendar) used the solar cycle. Its origin is from the Egyptian calendar, which consists of 365 days long. The creation of the Julian calendar is an attempt by Satan to keep us from understanding God’s prophetic plan. The sun represents the gentile's god, the sun god Ra.
Let me go off the subject temporarily to affirm God's Kingdom.
The earth is God’s Son’s kingdom, in which His kingship has been temporarily hijacked by Satan. Jesus reigned on earth at the time of Adam who was His steward with his wife as a helper. They disobeyed by believing Satan's lies and consequently chose Satan as their master. Contrary to the popular teaching, Jesus never lost His kingdom, He lost His kingship toward mankind, the state or position of being a king with no subjects. A king's subjects are the people who are *subject* to his authority. Jesus appointed Adam a small portion of land east of Edom for the purpose of training Adam to become a good steward and, consequently to become king also, (Rev 17:14, 1 Tim 6:15). As happens to so many students, Adam failed the test, therefore, they didn't graduate. Not only did he fail but he was expelled from school, the training ground.
When Satan brought Jesus to a high mountain, Satan offered his kingship over mankind to Jesus with one condition, that Jesus accepts him and worships him as the king of all the nations. The earth is God's creation and always belonged to God. But not the people living on it. In (Matt 4:8 and Luke 4:5), Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms (nations) of the world and their glory (satan patting his back). These verses didn't mention that these kingdoms belong to him but demonstrate his influence over them, over the people as the prince of this world, not as the king, (Jn 12:31, 14:30, 16:11 KJV). There is only one King one Lord and that title belongs to Jesus - it always did, (Heb 13:8). It is God who reigns over all nations and the dream statue of King Nabuchasnazar confirmed that. The earth is the center of God’s plan and kingdom for eternity. It is from Jerusalem as the capital that Jesus will govern with all His saints who passed the test (Rom 10:9), (Rev 21:10). Satan’s motto: “They must not believe,” and Lucifer is doing a good job hiding the truth.
Let me go off the subject temporarily to affirm God's Kingdom.
The earth is God’s Son’s kingdom, in which His kingship has been temporarily hijacked by Satan. Jesus reigned on earth at the time of Adam who was His steward with his wife as a helper. They disobeyed by believing Satan's lies and consequently chose Satan as their master. Contrary to the popular teaching, Jesus never lost His kingdom, He lost His kingship toward mankind, the state or position of being a king with no subjects. A king's subjects are the people who are *subject* to his authority. Jesus appointed Adam a small portion of land east of Edom for the purpose of training Adam to become a good steward and, consequently to become king also, (Rev 17:14, 1 Tim 6:15). As happens to so many students, Adam failed the test, therefore, they didn't graduate. Not only did he fail but he was expelled from school, the training ground.
When Satan brought Jesus to a high mountain, Satan offered his kingship over mankind to Jesus with one condition, that Jesus accepts him and worships him as the king of all the nations. The earth is God's creation and always belonged to God. But not the people living on it. In (Matt 4:8 and Luke 4:5), Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms (nations) of the world and their glory (satan patting his back). These verses didn't mention that these kingdoms belong to him but demonstrate his influence over them, over the people as the prince of this world, not as the king, (Jn 12:31, 14:30, 16:11 KJV). There is only one King one Lord and that title belongs to Jesus - it always did, (Heb 13:8). It is God who reigns over all nations and the dream statue of King Nabuchasnazar confirmed that. The earth is the center of God’s plan and kingdom for eternity. It is from Jerusalem as the capital that Jesus will govern with all His saints who passed the test (Rom 10:9), (Rev 21:10). Satan’s motto: “They must not believe,” and Lucifer is doing a good job hiding the truth.
Now let us go back to the subject at hand.
The Sabbath and each Feast Day are sacred. Therefore, they are considered days of rest. Work is forbidden. Jewish rest days like all other days of the week, start at sunset and end at sunset of the following evening. A weekly Sabbath would start at sunset Friday and end at sunset Saturday. All Feast Days start at sunset.
The Sabbath and each Feast Day are sacred. Therefore, they are considered days of rest. Work is forbidden. Jewish rest days like all other days of the week, start at sunset and end at sunset of the following evening. A weekly Sabbath would start at sunset Friday and end at sunset Saturday. All Feast Days start at sunset.
