The Testimony of Yeshua

Hebrews 8: The ‘main point’ is that we have a High Priest who is seated on the right hand side of the throne of the Majesty in Heaven. 2 He is the temple priest of the 'special' Place, the true tabernacle that Yehovah built, not man. 3 Every high priest is required to give meal offerings and ze’bakim [sacrifices], and it was necessary for this One to have something to offer as well. 4 If He were on earth, He wouldn’t even be a priest, because there are priests here who offer the gifts prescribed by the Torah. 5 They serve as a pattern and shadow of their ‘counterparts’ in the Heavenly realm, just as Moses was told when he was about to build the tabernacle, “Be sure you make everything according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain.” 6 But now, Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah has been given a superior ministry since He is also the Mediator of a better covenant, one that was founded on better promises than the former.

A Second Covenant

7 If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second one. 8 Finding fault with THEM He said, “The time is coming, says Yehovah, when I’ll enact a New marriage Covenant with the ‘household’ of Israel and with the ‘household’ of Judah. 9 It won’t be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors during the time when I took them by the hand and led them out of the land of Egypt, because they didn’t remain loyal to My covenant and I neglected them, declared Yehovah. 10 But this is the covenant that I’ll make with the household of Israel after that time, says Yehovah, I’ll put My Torah in their minds—inscribing it on their innermost being. I’ll be their Aloha [God] and they’ll be My people. 11 No one [in Israel] will teach doctrine to their fellow citizens [evangelize] or ask a brother, “Do you know Yehovah” [witness to anyone], because they’ll all know Me, from the youngest of them to the oldest [1], 12 because I’ll be merciful regarding their unrighteousness and I won’t call their sins to mind.” 13 When He [Yeshua] mentioned the New Covenant, He was ‘declaring’ that the first one was obsolete and about to be repealed, and what was obsolete and failing will soon disappear.

Hebrews 9: The first covenant has [1] ordinances for the ministry [2] and an earthly 'special' Place. 2 The tabernacle that is set up has an outer part. In it is the menorah [3], the table and the show bread. This is called the 'special' Place. 3 But the inner tabernacle that’s within the second veil is called the Most 'special' Place. 4 The gold censer and the ark of the covenant that were completely covered with gold had been in it, as well as the gold urn that contained the manna, Aaron’s staff that sprouted and the stone tablets that the covenant was written on. 5 Above it are the magnificent cherubim whose wings overshadow the place for the atonement. But there isn’t time to comment on each of the things in detail.

6 The priests continually enter the outer tabernacle to perform their services [4]. 7 The high priest enters the inner part of the tabernacle only once a year, alone, and with the blood that he offers for himself and the sins of the people. 8 By this the 'special' spirit indicates that the way into the Most 'special' Place was symbolically hidden, as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 This is an illustration for today, when both the meal offerings and ze’bakim being offered are unable to ‘clear’ the conscience of those who are offering them. 10 These things only deal with food and drink and various kinds of washings that are mortal ordinances, set up until the time when things are set right.

11 But the Messiah who came was a High Priest of the good things to come, and He entered the greater and perfect tabernacle that wasn’t made by human hands and wasn’t part of this creation. 12 He didn’t enter with the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the 'special' Place just once with His own blood and obtained our eternal deliverance from the death penalty. 13 If the blood of goats and calves and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are Levitically unclean makes them 'special', and cleanses their mortal bodies, 14 then how much more will the blood of the Messiah, who thru the eternal spirit offered Himself without blemish to Yehovah, cleanse our consciousness from dead works so that we can serve the living Aloha?

Mediator of the New Covenant

15 This is why He became the Mediator of the New Covenant—so that by His death He could become the ransom payment for those who had sinned under the first [old] covenant, so that those who are called to the eternal inheritance can receive the promise.

