New Moon Meeting: February 2007, 3:12 EST
Character of The Living God

Zahakiel: All right, let’s begin, then. Luke, can you provide us with an opening prayer?

Qinael: Our most holy and righteous Father,

We thank you for the time you have set aside for your children to come before you in earnest soul-searching, to discern any faults that may lie within our characters in the light of your Spirit and Word.

We thank you for the monthly reminder you have given us in the heavens, soon to be our dwelling place, that all the gifts you have given to us are that – gifts, given by your grace, and that we ourselves deserve none of them.

But in all this, we thank you for the day of rejoicing that this New Moon has also fallen on; we thank you that while we are reminded we are worthy of our own selves of nothing but death, you have poured out upon us your love, your mercy, and your righteousness. We thank you Father for these things, and the opportunity to both grow in them, and share them with others. We ask that your Spirit attend to us and open the minds and hearts of those reading. In the name of Yahshua we pray, amen.

Zahakiel: Amen.

Rita: Amen.

Barb: Amen.

Crystle: Amen.

Zahakiel: This month I want us to look at the character of Yahweh. It is amazing (but not surprising) to me that the sermon this morning in TN was also on this subject, and we are going to cover somewhat similar ground. It seems clear to me that this is a topic the Spirit of Yah is actively pressing upon His people in this critical time.

Specifically, we are going to look in some detail at a statement that I quoted in our last meeting. From Ellen White’s writings we read: “A knowledge of God is the foundation of all true education and of all true service. It is the only real safeguard against temptation. It is this alone that can make us like God in character.” [Ministry of Healing, p. 409]

I commented, in that study, that this struck me as a very exalted concept. It can be, in fact, a very dangerous idea in the wrong setting, and there is a ditch on either side of the road. It is true that we who are born again become “like God in character,” but some religions take this concept to an extreme and teach that we become fully equal to Yahweh, or “gods” in our own right. Still others do not take this idea far enough, and they say, “We can never attain a Christ-like character, at least not on this earth.”

Zahakiel: Both of these are great errors, for the first is heretical and the second is faithless. What we must do is search the Scriptures to discover exactly where the “fine line” is between the two ditches, and walk it with joy and thanksgiving. We begin with the Word, and we make a commitment that what it teaches we will believe, and what it instructs we will do.

We read, then: “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.” (Mat 5:46-48)

The “therefore” in that sentence connects the idea of perfection with the statements that Yahshua made before, regarding the character of the individual. This character is revealed (in this example) in the loving and greeting of even those who are not your friends or close associates. “In this way,” Yahshua says, “you reveal a perfect character – by loving impartially all men, even those who do not love you.” It does not mean that if we do this we immediately come to the place where we have nothing to learn and are filled with all knowledge – it is talking about perfection of character.

Does everyone understand this?

Qinael: Yes.

Rita: Yes.

Crystle: Yes

Barb: Yes.

Naraiel: Yes.

Zahakiel: Again we read, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, 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. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” (1John 3:2, 3)

Here John is speaking about becoming like Yahweh in terms of purity. This idea is found in the Gospels also, in the words of Christ. He testified, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.” (John 14:30b, 31) We are later told, “He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” (1John 2:6) Again, we are told about becoming like Yahweh in terms of an element of character.

But John does not end the thought there. We read further in his first epistle: “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.” (1John 3:7) In this verse we have reference to another most profound idea, and one we have discussed a while ago in our meetings: “For [the Father] hath made [the Son] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (2Cor 5:21) If we believe that Christ died for our sins, and redeemed us to the Father, then we are told we are the “righteousness of God in Him.” We become like Him in this element of character: righteousness.

Zahakiel: Are there any questions about that?

Rita: No.

Barb: No.

Qinael: No.

Ye: No

Naraiel: No.

Israfel: No.

