Happy Sabbath - Please see room details at http://csda-adventistchurch.to/chat.html
Zahakiel : I will ask Bro. Luke to open the meeting with a prayer.
Lucan : Dear heavenly Father. We thank you the blessing of this time of rejoicing and rest immediately after the time you have given us for reflection, cleansing, and soul-searching... As we come from the communion table to the agape feast, so we come from the New Moon and into the Sabbath hours... As we come from the communion table to the agape feast, so we come from the New Moon and into the Sabbath hours... We pray that your Spirit will continue with us as we rest in the things we have learned, showing your Life within us. In the name of Yahshua we pray, amen.
Zahakiel : Amen.
Guest_Adriel : .Amen
Guest_Pastor_Chick : Amen.
Guest_Naraiel : Amen
Guest_Adriel : Amen
Zahakiel : Happy Sabbath to all. Tonight’s study is called “The Three Levels of Righteousness.” The topic crossed my mind when I was reading this verse from Isaiah earlier in the week,
“With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early; for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isa 26:9)
There are several things that impressed me about this verse, but before I go into them in particular, I’d like to talk about its overall meaning. The way that it is structured, the verse might seem a bit difficult to understand. It appears as if the prophet is saying, “I have decided to seek Yahweh early, because when His judgments appear in the land, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” If read just that way, however, that doesn’t seem to make all that much sense. One might say that Isaiah wishes to learn of Yahweh before others so that he can help to teach them... but the world’s education appears to be connected to the judgments rather than the example of the saints. In fact, the phrase “judgments in the earth” is referring in this verse to the just punishment of the unrighteous, for the passage continues,
“Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of Yahweh. Yah, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see; but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.” (Verses 10, 11)
What Isaiah says of the wicked is that those who are intent on evil will not learn from either a good example or righteous teachings. It is not until the destruction that they have earned befalls them that they will be ashamed of their sins, and understand the consequences of wrongdoing. It is the instruction, therefore, to the people of Israel – and to us in this day – to “Seek ye Yahweh while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” (Isa 55:6)
Now, the Church’s members might say, “I have already sought and found righteousness. I am joined to the Body of Christ.” But even so, this is not the only way we should seek righteousness. In fact, this is not the only way we are commanded to seek out righteousness, and this leads me to what I want to talk about tonight.
Isaiah indicates that he, as an individual, will seek Yah and His righteousness. He sets himself apart from the world in this way, knowing that when the wicked learn righteousness, it is because they are seeing it in its destructive form, being outside the glory of the Most High. We further know that Isaiah was an Israelite with a mission. He had a ministry, a burden to bear to Judah and Jerusalem, and a message to deliver for the sake of his people. It is in the context of this ministry that he gives this testimony of his desire for Yah’s righteousness.
I should be clear, because I do not want the title to be misunderstood, that there are no “levels” of righteousness in terms of goals to attain, or an increase over time. There is no such thing, in the Scriptures, as “a little righteousness” or “a lot of righteousness” when it comes to our relationship with Yahweh. Righteousness, like faith, either IS, or it IS NOT.
Yahshua says, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed [that is, the smallest possible amount], ye shall say unto this mountain, ‘Remove hence to yonder place,’ and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Mat 17:20)
John, likewise, says, “Little children, let no man deceive you – he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” (1John 3:7)
Now, to the world and its mindset this is a most hateful, divisive, intolerant, uncompromising, and narrow-minded doctrine... In this age the worst of sins are excused as “weaknesses,” or “diseases,” or “flaws” that people are expected to be treated for, but not cured –to be working on, but never to be finished working. It is not that the Christian is unsympathetic to those who are caught in the snares of Satan. Of all men we are the most loving, the most understanding of the destruction that sin causes, having seen it from both the inside and out –but we know that no one has ever been turned to righteousness by excusing evil, just as no one has ever been made clean by having a friend sit down with him in the mud.
