A Contextual Overview of the Matthew 24 Olivet Prophecy As It Relates to End Time Events

Posted on by
Reply

Having a working knowledge of the Bible’s prophetic “blueprints” will not only help us to understand future events relating to the end times, but will also help us to discover who we are as a people in the eyes of YHVH, where we have come from, where we are presently, and where we are going—that is, what the future holds for us, and what our spiritual destiny and divine inheritance will be. Only then can we begin to understand the end-time prophetic events leading up to the second coming of Yeshua and what our divinely mandated mission as obedient disciples of Yeshua is to be during these times.

As we begin to examine Matthew chapters 24 and 25 (the Olivette Discourse), it is important first to note the chronological positioning of Yeshua’s prophecy in the context of the passages before and after Matthew chapteer 24. The chapters that precede Matthew 24 prophetically speak of precursory events leading up to the second coming of Yeshua, while the chapter that follows Matthew 24 prophetically delineate events that occur after his return.

With this larger context in view, it becomes evident that Matthew 24 sits like a diamond in the midst of a brilliant gold setting. The larger picture speaks of the order of end time events pertaining to the second coming of Yeshua the Messiah, our beloved King, Redeemer and Savior. What follows below is a chronology of events as Matthew lays them out, more or less, in the order in which they will occur prophetically in the end times.