I, personally, observed these feasts. For 10 years, I followed diligently these special Jewish festivals. I also kept the laws of tithing and the Jewish dietary laws. At that time, I believed that the Mosaic covenant was still mandatory. It took a while to finally catch on to the meaning of God's act of mercy, receiving eternal life was an act of His grace, by faith - a decision to believe what Jesus did for me and trust Him in all the days of my life. He did it all for me. It is not my work, as some do toward other gods. They appeased their gods expecting to receive favours. It is sad that so many Christians view God in such a manner as I did for so long. The fear of being rejected by God is real and strong. The desire to be accepted by God is also very real. Inasmuch, as a child would do anything to be loved by his/her parent, many Christians will go to the extreme to be accepted by God. The good news is, it is easy to be accepted by God. Jesus did it all for us and assured us that nothing will ever separate us from the love of God, nothing:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Romans 8:35, 38-39.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand,” John 10:27-29.
I cherish my experience living as a Jew. It took discipline. At first, it was difficult to adapt, especially the observation of the Sabbath. The Jewish dietary laws were also a challenge, scrutinizing everything before eating.
Through those experiences, I gained an understanding of how difficult it could have been for the early church, which consisted of Jews, to let go of the old covenant and adapt to a new covenant instituted by Jesus. Actually, the new covenant was not only the replacement of the Mosaic covenant but its fulfillment, (Matt 5:17-18, Gal 6:2).
In the Epistle to the Hebrews, the unknown author encouraged the converted Jews, not to go back to the sacrificial ritual. They were under a lot of pressure from Jewish friends to return. If you read the Book of Deuteronomy chapter 11, you will understand why – it was about curses or blessings. Remember, they were brought into captivity in Babylon for disobedience. The fear of being under a curse again was real. So it is in many Christians today, that many view their mishaps in life as a curse from God, rather than regarding it as the sinful influence of this world. They examine their spiritual condition according to feeling and emotional experiences rather than relying on the word of God, in faith, (Rom 1:17, Rom 8:4.)
The Epistle to the Hebrews is meant for Jews to stay on course after conversion, and not to go back to the Mosaic covenant and the Leviticus ritual. The unknown author explained how those Jewish feasts and rituals were substituted by this simple act of remembrance. He explained that Jesus' body was the substitute for the Leviticus rituals and the feast days. Jesus has the authority to do so. Jesus is after all Lord of the Sabbath, (Matt 12:8, Luke 24:44).
Today’s holidays Christians are celebrating are of pagan origin, not ordained by God. They are Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Halloween (All Saints day) New Year's Day, St Valentine's Day, and Thanksgiving. The difference between pagan holidays, which are in fact called in the bible ‘tradition of man’ with God's appointed festival is that God's appointed festivals are full of revelation of God's prophetic plan for man through His Son Jesus who announces the establishment of His reign on earth.
For the majority of Christians, holidays such as Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter, remind us of Jesus's act of salvation, nevertheless, we are not interested in the revelation of God's prophetic events preceding the Church era. Halloween, New Year's Day, St Valentine's Day, and Thanksgiving do not give any understanding of God's prophetic plan yet are very popular among Christians. So few study God's feast days for an understanding of prophecy.
We are grafted on the olive tree (Israel) and not the other way around. The foundation of our salvation is through the Jews, (Jn 4:22). Ignoring our Jewish origin will keep us in the dark; we cannot understand God's plan without our Jewish heritage. Replacement Theology is a grave error. The Churches do not substitute God's chosen people, Israel, (Deut 7:6).
"I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles."
"For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you," Romans 11: 11, 16-18.
Tradition not ordained by God
Nothing is new under the sun, as it were in the days of the Pharisees and the scribes so it is today within the churches. They refuse to admit that they are following the tradition established by man.
“He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men —the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”
He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do,” Mark 7:6-13
“All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition”...“making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do,” Many Christians keep those pagan’s holidays, not realizing that they are not God's ordained and once informed, do not care of letting go.
God's festivals are meaningful
I will go through God's festivals but not in detail. However, I hope that it will be enough to help you comprehend their significance and how they applied to Jesus’ request to be remembered in substitution for the Jewish festivals and the sacrificial ritual.
All these feasts were meant for us to understand God’s prophetic plan, not just for the Israelites but also for the Gentiles whom some of us are. Jesus fulfilled them.
“Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me,” Luke 24:44.
“Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,” Isaiah 46:9-10
God declares exactly what He is going to do, and nothing will stop Him. It is unfortunate that so many denominations put prophecy on the back burner. Understanding God’s agenda for humanity gives Christians assurance to go through life with a sense of purpose. That purpose is to grow spiritually and to be watchful for Christ's return; our blessed hope;
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ," Titus 2:11-13.
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming,” Matthew 25:13.
“But you, brethren, are not in darkness so that this Day should overtake you as a thief,”1 Thessalonians 5:4.
Until his return, Jesus commanded us to remember Him with bread and wine as often as we want to when we get together as a substitute for keeping the feasts and the sacrificial sacrifice, which is celebrated on specific dates. Nothing stops you from observing these Feast Days and the Sabbath if you desire so, as so many do. However, it is not a requirement to receive salvation.
This act of remembrance with bread and wine is made to unite Jews and Gentiles into one new group, one new man, or one body. In doing so, it reconciles Jews and Gentiles, together to God.
“...having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,” Ephesians 2:15.
In the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV), we read:
“Christ ended the law with its many commands and rules. His purpose was to make the two groups become one in him. By doing this, he would make peace.”
Who knew that? I didn’t. The sacrificial ritual and the feast days have been replaced by the simple act of remembering Jesus’ body that was broken for us, and Jesus’ blood spilled on the cross for us. Together, Jews and Gentiles could now be sitting around the same table, united in Christ.
Before Jesus's ministry on earth, God viewed two groups of people: Gentiles and Israelites. God is not racist. Gentiles are all tribes of all nations. The Jews are descendants of one gentile man of one tribe, the Amorite, and the mother from the Hittite tribe whom God has called out from the land of Canaan (Ezek 16:3) to make a nation who would live according to His covenant. His name was Abram. The Israelites were commanded to love only one God and were considered God's chosen people. The Israelites were to represent God's presence on earth with all His precepts and principalities. They were to be an exemplary illustration of living by God's commandments and civil laws among all Gentiles. The Gentiles had many gods and had a greater influence on the Israelites than the Israelites had over the Gentiles. The Israelites lived the consequences of their disobedience and were scattered around the world. Whether Israelites or Gentiles, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, both condemned to perish, (Rom 3:23, Jn 3:16). God has planned to reunite both into one, called believers. From the time of Christ's resurrection and onward, there would be two categories of people: sons of God by justification (believers), (Rom 3:30, Gal 3:8) and the sons of disobedience - unbelievers, the world, (1 Jn 2:22).
“Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also,” Romans 3:29.
In the Epistle to the Hebrews, the unknown author instructed the Christian Jews to live in harmony with Gentiles, and all nations, especially Christian Gentiles. Remember, the Epistle to the Hebrews was written to Christians and Jews.
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord,” Hebrews 12:14.
It took three attempts from Jesus to convince Peter that the gospel of repentance and reconciliation was also available to the gentile, (Acts 10:13-16).
Unity between the Christians Jews and Gentile Christians did not prevail. Messianic Jews do not assemble with Gentile Christians. Gentile Christian institution has been infiltrated by Satan's worshippers, (Luke 13:18-19). The Holy Roman Catholic Church is a false Christian church that persecuted Jews and believers in the past and continues to do so today by deceiving them. From the beginning of the Protestant Reformation era until today, gentile Christians have been separating themselves by petty differences and keep on separating. The Centre for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary estimated 34,000 denominations in 2000 rising to an estimated 43,000 in 2012[1].
“For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?” 1 Corinthians 3:4.
What causes divisions among the protestant churches? Many churches came up with their own interpretation of Jesus's teaching to fit their tradition and customs, (1 Cor 1:12, 3:4). Their Statement of Belief gives a reason for being apart from the rest of the body, (1 Cor 12:15-19).
There are Christians who live their life based on emotional experience rather than being based on faith and believing what God said. They are the charismatic movement, (Matt 24:24). Some call themselves Christians but deny the deity of Jesus as the Son of God, (Matt 24:5). Then there are the home base Christians, who have a hard time to adapt in any denomination.
Eschatology itself has caused division, where theologians cannot even agree on the prophetic events to come. Scholars and theologians with master's degrees pride their intellect and make God's word too complex for the average believer. A resemblance between the Pharisees and Sadducees. Many Christians justify that the Bible is too difficult to understand for not spending time studying. Could it be because their mind and activities are worldly-oriented, (1 Cor 2:11)? There are Christians that use the bible like a horoscope. I did that, by opening the Bible to a random page to figure out God's will for the day. The problem with that is that we try to fit God's word into our lives rather than fitting our life to God's will. Reading other teachers' commentaries on a subject of interest and listening to videos and an MP3 bible study is an excellent way to increase your knowledge.