16 When there is a last will and testament, it follows that the one who made it will die. 17 It only goes into effect when someone has died. It doesn’t take effect as long as the person who made it is alive. 18 That is why even the first covenant wasn’t put into effect without blood. 19 When Moses had spoken every ordinance to all the people, according to the Torah, Moses took the blood of a heifer with some water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the Scroll and all the people. 20 He told them, “This is the blood ‘that confirms’ that the covenant that Yehovah has made with you is binding.” 21 Similarly, he sprinkled blood on the tabernacle and on all of the implements of the service, 22 because according to the Torah, about everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there can be no pardoning of sins.

23 It was necessary for these copies of things from the Heavenly realm to be purified with these things, but the Heavenly counterparts themselves are cleansed with far better blood zebakim than these. 24 The Messiah didn’t enter into the 'special' Place made by human hands, that is a mere copy of the true 'Special' Place, rather, He entered Heaven itself, to appear in the presence of Yehovah for us. 25 Nor was it necessary for Him to offer Himself often, the way the high priest enters into the 'special' Place every year, with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise He would have to have suffered many times since the beginning of the world. But now, at the end of the age, He has offered Himself once as a zebak to abolish sin. 27 And just as people are destined to die once, and after their death comes Judgment Day, 28 so the Messiah was also offered once, and personally placed on the altar to bear the sins of many, and He’ll appear a second time, without [not to bear] sins, for the eternal Life of those who expect Him.

Hebrews 10: The Torah, being a foreshadowing of the blessings to come, isn’t an exact likeness of the things themselves. So, altho the same ze’bakim [sacrifices] are offered every year, they can never perfect those who offer them. 2 If these ze’bakim could perfect them, they would have stopped the zebakim long ago. The worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer be troubled by a consciousness of sins. 3 But because of the zebakim, they are reminded of their sins every year. 4 Yet it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to purge sins.

You’ve ‘Equipped’ Me With a Body!

5 So when He was coming into the world, He said, “You didn’t want zebakim and meal offerings, but You’ve ‘equipped’ [clothed] Me with a body! 6 You have never wanted burnt zebakim to atone for sins.” 7 Then I said, “I have come to do Your will, as it is written about Me in the very first books, O Yehovah!” 8 In ‘this passage’ he said, “You have never wanted zebakim and meal offerings that are offered ‘as required by’ the Torah”, 9 Later He said, “I have come to do Your will, O Yehovah!” So He is taking away the first so that He can establish the second. 10 By His will we are dedicated by the zebak of Yeshua Messiah’s body, offered a single time.

11 Every high priest stands and serves daily, repeatedly 'offering' the same zebakim that are never enough to purge the guilt of sins. 12 But this High Priest offered one zebak for sins and sat down at the right hand side of Yehovah forever. 13 Since the time He was offered He has been waiting for His enemies to be set like a footstool under His feet. 14 By a single zebak He has perfected for all time those who are now special.

15 The 'special' spirit also confirms this to us, by saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will give them after those days, says Yehovah, I’ll put My Torah into their minds and inscribe it on their inner beings”. 17 And I’ll no longer remember their Torah breaking and their sins. 18 Now when there is a complete pardoning of sins, an offering for sin is no longer required.

19 So Friends, we can confidently enter the 'special' Place by the blood of Yeshua, 20 by a new way of life that He has initiated ‘for’ us, thru the veil, that is His flesh. 21 And since we have a High Priest who has authority over Aloha’s house, 22 let’s draw near with sincerity, in full assurance of faith, with our minds sprinkled and cleansed from evil thoughts, and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 Let’s persevere in the hope we profess without wavering, because the One who made the promise is faithful. 24 Let’s consider ways to motivate each other to show love and to do good works, 25 not forsaking our assembling in synagogues [Gr. epi-sunagoge]] together, as some habitually [Gr. ethos] do, but encourage each other increasingly more as you see the Day of Yehovah approaching [1].