Crystle: No

Zahakiel: Now John says another thing in his first epistle relevant to this idea. We read again, “Whosoever shall confess that Yahshua is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love Him, because He first loved us.” (1John 4:15-19)

John is speaking here about love. He says that if we confess Yahshua as the Son of Yahweh… and here the word “confess, which is the Greek term homologeo, means not only to declare, but also “to praise” and “to celebrate.” It means, literally, same-word, or same-thought; If we do this we acknowledge the thought of it with our lives, and make it a part of us. Many “confess” Yahshua in the modern use of the term, and Churches grow every day… but where are the citizens of Heaven with perfect love to share with the world? They are not taught that to dwell in fear is sin, and that “the fearful, and unbelieving […] shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Rev 21:8)

This sounds like a hard saying, but it is simply pointing out a consequence of neglecting the promises. We are told that Yahshua has given to us the righteousness of Yah, the peace of Heaven, and the joy of eternal life. These are things that the convert (who is being prepared for Heaven) has accepted, and the verse in Revelation 21 is merely pointing out the characteristics of those who have not accepted righteousness, peace and joy, and are therefore not prepared for eternity. The “curses” of Yahweh such as those in this verse are just declarations of the cause-and-effect principle, not a threat to readers.

Zahakiel: Now, we are talking also about dwelling in fear, not the feeling of alarm. That has a definite use. If you walk into a dark room and someone with a knife jumps up, your body reacts… your heart rate increases, your senses sharpen, and chemicals are released that cause sensations in your body. This is “fear,” and it is a natural reaction to unexpected situations. It is this that allows you to escape danger, or act quickly in an emergency. If this sensation is coupled with a divine character, it leads to right action, even with little time to reason through a large set of options.

This is different than an “atmosphere of fear,” as we discuss as a Church when going through The Two Temples workbook. If we are “in fear” with no immediate danger, it demonstrates a weakness of faith in the protection of the Almighty. If we are tempted to fear, we must remember the promise, that “perfect agape casts out all fear,” and then the peace and joy is invited back, even in the face of opposition or conflict.

Does everyone see the distinction there?

Rita: Yes. Very true.

Naraiel: Yes.

Crystle: Yes.

Qinael: Yes.

Barb: Yes.

Ye: Yes.

Israfel: Yes.

Zahakiel: So then, if we “confess” the life of Yahshua as the Son, and we do so in the full sense of that word, we celebrate His life within us, and we are given a perfect love that goes beyond mere feeling; it becomes a living reality that casts out doubt, fear, and all spiritual darkness. In this aspect of character also, we become like Yahweh, even while we are yet on this earth.

Now we are going to look at various issues related to this character of Yahweh. We have already seen its attributes, these being (among other things) a perfect love of others, purity, righteousness, faith, fearlessness and peace. Of course, our understanding of these things will grow with time – but do not let yourself be deceived into thinking that because you cannot fully utilize these things yet you do not have them. I will give you a modern parable to demonstrate:

All of us at this meeting use computers. All of us have, at times, written letters, and many of us use MS Word to compose documents. Not one of us knows every feature of that program. Naturally, upon our first use we understand its purpose, and realize that we can utilize it for productive things. Some things are obvious. We write our documents, we save them in a file, and we use the spell-check function (hopefully) to ensure we have spelled our words correctly.

Zahakiel: But how many of us can make a column? Maybe a half of us can do that. How many of us can use tables, or the “line draw” feature? Maybe a few of us. One of us recently learned how to do the “block justify,” and image formatting gives many of us problems. Yet all of us HAVE the program. We have it, and contained within it are all the features that make the word processing software what it is. Even if we never use those features, they are there, because that is what the package contains; and they are available to us should the need arise.

The gifts of the faith of Yahweh are the same way. When Yahshua died and shed forth His Spirit upon the Church, He provided every member with the “total package.” All of them immediately saw the “obvious” features. Their lives were changed, they developed power over their habits and appetites, and they felt a great fervency for congregating as a people and then spreading the message to those who needed life everlasting.

But there were also less obvious tools that some were able to understand and use, like prophecy, speaking in tongues, miraculous healings. Does it mean that those who did not develop these skills were doing something wrong? Not at all, it simply means that those features of the faith were not necessary for the work they were being called to do. Everyone had a place then, as they do now, and if they needed a specific gift of the Spirit, they would either learn it from Heaven, or they would have the apostles lay hands on them to bestow it as in cases like Timothy’s. (1Tim 4:14)

Zahakiel: I would not say that I do not possess the software simply because I do not yet know how to use it to its full potential, and no member of the Body of Christ may say they do not have “the measure of faith” (Rom 12:3) simply because they are still developing some aspects of the experience.