The different measure of faith contributes to more division than any other factor. We all grow at a different pace with different opinions. To discuss a subject without being challenged is a rare virtue nowadays. I have no doubt in my mind that the majority of Christians are genuine in living their measure of faith; fearing God (deep respect) and having the desire to do the right things. Unfortunately, for many, insecurity over losing their salvation causes division. If only they would take Jesus by His word. His teaching is so simple for both Jews and Gentiles. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (Rom 5:1).
Tradition overtaking the Assembly
The Apostle Paul has observed that the Church started to go in other directions in Colossae, the Colossians. Traditions and customs started to infiltrate the church causing division. Let's read his reproach and recommendation:
16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.
Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. Colossians 2:16-23
The substance (body) is of Christ, and not of man-made tradition.
In the King James Version (KJV) we read:
“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ,” Colossians 2:16-17.
In the KJV translates Strong Concordance, the body, G4983 is defined in the following manner: Cover, or corpse, flesh body. Paul is specific; he talks about the physical body of Jesus, not the Church. The Church is also viewed as the spiritual body of Christ; however, in this verse to the Colossians, the body is the flesh, Jesus’ body - His resurrection and all events that lead to it is the substance.
Paul went right to the point. The festivals, new moon, or Sabbaths were shadows of things to come. Christ's body replaces them. In the Epistle to the Hebrews, the author goes to great lengths to explain the meaning of the sacrificial body of Christ over the animal sacrifice. I will let the author explain:
Hebrews 10 New King James Version
Animal Sacrifices Insufficient
For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
Christ’s Death Fulfills God’s Will
5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:
“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’” Psalm 40:6–8
8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Christ’s Death Perfects the Sanctified
11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,
16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” (Jer 31:33, 17) then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more,” (Jer 31:34). 18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.
Hold Fast Your Confession
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
The Simplicity of the New Covenant: Buying Bread vs. Baking Bread
Occasionally, I would bake bread starting from its original ingredient. It required floor, yeast, oil, sugar, salt, and water. I mixed it together and let it rise. I knead the dough and let it rise again. I would do a final knead and then put the formulated dough into baking bread pans. I would take the whole day to make bread. I know, there are many other ways to do bread. It is somewhat the same ingredient and process. It is the ingredients and the work involved that I want you to focus on. The feast days, the Sabbath, and the ritual all represent the ingredients and the work involved in taking away sins. It would take a whole year cycle to purify the Israelites from their sins, only to start all over again. Daily sacrificing an animal and keeping those special seasonal feasts were a heavy burden. Jesus' perfect and final sacrifice replaces them all.
“Come to Me, all you 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 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.
The heavy-laden is the observant of the Mosaic covenant with all its rituals described in the Book of Leviticus. Jesus' yoke is TO BELIEVE, accepting the work He did for us.
"knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified," Galatians 2:16.
The law was written and given to the Israelites so that we may realize that we cannot keep the law and that we will never be able to. We will never be sinless.
"Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith," Galatians 3:24.
Jesus desired that we observe His last request to remember Him with bread and wine. This observance helps us remember that it is by grace through faith in Jesus's death and resurrection that we receive eternal life. It also helps us keep in mind The promise of His return.
As it took all day to make bread, now, I just buy a loaf of bread ready to consume. Do you get my point? Jesus's sacrifice is final, once and for everybody's sins. All we need to do is believe that He is the Lord, who did all the works of salvation for you and me. He is responsible (not your responsibility) to see that you would never lose your salvation, (Jn 6:29). Take the time to study God's grace. It will blow your mind. You will come to the realization that it is all God doing in your life, and all you have to do is trust Him. To trust Him is to be faithful. Look in the Epistle to the Hebrews chapter 11 for the example of so many that walked faithfully with God, not because of THEIR righteousness, but because God chooses to make them righteous through Jesus His Son, (Gen 15:6, 2 Cor 5:21).
This is a very important statement: To remember Jesus by breaking bread and drinking wine is not a requirement for salvation. As circumcision was a covenant symbol with Abraham and the Sabbath a covenant symbol with the Israelites, Jesus's new covenant of His body and blood through bread and wine with believers does not qualify us as righteousness. It would have been considered work if it did. It is Jesus' blood that pronounces believers righteously.
