Many today are told they will enter the Kingdom, because they are Born Again, or "saved."

But what did Yahushua say?  Let's look closely:

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.   (Matthew 7:21)

Here we see not everyone who "says" – but only those who "do" the Father's will – will enter the Kingdom.

When we were in school, we remember that we had to devote a certain amount of time required by all the courses. Although a student might have met the time requirement for all the courses, it was the Final Exams that determined who would graduate, and who would not.

Yahuweh likewise has Final Exams for us, in order to determine those who merely "say," and those who "do" His will.  Just as the professor tested the students to see who would graduate, so Yahuweh gives tests to see who will enter the Kingdom. Pass the test, and we are allowed to graduate, and enter in to the Kingdom.  Fail the test, and we find ourselves repeating the course, with a new chance to pass a second test.  

Scripture reveals these two tests very clearly. Just as when we were in school, if we know what the test will cover, we can study those items very diligently, and we might pass the test.

However, if we fail the first test, Yahuweh will require that we take the second test. And because we do not want to fail Yahuweh's tests, we will look carefully at both of these tests in Scripture.

Yahushua has devised a two-fold "test" he will use to determine who will go into the kingdom. Yahuweh's harvest is a two-phase harvest of the "fruit of the earth" – of "Love" – therefore the tests are two corresponding "Love" tests. These two tests will determine when we may graduate, and will reveal which phase of the harvest each of us will be gathered in.

Here are the two tests to be given:

First Test:  If ye love me, keep my commandments.   (John 14:15)

Second Test:  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.   (John 15:13)

Each of the above verses shows the built-in test for that part of the harvest, and represents those who pass the test for that particular phase of the harvest represented. The first test is for the first phase of the harvest; the second test is for the second harvest-phase. Let's look at each one of these in detail.

Yahushua reveals the first love test in John 14:15:

If ye love me, keep my commandments.   (John 14:15)

In order to see the Truth of Scripture, it is often profitable to lay out the contrasts, such as wise vs foolish, and obedient vs disobedient, for our learning.

For this test, we will look at what Scripture says about "My Commandments," and then show in contrast some examples of NOT keeping "My Commandments."

First, let's notice that Yahushua spoke the phrase "My Commandments" 31 times in Scripture – three in the New Testament, and 28 in the Old Testament. Thus we see vividly that "My Commandments" speak of all the words and sayings He spoke, which are the same as "Yahuweh's Commandments." This is verified by Yahushua Himself:

He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.   (John 14:24)

Thus we realise that all of "My Commandments" are the same as the Father's Commandments.

We see further confirmation of this Truth in the Book of Revelation, of these who keep the Faith of Yahushua, by keeping the commandments of Yahuweh. To do so, these must endure, and overcome, in order to pass the first test:

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.   (Revelation 14:12)

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.   (Revelation 22:14)

Notice above in Rev 14:12, these end-time Believers "keep the commandments of Yahuweh," 'and' ['which is'] "The Faith" of Yahushua. As a result, we see above in Rev 22:14 they are "blessed." These must have passed the test, for they are granted right of access to enter into the City.

When Yahushua spoke the words, "Keep My Commandments," the New Testament did not even exist. Thus the Disciples understood that Yahushua's words referred to "the Commandments in the Old Testament."
 
The early Believers in the first century were actively living "The Faith" once delivered to the saints, which was simply living out the New Covenant by being a "do-er" of the Scriptures. They actively kept "My Commandments" that Yahushua had given to "My People," which are seen throughout the Old Testament. Indeed, the first-Century Believers knew of the supreme importance of meeting with Yahushua on the special days He had appointed.

These first-century Believers understood the Scriptures, wherein Yahushua had called His People to keep and observe Yahushua's special days and Festivals, that He had set apart for the purpose of meeting with His People. 

In the Gospels and the Book of Acts, we see Yahushua, as well as all the Apostles and Disciples, living "The Faith" that we are exhorted to live. We are then told that Yahushua, and all the Apostles and Disciples, are OUR examples today! (See Acts 18:4; 1 Cor 11:1; 1 Pet 2:21.)

These early Believers all kept the commandments, Sabbaths and Feasts, as a required part of New Covenant life. They also tell us that WE are to do the same! (See Acts 15:21; Acts 18:21; 1 Cor 5:8; Heb 4:10, 11.)

Yahushua goes so far to tell us that unless we keep the Passover meal -- with the new understanding that the after-dinner bread and cup of Passover speak of His New Covenant sacrifice, of His Body and His Blood – then we have NO life in us! (Mt 26:19, 26; John 6:53)

Yahushua is saying, "No Passover = No Life in You."

That may sound harsh, but that is what He said!  Today's congregations have all but lost this fervent life of "The Faith" of keeping the Passover, and His other Festivals, and His Commandments.

Indeed, in John 5:46-47, Yahushua reveals it is impossible to "believe" (become a "do-er" of) Yahushua's words, if one does not first believe (is not already a "do-er" of) Moses' words.  Just as a reminder, it was Moses' words that tell us of salvation and redemption, by the Blood of an acceptable sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22; Exodus 12:3-14; Lev 16:3-31; and many other passages).  