Are there any questions on that?

Qinael: No.

Rita: None.

Barb: No.

Ye: No.

Naraiel: No.

Crystle: No

Israfel: No

Zahakiel: So we have seen the attributes, and how they are with us and grow. We are going to look at some other aspects. With the attributes we have mentioned in mind we will see three things: first, how we begin to develop the character of Yah, then the challenges that come upon us as we walk forward, and finally the result of that character.

We have already looked at a key verse for beginning this process, for those of us who have not yet stepped into the Gospel. From the first and last part of that quote from 1 John 4 above, “Whosoever shall confess that Yahshua is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. […] We love Him, because He first loved us.” (1John 4:15, 19)

The Scriptures, and the history they describe, represent a learning process for humanity. After sin there was an immediate promise given to mankind, that by the shedding of blood, humanity would be redeemed. In the making of the “coats of skins” to cover the first pair, and the immediate institution of the ritual of sacrifice, (as reflected in Abel’s actions – Gen 4:4) we see a powerful symbol provided that would remain significant right up until the very last book. The next thing we see, in terms of this learning process, is a giving of the law to Moses, the codified record of behavior expected of the people being sanctified by Yahweh. It was only after this that the Son appeared, of whom it is said, “For the Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Yahshua the Messiah.” (John 1:17)

This does not, of course, mean that there was no truth and no grace before Yahshua’s appearance. The Psalmist wrote, “Thou art near, O Yahweh; and all thy commandments are truth.” (Psa 119:151) Long before the New Testament era we were told that Yahweh “giveth grace unto the lowly.” (Pro 3:34)

Zahakiel: What John speaks of there is an understanding of grace and truth that was, in his day and ours, unique to the followers of Christ. Judaism had degenerated largely into a system of forms, and although there were faithful souls within the fallen house, (just as there are today) the teachers of the Law had perverted its significance until it had become a burden rather than a blessing. The letter was scrupulously followed, to the degree that the spirit was lost, and we can see examples of that legacy today even in modern Adventism and the various fragments that have sprung forth from that tree.

But the Law came first so that, when the Messiah would appear, men would recognize the need for their Savior. They would see in Him an expression of the Father’s love toward those who needed it, so that we might truly “love Him, because He first loved us.”

The first step to accepting the light from Heaven, whether it be the Gospel as a whole, or some lesser aspect of it, is to admit that there is a lack. This is a key, perhaps THE key idea, behind true evangelism. By precept and example, the testimony of the Creation Seventh Day Adventist is that Christ has given to His people a precious, a priceless, gift. In a life lived free of sin humanity regains its forsaken nobility, and enters into the experience for which it was created: eternal life.

But none will accept this gift if they do not believe they have a need.

Zahakiel: In order to accept Christ, one must first experience the condemnation of the Law. Paul’s experience in Romans 7 is particularly noteworthy, because Paul knew the law very well, and was accountable for much. His great sorrow upon seeing his guilt corresponded with his profession, and so it is even today. Those who do not know much about the law of Yahweh may not feel the weight of guilt quite so sharply as Paul did, but in every case the genuine convert will be made aware of the true “sinfulness of sin,” as Ellen White described it, and repent of a life lived out of harmony with the perfect principles of Heaven.

We have noticed in our ministry that the Three Angels’ Message that we bear has little impact in the age of Laodicea. Even Adventists, who ought to best understand the principles, do not have ears to hear the spiritual significance of their Church’s recent actions in accepting faulty doctrines, and undertaking decidedly Satanic tactics to accomplish the preservation of their worldly kingdom (e.g., their tithe base, their tax-exempt status, their positive reputation with Roman Catholicism). They do not accept the message of mercy calling them out from this corruption. And why?

Qinael: They do not see their “nakedness,” or their need.

Rita: The love of money, which is blindness to their true need.

Zahakiel: Right. It is because they do not see their need.

The Scriptures record the testimony of their souls, “‘I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing,’” yet they “knowest not that [they] art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” (Rev 3:17) It is not the wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked ones that are the natural enemies of Yahweh and His people. The one who has deceived them is the true enemy, yet by the allowance of fleshly appetites and considerations, by submitting to his leadership, the ones who are both misled and complacent in their deceived state make of themselves enemies of Yahweh and His people, become agents of their captor.