The new covenant is not the water baptism as some profess. There is no place in the bible that indicates it is so. I am taking Jesus by His words:
“This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me" 1 Corinthians 11: 25.
There is another element of importance. These precedent covenants, from the Adamic covenant to the Mosaic covenant and the present new covenant ordained by Jesus, are all representative of being in fellowship with Him. Jesus’ new covenant with us is special and unique. It is one, which reminds us that we abide in Him and Him with us.
“Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him,” John 6:53-56.
“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” If you do not participate in this act of remembrance, you are not fully in fellowship with Jesus, and with God the Father, (Jn 17:20-26). You have eternal life, yet your spiritual growth is hindered.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing,” John 15:5.
The fruit is representative of spiritual growth, (2 Pet 1:5-11). As some wrongly misinterpret (Jn 15:1-8), you do not lose your salvation, to receive the gift of eternal life is not about bearing fruit. Salvation is not a fruit-bearing process. Bearing fruit is about spiritual growth and growing in faith. Please read my commentary title, "Faith Applied is Faith Invested - Parable of the Talents"
“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you,” John 15:3.
Believing in the Son of God, Jesus as Lord saved us. The parable of The True Vine in (Jn 15: 5-8) is all about being in fellowship with Jesus, and about growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
"Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose," Phil. 2:12-13.
Many view this verse to support their belief in the possibility of losing the gift of eternal life. They are in grave error. I am French, and to me, it is so clear. ... I read, "Continue to work out your salvation" and NOT "Continue to work out FOR your salvation".
Replace the word salvation with the word Playdoh putty, now read it: Work out your own Playdoh putty with fear and trembling. Do you get it? Still not? You received as a gift, Playdoh putty. Work your putty. You are not working to receive Play-Doh putty; you are not working to receive salvation. It has already been given to you. "With fear and trembling," means to take your calling seriously. It is all God doing, not yours, it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Do not copy the mistake of Samson who did not take his calling seriously.
Peter explained how to continue to work out your salvation:
"You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," 2 Peter 3:17-18
The "errors of the wicked" are the keeping of the tradition of man (Lordship salvation) and keeping the old covenant as a means to obtain salvation. The Roman Catholic Church misled its followers to pray to the dead saints to intervene on their behalf, instead of enjoying a direct relationship with God the Father through Jesus our Lord. That is a grave error from the wicked. The Roman Catholic Church's mass communion has nothing to do with keeping in fellowship with Jesus, in its official Catechism, it teaches that there is NO SALVATION without the sacrament of communion[2].
If you do not take part in the act of remembrance of the body and the blood of Jesus, you are hindering your relationship and you are not reaping the reward of growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus.
Now let's read (Jn 15: 5-8) with this in mind:
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit (spiritual growth); for without Me you can do nothing (it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose," Phil. 2:12-13). If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned (dead works not approved by God). If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you (works approved by God). By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples, (follower, student, steward).
A disciple is someone who studies Jesus’ teaching and attempts to apply His instructions. Those precepts taught are ordained by Jesus and not by man's philosophy. " If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered." No matter how much good work you do in His name, if not in fellowship with our Lord, you will profit no rewards. It is a very serious matter and should not be taken lightly. The purpose to grow in the knowledge of the kingdom of God is to prepare us to reign with Christ. In addition, we are required to share what we learned, to edify each other, believers. The spiritual gifts received through the Holy Spirit are to be used to help the saints grow. It is not for unbelievers. We can only do that when we abide in Christ.
"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting (tradition of man), but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love," Ephesians 4:11- 16
Are we ever missing out when we do not abide in Jesus? This world has too many distractions that cause us to drift away from our calling, our purpose to live as believers, which is to bear much fruit, (Matt 13:22). Fortunately, by Jesus's grace, He called us to be His friend to help us in our growth. As a friend to a friend, would you not respect Jesus's last will so that He would abide in us?
“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you,” John 15:15.
Jesus lived among His disciples for 3 ½ years, plus forty days after His resurrection, teaching everything pertaining to the kingdom of God, (Acts 1:3). In addition, Jesus concluded His teaching with the Apostle Paul, (2 Cor 12:2-6). Jesus shared with them so much. All things that have been given to us to know and understand through His disciples are recorded in the Bible.
