8 May 2026 We are proceeding to study the SERMON of YESHUA on the MOUNT…
THE GOSPELS: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: BEATITUDE 1, the meaning of the KINGDOM of HEAVEN, Part 3, THE THOUSAND YEAR OF PEACE KINGDOM of the MESSIAH
6 March 2026
We are proceeding to study the SERMON of YESHUA on the MOUNT.
We are mainly reading from the Complete Jewish Study Bible – insight for Jews and Christians. We use the Hebrew letters for the name of God, YHVH (Yod-Heh-Vav-Heh) where the word LORD in English is indicated in capital letters in the Scriptures. The reason being that the Jewish writers removed the vowels in God’s name out of fear of transgressing the third Commandment of taking His Name in vain. And today there is a lot of controversy about the pronunciation of His Name. We also refer to Him as Abba Father and use the Hebrew Name Yeshua the Messiah instead of the English Name Jesus Christ translated from the Greek.
We are in process of studying the first BEATITUDE in Matthew 5:3 where Yeshua taught: “How BLESSED (meaning happy and fortunate) are the poor in spirit! For the KINGDOM of HEAVEN is theirs.”
And to understand the beatitudes better we are focusing on what Yeshua our Messiah meant by the KINGDOM of HEAVEN. We have already learned the following about the KINGDOM of HEAVEN, also known as the KINGDOM of GOD, in the Word namely:
1. IT HAS A PRESENT AND A FUTURE REALITY
Meaning after we are SAVED through accepting the full price Yeshua our Messiah paid on our behalf for our sins, setting us FREE from the slavery to sin, the sicknesses accompanying it and the second death, and we die with Him in the waters of baptism and are raised with Him as a new person, being washed by the Water of the Word every day and repenting of accidental sins, we are baptized with fire and the Holy Spirit by Him and we spread the Good News as part of executing our purpose and calling. And in so doing we died to the sinful flesh were reborn and now are spiritually alive and we are already sitting with Him in heavenly places as Paul explained in Colossians 1:13 saying: “He (God the Father) has RESCUED us from the domain of darkness and TRANSFERRED us into the KINGDOM of HIS DEAR SON (referring to Yeshua the Messiah).”
And in Colossians 3:1-3 Paul confirms and advises: “So if you were raised along with the Messiah, then SEEK the things above, where the Messiah is sitting at the right hand of God (the Father). Focus your MINDS (your thoughts) on the things above, not on the things here on earth. For you have died (to the flesh, the sinful nature), and your LIFE (that is your eternal life) is HIDDEN with the Messiah in God.”
And to the believers in Ephesians he explained in chapter 2:19-20 “So then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers. On the contrary, you are FELLOW CITIZENS with God’s people and MEMBERS of God’s FAMILY. You have been built on the FOUNDATION of the emissaries (also called the apostles, representatives, ambassadors) and the prophets, with the CORNERSTONE being Yeshua the Messiah Himself. In UNION with Him the WHOLE BUILDING is held together, and is GROWING into a HOLY TEMPLE in UNION with Master Yeshua. Yes, in UNION with Him, you yourselves are being built together into a SPIRITUAL DWELLING-PLACE for GOD (the Father)!” Paul is here referring to the CONGREGATION/ COMMUNITY, the BODY of Yeshua the Messiah already serving as the TEMPLE of the HOLY SPIRIT of God on earth. Also read Colossians 2:13-14, Ephesians 2:6, Philippians 3:21, 1st Peter 2:4-9 and Revelation 3:21).
