December 24, 2022  John Rosenberger

Luke 2:10-14

ECB ¹⁰ And the angel says to them, Awe not: for behold, I evangelize to you of mega cheer which becomes to all [the] people: ¹¹ for to you is birthed this day in the city of David a Saviour who is Messiah Adonay: ¹² and this is your sign; You find the infant swathed, and lying in a manger. ¹³ And suddenly with the angel there becomes a multitude of the heavenly host halaling Elohim, and wording, ¹⁴ Glory to Elohim in the highests and on earth [land] shalom and well-approval toward humanity.

We are celebrating Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem; a city just outside of Jerusalem. He was also crucified, buried and resurrected just outside the city of Jerusalem. Without His birth as a human He couldn’t die as a human. He was born to overcome the death of old covenant humanity and to reconcile God’s people through His resurrected humanity. Today we celebrate His first birth. Yet He was born in Bethlehem in order to become the first born of the new covenant. The new covenant went to the Jew first but it is now open for all of God’s creation. There is only one body of God’s people: Jew and Gentile alike. The 12 apostles and 12 tribes who were re-covenanted with their messiah are in the foundation. The image of God lives in His city.

Colossians 1:15

ECB ¹⁵
YAH SHUA, ICON OF ELOHIM
who is the icon of the invisible Elohim, the firstborn of all creation:

Jesus didn’t pre-exist as the firstborn of all creation. He did pre-exist, but not as one born a human. And Adam was the first born son of God in the Human creation, but not the first born of all creation. Jesus wasn’t even first born of the human nation when Mary gave birth to Him. He was first born to Mary and Joseph’s family. So how can Colossians call Him first born of all, when He wasn’t even the first born of the 12 sons of Israel? Answer: Colossians was written after His rebirth. He went to the cross in order to be resurrected as the first born over all His creation: to the Jew first and also to the nations. The 12 tribes who had gathered for Pentecost were being reborn into their new covenant, thanks to the most famous Jew of all time. Jesus became the first born-again Jew of the Jews’ new covenant on the Jews’ day of Firstfruit. His resurrection was their exodus from the old covenant death of the firstborn. His people (12 tribes gathered in Jerusalem) started joining the made-new family of God 50 days after the bodily resurrection of the firstborn, on Pentecost.

Jesus was born late, into the waning days of His old covenant creation. The reconciliation of God’s humanity started after the resurrection of the dead firstborn. Jesus was born in the land under law to take the place of the dead and dying firstborn. He took the place of the firstborn in His death on the cross. He died in the place of the old covenant first born to free His people. He was resurrected as the new covenant firstborn to reconcile His people. In the last days of the old covenant, He made a new covenant creation, for the Jews first, yet also for the nations. Those being called from the Jews were being saved before those called from the nations were being saved. Jesus became the firstborn of all His new covenant people. Jews and Gentiles completed salvation together. The mystery of the gospel is the one new covenant body for all God’s people, whether born again into the new covenant from the Jewish nation or from the Gentile nations. The believing Jews turned from the body of Jews who refused to believe and started inviting Gentiles into the faithful Jewish body.

Acts 13:42-49

YLT ⁴² And having gone forth out of the synagogue of the Jews, the nations were calling upon them that on the next sabbath these sayings may be spoken to them, ⁴³ and the synagogue having been dismissed, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes did follow Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were persuading them to remain in the grace of God. ⁴⁴ And on the coming sabbath, almost all the city was gathered together to hear the word of God, ⁴⁵ and the Jews having seen the multitudes, were filled with zeal [an ardor of rivalry or envy], and did contradict the things spoken by Paul—contradicting and speaking evil. ⁴⁶ And speaking boldly, Paul and Barnabas said, `To you it was necessary that first the word of God be spoken, and seeing ye do thrust it away, and do not judge yourselves worthy of the life age-during, lo, we do turn to the nations; ⁴⁷ for so hath the Lord commanded us: I have set thee [the believing Jews] for a light of nations—for thy being for salvation unto the end of the earth.’ ⁴⁸ And the nations hearing were glad, and were glorifying the word of the Lord, and did believe—as many as were appointed to life age-during; ⁴⁹ and the word of the Lord was spread abroad through all the region. [Life to the consummation of the old covenant age resulted in never-ending covenant life]

Jewish Peter is convinced by a heavenly vision to let all of God’s creation into the Jewish-only new covenant land. The vision takes place at high noon in the full light of day, which was the same time the land went dark while Jesus was on the cross. Jesus death on the cross was not only for Jews. It brought light to the other national creations too. New nations are created by laws and boundaries. The typical proposal to new creation Israel was at Sinai but the typical marriage to the land was 40 years later, after Ai and Jericho, when Joshua read the law to all in the fall (autumn). They Hebrews had been re-consecrated earlier in the spring of the year before they finally left the wilderness and crossed the Jordan. The typical marriage was in the fall of the same year they entered the land. It was supposed to be the same year after leaving Egypt not 40 years later. They could have reached the land in 40 or 50 days and then read the law in the land a few months after crossing over the Jordan, instead it took them 40 years.