Rita: Yes.

Zahakiel: The only way the unsaved will accept the Three Angels’ Message is if they first realize that they have a lack. When I came to understand that it was truly possible to live a life free of known sin, I realized my lack. When I came to understand that some of the things I had been taught about the doctrines of the Bible were faulty, I realized my lack. When I came to understand the union with the state in which Conference Adventism was involved, I realized my lack. These are the Three Angels; these are the three principles that steer an individual to the path on which the divine character is developed. But these principles – represented by the angels, and being born of Yahweh’s gentle Spirit – will not force their presence upon any human being. They must be invited.

This is an important concept, and one that ties in to the excellent Sabbath School lesson that Luke gave last week regarding the Ten Virgins. We recall that when the foolish virgins ask the wise for extra oil to keep their lamps lit, they receive the unusual reply, “Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” (Mat 25:9) There is no lack of charity in this response, it is simply pointing out a truth – that character and spirit cannot be transferred from one human to another. All truth and grace come from Yahshua, and if the foolish virgins are unwilling to accept it from Him in the acceptable time, they will never become partakers of the divine nature.

Each must receive oil for his or her lamp, but not for the motive possessed by the foolish virgins. One cannot buy or sell the Spirit, as Peter pointed out to Simon Magus, (Acts 8:9-24) and one cannot receive it if it is desired merely to obtain a reward or escape a just punishment. The Gospel is not an escape from punishment… it is an acceptance of punishment, the death of self, and a re-making of the entire life. This is a significant difference. Those who become Christians just to avoid hell, holding on to their old, condemned, lives, seek to pervert the grace of Christ and make of it a very different thing than an atonement to the Father.

Zahakiel: Let me put that another way for emphasis: being converted is not an avoidance of punishment; it is an acknowledgement OF that punishment. “The wages of sin is death,” and nothing we can do will prevent that, but “the gift of Yah is eternal life through Christ Yahshua, our Lord.” (Rom 6:23) It is only by the death of the sinner that we participate in that eternal life, but it is not the same life as before… it is a new life, a new creation, that is wholly dependent upon the sustaining power of the Savior. Paul explains the mechanics of this very thing in Galatians 2:20 and 2Corinthians 5:17. Does everyone see this?

Qinael: Yes.

Barb: Yes.

Rita: Yes.

Naraiel: Yes.

Ye: Yes.

Crystle: Yes.

Israfel: Yes.

Zahakiel: So then, the first step in developing the character of Yahweh is to see the lack in one’s self, accept the just condemnation of the Law of commandments, which is “holy, and just, and good.” (Rom 7:12) Then, and then only, will our cry to the Savior for help be genuine, as was Paul’s in his day, (Rom 7:24) and the wise virgins’ in our own. In accepting the Savior’s presence in our lives, we see the death of the old self, and accept the light from Heaven. In our day, this bright light is summarized in the Three Angels’ Message, called by John the “Everlasting Gospel […] unto them that dwell on the earth.” (Rev 14:6)

When we accept what this message means, and the three principles within them that we discussed in three previous studies [One, Two, Three], we begin and continue the walk of sanctification that leads us to the character of the Living God.

Zahakiel: Now the second thing to examine is the challenge that approaches us on the path to perfection of character.

I say challenge, singular, because there is really only one obstacle. When one is born again, all of Heaven is in our favor. Yahweh acts on our behalf, outside of us and within us, by both natural law and His Spirit, so that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom 8:28) Yet we have an enemy… it is the principle of disobedience that Satan has come to embody, (1Pet 5:8) and that he exploits through the medium of our flesh.

We note that even when converted, Paul acknowledged the sinfulness of His flesh, saying, “So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin,” (Rom 7:25) and “this corruptible must put on incorruption,” (1Cor 15:53a) referring to the resurrection or translation of the redeemed.

