Shabbat Word
21/11/2020
Shabbat Shalom!
Covid-19 continues to ravage the world. Every night, I pray this Psalm for the continued well-being, security and prosperity of Yahuah’s people, Yisra`el, His land, Yisra`el, His set apart city Yerushalayim and my family spiritual and physical.
Psalm 91:1-16
91:1) He who dwells in the secret place of Ha`Elyon,
Will rest in the shadow of Shaddai.
91:2) I will say of Yahuah,
“He is my refuge and my fortress; My `Elohiym, in whom I trust.”
91:3) For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler,
And from the deadly pestilence.
91:4) He will cover you with His feathers.
Under His wings you will take refuge.
His faithfulness is your shield and rampart.
91:5) You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day;
91:6) Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday.
91:7) A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it will not come near you.
91:8) You will only look with your eyes,
And see the recompense of the wicked.
91:9) Because you have made Yahuah your refuge,
And Ha`Elyon your dwelling place,
91:10) No evil shall happen to you,
Neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
91:11) For He will give His angels charge over you,
To guard you in all your ways.
91:12) They will bear you up in their hands,
So that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
91:13) You will tread on the lion and cobra.
You will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot.
91:14) “Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him.
I will set him on high, because he has known my name.
91:15) He will call on me, and I will answer him.
I will be with him in trouble.
I will deliver him, and honour him.
91:16) I will satisfy him with long life,
And show him my salvation (yeshu`ah).”
A Word
In this world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.
There are three views of history: personal, global and universal.
In the personal view, there are two specific days: the day of birth and the day of death. Some people add a wedding day, birth of children or day of retirement. However, these do not apply to every single human ever to exist. There are certain people that can tell of two birth days. “Yeshua answered him, ‘Most assuredly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the Kingdom of Yahuah.’” (John 3:4). These are Believers who are born again, those who have accepted Messiah Yeshua as their personal Saviour. By turning back to Yahuah sins have been forgiven, the punishment has been taken upon Messiah Yeshua and entry into Yahuah’s Kingdom assured.
When Benjamin Franklin gave this quote in the 18th. Century, he was not able to look forward to a time when ‘creative accounting’ could find loopholes in taxation law so that their clients can legally pay zero taxes. He must also not have understood Scripture references to the End Times. FGA believes in the theology of the End Times (eschatology) whereby all living Believers are snatched away to meet Messiah in the air prior to Ya’akov’s Troubles (the Great Tribulation). “For Messiah Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the chief angel, and with Yahuah’s shofar. The dead in Messiah will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet Messiah in the air. So we will be with Messiah forever.” (1 Thess. 4:16, 17). “Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last shofar. For the shofar will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality, then what is written will happen: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ‘Death, where is your sting? She`ol, where is your victory?’” (1 Cor. 15:51-55). When writing to the Messianic Assemblies at Thessalonika and Corinth, Rav Sha`ul stated that there will come a specific day when all living Believers will escape death and be instantly transformed from mortal, corrupt bodies and given new immortal, incorrupt bodies.
The second view is that of the world. There are many specific days when a great invention or scientific, medical or technological breakthrough has occurred. However, in the vast majority of these the dates are not remembered. Nevertheless, there comes some tragedy that cannot be forgotten as it changes the world’s paradigm forever, and can never be undone.
On 6th. August, 1945, with the dropping of the first atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, the destruction of the planet by Man became a possibility. Over 146,000 people died as a result of the explosion in the first few months with many more succumbing to the effects of radiation in subsequent years. Limited news coverage at the time showed the horrors of world war. Many people lived under the threat of nuclear annihilation during the Cold War. Although traditional enemies may no longer pose such a threat, extreme factions may not have the same fear of mutual annihilation and consider death a victory.
On 11th. September, 2001, terrorism went from a relatively localised event to an outrage that could strike anywhere and at any time. Many people no longer felt safe going about their normal lives. 2,996 people died in the collapse of the Twin Towers in New York but the horror was beamed live into our homes throughout the world.
On 26th. December, 2014, an earthquake off Sumatra in Indonesia caused a tsunami (tidal wave) that spread as fast as a commercial aeroplane causing over 230,000 deaths. Again, events were shown live on television. Many people became aware of the tenuous existence of humanity in comparison with Nature.
On a day, some time in the future, a day no man knows when, Yahuah will withdraw His offer of Salvation to all; His grace will be replaced by His wrath. “Behold, the Day of Yahuah comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger; to make the land a desolation, and to destroy the sinners of it out of it.” (Isa. 13:9). The prophet Yesha`yahu (Isaiah) warns all Mankind of this day. It is conceivable that billions of people will perish. “Yahuah is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). No matter how much He loves us, there is ultimately a limit on Yahuah’s patience. “I will gather all nations and bring them down into the Valley of Yehoshafat; and I will execute judgement on them there for my people and for my heritage, Yisra`el, whom they have scattered among the nations.” (Joel 3:2).
“I charge you, therefore, before Yahuah and Master Yeshua the Messiah, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom.” 2(Tim. 4:1). Now many will mock this idea of a Day of Judgement but, “Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of Yahuah comes on the sons of disobedience.” (Eph. 5:6).
The third view is that of the Universe. There are incidences that have an effect on all of Creation. “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit of it and ate and she gave some to her husband with her and he ate.” (Gen. 3:6). The first of these was the day Adam disobeyed Yahuah `Elohiym and all of Creation suffered as sin, and hence death and corruption, came into the existence and the need for a Saviour.