Deliberate Sin

26 If we deliberately sin after having received a correct knowledge of the truth, then there is no longer an zebak for sins— 27 just the terrifying expectation of judgment, and a raging fire that consumes the adversaries. 28 Anyone who disregarded the Torah of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severe do you think the punishment will be for someone who has trampled on Yehovah’s Son, and thought that the blood of the covenant that made Him unique was just like the blood of anyone else, and has insulted the spirit of compassion? 30 We know the One who said, “Retribution is Mine, and I will pay them back”, and also, “Yehovah will judge His people.” 31 It’s a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living Aloha!

32 Remember the earlier days after you were first immersed [2], when you endured great conflict and suffering. 33 You were made a public spectacle and sided with people who endured these things. 34 You sympathized with people in prison and you cheerfully endured when your goods were seized, knowing that you have in yourself a more valuable possession in Heaven that is permanent!

35 So don’t throw away your fearless confidence, because it will be greatly compensated. 36 You really need patience so that you can do Yehovah’s will and receive the promise. 37 “Soon, very soon, the One who is coming will arrive, and He will not be delayed. 38 The righteous will live by My [3] faith, but if anyone defects [Aramaic defectus], My consciousness [psyche, Gr: psuche] will have no pleasure with them.” 39 But we aren’t hesitant people headed toward destruction, rather, we live in faith, gaining possession of our inner selves.

Hebrews 11: Faith [belief in the truth] is living as if things presently anticipated were already a reality—being shown invisible things. 2 The ancients confirmed it quite well.

3 By faith we understand that the planets were framed by the Word of Aloha, and that the things we see originated from things that are invisible.

4 By faith Abel offered Yehovah a better zebak than Cain did, and because of it we have confirmation that he was righteous. Yehovah gave the confirmation by accepting his ze’bakim [sacrifices], and as a result, tho he is dead, he still speaks.

5 By faith Enoch was transferred [or changed] and didn’t ‘experience’ death, he simply vanished, because Yehovah had transferred him. Before He transferred him, he was commended as having pleased Yehovah. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Yehovah, because anyone who comes to Yehovah must believe that He exists, and that He compensates those who diligently search for Him.

7 By faith when Noah was told of things as yet unseen, he reverently built an ark to save his family, and by doing so he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called by name, heard that he was to leave home and go to a place where he would receive an inheritance, so he went out not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land that was promised to him, as in a foreign land, and lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who also inherited the same promise, 10 because he was looking forward to the city with permanent foundations [1], whose architect [Gr. technites] and builder is Yehovah.

11 By faith Sarah also, who was sterile, was given the ability to have children, even tho she was past the time of ‘life’ for this, and gave birth because she firmly believed that the One who had made the promise was trustworthy. 12 So from one man who was failing from old age, descendants were born as numerous as the stars in the heavens, and as countless as grains of sand on the seashore.

13 They all died in faith without receiving what was promised [2a], but they saw it [singular in Aramaic: the city] from a distance, and were jubilant about it, acknowledging that they were foreigners and aliens [still] on the earth. 14 Those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a city of their own. 15 If they had wanted the city that they left, they had the opportunity to return. 16 Yet it’s apparent that they wanted a better city than that, namely, the one that’s in the Heavenly realm [2b]. So Aloha [Yeshua] was not ashamed to be called their Aloha, because He has prepared a city for them [John 14:2-3].

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, his only begotten [unique] son who he had received by a promise, and laid him on the altar, 18 even tho he had been told [by Yehovah], “Thru Isaac your descendants will carry on your name. [3] 19 He had thought to himself that it was within Yehovah’s ability to raise him from the dead, and he did get him back in a figurative sense.

20 By faith Isaac promised blessings to Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. 21 By faith, as Jacob was dying, he blessed each of Joseph’s sons, bowing in worship as he leaned on the top of his staff. 22 By faith, when Joseph was dying he was aware of the exodus of the descendants of Israel and gave them instructions ‘about burying’ his bones. 23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they weren’t afraid of the king’s edict.