  • Matthew 16:13–20, At last, the disciples openly recognize and confess that Yeshua is truly the Messiah. The lesson for us in this is that knowing the true identity of Yeshua is critical to understanding end time events, since he is the central figure in everything pertaining thereto. The location of Yeshua’s discussion with his disciples in Matthew 16 was Caesarea Philippi (v. 13), which was located at the base of Mount Hermon, the tallest mountain in that region of the Middle East. The pagans of that area viewed Mount Hermon as the mountain of their chief god Baal. Caesarea Philippi was also the location of the Grotto of Pan, a Greek god who was the lord of the mountains, sexual fertility, the wilderness, caves and grottoes. In ancient times at the Grotto of Pan there was located a temple dedicated to Pan and that grotto or cave was viewed as “the gate of hell” or hades. Yeshua makes reference to this in verse 18, when he declares that the gates of hell (Gr. hades) will not prevail against his church (Gr. ecclesia or “called out people”). What is going on here? Yeshua is literally throwing down the gauntlet and making a declaration to Satan and his demonic underlings that he is coming to establish his kingdom on earth and that the powers of darkness will never be able to prevail against him or his chosen people, and that he was giving power and authority to his servants to overcome Satan and his minions. Therefore, he was putting Satan on notice that his time is limited and that his tenure as the god of this world is coming to an end.
  • Matthew 16:21–28, Here Yeshua predicts his death and resurrection. Peter struggles to comprehend that Yeshua, the long-awaited Messiah, must first fulfill his mission as the Suffering Servant as man’s Redeemer as opposed to being the Conquering King to defeat Roman rule and oppression. As the Suffering Servant prophesied in Isaiah 53, Yeshua had to die at the hands of the people and then resurrect from the grave after the third day. It took a while for the disciples to hitch their wagon to the concept that Yeshua would first have to die, resurrect from the dead, before returning as the Conquering King. Yeshua then goes one to declare that all his disciples must likewise follow in his footsteps and embrace the way of the cross before they can rule and reign with him in his coming millennial kingdom (Rev 1:6; 5:10; 20:6 cp. Exod 19:6; Isa 66:21; Dan 7:18).
  • Matthew 17:1–13, This event, commonly called the transfiguration, likely occurred on Mount Hermon, recognized by the pagans as a satanic high place (as discussed previously above). Here Yeshua’s gives his disciples a further revelation about his second coming in power and glory. But first Yeshua shows his disciples that this will happen only after he has suffered at the cross and has risen again. Yeshua makes a clear delineation between his first coming and his second coming. As part of the transfiguration vision, Moses and Elijah appear. Many Bible students believe that these two notable Old Testament figures will be two witnesses who will precede Yeshua’s second coming as prophesied in Revelation 11:1–14. Thus, this seems to be yet another revelation about events that will occur before the second coming.
  • Matthew 17:14–21, In this episode, a young boy is healed of demonic possession. Yeshua’s disciples are unable to cast out the demon. Yeshua, on the other hand, quickly and easily sets the boy free and declares that some demonic entities cannot be overcome except through prayer and fasting. At Yeshua’s second coming and just prior to the establishment of his universal, millennial kingdom on earth, he will himself sublimate all demonic forces including his arch-enemy, Satan, who an unnamed angel will cast bound into the bottomless pit (Rev 20:1–3). There the devil will be imprisoned unable to torment or deceive humanity during the 1000 year-long Millennium. After the Millennium comes the White Throne Judgment where Satan will be cast into the Lake of Fire forever (Rev 20:10).
  • Matthew 17:22–23, Yeshua predicts Judas’ betrayal. Likewise in the end times just prior to Yeshua’s second coming, many Christian believers, like Judas, will turn away from Yeshua in the great falling away or apostasy predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12.
  • Matthew 17:24–27, This is where Yeshua pays his taxes to Caesar and instructs his disciples to do the same. The predictive lesson here is that in the end times, YHVH’s people will be enslaved to the world’s economic system until the sounding of the jubilee trumpet (or shofar) on the Day of Atonement which signals the fall of Babylon the Great (Rev 18). This will occur at Yeshua’s second coming when the saints will once and for all be set free from the tyranny and slavery to this world’s satanic, antichrist system commonly known as The New World Order, or in Bible prophecy as Babylon the Great.
  • Matthew 18:1–5, Here Yeshua talks about the requirements for entering his kingdom. He points out that only those who have been converted from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, and who will become like little children in their spiritual demeanor can be members of the kingdom of Elohim.
  • Matthew 18:6–9, Yeshua then warns against offenses. Those who offend his little (spiritual) children, of whom is the kingdom of heaven, will be in danger of the Lake of Fire judgment.
  • Matthew 18:10–14, Next Yeshua teaches an important lesson in the Parable of the Lost Sheep. He is in the sheep regathering business including the lost sheep of the house of Israel, which he considers to be a main aspect of his ministry’s mission (Matt 15:24). The regathering of his sheep that had been lost and scattered among the nations began at Yeshua’s first coming, continued through the ongoing work of his disciples (Matt 10:6), and continues to this day as a fulfillment of the Great Commission (Acts 1:6–8 cp. Matt 28:18–20; Mark 16:14–18). This mission will continue up to his second coming and on into the Millennium, which in the Jewish sages refer to as “the final redemption” or that Isaiah alludes to like a second exodus (Isa 11:11) of the tribes of Israel in fulfillment of numerous Old Testament prophecies.
  • Matthew 18:15–19:12, Now Yeshua goes into a long teaching about sins committed by one brother against another brother and how to bring about reconciliation between the opposite parties (Matt 18:15–20). After this, Yeshua talks about forgiveness between people who are at odds with each other. He teaches that forgiveness has no limits. Next, Yeshua discusses the subject of divorce and remarriage (Matt 19:1–10). In all of three of these teachings, Yeshua is alluding to the two houses of Israel, which have been at odds with each other ever since the united kingdom of Israel under David and Solomon divided under King Rehoboam . Their reuniting is prophesied in the Tanakh (most notably in Ezek 37:15–28), and is a key event that will coincide with the second coming of Yeshua, who is also known by his Hebraic title, Messiah Son of David. This long-awaited event has been written about by the Jewish sages for many years. However, this biblical truth has largely been ignored or forgotten by Christianity. This begs the question: who are the lost and scattered sheep of the two houses of Israel? They are the scattered descendents of the Northern Kingdom of Israel who, in a general sense, have become the modern Christians, and the Southern Kingdom who are the modern Jews. YHVH-Yeshua in his preincarnate state was married to Israel but divorced his wife (both the northern and southern kingdoms) because of their unfaithfulness to him (Ezekiel chapter 16). But when he returns, he will remarry a reunited Israelite bride comprised of both Jews and Christians.
  • Matthew 19:13–15, Next Yeshua blesses the little children and again stresses the point that only those of childlike demeanor will be members of his kingdom of heaven on earth.
  • Matthew 19:16–30, After this, we have Yeshua’s encounter with the rich young ruler who is a symbol of Torah-obedient Jews. The lesson here is that the Jews will have a place in Yeshua’s kingdom if they are both obedient to YHVH’s Torah and are also followers of Yeshua the Messiah.
