Was Yahshua / Jesus Married?

Hymn: The Upward Way    St. John’s Episcopal Tallahassee Splits

Testament of Naphtali (4Q215) 4:3-10. For the age of evil has been completed, and all sinfulness will pass away, the time of righteousness has come, and the earth will be full of knowledge and praise of Elohim.  The era of peace has come, and the laws of truth and the testimony of righteousness, to teach the ways of Elohim and the mightiness of his works.  All creation will bless him, and everyone will bow down before him in worship, and their hearts will be as one.  For he prepared their actions before ever they were created, and measured out the ministry of righteousness as their portion in their generations.  For the rule of righteousness has come, and he has raised up the throne of the Messiah.  Wisdom will increase greatly.  Insight and understanding will be confirmed by the works of his holiness. (Dead Sea Scrolls[1])

Barnabas 4:9,10. Consequently, let us be on guard in the last days, for the whole time of our faith will do us no good unless now, in the age of lawlessness, we resist as well the coming stumbling blocks, as befits Elohim’s children, let the black one find an opportunity to sneak in.  Let us flee from every kind of vanity; let us hate completely the works of the evil way.

Isaiah 25:6. On this mountain, for all peoples, Yahweh Sabaoth is preparing a banquet of rich food, a banquet of fine wines, of succulent food, of well-strained wines.  7. On this mountain, he has destroyed the veil which used to veil all peoples, the pall enveloping all nations; 8. he has destroyed death for ever.  Lord Yahweh has wiped away the tears from every cheek; he has taken his people’s shame away everywhere on earth, for Yahweh has spoken.  9. And on that day, it will be said, ‘Look, this is our El, in him we put our hope that he should save us, this is Yahweh, we put our hope in him. Let us exult and rejoice since he has saved us.”

Matthew 22:1. Yahshua began to speak to them in parables once again,  2. ‘The kingdom of Heaven may be compared to a king who gave a feast for his son’s wedding.  3. He sent his servants to call those who had been invited, but they would not come.  4. Next he sent some more servants with the words, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, my banquet is all prepared, my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, everything is ready. Come to the wedding.’  5. But they were not interested: one went off to his farm, another to his business, 6. and the rest seized his servants, maltreated them and killed them.

7. The king was furious. He dispatched his troops, destroyed those murderers and burnt their town.  8. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready; but as those who were invited proved to be unworthy, 9. go to the main crossroads and invite everyone you can find to come to the wedding.’  10. So these servants went out onto the roads and collected together everyone they could find, bad and good alike; and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11. When the king came in to look at the guests he noticed one man who was not wearing a wedding garment, 12. and said to him, `How did you get in here, my friend, without a wedding garment?’ And the man was silent.  13. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and throw him into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.’  14. For many are invited but not all are chosen.”

The New Jerusalem

   Everybody loves a banquet, especially an honors banquet, especially if the food and company are extra good, especially if everyone in the house gets an award, especially if each award can be thrown down at the feet of the Master.  Such a banquet could be none other than the long-awaited wedding supper of the Lamb, for which the bride has made herself ready.  That bride is the elect of YH; namely, you and me.

   This Divine Banquet is the gathering of saints of all ages, and we mean to be a part.  The prophets of old preached it, Yahshua referred to it, and the Revelator described it as taking place in the latter days in the holy capital of the world, the New Jerusalem. 

   Furthermore, road signs clearly warn us that these are the latter days, as we’re learning in our Young Adults Sunday School Class – that forever is on the horizon – while the New Jerusalem of legend is floating quietly down from the heavens to take its rightful place above all the capitals of the world. 

   This New Jerusalem has several things in common with the old – the New will be the seat of authority: Yahweh Sabaoth (the LORD of Hosts) will be seated upon the throne of government to rule for a millennium.[2]  In the Old Jerusalem, this Throne was called “the mercy seat” situated in the empty space above the Ark of the Covenant.

   And like the Jerusalem of old, the New will be the highest city in the world.  Jerusalem NOW, at 2400 feet above sea level, towers over the nearby Dead Sea, at 1400 feet below sea level.  Now we understand why the Bible speaks of everyone going UP to Jerusalem[3] – it was uphill from everywhere – 3800 feet uphill!  If the worshipper wanted to attend the Feast of Tabernacles, he knew it was a tedious and dangerous uphill journey.

