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| Art by Andrea |
“Unfolding First Things”
Part II of “Unfolding The Kingdom” Series
Andrea L. Sims Ph.D.
You might recall if you have read previous blogs of mine that I’m “unfolding” things (pah’thack in the Hebrew)—opening things up for you as they are opened up for me. Unfolding can also mean entrance, as in gaining new understanding (light, according to the Scriptures). I am learning as I go. And I write in what I call “Morning Pages” style – sharing my thoughts, questions, musings along the way. The topic for this blog is laid out for us by Messiah while teaching his disciples, beginning in Matthew chapter 5 and continuing into chapter 6. We pick his words up in verse 33:
“But seek ye first
The Kingdom of Elohiym,
And his righteousness: and
All these things shall be added unto you.”
Messiah instructs his followers to seek, first of all, Yah’s Kingdom (and the righteousness that accompanies it). He had previously explained to the crowds that enquired of him, what his purpose was: He stated very plainly that he “came to do the Father’s will” and “to finish his work”. That was his focus: to accomplish his Father’s work of proclaiming the Besorah or Good News of the Kingdom. It’s interesting that where there is a “first”, then, by necessity, there is a “last”:
And this Besorah of the Kingdom
must be preached
in all the world,
and then . . .
the end will come.
(Matt. 24:14)
During my research on The Kingdom, I have been stopped in my tracks, as they say, to just try and grasp the depth that is in the Scriptures and the corresponding implications for our lives. I had this nice little outline before I began writing and had it all organized in my mind as to how to proceed. But during my early morning times of reading and communing with Yah, my heart has been flooded with things not on my list! Now, at this moment, my desk is a mess with notes of all kinds and sizes mixed in with an earlier draft that went nowhere! My stomach is in knots on and off, and I find myself staring out the window of my office hoping and praying to get out on paper in a way that makes sense all that is whirling around in my mind.
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| Art by Andrea |
Searching out the things of Yah is just plain overwhelming—there’s so much and everything is connected to everything else. There is a literal understanding on one level, but then there are Scriptures that seem to contradict and/or confirm but with increasing complications to consider. And if you begin, as I have, to consider the implications of what I am finding, then it’s not hard to see why things come to a screeching halt. And that’s not even considering any revelation that Yah may graciously open up. I have to calm myself and fight against wanting/needing to see the “whole picture”—which, in the case of the Scriptures is impossible—to then be able to tackle the “parts” as I best I can.
It was just yesterday (very early, like 2:30 a.m.) when it came to me that my longing for The Kingdom is really more about my longing . . . for The King.
For, it seems, that in order for there to be a Kingdom, there must first be a King. By looking into the nature of the King, we can gain insight into the Kingdom, for the King establishes his dominion as a reflection of his person. That makes sense to me, at least. So, I turned to Hebrews, chapter 1 to begin to gather a description of the King we are referring to (Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, the Messiah):
Yah appointed Messiah to become heir of all things
because Messiah had been with Yah during creation.
Messiah is the brightness of Yah’s glory
and
the express image of Yah’s person.
Messiah is even now upholding all things
by the word of Yah’s power.
After Messiah had purged our sins by himself,
He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high (Yahuah Elohiym).
In John, chapter one, we find more about our King Messiah:
In the beginning was the Word,
and
The Word was with Elohiym,
and
Elohiym was the Word.
All things were made by him (Messiah).
In him (Messiah, the King)
was life itself.
Then in John 14:9-11, Messiah tells his disciples the following about himself:
He that has seen me
has seen the Father.
The Father and I are one.
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| Art by Andrea |
Messiah called it “the Kingdom of Heaven
(Matt. 3:2, 4:17, 5:3)
He said his Kingdom was not of this world
(John 18:36)
He also said it “was to come” (Matt. 6:10)
He preached “the Besorah (Good News) of The Kingdom
(Matt. 4:23, 9:35, 24:14, Mark 1:14)
He gave instructions regarding The Kingdom
(Matt. 6:33, Luke 12:31, Luke 9:2, 9:60, 11:2)
He said he wouldn’t celebrate the Passover until he did it with us
in The Kingdom
(Luke 22:16,18)
Messiah spoke after his resurrection, many things pertaining to The Kingdom
(Acts 1:3)
The focus of his teaching was/is The Kingdom
(Luke 9:11).
The Kingdom—
belongs to Yah (Matt. 6:13)
is at hand (Matt. 10:7)
suffers violence (Matt. 11:12)
was prepared for some from the beginning (Matt. 25:34)
has no end (Luke 11:20)
often is preached accompanied by healing and deliverance (Luke 10:9, 11:20)
is a gift from Yah (Luke 12:32)
has been preached ever since John the Baptist (Luke 16:16)
it comes not by observation (Luke 17:20)
is within you (Luke 17:21)
was preached by Paul (Acts 19:8, 20:25, 28:23,31)
was preached by Philip (Acts 8:12)
is entered through much tribulation (Acts 14:22)
is not eat and drink but righteousness, peace and joy in the Ruach (Spirit)
Romans 14:17
Is not in word but in power (I Cor. 4:20)
Will appear (2 Tim. 4:1)
Has a scepter of righteousness (Hebr. 1:8)
Encompasses all the kingdoms of this world at the end (Rev. 11:15)
Is accompanied by salvation, strength, and power (Rev. 12:10)
There are additional descriptions throughout the Scriptures of The Kingdom, some of which appear to be a mystery. (See Matt. 13:11, Mark 4:11, Luke 8:10). A glimpse into the mysteries of The Kingdom could also become a part of this series. I’m just not sure yet.
We have seen, then, that Messiah’s focus was on The Kingdom. And in the Matthew chapter 24:14 passage, we see that this Besorah of the Kingdom must be preached in all the world before the end comes. That leaves me with some questions:
What exactly then, is the Besorah? Are there clues in both the Tanak (O.T) and in the N.T.?
Who is it that gains entrance into The Kingdom and what does that entrance look like?
What can we learn about The Kingdom from the Parables Messiah taught?
These things are whirling around in my head as I contemplate the remaining “unfoldings” in this series. But I also know that while I make my plans, Yah orders my steps because . . . as it is written . . . “For in his hand are both [me] and [my] words (Wisdom of Solomon 7:16).
I’d love your thoughts so please share.
Scripture used in this blog:
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Andrea, this is amazing! What a beautiful journey with you unfolding the Kingdom! I can't wait to be there! I too long to be in the presence of the King! Love you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Leigh! I'm already working on the next one and learning so much as I go. And I've got some painting to do to stay ahead of these blogs. Most of what we've used on them have been done in the past year or so. I'm so thankful Yah has given me this FFM family and a purpose for my writing. HalleluYah!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to hearing more!!
ReplyDeleteI'm learning so many things that I did not know - as I go - drafting the next blog titled: Unfolding the Besorah of The Kingdom. So amazing what you see when Yah begins to open up the Scriptures more and more. Thank you for your response!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this inspired post, Andrea! It's such a delight that your gorgeous artwork accompanies the message. I feel invited to join in your journey as you dig deeper into the topic of the Kingdom of Yahuah, especially with the cliffhanger questions at the end.
ReplyDeleteI'm so blessed that you feel invited to join in the journey with me! Thank you for the kind words about my watercoloring - it's a joy to do and to share! Hoping to draft the next blog starting today!
ReplyDelete