  • Matthew 20:1–19, In the Parable of the Laborers, Yeshua talks about the landowner (i.e., Yeshua), the vineyard (i.e., Israel and the world) and those who have been laboring in his vineyard (i.e., his disciples). All disciples who are working to gather in the spiritual harvest of lost souls will receive the same “wages” for their labor, which is the free gift of salvations regardless of the length of their service.
  • Matthew 20:17–19, Yeshua again speaks of his crucifixion and resurrection. This must first happen before his millennial kingdom can come.
  • Matthew 20:20–28, Then Yeshua’s disciples query him about their positions of authority in his kingdom. They are still of the mindset that he is the Conquering King as opposed to the Suffering Servant. Yeshua informs them how positions of responsibility in his kingdom will be given to those who have a servant’s heart, and who are willing to lay down their lives for Yeshua even as he was about to lay down his life for everyone.
  • Matthew 20:29–34, Next Yeshua heals two blind men. This is a prophetic picture of Yeshua healing the two houses of Israel at his second coming, which are both blind in part spiritually (Isa 8:14; Rom 11:25). The
    Christians are largely blind to Elohim’s Written Torah, while the Jews are blind to Yeshua the Messiah who is the Living Torah-word of Elohim (John 1:1, 14; Rom 10:5–7 cp. Deut 30:11–14). When the eyes of both people-groups are unblinded and the see for the first time the fullness of who Yeshua is, they will unite in obedient worship of him. This is when the two divided kingdoms of Israel reunite under King Yeshua (see Ezekiel 37:15–28).
  • Matthew 21:1–11, After this, we have Yeshua’s famous triumphal entry into Jerusalem prior to his crucifixion. Yeshua enters Jerusalem riding on a colt, but with a mare accompanying the colt. This speaks prophetically of his second coming, when he will enter Jerusalem again riding a white war horse (Rev 19:11). The colt and mare speak of his duel messianic role as the Suffering Servant (Messiah Son of Joseph) at his first coming, and of his messianic role as the Conquering King (Messiah Son of David) at his second coming.
  • Matthew 21:12–22, In his journey to Jerusalem to confront the greedly spiritual leaders, Yeshua curses the fig tree, a picture of the fruitless and largely Torahless, Jewish religious system of his day. He then cleanses the temple of its secular defilement due to greed and the love of money when he upended the money-changers’ tables. Similarly, most modern religious leaders whether Jewish or Christian are hirelings and are controlled by their love of money and power. Yeshua will upend these corporate religious systems and raise up ministers after his own heart who have not given themselves over to greed and covetousness. Malachi prophesies that Messiah will cleanse his spiritual house at his second coming, when he suddenly comes to his temple to purify the sons of Levi—the Levites and priests (Mal 3:1–3).
  • Matthew 21:28–32, In the Parable of the Two Sons, Yeshua takes the Jewish leaders to task for being like a disobedient son, whereas the seemingly disobedient son is actually the more obedient son. Yeshua turned tables on the spiritually self-righteous Jews (of the house of Judah) who were smug in their spiritual self-assuredness. At the same time, the Christians (of the house of Israel) who they mockingly sneered at, demeaned, rejected and even murdered (they crucified Yeshua!) were actually the ones who would end up walking more faithfully in the “way of righteousness”—a Hebraic expression for “walking in the ways of Torah” (verse 32).
  • Matthew 21:33–46, The Parable of the Wicked Husbandman is a brief overview of YHVH’s dealings with Israel leading up to the second coming of Yeshua, where he will judge the wicked husbandmen (the hypocritical Jewish religious leaders of his day) for not faithfully tending his vineyard (i.e., the people of Israel). To this day, the religious Jews have largely refused to accept Yeshua the Messiah, who is the owner of the vineyard.
  • Matthew 22:1–14, In the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, Yeshua speaks of his upcoming wedding (at his second coming) between himself and those saints who are properly attired spiritually with robes of righteousness (Rev 19:7–9). This is a warning and wake up call to all disciples of Yeshua to get ready for his coming, for he is not coming back for a bride who is with spot and wrinkle (i.e., who have sin or Torahlessness in their lives; Eph 5:27).
  • Matthew 22:23–33, Next Yeshua teaches on the resurrection of the righteous dead, which occurs at his second coming and precedes his marriage to his bride (i.e., the saints who have adhered to both the Written and Living Word of YHVH according to Rev 12:17 and 14:12). The resurrection of the dead has been the great hope of the saints from the time of Job (Job 14:14; 19:25–27) until now.
  • Matthew 22:41–46, Yeshua then teaches about King David and the Messiah the Son of David, which is another reference to his second coming as the Conquering King.
  • Matthew 23, Now Yeshua gives a final rebuke to the leaders of the Jewish religious system of his day comprised of blind, greedy, self-serving and kingdom-building hypocrites. Prophetically, this is an end time warning to all spiritual leaders both Jewish and Christian to stop living as hypocrites, false teachers and duplicitous frauds, and humbly come into alignment with Yeshua and his word before the time of divine, fiery judgment comes on the earth that will reveal their true nature.
  • Matthew 24, This is an extensive teaching where Yeshua answers in chronological order three questions that the disciples ask him (Matt 24:3). First he discusses events that will occur during the tribulation period, then the great tribulation followed by the resurrection or “catching away” (also known as the “rapture”) of the saints (1 Thess 4:15–18), which does not occur before the tribulation as is mistakenly taught in many modern churches. The order of events found here corresponds with those found in the Book of Revelation chapter six. 
  • Matthew 25:1–13, In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, Yeshua teaches that although all redeemed Christians are spiritual virgins, not all will qualify to be his bride. Only those who have properly prepared themselves spiritually will be given this higher reward of the being the greatest in his kingdom (Matt 5:19 cp. Rev 19:7–9). Elsewhere Yeshua taught that some Christians who are saved will be called the least in his kingdom while others will be called the greatest (Matt 5:19). Obviously there are levels of rewards in the kingdom of Elohim.
  • Matthew 25:14–30, The Parable of the Talents teaches us that there will be different levels of rewards in the kingdom of Elohim based on one’s spiritual profitability or works of righteousness. Yeshua will hand out these rewards at his second coming (Rev 11:15–18). Again, rewards are separate from the free gift of salvation that one receives at the beginning of one’s spiritual relationship with Yeshua. Salvation is a free gift based on trusting faith in Yeshua the Messiah (Eph 2:8–9; Rom 10:9–10), while heavenly or eternal rewards are based on meritorious (Torah) works (Matt 5:19; 16:27; Rom 2:6; 2 Cor 5:10; Eph 6:8; 1 Pet 1:17; Rev 2:23; 19:8; 22:17).
  • Matthew 25:31–46, Finally as a conclusion to Yeshua’s Olivette Discourse, we come to what is often called “The Judgment of the Sheep and Goat Nations.” This too will occur after Yeshua’s second coming and perhaps at the white throne judgment (Rev 20:11–15). The sheep are the nations of the world that will likely exist during Yeshua’s millennial reign. The Greek word goats in this passage is referring to young goats or kids. Kids may refer to spiritually immature people who appear to be Christians in name only but who have failed to live up to the most minimal standards of being a true follower or disciple of Yeshua. At the Great White Throne Judgment that will occur after the Millennium, all people who have ever lived will appear and some will be given salvation and the rest will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:11–15).