Acts 10:9-16

ECB ⁹
THE VISION OF PETROS
On the morrow, as they journey and approach the city, Petros ascends on the housetop to pray at about the sixth hour; } ¹⁰ and he becomes intensely famished and wills to taste: but as they prepare, an ecstasis falls on him; } ¹¹ and he observes the heavens open; and a vessel descends on him as a mega linen bound at the four beginnings, and lowers to the earth: } ¹² wherein are all quadrepeds of the earth and beasts and creepers and flyers of the heavens: ¹³ and so be it, a voice to him, Rise, Petros! Sacrifice, and eat! ¹⁴ But Petros says, No way, Adonay; for I never ever ate aught profane or impure. ¹⁵ And a second voice to him, What Elohim purifies, you profane not! ¹⁶ And this becomes thrice: and the vessel is taken again into the heavens.

The first century Jews were chosen to tell all the nations about their savior who was born in Bethlehem. 1 Peter was written by an in-land chosen Jew, to the chosen people of God in the diaspora. The whole 40 year covenant transition became an ingathering. Did Joshua enter the promised land? Just as Moses, in his role as prophet, lawgiver, mediator, and deliverer, was a type of Jesus Christ, so Joshua led Israel into the promised land as a type of Jesus. Jesus lead all the first century believers into the ultimate land of promise; an allotment in the kingdom of heaven.

1 Peter 1:1-5

CLV ¹ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen expatriates of the dispersion of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bithynia, ² according to the foreknowledge of God, the Father, in holiness of spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you!” ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who, according to His vast mercy, regenerates us into a living expectation, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from among the dead, ⁴ for the enjoyment of an allotment incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, kept in the heavens for you, ⁵ who are garrisoned by the power of God, through faith, for salvation ready to be revealed in the last era, [The eternal inheritance is in another realm of creation]

1 Peter 2:9

YLT ⁹ and ye are a choice race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people acquired, that the excellences ye may shew forth of Him who out of darkness did call you to His wondrous light;

The first born of the new covenant was raised by the Holy Spirit out from the old covenant dead ones and then the first born sent the Holy Spirit to raise His brethren out from their death of disobedience. Jesus wasn’t in their death until he obediently took Adam’s place on the tree.

Colossians 1:18

YLT ¹⁸ And himself is the head of the body—the assembly [the out-called]—who is a beginning, a first-born out of the dead [ones], that he might become in all things —himself—first,

Jesus became the firstborn brother to many Holy Spirit born Jews (and Holy Spirit born Gentiles). He referred to His Jewish followers as His brethren, on the day of His resurrection; 50 days before Pentecost. He proleptically breathed on them that day and said, “receive the Holy Spirit”; 50 days before they actually received the Holy Spirit and joined Him in the resurrection of His old covenant body. The only begotten Son of God became first born of the new covenant by the same Holy Spirit that gave Him a living old covenant body. His dead old covenant body was given life because the old covenant death couldn’t hold Him. Romans 8:11 – If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead [out of dead ones] will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

If Jesus took on an immortal flesh and blood body then He couldn’t die for His people. There is no such thing as an immortal flesh and blood body. The flesh and blood body did not inherit the kingdom. Flesh and blood can not inherit the kingdom. The kingdom is present with you. It didn’t come with military force. Jesus announced the kingdom while healing His people. He came to save “His people” and destroy “not His people”.

Matthew 28:10

CLV ¹⁰ Then Jesus is saying to them, “Fear not! Go, report to My brethren that they may be coming away into Galilee, and there they shall see Me.”

Romans 8:29

LITV ²⁹ because whom He foreknew, He also predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be the First-born among many brothers.

The first century Jews (sons of humanity) received a new revelation: that Gentiles would join their new covenant body: “the mystery… that the goyim be co-heirs and co-bodied…”

Ephesians 3:3-6

ECB ³ how that by apocalypse he had me know the mystery; exactly as I pre-inscribed in few words, ⁴ whereto, when you read, you can comprehend my comprehension in the mystery of the Messiah; ⁵ which in other generations was not known to the sons of humanity, as it is now unveiled to his holy apostles and prophets in Spirit; ⁶ that the goyim be co-heirs and co-bodied and co-partakers of his pre-evangelism in the Messiah through the evangelism:

Glory to Elohim in the highests and on earth shalom and well-approval toward humanity.

