When Elijah Comes

 

CONT., page 2

 

JUDAS/JUDAH

 

“The rod shall not depart from Judah, nor the decree from between his feet, until to whom it belongs comes, obedient people.”

 

We find in the Gospel parable concerning the responsibility to bear the rod, that the second Remnant cannot take the rod.  Thus the question arises:  How then can the rod go to the obedient people, the second Remnant?  In a seeming sea of confusion regarding the rod, the answer really is quite simple, and is remarkably confirming regarding the Remnant Bride’s seamless garment of truth. 

 

First, there is something very important to keep in mind here when considering the rod, the right to rule, and that is:  There is a defining distinction between the office of (1) the Son of God and the Elijah who prepares His way, and (2) the church.  The office of the Son of God and the Elijah relative to the rod is:

 

Yahshua and Judas

Rod

Satan

Serpent

Elijah and Immanuel

Rod

 

This is of course the pattern given at the burning bush (Exodus 4:1-5).  In contrast, the pattern of the church and the outworking of the rod relative to it, as set forth in the Gospel contradiction, is:

 

First Remnant

Don’t take the rod

Christianity

Take the rod

Second Remnant

Don’t take the rod

 

Do you see the difference here?  The first is:

 

Rod —> No rod —> Rod

 

And the second is:

 

No rod —> Rod —> No rod

 

This makes complete sense when we examine it.  The first Remnant was not to take the rod.  And, the very fact that they were not to take it, presumes its availability to them.  How was the rod opportuned to them?  Yahshua was the rod, who was in their very midst.  He took full responsibility for their establishment, and they obeyed Him—they did not take the rod.

 

However, when He left, the rod—His office on this earth—turned into the serpent.  But also, we see that the Body of Christ rightfully took the rod.  Remember, the Body of Christ is Christ on this earth.  They have the right to, and even the obligation of, the rod. 

 

This is confirmed in several ways.  To begin with, in Christianity Mark they are told to take the rod (Mark 6:8).  In addition, Christianity is the wilderness period when Moses led with his rod; and among the tribes during that period, Judah led, and they too had the rod (Genesis 49:10).  Likewise, at Passover, when throughout the night the sons of Israel ate the lamb with bitter herbs (Christianity), it too was with a rod in their hand (Exodus 12:11). 

 

Further confirming this identity of Christianity with rod-possessing Judah, we read in Hebrews 7:11-14 that the priesthood Yahshua initiated is relative to the tribe of Judah.  This application is additionally evidenced in the three sons of Judah who represent the 3,000 years of the church.  And, in Malachi we find some most interesting and revealing testimony regarding this that cannot be ignored. 

 

We know that Christianity is represented by Judah—they have the rod.  In Malachi we find evidenced the same pattern of the church, but this time in a unique and revealing contrast with Levi, the other tribe equally spoken of in Hebrews 7.  In Malachi 2:4-8 we read:

 

4.  “Then you will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant may continue with Levi,” says Yahweh of hosts.

 

5.  “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him as an object of reverence; so he revered Me and stood in awe of My name.

 

6.  “True instruction was in his mouth and unrighteousness was not found on his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many back from iniquity.

 

7.  “For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of Yahweh of hosts.

 

8.  “But as for you, you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by the instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi,“ says Yahweh of hosts.

 

In the next chapter, verse 1 repeats this matter regarding the messenger and the covenant:

 

“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me;  and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple. And the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, he is coming,” says Yahweh of hosts.

 

What can we conclude from this?  Clearly, the Elijah, the messenger of the covenant who turns many back from iniquity and preserves knowledge, is identified with Levi.  As further evidence, John the Baptist was of the tribe of Levi.  Why is this so significant?  Because John, who foreshadowed the coming Elijah, testifies that Elijah is identified with Levi.  And, of course, John was equally in contrast with Yahshua, who was from Judah.  In like testimony, here in Malachi 2, verse 11, Levi is again drawn into contrast with Judah:

 

Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the sanctuary of Yahweh which He loves and has married the daughter of a foreign god.”

 

As we see testified here, Judah profanes the sanctuary, and as a result there has been the abomination.  Does this not sound like the abomination of desolation that has taken place in the church for 2,000 years?  Indeed so.  Thus, once again we see Judah evidencing Christianity that profanes the sanctuary.  But we also know that the first Remnant initiated the abomination of desolation with the casting of lots.  And we see in Hebrews 7:11 that indeed the Levites failed and the priesthood went to Judah. 

