Key #8 - The Key to the Kingdom

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There was once a majestic king who ruled his people with righteousness and justice. He gave them specific rulings and instructions to live by. His law included everything the society needed to be prosperous and successful including instructions on what to eat, what to wear, how to settle disputes and how to properly approach the king.

When his people obeyed the specified written rules, the king graciously blessed them with the benefits of his favor. When the people disobeyed the king’s commandments they suffered the consequences. But over time, rebellion against the king’s way of life resulted in many people blaming the king for their own self-inflicted conditions. The loving king never forced someone to follow his edicts; instead he gave each person the free will to choose obedience and blessing or disobedience and curses.

Years passed and each family in the kingdom chose it’s own path, whether or not to follow the king. This falling away greatly saddened the king. Finally he developed a plan to return the people to his good and perfect way of life. The king wanted restoration. So the king decided to send his one and only son with a message of hope to the people of his kingdom. He wanted things to be as they once were. So he sent forth his son proclaiming the message, “turn from your lifestyle and return to the king’s commands because the rule of the king is here among you!” As the people listened to the son, many began to submit to the reign of the king. With the return to the correct rule of the king’s ways amazing things starting to happen like miracles and healings. The son soon commissioned a group of students who could help carry the father’s message to those who had left the kingdom and were scattered all over the world. And so began the restoration of the kingdom…

You can probably see the similarities between the above story and the message of the Bible. You see, the rule and reign of heaven on earth is in fact THE message of the Bible, from beginning to end.

In the Gan Eden man was created in Yahweh’s image and was told to rule and reign over creation. Adam was to represent Yahweh to creation and was told his mission in life even before he was commanded not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. “Yahweh Elohim took the man and put him in the Gan Eden to tend and keep it,” Beresheet 2:15. The words “tend” and “keep” in the original Hebrew, communicates to us that Adam was to actually “guard” and “protect” creation. Yahweh held Adam responsible to guard the garden. Guard it from what? From the entrance from any “beast of the field” that had no place in the Gan Eden (Beresheet 2:20).

In the next chapter of Beresheet we learn that Adam failed in his command and the serpent, the beast of the field, was allowed into the garden. Possibly before Chava (Eve) sinned in eating the forbidden fruit, Adam sinned in not executing his dominion over the serpent. You see, separation from Yahweh came because of man’s failure to exercise the authority given to him by Father Yahweh. This failure to execute kingdom responsibility continues to this day, partly because of confusion concerning the kingdom message.

Get down to it

So here is the problem: rebellion against Yahweh’s commands has separated mankind from the Creator. Avi Ben Mordichai wrote in his book Messiah 3, “In essence, the world was created in the image of the Torah, and since man is equated to a world, therefore all the world (or mankind) was fashioned in the image of Torah. But, when Adam rebelled against the Creator, his world and the worlds to come fell into a state of corruption, and came to be in need of ‘tikkun’ or repair.”

To fix the world Yahweh sent forth His written Torah and His living Torah in order to establish the Malchut Shamayim or kingdom of Heaven. As a matter of fact, the topic Yahshua spoke of the most during his ministry time on earth is the Malchut Shamayim. Over 90% of his sermons, teachings, and parables are on the subject of restoring or establishing the Kingdom of Heaven. The pattern of the scriptures concerning the Kingdom is creation, redemption, and then restoration. Yahshua’s ministry on earth was redemption, while He came to bring restoration.

The two become one

Both Jewish and Christian teachers have exhausted the subject of the Malchut Shamayim, yet most believers do not fully understand this main message of the Gospels.

Perhaps the truth is found when we combine the teachings of the two, with the understanding that a great deal of Israel is located in both the church and the synagogue.

“Son of man, take a stick of wood and write on it, ‘Belonging to Judah and the Israelites associated with him.’ Then take another stick of wood, and write on it, ‘Ephraim’s stick, belonging to Joseph and all the house of Israel associated with him.’ Join them together into one stick so that they will become one in your hand,” Ezekiel 37:16-17. This popular two-house verse shows us that the restoration of Ephraim and Judah will be their blending into one united Israel. One does not fully become like the other; the two will become one. Perhaps this not only means the people, but also their Torah interpretations. Perhaps to fully grasp the eternal truths of the scriptures we must glean from both Ephraim and Judah and find the truth of Torah somewhere in the middle.