So it is not that the Christian is without sympathy or affection for the ones struggling with transgressions, but we know that there is a cure, an answer, a Savior, that will bring even the most crooked of men to a straight and narrow way. We long to introduce Him to those who fight their losing battles,
Guest_eagle : Amen.
Guest_Adriel : Amen
Zahakiel : but the world has no respect for those who speak of a true end to suffering, only for those who say that things will evolve, and grow a little better, a little easier (perhaps), over time.
Nevertheless, we speak of cures, and rest, and an end to sin, and we speak of righteousness. And there is but one level of righteousness – Yah’s level, Yahshua’s level –: for anything less than this is an illusion by men or demons to counterfeit the Sabbath rest with complacency and spiritual laziness.
So what is it I mean, then, when I speak of levels of righteousness? Based upon the verse from Isaiah, it may be shown that there are different levels at which righteousness must be displayed for mankind to be ultimately saved.
First, there is the individual level. Next, there is a community level. Finally, there is a “national” level that may be expanded to encompass all of mankind.
The individual level of righteousness is the one that we have perhaps spoken the most about. It involves personal victory, and may be tied to the first angel’s message. As individuals we are told, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things [the other things that you need] shall be added unto you.” (Mat 6:33)
And again, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Mat 5:48)
Most in the world, even just about everyone who calls himself a “Christian,” believes that we cannot be perfect in righteousness. And yet, because Yahshua has directed us to do exactly this, we know it is quite possible. Those who deny this are simply not healed, for what if the man who was paralyzed had heard Yahshua’s blessing, “Take up your bed and walk,” and instead of simply trusting and obeying, had said, “That is impossible. Nobody can walk if he is paralyzed?” But true, personal faith believes all things are possible through Christ, and He has said to us in His Word, “Go, and sin no more.”
Guest_Adriel : Amen
Zahakiel : Believing this, and accepting it as a message to us individually, this is the first, individual level of righteousness.
The second level of righteousness is the community level, and this involves the corporate display of righteousness involved with the Church and its various congregations. It may be tied to the second angel’s message, which speaks about an end to confusion, to Babylon, as it relates to the saints. At this level, we are members of the assembly of saints, holy and pure unto Yahweh. We are the Bride of Christ, and faithful to Him in all things.
Now again, at this level, Satan has inspired unbelief, and even rebellion. Few believe that there is “one true and perfect Church,” or that there is only one legitimate Bride of Yahshua. Few enough believe that there is even a NEED for such a thing as this, but that personal worship, and perhaps casual, occasional association is sufficient to fulfill the teachings of the Savior, and the example of the Apostles, who continued daily in intimate fellowship in service of Yah.
The second level of righteousness is sought through having a spiritual camp that is clean, a Church that is free from unrighteousness in its members and its overall testimony. This is accomplished by means of Church ordinances, such as the way that voting is conducted, Gospel order being maintained among members for the settling of disagreements, the eventual action of disfellowship against those who are unrepentantly sinful or who attempt to justify their failure to walk in conformity with the Gospel. In this way the congregation seeks righteousness corporately, as a “tribe” of Spiritual Israel.
The final level of righteousness involves national righteousness. It is at this point that righteousness is tied to the third angel, because it is only a people who desire national righteousness, and righteousness among all men, who will truly become Protestants, who will advocate justice for all, and freedom of conscience (thus, freedom from the Beast and its Image) as a right given to all humanity by its Creator. This third level of righteousness is sought through evangelism, through a Church that seeks to find faith amongst the general population of mankind, and to seal the souls found this way to the Father and Son through baptism and covenant membership.