And therefore Peter warns believers in 1st Peter 2:11-117 “Dear friends, I urge you as aliens (foreigners) and temporary residents not to give in to the desires of your OLD NATURE, which keep WARRING against you; but to LIVE such GOOD LIVES among the pagans (the those not believing in YHVH) that even though they now speak against you as evil-doers, they will, as a result of seeing your GOOD ACTIONS, GIVE GLORY TO GOD on THE DAY of HIS COMING. For the sake of the Master (Yeshua), submit yourselves to every human authority – whether to the emperor (the king/ ruler of the land/ country) as being supreme, or to governors (authorities) as being sent by him to punish wrongdoers and praise those who DO what is GOOD. For it is God’s (the Father’s) WILL that you’re DOING GOOD should SILENCE the IGNORANT (uninformed, unknowing) TALK (conversations) of FOOLISH (unwise) people. Submit as people who are FREE, but not letting your FREEDOM serve as an excuse for evil; rather SUBMIT as God’s slaves (servants), doing His will. Be RESPECTFUL to ALL – keep LOVING the brotherhood (fellow believers), FEARING GOD (the Father) and honouring the emperor (the king/ ruler of the land/ country).”
Next we spoke about:
2. PARADISE (the Garden of Eden)
This is the interim place the SAVED will go upon dying the FIRST DEATH where they wait for the SECOND COMING of YESHUA the MESSIAH during which their spirit and soul will then return WITH HIM and their bodies will be resurrected as we read in 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18.
Yeshua our Messiah told His disciples shortly before His crucifixion in John 14:1-3 “Don’t let yourselves be disturbed. Trust in God (the Father) and trust in Me. In My Father’s HOUSE are many places to live. It there weren’t, I would have told you; because I am going there to PREPARE a PLACE for you. Since I am going and preparing a place for you, I will RETURN to TAKE you WITH ME, so that where I AM, you may also be. Furthermore, you know where I’m going; and you KNOW the WAY there.”
This most probably refers to Yeshua taking them with Him to PARADISE upon their FIRST DEATHS as Yeshua also promised to the criminal who was crucified on the cross next to Him who repented, saying that he will be with Him in PARADISE (the Garden of Eden) on that same day of his death on the cross (read Luke 23:43).
And Yeshua the Messiah explains in Revelation 2:5-7 to the congregation of Ephesus, those who LOVE HIM as their FIRST LOVE, meaning above all else with their WHOLE HEART, MIND and STRENGTH, TURN from their sins and Do what is RIGHT according to HIS WORD (meaning obeying His COMMANDMENTS) and KEEP OVERCOMING/ WINNING THE VICTORY against the sinful nature, He will GIVE the RIGHT to eat from the TREE of LIFE in the Garden of Eden, meaning giving them ETERNAL LIFE.
And in Revelation 19:14 we read that those who returned with Yeshua the Messiah and received their resurrected bodies, together with those who are still alive during the SECOND COMING of MESSIAH YESHUA, will be changed in an twinkle of an eye (therefore in an instant) and join them in the air and together they are described as part of the ARMIES of HEAVEN, clothed in FINE LINEN (indicated in Revelation 19:8 as the RIGHTEOUSS DEEDS of God’s people), PURE and WHITE, following Yeshua the King of kings and Master of masters on white horses (Also read Revelation 17:14).
THE AGE we live in currently will therefore end with the SECOND COMING of YESHUA the MESSIAH which will result in the WAR OF ARMAGEDON (read Revelation 16:12-21, chapter 17 and 19:11-21, Malachi 3:1-3 and 2 Peter 3:7-10)
And the following will happen during this period:
- YESHUA the MESSIAH will WIN the WAR of ARMAGEDON.
- The beast (the antichrist/ anti-messiah) and the false prophet will be thrown alive into the LAKE of FIRE that burns with sulphur (read Revelation 19:20). So, they will be the FIRST to be thrown into the LAKE of FIRE.
We also read about this as prophesied by Daniel in chapter 7:9-11 and “As I watched thrones were set in place; and the Ancient One took His seat (referring to God the Father so this is a process of JUDGEMENT over the beast and false prophet taking place in the Courts of Heaven). His clothing was white as snow, the hair on His head was like pure wool. HIS THRONE was FIERY FLAMES, with WHEELS of BURNING FIRE. A STREAM of FIRE flowed from HIS PRESENCE; thousands and thousands ministered to Him (referring heavenly hosts), millions and millions stood before Him. Then the COURT was CONVENED, and the BOOKS were opened. I kept watching. Then, because of the arrogant words which the horn was speaking, I watched as the animal was killed (the NIV says: “until the beast was slain); its body was destroyed; and it was given over to be burned completely (referring to the antichrist/ antimessiah and false prophet thrown into the LAKE of FIRE as we read in Revelation 19:20). We also note from this account not all the kings from the beastly kingdoms will be killed, only their rulership will be taken away, but their lives will be prolonged for a time and a season. This may then be some of the kings living in the nations during the THOUSAND YEAR REIGN of YESHUA the MESSIAH but we will study it again in a future message.