 

Thus we see again the pattern of the church.  The first Levi Remnant failed with the abomination of desolation.  But also, the Judah Body of Christ fails with its own abomination of desolation, testified to by its beginning in the mother church in Antioch/Antiochus.  Therefore, what does Yahweh do?  As is consistently His pattern, He passes over the first, He passes over the second, and He takes the third—the passing over principle.  In so doing, He performs His Zechariah 4 pattern, which is:

 

Olive tree —> Lampstand —> Olive tree

 

Of necessity, He passes over the first Remnant, He passes over the Body of Christ, and then goes back to what He did at the beginning—completing the Remnant work in the second Remnant.  This is the identical pattern we see regarding Shiloh and Jerusalem:

 

Shiloh —> Jerusalem —> Shiloh

 

Yahweh’s presence was first in Shiloh, He departed from there and went to Jerusalem, and will return back to Shiloh (1 Samuel 4:3, Psalm 78:60, Jeremiah 7:11-14).  Thus we see the same pattern.  In Genesis 49:10, Bible translators place the Hebrew word itself in that passage, thereby reading:  “The rod shall not depart from Judah … until Shiloh comes ….”  We see here, and will yet discuss, that the Shiloh that is being spoken of in this verse is relative to the second Remnant.  (Read Until Shiloh Comes.)  This is very important to note. 

 

Therefore, in the case of Levi and Judah we see the identical testimony:

 

Levi —> Judah —> Levi

 

Here again we see Christianity evidenced as Judah.  But in this testimony we find Judah in contrast with Levi—the one who has the promise of the covenant of life and peace, even the messenger of the covenant, the Elijah.  Again, this is confirmed by the highly relevant fact that John the Baptist, who foreshadowed Elijah, was of the tribe of Levi.

 

Thus far we have noted that the first Remnant was not to take the rod; and we see that Yahshua, the Rod, was most certainly in their very midst.  Then when He left, the Rod turned into a serpent, Satan.  But we also see that the responsibility and rights to the rod appropriately went to the Body of Christ—Christ on this earth in a corporate people. 

 

So what now?  Is the story over?  Of course not, for there yet has to be the work that is equally told not to take the rod—the second Remnant, the obedient people.  But, and this is very important, if the requirement on the first Remnant to not take the rod correctly presumes the presence of Yahshua, does not the like instruction to the second Remnant necessitate the same, only Immanuel?  Certainly and wonderfully so! 

 

So the question now is:  How is the rod transferred back to Immanuel?  Here is where the Elijah finds his fulfillment in restoring all things, including restoring the literal presence of the Son of God on this earth.  And, here is the fulfillment of the remaining period of the covenant with the many, even the messenger of the covenant.

 

We have already seen testified that Caleb is a type of Elijah, the man.  And, we have noted that he was of the tribe of Judah.  Also, with this testimony we see that he bears the rod.  But, how does the rod get from Yahshua, who initiated the rod, over to this Caleb?

 

To begin with, the rod which began with Yahshua had to pass to Judas.  How and when did this take place?  Keep in mind, by Divine design and testimony both are from the tribe of Judah, so both have the right to bear the rod.  At the Passover meal, clearly, Yahshua was given over to Judas.  Judas was given the rod, the right to rule over Him.  “What you do, do quickly,” Yahshua instructed Judas (John 13:27).  Thereupon, he was given the authority and responsibility as the initiating Elijah to baptize Him into death.  Evidencing Judas’ work here as the baptizing Elijah, Yahshua equally instructed John to baptize Him, so as “to fulfill all righteousness.” 

 

Yahshua was then baptized into death, rose from the grave, and after forty days departed into heaven.  What do we see next relative to the rod?  Shortly thereafter the Body of Christ began, and they rightfully received the rod, which they have possessed for 2,000 years. 

 

Then, of course, we see testified in Judah Caleb that the rod has to go back to a man, to the preceding Elijah, who is briefly given that authority so as to prepare a people and the way for the return of Immanuel.  Thus, if we amalgamate these two levels, it appears that the path of the actual rod of authority is the following:

 

 

However, there is a critical and substantial problem with this.  We have already noted that there is a distinction between (1) the office of the Son of God and the Elijah who prepares His way, and (2) the church.  What we find is that this distinction has to be respected.  Though unfolding simultaneously, these are two clearly different sets of events.  And, in order for the passage of the rod to follow the above course, of necessity it would require a transfer of the rod from Judas to Christianity.  But, there is neither an event that effected that, nor is there even a reasonable tie.  Therefore, we have to look back up to the level wherein Judas exists and see what transpired there.  Here we will find the truth concerning this transfer.