Unfortunately, there are so many who want to continue to bake their bread from scratch or purchase ‘all ready mixed ingredients’ bread dough in a bag. Add water, let rise, knead, and bake. There is also available frozen dough that only needs to be thawed in a baking pan and baked. They even buy fancy bread makers to help them prepare it. So many churches still today want to do it all by living according to the old covenant or by the tradition of man. They refuse Jesus’ bread of life; a loaf of bread, already prepared and baked.
“And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst,” John 6:35.
What does Jesus mean by “shall never hunger”, shall never thirst”? Remember, Jesus was talking to Jews who had the burden, the yoke to keep the Leviticus ritual to cleanse their sins. “Shall never hunger and shall never thirst” means that you will never desire nor need to go back to the old ritual ways.
To understand the significance of the Old Covenants, let us review the old festivals and the rituals:
1. Unleavened Bread - (Lev 23:6-8*, speaks of Jesus' life without sins of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God,
2. Passover - Jesus is the Lamb, (Lev 23:5), prophetic of the crucifixion of Jesus.
3. Firstfruits - (Lev 23:9-14), is prophetic of Jesus’ resurrection, the first of many.
“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep,” 1 Corinthians 15:20.
In addition, He fulfills also the fall feast, the Day of Atonement - (Lev 23:27), Jesus not only reconciled us to God but also united us as one with God.
“I do not pray for these alone (the disciples), but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they (Jews and Gentiles) all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me,” John 17:20-23.
6. Feast of Trumpet. Two more prophetic Feasts need to be fulfilled. They are the Feast of Trumpet and the Feast of Tabernacle. The event called the Rapture is to correspond with the Feast of Trumpet:
“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality,” 1 Corinthians 15:51-53.
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord,” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
When will that happen? As a matter of speaking, it will happen only when the bus is full. God has already determined a specific number of believers called to complete His plan. God knows who they are. We do not.
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren,” Romans 8:29.
“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,” Romans 11:25.
In biblical history, there has been no other time when both living
and dead believers are called upward together. So this trumpet is the last
trumpet of the Church Age and it signifies the closing of a remarkable and important period of biblical history - the period of God's grace to the whole world. Believe it, the whole world will hear the sound of the trumpet. It will also hear the sound of a loud voice and will see the dead in Christ rising first followed by the living believers who will meet our Lord in the clouds, (1 Thess 4:16-17). It will not be a hidden and invisible event. It will be visible to the whole world. Only the timing, the occurrence of this event called the rapture is a secret. The resurrection of the dead did happen before at the end of the Mosaic covenant, (Matt 27:51-53), and so will it be also at the end of the Church Covenant. It will be a frightening event manifesting as a witness to the whole world.
Until Jesus returns for the Church, His bride, Jesus asked us to remember Him by this simple act of breaking bread and drinking wine, a new covenant, since the old one is fulfilled by Him:
“When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you,” Luke 22:14-20.
With this new covenant, Jesus gave a new commandment to love one another:
“So, when he (Judas) had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another,” John 13:31-35.
"that you love one another; as I have loved you," is a higher standard of love than of the previous commandment " you shall love your neighbor as yourself," (Lev 19:18, Matt 19:19). Jesus's love toward His disciples was motivated by grace, to love someone without merit. It is a decision to love someone even though he/she does not deserve to be loved.
The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews puts emphasis on keeping Jesus's last request and encourages believers to remember Him in the manner He asked.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching,” Hebrews 10:23-25.
In the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV), it is read this way:
“We should think about each other to see how we can encourage each other to show love and do good works. We must not quit meeting together, as some are doing. No, we need to keep on encouraging each other. This becomes more and more important as you see the Day getting closer.”
It is a wonderful way to encourage one another by sharing a meal in remembrance of Jesus's last demand. The early Church saints did just that:
“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s deathtill He comes,” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup”, meaning that there is no limit on how many times you can keep this simple act of remembrance. At one time, it did get out of hand within the church at Corinth, the assembly turned out to be more of a Pot-Luck festival, getting drunk and disorderly, (1 Cor 11:17-22).
Is it Jesus's request that we remember Him by celebrating His birthday? What about Good Friday and Easter? What about those who keep celebrating the Jewish Feast days and the Sabbath as being mandatory for salvation? If you do not remember Jesus with the sharing of the bread and the wine, you are missing an important resource of love and encouragement from others and more likely are not at rest with the Lord.
“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His,” Hebrews 4:9-10.
