Sarah's Tent

But seek first the Kingdom of Elohim…Luke 12:31

The Millennial Kingdom and What is to Come ~ Part Two
by Deborah Jensen

(Part One of this article can be found in the Summer 2008 issue)



Yeshua is our High Priest, according to the order of Melchezedek and mediator between man and G-d. Lets examine what the book of Hebrews says about Yeshua and his role as High Priest and WHERE he performs this function.

Hebrews 8:1-4;  Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the L-rd pitched, not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. Now if He were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law.
 
According to Torah (The Law), the earthly priesthood had to be of the Levitical line, a descendant of Aaron. In the passage above you will note that it says, If "He", Yeshua/Jesus, were on earth, he should not be a priest. Yeshua is of the line of Judah, and not a Levite, therefore He would have to break the commandments in the Torah to be a High Priest on this earth in the earthly temple.

The earthly temple was but a shadow of what was to come. It painted an awesome picture of redemption and atonement, but in reality it did not atone for man’s sin! Yeshua is a priest according to the order of Melchezedek, presiding over the true tabernacle, pitched by YHVH, and not man, Psalm 110:4 and Heb 7:15-16.  In the above passage it says that a priest HAS to have something to offer. The book of Hebrews says Yeshua offered himself, the spotless lamb of G-d. He did this once and for all, and has no other sacrifice to offer. His sacrifice was the only one that would be able to atone for the sin of mankind, Heb 10:10-14.

In Colossians 2:13-14, we find that Yeshua/Jesus nailed our sin debt to the cross. Galatians 3:13 says that Messiah became a curse for us. Those covered by the blood of Messiah Yeshua are no longer under the curse of the Law. What is the curse of the Law? The curse is death, in which we all deserve the death penalty for breaking the Torah (the Law). Our blessed Messiah was sent to become a curse for us and pay this penalty of death for each and everyone of us. The blood of the sacrificial system was unable to accomplish this payment of death.

Colossians 2:13-17;  When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When he had disarmed the rulers and authorities , He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-things which are a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Messiah.

When one disobeys Torah (the Law), written in the first 5 books of the Scriptures, this is sin.  Yeshua is the living Torah, He is The Word (Logos) in the flesh, John 1:1-2. He has never disobeyed Torah and never will, not even during the Millennial Kingdom, which he will rule and reign over, Revelation 20:4. Yeshua is the same yesterday, today and forever, Hebrews 13:8. Our Messiah is the Living Torah!

John 5:45-47 Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you - Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do no believe his writings, how will you believe My words?

Reading through the book of Ezekiel, we can learn about the building of the Millennial Temple, which there are very specific instructions given. Both the functions of the Levitical Priesthood and the sacrificial system are very detailed. As people discover these awesome chapters at the end of the book of Ezekiel, many ask the same questions time and time again. What is the purpose of having the Levitical Priesthood and sacrificial system during the Millennial Kingdom if Yeshua already died for the sins of the world?

To be perfectly honest I am not exactly sure about the WHY of this question, I can only speculate at this point.   We know that the sacrificial system was symbolic, telling people a story and pointing mankind as a tutor to Yeshua the Messiah and his final blood atonement of sin, Hebrews 8:1-4 and 9:9-10.

If it was symbolic before Yeshua's first coming, wouldn't is also be symbolic after Yeshua's second coming? We know the scriptures say that the animal sacrifices never made atonement for sin, only the sacrifice of Yeshua could atone for the sins of Mankind. Therefore in reality, only Yeshua’s sacrifice was necessary to cleanse our sins, not animal sacrifice. Whatever purpose the animal sacrifices served before Yeshua‘s first coming, it will once again serve the same purpose in the Millinnial Kingdom.  It seems that they shall be sacrifices of remembrance, a symbolic gesture of our Messiah's shed blood and what he did during his first coming to earth.

So in saying all of that we can see that Messiah is our High Priest and He is to function as High Priest in G-d’s Heavenly sanctuary, the New Jerusalem. This is where he placed his shed blood on the alter to make atonement for our sins. Thus the Priesthood on this earth must be of the line of Aaron. Their function was to tell the story of  what was to come and to point sinners to the Lamb of G-d who takes away the sins of the World.

What will be Yeshua's EXACT role during thie Millennial Kingdom? We can find clues to this question in Ezekiel chapters 43 and 44. The Glory of the L-rd comes to the Millennial Temple via the Eastern Gate, Ezek 43:1-7. Ezekiel 43:1-3 says that no man was to enter the Eastern Gate of the Temple. We must make note of the fact that the PRINCE was the exception to this rule. That is because the PRINCE is not a mere man, but is Yeshua, The Messiah of Yisrael!

