Many of us are fascinated with the end times and the soon return of our King, our Messiah, HalleluYah! However, when pondering his guiding words to be prepared for his arrival, we read about something that is not often taught, yet crucial to the times we live in. Let’s talk about it, making sure we are joyful at his appearance, and not ashamed.
Let’s begin with the end-time’s preparation.
36 But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Matthew 24:36-39
Life was going on as usual, people lived in luxury and excess, not listening to the warnings of what was to come and in a moment, everything changed.
44 Therefore be also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes.
45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Master has made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
46 Blessed is that servant, whom his Master when he comes shall find so doing.
47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Master delays his coming;
49 And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50 The Master of that servant shall come in a day when he looks not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matther 24:44-51
Can you imagine falling short and being thrown out at his coming? None of us want to imagine this fate, which is why this topic needs to be discussed.
It’s no secret that overeating and being overweight in general has become the norm in our society (at least in the US).
As many of us have been learning, the devil and (and his kingdom) have been hard at work to entice men and women to transgress the Word of YHWH at every juncture in life. He is the accuser after all, and the more evidence he has against us, the easier his job becomes to prosecute.
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our Elohim, and the power of his Messiah: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our Elohim day and night
Revelation 12:10
We know that some fall into this trap due to the tactics launched by the oppressive system of manipulation.
Regardless of the deployment of tactics and manipulation by the enemy, we are responsible for our actions. Consider the enemy uses similar methods to lure people into unlawful behaviors such as, lust, greed, drunkenness, hatred and much more. This is what Balaam did to the Israelites in the wilderness. Balaam realized he couldn’t outright curse them, so he lured them into a trap, getting them to curse themselves. This is what the world system is executing upon the multitude, on a worldwide scale.
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, reveling, and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of Elohim
Galatians 5:19-21
The intentions of this study is to be prepared to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I, nor any of us want to be stopped short at the door for any reason, especially through these fleshly matters that can be overcome.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 10:19
9 What? Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have of Elohim, and you are not your own?
20 For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify Elohim in your body, and in your spirit, which are Elohim’s.
1st Corinthians 6:19-20
This is no small matter brothers and sisters. If our bodies are in fact the dwelling place of the Spirit of our Father, we should be diligent to treat it with the utmost respect.
This is what Messiah commands about being ready for his return at the end of days.
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws close.
29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30 When they now shoot forth, you see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
31 So likewise you, when you see these things come to pass, know ye that the Kingdom of Elohim is close at hand.
32 Truly I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Luke 21:25-36
I would like to focus on the word ‘surfeiting’ for a moment. Some of the modern translations render this word as carousing and dissipation, which can easily fall into the same category as drunkenness or reveling, however I believe they may have missed the mark.
Furthermore, let’s take a look at one of the older translations of this passage, the 1599 Geneva:
Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be oppressed with surfeiting (overeating/gluttony) and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and lest that day come on you at unawares
Luke 21:34 GNV
Anyone who has struggled with food, or any addiction for that matter can certainly understand; “lest at any time your hearts be oppressed with surfeiting and drunkenness”. Sin is a heavy yoke that sits upon us. A weight that keeps us down and torments us. How can we be prepared and focus on heavenly matters when our soul is chained down like this? Even so, we can be freed from this, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay with us.
Let’s take another look at the Matthew 24 version:
42 Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Master does come.
43 But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44 Therefore be you also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes.
45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Master has made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
46 Blessed is that servant, whom his Master when he comes shall find so doing.
47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, my Master delays his coming;
49 And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50 The Master of that servant shall come in a day when he looks not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 24:42-51
This is a serious matter brothers and sisters. Either we believe the words of our teacher, or we don’t.
Listen, I’m not here to judge you in regards to food, overeating, or anything related to self-control. In fact, I’m doing this study to exhort and encourage my brothers and sisters, as well as myself. I have struggled with this all my life, and want full victory over this, not being ashamed at his coming, but joyful. The truth is, we all struggle with different aspects of the flesh. Some deal with anger, while others envy, jealousy, vainglory, lust, pride and many other examples of the works of the flesh. This study is specifically for those who struggle with overeating, but the principles we learn here can be applied to any matters that involve a lack of self-control.