The third level of righteousness is sought through the voice of protest, through our work as ministers of the Gospel to warn people about the snares of this present age, including the Trademark Law, and the corrupted teachings of false science and secular philosophies. It is demonstrated in a display of love for mankind, to save them from “learn[ing] righteousness” through Yah’s judgment, and not through His mercy. It is evidence of unity with Yahshua, who spoke of mankind’s righteousness by asking, “When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8) Few may be found, for few indeed find the Way of everlasting life, but it is the Spirit and the Bride who call them, saying, “Come.” This occurs when the Bride, composed of individually righteous saints (the first level), and pure collectively (the second level), reaches out to the general population of earth (the third level).
Consider that we are called as individuals, sealed as tribes, and glorified as a spiritual nation. This requires righteousness at each stage, and it is important that we consider, that we be reminded, how this righteousness is attained at each. This is a foundational doctrine, but it is worth repeating: that at no level is righteousness “earned.” At no levels do works cause us to be, or to become, righteous. Individual acts of faith do not justify us, but they are the results of a faithful life. We speak of righteousness by faith, not faith as a result of righteousness. Similarly, going through the “motions” of being Church members does not result in a pure Bride. This only results from a group of personally victorious saints who are committed to agape love for one another, and unity of spirit and doctrinal principles. Merely protesting global evil does not make us righteous as a nation. We must act according to the love that we hold toward mankind because we are in agreement with the Father and Son. Because we are of Them, and in unity with Them, we share in their love for humanity, we seek worldwide righteousness, and we “sigh and cry” for those who were raised up to be messengers before us, but have instead become the very cause of much of mankind’s present sins.
The Righteousness of Yah is a principle that, if accepted, affects human beings at every level of their lives – individually, in their communities, and in how they interact with the world around them. The Christian, the saint of Yah, is one who has sought righteousness, and found it where it may be found, and then joins in the work of finding others who are seeking righteousness, so that it will be fulfilled as it was written of us,
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)
Guest_Adriel : Amen
Zahakiel : Are there any comments or questions on the study for tonight?
Guest_Naraiel : C.
Zahakiel : Go ahead.
Guest_Naraiel : This is why Ellen White said that the three Angels must be accepted, the message is only one, even though it is divided in three sections. End
Zahakiel : Well, you know, I was thinking that if we put together all the studies that dealt with the different "forms" that this message could take, that in itself might be revealing. The Three Angels' Message, being the Gospel itself, appears to be at the heart of all the Church's doctrines, all the Bible's teachings, and I suppose that should not be a surprise
Guest_eagle : C
Zahakiel : Go ahead.
Guest_eagle : What is the difference between the "soul" and the "spirit"...
Zahakiel : The soul is the entire being, body and mind, and life combined. The spirit is the activating principle, the life that is given to us by Yahweh that makes us living things. As Genesis puts it, Adam became a "living soul" when Yah breathed his spirit into his body formed from earth. Does that answer what you were asking?
Guest_eagle : Yes, thank you. Have one more question.
Zahakiel : Go ahead.
Guest_eagle : What about a family "level?" Would you include this level or not? If not, why?
Zahakiel : For us, the Church level is the Family level. If you mean the earthly family... that _should_ be an introduction to the Church family, but in cases where it is not, individuals must seek Yah through His people and His covenants individually anyway.
Zahakiel : Do you see what I mean?
Guest_eagle : Not entirely.
Zahakiel : Well, righteousness does not come through our earthly family. There is no earthly-family level righteousness, because if the individuals in a family are righteous, they will merely be a family within the setting of the Church, not a unit of righteousness unto themselves. Yah designed the earthly family to be a sub-set of the Church family, but by itself it has no particular merit or virtue separated from its individual's connections to Him. I'm not sure if that clarifies, but perhaps you can reword the question if I'm still not replying to what you're asking.
Guest_Peter : C.
Zahakiel : Go ahead, Peter.
Guest_Naraiel : C.
Guest_Peter : What I understand from this study... is that if We as a people is not connected to the church that Yah has placed on earth to be the gate way to heaven then we will fail most miserably to enter the kingdom of heaven because Christ did not come to set up no individual atoms but he sets up a body that is called his church. End.
