We can read from Scripture that Yahshua preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of YHWH Elohim and taught obedience to the Commandments. You may already be aware of, or beginning to see, the importance of also observing the Sabbath - which is the 4th Commandment – in true worship of Him. Some of you no longer partake in pagan-rooted traditions of men. But why are these things not clear to the vast majority of those who consider themselves “Christians”? Why do so many people reject the truth? Scripture tells us that YHWH is not calling everyone in this life.
The majority of the world rejects the truth.
By some estimates, there are over 40,000 Christian denominations and organizations worldwide, with approximately 2.4 billion people who claim Christianity as their faith. Of those who claim “Jesus” as their Savior, how many obey Him according to Scripture, rather than according to the traditions of men? The reality is that only a relatively small number of people, both today and throughout history, comprise the group Yahshua described as His “little flock” of true followers. (Luke 12:32)
Why is it that so many are blinded and refuse to receive the love of the truth when it seems so apparent in Scripture that we are to walk as Yahshua walked, in Torah?
One of the reasons is given in Revelation 12:9, which states that Satan, the Devil, “deceives the whole world.” This fact is reiterated throughout Scripture. The Apostle Paul explained that “the gospel is veiled” by “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:3–4). In his letter to the Ephesians, he called Satan, “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the SONS of DISOBEDIENCE” (Ephesians 2:2).
Satan not only deceives people into worshiping other gods or no god at all, we see from Scripture that he also deceives people into believing and worshiping a false gospel and even a false “Jesus.”
Paul warned the believers at Corinth that “if he who comes preaches another ‘Yahshua’ whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” (2 Corinthians 11:4). He was admonishing them to be careful not to follow or listen to a Gospel message that was different from what Yahshua Messiah truly preached.
Paul went on to warn about false religious teachers, saying that, “such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Messiah. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (vv. 13–15). In other words, he was telling them to beware of preachers who may sound good and seem righteous, even coming across as ministers of Yahshua Messiah and the Gospel, but who preach a message different from what Scripture teaches.
Yahshua warned of the same thing when He said, “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many” (Matthew 24:4–5).
The quote, “I am the Christ” is not in the original Greek. History notes that few literally claimed to be the “Christ” themselves, but many did come in His name and claim to acknowledge Him and bear His backing and authority.
Yahshua explained that, while someone may be calling on His name and claiming to obey Him and represent Him, that does not mean He is working with them. He explained this in other passages as well: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the WILL of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practices LAWLESSNESS!’” (Matthew 7:21–23).
This is very revealing—Yahshua says that He does not claim as His own those who preach in His name, and even perform miracles in His name, if they do NOT OBEY Him.
YHWH Elohim is not calling everyone now. On the contrary, Yahshua said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” and that, “No one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father” (John 6:44, 65). He made it clear that the Father has to call a person to Messiah Yahshua. He is NOT calling everyone now. (1 Corinthians 1:26)
Yahshua also said, “‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandments of Elohim, you hold the traditions of men.” (Mark 7:6–8)
Yahshua tells us how we should walk. He says, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15), and, “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:17). Additionally, the Apostle John said about 50 years after Yahshua died, “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in Him.” (1 John 2:3–4)
It’s hard to imagine how this could be any more plain, yet the vast majority of humanity still doesn’t understand it or take action on it—in large part, as mentioned already, because Satan has deceived the whole world, including those who profess Christianity. However, YHWH has allowed this deception for a reason.
In addition to accepting the sacrifice of Yahshua Messiah to cover your sins, you must also repent and surrender your life wholeheartedly to YHWH and begin obeying His Commandments.
If you feel moved to observe the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week as YHWH commands and not follow in the pagan traditions of this world, the Almighty El may be calling you. There are certainly essential biblical truths beyond these, but these make for a great starting point.
So what does it mean for you if YHWH is calling you now? First, it is important to know that it is an incredible and wonderful blessing to be called now and have the opportunity to be a part of the work He is doing now through His Ekklesia (Church). (Matthew 28:18–20; Mark 16:15–20; Matthew 24:14).
Ultimately, YHWH wants those whom He calls to accept the truth their minds have been opened to and repent, be baptized, and live a life the way Yahshua established 2,000 years ago by preparing for His coming Kingdom. HalleluYAH!