 

In Luke 22:3-4, we read that “Satan entered into Judas ….  And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them.”  And in John 13:27, we read that at the Passover meal Satan entered into Judas, and Yahshua instructed him, “What you do, do quickly.”  We also read in John 6:70 that Yahshua clearly stated, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is the devil?”  In the next verse, it says that this was Judas, “for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.”  Therefore, do we not see here that the devil and Judas were in concert at Yahshua’s betrayal, to the extent that they were one?  Indeed.  Satan entered into Judas, the twelfth apostle, and the two became one.  The baton/rod was about to be passed!

 

What happened next?  As addressed in the Addendum of He Was Jealous With My Jealousy, afterwards Judas went out and hung himself, and as Yahshua clearly stated, the office of the twelfth apostle was thenceforward occupied by Satan—“Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is the devil?”  The baton/rod was passed.  Therefore, that which truly took place, and takes place, relative to the passage of the rod is the following:

 

 

Satan was given the rights to the office of the twelfth apostle, the office of the Elijah, and when Yahshua left, the Rod turned into a serpent, Satan.  As the sole remaining apostle over the next 2,000 years, he has had the legal rights over the Body of Christ.  However, though this may look bad for the church, and has indeed resulted in the affliction and corruption of the kingdom, it also affords something very valuable—it kept the office of the twelfth apostle viable until “to whom it belongs comes.”  This is the promised Elijah.

 

Before continuing, let us resolve the question of why Christianity received the rod, and how they received it.  We read in Christianity Mark that they were to take the rod.  Why?  Quite simply, because they are Christ’s body, His corporate manifestation upon this earth.  Thereby, they bear the rod.  Remember, they bear their priesthood in Judah (Hebrews 7:11-14), who has the rights to the rod.  And keep in mind here, these two subject levels have to be kept separate.  Though they course through time together,  they are two separate works that cannot be amalgamated.  Christianity bears the rod simply because of who and what they are.

 

Also, though of necessity the rod was given to Christianity, they cannot and will not retain it into the Millennial Reign.  They will not rule and reign for a thousand years.  This is evidenced in numerous ways, including the fact that Moses, with his rod, did not lead the way into the Promised Land.  And in equal testimony, Judah lost its rights to lead, and another went before the people into the Promised Land (Joshua 4:12). 

 

With the establishment of the Elijah, the second Remnant, the obedient people, are now opportuned with the rod.  The golden rod is extended to the Esther.  But like the first Remnant, they too are obligated not to take the rod.  As it is written, they are to “give heed to everything [the prophet Elijah] says to [them],” and not try to take his place.  This responsibility on the part of the Bride in relation to the rod is addressed in A Lesson From Intercession, page 4, where we examine the rod/scepter of King Ahasuerus being extended to Esther.  Her response is precisely what the Bride’s response must be.  She did not take the rod; but instead, she touched its head.  By doing so, Esther and her people were delivered from death.  This is equally the outcome for the Bride—they ascend alive and do not die.

 

Let us further examine the testimony of Judas in relation to this passing of the rod to Elijah.  In Genesis 49:10 we read:

 

“The rod shall not depart from Judah, nor the decree from between his feet, until to whom it belongs comes, obedient people.”

 

So we ask, how can the man Elijah be the fulfillment in the receipt of that rod?  The answer:  Because he stands in the office that was initiated with Judas.  This too is addressed in the Addendum of He Was Jealous With My Jealousy.  Here, let us expand upon and further confirm this intrinsic relationship.

 

Most notably and exceedingly significant, Judas’ name is the same Greek word for “Judah.”  In the New Testament, the translation of the Greek word “Ioudas” (Strong’s #2455) has resulted in the transposing of “Judas” and “Judah.”  In the New American Standard, Ioudas is translated “Judah” eleven times, “Judas” thirty-two times, and “Jude” one time.  Therefore, let us restate this passage in Genesis 49:10, likewise transposing “Judas” for “Judah.”  This will afford us insight into its fulfillment: 

 

“The rod shall not depart from Judas … until to whom it belongs comes, obedient people.” 