As with every true teaching of the Scripture, there is a ditch on either side of the road here. Some teach that since the flesh remains corrupt, we cannot help but sin. This accepts only the first part of the Gospel, the idea that Yahshua has forgiven our sins, but rejects the remainder, that the Father and Son now dwell within us by Their Spirit, and “keep us from falling” into the snares that Lucifer would instigate and our flesh would allow. (Jude 1:24, cf., 2Tim 4:18, Rev 14:5)

Zahakiel: Some others slide over to the opposite extreme, and accept the idea that since they are “saved,” they need not be concerned about their actions. As we saw from the previous studies dealing with the three seals, however, we “are saved,” “are being saved,” and “shall be saved,” all truly stated. We must not only rejoice in the salvation given to us, and walk in it daily, but we must also be those that “endureth to the end,” as the Messiah taught. (Mat 10:22b)

As you can easily see, these are both side-trails into disobedience. Those who accept the first error believe they have no choice but to sin, and never truly grasp the faith of Yahshua. Those who fall into the second error see no reason to change their lives (they see no “lack”) and thus likewise change “the truth of Yahweh into a lie” (Rom 1:25) at the altar of this created thing, this spiritual idol that they believe to be the true Gospel.

Some have said, “If Yahweh searches the heart, and looks ultimately only upon the character, then why the Law at all? Why not just say from the beginning, ‘Love me, and love one another,’ as Christ did? Why not just say, ‘Be good’ and forget all the symbolism, the mystery, the rules?”

That is a valid question… IF asked with the right spirit. Lucifer asked this question with a wrong spirit, wondering why obedience as a principle was necessary, because he sought justification for his ongoing and willful disobedience.

But seeking to understand the rules and symbolism in light of the character of Yah, in order to give value to ongoing and willing obedience, this is the right way to approach that matter.

Zahakiel: It is actually quite simple… human beings, particularly those in their natural, post-fall state, have no idea what it means to “love” or “be good” in the divine sense of the word. Of course, they may be morally upright, inasmuch as circumstances and upbringing would naturally dictate, but the character of Heaven is flawless; is entirely beyond humanity’s ability to even grasp, much less attain.

We can only do it through faith in Yahshua, but even then, the gentle Spirit of the Almighty works with the saints only by agreement, never by force, and therefore we must first be taught what love and obedience mean to Yah, that we may make the right decisions with a willing heart at every step of the way.

With a perfect character from the beginning mankind would naturally love the Creator, naturally respect the institutions (like the Sabbath) that He has implemented, and naturally work only good toward his fellow men. But human beings do not start life with anything resembling a perfect character, and they therefore need to be shown what this looks like. Thus, Yahweh gave His people His Law, and said, “O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!” (Deu 5:29)

Thus Yahweh gave us symbolism to point us to the plan of salvation, and the sacrifice of His Son, who was provided for our perfect example.

Zahakiel: This has two functions, two ways to “use it lawfully.” (1Tim 1:8) First, the Law provides us a template for our lives in Christ, so that as we are being molded we can intelligently agree with every step. The Savior said, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:15) This is the way in which He leads His people.

Second, it convicts the world of sin and error, so that they may seek this experience, as we discussed in the first section (how to begin the development of Yah’s character). So then the Law was given for the ungodly, (Gal 3:19) but it continues to have value for the godly. Accepting the law does not nullify its perfect nature, (Psa 19:7) but we are called “through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Yahshua the Messiah.” (1Pet 1:2b)

Any questions on this?

Naraiel: No.

Rita: None.

Ye: No.

Guerline: No.

Barb: No.

Zahakiel: If we understand that obedience to Yahweh’s instructions is the expression of the divine character, then we have avoided both the ditches; we have overcome the challenge, and walk in the safety of the narrow way. Satan may continue to tempt us by means of our flesh and its senses but, because of our faithful understanding, the verses toward us are made effective: “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom 8:4) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal 5:22-25)

As it is written, “That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Yahshua.” (Philemon 1:6) Here is another verse that speaks of the importance of the testimony of the believer; character and testimony are directly related. It is by the acknowledging of the good things within us (only through Christ Yahshua) that our faith becomes effective and powerful... that word “effectual” (Gk: energes) means both “effective” and “powerful.” Those who cannot say, “I am crucified with Christ,” (Gal 2:20) and those who cannot say, “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I sin not against thee.” (Psa 119:11, literal translation) have not overcome the challenge.

Thirdly and finally, we will briefly look at the results of the divine character, both of having it, and not having it.