Here are the mainstream teachings on the Malchut Shamayim from both the Jews and the Christians:

Jewish View

Malchut Shamayim is a pharisaical term as the Pharisee’s looked to the Messiah setting up his kingdom on earth.

The Pharisees also believed that they would experience the kingdom in the resurrection.

The Malchut Shamayim is the current rule of Yahweh – something present, not future.

Judaism feels that the kingdom of heaven will be a physical and political rule of Yahweh.

During Yahshua’s time many Rabbis believed the Messiah would return and exercise rule over the Romans.

Judaism is called “the religion of the now.”
Christian View

Most Christians view the Kingdom of Heaven is a future event after a “rapture” of believers.

Teaches the Malchut Shamayim follows this unscriptural theological pattern:

l The Jews killed the Messiah so Yahweh has put Israel on the shelf until the end times. The message of salvation is for the “gentiles” until the “rapture of the church.” Then Yahweh will turn his heart back to the Jews, the temple will be rebuilt, the battle of Armageddon will occur, and then Yahshua will return and set

up his kingdom.

The Kingdom of Heaven is for the sweet by and by. The Malchut Shamayim is for later and is not for now.

The truth of the Malchut Shamayim will actually see these two beliefs become one through the work of Yahshua the Messiah. Yahshua came to bring the proper interpretation of the Torah, so we can find the reality of the Kingdom in His own words and teachings. Exactly 119 verses in the gospels deal with the Kingdom of Heaven. This message is the main focus of the good news according to Mattityahu and the rest of the New Testament. While translators use the term “kingdom of heaven” in the book of Mattityahu, different terms like the “kingdom of g/d” are used in the other three gospels. Both of these terms mean the same thing.

The kingdom is Yahshua’s central theme of teaching yet He never defined the term. He said “the Malchut Shamayim is like…” but he never said, “The Malchut Shamayim is.” Why not? Well, quite possibly because the people of His time understood what the Malchut Shamayim was. The people Messiah spoke to had a proper understanding that the Malchut Shamayim is Yahweh’s current and present reign under His torah.

The proof is in the pudding

To prove this is Yahshua’s central focus message, just remember that before the Messiah’s ascension into heaven the disciples asked Him one final question. Now they could have asked when He would return and part the sky, but they did not. The disciples could have also asked a deep theological or doctrinal question to the Messiah. But they didn’t. They could have even asked Him who would be the winner of this year’s Super Bowl. What they did ask though is just as surprising as what they didn’t. Here’s what the scripture says, “So when they met together, they asked him, “Master, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel,” Acts 1:6. Those closest to the Messiah understood what was most important to Him – the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel/Heaven.

One scholar has written that, “The rule of heaven and the kingship of Yahweh is the very substance of the “Old Testament;” the object and calling of Israel, the meaning of all its ordinances, the underlying idea of all its institutions.” Here are some scripture verses to back this up:

“Yahweh will reign for ever and ever,” Shemot 15:18

“Yahweh has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all,” Psalm 103:19

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. Yahweh is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made,” Psalm 145:10-13

A Proper Understanding

Now that we’ve seen that there is a foundation of the kingdom reign in the Torah, Prophets, and Writings let’s look at the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven” in the Hebrew.

úeëìî “Malchut” is the Hebrew term for kingdom and kingship reign. The Sages of the faith compare the kingdom to the Shekinah, the glorious manifest presence of Yahweh. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance says this word means “a rule; concretely a dominion: —empire, kingdom, realm, reign, royal, inceptively to ascend the throne...” In can be seen as the active rule and reign of Yahweh. The Malchut is not a place but a status; it is not a time but a rule, not for the future and political but present and powerful. “Who is the king of glory? Yahweh strong and mighty, Yahweh Tzvaoth,” Psalm 24:8.

Yes, every kingdom must have a king and for the Malchut Shamayim the king is Yahweh Himself. “Yahweh is king forever and ever,” says Psalm 10:16 while Psalm 95:3 declares, “Yahweh is the great Elohim, the great king above all Elohim.” This fact is acknowledged in every blessing when someone says “Baruch atah Yahweh Eloheynu, melek ha olam…Blessed are You, Yahweh our Elohim, King of the Universe…” To this the Talmud says, “a blessing that contains no reference to the divine kingship of Yahweh is no blessing at all.”