- The people who chose not to worship God the Father, but to rather follow Satan, the antichrist/ anti-messiah and the false prophet will be killed during the WAR of ARMAGEDON, called THE UNRIGHTEOUS (the sinful, wicked, evil) DEAD, and they will REMAIN DEAD and be kept in the UNDERWORLD (also called Hades/ the bottomless pit/ and outer darkness) until the THOUSAND YEAR REIGN OF PEACE OF YESHUA THE MESSIAH AND KING is completed then they will be raised as part of the SECOND RESURRECTION to appear before God (the Creator) at the GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT on the LAST DAY (Read Revelation 19:21 and 20:5,11-12).
- And in Revelation 20:1-3 we read about an angel coming down from HEAVEN, who had the KEY to the ABYSS and a GREAT CHAIN in his hand. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan (the Adversary), and CHAINED him up for a THOUSAND YEARS so that he could not deceive the nations until the THOUSAND YEAR REIGN OF PEACE of YESHUA the MESSIAH is OVER.
And today we are studying the NEXT DIMENSION of THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, also known as the KINGDOM of GOD, namely:
3. THE THOUSAND YEAR KINGDOM of PEACE of YESHUA the MESSIAH (also called the MILLENNIAL KINGDOM)
Paul gives us some insight into what happens from the FIRST RESURECTION to the MILLENIAL KINGDOM of YESHUA the MESSIAH in 1st Corinthians 15:16-25 saying: “For if the DEAD are not raised, then the Messiah has not been raised either; and if the Messiah has not been raised, your TRUST (faith, belief, hope) is useless, and you are still in your sins. Also, if this is the case, those who DIED in UNION with the Messiah are lost. If it is only for THIS LIFE that we have put our HOPE in the Messiah, we are more pitiable than anyone. But the FACT is that the Messiah HAS BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD, the FIRSTFRUITS of those who have DIED (here also a reference to THE FEAST of FIRSTFRUITS, Feast 3 of YHVH representing the RESURECTION of YESHUA our MESSIAH). For since DEATH came through a man, also the RESURRECTION of the DEAD came through a MAN. For just as in connection with ADAM ALL DIE (referring to the FIRST DEATH, meaning ALL PEOPLE WHO WERE BORN WILL DIE A PHYSICAL DEATH ONCE), so in connection with the MESSIAH ALL WILL BE MADE ALIVE. But each in his OWN ORDER: the MESSIAH is the FIRSTFRUITS; then THOSE who BELONG to the MESSIAH, at the TIME OF HIS COMING (referring to BELIEVERS who will from part of the FIRST RESURECTION during the SECOND COMING of YESHUA the MESSIAH); then the CULMINATION (the conclusion, the end of the THOUSAND YEAR REIGN of PEACE and after the WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT), when HE (Yeshua the Messiah) HANDS OVER THE KINGDOM TO GOD THE FATHER, after having put an END to every rulership, yes to every authority and power. For He has to RULE until He puts ALL HIS enemies under His feet. The LAST enemy to be done away with will be DEATH,” During this GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT, ALL PEOPLE who did not believe in Him will be resurrected as part of the SECOND RESURRECTION).
