REDEDICATION – DAY 5

Today at sunset we will light the 5th candle on the Hanukkiah. As 5 is the number of grace, I believe the Scripture in Yahweh’s Living Word He is pointing out for today is jampacked with grace for us to stand in awe and realise that we need to rededicate ourselves before Him. Just as Yahshua came to be flesh during Sukkot to tabernacle with us, He will once again appear on the clouds before He will tabernacle an eternity with us. But before that happen, we need to “rededicate our temples” because we are still worldly.

“Because you are still worldly; for as long as there is among you jealousy, and strife, and divisions, are you not worldly and still following the material things?” (1 Cor 3:3)

OPERATING IN THE FLESH

This chapter in 1 Corinthians is most probably the most direct point Paul made to the believers during his time. But if you think about it, nothing has actually changed since then. Tonight’s Scripture portion is to read the whole chapter 3 of 1 Corinthians and to do some retrospection of our own behaviour and rededicate our behaviour before Yahweh and to strive to be more unworldly.

In this chapter Paul slaps the believers on their fingers by pointing out that there is jealousy, strive and divisions among them and directly called them worldly and that material things are more important. What is the use if we are believers but still act in a worldly manner and put material things first? Then we are in fact still exactly the same as unbelievers? We need to be different but everywhere you look there is jealousy and strive between believers. Many of us can testify of being the victim of this or on the other side of the coin, being the jealous one of someone’s Spiritual gifts or talents and hurt them in the process.

MILK DRINKER OR MEAT EATER

You see, in this case the enemy is not concerned about you being a believer because he knows you will not be able to grow in the Spirit as long as you are jealous and full of pride and manipulate divisions in between fellow believers. Because he also knows as long as he can keep you in this worldly state, you will stay a “milk drinker” in the Spirit and not growing to be a “meat eater”. And the cherry on the top is, if you read the whole chapter 3, you will at the end also lose your heavenly rewards that Yahshua has with Him. (1 Cor 3:14 & Rev 20:13)

Here Paul also pointed out, although we are saved (verse 15), we are still operating in the flesh and not in the Spirit. That is why we are not strong enough and ready for the “solid food”. Right here Paul pointed out where we took the wrong “turn-off” as followers of Yahshua, from the start. Totally opposite from The Ancient Path Abba planned for us. We kept operating in the flesh from the beginning and did things according to our fleshly standards as a mere unchanged people, and not operating in the Spirit as spirit filled followers (covenant believers) of Yahshua based on His perspective, His commandments, and His character, His Word, and His TRUTH. That is the reason we are not ready for solid food and the TRUTH of Abba’s word.

“We are spiritually dead and separated from Yahweh because of our transgressions and sins which we walked in.  We are following the ways of the world [influenced by the present age] in accordance with the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit that is now at work in the disobedient [the unbelieving, who fight against the purposes of Abba].

Among these [unbelievers] we all once lived in the passion of our flesh [our behaviour governed by the sinful self], indulging the desires of human nature [without the Holy Spirit] and [the impulse] of the [sinful] mind. We were, by nature, children [under the sentence] of [YAHWEH’s] wrath, just like the rest of mankind.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)

“In fact, the mind-set focused on the flesh fights YAHWEH’s plan and refuses to submit to his directions, because it cannot! For no matter how hard we try, YAHWEH finds no pleasure with those who are controlled by the flesh. But when the Spirit of Yahshua empowers our life (or makes His home in us), we are not dominated by the flesh but by the Spirit.  And if we are not joined to the Spirit of the Anointed One, we are not of Him.” (Romans 8:7-9)

Abba’s Word is clear about this, if we are still operating in the flesh, we will not be able to be strong enough to handle the solid food or be ready to receive THE TRUTH or to recognize “Yahweh’s Ancient Paths”. He goes so far to say if we are not joined in the Spirit with Him, then we are not of Him. If we are not of Him, from who are we then? Then we are from the world, from the enemy and from Satan himself. Because if you are not with Yahweh, you are against Him. And if you are against Him, you stand on the enemy’s side. Crystal clear.

If we want to walk on Yahweh’s Ancient Paths, we need to get rid of the flesh, the fleshly way of operating, thinking, eating, talking and striving. We need to get rid of the human, fleshly standards of doing things in our own worldly manner and start to focus what is important for Abba and what is His perspective of doing things the right Biblical way. He gives clear instructions in His Word. In 2 Timothy 3:16 we read that every Scripture is Yahweh breathed, given by His inspiration and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for corrections of error and discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness in holy living, in conformity to HIS will in thought, purpose and action.

In other words, if YAHWEH gives us the instruction in His Word, we must act accordingly and if there is no instruction about a topic, then we don’t do it. Because we cannot trigger our own instructions and start “a new road” with fleshly motives if there isn’t a clear instruction in YAHWEH’s Word about it.  If we act accordingly to our fleshly believes, then it is fleshly breathed and NOT YAHWEH BREATHED. This is the main reason HE gave His Word for us, to follow the instructions IN IT. Not making our own and build churches on it and drag others with us down the wrong religious road!

