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The Apostle Peter’s second letter to the early Church contains a powerful statement: “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2Pet 1:4)
Through the divine power of our Father, we have been given “great and precious promises,” which are designed to facilitate the elements of salvation, these being freedom from sin, purity of the spirit, and unity with the Father and Son. These form the essential substance of the Three Angels’ Message as they impact the saint, and are the hallmarks of a soul that is experiencing righteousness by faith. As partakers of the divine nature, we fulfill the statement of Paul, that in Christ we are made the very righteousness of the Father. (2Cor 5:21) By the presence of the divine nature, we have the Faith of Yahshua, the trust and beliefs that He held, and therefore do the works of the Almighty, of which Christ said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.” (John 14:12)
All these things are actuated, made possible, by the promises that are found in the Word of Yahweh. It is true that human belief, human faith, is powerful by its very nature – because we are made in the image of a Creative God – but the difference between genuine faith and mere presumption is the presence of the promise of our Father in any given matter. An apostate may believe certain things about himself, the world, and his judgment, and act on false doctrines with all sincerity, but this will not sanctify him, nor prepare his soul for Heaven. A prospective missionary may believe that he is called to labor in a certain field due to an emotional response or a sudden impulse, but without prayer and the assurance of his inspiration, he may labor in vain and come to ruin. Placebos may work effectively on the atheist and agnostic, simply because they believe they will.
What accomplishes the work of righteousness, however, that will echo in eternity, is human behavior in harmony with what our Father has declared shall be. The Christian may rest, Sabbath, in the sure knowledge that our Father has a plan for our lives, and our best interest as His purpose. Our duty, as Solomon says, is to fear (respect, revere) Yahweh, and to keep His commandments. (Ecc 12:13) This is impossible to do non-presumptuously, however, without a true knowledge of His character and His commandments. The Sunday-keeper, for example, who believes in the authority of the commandments, is observing a day that has not been blessed in the same manner as the seventh, (Gen 2:3, Exo 20:11) and although the presumption may not be his directly, he is following in the tradition of presumptuous men who thought it their purview to alter divine instructions. His ignorance of this may lighten the consequences, (Luke 12:48) and he may receive some natural benefits from keeping “a day of rest,” but the true tragedy is that, sincere or not, he will miss out on the necessary and eternal blessing that was intended to be his.
It is therefore the duty of man, as a prerequisite to following Solomon’s advice, that he study to learn all he can of his Father, that he may act in genuine faith, (2Tim 2:15) and not in ignorance and presumption.
One of the most empowering of the divine promises, which aids the saint in overcoming many troubles, many temptations, is said in a number of different ways in the Scriptures. Among the clearest that represent this principle are the following:
“Behold, Yahweh thy God hath set the land before thee; go up and possess it, as Yahweh, the Almighty One of thy fathers hath said unto thee; ‘Fear not, neither be discouraged.’” (Deu 1:21)
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for Yahweh thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Josh 1:9)
“Fear thou not, for I am with thee. Be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.” (Isa 41:10)
Of Yahshua it was written, “He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set judgment in the earth; and the isles shall wait for His Law.” (Isa 42:4)
The verse in Isaiah 42 is written about the Messiah; however, this is no barrier to the “ordinary” Christian claiming it as his very own personal assurance from Yahweh. The very purpose of the promises we have, after all, is that we may be “partakers of the divine nature.” This means that whatsoever was true of the character and motives of Yahshua is necessarily true of the born-again believer, of whom Christ is the First-fruits, not the entirety of the harvest. What promises He claimed, even unto the laying hold of the resurrection and everlasting life, is the inheritance of the saints through our unity with Him.
This must be understood very clearly, for there are some who will say, “I am only human,” or, “I am not the same as Jesus, only a follower – imperfectly – of His example.” That mindset is notsufficient for receiving the blessings of our Father. Those who claim the promises of Yahweh become joint-heirs with His only begotten Son, (Rom 8:17) equipped to overcome the world and its spirit, and wise enough to address matters of faith and judgment, even the judgment of the angels. (1Cor 6:3) Although our origins may be different than Christ’s, our destiny, our “portion,” is the same as His, (Psalm 16:5) including those things provided from the Throne.