We also read about this as prophesied by Daniel in chapter 7:13-14 “I kept watching the night visions, when I saw coming with the clouds of heaven, someone like a SON of MAN (referring to Yeshua the Messiah). He approached the Ancient One (God the Father) and was led into His presence. To HIM was given RULERSHIP, GLORY and a KINGDOM, so that ALL PEOPLES, NATIONS and LANGUAGES should SERVE HIM. HIS RULERSHIP is an ETERNAL RULERSHIP that will NOT pass away; and HIS KINGDOM is ONE that will NEVER be destroyed. It was then explained to Daniel in verses 18 & 27 “The holy ones of the Most High (those who lived set apart lives for Him) will receive the KINGDOM and POSSESS (own) the KINGDOM forever, yes forever and ever…and the rulers will serve and obey them.”
We also read about this in Revelation 11:15-19 when the SEVENTH and LAST TRUMPET (SHOFAR in HEBREW) SOUND saying: “…; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the KINGDOM of YHVH (our GOD) and His Messiah, and HE will RULE FOREVER and EVER! The twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones in God (the Fahter’s) presence fell on their faces and WORSHIPPED GOD, saying, “We thank you YHVH, God of heaven’s armies, the ONE who IS and WAS, that You have taken POWER and have BEGUN to RULE. The nations raged, but now Your rage has come, the TIME for the DEAD to be JUDGED (a war), the TIME for REWARDING Your servants the prophets and Your holy people (a wedding with those who lived set apart for Him), those who stand in awe of Your Name, both small and great, it is also time for destroying those who destroy the earth.”
THE JEWISH STUDY BIBLE explains, when the SEVENTH angel sounds his shofar, the active REIGN of God on earth, the MESSIANIC KINGDOM, promised in Revelation 1:5-8 and 6:10 begins to unfold. Between these verses and chapter 19 are the various JUDGEMENTS and other events associated with the overthrow of the system of this world and the inauguration of the MESSIAH’s RULE.
And it is clear from Revelation 11:18 AFTER the WAR of ARMAGEDON and PRIOR to the commencement of the THOUSAND YEAR REIGN of YESHUA the MESSIAH there will be a FORMAL JUDGEMENT EVENT/ REWARD CEREMONY of ALL the BELIEVERS forming part of the FIRST RESURECTION, this is also viewed as the WEDDING and corresponds to FEAST 6: DAY of ATONEMENT which is both a picture of JUDGEMENT DAY/ THE WAR of ARMAGEDON and THE REUNION of YESHUA with the RESURRECTED BELIEVERS/ THE WEDDING) followed by the THOUSAND YEAR REIGN OF PEACE, represented by FEAST 7: THE FEAST OF TABERNACKLES OF YHVH with the 8th and LAST DAY of the FEAST representing the WHITE THRONE JUDEMENT of ALL PEOPLE WHO EVER LIVED.
We read in Revelation 19 after the destruction and fall of Babylon in verses:5-9 “A voice went out from the THRONE, saying, Praise God (the Father), all you HIS servants, you who FEAR Him, small and great! Then I heard a sound like a roar of a huge crowd, like the sound of rushing waters, like loud peals of thunder, saying, “Halleluyah! (Meaning praise Yah, a short form of YHVH). YHVH, God of heaven’s armies, has begun His REIGN! Let us REJOICE and be GLAD! For the TIME has come for the WEDDING of the LAMB, and HIS BRIDE has PREPARED HERSELF – fine linen, bright and clean has been given her to wear. (Fine linen, means the RIGHTEOUS DEEDS of God’s (the Father’s) people.) The angel said to me (John), Write: How blessed are those who have been invited to the WEDING FEAST of the LAMB!”
And this seems to be the JUDEGEMENT SEAT of YESHUA the MESSIAH DETERMINING THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE RESURECTED BELIEVERS as the BRIDE of the MESSIAH.
It is also regarded as the REWARD CEREMONY for those who proof to have been FAITHFUL SERVANTS of the MESSIAH SERVING GOD THE FATHER with the GIFTS GIVEN to each.