Zahakiel: Not having the divine character will condemn a human being to remaining in his natural state. He may appear righteous in his own eyes, and receive praise from his fellow men, but when seen in the light of Heaven, he falls short. “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isa 64:6) The prideful will see this in a different light than the penitent. The prideful will say, “Nothing I can ever do is good enough for God. I do not want anything to do with Him.” The penitent will say, “Nothing I can ever do is good enough for God. But I thank Him that He has sent His Son to save me from such an end as this would deserve.”

Not having the divine character is what leads men to a religion of “works.” They believe that if they do enough good, or study enough (even of the Scriptures or other inspired writings), or if they understand some doctrine just right, then Yahweh will accept them. The philosophers will try to reason their way past the pearly gates, the pharisaical will try to act their way into the Golden City, and the insincere will try to slip past the Thrones of Judgment when no one is looking. But even the wings of some angels have eyes, (Ezek 10:12, Rev 4:8) and the Lamb of Yah was appointed Judge for a reason. (John 5:22)

Not having the divine character is what leads men to seek protection from sources other than the gentle Spirit of the Almighty. While Yahweh Sabaoth (Yahweh of Armies) says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” (Zech 4:6) the faithless say to the powers of the world, “We have no king but Caesar,” (John 19:15) and go down to Sodom and Egypt for horses so that they can persecute the saints. (Deu 17:16, Rev 11:8) Yahweh is called the “God of Hosts” (Psa 80:7) because He has armies; He has might and power. When Yahshua was to be slain, He said to His worried disciples, “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Mat 26:53)

Zahakiel: But the true strength of our Father in Heaven lies not in His armies, not in His ability to create and destroy. The true strength of Yahweh is His character; He need not exert force to accomplish His goals. If a man, or a nation, steps so far beyond grace that he or they must be quieted for the good of the redeemed, as in “His strange work [...] His strange act” of judgment, (Isa 28:21) then He – and He alone (Rom 12:19) – will perform it out of love for those who would be harmed. Even that is an act of perfect love. But if there is the least sign of obedience, the least possibility of compliance with Heaven’s principles, then His armies are merely His witnesses, (Heb 12:1) as they were to the death of Christ on the cross.

Any questions on any of that?

Israfel: No.

Ye: No.

Guerline: No.

Naraiel: No.

Qinael: No.

Rita: Yes. The last statement; please explain. Does it mean as long as there is a will to obey?

Zahakiel: If there is evidence that an individual or a nation is still willing to listen to Yah’s instruction, even the smallest bit of evidence, He will not use force to compel their actions.

As you saw in Genesis 18, for only a few faithful men Yah would spare the cities of the plain.

Rita: Thank you.

Zahakiel: <nods.>

Now by contrast, having the divine character transforms the life of the individual from sinner to saint. We have already seen that the divine character leads to obedience, and this obedience is the expression of divinity living within the heart. Yahshua said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments,” (John 14:15) and the connotation of the grammar there is not one of instruction, but of principle; the wording is better translated as, “If ye love me, you will keep my commandments.” The apostle who recorded that statement continued His Master’s teaching, “By this we know that we love the children of Yah, when we love Yah, and keep His commandments. For this is the love of Yah, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not grievous.” (1John 5:2, 3) With the character of Yahweh, the commandments are not burdens, but rather blessings.

Having the divine character provides us with Sabbath rest. No longer do we work under the cold stare of a divine judge. We become co-laborers with a concerned Father. No longer do we rely upon our own understanding, (Pro 3:5) but let the Spirit instruct us in the doctrines and principles of Heaven. (John 16:13) No longer do we rely upon works to secure our salvation, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God – not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Yahshua unto good works, which Yahweh hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:8-10) This is the answer to all legalism, all narrowness of thought regarding doctrine or practice: we are saved by grace, through faith. Then, in that new life, and not until that new life is entered, we engage in “good works” because of the simple and natural reason that we were created to perform them.

Having the divine character provides us with both confidence and humility, which, if obtained through the influence of the Holy Spirit, are not contrasting qualities. We, like Paul, are confident in what we have already understood, but are always reaching forward to new light. (Phil 3:13-16) Being grounded in the previous revelations, we can move forward into deeper understanding of the character of Yah without undue concern for being swept away by “every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men,” (Eph 4:14) as have some of our past associates.

