The pandemic has challenged people to re-evaluate their priorities, nevertheless, ingrained thinking, deeply rooted habits, lifestyles, and traditions have a stronghold on our minds, wills, emotions, and innermost being.
Matthew 24:24 put it this way, "For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." Consequently, Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8). Therefore, we must be alert like a watchtower (Isaiah 21:8).
Living like Yeshua (Jesus) is not easy because we still struggle in our current state (flesh) e.g. “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7:15, ESV).
The pandemic has challenged people to re-evaluate their priorities, nevertheless, ingrained thinking, deeply rooted habits, lifestyles, and traditions have a stronghold on our minds, wills, emotions, and innermost being.
Matthew 24:24 put it this way, "For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." Consequently, Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8). Therefore, we must be alert like a watchtower (Isaiah 21:8).
Living like Yeshua (Jesus) is not easy because we still struggle in our current state (flesh) e.g. “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7:15, ESV).
|
I personally thank Adonai (G-d manifest in the flesh in Yeshua sometimes better known as the incarnation) for His Holy Spirit within my innermost being who convicts me so that I desire to put on my new creation which desires to love Adonai with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, as well as to love others as He loves me (Matthew 22:35–40).
Hebrews 10:26-29, says "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of G-d (Adonai, Elohim, Yahweh). Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of G-d underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? Our Sovereign Creator the great Physician replaces hardened hearts with a pliable heart of flesh when He enables His people to come to faith at which time He also writes His 10 Commandments that He gave to Moses on our hearts instead of on tablets of stone (Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 36:26, Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 8:10). True disciples of Yeshua (G-d incarnate) cannot go on willfully sinning, because their innermost being is being changed from glory to glory for His namesake (2 Corinthians 3:18) so that His people can carry out the good work He planned in advance for them to do (Ephesians 2:10). Romans 8:30, "And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified." |
|
We will never be perfect in this life-time but rather in the twinkling of an eye we will finally be like Him (1 Corinthians 15:52). We are being perfected into the likeness of our Messiah through a process known as sanctification - Yahweh's spiritual 12 Step Program. Please check out "A Biblical Analysis of the Twelve Steps" for more information.
YESHUA (JESUS) THE OVERCOMER - THE PRINCIPLE DECLARED"The term “overcomer” comes from the Greek nikaw, “to conquer, prevail, triumph, overcome.” This verb is found 28 times in 24 verses in the New Testament. This presupposes and calls attention to the presence of war, contests, battles, and conflicts in man’s struggle with evil. The New Testament clearly teaches us, as does life itself, that we are in a conflict, indeed, a holy war, with specific adversaries. Even after salvation, the conflict still rages in and against the life of the Christian (Disciples). This is evident in Scripture and so obvious in life that one has to deny reality to ignore or disclaim it. Two key passages that illustrate the nature of our conflict with evil are Ephesians 2:1-2 and 6:12." Source: Bible.org
Revelation 3:5 and other Scripture are referring to true born-again believers (John 3:1-21) in and disciples of Yeshua (Yahweh incarnate) who desire to uphold Yahweh’s commandments. Their allegiance is to their Creator rather than a religion. Yeshua (Jesus) said, “I Am is the Good Shepherd. I know My Own and My Own know Me” (John 10:14). Therefore, we love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19) and called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:25; John 8:12; John 4:23). True born-again believers walk in Spirit and in Truth because they love and revere their Redeemer.
While there is no direct Biblical Greek or Hebrew translation for the word "overcomer" the book of Revelation is referring to the rewards promised to His elect/chosen ones (John 6:37–45, Ephesians 1:3-14, Romans 8:29–30…) who have done good works as onto their Redeemer and will therefore be rewarded in life eternal. Therefore, this book is not referring to the loss of one’s salvation, but rather will be rewarded according to their good works.
For example, the Letters to Smyrna and Sardis said: Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). These are words of confirmation and encouragement to spur them onto countering evil with good works. In other words, he who is victorious in this way has nothing to fear because he shall not be hurt by the second death (Rev. 2:11).
To those in Sardis he who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels (Rev. 3:5; emphasis added). Both statements appear to be a figure of speech/rhetoric called “litotes,” common in literature and in everyday speech.
Letter to Smyrna
This letter is similar in that it confirms that His people will not be touched by the second death because their name is written in heaven (Luke 10:20). For, in the day of judgment our Redeemer will remain faithful, and acknowledge those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Our Lord is saying to the overcomer (victor) that his reward will be the very opposite of injury from the second death or of losing an eternal name (Revelation 2! Revelation 2:11 and Revelation 3:5 are promises of life eternal and rewarding or acknowledging good works that honour and glorify our Lord, but can never earn a person's salvation. He will restore what was taken from His people (https://www.openbible.info/topics/enemy_has_stolen).