Afterthought: In the Greek, apocalypse actually means revelation or unveiling, not destruction of the planet. It has come to mean destruction of the planet by a false interpretation of the word. The end did come to Jesus’ old covenant world. But not before salvation came through the old covenant baby born in Bethlehem. We now live in Jesus’ new covenant world, where He is the firstborn over all creation. He is ruler over all creation as was Adam’s place to rule, but He is also the first born out of the old covenant dead ones, making Him the head of the living body (called out ones), which now consists of people born again from any nation. He is the firstborn Son in the one and only covenant body. This mystery was finally revealed to the Jews through Him. The Jews revealed it to the 12 tribes in diaspora and then to all creation.

a·poc·a·lypse /əˈpäkəˌlips/

Today’s Dictionary Definition: noun 1. the complete final destruction of the world, as described in the biblical book of Revelation. “the bell’s ringing is supposed to usher in the Apocalypse”

What is the true meaning of apocalypse?

The Book of Revelation in the New Testament has the literal title in Greek, the “Apocalypse of John.” The word apocalypse means revelation. That which is uncovered. It comes from the Greek word which literally means to pull the lid off something.

https://www.pbs.org › shows › explanation › brevelation

James 1:1

ECB ¹
SALUTATION
Yaaqovos, a servant of Elohim and of Adonay Yah Shua Messiah: To the twelve scions of the diaspora: Cheers.

James 1:1

JMNT ¹ Jacob (or: James) a slave belonging to God and to [the] Lord, Jesus Christ (or: a slave pertaining to God, even in fact, really, to [the] Lord and Owner [or, perhaps: = Yahweh], Jesus Christ), to the twelve tribes (or: sprouts and branches which sprang forth) who are to be constantly rejoicing within the scattering (or: which are within the midst of the dispersion [= the planting], “To constant joy and gladness!”).

The diaspora was the new covenant pre-evangelism to the nations of the Roman Empire. The 12 tribes were waiting for their savior to be born in Bethlehem. He grew up to be re-born into their new covenant creation, which was their old covenant salvation. The full grown image of Yahweh was transferred to the new covenant via resurrection by the holy Spirit. Nobody is being saved from the old covenant death anymore. Those born from above into the resurrected family of God never die covenantally. The second death of the old covenant was the death of covenant death. Jesus told the Jews who believed in Him that they would never die. Do you believe it?

Sin in Paul was revealed by the holy law given to the old covenant body, according to Romans 7:5 and 1 Corinthians 15:56. The sting of death is sin. The passion for sin was actually intensified in God’s people by their awareness of old covenant law. Only Jesus could live to the age in the old covenant because only He was sinless under law. He laid down His perfect old covenant life for His brethren. He delivered them from the old covenant body of their death. He took His people to the age alive in His new covenant body that never dies. Jesus’ passion for life was granted to His people.

Romans 7:4-6 – There was a flesh and blood covenant

CLV ⁴ So that, my brethren, you also were put to death to the law through the body of Christ, for you to become Another’s, Who is roused from among the dead [ones], that we should be bearing fruit to God.” ⁵ For, when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins, which were through the law, operated in our members to be bearing [the] fruit to [the] Death.” ⁶ Yet now we were exempted from the law, dying in that in which we were retained, so that it is for us to be slaving in newness of spirit and not in oldness of letter.”

1 Corinthians 15:44

YLT ⁴⁴ it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body; there is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body;

Romans 7:14

YLT ¹⁴ for we have known that the law is spiritual, and I am fleshly, sold by the sin;

Romans 8:3-9

YLT ³ for what the law was not able to do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, His own Son having sent in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, did condemn the sin in the flesh, ⁴ that the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ⁵ For those who are according to the flesh, the things of the flesh do mind; and those according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit; ⁶ for the mind of the flesh is death, and the mind of the Spirit—life and peace; ⁷ because the mind of the flesh is enmity to God, for to the law of God it doth not subject itself, ⁸ for neither is it able; and those who are in the flesh are not able to please God. ⁹ And ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God doth dwell in you; and if any one hath not the Spirit of Christ—this one is not His;

Matthew 16:28

LITV ²⁸ Truly I say to you, There are some standing here who in no way will taste of death until they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom. (If this is a reference to the transfiguration 6 days later then what is so odd about it is that only some of them were still alive to see it less than a week later.)

