In my previous blog (rant and rave), I mentioned that the key to understanding eschatology is understanding the Day of the Lord found throughout the Scriptures. On the flip-side of the same coin, it should be noted that believers have a responsibility to fulfill prior to Yeshua's return . . . regardless of the amount of time. Whether it is 3, 5, or 7 years from now, or if it 20, 30, or 100 years away, all believers need to live according to the Word of YHVH.

In doing so, believers will find that every area of their walk with Adonai will be scrutinized. From their money-handling to their daily interjections with others. From their slightest words of cursing to their greatest words of encouragement. In saying this, let me be very clear . . . I am, by no means, guiltless of misrepresentation of YHVH and Yeshua the Messiah. I have paid many wages for the price of my ill-choice words and actions over the years, and yes, I am disappointed in many of my wrong doings. However, not a person on this earth (past, present, or future) can escape the wrath of the Lamb that will, I believe, take place soon. The only exception will be for those who humble themselves, and rightfully change from their wicked (sinful) ways. The Plan of Salvation has been foretold from Genesis to the appearance of the Messiah Yeshua, and has now continued to this very day. It hasn't changed! No amount of good-living can accomplish freedom from sin. We are all guilty! Jew and Gentile must believe that Yeshua is the Son of God (YHVH) and that only through Him do we become sons and daughters of YHVH.

There is still some discussion in the "Church" on whether or not Jews have to accept Jesus as their messiah. Frankly, this is a very old discussion . . . from prior to Constantine until now. What is disturbing is that many Gentiles believe that Jews have to convert to Christianity. Although Jews are not saved by heritage alone, like the rabbis would like us to believe, they do, indeed, need a Savior like Gentiles do. The difference, however, is that Jews do not convert. So, how does a Jew become a "Christian" and still remain a Jew? It really isn't that hard; although, rabbinical law would love to make it so, and sadly, many Christians swallow the lie "hook-line-and-sinker" or is that "stinker" because it does . . . stink!?

Here's how simple the dilemma is:

1. God (YHVH) promises Abraham that through his seed, all nations on earth will be blessed.

2. YHVH kept that promise! We see it fulfilled in the genealogy of Yeshua in the book of Matthew.

3. Yeshua came to the lost sheep of Israel (Jacob--Abraham's son--his seed).

4. Yeshua was born a Jew, lived and Jew, died a Jew, resurrected as a Jew, and will return as a Jew to reign as the Jewish Messiah (King) in Jewrusalem (I couldn't resist).

5. Gentile's are grafted into the Olive Tree as a wild branch, but not as the tree!

6. Because most of the Jewish people forsook Yeshua as the messiah, which is not a new thing . . . they have rejected many "so called" messiahs, the majority of believers became Gentile.

7. The Gentiles thought and taught that the Jews had there chance, but God says He is not done with them.

8. Jeremiah prophecies for YHVH that Yahweh will make a New Covenant with the people of Israel (Jacob--Abraham's seed, the Jews!).

9. Oops! The Gentiles call the New Testament the New Covenant, but wait . . . it's not! It is merely the apostolic writings of the Jewish disciples of the House of Yeshua.

10. We are approaching (rather quickly) the numbering days of the Gentiles. Their number has just about come in. (It's okay, there is still time for unsaved loved Gentiles to be saved. God is patient!)

11. They (the Jews) will look upon the one whom they pierced and mourn, and repent, and believe--AS JEWS! (And all Israel (Jacob-the present Jews of Israel) will be saved).

12. And, both Jewish believers and Gentile believers will enter the New millennium as new creations to celebrate a new set of feasts and festivals, which, by the way, belong to YHVH not the Jewish people.

13. The End!

So, you see! It's not that hard! It is the Gentile that converts--to biblical Judaism not modern rabbinical Judaism--not the Jew. :-) Therefore, what is the responsibility of the Gentile Church . . . to live according to the Word of YHVH and preach the Good news to the Jew first without telling them that they have to convert to Christianity! There is no greater calling. BTW, what is Christianity? I encourage you to answer that simple question.

Shalom and barachas,

Adrian A. Bernal, M.T.S.

"Changing the way people think, one blog at a time."

Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved.

Recently, while I was ministering to a congregation in Swan Valley, Idaho (Chapel in the Valley) I was asked a question about the End-Days. Although I enjoy the topic, I don't consider myself an expert on the subject. However, every believer in the Messiah needs to have a good, quality grasp on biblical knowledge regarding the days that lie ahead.

We are specifically told in Scripture to watch for Yeshua's second coming. In doing so, there are certain signs that point to His return. These signs can be seen (not exclusively) in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. And, although most people aren't students of eschatology (the study of the last things/days), Yeshua instructs his disciples:

1. Do not be deceived.

2. There will be wars and rumors of wars.

3. Nations will rise up against nations. (The Greek word for nation is "ethnos," which we get the word ethnic. Thus, I believe, there will be a rise in racial tensions not only nations against nations.)