With regard to victory over discouragement, or dismay, why is this such an important promise? Surely, all the promises of our Father are important, but this one is pervasive in the Scriptures. In the New Testament, Paul warns the fathers in the Church to avoid “discouraging” their children through uncharitable words and actions. (Col 3:21) In both the grand works of faith, and the little acts of love within the home, we find this principle being addressed.
The promise of rescue from discouragement is important, because discouragement is a murderer, and dismay is the spirit of death. The Scriptures tell us, “The joy of Yahweh is your strength.” (Neh 8:10) It is written, “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.” (Pro 13:12) In his spirit-filled sermon after the Day of Pentecost, Peter said with regard to Yahshua, “Thou hast made known to Me the ways of life; thou shalt make Me full of joy with Thy countenance.” (Acts 2:28)
We see the clear contrast. Strength, life, and power are with those who find joy in Yahweh, whose hopes are not in vain, and who see even the most harrowing trials and challenges as opportunities for the manifestation of His glory. In Yahshua’s ministry, He encountered those who suffered, often for many years, and His acts of healing them, a matter of a few moments, were recording as an everlasting testimony of divine love. Joy in the Father’s providence gives power to any testimony. Freedom from discouragement, the healing this brings to the mind and body, is necessary for genuine, heart-felt obedience to our Father’s instructions, for without this freedom one cannot receive the blessings of the Sabbath, the blessing of true worship, or the blessing of contentment without covetousness, greed, or malice.
This matter is of particular importance to the faithful of the last generation. We, who are alive and remain to this hour, are called to be among the 144,000 – a group who follow the footsteps of the Lamb whithersoever He goeth, (Rev 14:4) and anticipate bodily entrance into the Kingdom of Yahweh without seeing death. (1Th 4:17) We are they who claim and experience the promises of Yahweh in their fullness, just as the Son of Yahweh always has. We are they who say, with Christ, “I shall not fail, nor be discouraged,” regardless of the powers of darkness arrayed against us.
We may illustrate the importance of this particular blessing – freedom from discouragement – by examining the life of the prophet Eli-Yah, of whom it was written, “Behold, I will send you Eli-Yah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of Yahweh. (Mal 4:5) This Old Testament figure is the prototype, the forerunner and example, of those who appear just before the Advent of the Messiah.
It is written, “And Yahshua answered and said unto them, ‘Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you that Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of Man suffer of them.’ Then the disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the Baptist.” (Mat 17:11-13)
Unfortunately, there are many who do not understand the prophecies of the Messiah. This includes the religious leaders of Yahshua’s day. Because they were expecting a King, One who would liberate them from the rule of the Gentiles, and lead them into an earthly paradise, they rejected Him when He appeared as the Sacrifice for the sins of the world. They did not understand that the Son of Yahweh was to have a two-fold ministry – as the Lamb of Yahweh first, and then the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. The first time, He would come in meekness and submission Satan’s kingdom of sin, taking on the burden of his captives, (Isa 53:10, 1 Cor 5:7) and the second, He would appear as the Conqueror, bringing with Him the just reward and punishment for every soul. (Gen 49:10,11; Mat 24:30, Rev 19:15)
In both cases, the Messiah was to be preceded by a “herald,” by a forerunner who would prepare His way. As it was written by the prophet Isaiah, (Isa 40:3) and confirmed by all the Gospel writers, (Mat 3:3, Mark 1:3, Luke 3:4, John 1:23) John the Baptist fulfilled this work with regard to the first Advent. Like the Pharisees of old, however, many are content with a partial understanding of prophecy’s fulfillment. Malachi predicted the coming of an Eli-Yah figure like John, not before the Day of Salvation, (2Cor 6:2) but before the “great and dreadful day of Yahweh,” which is referenced in both Old and New Testaments as the Second Advent, the coming of Yahshua in power at the time of the final earthly judgment. (Zeph 1:14-18, Jude 1:6, Rev 6:17, Rev 16:14)
After John the Baptist, there was a forerunner, a herald, yet to come. What, then, must the last generation of saints, who are preparing the way for the second coming of the Messiah, learn about their labors from the testimony of Scripture regarding their “type,” the Prophet Eli-Yah?