“It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth.” (Luke 2:6). This lowly birth was that of the Saviour and Redeemer, not only of Mankind but of all of Creation.
The consequences of sin and death entering the world required the death of all who have sinned. “When Yeshua therefore received the vinegar, He said, ‘It is finished.’ He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit.” (John 19:30). The Saviour-Redeemer Messiah Yeshua was Yahuah’s way for all of Creation to be brought back to Him: but only after the sacrificial death of His beloved Son.
Mockers say that many were crucified so what made this one special? “Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living amongst the dead? He is not here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in the Galil, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again?’” (Luke 24:5-7). Again, many scoffers would have it that there have been other tales of dead people coming back to life. Even in Scripture there are several other accounts of resurrections. “Whom Yahuah raised up, having freed Him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.” (Acts 2:24). Unlike every other account, both scriptural and secular, not only did Yahuah raise Messiah Yeshua up, but He would never see death again.
“Blessed be the Yah and Father of our Master Yeshua the Messiah, who according to His great mercy, became our Father again to a living hope through the resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3).
In order for the sacrificial death to have been effectual for the salvation for all of Creation it must be received and accepted by Yahuah. “When He had said these things, as they were looking, He was taken up and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:9). The day of Messiah’s ascension proved that this was so.
The final specific day is Judgement Day. “I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne and they opened books. Another book was opened which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged out of the things written in the books, according to their works.” (Rev.20:12).
Are you written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? Are you sure? If not, repent and turn right now back to Father Yahuah. Accept the salvation won for you by His Son, our Saviour Messiah Yeshua. Believe that not only all of Creation was redeemed but you also, if only you would believe.
Does Judgement Day hold any horrors for you? If you have not accepted Yahuah’s Salvation, it should do!
“If anyone was not found written in the Book of Life, he was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:15).
Ameyn
Halleluyah
Father, we thank you for the power of your Word and that Word was made flesh in the Messiah Yeshua so that in believing in His life, death and resurrection we may have eternal life with you.
If you want to accept Father’s offer of salvation through the Messiah Yeshua, you need to ask Him in prayer along these lines. You may use these or your own words but they must be genuine as Father knows our very hearts and nothing is hidden from Him.
“Father, I am a sinner who needs forgiveness of my sins through your Son, the Messiah Yeshua. Please forgive me of all my past sins as I accept that, Messiah Yeshua my Saviour, has taken upon Himself my punishment. By your Spirit, help me to live a life worthy of His sacrifice. Thank you, Father, for making the perfect way back to you.”
Remember, the Judge looks into your heart, mind and future.
If you have honestly said such a prayer as this, and truly renounced the sin in your life and accepted Father’s salvation through the Messiah Yeshua, then please drop us an e-mail or call us at FGA to let us know. This helps build up our faith and offers an opportunity to prayerfully support you. Even if you have Believing friends or family, we at FGA would be privileged to pray for you. Please contact us at ezra710@firstgenerationassembly.com. Having believed and prayed, now please find a local faith-based church to attend. Drop FGA an e-mail or call us so that we can rejoice with you and pray and support you over the coming weeks.
If you have sincerely called out to Father for forgiveness, then eternal life is assured. Salvation does not take away the day-to-day questions of life, nor is it a short-cut away from trials or tribulations. Nevertheless, knowing your eternal life is secure, any temporary trial can be overcome by looking at the completed work of Messiah Yeshua.
All blessings to you.
“The desire of the righteous is only good.
The expectation of the wicked is wrath.” (Prov. 11:23).
Breaking Matzah
Our Saviour welcomes all His Family to join in this memorial. If you have accepted Messiah Yeshua as your Master and Saviour please take the next few moments to seek Father and to ensure that all is right between Him and you and between you and your Brothers and Sisters. If not, please put this right before continuing.
If you have not yet accepted Him into your life, then we encourage you to seek Him while it is still possible, as time is running out. When He returns or if you pass away then it will be too late. Please do not partake of the matzah and wine as in doing so, it gives thanks for the broken body (matzah) and shed blood (wine) for and a witness of salvation.
On the night of the Master’s betrayal, He took the matzah, blessed it and broke it saying ‘This is my Body broken for you; take and eat it as a memorial to Me.’
Bless the matzah saying: Blessed are you, O Yahuah our `Elohiym, King of the Universe, who brings forth matzah from the earth.
Break and eat the matzah (sharing it if within a group setting):
After the meal He took the Cup, blessed it saying ‘This is my Blood poured out for you for the remission of sins; take and drink it as a memorial to me.’
Bless the wine saying: Blessed are you, O Yahuah our `Elohiym, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
Drink the wine (sharing it if within a group setting):
Thanksgiving prayer: Blessed are you, O Yahuah our `Elohiym, King of the universe, who gives us, in Yeshua, all that we will ever need. In your lovingkindness and mercy, you rebuild broken lives. You bless us, in Yeshua, with a perfect blessing. Ameyn.
Dates to remember
15/12/2020 – Rosh Chodesh 10th. New Moon
Father willing, we will meet again next Shabbat.
“Y’varekh’kha Yahuah v’yishmerekha,
Ya’er Yahuah panav eleikha vichunekka,
Yissa Yahuah panav eleikha v’yasem l’kha shalom.”
(May Yahuah bless you and keep you)
(May Yahuah make His face to shine upon you and show you His favour)
(May Yahuah lift up His face toward you and give you peace.).
First Generation Assembly 