Wednesday, 7 February 2024

The Upper Room Discourse 70

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John 17:11 I am no longer in the world; but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name that You have given Me, so that they may be one just as We are.

"That they (that's the Apostles, and by extension, you and me) may be one just as We (Father and Son) are." Does it get any better than that? Eternity is a long time. Eternity without God is a longer time. Being one with Him is the basis of the Sukkot celebration we just completed.

Rabbi Trail: Ancient coins were minted during the Bar Kokhba Revolution. www.britannica.com/event/Bar-Kokhba-Revolt This took place about 100 years after the Crucifixion. Bar Kokhba was believed (falsely) to be the messiah. Even in ancient times, you can see the image of the Lulav and the Etrog superimposed on each other. The Lulav (3 branches) represent Father (straight and tall palm), Son (bent over - humbled - willow) and Holy Spirit (myrtle leaves look like lips of the kisses "of revelation" of the Holy Spirit), while the Etrog (chosen for it's size and shape similar to a human heart) represents the heart of man. End RT.

The Lulav and Etrog are held together as a wave offering before the Lord on Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles). Zechariah prophesies an end time reality for this celebration. Zechariah 14:16-17 Then all the survivors from all the nations that attacked Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, Adonai-Tzva'ot, and to celebrate Sukkot. Furthermore, if any of the nations on earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, Adonai-Tzva'ot, they will have no rain.

Here's another thought on "becoming one" with God. We become one through marriage. Mark 10:7-8 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. John wrote about the vision he was shown by the angel of the Lord. He saw a marriage between Yeshua and His followers, who become His Bride. We read about it extensively in Revelation 19.

Revelation 19:9 Then the angel tells me, "Write: How fortunate are those who have been invited to the wedding banquet of the Lamb!" He also tells me, "These are the true words of God."

In our subject verse, Yeshua says He is no longer in the world, but we are. Here is the message. Don't be deceived, the seduction of the world may be attractive, but the prince of this world is a liar. Jacob 4:7 Therefore submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you. The promised union with Messiah Yeshua is more glorious than we can imagine.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do far beyond all that we ask or imagine, by means of His power that works in us, to Him be the glory in the community of believers and in Messiah Yeshua throughout all generations forever and ever! Amen.

And trust me in this ... "forever and ever" is longer than just "forever." It will be great to be together (as one) with Him. Great enough to be beyond words, so I'll quit trying.