But Yahvah is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 2Th 3:3

How many there are who go through life under a cloud of condemnation! They do not believe Yahvah's word. They have no faith that He will do as He has said. Many who long to see others resting in the pardoning love of Messiah do not rest in it for themselves. but how can they possibly lead others to show simple, childlike faith in the heavenly Father when they measure His love by their feelings?

Let us trust Yahvah's word implicitly, remembering that we are His sons and daughters. Let us train ourselves to believe His word. We hurt the heart of Messiah by doubting when He has given such evidence of His love. He laid down His life to save us. He says to us: "Come unto me...and I will give you rest..." Do you believe He will do as He has said? then, after you have complied with the conditions, carry no longer the burden of your sins. Let it roll upon the Saviour. Trust yourself with Him. Has He not promised to give you rest? But to many He is obliged to say sorrowfully, "Ye will not  come to me, that ye might have life." Jn 5:40

Behold Messiah. Dwell upon His love and mercy. This will fill the soul with abhorrence for all that is sinful and will inspire it with an intense desire for the righteousness of Messiah. The more clearly we see the Saviour, the more clearly shall we discern our defects of character. Confess your sins to Messiah, and with true contrition of soul cooperate with Him by putting these sins away. Believe that they are pardoned. The promise is positive, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" 1 Jn 1:9. Be assured that the word of Yahvah will not fail. He who has promised is faithful. It is as much your duty to believe that Yahvah will fulfil His word and forgive you as it is to confess you sins...

Look steadfast to Yahvahosha. Behold Him, of grace and truth. He will make His goodness pass before you while He hides you in the cleft of the rock. You will be enab led to endue the seeing of Him who is invisible, and by holding you will be transformed.

PRAYER: FATHER, WE ARE THANKFUL THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS THERE FOR US. THAT YOU DO NOT SLEEP, TAKE VACATIONS, OR ARE SICK. WE ARE BLESSED THAT WE CAN CALL OUT TOO YOU AND YOUR THERE. WE PUT OUR TRUST, OUR FAITH, AND OUR BEING INTO YOUR HANDS, AND WE LET YOU TAKE CONTROL OF EVERYTHING WE SAY AND WE DO. THANK YOU YAHVAHOSHA. THIS WE PRAY IN YAHVAHOSHA'S MIGHTY NAME, HALLELUYAH! Bro. Doc

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a touch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightening, and her name Mother of exiles. Emma Lazarus, The New Colossus. Bro. Doc

Then did they spit in his face and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, saying Prophesy unto us, thou Messiah, Who smote thee? Mt 26:67-68

And the men that held Yahvahosha mocked him, and smote him. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him saying, Prophecy, who is it that smote thee? Lk 22:63-64

If we're going to get the full picture of what happened in Caiaphas' chamber that night when the religious leaders were spitting on Yahvahosha and striking Him in the face with their fists, we need to put the pieces of this picture together from both the Gospel of Matthew and Luke.

Lk 22:63 says, "And the men that held Yahvahosha mocked him and smote him." I want you to particularly see the word "mock" in this verse. It comes from the Greek word empaidzo, which meant to place a game. It was often used for playing a game with children or amusing a crowd by impersonating someone in a silly and exaggerated way. For instance, this word might be used in a game of charades when someone intends to comically portray someone or even make fun of someone. This gives us an important piece of the story that Matthew didn't include in his Gospel account.

Even before He had to endure spitting and vicious beating of the scribes and elders that night. Yahvahosha was also severly beaten by "the men that held" him. This doesn't refer to the scribes and elders, but to the temple police and guards who kept watch over Yahvahosha before Caiaphas examined Him.

In addition to everything else tat was going on that night, these guards decided they would take advantage of the moment too. The Scripture doesn't tell us how these men mimicked and impersonated Yahvahosha that night, bujt the use of the Greek word empaidzo categorically lets us know that these men turned a few minutes of that nightmarish night into a stage of comedy at Yahvahosha expense. They put on quite a show, hamming it up as they almost certainly pretended to be Yahvahosha and the people He ministered to. Perhaps they laid hands on each other as if they were healing the sick; or lay on the floor and quivered, as if they were being liberated from devils; or wobbled around, acting as if they had been blind but now could suddenly see. Whatever these guards did to mock Yahvahosha it was a game of charades to mimic and make fun of Him.

When they were finished making sport of Yahvahosha, Luke tells us that these guards "smogde him." The word "smote" is from the word dero, a word used frequently to refer to the grueling and barbaric practice of beating a slave. This word is so dreadful that it is also often translated to flay, such as to flay the flesh from an animal or human being. The usage of this word tells us that even before the  scribes and elders got their hands on Yahvahosha, the guards had already put Him through a terrible ordeal.