Likewise, it was Moses' words that became the basis for our redemption, salvation, and eternal life, by Yahushua's death, burial, and resurrection (Galatians 3:13; Deut 21:23; and many other passages).

Most evangelicals understand that Yahushua is the "Word" of Yahuweh -- but most of us have forgotten that Yahushua was the One who spoke the words to Moses!  Moses' words are Yahushua's words!

So we see that "My Commandments" are Yahushua's Commandments, and include the Commandments He gave to Moses!

We now turn to the contrast, for our instruction, to give us understanding of why current teaching has prevented us from keeping "My Commandments."

The "Doctrine of Balaam" is perhaps the most prominent feature of today's evangelical Doctrine. The "Doctrine" of Balaam is not what we have been taught,  It is simply the teaching that results in the "Error" of Balaam in the lives of the people. So we must look to see what the "Error of Balaam" is.

Scripture tells us exactly what the "Error of Balaam" is. What did Balaam do?

To summarise, we might say that Balaam nullified the earlier word given by Yahuweh, in favour of a later word from Yahuweh, hoping that the "later" word might be more favourable to him.

Because Balaam disregarded Yahuweh's earlier commandment, "Do not go with them," but went anyway, Yahuweh sought to kill Balaam (Num 22:12, 22). For a detailed account in Scripture, see The Error of Balaam.

The Doctrine of Balaam today teaches that the "earlier" word of Yahuweh has been "nullified," in favour of a "later" word.  Thus multitudes that have learned this Doctrine are walking in disobedience to the earlier Word.  This disobedience to Yahuweh's "earlier" Word is the "Error of Balaam."

Many today are being taught that the "Old Testament" commandments have been nullified and already done away with, contrary to all of Scripture, contrary to the Word of the Psalms and the Prophets, and contrary to Yahushua Himself.

What is the danger of the Doctrine of Balaam? Let's look at the results of this Doctrine from Scripture.

We are told in Rev 2:14 that the Doctrine of Balaam results in committing of fornication and idolatry.  We have not realised that much of our evangelical religious practices are seen by Yahuweh as fornication and idolatry. Let us look at one example, to see why that is true.

One of the foremost practices among faithful Believers today is the practice of taking "communion," also known as the "Lord's Supper, which is taken frequently, and with reverence, in remembrance of Yahushua, and of His death. We have been taught to do this, just as Yahushua and the Disciples did, as seen in (Matt 26:26-27; Mark 14:22-23; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor 10:16; 1 Cor 11:26-28).

What we were NOT taught, however, is that every instance in the Gospels show this bread and cup memorial as a part of celebrating of Passover! Yahushua celebrated Passover, and He requires that we do so today!

Perhaps we have not realised that the current practice of taking communion or the Lord's Supper, is simply a tradition of men, and is a substitute for the true Passover Supper, on a day that is not Passover. 

Thus if we practice the tradition of taking "communion," or the Lord's Supper, while rejecting the True Passover, we are actually practicing idolatry, for we have created a substitute – an idol – for the Truth of Yahuweh.  Thus what we are eating is thus NOT the symbolic flesh and Blood of Messiah, but food sacrificed to idols!

This is just one of MANY examples of idolatry that result from walking in the Error of Balaam – when we reject the full counsel of Yahuweh's Word.

We are then warned if we do not repent of this Doctrine of Balaam, and keep the Truth, Yahushua will fight against us with the sword of His mouth (Rev 2:16). We would thus receive a strong delusion, that we might believe a "Lie" (See 2 Thess 2:11).  These are some strong words!

Today many would say, "But we have been taught the 'Old' Testament has been nullified, and done away with."  However, most do not study the Scriptures for themselves, to see if this is true or not. Let's look further.

As a review, let us ask ourselves, "What is the New Covenant?" To summarise, we might answer, "The New covenant is simply our allowing of Yahushua to live within us, as He writes the Torah on our hearts" (Jer 31:31-33; Gal 2:20; Col 1:27). We might add, that what Yahushua did while He walked on the earth 2,000 years ago, is for OUR example.

Yahushua desires to live the full, vibrant Life of Messiah (within you) today. The life of Messiah-in-you has NOT been nullified, canceled, or done away with. In fact, Yahushua wants to live the same life in you, and in me, that He lived in His own flesh 2,000 years ago!

Nothing of Torah has disappeared – there are simply "better things" concerning the Priesthood, and the sacrifice, and the Blood, as described in the book of Hebrews. Yahushua tells us this very clearly:

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.   (Matthew 5:18) 

In spite of this clear word from Yahushua, many today refuse to keep even the simplest Passover "Lord's Supper" that Yahushua kept, and which He requires His people to keep. The pagan substitute has prevented "Messiah-in-you" from keeping the Truth of this simplest of commandments.

Have "My Commandments" been nullified?  Most today, who refuse to practice the full counsel of Yahuweh, thinking they have been nullified, will not pass this "first" love test.  They will fail the test, for they have rejected the words Yahushua gave to Moses, which are called "My Commandments."  As Ephraim is prophetic of Believers in the Last Days, we see  in Scripture that they have "willingly departed from following the Commandment" (Hosea 5:11).

