Are You Denying Him Before Men?
Are You Denying Him Before Man
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Have you ever considered what it truly means to deny our messiah before men? We’ve all heard this verse and wondered what that day of testing might look like:
“But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt 10:33)
I think we all imagine a situation at gunpoint, or facing a beating for confessing faith in messiah; and truly, in many countries, this is the case. For those of you in these situations, may Yahuah guide you and keep you safe as you stand firm for him. However, the bulk of the viewership of this ministry being in the United States, I ask, is this our challenge, our test? Do we face persecution for confessing our belief in the messiah who was sent and was hung on a tree for our sins? Hardly, even though the percentages of those who believe in the Son of The Most High have been declining over the past few decades, it is still the popular belief, and there is really no danger at this time, which of course could change in the future. But at this special time in history, I ask, could there be more to what it means to deny Him before men?
Let us remind ourselves quickly, just who Messiah really is.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. The same was in the beginning with Elohim. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1-3)
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
Messiah Yahusha is the Word of Elohim, what does that actually mean though? We’ll solidify this in a moment.
“Yahusha saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the life; no man comes unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
We must recognize what he’s saying here, this is a type of parable, a statement or teaching for those who have been given eyes to see and who have understand in his Word.
Did you know that “The Way” in the scriptures is defined as:
“Blessed are the undefiled in The Way, who walk in the Torah of Yahuah.” (Psalm 119:1)
How about “The Truth”:
“Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your Torah is The Truth.” (Psalm 119:142)
Lastly, “The Life”:
“And he said unto them, set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all of the words of this Torah, for it is not a vain thing for you; because it is Your Life.” (Deut 32:46-47)
To sum it up, Yahusha is the living Word, all of it, not just the Gospels, Revelation and the epistles of his apostles, but every word, including the foundation of Torah, the prophets and writings. Let us not forget, that when the Devil was testing and tempting Master Yahusha, this is what he replied with:
“…It is written, man shall not Live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeded out of the mouth of Elohim.” (Matthew 4:4 – quoting Deuteronomy 8:3)
With this understanding, let’s get back to the point of this study. What does our test, in our day look like when we ponder the question of what it means to deny him? Go back 2,000 years ago and it was dangerous and highly contended to confess belief in Messiah, even before he rose from the dead. In John chapter 9:21-23 we see that people were thrown out of the congregation for this type of faith, but what about the deeds of the Torah? This was commonplace and no issue, yet the teachings at that time were riddled with so much added man-made tradition, but more on this another time. After Yahusha’s resurrection, it meant death in many cases for confessing this belief.
Fast-forward to our time, it is the exact opposite. The majority of our population confesses belief in the Son of Elohim yet deny his righteous Torah. Try entering a modern-day church building and confess both belief in messiah and a walk as he walked, according to Torah – you won’t last long. Tell your family, friends, loved ones and co-workers, it typically doesn’t go over well, they’ll think you’ve lost it, or joined a cult. You might be met with anger, contention, divorce, dis-fellowship and many other scenarios.
I ask you, are you shining forth the light as Yahusha commanded?
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
We must understand that the Light is the Torah:
“For the commandment is a lamp; and the Torah is light…” (Proverbs 6:23)
It’s no coincidence that immediately after Yahusha commanded that our good works of the Torah is to be shown to all, he says this:
“Think not that I am come to destroy the Torah, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Torah, till all be fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:17-18)
Brothers and sisters, many of us have been shown that the hour is late, and the return of our Master may be sooner than many understand. I believe this is a time to evaluate your life, are you standing boldly for Messiah? Do others know and see your light, your works of the Torah being shown, regardless of persecution? Are you fleeing the filthiness of Babylon and her detestable ways, no matter the consequences? Let’s go back to Matthew 10, understanding Yahusha is the living Torah:
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother-in-law.
And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
And he that taketh not his stake, and follows after me, is not worthy of me.” (Matt 10:32-38)
2,000 years ago, faith in messiah put you at odds within your household, today, it’s Torah. The time is now for both, faith in messiah and walking as he walked. For those of you beginning to stand boldly for the Truth, this is probably starting to make quite a bit of sense as to what messiah was truly saying for the ages. For those of you who are keeping your light hidden, perhaps it’s time to examine this decision.