Immediately after the guards were finished playing their charades and brutally beating Yahvahosha, the scribes and elders began to spit in His face and whack Him on the head with their fists. But the elders didn't stop there. They blindfolded Yahvahosha and began to strike Him on the head again, taking their humiliation of Him to the next level. This represented Yahvahosha's third beating.

If we only read Luke's account we might conclude that this third beating was also at the hands of the guards. However, when we compare and connect Luke's account with Matthew's  account, it becomes clear that by this time Yahvahosha had already been transferred into the hands of Caiaphas and his scribes and elder. When we read next in Lk 22:64 occurred after these religious leaders had already spit on Him and hit Him Mt 22:67.

Lk 22:64 says "And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? The word "blindfold" comes from the Greek word perikalupto which means to wrap a veil or garment about someone, thus hiding his eyes so he can't see. We don't know where the blindfold came from. It could have been a piece of Yahvahosha's own clothing or a garment borrowed from one of the scribes and elders. But by the time they finished wrapping Yahvahosha's head in that cloth, He was completely blinded form seeing what was happening around him.

Just as the guards played charades at Yahvahosha's expense,now Caiaphas with the scribes and elders play blindman's bluff at His expense! Once Yahvahosha was blindfolded, "they struck him on the face." The word "struck" is from the Greek word paio, which describes a strike that stings. A more precise translation might be "they slapped him on the face." This is the reason the Greek word paio was used, for it referred to a slap that caused a terrible sting.

After slapping Yahvahosha,  the scribes and elders would badget Him, saying "...Prophesy, who is it  that smote thee?" Here we find that these so-called religious leaders got so caught up in their sick behavior that they sadistically enjoyed the pain they were putting Yahvahosha through. They slapped Him over and over again, tell Him, "Come prophet! If You're so good at prophesying and knowing things supernaturally, tell us which one of us just slapped You!"

Finally, Lk 22:65 tells us, "And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.' The word blasphemy is from the Greek word blasphemeo, meaning to slander; to accuse; to speak against; to speak derogatory words for the purpose of injuring or harming one's reputation. It also signifies profane, foul, unclean language.

So now let me ask you two questions:

Are you serious in your relationship with Yahvahosha Messiah, or are you, like those who held Him that night simply playing games with Him?
 When other people start playing around with your mind and emotions, are you able to follow Yahvahosha's example by holding your peace and loving them in spite of the torture they are putting you through?

Why don't you open your heart right now and let the Holy Ghost shine His majestic light into the  crevices of your soul? Allow Him to reveal those areas of your life where you need to get to work!

PRAYER: YAHVAH, I NEVER WANT TO PLAY GAMES WITH YOU. I AM ASKING YOU RIGHT NOW TO FORGIVE ME FOR ANY TIME THAT I HAVE LIED TO YOU AND TO MYSELF, DECEIVING MYSELF INTO BELIEVING THAT THINGS WERE ALL RIGHT IN MY LIFE HEN, IN FACT THEY WERE NOT INWARDLY GOOD AT ALL. PLEASE SHINE YOUR LIGHT DEEP INTO MY SOUL TO SHOW ME ANY AREAS OF MY LIFE THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. AND YAHVAH, I ALSO ASK THAT YOU GIVE ME A STRONG DESIRE TO READ THROUGH ALL FOUR GOSPELS SO I MIGHT BETTER KNOW THE LIFE OF YAHVAHOSHA AND HOW I CAN BE MORE LIKE HIM. THIS I PRAY IN THE NAME OF YAHVAHOSHA MESSIAH. HALLELUYAH! Bro. Doc

„Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.” Albert Schweitzer

Messiah’s Message to us through the Apostle Peter is:

1. A clear WARNING to steadfast chosen to hold fast;

2. Explanations/instructions on how (a formula) to hold fast;

3. Explanations/warnings concerning the characteristics of the

“former chosen” who had left the Assembly Congregations – or were still attending - BUT who really had become enemies;

4. Explanations of how Yahvah still held out hope that these “former chosen” would turn back to Him (Prodigal sons & daughters);

5. Dire warning from Messiah to these erring Chosen to what lay in store for them if they continued with their wickedness;

6. Encouragement to the steadfast Chosen. With this very important background, let us now work through this Epistle to US. Because it holds vital information for us who are living in these last days; As we are also experiencing a falling away from the Truth, and; Most everything Peter has been inspired to write in this Epistle applies 100% to the situation we as Messiah’s steadfast Chosen are facing today. (Please note that in Peter’s time things were happening more openly, where-as today many attacks against the Sheep are done far more subtly by Satan).