So we see those who fail the first love test will be given opportunity to take the next test.  Let's now look at the "Second" Love Test.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.   (John 15:13)

Here we see a common feature of all true Believers down through the centuries, even unto today. However, this laying down of one's life will occur at unprecedented levels during the Great Tribulation.

Multitudes of Believers, redeemed by the Blood of Yahushua, but who failed the first test, will have opportunity to be tested again. They will be given the chance to deny Yahushua, and His Word, in exchange for staying alive. Many, however, will lay down their lives, and will not deny Yahushua.

If we could look backwards from the Great Tribulation, back to today, how could we recognise who these multitudes are today? Seeing these, perhaps we might learn from them, and change our outcome. So let's look at the characteristics of these that must take the "second" test.

Looking backward in time, we would see who these are today:

• These are those who held a sincere love for Yahushua, but were afraid to venture out beyond the confines of their congregation's token commitment to the Bible.

• These are those who believed every word they heard, from various pulpits and from many respected men of Yahuweh. They did not, however, search the Scriptures for themselves, to see if these things were true (Prov 14:15; Acts 17:11). 

• These are those who also ignored the Old Testament Prophets.  These Prophets pronounced coming judgment against Yahuweh's people for NOT keeping all Yahuweh's Sabbaths, Festivals, ordinances, and precepts.

• These are those who were taught not to believe (to be "do-ers of") all things the Old Testament Prophets had spoken, and thus Yahushua says they were "foolish" and slow of heart (Luke 24:25).

• These are those who were not aware they were simply following the Theologians – practicing a combination of Scripture and Traditions of Men, combined with a few popular pagan festivals and religious practices.

• These are those whose pagan practices included the pagan winter and spring festivals, the pagan 40-day fast, and many other pagan holy days. These holy days were adopted by the early congregations, then given a new "religious" wrapping and stamp of approval.
  

These new man-made, religious holy days were then given out as "New Testament" holy days, and passed down from generation to generation. Anything that "appeared" Jewish was then prohibited; and to this day, most Believers were taught to say of Yahuweh's Feasts and Sabbaths: "That's Jewish – we don't do that."  These Believers did not diligently study the Scriptures for themselves, to see whether this notion was true, or false.

• These are those who believed the devilish, man-made Doctrine of "Dispensations" put forth by their Leaders. These Leaders, and their followers, did not diligently seek Yahuweh in Scripture, to see whether the notion of "Dispensations" were true or false. They had not realised that dispensational thinking was contradictory to all of Scripture, but was a sinking-sand, man-made, foundational necessity of the Doctrine of Balaam, upon which foundation every house built will come down with a loud crash.

• These are those who, when the tribulation came to them, began to realize their Pastors and Leaders had lied to them.  They had been taught to obey only the "New Testament" commandments. They had been taught the notion that that the "Law" had been nailed to the cross, and done away with.
  

These had not studied the Scriptures for themselves, to see whether this notion was true, or false. Had they done so, they would have noticed that Scripture tells them very clearly that the Greek word 'dogma' – the decrees and "doctrines of men" (Strong's 1378 and 1379) – is what was nailed to the cross, and done away with (Luke 2:1; Acts 16:4; Acts 17:7; Eph 2:15; Col 2:14,20).

• These are those who had not read the New Testament closely for themselves. Instead, they had believed the "wrested," or twisted words of their Pastors and Leaders, whose error Jude describes as the "Error of Balaam," in that they denied and rejected the earlier word of Yahuweh (the Old Testament) in favour of the later word of Yahuweh (the New Testament).  As a result, Jude shows these Leaders' true characteristics, and their expected end in judgment.
  

Jude warns us (Jude 5) that these Leaders, and their followers, although they had been "saved" (Born again), they still had to be reminded that they must enter in by "belief" , which is equated to "obedience" in the Book of Hebrews.

• These are those who, as Believers, had been deceived, for they had not searched the Scriptures diligently on their own, to see if these things taught by their Leaders were true!  Had they found their Leaders out of agreement with Scripture, they would not have disagreed with them – for they loved "unity" more than Truth; and loved acceptance and praise of men more than praise of Yahuweh.

• These are those who, when the Tribulation began, they were suddenly forced to decide between two choices:

First, they could accept "the mark" in order to stay alive, but this would incur Yahushua's wrath by disobeying the command in Revelation not to take "the mark."

Second, they could refuse "the mark," and deny their own life – in order to obey Yahushua's command. These would be memorialized in Rev 6:9,11.

Having failed the first Love Test, they decided they would not fail this second test.  So they chose Yahushua, and chose not to take "the mark."  Instead, they chose to lay down their life for their Friend.

In this way they passed Yahushua's "second" Love Test, and they proved their love for Him.

We might add that throughout history, many have been given opportunity to take both tests. Perhaps it is those who pass both love tests are they that obtain a 'better resurrection' (Heb 11:35).

Conclusion

What about you, dear reader? Will you choose to pass one, or even both of these "Love Tests?"  Now is the time to decide – there is not much time left.

Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.   (Malachi 3:16-18)

Final Exams are almost upon us!

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