   Unlike Jerusalem, the New is not full of idolatrous temples, violent terrorists and political insanity.  No, within the New City, there will flow peace like a river, comfort as a mother, and joy as the joy of youth.[4]

 

Like a Diamond in the Sky

   Many speculate that the New Jerusalem, which the Scripture says descends gradually from above, will float above the old city.[5]  The Scripture says the floating New Jerusalem will be a perfect square, 187.5 miles each side, completely enclosed yet always open, and appearing “like a diamond in the sky.”  This idea seemed utterly incredible a generation ago; but today, there exist such structures, like the International Space Station.

   As we speak, space tourist Greg Olsen is orbiting around the ISS in a Russian-made Soyuz spacecraft after paying $20 million for a ten-day trip.  He’s the third paying passenger to space.  From his lofty perch, Greg participated in a remote news broadcast a few days ago, in which he spoke of his experience:  “Welcome to space,” he said.  “I’m having a great time.  This is a dream come true.  Just to look out and see the Earth from about 230 miles up is just great.”  What a view!

   Wouldn’t it be lovely to be banqueting with like-minded believers high above, looking out the window of the hall down upon the blue planet, knowing “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever”?[6]  I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to view a peaceful and secure planet from “up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky.”  If I keep on the Upward Way, I’ll surely find out.  And I won’t have to pay $20 million or chance a rickety Russian rocket to do so. 

   The promise is that the Creator of the Universe will get us to the banqueting hall safely and in the twinkling of a star.  And I believe him; Yahweh has never lied to me!

 

What Do You Want to Be?

   Of course, the immediate objective is to get on the narrow, upward way, and keep moving ahead toward the ultimate goal and reward.  Accomplishing anything worthwhile is an uphill climb fraught with impediments.  Many meaningful goals require lifelong commitment.  Love wasn’t built in a day.  If your greatest goal is to be a millionaire, you’ll become one if you’ll work hard.  If your greatest goal is to be an outstanding servant to your Master, there’s no shortcut or side door, you work even harder. 

   Once a man did get into the wedding banquet wearing the wrong clothes.  That man ended up with the fellow who dedicated his life to money making – in outer darkness with teeth-gnashers.  I think this life is only a test; the great proctor in the sky will decide on a case by case basis if we go forth toward our best and highest purpose – be that in the New Jerusalem, or upon the earth, or in the dark gnash-heap.  Now, the bride must make herself ready with the white linen of holiness and good deeds.  (See Wesley’s sermon, “The Wedding Supper, in the footnotes.) 

   According to the Judge’s own words, it makes little difference how saved a person thinks he is, or how holy she thinks she is.  The Master said, “This is judgment: the light comes but people prefer darkness because their work is evil” (John 3:19).  So we want to check our Way and evaluate our Work. 

   Have you noticed the advertisements for the Forever Flashlight?  It never needs batteries – you just shake it up and it lights, and is guaranteed “forever”?  Don’t waste your money as I did.  The light is so small and dim that it’s only good to find batteries for the old flashlight.  The new vintage is fair, but the old is best.  Avoid the fast gimmick: let the true light that enlightens the whole world[7] enlighten you too.

 

Resist Vanity

   This week, in preparing the Sunday School lesson on Prophecy, I read again The Epistle of Barnabas, the same fellow so prominent in the Acts of the Apostles.  I want to share Barnabas’ principles for personal conduct: they’ll help us keep on the Upward Way to the New Jerusalem for the Wedding Banquet of the Lamb, overlooking the new and recreated Earth – the world of our inheritance.

   Since we live in a world of darkness, evil and tragedy, Barnabas admonishes us to RESIST four traps.  Resist Vanity – and by vanity he means working toward useless enterprises or making oneself worthless to others.  The opposite of vanity is using ones gifts and graces for the glory of the Almighty rather than for mammon or something equally worthless in the end.  If we’d take time to learn about our god-given abilities then use them rightly, one might never be trapped in Vanity’s net.  So I’ve defined vanity by what it’s not – if you make yourself available and useful to the Almighty, it’s impossible to be vain.  If you want a more thorough definition, consult with Ecclesiastes in your Bible – that book’s all about the vanities of a puffed up politician.