We need to repent of everything that is against Abba’s will and His instructions in His Word. To put down all our own fleshly feasts, traditions, and religions we brought in our own road. To make a clear cut and stop going around in circles without the working of the Holy Spirit. We need to stand in Spirit and Truth face to face with Yahshua and search His guidance to show us His Ancient Paths that we rejected from the start.

BUILD AS A WISE MASTER BUILDER

Another important pointer from Paul in 1 Corinthians 3 is highlighted in verses 11-15. Here he explained Who the Foundation is on what we need to build on, and what materials we need to use. According to Paul, the “fleshly builders” build with wood, hay, and straw -although they build on the approved Foundation (Yahshua the Son of YAHWEH – The Anointed One – v11).

I’m not a builder and even I can understand that anything what I want to build with wood, hay, and straw, will not last long or would not stand through a storm or fire? But the fleshly builder, following his fleshly perspectives and keep on building with the wrong materials will not stand the test of YAHWEH’s Fire. The Foundation (Yahshua is our Foundation) will always be in place, but the structure of the fleshly builder, is perishable and can be demolish in a flash.

1 Corinthians 3:12-13

“But if anyone builds upon the Foundation (pay attention, this word starts with a capital letter, so we know Who Paul is referring to) whether it be with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw, the WORKS of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Yahshua] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with FIRE, and the FIRE will TEST and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done.”

These two verses dried up my mouth. Our fleshly building materials will be plainly, openly revealed for all to see before Yahshua according to our earthly works and SHOWN for what it is. Everybody will be witnessing with what we have built and with what we will be rewarded accordingly. There will be no secret then, everything will be revealed. No turning back. No time to repent and to say we are sorry. No excuses of whose fault it was or no blame-shifting. Then the reality will be straight in our faces, and we will realise that we waisted our time with fleshly, selfish impulses, thinking our roads and our ways are better than YAHWEH’s Ancient Path. Then it will be too late to turn back and to start rebuilding.

YAHWEH’S KINGDOM MATERIALS RELEASES HEAVENLY REWARDS

Paul is referring in verse 13 to “the day of Yahshua”, and now we can cross-refer Scripture to confirm this in Revelation 22:12: “Behold, I (Yahshua) am coming quickly, and My rewards is with Me, to give to each one according to the merit of his deeds (earthly works and faithfulness).” Here Abba is telling us, that Yahshua will reward us and that He has the rewards with HIM. We will be judged by what material we used to build on the Foundation. This is how important it is for Abba that we are on the right road, busy building with the important, real material and that our structure on the Foundation will be according to His Word and His Truth and His instructions and NOT our fleshly operations. Because there is a bigger picture, He wants us to understand.

Our Foundation is intact, Yahshua is The Anointed One, and according to this scripture in 1 Corinthians 3 our works in the form of our “building material” will be revealed and then Yahshua will reward us for it. Our whole walk and journey as Followers of Him on His Ancient Path, depend on with what we built and then we will be rewarded. BUT THERE IS MORE.

In verses 14-15 a heavenly secret is revealed: “If the work which any person has built on this Foundation [any product of his efforts whatever] SURVIVES [this test], he will get his reward. But if any person’s work is burned up [under the test], he will suffer the loss [of it all, losing his REWARD], though in himself WILL BE SAVED, but only as [one who has passed] through FIRE.”  

We need to survive the test of fire to receive our rewards. YAHWEH’s Ancient Path teach us to build with the correct Kingdom materials to survive this test. Because if we build with hay, straw and wood, everything will be destroyed. All our tears, hard work and hours of suffering will be in vain because we followed our OWN fleshly roads instead of The Ancient Path Abba intended us to follow and walk in.

IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH

Now you are asking but what is YAHWEH’s Ancient Path? It is to walk in Spirit and in Truth. You see, there is a reward in for you if you stick to HIS Ancient Path and build with His materials on His Foundation. Who doesn’t like to be rewarded? While we are walking on His road, doing what He instructed us to do, and we do it in faithfulness and obeying His Word, why not get rewarded while we are at it? That is the greatness and the magnificentness of YAHWEH our Elohim. Not only is He faithful, caring, and loving – but He also want to reward us for our faithfulness and obedience.

BUT THERE IS MORE

WHY IS REWARDS IMPORTANT?

“Now every athlete who [goes into training and] competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things.  They do it to win a crown that withers, but we [do it to receive] an imperishable [crown that cannot wither].” (1 Corinthians 9:25)

In this verse Paul is reminding us that our reward [our heavenly crowns] will be an imperishable crown. That tells me, it will be a crown that will be ours for eternity. It will not perish and withers. It will be with us forever and ever for all to see. Not to boast with it, but to wear as a victory reward for our faithfulness and obedience of walking on YAHWEH’s Ancient Path that He prepared for us here on earth.

BUT THERE IS MORE!