It is very serious; whoever continued working for their salvation by observing days not appointed by Jesus and Jewish feast days might not be at rest at all. It all depends on what motivates you to observe these days. Let's read the whole context of Chapter 4:
“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word, which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:
“So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest',” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5 and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.”
6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:
“Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
There are Christians who are not at rest. The Sabbath day does not provide rest any longer. There is nothing wrong with observing those days whether Saturday or Sunday. Jesus’ final act of salvation does provide rest. Many Christians are thirsty and hungry. They are busy with all kinds of church observance and keeping God’s feast days or man-made holidays in the fear of losing their salvation, (2 Pet 3:17). Some take this simple act of remembrance to the extreme with a sophisticated tedious and boring ceremony. Some never participate in the sharing of a meal in remembrance of Jesus, consequently, they are not at rest. This act of remembrance is not required to gain salvation but is required to be in full fellowship with Jesus. It is also commanded for the purpose of encouraging one another while we wait for His promised appearance. Since many churches do not teach the subject of prophecy, Jesus’ return is not expected in this generation. Many Christians will be taken by surprise at His appearance.
Christians have a lesson to learn from the example of Saul’s disobedience. In Saul’s mind, he meant well and so it is with so many Christians:
“God through Samuel, commanded the Amalekite tribe it total destruction, Samuel 15. However, Saul made a fatal mistake of not completely obeying the instruction of Samuel in applying a total ban upon the people. Saul allowed king Agag to live. Animal belonging to the Amalekite were also kept alive as booty, presumably to be use as sacrifices. Saul attempted to justify the deeds of the people on the grounds that their intentions were good. He assumed that any sacrifice, whether prepared in disobedience or obedience, would be acceptable to God.” (He was wrong and rebuked by God.) “A true sacrifice was to be a genuine sign of faith and obedience. If sacrifices were offered in apostasy and unbelief, they were as worthless as the sacrifices of the Canaanites in the sight of a holy God. The experiences of Saul are an unmistakable lesson to believers of all ages[4].”
Isn’t that what many churches are doing today, compromising?
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;” 2 Timothy 4:3.
“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ,” Colossians 2:8.
Paul encourages the Corinthians to keep the teaching they received pertaining to the act of remembrance when they get together.
“Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you,” 1 Corinthians 11:2.
In chapter 11 of the first letter to the Corinthians, Paul goes on to explain how to conduct themselves when they assemble. He reminds them to be sober and to share with love by considering those who have the least. He reminds them to remember Jesus with dignity.
It really does not matter how many adult believers are gathered to remember Jesus’ request, and where it is done. It could be done as it is done in so many churches today, at church services. It could be done with a small group that assembles for bible study. It could be done among friends at home or alone with husband and wife. I will not go into a debate about whether or not Jesus drank wine or grape juice. I will not go into a debate about whether or not Jesus should be remembered with unleavened bread or with leavened bread. I will not go into a debate about how often it should be remembered, (1 Cor 11:23-26). Just remember Him by this simple act of obedience.
Christmas, Good Friday, Valentine's Day, Easter, and Halloween (all Saints day) were created by man, and not ordained by God. Resurrection Sunday commemorates Jesus's victory over death, keep the Easter bunny out of it. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, Passover, Feast of The First Fruits, Pentecost, The Feast of Trumpet, The Day of Atonement, The Feast of Tabernacles, and the weekly Sabbath were ordained by God and fulfilled by Jesus.
“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons,” 1 Corinthians 10:21.
Paul warned the Corinthians about their double-minded worship attitude. They would partake in breaking the bread and drinking wine in remembrance of Jesus but continued keeping the tradition of the gentile unbelievers, such as it is today.
“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread,” 1 Corinthians 10:14-17.
“Do this in remembrance of Me” was ordained by Jesus, Son of God. Should we not remember Him the way He wanted to be remembered until His return? What do you think Abel would do? ‘Malachi appeals to his people. The spiritual climate of the people had grown cold, and Malachi rebuked them for their religious and social compromise. If they return to God with sincere hearts, they will be blessed [5]. Does this not sound familiar to the churches today? The angel of the church of the Laodiceans wrote a letter dictated by our Lord Jesus. This letter accurately describes the present culture of our Western Christian society: lukewarm toward God’s word and ordinance.