We find that Eli-Yah’s ministry consisted of several distinct phases. Arising from obscurity, the Prophet of Yahweh confronted earthly powers in the person of Ahab, the corrupt King of Israel. (1Kings 16:33, 17:1) He prophesied the coming of rain according to his word, which has a spiritual fulfillment with regard to the sanctification of the redeemed. (1King 17:1, Hos 6:3) He escaped the wrath of the king for a time, (1Kings 17:2, 3) only to return for a confrontation with ungodly powers as a testimony to Yahweh’s authority. (1Kings 18:20, 21) Eli-Yah called for the repentance of Israel, and restored the Altar of Yahweh, symbolizing the true faith, (1Kings 18:30) and performed miracles – notably miracles of healing – in the name of Yah. (1Kings 17:22) His prayers were answered in a dramatic and visible way, (1Kings 18:36-38) he was protected from the forces of the Enemy sent against him by holy fire, (2Kings 1:9-14) and then he was taken up to Heaven in the flames of Yahweh’s glory, never to see death. (2Kings 2:11)
This forms the pattern for the work of the 144,000 before the “great and terrible day of Yahweh.” The work of Eli-Yah, with his uncompromising testimony and the undeniably divine nature of his acts and teachings, represents the last warning that the world will hear. The Altar of Yahweh is repaired by Eli-Yah; the teachings of Victory over Sin, Righteousness by Faith, and the redemption of Christ’s through the very act of His investigative judgment, are a final call to those who would throw off the drunkenness of Babylon, who would reject the teachings of Ba’al’s carnal priesthood, and ready themselves for the Messiah’s soon appearing. As a lone voice crying in the wilderness, Eli-Yah is once again the herald of the Son of Yahweh.
Before Eli-Yah was ready for his Heavenly journey, however, there was one last matter he needed to address. The Scriptures tell us that entrance into the Heavenly Kingdom is of this nature: “But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.” (Heb 12:22, 23) We are told, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.” (Mat 5:48) We read, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of Yahweh.” (2Cor 7:1)
As we saw at the beginning of this very study, and as a fitting complement to our opening verse, 2 Peter 1:4, it is the promises of Yahweh that bring about the perfection of holiness in those who would see the glorious Kingdom. It is the overcoming of sin and all defects of character through our reliance on the Word of Yah that raises the converted sinner to the impossible standard of Yahshua’s own beauty. When we are told of the collective People of Yahshua, “That He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish,” (Eph 5:27) it is not because of the merits of the Church’s members themselves, or their labors to be righteous through their own works, but because they have laid hold of the Faith of Yahshua, and have let it transform them by His own glorious strength.
It is righteousness by faith. As Yahshua taught, again, “He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also,” (John 14:12) indicating that it is the true faith that leads to divinely approved acts.
Eli-Yah, as a true prophet of the Most High, understood all these matters. And yet, at the very end, he was brought to a place, and subjected to a set of circumstances, under which the final defect of his character would be revealed. It was the desire of Yahweh that Eli-Yah, like Enoch, should be raised to His Kingdom without seeing death as a testimony that His love was more powerful than the mortality of man. The light of salvation is more potent than the darkness of sin and death, and it would be known to the world, and all the observing universe, that there is life in the Word, which is made manifest in those who receive It.
When Eli-Yah saw that few stood with him against the corruption of Israel, and that his life was in danger from Jezebel’s wrath, it is written, “he requested for himself that he might die; and said, ‘It is enough; now, O Yahweh, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.’” (1Kings 19:4) When the King of Heaven was about to give him life everlasting, Eli-Yah could see no further than the wrath of the King of Israel and his blasphemous queen.