Zahakiel : Ok
I think that is one of the things that Yah is telling us through this study. One cannot accept Yahshua individually, and then go up and live on a mountain alone and be righteous. Then, one cannot accept Yahshua, join the Church, and then sit quietly and await His return. We must, ultimately, seek righteousness within mankind as a whole, in order to be perfected. And this will require us to use all the tools that He has given us, all the gifts, and all the blessings, and all the benefits of being a member of the community of saints.Go ahead, Giselle.
Guest_Naraiel : Righteousness comes from Yah, and this righteousness is manifested thru His Church Family, to be able to reach others in the world, including earthly families
end.Zahakiel : Right... that is another way of looking at the question that Sheila asked. Another is this… we can choose what we do as individuals. We can choose to join (or not join) the Church, and we can choose to labor or not labor for mankind...but we cannot choose our earthly family
So there is no righteousness to be sought in that sense. The family would just be the smallest circle for reaching out to "mankind."Guest_Adriel : C
Zahakiel : Go ahead.
Guest_Adriel : That's what I was thinking, is that the earthly family would be included in the 3rd angel-reaching out to the world. End.
Zahakiel : Right. And for most of us... our family members are indeed of "the world," so it certainly fits in that way.
Guest_Pastor_Chick : (Which "family"?)
Zahakiel : What are you asking, pastor?
Guest_Pastor_Chick : What "family" is being considered?
Zahakiel : As Jody indicated, we are talking about the earthly family there.
Guest_Pastor_Chick : Earthly family is BOTH biological and spiritual. End.
Zahakiel : The context here is the earthly vs. the Church family, so "earthly" in this sense meaning biological.
Guest_Pastor_Chick : Q
Zahakiel : Go ahead.
Guest_Pastor_Chick : So, how does the "earthly family" fit into the "levels" of righteousness? END.
Zahakiel : I'm not sure if I understand the question
If you mean earthly, spiritual family (or Church family) that is the second. If you mean earthly as in biological that is what we have been talking about in reply to Sheila's question...Guest_Pastor_Chick : (I have missed the essence.)
Zahakiel : What Jody said last probably sums it up fairly well… Guest_Adriel : That's what I was thinking, is that the earthly family would be included in the 3rd angel-reaching out to the world. End.
Guest_Naraiel : Righteousness comes from Yah, and this righteousness is manifested thru His Church Family, to be able to reach others in the world, including earthly families. End
Guest_Pastor_Chick : C
Zahakiel : Go ahead.
Guest_Pastor_Chick : OK, Jody's wording can be taken two ways, and I took it the other way. END.
Zahakiel : Ok. The essential idea behind righteousness is that there must be "choice" involved. We can choose our individual actions, and how we relate to the Church, and how we relate to all mankind. But since we cannot "choose" our biological family, there is really no righteousness involved directly with what family we belong to. How we treat them, how we reach out to them that would be the same (in many ways) as we would reach out to friends and other members of mankind in general. I think in previous studies we have seen the family as one of the circles of influence that we have regarding evangelism.
Guest_Pastor_Chick : (Right, so biological family is a "target" of the righteous endeavor of the individual and the church.)
Zahakiel : Yes. Perhaps the "closest" target as we then expand outward to influence our communities, and then all of mankind.
Are there any other questions or comments? Ok, if there aren't then I will ask pastor to close with a prayer.
Guest_Pastor_Chick : Dear Heavenly Father. We are blessed by Your righteousness which is a gift to mankind through Your Son. May Your Righteousness be displayed clearly to all of those in the sphere of our influence. In Yahshua's Holy Name. Amen
Barbli : Amen
Zahakiel : Amen
Guest_Adriel : Amen
Lucan : Amen
Guest_Naraiel : Amen
Elyna8445 : Amen.
Guest_Peter : Amen.
Guest_eagle : Amen.
Guest_gadriel : Amen
Guest_Daphna : Amen