 

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. 
What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?[8]

 

Stumbling Blocks

   Barnabas also says, Resist Stumbling Blocks.  This is the hardest for me.  When I feel I’m doing my best, invariably someone comes along with discouraging words or stumbling stones.  But even stumbling blocks will work toward our perfection if we love Him and are called according to his purpose.  My friends, if you

 

Give of your best to the Master;  (Naught else is worthy His love.)

Give Him your heart’s adoration; Give Him the best that you have,

 

then when someone throws you that curve, you may confidently step out of the box for a minute to remember that you’re on your way to that floating diamond in the heavens above, where seldom is heard a discouraging word and the skies are not cloudy all day.

 

The Black One

   Barnabas says, Resist the Black One.  The devil is behind every stumbling block.  His job is to test you – that’s why the devil’s name is Satan, the antagonist.  The antagonist can come forth from the most unexpected places – often from those you love or respect.  If you’re striving toward the Upward Way, you can be sure that your face is pinned to the bulletin board in Hell’s post office.  Screwtape will always be tailing you.  However, such evil need only be recognized for what it is and resisted.  “Resist the devil, and he’ll run away!”[9]  Then be on guard, for, like a deer fly in the forest, he’ll always be back for a little bite of your bald spot.

   Finally, Barnabas tells us to resist lawlessness.  These days, many churches that are overflowing have made themselves popular by selling eternity for money.  They tell us that YH’s law has been nailed to the cross, or Yahshua destroyed it, and all we really need is to repent of our sins at a church altar, then buy into the system.  My friend, this is what John Wesley prophesied would become of the church – that anomianism would take over – and it has: from the dumbing-down of the Ten Commandments to the acceptance of pagan deities (such as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny) and godless holidays (Halloween).[10] 

   When I started to read Wesley, I had to look up this term anomianism.  It simply means lawlessness, and when I further learned what our founding father had to say was anomianism, I was very convicted, for, even as a young United Methodist Lay Preacher, I was leading a lawless, unprincipled life.  My righteousness was a filthy rag that condemned me.  I needed to put on the white linen of the wedding if I was ever to enter the great diamond up yonder.  Consider your ways, and be wise.

 

Uncle Bud’s Deception

   Mr. Duce told me a story about his Uncle Bud that puts lawlessness into perspective.  Uncle Bud installed air conditioning in a new office building.  Inside, there were 470 cubicles, each cubical employed a clerical worker at a desk.  Uncle Bud set the air for 72 degrees. 

   Before long, a number of workers complained that the room was to hot.  So Uncle Bud set the thermostat down.  Some were satisfied, but others now complained it was too cold.  So Uncle Bud set the thermostat up.  Finally, a bunch of workers complained that it was either too cold or two hot – so Uncle Bud set the thermostat back to 72 degrees.  The thing is, 72 degrees is good for anybody – put on a sweater if too cold, take something off if too warm.  Still, the complaints went on and on.

   Finally Bud had a great idea that solved the whole problem – in a couple days he’d installed 470 inexpensive thermostats, one in each cubicle, so each worker could set the temperature exactly as she wanted.  This work-around was more expensive, but the complaints completely stopped soon after, for each worker was able to make herself comfortable with a slight twist of the convenient, personal dial.

   Well, I was buying into Mr. Duce’s story until it occurred to me that personal thermostats would have required huge expense and a completely different system.  I asked, “How in the world was Uncle Bud able to hook all those thermostats to one air handler?  He must’ve been a genius.”  Mr. Duce said, “O, Uncle Bud was something of a genius; you see, he never hooked those thermostats up.  The wires just hung in the walls.”

