How Biblical Scripture Reflects Today’s World

I am writing this on the Shabbat, mandated by Yahweh (God). The Creator of all things, himself, rested on the seventh day of creation:

God completed—on the seventh day—His work that He made, and He ceased—on the seventh day—from all His work that He made. ³ Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, for on it He ceased from all His work that God created for the purpose of preparing. (B’Resheet [Genesis] 2:2-3 TLV)

If you examine this weeks proposed Torah reading, it mentions Shabbat. Adonai reminds Moshe (Moses), to in turn remind the Israelites, not to forget Shabbat while building the wilderness Tabernacle: “Then Moses assembled all the congregation of Bnei-Yisrael and said to them, “These are the words which Adonai has commanded you to do. ² Work is to be done for six days, but the seventh day is a holy day for you, a Shabbat of complete rest to Adonai. Whoever does any work then will die.” (Sh’mot/Exodus 35:1-2)

Even the Disciples of Yeshua obeyed the Fourth commandment of Yahweh, after their Beloved teacher had been hung on a tree and entombed:
“Now evening had already come. Since it was the Day of Preparation, that is, the day before Shabbat, ⁴³ Joseph of Arimathea, a respected council member who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Yeshua’s body…” (Mark 15:42-43 TLV)

“When Shabbat was over, Miriam of Magdala, Miriam the mother of Jacob, and Salome bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Yeshua’s body. ² Very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they come to the tomb…” (Mark 16:1-2 TLV)

Thinking of World Events on Shabbat

Why, you may wonder, am I mentioning Shabbat in accordance to what is happening, today, in the world. Because on a day (Shabbat) when I and many others normally would not do much but rest in the Father and meditate on His word, work, etc., many of us are paying attention to what is happening in the world, with much concern. Prayerfully entering into His midst but in warfare instead of complete rest, alongside our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and Eastern Europe, as war rages during the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. However, we must also recognize that this chaos is also His work; Yahweh may not have ordained this but He is allowing it and eschatological prophecy tells us as much.

As I watched the livestream Shabbat service at Jacob’s Tent this morning, I was intrigued by the verses shared by Bill Cloud in the message, and how it ties together on so many fronts for today. Not only was I intrigued how Luke chapter 21 ties back to the Torah portion reading for this week, how it went from admiration of the workmanship of the Temple in Jerusalem to exactly what we are watching unfold:

“5 And while some were talking about the Temple, how it was decorated with beautiful stones and offerings, Yeshua said, 6 “As for these things you are looking at, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another. Every one will be torn down!” 7 And they questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, so when will these things happen? What will be the sign that these things are about to take place?”
8 And He said, “Watch out that you are not led astray! For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He’ and ‘The time is near!’ Do not follow them. 9 And when you hear of wars and chaos, do not be terrorized. For these things need to happen first, but the end will not come at once.

10 Then He continued telling them, “Nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes along with famines and epidemics in various places, and there will be terrors along with great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will grab you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons, and leading you away to kings and governors on account of My name. 13 This will lead you to be a witness. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare ahead of time to defend yourselves— 15 for I Myself will give you speech and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. 16 But you will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all because of My name. 18 Yet not a hair of your head will be lost. 19 By your endurance, you will gain your souls.

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. 21 Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside the city must get out, and those in the countryside must not enter her. 22 For these are the days of punishment, to fulfill all that has been written. 23 “Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath on this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led away captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25 “There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars. And upon the earth nations will be confused by the roaring of the sea and its waves. 26 People will lose heart from fear and anticipation of what is overtaking the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, stand straight and lift up your heads, because your salvation is near!

29 Then Yeshua told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 As soon as they sprout their leaves, you see it and you know at once that summer is near. 31 So also, when you see these all these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Amen, I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

34 “But watch out so your hearts are not weighed down by carousing, strong drink, and the worries of life. Do not let that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come rushing upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things about to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:5-35 TLV)

What Else We Need to “See”

As I have been led to share a few times since early March of 2020, there is more than meets the eye in all that has transpired globally. The seed of Esau has been hard at work in the world with one goal: to overcome any Light with darkness. In regard to this incursion: many do not see the tie between the governments of the world (including that of the USA) and Islam. Islam, being the seed of Esau, is the BIBLICAL threat in eschatological prophecy. Governments are aligning themselves with Islam (from which communism gets its roots) and proof of that has come to light especially since the fall of Afghanistan in 2021 to the Taliban.

On the evening of February 25, 2022, Intercessors for America (IFA) released an email asking for prayer for Ukraine but also stating information many won’t receive; below is an exert from that email (emphasis is my own):

“Urgent Prayer with News From Ukraine
I want to share with you this message I received moments ago from leaders of Intercessors for Ukraine . . .

Dear friends, brothers, and sisters from different parts of the world,

We are appealing to you at this dark time for all of us, when black clouds from the explosions are blocking the sun over our capital.
Tonight, the elite special forces of the Russian Federation ALONG WITH THE CHECHEN MUSLIM UNITS will storm one of the most ancient and beautiful cities in the world, the spiritual capital of Eastern Europe – the city of Kiev. Everyone who can hold a weapon has risen to defend the capital, including students, school children, and even the retired.  Tonight and tomorrow are crucial. Everything that the entire civilized world believed in and built up thus far is at stake. With tears in our eyes we ask you, regardless of the time zone, to spend all of this time fasting and praying to God. Pray that the Lord will protect us from the individuals who want to MOCK THE FAITH AND TRUTH OF GOD.”

Our role…

Mishpachah/brethren, let us have eyes to see the whole Truth, and ears and hearts that only desire wisdom to navigate the world around us, just as Yahweh sought from the remaining Israelites when assigning roles in the construction of the wilderness Tabernacle. Yahweh was in every detail and needed for those building every aspect of the Tabernacle to also see Him, his wisdom and lovingkindness, in the instructions given.

Seek His truth in the Word from beginning to end to assist in navigating the constant waves of chaos in the world; by possessing more than a superficial understanding, and the wisdom contained therein, the more you will “see” what Yeshua was saying in the aforementioned passages (Gospel of Luke Ch 21) and why He instructed us not to fear such things, instead trying to find His hand in it all.
Shalom!

(Please know, I am not belittling the terror people in the midst of this battle must be experiencing; realizing my perspective is pretty Western seeing we cannot fathom the waves of emotion the people of Ukraine, or anywhere at war, are experiencing. I have seen images of groups of Believers kneeling in deep snow, praying with their arms extended to heaven…this is what I am hoping to portray, the inner peace that comes with knowing Yahweh/God and knowing His word. I have a former co-worker who is from Ukraine; when I reached out, she relayed that her friends and family still living in that country are simply terrified. She requested prayers for peace above all else.)

Image by Evangelist Moon Gulzar