Do not even think that I came to destroy the Torah (Law) or the Prophets. I did not come with the purpose to cancel them but rather to interpret them properly. In solemn truth I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even the smallest iota or dot from a letter shall pass from the Torah until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. However, everyone who practices and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:17-19
The Newer Testament by Dr. Brad Young
Yeshua had spoken 2000 years ago concerning the Torah and the Prophets, that not even the smallest details (jots and tittles) in the Torah would be destroyed. They would be enduring even until heaven and earth passed away. Hebrew letters, and any ornate marks, such as tagins (crowns), are considered to be mystical in the manuscripts by rabbis.
There is some debate among Hebrew scholars on the precise definition of jots and tittles. It was understood by Yeshua and His first century audience, but appears to have lost its original meaning. So, we are left with making speculations and educated guesses on what they were.
What is interesting are none of the things, the iotas or dots, the letters and words, whether they be the stories, instructions, or prophecies in the Tanach (Old Testament), they will not pass away until heaven and earth pass away. Does this hint at the possibility of a time when heaven and earth will pass away? When heaven and earth passes away, what will happen to the Torah and the Prophets? According to certain passages, heaven and earth will pass away, and the word at this time will exist in the inward parts of the righteous.
Since heaven and earth has not yet been dissolved, the Torah and the Prophets are still in effect. Now, there are some denominational teachings, and teachers that have taken it upon themselves to have destroyed, or annulled, the Law and Prophets before its time; yet, they had not been given the authority to do this. Not even Yeshua could do this. He said not until ‘heaven and earth’ had passed away. He made it clear those who would teach others to annul even the least of the commandments before the time would be called least in the kingdom, and their disciples, as well. So, when rewards are given out in the kingdom, one gets the brand-new reward called ‘least.’ In Hebrew that would be the word qatan, and it means lesser, small, and unimportant. Although this is pointed out to those who teach this error, their denominational pride does not permit them to alter their position. On that day, God will not change His position either, and they will be called lesser.
Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. However, everyone who practices and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Some make the assumption that that heaven and earth passed away at the cross. When Yeshua said “it is finished,” it did not mean the jots and tittles, or the Torah and Prophets, were destroyed. It did mean the plan of salvation was completed. If a new heaven and new earth had been introduced at the cross, then Peter would not have said: “According to His promise, we are waiting with anticipation for the new heavens and new earth where a righteous way of living resides.” 2 Peter 3:13, TNT
Righteousness is not currently dwelling on the earth. Like Peter, we are waiting for that prophetic event. We are still looking for the new heavens and new earth.
When is the new heaven and new earth?
Revelation gives us sequential events that leads up to the new heavens and new earth. The Seer John spoke in Revelation 20 of the reign of the Messiah for 1000 years. The righteous dead will be resurrected at His coming, and those left and remaining will be caught up together with the resurrected; and they all will go to Israel with Him to be priests and kings. At this time curse of the earth will be removed, but not the curse of death.
I Thessalonians 4:15-17; Revelation 1:6, 5:10; Revelation 20:4-6
After the 1000-year reign of the Messiah, a Great White Throne judgment will take place. All those who died in their sins from the beginning of the rebellion, and all who will have died in the Messianic Age, will appear before God to be judged out of the books concerning their actions or works while living.
After this, heaven and earth will flee before the face of God. Death and Hades will be cast into the lake of fire (destroyed); and anyone not found written in the Book of Life. Revelation 20:11-14
From there all things become new. “The One who sits upon the throne declared, ‘See all around! I am making everything new (kainos).’” Revelation 21:5 TNT
“Then I saw a new (kainos) heaven and a new (kainos) earth. The first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. Moreover, I saw the holy city, the new (kainos) Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride all dressed up to meet her husband [for their wedding]. I heard a loud voice from the throne proclaiming, ‘Take notice of this! The tent for meeting God is now present with the people. He will live among them, and truly, they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will no longer be death. There will no longer be grieving, crying, or pain. The first things have passed away.’” Revelation 21:1-4 TNT
For behold, I create new (kainos/chadasha) heavens and a new (kainos/chadash) earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying. Isaiah 65:17-19 NKJV
The former will be cast off like an old garment.
In addition, You, LORD, in the beginning put down the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will die out, but You remain. They will wear out like old clothes, and like a robe You will roll them up; like old clothing they will be changed. You however, are the same, and Your years will never come to an end. Hebrews 1:10-11 TNT
But through the catalyst of His word, the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of impious people. 2 Peter 3:7 TNT
In finality, the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the worldly force elements will melt away because of the severe heat from the fire. 2 Peter 3:12 TNT
They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed. Psalm 102:26
Revelation 21 and 22 focuses on that change, and it ushers in Eternity. At this time, God will personally dwell among His people. It will be a time of peace and righteousness. Old things will definitely pass away.
