“Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”
Messiah Yahshua spoke these words to the disciples while relating a parable. In the previous chapter, He was addressing events that will occur when He returns to earth. Since He raises the question, we probably need to learn more about faith and its significance.
Chapter 11 of Hebrews is devoted to the subject of faith. In verse one, it begins with a definition of faith: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
The name of YahwehShua is an example of this definition of faith. The only name for the Messiah that is visible in the scriptures is His prophetic or human name, Yahshua. You find this name in the book of Zechariah, in Hebrew. In the Septuagint or Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures you also find the Greek rendering of Yahshua. The Greek translation for Messiah’s name is the same in the Greek New Testament writings as well.
This prophetic name is easily seen and confirmed in the Hebrew and Greek scriptures. However, the name of Messiah after His resurrection is found nowhere in the scriptures. It cannot be seen but the necessity of its existence is deduced through a correct understanding of the law as it relates to the fact that Messiah died in sin.
We call YahwehShua the name of faith. It is truly “the substance of things hoped for” and also “the evidence of things not seen.”
It is critical that we use the correct name. In Acts 4:12, we are told: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Our eternal life, our salvation, depends on knowing the right name. But we can’t see the right name! It must be revealed and thus provide the foundation of faith.
Where does this faith come from? Messiah. When we have hands laid upon us following baptism, the Spirit of Messiah begins to form within us. Paul reveals this exciting truth in Galatians 4:19: My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Messiah be formed in you…” The spirit of Messiah is not given to us fully developed. It must grow during the time we have remaining prior to our death.
Paul further discusses the importance of the presence of Messiah’s Spirit within us in Romans 8:9: “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of Elohim dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Messiah, he is none of his.”
Now we desire to have this Spirit of Messiah fully formed by the time of our death because we desire to be in the better resurrection (Hebrews 11:35). This is why John tells us 1 John 3:2 that “when he shall appear, we shall be like him;”. Now we know why it is so important to overcome! We want the fully formed Spirit of Messiah that allows us to be resurrected when Messiah returns and when we will be like Him.
Once we begin the formation of the Spirit of Messiah following the laying on of hands, how do we develop or encourage its formation? Paul tells us in Galatians 5:6: “faith which worketh by love.” Another way to say this is that faith operates in us by love.
Now we understand why Messiah emphasizes love so often in his discourses. If faith is powered by love and we don’t develop and manifest love, then the Spirit of Messiah will not be able to become fully formed. We are in danger of quenching the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Without the Spirit of Messiah, we will not be in the better resurrection and therefore, the Kingdom of Yahweh.
Now that we realize how truly important love is, the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians becomes even more significant. This chapter provides helpful insights into what love really means:
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity [love (Strong’s 26, agape], I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity [love], I am nothing.
If after striving to overcome toward the better resurrection, the Spirit of Messiah is quenched, we are nothing. We have lost the greatest opportunity ever given to men. Failure is not an option. We must understand, know, and demonstrate love! Our Fellowship of YahwehShua understands this and is ready to help those called and chosen to walk toward the better resurrection and practice love!
Again, we turn to 1 Corinthians 13 for a description of what love looks like. This list is found in verses 4-7: [Love} Suffereth long, is kind, envieth not, vaunted not itself, not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in inquity, rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
We must study these traits of love. This is a critical part of the map that leads down the narrow road to the better resurrection.
There are many Scriptures that exhort us to love. It is a valuable study to look in Strong’s Concordance under love, and look up the passages indicated there. We will look at a few of those now.
John 15:12: “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (Once again, we are called to “walk as He walked”.)
2 John 5-6: “And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And, this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, that, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.”
John 15:17: “These things I command you, that ye love one another.
John also provides us with this warning in 1 John 2:11:
“But he that hateth (loves less) his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.”
John has a very unique perspective. He is worth deeper study, because in John 20:2, he is referred to as “the other disciple, who Yahshua loved.” He had a very close relationship with the Messiah that appears to have been different from the other disciples. We desire a close relationship with Messiah as well and can learn more about what this means from John.
Paul should not be overlooked, however. He addresses this important subject as well. For instance, in Romans 12:10, he says: “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.”
Also note what he says in 1 Peter 2:17: “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear Yahweh. Honour the king.” James also addresses this. I recommend a complete review of all verses mentioning love. This is a very serious matter that has an impact on your eternal existence and reward.
Participation in the Fellowship of YahwehShua will allow you to learn and practice love. Much more is to be said and learned. Come and join us in becoming more loving.