After this quick overview these chapters in Matthew’s Gospel, hopefully it is becoming apparent that beneath the Gospel narrative contained in chapters 16 through 25 listing a series of events and teachings in Yeshua’s life, there is a more or less chronologically-ordered subtext prophesying end time events. These will surround his second coming and beyond. In these chapters and just before his crucifixion, Yeshua leaves a blueprint or overview with his disciples of events pertaining to the kingdom of heaven, which he had just initiated and instituted among them and begun promoting, and about his regathering the lost sheep of Israel and reuniting the divided kingdoms of Israel (the house of Judah who are the Jews, and the house of Israel or Ephraim who are, loosely speaking, the Christians). These activities will be occurring up until his second advent. Then from Matthew 24 through 25, we see Yeshua prophesying about events that will occur just prior to and after his return including end-times tribulations, the great tribulation, his second coming, and his giving out rewards and judgments to his servants. 

Having a basic understanding of the events leading up to Yeshua’s second coming, as sketchy as our understanding may be, will hopefully spur Yeshua’s disciples onward and upward in the hope of their faith (Heb 11:1) and as an anchor to their soul (Heb 6:19) in troublous perilous ahead.

 

Nathan’s Commentary on Parashat Ha’Azinu (Deuteronomy 32:1–52)

Posted on by
Reply

Deuteronomy 32

An Overview of Deuteronomy 32

The Poetic Song of Moses: A Prophetic History of the Rise, Fall and Redemption of YHVH’s People

  • Deuteronomy 32:1–4, The supremacy and perfection of YHVH and his Torah. The Torah, like rain, produces life. The great and perfect YHVH Elohim is the rock upon which Torah is founded, and he is the source of Truth, righteousness and justice. For this reason man should to ascribe greatness to and worship YHVH.
  • Deuteronomy 32:5–6, By contrast to Elohim, man is totally sinful and corrupt. Alhough Elohim made man in his image, in his sinful and corrupt state, man cut himself off spiritually from his Creator. Man may still be the physical children of Elohim, but in his cut off state, is YHVH still the spiritual Father of such a fallen, perverse, crooked, foolish and unwise people?
  • Deuteronomy 32:7–14, A history lesson—learn the lessons of history from your ancestors, or else you will repeat their mistakes. 
  • Deuteronomy 32:15–18, Israel’s apostasy was a result of their blessings and wealth. Like the Laodicean church of Revelation chapter three, their prosperity and comfort led to them for YHVH Elohim. 
  • Deuteronomy 32:19–22, YHVH is provoked to anger when his people’s sins.
  • Deuteronomy 32:23–27, Divine judgment—like a loving father, YHVH will disciplines his wayward children hoping they will come to their senses and repent of their sins. 
  • Deuteronomy 32:28–35, YHVH grieves over his wayward children—chastisement is inevitable. 
  • Deuteronomy 32:36–38, YHVH’s judgments for his people are judgments unto repentance, not judgments unto death. 
  • Deuteronomy 32:39–42, YHVH pleads with his people to return to him, then lists the consequences of sin. 
  • Deuteronomy 32:43, YHVH promises to redeem his people and provide atonement for their sins.

Deuteronomy 32:1–2, Words of my mouth…rain. Note the phrases: “words of my mouth,” “my doctrine,” “rain,” “my speech shall distill as the dew,” “small rain” and “showers.” Now compare these phrases with Ephesians 5:26. What is Scripture talking about here? Israel spent 40 years in a dry wilderness. By contrast, the Promised Land was a land flowing with milk and honey, was agriculturally fruitful and well-watered. Immediately before and after the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai (Exod 20), there are several references to human thirst and YHVH needing to provide water for his people (Exod 15:22–27; 17:1–7 Num 20:2–13). During the Messianic Age (or the Millennium), living waters will flow from Jerusalem (Zech 14:8), and those who refuse to come up to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) will receive no rain on their land (Zech 14:16–19). As you relate all these scriptures together, what is the bigger lesson YHVH is trying to teach us here pertaining to water and the word of YHVH? Basically, as we cannot survive without physical water, neither can we survive without the water of his Word.

Deuteronomy 32:2, Teachings droop as rain. Like the dew, the Torah is a gift from heaven and waters the ground of men’s hearts to help bring forth a bountiful harvest of righteousness. (See also Eph 5:26; Isa 55:1–11 cp. Mic 5:7.)

Deuteronomy 32:6, Do you thus repay or you are unmindful. The Hebrew letter hey at the beginning of this verse in the phrase “do you thus repay” is written larger and is separated from the surrounding words by a space making it the only one-letter word in the entire Tanakh. The Jewish sages tell us that this is part of Moses’ concealed signature in the Torah text—a Hebrew poetic device by which authors weave their signatures in the texts they have written in the form of an acrostic (Tikkun, p. 488).

Deuteronomy 32:8, Children of Israel. The Septuagint (LXX) has “angels of God”, the ESV has “sons of God”, and the Dead Sea Scrolls Bible (DSS) has “children of God”. The LXX and ESV references could be a reference to the fallen angel, demon-nephilim or the sons of Elohim reference found in Genesis 6:2 who along with their descendants founded kingdoms and empires that were opposed to Elohim. This alternate rendering possibly makes more sense, since Israel was not yet a nation when the Almighty assigned the nations to the heathens and the demon-gods or elohim that he placed over them and that they worshipped in place of the true YHVH Elohim. Or alternatively, perhaps YHVH arranged the heathen in their countries around the future land of Israel, and those heathen living therein were merely squatters illegally inhabiting the Promised Land before the children of Israel were a nation.

Deuteronomy 32:14, Blood of the grapes. What is the Torah referring to in this interesting, rather arcane phrase? Compare this with a parallel passage found in Genesis 49:11, which is clearly Messianic in nature. Now add into the mix Leviticus 17:11; Revelation 1:5; 7:14; Matthew 26:27–28; Romans 3:25; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; John 15:1–5 and finally John 6:53–56. In the last scripture listed, is Yeshua advocating some bizarre cultic rite involving cannibalism, or is he relating back to these Torah passages that are messianic in nature and then relating them to his redemptive work at the cross, which believers commemorate when they take communion at Passover? I think so.

Deuteronomy 32:15, Yeshurun. The name Yeshurun is a poetic appellation for Israel and means “upright, straight or just.” YHVH ascribed this august title to Israel indicating that Israel was not to deviate from the high spiritual standards demanded by YHVH (The ArtScroll Stone Edition Chumash, p. 1103). This is a prophecy about what would happen to Israel once they were in the Promised Land. Sadly, eventually they would forsake the one who had redeemed and blessed them. Compare this with Yeshua’s admonition to the Laodicean believers in Revelation 3:14–21 (especially note verse 17), which is a description of the contemporary American and Western Christian church, much of which preaches an “easy-believism,” health and wealth, pop-psychology, “come to Jesus and everything will be all right” humanistic gospel message. Just because you may now be inclined to a more Torah-oriented lifestyle or part of a congregation that uplifts YHVH’s Torah to one degree or another does not mean that you have shed off this kind of thinking and its accompanying lifestyle. These warnings still apply to all of us. Selah (ponder and reflect).

Deuteronomy 32:18, You are unmindful. Abraham’s steadfastness in surviving ten tests of his faith eventually saved his descendants, who tested Elohim on ten different occasions in the wilderness. This is alluded to by the specially small yud (which in the Hebrew alphabet signifies the number 10) in the phrase teshyr tzor y’ladkha, the Rock Who gave birth to you, have forsaken (The Wisdom in the Hebrew Alphabet, by Michael Munk p. 129).