Revelation 21:3 teaches us: I heard a loud voice from the throne proclaiming, ‘Take notice of this! The tent for meeting God is now present with the people. He will live among them, and truly, they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them. TNT
All the 7000 years prior will have been a preparation for eternity. There will be no Tabernacle, nor will there be a Temple; but the manifest presence of God among His people. This is the consummation of the wedding that took place in Revelation 19.
“Let us rejoice, be glad, and give glory to Him because the time for the marriage of the Lamb has arrived. His bride has made herself ready.” Then he commanded me, “Write as follows: ‘See what great blessing God shows to those who are invited to the marriage banquet of the Lamb.’” Revelation 19:7,9 TNT
Yeshua Rules With Rod of Iron
In the Messianic kingdom, the 1000 years of peace, Yeshua, the Anointed One (Mashiach), will rule the world with a rod of iron. This would suggest that the Laws, even at this time, will not be written on the minds and hearts of the remnant left in the nations.
Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel. Psalm 2:8-9 NKJV
That one shall herd them like a shepherd with a rod of iron, just like a potter who has power to break vessels of earthenware pottery into pieces. Revelation 2:27 TNT
Not only will He rule with a rod of iron, He also threatens plagues and drought on those nations who will not send emissaries to attend Tabernacles in Israel from year to year, as is stated in Zechariah 14:18-19. If the Torah would be found written on their minds and hearts, the nations would just exercise the Torah and attend this great Feast of the Nations with perfect obedience. During the millennium, the teachings of Yeshua will help restrain evil inclination, but it will not be entirely snuffed out.
In the Messianic Age, Yeshua will teach the word to the people left in the nations after the Great War. Why will He have to teach them? Because it will not yet be written in their minds or hearts. Their hearts will not be circumcised.
Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we will walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:2-3 NKJV, Micah 4:1-2
Though an angel will chain the devil (dragon) and place him in the bottomless pit, people in the Messianic Age will still have to cope with their flesh. The Law will restrain much of the evil inclination as the remnant left in the nations will learn to obey it. Yet, even after that, there will be those at the end of the Messianic Age who will follow after the dragon. He will be loosed from his prison, and he will deceive the nations.
But when the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his imprisonment. He will go out to lead astray the nations from all the four corners of the earth, including Gog and Magog. He will assemble them all together for war. Their vast number is like the sand of the seashore. They marched over the wide expanse of the earth only to surrounded the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them. Revelation 20:1-9 TNT
So, the Word/law will not be written on their minds or on their hearts during the Messianic Age. If it were so, no one would follow after the dragon after his release from the bottomless pit. Everyone would ignore him and would instead choose to follow after righteousness, just like Peter said in 2 Peter 3:13. Instead, they, and the dragon, go to war against God and His holy ones, and they all will be consumed.
The Messianic Age is the fulfillment, or completion, of the Feast of Sukkot/Tabernacles found in Leviticus 23, and Revelation 20.
The LORD’s feast Sh’mini Atzeret
To understand Revelation, one should familiarize one’s self with His feasts that serve as visuals for His future purposes. His feasts are found in Leviticus 23. I am going to focus on the last feast in verse 36, which is Sh’mini Atzeret. It represents the last day–Eternity.
For seven days (Tabernacles) you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it.
Sh’mini Atzeret is the Eighth Day of Assembly, and this is what we are seeing in Revelation 21 and 22. God dwelling with His people in Eternity, the Eighth Day. Sh’mini Atzeret is a day to itself after Tabernacles (Sukkot). Eternity is a day to itself, though it is non-ending. Revelation 22:3-4, also says, this is the time people will see His face.
No longer will anything suffer from a curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be housed in it, and His bondservants will worship Him. They will see His face. His name will appear on their foreheads. TNT
On She’mini Atzeret, Israel would disassemble their sukkahs/tabernacles, and prepare to return to their homes. It is the same with Eternity, the sukkahs for Tabernacles (the Seventh Day/Messianic Age) will be dismantled, and their home will be God and His Son. This will be the time when righteousness/Torah will be engraved on their minds and hearts. Some translations would say their center, or the center of their being. Whatever, the living word will be residing in them. No one will have to consult the written word because it will be inherent. It will be written in the inward parts, the hidden places. One will be like a thumb drive, downloaded with the Word.
Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new (chadash/kainos, hence, renewed) covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to lead the out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD; I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they will be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34 NKJV
At no time has the renewed (Greek word kainos) covenant occurred with Israel or Judah, and for sure, every man must be taught from the least to the greatest in this life to know the LORD. This has not been fulfilled, and it appears this is reserved for the Eighth Day when all will know Him from least to the greatest of them, and no one will have to be taught concerning Him.
There are those who want to argue that when one gets saved, the word is then engraved on their hearts and minds. Not true. If it were true, there would be no one having to carry a Bible, nor having to consult it every day to keep the word fresh. There has been only one individual that I know of that had had the word downloaded in him. One could ask him any book, chapter and verse, and he would quote it without consulting the word. It always amazed me. My hope is that his memory will never fail him. He shared how his whole experience happened, the Word was opened to him and it went into him. I could only respect that. It pleased the LORD to do this to that particular minister. I have to consult the Word all the time, and everyone else I know does, as well.