Paul explains it in:
2nd Corinthians 5:10 “We know that when the tent (Paul is referring to the human body, but maybe we could say the human tabernacle of God) is torn down, we have a PERMANENT BUILDING from God (the Father), a building not made with hands (referring to the resurrected body we will receive at the Second Coming of Yeshua the Messiah), to house us in heaven. For in this tent (tabernacle), our EARTHLY BODY, we groan with desire to have around us the HOME from HEAVEN (the resurrected body) that will be ours. With this around us we will not be found naked (here we remember that after the fall in Genesis 3 Adam and Eve lost their eternal bodies and therefore became aware of their nakedness). Yes, while we are in this body, we groan with the sense of being oppressed (burdened, worried, troubled): it is not so much that we want to take something off, but rather to put something on over it; so that what must die may be swallowed up by the (capital letter) LIFE. Moreover it is God (the Father) who has PREPARED us for this very thing, and as a pledge He has GIVEN us HIS SPIRIT. So we are always confident – we know that so long as we are at home in the body, we are away from our HOME with the Master (Yeshua); for we live by TRUST (faith, belief, hope), not by what we see. We are confident, then, and would much prefer to leave our home in the body and come to our home with the Master (Yeshua). Therefore, whether at home (in our current body) or away from home (in Paradise prior to receiving our resurrected bodies at the Second Coming of Yeshua our Messiah), we try our UTMOST to PLEASE HIM; for we must ALL APPEAR BEFORE THE MESSIAH’s COURT OF JUDGEMENT, where EVERYONE WILL RECEIVE THE GOOD or BAD CONSEQUENCES of WHAT he (or she) DID WHILE he (or she) WAS IN THE BODY (therefore while still living on earth).
And then Paul explains n verses 17-21 “Therefore, if anyone is UNITED with the Messiah, he is a NEW CREATION – the old has passed; look what has come is fresh and new! And it is ALL from God (the Father), who through the Messiah has RECONCILED us to (reunited us with) HIMSELF and has GIVEN us the WORK of THAT RECONCILIATION, which is that GOD (the Father) in the MESSIAH was RECONCILING mankind to Himself, not counting their sins against them, and entrusting to us the MESSAGE of RECONCILIATION. Therefore we are ambassadors of the MESSIAH; in effect, God (the Father) is making HIS appeal through us. What we do is appeal on behalf of the Messiah, “Be reconciled to God (the Father)! God made this SINLESS MAN be a SIN OFFERING on our behalf, so IN UNION WITH HIM we might fully share in God’s RIGHTEOUSNESS.” And we know this is THE GOOD NEWS that we are called to share as part of our CALLING and PURPOSE!
In 1st Corinthians 3:1-8a Paul reprimands the believers for still only being able to drink milk and not being ready for the solid food of the Word because they are still worldly. It was obvious form all the jealousy and quarrelling (fighting, arguing, disagreeing) among them that they are worldly and merely living by human standards. For some of them wanted to follow Paul and other Apollos while both of them were only SERVANTS through whom they came to TRUST (have faith, belief, hope) and indeed it was the Master (Yeshua) who brought them to TRUST (have faith, belief, hope) through either one of them or the other. Paul planted the SEED and Apollos WATERED it, but it was God (the Father) who MADE IT GROW. So neither the PLANTER nor the WATERER is anything, only GOD (the Father) who makes things GROW – planter and waterer are the same.
And this is an important message that ALL BELIEVERS must take note of in terms of the GIFTS we RECEIVED from God. None of us is in any ways better than another, and therefore there are no need for jealousy and quarrelling which only hampers the work of the KINGDOM. All that matters are whether we are doing our KINGDOM WORK with the GIFTS we each received.
And then Paul says in 1st Corinthians 3:8b “However, each will be REWARDED according to his work.” Paul also explains in verses 9-15 “For we are God (the Father’s) co-workers; you are God’s FIELD, God’s BUILDING. Using the GRACE God (the Father) gave me, I laid the FOUNDATION, like a skilled master-builder; and another man is building on it. But let each one be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any FOUNDATION other than the one already laid, which is YEHSUA the MESSIAH. Some will use GOLD, SILVER or PRECIOUS STONES in building on this FOUNDATION; while others will use WOOD, GRASS or STRAW. But each one’s work will be shown for what it is; the (capital letter) DAY (referring to the DAY we as believers will stand before the JUDGEMENT SEAT of the MESSIAH after the FIRST RESURECTION of BELIEVERS) will disclose it, because it will be revealed by FIRE – the FIRE will TEST the QUALITY of each one’s WORK. It the WORK someone has built on the FOUNDATION SURVIVES, he WILL RECEIVE A REWARD; if it is burned up; he will have to bear the loss; he WILL STILL ESCAPE WITH his LIFE, but it will be like ESCAPING THROUGH FIRE.”