Deuteronomy 32:21, I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people. I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. The term not a people is the Hebrew phrase lo-am.Curiously this same phrase occurs in two other places in the Tanakh (Isa 7:8;Hos 1:9) in reference to the Northern Kingdom or house of Israel (or Ephraim) and is repeated by Peter in reference to the “Gentiles” or “peoples of the nations” (which is the meaning of the Greek word ethnos translated as gentiles; 1 Pet 1:1; 2:9–10). Moreover, in Romans 9:25 Paul equates the “Gentiles” with the same people-group to which Hosea makes reference in Hosea 2:23. To whom is Hosea referring in his prophecy? (Read Hos 1:4,6; 4:15–17, chapter 5; 6:10–11; 7:1–11; chapter 8; etc.). Remember that the nation of Israel split into two groups at the time of Jeroboam and Rehoboam: the Northern Kingdom comprised of the ten northern tribes of Israel and was colloquially known in Scripture as Ephraim, house of Israel and Samaria, while the Southern Kingdom was known as Judah, the house of Judah and Jerusalem. 

Where are these Ephraimites of the house of Israel today? The answer can be found in Genesis 48:14 and 16 where the patriarch Jacob is prophesying over the two sons of Joseph: Ephraim and Manasseh. There we find some clues that point us to a religious people-group in existence today. When praying over his grandsons whose descendents would make up the largest number of people of the house of Israel or Northern Kingdom, Jacob with his arms he makes an interesting sign. He crosses his arms forming a cross? Then in verse 16, Jacob recounts his experiences with the Angel or literally Heavenly Messenger who “redeemed me from evil.” This is a reference to Genesis 31:1–11 where, while fleeing from Laban, Jacob’s adversary, he had a dream where the Messenger of Elohim calls himself the El of Bethel (or the El/God of the House of El/God). Who else is the Messenger of Elohim who is also a Redeemer but Yeshua the Messiah? (See Rom 3:24; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; Heb 9:12.)

Finally, Jacob prophesies that his grandsons’ descendants would grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. The word grow is the Hebrew word dagah/VDSfrom which the Hebrew word dag/DSor fish derives. This is why the ArtScroll Stone Edition Tanach translates this phrase as “may they proliferate abundantly like fish within the land.”

The question is then begged, what religious people-group on earth today can be associated with a cross, a Redeemer and a fish? Knowing this will give us a clue as to whom Paul and the other writers in the Testimony of Yeshua (NT) were referring when they equated the “Gentiles” with “a foolish nation” and “not a/my people.” Only the Christians fit the prophetic descriptions listed here.

Deuteronomy 32:22, The lowest sheol. The Scriptures in numerous places mentions sheol (a Hebrew word meaning “the grave”), but in several instances the Bible refers to the lowest sheol (e.g., Ps 86:13; Isa 14:15, NKJV). What is the difference between the grave and the lowest grave? It appears that sheol or the grave is where the bodies of mortal men go to await their resurrection either to immortality or to eternal death in the lake of fire (Rev 20:15). The lowest sheol appears to be the place where the devil and evil spirits (that rebelled at Lucifer’s fall and or prior to Noah’s flood) are confined awaiting the white throne judgment and their ultimate fate in the lake of fire. If this interpretation is correct, this may explain the enigmatic “spirits in prison” passage of 1 Peter 3:19. This would also be the pit or abyss into which Satan is cast and confined for 1000 years at Yeshua’s second coming (Rev 20:3). This may be what Isaiah 14:14–15 is referring to when it describes the fall of Lucifer and prophesies his being brought down into the lowest sheol, the pit or abyss.

This lowest sheol or lowest level of the grave is likely the same place that YHVH cast the angels that rebelled in the time of Noah where they are confined in chains of darkness awaiting their judgment at the end of the Millennium. This is probably the same “prison” or pit (Gr. tartaroo, pronounced tar-tar-ah-ohw, see notes at 2 Pet 2:4)that Satan will be cast into at the beginning of the Millennium and then briefly released from at the end of it to go forth and to deceive the nations (Rev 20:7–8). After that, Satan (presumably along with his demons) will be cast into the lake of fire where they will be tormented for eternity (Rev 20:10).The lake of fire is a different place than the pit, sheol or tartaroo, which is a temporary place of restraint or prison where YHVH places rebellious angelic beings to await their final judgment, which is the lake of fire. 

Deuteronomy 32:26, I will scatter them into the corners. How was this prophecy fulfilled by Israel? Who in Israel was scattered and forgotten? Certainly not the Jews. They were scattered, but not forgotten. Verses 28–29 say of these people that they are void of counsel and understanding and lacked wisdom. These are all terms relating to the Torah. Who today has forgotten the Torah and says it is “done away with”? What religious group says that it brings death not life (in contradistinction to verse 47)? Who has inherited (theological) lies from their spiritual fathers (Jer 16:19, read verses 14–21 for context), and who say that “the law has been done away”? Malachi the prophet tells us that in the last days that YHVH will rise up people in the spirit of Elijah who will go forth and turn the scattered and backslid children’s heart back to their spiritual fathers. This involve returning to the Torah of Moses (Mal 4:4–6). It is interesting to note that The ArtScroll Stone Edition Chumash in its rabbinical Jewish commentary states that this verse “refers to the exile of the Ten Tribes who were scattered to an unknown place where they were never heard from again” (p. 1105).