When the time comes that Messiah Yahusha returns in glory and gathers his righteous, I don’t know about you, but I want to be found worthy:
“Watch therefore and pray always that you might be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the son of man” (Luke 21:36)
With what we’ve covered so far, imagine the day he returns and allows some to enter, and many he will deny entry; remember “whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my father which is in Heaven”
“Not everyone that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
(Matt 7:21-23)
Did he not just deny them? Perhaps just as they denied his righteous commandments in their walk, even though they called him Lord, and perhaps due to them not shining their light before men as he commanded.
Remember though, we shine our light in love, humility, humbleness and in peace – not as contentious, argumentative and rude people, showing everyone how much we know and they don’t, no this is not the fruit of the Torah, but of pride. Stay meek, sow good seeds and let the Father do the work and change their heart. If others want to launch accusations against you for shining your light, so be it. You lose your job because you want to keep the Sabbath day set apart to Yahuah, do not fear, the creator of heaven and earth can replace and replenish anything for those who stand for his name. Your spouse begins to detest you because you’re starting to walk out his ways? Take it, trust in him and love them regardless, as he loved you before you turned back to him. The same goes for friends, family members, acquaintances and so on. Be patient and let Yahuah fight your battles, you just do your part, shining that light like a city set on a hill.
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matt 5:10-12)
Picture this – Messiah returns and gathers his people, how many, who knows – but perhaps he preserves those who kept his ways, and not secretly:
“He will call to the angels of the height above, and to the righteous of the earth below, to extend judgement to his people. Gather to me, my pious ones, who have made my covenant, and fulfilled my Torah, and have engaged in prayer, which is likened to a sacrifice.” (Psalm 50:4-5 Aramaic Targum)
Perhaps this is a primary reason he wants us to be bold for the true faith in these last days. When we are gathered and the majority of the people are left, they should know exactly what we stood for and what set us apart – what they did not heed, nor take hold of, perhaps even mocked. I believe this will cut some of them straight to the heart and some will repent and change, though it will cost them their life.
“On the day of Tribulation on which evil shall have been treasured up against the sinners. And the righteous shall be victorious in the name of Yahuah Tseva’oth: And He will cause the others to witness (this)That they may repent and forgo the works of their hands. They shall have no honor through the name of Yahuah Tseva’oth, yet through His name shall they be saved”
(Enoch 50:2-3)
So even though our friends, family, coworkers and acquaintances may not hear us now, I believe in many cases they will turn when they see what will unfold, hopefully if you’ve shined your light and left a testimony and have been a living witness of the goodness of keeping his ways alongside your faith. Professing Him, Messiah Yahusha, the living Word of Yahuah, the Living Torah.
“And therefore, I say unto you, O ye nations, that hear and understand, look for your Shepherd, he shall give you everlasting rest; for he is nigh at hand, that shall come in the end of the world.
Be ready to the reward of the Kingdom, for the everlasting light shall shine upon you forevermore.
Flee the shadow of this world, receive the joyfulness of your glory: I testify my Savior openly.
O receive the gift that is given you, and be glad, giving thanks unto him that has led you to the heavenly kingdom.
Arise up and stand, behold the number of those that be sealed in the Feast of YAHUAH;
Which are departed from the shadow of the world and have received glorious garments of YAHUAH.
Take your number, O Tsiyon, and shut up those of yours that are clothed in white, which have fulfilled the Torah of YAHUAH.
The number of your children, whom you longed for, is fulfilled: beseech the power of YAHUAH, that your people, which have been called from the beginning, may be hallowed.
I Ezra saw upon Mount Tsiyon a great people, whom I could not number, and they all praised YAHUAH with songs.
And in the midst of them there was a young man of a high stature, taller than all the rest, and upon everyone of their heads he set crowns, and was more exalted; which I marvelled at greatly.
So I asked the angel, and said, Sir, what are these?
He answered and said unto me, These be they that have put off the mortal clothing, and put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of ELOHIYM: now are they crowned, and receive palms.
Then said I unto the angel, What young person is it that crowns them, and gives them palms in their hands?
So he answered and said unto me, It is the Son of ELOHIYM, whom they have confessed in the world. Then began I greatly to commend them that stood so stiffly for the name of YAHUAH.
(2 Esdras / 4th Ezra 2:34-47)
It’s time to arise and stand stiffly for him, o people of The Living Elohim