1 Thessalonians 4:15

LITV ¹⁵ For we say this to you in the Word of the Lord, that we the living who remain to the coming of the Lord not at all will go before those who have fallen asleep.

Life to the age and death to the age were both imminent.

Romans 8:13

CLV ¹³ for if you are living in accord with flesh, you are about to be dying. Yet if, in spirit, you are putting the practices of the body to death, you will be living.”

1 Corinthians 15:50-51

CLV ⁵⁰ Now this I am averring, brethren, that flesh and blood is not able to enjoy an allotment in the kingdom of God, neither is corruption enjoying the allotment of incorruption.” ⁵¹ Lo! a secret to you am I telling! We all, indeed, shall not be put to repose, yet we all shall be changed,

Some from that transition of covenants generation didn’t die and go to repose in Hades. The completed change of covenants put an end to waiting in Hades. The old covenant body of Christ overcame Hades and no longer goes there because as the firstborn of the new covenant He lived to the age of 1000 without dying again. He sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to reign in His people. If He had not died the old covenant death, He would have lived to 70 years of age and completed the age as the last man (eschatos adam) standing: as the only man standing.

Luke 17:20-21

YLT ²⁰ And having been questioned by the Pharisees, when the reign of God doth come, he answered them, and said, `The reign of God doth not come with observation; ²¹ nor shall they say, Lo, here; or lo, there; for lo, the reign of God is within you.’

The reign of God within the Jews arrived on Pentecost. Until then He was ruling in their midst. They reigned in the new covenant age with their Christ with the same Holy Spirit He had ministered with. The baby born in Bethlehem grew up and rescued His people from their death to the age. There is no covenant death to the age anymore. The old age has been consummated. It is forever new. I won’t see my brethren and sistren in Hades after I die. I will see them in heaven.

Philippians 1:22-24

LITV ²² But if I live in the flesh, this to me is fruit of my labor, and what I shall choose I do not know. ²³ For I am pressed together by the two: having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better, ²⁴ but to remain in the flesh is more necessary on account of you.

Jesus did spend 3 days in Hades but He ascended back to heaven 40 days after His resurrection out from the dead ones. Paul didn’t speak of waiting in Hades. He spoke of going straight to heaven where Christ was. Paul wasn’t remaining in his flesh and blood old covenant that was about to be put to the second death. He was remaining in his physical flesh body a little while longer for the sake of his people.

Ephesians 3:21

ECB ²¹ to him be glory in the ecclesia by Messiah Yah Shua to all generations – eon of the eons. Amen.

God’s called out people are the church; the bride of Christ; the temple of the living God; the New Jerusalem. The new covenant church is not being limited in time to a certain age or still waiting for salvation to be completed. That was the old covenant church during their 40-year transition of covenants. The old covenant chosen people of God WERE fulfilling 1000 old covenant years; dead or alive. Daniel is very specific about the second 490 years fulfilled for the salvation of God’s people. The people of God are not being saved by their messiah from their old covenant failures today. The completed transition from the old covenant to the new covenant was the salvation of God’s people. Entering the new covenant is salvation from the dead and dying flesh body. God’s people don’t need saved today. Birth from above is eternal family life. God’s people need to be born into the family in order to be God’s people. If you don’t have the family inheritance of His Holy Spirit you are not His people. God sent His Son to save His old covenant people and then to save all His Gentile people into the new covenant Sonship as one united body. The whole body was united prior to 70 AD.

The old firstborn of humanity was put to death on the cross and was in the process of being finally put to death, in order to set God’s people free to remarry the new firstborn of the human family. Adam was dead and dying. Eschaton Adam died in the place of the old firstborn in order to be resurrected as the first born of the new family. Jesus took Adam’s place on the cross to save His people from their impending second death. In Adam all were dead and dying. Adam as a type was about to be going away. Adam was a type of the One about to be remaining. The typical covenant did go away. The new covenant is remaining. We who are in covenant with Yahweh, no longer keep the old covenant festivals in anticipation of their fulfillments. The new covenant with Yahweh is not typical, precisely because Jesus took Adam’s place and became the first human in the new creation. He did it before the old went away, in order to save His people from their imminent second death.

The Gentiles weren’t married to God in the old marriage covenant. The Gentiles were being pre-evangelized and proselytized by the diaspora, who were approaching their 1000-year fulfillment. The Jews were promised a return to the land after 70 years of the sabbath rest, provided by God, for their first 490 years of failures. They then had a second 490 years of sabbatical failures. Nothing is said about a 2nd return to the typical land after a second 70 years of sabbath rest is provided by God.