 

Do you see the message and even fulfillment here?  The Elijah is in fact the fulfillment of the office of Judas, the twelfth apostle, who was undoubtedly of the tribe of Judah.  As the twelfth apostle, Judas identifies the destiny of the rod.  Thus, with the final transfer of the office that belonged to Judas/Judah, the rod indeed goes to the one who stands in the very office that Judas/Judah initially occupied—to the Judah Caleb, the smoking oven, the Elijah. 

 

Furthermore, this identity of Judas with Judah here in Genesis 49 is evidenced in the verse immediately following as well.  We will try to be brief in examining this, but it is most interesting and revealing.  In verse 11 we read concerning Judah:

 

“He ties his foal to the vine, and his donkey's colt to the choice vine; he washes his garments in wine, and his robes in the blood of grapes.”

 

I suggest to you that one of the two disciples spoken of in Matthew 21:1, Mark 11:1, and Luke 19:29, who were sent to untie the donkey’s colt for Yahshua, was Judas.  It is highly fitting, if not legally necessary, that Judas, who was of the tribe of Judah, was sent to perform this significant act.  The donkey’s colt was tied by Judah, so only Judah/Judas could untie it. 

 

Also, when select disciples are spoken of in the Scriptures, they are most often identified by name.  But, being that this was Judas, who had betrayed Yahshua, it is to be expected that none of these three writers would have wanted to mention that he was sent on this important mission.  In fact, Judas is never spoken of in a good light in any of the Gospels, but spoken of as evil.  However, since he was from the tribe of Judah, again, it is most probable and even essential that he was one of the two who were sent to untie the donkey’s colt and brought it (two donkeys in Matthew) to Yahshua.

 

What can this mean for us today?  Prophetically, donkeys speak of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, since Judas occupied the office that would be fulfilled by Elijah, it is indeed most hopeful that he untied the donkey and brought it to Yahshua so as to prepare for His triumphal entry.  This is indeed the work of Elijah, and is our hope today so as to prepare the way for Immanuel.  Judas’ part in this is also in harmony with the palm branches that were then laid before Yahshua—the teachings from the head of the erect palm tree, the rod, Elijah.

 

Let us now consider Judas’ replacement testified in Acts 1.  When Peter proclaimed that Judas’ office was to be filled by another man, he was correct in that fact; but, his timing was 2,000 years too early!  In addressing the filling of that office, he appropriately quoted two passages from the Psalms—first Psalm 69:25, then Psalm 109:8.  If Peter had had understanding at that time, he would have quoted Psalm 69:25, stopped there, and not have cast lots.  But, he did not see the breach coming, and assumed that the next Psalm applied to them.  He was fatally wrong.  Here are Peter’s words:

 

“For it is written in the book of the Psalms, ‘Let his homestead be made desolate, and let no one dwell in it [Psalm 69:25]’; and, ‘let another take his office [Psalm 109:8].’ ”

 

Do you see the clear difference in what is instructed in these two Psalms?  Psalm 69:25 says, “Let his homestead be made desolate, and let no one dwell in it.”  This is a very clear and direct statement regarding the office of Judas, which is the reason Peter quoted it.  And again, this was precisely where Peter should have stopped, and as instructed let no one dwell in that office.  Their filling it was premature!  But again, Peter did not see the breach and made the grave assumption that they were to fulfill Psalm 109:8—“let another take his office.”  Thereupon, the abomination of desolation took place!

 

We see then that these two contrasting Psalms were Divinely provided for our understanding today, affording affirming testimony of what we now know—that only now is the rod to depart from Judas and the office fulfilled by Elijah.  Only now is it time for Psalm 109:8 to be fulfilled.  Only now is “another [to] take his office,” and the obedient people to be the recipient of the rod.  Now is it time for Judas to untie the donkey’s colt, so as to prepare for Immanuel’s triumphal coming.

 

Let us look even further at this transfer of the rod spoken of in Genesis 49:10.  We have seen that when placing the word “Judas” in that passage, it attests to the transfer of an office to Elijah that began in Judas.  But, we have also noted that the Body of Christ, spiritual Judah, received the rod, and has possessed it for 2,000 years.  However, Christianity is, most certainly, a breach of the true fulfillment of the rod.  They were supposed to have been Christ on this earth and brought the kingdom of heaven to man.  But the fact is, they have been an utter failure in this regard.  This was inevitable—they were crucified.  But even so, the responsibility of the kingdom was still theirs.  What then is the solution?  For the serpent to turn into the fulfilling rod, the Elijah, and for him to establish an obedient people and prepare the way for the only one who CAN bring forth the true and undefiled kingdom.