It is important to note that the ten northern tribes of Israel or Ephraim, as Scripture often shortened their name to, were scattered over the face of the whole earth after they were taken into captivity by the Assyrians (Ezek 34:6,12; 36:19; 37:21; John 11:52). In regards to Deuteronomy 32:26 which says, “I said, I would scatter them into the corners…,” the Orthodox Jewish The ArtScroll Stone Edition Tanach Chumash comments, “This refers to the exile of the Ten Tribes who were scattered to an unknown place where they have never been heard from again.” On the phrase of the same verse, “I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men…” the same Chumash states, “This is a reference to the exile of Judah and Benjamin, the Davidic kingdom from which today’s known Jews are descended.” It goes on to say that though nations would seek to destroy Israel entirely YHVH would never allow Israel to become extinct or disappear. Israel’s perpetual existence is a constant reminder of YHVH’s plan and eventually Israel will thrive and fulfill YHVH’s intention for it (pp. 1105–1106). Samson Raphael Hirsch in his commentary on the Pentateuch on the same verse translates the phrase, “I would scatter them into the corners…” as, “I would relegate them into a corner” and then says that the Hebrew here refers to the “extreme end of a surface, the side or corner…” He, too, relates this fate to the ten tribes who would be scattered “to some distant corner of the world, where, left entirely to themselves, they could mature towards serious reflection and ultimate return to Me…” (p. 650).

Deuteronomy 32:43, Let all the angels of Elohim. (LXX) The Dead Sea Scrolls Bible (DSS) and Septuagint (LXX) vary greatly from the Masoretic Text (MT) on how this verse reads: 

Rejoice, O heavens, together with him; and bow down to him all you gods, for he will avenge the blood of his sons, and will render vengeance to his enemies, and will recompense those who hate him, and will atone fro the land of his people. (DSS)

Rejoice, ye heavens, with him, and let all the angels of God worship him; rejoice ye Gentiles with his people, and let all the sons of God strengthen themselves in him; for he will avenge the blood of his sons, and he will render vengeance, and recompense justice to his enemies, and will reward them that hate him, and the Lord shall purge the land of his people. (LXX)

Interestingly, the phrase in Hebrew 1:6, “Let all the angels of God worship him” (NKJV) is a direct quote from the LXX (or the more ancient Hebrew manuscript from which the LXX derives), and not the MT, which is a later version of the Tanakh. 

Will be merciful or will provide atonement. The key Hebrew root word in this phrase is kaphar meaning “to cover, purge, make atonement.” Yom Kippur and the kapporeth, which is erroneously translated as “mercy seat” in many English Bibles derive from kaphar. These Hebrew words are expressive and descriptive ways of showing the mechanics of YHVH’s mercy on sinful man. He literally covers their sins ultimately in the blood of Yeshua as the payment for the death penalty each person incurs because of his or her sins. Thus, this verse is a forward-looking prophecy pointing to Yeshua’s death on the cross.

Deuteronomy 32:47, It is your life. YHVH’s Torah-words or commandments (i.e., YHVH’s instructions in righteousness) are life for those who follow them. Do you really believe this? If so, are you living out YHVH’s Torah instructions to your best capability, or are you just playing religious games by not taking his Word seriously? If you really were convicted that YHVH’s Torah “is your life,” what changes would you make in your life to conform your life actions to these words? What things would you stop doing or start doing? How much more would you seek Yeshua, the Living Torah in daily prayer and the study of his Word? How much more would you contribute to YHVH by supporting his work on earth through your time, talent and treasure? How committed to him are you now compared to where he would have you to be? The answer to these questions and your action-based response thereto will determine your eternal fate vis-à-vis your relationship with your Creator, and eventually your eternal fate. The Song of Moses is a warning for those who stray from YHVH’s path of truth and righteousness as outlined in his Torah as well as the rest of the Bible. This song also offers hope to those who return to YHVH and receive his forgiveness for their sins, and then continue to walk in his paths of light, truth and righteousness that lead to a forever relationship with him.

 

The Rabbinic Jewish Calendar—Following Error for the Sake of Unity? Really???

Posted on by
Reply

All the time, I hear people say, “I follow the traditional or rabbinic Jewish calendar when celebrating the biblical feasts because I want to be in unity with my Jewish brothers.” Is this a biblically-based argument? Does it line up with what the Bible says? What did Yeshua/Jesus say about following the traditions of men that go against the Word of Elohim? Are Christians beholden to rabbinic Jewish dictums? If so, is there a biblical basis for this? What does the Torah say about following a crowd in its error? If we can make an argument for following the Jewish calendar, isn’t this also valid argument for following them in their denial of Yeshua as the Messiah? These and more questions are answered in this short, hard-hitting exposé.

This and other videos by Nathan are available as podcasts on Spotify and Apple podcast under “Hoshana Rabbah.”

If this message has been a blessing to you, please consider showing your appreciation by making a donation to Hoshana Rabbah at http://hoshanarabbah.org/blog/. Thank you!

 

Yeshua Is Coming—Are Your Ears Open to the Sound of the Distant Shofar?

Posted on by
Reply

This is Nathan’s 2025 Day of Trumpets/Yom Teruah prophetic wake up call and message to Christian believers everywhere. In dramatic and unexpected ways, YHVH Elohim is trying to get people’s attention, and giving people one last chance to repent and come to him in preparation for the second coming of Yeshua the Messiah. Charlie Kirk’s evangelistic message and recent assassination and is one more example of this.

This and other videos by Nathan are available as podcasts on Spotify and Apple podcast under “Hoshana Rabbah.”

If this message has been a blessing to you, please consider showing your appreciation by making a donation to Hoshana Rabbah at http://hoshanarabbah.org/blog/. Thank you!

 

Sameach Yom Teruah! Joyous Day of Trumpet Blowing 2025!

Posted on by
Reply
Happy Yom Teruah! Let the season of our joy begin!!!

Learn more about Yom Teruah (the Jewish name is Rosh HaHashana) and how it predicts history in advance (also known as Bible prophecy) as it relates to the end times and the second coming of Yeshua the Messiah, was well as what we as the saints must do to prepare to meet our coming Heavenly Bridegroom.

We invite you to check out our following free resources from someone who has been celebrating Yom Teruah for nearly 60 years and who has been teaching about it for 25 years. There is something here for everyone whether this is your first time celebrating Yom Teruah or whether you have been doing it for years. 