Jesus’ fulfillment of the typical 70 years was before their second old covenant death, but not for the typical land again. Jesus fulfilled every other type, so why not the typical 70 years too? The chosen Jews were saved by His fulfillment and the unbelievers were not. According to Peter, who wrote to the chosen ones from 12 tribes in diaspora, their eternal allotment was being kept incorruptible in heaven. Again the types (such as the typical promised land) were being fulfilled. Their new covenant is no longer typical. The copy (of the temple in heaven) went away in favor of the real one.

The consummated by Christ new marriage covenant is the only marriage there is for God’s people and it has no time limit or future fulfillment of types. Salvation fully arrived. God doesn’t have two different marriage covenants: one that is already eternal in the spirit realm (where the old covenant saints and the angels already live with God bodily) and one that is yet to be eternal. The new covenant to the 12 tribes on Pentecost was initiated in the air. That salvation was also consummated in the spirit realm on the last feast to be fulfilled, which was Tabernacles. Jesus as firstborn of humanity met His people in the air, just as the Holy Spirit did on Pentecost. God’s new human family is at this moment eternal.

The death threat and the fulfillment was on the firstborn of the old creation, as was revealed to God’s people; the Hebrews. Jesus took the place of Israel. As His death approached He addressed His 12 apostles. Jesus was considering His imminent death, while praying in the garden. Jacob in the flesh had addressed the 12 old covenant tribes on his deathbed. Jacob in the flesh had his name changed to Israel. Jacob (aka James) was Jesus’ half brother before the transition to the new covenant, Jacob was no longer ‘in the flesh’ after Pentecost. Uninspired people changed Jacob’s name to James for some ungodly reason. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel not James. If the Greek to English translators were consistent they would change Jacob in Acts 7:8 to James too. Why change Jacob to James in James 1:1 and not in Acts 7:8? And why change Jesus to Joshua in Hebrews 4:8 and not in Hebrews 4:14? These artificial name changes obscure the transition of covenants.

Acts 7:8
And He gave to him a covenant of circumcision, and so he begat Isaac, and did circumcise him on the eighth day, and Isaac begat James, and James—the twelve patriarchs;

Hebrews 8:13

CLV ¹³ In saying “new, He has made the former old. Now that which is growing old and decrepit is near its disappearance.” [the new one made the old one obsolete]

The mystery revealed was the one perfected embodiment of the one humanity for Jews and Gentiles alike. Jesus was and is the perfected for all time embodiment of humanity. He re-engaged His people by sending them the Holy Spirit from heaven. He caused all His chosen people to stand as one body for the wedding. This is no longer a mystery. The apocalypse is over. Mystery revealed is the original definition of The Apocalypse, that was not revealed to His people in other generations as it was to His chosen people in the first century generation. Unveiled is past tense. Many generations since have tried to make it a new revelation for their generation. Every post-generation prediction has failed to be unveiled. The first century generation actually got the new revelation. They understood it spiritually. It was not revealed to Peter, Paul or John by flesh and blood. The flesh and blood old covenant body tried to stop it.

THE SONSHIP

Romans 8:29, NLT: For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

The Jewish leaders of the day hoped for a gloriously militaristic king, not one “who must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation”. Jesus was accepted by all His people in the re-generation of the nation. Jesus explained the meaning of “the Kingdom of God is among you”, as He is among you. He is the leader of the kingdom government. Only by accepting Jesus’ explanation will anyone understand His kingdom that is here. If Jesus isn’t ruling the kingdom now then who are we serving in His kingdom now? Kingdom-minded servants all participate in the good news of the kingdom.  The good news of rebirth is how we enter and see the Kingdom of God among us.

John 3:4-9

CLV ⁴ Nicodemus is saying to him, “How can a man, being a veteran, be begotten? He can not be entering into the womb of his mother a second time and be begotten!” ⁵ Jesus answered, “Verily, verily, I am saying to you, If anyone should not be begotten of water and of spirit, he can not be entering into the kingdom of God.” ⁶ That which is begotten by the flesh is flesh, and that which is begotten by the spirit is spirit.” ⁷ You should not be marveling that I said to you, ‘You must be begotten anew.'” ⁸ The blast is blowing where it wills, and the sound of it you are hearing, but you are not aware whence it is coming and where it is going. Thus is everyone who is begotten by the water and the spirit.” ⁹ Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be? [asked a flesh and blood teacher of the Jews before he was born again]