In the earthly tabernacle which is but a shadow of the Heavenly tabernacle, the worshipper played a most important part. The worshipper would be the one to supply the sacrifice and to slaughter it in the doorway, Leviticus 1:1-8; 3:1-2; 4:1-7. In the Millennial Temple, The Prince is highly involved in the worship that will take place in this Temple on earth. The Prince will be the one to prepare the sin offering for Israel, Ezek 45:17. This is normally the function of the of the worshipper that came to atone for their sins and not the Priest, Leviticus chapter 1-4.

Yeshua is our King, Messiah and Prince to come.  He is the Son of David, the Servant of David who will be King and Shepherd over the Whole House if Israel, Ezek 37:22-24.  Believers who are not of the House of Judah or the House of Israel will be grafted into commonwealth of Israel, and will be partakers through the shed blood of Yeshua, Ephesians 2:12-13!
 

Remember beloved that our Messiah came the first time as a JEWISH suffering servant.  He is coming a second time as THE KING OF THE JEWS…THE KING OF ISRAEL.  That makes believers, both Jew and non-Jew citizens of Israel.  The Torah does not save us, our Messiah saved us by his shed blood that He placed on the alter in the New Jerusalem.  But, we are not to toss the Torah out as no longer valid, we are to obey our Messiah and King and heed his words, since those will be the plumb line of judgment for all believers. Our good works are not what we decide to do, but what we commanded to do by The Father, the same good works that our Messiah did.

Matthew 5:16-19; Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who in in heaven.  Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.  For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.  Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven…

This recipe was handed down from Ms. Dawn's grandmother to her father, who passed it to her. I am best friends with her son, Joseph, who has been eating these his whole life. We recently discovered ( I was not surprised) that this family were indeed Polish Jews, and had hidden it from the newer generations. I have eaten these on several occasions and must say they are the absolute best Latkes I have ever eaten. Very tasty.

-Amanda

Ms. Dawn's Polish Potato Latkes

Ingredients:

1.Bag of potatoes, make enough for the amount of people being served
2.1 beaten egg
3.Flour and tbls measure
4.oil, enough to cover bottom of pan

To Prepare:

Grate some of the potatoes, and shred some of the potatoes.(while peeling, place already peeled in a bowl of cold water to keep them from browning and softening)
Once all are grated, squeeze out all the excess moisture with your hands.

Beat egg and add to potatoes in a bowl. Add one tbls of flour at a time to get a pancake batter like consistency, not too doughy though.(generally two to three tbls total) Salt and pepper to taste.

Heat oil in pan, and place mixture by one heaping tbls at a time into hot oil. Flatten with spatula once in the pan, cook until crispy on one side, flip and flatten again, cook until crispy on that side, and remove from pan.
 
Serve warm with applesauce or sour cream.

Posted by : Karen Selwyn
Source: "Tempting New Dishes For the Hanukkah Feast"
         Marcy Goldman
         WASHINGTON POST (on-line edition), 12/1/99
 
Makes 12 to 16 servings
 
Note: Decorate this cheesecake chocolate Hanukah gelt.
 
For the crust:
1 1/3 cups crushed shortbread cookies
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the cheesecake batter:
2 pounds cream cheese
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
5 eggs
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 to 3 drops orange oil* (optional)
2 to 3 drops lemon oil* (optional)
1/3 cup heavy (whipping) cream

For the topping:
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
Gold foil-covered chocolate Hanukah gelt (small coins),
some halved
 
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Have a 10-inch springform
pan ready.
 
For the crust: In a medium bowl, mix together the cookie
crumbs, butter, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Pat the
mixture into the bottom of the pan.
Set aside.
 
For the cheesecake batter: In a large bowl with an electric
mixer on medium speed, cream together the cream cheese,
sugar and flour. Reduce the speed to low and blend in the
eggs, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, orange and lemon
oils (if using) and cream; mix well.
 
Scrape the batter onto the crumb crust. Cover the pan with
foil, transfer to a baking sheet and bake in the preheated
oven for 15 minutes. Remove foil, reduce the heat to 325
degrees and bake just until set, about 30 minutes.
 
For the topping: In a small bowl, whisk together the sour
cream, vanilla and confectioners' sugar.

Remove the cheesecake from the oven, increasing the oven
temperature to 350 degrees. Pour the topping over the
cheesecake. Return the cheesecake to the oven and bake for
8 minutes.
 
Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake cool in the oven
for at least 1 hour. Transfer to the refrigerator to cool
completely, at least 6 hours.
 
To serve, sprinkle the cheesecake with gold coins, standing
the halved coins on end in the topping.
 
Note: Oils made from a variety of citrus fruits are
available at some specialty markets.

The December '97 issue of LA CUCINA ITALIANA puts this dish
on their Hanukkah menu because of the prodigious amount of oil
in the recipe.

The second version, from THE BOOK OF JEWISH FOOD by Claudia
Roden, is quite similar to the recipe I developed by trial
and error except that I add 2 tablespoons pine nuts to my
version. Karen Selwyn

Caponata alla Giudia (LA CUCINA ITALIANA)

3 medium eggplants, peeled and cubed
salt
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 onions, sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced
5 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced
  (Substitute Pomi brand if fresh tomatoes are less
  than best quality)
1/2 cup chopped pitted black olives (Mediterranean type)
1/4 cup capers
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
pepper
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil

Place the eggplants in a colander and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon
salt. Let sit for 1 hour to let them drain their bitter juices. 
Heat the olive oil until it is very hot.  Gently squeeze the
eggplant dry and blot with paper towels; fry until golden
all over, turning often. Remove with a slotted spoon and place
in a serving bowl.  Add the onion and celery to the olive
oil, and cook until crsip-tender about 5 minutes.  Stir in
the tomatoes, olives, capers, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.
Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.  Pour over the eggplants
in the bowl.  Add the basil and stir gently.  Serve at room
temperature.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Caponata alla Giudia (THE BOOK OF JEWISH FOOD)

2 lbs (1 kg) eggplants, peeled and cubed
salt
1 large onion, chopped
olive oil
2 or 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 1/2 lbs (750 g) tomatoes, peeled and chopped
3 celery stalks with leaves, cut into 1/2 inch (1-cm) slices
4-6 tablespoons wine vinegar
1 1/2-3 tablespoons sugar
pepper
4 oz (100 g) green olives, pitted and cut in half
2 tablespoons capers

Cut the eggplants into 3/4 inch (2-cm) cubes.  Sprinkle with
salt and leave to drain in a colander for an hour.

Fry the onion in 4 tablespoon oil until golden.  Then add the
garlic and when the aroma rises, add the tomatoes, celery,
vinegar, and sugar (for the latter two ingredients, start
with the lesser quantities and add more at the end to taste),
salt and pepper, olives, and capers.  Simmer about 15-20
minutes.  Serve cold, garnished, if you like with quartered
hard-boiled eggs.

SOURCE:
http://www.cyber-kitchen.com/rfcj/HANUKKAH/Salad_Caponata_all_Guidia_2_-_pareve.html

Sufganiot are deep-fried jelly doughnuts that are traditionally eaten during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Sufganiot are especially popular in Israel. The oil used to fry the doughnuts are reminiscent of the oil that miraculously burned, according to the Hanukkah story, in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.

Ingredients:
• 25 grams (1 ounce) yeast
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 Tbsp. water
• 1 Tbsp. flour
• 3 cups flour
• 50 grams (1/4 cup) margarine, melted
• dash of salt
• 3 Tablespoons sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 1/4 cups water (room temperature)
• jelly (strawberry is recommended)
• oil for frying (canola is recommended)
• powdered sugar

1  To make the dough: Combine the first four ingredients in a bowl. Mix well, cover, and wait until it rises. In another bowl, mix 3 cups of flour with the melted margarine, salt, sugar and egg yolks. Combine the yeast mixture with the flour mixture. Slowly add water while stirring. When batter is smooth, cover the bowl with a towel and let it sit and rise.
2. To make the doughnuts: After the batter has risen, pour it onto a floured surface and roll it out. Use a glass with a small opening to cut out circles of the dough. Place a drop of jelly in the middle of each circle, and then cover with another circle of dough. Make sure that 2 circles attach well to form a closed ball with jelly in the middle. Cover the doughnuts with a towel and let rise.
3. To fry the doughnuts: Heat oil in a deep pot until very hot. Drop the doughnuts into the oil and fry on both sides until brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

TIP: These sufganiot are only good fresh. After you make the dough, only fry a few at a time. Store the rest of the dough in the refrigerator.

SOURCE FOR ABOVE RECIPE FOUND AT:
http://kosherfood.about.com/od/hanukkah/r/han_lsufganiot.htm

“We hold these truths to be self-evident…” “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what YOU can do for your country,” (JFK). “I have a dream…” (Martin Luther King). “I HATE YOU!!!” “I LOVE YOU!” “Yes.” “No.”