4. And, there will be a famines and great earthquakes in many parts of the world.

All of the above signs, by the way, are the "beginning of birth pains." The Apostle Paul speaks to the same thought in 2 Thessalonians, chapter two. Without making eschatology too difficult like so many other theologians, I'll try to show how simple Paul's and Yeshua's messages were and are to believers:

The term, "The Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord," or its variants, are found throughout the Bible from the Tanach to the Apostolic Scriptures (NT) depending on the translation you read. This Day is mentioned for a purpose. It is the pivotal point to understanding everything the Bible teaches regarding the End-Days. Yeshua and Paul are not teaching a "new idea." Nor are they teaching a separate message for the Jews and for the Gentiles when it comes to the End-Days. It's always amazing to see how these famous, book-selling "theologians" teach two different messages: one for the "Church," and one for the "Jews." It's almost as if they forgot that the "Church," for the most part, for the first three-hundred years, was primarily made up of Jews! Therefore, when Yeshua taught the disciples, he was teaching to Jews about the End-Days. Paul, on the other hand, was teaching to both--Jews and Gentiles. Now, here's what funny . . . they both taught the same thing! There is no different End-Day message for the Jews, and another one for the Gentiles. Teachings about the Last-Days will encompass everyone on the earth. The book of Daniel teaches the same. Joel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Ezra, John, Peter, and every other JEW teaches the same thing. So, if God was intending to have a different message for the Gentile, rather than, the Jew, don't you think He would have made that clear?

With all the teachings on the End-Days that are circulating around the theological globe, is it any wonder why the infamous, glaze-over-the-eyes takes place on Sunday mornings in "church?" People are fed up with "Tel-Evangelist's theology!" The body of Messiah needs meat, not milk. And often when it comes to eschatology, people love to hear "what sounds good," but they don't want to hear that dangerous days are coming for all believers-Jew and Gentile!

So, forget trying to cut-and-paste passages of Scripture that fit pre, mid, or post "tribulation" theologies! Rather, recognize the simplicity of Yeshua's teachings in light of the "Great and Terrible (Dreadful) Day of the Lord." That Day is the pivotal point, and what comes before it and after it are key to being prepared for Yeshua's return.

Study for yourselves the events before the Day and the events after the Day, and you will find how simple the teachings of the End-Days are for ALL believers. In doing so, I promise you will not be deceived and the mysterious, infamous glaze-over-the-eyes won't happen.

"Don't be fooled by what they say. For that day [the Day of the Lord] will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed--the one who brings destruction" (The Apostle Paul, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, NLT).

Baruch HaShem . . . YHVH! (Blessed [is] the Name--Yahweh!),

Adrian A. Bernal (A Jewish believer in Yeshua who is a part of the greater body of Messiah and will be called to join Him when He returns), M.T.S.

"Changing the way people think, one blog at a time."

Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved.

Over the years, while I have counseled and ministered to married couples in the body of the Messiah, I have noticed a trend of misinformation. Recently, I was being certified as a Marriage Mentor with AACC (American Association of Christian Counselors) when I was reminded of a statistic that is rather disappointing. It was mentioned several times that the Barna Group (George Barna, a Christian statistician) has discovered that divorces in the Church have risen higher then those that do not attend church.

The national average for divorces in America is about 50%, while the Church is experiencing more divorces within its doors than the "world." This means that 1 out of every 2 marriages are experiencing divorce, while the "Church's" average is about 10 to 15% higher.

What statisticians fail to report is that the percentage of people that come to churches are people in crises. For example, it would be safe to assume that residents of hospitals across the country are more sick rather than healthy people. It would be frivolous to report that hospitals are for the healthy instead of the sick; it just doesn't make any sense. Therefore, while churches across the country may be experiencing more divorces than the "world," it would be erroneous to assume that churches are made up of completely whole and spiritually sound people. Yes, people can be saints without being perfect; however, it should be noted that only those who recognize the need for a Savior and healing's of all types are usually the people who attend church in hopes of becoming more accountable believers. And, many couples that are struggling with their marriages are seeking godly advice and comfort, which is why many begin to attend church. Furthermore, the need for support and encouragement is often a positive when it comes to churches.

So, while statistics show percentages and are fairly accurate, they do not show what takes place behind the scenes. The negative factor to churches, however, is that often those that come in for healing usually, in-turn, cast disbelief and judgment on those that are seeking the same kind of healing. Why does that happen? Why is it that people come into the Church as sinners, receive forgiveness, are set free, and then begin to judge those outside of the Church or others within the Church? Could it be that we are all still sinners in need of a Savior? The answer is, Yes!

And, although the Church is filled with sinners, more sinners will be led to the doors . . . some with the need for repentance, others turning back to their foundation of belief from childhood. Either way, the Church attracts those in need, and with that often comes broken marriages, separations, angry people, judgmental individuals, and healthy people. It should be no surprise that the Church may experience more divorces than the "world." It should expect it. . . for the world is still in need of Yeshua the Messiah. So, the next time someone tries to put shame on you or the Body of Christ for being worse than sinners in regard to marriages, tell them that the "Church" should be attracting people in dire-straights. And, along with that comes divorces and all sorts of ungodly things. When someone comes to salvation in Yeshua, his life is not all-of-a-sudden perfect, nor is it going to fall into place. It takes work, faith, and righteous decision making to change your outward appearance and failures to match what Yahweh is doing on the inside, and, yes, He will help with the outer shell, but He won't do everything. You have to fight for your marriage and rise above the statistics. Yahweh is on your side. He invented marriage. So, love one another as Messiah has loved you.

Shalom,

Adrian A. Bernal, M.T.S.

Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved.