Edge of Eternity - Olam Haba (Cathy Hargett, Highway To Zion)

Cathy Hargett - Highway To Zion Founder

Looking through the mist of time, straining to see to the other side, feet barely touching the ground, and the edge that separates these two worlds so narrow and becoming narrower, to the point that when the transition to the other side happens, I realize that I have crossed over and find myself among the King’s chariots, immersed in a battle that is not of this world.  (Song of Songs 6:12)

 

In fact, I am fighting in many battles, joined together with my fellow warriors from this world, all of us fighting alongside heaven’s armies and the Captain of Heaven’s armies. The dust is thick and the battle is raging, the fight is fierce, and my hand is frozen to my sword.  I know that my destiny is to fight this fight.  (Josh. 5:13-15; I Sam. 17:45; II Sam. 23:10; II Cor. 10:3-5; I Tim. 6:12)

 

At times He brings me out of the battle, while I am still over the edge on the spiritual side, and He speaks with me in the thick of the forest while we stand on the Path that leads to the final clearing, the Way that I know I will continue to walk on when this particular battle is done. (Isa. 35:8)

 

In the thick of the forest, the battle is still raging, while I have this respite for a little while on the Path.  Sweat streams from my brow, my breath and heart heaving from the fight, but as I look into His beautiful face, the face of the One my soul loves, He goes over the Plan and reminds me of His strategy before He sends me back in.  There is refreshing and encouragement there with Him where I am renewed with His strength but I know for now, I must go back, with His peace and purpose encompassing me about, to do the thing I’ve been trained to do until the restoration of all things. (Isa. 26:3; Ps. 27:4, 8; Song 3:4; Isa. 40:29-31; Ps. 119:105; Ps. 144:1; Rom. 8:18-24)

 

Suddenly my feet are back on a familiar foundation, a physical earth, and the mist settles around me again.  I’m back from the other side but I know I will re-enter because of my calling as His warrior/worshiper.  I am no longer bound to the natural world around me and even in the physical realm the spiritual part of my being is more and more identified with the Olam Haba (the world to come). (John 17:16; Eph. 6:12)

 

At times I am aware that I am sitting with Him high above the earthly realm in a place that I don’t yet fully know, but it’s a place He is allowing me to see, even though dimly.  And the constant Presence enveloping my soul is becoming more tangible than ever before. This is not a natural place – this is a place that I know I cannot enter without Him, but He is there, and He bids me come even though in the natural it is impossible.  This is God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and nothing is impossible with Him.  Show me the Way, Lord, for my soul clings to You.  (Eph. 2:6-7; I Cor. 13:12; Ps. 63:8)

 

There is a chasm between where these battles are fought and Olam Haba,  but I know it is soon going to give total sway to the splendor of His coming and the battles in the heavenlies, where we are participating in so many wars, skirmishes, and mind challenges,  will clear out with the breath of His mouth – the sharp Sword of Life cutting through any remaining vestige of rebellion against Him.              (II Thes. 2:8; Heb. 4:12; Rev. 19:15)

 

Who is this King of Glory?  And who am I in this world that has become so strange to me – I am looking for a City with foundations and I can see it – I am viewing a Land afar off and I see the King in His beauty.  He is allowing a glimpse of what is to come. (Ps. 24:8; Heb.11:10; Heb. 11:13-16; Isa. 33:17; Zech. 14:3-5)

 

The Ruach and the Bride standing on the edge, moving in and out of both realms, and it is now the way we live, on the edge of eternity, knowing Olam Haba is soon to come to this planet.   And every knee will bow as we welcome the King of all kings, Yeshua ha Mashiach.  This is our destiny. (I Cor. 2:13; Rev. 22:17; Php. 2:10-11; Isa. 45:23; Rev. 3:11-13, 21; Rev. 5: 5, 10)

 

Be encouraged.  Let your hope be sure and your purity be increased as you look for Him and long for His appearing.  Let’s worship the King while we stand on the edge of eternity.  (I John 3:1-3; II Tim. 4:8; Rev. 19:6-7)

 

Love and shalom in Messiah Yeshua,

Cathy

Cathy Hargett

Highway to Zion Ministries, Inc.

www.highwaytozion.org

Editor's Note: Photos and artwork added by me. Steve Martin

Teshuvah 36 - Three days until Yom Kippur (Curtis Loftin)

Teshuvah 36

Shalom Mishpocha (family),

This evening (Tuesday) at sundown is Tishri 7 and day 36 of Teshuvah.  Three days till Yom Kippur.

In 2012, as part of Beit Yeshua's celebration of Sukkot, we shared the drama, "The Ancient Jewish Wedding Parallels", which compares the relationship of a young Jewish couple in ancient times to that of Yeshua and his Bride. Yeshua frequently talked about his marriage relationship with us.  Paul also talked about the marriage relationship between Yeshua and His Bride.

Check out these scriptures....

Isaiah 61:10 
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful (Guwl) in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Isaiah 62:

1  For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.

2  And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.

3  Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

4  Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.

5  For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

Matthew 9:15 

And Jesus said unto them, can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them?  but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

Matthew 25

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them;

4  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5  When the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

10  And while the foolish went to buy, the bridegroom came,  and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

John 3

27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

28  Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I (John) said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

29  He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

Romans 7:4 

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ: that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

2 Corinthians 11:2 

For I am jealous over you with Godly jealousy, for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chat virgin to Christ.

Revelation 19

7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are thy which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.  And he saith unto me, These are the true saying of God.

In the Ancient Jewish Wedding,

(1) The Bride was chosen,

(2) The Betrothal was arranged,

(3) The Bride Price was paid,

(4) The Ketuba - Marriage Contract - was agreed upon,

(5) The Bride's Consent was given,

(6) The First Cup of Wine Seals the Agreement,

(7) Betrothal Gifts were given to the Bride,

(8) The Bridegroom departed,

(9) The Chuppa is prepared, a room was added on to the Father's house and only the Father knew when it was finished,

(10) The Bride's Mikvah - baptism occured,

(11) The Bride anxiously waits for his return,

(12) The Bridegroom Cometh,

(13) The Catching Away of the Bride,

(14) Seven Days Alone in the Wedding Chamber.

(Below) The Bridegroom and his Father choose the Bride

(Below) The Bridegroom gives gifts to His Bride

Scripture tells us, concerning our own relationship with Yeshua (Compared to the same list from above):

(1) THE BRIDE WAS CHOSEN: John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you...

(2) The BETROTHAL: Hosea 2:19-20 I will betroth you to me forever ....

(3) The BRIDE PRICE: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 You are not your own; You were bought at a price.

(4) The KETUBAH, Marriage Contract:  Hebrews 8:10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord, I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.

(5) The BRIDE'S CONSENT: Romans 10:9-10 ...If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thy heart ...

(6) 1st CUP OF WINE: Matthew 26:27-29  Yeshua took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many...

(7) BETROTHAL GIFTS: 1 Corinthians 12:1,4,8-10 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.  There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

(8) DEPARTURE OF THE BRIDEGROOM: John 14: 2 In my Father's house are many dwelling places ... I am going to prepare a place for you

(9) The CHUPPA, Wedding Chamber Prepared: John 14:3 And if I would go, then I shall prepare a place for you.  I am coming again and I shall take you along with me so that where I AM you would be also.

(10) The BRIDE'S MIKVAH:  Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved.

(11) The BRIDE WAITS: Matthew 25:1-13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.

(12) The BRIDEGROOM COMETH: Joel 2:16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children & those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber and the bride out of her closet.

(13) The CATCHING AWAY: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; so shall we ever be with the Lord.

(Below) Yeshua goes away to prepare a place for us

(Below) The Bride prepares herself - lamps trimmed - waiting for His return

(Below) The shofar is sounded

(Below) The Bride is "Caught-Away" to the wedding chamber

(Below) Coronation of King Yeshua

Abba, As we move toward Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) and Sukkot (The Feast of Booths/Tabernacles), may our hearts be found in right relationship with You.  Help us to "lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and run with endurance the race that is set before us.  Let us be like the five wise virgins who had their lamps trimmed and were anxiously looking for Your return.  Let noting separate us from having You first in our lives.  Renew our minds so that we might discern Your will and help us abide in You so that we will not be ashamed at Your coming.  Clothe us with garments of righteousness.  Help us to love You with all of our hearts, and to love others as we love ourselves.  We love You! B'Shem Yeshua.

Ahava B’Yeshua,

Curtis Loftin

Beit Yeshua

Lincolnton, NC

curtisloftin@gmail.com

Worship Opportunity for the Day:

YouTube Video: KING OF KINGS JERUSALEM "HaRuach V'HaKalah" ("The Spirit & The Bride") AWESOME SONG

Hebrew with Endlish translated lyrics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_RpKs0sfiI&list=ULOPz230B-9Co

YouTube Video: BARRY & BATYA SEGAL “Kadosh”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJX43l9-Qx0&feature=related

THE ANCINET JEWISH WEDDING PARALLELS:

For more photos and information from our 2012 "Ancient Jewish Wedding Parallels" check out this page on the Beit Yeshua website:

http://curtis.loftinnc.com/Yom_Teruah_Drama_2012.htm

________________________________________________________________________

Psalm 122:6

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you prosper.

A Day of Joy - circa 1870 Jewish weddings

Israel's History - a Picture a Day (Beta)

Welcome to Tu B'Av, the 15th Day of Av, A Day of Joy in the Hebrew Calendar


The groom Barukh and the bride Khanna, two
separate portraits joined (c 1870)

Barely a week after Tisha B'Av (the 9th of Av), the day of mourning among Jews for the calamities that befell them on that date throughout history, Jews celebrate Tu B'Av,the 15th day of the month. It is probably the most popular date in the year for Jewish weddings.


The wedding of Barukh and Khanna, circa 1870. The bride and
groom are beneath a tallit serving as the chuppa (canopy).
Channa is the tiny figure under a "burqua," according to the
original caption. The man in the center is extending a cup of wine
as part of the ceremony -- sheva brachot, according to the
caption. The two mothers, wearing turbans, are on the sides
of the bride and groom.

In Israel it's commemorated as a "Love Holiday" like today's commercial Valentines Day or, for aficionados of Al Capp'sLi'l Abner comic strip, it's sort of like "Sadie Hawkins Day," a propitious day for matchmaking.

To commemorate Tu B'Av on July 22 ...

You Are Invited to the Wedding of Barukh and Khanna!
In Samarkand 140 Years Ago (re-posting)


Signing the ketuba, the marriage contract. The bride (peaking
out from under her burqua) and the groom are already under the
tallit, with their mothers on either side

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Click on the caption to view the original. 


A party for the women and girls on the eve of the wedding. 

Click here to see Barukh sitting with the men

Bukhari Jews, from what is today the Central Asian country of Uzbekistan, may be one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world. According to some researchers, the community may date back to the days of the destruction of the First Temple and the Babylonian exile. Over the centuries, the community suffered from forced conversion to Islam and from Genghis Khan's pillage and destruction of the region. 



Earlier, the groom met with Khanna and her parents
 
Around the time these pictures were taken the Bukhari Jews began to move to Israel. They established an early settlement in the Bukharan quarter of Jerusalem.


The Bukhari Jewish families discuss the dowry prior to a wedding
(circa 1870). The caption identifies the two bundles
behind them as the dowry



Original caption: "A group of people escorting the bride and groom (the couple on the far left) to a house"



Paul Wilbur A Night Of Extravagant Worship