Introduction and Greetings:

2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Yahvahosha Messiah, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of Yahvah and our Saviour Yahvahosha Messiah:

Comment: A greeting from the Apostle to the Chosen, reminding them that their faith is from and in our Yahvah and Saviour Yahvahosha Messiah. So HE who is for us is greater that Satan who is against us.

Note that Peter is not writing to a specific Congregation or COG at some or other city. He is writing to the steadfast Chosen everywhere. The word righteousness simple means “doing what is right”. May man decide for himself what is right and wrong? No, man does not have that capability (and of course was not supposed to stretch out his hand to take of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil).

Only Yahvah may (and can) decide what is good and evil. The Eternal defines what is good because THEY personify LOVE, and therefore the Law we must strive to keep in terms of the Restored Covenant is THEIR Law of LOVE (The success we attain in our efforts to keep the Law of Love is termed to be “the righteousness of the Chosen”).

The following commandment of Messiah illustrates the all-encompassing extent of the Law of Love, and aptly shows how this Spiritual Law (Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin ) by far transcends the Hebrew Scriptures Physical 10 Commandments, when Messiah says: “Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you, Matthew 5:45 That ye

may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

2 Peter 1:2 Unmerited Favor and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of Yahvah and of Yahvahosha our Saviour,

Comment: Peter emphasizes our knowledge in the Truth, and the importance of unmerited favor and having peace (survival tools). Is the importance of unmerited favor ever mentioned in your particular congregation?

2 Peter 1:3 According as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and righteousness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us to majesty and virtue,

Comment: We are reminded of Messiah’s POWER (the Holy Ghost) and the knowledge we have received via the Holy Ghost, which has adequately equipped us for survival in this life as we strive for righteousness (by keeping the Law of Love we will become more and more like Yahvah is, namely Love Personified, which is perfection).

From other scripture we also know that Messiah will never leave us nor forsake us.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor for sake thee.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Yahvahosha Messiah.

So if something goes wrong – whose fault is it? As a Minister used to say “If Yahvah feels far from you, ask yourself the question - who moved?

2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Comment: We are reminded of God’s promises to us and our incredible REWARD which we must keep in mind to survive and win

 2 Peter 3:13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. And what is that reward? It is to become part of Yahvah’s Family.

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are sons of Yahvah, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Do you still earnestly desire to become like Yahvah is, namely a perfect person overflowing with LOVE? Differently stated – do you desire to become LOVE PERSONIFIED? That is what Peter means when he says that: “you might be partakers of the divine nature”.

Formula to survive and make it into the kingdom of Yahvah

2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

2 Peter 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience righteousness

2 Peter 1:7 And to righteousness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (love).

Comment: “Bringing in all diligence”, Peter says. Other translations use the words “all earnestness” & “So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given” & “make every effort” & “employing all care”. Yes, there is effort and work and diligence and backbone and “stick-to-it-iveness” involved.

Now Peter lists the characteristics/qualities (Survival Tools) that we must make every effort to acquire:

1. Faith;

2. Moral Character;

3. Knowledge;

4. Self-control;

5. Endurance (patience);

6. Righteousness;

7. Brotherly kindness;

8. Love

(Note their correlation with the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians & Ephesians)

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,

Galatians 5:23 meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Ephesians 5:9 for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.

The 10 Commandments (Hebrew Scriptures) are not even mentioned here!  But it does not mean they are done away with.

 When we read about the Law that must be kept under the Restored Covenant, in most cases the reference is to the Law of Love, and it still tells us here in the Restored Covenant that the Ten Commandments are not done away with as so taught, and which is “The Perfect Law”. The Pharisees were keeping the 10 Commandments and the Law of Moshe, and what did Messiah have to say about that:

Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Exceeding means keeping the Higher Law of Love (which of course includes the  10 Commandments, because the 10 Commandments is an extract from the law of love. Differently stated, the 10 Commandments is a small slice out of the Law of Love).

2 Peter 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Saviour Yahvahosha Messiah.

Comment: Again we have a reference from Peter to a trait/problem that the Chosen of his day were experiencing, and that the End-Time Chosen of today are also experiencing. Let us look at the Greek word for “idle” as used here by Pater.

Argos: Thayer Definition:

1) Free from labour, at leisure

2) Lazy, shunning the labour which one ought to perform.