May these resources be a blessing to you, bring you closer to Yeshua the Messiah, strengthen your spiritual walk, and bring glory to YHVH Elohim and our Lord and Saviour Yeshua!

My blog articles

https://hoshanarabbah.org/blog/?s=Yom+Teruah&submit=Search.

My website articles

https://www.hoshanarabbah.org/teaching.html#feast

My YouTube videos on the biblical feasts including Yom Teruah:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5EzE5DQnrHfWWbczzkRo6IOnglxhbRfM

 

Nathan’s Commentary on Parashat Vaylekh (Deuteronomy 31:1–30)

Posted on by
Reply

Deuteronomy 31

Deuteronomy 31:3, YHVH your Elohim…will go over before, and he will destroy these nations. YHVH promised to destroy Israel’s enemies before them. Will he not do the same for us, since we too are en route to our spiritual Promised Land of which the physical Promised Land is but a prophetic picture? Who or what are your enemies? The authors of the Psalms identify many types of “enemies” other than people. Examples of a non-human enemies may be poverty, sickness, depression, lack of faith, discouragement, spiritual, satanic attacks or even our own sin natures that war against the Word and will of YHVH. Some of our enemies are a result of our own sinning and our repentance will result in our deliverance from them. But what about attacks that come against us through no fault of our own? What do we do about them? Do you realize who you are in Yeshua, and that you have the spiritual power to be a victorious overcomer by the name and through the blood of Yeshua? (Read Ps 91; Luke 9:1; 10:19; Rom 8:37; Eph 6:10-18; Jas 4:7–10; 1 Pet 5:6–10; 1 John 4:4; Rev 12:11.)

Deuteronomy 31:10–13, You shall read this Torah before all Israel. Verses like this tend to expose the theological confusion that occurs in the minds of many Christian Bible teachers. For example, about this verse, Christian commentator Matthew Henry writes about the need to read the Word of Elohim and that doing so will “help us to keep his commandments.” Yet elsewhere in the same commentary he says that the commandments or laws of YHVH “are done away with.” It is not possible for both of these statements be true at the same time.

Statements like these are representative of a split and incongruous, “double-speak” thinking on the part of many Christians when it comes to the commandments or laws of Elohim. Some laws, we are told, we are to keep (e.g., thou shalt not murder, lie, commit adultery, which are often referred to as “the moral law”—a non-biblical term), but other laws we can disobey (e.g., the Sabbath, dietary laws, and biblical feasts, which are referred to as “the ceremonial law”—another non-biblical term). 

Is it possible to have it both ways? That is, to believe that we need to keep the Creator’s commandments, yet, at the same time, believe that they are done away with? If so, then what is the meaning of such biblical phrases pertaining to YHVH’s Torah or Word as “forever,” “for a thousand generations,” “the same yesterday today and forever,” “till heaven and earth pass away,” “I change not,” and “think not that I came to destroy the Torah-law?” Is ­YHVH’s Word inconsistent and contradictory? Or is men’s false theologies and traditions at fault?

In reality, we need to ask ourselves an important question. Do we have a high enough view of YHVH Elohim and fear him and tremble at his Word (Isa 66:2), or have we, in reality, demoted the veracity of his commandments by contorting YHVH and his Word to fit the mindset of changeable and inconsistent man (which the Scriptures define as idolatry)? Idolatry occurs when we put something else above the will of YHVH instead of submitting to him as the Lord of our lives.

Moreover, have we, by denying the validity of some aspects of YHVH’s Word, bought into the lie that the serpent proffered at the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden? There he told the man and the woman that YHVH really did not mean what he said and that humans can take the “have it your own way” and “pick and choose” approach when it comes to obeying the Word of YHVH. In reality, this is the same philosophy that forms the basis for the religious movement called secular humanism, which is at the heart of all the religions of the world including much of the theology of mainstream Christianity.

Truthfully, how many aspects of Christian theology are no more than a thinly veiled version of the religion of humanism? 

These are tough questions that the saints who are citizens of the nation of Israel (Eph 2:11–19) need to seriously ponder. At the same time, let’s not forget the words of Yeshua in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my [Torah] commandments” and the words of the apostle in 1 John 2:5–5, “He that says, ‘I know him,’ and does not keep his [Torah] commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him. But whosoever keeps his Word in him truly is the love of Elohim perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”

Let’s be honest with ourselves. The bottom line reason why man has a hard time submitting to YHVH’s commandments is nowhere stated more concisely in the Bible than in Romans 8:7.

[T]he carnal mind is enmity against Elohim: for it is not subject to the law of Elohim, neither indeed can be.

Deuteronomy 31:12, Gather together the people…and the small children. A fundamental aspect of Hebrew culture is the teaching of the children. This is the primary responsibility of the parents as stated in the Shema (Deut 6:7) and secondarily that of the community of faith. Many parents have all but handed their YHVH-ordained charge in this area over to others such as the church, the government educational system, day care providers, the baby sitter and the like. Many if not most parents spend little time daily with their children. Additionally, often the children take the backseat in the education in many churches congregations. Typically, church pastors struggle to find volunteers to help in the children’s ministry. Is this right? Is this the heart of the Father? It certainly is not the heart of Yeshua who went out of his way to minister to the little children (Mark 10:13–16; see also Matt 18:1–5 and Mark 9:33–37).

Idolatry in ancient times…

Deuteronomy 31:16, This people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land. Israel’s departure from her covenantal agreements with YHVH was assured, for Moses prophesied it. But repentance (verse 2) was always an option—an open door of return back to a right relationship with YHVH. Let us all repent of our having strayed from his commands whether ignorantly or intentionally. For example, have you repented of breaking his Sabbath command, of not observing and sanctifying his annual feasts, of desecrating the temple of your body by not following his biblical dietary laws, to list a few things? Though you may have broken YHVH’s laws in ignorance, doing so is still sin whether done in ignorance or not and repentance is still needed.