Have you heard people say after being saved they had sinned, and then they ask forgiveness for whatever failure was committed? That is because the Word is still not written on their minds or hearts. Where it is truly written, no sin can be found. That is why Yeshua was never sick. He never had a disease. He committed no sin, and therefore no disease could cling to Him. The Torah was written on His mind (inward parts) and heart. He was sinless. He acted out the Word, that is, practiced the Torah. He did not practice sin.
Circumcision on the Eighth Day
Circumcision on the Eighth Day is another prophetic pattern I see that has connection to the Eternal Day. The Eighth Day circumcision alludes to the hearts in Eternity being circumcised, the covenant/Torah will be written on their minds and hearts.
And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. Leviticus 12:3 NKJV
This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant. Genesis 17:10-14 NKJV
The above passage is the only one that mentions the covenant being cut in the flesh, that it is the sign of the covenant. The Abrahamic Covenant was that God would be God to his descendants; and that the land of Canaan would be an everlasting possession throughout their generations. The sign of this covenant was on the flesh. Similarly, the Law will be written on the minds and hearts of His people in the Eighth Day, the center of their beings. The sign of the covenant will be written on the inward parts of His people.
Circumcision of male children are to take place on the Eighth Day, and it does not matter if the Eighth Day happens to fall on the Sabbath Day. A rabbi will lay out the instruments the day before and surgically remove the flesh on Sabbath. So, the Torah is specific in mentioning that circumcision be conducted on the Eighth Day, as if it is a visual to serve what will happen in Eternity.
Simcha Torah
This will be the last prophetic pattern that I focus on. I do not normally take the time to read the weekly Torah portions, nor the Haftarah readings that coincide with them. However, thinking on the yearly reading cycle, I realized that each cycle begins with Genesis in the fall of the year, and it ends with Deuteronomy in the fall of the next year. This may serve as a pattern, of sorts, that the earth was created in the fall and finished in the fall. What does this say about the end of days? The greatest possibility is that the return of the Messiah will be at the end of days, which is the harvest time. In ancient times the final harvest was called the ‘end of days.’
When the human was created, everything was completed. The fruit trees were stocked for his consumption, and this would indicate the fall of the year. The autumn appears to be the beginning and the end.
So, back to the Torah reading cycle. It consists of reading certain portions of the Torah along with the Prophets. The reading of the Prophets agrees with particular passages of the Torah portions. The Prophet passages are called Haftarah. This may be one of the many reasons Yeshua also lumped the Prophets with the Law. Besides this, He was written in the volume of the Book. The Law, the Prophets, and the Writings speak of Him.
As the reading cycle ends, there is a last portion called the Simchat Torah. This is the end of the reading of the book and it ends on Sh’mini Atzeret, the Eighth Day Assembly (Eternal Day), along with Vezot ha’Bracha (which means “And this is the blessing.”) These last readings detail the moedim, the appointed feasts of the LORD. Before his departure, Moses speaks blessings over the twelve tribes of Israel.
The Torah cycle ends in the fall of the year. In Eternity, the Torah will be written upon the tablets of their minds and hearts. No man will teach his neighbor to know the LORD, for all will know Him from the least to the greatest. This will be more than memorization of passages, because the Torah will be scribed in their inner beings. We will walk in righteousness and not break the renewed covenant. Heaven and earth will have passed away, all things will become new, and the Torah and Prophets will go into the inward parts of His righteous people.
“According to His promise, we are waiting with anticipation for the new (kainos) heavens and new (kainos) earth where a righteous way of living resides.” 2 Peter 3:13, TNT
Notes: The Greek word kainos meaning is renewed, repaired or refreshed.
The Greek word for brand new would be neos.
In some manuscripts and translations, the word new is inserted in Matthew 26:28.
And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the [new] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” The English-Greek Reverse Interlinear New Testament. Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece, 28th Edition. John Schwandt, General Editor; C. John Collins, ESV Text Editor.
Dr. Brad H. Young translates: “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out on behalf of many for forgiveness of sins.” TNT
He writes: “This is My blood of the covenant” is supported by better manuscript evidence. The KJV reads, “For this is my blood of the new testament,” where the word “new,” Greek kaines, has been added. It would be better translated “renewed” in the context of the Passover celebration which re-enacts the redemption from slavery in Egypt and focuses on the blood of the Pesach lamb (see I Cor 11:25). The covenantal relationship is renewed as Jesus connects His redemptive work to the renewal of the covenantal faith experience. The translation “new testament” sometimes is viewed as a replacement of the Old Testament. The old is thought to have been set aside. But this cannot be. The proclamation of the early believing community was founded up the Hebrew Scriptures (I Tim 3:6). The Newer Testament is only validated through the Older Testament, and the faith in Jesus was never considered to be the abolition of the faith of Jesus in the early church. Jesus taught that the Torah and the Prophets must be upheld and validated through the proper interpretation (see Matt 5:17 and compare Rom 3:31.)