We will talk more about this next week when we study some of Yeshua our Messiah’s parables to understand what Paul explained here more clearly.
Paul then further explains in 1st Corinthians 4:1-5 that our own evaluation or other people’s evaluation of us really matters very little as long as we acts as TRUSTFUL (faithful) SERVANTS of Messiah and of God the Father’s TRUTHS, the ONE who is evaluating us is the Master (Yeshua). “So, don’t pronounce JUDGEMENT prematurely, before the Master (Yeshua) comes; for He will bring to LIGHT what is now HIDDEN in darkness; He will expose the MOTIVES of people’s HEARTS; and then EACH WILL RECEIVE FROM GOD (the Father) whatever praise he deserves. Paul then again warns in verses 6-7 that no one of us must think we are special or boast in any way since ALL that we have we RECEIVED as a GIFT from God. And in verse 14 Paul confirms that he is not writing it to make believers ashamed, but to CONFRONT (challenge) us and get us to CHANGE. And to follow his example to be in UNION with Messiah Yeshua and teach everywhere in every congregation (teach this to all believers we meet with).
And in Colossians 3:16-17 Paul calls believers to “let the WORD of the Messiah, in all its richness, live in you, as you TEACH (impart, communicate, explain) and COUNSEL (advice, guide, warn) each other in ALL WISDOM, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with GRATITUDE to God (the Father) in your HEARTS. That is, EVERYTHING you DO or SAY, Do it in the NAME of MASTER YESHUA, giving thanks through Him to GOD the FATHER. And in verses 23-24 he says: “Whatever work you do, put yourselves into it, as those who are serving not merely other people, but the Master (Yeshua). Remember that as your REWARD, you will receive the INHRITANCE from the Master (Yeshua). You are slaving (serving/ working) for the Master, for the Messiah. Don’t worry – whoever is doing wrong will be PAID in kind for his wrong (will be paid in accordance to his/ her deeds), and there is no favouritism shown.”
And in 1st Thessalonians 2:19 Paul says to the believers in Thessalonica: “For when our Master Yeshua RETURNS (meaning at His Second Coming), what will be our hope, our joy, our CROWN to boast about? Won’t it be you? Yes, you are our GLORY and our JOY! (Meaning those saved through the message of the GOOD NEWS).
And in 2nd Timothy 4:1-8 Paul tells Timothy: “I solemnly (seriously) charge you before God (the Father) and the Messiah Yeshua, who WILL JUDGE the LIVING and the DEAD when HE APPEARS and ESTABLISHES HIS KINGDOM: proclaim the WORD! Be on hand with it whether the time seems right or not. CONVICT (correct), CENSURE (rebuke, reproof, reprimand) and EXHORT (encourage, inspire) with unfailing PATIENCE (endurance, tolerance, perseverance) and with TEACHING (educate, instruct, coach).
For the time is coming when people will not have patience for sound teaching, but will cater to their passions and gather around themselves teachers who say whatever their ears itch to hear. Yes, they will STOP LISTENING to THE TRUTH, but will turn aside to follow myths (legends, traditions). But you, remain steady in EVERY SITUATION, ENDURE SUFFERING, DO THE WORK that a PROCLAIER OF THE GOOD NEWS should, and DO EVERYTHING your service to GOD (the Father) requires. For as for me, I am already being poured out on the altar; yes, the time for my departure has arrived (Paul is therefore preparing for his martyrdom for Yeshua, to face death). I have fought the GOOD FIGHT, I have FINISHED the RACE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH. All that awaits me now is the CROWN of RIGHTEOUSNESS which the Master (Yeshua), the RIGHTEOUSS JUDGE will AWARD me on that (capital letter) DAY – and not only to me, but also to ALL who have LONGED for HIM to appear.”