Yahweh is the sovereign king or ruler over all of creation, including man. His Kingdom is wherever His reign extends and His reign is specifically over the nation or people of Israel. The term Israel itself means “one who reigns with El.” So implied by the name, we have been called to exercise the Kingdom reign and authority here on earth. Yahweh is King of kings and the Israelites are the “kings” he is monarch over. Israelites have been called to be the people on this planet who submit to the king and establish His Kingdom through submission to Yahweh’s Torah.

íPîLÜ “Shamayim” is the Hebrew term for “heaven” or more correctly it is the plural term for “heavens.” The Sages of the faith teach that heaven is not necessarily a place in the sky but another realm possibly here on earth. Some Rabbis teach of seven heavens, or seven realms located above the land of Israel. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance says it means “to be lofty; the sky as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve, heavens…” The term Heaven has been used in the Bible and in rabbinic writings as a synonym or circumlocution for the sacred name of Yahweh. So when a person refers to the Malchut Shamayim this is a direct reference to the Malchut Yahweh. Or in English when a person refers to the Kingdom of Heaven this is a direct reference to the Kingdom of Yahweh.

When most people think of the word “heaven” the first thoughts that come to mind are those of clouds and angels and a far away place. This is contrary to the teachings of the Messiah that exclaim “the Kingdom of Heaven is among you.” Yahshua taught that the Malchut Shamayim is the current rule and reign of Yahweh here on earth, not necessarily just in heaven.

So, what is it?

Putting the two above definitions together fully explains the Malchut Shamayim as Yahshua taught. It is the current reign and rule of Yahweh. The Holman Bible Dictionary, a Baptist publication says, “So the kingdom of Yahweh was the rule of Yahweh which He extended over human lives through the ministry of Yahshua.” It is not necessarily political, or future. Rather it is present, powerful, and made up of people totally dependent upon Yahweh.

The Malchut Shamayim is the people of Yahweh submitted to Yahweh’s Torah. It is a mode of operation and a lifestyle of living based on the foundation of teshuvah.

“Teshuvah” is the Hebrew term for “repentance.” It literally means to “turn from and return to.” Believers are to turn from their sinful life and return to the reign of Yahweh and His ways. This is the message of the Gospel and the message of the kingdom:

“In those days Yochannan the Immerser came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near,” Mattitiyahu 3:2.

“From that time on Yahshua began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near,” Mattitiyahu 4:17.

This was Yochannan’s message and it became Yahshua’s and it should be our message. The meaning, the subject of the Kingdom is “DO TESHUVAH – turn, return, change, be more like Yahweh!” When a person repents, truthfully and selflessly repents the action of teshuvah returns the person to the kingdom rule of the Garden of Eden. When you walk in the Kingdom you take your rightful place as one who is “seated in high heavenly places and rules and reigns with Messiah”

True teshuvah is a total abandonment of an evil act and a direct effort to correct the wrong and do the right. True teshuvah includes regret and sorrow but does not stop there. Teshuvah is characterized by joy – joy found in the renewal to connection with Yahweh. True teshuvah doesn’t just promise to do better next time; it rights the wrong and really does do better next time. And true teshuvah is a direct command for every follower of the Bible, “Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices,” Ezekiel 14:6. Notice this verse includes repenting and turning from sin. Also notice the use of the word “repent.” Though teshuvah is more than just simply repenting, teshuvah is the English word “repent” found in most English Bibles. This term, this action is essential to the kingdom.

The message of the good news

Many people, in fact many churches say the gospel is simply “believe in Jesus and you will be saved” or just repeat this prayer and you will go to heaven.” The true gospel is “repent for the kingdom of heaven is here.” The real good news is “Yahweh’s reign is for today, repent and accept His will for your life and rule as you were created to!”

It is when a person repents and accepts the Torah of Yahshua that the Messiah’s prayer is answered. For Yahshua prayed, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Well, the kingdom comes WHEN His will is done. What is His will? The will of the Father is expressed through His Torah. Needs are met, sins are forgiven, healing comes, and miracles happen when the kingdom/Torah is lived out. Again, His kingdom comes when His will is done!

Do it and be it

When a person performs a commandment, like keeping the Shabbat, this action of obedience affects the physical realm and the spiritual realm. A simple act of faith is much more than just a simple act of faith.