Unfortunately, this trait is prevalent amongst the Chosen today. Many of Yahvah’s Chosen have become idle and lazy, more often than not in proportion to their disillusionment with “The Assembly”. Many minds have become lazy and idle, because they allow the shepherds to do their thinking for them. Others simply do not do any personal Scripture Study. They are happy to read Article upon Article from their Organization, but mostly this “food” is the same over and over again. Therefore these things that Peter is mentioning and the resultant fruits do not abound in Chosen who are like this. So Peter is giving a warning to them, and trying to motivate them to get their houses in order and start to perform and become diligent again. This is a warning to all of us!

Peter here emphasizes that these characteristics of Yahvah are essential to staying the course, and becoming like Yahvah is, which is the ultimate goal Messiah sets for us.

Matthew 5:48 Be (future tense = become) ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect).

2 Peter 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Comment: If one lacks these qualities, you become blinded and shortsighted. (Warning!!!) ANOTHER RESULT OF THIS BLINDNESS IS ALSO OFTEN SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Self-righteousness leads to thinking that you are OK WITH YAHVAH, when in fact you are not.

2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Comment: This is the formula for success and WINNING. But ONCE AGAIN Peter shows his concern that the Chosen might not apply themselves diligently to the task, so he warns: “BE DILIGENT” AND Peter states quite clearly that it needs constant effort and work to “make your calling and election sure.”

And then come the words of encouragement and reassurance; “for if you do these things, you shall never fall”

2 Peter 1:11For so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Sovereign and Savior Yahvahosha Messiah.

Comment: There you have it. Winning what? Winning “entry into the eternal kingdom of our Sovereign and Savior Yahvahosha Messiah”

 1 Peter 1:4 = divine nature To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

Peter now reminds us and seeks to strengthen our faith by emphasizing that he and the other Apostles were eye-witness of “these things”.

2 Peter 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

Comment: Here in 2 Peter 1:12 we see the insight of the Apostle Peter, who realized that the “Present” Truth he had was revealed for his time (unless it was prophetic), and that there would be “Future Truth” so to speak - that would be revealed for the Chosen to follow in other times.

Peter says that he is duty bound to remind them, despite the fact that they are firmly established in the “Present Truth”, especially because he knows he would soon die. So Peter knew that Messiah would add more and more revelation (Truth) to the Chosen (Ekklesia, the “Assembly”) as time went by (for example the Book of Revelation was not even given to John when Peter wrote this Epistle).

Foolishly, most of Yahvah’s people today have fallen for the lies of their shepherds that Messiah restored “All Things” to His People through a COG Minister. This belief enables many shepherds to shoot down anything Messiah wishes to reveal after the death of the Minister.. Prophecy for the End-Times (Daniel 12: 8-10) comes to mind, as well as the entire insights we now have concerning the “Falling Away”, which all took place after the Minister’s death.

Da 12:8-10 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Yahvah, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried: but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

All the Shepherds have to make is a snide remark about “Oh! some more so called “New Truth”, and many gullible sheep run for the hills and huddle in fear. These lies are “fables cunningly devised” and the end result is that many of Yahvah’s people have closed their minds to most anything Messiah wants to convey and reveal to them. Foolish virgins, whose “Oil” the Holy Ghost lies dormant within them!

2 Peter 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance

2 Peter 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this tabernacle, even as our Saviour Yahvahosha Messiah hath shewed me..

2 Peter 1:15 Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. (2 Peter 3:1 The second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance.).

2 Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made know unto you the power and coming of our Saviour Yahvahosha Messiah, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

2 Peter 1:17 For he received from Yahvah the Father honour and majesty, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent majesty, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

2 Peter 1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the righteous mount.

2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your heart.

Comment: Peter here refers to the Words by the voice from heaven they the Apostles were privileged to heard; but he confirms that the Chosen have a more sure Word that they must hear to strengthen their faith – namely the Word of Prophecy. Peter says that the Chosen faith has been established on solid ground, namely the prophecies of the Hebrew Scripture concerning Yahvahosha Messiah, and the personal eye-witness accounts of the Apostles. Peter goes on to list various incidents the Apostles eye-witnesses proving that Yahvahosha Messiah is the Son of Yahvah.

Peter then goes on to point out that there is further prophecy to be revealed that we need to take heed (note) of – prophecy right up to the very End “until the day dawns and the Daystar arises in your hearts”.

2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but righteous men of Yahvah spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Comment: Peter in these verses proclaims that the prophecies also are from Yahvah by the Holy Ghost, and are therefore also Truth about Yahvahosha Messiah and all the things surrounding Him, AND can also therefore strengthen their faith.