Revelation 5:9-10 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
In my travels across the United States, I’ve come to a greater understanding of the racial divisions which seem to characterize much of the restlessness in America. While I was in Little Rock, Arkansas I spent time with a black pastor who was taught of the true legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. While historians will rightly record MLK as a civil rights leader, he was first and foremost a Baptist pastor, and was a biblical rights leader who saw that, in the Kingdom of God … there is NO RACE! That was the revelation which inspired MLK to speak out against the social injustice of his generation.
And King was not unique in the history of those who stood up against social injustice, but one voice among many others who understood and believed the Word of God. William Wilberforce in his mission to end slavery in England was compelled by his understanding of the Bible's view of humanity and God's ideal of human freedom. Through great perseverance, he succeeded in establishing God's perspective into the legal code, setting a modern precedent to this day. During the Civil War, the abolitionists were fighting to free those in the bondage of slavery, based in their understanding of human dignity, in that all men are made in God's very image.
Social justice is a Kingdom issue, as we’re called to defend those who cannot defend themselves, and to stand against all injustice. We recognize, however, that the deep root of injustice lies in the sin nature of every living soul, and has permeated all of society, in many ways entrenching itself in governments and laws in our time. Since we believe that righteousness can only begin with individual repentance and regeneration, we recognize the limits of our capacity to affect social change, especially in light of the Lord's descriptions of the Last days. But we are called to be salt and light, and our presence does preserve and illuminate culture through the gospel, so we seize every opportunity, individual and social, to represent Yeshua (Jesus), His truth and His salvation.
Some believers will be specifically called to champion issues of social justice, while others will minister personally to the disenfranchised and miserable victims of it. Wherever we are called in ministry or battle, the Holy Spirit will empower the solutions we bring, whether politically, socially or individually.
Be part of God’s solution by discovering and walking in your gifts and calling. Yeshua said, "Apart from me you can do nothing". The changes, improvements and reforms which emerge from Spirit filled ministry will good yield fruit, both now and in eternity.
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]Being hated without cause is an aspect of Messianic prophecy that applies to both Mashiach ben Yosef and Mashiach ben David. Just as Joseph was hated by his brothers, and David was hated by Saul without cause, is it any wonder that Yeshua (Jesus) was hated by the world without cause…
Another interesting correlation we draw from Mashiach Ben Joseph is how Joseph was the object of his father’s (Jacob) love, just as Yeshua (Jesus) was loved of our Heavenly Father. This preference Jacob had for Joseph was unequivocal, and it was also pretty controversial among his brothers.
Continuing this study of Mashiach Ben Yosef (Messiah “Son of Joseph”), I want to focus on another aspect of the rabbis’ understanding; that Mashiach ben Yosef will come first, and prepare the world for the Kingdom of the Lord.
Another aspect of Mashiach ben Yosef, is that the world would resist his authority.
When Joseph told his family of his dreams, they were outraged at the suggestion that their younger brother would reign over them. They simply had no idea that God would make Joseph exactly the kind of ruler they needed.
When Joseph became ruler over Egypt, his name was changed, and his identity was altered so that he no longer appeared or lived as a shepherd son of Israel from the land of Canaan, but as an Egyptian Prime Minister. The transformation was so thorough that when his ten brothers arrived in Egypt he was totally unrecognizable to them. This true story beautifully illustrates Mashiach ben Yosef (Yeshua/Jesus at His first coming), and contains a prophetic picture pointing to Yeshua and His Jewish people living today as we approach the Second Coming.
Joseph, the son of Jacob grew up caring for flocks, a shepherd boy,(Genesis 37:2). While we might have a romantic view of an easy pastoral life among sheep and goats, the main responsibility of a shepherd was to protect the flock against hungry predators (wolves, lions, etc.) looking for an easy meal, actually quite a dangerous job. The shepherd loved his sheep; and Joseph was a good shepherd.
The creation of the world was completed by God in 6 days. He rested on the 7th day and sanctified it, the Sabbath, Shabbat. When Yeshua died for the sins of the world, his followers hurried to take Him down from the cross so they would not violate the commanded time to rest. [Luke 23:54-56] So the Messiah completed His work of redemption just before entering into Shabbat. As He died, He said, “It is finished!” [John 19:30] Finishing His work and entering the grave opened the way for humanity to enter His rest, the rest He entered after creating the world.