At what time you fulfill the smallest mitzvah (commandment) you are bridging the gap that exists between heaven and earth. When you obey you are actually bringing heaven to earth. It is the power of obedience that does this. In the Hebrew language this is called “tikkun olam.” Tikkun olam is Hebrew for literally “fixing/repairing/restoring the world.”

There is much more to the mitzvah than you think. When you do something, as simple as resting from work on the Shabbat, you are not just resting on the Shabbat. You are doing tikkun olam, you are restoring the world to the way it was created to be, and you are establishing the kingdom. While Christianity teaches people to sit on the pew and await the rapture bus, the scriptures teach that man should live out his faith through obedience and faith, thus being the kingdom of heaven while on earth. “Yahweh’s ultimate plan is to bring heaven to people on earth. It is not to bring His people on earth to heaven,” wrote Angus Wooten in the book Restoring the Kingdom of Israel. (This is not Kingdom Now or Dominion theology, which is a gross twisting of scripture and totally anti-truth)

A person once came to Yahshua and asked Him specifically what He must do to have eternal life. His response was that man must do tikkun olam. “Now a man came up to Yahshua and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Yahshua replied, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments,” Mattitiyahu 19:16-17.

The Messiah also said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” Mattitiyahu 7:21-23.

Tikkun olam brings the spiritual to the natural and restores life to the way it was supposed to be. Obedience to Yahweh restores man to the Gan Eden and proclaims, “the Malchut Shamayim is among you!” You see, Adam’s original job after the fall was to “work the ground” to do tikkun olam but because he failed the second Adam did it for man.

The power of the mitzvah is that through submission to Yahweh’s way of life the kingdom is here, it is established. Take note, that this is NOT about building a ministry or building the kingdom. This is not about building anything. Though a preacher may tell you that the kingdom of heaven is something you build, it simply is not. “For the kingdom of Yahweh is not a matter of talk but of power,” 1 Corinthians 4:20. The kingdom of heaven is something you be it is something you do! Be the kingdom don’t build it. Live out the kingdom through love and submission to the Torah. To this mitzvah the Talmud says, “If the world would keep just one Shabbat the world would be restored to Gan Eden’s glory.”

Seek ye first

What this teaching means to you is that through obedience and faith exhibited in love the reign of heaven is brought to earth. The kingdom is to be:

Ø Acknowledged today – this comes through a proper understanding of what the kingdom is. Study the scriptures and learn more about the kingdom of Yahweh.

Ø Manifested tomorrow – take this revelation of what the Malchut Shamayim is and act it out. Share the message and perform the mitzvah.

Ø Performed later – the Kingdom will be fully consummated with the reign of Yahweh on earth in the future, “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our Yahweh, and they will reign on the earth” Revelation 5:10.

This message is to be priority in the lives of all believers. “Seek ye first the kingdom of Yahweh and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you,” Mattitiyahu 6:33. Each day, through each mitzvah that is obeyed a person is a step closer towards the day when His kingdom is fully manifest and established on earth. “And Yahweh shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Yahweh, and his name one,” Zechariah 14:9. But how does a person do this? How can a person prepare for this time and live out the kingdom now?

1) First understand what the kingdom is. The Malchut Shamayim is Yahweh’s reign for today for you. Repent and accept His will for your life and rule as you were created to…

2) Receive the kingdom. To do this you must dethrone the kings in your life. Remember Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) who saw Yahweh? Refresh yourself with these verses, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Yahweh seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is Yahweh Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Note that it wasn’t until King Uzziah died that Yesha’yahu saw Yahweh. And it won’t be until the kings in your life are dethroned and THE King of kings is enthroned that the kingdom comes. Receiving the kingdom takes teshuvah through humbleness.

3) Depend upon Yahweh totally. The kingdom is people of the king simply being dependent of the king. The kingdom is the subject of Yahweh obeying the king.

4) Do the kingdom. Too many preachers teach sermons on establishing the kingdom through man’s teachings and man’s way. The kingdom is the reign of Yahweh now and in the future. For his kingdom to come His will must be done. Don’t just talk about it or just learn about it – do it. Live the Torah, love your neighbor, and worship in Spirit and in Emet, truth.

*for all things spiritual go to www.emetministries.com

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