In Galatians 5, we are shown what the evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit within a man or woman looks like in their lives. Self control is one of those witnesses. I do believe that we are to strive to overcome all obstacles that get in the way of displaying these fruits. We know that YHWH has given us power from on high to fight the good fight, and to help while we are being refined in the fire of adversity. We can do this!
For Elohim has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind
2 Timothy 1:7
A sound mind is one that is able to be rational, able to be reasoned with.
Come now, and let us reason together, says YHWH: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isaiah 1:18
Messiah offered himself and redeemed us from the bondage that sin once held over us and given us freedom!
For, brethren, you have been called unto freedom; only use not freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13
as free, yet not using freedom as a cloak for vice, but as bond servants of Elohim
1 Peter 2:16
Next, I’d like to share some wise words preserved for us by our Heavenly Father, tucked away in the Greek Septuagint.
15 And that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Messiah Yahusha.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of Elohim, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of Elohim may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Tim 3:15-17
For encouragement and growth, I would like to share some passages from a book called 4th Maccabees. This was included in the Greek Septuagint, which was the accepted ‘canon’ during the time of Messiah and his disciples. We believe this fits the 2nd Timothy 3:15-17 criteria for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction.
4th Maccabees 1-3 Reading (click here to read)
Eat like a man being what is set before you, and do not chew greedily, lest you be hated. Be the first to stop eating, for the sake of good manners, and do not be insatiable, lest you give offense. If you are seated among many persons, do not reach out your hand before they do. How ample a little is for a well-disciplined man! He does not breathe heavily upon his bed. Healthy sleep depends on moderate eating; he rises early, and feels fit. The distress of sleeplessness and of nausea and pains of the belly are with the glutton.
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 31:16-20
Consider for a moment that one who overeats and cares not for those who may have very little or go without are displaying a lack of love for ones neighbor, being selfish.
14 What does it profit, my brethren, though a man say he has faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what does it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, you have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works
James 2:14-18
Messiah will make a separation within his people when he arrives; sheep and goats.
Which will you be?
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say to them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungry, and ye gave me food: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Master, when saw we thee an hungry, and fed you? or thirsty, and gave you drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took you in? or naked, and clothed you?
39 Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and came unto you?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungry, and ye gave me no food: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Master, when did we see you hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto you?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Matthew 25:31-46
We are called to love one another, not focus only on ourselves.
Korean ‘Mukbang’ – Trending in Korea and even the US. Gorging themselves with food on camera.
Food has become an addiction, and like all vices we need to break free of the chains!
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Isaiah 58:6
Whether it’s food, or any other addiction, we need to break free from the chains and the heavy yoke it puts upon us. This calls for drastic measures.
Are you ready to make the changes needed to be ready at His return? Consider fasting and consistent prayer, it breaks the enslavement!
28 Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29
Fast, pray and approach the throne. I do believe this type of righteous petition will be heard by our Heavenly Father who created us to have self-control (in his image).
For, behold, YHWH will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will YHWH plead with all flesh: and the slain of YHWH shall be many. They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating pork, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, says YHWH
Isaiah 66:15-17
This is a prophecy yet to happen.
Though we have been taught in churches for centuries that we can eat whatever we want, there’s a growing group of believers who are recognizing it’s a delight to adhere to the foods our creator deemed healthy for us. Here’s a playlist with a few short and concise studies on why believers in Messiah should be keeping the dietary laws given to us by our Heavenly Father.
Furthermore, we should be diligent to care for the body YHWH has given us. We won’t be covering all the threats that GMO’s, pesticides, fluoride, high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, artificial colors and many others elements pose to the body, but we have a playlist assembled for those who would like to learn more about caring for the temple that The Most High dwells in.
I pray that this study gave you some motivation to be ready at the appearing of our Master, Savior, King and High Priest.
I can do all things through Messiah which strengthens me
Philippians 4:13
May YHWH bless you and keep you
YHWH make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you
YHWH lift up his countenance upon you and give you shalom (peace)