Zahakiel: With confidence and humility in their proper balance, we are able to discern the errors within ourselves, and in those around us, and so we will not be taken unaware by any snare of Satan, regardless of how cleverly engineered. Further still, others will see this and be affected positively, if they have any eye toward righteousness themselves.

Last month I gave a straight testimony to those who were lukewarm among us… those who are neither members nor true outsiders. Let me repeat this testimony in light of the topic of Yahweh’s character, and may the members prayerfully consider it also: the time is coming upon the Church of Yahshua in which all we will have is character. Ellen White has written explicitly on this matter: “A character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next. Those who are under the instruction of Christ in this world will take every divine attainment with them to the heavenly mansions.” [Child Guidance, p. 161]

In the Time of Trouble, the character you have developed will determine your eternal destiny, and we have the time now to refine our atonement with Yahweh in preparation for those dark days. Additionally, your obedience will contribute to the salvation of those around you. Paul told Timothy, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them, for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (1Tim 4:16) It is not too late, even now, for those within your sphere of influence to receive a blessing from the fruits of your character; but every hour they could receive this blessing and do not is an hour forever lost.

Zahakiel: It is written, “Wherefore it shall come to pass, [that] when Adonai hath performed His whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.” (Isa 10:12) There will be a judgment on the wicked, and an end to sin, but not until Jerusalem is clean. Remember, the trouble does not come until the servants of Yahweh are sealed, [Maranatha, p. 200] but neither does the fulfillment of all the great and glorious promises awaited by the Church. We are called to hasten that Day’s appearance. (2Pet 3:12)

Take this seriously. Our members must be actively seeking to refine their inward lives, to more perfectly reflect the essence of the Father and Son with each lesson learned, with every temptation overcome. Those who hear our teachings must seek not after reputation, not after acceptance – no, not even membership for its own sake. It is good to desire membership, but it must be kept in mind that the true object of your faith is the character of the Messiah, the spirit of Sabbath rest; and just as works outwardly reflect character, so membership reflects only that change which has already taken place.

What we find are three things necessary for perfecting the character of the Living God. First, we must acknowledge that there is a lack. Yahweh is not a God of force, and will only enter the heart if invited. (Rev 3:20) When we see the lack, we must confess it, and not seek to avoid the punishment; but let the Savior provide us with a new live as a replacement of (not an improvement upon) the old. Second, we must “Walk in the Spirit, and [we] shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” (Gal 5:16) In doing so, we will find the instructions of Heaven to be blessings, and not burdensome, and our character will be reflected outwardly in willing and joyful obedience to the commandments of our Creator.

Finally, we must allow the Spirit to guide our progress as we grow in authority and humility, twin pillars of Yahweh’s character. In so doing we will give a living testimony of Yahweh’s redeeming power to those around us, and by Yahweh’s grace we rely solely upon the Creator for our defense in both the small things and the large. We are confident in the triumph of the Master, but we know that it will be accomplished without human might or power. This mindset is one of the clearest evidences of a mature Christian spirit, and the lack of it is a sure sign that it is missing.

Zahakiel: But we, by our spirit of peace that is nevertheless uncompromising with the papal and corrupt spirit of the world, may win for Heaven even the souls of those around us who witness our lives and hear our words.

“For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a Law in Israel; which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children. That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children. That they might set their hope in Elohim, and not forget the works of Elohim, but keep His commandments.” (Psa 78:5-7)

“The Law of Yahweh is perfect, converting the soul [i.e., refining or reforming the character],” (Psa 19:7a) as it is written.

Are there any questions before we close?

Rita: None.

Qinael: No.

Ye: No.

Crystle: None.

Barb: No.

Israfel: Not that I can think of.

Guerline: No.

Zahakiel: All right then... pastor, please close our meeting with a prayer.

Pastor “Chick”: Our Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the example of Christ – the full manifestation of God. We are thankful for insights into the character of YAH. We further thank you for giving us the life of Christ as a gift, and that all, no matter how vile, may partake freely.

Thanks also for the message of the hour. May we all understand and apply it as you assist us. All this we pray in the holy name of YAHshua, AMEN.

Israfel: Amen.

Qinael: Amen.

MrsNikiB25: Amen.

Zahakiel: Amen.

Barb: Amen.

Crystle: Amen

Ye: Amen.

Guerline: Amen.

Rita: Amen.