24 By faith, when Moses ‘grew up’, he refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to suffer along with Yehovah’s people, rather than enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin. 26 He considered that being insulted for the Messiah’s sake [4] was a greater treasure than all of the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead for his compensation. 27 By faith he left Egypt, unafraid of the king’s anger, and he persevered just as if he saw the invisible Yehovah. 28 By faith they performed the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the One who was destroying the firstborn wouldn’t approach them. 29 By faith they crossed the Red Sea, like anyone would on dry land, but the Egyptians were drowned when they dared to ‘try’ it. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute didn’t die with those who were disobedient, because she welcomed the scouts in peace.

32 Why should I say more? I don’t have enough time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephtha, David, Samuel, and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, brought about justice, obtained promises, and shut the mouths of lions. 34 They quenched the relentless forces of fires, escaped from the edge of swords, were healed of diseases, became valiant in battle, and overthrew the camps of enemies. 35 Women received their children by a resurrection from the dead. Others were put to death during torture, not even hoping to be rescued [5], so that they could secure a better resurrection. 36 Others endured being mocked and whipped, while others were chained and imprisoned. 37 Some were stoned, others were sawn in half, others were killed by the edge of swords, others roamed around clothed in sheep and goat skins. They were poor, oppressed and mistreated. 38 The world was not worthy of them, yet they wandered in deserts and mountains, or hid in caves and fissures in the earth.

39 None of these honorable witnesses received the promised blessings, 40 since Yehovah had determined that it is better that they not be made perfect and complete beings without [ahead of] us.

Hebrews 12: So since we have all these witnesses surrounding us like clouds, let’s throw aside the ever present encumbrances and sins, and let’s run the race we’re destined to with endurance. 2 Let’s look to Yeshua who has become the Pioneer and personification of our faith, who because of the joy set before Him, endured the cross, surrendered to [1] the shame, and is seated at the right hand side of Yehovah’s throne. 3 So consider how much He endured from sinners, from those who are their own adversaries, so that you won’t become discouraged or become tired and give up.

4 You haven’t yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood in the fight against sin. 5 You’ve forgotten the admonition that tells you, as if you were children, “My Son, don’t disregard Yehovah’s discipline or ‘give up’ when He disciplines you, 6 because Yehovah disciplines everyone he loves, and severely whips [figurative: scourges] the children He acknowledges as His own.”

7 So endure the discipline, because Yehovah is dealing with you as His own children. For what son is there whose father doesn’t discipline him? 8 But if you aren’t disciplined ‘like the rest of us’, then that is evidence that you’re aliens and not children. 9 When our human fathers disciplined us, we respected them, so shouldn’t we be even more submissive to our Spiritual Father [2] and be Rescued? 10 They disciplined us for a short time the way that they wanted to, but Yehovah disciplines us for our benefit, so that we can share in His ‘majesty’ [root word]. 11 Now at the time discipline isn’t considered a joyful experience, but painful. But later it produces a harvest of peace and righteousness for those who have gone thru the exercise.

12 So strengthen your weak hands and your trembling knees, 13 and straighten out the wheel ruts in your path so that your lameness won’t get worse, but be healed.

14 Pursue peace with everyone, as well as dedication. Without those, no one will see Yehovah. 15 See to it that none of you are falling behind in the compassion of Yehovah, to prevent some root of bitterness from springing up and troubling you, and defiling many others. 16 See to it that none of you are prostitutes/adulterers/fornicators [Gr. pornos], or are profane like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected because he never found an opportunity for undoing what he had done, altho he earnestly searched for it with tears.