   Isn’t this an amazing solution?  It shows us something about human behavior – first, how people must have it their way regardless of the rule.  This is the very definition of lawlessness: play now, pay later – maybe, pay never.  But, O, the lawless will pay!  The Heavenly Father is merciful, but not toward the conveniently ignorant or the habitually disobedient.  He gives us the Holy Spirit to lead us in every area of life.  He gave us his Commandments and Scripture, of which Methodists claim (in the doctrinal statement) that “no Christian whatsoever is free from … (the obedience of the commandments which are called moral).”  We can’t have it our own way; it must be Yah’s way.

   I might add, Uncle Bud’s solution also illustrates how easily the lawless are self-deceived.  One day some of these egocentrists may be required to endure temperature well above 72 degrees!

 

Some Seek the Upward Way

   So, let us resist lawlessness and keep cool.  Do you know that there’re some churches that’re actually in a life and death struggle with lawlessness and accommodation?  I was at the hospital considering the Scripture last week.  My eyes fell on the Tallahassee Democrat, and I was astonished to read the headline (October 4, 2005): “St. John’s Episcopal Splinters.”  Do you know of this beautiful and historic church? 

   The article begins with these words:

There was stunned silence, then gasps and then standing ovations at both services at St. John’s Episcopal.  It was the sound of Tallahassee’s second-oldest church splitting apart.  Father Eric Dudley told parishioners that he was leaving St. John’s to start a new church because he could no longer support the national Episcopal Church.  Dudley had been the pastor for ten years.  He had been an outspoken critic of the Episcopal Church since 2003, when national controversy erupted over the ordination (sic) of a gay bishop.

   What the newspaper doesn’t tell us is that the bishop so many Episcopals object to isn’t just gay, he’s a vile and pernicious corrupter of youth, whose public lewd behavior destroyed his family.  His consecration was just one of the last straws in the Episcopal denomination’s fall into worldliness, lawlessness and useless vanity.   Rev. Dudley’s letter to his congregation tells us of his struggle:

The Episcopal Church has lost its moorings and has left the fleet (the larger Anglican Communion), cut free from its anchor (Christ), and is being tossed about by all the whims of modern-day secularism. I am not called to stay in that boat. I will instead remain solidly anchored to Christ.

   At least half the congregation of St. John’s will leave with Dudley, including two other ministers.  Consider the huge benefits and retirement this Yale-educated priest is sacrificing to be obedience to Yahweh.  Consider how these church members have sacrificed a magnificent campus for a run-down rental.  Yet this journey is being undertaken by pastors and congregations all over the US because some brave souls recognize that they’ve been on the wrong road to eternity — that they’ve been leading masses into Gehenna. 

   Pray that it happens to us.  Yes!  Pray that our Heavenly Father sifts us like wheat and burns away the chaff.  Pray that our leaders are willing to courageously guide us up instead of down to hell.  Let’s be critically active in judging ourselves and our movement, learning the truth, and promoting righteousness in our Church.  For the Episcopal is our sister church – we come from the same mother.  ¿Shall we go in the way of our wayward sister?  Heaven forbid.

   Yet despite the splitting of the old bulwark of Tallahassee, the Spirit is departing for something fresh, new and in the Upward Way – toward the New Jerusalem – like a diamond in the sky.  Let’s sidestep the stumbling stones, resist vanities of the devil, and follow Messiah upon the Upward Way to the banqueting table, up where we belong.  Let us pledge, as the songwriter of yesteryear gave us an example, to the

YAH of the upward way, my Guide divine,
Where Thou hast set Thy feet, may I place mine;
And move and march wherever Thou hast been,
Keeping face forward up the hill of Elohim.

Give me the heart to hear Thy voice and will,
That without fault or fear I may fulfill
Thy purpose with a glad and holy zest,
Like one who would not bring less than his best.

Give me the eye to see each chance to serve,
Then send me strength to rise with steady nerve,
And leap at once with kind and helpful deed,
To the sure succor of a soul in need.

Give me the good stout arm to shield the right,
And wield Thy sword of truth with all my might,
That, in the warfare I must wage for Thee,
More than a victor I may ever be.

YAH of the upward way, my Guide divine,
Where Thou hast set Thy feet, may I place mine;
And when Thy last call comes, serene and clear,
Calm may my answer be, “Yah, I am here.”
                                                 - Walter J. Mathams, 1915

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