“And he said, ‘I have been very jealous for Yahweh, God of Hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down Thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” (1Kings 19:10)
To the natural senses, it would seem that Eli-Yah had every justification for feeling dejection, for being dismayed at his circumstances, and nursing discouragement. And yet, Yahweh was preparing him for an honor scarcely seen, or even discussed, among the sons of Adam. Eli-Yah could not, he felt, lay claim to the promises of safety and protection, because the evidence of his great danger was so abundant. Yahweh had not protected His former prophets, so why should he expect safety when his fathers’ blood had stained the soil of his homeland? Yahweh had heard His prayers, and sent fire from Heaven to consume his sacrifice, but He had done nothing to prevent Jezebel’s impious threats. He concluded, then, that all his work had been for little benefit, if any, that the people where wholly apostate despite his miraculous testimony, and that he had nothing left to give to the cause of righteousness.
And yet, the Invisible Sovereign had intended just such a situation to arise, so that the man of Yahweh would be prepared to see, and to repent of, the final splinter in the eye of his faith.
After giving demonstrations of His power before Eli-Yah in a great wind, and an earthquake, and a supernaturally burning fire, the Almighty spoke to His servant in a “still, small voice,” (1Kings 19:12) and said, “Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus; and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” (1Kings 19:15-18)
We do not know what, if anything, Eli-Yah said in response to this, but the subsequent verses show that he rose up and did all these things that Yahweh had commanded him. For a time, it seemed that little had changed. Ahab continued to be the king in Israel, with Jezebel his wife at his side. Injustices continued in the Nation, (1Kings 21:16) and Eli-Yah continued to speak against them. (1Kings 21:19) This time, though, instead of fleeing for his life, or lamenting the lack of faith to be found in Israel, Eli-Yah spoke forcefully against wickedness, and pronounced doom against his enemies. In fact, the power of Eli-Yah’s testimony was such that he even shook the confidence of the evil king, and it is written, “And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. And the word of Yahweh came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before Me? Because he humbleth himself before Me, I will not bring the evil in his days, but in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house.” (1Kings 21:27-29)
What vindication! What power! What mercy – that Yahweh should condescend to assure, and reassure again, His servant!
The very next time Eli-Yah is seen in the Biblical record, He is calling fire down upon solders sent against him by Ahab’s successor, (2Kings 1:12) communing with angels who assured him of his safety, (2Kings 1:15) seeing the direct fulfilment of his prophecy against Ahab’s son Ahaziah, (2Kings 1:17) and then ascending to Heaven in a chariot of fire. (2Kings 2:1-11)
By the promises of Yahweh, faithfully received and fearlessly enacted, all Christians are called to be as Eli-Yah the prophet. In this generation especially, when the final confrontation between Christ and Satan will be played out on the earth, the people of Yahweh may well sorrow for the state of the world, the tiny number of people who are willing to hear the Gospel, the pervasive influence of Ba’al’s doctrines, and the overwhelming work laid out before them. Well might they feel the temptation to discouragement and dismay. And yet, just as with their prototype, they are being prepared for a glory that the world has seldom seen before, and never on this scale. They are being brought into circumstances under which their final character flaws are being revealed. Angels are sent to feed and comfort the saints, and to assure them that, despite all apparent evidence to the contrary, the prophesied Harvest is ongoing, and those who endure to the end will share in the joy of the gathering saints. Let Eli-Yah hear this still, small voice and go forth in confidence and power to finish the work of his Lord.
In spiritual warfare, the senses will often betray the soul. Common sense is subverted by evil spirits, and conventional wisdom fails. It is at such a time, as no other, that Eli-Yah must lay hold of the promises of his Father. Defiantly, but not presumptuously, he will say, “I shall not fail, nor be discouraged!” He will repeat it to himself, letting the virtue of his beloved Savior stop the bleeding of his spiritual wounds. (Luke 8:43, 44) He will remember that Yahweh has a purpose and a plan for him beyond what he can see, (Jer 29:11, 1Cor 2:9) beyond what his own understanding can reveal. (Pro 3:5) Eli-Yah will put away his last idol, of discouragement and dismay; he will overcome the last temptation to ever trouble his soul, and he will rise to glory in the flames of righteousness, riding on the bright wings of faith.
David.