Come to Understanding

Come to Understanding

They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding,

and they that murmured shall learn doctrine. — Isaiah 29:24

So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense,

and caused them to understand the reading. — Nehemiah 8:8

September 1, 2007
Volume 6 Number 17

The Gate of Yahweh

The resurrected Messiah stood among His disciples and gave them understanding. He explained that the Scriptures that had been written about Him were now fulfilled. He had suffered, died, and rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures. Now it was time to preach to the world the gospel of repentance and remission of sins in His name:

44 And he said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

46 And said to them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved the Messiah to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. -Luke 24

Knowledge of the Scriptures is critical. We learn from Isaiah that those who lack such knowledge join the crowds that are led into captivity. They rejoice in the pomp and glory of their vain worship, while hell opens her mouth widely to receive them:

13 Therefore my people have gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.

14 Therefore hell has enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoices, shall descend into it. -Isaiah 5

The righteous, on the other hand, are able to enter into the presence of God through the "gates of righteousness," which is also called the "Gate of Yahweh:"

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise Yah:

20 This is the gate of Yahweh, into which the righteous shall enter. -Psalms 118

The Scripture continues to explain that the"Gate of Yahweh" is also the corner "Stone" of "salvation." That "Stone," however, was refused by the "builders:"

21 I will praise you: for you have heard me, and have become my salvation.

22 The stone which the builders refused has become the head stone of the corner. -Psalms 118

What is this "Stone," which is also the "Gate of Yahweh?" In an apparent reference to Himself, Yahshua, whose name means "Yah is salvation," quotes this Scripture concerning the "Stone." After offering a parable about those who would slay the son of the owner of a vineyard so that they could take it for themselves, Yahshua tells of the rejected "Stone" that became the "head of the corner:"

42 Yahshua said to them, Did you never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same has become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s [Yahweh’s] doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? -Matthew 21

Simon, who is also called Peter, is more direct concerning the identity of the "Stone." He says it is Yahshua the Messiah, who is also called Jesus Christ:

10 Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Yahshua the Messiah of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nothing by you builders, which has become the head of the corner. -Acts 4

Yahshua is the "Chief Corner Stone" upon which a "spiritual house" is built. That "spiritual house" is made of "stones" that are alive, which are those people who believe that Yahshua is the foundation of their salvation. Knowing that He is the "Gate of Yahweh," they are able to enter directly into the presence of God as part of a "holy priesthood." Their sacrifices are spiritual, rather than physical, as they praise Yah for His salvation. Peter explains:

4 To whom coming, as to a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

5 You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Yahshua the Messiah.

6 Therefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded. -1 Peter 2

Those who know and believe the Scriptures accept Yahshua as the foundation of their salvation. However, as Peter further explains, Yahshua is a stumbling "stone" and a "rock" of offense to those who "stumble at the Word:"

7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but to those which are disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. -1 Peter 2

The Greek word used here for "stone" is liyov (lithos) and for "rock" is petra (petra). Peter calls the Messiah both a "stone" and a "rock." Ironically, the nickname of Simon is Peter, which is written in Greek as petrov (petros). That name also means "rock."

God revealed to Peter and to the other disciples that Yahshua is the "Son of God." Afterward, Yahshua spoke to Peter (Petros) saying He would build His congregation, also called church, upon this "Rock" (Petra):

18 And I say also to you, That you are Peter [Petros], and upon this rock [petra] I will build my congregation; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. -Matthew 16

Peter’s real name is Simon. However, he is called "Peter," a name which testifies of the "Rock," which he declares to be Yahshua. When we study this verse in the context of the Scriptures, we understand that it is Yahshua, as God in the flesh, who builds upon Himself a "spiritual house" of a holy priesthood. He is the "Rock" that was rejected as an offence by the builders that base their church upon man. David declares that only in God is "my rock and my salvation:"

6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved.

7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. -Psalms 62

As the "Gate of Yahweh," Yahshua has power over the "gates of hell." He also told Peter and the other disciples that He would give them the "keys to the kingdom of heaven." The keys will give them the power to bind and loose things both on earth and in heaven:

19 And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. -Matthew 16

It is Yahshua who holds the "key of David," who was the king of the kingdom of Israel. Whatever He opens (looses) no one can close (bind) and whatever He closes no one can open. He says that He has opened "a door" for those who have kept His word and who have not denied His name:

7 And to the angel of the congregation in Philadelphia write; These things says he that is holy, he that is true, he that has the key of David, he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens;

8 I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a little strength, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name. -Revelation 3

Yahshua explains that He is the "door" to salvation:

7 Then said Yahshua to them again, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the door: by me if any man enters in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. -John 10

He further declares that the only "way" to the Father (Yahweh) is through Him:

6 Yahshua said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me. -John 14

Those who want to enter into the "kingdom of heaven" must enter in through the "Gate of Yahweh," which is the "Door" to the pasture of salvation. There is only one name that can open that door. As Peter declares, it is the name of Yahshua!

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. -Acts 4

Yahshua has all power in heaven and in earth. :

18 And Yahshua came and spoke to them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. -Matthew 28

He offers that great power to those who believe on Him and invites them to access it through His name:

12 Truly, truly, I say to you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to my Father.

13 And whatever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. -John 14

The name of Yahshua declares what David already knew:

46 Yahweh lives; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. -Psalms 18

When we stand in faith upon the "Rock," the God of our salvation, and declare the name of Yahshua, we use the "keys" that unlock the power of God. They open up the "Gate of Yahweh."

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Scriptures are taken from the Proper Name Version of the King James Bible.