This is one of the reasons why I am writing this teaching. Not only to show you that there is an Ancient Path that Abba want us to follow, but to encourage you to be faithful in your walk on earth. Why? Because there are not only rewards at stake here, but also your co-ruler [eternal occupation / position] that will be on your heavenly CV forever!

Abba wants to give YOU heavenly authority.

Let me try to explain: Your crown [reward] will enable you to be part of a very important duty [function] in the 1000 years of PEACE after the Tribulation and during the rest of eternity to follow! Yes, it is Scripture, and it is the TRUTH!

This is one of the biggest LIES the enemy is keeping in his arsenal in this final hour, for us NOT to discover. Satan keep on telling us that we will not have any authority in Abba’s Kingdom or here on earth. But let me tell you, Abba is busy to reveal the TRUTH, and this is part of it! Let’s look at the following verses in HIS Word, stating YOUR authority:

THE SAINTS WILL ONE DAY JUDGE THE WORLD

“Does anyone of you, having a matter against his brother dare to be judged before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge small affairs? Do you not know that we shall judge cherubs? How much more than should we judge those who belong to this world?” (1Corinthians 6:1-3)

In Hebrew there is one word for judging “condemning” and another word for judging “discerning”. We are to discern matters of sin and unrighteousness, but all condemning is left to YAHWEH for judgement day.

There are a few verses in Abba’s Word about “the Saints’ eternal authority” but none of them refer to judging angels. This is a very interesting revelation. Abba made us [created us] to be able to judge angels one day. If we would get the authority to judge angels, then we would be able to judge the world too, according to Abba’s Word. Your reward holds a promise of AURTHORITY in too.

Besides the eternal authority Abba will give us to judge and reign with Him, I want to drop a religious bomb here. If you read this verse where Paul is stating in the end of 1 Corinthians 6:3 about “How much more then [as to] matters of this life?” he is actually saying that we as believers already have authority to judge (discern) each other according to YAHWEH’s instructions in His Word. So, the phrase we use to hear in religious circles of “who are you to judge?” is actually deceiving if we read this verse in context. Paul is advising us here that we [as fellow believers] need to judge each other with love. Very interesting statement indeed.

THE SAINTS WILL REIGN ON EARTH WITH YAHSHUA

“And they sang a new song [of glorious redemption] saying, ‘Worthy are You to receive the scroll, and to open its seals, because You are slain, and by Your blood purchased them to Elohim out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and made them KINGS AND PRIESTS to our Elohim; and THEY WILL REIGN ON THE EARTH.” (Revelation 5:9-10)

The first-fruit believers will reign with Yahshua during the 1000-year millennium and into eternity.

“Blessed and holy is the one having part in the first resurrection. The second death has no authority over these, but they will be priests of YAHWEH and of his Messiah, and THEY WILL REIGN WITH HIM A THOUSAND YEARS.” (Revelation 20:6) These first fruit, covenant believers of Yahshua now will reign with Him during the 1000-year millennium and have a glorified body. Their judgement is now, and they have no part in the white throne resurrection of all other humans after the Millennium, but reign with Messiah, Yahshua forever. What an honour that will be.

THE SAINTS WILL REING WITH YAHSHUA FOREVER AND EVER

“The nations shall walk by its light and the RULERS AND LEADERS OF THE EARTH shall bring into it their glory.” (Revelation 21:24)

This is just glorious! Not only will we be side by side with Yahshua reigning with Him on earth, but we will be GLORY CARRIERS according to Revelation 21:24 and we will bring in the glory to the New Heaven and New Earth and we shall reign as kings forever and ever with Yahshua. Isn’t Abba just magnificent? 

Your whole eternal life is at stake if you build with fleshly material and walk on religious, fleshly roads of deception. Is this fleshly, comfortable, religious road really worth it? If we walk on YAHWEH’s Ancient Path, we not only will be saved, but we will also be rewarded, we will be crowned, we will have authority to judge angels and the world, and we will rule and reign with the King of Kings forever and ever through the eternities of the eternities! Isn’t this enough reason to build with YAHWEH’s Kingdom material and walk on His Ancient Path, and be faithful, obedient and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth?

REDEDICATE YOURSELF TO WALK ON THE ANCIENT ROAD OF YAHWEH

Today you can make a choice: Will you still listen to the enemy’s lies about your eternal purpose and calling again and just keep on walking on the religion fleshly road? Or will you make the right choice from today to repent and start walking on YAHWEH’s Ancient Path to secure your crowns and to stand by faith, claiming your authority to reign and rule with Yahshua forever and ever through eternities of eternities?

While you are walking in Yahweh’s Ancient Path, you will find the key of your Kingdom Authority by hearing Abba’s urgent call to return to the moral conservative times of obedience by learning the TRUTH and the TRUTH will set you free and it will give you REST FOR YOUR SOUL. I know what I will choose. I hope to be side by side with you also as co-partners in YAHWEH’s Kingdom as kings and priests reigning with Them for an eternity.

SHALOM, Mattaniah