Modern idolatry!

Deuteronomy 31:16, Behold you will rest. Should this verse read as it is written, “Behold you will lie with your forefathers, but this people will rise up …” or, “You will [die and] lie with your forefathers you will [then] rise up.” According to the Talmud this verse is so ambiguous in its grammatical construction that were it not for the Masoretic cantillation marks (which are not found on a Torah scroll, but are based on scribal tradition) the latter reading could just as easily be the correct one and thus giving another scriptural source for the concept of the resurrection of the dead (this is according to The ArtScroll Kestenbaum Edition Tikkun—the Torah Readers Compendium, p. 485). Adding additional insight into this passage is the Aramaic Targum Pseudo Jonathan,which renders this text as follows: “And YHVH said to Mosheh, ‘Behold, thou wilt lie down in the dust with thy fathers, and thy soul shall be treasured in the treasury of eternal life with thy fathers: but this wicked people will rise up and go astray …’” What are the implications of the alternate rendering of this verse with regard to the resurrection of the dead.

Deuteronomy 31:18, And I will conceal my face. YHVH making his face to shine upon his people (Num 6:25; Ps 80:3, 19) or conversely concealing or turning his face away from his people is a Hebraism meaning “to be in the favor or disfavor of YHVH.” How sad it is to consider that our loving Heavenly Father will hide his face from those who disobey him and do evil (Deut 31:17, 18; 32:20; Ps 132:10; Ezek 7:22; 39:29). But what else can a holy YHVH Elohim do with regard to those who over their own free will choose to go against him?

Are your prayers being answered? Or do you sense that the heavens are brass (a symbol of judgment)? 

If things are not going well for you in your life, perhaps you need to search out those areas in your life where sin still exists. Ask YHVH to reveal them to you. Then repent, make changes and bring your life back into alignment with YHVH’s Word.

Deuteronomy 31:20, They shall have eaten and filled themselves. Compare this verse with Yeshua’s admonition to the Laodicean believers in Revelation 3:14–22. 

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 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—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. 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. 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. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”

What are the parallels between these two Scripture passages? To what degrees do these prophetic warnings apply to Christians in the American and Western church?

Deuteronomy 31:23, He gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge. Upon Moses’ passing, YHVH didn’t leave the children of Israel in a leadership vacuum to wander about aimlessly in a confused state. YHVH isn’t the author of confusion! YHVH is the author of godly leadership. He prepares and trains leaders and then raises them up to lead his people in the paths of righteousness as they make their way to his spiritual Promised Land. 

Beware of leaders who raise themselves up and promote themselves. To ensure that we don’t follow unrighteous, self-promoting and greedy leaders, let’s ask ourselves the following questions:

  • What is the purpose of righteous leadership? (See Eph 4:11–12.) 
  • What are the qualifications for leadership ? (See 1 Tim 3:1–13.) 
  • What is the premise of true, Spirit-ordained leadership? (See Matt 23:11.)

Many believers have been hurt by kingdom-building, hypocritical, money-grubbing and self-seeking leaders in the church world and, thus, now trust no one. They pride themselves on being “independent.” Is this good? Did Yeshua ever speak of his sheep as being “lone rangers” or did he refer to them as “a flock?” Does he ever speak of his flock as being shepherdless? 

Of course, Yeshua is the Chief Shepherd, but does he not also speak of undershepherds or humans shepherds who faithfully work under him? (Read John 10:1–18.) In this regard, consider the following:

  • Should not a flock that is under the guidance of a true servant-shepherd of Yeshua be a place of safety not harm? 
  • Is being outside the safety of a flock a place of safety or harm? (See Matt 18:12.) 
  • Yeshua says that those who are outside of a flock are “lost” and have “gone astray” and are in danger of perishing (Matt 18:11–14). Are you part of a literal flock of believers, or have you spiritualized this passage away to justify your independent (or rebellious?) spirit against YHVH-ordained authority?

Deuteronomy 31:26, Put it beside the ark. Think of a Torah scroll leaning up against the ark. What is this a spiritual picture of? To answer this, let’s recall what YHVH instructed Moses to place inside the ark. The ark contained the two stone tablets upon which were written the ten statements or commandments, Aaron’s rod that budded and the golden pot of manna. Each of these items in a unique and identifiable way pointed to various aspects of Yeshua the Messiah and his ministry. The Torah scroll leaning up against the ark, in one a very real way, illustrates the fact that without Yeshua the Torah cannot stand on its own. It will fall over. This is true for several reasons. Man can neither understand the Written Torah without understanding who Yeshua, the Living Torah-Word of Elohim, is nor can man live up to the righteous standards of the Written Torah without the example, teachings and spiritual help of Yeshua and the Holt Spirit.

Deuteronomy 31:29, In the latter days. What is the prophetic significance of the phrase in the latter days as used in this verse? Moses is prophesying about apostasy (i.e., turning away from YHVH’s Truth) here. (Compare this with the prophecies of 2 Thess 2:1–12, 2 Pet 2 and Jude.) How were these prophecies fulfilled in the second century of the common era as the early Christian, proto-Catholic church was abandoning its Hebraic, Torah-based roots ? How do these prophecies apply to today’s modern mainstream Christian church?

 

Charlie Kirk, the End Times & the Fall Biblical Feasts in Prophecy

Posted on by
Reply

What are the end time prophetic implications of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and how does that relate the fall biblical feasts that prophetically foretell events surrounding the second coming of Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ)? The answers and more are in this video as the pages of the Bible come alive in new and enlightening ways that will inspire you to action for the glory of YHVH Elohim!

This and other videos by Nathan are available as podcasts on Spotify and Apple podcast under “Hoshana Rabbah.”

If this message has been a blessing to you, please consider showing your appreciation by making a donation to Hoshana Rabbah at http://hoshanarabbah.org/blog/. Thank you!