“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked,” Rev 3:17.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic mandates and all its restrictions, do we not feel insecure about our present government? Are we not in need, therefore, to focus on God's promise to rest?. Are we not watchful for Jesus' return. The most popular gospel that we hear in our churches is "Accept Jesus in your heart and all will go well." Really? In the early church age, people were living in despair. Making a living was 7 workdays, from sunrise to sunset. There was no social net and assistance to help go through life's mishaps. There was no free medical care. Crimes were on the rampage and injustices were high. Rape and violence were common. Orphans and widows were left on their own, with no assistance. People were looking for hope, if not for this life, they were looking for hope in the afterlife. Their common gods were given deaf ears. The gospel of Jesus Son of God was a message of hope. Believing in the gift of eternal life was a breath of fresh air. They believed in the testimony past down from the apostles, (2 Thess 1:10, Jn 17:20). They were looking forward to Jesus's promise of His return. While waiting, there was love, support, and encouragement among believers. They were sharing in one accord their surplus.
The true gospel is about being established in the Kingdom of God, (Mark 1:15, Matt 6:33, Acts 1:3). To be part of it, we are to believe that Jesus is Lord and resurrected, (Rom 6:23, Rom 10:9). God does not want you to be caught by surprise. He wants you to be alert and watchful for His Son's return. Many believed that the Laodiceans would lose their salvation because of their lukewarm attitude. Since when does a church cease to be a church? A church consists of believers, and once saved always saved. The letter to the Laodiceans is about admonishing the church to focus on the most important task after receiving salvation, which is to grow spiritually, to be watchful for Jesus' return, and loving one another. How do we do this? We do this by being in fellowship with Jesus. Please read my commentary titled “Laodicean’s Church Will Not Be Left Behind - When Does A Church Cease To Be A Church?”
“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent,” Rev 3:18-19.
Let God's word explain the significance of these verses:
"How much better to get wisdom than gold!" Prov 16:16
"Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; For God has already accepted your works. Let your garments always be white, and let your head lack no oil," Ecclesiastes 9:7-8.
"When He had said these things, He (Jesus) spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay," John 9:6.
I cannot be more specific than God's own words. Be wise by remembering Jesus with bread and wine, and Jesus will open your eyes to the knowledge and understanding of His teaching.
Do not be like Cain. He knew what was required to please God but did not do it. As it was with the Israelites, God sent so many prophets to warn them. They did not listen and God severely chastised them out of their land. You will not lose your salvation over celebrating non-designated holidays. You will be caught by surprise at His appearance and in disbelief for not receiving your rewards. Eternal life is what you will have already received, that He cannot take away. Your reward is to reign in a level of governance with Jesus. To receive rewards: grow spiritually, learn and apply His teaching. Keep Jesus's request to remember Him as He has instructed.
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne,” Revelation 3:21
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me,” Revelation 3:20.
In the Easy-to-Read Version, it is read this way:
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you. And you will eat with me.”
This new covenant is only for believers and will end when Christ returns at the event called the rapture. There is no covenant with those left behind who repent and accept Jesus as Lord. For this reason, I believe that this covenant with bread and wine also signified the era of grace that God has established for Jews and Gentiles. The era of grace ends at the rapture. The only instruction that God has commanded to the tribulation believers is not to take the mark of the beast. Whoever receives the mark of the beast "he/she shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God," (Rev 14:9-10). Your salvation is conditional. If someone dies by not taking the mark, he/she will reign with Jesus for a thousand years, (Rev 20:4). Not taking the mark will be the only sign used to witness your faith.
Conclusion
If you are a believer who is not observing Jesus’ new covenant, start today celebrating it. Invite a Christian friend or two. Prepare a simple meal. Have a bottle of wine ready, and buy a loaf of fresh bread. Read the scriptures pertaining to Jesus' last supper with His disciples. Break bread and drink a glass of wine. Jesus will be there with you. Promise. You will be re-established, blessed in growing in the spirit and your reward will be great in the Kingdom of God.
Joseph pleads with the butler to remember him when he would be re-established as Pharaoh’s servant. Do not be like the chief butler who did not remember Joseph, but forgotten him. Jesus remembered you on the cross. Does not Jesus deserve to be remembered as requested?
“Do this in remembrance of Me,” seems to be more of a commandment than a simple request.
c u @ d rapture...soon
[1] http://theway21stcentury.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/how-many-christian-denominations-worldwide/
[2] Cf. Council of Trent (1547): DS 1604.
[3]http://www.raptureready.com/soap/mazon1.html
[4] A History of Israel by Davis & Whitcomb p.220-221
[5] The Open Bible Expanded Edition, p. xv
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