18 You haven’t come to the mountain ablaze in fire, or to darkness and gloom and storm, 19 or to the sound of the shofar, and the sound of the voice that caused those who heard to leave, so as not to hear anything more being spoken to them. 20 They couldn’t bear hearing the command: “Even if an animal approaches the mountain, it must be stoned.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

The Heavenly Realm

22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living Aloha, to the Jerusalem that’s in the Heavenly realm, to the assembly of tens of thousands of spirit messengers, 23 and to the festival assembly of the firstborn ones whose names are recorded in Heaven, and to Yehovah, the Judge of everyone, and to the spirits of the righteous who are perfected, 24 and to Yeshua, the Mediator of the New Covenant, and to the sprinkling of His blood that reveals better things than ‘the blood’ of Abel.

25 See to it that you don’t reject the One who speaks with you. If those who ignored the one who spoke with them on earth didn’t escape, how much less will we if we ignore the One who speaks to us from Heaven, 26 whose voice shook the earth. But now He has promised, “Once more, I’ll not only shake the earth, but the heavens as well.” 27 By His saying, “Once more”, it indicates another major rearrangement of the things that are shaken, because they were created in such a way that the things that can’t be shaken will remain unchanged.

28 So since we’re receiving a Kingdom that’s unshakable, let’s hang onto His loving kindness, so that we can serve and please our Aloha with reverence and fear, 29 because our Aloha is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 13: You should keep on loving the Friends. 2 Don’t forget to be kind to strangers, because this is how some have been privileged to entertain spirit messengers without even being aware of it. 3 Remember prisoners as if you were in prison with them, and remember those suffering adversity, since you yourselves are still ‘made of’ flesh.

4 Marriage is honorable in every way, and the marriage bed is undefiled, but Yehovah will judge the sexually impure and adulterers. 5 Your minds should be free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, because Yehovah Himself has said, “I’ll never abandon you or ‘forsake’ you.” 6 We should confidently be saying, “Yehovah helps me. I will not be afraid. What can people do to me?”

7 Remember your leaders, those who have spoken the Word of Aloha. Consider how their lives turn out, and imitate their faith. 8 Yeshua Messiah is the same, yesterday, today, and forever!

Diverse Doctrines

9 Don’t get carried away with strange and diverse doctrines. It’s good for our ‘inner selves’ to be strengthened with compassion rather than meats, because people who have lived that way [with “diverse doctrines”] haven’t benefited. 10 We have an altar that those in the tabernacle have no right to eat from.

11 The high priest brings the blood of animals into the 'special' Place as an zebak for sin, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12 That’s why Yeshua, in order to set His people apart with His own blood, suffered outside the city. 13 So let’s also go outside of the assembly [1] and endure being discredited with Him, 14 because we have no permanent city here, but we are looking for ‘the city’ that is to come.

15 Let’s continually offer ze’bakim [sacrifices] of praise to Yehovah thru Him, that is, by the ‘praises of our lips’ that give thanks to His Name.

16 Don’t forget to do good and share with the poor [2]. With these kinds of zebakim we can please Yehovah.

17 Confide in your guides, and listen to them [3], because they’re watching over you, and they’re people accountable to Aloha for their council. They should be able to do it with joy rather than anguish, because that wouldn’t be to anyone’s advantage.

18 Pray for us, because we’re certain that our consciences are clear, and we intend to keep living honorably in every way. 19 I especially ask this of you, so that I can return to you sooner.

20 May the Aloha of peace who raised the great Shepherd of the flock from the dead by the blood of the everlasting covenant, namely Yeshua Messiah, our Master, 21 prepare you for every good work so that you can do His will, and produce in you the things that will please Him, thru Yeshua Messiah. Splendor belongs to Him forever and ever! Aw-main.

22 I ask that you bear with me Friends, and patiently consider this admonition, because I have only written a few words to you.

23 You should know that our Friend Timothy has been released, and if he comes soon, we’ll both see you.

24 Greet all of your leaders and all the 'special ones' [saints]. Everyone in Italy sends their greetings.

25 May His favor be with you all. Aw-main.

 

The Testimony of Yeshua was tweaked January 6, 2012