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 1:13-14, "In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory."
"I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! (Galatians 2:21 - see also Romans 3:28). Therefore, to conclude, a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law. James 2:24: You see then that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. Because there are no contradictions in the Bible what James was saying is that "Faith apart from works" cannot be reconciled in any way with by works and not by faith alone." If we keep reading the next two verses explain that faith without works is dead. Yahweh's elect (chosen ones) not only recite His Words they live by them and bear good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), because of their love for Him and respect for His sovereignty. 2 Corinthians 2:14 "But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Yeshua (Jesus) triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere." "For we are no longer slaves of sin, but to righteousness (Romans 6:15-23).
This is my conclusion regarding this matter, for I am convinced that my ResponseAbility is by grace alone, faith, alone, in Yeshua/Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Therefore I am all the more grateful for His patience and loving kindness toward me ever reminding me to live like He died forgiving others as I have been forgiven (Titus 3:3).
YESHUA (JESUS) THE OVERCOMER - THE PRINCIPLE DECLARED"The term “overcomer” comes from the Greek nikaw, “to conquer, prevail, triumph, overcome.” This verb is found 28 times in 24 verses in the New Testament. This presupposes and calls attention to the presence of war, contests, battles, and conflicts in man’s struggle with evil. The New Testament clearly teaches us, as does life itself, that we are in a conflict, indeed, a holy war, with specific adversaries. Even after salvation, the conflict still rages in and against the life of the Christian (Disciples). This is evident in Scripture and so obvious in life that one has to deny reality to ignore or disclaim it. Two key passages that illustrate the nature of our conflict with evil are Ephesians 2:1-2 and 6:12." Source: Bible.org
Revelation 3:5 and other Scripture are referring to true born-again believers (John 3:1-21) in and disciples of Yeshua (Yahweh incarnate) who desire to uphold Yahweh’s commandments. Their allegiance is to their Creator rather than a religion. Yeshua (Jesus) said, “I Am is the Good Shepherd. I know My Own and My Own know Me” (John 10:14). Therefore, we love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19) and called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:25; John 8:12; John 4:23). True born-again believers walk in Spirit and in Truth because they love and revere their Redeemer.
While there is no direct Biblical Greek or Hebrew translation for the word "overcomer" the book of Revelation is referring to the rewards promised to His elect/chosen ones (John 6:37–45, Ephesians 1:3-14, Romans 8:29–30…) who have done good works as onto their Redeemer and will therefore be rewarded in life eternal. Therefore, this book is not referring to the loss of one’s salvation, but rather will be rewarded according to their good works.
For example, the Letters to Smyrna and Sardis said: Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). These are words of confirmation and encouragement to spur them onto countering evil with good works. In other words, he who is victorious in this way has nothing to fear because he shall not be hurt by the second death (Rev. 2:11).
To those in Sardis he who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels (Rev. 3:5; emphasis added). Both statements appear to be a figure of speech/rhetoric called “litotes,” common in literature and in everyday speech.
Letter to Smyrna
This letter is similar in that it confirms that His people will not be touched by the second death because their name is written in heaven (Luke 10:20). For, in the day of judgment our Redeemer will remain faithful, and acknowledge those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Our Lord is saying to the overcomer (victor) that his reward will be the very opposite of injury from the second death or of losing an eternal name (Revelation 2! Revelation 2:11 and Revelation 3:5 are promises of life eternal and rewarding or acknowledging good works that honour and glorify our Lord, but can never earn a person's salvation. He will restore what was taken from His people (https://www.openbible.info/topics/enemy_has_stolen).
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 1:13-14, "In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory."
"I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! (Galatians 2:21 - see also Romans 3:28). Therefore, to conclude, a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law. James 2:24: You see then that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. Because there are no contradictions in the Bible what James was saying is that "Faith apart from works" cannot be reconciled in any way with by works and not by faith alone." If we keep reading the next two verses explain that faith without works is dead. Yahweh's elect (chosen ones) not only recite His Words they live by them and bear good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), because of their love for Him and respect for His sovereignty. 2 Corinthians 2:14 "But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Yeshua (Jesus) triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere." "For we are no longer slaves of sin, but to righteousness (Romans 6:15-23).
This is my conclusion regarding this matter, for I am convinced that my ResponseAbility is by grace alone, faith, alone, in Yeshua/Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Therefore I am all the more grateful for His patience and loving kindness toward me ever reminding me to live like He died forgiving others as I have been forgiven (Titus 3:3).