 

This Elijah is the Caleb, who prepares the way for the burning torch, Immanuel.  But now one might astutely ask, “Caleb was Judah, so how can it be that the rod passes from Judah?  It is still going to Judah.”  This is why the insertion of Judas in that verse is so accurate and appropriate—“The rod will not depart from Judas ….”.  And remember, it was undoubtedly Judas himself who fulfilled the next verse in Genesis 49 by untying the donkey’s colt for Yahshua.  But even by leaving this passage to say “Judah,” we still see Yahweh’s most amazing ways and works, once again confirming the truth, the seamless truth, given to the Bride.  Again, this is truly amazing!

 

The issue regarding Judah is relative to the rod—correct?  Yes.  So, what if a man was converted from another race into the tribe of Judah?  Would it not mean that that man was given the rod?  Indeed.  Though he was not Judah, being grafted into that tribe would place him into the identity of the tribe.  This is precisely what we have in Christians.  Paul stated, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly …. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly, … by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God” (Romans 2:28-29).  People do not enter into identity with Judah by virtue of flesh and blood (John 1:12-13), but by faith.  Thus it is that Christians were given the rod, the right and responsibility of the kingdom that Yahshua, a Jew, made possible. 

 

In like testimony, with the rod identified with Judah, if someone legally gives you the rod and you accepted it, it essentially makes you a Jew.  Is that not correct?  Indeed, for you now operate in the authority of that rod.  You enter into the place of that race that has the legal right to rule.  By flesh and blood you may not be a Jew, but by authority and actions you are.  This is exactly what happens with regard to Christians.  When you accept the rod/Rod, even though you were not a Jew, you enter into that spiritual ruling order.  So, the fact is that as soon as someone receives the rod, this identifies them as Judah, even though by flesh and blood they are not.  And as Paul said, this is done so that it is from God that we receive the praise.  So why do we raise this matter here?  Because Caleb, whom we have identified with Judah, was equally a Jew by adoption and not by flesh and blood. 

 

In Numbers 13:6, we read that Caleb was the leader who was sent out as a spy for the tribe of Judah.  But, in Numbers 32:12 and Joshua 14:6, we read that his father was a Kenizzite, not a Jew, who were descendants of Esau (Genesis 36:11, 42).  Therefore, has not Yahweh provided in a most confirming and marvelous way in Caleb the very testimony we read in Romans 2:28-29?  When the rod is given to any man, that man’s identity is absorbed in the one to whom the rod truly belongs. 

 

Thus we find in the testimony of Caleb one who was not Judah by natural birth, but by choice.  Such is the Elijah today.  When the rod “departs from Judah” and is given to another, the recipient is inherently given the authority of Yahshua.  This is the authority that the Body of Christ had in receiving the rod to their judgment, and is the authority that Elijah must have in order to prepare the way for Immanuel.  But this time it will find its much needed fulfillment—being passed from Judas, through Satan (Judah was identified as a crouching lion, Genesis 49:9), to a man who will restore all things.

 

Yahweh declared concerning Caleb:

 

“But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it” [Numbers 14:24].

 

So may this be fulfilled as we enter into the Millennial Reign.  Also, as a type of Elijah who “births” Immanuel, it is most interesting that the place of Yahshua’s birth, Bethlehem Ephrathah, was founded by the household of Caleb, and appears to have been named after Caleb’s wife.  Bethlehem was formerly called Ephrathah, and was founded by Salma, the grandson of Caleb.  Caleb’s wife and the grandmother of Salma was Ephrathah (1 Chronicles 2:50-51).  Thus, the household of Caleb prepared the way for Yahshua, and today must prepare the way for Immanuel.

 

Thus we see, Elijah is the rod, a man in an office, who prepares the way for Immanuel, instructing, refining, and preparing the Bride, the silver, so as to cause them to be the obedient people, “that they may present to Yahweh offerings in righteousness.”  Elijah is the fulfillment of the “covenant of Levi” of “life and peace,” and he preserves knowledge.  Oh for his fulfillment:  “True instruction was in his mouth and unrighteousness was not found on his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many back from iniquity.”

 

And when his work is completed, once again Elijah will decrease and Immanuel will increase!  The seventh angel will then sound and declare:

 

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever”!

 

And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign”  [Revelation 11:15-17].

 

Amen—so may it be.

 

E-Mail your comments or ask to be notified of future publications

Return to home page