And Peter tells believers in 1st Peter 4:17-19 ‘For the TIME has come for the JUDGEMENT to begin. It begins with the HOUSEHOLD of GOD (the Father); and it starts with us, what will the outcome be for those who are DISOBEYING God’s GOOD NEWS? – If the RIGHTOEUS is barely DELIVERED, where will the ungodly and sinful end up? (Peter is quoting Proverbs 11:31). And then He proceeds saying in verse 19: “So let those who are suffering according to God (the Father’s) WILL ENTRUST themselves to a FAITHFUL CREATOR by continuing to DO what is GOOD.”
And Peter then continues saying in 1st Peter 5:1-11 “Therefore, I urge the congregation leaders among you, as a fellow-leader and witness to the Messiah’s sufferings, as well as a sharer in the GLORY to be REVEALED: shepherd the flock of God (the Father) that is in your care, exercising oversight not out of constraint (the NIV says, watching over them – not because you must), but willingly, as God (the Father) wants; and not out of a desire for dishonest gain, but with enthusiasm; also not as doers domineering (authoritarian, forceful) over those in your care, but as people who become examples to the flock. Then, when the CHIEF SHEPHERD appears (referring to the Second Coming of Yeshua the Messiah), you will receive GLORY as your UNFAIDING CROWN. Likewise, you who are less experienced, submit to your leaders. Further, ALL of you should CLOTHE yourselves in HUMILITY toward one another, because God (the Father) opposes the arrogant, but to the humble He gives GRACE (a quotation of Proverbs 3:34). Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God (the Father), so that at the right time He may lift you up. Throw ALL your anxieties upon Him, because He cares for you. STAY SOBER, STAY ALERT! Your enemy, the Adversary (Satan), stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Stand FIRM against him, firm in your TRUST (faith, belief, hope), knowing that your brothers (fellow believers) throughout the world are going through the same kind of suffering. You will have to suffer only a little while; after that, God (the Father), who is FULL of GRACE, the ONE who called you to HIS eternal GLORY in UNION with the MESSIAH, will HIMSELF RESTORE, ESTABLISH and STENGHTEN you and make you FIRM. To Him be the POWER FOREVER and EVER. Amen (confirming it is true, so be it).”
And John warns believers in 2nd John 1:7-9 “For many deceivers have gone out in this world, people who do not acknowledge Yeshua the Messiah’s coming as a human being. Such a person is a deceiver and an antimessiah/ antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you won’t lose what you have WORKED for, but will RECEIVE your FULL REWARD. Everyone who goes ahead and does not remain TRUE to what the Messiah taught, does not have God (the Father). Those who REMAIN TRUE to HIS TEACHING have both the Father and the Son.”
But what does Paul then mean in Romans 8:1 that there is: “..no longer any condemnation (punishment) awaiting those who are in UNION with the Messiah Yeshua, who walk not after the FLESH, but after the (capital letter) Spirit. For the law of the SPIRIT of LIFE in Messiah Yeshua has set you FREE from the law of sin and death. As explained in previous messages, this is a PICTURE of the ARK of the COVENANT with God’s LAW (His Torah, summed up in the Ten Commandments) inside and the MERCY SEAT on TOP. Due to Yeshua’s blood that paid for our transgression against the LAW (the Torah summed up in the Ten Commandments of God the Father) and sprinkled on the MERCY SEAT, we as BORN AGAIN believers who FOLLOW YESHUA our MESSIAH in OBEDIENCE with the HELP of the HOLY SPIRIT are protected against the CONDEMNATION TO DEATH POWER (the death penalty) of the LAW. We are however still liable to stand before the JUDGEMENT SEAT of the MESSIAH where our WORK done for HIM will be evaluated and we will be rewarded accordingly.