How did you feel when you read the above statements? No doubt each one evoked either a memory or deeply emotional response within you.

But why?

Yes, the first three of the above quotes are among the most memorable ever stated. But what makes them memorable is that they were spoken or written as encouragement or affirmation during times of extreme change for our great country. Two were expressing intense emotion, while the last two were short, but definite responses that either affirmed or negated our questions, thoughts, hopes, dreams and fears. 

We all have had occasion to speak encouraging, perhaps even loving words to our family, friends and colleagues. I’d be willing to bet that most of you have said something, and immediately (or even later) wished you could take it back. And no doubt, someone, somewhere at sometime has said something to you that hurt you deeply.

The scriptures tell us, “By your words you shall be justified, by your words you shall be condemned,” (Matthew 12:37).

D’var in Hebrew means “word”. The plural for this is “Debarim”, meaning “words”-which is also known as Deuteronomy, the fifth and final book of the Torah. 

Have you ever stopped to consider just how powerful your words can be?

The book of Genesis informs us that the world was spoken into existence by Almighty Yahweh (God). Genesis 1:3: “And Yahweh said, “Let there be light.” And there was light.” The chapter continues with the account of creation and how everything we know on earth was created simply by Yahweh’s words. 

Later in Genesis, we read how Eve was deceived by Satan’s words. “And the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.”  Of course, we all know that Satan is a liar, but Eve, hearing what she wanted to hear, was deceived by his words.

Science tells us that the medial geniculate nucleus, located in the thalamus, is the part of our brain that allows us to hear.  For decades now, psychologists have told us that how a child’s personality develops depends on the parent AND THE WORDS THEY SAY TO THEIR CHILDREN WHILE GROWING UP. As parents, we have the power to uplift, encourage, and strengthen our children or put them down, discourage or weaken them. Psychologists also tell us that the things we say to ourselves have power-“I can’t do this,” or “Yes, I can.” My point here is that THE WORDS WE SAY CAN AND DO SHAPE THE WAY WE AND OTHERS THINK AND FEEL!

Matthew 12:34 tells us, “Out of the countenance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Our words reflect what is in our heart, or in another words, what kind of person we are.

I was in Wal-Mart this past week when I heard a mother yell obscenities at her misbehaving child. I felt angry at this woman, and my immediate thought was that she probably shouldn’t have had children in the first place.

What we say indicates to people who we are.  And as they say, perception is reality.

All throughout the Bible, there are instances where the words that were spoken either edified or deceived others. Ephesians 5:6 reminds us that we are not to be deceived by vain words.

One such example that comes to mind is the story of Laban and Jacob. Laban deceived Jacob by telling him that he could marry Rachel if he serves seven years. He does so, but is tricked into marrying Rachel’s older sister, Leah. Laban lied and apparently had these intentions all along. Later in the story, we discover that Laban was an idol-worshiper. His earlier deception was a clue as to where his true loyalties were. Obviously, this man did not love the Almighty with all his heart, soul and mind, as we are commanded to do in Deuteronomy 6:4. 

Conversely, King David used the words of the Psalms to edify, glorify, and praise Almighty Yahweh. His prayer was this: “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Oh Yah, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalms 19:14. Even though David had committed some great sins, Yahweh had great mercy on him because he continuously sought Yahweh’s forgiveness and to praise Him, and did so through the words of the Psalms.

Yet another example where speech was used in an uplifting manner is in Genesis 42:20, where Joseph is speaking to his brothers. “But bring your youngest brother unto me, and your words shall be verified, and you shall not die.” Here, Joseph was asking his brothers to back up their words with their actions (also very important) by bringing Benjamin to him as proof of what they were saying.

I come from a family of eight children. Four of us are from a first marriage. I am the oldest of all eight. You can imagine that there was very little quiet in our house! My father, after a long day of work and being exhausted, expected some peace and quiet. He used to say, “Silence is golden.” I used to hate when he said that, but now, being a single mother of two teenagers, I understand why.   A parent can never get enough peace and quiet!

Finally, always think before you speak. Ever get foot-in-mouth-itis?  I have, and it doesn’t taste so good.

 “Do not be quick with your mouth, nor be hasty to utter a word before Yahweh, for Yah is in heaven, and you are on earth. Therefore, let your words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:2.

Words can hurt. Words can heal. Words can give. Words can steal. Words express.
Words digress. Let your words express blessedness.

Blessings in the name of our Savior, Redeemer and King, Yahshua HaMoshiach,
Judy Mitchell